Ryder kept his silence and let the briefing be over.

As everything was over, the screen turned off as Maya disappeared.

Ion and his staff stood up and turned towards the ten guests.

"I'm sure you all understood your trials better? The details of your Trials will also be uploaded on our official site tomorrow. So be wary; not only the players that are participating in this event but other players can also interfere in your tasks if they wish. There is no restriction against it," he told the players.

"Alright. I'll take my leave then. My assistant will give you a tour of the facility after which you'll be taken to the hotel that we booked for you. We have also arranged a driver and a ride for all of you in case you want to see the city. Thank you once again. Have a great day," he added before he started leaving. His security followed after him.

Ion couldn't help but glance at Ryder once more as he asked, "I'm sorry, but I forgot your name. What was it?"

Ryder also noticed that strange glance. He wondered why that man was looking at him. Did he know something? Or was it different?

"I'm Ryder Flynn," Ryder answered.

"Ryder Flynn, nice name. You're not from the field of Divinity, I suppose? I hope you like our facility. Please don't forget to give feedback later," Ion said, smiling before he left.

"Please follow after me for the tour. We have some really fascinating places in our facility. I'm sure you'll love it," the female assistant stepped forward as she told everyone to follow her.

...

Ion walked back to his office and closed the door. Walking to his table, he sat on the chair as he thought curiously.

"Ryder Flynn... He is different. He's not normal," Ion muttered as he placed his head on the table, closing his eyes.

"His aura was so different. It wasn't the aura of a human. Moreover, I also felt the aura of Aluren on him. That wouldn't be strange since Aluren keeps sharing his powers with some of his henchmen, but it's not that either."

Ion kept lightly hitting his forehead on the table as he thought.

" He also had the aura of Adrian as well. The aura of two god-sons? I doubt both would be cooperating to help him."

"No one gives their strength to the men of others. It's not like Adrian and Aluren are best pals either. Something doesn't add up here. I need to find more about Ryder Flynn."

"Too bad that I can't even contact Aluren and Adrian to ask them directly. I can't let them know that I'm here or it'll be over," Ion muttered, frowning.

He was lost in deep thought as he wondered what he should do.

After a long time, he raised his head as he spoke softly, "Maya? Come here."

At his voice command, the hologram of Maya once again appeared before him.

"Maya, I want you to get me all the details about the man known as Ryder Flynn."

Maya nodded before she disappeared.

"The man who has the aura of two god-sons. I wonder who you are, Mr. Ryder Flynn," the man muttered as he glanced at the door. "Not only that, but you also have some other strange aura that I can't put a finger on. But that aura also seems all too familiar. It's not the aura of Earth. You're very interesting."

...

While Ion was taking a greater interest in him, Ryder was walking inside the facility, taking the tour with Alice.

Except for the confidential sites and the server room, they were given a tour of all other places, including the cafeteria of the staff.

As the facility was very big, it took them over two hours to finish the tour, after which they were given lunch.

Everyone departed after lunch in the separate cars that were assigned to them, which took them to their hotel. Surprisingly, each player had received a room on a separate floor for some reason.

As for Alice and Ryder, they had received two rooms that were near each other.

Despite getting two rooms, Ryder was with Alice.

"Alice, what do you think about your trial?" Ryder asked Alice.

"It's tough, so I don't know if I can do it. Even if I can, it'll take a long time," Alice replied.

"Not a long time. It'll take an impossible amount of time. You won't do it; take your name out of this event," Ryder said firmly.

"I met that Vampire King whose relative you have to kill. He's a different deal altogether. You know the members of your Spirit Realm? The Generals?" Ryder asked Alice, remembering about the war.

"Yeah, I did. What about them? Is he as strong as them?" Alice inquired.

"He isn't as strong as them. He is much, much stronger than them. You have no idea. Moreover, I don't feel right about these trials. I can't let you take part," Ryder told Alice.

"But I already registered. If I don't take part, they might take legal action," Alice told Ryder, frowning.

"Don't worry about any legal action. I'll take care of everything. Oh wait, I have a better idea," he suddenly let out as he smiled.

"What better idea?" Alice asked.

"Just tell them that you're sick and you can't take part," Ryder said, grinning.

"We're in their hotel. Won't they know that I'm not sick if they send a doctor?"

"They won't. I have a pill. Just take it and you're set. Even the Doctors won't be able to know that you're not sick."

...

The day was almost over as the night arrived. The preparation of the drama was already finished as Ryder gave Alice a pill. It was a pill that he had purchased from the system.

It could increase the body temperature of Alice without actually hurting her. In fact, it was written that after the person ate the pill, he wouldn't even feel that their temperature was high.

Moreover, it also created an illusion around the person so that they looked even sicker.

"Eat this pill in the morning, alright?"

Ryder gave Alice the pill before he continued, "I'll call and inform Necrosis that you're sick and that you want to remove yourself from the tournament. They might send a doctor. As soon as he comes, eat the pill."

Alice again nodded.

"That's better. Now sleep. I'll just..." Ryder got off the bed as he spoke, but he couldn't even finish before Alice caught his hand.

"Don't leave tonight. I don't want to be here alone," Alice told Ryder weakly.

"I'm not leaving, idiot. I'm just going to the washroom," Ryder answered as he freed himself before he left.

Coming out of the washroom, he got into the bed beside Alice.

The two of them remained on the bed for ten minutes, where none of them spoke anything.

The silence was ultimately broken by Alice.

"What is happening with our life?" She asked Ryder.

"What do you mean?" Ryder asked, not understanding her words.

"I mean... Things haven't been the same between us in a long time. I don't know why but I feel like you've been really distant recently. Did I do something?" Alice asked Ryder as she sat up.

Ryder also sat up.

"I don't know why you feel that way. For me, everything is the same. However, I agree that things are different than before. Before, I was a programmer, and I spent most of the time at home. Even though we were poor, we had time for each other, and that was enough."

"But things have been really different. I got a big business, and then even more things happened that made my life very hectic. I don't know how long it would be like this, but I hope not for long," Ryder told Alice as he sighed.

"I am really sorry for making you sad, but my life itself has turned upside down. There are so many things that I didn't know about. Troubles just keep coming, and I am tangled in them every time, even though I don't want to," he added.

"Then tell me what troubles. I haven't said anything in a long time, but really, you haven't told me anything. You are stressed often, and I can see it, but please tell me. Or do you really not believe me? You think I'll tell someone else?" Alice asked, staring at Ryder.

"It's not that. It's just that there are some things that I can't tell you," Ryder replied, sighing.

He realized that he couldn't talk about Janus or things related to him. It was the rule.

"Alright, Alice, tell me one thing," he suddenly said.

"Yes?" Alice asked.

"Do you believe in gods?" Ryder inquired.

"I do. I even believe in heaven and hell," Alice replied.

"And do you believe that there are gods amongst us? Walking on earth? Like literal gods from Heaven?" Ryder asked Alice.