Claude opens his eyes and, as expected, finds himself once again standing within the vast and tranquil expanse of Paradise, a place that has now become strangely familiar to him, almost like a second world that exists parallel to his own waking life.
After Lin Yu establishes contact with the Rule Network of the world, the principles he inscribes within it begin to take effect, and among them are the laws related to the Digital Space, allowing him, without remaining physically near Claude or Greg, to pull their consciousness into this space the moment they fall asleep, using the invisible connections formed through the network itself.
Claude slowly looks around.
The empty stretch of the Paradise greets him.
Claudia is not here.
He does not panic.
Instead, he simply wonders if she has not yet fallen asleep.
Time passes quietly.
Minutes drift by.
Then,
A figure forms.
Greg appears.
His consciousness stabilises within the Paradise.
His eyes immediately search the surroundings.
They land on Claude.
He steps closer.
"Where is your sister?" Greg asks.
Claude presses his lips together slightly before answering, his tone calm but faintly uncertain.
"She may not have fallen asleep."
Greg nods in understanding.
He does not press further.
Claude shifts the topic.
He looks at Greg and asks, "How is your little brother? I heard all the children were rescued."
A smile appears on Greg's face.
Relief.
Genuine.
"He is okay," Greg says, "but he doesn't remember anything."
Claude's expression softens.
"Good," he says quietly, "not remembering is better."
His voice carries a weight.
A meaning that goes beyond simple words.
He understands it deeply.
Better than anyone.
There was a time when memories haunted him, when nightmares followed him after the massacre of his family, when sleep itself became something to fear.
But that changed.
After becoming a follower of the God of Knowledge,
The nightmares disappeared.
As if erased.
As if they had never existed.
Greg notices the shift in Claude's expression.
A trace of melancholy.
A shadow that lingers behind his calm demeanour.
He recalls what he knows.
Claude and his sister live in an inn.
They are not from Lake City.
Their parents are gone.
Like his own.
But theirs,
Must be recent.
Greg understands enough not to ask.
They are not close enough for such questions.
Silence settles briefly between them.
Then Claude breaks it.
"Let's train."
Greg nods immediately.
No hesitation.
Both of them reach for sticks, treating them as swords.
They take their stances.
Then,
They clash.
The sound of wood striking wood echoes through the Paradise.
Their movements sharpen with each exchange.
Strike.
Block.
Counter.
They push each other.
Improve through combat.
In this place, they do not feel fatigue.
No exhaustion.
No limit.
Time loses meaning.
Hours pass like moments.
Their skills rise steadily.
Greg's precision.
Claude's adaptability.
Each improving through the other.
Then,
Greg suddenly steps back.
"Stop," he says, "I am waking up."
Claude lowers his stick slightly.
He nods.
Moments later,
Greg disappears.
His form dissolves from the Paradise.
Claude remains alone.
Silence returns.
He stands still for a moment.
Waiting for his own awakening.
Then,
A thought forms.
Clear.
Familiar.
"Status."
Name: Claude
Follower: God of Knowledge and Digital World
Level: Knight Apprentice (2)
Condition: Injured, Cursed
Strength: 1.83 (1.91)
Agility: 1.80 (1.89)
Constitution: 2.01 (2.13)
Spirit: 1.41 (1.42)
Skills:
Basic Fighting: (176/1000)
Basic Sword: (191/1000)
Red Crane Sword: (105/1000)
Technique:
Red Crane Breathing (Stage 2): (04/300)
Claude studies the panel carefully, his eyes moving from one line to another, taking in every number, every small increase that reflects his recent effort and struggle.
He notices the improvement in his skills first.
It is clear.
The numbers have risen more than before.
And he understands why.
Training with Greg.
Fighting someone stronger.
More experienced.
It pushed him forward faster than training alone ever could.
His gaze lingers on the skill values.
A thought forms in his mind.
What will happen when a skill reaches one thousand points?
Will it evolve?
Transform?
Or unlock something new?
The question stays with him.
Then his attention shifts.
To his technique.
Red Crane Breathing.
The progress is slow.
Unchanged.
He knows the reason.
His recent battle with the three bandits.
The injuries.
The strain on his body.
Breathing techniques are not simple exercises.
They demand precision.
Control.
Even the slightest mistake can worsen internal damage.
But now,
Things are different.
From today onward, he should be able to resume proper practice.
His body is healing.
Recovering.
His thoughts move again.
To the elixirs he bought.
He has not yet tested them.
Does not yet know how effective they truly are.
But he will soon.
Then,
Another thought follows naturally.
The price.
Expensive.
Too expensive to rely on without a steady income.
His expression hardens slightly.
"I need to find a way to make money," he thinks.
His mind searches for options.
Possibilities.
Then one place emerges clearly.
The Blackwood Swamp.
Dangerous.
But full of opportunity.
Resources.
Tasks.
Rewards.
Another thought connects.
Greg.
An adventurer.
Living proof that it is possible.
"I will ask him tonight," Claude decides.
The thought settles firmly in his mind.
His consciousness begins to fade.
The Paradise dissolves around him.
He disappears.
Greg wakes from his sleep, his body still heavy with exhaustion, and before even attempting to rise from the bed, his mind moves first, forming a familiar command.
"Status."
Name: Greg
Follower: God of Knowledge and Digital World
Level: Senior Knight Apprentice (3)
Condition: Seriously Injured
Strength: 1.45 (2.98)
Agility: 1.50 (3.18)
Constitution: 1.45 (2.80)
Spirit: 1.29 (1.31)
Skills:
Basic Fighting: (509/1000)
Basic Sword: (395/1000)
Shadow Blade: (265/1000)
Throwing Knives: (797/1000)
Technique:
Shadow Man Breathing (Stage 3): (02/500)
Greg studies the panel in silence, his eyes steady despite the dull ache spreading through his body, noting the clear improvements that have come after the battles he recently survived.
He knows very well that this growth is not because of training with Claude.
Training helps.
But only a little.
The real change came during life-and-death moments.
When he fought the Mist Demon.
When he broke through.
Stepping into the realm of a Senior Knight Apprentice.
And after that,
The battles against the bandits and cultists.
Each fight pushed him further.
Refined him.
Strengthened him.
His grip tightens slightly on the blanket.
His current state, however, reminds him of the cost.
Seriously injured.
His stats are temporarily reduced.
His body has not yet recovered.
Then,
His ears twitch.
A sound.
A knock on the front door.
He listens carefully.
Grey's voice follows.
And another voice.
Unfamiliar.
Greg frowns.
Slowly, with a grimace of pain, he pushes himself up from the bed.
His muscles protest immediately.
A sharp sting runs through his side.
He grits his teeth.
Endure it.
Step by step, he shuffles toward the door of his room.
His movement is slow.
Heavy.
But steady.
He reaches the door.
Pulls it open.
"Grey, who is it?" he asks.
He steps out.
His gaze shifts.
And lands on Grim.
The little boy sits on the floor.
Completely absorbed.
Colour sticks are scattered around him.
Paper spread out.
He is drawing.
Focused.
Calm.
As if nothing in the world matters beyond the shapes forming under his small hands.
He does not even look up.
Too busy with his painting.
From the front door, Greg hears Grey's voice.
"Brother, a policeman came for you."
Greg frowns slightly at the word policeman.
A moment later, another voice follows, calm and official.
"Mister Greg, I am sent by the captain to give your reward."
Reward.
The word brings back the memory instantly.
The captain had promised compensation to every adventurer who participated in the operation.
Greg had not thought about it since then.
At that time, his mind had been filled with only one thing,
Rescuing his brother.
Everything else had seemed unimportant.
He walks toward the front door.
Each step still carries pain, but he ignores it.
He reaches the entrance and sees Grey standing with his back to him, facing a uniformed policeman.
Greg speaks calmly.
"Sir, I don't need any reward. I am already thankful that the captain mobilised so many people to help my brother."
The policeman frowns slightly.
"It was our duty," he says firmly. "We would have rescued your brother regardless, so you deserve the reward."
He takes out an envelope and hands it to Grey.
Then he reaches into his pouch again and pulls out another.
"This one," he continues, "is for finding the location of the Wolf Bandits' base."
He places the second envelope in Grey's hands as well.
Grey grips both envelopes tightly, as if afraid they might vanish.
Greg nods slightly.
"Thank you, sir. And please give my thanks to the captain."
The policeman shakes his head lightly.
"You can thank the captain yourself."
Greg pauses, surprised.
"What do you mean?"
The policeman looks at him directly.
"The captain asked if you would like to join the police department."
For a moment,
Greg is speechless.
The offer strikes him harder than any blade.
Joining the police department.
It is a dream.
Especially for someone like him.
Someone from a poor background.
Such positions are usually reserved for those with connections.
Those backed by noble families.
Yet now,
The opportunity stands before him.
Real.
Within reach.
Greg quickly nods.
"Yes, I want to join."
The answer comes without hesitation.
The policeman nods in approval.
"Good. After your injuries heal, you can report to the department."
Greg bows his head slightly.
"Thank you."
Grey follows quickly.
"Thank you, sir."
The policeman turns and leaves.
Grey closes the door behind him.
Silence fills the house for a brief moment.
Greg turns and walks back inside.
Behind him, Grey speaks again.
"Brother, I decided to quit my job and take care of Grim."
Greg nods without stopping.
"That's fine."
He moves into the living room and slowly lowers himself onto a chair.
Grey sits beside him and places both envelopes on the table.
For a moment, the two brothers simply look at each other.
Then Greg speaks.
"Let's check the rewards."
He picks up one envelope.
Grey takes the other.
They open them almost at the same time.
Greg looks inside his.
Five gold pence.
A breath escapes him.
Relief.
With this, they can buy healing elixirs.
Stabilise his condition.
Then,
Grey suddenly shouts.
"Brother, look what is in my hand!"
Greg turns his head.
In Grey's palm,
Two large gold pence.
Greg's eyes widen slightly.
"Wow…"
The thought comes immediately.
With this amount,
For at least a month, he does not need to enter the swamp.
He can focus on recovery.
On cultivation.
They can cover food.
Daily needs.
Everything.
For the first time in a long while,
Things feel stable.