Ryu took a long-awaited nap in his Dragon form.
After everything that had happened, he decided to spend the rest of the day resting. His daily Self Fusions had already been used up, so there was nothing urgent left to do except eat, relax, and sleep.
Though a part of him was curious about the world’s history and wanted to explore the books stacked neatly on the shelf, but he postponed it. Because his body needed rest more than his mind did.
As the soft glow of the magical lamp filled the quiet room, a peaceful warmth settled over him. Ryu lay on the simple but comfortable bed, and within minutes, he drifted into sleep, his breathing steady and calm.
anwhile, in the other room, Grakar diligently cleaned the house with an intensity that could rival a veteran butler. He scrubbed the stone floors until they shine, humming so strange monster lody under his breath.
He wasn’t complaining in the slightest. In fact, he looked more focused than ever, completely imrsed in his self-imposed mission to make the house sparkle. The floor reflected the lamplight before long, and Grakar gave a proud nod of approval to his own work.
Though he was a beast by origin, he took pride in serving his lord in any way he could—even if that ant cleaning a human dwelling like a devoted maid.
--
In the evening, Ryu woke up feeling completely refreshed. The nap had done wonders for his mind and body, though it wasn’t the passage of ti that roused him. It was the faint sound of movent downstairs.
"Are they back? I’m starving," he muttered, rubbing his stomach.
He glanced toward the next room, where Grakar lay sprawled across the floor, snoring like a boulder rolling through a cave.
"Grakar, ti for you to disappear," Ryu called softly.
"Eh? What did you say, My Lord?" Grakar jolted upright, eyes still droopy with sleep. His tail slapped the ground once in confusion as he blinked at Ryu like a dazed puppy.
Ryu chuckled and gave him a mont to collect himself before waving his hand. In a flash of gentle rippling light, Grakar vanished back into the Fusion Lab.
Now alone, Ryu adjusted his form and clothes and quietly stepped out of his room. His senses sharpened as he descended the creaky wooden stairs, making his way toward the lower floor where the Versalon family lived.
He wasn’t there to chat. His belly was rumbling like a beast, and he hoped to catch the scent—or sight—of sothing edible.
Just a little sothing to take the edge off the hunger that had been gnawing at him since the last al.
Knock, knock!
Ryu knocked on the main door of the ground floor, expecting to see either the strict, stone-faced man or the gentle, soft-spoken woman.
Instead, the door swung open to reveal soone else entirely.
Venus.
Her chestnut hair was tied up in a ssy bun, a few strands falling over her forehead. Her usual annoyed expression was plastered firmly on her face like it had been sculpted in irritation. The mont she saw him, her eyes narrowed, and her lips curled into that signature half-sneer she seed to reserve just for him.
Ryu almost headbutted her in surprise, but he caught himself just in ti, pulling his head back with a slight awkward cough.
She folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the doorfra.
"What? Here to beg for so free food again?" Venus asked with a snort, clearly unimpressed.
Still, there was a flicker of surprise in her eyes as she noticed the change in Ryu. His posture, his physique, even the way he carried himself—it was all different now. Stronger. More refined.
But, of course, she didn’t say a word. She just scoffed.
Ryu briefly considered turning around and walking away. But then his belly growled, loud enough to remind him why he ca. Swallowing his pride like a seasoned actor, he stepped inside shalessly.
"Can’t you be a little nice to your guest, Venus?" he said while casually brushing past her.
"Hmph," she grunted behind him, watching his broader back with a glare. "You’re a tenant, not a guest. Stop acting like you own the house."
Just then, Evangeline looked up from the kitchen where she was preparing dinner. She had overheard the exchange and didn’t look pleased.
"Venus," she said with a firm frown, "don’t take your frustration out on Ryu. Everyone goes through setbacks in life. That doesn’t give you the right to be rude."
Then she turned toward Ryu with a soft smile. "Ryu, sit down. You must be very hungry. And no wonder, you’ve been gone for more than a day. The mission must’ve been exhausting."
As Ryu took a seat on the wooden chair, she added curiously, "Ah, wait a mont. You look different. You look stronger, healthier... What happened?"
"Nothing much, Aunty," Ryu replied with a polite smile. "I just leveled up a few tis during my mission. It’s normal for combat-type system users."
He paused, then glanced toward Venus with a note of genuine concern. "But tell , why is Venus so frustrated? If I can help, I’d really like to."
Venus scoffed loudly from behind. "Tch. Such high and mighty words. You think you can fix everything, don’t you?"
"Venus!" her mother snapped, clearly upset by her daughter’s harshness.
But Venus didn’t even flinch. She stood stiffly by the wall, arms crossed and eyes narrowed like she wanted to burn a hole through Ryu’s head.
Evangeline sighed deeply. "This child..."
She turned to Ryu, lowering her voice. "Venus failed to awaken her system today at the ceremony. The examiners said she has no Mana at all. Practically zero. Which ans she’ll likely never beco an Evolver."
She stirred the soup on the stove, her movents slower now. "We already had our doubts. After all, no one in our family has awakened before, but she insisted on trying. She even joined Hunter Academy, dreaming big. But reality hit her hard today."
She looked over her shoulder at Venus, who had turned her face away.
"So don’t take her words to heart, Ryu. She’s just hurt. And she just needs ti to accept that not everyone is ant to walk the path of an Evolver."
"Bang!"
Right after she said that, Venus slamd her hand on the nearest table.
Reviews
All reviews (0)