SYSTEM ASCENSION

The driver kept both hands on the steering wheel, his expression as calm and unreadable. The engine hummed softly beneath them while the road stretched endlessly ahead, leaving the city farther and farther behind.

Buildings gave way to forests, forests to cliffs, and eventually the winding road began climbing the side of a mountain.

Tiana watched the scenery through the window before glancing sideways.

”Father?”

”Hm?”

”...We’re going the wrong way.”

”We are.”

She blinked.

”...Shouldn’t we be heading home?”

”We’ll get there.”

That answer somehow explained absolutely nothing.

She frowned, leaning against the glass as another sharp bend carried them higher into the mountains. There were no villages here. No tourists. No signboards. Only steep cliffs, ancient trees, and a road that looked abandoned decades ago.

”...Did you buy another house?”

”No.”

”Is this work?”

”No.”

”...Am I being kidnapped?”

A tiny smile tugged at the corner of Rowen’s lips.

”No.”

”...That somehow isn’t reassuring.”

Silence settled inside the vehicle once more.

The mountain eventually opened into a narrow clearing where a rusted iron cage stood against the cliffside.

”Why is a cage in the middle of nowhere?”

The driver parked the car, and they stepped out. Rowen grabbed a small travel bag from the back seat and she hurried after him.

”Are we...visiting a zoo?”

”No.”

”Then why is there a cage?”

He opened the iron gate. ”Come.”

She hesitated before following him inside.

The moment the gate shut behind them, the world lurched. The air folded, and the space twisted.

Her stomach dropped as the mountain vanished. The next thing she knew, a cold stone greeted her feet.

”...Huh?”

She spun around.

The cage was still there, except it was no longer standing on a mountainside.

Instead, it rested inside an enormous cavern lit by thousands of glowing crystals embedded into walls that stretched beyond sight. Rivers of shimmering blue light flowed beneath carved bridges, while gigantic pillars supported a ceiling so high it disappeared into the sky.

Ahead stood a fortress

Massive white walls rose like castle ramparts, wrapped in flowering vines and silver banners that danced without wind. Marble staircases climbed toward towering oak doors trimmed with gold, while elegant fountains poured crystal-clear water into gardens large enough to rival royal parks.

Tiana slowly lowered her jaw.

”...What...”

She looked from the fortress to Rowen.

”...Where are we?”

He didn’t answer. He simply adjusted the strap on his shoulder and began walking toward the entrance.

”...father?”

Nothing.

She hurried after him, unable to tear her eyes away from the impossible estate. The closer they came, the more unbelievable it became.

Servants hurried across the grounds. Knights in polished armor patrolled the walls. Gardeners tended flowers that she couldn’t even recognize.

As they went by,

”Master Rowen.”

”Clan master!”

”Welcome home, Master.”

Tiana stared at him.

Rowen merely gave each greeting a small nod before continuing forward.

The enormous doors swung open before he even reached them. Inside was a grand hall stretched endlessly ahead, decorated with towering pillars, crimson carpets, glittering chandeliers, and enough luxury to shame the imperial palace.

Waiting inside...

Three women stood at the front.

Behind them were ten children of various ages arranged neatly in two lines.

The instant Rowen crossed the doorway—

”Welcome home, Husband.”

”Welcome back.”

”We’re glad you’ve returned.”

The children bowed together.

”Welcome home, Father.”

Tiana froze.

Her thoughts stopped. She slowly turned to look at Rowen, at the women, the children, then Rowen again.

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

Her father was married?

Not once. Three times.

And—

She counted again.

”...Ten...”

Ten children.

These were not the adopted children. They all shared striking features with Rowen. No doubt, his biological children.

”You...”

Her voice cracked.

”...You had another family?”

Rowen glanced at her for exactly one second before looking back at the waiting household.

”I’m back.”

Nothing more.

He walked past everyone into the inner house and the door slammed shut.

The tension loosened as soon as he left.

”Are you father’s adopted child?” The youngest raised his hand.

She glanced at the boy. He seemed to be around five years of age, but his tone was sharp.

”I...”

”Don’t make things awkward for her.” The eldest wife clapped. All attention turned to her.

”As you can see, your father is in a bad mood so give him a break alright.” She spoke in a gentle voice.

”Yes mother!”

Tiana was amazed at how all of them referred to her as mother. The rest of the wives looked fine with it too.

”Now, show our newcomer around while we,” she glanced at her co wives. ”Check on him.”

”Cheating your children huh.” The eldest girl snorted.

She smiled softly and waved at Tiana before walking away. The remaining wives followed behind her.

Tiana was left with the children and once again, she felt out of place.

She had met all the adopted children, and they got along just fine, but this was his blood. A different topic.

The girl who had spoken earlier stepped closer to her.

”Although you’re short, you look older. Welcome to the Ringoff clan, older sister.”

She flinched.

”Older...sister...”

”Welcome! Older sister.” The rest chorused.

Her face turned red. ”I...sure...sure.”

Something struck her. ”Ringoff clan?”

”Come with me,” the girl turned around and walked away. The rest of the children followed too. Tiana had no choice but to go after them.

They took her past the manor and began to descend stairs to the back. It had about a hundred stairs but their movements were swift, like they had done it several times already. Even the youngest was keeping up fine.

The stairs descended deep into the mountains. And when they had stopped, a sight struck Tiana.

It was a different world. People clatter and walk like it was another normal day. Houses built into the mountains stretched up, taller than an average building in sound city. Children played ball on the street, and guards patrolled the blocks.

A woman stood on a balcony, yelling something inaudible to the one on the other side of the street.

Tiana noticed something. It wasn’t like the developing sound city. It was like a place frozen in time. Energy and nature. She realised why Rowen had left his car behind.

She looked at the ground, and saw the crest embedded into it. The people’s clothes also had the crest on it.

”Ringoff...”

She had always found it odd. The Ringoff family sat at the leadership of sound league for five hundred years and for some reason the world could only provide records of only two. The twins.

She stepped forward and subconsciously smiled.

”Ringoff isn’t a family. It’s a clan.”