The ancient tower stood as a testament to ages past—weathered, yet sturdy, looking like it could endure another thousand years with ease. Their last visit here was relatively brief, but this time, Kai took in its full architecture as Garba led him inside. Built like a towering cone, the tower’s floors shrank as they rose, each level serving a specific purpose. The ground floor held the essentials: the kitchen, a modest living area, storage room, and basic necessities. The second floor contained sleeping quarters, likely once used for family or visiting guests, but now rarely disturbed. The third floor was dominated by a spacious master room, while the fourth housed a massive light source that illuminated the tower's peak, like a beacon that had once guided travelers in the night.

Following Garba up the spiraling stairs, Kai glanced around, getting a better sense of the place where the old man had spent most of his life. He couldn’t help but feel the weight of solitude here. From what Kai understood, Garba had no family left in the area; relatives had either passed away or moved on, leaving him as the sole guardian of this quiet tower.

At the moment, Kaiser was being led by Garba up the creaking steps to the upper floors after expressing his other reason for visiting.

Cia and Ariella were left to explore the ground floor. Out here in the rural area, where only one structure stood, he felt more at ease allowing them to go about without cloaks or masks—different from the towns where they would draw far too much attention and make him constantly worry about their safety.

Once they were halfway up, Kai decided to relay the chief's message casually. “By the way, the chief wanted me to pass along a message. You won’t get another bird from him if you don’t stop being so stubborn in this tower of yours, he said.’”

Garba gave a heavy sigh, and Kai could see him grimace slightly, perhaps, still not feeling so well after eating Kaiser "Aydekey". Well, on the bright side, the old man would be their sole cook from now on, saving Kai the trouble and their stomachs health. Still, there was a flicker of humor in his eyes.

“That old fool,” Garba muttered, shaking his head. “Always trying to pull me out of here… Tell him it’s a waste of effort. This tower is where I’ll die, as a Warden, alone if it must be. I’ve made my peace with that.” His voice softened a bit, as if he were speaking more to himself than to Kai.

The old man continues, glancing out one of the narrow windows as if watching time slip by outside. "The Migration is drawing near already, huh? Hard to believe. Time sure flies... I still remember my childhood in that village like it was yesterday. Now, just a couple days more, and it'll be gone for good."

Kaiser nodded. “Yeah… but… why haven’t you packed your stuff, Gramps?” Although, he asked, he already guessed why.

Garba blinked at him, genuinely puzzled. “Oh? And why would I do that?”

Kaiser hesitated, surprised by the casual response. “I mean… everyone is leaving soon. Aren’t you coming with us?”

Garba chuckled, a deep, amused sound that echoed up the stairs. “If I were young, maybe. But at my age, lad, I only have a few good years left. If I’m lucky, maybe a decade. But even then, that doesn’t change the fact that I’m far too old to start life fresh in some city.” His voice softened, a touch of solemnity slipping in. “Besides, I decided long ago that I’d spend my days as the lighthouse Warden here. And without an heir to take up the role, well… who’s left to guard the Boundary? This old bag of bones can’t retire.”

He gave Kai a look that was half serious, half mischievous. “That’s why I say, don’t be like me. Create babies quickly while you're still young! Look at those two ladie—”

Suddenly, he stopped, sensing a piercing chill behind. He coughed abruptly, masking his embarrassment with a hand and stammered, “I, uh… got a bit carried away there. Anyway, what is it you wanna talk about again?"

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Kaiser smirked but quickly turned serious. “Well, I'm just curious about the other Players who came here before me.”

Garba paused thoughtfully, leaning against the banister as he considered the question.

"Hmm... There were a lot of them, but only a few stayed at Greenland while the rest continued southwards on their grand vessel. As for why, I don't know the specifics. One thing I could tell you is the three ancient Players that graced Green Land."

"Only three?" Kai raised an eyebrow.

The old man nodded. “According to the records, yes. However, history about those three is vague, except one. Everland was the most honorable among them. Her ability brought new life to Greenland—turned it from a hopeless wasteland to the lush, green land it is today. Of all the Players, she's probably the only decent Player we knew who really cared for this place… until her passing.”

“And the other two?” Kai asked, intrigued by the wistfulness in Garba’s tone.

“They’re… a different story altogether.” Garba shook his head. “Whimsical hooligans, to say the least. Bakar the Undying, for one. You must’ve heard of him or his descendants notorious nature, no? That brute of a bloodline… fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree, I guess. Bakar himself was a troublesome soul in the history of Greenland, he hasn't done a single good thing in these place except pumping out descendants and showing off his power to the people. His known to cause plenty of chaos, only to mysteriously vanish one day for good. No one really knew why, but some say that fool tried to brave the southern Boundary to chase after other Players and never returned. Probably died out there, in any case, his gone for good.”

Kai’s curiosity grew as they climbed the last steps to the third floor. “And what about the third?”

Garba suddenly stopped on his tracks. A prideful smile creeping up his lips.

“The third… ah, not to brag, kid, but that Player was my ancestor!” Garba puffed his chest out, clearly pleased with himself.

Kaiser blinked, dumbfounded. “Wait, does that mean you’re a Descendant?” His eyes widened with intrigue as he looked the old man over, suddenly sizing him up in a new light.

However, Garba’s face fell, and he let out a rough cough, hiding his discomfort. His enthusiasm dimmed. “Um, sadly… no.” He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, averting Kaiser’s gaze. “My great, great, great… well, more great-grandfather was probably just adopted by the third Player who's building this tower, long time ago. But tell you what, he was the first to decide on guarding the Boundary. Impressive, wouldn’t you agree?”

The old man’s pride returned, a faint smile forming as he nodded toward the sturdy stone walls. He gestured around the tower, as if presenting some grand legacy Kaiser should be impressed by.

'Not really.' Was Kai's honest opinion.

“Though,” Garba continued, scratching his chin, “that’s the only achievement he’s really known for. Unlike the other two, he preferred to keep to himself, living in the outskirts of town. No grand displays of power, no boasting… his abilities are still a mystery to this day. And then, one day, he just… vanished. Poof! As if he’d disappeared into thin air.” Garba threw his hands up, his fingers splayed to show just how sudden and unexplained the disappearance was. “Never to be seen again.”

Kaiser tilted his head, still curious. “Cool, so, what was his name? Don’t tell me he didn’t share that, either.”

“Ah, about that…” Garba’s voice dropped, and he leaned in, clearing his throat. “It’s sort of… long and unusual. But that’s just how remarkable my ancestor was! Heck, he might have come from a different world unlike other Players!"

He leaned closer to the unimpressed young man.

"I’ll only say it once, so listen carefully, lad.” He paused, savoring the anticipation before his voice grew reverent, as if reciting some sacred text.

“Doubleyu, ef, e, doubleyu.”

Kaiser’s lips immediately twitched. He quickly turned his head to the side, biting his lip hard to stifle his laughter. His shoulders trembled slightly as he struggled to keep a straight face.

'WFEW... What the heck? Is that guy trolling or something?' he thought, eyes watering as he fought to keep his composure. 'If you’re gonna give a nickname, at least come up with something better. Even a ten-year-old could think of a cooler name than that.'

Garba’s gaze sharpened. “Were you laughing just now?” he asked, his tone suspicious.

Kaiser straightened, his expression as stoic as he could manage. “…No,” he replied, feigning innocence. But his mouth twitched again, betraying the effort it took to suppress the grin threatening to break free.

Garba narrowed his eyes, unconvinced. He crossed his arms, tapping his foot in mild annoyance. “Tsk, brat. I know his name may sound funny, but trust me. Even Bakar the undying wouldn’t dare offend Doubleyu, ef, e, doubleyu!”

Kaiser had to pinch the bridge of his nose to keep a straight face, feeling like he might burst if he had to hear that ridiculous name one more time. 'Oh god, please don’t say his nickname again.'

He cleared his throat, desperately attempting to swallow down the laughter. “Right… no offense meant,” he managed, forcing a respectful nod. Then coughed to restrain himself more, afraid to offend the troller of an ancestor Garba was so proud of. The old man might not answer his following questions if he goes overboard, no one can blame him though, the bastard has passed down a total mess.

Kaiser watched the old man, his face blank but thoughts whirling. He could barely contain himself, but he had to admit—seeing Garba so proud, so attached to this ridiculous tale, was just too much. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry anymore.

Finally, clearing his throat, Kai pressed on to a different topic.

Entering Garba's capacious room, he asked.

"Hey, have you ever heard of dog people, I mean, Beast-kin? You know, people with wolf-like ears."

Garba turned to look at him strangely.