The one who came was none other than the Number-One Player of the Heroes World... Soul Eater.
From the moment he appeared, he fixed his gaze on Hailuot, joy and relief shining in his cold eyes.
Facing his zealous new fans, Soul Eater leapt from his warhorse and said politely, "My friend and I haven't seen each other in a while. Could you give us some space to catch up? I'll give you some gifts later, and photos are fine too."
Even dressed in a manner that warned strangers to keep their distance, Soul Eater's words and actions still carried the refinement only a great family upbringing could give.
His bearing affected Misty Rain First Blossom and the others. They stopped chattering and walked away together down the passage.
Soul Eater waved, and a wall of bones rose, sealing the space completely.
He strode up to Hailuot, studied him for a moment, and pulled him into an embrace.
"I thought I'd never see you again! I've been watching my private messages these past few days, hoping to hear from you, but I didn't expect you to come. I'm so happy to see you!"
Hailuot said, "Seeing you makes me happy too, Father!"
Soul Eater released Hailuot and relaxed as if a great weight had lifted from his heart. Then he asked, "Is your mother well?"
"Mother is in good health, but she's busy. If she weren't, I probably wouldn't have come."
At that moment, Hailuot had mixed feelings about his father.
The bond of bloodline gave him a sense of closeness to the man before him, yet he still felt like a stranger.
Soul Eater patted Hailuot's shoulder and said with a smile, "If Irina knew you'd inherited House Claurend, she'd be so furious she'd tear down Claurend Manor."
Hailuot shrugged. "I don't even know how to face her now. She took me away from the Claurend family and wouldn't even let me see you, all so I wouldn't become a Necromancer.
And in the end... I still took the path she could least accept."
Soul Eater told Hailuot, "House Claurend declined not because society rejects Necromancers, but because the family lost its greatest power. If you can reclaim that lost power—or become even stronger—no one will dare look down on you again."
Hailuot asked, "You disappeared for four years. Did you find the power the family lost?"
"No!" Soul Eater's answer was blunt. He went on, "But I've gained a power that none of House Claurend's ancestors ever possessed."
Soul Eater spread his hands, and Death Energy surged forth. The withered bones embedded in the walls writhed violently, as if they were trying to break through and crawl out.
Hailuot knew what power his father meant and poured cold water on his enthusiasm. "This is only a game, Father. No matter how strong you become here, it won't reverse the family's decline."
Soul Eater drew back the energy he had released and said, "What if I told you we could bring this game's power back to our world?"
Hailuot stared at him in astonishment. "How could that be possible?"
"But it's the truth!" Soul Eater said. "I discovered it when I first explored the Family Cemetery... I can bring the strength I gain here—even the Items I obtain—back to our world.
With my help, Hailuot, you can grow stronger quickly in this world. I believe you can restore House Claurend before long."
Hailuot asked, puzzled, "If we can bring the strength we gain here back to our world, wouldn't you restore House Claurend faster yourself?"
"Yes, that's what I thought too when I first discovered this secret. But I made a wrong choice, one that means I can never go back."
"What did you do wrong?"
Soul Eater removed his mask. Behind it was a skull covered in dried flesh. Its two deep eye sockets held no eyeballs, only two wisps of Soul Fire that flickered with his emotions.
"To level up faster, I chose to give up my humanity and transformed into a Lich." He extended his left hand—also bone wrapped in dried flesh—and the Ring of the Old Dominator he used to wear was gone. "At the same time, I lost my identity as the Old Dominator. I'm no longer the Lord of the Old Graveyard, which means I can't open the Tomb Passage back."
Hailuot said at once, "I can open it. I'll take you back."
As he spoke, Hailuot reached behind himself and opened a Tomb Passage.
Soul Eater shook his head. "Before I transformed into an Undead, I tried this. Players can't see the Tomb Passage back to our world, and they can't enter it either.
Just as I can't see it now."
Soul Eater looked toward where Hailuot was pointing. A Tomb Passage home should have opened there, but to his eyes, there was only a wall covered in withered bones.
Hailuot asked, "Is there no other way?"
Soul Eater showed no disappointment. He put his mask back on and said, "Honestly, it's not bad for me here. I can display Necromancy without restraint, pursue the peak of power to my heart's content, and enjoy the respect of countless people.
I've lived a fulfilling life these past four years. Ever since Irina took you from me, I've never felt this relaxed or happy."
Not being able to go back—there's nothing to regret in that."
Hailuot could feel Soul Eater's confidence radiating from him. He carried the passion and vigor of a young man.
He truly loved this place.
"If this is the life you love, I won't interfere. But I'll still look for a way to bring you home."
"Hahaha..." Soul Eater laughed. "Don't take on too much responsibility. Becoming a powerful Necromancer and restoring House Claurend were only the previous Clan Patriarch's hopes for you.
As your father, I want the same thing your mother wants: for you to be healthy and happy. Don't let the family and its bloodline bind you. Do what you love, enjoy the happiness this Game World can bring you, and spend more time with your mother.
That's your father's advice to you."
Hailuot smiled too. "I'll remember that... I never intended to shoulder the responsibility of restoring the family. I've passed Tomorrow Group's interview, and I'll return to the Imperial Capital soon to start work."
Soul Eater asked, puzzled, "You had to interview too?"
Hailuot said helplessly, "Mother said that, as the Heir of Tomorrow Group, I need to start at the very bottom. She even said she won't give me money anymore—from now on, I have to pay my expenses with money I earn myself."
"My poor son!" Soul Eater said, full of sympathy for Hailuot, then added, "If your mother won't give you money, your father will.
Take these Gold Coins—you can melt them into bullion after bringing them out and exchange them for money. And this Equipment too, all carefully prepared for you..."
Soul Eater initiated a trade, transferring three million Gold Coins to Hailuot.
He also transferred a batch of Equipment and Items along with the Gold Coins.
All of them top-tier!