I arrived back at the Divine Church, still carrying Anna in my arms. The wind brushing against her during the flight must’ve stirred her, because she slowly opened her eyes just as I landed.
"Ash..." she murmured, squinting up at .
"Hey," I said softly, smiling down at her.
"I was scared..." Her voice was faint and shaky as she rested her head against , still trembling. "The voice... it kept speaking to ."
I could feel how much she was shaking—she was clearly traumatized. I gently brushed her silver hair. "It’s okay. I’m here now. You don’t have to be afraid."
The holy knights standing guard outside the church stared at us like they were watching a scene from a drama.
Still holding Anna, I walked right past them. This ti, they didn’t ask if I had an appointnt or why I was there. They just growled and glared at with eyes full of resentnt.
I ignored them and made my way inside, heading straight to Seraphina’s room. Just then, I heard Ivy’s voice behind , rising above the prayers of the cloaked believers.
"Asher! You’re back?"
My mom stood up from among the crowd as well.
"How’s Anna?" Ivy asked, eyes glistening as she looked at her daughter.
"She’s out of danger. She just needs food, rest, and ti to regain her strength," I replied. "Can we go sowhere more private? We’re kind of disturbing the believers."
"Sure," Ivy said, leading the way to Anna’s room. My mom followed, still silent, likely stunned by how I brought back a girl who’d looked monts from death—now awake and speaking.
Once inside, I gently laid Anna on the bed. The Priestess ca in soon after, and I did my best to avoid explaining everything—what made Anna sick, and what I had to do to save her.
"Well... I think you can take it from here. I have so things to take care of," I said, getting ready to leave.
"Be ho tonight, okay? I’m making dinner," my mom said.
I smiled. "I’ll be there."
After saying my goodbyes to everyone—including Anna—I stepped out. As much as I wanted to stay beside her, right now she needed her mother, and the won who could bathe her, feed her, and help her recover.
After leaving the Divine Church, I headed to the hunter’s guild—alone. I didn’t take Rose or the others with . I’d been through enough drama and humiliation already.
The hunter’s guild was livelier than ever. Hunters filled the wooden tables, drinking and laughing, while male waiters darted between them, serving food and cleaning up.
As soon as I stepped in, all eyes turned toward .
"He’s the kid who supposedly took down an S-rank reaper at the camp sides," soone whispered.
"I heard rumors they summoned that monster themselves using the Sword Saint’s daughter and so dark magic—just to earn praise by slaying it."
"Sounds about right. No way that brat did it on his own. That kind of monster usually takes at least two S-rank hunters."
I sighed and ignored their murmurs. Even though Anna had been cleared of wrongdoing or summoning that monster, so people still clung to the rumors.
I walked over to the receptionist’s desk.
"Hey, Clara," I greeted with a grin.
She looked as stunning as ever in her uniform, which barely managed to contain her jigging jugs.
She growled when she caught staring at her breasts. "Don’t speak so casually to in front of others!" she muttered.
I heard her. But I played dumb. "Huh? What was that?"
She clenched her fists. "I said—don’t—"
"You said I look good?" I cut her off with a smirk.
She nearly shredded the paperwork in front of her, seething with frustration. I chuckled. "Just ssing with you. Anyway, I’ve got a monster I defeated."
She exhaled sharply. "Alright, where’s the proof? Magic crystal? Eyes? You know the drill."
"Oh, I brought the whole thing with ," I said casually.
"Where is it?"
"Well... I can’t show it here. Might level the entire building. How about we step outside?"
She rolled her eyes. "If this is so la excuse to flirt with , try harder, kid."
I flinched. I hated that word. "Don’t call a kid, Clara."
She looked dead in the eyes. "Why not? Aren’t you an academy student?"
My frown deepened. "I am, but I’m not a kid. Want to show you how old I really am?"
She clicked her tongue and turned her attention to another woman who pushed away from the desk ,dropping a few magic crystals—probably from goblins. Clara took them and handed over her reward.
I sighed. "Okay, I wasn’t kidding about the monster. Co outside."
I didn’t wait for a response. I turned and walked toward the exit. Outside the guild, there was a small open space with a few vendor stalls. I asked them politely to move aside—thankfully, their stalls were those with wheels, so it was easy to move.
A crowd of hunters began to gather.
"Oh look, the kid who loves attention."
"What’s he up to now?"
"He’s claiming he killed a huge monster or so shit."
"Didn’t he say the sa thing about a behemoth last ti?"
The hunters were mocking , but still watched out of curiosity, their arms crossed.
Once the area was clear, I extended my hand and summoned the elephant from my item box. It landed with a heavy thud on the ground that almost shook the entire place.
Gasps echoed through the air. The mocking stopped. Their eyes widened.
"W-What... where did that thing co from?!" one hunter gasped, choking on her words.
"I have a spell I use to carry the beasts I kill," I said proudly. "Not that any of you would know about that."
Yeah, I was showing off—not just to the arrogant hunters who constantly underestimated , but also to Clara. She looked stunned.
I wasn’t a kid. I was a man in a kid’s body.
Sure, I acted childish sotis. Even back in my old life, my coworkers called immature just because I loved watching cartoons, or sotis l did stupid things. But hey, that’s who I am. I’m not going to change just because society wants to act my age.
Still... being called a kid by a busty milf like Clara? Nah. That’s not sothing I can let slide.
I was even starting to think... maybe I should ta her.
"Forget about where the monster ca from. What even is that thing? I’ve never seen a monster like that before!" a hunter asked.
I stood tall in front of the elephant, like I was posing beside my trophy. Even passersby stopped to gawk.
"So... how much am I getting for this bad boy?" I asked Clara, giving the elephant a dramatic slap.
"I—I don’t know! I an—just—just wait! I’ll get the Guildmaster!" Clara stamred, then bolted inside.
Great. That ant she was going to get her.
My worst enemy.
Liloth Alvado.
TBC
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