"So… you're now a part of Glory Guild?"
Jake asked, scratching the back of his head. He had already read the documents Isaac gave him more than once, but the confusion in his eyes hadn't faded.
"I'm not an official part of the guild. They just want to sponsor me," Isaac explained slowly, his tone patient.
Jake's brows furrowed deeper. "And… what's the difference?"
Isaac leaned back in his chair, exhaling. He paused to make sure his uncle was really listening before continuing.
"An official recruit gets a paycheck and a discount when selling mana crystals to the guild… but he has to follow guild rules, no exceptions." He watched Jake's face closely, then went on.
"A sponsorship contract is different. It gives me more freedom. I can't join another guild, and anything I get from gates—crystals, equipment—must be sold to them. Of course… I can keep things for myself if I want."
Before he could finish, Jake lifted a trembling hand, cutting him off. His voice dropped, heavy with fear.
"So… you'll still need to go inside the gates."
His head lowered, shadows hiding his face.
Isaac froze, staring at his uncle. He didn't miss the way Jake's shoulders shook slightly, not from weakness, but from worry. For a moment, Isaac thought about lying, making it sound easier than it was… but this man, who had raised him and Maya as if they were his own, didn't deserve lies.
"Uncle Jake…" Isaac's voice was soft, almost pleading. "I want you to trust me and believe in me. I'm not going to pretend it's safe. It might be dangerous… but in this world, there's no place that's truly safe."
The living room fell silent. The only sound was the faint hum of the old refrigerator. Maya was already asleep in her room; it was just the two of them, sitting face-to-face under the dim light.
Jake's lips quivered before he spoke again.
"I… I trust you. But even so… I still think it's too much for you to handle." His fists clenched on his knees. "If it's about money, you don't need to do this. Your parents… before they died, they left savings for you and Maya. Enough for college."
His voice cracked. He stopped for a moment, fighting back tears, but the words still slipped out, rough and trembling.
"Even their life insurance money… I kept it all, just for you two."
Isaac's chest tightened. He stood up and wrapped his arms around Jake, pulling him into a firm hug. His voice shook with emotion.
"Uncle, I know. Me and Maya… we're really lucky to have you. We care about you. It was never about money." He pressed his forehead against Jake's shoulder. "I can't explain everything now… but this is something I need to do."
Jake's shaking began to ease under Isaac's embrace. Slowly, he raised his arms and returned the hug, then gently pushed Isaac back just enough to look at him. His tired eyes searched Isaac's face.
"Is this… really something you want to do?"
Isaac lowered his head, then nodded firmly.
"...Okay then."
Jake stood and walked into his room. A few moments later, he returned with a pen in his hand. He sat down again and held the papers.
"Where do I need to sign?"
Isaac pointed to the bottom corner where it read Guardian Authorization. Jake pressed the pen against the paper, his hand steady despite the emotions in his chest, and signed.
As he handed the documents back, he let out a small chuckle. "Even though I really wanted to refuse… that look on your face reminded me of my brother. The same one he had when he wanted to marry your mom."
Isaac blinked, caught off guard by the memory.
"You know," Jake continued, a faint smile tugging at his lips, "your mother's family was rich. The first time I met her, I thought there's no way someone like her would marry my brother. We were orphans back then. I even tried talking him out of it once… but he just gave me that same stubborn look you have now." Jake shook his head, chuckling under his breath. "At that moment, I knew there was no stopping him."
His smile faded into something softer, more fragile. His eyes drifted toward Maya's room. He stared at the closed door for a long moment before whispering:
"You take after my brother… but Maya, she's just like your mom. Energetic, strong."
Finally, he turned back to Isaac, smiling despite the weight in his heart. He stood up slowly, patting Isaac on the shoulder.
"Well… that's enough. Time to go to bed. I trust you, Isaac. So I know you'll be okay."
He headed to his room, his back turned. Isaac's eyes lingered on the subtle tremor in Jake's hand as he closed the door behind him.
"…Trust me, Uncle," Isaac whispered to the empty room. "I'll keep you and Maya safe. No matter what it takes."
He stood for a long moment in silence before finally heading to his own room. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.