" Wha- What do you mean by dead? "
" Exactly what it means. Dead. "
Dead? No, that can't possibly be true. So the archduke, renowned for his strength and wisdom, has died? If that were true, heaven and hell would spit him out real quick. He's a monster beyond monsters!
Let's put his strength on a scale, shall we?
Dad
^
Me
^
Demon Lord / Destructive Beast
^
Everyone else
You might be wondering why I put myself second. In that case, the answer is simple. I am the son of the strongest. Which means I deserve to be next in line no matter the circumstance.
Who cares about the demon lord or Morphis? I know for a fact that even one as weak as I can beat those two with enough training. I have the blood to do so. I only need to put in the effort to achieve.
Moving on,
" What does that have to do with me? "
" What do you mean? What does that have to do with you? We're talking about your father! At least have the heart to care, Ars! "
Her words strike me like an arrow that hits me in the heart. I know she's right, but it looks like I have to tell her what I mean. I prepare an especially long gasp for this one.
" It's not that I don't. I want to know why you're telling me this when I have already considered it. Imagine this scenario; Grand Sleep happens. People fall asleep and awake at different periods ranging from weeks to years. As discovered, I am a late waker. My family, I have no clue if they have awakened or not. I'm ALONE, with no one else but you, the guild, and even Papi. I know that you guys have gone through some difficulties as I have. So please, don't ask me anymore. I don't know what to do, okay? "
" I- I'm sorry. "
" It's okay. I know you're telling me this to let me know about my family. However, I require an explanation on something else. "
" Shoot. "
" The first, was it him? "
" Yes, he was the first to awaken after the incident. The one who wrote his will to inform us of the changes in our world. This will is contained in the same book you found the other day, Diaro De Silver. "
Right, that book. So it was from dad. When we get home, I'll read all of it in his memory. If you all want to know why I didn't ask for the cause of his death, then my answer is a simple one.
Why ask the cause of death of a person who died around a thousand years ago? Might it be murder, disease, or old age, I would react all the same. But, sadly, I can do nothing since I wouldn't know who would/could murder him or what disease he contracted.
Besides, knowing my old man, no one could kill that guy. Not even the Gods.
I'll know more once I read the diary.
For now, I should hear how Hravati knows of his death.
" How do you know he died? "
" It's mentioned in his will. I apologize for reading it before you; I didn't even know who you were until I read it. "
" It includes me? "
" Of course! He included the whole family in the book in a drawing! It's stunning and accurate too! Here, please take a look at my copy. " Papi interjects, handing over her book.
I take it and notice a fatal flaw. It's printed, not handwritten like Hravati's.
" This is a printed version? "
" That's right. I was lucky enough to find the original. I informed the government to send out copies. So, naturally, I gave Papi one as well. "
This time, Hravati answers.
" Hm, out of possibly a thousand or millions of people, you were able to get your hands on it first? "
" I'd like to think so, yes. You're the only man I know with the name Ars that has the surname Silverwood. There have been many posers, but I believe you're the real one since you just woke up. Unless this was a fraud and you were not a person. "
" I see. I'll step outside for a bit for some fresh air. Please don't come after me. "
I stand and make my way outside the venue.
Right then, it's time to go.
I hurry back home to read the content of dad's will. Only then will I know the truth and what I must do in this world. It won't take me too long to get back. After all, the makeup took longer than the ride.
I should be there in a few minutes!
...
...
...
...
A couple of hours pass.
I- finally got home.
WHAT THE HELL, HOW COME THE TRAVEL DISTANCE IS LONG? ISN'T THE JOKE IN THIS SERIES SUPPOSED TO BE SHORT ' LONG ' DISTANCES?!
I'm sweating bullets from running. I'm confident in my stamina and speed, but I never thought I'd have to run this much.
Who cares about that now? More importantly, book, I have read it now. Hra is hiding something from me, and I know that for a fact. I didn't bother it at first, but it must be important if she's giving signs about it.
I enter the house and reach for the book in the drawer. I inspect it once more to make sure.
Whew, rest assured, it's the same one.
It's time to see what he wrote.
[ To whoever attains and reads this diary, please, find it within your heart to bring this to my family if you ever see them. In the end, is a section only they are allowed to read. Otherwise, I will curse you for eternity for reading what is not permitted.
( Then how was Hravati able to read it? Dad, you're curse seems like a fake to me. )
Now then, it's time to tell you all what I know.
Week 1-2.
To start, I was doing paperwork in my office, much like how everyone was doing whatever they were doing at the time. But then, a massive explosion devoured me, and I suddenly found myself back in my chair.
I went outside to confirm the safety of my family and whatnot. But, unfortunately, I soon discovered that they had gone missing, and the rest of the populace was also.
Quite a troubling problem indeed. Despite this, I stayed calm and stayed in the city to observe my surroundings to learn about the situation.
Luckily, more people started to appear weeks after.
I conversed with citizens and other nobles that were confused. They all told me what they had been doing and what time they remembered. Although, something else did catch my attention. Everyone had attested that they felt as if they were asleep or had freshly woken up.
I, too, can say that the same applies to me. So it's safe to say that the common factor here is sleep. Which is the main reason I call this incident the Grand Sleep.
Today, I shall implement a new calendar and start from the fresh, Year One. This will also be my first year without my family.
Week 3.
A couple of hundred people have woken and started contributing to gathering information. We now have contact with other cities, which also houses many people like ours. The town that reached out ahead of the others was Nothergan, a military nation that only eats meat. To my surprise, they requested that we give 50 men for a one-year beef supply. It was a bountiful offer, but it raised a question.
What's the catch?
I asked them. It was okay, even if there was no reply. What mattered was the men were treated fairly, after all. The next thing I knew, their leader kneeled and begged. This leader was no other than their King, Darman Khopiur. An acquaintance and a friend of mine from a long time ago. He told me that buildings contained powerful monsters that appeared near their city. How could a king, renowned for his fierce strength and might, kneel like this in front of me? It speaks volumes that these monsters were truly scary.
Monsters within buildings? Surely he had mistaken them for wild bears and wolves. There's no way things like that appear out of nowhere. Well, it would be wise to help them to investigate. If a blast that covers the earth can happen, then there's a chance this could too.
I lead the men towards the place Darman had mentioned and order that we head inside.
Astonished, I was at sight.
Large flying creatures, giant two-legged monsters, horned wolves. What is this place?!
The monsters detected us and started to screech; their screeches attracted even more of them from all over.
It was a dangerous situation. Though, we were quick-witted and instantly got into formation. I stood as the vanguard. Only I could assume this role because everyone aside from Darman was weak.
A long, hard-fought battle it was.
Everyone was injured. There were also a few deaths among us, which, at best, might sound good but rather unfortunate towards the wives who lost their husbands.
Suddenly, a light blue window appeared before my eyes. I looked around, and everyone seemed to have gotten the same.
In it was information about ourselves. Such as name and profession. The other things, such as status and skills, were a complete mystery.
" Hey, Silver! I got this skill called Flame Fist! "
Darman said.
" You got a skill? " I asked.
Interesting, this is a good opportunity! I thought to myself. If we find out what these skills could do, it might benefit us. After all, if we can use these so-called skills for more than just combat, the world will change!
" Could you use it? Not on me, of course, haha. "
Without batting an eye, he proceeded to use his Flame Fist.
An intense flame raged around his arms and fist, and one could feel its heat even from afar.
Amazing! Could it be we received these rewards just by defeating the monsters here? That could mean we can give people abilities by helping them clear these places.
Maybe we could call these dungeons.
(Not to be confused with castle dungeons.)
Unlike my friend Darman, I noticed that my skill was [ Locked ].
What does Locked mean? And what does it do? Ok, before you take my question literally, I'm asking what the skill does, not what the word means, alright? Now that that's over, it seems that there is much more to find about this mysterious system we now have.
Many months later.
I still couldn't use my skill. However, we did find that other dungeons did not necessarily contain monsters. Others included traps, and some had questionnaires.
With this, others attained skills much more effortless, and technology thrived quickly.
Recently, I've hired a secretary named Tanirava. A very skilled person who does her work at light speed. And recently, a beast-man named Morphis was named the leader of the new raid unit formed for dungeons.
They have been for quite a while now. It's been fun.
Now, where was I?
Tanirava? Morphis? Aren't those guys the demon lord and the destruction beast? Is this a coincidence?
After all that, it's mostly yearly development. Nothing special. What's surprising is that my dad also has a locked skill. Though, it is strange that there are no updates on what happened to it in the end.
Okay, now that I've read the rest of the book, I should go to the main event and read the last part.
[ Ars, please trust me when I say this. Tanirava and Morphis aren't your enemies. Your mother and sister, please do not approach them, no matter what. ]
" You're actually crazy, Dad. "