Night slowly descended over the Carter estate.
The massive mansion stood peacefully under the moonlight, surrounded by vast gardens and tall iron gates. Security lights illuminated the outer walls, and guards quietly patrolled the grounds.
To the outside world, the Carter family estate looked like the residence of a wealthy business family.
But hidden beneath that peaceful appearance was a fortress protected by advanced security systems and powerful connections.
Inside his room, Bruce Carter lay quietly on the bed.
His breathing was calm.
His eyes were closed.
But he wasn't sleeping.
Inside his mind, Bruce was once again standing within the space world.
The ancient castle towered behind him while the glowing river flowed calmly through the fields.
Bruce had already spent several hours exploring the space world.
The farmland responded to his thoughts.
Seeds planted in the soil grew faster than normal crops.
The river water could restore physical strength and heal injuries.
And the castle contained an enormous system database filled with blueprints and resources.
But Bruce understood something important.
The space world was powerful.
Extremely powerful.
Yet power alone wasn't enough.
He still lived in the real world.
And the real world contained enemies.
Bruce stood quietly on the grassy field.
His mind began analysing his current situation.
First problem.
His body.
Although the magical river had healed his crippled leg, his physical strength was still weak compared to his previous life.
He needed training.
Serious training.
Second problem.
His identity.
He was now a ten-year-old child.
Yet his mind contained the experience of Aron Turner.
If he acted too intelligently or too differently, people around him would notice.
And someone already had.
Luna Carter.
Bruce exhaled slowly.
"That girl's instincts are terrifying."
Even in his previous life, Aron Turner had rarely encountered someone so perceptive.
Luna's playful personality was only a mask.
Underneath it was a calculating mind trained by the underworld.
Bruce looked toward the castle again.
Then he walked toward the glowing river.
He knelt beside the water and cupped some in his hands.
This time, he only drank a small amount.
The warm energy flowed through his body again.
Bruce could feel his muscles strengthening slightly.
Good.
But he couldn't rely only on the river.
He needed proper training.
Bruce stood up again.
Then he looked toward the forest in the distance.
"That will be a good place."
The space world was enormous.
Large enough for him to train freely without being disturbed.
Bruce stretched his arms slightly.
His body felt light.
Flexible.
"Let's begin."
He stepped forward and began running.
The grass field passed beneath his feet.
Bruce increased his speed gradually.
His breathing remained controlled.
Even though his body was young, his mind remembered countless combat training methods.
Running.
Balance.
Movement control.
Step by step, he began rebuilding his physical foundation.
Time passed quietly inside the space world.
Hours felt like minutes.
By the time Bruce stopped running, his body was covered with sweat.
But his eyes were bright.
His stamina had already improved slightly.
Bruce walked back toward the river.
He washed his face with the cool, glowing water.
Then he looked toward the distant castle again.
"The system gives resources…"
"But strength must still be earned."
Bruce suddenly heard something.
A faint sound.
Like a whisper in the wind.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Then he realised something.
The sound wasn't inside the space world.
It was coming from the real world.
Bruce's consciousness quickly returned to his body.
Bruce opened his eyes slowly.
The bedroom was dark.
Moonlight filtered through the window.
For a moment, he remained perfectly still.
Then he heard it again.
The faint sound.
A door opening.
Bruce's eyes shifted toward the hallway.
Someone was moving quietly through the house.
Not a servant.
Not a guard.
Too careful.
Too silent.
Bruce slowly sat up.
His senses sharpened.
Then he heard soft footsteps stop outside his door.
Silence followed.
Bruce remained calm.
Then the door opened slightly.
A silver-haired figure stepped inside.
Luna Carter.
She closed the door quietly behind her.
The moonlight illuminated her face.
But this time, her expression wasn't playful.
It was serious.
Bruce spoke first.
"You're investigating me."
Luna raised an eyebrow.
"Well."
"That was faster than expected."
She walked slowly toward the centre of the room.
"I checked the medical reports again."
Bruce watched her silently.
"The doctors said your leg would take years to recover."
Luna crossed her arms.
"But somehow you walked normally today."
Bruce leaned back against the bed.
"Lucky day."
Luna shook her head slightly.
"You're also speaking differently."
Bruce smiled faintly.
"Growing up?"
Luna stared at him for several seconds.
Then she suddenly walked closer.
Very close.
Her silver eyes studied his face carefully.
"You know something interesting, Bruce?"
Bruce waited.
"In the underworld…"
Luna's voice lowered slightly.
"When someone suddenly changes personality…"
She leaned closer.
"It usually means they're hiding something."
Bruce remained calm.
Inside, Aron Turner's mind was already calculating every possibility.
But outwardly, he only shrugged.
"Maybe I just realised something."
"What?"
Bruce looked directly into her eyes.
"That I don't want to be weak anymore."
The room fell silent.
Luna studied him carefully.
Searching for lies.
Searching for hidden meaning.
Finally, she stepped back.
"Hm."
She walked toward the door again.
But before leaving, she paused.
Then she turned slightly.
"I'll keep watching you."
Bruce nodded calmly.
"I know."
Luna opened the door.
Then she stopped one last time.
"You know something else?"
Bruce waited.
"You're interesting now."
Then she left.
The door closed quietly behind her.
Bruce lay back on the bed again.
His eyes stared at the ceiling.
The investigation had begun.
Luna Carter was watching him.
Carefully.
And in the shadows of the world beyond the Carter estate…
Other enemies were beginning to move as well.
Bruce slowly closed his eyes.
His calm voice whispered into the darkness.
"Good."
"The game has started."