“So your name is Layla?” Noah restated in confirmation as they walked down one of the city’s inner streets.

The little girl, Layla, nodded her head happily.

“What happened in the meeting?”

Noah rubbed his chin before replying. “People were mainly offering up a bunch of crazy theories about different things. Do you wanna hear some of them?”

“Yes please!”

Smiling, he said, “Well, for one, a popular theory is that there a bunch of powerful gods out there just sitting around watching this world.”

“Are there?”

Noah laughed and patted her head, “How would I know? I know just as much as you and everyone else.”

“Another theory then.”

“Alright, I'll tell you my favorite one.”

“Did you know,” he began, his lips curling, “that some people think that this world was invaded by those who live on different planets.”

“Why would they do that?” Layla asked, puzzled.

“To take advantage of the low level of the world, of course!” Noah sighed. “I can only hope that this isn’t the case, if it is, we will be in big trouble.”

He heard sniffles coming from his side.

“Are they going to murder us?” Layla cried, grabbing his hand tightly.

“Of course not!” Noah reprimanded, “With me here, who could harm you?”

“Then are you strong, Noah?” she asked, her tears drying up as soon as they appeared.

He grinned. “The strongest!”

* * *

"There you are, Noah. You were gone for quite some time, the meeting’s already over,” Nicole berated him as he arrived at the park. The dense crowd had dissipated, leaving only small groups planning together in hushed voices.

“Who’s that behind you?” James questioned skeptically, noticing a small figure grabbing onto Noah’s grey jacket.

Noah scratched his cheek and replied, “This is Layla, she left the meeting for a minute and got separated from her group. I happened to find her on my way back and we explored the city for a bit.”

Layla stepped out from behind him, her striking black eyes studying the grass intently.

“Is she okay?” Nicole asked Noah.

“She’s just shy around strangers. She was like this when I first met her as well. Say hi, Layla.”

Layla peeked out from behind him and mumbled a weak “hello”.

Nicole chuckled while James smiled. Layla’s shyness was cute!

“Well, it looks like we have another person to take care of. Noah, you should’ve talked to us immediately instead of wandering around the city. Although the areas close to the park are pretty safe, the further you go the most beasts you’ll find.”

Noah fanned his hand, “I was careful. There were no beasts or anything like that in sight.”

Nicole exhaled a sigh but continued to scold him as they left the park for a hotel.

They entered a nearby one and soon settled down in a new room. Noah then asked Nicole, “Where’s the rest of your group? I haven’t seen them the whole time I’ve been here.”

James’s face turned grim while Nicole pursed her lips. “We had some disagreements with them due to a member passing away in the second trial. Since then, I haven’t seen them.”

“Are they bad guys?” Layla asked, her legs hanging off the side of the bed.

“No, they’re not,” Nicole sighed. “It was merely a matter of interest. They wanted to leave behind our teammate while James and I wanted to save her. There was no right or wrong, it was just survival.”

Layla looked like she didn’t get it, but it didn’t matter as Nicole wasn’t looking at her. Shaking her head, Nicole clapped her hands and said, “Anyway, time for the two of you to get out.”

Noah tilted his head.

“What? Did you think you and James would be sleeping in the same room as me and Layla?” Nicole laughed.

Noah felt a hand rest on his shoulder. It was cold. “Cmon Noah, let’s give the girls some privacy. I’d like to have a talk with you as well.”

James then told Nicole, “We’ll be in the room next door. Just knock if you need something.”

“Yeah yeah,” Nicole waved her hand, shooing the two men out of the room. They entered the hallway, neither speaking, and entered the door on their right. It was similar in design, healthy amounts of wood giving it an earthy feel, contrary to the minimalistic room Noah first slept in.

“Have a seat,” James said, a dark expression appearing on his face. He pulled a chair out from the circular kitchen table and sat down on it. Noah indulged him and sat on the opposite side.

“So, who are you, Noah?” James asked, not splicing nor mincing his words.

Noah wasn’t surprised by his question. The moment he gave out such a flimsy excuse, he was prepared for his deception being unearthed. Of course, he wasn’t willing to admit to anything.

“What do you mean, Mister James,” Noah replied innocently, tilting his head in confusion. James remained aloof.

“Since meeting you, I knew there was something off. I’ve always had a strong intuition, and following my gut feeling was something I’ve always done. The first point of suspicion was the hotel room you were in,”

“It was at the top of a hotel right next to the park. Such a location would’ve been already taken if you came from a weaker group. So I’ll ask you again, which of the top groups left you behind and why did they do so?”

“So it’s come to this,” Noah thought, the pommel of his sword becoming ever apparent against the back of his head. He scratched his neck and chuckled.

“You got me there Mister James. Well, you see, my group was the very first to finish.” James flinched at his statement.

“However,” Noah’s eyes gleamed wickedly, “When I say group, I meant just me alone. I’m afraid the rest of them didn’t make it.”

“Is that so,” James replied casually, but his voice wavered at the end of his sentence.

Noah nodded enthusiastically. “It was truly unfortunate. However, you need to know that I do not wish to harm anyone. I just want to pass this trial as soon as possible. This can only be done through a group effort, unlike the second trial,” he said without a shred of dishonesty.

James appeared to believe him as he exhaled. “That’s all I needed to hear. I don’t really care who you are or what your core is, just don’t bother me and Nicole.”

“I never intended to… however!” Noah took in a sharp intake of air, “I’m going to need Layla, so don’t even think of taking her in. I also hope you can help me explain her origins as some righteous folk such as yourselves will want to keep her safe."

A disgusted expression crept up on James’ face.

“Don’t misunderstand,” Noah clarified, his lips slightly curled. “I merely want to foster a talent. I’m not someone who is interested in anything else.”

“I never said you were,” James said, once again regaining his placidity.

“Of course,” Noah nodded. “So anyway, do we have a deal? I’d really hate to make enemies out of you and Nicole. Such a relationship wouldn’t benefit either of us.”

James didn’t answer immediately; maintaining a silence that lasted a full minute before he gave his reply.

“We have a deal.”

* * *

Layla’s eyelids trembled before snapping open. The hotel room was encased in darkness; the only source of visibility being the full moon shining through the room’s window. Although she wanted to sleep, she knew that it was time to leave.

Hearing Nicole’s light snoring from the other bed, Layla noiselessly slid down onto the floor. Crouching like a ninja, she slowly made her way to the door and left the room.

The hallway was dimly lit as Layla ran down it towards the staircase. Noah told her not to use the elevators, so she wouldn’t. With his personality, it would be bad if he found her out.

Recalling Noah’s apathetic eyes, goosebumps crept up her arms. Layla always thought highly of herself, from her looks to her intelligence, she was consistently praised by her family and teachers, but in the face of a being like Noah, she felt afraid. It was like coming face to face with a large python; she could laugh all she wanted at an image, but seeing the real thing was an entirely different experience.

Her original impressions of him had been good. He was witty and funny; she enjoyed the time they spent talking. That was until he showed his true nature later on in their walk. It was as if he were simply tired or bored of acting around her, completely throwing away his former self once she told him her core.

And to think he was only five years older than her. Layla shook her head, clearing her thoughts. He was getting to her, just like in all those psychological books she’s read. She grit her teeth before exhaling.

Arriving at the ground floor, Layla looked around but found it was empty.

“Did something happen?” she thought, not seeing Noah anywhere. Her tense shoulders dropped and she hurriedly dashed towards the exit, wanting to leave the building.

“Where are you going Layla?” she heard an amused voice call out from behind her. She nearly jumped out of her skin in fright, her muscles involuntarily clenching as she swiveled around.

“I was just looking around,” Layla answered Noah.

Noah didn’t seem to care and simply said, “Let’s go.”

Layla nodded and followed him as he exited the hotel. The streets were dark and as they had left through the door opposing the park, buildings surrounded them. Noah didn’t hesitate and briskly walked down the street, not looking back to check if Layla was following him.

“Where are we going?” she asked. They had been walking for a few minutes by now. Noah didn’t respond.

It was only three minutes later that he stopped in front of a shabby building. Grabbed the wooden door and opened it, holding it open for Layla. The second she stepped inside; a prompt from the system sprung up in front of her.

Your first purchase at or below 20 contribution points will be free

“This is…” Layla exclaimed in shock as she looked around the room.

“That’s right,” Noah confirmed. “This is a blacksmith’s shop.”

Racks of swords and spears lined the old walls, yet the weapons themselves appeared to be in pristine condition. Axes, maces, and even obscure weapons like scythes could be found on the shelves neatly arranged around the dusty floor.

As Layla was wandering around, Noah walked up to the store’s back counter. The weapons displayed were products that leaned towards the expensive side, items under twenty contribution points would be found in the shop window.

Once he walked up to it, a white panel appeared in front of his face. The amount and variety of weapons on it was many times greater than the ones in the store. Scrolling down the list, Noah eventually found what he was looking for.

It was an axe; its head curved and broad, lacking any ornamental design yet containing a feeling of power in its simplicity. However, what attracted Noah to it was the handle. The wood was dark, likely ebony, and polished to a metallic sheen. The shape was unusual. Like a piece of driftwood, it was warped but extremely long. The price was exactly twenty points.

Noah bought it without hesitation. The axe materialized on top of the counter, its length reaching from one side of it to the other. Noah reached out and grabbed its center. Surprisingly, it was lighter than he expected. Placing the bottom of the axe’s shaft on the ground, its head’s position matched his own.

“Perfect,” Noah thought to himself. Although his sword was good, it didn’t have the heft that was necessary to bite into the thick hide of beasts. With the axe’s extra length, swinging it would cripple any opponent as long as the hit landed.

Such a fighting style was dangerous with Noah’s new body, but once he obtained his class and unlocked the ability to level up and distribute stat points, his durability would far surpass his former self’s. Just thinking about such fights made him quiver in anticipation.

Meanwhile, Layla stood holding a knife. Despite it being displayed on a shelf, she could take it. Perhaps due to its small size.

“Nineteen points,” she thought, rubbing the leather-bound hilt. It felt smooth and cool; Layla liked it very much.

“Have you picked something out?” Noah asked. Layla nodded and showed him the knife. He seemed pleased with her choice, not that she had many other options. She was only eleven, after all. Using something like Noah’s new axe was nigh-impossible at the moment.

As if he were reading her thoughts, Noah smiled, “It’s fine if you pick a knife, although it won’t be very useful against beasts, they’re not the only living creature in this tutorial.”

Layla’s eyes fluttered at the implication. Noah walked over and patted her shoulder, his eyes like muddy suns, burning deep into her soul. She lowered her head, not wanting her own eyes to get blinded.

“Cheer up,” Noah laughed. “It’s not like I’m going to hurt you. You know, we’ll be working together as a team from now on. Gotta have some level of trust.”

Layla mumbled an acknowledgment to his claim, but inwardly felt he was a big liar. From what she’d experienced during the time they spent “exploring the city”, she knew he wouldn’t hesitate for a second to betray her.

Having finished all their matters, the duo left the store. As they walked, the surrounding buildings grew sparser. Grass grew on the sidewalks as ivy spiraled up the decrepit houses. Seeing that Noah was leading them away from the city’s center, Layla nervously asked him, “You aren’t going to try to clear the trial already, are you?”

Noah chuckled. “Of course not. Right now,” he began, reaching back and grabbing his axe as bestial howls resounded in the distance, “I'm going to get some contribution points.”