After Ben and Pax passed through the door, the mechanism activated again and closed it.

"That's a bit of a change of plans." Looking back, Ben chuckled.

At his side, Pax Highland cried while holding the light.

"You haven't even seen the sun. So, hold a couple of those in, or you'll end up dehydrated."

Pax happily laughed in return, mixing the reaction with his crying.

"Sir, may I know your name?"

"Ben, I'm Ben Higgs."

"I'm Pax Highland, and I will be forever grateful for you saving my life."

Ben wanted to say, "go visit home for a bit," but he couldn't. So, he only smiled back and nodded.

---

"Go visit home for a bit," Pel replied.

"You know it's too far. I'll retire in less than two years. That's when I'll go back."

"They miss you."

"I know they do, but I'll only be young for so long. And it'll become difficult to find such a good-paying job."

"They're worried about you, too."

"And not about you? And just because you're a bit stronger?"

"You always tell me that I can protect myself."

"Dude, don't become cocky."

"They didn't want me to tell you this, but they are also saving a lot of what you sent them."

"That's not a smart choice. I wouldn't have sent that money if I couldn't."

"They hope they can make you come home sooner."

"I'm not even sending that much."

"They didn't believe me when I told them how much we're making."

"Didn't you mention that we're good at our jobs?"

"Yes. That, and that you're overworking yourself to death."

"It's your fault, then. That my parents are worried."

"Even my mother cried about it."

"Pel, you're too dramatic. And I'm not a kid anymore to be ordered around. I'll save as much as I need and then have the frugal life I want."

"Did you truly give up cultivating? Or are you going to try again?"

"I already showed it to you. Why don't you believe me? I spent too much time on it and found no improvement whatsoever."

"It's hard to believe. You're so smart."

"Without talent, what can I do?"

"Maybe you could make more simple arrays? If you can learn to fix simple artifacts, you can take over the empty workshop."

"You mentioned a few months ago that you had a workshop in mind. I didn't know we had one back home."

"I didn't remember the details, so I didn't want to lie to you. I heard it from my grandma when I was little."

"So not that long ago."

"Ha ha, so funny," Pax replied in a monotone voice.

"But anyway, I asked my mom this time around. And she told me the elder I needed to talk to. So I went to him. And I talked about your talent on the field and got you set up. How about that? Do I deserve good food? I know it! I am amazing!"

"Alright, be cocky. This is the exact kind of setup I want. I'll cook for you for a whole month."

"Yeeee," Pel clapped happily.

---

Pax waited patiently as the elder seemed lost in his thoughts.

"Do you have a home to go to?" Ben asked.

"I do. But I need to go back to my agency first."

"Given your talents, you should be in a Sect."

"I was unlucky and had to travel here. But it's difficult to enter a Sect far from home. I'm still trying, though."

"Sounds like you made enemies."

"It's so hard." Pax nodded.

Once they were far from danger, the duo began talking freely.

The conversation flowed like they'd known each other for years.

They talked about life and cultivation struggles, and Pax got some needed advice.

...

"Alright, from here, you should be able to find your way out."

"I think so too, but is this really fine?"

"Yeah. Take that dagger and try to contact the faction I mentioned. They'll help you and know what to do with the information of where I am."

"But what if I get robbed?!"

"If you keep it as I taught you, that will not be an issue. And like I said, this is no divine weapon, don't exaggerate."

"My hands are shaking."

"You won't carry it around in the open. And my friends will come to you first, anyway. I'm sure of it. They will sense the artifact."

"Alright. I'll do my best."

"Take care of yourself, first. Don't pass out. And I would advise you to talk about what happened inside since they can help you with that."

"But will it be fine to talk about Creek?"

"Be honest, and it'll be fine."

"Alright," Pax nodded vigorously. "I'll bring help as soon as I can."

"Don't kill yourself. I'm not that hurried."

...

Ben ended up alone in the darkness again.

While he didn't fully trust the kid, he decided to venture out of his comfort zone. And since he didn't dare to poke outside, he chose to give a carrier task to Pax.

"Well, even if he runs away, will be in good hands."

'I should make fewer friends. Why do I always feel like this.'

Despite finding his choice too manipulative, Ben still went through it.

If the kid completed the task, he would help him further. Otherwise, what he set inside the dagger would help his friend's family for a while. And that was the most he could do.

'It had been a while since I got so attached. I miss those times already.'

---

"Uncle Ben! Uncle Ben! Uncle Ben! Uncle Ben!"

"Shut up, kid!"

"Teach me! Teach me! Teach me! Teach me!"

"Do you want to take over my job?!"

"Dad said you are amazing! So, I want to help too! I want to be amazing!"

Ben eventually came back home and took over the closed workshop.

With his presence in the village, the place became even safer after he began fixing the apparatus around. He always worked as cheap as he could, too.

And in addition, having someone from the village also helped in the time frames. Most projects involving arrays began moving forward after Ben situated himself.

His hometown had nothing majestic, though. And that was why Ben could be so effective. Yet, what Ben considered small help still boosted the quality of the life of the people around him. And his highest impact was helping the houses be more prepared against Spirit Storms.

However, work was too sporadically to be considered part-time, but since Ben didn't depend on that to survive, he didn't mind.

"Are you really going to fix the fountain? Can it be fixed? I heard it was beautiful!"

"Oh, that, it should take a while. You'll likely be a big girl by then."

"Can't it be faster if I help?"

"You just want me to teach you."

As a response, the girl only showed her tongue playfully.

"You're still young. Finish school and do the talent testing. And if you still want to learn by then, I'll teach you."

"REALLY? REALLY?"

"Yep. Well, if my friends allow it. Did you talk to your parents?"

"No, should I?"

"Yep, they must also agree to it. It's not like this place will make you rich anyway. You may regret it."

"I will not! I go talk to them, now!"

The girl ran away without even looking back.

Looking at the girl running away, Ben showered in nostalgia. The girl looked and acted exactly like her father.

'Having childhood friends makes looking back on time so different. While I miss my brother greatly, those hospital beds also fill my memories of those times with bitterness. If only I could've run around with him too.'

"Joji, I'm trying my best not to regret this," Ben whispered, melancholic.

---

Ben held his chest tightly.

"Joji..."

'I am so screwed.'

---

"I am so screwed."

"BEN! Is this really you? I can't believe this!" Pel yelled.

"Kid, what are you doing all the way over here? Your mother must be worried about you."

"I'm talented! So, I'm on a journey to get rich. And I heard you can make a lot in projects like this."

"Our hometown must be crazy to let you go around freely. Why did you not enter some neighboring Sect?"

"The kids that went there don't send money home. So, they must be very poor!"

Ben cackled at the kid's weird reasoning.

---

Hidden in the darkness, the elder fell to the floor, hitting his face first.

His sealed hand twitched as preventive measures fired up.

Blood began flowing from his nose as he turned around slowly to his side.

He felt nauseated. He was overly confused. And he just wanted all this pain to go away.

"Ben Higgs?"

Hearing the voice clearly in the air, Ben jumped to his feet. The calling sent shivers down his spine. But it also helped him return to his sense, like a brick directed at a glass window.

However, after looking around, Ben found no one.

"Pel? Was this a memory loss? But I never remembered the experience. And I never hallucinated. What is going on?"

The insane dissociation was gone, but a sense of missing something obvious filled Ben's heart.

'This does not feel the same. What is going on?'

His sense of urgency triggered his intuitive defensive mechanism. And his body quickly sprouted to his highest conscious state.

He immediately drew new arrays to reinforce the seal on his arm.

Patterns emerged on his whole body. And he carefully took notice of his mood.

The Fortune Coin on his necklace became dust after Ben activated a spell using it as its core.

"I'm not crazy. Pel? But who else would know his voice? Such pointless existence."

'Only I should care about that voice. Everyone else has died.'

"Heavens?"