As the notification sound faded away, Lisa and Emma exchanged surprised glances, their curiosity piqued.
"Daniel, is this what you meant by waiting until today?" Emma inquired, her brow furrowed with curiosity.
Daniel nodded, his expression serious yet resolute. "Yes, Mom. I can explain more easily if the two of you experience it for yourselves. I believe you have the [Super Strength] skill, Mom, and Lisa, you're a bit special with your [Pyromancer] talent and the bunch of skills you've acquired, right?"
Lisa's eyes widened in astonishment. "Brother, how did you know all of this? Did you gain a skill that lets you see the future?" she asked, her voice tinged with wonder.
Daniel chuckled, shaking his head. "Hahaha... no, Lisa. I got really lucky this time. A merciful, powerful being took pity on me and offered me a deal. She showed me the fate of our family if I didn't accept her offer – a gruesome and tragic end for the three of us. That's why I agreed to work for her, and in return, she granted me the power to save us. That's all I can say for now because we're racing against time. We need to conquer the gate, Mom."
He paused for a moment, his mind racing to determine the nearest gate's location. "Mom, we need to go to our restaurant, the one we sold before, and try to call Aunt Eve. We need her help, and I want her to become strong too." Daniel's urgency was evident as he realized the gravity of their situation.
Daniel's words hung heavy in the air, and Lisa and Emma exchanged glances filled with concern and worry. It was clear that Daniel was carrying a heavy burden, and they couldn't help but feel alarmed by the gravity of their family's future that he had described.
Emma, her voice filled with apprehension, finally spoke up. "Daniel, my dear, are you alright? It sounds like you've been through something unimaginable, and I'm worried about the weight you're carrying."
Lisa nodded in agreement, her eyes brimming with concern. "Brother, you don't have to bear this alone. We're a family, and we should face these challenges together."
Daniel forced a reassuring smile, though his heart ached at the thought of burdening his family further. "I appreciate your concern, Mom, Lisa, but I promise I can handle it. Just know that we're all working towards a better future, and we'll protect each other no matter what." It was a white lie, meant to shield his loved ones from the painful truth of his past, and he hoped they would accept it for their sake.
With a nod, Emma and Lisa accepted Daniel's reassurance, though a trace of worry still lingered in their eyes. They trusted him, and for now, that trust was enough to calm their concerns.
As they got into the car, Emma dialed Eva's number. Eva's voice came through on the other end, and she confirmed that she was still at the house. Emma quickly informed her that they would be picking her and get be prepared.
Not long after their call, the car pulled up in front of Eva's house. She was already waiting outside. As she entered the car, she couldn't help but ask, "What's the rush, Emma?"
However, Emma remained focused on driving, her determination unwavering. She was determined to reach their destination as quickly as possible, driven by the sense of urgency Daniel had instilled in them. Lisa, sitting in the backseat, decided to fill Eva in on what Daniel had shared earlier.
"Eva," Lisa to recount to Eva what Daniel had just shared with them. Eva was taken aback by the revelation and turned her gaze toward Daniel, her eyes filled with curiosity and worry.
"Daniel, what about me? What happens to me in the future?" Eva asked.
Daniel shook his head. "I'm sorry, Eva, but you died even before us. You were incredibly brave in the future I saw, a true warrior. You lost your life when the first breach occurred inside this city. The three of us lived longer because of your support, Eva. Even though it was only a vision from that powerful being, I want to say thank you, Eva," he added, lowering his head deeply as he expressed his gratitude. His words wavered as he tried his best not to cry in front of Eva. He truly felt indebted for everything Eva had done for them in the past.
When Daniel thanked her, Eva felt a mix of emotions. She reached out and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Daniel, you don't need to thank me," she said softly. "I'm here because I care about all of you. We're in this together, and we'll face whatever challenges come our way as a team." With that, Eva offered a reassuring smile.
Daniel nodded in response to Eva's comforting words. Her presence had been a source of strength for them, and he was grateful for her unwavering support.
As the car arrived at their destination, the sight that greeted them was unexpected. The area around the gate was crowded with people, and there appeared to be a group of bodyguards guarding the gate itself. Daniel furrowed his brow and remarked, "Looks like they beat us here."
Emma glanced out of the window and took in the scene. "It seems we're not the only ones who are eager to conquer the gate," she noted.
Lisa, who had been observing the surroundings, added, "And those bodyguards don't look like they're here to let just anyone through."
The family exchanged glances, realizing that their mission to conquer the gate might be more challenging than they had initially thought. They would need to come up with a plan to navigate this unexpected situation.
"No worries," Daniel reassured them, his voice calm despite the eerie sight of the Eldritch Blades. "They will let us pass. But first..."
As he uttered those words, he summoned ten dark, ethereal swords, the Eldritch Blades. They materialized in front of him, their menacing presence sending shivers down the spines of everyone in the car. Without hesitation, Daniel opened his window and sent the blades slashing through the air, expertly targeting and destroying the CCTV cameras in the surrounding area. The blades moved with such astonishing speed that they seemed invisible to the human eye.
As the last camera fell to the ground in a shower of sparks, Daniel continued to scan the area. He spoke with authority, "Okay, everyone, let's exit the car." Hearing Daniel's command, Emma, Lisa, and Eva gradually recovered from their initial shock.
"Brother, that was incredible! It's like something out of an anime," Lisa exclaimed, her eyes wide with amazement.
Daniel nodded. "Yes, Lisa, but we must clear the gate before anyone else does."
Lisa, still a bit apprehensive, voiced her concerns, "But, brother, there are people guarding the gate, and they look intimidating."
Daniel offered sage advice, born from painful experiences of their past. "Lisa, in situations like these, you can't judge people solely by their appearance. Sometimes, those who appear kind can be more dangerous than you'd expect. I want you all to remember that."
He glanced at the gate and then back at his family, determination in his eyes. "Just as I said, they will allow us to pass. Walk calmly and naturally to the gate, and refrain from speaking. If you have something to say, wait until we're on the other side. Understand?" The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on his words, and the importance of their silence was crystal clear.
The three of them nodded in unison, understanding the gravity of the situation. They knew that silence and discretion were their greatest allies as they approached the guarded gate.
Exiting the car, they began to walk toward the gate. Emma pushed Daniel's wheelchair with practiced ease, while Lisa and Eva followed closely behind. The guards stationed at the gate watched them attentively, their expressions stoic.
As they neared the guards, Daniel subtly activated his [Lascivious Enchantment] skill. It was a skill he had acquired, one that allowed him to ensnare the senses of his target, clouding their judgment and drawing them under a spell of irresistible temptation. Daniel expertly commanded the skill to affect all the people nearby, compelling them to step aside and ignore their presence. He was cautious not to consume too much Mana, given that they were all still on their first level.
Just like that, the four of them made their way toward the gate with remarkable ease. The crowd that had been milling around the entrance instinctively parted for them, as if an unseen force guided their footsteps. As they reached the front of the gate, the bodyguards who had been stationed there simply stood still, their eyes glazed over as if they couldn't perceive Daniel and the others. With this enchantment at work, they passed through the gate without any hindrance.
-----------------------------------
"So this is what it's like inside the portal," Daniel remarked, his eyes scanning the lush and vibrant forest that stretched out before them. Towering trees surrounded them, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.
*Tink
Welcome to [Shadowthorn Woods] gate
Location: Shadowthorn Woods
Inhabitants: Goblin, Wolf, Orc, etc.
Clear condition: Kill The Chief of Goblin, Wolf, and Orc
Time Limit: 29 days
Reward: ???
-----------
Daniel, do you see the notification? Are you sure we can complete this gate? From the notification, it looks like we need to eliminate three tribes of monsters, and there are only four of us here. None of us have trained our skills yet," Emma voiced her concerns, her brow furrowed as she studied the message.
Daniel chuckled confidently, his eyes filled with determination. "No worries, Mom. Do you know why we met that unfortunate end in the vision that powerful being showed me? It was because I was a burden to the two of you. If not for me, you both would have become much stronger and wouldn't have suffered like that. But this time is different. This time, I have the power to fight." He paused for a moment, a sly grin playing on his lips. "And who said it's just the four of us?"
----------------------------------------------------------------