Desolate World

The relocation of the people who had dwelled underground was successful with some incidents. When they traveled along the passage, some people were injured because they weren't careful when stepping on slippery ground. 

There were also the difficulties of carrying the ill people. As it was already pretty hard to travel in a dark and slippery environment, carrying some ill people was quite a challenge for them. 

Fortunately, everyone safely exited in the afternoon. When they exited the cave, many of them couldn't help but exclaim at the beauty and the serenity of the lake.

Some of them even said, if they knew that there was such a beautiful place outside, they wouldn't being stubborn to stay in the cave.

Some kids even directly jumped to the lake. Geo couldn't help but envious. Mia then held his hand and said, "Let's play. I will introduce you to some of my friends."

Geo then glanced at his father, "Dad, Can I play with them?"

Ace nodded, "Of course, but be careful. Oh… And bring Red and Blue."

"Let me watch them. I also want to take a rest on the beach," Cloud then stepped up.

Cloud then brought the two kids to the beach of the lake.

"Ace, can you call Gon to come here? I have to inspect the area, to make sure no monster loitering around here, " Mars in human form said to Alto.

"Leave it to me!" Ace then told his family about Mars's request and then ran in the South direction. 

Along the road, Ace found some monsters coming to the lake to drink water. They were like elephants. The difference was that they had overly large earlobes and some small horns that made a straight line from their forehead to the back of their heads. 

The monsters seemed quite tame, as they didn't show any aggressiveness towards Ace who passed by.

"Quite interesting, level 10 to 20 calm monsters. If Geo can domesticate it, it will be great," Ace said.

As a note, all members of his party had reached level 17 at the minimum. Even Sofia had reached level 19. Just one more level she would reach level 20.

Domestication was different with taming. By doing taming, a monster tamer would form a bond with the monster. However, domestication was not. It was somewhat similar to how people raised some chickens in the real world. 

Domestication could be done by force or by negotiating with the monsters. As for by force, Ace watched it in a video, a monster tamer surrounded a horse-like monster with some of his tamed monsters and players. The monster fought for some time, until it was already weakened. The monster tamer then tied it up with the help of some of the other players.

The monster tamer then said that it would need some time to domesticate it. And there was a possibility for failure. 

The second method was to talk to the monster peacefully. It was like what Geo did with the parents of Fire Crown's egg. Some monsters could communicate with a monster tamer. They would ask for some conditions to join the monster tamer. Even if such conditions were not written in a contract, the monster tamer must fulfill them so the monsters remained loyal.

Ace checked the monster's information and got its species name. They were called Eloprime. 

He then left them to continue his journey to find Gon. A few minutes later, Ace found him. 

He was staring at the lake absentmindedly from the beach. Ace then reproached him and sat beside the dragon. He said," What is wrong?"

Gon then put a long breath. The hot air made the water of the lake become steam. 

Ace was surprised at the scene. He warned himself to not talk to the dragon face to face. Even if Geo didn't mean to, his breath could burn him.

"I have been thinking, maybe it was better if I died in the ant territory," Gon said with an air of melancholy.

Ace was alarmed. He knew that Gon had problems with the dragons, but he never thought it would be that serious. He then asked, "Tell me what happened. If you don't mind."

Gon then told Ace what he had experienced after arriving at Dragma Valley. From was judged by Dragna the dragon lord to being imprisoned with Mars. He also told Ace about the treatment of his fellow Earth Dragons and even Dragonlings who looked down at him and even ridiculed him on his face.

Ace didn't expect the custom of the dragon society was so harsh. To look down, even punishing the dragon that hid to save his life, was too much. However, he then remembered that such custom also was implemented in the military. 

In the end, he couldn't blame the dragons. Every society had customs and traditions. He had no right to judge others' beliefs and ways of life. As he would be angry if his way of life and belief was judged by others.

So there's one thing that he could tell Gon

"Gon, I think what you did was the same as normal people would do. No one wants to die. Moreover, if you have an ability to save your life, it is normal to use it when your life is in danger.

However, the dragons also had a custom. So like it or not they would scorn someone that broke the rules."

"So, I was in the wrong?" Gon said with a bitter expression.

"Well, I think yes! As a member of the dragon society. But…

You just have to enter a different society that has different customs than the dragons. The society that can receive you the way you are," Ace said with a smile.

Gon then shook his head. With a bitter laugh, he said, "In this chaotic world. Where can I find that kind of society?"

Ace grinned, he then said, "Find? Who says you have to find. We are creating it now."

***

Although Ace couldn't solve Gon's social withdrawal tendency. He didn't feel bad at all. After all, he was not a psychiatrist. If mental problems could be solved just by some cliche words, the psychology faculty would close a long time ago. 

Even if some psychiatrists came to talk to Gon, he doubted they would bring any results soon. As no one ever studied the psychology of the dragons.

After arriving, Ace saw many mixed matches tents were built. To prepare for the night, some people brought back some dry branches from the forest nearby.

Ace and Gon went directly to meet Mars. Along the way, many people looked at Gon with surprise. Well, it was normal. Who would not be attracted by a five meters dragon walked passing them?

Maybe because it was the first time for a long time he got such curious glances without any scorn or loathe, Gon seemed didn't hate it. 

Finally, they met Mars not too far from the waterfall. Around him, Aria, Adrian, Jacob, and the old Phil gathered. They seemed to discuss the land allocation for the humans. According to Aria's plan, each species would get their own area. 

Ace didn't want to be involved in the discussion and chose to leave. After all, he was a player. And as a player, he needed to know his place in this world.

However, he heard that Phil asked the area around the lake to make the human neighborhood. 

Ace didn't stay too long at the place. He then excused himself to leave. It was already very late in the real world. And they hadn't had dinner.

Ace then logged off after gathering his family. It was such a long day for them.

***