It was visibly certain that Callum needed to know why he was adopted when there was a sane possibility of living his own free life. The blonde man noticed his mood and had to suppress his growing rage.
"Just like they said, Glory Expanse is not Earth. Trust me, you wouldn't last an hour if you decided to start life here on your own.
There's really nothing like a slave trade here... or perhaps even if there is, I'm not one of those engaging in it. I just needed someone with a Ranger Class to join our Guild," the man explained, giving Callum a reassuring look.
"Don't worry, I'll tell you all you need to know as soon as we get home," the man added.
It took about a thirty-minute ride through the big city before they finally arrived at a mansion — a luxurious duplex, well-furnished and designed.
There were three other cars outside the mansion, and to the corner was a cemented large space where Callum spotted many people training with swords... some engaged in clear physical combat.
Stepping down from the car, they headed into the house.
"Good afternoon, Vice Captain."
"Afternoon, Vice Captain."
Some figures standing around the pathway greeted formally while slightly bowing their heads as the man walked in, and he only waved without saying a word.
'Vice Captain? Ohh, maybe the Vice Captain of their Guild,' Callum guessed.
When they entered the house, two women were already standing in the living room, waiting as if they had detected the man's arrival.
One was older, but they seemed to possess almost the same physique. They both had golden hair, healthy ivory skin, and resembled each other a lot.
"Callum, meet my family. This is my wife, Emilia Vance," the man introduced his wife by pointing to the older woman.
"Welcome, Callum," the woman gave a sharp smile without hesitation.
"And this is my daughter and only child, Alexa Vance," he then pointed at the younger lady, who appeared to be in her early twenties, just like him.
"Nice to meet you, Callum," Alexa grinned widely and offered a hand, and Callum wasted no time in giving it a shake.
"Phew... Okay, Callum. I'm Magnus Vance. This is my home — your home too... for now. Until you are strong and wealthy enough to start a convenient life for yourself.
Now, let's have lunch. I believe you are very hungry."
Callum hesitated before nodding, showing that he was indeed starving after a rough day at the New Listers Base.
....
Within a few minutes, the four of them settled at the dining table for lunch. Mrs. Emilia Vance had already prepared lunch before they even arrived, and everything was set on the table in minutes.
There were rice, steak, pork, and vegetables on different sides. Many of them — and Callum couldn't wait to gnaw them up. He didn't know why he was this hungry... Even though the normal Callum Drey on Earth starved for twenty hours, he wouldn't feel this much hunger.
But he guessed not only his body needed food at this point...
'Who knew how long my soul stayed in that bloody so-called entertainment evaluation realm. It must have been hungry too...'
In no time, Callum made sure to garnish enough to quench the rumbling in his stomach, heaving a deep satisfying sigh.
The others at the dining table noticed him, but they deeply understood his situation. They could only smile.
"So, you wanted to hear more about Glory Expanse. I decided to wait until your strength was regained so you wouldn't miss a little fragment of my words," Magnus said.
Callum turned to him and nodded.
"Like I said, this city is Optal Mesa Refuge. It was called a refuge because, back in the days when the first men entered Glory Expanse, there were many unforgiving terrors roaming about this world. Monsters, beasts, even demonic spirits that only cared about making one go insane.
They struggled to survive for many years, escaping these terrors, until one day when they became brave enough to build a safe zone to keep all these terrors away. They built homes and walls to surround the areas, and even other people in different locations discovered this technique and did the same."
"You are talking about the first people who died?" Callum asked.
"Right! The First Dead Men. Though they thought they were now free from attacks, until the gates of The Grounds began to open. When the gates opened, an overwhelming amount of monsters would attack the refuges, killing many, but yet, there were still men who managed to survive. Men who fought with these monsters and slayed.
They were the first fighters, and just by killing these monsters, they began to grow stronger. That was when the Gate Dominion came. After gaining great power and skills, these men were able to control the gate openings, depriving the monsters of dashing out through those gates again."
"The monsters remained in their place, and the humans remained in theirs, too. They were at peace. However, that peace didn't last long after they were reminded of their task in this world... to entertain the God of Fun, they said... Without fighting and killing these monsters, they discovered that their lifespan began to fade, reducing. Every year was supposed to be a single step to death, but for them, it was ten steps in a rush.
Thus, it was their turn to intrude the world of these monsters, taking it as a form of revenge and a cause to survive. That way, humanity has been living a life with many causes for many millennia."
"The monsters. Do they still exist?" Callum couldn't help but ask, curious.
"The God of Fun doesn't want his entertainment to end, so why would he ever let the monsters die? Even if we kill all of them, they would respawn in no time," Magnus said.
'Crap! I never thought such things could exist. I regret not joining my friends to play video games back on Earth,' Callum bit his lips nervously.
"Don't be terrified, boy. You are just a newbie, but in no time, you'd learn a few things that would strengthen your heart.
You are now a Lister, which automatically makes you eligible to enter The Grounds. If you don't... Well, I'm sure you don't want to get your lifespan sucked to zero by an unknown entity?"
Callum remained silent but nodded, his face filled with wariness. It wasn't as if he was afraid of fighting a monster — he was only afraid he might not be lucky enough to triumph.
He remembered clearly that the God of Fun wouldn't grant a third chance, not even when he'd die at the very beginning of his advent... It'd be another miserable end.
"At this point, your standards are at the very start. You and my daughter Alexa are to enter the First Ground.
The Grounds are positioned in five grades. The First to the Fifth Ground. Though some believe there is a Sixth or even Seventh Ground, no man has ever reached such stages. Even the strongest Listers are still struggling to finish the Fifth Ground."
"What happens when one dies inside these Grounds?" Callum was deeply bothered and decided to ask.
"They face oblivion. Vanishing without a trace. The gods don't give second chances at life," Mrs. Emilia suddenly said.
"So... Does that mean I would vanish if I die in the First Ground?" Callum blinked.
"Right! But you are not dying, Callum. No one said you are dying. No chance," the woman smiled.
"But the stakes are high. I haven't even seen a monster before, or even gotten to fight one. How am I supposed to be able to kill even one in the First Ground?" Callum poured out his fears.
"And that's when combat training before entering the First Ground comes in," Magnus cut in.
"You and my daughter Alexa would be using high magi technology for your training to prepare for the entry...
The gate of the First Ground would be officially opened in all Refuges in a week's time, and you both have to be ready," Magnus informed.
Callum seemed to feel relieved immediately after hearing that, heaving another soft sigh.
"First thing tomorrow morning after breakfast, you both must move to the Tech Practice Room on the top floor and begin training," Mrs. Emilia said.
However, Alexa suddenly stood up after taking a sip of water.
"No need of telling us when, Mother. I and Callum would like to begin training right away. Isn't it, Callum?" Alexa asked.
Callum, who still wanted to eat some more food, slightly froze at that point.
He definitely didn't want to start now, but the look on Alexa's face was commanding... and pleading at the same time.
"Umm... Uh... Yeah. I'd like to begin training now," Callum forced a smile.
"Okay... go on then," Mrs. Emilia replied with an approving look, and Magnus seemed to be okay with their decision as well.
"Come on! Let's go."
Before Callum knew it, Alexa had already pulled him up from his seat, and they marched to the Tech Practice Room with her hand gripping tightly to his.
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[A/N: First few chapters up! I'd like you guys to drop an opinion on how you feel about these new chapters! Thanks in advance!]