Chapter 5: Two Different Worlds
While Ran's family slept soundly in their cramped apartment for the first time in years, the rest of the universe was proving to be much larger, and much more terrifying, than they could ever imagine.
Far beyond their beginner planet, in a place known as the Advanced Sayan World, the rules of reality were completely broken. Here, there were no concrete slums or dusty roads. Instead, massive cities made of glass and gold floated in the sky, orbiting a magical, ever-burning sun. In this world, power wasn't just measured by numbers on a screen; it was measured by the color of a warrior's hair.
High above the clouds, a man known as the Dragon Lord stood on the edge of a floating cliff.
He was Rank 95 on the Heavenly Ranking, a supreme powerhouse at Level 7,010. His spiky red hair waved in the wind like a flag of blood. He was currently staring down a beast so large it blocked out the sun. It was a majestic Red Burning Phoenix. The mythical bird was so incredibly hot that the clouds around it were boiling into steam, creating a massive thunderstorm.
"Tsk! Tell your master to come talk to me in person," the Dragon Lord spat, crossing his muscular arms. "I don't negotiate with overgrown pigeons."
"You arrogant worm!" the Phoenix shrieked. Its voice sounded like crashing mountains, vibrating so hard the floating cliff began to crack. "You think being the Lord of a Private World makes you untouchable? My master will crush you!"
"If he wants a fight, I am right here!" the Dragon Lord roared.
He uncrossed his arms. Instantly, his red aura exploded outward like a nuclear shockwave. The sheer force of his energy shattered the sky, pushing the thunderstorm miles away.
The giant Phoenix recoiled, its fiery feathers dimming in sudden terror.
In the blink of an eye, a man appeared, standing perfectly still on top of the Phoenix's head. He wore a simple white robe. He didn't shout or flex his aura, but his mere presence was so heavy that it instantly snuffed out the Dragon Lord's explosive power, like a bucket of water being dumped on a campfire.
"That's better," the Dragon Lord smirked, though a single drop of sweat rolled down his cheek. He forced his hands to relax. "Now that you're actually here, let's make the trade. I have the resources from my Private World. Show me the payment."
The man in the white robe nodded silently.
Even at Level 7,000, god-like beings were still desperate for the raw, untouched resources that only a Private World could provide. It was the ultimate prize in the multiverse. And back on Earth, a fourteen-year-old boy in the slums had just been handed the exact same prize.
***
The next morning, the sun filtered through the single, dirty window of Ran's apartment in Glory City.
Usually, breakfast was a quiet, stressful affair. But today, the tiny kitchen smelled like frying eggs, butter, and actual happiness. Aurora was humming a cheerful tune as she plated the food. Randolf was doing stretches in the corner, looking deeply confused but thrilled.
"I don't understand," Randolf muttered, touching his toes. "Usually, when I bend over, my spine sounds like a bowl of crispy cereal. Today, nothing! I feel like I'm twenty years old again!"
"That's what hitting Level 10 does, Dad," Ran laughed, grabbing a piece of toast. "Your body gets stronger to handle the magic. But remember, don't show off at work."
"I know, I know," Randolf smiled, grabbing his lunch pail. "Hide in the shadows. Be normal. Got it."
"I'm heading to school!" Ran said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "I'll meet you guys back here at lunch so we can dive back into the island!"
Across town, at the grand plaza construction site, Randolf was having the weirdest morning of his life.
The roar of saws and the pounding of hammers usually drained his energy by 9:00 AM. But today, the heavy wooden beams felt as light as toothpicks. He picked up a massive piece of oak that usually required two men to carry, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and walked toward the scaffolding.
He climbed the wooden ladder quickly. But halfway up, a badly nailed rung suddenly snapped under his boot.
Randolf slipped, falling backward. Common sense told him he was about to break his neck. But his new Level 10 instincts took over completely on their own.
Without thinking, Randolf twisted in mid-air. He triggered his new skill, 'Double Jump'. He kicked his boots against empty space. A loud *whoosh* of condensed air exploded under his feet, launching him safely upward. He flipped and landed perfectly on the second-story wooden platform, the heavy beam still balanced on his shoulder.
Down below, a younger coworker dropped his hammer, his mouth hanging wide open. "Did... did you just fly?!"
Randolf froze. *Hide in the shadows,* Ran's voice echoed in his head.
"Fly? Don't be ridiculous, Carl!" Randolf laughed loudly, trying to act casual. "I just... slipped and caught myself really well! I ate a really good breakfast today. Lots of protein!"
Carl stared at him suspiciously but eventually shrugged and went back to hammering.
Randolf breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly set the beam in place, finishing the entire northern framework in less than an hour. He climbed down and found his foreman, Mr. Higgins, near the tool shed.
"Boss, I need to take a half-day today. I'm leaving at noon," Randolf said.
Higgins, a grumpy man with a thick mustache, immediately scowled. "A half-day? Are you crazy, Randolf? We are totally behind schedule! I can't afford to let you leave!"
Randolf just pointed up at the massive wooden structure he had just completed. "I already finished the entire northern scaffold, Mr. Higgins. I did a whole day's work in an hour."
Higgins blinked. He took off his hard hat, rubbed his eyes, and looked at the scaffold again. He looked back at Randolf, completely bewildered. "How did you... never mind. Fine. Get out of here at noon. But I expect this exact same energy tomorrow!"
"You got it, Boss," Randolf grinned.
By 12:30 PM, Randolf had completely transformed. Gone was the dusty carpenter in overalls. He was now wearing a heavy, high-collared trench coat and a dark, wide-brimmed hat pulled low over his eyes. He looked like a dramatic detective from a cheap movie, but it was the best disguise he could throw together.
He slipped through the bustling, crowded alleys of the Trading Plaza. He completely ignored the flashy weapon shops and went straight into a dark, quiet herbalist store known for discreet, high-end trades.
Randolf walked up to the counter. The merchant, a skinny man with sharp eyes, looked him up and down.
"We don't buy common weeds, friend," the merchant sneered.
Without a word, Randolf reached into his deep pocket and placed a single, glowing green blade of Spiritual Grass on the wooden counter.
The merchant stopped sneering. His eyes bugged out. He quickly pulled a magnifying monocle from his vest and inspected the glowing leaf. "Pure spiritual energy... zero rot... perfect condition. I haven't seen one of this grade in months! Where did you get this?"
"The price," Randolf grunted, intentionally roughening his voice to sound intimidating.
"Right, right," the merchant said, his eyes darting around greedily. He saw Randolf's cheap coat and figured he could scam him. "I'll give you ten silver coins. It's a generous offer for a stranger."
Randolf slammed his large, calloused hand flat on the wooden counter. Because of his Level 10 stats, the heavy smack cracked the wood slightly. The whole shop shook.
"Fifty silver," Randolf said, his voice completely calm but extremely dangerous. "Not a copper less. Or I walk across the street to your competitor."
The merchant swallowed hard, realizing the massive man in front of him was not an amateur. "F-fifty it is," he stammered, quickly pulling out a heavy pouch of coins.
Randolf pocketed the silver, gave a short nod, and vanished back into the busy crowd. He headed straight for the market district. He bought three premium cuts of steak, fresh baked bread, a sack of potatoes, and a large supply of foods. His family was going to feast, and they were going with full stomach.
***
Meanwhile, Ran arrived at the massive iron gates of Aetheria High School.
The courtyard was buzzing with chaotic energy. Today was the start of the University Selection Fair. Rows of colorful tents were set up across the grass, manned by military recruiters and university scouts looking to snatch up the students with the best souls.
"Ran! Over here!"
Ran turned to see Ken and Leo waving at him from near the fountain. He jogged over, smiling. "Hey guys. What's going on?"
"Look at this idiot," Ken grumbled, pointing across the courtyard.
Victor Alfonso, the rich kid who had mocked Ran yesterday, was surrounded by a crowd of giggling underclassmen. Victor was wearing a smug grin. He held his hand out, and a ghostly, writhing green worm appeared. The worm spat a glob of purple acid onto a nearby decorative bush, instantly melting the leaves into a hissing puddle of goo.
"Look at that power," Victor bragged loudly. "Some of us are destined for the Vanguard combat lines. And some of you are destined to clean our boots."
Ken clenched his fists. "He hit Level 5 yesterday. His dad hired an elite guild to carry him through a safe dungeon so he could get the EXP without doing any actual fighting. Now he thinks he's a god."
"It's so unfair," Leo sighed.
Ran just watched Victor and chuckled. Because Ran had played so many games in his past life, he saw things differently.
"Don't let him bother you," Ran said logically. "He just wasted a huge chunk of his soul's energy to melt a bush. If a real monster attacks him right now, he won't have the stamina to defend himself. He's an idiot with a big wallet."
Ken blinked, realizing Ran was completely right. "Huh. I didn't think about it like that."
Before they could say anything else, the school loudspeakers crackled to life with a loud screech.
"Attention all awakened seniors. The regular class schedule is canceled for the week. Report immediately to the main indoor training hall for your mandatory Combat Assessment. I repeat, report to the training hall."
"Combat Assessment?" Leo swallowed nervously. "Already?"
"This is it," Ran said.