The first thing Matthew did in the morning was to check his phone. Even two years in hell didn’t make him lose that habit.

There were dozens of messages for him. Most from people at Laufgraan asking if he was truly back. People he barely talked to, but who were also worried about him. Professor Claude, Professor Lydia and Professor Geovanna also sent him messages asking how he was.

However, the message he paid most attention to was Helen’s.

"Erin went to Nuilynn to fetch Faralynn. They should be back by noon. Meet us at the Nuilynn gate at 11? Mia and Tina want to see you as well." Her message read.

Matthew confirmed to Helen and replied to everyone who sent him messages.

Then he checked his own stats. When Vine’s black steed was slain, Matthew won enough XP to level up. But only now he paid attention to it.

"Congratulations!

You drew a tier 2 class!

Gunner"

Gunner. Matthew felt nostalgic. It’s been so long since he got the Gunner class that it felt like an eternity. He still didn’t have the Project Mana skill from the mage class, therefore he picked another level in Boost Gunpowder skill.

"Matthew Lordstone – Level 38

Doctor (T2) – Level 1

Warrior (T1) – Level 3

Gunner (T2) – Level 2

Plague Doctor (T3) – Level 1

Ranger (T4) – Level 1

Summoner (T2) – Level 3

Priest (T1) – Level 2

Necromancer (T3) – Level 1

Witch (T3) – Level 1

Witch Doctor (T3) – Level 1

Caller (T1) – Level 2

Assassin (T3) – Level 1

Berserker (T4) – Level 1

Tautomancer (T3) – Level 1

Mage (T1) – Level 1

Miko (T4) – Level 1

Lancer (T3) – Level 2

Swordsman (T2) – Level 1

Scout (T1) – Level 1

Merchant (T1) – Level 3

Defender (T1) – Level 1

Thief (T2) – Level 1

Dancer (T4) – Level 1

Shadow (T4) – Level 1

Hydromancer (T2) – Level 1

Healer (T1) – Level 1

Worker (T1) - Level 1

Seer (T3) - Level 1

Stats

HP = 60/ VIT = 60

MP = 96/ MAG = 59

STR = 61/ AGI = 63

MIN = 62/ CHA = 60

Skills: Anesthesia (E), Imbue Mana (C), Boost Gunpowder (D), Resist Disease (E), Animal Companion (E), Purification (E), Unholy Mana (E), Witchcraft (E), Healing Totem (E), Summon Spirit (D), Pact (E), Spirit Magic (E), Reckless Agility (E), Berserk (E), Copy (E), Lingering Mana (E), Summon Lesser God (E), Stand Magic (D), Summon Pact (E), Sharpen (E), Sense Traps (E), Identify (D), Vitality Boost (E), Sense Others (E), Secrecy (E), Entice (E), Bless (E), Shadow Form (E), Create Water (E), Heal (E), Inventory (E), Sixth Sense (E)."

His eyes went to Summon Lesser God skill. He couldn’t learn how to use it when he was in hell, but, now that he was back on Earth, he should look into it.

There was nothing online. All it was said was that lesser gods would pick their mikos and teach them how to summon themselves.

Having the skill and knowing a lesser god was two very different things. How would he even find a lesser god?

He looked up shrines for lesser gods, but his country had none. It was new land, there wasn’t time for any lesser god to appear there.

Ffyr entered his room shortly after and showed him the new clothes Sarah bought her that morning. Black jeans, green tank top with an open back, for her wings, and short sleeves.

"Look, look!" Ffyr said excitedly, sitting by his side on the bed. "Sarah gave me a watch!"

It was a smart watch with the capability of becoming a phone and a gps all on its own. Ffyr fiddled happily with it while showing all its functions to Matthew.

"You’re going to see Lynn today?" Sarah asked, entering the room.

"She’s supposed to arrive at noon." Matthew said, not taking his eyes off Ffyr’s watch.

"I’m going to a dungeon with some friends from school, can’t go with you. I already skipped class today." Sarah said checking her phone.

"It’s alright, sis. We can all go out to dinner tonight." Matthew said, getting up and picking some clothes from his closet.

"Ok, have fun. Call me later to say where we’ll be going." Sarah said before going out.

At 11:05, Matthew and Ffyr arrived at the Nuilynn gate. It was much different than other gates. The structure surrounding it seemed like an airport. Military structures were hidden in plain sight using artful architecture. It would take only a moment for the military to set up defenses if war occurred.

Tina, Helen and Mia were already waiting for them.

Mia ran and hugged Matthew hard when she saw him. Shortly after the others approached. Helen hugged him as well, but Tina just waved at him with a smile.

"Ffyr got really tall." Tina commented while Mia held in tears.

"Yeah. I evolved her with the Animal Companion skill while we were in Violentia." Matthew explained.

"Welcome back." Helen said while hugging Ffyr as well.

"I thought you wouldn’t come back." Mia said with a sob.

"There were moments I thought that as well." Matthew confessed.

"Let’s sit down to talk." Tina said pointing to a fast food place near them.

"Was your soul really restored?" Helen asked, pulling a chair for herself.

"Yeah. It was strange." Matthew sat down as well.

"How?" Tina questioned.

"The one who restored my soul. It was a demon king. Belial." Matthew explained.

"They are really strange." Ffyr added.

"Did you make a deal?" Mia asked concerned, not crying anymore.

"No. I refused the deal, but they did it regardless. All they said is to keep this sword with me at all times." Matthew explained and took out the dark blade.

"What an incredible weapon, may I look at it?" Tina asked with her usual stoicism gone, replaced by the shining eyes of a curious child.

"I don’t think it’s safe." Matthew said, remembering how the weapon attacked Vine when he picked it up. "The last person who tried got hurt." He added.

"I see." Tina said, rubbing her chin and looking at the sword. "I would love to bring you to the Black Tower. I’m sure they’ll love to study this."

"Some other day perhaps." Matthew smiled at her.

At that moment, they saw Erin coming out of the gate complex. She approached them hurriedly once she saw them.

Matthew hugged her as soon as she got close.

"I’m so glad to see you again!" Erin said with tears in her eyes.

"I’m happy to see you too. I really missed all of you." Matthew said and let her go gently. "Where’s Lynn?" He asked, looking around for her.

"She..." Erin averted her eyes. "She can’t come right now." She concluded.

"Why?" Matthew asked, feeling like an iron spike just pierced his heart. Didn’t she want to see him? Was she mad at him? Did he take too long and now she’s found another love?

"Her house. They’re at war." Erin said seriously.

"What?" Tina exclaimed.

"The conflict with her uncle. It finally went to war." Erin explained briefly.

"And Lynn will stay behind?" Matthew asked.

"She said she will fight with her father." Erin produced a letter and gave it to Matthew. "Lynn wrote this to you."

Matthew quickly took the letter to read. The sounds of the girls talking around him vanished as his eyes darted to the letters on the paper.

"Matthew, my love.

My heart is filled with joy with the news of your return. It is my greatest wish to return to Earth and be able to feel once again your warmth around me. I regret not being able to help you myself, but I pray for whatever deity that restored your soul with all my gratitude.

Here, my uncle has rallied many smaller houses towards his banner, while father is having trouble gaining the trust of our old aides. Their disbelief is rooted in the fact that he lived so long on Earth and that I, myself, was born there.

For that reason, I cannot leave Nuilynn for now, especially since my uncle is launching assaults on our positions. Soon I shall leave with my father to the battlefield and engage my uncle in war.

I am really sorry, my love. I honestly wish I could be there by your side. But I also cannot ignore the matters of my house. I must stay and fight.

I love you. With all my heart, I love you.

Forever yours,

Faralynn."

Matthew folded the letter with care as if it were sacred. He stored it in his inventory.

"It sounded like a goodbye." Matthew said out loud silencing the others who bombarded Erin with questions about Faralynn.

"What?" Mia asked him.

"Lynn. In her letter. It sounds like she expects not to survive." Matthew said, shaking.

"I know what you’re thinking." Ffyr touched his shoulder gently. "I’m with you."

"What are you thinking?" Helen asked.

"I’m going to Nuilynn." Matthew declared.

"What?" Tina exclaimed. "Are you mad? You just got back from hell and now you’re jumping into a war?"

"It can’t be worse than hell." Matthew chuckled while checking his Inventory with his stat screen.

"This is not a joke, Matt." Tina admonished him. "I’m worried about Lynn too, but you can’t just go there and fight."

"Why not, Tina?" Matthew asked.

Tina got silent. She was just trying to be reasonable.

"I agree with Matt." Mia said. "Lynn will need help. She’d do the same for any of us."

"Can’t we sit down and think things through? I mean, do you guys even have your passports? This is the gate to another world, not a mere dungeon." Tina protested.

"I got my passport with me." Helen showed her Hungarian passport.

"I don’t have one." Matthew said. "I don’t even know if Ffyr can get one."

"Yeah, I have mine too." Tina took her English passport with a defeated tone.

"I just passed the border." Erin said, with her on hand.

"Mine is home, but I can ask someone there to bring it here." Mia said.

"I don’t have one." Matthew said with a worried expression. "Does Ffyr need one too?"