"Nah, never mind," Cha-Jong said quickly, his voice growing tense and almost protective as he rubbed the back of his neck and averted his gaze from Akira's sharp eyes.
"Forget what I asked. Just... tell me what happened in the dungeon."
Akira studied Cha-Jong for a moment longer, his sharp instincts picking up on something unusual in his behavior. But after a brief pause, he decided to let it go, exhaling softly before speaking.
"I have a skill," Akira began calmly. "It amplifies all my abilities—strength, speed, reflexes, even magic. Everything becomes far beyond normal limits." He paused, his expression darkening as memories of the dungeon flashed through his mind. "But it's not infinite. The power only lasts for so long. Once it's gone, I'm left completely drained, pushed to my limit. So, if I seem stronger than usual when I'm at my normal state, it's because of that skill."
He trailed off, his voice softening as if he were speaking more to himself than to Cha-Jong. "Even with everyone fighting together, we barely made it out intact."
Cha-Jong listened intently, his jaw tightening as Akira recounted the ordeal. He nodded slowly, a flicker of guilt crossing his face as the weight of the secret he carried resurfaced. But he quickly pushed the thought aside, forcing himself to change the subject. He couldn't afford to let his slip-up linger.
"Akira," he said softly, his tone almost apologetic. "I'm sorry to bring this up, but... if your father were still around here, I don't think any surprise dungeon would've been overlooked." He leaned back, his voice growing louder as he continued. "He was a genius—no, a visionary. If he were still around, he would've adapted his technology, pushed it even further to counter these mutants and their changes. We'd have an edge no one else could match."
Akira stood in silence, his gaze fixed on the ground. Father... The word echoed in his mind, a mix of pride and pain. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice quiet and laden with emotion. "I know."
Cha-Jong sighed, sensing the heaviness in Akira's words but knowing better than to press further. "You need to rest," he said gently. "You've been through enough. Go take a shower and lie down for a while. I'll wake you when dinner's ready."
Akira nodded faintly, his usual composure cracking ever so slightly. "Yeah... I need it. I'm mentally drained," he admitted. It wasn't just the physical toll—it was the mental weight of battles fought and vengeance pursued, a burden no amount of training or leveling could erase.
After leaving Cha-Jong, Akira took a shower and made his way to the room Cha-Jong had prepared for him. The door creaked softly as he stepped inside. The bed was simple but inviting, and Akira didn't bother with anything more than collapsing onto it. His body, though at its peak, felt disconnected from his mind, which was frayed from the constant strain.
As his head sank into the pillow, a single thought cut through the haze of exhaustion. "I'll avenge you," he muttered, the words barely audible but heavy with resolve.
Cha-Jong leaned back against the railing, his arms crossed as he watched Akira disappear into the room and close the door behind him. The silence left him alone with his thoughts, and he couldn't shake the unease gnawing at him.
"I have to be more careful," he thought, his jaw tightening. "One wrong word, and it's not just me who pays the price. Akira, my family... everyone I care about could be in danger." "My words almost slipped out earlier. He can't know—not yet. Not about what's inside him."
His mind raced as he replayed the earlier conversation, the unintentional question that had made Akira's eyes widen."Damn it, Cha-Jong. What were you thinking? That thing... that monster... it even warned me."
Rubbing his temples, he shuddered at the memory of the entity's voice—cold, calculated, and dripping with an authority that brooked no defiance. It had spoken to him only once, after the double dungeon raid, and its words had been crystal clear:
"You will tell him nothing about what happened here and what you have seen here."
Cha-Jong exhaled slowly, his hands clenching into fists. "What kind of fate have you been handed, kid? To mess with powers so far beyond our understanding?"
His thoughts drifted to the small family photo on the nearby table—his wife's warm smile, his daughter's innocent joy. The sight grounded him, a bittersweet reminder of what was at stake.
"I just have to make sure he doesn't lose control before he's ready," he told himself. "Until then... I'll keep my mouth shut. For all our sakes."
Pushing off the wall, he shook his head and made his way to the kitchen. He'd promised to wake Akira for dinner, but for now, the boy needed rest.
The morning sun bathed the park in golden light, the grass still glistening with dew. Akira stood by a tall oak tree, breathing steadily after finishing his final set of bodyweight exercises. Sweat glistened on his skin, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as the familiar status window appeared before him.
[Daily Quest: The Ultimate Body Training]
[Push-ups: 1,000/1,000]
[Abs (Sit-ups): 1,000/1,000]
[Squats: 1,000/1,000]
[Quest Complete]
[Reward:]
[+2 in All Attribute Points]
"Finally," Akira murmured, stretching his arms above his head as he felt the surge of strength coursing through him. His muscles felt more powerful, his movements more fluid. "Every bit helps."
He glanced around the park, the peaceful scene a stark contrast to the chaos of dungeons and battles. Children laughed on the swings, their joy a soothing backdrop, while joggers passed by, nodding in friendly acknowledgment.
Running a hand through his black hair, Akira caught his reflection in a nearby puddle. "Time to head back," he said softly. "First a shower, then I need to go to the guild. I have to collect my money.
With one last look at the park, he turned and began the walk back to Cha-Jong's house, already planning his next steps.
Meanwhile, at the Silver Aegis Guild Headquarters, in the Guildmaster's office, Grido stood stiffly in front of Sylara's ornate desk. Sylara was poring over reports, her brow furrowing deeper with every page. The room was thick with tension, and Grido remained silent, his hands clasped behind his back.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Sylara's voice exploded like thunder, rattling the walls. Guild members in adjacent rooms flinched, covering their ears as papers flew off desks. Grido winced slightly, turning his head to shield himself from the deafening outburst.
"Guildmaster Sylara," he said calmly, his voice steady despite the ringing in his ears. "Perhaps... a little quieter?"