Chapter 31 – Do You Have Any Family?

As they entered the massive settlement, rows of stone buildings greeted them. The place looked even larger from the inside, yet the number of people in the streets seemed surprisingly low for a place of such scale.

“My good man, how come there are so few people here?” Maximus asked one of the guards.

“What do you think? How many people can survive the journey here, and how many are even willing to get this close to the Wildlands? Not everyone’s as mad as us.” The guard laughed, slapping Maximus on the back with a hearty grin.

Maximus winced slightly before asking, “Are you planning on crossing the Wildlands, then?”

The guard burst into laughter. “Oh, that’s a good one. Absolutely not!” He said, still chuckling.

“This is the best place in the First Plane to level up while staying relatively safe. Only lunatics actually go into that nightmare.” The second guard shivered at the thought.

“I see.” Maximus nodded slowly. “Then I suppose I’ll be preparing to go alone.” He muttered under his breath.

“What was that? A druid planning to enter the Wildlands?” The first guard asked, clearly surprised.

“Well, he might actually stand a chance,” the second guard shrugged. “You know, all that nature and beast nonsense.”

“Well, in that case, prepare well, friend. I’d suggest waiting it out until we deal with those cursed wolves. No need to risk your life before you even step into that green hell, right?” The guard laughed as he turned and began climbing back up to his watchtower.

Maximus nodded, already lost in thought as he started walking deeper into the settlement.

“We’re going to grab something to eat,” Felix said from behind.

Maximus gave a silent nod and parted from them, heading off in search of a quiet corner.

***

Maximus crossed the entire fortified settlement before finally finding a small, dust-ridden home at the far edge of the village. Due to the sheer size of the place, abandoned dwellings were plentiful.

He cleaned the space a little before sitting down, facing a fireplace that Embi had already ignited.

Silex sprawled beside him, while Sprout remained nestled on his shoulder, unmoving.

“I don’t understand these people. I truly don’t.” He muttered. “They’ve been given an enormous opportunity to forge themselves into something greater, to seize power with their own hands, and yet they waste their time hiding, trying to pass the trials safely.” He shook his head slowly.

“I can understand that they were ordinary people back on their home world… But didn’t they say this has been going on for twenty years already? Why not learn from the mistakes of those before you? Why remain so soft, so meek?” He exhaled heavily.

“I truly cannot comprehend it. If I had been given a system like this back then… When I was left alone to fend for myself… I would have given everything to grow stronger, stronger than anyone else. To survive… And to learn all that I could.”

He reached down and gently petted Silex’s head, a faint smile forming.

“You know, my scaly friend… I was only ten when my mother died. We were shunned by our clan because of her love for a human man. After she passed, I survived alone, fighting for scraps, struggling every day just to endure. Thankfully, she left behind some tomes on simple spells… They were the only thing that kept me from losing myself. Well… That and my father’s old sword.”

His gaze drifted into the fire as it crackled softly.

“My only goal was to master them. By the time I turned twenty, I had already mastered all Tier One elemental spells. My fireballs were as large as my head, my icicles came in dozens, and my magic missiles were countless. With only that foundation, I forced my way into the Magic Tower and carved a path forward.”

He paused, eyes narrowing slightly. “What do you think would have happened to me… If I had simply hidden away and waited for things to pass?”

Silence filled the room for a moment, broken only by the crackling fire.

“Maybe… It would be better to leave them behind. Let them spend their remaining days here, waiting for the second trial.” He muttered.

Silex lifted his head sharply and snapped his jaws in protest.

“Hey, don’t argue with me, I’m not wrong. They clearly don’t agree with my methods. It’s all well and good when they’re gaining levels, but the moment real choices need to be made…” He shook his head again.

“I’ll… Think about it, alright?” He sighed, absentmindedly stroking Silex once more.

***

Felix and Oscar sat in the only open restaurant in the small city, eating a questionable stew made from who-knows-what.

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“So… What should we do?” Oscar asked between loud slurps.

“I feel horrible, to be honest. I think he feels betrayed. He did it to protect us, and we lashed out at him for it. I don’t know what’s worse, that we’re still so weak, or that we turned on him like that.” Felix sighed deeply.

“Yeah, I feel like proper shit. He saved our necks, he did, and what he got in return? Us bloody attacking him.” Oscar frowned, stirring his bowl absentmindedly.

“But it was wrong, Oscar. What do you think will happen if he returns home like this? There would be more bloodshed than when that A-Rank Gate collapsed in the middle of Prague.” Felix rubbed his temple, his expression tense.

“Damn that Maximus. I swear to God, his hair’s as red as his bloody temper.” Oscar chuckled weakly.

“We should talk to him again. Show him there are other ways besides killing. We don’t have much time either.” Felix sighed. Guilt weighed heavily on him. Maximus had shown them nothing but goodwill and patience, helped them grow stronger, taught them more than anyone else, and they repaid him with accusations. Shit… It’s not that simple… Felix cursed inwardly.

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help overhearing. Did you just mention a red-haired Maximus? Maximus Reid, perhaps?” A voice interrupted.

“Aye, that’s the boss!” Oscar nodded without hesitation.

Felix frowned as he looked up. Standing before them was a young man with white hair and an odd, coiling snake tattoo wrapped around his neck.

“How can we help you?” Felix asked, his tone suddenly guarded.

“Hello, I’m Toby Reid. I believe the man you’re speaking of might be my cousin.” The man said politely.

“Bloody hell. You sure, mate? You don’t look anything alike.” Oscar chuckled.

“Oh, my appearance changed a bit because of my class,” Toby replied with an easy smile.

“Would it be possible for me to meet this Maximus of yours? I’d like to confirm whether he’s the one I’m searching for.”

“Sure,” Oscar started, only for Felix to kick him under the table.

“We don’t know where he is at the moment. Once we find him, we’ll let you know.” Felix said evenly.