My heart starts racing and the room becomes deathly silent. I feel great pressure coming from Hiro, pinning me in place. Before me is a man that would give me pause to fight against even at if I had my old class and stats. Fighting him here would be akin to suicide, however he will need to be careful not to hurt bystanders. If I can dodge his first move, then I might be able to use that to make some space. I ready myself for immediate violence and take a breath. I’ll try reasoning with him first.

Before I get the chance say a word, Hiro bursts out laughing. I glance towards Sara an see her rolling her eyes before walking away. Looking back, Hiro is still laughing bent over with one hand on his belly and the other on the back of the chair next to him.

I’m left standing with my knees bent and hands by my side, hovering over a sword that is not there. The pressure from the crazy old hero has vanished, almost like it was not there to begin with. After a moment, I realise I have just been pranked by one of the oldest humans on this planet.

Catching his breath, Hiro smiles towards me. “Your expression has made my day. Please have a seat and enjoy the food, eat as much as you like.”

Breathing out in relief, I pull out the chair and sit down. “You should be careful with pranks like that. I almost made another mess in your home.”

Chuckling, Hiro sits down across from me. “I was very surprised to wake up to the sounds of an excited granddaughter banging on my bedroom door. It took her a few tries to fully explain what had got her so ruffled.” Taking a sip of tea, he continues. “Far too long has Yui been overconfident in her skills. I am glad someone finally knocked her down a peg and showed her that there is more to strength than skill ranks and levels.”

“How was her face? That last move almost caught me completely off guard.”

“It’s nothing that won’t heal up after a day and will be a humbling reminder for her. You on the other hand, should be careful. Yui can be quite vindictive. Be wary of any gifts she might give you over the next few days.”

I give Hiro an even look. “I wonder where she gets that from.”

“Her mother.” He says while picking up some chopsticks.

We take some time to eat. The small bite sized foods are dumplings with meat of different types wrapped in pastry. There is also a bowl of a sweet soy sauce that tastes great. The dumplings explode with flavour when bitten into. Garlic, ginger, and juicy juicy meat, fill my mouth.

“This food is amazing. I have not had anything like this in years.”

Hiro places his chopsticks down on the table. “When I arrived in this world, I was 16. I wandered in and out of the Tower just barely surviving… until I met another human from Earth. A foreigner named Wei Yin was camping outside a dungeon on one of the lower floors of the tower. He was cooking dumplings and invited me to join him. I had not eaten in days and those dumplings remain to be the best I have ever tasted. Wei Yin became my mentor and taught me a lot about this world before passing on.

“I’m sorry. Losing people is never easy.”

Hiro grins “No, he did not die. He went to a higher world! I’m sure he is still out there somewhere, stepping closer to divinity”

A moment goes by, and he gestures to the room. “All these people here are family, blood descendants. One of the reasons for founding the guild was to protect our family and help those from Earth who find themselves in this world. Reigner, I would like to ask you. What do you want, now you are here?”

I lift my cup and take a sip. The tea was hot and delicious, with a light floral taste and calming aroma.

“Having access to spells and mana is amazing. Gaining levels, exploring my class, and exploring this world are my main interests right now. Later? I’m not too sure. Maybe I’ll set up somewhere here.” I look Hiro in the eye “Or claim a Tower for myself.”

“Hah! I suspected Earth was not the last world you were part of. You could not have countered Yui’s lotus strike without having some impressive battle experience backing up your movements”

Hiro picks up the teapot and refills our cups.

“When you have lived as long as I have, you develop an intuition for people. I have a feeling Reigner, that you are a righteous man. I would like to offer you an invitation to join Ex-terra. I won’t ask of your past today. However, I am very curious about what you went through. My instincts warned me that, despite the level difference, you are dangerous to fight against.”

I Place the chopsticks on the table. “I am not against joining you, the place seems nice, and the food is amazing. It’s just that I already spent a lifetime fighting for others. This world doesn’t need a hero and if it does, there is one here, sitting right in front of me.”

“Hmm, interesting choice of words. Now I very much want to hear your story, but we can discuss that another time. Anyone part of our guild that wants to climb the Tower are provided with utility skills and spells that are indispensable for adventurers.”

“I’m sure I can pick those up quickly in the Tower.”

“How about a trial period? You join a new group of climbers and help them get to floor ten. If you decide to leave, then all you will need to do is pay the cost of the skill books and spells that we will be providing you.”

“Hmm, I’m not really a group person.”

“I will also throw in a rare spell book that teaches the offensive spell fireball, from-”

“Okay. I’m in.”

Laughing, Hiro stands up, grabs, and shakes my hand. “Welcome to Ex-terra! I’ll introduce you to your team leader.”

We stand up and Hiro leads us to a nearby table. Placing his hands on the shoulders of Yui, who was in the middle of stuffing her mouth full of dumplings. Her eyes closed and cheeks puffed out. The sight reminds me of a hamster hoarding food. The red mark of my hand cups the side of her puffed out cheek.

Yui looks up to see Hiro behind her. Her eyes then shift, staring into my own. Her eyes widen, and she makes somewhere between a squeal and choking noise. Turning her back to us Yui bends over her plate.

With a huge smile on his face Hiro says “Yui, I want you to meet the newest Ex-terra and member of your team.”

Yui still not looking at us, starts moving plates and napkins in front of her on the table.

“Uh, how old is Yui?”

She turns, facing me with furrowed eyebrows “What is that supposed to mean? I told you I am 23!”

“Yeah, but I have only seen children and the starved eat like you do. I am impressed though, that you can hold two dumplings between your chopsticks.”

Laughing Hiro says “She is very talented in many ways but still has much to learn. I will have someone hand you a pack with your gear. I hope that I can hear your story when you are back from your first venture.”

Hiro pats me shoulder, picks up a young girl that was in danger of colliding into us, and walks away laughing.

Yui stands up and glares towards me, her face looking like an upset puppy “two dumplings…”

“What?”

“I was two dumplings away!”

“Away from what?”

Pointing towards the other people at the table. All with a pile of dumplings in front of them, she says “I was two dumplings away from the new record! Before you and grandfather made me… Surprised me! Okay?”

“What are you talking about? This is how you always eat!” Someone from the table says.

“Urgh!” Grabbing my arm Yui leads us out the hall. “Don’t believe them. Let’s go find the team and get you a level today. It will be good practice for our mission tomorrow.”

Before making it to the doorway Sara appeared and handed me a small pouch on a belt “This a small dimensional pack that can hold up to 20kg. Inside you will find some robes, potions, a skill gem and two spell books.” Smiling she says “Welcome to Ex-terra”