Chapter Eight: Going Home

After putting away the cards, Liu Zong chatted with Liu Chun for a while. After Liu Chun took his leave, Liu Zong also left the hospital.

Stepping out the hospital's main entrance, he glanced at the blue portal not far away and shook his head helplessly. Raising his hand to the sky, he hailed a flying car.

After reporting his destination, Liu Zong reclined in the seat, recalling the events of the past few years, and gradually drifted into sleep.

When he awoke, the flying car had already arrived at the outskirts of Yang City.

Compared to the city, which looked as if countless matchboxes had been stacked together, the suburbs were much more pleasant. Four- or five-story buildings were scattered across the fields, each with a small portal at the entrance for access to the game world.

The flying car soon stopped in front of a modest five-story building. The exterior was adorned with signs for Liu Engineering Workshop and Liu Metal Co., Ltd., among other names, giving the place a rather chaotic appearance.

As the flying car stopped, someone stepped out of the building and glanced over. Upon seeing Liu Zong exit the vehicle, the man called out cheerfully, "Third Brother, what brings you home?"

It was Liu Zong's eldest brother, Liu Wan, sixty-one years old. He graduated from middle school at forty-three and officially became a player, choosing the profession of Mechanical Hunter.

After graduation, recognizing his limited potential, he attended a short-term college and then returned home to establish Liu Engineering Workshop, taking on various engineering and mechanical tasks. He managed to get by quite well.

As for Liu Zong's second brother, Liu An, now forty-four, he was considered the most promising in the family. He became a player at thirty-three, taking the role of Light Swordsman, and is currently studying at White Star University on Saintlight Planet, reportedly with hopes of advancing to Level 2.

Liu Zong also had a younger brother, only three years old, not yet old enough to access the game. His talent remains unknown.

Liu Wan was somewhat surprised by Liu Zong's return, since Liu Zong seldom came home after starting school.

However, upon noticing the red mark on Liu Zong's forehead, Liu Wan seemed to understand something and said no more. He simply invited, "Standing outside when you're home? Come in and sit for a while. Dad and the others are off tending their virtual farm and won't be back till afternoon."

Liu Zong nodded and followed Liu An into the building.

Inside, the atmosphere was completely different from the exterior. The corners were filled with a variety of flowers and herbs, and fist-sized mechanical animals darted among the blooms.

All the tables and chairs in the hall were made of various metals, exuding a distinctly post-modern vibe.

Glancing at the metal furnishings, Liu Zong laughed, "Big Brother, you really went all out, melting down all of Dad's treasured ores."

Liu An replied, a mix of pride and resignation, "Not quite. Dad couldn't stand it after just one day of me melting his ores and hid all his rare treasures. These are made from the ordinary ores he dug up."

Liu Zong burst out laughing, "Lucky Second Brother's dream of becoming an architect never came true, or Dad's precious ores would have been gone for good."

Liu An nodded along, smiling.

While the two joked, Liu Zong's parents returned. Both had become official players after age sixty-nine, fully aware of their limited potential, so they settled down to farm, marry, and raise children.

Liu Zong's father, Liu Jie, now one hundred thirty-seven, was a miner by trade, with farming as a secondary profession. He spent his days working his small plot and raised three children by selling raw metals.

His mother, Liu Xu Shan, now one hundred twenty-six, was primarily a farmer and secondarily a cook. She enjoyed growing special flowers and herbs at home, and much of the family's current prosperity could be credited to her.

Upon entering and seeing Liu Zong chatting with Liu An, they were briefly startled. Then Liu Xu Shan greeted him warmly, "Third Son, what brings you home? If you're short on money at school, just let me know."

Liu Jie, however, saw something more and interrupted her, "Did you notice the red mark on Third Son's forehead? He's in a weakened state after resurrection and can't enter the game right now, so he came home for a bit. But don't waste time—have dinner at home tonight, then get back to school."

"Do you realize your affinity is the most promising? Don't squander such a gift."

Liu Zong smiled, recounting the school's task and the mandatory mission, then took out the Behemoth Claw and placed it on the table.

"Big Brother, this is usable by hunters. Do you want it?"

Seeing the Level 3 (purple) marking on the card, Liu An hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "I want it, but I can't afford it."

Liu Zong laughed, "Wanting it is enough. I heard..."

Seeing Liu Zong's eyes gleaming mischievously, Liu An's expression turned somewhat grim, but he still said, "Fine, even though I was saving that thing to propose to my future wife."

He quickly took the Behemoth Claw and tucked it into his pocket.

Afterwards, Liu An dragged Liu Zong by the hand toward the basement.

Passing through several doors, Liu An spoke seriously, "Third Brother, you know what this is. If used well, it's extraordinary, but if not, all your effort goes to waste. I've nearly given up over these past few years."

Liu Zong smiled, "Of course I know. I remember when I was little, you studied that thing every day—almost lost all your hair."

At Liu Zong's remark, Liu An's serious demeanor faltered. Shaking his head, he opened the final door.

Beyond it lay a semi-virtual space, where a cube hung suspended, reminiscent of a heart. The cube had three faces, each displaying an expression: smiling, crying, and calm.

Unable to enter the game world, Liu Zong could only watch from the doorway. Fortunately, Liu An soon sealed the cube into a card and brought it out.

The newly sealed card was pale gold, depicting the cube in its semi-virtual setting on the front.

On the card's back, the cube's name was inscribed:

Valanay – Casket of a Thousand Souls

Quality: Level 2–Level 4 (pale gold)

Uses: Alchemy, Forging, Engineering, Architecture, Summoning Sacrifices

Description: The Casket of a Thousand Souls is transformed from an ancient device once used to store memories, known as a 'hard drive.' Each casket contains endless ancient wisdom, making it the finest material for artifact spirits and tower spirits. However, since the memories within cannot be distinguished, the container's quality determines the final quality of the casket.