To Live Again, For the First Time!

Around this time, in E continent, Emilin got on the bus that would take her from White City to one of the main entrances to the Hemafuji Mountain Range in that region.

There were busses that took people to the mountain range available in 30-minute intervals, depending on the number of people going. The round trip was only 40 minutes.

A total of 8 busses could be seen from the bus stop, 2 to keep the business going, and 6 for insurance so that things wouldn't get delayed in case an incident occurred or in the case of an influx of passengers. 

It was really dependent on the day, the occasion, and even the season, there were just too many variables that would affect the number of passengers and thus the number of active busses. Still, when they weren't being used, they would be stationed on standby. 

The company who provided this mode of transport was called out for being dumb because they could have been using these busses in other locations to earn more money, but they didn't seem to care since those busses were still just there.

There were generally 2 types of people coming to the mountain range, the locals that came for walks and hikes, generally of the older generation and tourist that came to see the famous Range. 

These people were all generally not very young of age considering the fact that most schools had already started in most countries in E continent, where this range was located at.

There were professional hikers, people who came for exercise, middle-aged people, and elderlies.

With all that being said, Emilin somewhat stood out, but also not enough for people to pay her any mind. A couple of glances were still inevitable.

She was carrying a mountain climbing backpack with a fold-up tent attached to the back. Her bag was filled with some necessities, but nothing too heavy. At least when she easily carried it on the bus with her thin stature, she didn't make it look heavy despite the big size of the backpack.

Well, there were things like her sleeping bag that weighed close to nothing, while taking up a big space, but there was also somewhat of a misconception involved.

Emilin was in no way, weak or frail. 

It was just that her height made her look relatively thinner, but not in an unhealthy way either. After all, with brothers who exercised so much and cared so much about her health, there was just no way that they would let her escape from working out and taking proper care of her body. 

Emilin went on the 5 AM bus. She wanted to make some ground before the sun rose and the temperature along with it, affecting her stamina.

When she got on, there were already quite a few people seated there, all wearing sportswear. At least half of them were not carrying big bags, showing that they were only going to the mountain range for a short hike and that they were coming back before sundown.

Emilin found herself an empty seat and quietly played some Mobba using mobile data.

"Hello young lady, you must be new around here, right?" An old woman who seemed to be around the age of 60 spoke to Emilin with a gentle smile.

Emilin looked up, disregarding her phone and nodding her head in response to the elderly lady's question with a stoic face.

"Since this seems to be your first time around here you might not know, but that phone of yours won't be able to catch any signals if you hike past the first peak." The elder informed, pointing at Emilin's big camping backpack.

Emilin nodded both in thanks and understanding, to which the elder only smiled, minding her own business after the short interaction.

She noticed that this young girl didn't seem to like to talk very much. Seeing as she was most likely not from around here, the whole conversation had been in English rather than the local language which the old lady was also fluent in.

The 20-minute ride passed in a flash and before Emilin knew it, she was already at her destination.

The entrance area before the hiking trail had multiple stores with trail mix, water, and a lot of other equipment that may be necessary for the people who were going up this path. It wasn't lacking in souvenirs nor ­­­other touristic features either.

Emilin along with most of the people who were able to get themselves to come here so early in the morning walked straight past all of these buildings and tents, heading straight to the path that they were going to start treading.

There were about 20 odd people and the ones who seemed more familiar with this location naturally went first, not caring for the others who were here. Everyone, with the exception of those who came together, seemed to have a silent agreement to mind their own business.

Some started jogging and others walking, every pace showing their familiarity with their surroundings as if their every step were either planned or simply muscle memory.

As for those who were not as familiar, like Emilin, they had to slow down to watch their step and so they naturally fell behind the others. 

There were fewer people in this group as most people who weren't familiar with the area didn't come so early in the morning.

A distance was created between everyone and Emilin who wanted to tread alone. She took this time to take out her phone and inform her family about the changes to some of her plans. 

Me (Emilin): I might not be able to send messages for the next while because there won't be much of a signal up there. But don't worry, I'll take care of myself. I'll send you all a message when I come back.

Mom <3: [Will you be okay? Out for so long. ( ´･_･`)]

Dad <3: [How long will you be out dear? Don't let your mom worry too much.]

Emilin thought for a bit, estimating the amount of time she would be out for before coming to the conclusion that she would be back in around 3 to 4 days and that if she wanted to stay for longer, she could come back after having rested for a while. But just to be safe, she gave herself an extension.

Me (Emilin): I should be coming back before the end of the week. 6~ish days. If I don't send you a message by then you can call the police and ground me for life! Haha.

Of course, Emilin said this 70% jokingly.

Big Brother Theo: Emilin's a big girl now. She can take care of herself!

Emilin simply wanted to laugh at her old brother's response, because in private, his messages were completely different.

Big Brother Theo: Are you sure about this? One week is a lot of time! Lots of things can happen at this time. You might get hurt, and then you won't have anyone to help you. And then you won't be able to call.

Emilin used the most solid argument she could find at that point in time.

Me (Emilin): Forwarding message -->"Big Brother Theo: Emilin's a big girl now. She can take care of herself!" ಠ_ಠ...

Before Theo could deny what, he himself had said, Emilin reassured with a follow-up message.

Me (Emilin): Yes, I'll be fine, I'm wearing the shoes you gave me last time so you can rest assured.

Big Brother Theo: Okay, I was going to remind you if you weren't wearing them already. You can go and have fun; I'll pacify mom and dad. Your big bro has got you covered. ᕙ(⇀‸↼‵‵)ᕗ.

Me (Emilin): Yes, yes, you're the best. And don't stress out too much with that Master Sungcha's test. Get some sleep already.

Emilin was already aware of the game that Theo was working on all night, and honestly, she was just as baffled as he was, but she didn't want to meddle too much with what her big brother did unless he asked for help, she would not involve herself.

'I guess all the people who have reached the level of a Master have their own eccentricities.' She concluded.

Big Brother Theo: Haha. No worries, it's actually pretty fun!

Me (Emilin): Gasp! Has my brother become a masochist? You've died over 200 times and you still haven't even passed the fourth event after a whole night of playing and it's still fun?

Emilin didn't have the same kind of patience her big brother and Kayden had.

Big Brother Theo: Are you worrying for your big bro (☍﹏⁰). You don't have to worry; your big brother is strong, and he can endure the deaths. 

Me (Emilin):… 

Emilin didn't know, but she was smiling even after she had put her phone away in her bag, which was noticed by an elderly lady at the top of the first hill.

"I guess that young lady isn't completely unexpressive. Ah, this generation can only find joy on their screen. How sad. Mm, but at least this young lady still knows to exercise restraint." She said, seemingly to herself, before turning around as if nothing had happened.

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