I turned around to see a group approach me. They had two girls and three guys who wore matching gear. The one in the front was a girl, she was tall but not as much as me. She looked at me and smiled.
"Would you like to join our party?" she asked. "We're looking for an extra member for a floor raid."
I looked at the girl and her party in disbelief. "Why me?" I asked.
The girl narrowed her eyes, she didn't expect such a question from a newbie. Normally any newbie would use the first chance they got to enter any party.
"Well... we need one more person to help us carry out the raid and I just saw you register, so it will be good experience for you." She said with a smile.
Although she appeared genuine, I had enough experience about the way older Ascendants treated newbies. They promise them growth, items to help kickstart their journey... but they would work them to the bone and give them little to no rewards for their efforts.
However, I didn't care what their intentions were. For Ascendants of their level, for the current me, they were no threat.
'Experience is experience...' I thought. 'I also need to check if the floor patterns have changed since then.'
"I'll join you..." I replied bluntly.
The girl in the front nodded to my answer and began to introduce her party. "My name is Lyra and I am the party leader." She gestured to the others behind her. "This is Sir Garrick, our tank. Elena, our healer, and Niklaus and Mace, our front attackers."
I nodded in acknowledgement, taking account of the members. They all looked well dressed with lots of equipment.
"We will meet here tomorrow morning... same time. Make sure to gear up. Floor 1 isn't dangerous, but it is still the tower, so don't come empty handed."
'Wow, she's asking me to be cautious.... Hmph~' I smiled inwardly. 'What have I been reduced to?'
"Understood." I said, walking towards the exit.
As soon as I was out of the guild, Mace turned his attention towards Lyra. "Do you think it's safe to bring a newbie with us?"
"Well... personally no, but other Ascendants would demand a lot of coins to help clear the floor..."
"True enough."
---
Growl...!
I touched my stomach as I heard the rumbling sound escape it.
'That's right... I haven't eaten a thing since I woke up.' I looked around and spotted a small food joint wedged between two large buildings.
The sign above read "Mira's Kitchen."
I walked over to view the inside. The smell of grilled meat welcomed me. This was the first place I had seen that didn't look as advanced as every other building I had seen.
I saw multiple empty tables with no customers around. On the counter, a young girl with purple hair flipped the back of a meal she was preparing.
She noticed me and paused in her doings. "W-What would you like to get, sir...?"
I looked at the menu board hanging behind her. "The grilled meat set."
"That'll be 121 Rune Coins."
I tapped my Guild ID against the payment scanner.
[Transaction Complete: -121 RC]
[Remaining Balance: 99,879 RC]
I sat down on one of the tables and waited until she came over to serve me a plate filled with grilled meat, rice and some sauce on the side.
I ate for about fifteen minutes. The food was decent... and enjoyable. I didn't get much time to eat such varieties in my past life.
I finished my meal and stood up to leave. "Thanks for the food." I said loud enough for her to turn around.
"No problem..." She let out what seemed to be a genuine smile. "Please come again some other time..."
I had walked to the door and raised my hand. "I definitely will."
---
I got out and let in a breath of fresh air.
'Ah.'
I looked around, watching the movement flow... it all felt like a dream. I wasn't sure if I was sleeping or fully awake.
The buildings, the people, everything...
It all seemed so abstract.
I started walking, letting the crowd guide my direction. The world had changed so much. I didn't know where I was going... my feet moved, carrying me through the streets.
Looking at everything, I could not shake off a satisfying smile from my face. It was really beautiful.
I passed by a small park, children playing on swings and running about. Their mothers discussing with each other as they watched joyfully.
In my past life, I always wished I had taken a different path from being an Ascendant.
Maybe...
Just maybe...
I could have found a safe and normal life.
I kept walking. The sky color was changing slowly, fading slowly into dark blue as the three suns bled into each other, forming a single moon.
When was the last time I had watched the sunset?
I couldn't remember.
Ten years of climbing and surviving. In the tower, there was no sunset... no time to rest. Continuous moving forward to avoid death.
But I have come back now... or gone ahead?
It doesn't matter... I will make sure to savor every bit of my life... until the day I meet my end.
Before I knew it, I found myself standing in front of a vendor's stall. An old man stood behind the counter.
I had to get some food to get me through the evening.
"Excuse me... can I get meatballs to go?"
The old man turned to face me. "50 Rune Coins for a bag... pay up with the scanner on the table."
[Transaction Complete: -50 RC]
[Remaining Balance: 99,829 RC]
I paid and took the bag filled with warm meatballs.
'Oo... hot!'
I ate one as I headed for my apartment. The cramped room was dark, gleaming in a low light projected by the moon.
I dropped the meatballs and fell to my bed, closing my eyes to rest.
A system notification came in.
[You have completed your registration as a Guild member]
[System Shop is now accessible]