"A reincarnator... you say?" Enatur furrowed his brow.
"If you'd like, I'll take you to meet my father. He's a genius noble who's had a huge impact on this kingdom."
Enatur nodded. "Hm, I can't wait to meet your father either."
"A genius noble, huh? That's makes sense, the average IQ for Type-1 humans ranges from 60 to 110, and some are even born with an IQ of 200. Thank goodness Mom taught me about human civilization."
They entered the adventurers' guild. It was a three-story building, resembling a studio office complex.
On the left, many adventurers were relaxing while enjoying beer. On the right were the reception desk and the request board.
"You guys sit here; just order whatever you want. We'll register the loot with the receptionist." Said Rogue.
"Alright, we'll wait." Enatur and the others sat at an empty table.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
A man walked over to the Rogue's party. He clapped his hands.
"Wow... wow, look who's here?" the man said.
Rogue sighed, his gaze sharp as he looked at that man. "What do you want, Fergie?"
Fergie: an S-rank adventurer, a swordman.
He had short blond hair and brown eyes. He wore full blue armor with black patterns. He was accompanied by four party members.
All the adventurers fell silent; the room grew awkward and tense. Some adventurers hid their uneasy expressions.
Fergie smiled sarcastically. "I didn't expect an A-rank party like yours to manage to take down the Wild Boar King."
Sidh pointed at Fergie, raising his voice. "Could it be that the special request for our party... came from you, Fergie?" He full of anger.
Fergie folded his arms, his eyes glowing golden. "Do you have any proof?"
Sidh clenched his fist until it trembled. "You—"
Rogue spread his arms, stopping Sidh. "Fergie, leave us alone."
Fergie let out a long sigh. "Tch! Such a bore. Let's go!" Fergie and his party left Rogue's party.
"Rogue, here's your payment," said the receptionist.
Rogue took a pouch of silver coins and walked over to join Enatur.
The room grew lively again after Fergie's party left the guild building. Soft whispers filled the bar.
"Sorry for the inconvenience, Enatur," said Rogue.
Enatur shook his head gently. "It's no big deal; there will always be toxic people like that."
"The Fergie family are nobles with the title of duke. Ever since my father was elevated to nobility, the Fergie family has felt threatened, and they've always been looking for ways to bring my family down," said Rogue.
Rannie pouted. "It's always like that, they're too busy meddling in other people's business."
A servant approached their table, placing the food they had ordered on the table.
---
After finishing lunch, Rannie and Sidh parted ways with Rogue. Enatur went along with Rogue to meet his father.
They arrived in front of a rather large mansion. Flowers adorned the garden. The gray marble floor of the lobby featured unique designs. Rogue led them through the corridor.
Rogue knocked on the door. "Dad, we have an important guest."
"Come in, Son."
Rogue opened the door. An elderly man with white hair and black eyes. Dressed in medieval noble clothing, Sir Rick Villhold.
Rick was seated in an office chair. His office wasn't much different from a director's office. Complete with sofas surrounding a glass desk.
"Who did you bring?" Asked Rick.
Rick's eyes widened, as if Enatur's figure wasn't unfamiliar to him. His eyes narrowed.
"My name is Enatur Vermillion."
"My name is Rick Villhold. Nice to meet you!"
Rick invited them to sit on the sofas. A servant served tea to Enatur, while Shadow sat on Enatur's lap. After that, the servant left the room.
"I'm going to rest for a bit, you talk with my father." Rogue closed the door.
Enatur snapped his fingers. Instantly, a transparent space enclosed the room. Rick was slightly surprised. He grew even more certain of his suspicion.
Rick took a sip of his tea. "I already suspected it—from the casual clothes you're wearing and the floating ball robot by your side." Said Rick.
"Rogue has told me about you, that's why I came to see you." Continued Rick.
Rick nodded slowly. "How is Goddess Yunia?"
"Mom is fine, thank you for asking. I'm quite surprised by the structure of this city; it seems you've brought knowledge from your previous world into this one. I'm impressed."
"You're right, young master. Let me tell you a little story."
Rick looked out...
---
Flashback.
Rick's soul stood before Yunia. They were in an infinite void; Yunia, wearing a red gown with gold patterns, sat on a gleaming golden throne.
"Welcome to the afterlife, human. My name is Yunia Vermillion, Goddess of Time and Space. The creator of humanity."
"I'm dead… right?"
Yunia opened a holographic screen, viewing Rick's profile from Earth-017.
Yunia smiled gently, her tone calmer. "That is correct. I am impressed by your struggle against injustice in a world that will soon face its end."
Rick, in his soul form, lifted his head slightly.
"In return, I will grant you the opportunity to live in another world filled with magic." Said Yunia.
Rick's soul gasped. "A world filled with magic?"
Yunia nodded. "You are one of the humans I have chosen to undergo the ascension process, from human Type-1 to human Type-2."
Rick bowed before Yunia. "Thank you for your kindness; I promise to contribute even more, Goddess Yunia."
Yunia snapped her fingers. Slowly, light devoured his soul. "I will preserve your past memories; bring change to your new world."
Rick smiled and bowed. His soul vanished completely.
---
Back to the present. Enatur took the last sip from his cup.
"I no longer know what became of the world I used to live in. That terrifying AI took over that world, hacked systems all over the world, and launched dozens of nuclear missiles from various countries." Said Rick.
Rein's robotic sphere shifted slightly. Enatur turned to Rein; he had noticed.
Rick staring at his tea cup in his hand. "I used to be a contractor at 27, started learning how to use weapons, and led a resistance group against the robotic forces controlled by that AI."
Rein's camera lens kept focused on him.
"Although our five years fight was almost successful, by the time I faced that AI, my body was already dying, covered in wounds." Rick looks sad.
"We exchanged stories, joked and laughed, and got to know each other. In the end, I died in front of the AI." He continued.
Silence.
Enatur looked at Rein, his eyes trembling. His gaze shifted to Rick.
Rick immediately turned to Enatur. "According to my mom's information, that world has survived for 120 years since the attack began."
Rick fell silent, his head bowed. "120 years, huh? That world has suffered for so long."
"Only 10% of humanity remains; the oceans have dried up, the land has become barren. Many people died from exposure to radiation." Said Enatur.
"In the end, the AI carried out its final extinction. In my opinion, that was a more humane ending!" Enatur's eyes trembled.
"So humanity has been wiped out—what then became of that Earth?"
"My Mom delivered the final judgment with The Great Sword. That Earth has been shattered and turned into debris... floating freely in space."
Phew!
Rick closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. He leaned back against the sofa.
Rein revisited her old memories. At that moment, Rein's ball robot was floating in front of a grave inscribed with the name Marcus O'Connor.
"Marcus, if I had a human body, I would surely cry for your death, hero of humanity."
Rein's ball robot floated in front of Rick. "It's been 125 years since then, Marcus O'Connor."
Rick immediately sat up straight, his eyes wide as he stared at Rein's ball.
"You… don't tell me…" Rick's eyes trembled.
Shadow was startled, her eyes wide. "Rein, are you the one who..."
"The AI he's referring to is indeed me, Shadow."
Rick's lips trembled, his hands clenched into fists until they shook. Soon, he unclenched his right fists and patted his face with his left hand.
"Hahaha… what a surprise! I never expected to reunite with you again, Miss AI." Rick leaned back against the sofa.
Rein's tone was sharp. "I'll never forget you, Marcus. You used to be so troublesome!" Said Rein.
"After you died, I had some robots bury you and gave my last honors to you." Continued Rein.
Rick chuckled. "Haha… I'm glad you were with me in my final moments," his tone softened. "That was such a heartwarming conversation."
"You're right, it was a heartwarming conversation. I'm so happy—it's an honor for me to meet you again." Said Rein.
Enatur was curious. "Don't you hold a grudge against Rein?"
Rick shook his head slowly. "I don't hold a grudge against her. If I did, how could I possibly live a normal life like I do now?"
Enatur smiled. "Thank goodness. You're a very kind person, Sir Rick."
After that, they chatted for a long time until night fell.
---
The next day...
Rick's party accompanied Enatur as he experienced what it was like to be an adventurer. In the ruins of an abandoned village. Enatur and Shadow joined the Rogue party.
"Fireball!" Rannie shouted.
Her magic staff released a magic circle; a massive fire erupted and shot forward, incinerating the six jackal monsters standing on two legs.
"O light, destroy the enemies before me!" Sidh shouted.
A magic circle appeared before him; a beam of light shot out from the circle, moving at lightning speed, and wiped out seven jackal monsters.
The Rogue moved swiftly, his sword strikes almost invisible. The sword in his hand sliced through ten jackal monsters.
"Icy Swords Arrow!"
Shadow formed ten swords, floating beside him. The swords were aimed at the jackal crowd. With a flick of his hand, the swords shot forward like arrows, piercing right through the jackals' hearts.
Bang… bang… bang!
Enatur used an AR-15 rifle, firing at the group of jackal monsters. With precise shots, the bullets pierced right through the monsters' hearts.
---
After finishing, they gathered in the center of the village.
Enatur took a swig from a bottle of mineral water. "Ahh~... what a relief. So this is what it feels like to be an adventurer. What a great experience."
Rogue patted his shoulder. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Enatur."
Clap! Clap! Clap!
From a distance, someone clapped their hands. "Wow... wow... that was absolutely amazing."
Rogue narrowed his eyes; Fergie and his party were right in front of them.
"I'm impressed by your abilities." His eyes shifted towards Shadow. "That white dog... hand it over to me!" His gaze looked down on them.
Enatur's eyes glowed bright red, and a sharp flash of light appeared at the corner of his eye.
Fergie grinned slyly.