Eleanor slipped the note Luke had left with the waiter into her purse. She would find a way to mess with him later. Maybe when she and the others went to his place, she’d casually bring up the story of James, that bastard. The thought made her laugh for a moment.

  Better not. That story was far too valuable to waste so easily.

  As she turned toward the elevator, she spotted someone who made her stop short. A woman stood there wearing a dress, but at her waist hung a sword in its sheath. Eleanor moved closer at once. The woman was staring at the descending elevator with an uneasy expression.

  “Serena? What are you doing here?” Eleanor asked.

  It was Serena, the hero. One of America’s stars, one of the very few people in the world who possessed the Hero class. Eleanor had only seen her a handful of times in her life. Serena was always buried in meetings and had close ties to Eleanor’s father. At just twenty-two, she was already considered one of the most promising individuals on the planet.

  Serena’s hand was clenched tight.

  “E-Eleanor? Sorry, I didn’t see you,” Serena said, rubbing the side of her head.

  “You? With a headache?” Eleanor stared at her in disbelief.

  “Yeah… something felt off the moment I walked into the restaurant,” Serena replied. Her hand dropped instinctively to the hilt of her sword, pulling it just enough to expose the blade.

  A golden glow flared along the steel.

  “Is something wrong?” Eleanor asked, her tone sharpening as she noticed Serena’s expression shift.

  Serena released the hilt, letting the blade slide fully back into the sheath.

  “It’s gone now,” she said quietly. “Strange. My sword only reacts like that when I’m near… a great evil.”

  ***

  Two days after meeting Eleanor, Luke had returned to Maine. Today was his departure. His family was doing their best to cope with the fact that he was heading to the New World, each in their own way. His sister, more than anyone else, was struggling with it.

  When Luke stepped into the kitchen, Noah was seated at the table with a laptop open in front of him. He’d barely slept the past few days, obsessively researching everything he could find online. Luke had even given him access to the restricted network available only to system-integrated users, just to ease his mind.

  “You’re really going?” Clara asked when she saw him.

  “I’ll be gone for a while, Mom. But I promise I’ll come back to visit.”

  “There’s nothing I can do to change your mind?” she asked, her voice tight.

  “Let him go, dear,” Martin said, appearing behind Luke. “Even though I don’t want this either… the truth is, we can’t stop him. If this is what he needs to find out what happened to his mother, we don’t have the right to stand in his way. I don’t want… to make that mistake again.”

  Clara fell silent, her hands twisting together nervously. “B-but maybe…”

  “I promise I’ll come back to see you,” Luke said gently. “But I need to do this. It’s not just about the truth about my mother. It’s about helping someone important to me… actually, two people. And it’s about myself, too. About my future.”

  Noah placed a hand on Luke’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of them. Do what you have to do. Just remember, we’ll always be here for you.”

  ***

  Luke went upstairs and knocked softly on a bedroom door.

  “Lillian, can I come in?”

  Silence answered him. He knocked again and called her name.

  After waiting a moment, he decided to go in, opening the door slowly. Lillian’s room was pink and white. Her old crib was still there, tucked into a corner, along with her single bed.

  Luke closed the door gently and turned on the bedside lamp. Not that he needed the light to see.

  He walked over and found his sister lying on the bed. Sitting down beside her, he watched her for a moment.

  “I’m going on that trip, Lillian,” he said quietly.

  She lay on her side, her back to him.

  “I know you’re awake,” he added.

  She didn’t respond, eyes still closed.

  “Alright. If you fell asleep, then… I guess I’ll just go.”

  Luke stood and headed toward the door.

  “W-wait…”

  Her voice filled the room. He turned back and sat beside her again.

  “So you were awake,” he said, poking her lightly.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  “Yeah…” she murmured.

  She had been spending a lot of time in her room lately.

  “I’m going on the trip, but I’ll bring back some souvenirs,” he told her.

  “Why do you have to leave, brother?” she asked.

  “You’re smart. You already know why,” he replied.

  She sat up and wrapped her arms around him. “But I like it better when you’re here. At home.”

  “And I promise I’ll come back to stay home,” he said softly. “Just not yet.”

  Her hug tightened.

  Luke glanced around the room and noticed several dolls hanging upside down by strings tied around their legs.

  “That’s… kind of a weird decoration,” he said. “Didn’t you used to sit them all around your tea table?”

  “Franky said it’s cooler this way,” she replied. “He said it makes my lair scarier.”

  Luke sighed. What has that snake been telling my sister?

  “Franky is a magical beast. He thinks weird things are cool. Don’t listen to him. Besides, he’s basically a kid like you, except he’s never been to school, so he’s kind of dumb,” Luke said.

  She squeezed him again. “Luke, I know you’re kinda weak. Stay home. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

  Luke looked her in the eyes and gently flicked her nose. “This isn’t goodbye. I promise I’ll come back. And I’ll bring some really cool gifts with me.”

  ***

  Convincing his sister hadn’t been easy, but Luke had managed to calm her down by promising he’d be back to see her soon. His parents were upset too, though they understood. Now he was in the car with Noah.

  “You know you’ll have to drive another two hours back after this, right?” Luke said. “I could’ve taken a car or a taxi.”

  “At least let me do this much for my brother,” Noah replied.

  They were in Portland, pulling up near the SIA building.

  “Mom and Dad are shaken,” Noah said. “But they understand you need to move forward if you’re going to learn what really happened to your biological mother.”

  The car stopped at the corner.

  “Luke,” Noah said, his tone turning serious. “You only told us part of what happened in that tutorial. Be honest with me. I know you did dangerous things. I’ve read enough online to understand that sometimes you don’t have a choice if you want to survive. I’m not judging you. I’d rather have my brother alive beside me than dead with clean hands.”

  He turned the engine off and let out a breath. “But there’s something I need to know. The danger level in that place. You only gain class levels by killing, or helping kill. So tell me honestly… your class level is above ten, isn’t it?”

  Luke hesitated. His brother wasn’t wrong. Class levels were earned through blood, and he wasn’t sure how Noah would truly react.

  “Yes,” Luke said quietly. “It’s above ten.”

  “My God…” Noah murmured. “You went through hell in there.”

  Luke chose not to elaborate.

  “I didn’t want you to go,” Noah admitted. “I failed as an older brother.”

  He placed a hand on Luke’s shoulder. “But don’t worry about things back home. Mom, Dad, Lillian… I’ve got them. I won’t try to stop you. You’re an adult. I just want my brother to come back alive, wherever he goes.”

  Luke opened the car door. “Thank you, Noah.”

  He paused. “There’s three hundred thousand dollars in the drawer of my desk.”

  “Th-three hundred thousand?” Noah stammered.

  “Yes. Use it to cover whatever the house needs while I’m gone.”

  “Damn. Was that your government compensation? Or did you trade that gold coin you showed me once? Actually… never mind. I don’t want to know.”

  Luke pulled a gold bar from his pocket dimension and tossed it to him.

  Noah caught it, staring back and forth between Luke and the bar. “A bar? Is this r-real?”

  “I’ve got even more set aside in the bank. That money’s yours.”

  “More than three hundred thousand?” Noah asked.

  “A little more,” Luke replied.

  He unclipped his belt, then spoke honestly. “If for some reason we don’t see each other for a long time… or ever… use the money you’ll receive to live well.”

  Luke shut the door, leaning against the open window. “Keep my phone charged and keep an eye on that group I showed you.”

  “Wouldn’t it be better if you took it with you?” Noah asked.

  “Technology doesn’t work where I’m going, and it breaks inside my storage item,” Luke said. “Watch the group, and keep an eye on my government contact too.”

  “I will,” Noah replied. “Though that NaughtyNinja_69 is kind of weird. She sends some… spicy pictures in that group.”

  “She’s an ogre in human form,” Luke said. “Eleanor already kicked her out as punishment. She promised to stop sending photos. They all know my phone’s with you now, and if Eleanor gets any new information, she’ll contact you.”

  Luke extended his hand. “I’ll see you in a few weeks… maybe a few months, brother.”

  Noah shook it tightly. “I know I can’t stop you. But if things get bad out there, you run. Promise me.”

  “Relax. It’s my enemies who should be worried.”

  “You dodged the question,” Noah said. “Just… come back alive.”

  “I will.”

  ***

  Luke had returned to the New World, paying two hundred thousand dollars to use intercontinental teleportation. An absurd amount, especially when he considered how impossible it would have been without the small fortune he’d accumulated. He later learned that the government offered one free round trip, but he had already used that benefit. Now, the only option left was to pay.

  Walking through Camlann, he felt like he’d stepped back into a medieval world. Strangely enough, it felt right.

  Luke rented a room at a luxury inn, the most expensive one they had. He planned to stay in the city for a few days, waiting to meet Eleanor before continuing on to Sirius, the city Azazel had mentioned in the letter.

  My heir,

  I am pleased with your progress thus far. You have advanced well, beyond what many would dare expect, and I believe the time has come for us to meet. I imagine you have countless questions, especially considering the improbable situation that has recently arisen… or will soon arise.

  Travel to the City of Sirius. There is something there meant for you, though only if you know how to find it. Once you have found what awaits you, come to me. Then we shall speak properly.

  Your Demon Father.

  Angie, we’re going to need to buy you a spear, he thought as he wandered through the streets.

  He opened her class’s starting skill.

  [Basic Polearm Handling (Common)]: The Valkyrie gains proficiency with polearm weapons such as spears, halberds, and glaives. Her movements become precise and balanced, each strike guided purely by instinct. When she grips a spear, it feels like more than just a weapon; it becomes an extension of her will, ready to thrust, guard, and control the flow of battle.

  It mentions spears, glaives, and other polearms. Do you have a preference?

  “I prefer a spear,” Angie replied.

  A spear. The weapon of that archangel.

  After walking through the city for a while longer, Luke returned to the inn. There was someone he needed to see again.

  I have to do this. Four months of thinking about how to have this conversation.

  Charlie liked him. He knew that. And during all this time, he’d thought a lot about her feelings. He released her from his soul, watching as she materialized in front of him.

  Damn… she really is beautiful.

  “Charlie, it’s been a while,” he said, as she stared at her own hands, still adjusting after waking from hibernation.

  “We need to talk about—”

  “Master Luke, I want to marry you!”

  https://discord.gg/znGSjCxhkR