Chương 31: Do You Have Any Family?

As they entered the massive settlement, rows of stone buildings greeted them. The place looked even larger from the inside, yet the number of people in the streets seemed surprisingly low for a place of such scale.

"My good man, how come there are so few people here?" Maximus asked one of the guards.

"What do you think? How many people can survive the journey here, and how many are even willing to get this close to the Wildlands? Not everyone's as mad as us." The guard laughed, slapping Maximus on the back with a hearty grin. Maximus winced slightly before asking, "Are you planning on crossing the Wildlands, then?" The guard burst into laughter.

"Oh, that's a good one. Absolutely not!" He said, still chuckling.

"This is the best place in the First Plane to level up while staying relatively safe. Only lunatics actually go into that nightmare." The second guard shivered at the thought.

"I see." Maximus nodded slowly.

"Then I suppose I'll be preparing to go alone." He muttered under his breath.

"What was that? A druid planning to enter the Wildlands?" The first guard asked, clearly surprised.

"Well, he might actually stand a chance," the second guard shrugged.

"You know, all that nature and beast nonsense."

"Well, in that case, prepare well, friend. I'd suggest waiting it out until we deal with those cursed wolves. No need to risk your life before you even step into that green hell, right?" The guard laughed as he turned and began climbing back up to his watchtower. Maximus nodded, already lost in thought as he started walking deeper into the settlement.

"We're going to grab something to eat," Felix said from behind. Maximus gave a silent nod and parted from them, heading off in search of a quiet corner.

Maximus crossed the entire fortified settlement before finally finding a small, dust-ridden home at the far edge of the village. Due to the sheer size of the place, abandoned dwellings were plentiful. He cleaned the space a little before sitting down, facing a fireplace that Embi had already ignited. Silex sprawled beside him, while Sprout remained nestled on his shoulder, unmoving.

"I don't understand these people. I truly don't." He muttered.

"They've been given an enormous opportunity to forge themselves into something greater, to seize power with their own hands, and yet they waste their time hiding, trying to pass the trials safely." He shook his head slowly.

"I can understand that they were ordinary people back on their home world… But didn't they say this has been going on for twenty years already? Why not learn from the mistakes of those before you? Why remain so soft, so meek?" He exhaled heavily.

"I truly cannot comprehend it. If I had been given a system like this back then… When I was left alone to fend for myself… I would have given everything to grow stronger, stronger than anyone else. To survive… And to learn all that I could." He reached down and gently petted Silex's head, a faint smile forming.

"You know, my scaly friend… I was only ten when my mother died. We were shunned by our clan because of her love for a human man. After she passed, I survived alone, fighting for scraps, struggling every day just to endure. Thankfully, she left behind some tomes on simple spells… They were the only thing that kept me from losing myself. Well... That and my father's old sword." His gaze drifted into the fire as it crackled softly.

"My only goal was to master them. By the time I turned twenty, I had already mastered all Tier One elemental spells. My fireballs were as large as my head, my icicles came in dozens, and my magic missiles were countless. With only that foundation, I forced my way into the Magic Tower and carved a path forward." He paused, eyes narrowing slightly.

"What do you think would have happened to me… If I had simply hidden away and waited for things to pass?" Silence filled the room for a moment, broken only by the crackling fire.

"Maybe… It would be better to leave them behind. Let them spend their remaining days here, waiting for the second trial." He muttered. Silex lifted his head sharply and snapped his jaws in protest.

"Hey, don't argue with me, I'm not wrong. They clearly don't agree with my methods. It's all well and good when they're gaining levels, but the moment real choices need to be made…" He shook his head again.

"I'll… Think about it, alright?" He sighed, absentmindedly stroking Silex once more.

Felix and Oscar sat in the only open restaurant in the small city, eating a questionable stew made from who-knows-what. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"So… What should we do?" Oscar asked between loud slurps.

"I feel horrible, to be honest. I think he feels betrayed. He did it to protect us, and we lashed out at him for it. I don't know what's worse, that we're still so weak, or that we turned on him like that." Felix sighed deeply.

"Yeah, I feel like proper shit. He saved our necks, he did, and what he got in return? Us bloody attacking him." Oscar frowned, stirring his bowl absentmindedly.

"But it was wrong, Oscar. What do you think will happen if he returns home like this? There would be more bloodshed than when that A-Rank Gate collapsed in the middle of Prague." Felix rubbed his temple, his expression tense.

"Damn that Maximus. I swear to God, his hair's as red as his bloody temper." Oscar chuckled weakly.

"We should talk to him again. Show him there are other ways besides killing. We don't have much time either." Felix sighed. Guilt weighed heavily on him. Maximus had shown them nothing but goodwill and patience, helped them grow stronger, taught them more than anyone else, and they repaid him with accusations. Shit… It's not that simple… Felix cursed inwardly.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't help overhearing. Did you just mention a red-haired Maximus? Maximus Reid, perhaps?" A voice interrupted.

"Aye, that's the boss!" Oscar nodded without hesitation. Felix frowned as he looked up. Standing before them was a young man with white hair and an odd, coiling snake tattoo wrapped around his neck.

"How can we help you?" Felix asked, his tone suddenly guarded.

"Hello, I'm Toby Reid. I believe the man you're speaking of might be my cousin." The man said politely.

"Bloody hell. You sure, mate? You don't look anything alike." Oscar chuckled.

"Oh, my appearance changed a bit because of my class," Toby replied with an easy smile.

"Would it be possible for me to meet this Maximus of yours? I'd like to confirm whether he's the one I'm searching for."

"Sure," Oscar started, only for Felix to kick him under the table.

"We don't know where he is at the moment. Once we find him, we'll let you know." Felix said evenly.

"Thank you. I'd appreciate that." Toby smiled brightly before turning and walking back to a table where three cloaked figures sat, their faces hidden beneath deep hoods. Felix watched them carefully, his expression darkening before he returned to his meal. Is he really from Earth then? Maximus… Does he truly have amnesia? I don't buy any of this. Something feels off. Felix thought, suspicion settling deep in his gut.

The white-haired man paid for his meal before leaving with his group. They moved quickly through the settlement until they reached one of the houses they had claimed as their own.

"He's here… But how the hell is he here? It's only been a bit less than three weeks since his batch arrived." The white-haired man cursed under his breath.

"Amy, I need you to find him and report back his exact location. Red-haired, early twenties, name's Maximus." Toby ordered sharply.

"Andre, send your minions to trail those two. I want to know what they're doing at all times." He continued before turning to the last figure.

"Brock, find out when the raid on the Blood King's pack begins. That should be a perfect opportunity to harvest some stones before the Wildlands." The three cloaked figures nodded silently and slipped away without a word. It can't be him… He was always a useless piece of trash. But… They said he was a ruthless killer. It could be him if he finally woke up. Did he really gain some kind of hidden class? Toby's expression darkened. Shit… I promised the boss I'd protect him. But how would he ever find out?

The man suddenly let out a low, unsettling laugh, the white serpent tattoo around his neck twitching faintly, as if alive.

After calming down, Maximus left his new dwelling and stepped into the small backyard, a mere patch of dirt, no more than four square meters in size. He rolled up his sleeves and began working the soil using Entangle, the roots burrowing through the earth as he planted various herbs and plants he had gathered along the way. Then he activated Grow, watching as they spread rapidly and matured, filling the space with a potent medicinal scent and releasing a dense mist of spirit energy into the air.

Satisfied, he sat at the center of the small garden and began to meditate. An hour later, the sound of someone entering the house pulled him from his trance. In an instant, he grabbed his sword and lunged through the back door.

"Who goes there?!" He shouted, only to find Oscar and Felix standing awkwardly in the doorway while Silex growled low at them.

"Oh, it's you two. How did you find me?" Maximus asked, lowering his blade slightly.

"Well, who else would turn this shithole into a blooming paradise?" Oscar chuckled.

"I see. That is a reasonable conclusion." Maximus nodded as he stored his sword.

"Maximus, how about you sit down? We have some news." Felix said, his tone serious.

"I'm fine. What is it? Were you attacked?" Maximus asked, his expression instantly sharpening.

"No, no… Nothing like that. We met someone who claims to be your cousin. A white-haired man with a snake tattoo around his neck. Name's Toby." Felix explained. Maximus frowned at the information. That could be this body's family… Yet from the state he was in when I took over, he had already been in poor condition, long before the blow to the head and the betrayal. Could that man be the one responsible? But then… Why reveal himself now? It makes no sense…

"You alright, mate?" Oscar asked, confused by his silence.

"I was trying to remember, but I cannot recall anyone like that," Maximus said calmly.

"Are you even sure you have family in this world?" Felix asked cautiously.

"Why wouldn't I?" Maximus replied.

"Well, you know…" Felix trailed off awkwardly.

"I assure you, Maximus Reid has family in this world. Even a home… Most likely." Maximus said simply.

"Oh… I see. Understood." Felix nodded, catching the meaning behind his words.

"I get it too! Ha! Old Oscar's not a fool!" Oscar grinned, giving them a confident thumbs-up. Both Maximus and Felix let out quiet, exasperated sighs.

Outside the house, a small woman cloaked in shadows smirked before vanishing into the night. She returned swiftly to their hideout, laughter spilling from her lips.

"What's so funny? What did you find?" Toby snapped impatiently.

"You know that druid who screwed us over on the Tom mission?" Amy laughed, clearly enjoying herself.

"Yes, yes, what about him?" Toby replied, irritation rising in his voice.

"That's your cousin. And it looks like he's lost his memory… Even acts like he wants nothing to do with your twisted little family." She burst into louder laughter.

"What?!" Toby shouted.

"Why would he pick Druid? Lost his memory? What the hell is going on?" Questions poured from him one after another. Amy shrugged lightly.

"No idea. But he seems pretty close to those two." She added.

"Hmmm…" Toby's expression shifted as a slow grin spread across his face.

"This might actually work in our favor. A Druid… Hahahah, he really is an idiot." He chuckled darkly.

"Alright, keep watching him and report everything back to me. And make sure he doesn't notice you, he might recognize you."

"Of course. But it'll cost you," Amy said with a sly grin before vanishing once more.

"Greedy bitch…" Toby muttered, scratching absentmindedly at the snake tattoo around his neck. Well, well… My foolish cousin. Looks like I might earn myself a few points with the boss after all. He smirked, the faintest twitch rippling across the white serpent curled at his throat.