CHAPTER 1: Luck's Team.

After talking with Mr. Evander, I decided to accept his offer. However, I still have to wait for my parents to arrive before I completely sign the contract that Mr. Evander left for me.

This contract...is so simple.

The contract only includes:

* DO NOT tell any other people about the expedition that you are going to participate. Our organization wishes for this to be unknown from the government.

* DO NOT mention anything about the rewards. The participants are the only ones who were informed about it. And we refuse to have reckless people who can't fight just because of the rewards. The exploration is already dangerous, and we didn't want more people dying.

* If you die inside the tower. Your burial will be covered by the Law Firm, and your family will be given 100,000,000 stellars as compensation for your death. We know that it isn't enough for the life you lost. But we will make sure to look ouT for your family our entire life.

* If, and only if you got out from the tower alive. DO NOT forget to give your reports to the higher ups of the Eden Law Firm. Only then we will give you your rewards. For every injuries that you got from the tower, will be taken care of by our people, including the costs.

* You will be given a certain devices that can be used for documentation within the tower. We are not aware if there are electricity inside, but we hope that it does. Please use it well, and do not destroy it, it is the very proof of your reports.

[As you proceed with your journey. We hope for your safe return, with healthy physicality and mentality. We pray that everyone can come back alive, to not bring consternation to your family and us].

Yup, it's so simple.

I don't think I will show this to my parents though, but I'll have to lie in order to have their permission to enter that mysterious tower. White lies, yes, let's call this white lies.

I asked Mr. Evander to wait until three days before he comes back. I have no idea when my mother is going to come back here, and if my father is safe at all. I hope he didn't get arrested again for selling illegal drugs.

I sighed and stared at the contract in front of me.

Is this really a contract? I think this was just made by a high school student. I'm very sure they are taking this seriously, and didn't want the participants to waste their time reading long-ass contract with ten pages. It's a waste of time after all. 

"Big bro! When is the handsome nice guy going to come back here?" Morning asked, munching on the food from her hand. I think Mr. Evander called this...macarons? There are different colors of it, and it was really delicious. This is my first time tasting something like this. 

And he gave us more, not just these macarons, but other food as well, there's a lot that I don't even know if I'll be able to taste all of those in my remaining times here, he even gave us a mini-refrigerator and a brand-new stove, as well as smartphone for me, Mom, and Dad. Maybe he already planned this ahead, but he also gave me a money. 500k stellars cash, just for joining. I have to tell Mom and Dad about this, they can use this to start a business, but first...I think we should rent a home in the city. Mom and Dad shall take care of that.

"He'll come back here in three days, Morning. Buuut, don't expect we're receiving more food, okay?" I spoke. Morning nods her head before she answered.

"He already gave us a lot! I think those food will stuff me full! hihi ~" Morning giggled and run towards the table where the other food are placed. Mr. Evander said that the chocolates will melt if we don't put it inside the refrigerator so, I made sure to put it all inside--now it's filled with chocolates. Not the whole refrigerator got only chocolates. There are also frozen goods in it, and then some dairy products, different drinks that we never even tasted before, and more.

I know I liked it, but I can't help but feel a little bit embarrassed.

I turned my head to the ten white envelopes on our table, given by Mr. Evander. It's the money I received from joining their expedition.

I wonder when are Mom and Dad are coming back home?

"Big brooo! Are we rich now? Hehe ~" Kiel asked. Giggling, Morning and Yuan turned to me with sparkles all over their faces.

"Haha...sorry to burst your bubbles, kids. This isn't enough to make us rich," I replied. I don't want to give my siblings false hope. They are not immature as other people think, and I know they understand that we are not one of those blessed people, who can eat three or more times a day. I've been telling them ever since.

"Aww ~ but we have a lot of food now! And we got lots of stellars too!" Morning spoke. I can't help but chuckle. Kids really are ignorant, but I think that has its own advantages too.

"Those are not enough to be considered as rich, sweetie. Oh, and it's late, why are you all still eating? We already had a feast for dinner," I spoke. The three of them laughs.

"But this is our first time having desserts! We want to enjoy it! Hehe ~" Yuan replied as they all sat down on the wooden floor, Morning roamed her eyes and stood up, running to where the plates are placed and reached for one. 

"Here! Let's put the macarons here!" 

"Oh, should I get some chocolates?"

"Not too many, 'kay? Big bro said it might cause tooth decay our throats might hurt,"

I smiled as I watch them giggle with each other. I really need to thank Mr. Evander again one we met. 

[ 3 Days Later ]

"Are you sure about this, Luck?" My mom asked. The day after Mr. Evander visited me, my Mom came back home. Of course, I told her about the 'job' I got in the Philippines right away. At first, she was against it despite knowing about the benefits, but I was able to force her. As for dad...he's not here. It looks like he really was arrested again. I hope he won't be beaten up inside the prison again. 

"Don't worry, Mom. You know how strong I am," I wrap my arms around her shoulders and caress her arm as I give her a peck on her forehead. Mom looks really worried about me, and of course I understand her concerns. Especially when Dad's not around. It will be difficult for Mom to take care of these naughty children. 

"When are you coming back, brother?" Yuan asked. I faced him and place my hand on top of his head, giving him a smile. 

"I can't answer that, Yuan. But, make sure that you take care of Kiel and Morning while I'm away, okay? And help Mom with the chores, too," I spoke. He looked at me with those worried eyes before he nod his head. 

"Morning, Kiel. Make sure not to be so stubborn to Mom and Big Brother Yuan, do you get me?" I asked. They both look at me with confusion written all over their face. 

I forced a smile. The truth is, my heart aches saying all these words. And I hate to leave my older brother responsibilities to Yuan, but this is for their own good as well. When I come back, I'll finally be able to give them the best life they could have. But...I can't guarantee that I can come back. Still, even if I died, they can get stellars from the Eden Law Firm. It's still a win-win situation for us. 

"Alright," both Kiel and Morning answered. 

"Greetings," All of us turned our heads to the person who spoke. Mr. Evander is walking towards us, with someone behind him. A lady? She got lavender hair and violet eyes. Also, she looks really timid. Still beautiful. 

"Are you Mr. Evander?" Mom asked. Her voice shows the concerned feelings she's got. 

"That's right, Ma'am. My name is Ethan Evander," Mr. Evander stretched his hand to Mom, and she accepted. 

"Are you coming with my son to his job in the Philippines?" Mr. Evander turned to me and I just smiled at him. He did said that everything about the tower should be kept secret, so I had to make an excuse. I didn't show her the contract as well. 

"Y-yes, Ma'am. That's right. Please be at ease, I will make sure to watch over your son with his works," At least Mr. Evander figured it out right away. He smiled to my mother and held her hands tight with both his hands. 

I can see the guilt written all over his face. 

"We shall go now, Ma'am. I apologize for separating your son from your family," so polite, Sir. 

"Yes. Please, take care of my son. And I humbly thank you as well for the stellars and food," Mom smiled at him, and boy was he mesmerized by my mom's smile? I admit Mom's pretty, but she's taken, bro. 

"We'll be going now, Mom--"

"B-brother..." Morning and Kiel grabbed my shirt, and when I looked at the both of them--oh brother...

They're crying. 

"What's wrong? Why are my baby sister and baby brother crying?" I asked. I crouched down to match their height and placed my hands on top of their heads. 

"Can we go with you?" Morning asked, her voice cracked and I can feel my eyes getting hot as well. I'll miss these kids...

"I would've bring you along if I can. But, I'm sorry..." I replied. Their sobs starts to get louder, so I wrap my arms around the both of them, which only made them cry even more. Both of them hugged me tight as they cry. 

I prevented myself from crying. I need to stay strong after all. I am the big brother. 

"Kiel, Morning. Big brother's going to be late with his flight," Yuan pulled Kiel and Morning away from me, but I noticed that he was also trying to prevent him from tearing up. He bit his lower lip as he turn his head away from me and close his eyes. 

I smiled and stood up. 

"Mom..." I embraced Mom once again before I pulled away and take a step backward. 

"Just wait for me, 'kay?"

---

"Mr. Aster. There's also one more thing I want to tell you," Currently, we are at Mr. Evander's vehicle. I nod my head at him and looked at the lady sitting beside him. 

"First, let me introduce you to each other. This is my cousin, Amethyst Iris Ione. She's also entering the mysterious tower. Ai, this is Sir Luck Aster," She glanced at me and then averted her eyes away, and then lowered down her head. 

"G-greetings...Sir Luck Aster," Hmm, a shy person. Also, her voice sounds really soft and gentle, huh? She's also entering the tower? Looks like she's strong despite the shy personality.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Ione," she slowly raise her head and peek on me, so I gave her a smile. She flinched and then lowered her head again. Uhm, seriously?

"And to inform you. Ai will be part of my team," His team? I cocked a brow. There are teams? How come he never mentioned anything about this at all when we first met?

"And you as well," Huh?

"The reason I asked you to join is to include you in my team. My father won't let me enter the tower unless I have two or more people with me," For real? He never said anything like this at all before. He could've told me earlier about it. And he's also entering the tower? 

"I apologize for telling you about it this late. But, will you still join my team?" He's asking me now? We're already heading to the tower, though? This guy's entertaining. 

"Haha. Of course. We're already together now," I answered. He smiled at me, and I admit, this guy is handsome. But, well---I'm more handsome. He's just whiter than me a bit. 

"Oh, and you're going to be the leader of our team, not me," I blinked couple of times as I tilt my head. 

"What?"

***