Dexter was surprised by the sudden and unexpected message from Mojomojo. At last, after nearly a year, Mojomojo had spoken — proving they truly existed.

'/g Why only chat now?' Dexter said, unsure of what else to say.

(Mojomojo: No one was talking here. I thought it was a dead guild. Well, I'm always solo anyway, so it doesn't matter if I'm in a guild or not.)

'/g Ohh... okay, better kick you then...'

Taking the fish he'd caught with his Mythical Twig, Dexter opened the Guild interface, planning to remove Mojomojo.

(Mojomojo: Don't… I need to be part of the Demon God's Alliance to loot near the Crimson Tree Zone.)

'/g Well… it's too late for that… You not reading Alliance conversations? Also... I didn't know you actually existed... and I prefer Undying Craftroach to be solely for me and Stella...'

(Mojomojo: You got another way? You are the leader of the Alliance, sure you have some...)

Standing up from where he sat, Dexter carried the basket full of fish toward the campfire he'd built near the house.

'/g Well... you can be one of the Numbers I'm personally training. You can be Number Thirteen, the Unlucky One. Your reward? It's based on your performance... but I can guarantee you a Masterpiece Tier X set.'

(Mojomojo: M-masterpiece? Are you that rich?!)

'/g Yup... Come to the guild island tomorrow if you want to join. At least survive a month of hell...'

(Mojomojo: I'll come, but I think I'm gonna be late. I'm in Blackreach Throne now...)

'/g Ohh... Want some mercenary service? We can bring you here safely. You just need to pay the service fee... around 50 million. Unlimited resurrection guarantee.'

(Mojomojo: No need...)

…

Checking the time, Dexter saw it was nearly time for the dinner he had planned for the Numbers.

He whispered to Number One to prepare the dining hall on the Guild Island. After grilling all the fish, he stowed it in his inventory and used the Traveller to return.

Inside the dining hall, the Numbers were setting the table. Surprisingly, Stella – whom Dexter thought was out having fun – was already there, blinking at him in anticipation.

"Dex! I missed your cooking! What did you prepare this time?" Stella said, her eyes shining.

"Just grilled fish. If I'd known you were coming, I would have cooked more. Now, I think this is barely enough for you alone..." Dexter said, feigning a sad face.

Dexter placed all the grilled fish onto the rectangular table and instructed the Numbers that dinner was ready.

Standing beside Dexter, Stella couldn't help but gulp at the smell wafting from the grilled fish.

"Let's eat..."

The Numbers were shocked. Enslaved for so long – both in-game and out – they hadn't expected kindness from their new Master. Though strict and fearsome in training, he possessed a gentle heart.

…

Early in the morning, Dexter proceeded with his daily routine: a thousand vertical swings of his sword.

Stella watched from the sidelines, sitting on the edge of the stairs outside their home, a towel and a small container of water beside her.

"Dex~ who was that Mojomojo in the guild chat yesterday? Do you think he'll be able to make it to the other island?" she asked, softly stomping her feet.

"I think so..." Dexter mused, checking the guild interface. "Well, he's not dead yet..."

Blackreach Throne was a special location — the only city designated a PK area due to being bandit-infested. Teleportation via Traveller was impossible either, it didn't even exist in that zone.

The advantage of joining the Blackreach Throne faction in the Warring Kingdom was twofold: bandit mobs wouldn't attack you, and you received a free Tier X Blazing Wolf mount for hunting other players lost in the PK Zone.

However, if you belonged to a faction from a different kingdom, entering another kingdom was difficult. You'd either be killed by guards, forced to leave your faction, or become a wanderer without allegiance.

Though Dexter and Stella had lived in the Sunscar Kingdom for over a year, they still hadn't joined its faction. While faction membership offered rewards, the limitations weren't worth it for Dexter.

Completing his last rep, Dexter walked towards Stella and took the towel beside her.

After wiping his sweat and taking a drink of water, he sat down beside her.

Despite his sweat, Stella laid her head on Dexter's shoulder, idly tracing the muscles on his arm.

"What are you planning to do now?" she asked.

"Hmmm... nothing specific, just experimenting... After crafting the necklace I gave you... I can transform my Bracers into Epic and Legendary gear," he said, gazing calmly at the sky.

"So you've gotten stronger..."

Dexter gently tousled her hair.

"I guess so... Still couldn't compete with Gridlock, though..."

"Well... Mr. Blacksmith is your master... Surpassing him won't be easy. I remember your last duel; you died with just a gesture..."

"Yeah... that broken equipment of his is so OP. Even though he gave me these Bracers, I bet he still has something far more powerful."

Standing up, Dexter transformed his bracers into a tracksuit and sneakers. After jumping in place a few times, he took Stella's hand and pulled her to her feet.

"Come on, let's meet the Numbers. I want to join their training... You should come too — it'll be good for you. Just... rest if you can't keep up. No need to push yourself too hard."

Stella pouted, crossing her arms beneath her chest.

"You think I'm weak? I'll show you why no one challenges me in the coliseum..." she retorted, smirking.

"I didn't say anything, especially about you being weak... No need to state the obvious..."

With that, Dexter sprinted towards the Traveller, leaving Stella momentarily stunned.

"DEXTER!"

…

"Fuck… I should've accepted that proposal from the 'Leader'," Mojomojo panted, crouched behind a rock. He clutched his bleeding shoulder, trying to stem the flow of blood.

"Mow~ Jow~ where are you?" a singsong voice taunted.

Mojomojo didn't even glance toward the sound. Instantly, he activated his cloak's invisibility and slipped into the deeper shadows of the dungeon.

'/g Uhh… does your offer still stand?'