The celebration finally came to an end. One by one, the members of !VVO returned to their homes while a few remained at the headquarters to continue their duties. Hollow quietly left the room and walked through the long hallways of the headquarters. Although he had become the new leader, the title brought him no joy. Every step reminded him of Vincent. Every smile from the members reminded him of the one person who could no longer smile back.

Outside, the streets of Gusablam City were unusually quiet. Hollow looked through the large windows of the headquarters. The city lights glowed beautifully, yet all he could think about was Basmet Town. The smoke had disappeared days ago, but the memories refused to fade.

A gentle knock echoed from behind him.

"Hollow?" Lament called.

Hollow turned around. "What is it?"

Lament walked closer, carrying a small box in both hands. "The investigators found this among the remains in Basmet Town. They said it belonged to Vincent."

Hollow slowly reached for the box. His hands trembled slightly as he opened it. Inside was a silver necklace, a folded photograph, and an old notebook. The photograph had survived the explosion, though its edges were burned.

It was a picture of Hollow and Vincent standing together in Basmet Town years ago. Vincent smiled brightly while Hollow looked away from the camera with an annoyed expression.

Lament chuckled softly. "Looks like he always managed to get you into pictures."

Hollow couldn't help but smile.

"...Yeah."

For the first time since The Day of Rupture, Hollow smiled.

It only lasted a few seconds.

He carefully placed the photograph back into the box before closing it.

"I'll keep these," Hollow quietly said.

Lament nodded. "I'm sure Vincent would've wanted that."

Silence filled the hallway once again. Neither of them spoke. There was nothing left to say.

After a few moments, Lament broke the silence.

"The members are waiting for you in the meeting room."

Hollow looked toward the hallway leading to the room. The members of !VVO were no longer waiting for Gabriel Brown.

They were waiting for him.

Hollow took a deep breath.

"...Let's go."

As the doors of the meeting room slowly opened, every member stood from their seats.

"Leader Hollow."

The words echoed throughout the room.

For a brief moment, Hollow froze.

He had lost his brother.

He had lost his former leader.

He had lost the peaceful life he once knew.

But he could not lose the people standing before him.

Hollow straightened his tie and looked across the room.

"I won't become the kind of leader Gabriel was."

The room fell silent.

"I promise every one of you... from this day forward, !VVO will become an organization that protects its own. We won't repeat the mistakes of the past."

The members looked at one another before quietly nodding.

Lament smiled.

"I knew you were the right choice."

Hollow looked down for a moment before facing everyone once again.

"Let's begin."

The first meeting of Hollow Gust, the new leader of !VVO, had officially begun.