Unknown animals were being smoked in a fire.

“Is this safe to eat?”

When a tall blonde soldier woman Svana asked this question, the system replied.

[ Safe. Candidates are currently in Lud Yurten VI. This planet was selected for the compatibility with candidates’ biology. If you have further questions, please ask. ]

Taking advantage, she continued asking questions. She had been asking questions proactively for a while now. The others asked too but most questions only received.

[ Information will be provided later. ]

“No use thinking about it.”

Nabih, a more casual soldier type, answered.

The weather was chilly and since firewood was limited, it was decided that four huts would share a bonfire. Due to having experienced the test earlier, people arranged themselves by the same grouping. This also made people chatty and all throughout laughter and joking could be heard. Especially so from their soldier neighbors.

He was currently in a hut with Petro and the grandpa and granddaughter pair. The office worker chose to join other people.

‘I’m sorry Branchy.’

Izo fed his wooden weapon to the fire. He could buy a better weapon later.

‘Man, I wish we chose a different spot.’

They were the first that built their hut so obviously they chose the best location. Only this ensured that they got surrounded by other huts. The amount of people that could see him made him anxious and on the edge.

Svana positioned herself in the center of the hut the same as Nabih as a few other people. They were talking about experiences, rank, money, etc. Some light insulting and even threats of fighting.

“Look that’s an insult. How could you let someone say words like that to you Svana!”

“How could someone like this be a problem?”

“Yeah? Then take this.”

One of the soldiers on the center swung his fist. It was fast but Svana ducked below and responded with blow to the hip.

“Huuk!”

“All talk. All talk.”

Nabih stood up at this point with his hands in a pacifying gesture.

“Okay, come on guys. Calm down. Let’s just eat the food before it burns.”

“Right, right.”

Svana smirked and the two of them gave out the barbecue. They also jeered each other and threw some subtle smack but no fighting began.

‘Ugh.’

He would like to pretend that he didn’t know what they were doing but unfortunately, subconscious or not, it was transparent as water to him.

‘Living things are ruled by two desires. To live and to live longer.’

It happens that leading gives one the chance to own the food, water and shelter. Those who can provide this becomes king. Kings have the privilege of safety and luxury among the group. Of course, there’s a need for one or the combination of being pretty, strong or smart to be accepted as the leader. For if one wasn’t qualified, one would know fast.

So, Svana and Nabih’s behavior, they might not be doing it consciously but it was still loathsome and base in his eyes.

One of the reasons he has no friends was he found being human plastic.

‘We’re so technologically advanced but behaviorally stagnant. Take a neanderthal and a modern man and you will see how similar they are.’

He couldn’t help but see humans in this way. He wished it wasn’t proven every time he went to school and watched the news.

‘It’s kind of hard to connect to people if you fully understand why they’re making friends with you, the reason for their jealousy and why their dream job is being a doctor.

You want friends to feel safe, to ask for information to increase survival chance and have another body to fight with you. Cool.

Your jealous cause you’re scared of losing your boyfriend because he’s handsome. Increased quality of life for your offspring. He’s got a good future and job potential. Also, your parents like him which allows you a greater pull when you need them for help. Understandable.

Doctors have great social standing and thus have great sway over people. No one wants to offend you since anyone can need your skill. Pragmatic.”

How could he still see people as anything but biped apes who are so animalistic? In fact, if he had a computer advanced enough, he could input parameters and create a psychopath who believes in a special religion he invented himself. Human beliefs and feelings could be manufactured really.

The loathing also applies to himself. Each feeling, good or bad, he could trace the evolutional benefits.

But at least with this current group, he would do his best to forget this thing and maybe just feel.

Right, Petro was reciting parts of the bible. Izo had asked him if he memorized the whole thing but he answered “only the parts I agree with”.

Lee Sung Soo the old man was already sleeping soundly. Snoring pretty loudly too. While Lee Sun Hee who turned out to be his daughter was writing on a notebook she bought. She noted everything we experienced and all the clues she’s for now. Every once in a while, she would ask him too while joking. Sometimes the joke would pass over his head and it earned him a gentle slap to the arm.

‘She’s so cute.’

The snoring of Sung Soo stopped and somehow, he came to glare at his direction. Izo simply didn’t move until the man resumed his sleep.

‘Seriously, is he a mind reader? Even in sleep he can’t allow someone to look at his daughter in that way.’

*

“The name climbers came from the brave elves that fearlessly reached for the crown of the world tree. There its leaves naturally broke through the dimensions.

*

The largest group of climbers numbered 1800. No one returned.”

-Excerpts from Beginnings of the Samar Federation Book 1

*

“Wake up.”

Izo woke up with both his hands being pulled forward.

“Ahk. My hands are going to snap.”

“Nonsense.”

His body got lifted to a standing position abruptly.

A soft light blue. Not the color of the deep ocean. Instead of a lazy summer sky where there was little worry and the future didn’t matter. The owner of this eyes was shaking him awake violently.

“Look at this. So lazy. Look at this.”

“Are you crazy?”

Unsatisfactory sleep anger syndrome got ahold of him. Next, thing he knew he was in a staring contest with Sun Hee.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

‘My anger makes me fearless, little princess.’

He didn’t say it still he the thought of responding this way made him chuckle.

“?”

“Excuse me young bucks. Hot food coming through.”

The smell of roasted fish interrupted the two. The slight salt of the meat didn’t any invitations to and they began eating.

Amidst the morning beach, the clamor of people exercising, chatting and cooking suffused the air.

‘I’m actually in a different world? Dimension?’

The seriousness of the matter finally sunk in. He was not going to see home for years. The opening trial yesterday was already dangerous enough what more could lie ahead.

“Aren’t you scared Mr. Lee? Sun Hee?”

“Sure, I am. Fear huh, young fella. All fear can be reduced to caution.”

“Really?”

“Well, what are you scared of?”

Seeing the wide ocean, he replied.

“Swimming?”

The father and daughter duo looked at each other. He had a bad feeling.

Sun Hee grabbed his feet and Sung-Soo grabbed his arms.

“See that rock over there? Once we toss you, just panic. Panic enough times and you’d realized that there’s no reason to do so.”

“Sure. I’m actually better at learning when the teacher’s take their time.”

Izo pretended he was calm but they didn’t let him go and carried him to the rock.

“Uh. Let me go please? I have to pee.”

Then suddenly they let him go.

“Your choice.”

“If you say so young fella.”

They began walking back to the hut leaving him in confusion.

“Wait.”

Their steps didn’t halt.

“Ok. Let’s do it.”

“Fufufu.”

Sun Hee had an evil smile on her face.

‘Their words are truthful and logical. Might as well try it.’