Chapter 22 : To a brighter future.

Alper POV

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I leaned back in my chair and sighed, staring at the terminal screen with a mix of frustration and exhaustion.

Despite hours of searching, I’d found next to nothing substantial about House Luminari. Most of the results were just news articles or vague mentions of their achievements. What I did uncover, however, was far more concerning. House Celestium—the major clan that House Luminari was a subsidiary of—loomed large in the shadows of my findings.

There were troubling things tied to House Celestium. On the surface, they presented themselves as a neutral clan, claiming not to take sides in conflicts. But their actions told a different story.

First, they held a monopoly over a rare material called Caelum Lapis. This substance wasn’t just valuable—it was borderline miraculous, capable of enhancing or upgrading the effects of other materials, components, or items. Such a resource wasn’t just useful; it was the kind of thing wars were fought over.

Then there was the dimensional rift. Apparently, House Celestium had once opened a door to another world—an act that triggered what was later dubbed the Era of Cataclysm. The destruction that followed was unimaginable. Entire regions were decimated. Lives, cities, and histories were wiped out in the chaos.

And yet, they weren’t blamed for the disaster. Why? Because they were also the ones who managed to close the rift, effectively saving the world from further devastation.

Hmm…

House Luminari was tied to House Celestium, a direct subsidiary. Was it fair to assume the two clans shared the same nature? Could one truly be innocent while being so closely tied to the other?

I leaned forward, rubbing my temples as my mind churned. What do I do now?

The questions spiraled endlessly. Should I keep digging for information, even when it seemed impossible to find anything substantial? The only reason I was even considering this was because Nove insisted.

Personally, I didn’t care much about House Luminari. Sure, I was curious—and I couldn’t shake the guilty conscience that nagged at me, reminding me that I was in Alper’s body. That alone made me feel a responsibility to figure out if the clan was good or not. But at the same time…

Do I really want to keep chasing this?

My thoughts bounced back and forth like a pendulum, weighing my options. Every argument felt valid, every decision fraught with potential consequences. Finally, I exhaled sharply and sat upright, my mind made up.

“You know what?” I said aloud to no one in particular. “I’m doing this my way.”

If I was going to see this through, it had to be on my terms. Alper’s life, his choices, were now mine to carry. At the very least, I owed it to him to at the very least meet his parents.

If it turned out to be a terrible place, I’d leave a letter behind. A simple gesture, but one that would let them know their actions weren’t unnoticed. While Nove insisted the people of House Luminari were kind, I knew better than to trust individuals to represent an entire organization. Just because some people were good didn’t mean the whole clan was.

One way or another, I’d find out the truth. But I’d do it on my terms.

“What are you thinking, Alper?” Nove’s voice echoed calmly in my mind.

“Nothing much,” I replied, though my thoughts were already racing. “Just considering how to handle my next steps.”

Even as I spoke, my mind wandered back to my old ways—how I used to approach infiltration. The memories were clear, the methods instinctive. If I wanted answers about House Luminari, there was only one way to get them: infiltrate the clan myself. That was the only way to see if they were worth joining—or if I needed to steer clear.

Of course, that was easier said than done. It would take preparation, careful planning, and resources.

Money, information, and power.

These were my priorities. Without them, I wouldn’t stand a chance.

I turned back to the terminal and resumed my search, scouring for anything useful—metalweaving techniques, components, materials, and anything else that caught my eye. While I came across some fascinating things, they were more practical for later. For now, I let Nove memorize everything for safekeeping.

As the hours passed, I felt the weight of exhaustion creeping in. It was nearing nighttime, and after being on the run for so long, I was desperate for a good night’s rest. But there was one more thing I needed to check before I could call it a day: the mission list.

I leaned forward and navigated to the available missions. My days of being a dog—killing, abducting, blackmailing—were over. I wasn’t going to do anything that would drag me back into that life. But what I found surprised me.

The missions were… surprisingly tame. Most of them were fairly generic: collecting monster parts, gathering herbs, retrieving materials, or escorting people as a bodyguard. A handful of scout missions popped up, but even those didn’t seem particularly questionable.

“Huh…” I tilted my head, scrolling through the list. “I expected the missions to be much worse.”

“You’ll still be risking your life on these missions,” a voice said from nearby.

Startled, I glanced over to see someone else seated at a terminal beside me. He looked at me with a charming smile—black hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and the confident air of someone in their twenties. His appearance was striking.

“Maybe,” I shrugged my shoulders, “But it’s a lot better than what I was expecting.”

He chuckled softly. “The name’s Richard. You must be new here,” he said, extending a hand.

I shook it and nodded. “My name’s Adam.”

“You look young. Did Dix pick up another stray?”

“Something like that,” I replied with a small shrug.

“I see.” Richard’s gaze shifted back to his screen, his tone casual but not dismissive. “For the first week, you’ll get general missions. You can ignore them if you want, but until you’re used to how things work, they won’t assign you anything big. So don’t get upset if the missions feel… basic.”

“I see…” I said, mulling it over. “Thanks for the advice.”

This setup was actually ideal. These general missions would give me the chance to get stronger without too much risk. I could earn some money, gather useful materials, and stash away anything valuable for myself. It was the perfect starting point.

Once I’d finished going over everything I needed on the terminal, I got up and thanked Richard. He nodded in response, his attention already back on his work. I made my way to the barracks.

The room was simple, lined with bunk beds. A few people were already asleep—some adults, others teenagers like me. Quietly, I found the bed assigned to me and laid down, staring at the ceiling for a moment. The day’s events replayed in my mind, but I pushed them aside as I let my body sink into the mattress.

“Alper.” Nove’s voice rang softly in my head.

“What’s up?” I murmured, my eyes heavy with exhaustion.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Will you really not go back to your family? They miss you. A lot.”

I sighed, the weight of her question settling over me. “I will, Nove. I promise. But we need to prepare first. Trust me.”

She was quiet for a long moment before replying. “Okay.”

I nodded slightly, closing my eyes for good this time. Sleep came quickly, pulling me into its warm embrace.

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The next morning, I woke feeling more rested than I had in days. It was time to move. There was a lot to do, but I decided to start with something simple: exercise. I asked around, hoping there might be a gym or training space here, but it seemed like there wasn’t anything of the sort.

Not discouraged, I made do with what I had. I found a spot near my bed and began some basic exercises—push-ups, sit-ups, stretches. It wasn’t much, and I knew I wouldn’t see any real results for a while, but it was a start. And for now, a start was all I needed.

Some of the other members gave me odd looks as I went through my morning exercises, but I didn’t care. Let them stare. Once I finished, drenched in sweat, I took a quick bath, ate a simple meal, and moved on to my next plan.

I needed a weapon.

Or, more specifically, a ranged weapon. Why? Because I was going hunting.

While the missions on the terminals were straightforward and manageable, there was one glaring downside: most of them took too much time. I had Nove memorize the requests for later, but my immediate priority was clear—get stronger and earn money. Fast.

During my time in the intel room, I’d picked up some valuable survival tips and new information about metalweaving—things even Nove hadn’t known. One discovery stood out: the ability to attach core nodes to weapons, imbuing them with the properties and abilities of those nodes. The potential was incredible, but it was something I’d need to practice first. And to practice, I’d need materials.

I mentally ran through the list of basic alchemical supplies I’d need: nexus blood, nexus crystals, nexus dust, and several other components. Nexus crystals, in particular, were critical—not only for crafting weapons but also for upgrading my core nodes and abilities. With that in mind, I made a beeline back to the intel room to see if the terminals could point me to good places to acquire a weapon.

Thankfully, the terminal provided all the information I needed. I now had a clear idea of local shops, pricing, and places worth visiting. It was time to head out.

As I made my way toward the exit, a few people stopped me. Curious about the newcomer, they introduced themselves, offering to team up for missions.

One of them, the oldest of the group, scratched his head and frowned slightly. “That’s too bad,” he said when I politely declined their offers. “But are you sure about this? If you join us, we could tackle a higher-tier mission. You’d make enough money to survive for the next few days, maybe even longer.”

I could tell they were genuinely trying to help. Even Nove chimed in, urging me to reconsider. “They’re right, Alper,” she said. “A team could increase your chances of survival.”

But my mission was more important. I had a clear plan, and I knew what I was doing. My body might have been 14 years old, but my mind carried the experience of a near-30-year-old veteran. I wasn’t about to compromise my goals for convenience.

“I appreciate the offer,” I said with a polite smile. “But I need to focus on my own priorities for now.”

“Well, it’s still better to team up,” the other one said, crossing his arms. “Two will always be better than one.”

I glanced at the group of teenagers in front of me. They weren’t adults, but they were certainly older than me. “Don’t worry,” I said, offering a reassuring smile. “I know what I’m capable of—and what I’m not. I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way,” the oldest one began, his tone thoughtful. “But you’re probably the second youngest in this entire organization, which is why we’re worried.” He gestured down the hallway, and my eyes followed. At the far end, a girl around my age—probably 14—was cleaning the floor, her movements clumsy but determined.

I got what he was trying to say. Kids our age weren’t expected to do anything risky; we weren’t considered fully developed for survivability. And honestly? If that girl tried to head out for missions, I’d stop her too.

But me? Considering all I’d already done, I knew I could handle it.

“But if you’re not doing anything dangerous, it’s fine,” he said with a nod. His tone carried a mix of caution and respect, and after a brief hesitation, he turned and headed outside. The other two teammates exchanged glances before reluctantly following him.

Left alone, I placed a hand on my chin, watching the girl at the end of the hallway. She stumbled over her own feet, barely avoiding a face-first fall to the floor. A chuckle escaped me—she reminded me of my sworn sister back on Earth. Clumsy, endearing, and always trying her best. I wonder what she’s up to now…

Shaking off the thought, I refocused on the task at hand. My plan was already in motion.

Navigating through the vibrant streets of the city, I followed Nove’s directions to the first stop: selling off most of the turtle’s materials I’d harvested earlier. I kept a few key items—the nexus blood, the nexus crystal, and a handful of interesting-looking parts—but the rest went to market. By the end, I’d earned 28 silver aurens. If I’d sold everything, I could’ve made another 10 silver aurens, but keeping the materials I needed felt more important.

As I walked through the bustling city streets, the hum of life surrounded me. Traders shouted their wares, people bargained loudly, and the scent of food wafted from nearby stalls. Despite the noise, my mind was calm, focused.

My next destination was clear: a weapons shop.

Why was I heading to a weapon shop instead of making one myself? The answer was simple: with a Metalweaving stat of 6, there wasn’t much I could accomplish.

According to the intel I’d read on the terminals, even beginner metalweavers had stats ranging between 10 and 20. Anything below 10 was considered barely functional, practically non-existent. For now, buying a temporary ranged weapon was the smartest option.

Once I had that, I could focus on hunting, mining, and foraging to gather the materials I needed. With the right resources, I could create core nodes that would boost my stats significantly.

My plan was straightforward: level up my abilities, grind for strength, and prepare for the ultimate goal—infiltrating House Luminari.

Of course, there was also the idea of forming a team. Building a small group of capable allies could help me handle various tasks and challenges along the way. But that was a thought for later. Right now, there was something else tugging at the back of my mind.

When I’d exited the cave earlier, the party of Nomads I’d encountered had been shocked when I casually showed them I could create core nodes. That reaction made me wonder: Could I sell core nodes to make money?

It was an intriguing possibility. If I could refine the process, it might not only fund my journey but also give me an edge in trading for better materials or equipment. Something to consider, at least.

Still, the day was young, and there was no need to rush. I had my priorities set, and step by step, I’d make progress. One thing was certain: every move I made would bring me closer to the strength and resources I needed to achieve my goals.

Funny enough, as I was making my way toward the border of the kingdom, I passed an alchemist shop. Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to step inside.

The door creaked open, and a small bell chimed softly as I entered. “Welcome! How may I help… you?” The chubby clerk behind the counter greeted me enthusiastically at first, but his tone faltered when he realized a kid had walked into his shop.

Dressed in finely tailored clothes that gave him a noble air, he visibly stiffened. I even caught the subtle click of his tongue—likely assuming I’d waste his time. Typical.

Instead of letting his reaction bother me, I leaned into my experience. Words could disarm as effectively as any weapon.

“I’m just here on behalf of my dad,” I said casually, keeping my tone polite but confident.

That got his attention. His curious expression shifted slightly. “Your dad?”

“Yeah,” I continued smoothly, gesturing around the shop as if appraising the place. “He said he’d visit later but wanted me to check the place out first.”

A little lie, sure, but one tailored perfectly to his assumptions. His posture straightened, and the practiced, professional smile returned to his face. “O-Oh! Pardon my rudeness then!” he said, bowing slightly. “Is there anything in particular your father is looking for?”

I let my gaze wander around the shop, pretending to take everything in. Shelves lined with potions in various sizes and colors stretched along the walls. Weapons and armor were neatly displayed in cases, their polished surfaces gleaming under the warm light. But what really caught my eye were the core nodes. They were encased in pristine glass displays, positioned like precious jewels.

“Mainly core nodes,” I replied after a moment, my tone thoughtful. “He asked me to see both your cheapest and most expensive ones.”

The clerk’s eyes lit up, and I could practically see him calculating how to upsell me—or, rather, the imaginary father I was supposedly representing.

The clerk nodded eagerly. “I see! Just give me a second,” he said before scurrying to the back room, leaving me alone in the shop.

With the sudden free time, I wandered over to the displays, my eyes drawn to the armor with core nodes embedded in them. The nodes sat like small gemstones, gleaming faintly under the shop’s lights. I examined the setup closely, my mind already buzzing with ideas.

If I could replicate this technique… I mused, thinking about my own potential gear. I could remove the stone core node slotted in Nove and embed it into a glove. With that, not only would I retain the stat boosts, but I could also summon a stone shield whenever I wanted, using just a bit of NEP. The possibilities were endless.

My thoughts were interrupted when the clerk returned, carrying two small cases. His expression was one of pride as he placed them on the counter.

“This,” he began, gesturing toward a small brown core node resting on a silky pillow, “is our most affordable core node. It’s priced at 1 gold and 50 silver aurens. It allows you to mend and manipulate earth, creating tough walls or extracting materials from deep underground.”

I nodded, absorbing the explanation. Before I could ask any questions, he moved on to the second item.

“And this,” he said with a dramatic flourish, pointing to a vibrant blue core node in an ornate case, “is our premium option. Normally priced at 15 gold aurens, it’s currently on sale for just 12 gold aurens this week. This core allows you to manipulate water and even create subtle thunderstorms.”

I froze, my thoughts grinding to a halt.

Wait…

I blinked, staring at the prices in disbelief.

1 gold and 50 silver aurens for the cheapest? And 12 gold aurens for the premium?

This…

This was ridiculous.

A grin slowly spread across my face. Was this the market value for core nodes, huh?

With Nove’s near-100% success rate in creating core nodes, I didn’t just have a way to craft my own gear—I had a solution to my money problems. Selling even a few core nodes could fund everything I needed and more.