The ride back to the guild was bittersweet. Though they had won a great victory, the loss of their comrade Zeke weighed heavily on the group.

Zeke had been a mentor, a friend, and a hero to many, and his death left a void that could never be filled. When they arrived back at the guild, they were greeted with a roar of applause from the other adventurers, but the celebration was tempered by the somber news they brought with them.

That night, the guild held a funeral for Zeke, honoring the S-Rank veteran who had given so much to train the next generation of warriors.

Katsuo stood silently by the pyre, watching as the flames flickered into the night sky. He hadn’t known Zeke for as long as the others, but the loss still hit him hard.

The man had given everything for the guild, for the people they protected, and now it was their turn to carry on his legacy. As the night drew on, Katsuo couldn’t help but reflect on everything they had been through. They had lost much, but they had gained new bonds, new allies, and new strength.

The sun rose slowly the morning after Zeke’s funeral, casting long shadows across the guild hall as adventurers went about their routines.

Despite the weight of loss, life continued, and the bustling activity within the guild showed that their work was far from over. Katsuo stood at one of the large windows overlooking the courtyard, lost in thought.

The past few weeks had been grueling, but now there was a strange calm in the air, a calm before the next storm. The battle for Milix was over, but new challenges loomed on the horizon.

The guild was busier than usual, with reinforcements arriving from the main branch to help with the aftermath of the mage attacks and to stabilize the region.

The Aegis Guild had officially recognized the group’s efforts in saving Milix, and word of their victory had spread quickly.

With the influx of new adventurers and the need to rebuild, the guild was abuzz with activity. But amidst the chaos, a sense of solemnity still hung in the air. Zeke’s absence was deeply felt, and the guild had yet to fully recover from the loss.

Monica, now fully back to her duties as head of the branch, was organizing missions and handling the overwhelming number of requests coming in from nearby towns and villages.

Despite the workload, she seemed to have regained her composure, her usual sharpness returning as she issued orders and finalized reports.

As Katsuo watched her from the window, he could see the strain in her eyes, the weight of leadership pressing down on her. But there was also a sense of resolve—Monica had always been strong, and she wasn’t one to let the hardships break her.

The guild hall was packed with adventurers, all gathered to celebrate the hard-fought victory at Milix. The air buzzed with excitement, laughter, and the sounds of clinking mugs as the guild members relished the temporary peace. Despite the lively atmosphere, the weight of loss still hung heavy. Zeke’s death had been a somber reminder of the sacrifices they had made, and his memorial stood tall in the center of the hall, surrounded by candles and flowers.

Monica stood at the front of the hall, her stern demeanor softened by pride as she addressed the gathering.

The adventurers of the Aegis Guild, battered but triumphant, awaited their recognition. The time had come to honor those who had fought bravely in Milix, to recognize their valor and award their new ranks.

"Alright, everyone," Monica called out, her voice commanding attention despite the lively crowd. "We've had our share of hardships, but today is about honoring those who went above and beyond in the defense of Milix. It’s time to recognize the heroes of the battle."

The room fell silent as everyone focused on Monica, their excitement palpable.

Monica’s sharp gaze turned toward the first member of their group. "Zin," she announced, her voice carrying across the hall.

"For your leadership and your strength in the face of overwhelming odds, you are hereby promoted to S-Tier."

The room erupted in cheers and applause as Zin, grinning like a wolf, stepped forward to accept his new rank.

His alpha wolf, lounging nearby, gave a low, approving growl, almost as if it understood the significance of the moment.

Zin raised an eyebrow as the applause continued, clearly enjoying the attention.

"S-Tier, huh?" he said, glancing at Monica.

"Guess that means I’m officially in the big leagues, right?" His grin widened mischievously.

Monica rolled her eyes, her usual stern expression cracking into a faint smile. "Don't get cocky, Zin. You’ve earned the rank, but don’t let it go to your head. We still have work to do."

Zin chuckled, turning to the others with a mockingly serious expression. "Well, looks like you all better start bowing down to your new S-Tier leader. Don’t worry, I’ll make time for autographs later."

Venom scoffed from the sidelines. "Careful, Zin, that ego of yours is going to need its own promotion soon."

The group laughed, and Zin clapped Venom on the back as he returned to his spot.

"Just you wait, Venom. Someday, I’ll have my own statue in this place. You’ll see."

Next, Monica turned to Aran, her expression becoming more solemn. "Aran," she began.

"for your unwavering strength and your ability to hold the line when the odds were against us, you are promoted to A-Tier."

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Aran stepped forward, his heavy boots thudding against the wooden floor.

He gave a short, respectful nod to Monica before looking out over the hall. His face, as always, was stern, but there was a glimmer of pride in his eyes.

"I don’t care much for titles," Aran said in his deep, gravelly voice, "but this means a lot. To me, it’s proof that strength isn’t just about power—it's about standing with your comrades, no matter what."

Venom smirked, nudging Aran playfully. "Aran showing off his soft side is always a shocker."

Aran gave Venom a look that could shatter stone, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward in a rare smile.

"Don’t push your luck, Venom.”

The group chuckled, and Monica nodded approvingly before turning to Venom himself.

"Venom, for your agility and quick thinking on the battlefield, for your ability to strike from the shadows and bring down even the most dangerous enemies, you too are promoted to A-Tier."

Venom twirled one of her daggers in his hand before stepping forward with a grin.

"A-Tier? Not bad. Guess I’ll have to step up my game now. Maybe next time, I’ll be the next S-Rank." Her eyes sparkled with mischief as he glanced around at the group.

Serena rolled her eyes, unable to hold back a smile. "You? S-Rank? Last I checked, you were the one who needed rescuing after that ice soldier nearly took your head off."

Venom held a hand to her chest, feigning shock. "Please, Serena. That was all part of my plan. I wanted to give you the spotlight for once."

The group laughed again, the camaraderie lightening the atmosphere as Venom returned to his spot, still grinning.

Grant was the next to step forward, his presence calm and commanding as always.

Monica’s tone became even more serious as she addressed him. "Grant, for your tactical expertise, your mastery of magic-infused combat, and your ability to lead in the heat of battle, you are promoted to A-Tier."

Grant bowed his head slightly, accepting the rank with quiet dignity.

"It’s an honor," he said, his deep voice resonating through the hall.

"But the real credit goes to everyone who stood by me on that battlefield. This rank is not just a personal achievement—it's a testament to the strength of the bonds we forged."

Zin nodded in agreement. "Well said, Grant. You’ve got the brains and the brawn to back it up."

Taka, ever the joker, chimed in. "Yeah, but let’s not forget how he almost tripped over his own sword back there. A-Tier and still clumsy as ever."

Grant gave Taka a flat look, but there was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

"I’m pretty sure that was you, Taka. You’re the one who’s known for falling face-first into traps."

Taka grinned, unbothered by the jab. "Hey, I call it tactical stumbling."

The room erupted into laughter, and even Monica couldn’t help but smile as she continued.

“Taka,” she called out next, her tone playful yet sincere. “For your adaptability and quick thinking in battle—and for managing not to trip over yourself too much—you’re promoted to B-Tier.”

Taka swaggered forward, hands behind his head in his usual carefree manner. "B-Tier, huh? Guess I really have talent after all, maybe I’ll make it to the status of S-Rank soon too."

Monica smirked. "Just try not to get yourself killed on the way there."

Taka flashed a thumbs-up before turning to the others. "Don’t worry, I’ll make B-Tier look good."

Serena gave him a playful shove. "You better, or we’re all going to have to babysit you again on the next mission."

Taka feigned offense, but there was a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "Serena, you wound me. Besides, if I’m B-Tier now, that means I’m still one rank ahead of you."

All eyes turned to Katsuo, who shifted slightly, feeling the weight of expectation.

Finally, Monica’s gaze landed on Katsuo and Serena, her expression softening as she addressed them.

"Katsuo, Serena—both of you showed incredible growth during the battle at Milix. You’ve proven yourselves not just as warriors, but as individuals who can be trusted with the lives of others. For that, you’re both promoted to C-Tier."

Katsuo stepped forward, his heart swelling with a mixture of pride and humility. He had come a long way from the boy who had struggled with self-doubt, and now, standing before the guild, he felt a renewed sense of purpose.

"Thank you," Katsuo said, his voice steady. "But this isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning."

Serena nodded beside him, her expression filled with determination.

"We’re not stopping here," she added. "There’s so much more to learn, and we’ll keep pushing forward."

Taka, never one to miss an opportunity, leaned in with a smirk.

"Yeah, just don’t forget that I’m your superior now, both of you. Looks like I will boss you guys around."

Katsuo laughed, shaking his head. "Don’t get used to it, Taka. I’ll catch up soon enough."

Zin clapped a hand on Katsuo’s shoulder, his grin wide.

"Don’t worry, Katsuo. We’ll drag you up to A-Tier before you know it. Just try not to fall behind."

Grant, ever the voice of wisdom, nodded in agreement.

"The road ahead is difficult, but you’ve shown you have the heart for it. Keep moving forward, and you’ll find your place."

The group shared a moment of laughter and camaraderie, the bonds between them stronger than ever. Though the battle at Milix had been brutal, it had forged them into something greater—a team united by purpose, loyalty, and friendship.

A week passed and Katsuo finds himself dreading the day that has arrived as he stares out the window.

“Katsuo.” A voice behind him broke through his thoughts, and he turned to see Zin standing with his arms crossed, his usual smirk present despite everything.

“You’ve been staring out that window long enough. We’ve got some things to take care of before we all start heading our separate ways.” Katsuo nodded, knowing exactly what Zin was referring to.

The group was about to disband, each member heading off on their own paths, and it was time for some goodbyes.

The first to leave were Aran and Venom. Both had received a special mission from the guild, one that involved investigating the disappearance of the royal family in Valeria.

The gravity of the mission was clear, and the two warriors were eager to get started. The guild hall was quieter than usual as the group gathered to see them off. Aran, his usual stoic expression softened slightly, shook hands with Katsuo, his grip firm and reassuring.

“You’ve come a long way, Katsuo,” Aran said, his deep voice carrying a note of approval. “Keep pushing forward. There’s a lot more waiting for you out there.”

Venom, standing next to Aran, gave Katsuo a sly grin. “Try not to get yourself killed, all right?” she teased, though there was an edge of sincerity in her voice. Venom was known for her sharp tongue and quick wit, but there was no denying the bond that had formed between him and the rest of the group.

As they prepared to leave, Katsuo felt a pang of sadness. They had fought together, bled together, and now it was time to part ways. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.

The farewell was emotional, with hugs and handshakes exchanged as Aran and Venom made their way out of the guild hall.

Katsuo stood by the entrance, watching them walk off into the distance, their figures slowly disappearing into the horizon.

“Good luck,” Katsuo whispered, though he knew they couldn’t hear him. The road ahead for them was uncertain, but if anyone could handle it, it was Aran and Venom. They were warriors through and through.