Extra's Descent

While resting in between, it took a total of seven days to fully cross the forest.

An entire week.

And after leaving the forest, finally, his phone started picking up a signal.

There were several notifications on the home screen.

[Belle: 73]

And….

[Brandon's and his sidekicks: 22]

It was the group chat with his friends.

Instantly, Brandon swiped it away.

Unlocking his phone and opening the app, he quickly turned off his active status.

There was one person he needed to contact.

Not Belle.

After pondering for a while, it was now time to contact him.

He clicked on the username and tapped the [Call] button.

His phone began ringing.

Ring… Ring… Ring….

But after a few seconds, there was no response.

He clicked on it again.

Ring…. Ring… Ring…

And yet again, there was no response.

Irritated, Brandon quickly sent a message.

[Wakey, wakey.]

Click—

As soon as he sent the message….

Ring… Ring…

His phone began ringing.

Brandon flashed a smirk while reading the caller's name.

[John Smith]

The name oddly felt nostalgic.

—….Who is this?

Hearing Zed's voice, Brandon's lips curled up to a smile.

'So this bastard's still alive….'

Brandon cleared his throat. Shortly after, he spoke with a deep voice.

"Zed Alistar?"

—I said, who is this?! And why do you have this number?!

Zed seemed irritated.

Brandon continued.

"I know what you've been up to. The government is coming for you."

—I'm hanging up.

"Wait."

Brandon urged.

He was done messing with Zed.

"Don't you recognize me?"

—….No way.

Brandon stifled a laugh. It seemed like a sense of recognition washed over Zed.

—You back from the dead or something?

"Something like that."

—Haha. I never really believed you died anyway.

"Thought so."

His reaction was evident after realizing he was speaking to Brandon.

Someone who was supposed to be dead for….

'Ten months?'

By now, it seemed like a month had passed since he started this journey with Amelia.

He could surmise that they were now in the middle of July.

—Where have you been this whole time?

"You know. Climbing up all the way from hell or something. No biggie."

—….

"I'll tell you all about it next time."

—Alright. So…? What's with the sudden call…?

"About the syndicate. Is it still operating?"

—Yeah, it is…. I'm glad you're here. I finally found out what they were planning last time.

"Hmm?"

Brandon's ears perked up and he grew curious.

"What?"

—Invasion.

"….Huh?"

—Last time, they were smuggling illegal immigrants into the country. This is serious shit, Brandon.

"…."

—Some of them seemed to have already seamlessly blended in society. Thankfully, the calamity pushed their plans back. The syndicate suffered a loss during the calamity. The huge ship that held a lot of military personnels from another country mysteriously vanished.

Brandon listened attentively to each and every word that Zed spoke.

Invasion?

It was then things began to connect.

"I see. And the reason the syndicate held back for so long with their plans to invade was because…"

—Lucian Frost.

Zed finished his statement for him.

Now that Lucian was gone, their plans could finally begin its full fruition. But since they were held back due to the calamity, and the borders being closed, they seemed to be waiting for something.

"Any predictions on when they would start again?"

—With how things are proceeding, maybe a year or two.

"I see…. Make it accurate."

—I can't predict that man. But…

"Can you hold them back for two years?"

—….

"I'm planning on returning after a year."

—….I'll see what I can do. But return? Where are you?

"On a journey."

—Are you still dead?

"Probably."

Brandon shrugged.

"Brandon, you done?"

Amelia's voice rang from behind him. Brandon lowered the phone and turned around slightly.

"Almost."

"Okay."

He put the phone back in his ear.

—With a woman, huh? Is it Rachel?

"Nah."

—Oh.

"None of my friends know I'm still alive. Don't tell them.

—So I'm the only one who knows, huh? Guess I'm quite special.

Brandon's expressions cracked after hearing such a ridiculous statement from Zed.

"My family knows as well."

—Haha.

"Speaking about Rachel. What about her father?"

—….

A brief silence rang in the atmosphere.

"….?"

Brandon was curiously perplexed.

After a few seconds, Zed finally spoke through the phone.

—He's here in the syndicate.

"Huh?"

—After the calamity, he suffered major injuries. The syndicate took him and began treating him. But… things aren't looking good.

"…."

The plotline totally deviated.

Or did it….?

Rachel's father was meant to die in the novel. The reason was unknown and was never mentioned in the novel.

And the calamity?

The calamity had never happened in the novel. But for some reason, it was now the reason for her father's suffering.

So…

Is it too late to save him?

"The syndicate. Does Rachel know her father is there?"

—No.

"…."

—She thinks he's dead.

"….I see."

The conversation totally took a turn. But after hearing Rachel's current predicament, Brandon felt conflicted.

—Ah, but don't worry. She's doing pretty well these days.

"Hm?"

—After her father's passing, all of the Asami company's assets went to her. She's the one controlling the business now. And since she has several connections with the Imperial Army, the syndicate hasn't done anything.

"Ah."

He was relieved. It seems like Rachel has now changed. From how highly Zed spoke of her, she was probably more responsible than she was in the past now.

It was a surprising turn of events. But still, it was for the better.

It seems like a lot of things had changed, and Brandon…

He needed to be stronger.

—Ah, I forgot to mention. A new Academy is being implemented. But this time, it's focused more on military activities. Now, aspiring military personnels need to undergo training over there to join the Imperial Army.

"What's the point of mentioning all this?"

—I heard Rachel and your other friends are planning to attend.

"I see."

And after conversing for a few minutes, the conversation ended there.

Click—

Brandon turned around and looked at Amelia, seated next to Carl on a rock.

The sun was up high, casting a glow on all over the snowy surroundings.

The snow was clearing.

Brandon stared intently at the sky.

Things were definitely changing.

"Military, huh?"

He stepped forward.

He had already planned on joining in the first place. And since the only way to increase his current stats was through training, the academy had piqued his interest.

But for now, he needed to increase Sovereign of Creation's slots.

And it was for that reason that he started the journey in the first place.

Brandon stifled a chuckle.

"Oh, you done?"

Amelia turned around and glanced at him.

"Yep."

Brandon nodded.

"Let's go."