I Ascend Alone-Chapter 105: Doubts & Revenge

I let her words hang in the air for a moment, contemplating them. There was truth in what she said. Even though I'd grown used to working alone, there was always something to be said for having a group you could rely on. But then again, I wasn't someone who easily fit into others' expectations.

Finally, I spoke. "I've worked with a team before. It can be good... when it's the right people. But it's hard to find that kind of trust. And I don't know if I'm ready for that again."

Christa didn't say anything right away. She seemed to be thinking about my response, her gaze distant for a moment. Then she turned to face me more fully, her voice quieter.

"I get it. Trust's hard to come by," she said. "But... if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me. I'll be there."

I raised an eyebrow. "You?"

She gave a small, determined smile. "Yeah. I'll figure out how to make it work. But... don't think I'm gonna let you go off and do everything alone forever."

I chuckled softly. "You're persistent, I'll give you that."

"Just means I'm not backing down easily," she replied with a shrug. "You've got the strength, Ryzen. But... even the strongest need help sometimes."

I turned my gaze back to the horizon, taking in the peaceful scene around us. It was hard to argue with that. Maybe she was right. Maybe one day, I'd need more than just my own strength to face whatever was coming.

For now, though, I didn't know where I'd go. I didn't know who I'd work with. But I knew I couldn't stay where I was forever.

"Thanks, Christa," I said, looking back at her. "I'll keep that in mind."

She gave me a small nod, then stepped back from the railing. "Anytime, Ryzen."

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I nodded, watching her walk off toward the building.

As Christa walked away, I heard her pause, her footsteps stopping abruptly. She turned back toward me, her expression a little more serious this time.

"Hey, Ryzen," she called out.

I raised an eyebrow, still leaning on the railing. "What's up?"

She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do you... have a girlfriend or anything like that?"

The question caught me off guard. I didn't expect her to ask something like that. My response came out a little slower than usual.

"No," I said, shaking my head. "No girlfriend. I'm... focused on other things right now."

She looked at me with a thoughtful expression, her arms crossed. "Figured. I just wanted to ask."

"Why?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Christa didn't immediately answer. She seemed to be weighing her words. After a moment, she spoke again, her tone lighter.

"I don't know. Just wondering. You're strong, capable, but you don't seem the type to... settle down. Not sure if you'd even have time for something like that."

I shrugged. "I haven't really thought about it."

"Yeah, I get that," she said with a small smile. "But you never know what might come along when you least expect it."

I gave a half-smile in return, not sure what to make of the conversation. "Maybe."

She gave a little laugh, shaking her head. "Just making sure you're not hiding something from me, Ryzen."

I smirked. "Hiding something? I'm an open book."

Christa raised an eyebrow, still teasing. "We'll see about that."

With a final glance, she gave a small wave. "Alright, I'll leave you to your peace. Just don't get too caught up in that alone thing."

I watched her walk away, feeling the weight of the conversation linger for a moment. It was unexpected, but not unpleasant. As she disappeared back into the building, I found myself thinking about what she'd said, even though it wasn't something I usually dwelled on.

-

As I stood there, watching Christa walk away, my mind drifted—back, ten years ago. The memories hit me like a punch to the gut, raw and sharp, despite all the time that had passed.

Ten years ago, everything changed. The world had been normal—at least, normal enough for someone like me. I had a life, goals, people I cared about.

Then the dungeons began to appear. Gates opened, monsters flooded in, and the world was never the same. Cities fell, entire civilizations crumbled.

And in the midst of all that chaos, I lost everything. People I loved, everything I had, was swept away in a single, brutal wave.

The anger that had simmered in me for years surged again, like a wave crashing against a cliff. I couldn't ignore it. Not now. Not ever.

Revenge. It was still at the back of my mind, always there. Always burning.

The people or forces behind the gates—the ones who unleashed all this devastation—had to be stopped. I knew it wasn't just a random act. The system that granted me this power, these abilities, wasn't just a gift.

It was more like a tool, a tool given by someone. Something. They were watching, controlling, and manipulating events from the shadows. The system was no simple blessing—it was a key to something larger, something more sinister.

And I needed to figure out how it all worked. Why it was happening, and who was behind it.

I clenched my fists tightly, the anger and frustration bubbling up again. I had to get to the bottom of this. I had to find the source, eliminate the cause of everything, and bring an end to the damn gates that had ruined my life—and so many others'.

I wasn't just fighting for survival anymore. I was fighting for closure. For justice. For the lives that had been stolen from me.

The world had handed me this power, and it was time I used it to tear down the ones pulling the strings. The gates wouldn't just stop on their own, and as long as I had breath in my body, I wouldn't stop either.

The anger was there, but so was the focus. I couldn't let it consume me, not yet. Not until I understood everything. Until I found the answers I was looking for.

With a hard expression on my face, I took a slow, deep breath, steadying myself. The path ahead was uncertain, but I knew one thing for sure: I wouldn't stop until I had my revenge.