I Ascend Alone-Chapter 109: Next Plan Part IV

The car ride back to Leon's house was quieter than usual. The hum of the engine filled the space, but there was an unspoken weight between us. The conversation had shifted from the mission and its aftermath to the future—my future—and Leon, always the curious one, couldn't help but push the question again.

"So," Leon said, glancing over at me, his voice light but teasing. "Have you come up with a name for your guild yet?"

I shifted in my seat, trying to avoid eye contact for a moment. "Not sure yet," I answered. "I'm still thinking."

Leon's lips curved into a sly grin, clearly amused. "Still? You've had time to come up with something, haven't you? I'm sure you've got a killer name in mind."

I shrugged, staring out the window as the city lights flickered past. "Maybe. I don't want to rush it. It has to feel right."

Leon let out a low whistle, clearly enjoying this. "A guy who's fighting to build his own freedom and still can't come up with a name for his guild. This is some next-level indecision."

I gave him a deadpan look. "It's not indecision. It's making sure the name fits what I'm trying to do. It has to mean something."

Leon nodded, clearly entertained by my response. "Fair enough. Just make sure it's something that sounds cool. I don't want to have to explain to people why the Ryzen Guild sounds like it was named by a kid with too much time on their hands."

I rolled my eyes, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "I'll make sure it's not that bad."

The car cruised through the streets, the house growing closer with each passing moment. It felt strange, in a way—being back at Leon's, where the world seemed to go on as if nothing had changed, yet everything had. I could still feel the weight of the decisions ahead, the responsibility creeping in.

"You've got time," Leon said, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. "Take it easy tonight. But when you do come up with something, I better get to hear it first, alright?"

I glanced at him, catching the humor in his eyes, but there was an underlying sincerity too. "You'll be the first to know," I promised.

By the time we pulled into the driveway, the weight of the day seemed to settle around us. The sky was dark now, the city's hum a distant thrum. Leon parked the car in the garage, and we stepped out, heading toward the front door.

Leon swung open the door and gestured for me to go in first. "Home sweet home," he said, grinning.

I stepped inside, the familiar surroundings of his massive house filling the space.

Leon closed the door behind him and tossed his jacket onto the couch. "Alright, Ry, let's get this guild thing figured out. What's the plan?"

I glanced around the room, then back at him. "I'll get to it. I need a little time. But I'll figure it out."

He gave a small nod, sinking into one of the armchairs with a casual sigh. "Take your time. But don't take too long. People are going to want to know who you are—and what you're really about."

I nodded, walking toward the window and gazing out at the city. "I know. I just need to figure out how to make it real."

After a moment, an idea popped into my head, offering a brief distraction from the growing pressure. "You know," I said, glancing at Leon, "I'll cook tonight. Might help me think."

Leon looked up at me with a raised eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh? You're cooking?" His voice was teasing, but there was a hint of skepticism behind it. "Should I be worried?"

I smirked, crossing my arms as I leaned against the wall. "What, you think I can't cook?" I asked, giving him a sidelong glance.

Leon leaned back in his chair, folding his arms in mock contemplation. "Well, I'm not sure if you're a cook or just a waste of food. If it tastes bad, I might not be able to look at you the same way."

I laughed, a low chuckle escaping me. "Trust me, I'm not that bad. You won't be running for the nearest fast food joint after I'm done."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "We'll see about that. You know, if it's terrible, you're cleaning up. And I'm still not sure you're allowed to cook anything in this house without a license."

"I've got my own license," I shot back with a grin. "It's called 'surviving on whatever I can find.'"

Leon snorted, clearly trying to hold back a laugh. "Alright, Chef Ryzen, I'm ready for the disaster. Just don't ruin my kitchen while you're at it."

I shook my head, walking toward the kitchen. "You'll be fine. If I mess up, I'll just call it 'experimental cuisine.'"

As I pulled open the kitchen cabinets and took stock of the ingredients, I could feel my mind returning to the task at hand. The name. The guild. I could almost see the pieces forming in my head as I moved around the kitchen, trying to focus on the task at hand, but the pressure was never far behind.

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Leon watched me for a moment before lazily stretching his arms out, leaning back in his chair. "So, what are we going for tonight? Spaghetti? Stir-fry? Or are you going full-on gourmet?"

"Let's keep it simple," I said, grabbing a couple of pans and starting to prep the ingredients. "Something that doesn't need a lot of fuss. I'm more in the mood for comfort food, anyway."

I could feel Leon's eyes on me as I started cooking, his curiosity still evident. "Alright, fine. But just remember, you asked for this."

As the sizzle of ingredients filled the kitchen, I continued to turn over the thoughts in my mind. "I haven't settled on a name yet. But I'm thinking something that sounds like it means something. Not just some random word thrown together."