Ginro was a good kid.
In the eyes of the neighbors, Ginro was sensible and obedient, filial to his parents.
At such a young age, he could already cook a great meal and would even take the initiative to do housework.
No one knew how much virtue his parents had accumulated in past lives for heaven to bless them with such a good son.
In the eyes of teachers and elders, Ginro was intelligent and diligent, with excellent grades and harmonious relationships with all his classmates.
Although he had played pranks on girls a few times and even arranged fights with delinquent boys, well—when bad students did such things, they deserved punishment.
But when a good student did it?
Teenage boys, after all.
Normal.
Just normal youthful impulses.
Prof. Daimon had been a homeroom teacher for twenty years and had rarely encountered a student as worry-free as Ginro.
Yet more than twenty days after the college entrance exams ended, he called Ginro—who had already graduated and returned to school to retrieve his personal records—into the office, slammed the desk, and glared at him with a look of bitter disappointment.
"Ginro! Look at what you've done!
If I hadn't found it strange that I still hadn't received any news of your admission to the National University of Defense Technology and went to ask about it, I would never have known you secretly signed up as a Secret Realm Exploration volunteer!
What are you trying to do?
Are you trying to anger me to death—cough, cough—kill your teacher with rage?!
Cough—!"
"Teacher, teacher, slow down.
Don't get angry, don't get angry.
Here, have some tea…"
"Stop acting slick!"
Prof. Daimon blew on his enamel mug, took a sip, spat out a tea leaf, and took a deep breath.
His tone finally softened a little.
"Tell me—what were you thinking?"
"To serve the nation, uphold honor, contribute to the Secret Realm exploration effort, and do my part in wiping out the demon race—these are duties and principles every citizen should uphold!" Ginro said righteously.
"Get lost!"
"Got it.
Goodbye, teacher."
"…Come back!"
Prof. Daimon was so furious his nostrils practically sprayed tea.
He slammed the mug onto the desk and wanted to curse, but in the end, he only sighed weakly.
"The National University of Defense Technology is a top-five university in the country.
Its Secret Realm Management and Ecology program is ranked number one in the entire school.
With your score, admission was practically guaranteed.
"I know young people like you admire martial strength—you want to soar through the skies and do the impossible.
But why give up a bright future to go risk your life?"
He waved his hand in frustration.
"Forget it.
What's done is done.
The military has already registered your name.
No one can change it now—otherwise, it would be treated as desertion.
You'll be entering a Secret Realm tomorrow…"
He paused, then said quietly,
"You're a clever kid.
I hope I'll hear good news from you.
At the very least—come back alive."
Ginro bowed deeply.
"Teacher, I'm sorry.
I've disappointed you."
Seeing Ginro no longer joking around, Prof. Daimon felt both relieved and heartbroken.
As Ginro reached the door, he suddenly remembered something.
"By the way—how did your parents agree to this?
They—"
Ginro quickened his pace.
"…Huh?
Come back!"
"Ginro!
Get back here!"
Ginro broke into a run.
…
After leaving the office and exiting the school grounds, Ginro spotted two people waiting for him at the school gate.
A boy who looked like a big macaque jogged over with a grin.
"Well?
Got chewed out by Old Daimon, huh?
Serves you right—you finally got it!"
"Teacher Daimon must be furious.
He likes Ginro the most," said a delicate-looking girl as she walked over.
"Honestly, even I don't understand it.
Ginro, why would you give up a perfectly good university?"
Ginro gazed into the distance, his expression full of longing.
"For ideals.
And for distant horizons."
"Idiot.
Remember to take your meds," the girl scoffed.
"Hahaha!
That's how a real man should be!" the macaque laughed loudly.
"Ginro, if you'd told me earlier, I'd have gone with you!
Don't worry—if something happens to you in the Secret Realm, I'll wipe that place out someday!"
"Ryuu Tan, what kind of crap are you spewing?!" the girl cursed, swinging a punch.
"Ah!
Midori!
That hurts!
Are you trying to kill me?!"
The three chatted and laughed as they entered the subway station.
Ginro could tell that both of his childhood friends were worried about him, and it stirred something in his heart.
It had been exactly eighteen years since he transmigrated—or rather, reincarnated—into this world.
He had long since grown used to life here and gained a new existence.
This world was vastly different from his previous one.
The planet beneath his feet was called Mist Star, with only two continents: east and west.
Humans were not the only intelligent race here—there was also the demon race.
Legend said demons were masters of disguise, capable of taking human form.
In reality, they were cruel, bloodthirsty, and even fed on humans.
Born with overwhelming power, they were inherently evil.
Over the past thousand years, six massive wars had erupted between demons and humanity, along with countless covert conflicts.
As an ordinary person, Ginro had never seen a demon.
The last war had occurred a hundred years ago—back in the era of Prof. Daimon's grandfather.
Demons lived on the western continent, while humans inhabited the eastern one.
Most of both continents were permanently shrouded in dense fog.
Strange and ferocious beasts lurked within, making these areas unsuitable for habitation—likely the origin of Mist Star's name.
Within the fog existed Secret Realms.
So-called Secret Realms could also be called other worlds.
Each one contained a different civilization—technology, magic, battle aura, fantasy…
Humans learned advanced technologies from them and gained powerful abilities.
After completing exploration, explorers would receive blessings based on their progress and rewards, obtaining something called Secret Sigils.
Secret Sigils allowed humans to break their physical limits—shattering stone slabs, flying through the air, even moving freely through the skies—becoming Secret Sigil Warriors.
To Ginro, exploring Secret Realms felt a lot like clearing dungeons in a game.
Clear stages, earn rewards.
The difference was—everyone only had one life.
And every time you entered a new Secret Realm, it was like creating a brand-new account.
No matter how many realms you had explored, no matter how powerful you were in reality, once you entered a new realm, everything reset.
Only experience carried over.
Even a godlike warrior who could soar through the heavens would have to start from scratch in a new Secret Realm, slowly mastering its unique powers.
Because of this, the first few rounds of exploration after a new realm was discovered were extremely dangerous—even god-level warriors could die.
And thus, Exploration Volunteers were born.
Not satisfied with your current life?
Dream of soaring through the skies?
Want to expand territory and wipe out the demon race?
As long as you're between 18 and 50, healthy and whole, you're welcome to join the Secret Realm Exploration Volunteers.
Unknown worlds await your exploration and development!
It sounded like a policy for recruiting cannon fodder—but in reality, it was the backbone of social stability.
With massive disparities in individual strength and even life tiers, ordinary people and Secret Sigil Warriors naturally formed separate classes.
Since anyone could become an exploration volunteer, ordinary people were given a chance to gamble their lives for upward mobility—a release valve for social pressure.
More importantly, the compensation was enormous—enough to ensure a family's comfort for a lifetime.
"Ginro… did you—or did Uncle Kaizan and Aunt Marina—run into some trouble?"
Midori had been quietly observing him the whole ride.
As the train neared their stop, she finally couldn't hold it in.
"If someone's bullying your family, tell me.
My dad can help you think of a solution."
"Yeah," Ryuu Tan added.
"If there's trouble, tell us.
We'll help you figure something out."
Ginro sighed.
"You two really worry me.
With brains like yours, will you even keep up in college?
I'm someone who could've been admitted to the National University of Defense Technology—a top student who might one day manage Secret Sigil Warriors.
Who would dare bully my family?"
Midori clenched her fist.
"Your mom—"
"We're worried about you, and you call us stupid?
Ginro, does your conscience not hurt?!"
Ginro laughed.
"Alright, alright.
This is my stop.
Next time we meet, I'll be a high-flying Secret Sigil Warrior.
You two little weaklings—wait for my good news."
"…Ginro, be careful!"
"Yeah!
Even if you come back crippled, we'll take care of you for the rest of your life!"
"Ryuu Tan, are you spewing crap again?!"
With his back to them, Ginro waved casually and disappeared into the crowd.
That carefree attitude lasted until he reached his front door.
Standing there, he hesitated for a long while before finally pulling out his keys and opening it.
The rich aroma of stewed fish filled the air.
Marina emerged from the kitchen upon hearing the door, her expression slightly displeased.
Ginro's heart skipped a beat.
Unlike with his teacher, he felt none of the same composure—fully prepared for a storm.
But Marina said,
"The notice from the National University of Defense Technology came way too suddenly.
What kind of school notifies students in the evening and starts military training the very next day?
It's even earlier than other universities by over a month.
We don't even have time to buy your daily necessities!
Dinner's almost ready—after we eat, I'll hurry and pack your things."
Ginro froze.
The military's volunteer notice should've arrived already…
National Defense Tech's military training?
I never applied there!
Kaizan walked out of the study and said,
"It's a military academy.
Of course it's different—strict management and all that.
They probably provide daily supplies anyway, so there's nothing to worry about.
You should worry more about how we'll survive months without our son cooking for us every day."
"Kaizan, if you don't like my cooking, don't eat it!" Marina snapped.
She turned and returned to the kitchen to research her grape-braised fish.
Kaizan walked over and patted Ginro on the shoulder, his tone earnest.
"Good kid.
Hard to believe you've grown this strong already.
"Don't worry—I lied to your mom.
Otherwise, she wouldn't sleep at night.
One day at a time.
"I won't ask why you gave up a prestigious university to become a Secret Realm volunteer.
You've always been sensible and decisive.
Your dad believes in you."
He paused.
"Just one thing—be careful.
Before you take any risk, think about me and your mom."
"Dad…" Ginro finally understood.
The military's volunteer notice had arrived—but Kaizan had hidden it.
A father's love was like a mountain—heavy and unspoken.
Knowing he had abandoned his studies, abandoned a bright and stable future to risk his life in the Secret Realms, his teacher was heartbroken, his friends worried he'd been bullied—
Only his father asked nothing, yet silently supported him from behind.
Ginro's emotions grew complicated.
For the first time, regret surfaced.
This peaceful life.
This happy family.
This beautiful future.
Why didn't I cherish it?
If only he hadn't discovered that secret letter his father exchanged with the demon race.
(Let me know what you think of this novel in the comments!)
Every 10 powerstones i'll post 1 extra chapter!