New Game Plus: I crave challenges

When Liam returned home, he already heard the news playing from the living room.

"Our reporters have already contacted the Colville Family. We are committed to inform you as soon as an official statement has been issued."

Obviously, the public was discussing who might be the mysterious team which cleared the first dungeon.

From the team's name many expected it to be Star Gazer. However, some voices stated that it didn't make sense.

Star Gazer prominently was an elven mage. But so far no one found a dungeon called Reylar's Curse near any elven novice village.

Compared to the public's obsession with the topic, the perpetrator, Liam, didn't care much about it.

As he entered the apartment, his eyes fell on Serena, pondering what he could buy his little sister with the money he was about to earn.

Hearing the door open, Merida and Serena looked over form their comfy spots on the couch.

Suddenly Serena jumped up, running towards Liam with her teddy Sergeant in her arms.

A happy smile formed on Liam's face, but seeing the complicated expression his little sister was showing, he froze in place.

Serena's feelings were chaotic as she threw herself into her brother's arms, instantly receiving a warm hug.

"Hey, hey. Serena, what's with you face?"

"Liam… did you see the news?"

Serena spoke slowly, sniffling somewhat.

"I did, what about it?"

"Isn't it that evil company again? Colville? It's them, right?!"

Liam understood quickly. The happenings from a few years back were branded too deeply in the little girl's mind.

Back then Liam also wasn't good at hiding certain things. Thus, Colville Constructions might as well be synonym with the devil for Serena.

Liam felt rather awkward:

"Alright, Serena. Don't worry. A company is also made out of people, you know.

And some people are bad, while some are good. We just need to filter out the good ones and kick away the bad ones."

"No, no! They are the devil!"

Serena didn't have it, turning her body left and right. Liam smiled wryly, looking at Merida for help.

But the doctor naturally didn't know about Liam's participation in the dungeon raid yet, thus only nodding in greeting before turning back to the screen.

Liam sighed as he picked up Serena and sat on the couch. He tried to coax his little sister for the rest of the evening with moderate success.

In the end he didn't mention that he was part of the successful team.

***

When Silver Blade returned from the Virtual World, her parents were already waiting anxiously for her. They showed anxious expressions, walking nervously left and right.

"Silva! Finally! Get ready, quick! We have an urgent family meeting!"

"A family meeting?", asked Silva, still not fully awake.

"Yes. You should've seen the server announcement.", answered Silva's mother, Alyssa, with a sigh.

"What a move! I never expected them to pull something like this!"

Silva's father, Malik, had a grim expression, angry at himself. His brother once again proved to be a step ahead.

When other families were still concerned with buying consoles that damn guy had already realized the immense advertising potential of Fate of Crunaboul.

Silva was a bit tired, but the mention of a server announcement cleared her mind.

"Wait, mom, dad, is the meeting about this announcement?"

"Of course, what else?"

Malik looked somewhat puzzled. His daughter was usually quite intelligent but today she seemed somewhat slow on the uptake.

"Does this mean great grandfather is attending?"

"Of course."

"Then what are we still waiting for?!"

Suddenly Silva felt the urgency. She vanished into her wardrobe, changing at record speed. Grabbing a black suitcase from the side of her bed she rushed past her parents.

"What are you waiting for? Come!"

Mother and Father Colville looked at each other confused when Silva's voice came from the escalator. They hastily followed.

After a short drive which many would consider unnecessary, they reached the highest building in all of Red Oak City, right next to the majestic tree.

The building was called Colville Tower, known throughout Falva Star as the home of the planet's governor Owen Colville, coincidentally Silva's grandfather.

It was a testament to the power their family had on this planet. But Silva hated this tower since her father had been kicked out of it at the age of eighteen.

She detested it every time she was forced to come here.

How nice it would be if great grandfather could call us at our home.

Entertaining such thoughts Silva took another elevator with her parents. But she found herself grinning as for the first time these thoughts didn't sound unreasonably far-fetched.

A low ring sounded out as the door before them opened. The three people exited, entering a large, oval room.

Towards three sides the walls were made of glass, allowing a fascinating view over Red Oak City. One might get the misconception of being able to grab the sky from here.

A large round table made from finest red oak wood stood in the center. All kinds of strategic documents were orderly spread over it.

Opposite the elevator was a large screen, which could be hidden in the ceiling if necessary.

But none of the people present would dare to this at the moment, as the stern face of an old man was shown on it right now.

He had perfectly groomed gray hair, gelled towards the back. His face emitted unquestionable authority and his blue eyes spread a sharp pressure.

This was Silva's great grandfather, current head of the Colville Family, a bigshot even considering the entire federation, Edward Colville.

At the moment the old man's gaze was on Brayan, aka Star Gazer, who stood at the front of the table, explaining something.

A few other men and women were seated at the table as well, but no one turned around to welcome Silva and her parents.

However, the latter didn't get angry, knowing that they were late and needed to wait for Edward's acknowledgment.

Thus, they carefully walked towards the back of the table, listening quietly.

Brayan didn't show the slightest reaction, continuing calmly:

"Family Head, as you see here the effectiveness can't be discerned yet, but the influence is already gigantic.

With a single advertisement we reached almost the entire Federation."

Hearing Star Gazer talk, Silva's face turned into a frown.

"Our website has to be constantly strengthened, not able to handle the load, which is still increasing. Not only our company is winning in popularity, but even Falva Star as a whole.

We will be able attract more explorers, speeding up the excavation of ancient ruins on the planet.

The ROI is unprecedented!"

Brayan spoke with a large smile, his chest sticking out proudly.

Meanwhile the family head didn't show a change in expression. Nothing could be read from his face before he opened his mouth.

"You have done well. This move has catapulted our family to the top position in the new era.

Everyone is vying for Fate of Crunaboul and now we have taken the lead.

This brings danger and opportunity."

With every word Silva's breath turned heavier, her eyes opening wider. She feared that she had misjudged the implications of those words.

"Continue doing a good job, gather more server announcements. I am looking forward to it."

"Yes, Family Head, I will do my best."

"BRAYAN!"

Suddenly a shout filled with anger interrupted the conversation. The atmosphere turned tense instantly.

Silva's parents didn't understand what got into their daughter.

The people seated around the table turned around, most of their faces filled with shock.

A middle-aged man, Silva's hated uncle, called Owen like his father, immediately took the chance to berate her:

"Have you gone insane, child?! How dare you scream like this? How dare you interrupt the family head?!"

Brayan naturally followed up immediately, an insufferable smile on his face:

"Silva, not only did you come late, but you also don't show regard for the rules.

I think it might be better for you to go home."

"SHUT UP!", shouted Silva uncharacteristically fiercely. "How dare you spout lies with such a confidence?! You didn't order this advertisement, it w…"

"Silva, don't twist…"

"SILENCE!"

A single word came from the family head's mouth. Even through the screen it carried an undeniable authority. None of the family members present dared to go against it.

Nothing moved except for Edward's sharp gaze, studying everyone's face, sorting his thoughts.

"Silva, what do you want to say?"

"Thank you, family head. It was me who hired a team to get the first clear. I was even part of the team. I don't know what Brayan is planning."

A minuscule twitch could be seen from Brayan's jaw, but it was uncertain if Edward noticed it or not.

"Brayan, your answer?"

"Thank you, family head. Silva must have gone crazy. She is spouting lies."

"Do any of you have evidence of your claims?"

"Of course, here!"

This was the moment Silva had been waiting for. She took the black suitcase she had been carrying with her for the past few days and laid it on the table.

Opening it, nine contracts could be found inside.