That's How It Works

Duran was the first one to ask. "First, where can we find a settlement, city, or anything like that? We need somewhere safe before deciding on what to do."

Grisa pointed in a certain direction, telling them, "If you head in this direction, you will arrive at the nearest city, which is also where we came from. It's called Tuma City. Next?"

Carol continued, "What is this place? Are we still on Earth?"

Graise shook her head after hearing that. "I have no idea where this Earth of yours is located. However, I can guarantee that you're not in the world you came from anymore. Next?"

Of course, being the last one not to ask, Lian followed. "From what you said, it seemed like we weren't the first ones. What are descenders? Is this word referring to us because we fell from the skies?"

"Yes," Grisa confirmed. "Descenders are people brought from other worlds. None of you seem to know how to use Star Energy even though you're fully grown adults. Your bodies don't look like you've adapted to this kind of life either. Naturally, most would think you guys are descenders. A piece of advice, descenders are prime commodities for slave traders, so be careful."

"Why were we brought here?" Duran asked another question.

"Hahaha!" Not only Grisa but Tuly and the others laughed at that question. "Who the hell would know that? Do we look like to have the power to cause that phenomenon that brought you guys here? No one knows why descenders are brought to this world. All we know is that it happens from time to time. Well, most of them die from the fall as the portals open in random locations. However, if there's one thing in common, it's that it's always from the skies."

One of Tuly's companions, a guy called Hira, also added, "I guess the slave-trading market will be quite lively during the next few days."

Grisa shrugged her shoulders in response. "Indeed. Well, that would be the fate of the lucky ones who didn't die. The worst ones would be the people who got eaten by the Star Creatures. Now I know why there were so many Whogelers recently."

"Whogelers?" Lian asked. "Could you be talking about that flying whale?"

"I don't know what a whale is," Grisa answered. "But if you're talking about those huge Star Creatures flying in the skies, then you're correct. We call them Whogelers."

Carol was more interested in another thing, though. "Star Energy? What is Star Energy? Is that why you guys were burning during the fight with this... Lizak...? Or whatever its name was."

Grisa nodded, saying, "In this world, you will have to learn how to use Star Energy. Otherwise, you won't live long."

"Can you teach us?" Duran immediately asked straight away.

"Hahaha!" Everyone laughed once again. "Do we look that free? Go find it yourselves once you get in the city. Well, that is if you don't die or turn into slaves yourselves. Then again... enslaved people can also use it, but they're restrained by their owners on what they can do."

However, Tuly at least gave them a little more information. "You guys will need to get your hands on a Star Absorption Technique. Only then will you be able to increase your level."

"Level?" Lian was somewhat confused. "Is this some kind of game?"

Tuly shook his head. "Only if you're playing a death game, that is. As for levels, you will understand more if you look into this." Tuly then threw a small booklet to Lian, telling him, "Give it to me back before we leave."

Grisa was surprised by that, though. "That technique is worth quite some money. Are you sure you want to let them see the technique?"

Tuly didn't seem to mind. "What's so bad about it? It's not like they'll understand the concept straight away." Tuly then glanced at Lian for a moment before turning to the Lizak once again. "Besides, I'm quite curious."

"Curious about what?" Grisa and the others asked. However, Tuly just smiled and didn't answer.

Lian, Duran, and Carol looked at each other and then at the booklet. Obviously, they went straight into it. However, it was then that they noticed something. The words in the booklet were supposed to make no sense. Yet, they could read them without a problem. It was as if the knowledge of those words were part of their memories from the very beginning. "Now that I think about it, how come you guys speak the same language as us?"

"We don't," Hira immediately answered. "The truth is that we aren't really speaking the same language. However, the meaning of the words we both speak is transmitted into our minds as if we hear our own language. Don't ask how it works since we have no idea. We simply accept it since it makes things convenient."

"So weird..." Carol couldn't help but say.

However, seeing how Tuly's group quickly worked, they stopped asking and looked into the booklet.

-Star Absorption, Level One, Flingas Clan Fire Method-

From the looks of it, the manual only explained the very basics of Star Absorption. The first thing Lian noticed was that the manual was only directed to users who had an affinity with fire. However, none of them knew what an affinity with fire meant. "Tuly, what is this affinity with fire?"

Tuly explained, "It is exactly what is said. You can use this manual even if your affinity isn't fire. However, the results will be very poor. It's best suited for those with fire affinity. As you can probably guess, all five of us have fire affinity."

"How do we find which affinity we have?" Carol asked straight away.

Unfortunately... "Trial and error," Grisa told them. "You have to try it by yourself. If I were you, I would try to memorize this manual to give it a try later."

Duran became confused. "But... this thing says you need to use Star Energy to start the leveling. We don't even know how to use it."

"Hehe!" Tuly smiled in response. "That's the funny part. No one knows how to teach the use of Star Energy. You just have to feel for yourself."

*Fla!*

Suddenly, a small spark of fire appeared above Lian's hand as he said with wonder, "Oh! So that's how it works!"