The wagons rolled down the serpentine pathway, accompanied by the occasional sounds of neighing horses and creaking wooden wheels.

As for the threat of bandits or monsters at night? It was nearly nonexistent.

They weren't alone on the road to their destination either. Many others caravans had also joined from connecting paths.

Perhaps it was due to this growing collaboration that bandits hesitated to attack this route to Rubens City.

Most likely, monsters faced strong retaliation as well, though they were rarely seen in such a human-populated region.

Raizel and Lam sat together, quietly chatting against the backdrop of a world brimming with adventure.

Raizel seemed to be enjoying everything around him. New people, a new world, and new adventures waiting to unfold.

"So, Lam, do you want to tell me now as why were you all living in such a secluded village? And under such dangerous conditions?" he asked after carefully gauging her improved mood,

Lam glanced down at her lap, her fingers curling together as she processed the question.

The wagon jolted lightly beneath them, but the rhythm of the wheels soon settled back into a steady, calming rumble.

"It's not something I ever fully understood either," she said at last, her voice softer than the wind brushing past. "But… it was the elders who decided. They said it was tradition. That our ancestors lived there, so we had to keep the place alive. Even if it was hard."

Raizel raised a brow. "Tradition, huh? Doesn't sound like it was worth all the risk."

Lam smiled bitterly.

"That's what I thought too, sometimes. But questioning the elders wasn't exactly allowed. And those who tried…" She paused. "They either left quietly, or they were forced to 'reflect' for a while. Most of us just accepted it."

Raizel's expression turned thoughtful. "So, isolation was enforced. Not just chosen."

She nodded. "The village was slowly degrading. But some still believed in those old stories, in protecting something. I don't even know what it was anymore. Just… blind faith in the past, I suppose."

Raizel leaned back slightly, gazing up at the dusky sky. "Sounds like you were prisoners without chains."

Lam flinched at that, her eyes widening slightly.

"…Yes. That's exactly how it felt," she whispered

A moment of silence followed, broken only by the distant shout of another wagon group passing by in the opposite direction.

Raizel glanced at her and asked, "What about you? Did you ever try to leave?"

"I wanted to," Lam admitted. "But I couldn't abandon my parents. But when they died by plague last year, I was in care of my uncle. But now he too isn't by my side.

He nodded slowly. He didn't offer pity or hollow words. Only understanding. That, more than anything, made Lam feel important.

"So what now? Are you planning to settle in Rubens?"

She hesitated before answering,

"I don't know, Sir Raizel. I have no money. No home. No family anymore. I am feeling at a lost without purpose."

Raizel sighed.

"Don't worry, Lam. I'm sure you'll find your place and purpose very soon. Just stay strong."

He didn't really know what else to say. Emotional conversations weren't exactly his strong suit.

But Lam's expression changed—she looked a little more spirited, her cheeks subtly blushing as if she was imagining something hopeful.

Just then, Raizel remembered that it was probably daytime in the real world.

So he decided to log out while the wagon continued toward Rubens City, since the journey would take a few more hours.

Leaning closer to her ear, he whispered, "Lam, I need to leave for something important. Don't worry, I'll be back soon. Just make sure no one notices."

Lam's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of unease flashing across her face at the thought of being left alone amidst strangers in the dark interior of the wagon.

But she quickly composed herself and gave a small nod, realizing she didn't have much of a say in the matter.

"You must have important business, Sir... Alright. I'll cover for you. But please come back soon," she said softly, slightly afraid.

Raizel gave her a warm smile and a reassuring nod before vanishing into thin air, taking advantage of the darkness within the wagon to conceal his departure.

"Will we see each other again?" Lam murmured, unsure.

---

"Plop!"

Raizel appeared back in their old house in the real world.

As he gazed outside, warm sunlight poured through the windows, illuminating the poor but cozy interior.

"Ah, big brother… You're back!"

Suddenly, Ruby's voice rang out from behind him.

He turned to see her sitting on a chair, casually cleaning her nails.

"Yes, I am. Where are Mother and Father?" he asked, noticing their absence.

"They went to the market to buy a few things. We're planning to move out soon, after all," she replied with a happy giggle.

"Oh? And what about you? Did you say goodbye to your classmates and teachers?" he asked, taking a seat beside her, clearly amused.

"Hehe… Yes! But you should've seen their dumbfounded faces when I told them my big brother got accepted into the Apex Guild. They were so jealous and disbelieved. Some of them just stared at me like I was glowing or something. I can still feel their gazes on my skin," she said proudly.

"Haha…" Raizel chuckled warmly, reaching out to gently caress her black hair.

Ruby immediately softened under his touch, looking meek and smitten like a kitten beneath his affectionate pat.

As her gaze wandered over her big brother's figure, Ruby felt the strong presence radiating from him. It might have been intimidating to others, but for her, it was like a protective umbrella from the heavens. She felt incredibly proud of him.

The siblings passed the time waiting for their parents, chatting and laughing together, strengthening their bond. Naturally, their conversation drifted toward their upcoming future.

"Knock, knock!"

Suddenly, a firm knock echoed from the main door.

Ruby's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Ooh! Mom and Dad are here!"

She said it with a joyful grin and skipped toward the door to open it.

But the moment the door creaked open a complete different scene awaited them.

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