8 hours had passed since Joe Walker and his group left the secret underground chamber to continue their journey.
"Ugh... My stomach... It's hurts... please someone, help me!" Maria shouted while lying down, using Joe Walker's thigh as a pillow.
"Whose fault is it for eating too many strawberries?" Alice asked while driving their vehicle.
"It would be vain if we just leave it behind like that."
"Well... You're right...," Alice seemed to ponder on that.
Suddenly, Joe Walker said, "Alice, what if we go back there once we reach the top floor?"
Alice was surprised by that and asked back, "eh... Why?"
"Of course, to stay there. There is abundant water, lush vegetation, and it could even sustain us for hundreds of years. I think it's a perfect place for survivor like us, right?"
"But on the highest level, there might be something even more amazing."
"In that case, we'll be on the highest level! I just suggested that as a precaution in case there's nothing on the highest level."
"But my grandfather said he was sure there would be something on the highest level that could save us all!"
"Alice, listen to me carefully. 'Sure' and 'know' are two words with different meanings. Your grandfather used the word 'sure' instead of 'know.' He just believes that there will be a miracle on the highest level."
Alice wanted to argue at that moment. But she restrained herself after hearing Joe Walker's logical explanation.
However, Maria, on the other hand, immediately shouted, "Are you saying my grandfather lied to me, Joe?"
Joe just smiled and replied, "No, your grandfather didn't lie to you. There's no deceit or truth in the message he left for you and alice. But he was honest with himself that he believed in it and hoped it would come true."
"Hoped what?"
"Your grandfather hoped that there would be a better life for you on the highest level. That's why he sent you to explore the highest level. Because he hoped you would find your happiness in there."
Alice, listening, pondered and murmured, "happiness..."
While Alice also contemplated, saying, "so, grandpa just hoped..."
Suddenly, the atmosphere became silent, with only the sound of their vehicle's wheels rubbing against the road.
Joe Walker felt a bit guilty for making the atmosphere so quiet. There was no laughter from Maria or the sound of Alice getting angry.
Feeling the need to change the mood at that moment, Joe said, "but, hope is a beautiful thing!"
"Beautiful?" Maria asked.
"Yes, hope is beautiful when it comes true. Hope is a phenomenon where someone expects a miracle to happen according to their wishes. And when that hope comes true, it's no longer just a hope but has become a reality. So, don't be sad, I believe your grandfather's hope will become true," Joe ended his sentence with a smile towards Maria.
"Y-you're right! That's right! It will definitely come true! The miracle is there and will happen! And we will witness it! Let's Gooooo! Let's go to the highest level right now!"
Caught up in the moment, Joe Walker shouted, "let's go!"
Meanwhile, Alice immediately said, "face the reality! We've only just made it to the first level."
Maria sighed and said, "ugh... You're ruining the mood!"
Joe Walker also said, "that's right! That's right!"
"Faster, Alice!" Maria seemed very excited.
Not wanting any trouble, Alice said, "alright, but... can you two be quiet back there?"
"Yes, Mom!" Maria and Joe Walker answered in unison.
"Stop it! Don't call me like that!"
"Yes, mom!" Once again, Joe Walker and Maria did it.
Alice, who had given up, chose to remain silent. She also had to focus on driving. She accelerated the vehicle significantly to satisfy Maria, but then slowly returned the speed to normal without Maria noticing.
Joe Walker, realizing this, just remained silent and smiled at Alice with a sense of pride welling up in his heart.
Believe... Hope... Miracle...
Three different things yet interconnected.
This is life, this is what living feels like.
Experiencing various emotions in the heart and going through things that can only be felt when one is alive.
I don't think I would have experienced this if I had chosen to stay in my own special place.
But for some reason, this experience confuses me. Should I be sad? Or should I be happy?
Joe Walker glanced at Maria, who was sound asleep on his left thigh. Then he looked at Alice, who was still driving in the front.
Is there a way for me to make them both happy?
Will they be happy if they were born in another peaceful world?
Is that even possible?
Seems like I will discuss this with Sebastian next time.
Joe Walker stopped contemplating and looked around. The sky was getting dark, revealing something that amazed Joe Walker and Alice.
They saw a bridge ahead connecting two cities that looked different. But what amazed them were the lights in their next destination city.
It was very clear that there were lights in that city, unlike the cities they had visited before.
One by one, the lights in that city started to turn on automatically. And the tall tower leading to the next level was already visible. However, they seemed to be still far from that tower.
"Alice, it seems we have to pass through that city first to reach that tower."
"I was thinking the same thing, I also thought that. Level 2, here we come!" Alice smiled broadly at that moment.
"Let's go!"
Maria suddenly woke up, "eh, what's going on? Oh!... Let's go!" Shortly after that she fell asleep again.
Joe Walker and Alice, seeing Maria at that moment, laughed. Their laughter echoed on the bridge, especially since they were the only ones there at that time.
The silence around them made their laughter the only thing that could be heard from afar. Unfortunately, no one could hear their laughter in that world at that moment.
It seemed like that world belonged only to the three of them.