As I stepped through the pathway, the sensation of leaving one world and entering another enveloped me. The vast, crackling portal before me signaled my return from the game I'd been trapped in. I took a deep breath, absorbing the reality of being back.
**Ding!**
The familiar chime echoed, signaling the end of my time in the game and my reentry into this world. I glanced around, only to find something startlingly wrong.
[Welcome Back to Your World, Lu Shian!]
The notification appeared before me, but my attention was quickly drawn to the empty space where my kittens should have been. My heart sank.
"Wait, where are my baby kittens?" I called out, a note of panic creeping into my voice.
I looked around frantically. The kittens, my constant companions in the game, were nowhere in sight. Instead, I saw a small cluster of beings in the distance that resembled them but were in a strange, infantile state.
"Fuck? My babies have turned into literal babies!?" I shouted, disbelief and frustration filling my voice.
Before I could process this further, another notification flashed before me.
**System Update: Kittens' Force Transformation Detected**
[Notice: The kittens under your care have undergone a forced transformation due to their half-mystical nature. These mystical cats have been accepted by the mystical realm as their offspring, which allows them to transform into human forms as part of their intrinsic abilities.]
I stared at the message, trying to make sense of it. The half-mystical nature of my kittens had led to this bewildering transformation. They were now human-like, but still infants. This was beyond anything I had anticipated.
A crowd had gathered around me, their voices rising in a mix of excitement and confusion.
"What is that? Someone's been left in the SSS dungeon!?" one person exclaimed.
"How is that possible? Is he another returner?" someone else questioned, their curiosity evident.
"What do you mean 'returner'? The portal didn't even break when he exited," another voice argued, skepticism clear.
I was growing increasingly irritated by the noise. I was accustomed to dealing with serious situations, but this was overwhelming. I needed to focus on my kittens.
"It's so loud, but it's cute that they become a baby though I will carry them all?" I mumbled as I looked at them.
[Daddy! Look at our status- Favon]
"Hah?" I was stunned,
[*Profile Status*]
Name: Favon
Level: 100
Species: Human Mystical Breed
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Names: Ciemon & Dervin
Level: 94
Species: Human Mystical Breed
Gender: Male
Age: 13
Names: Yonnie, Lerouxa, Gaveny & Rociel
Level: 89
Species: Human Mystical Breed
Gender: Female
Age: 11
Name: Germaine
Level: 79
Species: Human Mystical Breed
Gender: Female
Age: 10
Names: Calli, Cierrael and Coxie
Level: 75
Species: Human Mystical Breed
Gender: Male
Age: 6
*Note: You can hear their voice but others can't*
I looked at the gathered crowd, their eyes wide with curiosity. "Okay, focus, Lu Shian. I can't just stand here."
As I knelt down to my kittens-turned-children, I felt a surge of responsibility. "Alright, you all need to hang on tight. I'll figure this out." I gathered them in my arms, feeling their tiny forms against me.
[Warning: Prolonged exposure to the realm's energies may impact their growth and abilities.]
"What does that mean?" I muttered, glancing around nervously. I had to act quickly. "We need a safe place."
"Daddy, let's go to the cafe!" Favon suggested, his eyes bright despite their new forms.
Nodding, I pushed through the crowd, their murmurs fading behind me. The path back to my cafe felt familiar yet strange. Each step reminded me of the chaos I'd left behind and the new reality I faced.
As I reached the cafe, I hurried inside, locking the door behind me. The cozy atmosphere felt welcoming, but my heart raced with uncertainty.
"Now what? How do I keep you safe?" I asked, glancing at their innocent faces.
[New Task: Establish a safe haven for your transformed kittens. Reward: Enhanced protection abilities.]
"Looks like I have my work cut out for me," I sighed, determined. "Let's get to it."
With the cafe secured, I set about creating a sanctuary, fueled by my desire to protect them.
"Together, we'll figure this out," I whispered, looking at my newfound family. The world outside may be chaotic, but inside these walls, we'd forge our own destiny.
I gathered the kittens-turned-children around a large table, the warm glow of the cafe's lights casting a comforting aura. "First things first, let's assess what we have."
I opened the system menu, scanning for any options related to the new status of my little ones.
[**Status Check**]
[You currently possess:
- 1x Golden Key
- 52,000,000,000 Nether Golds
- Various items from your previous adventures]
"Alright, I have plenty of resources, but I need to create a secure environment for all of us."
"Can we get stronger too, Daddy?" Dervin asked, his wide eyes filled with hope.
"Of course! We just need to train and adapt to this new reality. But first, we need a plan."
As I pondered, a notification chimed in my mind.
[**New Mission: Train Your Kittens to Master Their New Forms**]
[Reward: Unlock Enhanced Skills for Human Mystical Breeds]
"Looks like we're in luck. We need to train, and the system will help us."
"Yay! Training!" Germaine cheered, bouncing slightly in excitement.
"First, let's establish a safe zone here," I said, gathering my thoughts. "I'll use some of our Nether Golds to enhance the cafe's defenses."
I accessed the system, selecting options to upgrade the cafe's protection features. A series of barriers, wards, and traps materialized around us, transforming the once-cozy space into a fortified stronghold.
"Now, with the barriers set, we can start your training. I'll teach you how to harness your new powers."
"Can we have fun too?" Yonnie piped up, her innocent enthusiasm brightening the mood.
"Absolutely! Training can be fun," I assured her. "We'll make it a game. How about a series of challenges?"
"Like a tournament?" Gaven suggested a determined look on his face.
"Exactly! A mini-tournament to see who can master their abilities first. Ready?" I asked, feeling the energy shift in the room.
They all nodded eagerly, eyes sparkling with determination.
"Alright, let's start with some basic magic training," I said, guiding them to an open space. "Focus on channeling your energies. Imagine your powers flowing through you."
As they practiced, I could feel the air crackling with potential. Each of them tapped into their abilities, albeit clumsily at first.
"Good! Keep going! You're doing great!" I encouraged myself, watching them stumble through spells and techniques, their laughter ringing out amidst the effort.
After a few hours of practice, they began to improve, small bursts of magic sparking around them.
"Time for a break," I declared, satisfied with their progress. "Let's refuel and plan our next steps."
We gathered around the table, sharing snacks and discussing strategies. "We need to find out more about this world and what threats are out there," I said. "Especially after the Queen's reign. I doubt everything is peaceful now."
"But how do we find out?" Favon asked, frowning.
"I have an idea. We can explore the nearby areas and talk to the locals. They might know about any dangers or opportunities," I suggested. "We need allies."
"Sounds fun!" Leroux exclaimed. "Can we bring snacks?"
"Of course! A field trip needs snacks," I replied, smiling.
Once we had our provisions packed, I led them out of the cafe, the sun casting long shadows as we ventured into the unknown. The vibrant world of New Underworld lay before us, teeming with mystery and potential.
As we explored, the reality of our situation sank in. The world was both familiar and strange, a blend of the game I once knew and the chaotic twists it had taken.
"Look! Over there!" Germaine pointed excitedly at a group of beings gathered in a clearing.
Approaching cautiously, we found a mix of creatures—ghouls, specters, and humans—engaged in animated discussions.
"First, I need to go home,"I whispered to my kids.
"Yes!" they chorused, eager to interact.
With a deep breath, I stepped forward, hoping to forge connections that would help us navigate this new reality.
I stood at the front door of my house, a gift from my father for graduating high school, feeling a mix of nostalgia and unease.
"Amm… Hello, Uncle Xian" I said as I stepped inside, the familiar scent of home enveloping me.
Uncle was the one who supports me, but working to his bar is enough help for me. I don't want to involve to their kinky sides, because I know to myself that uncle has a reason for taking care of me.
"Did you eat? I can bring food to your place if you don't have it," he replied, his tone warm and inviting.
Before he could say more, I quickly interjected, "I'm fine, really. I just… have things to do." I ended the call, a slight guilt tugging at me as I saw the disappointment in his voice.
I knew Uncle Xian felt devastated by my refusal, but I couldn't shake the comfort I found in being out of their sights. Sometimes, it felt easier to distance myself from their expectations and just breathe.
As I stepped into the abandoned mansion, dust motes danced in the beams of light streaming through cracked windows. Memories flooded back, but I pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand.
"Let's find some food first," I said to the kids, who were wide-eyed with curiosity. They followed me through the dilapidated halls, giggling at the creaks beneath our feet.
In the kitchen, I opened the pantry and found a few cans of food—surprisingly untouched by time. "Looks like we're in luck!" I declared, grabbing them. "Let's make a quick meal."
As we prepared the food, I couldn't help but chat with them. "So, how's the training going so far?" I asked, stirring a pot over an old stove.
"Awesome! I can make sparkles now!" Favon exclaimed, his face lighting up.
"Me too! But I keep making them explode," Dervin admitted sheepishly.
"Don't worry; practice makes perfect," I reassured them. "We'll refine those skills together."
After we ate, I turned my attention to the mansion itself. "We should fix this place up a bit. It could serve as our secondary safe haven," I said, looking around at the peeling wallpaper and shattered furniture.
With a wave of my hand, I accessed the system menu.
[**New Task: Restore the Mansion**]
[Reward: Improved Shelter and Hidden Features]
"Looks like we have a mission!" I grinned, glancing at the kids. "Let's clean up!"
We set to work, using my Nether Golds to repair furniture and reinforce doors. As we toiled, I shared stories of my adventures, igniting their imaginations. "And then I fought a dragon! It was epic!" I exaggerated, their eyes growing wide.
Once we finished, the mansion felt less like a haunted relic and more like home.
"Look at this place! We did it!" Germaine cheered, twirling in a newly furnished room.
"Now we have a base!" I said, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "But we need to stay vigilant. Who knows what lurks outside?"
Just then, a notification flashed in my mind.
[**New Mission: Gather Information About the Surrounding Area**]
[Reward: Map of Local Threats and Resources]
"Alright, team, our next step is to explore and find out what's out there," I announced, determination swelling within me. "We need to prepare for any dangers and make allies."
*Ding**
[Task ??: Your cheating girlfriend is about to come, she wanted to break up with you. Act like you don't want too, but let her break up with you.]
[Reward: Cash Card X3, Soul Purification X15]
"So... Now is the time"