Chapter 34: Back II

For the first time in a while, Liam felt completely relaxed.

He finished the rest of his meal and drank some water before sitting back in his chair.

His mother looked at him for a moment.

"You really haven’t changed much."

Liam looked at her curiously.

"What do you mean?"

"You disappeared into the Dream Dimension for a week, yet you’re still the same as before."

Liam smiled.

"I guess I’m still me."

His mother nodded and began collecting the empty plates.

"You should get some proper rest tonight. You have probably been through a lot."

Liam stood up and helped her with the dishes.

"I’ll help."

"You just came back. Go sit down."

"I’m fine, Mom."

His mother smiled and let him help.

After they finished cleaning the table, Liam returned to the living room and sat on the sofa.

He looked around the house again.

Everything was exactly as he remembered it.

Liam leaned back and relaxed.

’It feels good to be home.’

His mother soon joined him and sat beside him.

For a while, neither of them said anything.

Liam then remembered something.

"Mom, what happened while I was inside?"

His mother looked at him.

"What do you mean?"

"The Dream Trials. Did anything happen outside?"

She became slightly serious.

"A lot happened."

Liam listened quietly.

"Many people didn’t come back. Some survived their trials, but they were badly injured. The news has been talking about it constantly."

Liam nodded.

He had already expected something like that.

"Did anyone we know enter the Dream Dimension?"

His mother shook her head.

"No one from our family."

Liam felt relieved.

"That’s good."

His mother looked at him.

"Why are you asking?"

"I was just curious."

She nodded and didn’t ask anything else.

Liam looked down at his hands.

He was now a fully-fledged Dream Walker.

He could enter the Dream Dimension whenever he wanted, which meant he would have many opportunities to become stronger.

However, he didn’t want to rush back immediately.

He had just returned home after spending an entire week inside the Dream Dimension.

For tonight, he simply wanted to stay with his mother.

Liam leaned against the sofa and closed his eyes.

"I think I’ll rest for a while."

His mother smiled.

"Go ahead."

Liam relaxed on the sofa while his mother sat beside him.

For the rest of the evening, they simply stayed together and talked about ordinary things.

For Liam, that simple evening was more relaxing than any reward he had received in the Dream Dimension.

At the same time, in another part of the city, Yogesh had also successfully returned from the Dream Dimension.

The moment he appeared in his room, his mother and father rushed inside.

His mother immediately hugged him tightly.

"You’re back!"

Yogesh smiled and hugged her back.

"I’m back, Mom."

His father stood beside them with a proud smile on his face.

"You really became a fully-fledged Dream Walker."

Yogesh nodded.

"Yeah. I completed the trial."

His mother finally let go of him and looked at him carefully.

"You aren’t injured, are you?"

"I’m fine."

She looked relieved.

Yogesh smiled and gently patted her back.

"Mom, it was easy for me. Don’t forget, I had an S-Rank Dream Race."

His mother sighed.

"Do you even know how worried I was?"

Yogesh became quiet.

His mother continued.

"Your father’s colleague’s son also had an S-Rank Dream Race. He had a Flame Demon race, yet he died on his third day."

"Do you know how afraid I was that the same thing would happen to you?"

Yogesh nodded.

"I know, Mom."

He understood why she had been so worried.

Having an S-Rank Dream Race did not guarantee survival.

The Dream Trials were still dangerous, and even powerful Dream Walkers could die inside.

His mother hugged him again.

"I’m just happy that you’re safe."

Yogesh smiled.

"I’m happy too."

His father looked at his son with a proud expression.

"You did well."

Yogesh looked at him and smiled.

"Thanks, Dad."

The three of them stayed together for a while, simply enjoying the fact that Yogesh had safely returned home.

After spending an entire week inside the Dream Dimension, Yogesh was also happy to be back with his family.

He had officially become a fully-fledged Dream Walker.

From now on, he could enter the Dream Dimension whenever he wanted.

And like Liam, he now had a chance to grow much stronger.

After spending some more time with his family, Yogesh eventually returned to his room.

He closed the door behind him and sat down on his bed.

For a moment, he simply stared at the ceiling.

Then he reached for his phone.

His eyes moved to his contact list until he found Liam’s name.

Yogesh hesitated.

"...It’s better to call him."

He pressed the call button.

Yogesh knew that Liam’s chances of surviving the Dream Trial had been very low because of his weak Dream Race.

Still, he had hoped that his friend was alive.

But an F rank race is basically death sentence.

That was why he was even more nervous about making the call.

The phone rang.

Once.

Twice.

Then the call was answered.

"Yo? I knew you would pass."

Liam’s playful voice came through the phone.

Yogesh immediately went silent.

His eyes widened slightly.

After a few seconds, he finally spoke.

"Liam?"

"Yeah, idiot. I am."

Yogesh took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves.

"Good... good."

A smile appeared on his face.

"That’s damn great!"

Liam laughed.

"Yeah. It was quite dangerous at first, but I got a good talent that allowed me to survive."

Yogesh leaned back against his bed.

"I was really worried about you."

"I know."

"I almost though you died."

Liam became quiet for a moment.

"Yeah, I figured, or anyone with my trashy race."

Yogesh smiled.

"Anyway, I’m glad you’re alive."

"Same here."

The two friends continued talking over the phone.

"School won’t start until next month. We still have a three-week rest period, or as most people call it, a training period. Do you plan to dive back into the Dream Dimension or level up in the real world?" he asked.

Liam answered, "I’m going back into the Dream Dimension. Like I said, I got a powerful talent, so things should be easier for me now."