Claire nodded as she understood what would be the concern, with military members potentially helping something outside of the country's control. This was even more apparent with how the military wasn't able to keep the threat of the Modified Humans from flooding into a base that was explicitly designed to protect against external threats.
Thinking about the military's inability to handle the threat, Clarie couldn't help but think about Star and Moon and the company's strength, which was still a mystery.
"Claire?" Her mother asked. "What are you thinking about?"
"Just thinking how it's surprising how a company is able to perform things that even a country's military isn't able to accomplish," Claire sighed, her mind going back to the way the shelter would keep out the Modified Humans. At the same time, the Adventurer's Guild would train the people to be able to step back into the world.
Furrowing her eyebrows, Claire's mom said, "It's exactly for that reason why the military is wary of Star and Moon. The company feels as though its several steps ahead of everyone else, laying out the groundwork to be ready for the things that would occur in the future." Her eyes looked to the side as though lost in thought. Redirecting her attention to Claire, "Claire, are you sure that doing this adventuring thing is worth it?" Frowning at the idea of her youngest daughter putting herself in danger.
Claire shrugged, "I don't know what else I can be doing, aside from doing this. We can't just stay inside the shelter and hoping things will work out for us." Grimly smiling, "If you were to go to the Guild, I feel as though you'd understand why it's necessary for people to become adventurers. Though it's not limited to just fighting monsters. There are other avenues available to getting stronger." She explained, thinking back to her idea of using the materials from monsters to make things used by adventurers.
"What things are you talking about?" Her mother asked, looking intrigued to learn more about the Guild.
"It seems as though there's an energy flowing throughout the world, and the Guild is helping us to harness this energy. This is what's going to allow us to stand back on the world above and maybe push back the Modified Humans. The monsters we fight inside of the simulation also provide resources used to build things that can give access to more resources provided by the Guild." Claire started to become excited as she explained what she had seen.
As she went deeper into what was available inside of the Guild, her mother's eyes widened. Every now and then, she'd ask questions on areas she didn't understand, but it didn't take long to understand the benefits of taking part in such a system. This was, even more, the case since there was no significant danger to the adventurer when using the simulation.
"Though it's not for certain to be safe in the long term for adventurers, especially their psychological health," Her mother added after she had finished explaining. Taking a deep breath as she organized everything in her mind, her mother said, "I don't know how Abby will think about this, but I think it's important that Brooke and Candice are informed about this."
Though she could see Abby becoming an adventurer, Claire didn't expect that her mother would suggest that Brooke and Candice become adventurers. "I thought you were against the idea?"
Sighing at Claire's words, "I'm against the idea of you, someone so young, to become an adventurer, but your sisters are adults." She shook her head, "I don't think you understand, Claire. When we learned that the Modified Humans had made it over the walls into where we were..." Her mother was silent, shoulders slightly trembling from the memory. "We can't let our family be in a situation where they can't defend themselves. Even if I don't like the idea of your sisters fighting against monsters and putting themselves in harm's way, it's looking to be something that'll be important. In order for us to not be in a position where we can't defend ourselves, I think it'll be important for us to become adventurers."
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"Mom... What are you saying?" Claire had a sense of dread building up inside of her.
"I'll be grabbing your sisters and heading after your father. Wait for us to come over." Not waiting for a response, her mother tapped on the screen to end the call.
As Claire stared at the screen, she could only think, "What in the world just happened?"
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End of Part 1
After a few minutes passed, Claire regained herself. Quickly touching the screen and navigating through the system, she located Hannah's information.
"Hopefully, she isn't asleep!" Claire prayed as she pressed the call icon.
Hearing to the sound of the dial tone, the feeling of anxiety grew at the idea that her friend wasn't going to pick up.
Just as she was about to run out of the room to head to where Hannah was staying, the screen changed to the image of Hannah's face. Though what wasn't expected was that Hannah had a look of panic.
"Claire! I was about to head over to your room when you called!" Hannah hopped from one foot to another.
Not expecting her friend to have such a similar expression as the one she was feeling, Claire asked, "What happened?!"
Raising her hands into the air, Hannah exclaimed, "My family is heading into the Guild!"
"Your family too?!" Claire asked in surprise.
As though not expecting Claire to utter such words, Hannah's face froze in surprise. It was as though question marks could be seen floating above her head.
If it were any other time, Claire would've laughed hard at Hannah's reaction, but due to the fact that both of their families were going to enter into the Guild, meant things were serious. "It just doesn't make any sense!" Claire thought to herself, not understanding why both their families would react in such a manner.
"I'm heading over to your place!" Hannah quickly said as she motioned to end the call.
"What about your family?!" Claire yelled at the screen, though Hannah's image disappeared just as Claire spoke out the words.
Sighing, Claire walked over to the sofa in the living area. Though she only meant to quietly chat with her family before heading off to much-needed sleep, it ended up with her having to stay up as everyone converged to where she was sleeping.
Before she slumped into the sofa, she turned around, realizing that her family didn't know where she was staying. Claire was worried about her family making a scene in the lobby of the Guild. Tapping on the screen and selecting help, a voice was soon heard.
"What may I help you with, Claire?" Darlina's face was seen on the screen.
"Darlina?" Claire stepped back in surprise, not expecting the robot to appear once she pressed the help function.
Bowing slightly, Darlina said, "Remember, my job is to help adventurers. This means that if you press the help icon, then I'll show up to provide assistance."
Pushing her shock aside, she blurted out, "My family is heading over to the Guild. I think they'll try to head over to my room!"
"I'll make sure that they are aware of where you're staying once they've finished their initiation to being adventurers." Darlina smiled, accepting the task given by Claire.
Claire winced, hearing Darlina mentioned that her family would be going through the process of becoming adventurers.
"Do they have to become adventurers?" Claire asked.
Giving an understanding smile, Darlina explained, "In order to gain access to the Adventurer Guild, they'll need to be members of the Guild. I'm sorry, it's not something we can alter. These protocols are put into place for a reason."
Tilting her head back, Claire said, "I understand. Thanks for your help."
"That's what I'm here for. Would you like me to alert you when your family arrives?" Darlina asked.
"Could you also let Hannah's family know that Hannah's heading over to my place?" Claire remembered at the last moment.
Darlina nodded, "Hannah has already informed me of this. I'll contact you when they arrive. Based on the information I have, they're currently going down the stairs to reach the Guild. When I call, remember that the system is built with voice interaction, so there's no need to come to the screen to receive the call."
"Thanks, Darlina. I appreciate the help." Claire was glad to know that she wouldn't need to walk over to answer the call. When Darlina ended the call, Claire went over to the sofa and dropped into the comfortable cushions. Sighing pleasantly from the sensation, she tried to ignore the approaching drama.