บท 2: _Looking for young master Rafael_

He saw a tall slender figure grinning at him "Good evening Zhen-xao"

Said the boy

[Who is he 107?]

[107: He is your character Zhen-xao's cousin brother, Zhen and this cousin of his are quite close so....]

[Ain't no way I am gonna spoil this nutcase just bcz he is my cousin]

[107:There is a reward if you go with the flow and plot without causing trouble]

Zhen was really fed up bcz of 107 so he completely ignored him, he glanced at his so-called 'cousin' who was smiling at him like a toddler who wanted something from its parents, "what do you want?" Zhen said unbothered

"Young master Rafael went missing so Master thought that you might be able to find him," he said sheepishly, Zhen was now more confused at the words 'young master, master went missing so on' he asked system 107

[Who is this young master now, 107 send me the plot right now!]

[107: *cries in Asian* Host I can't send it right now or else you might feel uncomfortable, please manage it, for now, host, I know you can do it]

[You better help me through this, 107]

[107:of course Host! I knew you were a good actor]

Zhen took a deep breath and then started his show, He felt the weight of his cousin's gaze as he rolled his eyes. "You sure know how to drop a bomb, don't you?" he said, exasperation dripping from his tone. The atmosphere between them thickened, the urgency of Rafael's disappearance looming like a dark cloud.

"Come on, Zhen! You're the best tracker in the family. You have to at least give it a shot!" His cousin bounced on his toes, a mix of impatience and hope evident in his animated gestures. Zhen sighed and aske system 107

[What should I say?]

[107: The best I can tell you is that Zhen's cousin would never take 'no' for an answer, particularly when it involved family]

[Keep updating me, ok?]

[107: Sure host]

"Fine, but only because I don't want to deal with Master's wrath," Zhen relented, his feet already carrying him toward the red portal. The cousin followed closely, his enthusiasm infectious despite Zhen's best efforts to appear indifferent.

As they stepped into the portal they felt a wave of cool evening air, the streets were lit by flickering lanterns. The glow illuminated the path ahead, but the shadows felt thicker tonight as if hiding secrets of their own. Zhen couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, an undercurrent of darkness lurking just beneath the surface.

[System 107 something feels wrong]

[107; don't worry host I am keeping an eye on your surroundings, rest assured]

[Good work 107]

"Where did he go missing?" Zhen asked, his mind already formulating a plan. With each question, he mentally checked off the things he needed to investigate.

"In the woods near the estate," his cousin replied, panting a little from trying to keep up. "He said he wanted to explore, and then... he just vanished."

Zhen's mind raced. The woods. They held both beauty and danger. In Zhen's memory legends whispered of things that lived there, creatures known only in half-remembered stories told around campfires. His heart raced at the prospect, but his resolve hardened.

[System I don't know how but I am acting as if I am a professional in finding the missing, is it normal?]

[107: of course it is, according to Admin lord it is normal if we start to act like the personality of the character, and you will remember more things from your character's memories]

[fine]

---

As they approached the edge of the woods, a chill swept through the air. Zhen hesitated for a moment, the trees looming like ancient sentinels. He turned to his cousin, who stood wide-eyed, excitement and fear warring on his face.

"Okay, let's split up," Zhen suggested, already thinking through the strategy in his head.

[107: Host I suggest you go south]

[Fine I am trusting you for the first and last time ever]

"You head north and check the stream. I'll go south toward the old ruins."

"But—" his cousin protested, worry evident.

"Just do it! Stay close to the main path, and we'll meet back here in an hour. If you see anything, call out, and I'll come running," Zhen added, his voice firm.

Reluctantly, his cousin nodded, swallowing his fear. "Fine, but you better come back too," he said before darting off toward the north.

Zhen took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. He stepped into the woods, every snap of a twig underfoot echoing like a gunshot in the stillness. As he ventured deeper, shadows seemed to dance around him, whispering secrets he couldn't quite decipher.

[107 Are my surroundings safe?]

[107; of course, don't worry]

After what felt like hours of searching, Zhen reached the ruins. The crumbling stones were draped in vines, nature reclaiming what once stood proud and tall. Memories of old echoed in the air, and he could almost hear the laughter of children playing hide and seek.

[107 Are there children here?]

[107: Host I can't confirm it so you may check it]

[ok, fine]

"Rafael!" he called out, the sound swallowed by the thick canopy above. "Where are you?"

Silence greeted him, but then—

[I am going bac-]

He was about to leave but he heard a muffled voice, faint yet unmistakable, reached his ears. "Help! I'm here!

[107: Host hurry up follow the voice!]

Zhen's heart raced. He followed the sound, pushing through thick bushes and climbing over fallen branches until he burst into a clearing. There, in the center of the ruins, he found Rafael, half-buried in debris, his face pale and eyes wide.

"Brother Zhen!" the boy exclaimed, relief flooding his voice. "I got trapped when I was exploring. I thought I was lost for good!"

"Hang on, I'll get you out!" Zhen said, urgency tinging his voice as he rushed to help. He dug frantically, pulling away stones and vines until Rafael was finally free, gasping for breath as he staggered to his feet.

"Thanks! I thought... I don't know what I thought," Rafael stammered, looking anywhere but at Zhen.

[What should i say now?]

[107: *sighs in Taiwanese* just scold him a little]

"Next time, stay closer to the estate," Zhen said, trying to mask his relief with mild annoyance. "You can't just wander off like that."

Rafael shrugged, a sheepish grin crossing his face. "I wanted to see if there were any hidden treasures. You know, like a secret passage or something."

[everyone here is so weird 107]

[107: Host it is a R level world so ofcourse it will be weird]

[what is R level]

[107: R level includes demons, gods, goddesses, dragons, spirits and spiritual energy]

Zhen shook his head at 107's words, he looked at Rafael annoyedly but unable to hide a smile at Rafael's unyielding spirit. "Maybe next time you can keep the treasure-hunting to the safety of the estate, can you?"

Suddenly, a rustle echoed through the trees, and both boys froze, instinctively looking toward the sound. Zhen felt a prickle at the back of his neck.

"Did you hear that?" Rafael whispered, eyes wide.

Before Zhen could respond, a figure stepped from the shadows—a tall, cloaked figure with piercing eyes that seemed to glow in the dim light.

[Who is he?]

[107: He is the master of the clan Zhen is from, Zhen is the second son of the chief general so you are like a family to him, just act natural around him Host]

[Fine, i will try to but he looks scary]

Zhen had no choice but to act "Master!" Zhen exclaimed confusion and fear of getting caught washing over him. "What are you doing here?"