The room became deathly silent, and I could feel a great pressure coming from Hiro pinning me in place. Before me was a man that could crush me with a casual flick of the wrist. However, I have never been one to roll over without a fight. If he was going to strike me, I’ll make sure it’s going to cost him at least a broken finger.
Hiro burst out laughing just before I was about to make a move. I glanced towards Sera and caught her rolling her eyes as she walked away. Hiro, still laughing was leaning backwards with one hand on his belly and the other on the chair for support.
The pressure from the crazy old hero had vanished, and I felt foolish just standing there, with my knees bent frozen between fight or flight. I had just been pranked by the oldest living human on this planet.
Catching his breath, Hiro smiled. “Your expression made my morning. Please sit with me and enjoy breakfast, eat as much as you like.”
Breathing out in relief, I pulled out and sat in the chair across from him. “You should be careful with pranks like that. I almost made another mess in your home.”
Chuckling, he sat down and filled two cups of tea. “I was very surprised to wake up to the sound of an excited granddaughter, banging on my bedroom door. It took her a few tries to fully explain why she was so ruffled.” He brought his cup up and smelled the aroma of the tea. “Far too long has she been overconfident in her position. I am glad someone finally knocked her down a peg and showed her that there is more to strength than skill ranks and levels.”
“How was her face? She moved so quickly I acted out of instinct.”
“It’s nothing that won’t heal up after a day. The bruise will be a humbling reminder for her. You on the other hand, should be careful. Yui can be quite competitive. I’m quite she is already planning on how to counter your moves.”
“Well unfortunately for her, I don’t plan to do much physical fighting with this class.”
Hiro chuckled “She can be quite persistent.”
“She get that from her grandfather?”
“Her mother.” He smiled and picked up a pair of chopsticks.
We took some time to eat. The small bite sized foods were dumplings each one was had different kinds of meat wrapped in pastry. There was also a bowl of sweet soy sauce that took the dumplings to another level. They exploded with flavour when bitten into. Garlic, ginger, and juicy juicy meat.
“This food is amazing. I have not had anything like this in years.”
Hiro placed his chopsticks down on the table. “I was 16 when I arrived in this world. I wandered in and out of the Tower just barely surviving… until I met another person from Earth. A foreigner named Wei Yin was camping outside a dungeon on one of the lower floors of the tower. He was cooking dumplings and invited me to join him. I had not eaten in days and those dumplings remain to be the best I have ever tasted. Wei Yin later became my mentor and taught me a lot about this world before passing on.
“I’m sorry. Losing people is never easy.”
Hiro grinned “He did not die. He went to a higher world! I’m sure he is still out there somewhere, stepping closer to divinity”
A moment went by, and he gestured to the room. “All these people here are my family, blood descendants. One of the reasons for founding the guild was to protect our families and help those from Earth who found themselves in this world.”
Stolen novel; please report.
“Noble goals. Looks like you are succeeding”
“Reigner, what do you want, now you are here?”
I took a sip of the tea. It was hot and sweet with a light floral taste.
“Having access to spells and mana is like a dream. Gaining levels, exploring my class, and exploring this world are my main interests right now. Later? I’m not too sure. Maybe I’ll set up a farm here… or conquer a tower. I am curious to see what all the fuss is about higher worlds.”
“Hah! I suspected Earth was not the last world you were part of. You could not have countered Yui’s lotus strike without having some impressive battle experience backing up your movements”
Hiro picked up the teapot and refilled our cups.
“When you have lived as long as I have, you develop an intuition for people. I have a feeling Reigner, that you are an honourable man and would like to offer you an invitation to join Ex-terra. I won’t ask of your past today. However, I am very curious about what you went through. My instincts warned me that, despite the level difference, you are dangerous to fight.”
I placed the chopsticks on the table. “I am not against joining you, this place seems nice. The food is delicious. It’s just that I already spent a lifetime fighting for others. This world doesn’t need a hero and if it does, there is already one here sitting in front of me.”
“Interesting choice of words... Well let me tell you some perks. Anyone part of our guild that wants to climb the tower are provided with gear, utility skills, and spells that are indispensable for new adventurers.”
I scratch the side of my face. “I’m sure I can pick those up quickly in the Tower.”
“How about a trial period? You join a new group of climbers and assist them until floor ten. That will let you see how life is like here and you can decide if you want leave after that.”
“Hmm, I’m not really a group person.”
“I will also throw in a rare spell book that teaches the offensive spell fireball, from-”
“Okay. I’m in.” Chance to learn fireball? I am not letting that go. Lilly would constantly show off the fireball spell. I decided to get revenge one night, when she was particularly annoying about it. I farted into her tent before zipping and breaking the tab off. She ended up burning a hole in the side of her tent and did not speak to me for a month afterwards. Elves could be so dramatic sometimes.
Laughing, Hiro stood up, grabbed my hand, and gave it a shake. “Welcome to Ex-terra. I’ll introduce you to your team leader.”
I stood up and followed Hiro as he led us to a nearby table. He walked behind and placed his hands on Yui’s shoulders, who was in the middle of stuffing her mouth full of dumplings. Her eyes closed and cheeks puffed out. The sight reminded me of a hamster. The red mark of my hand was very visible on side of her cheek.
Yui tilted her head back and saw Hiro and me standing behind her. Her eyes widened and she made somewhere between a squeal and choking noise. Turning away and hiding behind her back, Yui bent over her plate.
Hiro laughed and patted her on the back. “Yui, I want you to meet the newest Ex-terra to join us, and the fourth member of your team.”
Yui still not looking at us moved plates and napkins in front of her on the table.
“Uh, how old is Yui?” I asked
She turned and faced me with furrowed angry eyebrows “What is that supposed to mean? I told you I am 23.”
“Yeah, but I have only seen children and the starved eat like you do. I am impressed though, that you could hold two dumplings between your chopsticks.”
Hiro chuckled. “She is very talented in many ways but still has much to learn.” He winked at me. “I can hold four.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “I will have Sera hand you a pack with your starting gear. I hope to hear your story when you are back from your first venture.”
Hiro picked up a young girl who was in danger of colliding into us and walked away laughing.
Yui stood up and glared at me, her face looking like an upset puppy “two dumplings…”
“What?”
“I was two dumplings away.”
“Away from what?”
Pointing towards the other people at the table. All with their own pile of dumplings in front of them. “I was two dumplings away from the new record! Before you and grandfather made me… Surprised me! Okay?”
“What are you talking about? This is how you always eat!” Someone from the table said.
“Urgh!” Grabbing my arm Yui led me towards the doorway. “Don’t believe them. Let’s go find the team and get you a level. We have all reached floor five of the tower so we will help you catch up.”
Before making it to the entrance Sera appeared and handed me a small pouch on a belt “This a small dimensional pack that can hold up to 20kg. Inside you will find some robes, potions, a skill gem and two spell books.” A smile lit up her stunningly beautiful face. “Welcome to Ex-terra.”