CHAPTER 11: FAMILY REUNION

"Of course, they won’t fuckin’ agree!" Roy muttered in annoyance and slammed his tightened fist on his bed.

He considered sending a private message to the STDY.exe guy to request help in joining an unofficial raid party, but that had little chance of yielding fruit. And even if it did, the numerous dangers surrounding an unregistered and unlicensed irregular like him in an unofficial raid party were far too much.

There was no government, laws, or official authorities in God’s Abyss. Hence, human wickedness thrived there the most.

Alas, the best option for Roy was still his elder brother.

Recognizing this fact, Roy grabbed his phone and dialed his brother’s number.

A second later, the call went through, and Roy quickly spoke, "If you don’t help me, I will still find my way into God’s Abyss, whether I do it alone or join an unofficial raid party."

Donald sighed. "Why don’t you just continue signing in and getting your rewards? Why do you want to risk your life for no reason? Do you want Nana to be worried sick?"

The common conception of systems was that most weren’t strong or outright powerful, as more mundane things like studying, cooking, driving, business, and so on were quite rampant among irregulars. Donald didn’t think Roy’s was any different.

"I can only level up by killing abyss creatures," Roy countered.

"..."

Donny fell silent for a few seconds, then asked in all seriousness, "Are you messing with me right now?"

Roy gulped. "No... sir."

In a grim tone, Donald reiterated, "You can only level up by killing abyss creatures... Roy, are you serious? Did I hear you correctly?"

"Yes. It’s what my system says."

Donald frantically voiced, "What about your bosses? How does your leveling work?!"

Roy didn’t expect this much enthusiasm from him and was slightly taken aback.

"I-I think I collect experience points after killing them," he answered.

"Roy!!!" Donald screamed, a wide smile evident under his tone. "You better not be joking about!"

"How can I joke about something like this?" Roy said with a frown.

"Good. I’m quitting this fuckin’ job and I’m taking the next flight back home!"

Roy’s eyes widened. "What—"

Beep~

The call ended before he could finish.

"How come he’s even more eager than I am now?" Roy scoffed, happy that he was able to convince his brother.

About three hours later, a vehicle pulled up on the driveway and honked.

Roy looked out the window, smiling. "He’s back!"

Donald came down from the vehicle and spotted Roy standing at his room window and voiced, "Roy, come help me carry the bags!"

Right then, Nana came outside and was in total shock. "Donald? You’re back? What happened?"

"Long story. I’ll explain inside..." he said, carrying some of his luggage in.

Sometime later, when Donny had settled in, he, Roy, and their grandmother sat on the dining table wearing grim looks.

Nana first began, "This morning you said—"

"I know what I said," Donny cut her off. "And I know what I’m saying now."

Nana’s expression fell.

Donny explained, "Roy’s system is extremely unique. He doesn’t have to defeat simulated bosses to level up. He doesn’t have to wait for a countdown, nor does he have to wait till he recharges his energy."

’I actually have to do all those things, but you don’t have to know that. Heh,’ Roy smiled in thought, but outwardly his expression was also stoic.

Nana sneered, fully understanding the intricacies of the matter.

"You’re saying that like it’s a good thing. Unlike the others, this loser can die!" she said, making Roy raise an eyebrow.

Despite being from an older generation, after what happened to Roy’s parents, she poured time into learning about the God’s Abyss and relocated them to a safe zone. Although using the term ’poured time’ was a very watered-down version of saying she watched cable television 24/7 due to constant paranoia.

Donald, however, shrugged. "Nothing like that will happen as long as I’m involved. Without me, this brat will still join an unofficial raid party, and who knows what could happen then?!"

"What about the idiot’s school? Is he just going to abandon it?" Nana asked with furrowed brows. In Roy’s sight, she was oddly reasonable when communicating with Donald as compared to him. And it pissed him off!

Donald shook his head. "Oh, no way. You just said it yourself. He’s quite an idiot. He’ll at least have to finish high school..."

’What’s their deal even?’ Roy sneered, reacting to their passing insults.

"I will?" asked Roy.

"Yes."

"Yes, you will."

Both Nana and Donald retorted, making Roy reduce his shoulders. He hated school so much.

And then Donny took Nana’s hand and pleaded, "I know you’re concerned, but I believe Roy can get really strong and important with the right guidance. He might even get to be the first S-Class Executioner!"

It was clearly written on Nana’s face that her response was "What if he dies just like many others?", but she didn’t want to be the voice of negativity when she clearly knew she couldn’t change both of their minds.

Nana folded her arms and ordered, "I want to be kept in the loop of things, every single damn time! Have you heard?!"

"Yes, yes. Don’t worry," Donald said, wearing a smile of relief.

"Now we’ve decided, Roy, what’s the name of your system?" Donny asked.

"Uh..." Roy thought of lying, but this was his elder brother. If he lied to his family, who could he ever be truthful to? How could he expect them to trust him in return?

"It has a weird name. Three characters... 404.exe. The title is ERROR 404.exe, Executable Not Found."

"Hmm... That’s a first," Donny said, scratching his chin.

"What about your starting skills?"

However, Roy knew there was a limit to how much he could share.

"There’s only one. 2x Multiplier. I can double the effect of an attack or defense, I guess..."

Donny grabbed Roy’s shoulder, his eyes wide in shock.

"Roy... tell me you’re lying," he said slowly.

A bead of sweat formed at the corner of Roy’s forehead.

’Th-This guy might actually be crazier than I am...’

Roy thought Donald would smile eagerly and exclaim, but contrary to that, his face turned incredibly grim.

"Nana... I’m really sorry to say this, but can you give me and Roy some privacy?" Donald voiced with a shadow over his eyes.

He just realized he should’ve done this sooner because he grossly underestimated the things Roy could reveal.

Nana felt the change in atmosphere and didn’t complain. She stood up and was about to leave when Donald added, "And Nana, please forget everything you just heard Roy say about his system name and title..."