The chilling night filled with uncertainties finally ended, and the new day arrived as Lucian was welcomed with the same daily quest thanks to the Cosmic Fall System—different from the [ Heaven System ] that seemed to govern every existing awakener.
"Oppa... A-are you mad at me?"
Although she was now an eighteen-year-old girl desired by many men among her ranks, for Lucian, Samantha was still a meek little sister—that would not change even if the world around them flipped upside down.
Hearing her reluctant voice, Lucian let out a sigh; they were now at home after his first ordinary dungeon experience if not for the unexpected encounter with the Witch of Dreams—or perhaps only one of her fragmented selves symbolizing what used to be her delightfully playful self.
"If you keep asking me that, you'll make me feel bad, you know."
Samantha lowered her gaze as Lucian gently patted her shoulder.
"If anything, you're the one who has the right to be mad at me. In any case, if I didn't awaken, you bet I'd be continuing to live a life leeching off your wealth. Well, not that it changes now since I like free things."
I am the one supposed to be supporting you throughout your teenage years, and I turned out to be socially inept and an utter trash older brother.
And now... As my desire to become an awakener was granted, it turned out to be a sort of curse. But even if I was not the one chosen by this system, I doubt the impending apocalypse wouldn't happen. That's why... I will become strong and face whatever the hell this is for us.
He chuckled despite the self-deprecating thoughts, trying to light up the mood under the starry sky.
Samantha couldn't help but let out an involuntary smile.
"Tsk. I've got so much money that even if I give you ninety percent of it, I can still have my needs and wants without going financially broke.
"By the way, let's dig into what we've bought!"
Of course, nothing would be much simpler than having midnight snacks with one's sibling after an arduous and fulfilling adventure.
***
As they sat on the floor, facing the small table filled with delectables and two glasses of cold water, while the television was running on delivering some awakener-related news, Lucian casually queried,
"Samantha..."
Munching a piece of small cheesy bread, Samantha glanced at him with puffing cheeks. Being addressed by her first name instead of her nickname meant that Lucian was quite serious.
"...?"
"About the 19th Shadow Wave, it's the first time the date has been moved due to the 13th Eternal Class, right?"
Based on the nearing decade history of the Era of Heaven, Shadow Waves, as the semi-annual event that would test the last stand of humanity against the unimaginable horde of monstrosities, were always triggered on the 30th of June and 30th of December.
But now, because of Lucian's awakening, particularly the worldwide benefits of being the 13th Eternal Class, instead of June 30, it was moved to July 13th.
"The first time... I think so. From the first to twelfth Eternal Class in history, as far as the recorded World Announcements are concerned, the benefits of your awakening are the only one that involves the deferring of the Shadow Wave's arrival. But why are you asking, Oppa?"
Samantha's eyes were filled with curiosity as she saw her brother pondering.
Hmm. I wonder if this delay is on a whim... Or not a coincidence at all. Maybe it's related to my Main Quest that I cannot do for now due to the lack of clues.
Aside from the Ultimate Quest regarding the resurrection of the dead god, Lucian believed that the Main Quest from the uniquely exclusive system he received was the main step in achieving the ultimate one.
...
[ Main Quest ]
Quest Title: [ The Girl from Heaven ]
Description: [ Because of a particular cosmic event unknown to humanity and other magical worlds, a certain angel from the heavens fell from grace and had become a fallen one. This divine being landed on OOD-Earth 1 and is now in deep slumber. ]
Objective:
[ Find the fallen angel during the 19th Shadow Wave and retrieve the corrupted divine metal known as Divinium. ]
Failure Penalty:
[ You will be given a choice the moment you find her; only then the consequences of your decision will determine what it means to fail. ]
Quest Trace:
[ For every seven (7) times you complete the Daily Quest, you will be provided with a substantial clue about the fallen angel's whereabouts. Current Clues: 0/5 ]
...
"Nothing. I guess the worldwide benefits given to humanity when someone becomes an Eternal Class differs, that's all."
Samantha looked at him, with his gaze now on the television, though his mind was somewhere else.
"That's right. Well, I bet awakeners will be grateful to you because of the higher EXP Gain and drop rate."
As she chuckled, Samantha continued munching what was in her grasp.
With that, the night passed serenely.
***
The next day.
In the headquarters of the Mist Squad Captain.
Seated at the table filled with seemingly unending stacks of papers regarding both the external and internal affairs of the Phantasm Clan, Samantha, donning a semi-formal attire, spoke.
"What are you looking at?"
Her secretary, Violet, who was a Sorcerer while donning a secretary-like attire, couldn't help but respond amidst the awkward silence.
"I'm just wondering, Captain, how old is he, I mean your older brother?"
The pen in her hand stopped moving, her ears perked up as though the question was nothing but short of surprising.
"Where did that come from?"
"...?"
Samantha glared at Violet, who seemed taken aback at the sudden shift in atmosphere.
"Are you perhaps... interested in my brother?"
"Huh...?"
The two of them looked at each other; silence pervaded the room, and after what felt like an eternity, Samantha's lips moved, saying,
"Okay...? He's twenty-one years old. Why are you asking though? You caught me off-guard, you know."
Violet scratched her one cheek; she realized it was truly an abrupt question—a first of a kind perhaps—especially it was something personal.
"Nothing. I was just curious. Hmm, twenty-one...? But why does his atmosphere seem gloomy? It's like he's exaggeratedly carrying the weight of the world."
Hearing this, Samantha chuckled.
"You know, it's only been recently that our relationship began to recover. Aside from that, he's the kind of person who's an overthinker.
"You could say it's part of his calculative nature to look at different possible angles or even create a new one just to fit things."
And that gaming all this time became his sole escape.
She added in her mind, recalling how devastated and somewhat mentally unstable her brother was, especially at the matter regarding their mother's death.
But now, I believe he found true motivation. Sigh, it also now makes sense that he has an immunity to my Memory Fragmentation. That's why I won't be able to erase anymore the memories that trigger his sense of worthlessness.
"Just like you, Captain."
Violet's words snapped her out of thoughts. Then, as she simply flashed a smile, muttered to herself.
No, Violet. My brother's far more intelligent and calculative than he lets on.
More so than your so-called captain, that I am.
"...Maybe?"