Pamela's Request

Territories?

My brows knitted as my gaze locked with Pamela's eyes. The atmosphere grew heavy, but the rest of the students didn't notice. Her entire focus was on me.

This kind of perception... it had to be something I picked up from my past life.

I adjusted my posture and let out a soft sigh.

"Enlighten me," I said.

Pamela nodded, and the screen behind her flickered on, revealing a mountainous, snow-covered world—footage recorded from a body cam worn by a Limitless stepping through a rift.

The classroom fell silent.

Dead silent.

Like a cemetery on a foggy night.

I leaned forward instinctively, eyes glued to the screen. The man in the video took cautious steps, scanning his surroundings. It was vast. Boundless.

Based on Adam's memories, regular people believed rifts led to small dungeons filled with monsters and resources.

At least, that's what the world government wanted them to believe.

So they lied?

My eyes widened with realization. I glanced around the room. The others looked just as shaken. It was clear—they'd never stepped into a rift either.

"The universe is collapsing," Pamela said, her tone suddenly stern. "Realms are merging, creating rifts that link our world to countless others. We're not just raiding dungeons or slaying dragons. We, the Limitless, are quietly fighting a war for humanity's survival."

The response was instant.

The class erupted in chatter. Panic, disbelief, frustration—each student reacting in their own way. This wasn't what they'd signed up for.

I kept my eyes on them a moment longer before returning my focus to Pamela.

She was still staring at me.

Why me?

"What's the purpose of all this?" My voice echoed through the auditorium. The noise stopped. Dozens of eyes turned to me.

Pamela's smile disappeared. Wariness replaced it.

A natural reaction. People never felt safe around someone who could read them too well.

She nodded to herself for a few seconds, her gaze distant, then looked back at me.

"Normally, every Limitless goes through six months of training before their first expedition," she said. "You weren't meant to be in this class. But your ability... it's the missing piece we've been searching for."

She walked to the edge of the podium, gazing at me from above.

"And?" I asked, unmoved.

I wanted her to say it out loud. I wanted to hear the selfish desire in her voice. Then I would name my price.

Pamela didn't flinch. Her innocent face hinted at irritation, but her tone remained calm.

"This is a personal request," she said. "Allow me to train you myself—for one month. After that, we begin our first expedition."

It sounded more like an order than a request.

I slowly shook my head and sighed.

Did she think this was charity?

Before she could say more, I stood and walked toward the podium. Her eyes tracked every step I took.

I climbed the stairs and stopped just one step below her.

We stood face to face.

"What do you want to say?" she asked. Her voice was calm, but I heard the tension buried beneath.

"Not long ago, I barely survived an incident that wiped out my entire family. I only just recovered... and now, one week later, you're asking me to risk my life again?" I said in a quiet tone only we could hear.

"Yes," she replied instantly. Thoughtlessly. Like a child.

"Then I demand compensation," I said without hesitation. "If I serve, I expect to be paid accordingly."

I braced for backlash—anger, disgust, rejection.

But none came.

She just nodded.

"You will be rewarded after the expedition..." she said, but I shook my head.

"Consider me a hired mercenary. You can't send me off to battle without a down payment." I replied calmly.

Pamela's eyes narrowed as a thoughtful look crossed her face.

"True," she muttered after a short pause. "We'll discuss that later. You're interrupting my class."

I glanced over my shoulder and noticed how many eyes were locked onto me. Was I pushing too hard, too soon?

"Very well," I sighed, returning to my seat.

Class dragged on until evening, with only short breaks in between. Most of the time was spent studying territories already explored by other Limitless—and learning just how dangerous they really were.

The deeper we went, the more hopeless it all felt. Slowly, the truth became clear: the universe was collapsing. Realms were colliding. Rifts opened as temporary bridges, linking us to countless worlds. And in every one of them, something fought to survive.

Just like humans attacked the rifts for resources, other races did the same. Conflict was unavoidable.

If humans didn't act, like in Congo, other races would invade, seize territories, and wipe us out.

This was why the truth was hidden. Even the lie about dungeons and monsters had been enough to shake the world. What would happen if people knew we were being invaded by beings from countless realms?

Panic. Chaos. Collapse.

I sighed heavily, staring out the window of the private shuttle as it cruised through the night. A staff member sat beside me, assigned to escort me and show me around the dormitory.

Honestly, I just wanted some peace and quiet. My head was spinning with too much information.

Eventually, the shuttle stopped in front of the residential tower. It wasn't just a dormitory—it looked like a five-star hotel.

"You'll be excited to know this place has everything you need. Cinemas, holographic chambers, and much more to make your stay enjoyable," said a soft voice beside me.

The woman looked to be in her late twenties, dressed in a sharp suit. Nothing about her stood out—though maybe I was just too tired to notice.

"Just take me to my room. I'll figure out the rest later," I said flatly.

"Yes... of course. Right this way," she answered, quickly hopping out of the car.

We walked along the paved path toward the building. She kept sneaking glances at me, clearly uncomfortable with the silence. A normal human, no doubt—probably one of many working under pressure in a system built for a superior kind of human.

"The dormitory has five floors. Your floor is based on your contribution points. The higher your points, the higher your floor," she said, rushing her words.

I tilted my head slightly, frowning.

"Are there benefits to being on a higher floor?" I asked.

Her face lit up instantly. She seemed glad I'd finally spoken.

"Of course! Each floor offers better living conditions, better training equipment, and even upgraded gear. It might seem unfair, but it encourages students to perform well."

I nodded thoughtfully. Normally, I'd ask more questions—but my head throbbed. I couldn't take in anything else right now.

"We'll talk about it next time," I said as we neared the building.

The glass doors slid open, revealing a grand reception hall with vaulted ceilings and elegant chandeliers. The place was quiet—apart from a few staff, no one else was around.

She led me to the counter, checked some details, and handed over a key card.

We took an elevator to the third floor and wandered the halls for a while before finding Room 17.

"This place is... massive," I said, more annoyed than impressed. She mistook it for a compliment and smiled.

I swiped the card. The door beeped and unlocked. Just as I stepped forward, she pulled something from her breast pocket.

"A call card," she said, holding it out with both hands. "If you ever need anything—anything at all."

At first, I was confused. But it quickly made sense. A powerless human trying to build ties with a Limitless—smart move. And since she worked here, she might be useful.

"Okay," I replied simply, taking the card.

I walked in and closed the door behind me.

Ding!

> [First Milestone Achieved]

[Congratulations on becoming a student of the Lone Star Limitless Academy. You have taken your first step toward becoming the Gatekeeper.]

[+100 EXP]

Ba-dum!

My vision blurred as the sound of my heartbeat grew louder. I clutched my chest, trying to breathe, but for some reason, I couldn't draw in air.

[First Milestone Achieved: 1% Memory Unlocked]

Strange letters floated in front of my eyes, but I couldn't make sense of them. Darkness crept in from the edges of my vision.

I had no strength to fight it. All I could do was watch as everything slowly faded to black.