After upgrading all his skills, Ray decided to left the dungeon early.
He gave Freed and the chickens some extra spirit berries and told them to rest. The Dungeon exploration might be over, but they still need to prepare in case the system would give them some new mission tomorrow.
However, this time Ray didn't immediately choose to go back into the orphanage.
Instead, he decided to went into the Jakarta guild association first to process his rank up.
Since the last dungeon, Ray had broken through level 10, reaching level 12 in one full scoop, and entered the soldier level awakener.
He arrived at the association building, and when he entered, he saw a familiar figure there.
" Ed??"
" Eh, Isn't it you, Ray? It's been a long time since we last met."
Ahead of Ray was that Edward, who the orphanage kids have said before. But looking at him, it seems Ed didn't come to him to look for trouble, and it was only a coincidence to meet him here.
" Yeah, it's been a pretty long time. Wait a minute, let me finish my business first here, and how about we go and grab a drink."
" Sure, I'll be waiting."
Ray then stopped conversing with Ed and went to the Association's receptionist.
For the process of rank up, the process that needed to be done was pretty simple. Ray only needed to place his hand on the crystal ball to ensure he had indeed reached the next level, and then it was done.
He waited for about 5 minutes for the guild card to be updated and left the Awakener association with Ed.
They went to a nearby cafe, and after both of them finished ordering their drinks, they sat down together across each other.
" So, I saw you finally reach the next level. Congrats, Ray."
Ed said while sipping his coffee. In the current world, Awakeners are banned from drinking without regulation, because the government was afraid that they would make some fuss under the effect of alcohol. Thus, Ray and Edward had no other choice but to go and drink coffee.
" Yes, but I still can't be compared to the Great Kuyang, Edward Budiman."
The atmosphere got tensed for a while when Ray said Great Kuyang, but suddenly the two broke into laughter.
" Hahahaha, stop saying things like that, Ray. Tell me, how's your adventure nowadays."
" Well, it's not much. Just being a guide for a spoiled heir, only to be fired in the same day. *Sigh* Life was hard, but at least the pay could cover the orphanage expense for this year."
" Hahahahaha, it really suited you, Ray. Worthy of being called the big brother of the orphanage."
The two continued to chat while sometimes reminiscing about the past.
Edward was also a member of the orphanage 4 years ago. Still, during the day of awakening, Edward has awakened a great ability and was recruited by a great family to become their awakener.
" Well, by the way, Ray. Have you ever think about leaving the orphanage and get your own happiness?"
" *Sigh* Not about this anymore, Ed. Can we just stop talking about this? I'm pretty happy with my current life in the orphanage."
" But Ray, *Sigh* Nevermind then. But just remember to contact me if you eventually get tired of supporting the orphanage. I have told my family before, and they have said they would gladly support the orphanage." Ed said with helplessness in his tone.
In fact, this was also the matter which made Ed came to the orphanage before. He had told the Big-Sis that his family wanted to sponsor the orphanage in exchange that the orphanage's little guy would all be bounded with a contract to his family.
" You know, sometimes I wondered for a bit. Are you pleased with your life in the orphanage, or you just tried to be happy with all you have right now, afraid of losing what you currently have."
" I-"
" Listen to me first, Ray. I am just afraid that you are only used by that woman. The whole orphanage now depended on you, and even when I offered her a better contract, she rejected it by saying that she wanted the kids to hold their fate in their own hands. What a hypocrite, she said that even though she knew that they had placed all their liveliness on you."
" This... Ed, do you still remember what you told me when we were still a kid?"
" Not this time Ray, you always use this as an excuse that I even start to regret saying this to you."
" Hehe, let's just say it once more." Ray smiled at Edward, which somehow that smile made Edward felt annoyed.
" When you close your eyes, you can never see anything."
" But when you opened your eyes, even though it might be ugly, still you could always see the light in front of you."
" That's what you said before, and just like what you said, Life is also like that. When you decide to give up, all you can get is nothing, but if you decide to struggle, even though it might be hard, you could still see something at the end. All my life has been spent in the orphanage, and now my life itself is for the orphanage. Just like you when you get adopted by the family, you found your own happiness by being awakened, and I also find my happiness in the orphanage."
This time, Ray's face has no trace of discontent at all, and only a kind smile was surfaced on this.
" Okay, you win this time. I'll stop harassing you about this anymore, but promise me one thing." Edward said while taking out a paper from his hand.
" Eh, what is this?"
" It is the contract for new dungeon exploration. At first, I just wanted you to be a carrier since the pay was even better than your normal 1-month work. But after seeing you have reached soldier level, I changed my mind and wanted to invite you as one of the exploration team members."
" Eh this..."
" Don't reject me, Ray. It is my kind intention and also my way to help the orphanage."