Sana gently asked, "Sheila, can you see?"

Sheila's voice trembled with sadness. "No, Mother. I can't."

Isakawa interjected, "Only those with a condition like Sheila's can attain this skill. It's granted simply by listening to the story of the Blind Swordsman of Flames."

Suddenly, a notification appeared:

[ Notice ]

[ You have obtained the skill Radiation Eyes ]

Sheila's eyes widened in surprise. "Father? Mother?" Tears began to roll down her cheeks. "Why is everyone glowing red? I can't see you clearly, but I can tell it's you." She rubbed her eyes, wiping away the tears with her sleeve. "My eyes hurt."

Isakawa smiled kindly. "It will take time for you to get used to it, but this is the best I can do to help you."

Riko smiled gratefully. "Thank you so much, Isakawa."

"No worries. I'm glad I could help," Isakawa replied, grinning and tapping his friend on the shoulder.

Iris, sitting with her arms crossed, pouted. "I still don't know what the Family Games this year are about."

Riko chuckled, scratching his head. "Oops, I almost forgot to talk about that. Sorry, Iris, I was just so happy for Sheila."

"I'm happy for Sheila too!" Iris fumed, blushing.

Sheila grinned, her cheeks pink. "Thank you, Iris. You're so cute when you try to act tough."

"I'm just being nice," Iris muttered, folding her arms.

Riko cleared his throat. "Since most of the children have Abilities, they'll be sent to a Rift the Subaru household personally owns."

"A Rift?" Isakawa's expression darkened with concern.

Riko nodded. "It's not like any normal Rift. It appeared behind the Subaru Main house, causing the Head of the Subaru to be on high alert. Fortunately, it's a dungeon Rift, so it wasn't leaking any monsters. A team was sent to clear the monsters inside, and we discovered something unusual. Once cleared, the Rift didn't disappear like normal. Instead, it respawned the monsters."

He paused, noting the growing unease. "The monsters range from E-class to S-class. So far, no SS-class or above has been found. The plan is to take the children into the Rift for the Family Games, where they'll have to kill as many monsters as they can and bring them out."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Jennifer protested, slamming her hands on the car seat. "What are they thinking? That's too dangerous!"

Riko sighed. "We all know it's risky, but they still have to participate. This year, they're to eliminate as many monsters as possible and bring them out of the Rift."

Isakawa raised an eyebrow mischievously. "And if they don't…?"

Riko's face turned serious. "They would be locked up in the dark chamber for a week."

"Those lunatics!" Jennifer yelled, outraged.

"Since most of the Subaru family agreed, it was decided," Sana responded, her voice calm but laced with underlying anger. "The idea is to ensure the children don't take their abilities for granted. And don't worry; there are plenty of crystal viewers set up around the Rift, so we can watch the games."

(Crystal Viewers function like CCTV cameras but with a broader range of up to 50 miles. The footage is displayed on crystal technology screens, much like watching TV.)

Riko added, "They've also assigned people to monitor the children. If any of them get seriously injured, they'll be brought back for healing. The children will stay in the Rift for two days."

Isakawa's expression turned serious. "There's one thing I must know."

Riko nodded. "What do you want to know, Isakawa?"

"What does the Rift look like, and what kind of monsters are there?" Isakawa asked, his tone soft but cold as his gaze sharpened.

"It's like an abandoned kingdom," Riko explained. "As for the monsters, mostly undead beings and some other creatures."

Jennifer groaned. "I'm so tired of talking about this... The more I hear, the more I just want to turn the car around and take us back home."

Isakawa smiled at Riko. "Thanks for the information."

"You're welcome," Riko replied with a smile.

"Do we get to take food into the Rift?" Iris asked hopefully.

Riko looked at her sheepishly. "...No."

An outburst of angry and outraged complaints erupted from the children.

"How? Why should we go into a Rift with no food?" Iris exclaimed.

"This is so unfair!" she continued, crossing her arms.

"Absolutely unacceptable," Iris whined. "I refuse to go somewhere away from Mommy and Daddy without macaroni and cheese."

She's been really pampered, hasn't she?

Sheila tugged at her father's sleeve. "Father, I agree with Iris. What if I want ice cream?"

Krumi nodded in agreement, adding to the chorus of complaints.

Riko sighed, trying to soothe them. "Don't worry, my babies. Once you're done with the games, Papa will buy you lots of ice cream."

Iris tugged lightly on her father's shirt and asked in a timid voice, "Daddy, will I really be alright?"

"Don't worry, Iris. You'll be fine," Isakawa reassured her confidently.

"Sir, we've reached the Subaru Main House," the driver announced as the car came to a stop.

Iris rolled down the window and popped her head out, trying to see what he was talking about. To her surprise, they were in front of a large gate, towering at 20 feet. The sheer size made it feel like they were approaching a castle. Even from her vantage point, she couldn't see the house beyond.

"Iris, sit down," Jennifer ordered, her voice firm but gentle.

"Okay, Mommy," Iris replied, quickly rolling up the window and settling comfortably on her mother's lap, finding it the softest pillow there was.

The driver exited the car and stepped up to a Crystal Viewer. Rays of blue light surrounded him as a holographic scanner quickly scanned his face. A green tick appeared on the screen, signaling approval. The scanner then moved into the car through the open driver's door, scanning each passenger. As each received a green tick, the screen confirmed their identities. When it reached Isakawa and his family, the Crystal Viewer paused momentarily before giving them a tick as well.

"I guess they were expecting us," Isakawa remarked, amused.

The driver returned to his seat and drove the car through the gates into the Subaru household.

---

"You finally came... Isakawa," a man murmured with a sinister grin, watching their arrival.