Endless Journey: Infinite Realms

Chapter 521 The Rookies and the Returnees

5 SECONDS AFTER ALEX AND CO. WERE TELEPORTED AWAY.

"Thud!" With a sound comparable to that of a struck wood, Alex, Alina, Queen Mother, and Professor Frances found themselves falling down straight on a wooden floor.

The impact brought by their arrival shook the floor a little, with no dent or damage left on floor at all. The wooden walls around them and the old-fashioned furniture nearby seemed to be affected by their arrival too, although not much can be seen from them.

These objects were mostly inert upon the arrival of Alex’s group, a phenomena that made the four somewhat unsettled.

[Everyone]: ....

But unlike their usual antics, these four kept themselves quiet upon their arrival in this new place. It seemed as if they had no energy to even speak up at all, something that was obvious from their bodies.

Queen Mother and Alina, who were both lively from the power synthesis earlier, were now laying down on the floor like dead fishes.

Their bodies were both paralyzed, and they appeared to have no way to move themselves right now.

The same case could also be said to Alex, whose body was slumped near the wall, with his limbs and mouth not making any movements at all.

Black Alex, Golden Alex, White Alex, Blue Alex, and Kid Alex were nowhere to be found at this point, making it look like they had disappeared into nothingness.

Only Professor Frances seemed to have the ability to move, but even she was motionless too. She was currently laying spread-eagled on the floor, with her tired expression showing her disinterest to even just twitch her limbs.

The sight of these four becoming like this appeared to have gotten the interest of Asteria, who was currently floating above them.

[Asteria]: Hm, so the effects of the Power Synthesis and Queen Hydra’s Mirror were already used up. Alex’s clones and powers went back to him already, and the paralysis side effect of the Power Synthesis has caught up to you three... Sigh, so this means that I have to wait for you guys to move again? Ugh, I want to roam this world already, so please recover quickly!

With the paralysis experienced by Alex’s group, Asteria made sure that she said her words mentally, which can allow Alex and the other two women to reply mentally too. After all, paralysis made it impossible for Alex and the two women to talk, so they can only rely on their mental prowess to communicate with Asteria.

And these three certainly did not leave his mental power hanging. They all had a quick reply to Asteria’s complaints, which they made sure to irritate Asteria as much as possible.

[Alex]: You want to roam? You better wait at least half a day before you do that! Hehehe, for now, you’re stuck taking care of us...

[Alina]: I hope you are good in cooking Asteria. I am so hungry now, and I want someone to feed me. Can you and Professor Frances take turns in feeding me now? I really need to eat...

[Queen Mother]: I have no need to eat, but the feeling of being fed seems nice... I want to be fed too.

[Asteria]: Argh! There you go again! You’re always commanding me! FYI, I am your Guide, not your maid, so just-

[Professor Frances]: Little fairy, these 3 did a lot of s**t there in the Four Moons World, so give them some slack. Just listen to their requests and start giving them food. Don’t worry, I will be joining with you.

[Asteria]: W-what? How could you say that, Frances? And here I thought you will be the one who will reject their command! How could you just follow them?

[Professor Frances]: Hmph, who cares about my reasons? If you don’t do this, I will release a bacteria that can make all kinds of honey spoil. If you don’t’ want that to happen, then you must start cooking!

[Asteria]: Argh fine! You want me to cook? Then, I will show you how to cook!

After giving this declaration, the incensed Asteria began storming in to the kitchen, with the vaguely amused Professor Frances following in behind her. Once they entered, the two never left, with the kitchen staying mostly quiet at their stay.

Minutes later, and the sounds of banging and slicing filled the kitchen, with the savory smell of food suddenly wafting out towards the trio.

This smell was enough to make the paralyzed trio salivate, with Alina looking like she was about to explode from her place.

[Everyone]: ....

With their bound bodies, no matter how much the trio wanted to eat, they have no choice but to stay still as their noses were continuously assaulted.

It was only when Asteria came out of the kitchen with a massive bowl in her hands that the pained feelings of the trio disappeared.

The bowl that Asteria held, which was around the size of 10 coconuts, almost sloshed over as she moved, making its contents almost spill over the floor. Fortunately for everyone, Asteria was able to keep it steady.

Once it was stable, the smug-looking Asteria brought the bowl to the trio, with the smell coming out of it getting stronger and stronger as time passed by.

In face of the trio, who now all looked like they want to claw their hands towards her, Asteria only laughed, with her narcissism blooming as she began to talk.

[Asteria]: Heh, how do you like this, hoomans? This is my first dish, the honey-sautéed mapo tofu! This is my original recipe, and it is guaranteed to warm you all up! Now, drink the soup in to experience my majesty!

[Professor Frances]: I will personally open your mouths while Asteria will shove the food with the spoon. So don’t worry about anything. Just let us feed you, and enjoy the food...

What followed after that was a feeding fest from the fairy and the crazy doctor, which lasted until night arrived.

*************

[Alex]: That was a nice meal. It’s too bad I still can’t move. If I could, then I could have grabbed more food already.

[Alina]: ....

[Queen Mother]: That food tasted just fine. But I think being fed by your allies is much better compared to the taste...

The results of Asteria and Professor Frances’ actions seemed have improved the moods of paralyzed trio, something that made the two feel relieved for some reason.

These two also felt somewhat pleased by the praise given by Alex and Alina, with Alina’s silence already a sounding proof of how happy she is right now.

[Everyone]: ....

With the way Alina, Alex, and Queen Mother reacted to the food, it was obvious that Asteria and Professor Frances had succeeded on their endeavor.

This success made the two think of cooking again, but with the impending disappearance of the paralysis, and the fact that they are in a new world, Asteria decided to get back to the serious stuff.

[Asteria]: I already know about my skills in food, so there’s no need to praise me. If I were you, we should be talking about other topics already... For example, we can talk about this world or about your rewards from the last mission. Which one do you want to talk about first?

[Everyone]: !!!

Asteria’s latest words perked up everone’s attention, making them remember what they were supposed to be doing now. This forced Alina to snap out of her daydream, with Alex and Queen Mother coughing mentally to hide their embarrassment.

[Alex]: Y-yeah, you’re right. We should talk about those already. We still have 1 hour left before the paralysis wears off, which is enough for all the exposition. As for what we want first, I think explaining what this world really is will be the better one.

[Asteria]: Hehe, good choice hooman. At least you had the prudence to learn about this world before asking for your rewards. That is a virtu-

[Alex]: Stop making yourself talk that much. Just get straight to the point.

[Asteria]: Tsk, I am already praising you, and you still don’t want it? Hmph, you better watch yourself. I will never be giving you any praise in the future anymore...

[Alex]: Just talk.

[Asteria]: ...This world is the Traveler’s World. Just like what I said before, once a Traveler completes 5 Worlds, they will be brought in this world.

[Alex]: Ok, so far so good. So, why were we brought here?

[Asteria]: I’m getting to that point, so just let me talk. So, once a Traveler arrives here in the Traveler’s World, they have 1 year of time to stay here. Inside that one year, they can do everything that they want here in the Traveler’s World, no matter what things are those. It will only be limited by your power and your morals...

[Alex]: Go on.

[Asteria]: Once the 1-year time limit is up, this Traveler will be brought to his next world already. Everything that he obtained here in the Traveler’s World will be brought by him when he leaves, and that includes the upgrades in strength!

[Alex]: ...

[Asteria]: Oh, you can also take the original residents of this world as Companions, so this world is a possible breeding ground for that too!

[Alex]: ...

[Asteria]: Hehehe, what do you think about this world now, hooman? Isn’t it a nice place?

[Alex]: ....

After hearing everything that Asteria just said, the currently quiet Alex was forced to think beyond his limits, as he realized that there’s something weird with Asteria’s words.

After all, the things that Asteria just uttered made it appear as if this Traveler’s World is a paradise for the Travelers.

A world where Travelers can do what they want for a year, and everything that they get here will be theirs? Such a world is a paradise for anyone, much less to the Travelers!

Alex of course became quickly suspicious about the real nature of the Traveler’s World. There’s just no way that the Endless Monarch, who brings Travelers to places of danger, will make a paradise like the Traveler’s World.

There must be a hidden agenda in this world, something sinister that will make the lives of the Travelers hard here.

As for what this hidden agenda is, Alex obviously will pry it off Asteria’s loud mouth.

[Alex]: Okay... that is interesting. Is there anything else that you can tell me about this world? Surely it’s not just what you said...

[Asteria]: Is there anything else I can tell you? Oh right, there’s two more extra things left.

[Alex]: Two more extra things? Go on.

[Asteria]: Well, the first one is that all the newly arrived Travelers in this world are called Rookie Travelers. After all, the level of power that a Traveler has after finishing 5 Worlds are only around the 1st-3rd Stage. Such kind of power is for rookies only, hence the term Rookie Travelers...

[Alex]: Hold up. Rookie Travelers? And you’re saying that most Travelers who finish 5 Worlds only have around 1st-3rd Stage of Power? If that is true, then how about me? I am already at the 6th Stage!

[Asteria]: Well, you are a unique case, so don’t compare yourself to the other Rookie Travelers. But I assure you, the majority of the Rookie Travelers who arrive here are all around the 1st-3rd Stage of Power...

[Alex]: Ok... and what are these Rookie Travelers supposed to do after arriving here? Are they already allowed to roam around?

[Asteria]: Well of course they are. But they have to be careful, as there’s a lot of 4th and 5th Stage Beasts roaming around here. They will surely kill a Rookie Traveler if they see one. But don’t’ worry about that, Alex. You’re already strong, so you can take on these beasts by yourself!

[Alex]: !*\u0026%(*@\u0026)(*@(@!!

And there’s the catch. This world was indeed free to live in, but it also has powerful monsters that can kill a normal Traveler. Why did Alex even thought that this world was nice? This world is nothing but another trial for people like him!

And that was just the first extra thing that Asteria said. There’s a second one that she has to say which could even be worse!

[Asteria]: is there a problem, hooman? You seem to be pissed.

[Alex]: How could I not be pisssed? You just told me earlier that this is a place where any Traveler can do anything that they want. But now you’re telling me that this also has monsters which can easily kill Rookie Travelers? Hmph, if I was not this strong, then I could have been one of them!

[Asteria]: Why are you worrying about that hooman? You’re strong already, so such problems are beneath you. Hmph, with your power, you are already entitled to be a powerhouse here! You will have no problems, unless other powerful Travelers start to seek you...

[Alex]: Why would I even worry about power Travelers, when all that comes here are Rookie Travelers? Can they do something against me?

[Asteria]: Well, most Rookie Travelers can’t, but those Returning Travelers sure could.

[Alex]: The what now?

[Asteria]: The Returning Travelers. The ones who had returned here in this world. Hooman, that’s easy to deduce just by its title!

[Alex]: Hold up, didn’t you say earlier that once a Rookie Traveler reaches one year of stay here, they will be forced to leave? What’s with this Returning Travelers then? Are you telling me that Travelers has a way to come back here?

[Asteria]: Of course there is. If only Rookie Travelers can stay here, then this world will be boring....

[Alex]: Let me guess, this part is the second extra thing that you will tell me.

[Asteria]: Hmph, you are right hooman! So just like what I said, Returning Travelers are Travelers who had managed to return here at the Traveler’s World. Unlike the Rookie Travelers, Returning Travelers can stay as long as they want here in this world, and they can leave at their whims too. They also have better status in this world, and most Rookie Travelers have no choice but to follow them. They also-

[Alex]: Hold up. Why is there a difference of treatment between Rookie Travelers and Returning Travelers? Why do the rookies only get to stay for a year, while the returners can stay here whenever they want? And why the f**k does the Returning Travelers have high status too?

[Asteria]: You want to know why the treatment is different? Well, the answer to that is simple, hooman.

[Alex]: ...

[Asteria]: You know, a Traveler can only return to the Traveler’s World if he or she has reached the level of Half-Step Transcendence. Only Travelers this powerful can use their power to come back here in the Traveler’s World....

[Alex]: !!!

[Asteria]: Now hooman, do you understand why Returning Travelers are treated well, and why they can easily outclass Rookie Travelers? Hmph, it’s because their power allows them to do so! With their power, nothing can stop them, except for other Returning Travelers...

[Alex]: Oh I see. Well, that’s really impressive, but I don’t think that I will have any problems about the Retuning Travelers. They can do their own stuff, while I will do mine...

[Asteria]: Oh about that hooman, there’s actually one more important thing that I have to tell you...

[Alex]: Sigh, and what could that be? Please don’t make it sound worse...

[Asteria]: Well, from the data given to me by my teacher earlier, I saw that there were 7 Returning Travelers currently staying in this world right now. That is not that bad, per se. The problem however lies in the fact that they are aggressively recruiting any Rookie Travelers that arrives in this world. And that... will include you, hooman.

[Alex]: ...How long will it take before those people come here to recruit me?

[Asteria]: Um about that... Once you leave this room, everyone in this world will know your arrival. So once you leave, recruitment offers to you will come quickly. And when I mean quick, I mean it literally.

[Alex]: Oh great, so not only does this place have people as strong as the Great TimeMaster, but these people also want to aggressively recruit people? F**k this, this is obviously a prelude to a war! F**k, why do I have to come at this time!

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