Uncle John

Maya explained to John that they came from the real world, or Earth. She also explained that they were suddenly transported into this game world, and how their experiences have been while in this world.

Ash remained silent, observing John's expression as he listened to Maya. There were indeed visible lines of resemblance between John and his mother.

Ash wanted to make sure that John was truly his uncle.

However, he couldn't hold back any longer and finally asked John, "Excuse me, Mr. John. Do you have an older sister?"

John turned to him and asked, "How did you know I have an older sister?"

Ash responded, "The person who you think wrote the diary mentioned it in the diary."

"Oh," John said, nodding.

"Yes, that's correct. I do have an older sister," he explained. "When I entered this world, she was about 17 years old."

John stood up and took a painting of his older sister. He handed it to Ash.

"This is a painting of my sister. I painted it while imagining her," he said sadly.

"We only lived together back then. My sister struggled tirelessly to support me. But suddenly, I left. She must have been very sad," John continued.

Holding his breath, Ash asked, "Is her name Maria?"

John stared at Ash suspiciously.

"How do you know that? I've never told anyone."

Maya looked at both of them, confused. "What are you two talking about?" she asked.

Ignoring Maya, Ash asked John again, "Did you ever fall from a tree and injure your head while trying to save Maria, who didn't want to come down?"

John's suspicion grew. "How do you know that?" he hissed.

"You lived in an orphanage until she was 16 years old. And you both ran away from the orphanage."

John immediately ran to his desk, grabbed a sword, and pointed it at Ash.

"Who are you?" he shouted.

"My name is Ashborn Locke. I am the only son of Maria Rush," Ash answered with a choked voice.

John's eyes widened. "Impossible. It can't be."

But then his eyes narrowed. "Are you a spy from another group trying to infiltrate ours?" he asked.

Ash shook his head and stood up.

"My mother often talked about her brother named John, about how they lived and then escaped from the orphanage. And how difficult life was after they ran away. And when she found out that her brother suddenly disappeared, he could never be found," kata Ash in a hoarse voice.

John lowered his sword that was pointed at Ash, then suddenly raised it again, its tip pointed into Ash neck.

"What proof do you have that you are Maria's son?" he asked, his face turning red.

"I don't have any," Ash replied. "All the proof is in the real world."

John appeared to be thinking for a moment, his eyes still narrowed.

"Okay, what's our mother's name?" John asked.

"Your mother is my grandmother. And her name is Sally," Ash replied.

John lowered his sword and murmured, "Oh my god. This can't be. If your last name is Locke, it means Maria married someone named Locke?" John asked.

"That's right," Ash said. "But my father died when my mother gave birth to me."

"Oh my god," John said again. "Who is Maria with now?"

Ash took a deep breath, holding back tears, and then said, "Mother is living alone now. Because like you, I was drawn into this world. And I want to go back to her as soon as possible."

Suddenly, the sound of many people outside and several vehicles could be heard entering the town.

John glanced out the window, then looked back at Ash.

"We'll talk about this later," he said. "For now, you both can come with me."

Ash and Maya nodded, especially Maya. She felt relieved because she could get out of this uncomfortable situation between these two males.

They all descended, including Jagu, down the hill towards an open area in front of the fountain.

Several jeeps and vans were parked there. About 30 people emerged from the vehicles, dressed in colorful and shimmering armor.

They looked like heroes returning from the battlefield.

Seven among them were women.

Maya and Ash were amazed as they looked at them.

"They are really cool," said Maya. Ash nodded in agreement.

Their weapons glimmered in the sunlight.

One of them stood out—a tall man in black and white armor. He had blond hair and blue eyes, truly the typical appearance of a hero. John called him Gabriel.

John approached the man, followed by Maya and Ash.

They began conversing, and Ash overheard that they were discussing a dangerous place and that they had successfully brought back the item they were searching for.

Suddenly, Gabriel turned towards Ash and Maya, then towards Jagu, and asked, "Who are they?"

John put his arm around Ash's shoulder and pulled him closer. 'This is my nephew. His name is Ash,' he said to Gabriel.

Ash, slightly confused, greeted, "Hello, Gabriel. I'm Ash. Nice to meet you."

Gabriel tilted his head to the side, scrutinizing Ash.

"How long have you been in this world?" he asked.

"Just under a month," Ash replied, puzzled.

"Really?" Gabriel asked again.

"Yes," Ash said, even more confused.

John asked Gabriel, "What's wrong?"

Gabriel responded to John, "This is strange. It seems his magic is much stronger than Snowy's."

John cleared his throat. "Hmm, you're right. I didn't realize it earlier."

Ash thought for a moment before responding to their suspicion.

"I think it might be because of this ring I'm wearing," he said, showing the ring to them.

"If that's the case, I thought your stats were already very high," said Gabriel, "because it's impossible for someone new here to have such a high magic level."

"Alright, let's rest first, and then we'll meet at the town hall later. We'll have a party," said Gabriel, patting John on the shoulder.

John laughed, "Okay, okay. Go ahead."

Ash looked at them, not knowing what to say.