"Jun... Hey Jun..."
A gentle voice whispered in the dark. It was soft, warm—familiar.
"MMM... Mother... Let me sleep a little more," Jun mumbled, snuggling into the blankets of his dreamworld, his voice still thick with sleep.
Shyomi, arms folded and eyes narrowed in mock annoyance, pouted playfully. "Oh? I was thinking of going to the market with you today... But if you don't want to go, then what can I even do?"
Jun's eyes snapped open, wide with panic. "Where...?! Where are we going, mother?!"
Shyomi giggled, covering her mouth in surprise. "Huh? So fast! But just a moment ago, you were begging for more sleep."
"Tha–That's… I'm not sleepy anymore, Mom! I'm wide awake!" Jun sat up with energy that seemed to come from nowhere.
She smiled warmly. "Then go wash your mouth and face. I'll be waiting."
"Okay, Mom!" Jun said with enthusiasm.
The dream shattered into mist, and Jun blinked awake in his bed.
"...A dream again," he murmured, rubbing his eyes. For a long moment, he stared at the ceiling, the warmth of the dream lingering in his chest like an echo from a lost time.
He slowly got up. "Anyway, I should have some breakfast. And until nightfall, I'll keep exploring Handong City. I might find something useful before my return."
---
The Royal Palace
Inside the golden halls of the palace, the remnants of the Loyalty Banquet still hung in the air like expensive perfume. Though the Lion family had left, the noble families hadn't stopped whispering.
"Wasn't the eldest son of the Lion family a good-for-nothing?"
"I heard the first thing he did after stepping out of his room was solo-clearing a C-rank gate!"
"That can't be true... That's definitely just Lion family propaganda."
"Yeah, I agree. It's ridiculous. A shut-in for years suddenly becomes powerful? As if."
The king, seated atop his high throne, tapped his scepter against the armrest, and the room fell into silence.
"Everyone... Silence," he said, his voice hard as steel.
But inwardly, the king's thoughts stormed. (It's happening again... That man... Shan Lion... He is changing. Just like before. And this time, I cannot allow it to continue unchecked.)
---
Outside the Palace
A carriage rolled through the clean streets of the capital, moving toward the Lion family's private mansion. Vermin sat at the front beside the driver, casting an occasional glance back at his master.
"My lord," he said politely, "shall we return home now? Or would you like to stop somewhere else?"
Shan Lion, leaning back in the carriage with arms folded, suddenly made a sour expression.
"Hey, Vermin... Have I worked you too hard lately?"
Vermin blinked. "No, my lord. You're always kind and generous to me."
"Huh... Then why are you trying to get me killed?"
"Wha—? What are you talking about, my lord?! I would never!"
Shan leaned forward dramatically, his expression intense. "Then why do you want me to go home, huh?! You know that if I show up without Jun and he's not back in two days, Ruhiko will kill me! You know it—and yet you still suggested it. Are you trying to assassinate me with her fury?!"
(Argh... Gods above... My lord's dramatics are getting worse...) Vermin groaned inwardly. "I apologize, my lord. I forgot about that matter. I'll arrange everything for our stay at the capital mansion."
"Hmph. That's all?"
"Yes, my lord. That's all."
A long pause. Then Shan's expression suddenly twisted into embarrassment.
(Did I just overreact... again?)
---
The capital mansion was grand and elegant, bathed in the orange glow of twilight as they arrived. Night was falling. Elsewhere, Jun Lion stepped once more into the depths of the hidden dungeon.
This time, the rooms offered little challenge. Like shadows against firelight, the enemies fell one after another beneath his swift movements and deadly precision. The wild dogs, once immune to his techniques, now trembled in the face of his growing power. No threat remained unpunished.
The next day was the same. And the next. Without realizing it, nearly a full week passed.
---
[Ding!]
[The admission of the Royal Academy will begin tomorrow.]
[A reward will be granted upon successful admission.]
Jun blinked in surprise.
"Huh... I nearly forgot about that. A week already passed?! Time flies down here... I should return home today. I'll just come once a month from now on."
He opened his system window.
---
[Status Window
Name: Jun Lion
Level: 40
Title: None
Job: None
HP: 100,000 / 100,000
MANA: 30,000 / 30,000
STR: 140
INT: 130
AGL: 185
Skills:
Poison Resistance (?)
There is no poison that can affect you.
Fear Resistance (?)
Without The God, you won't fear anyone in the 12 Universes.
EXP: 1,000,000
CP: 400
Coin: 100,000]
---
"Level 40, huh... I think I can solo-clear an A-rank gate now. But still... I've cleared a hundred rooms in this hidden dungeon, and my leveling has slowed dramatically. At this rate, I won't be strong enough when the time comes. I need another way."
---
Back at the capital mansion…
Shan Lion trembled with frustration. "That brat...! Not even a single message?! He goes off having fun while I suffer under Ruhiko's wrath!"
Vermin leaned from the carriage window. "My lord, we're approaching the main estate."
Shan's eyes began to water. "I'm gonna die today... I just know it."
"My lord?! Are you crying?!"
Roy gasped. "Father?! What's wrong?"
"How am I supposed to not cry? I'm walking straight into the jaws of death!"
The carriage stopped. Shan stepped out, his face dark as night, muttering, "Today I die... Truly, this is the end."
But then—
"My lord," Vermin said, pointing ahead, "Young Master Jun has returned as well."
Shan's expression lit up like the sun. "HUH?! Really?!"
"Yes, my lord. He's inside. (Why is he still making that weird face...?)"
Shan leaned suspiciously toward Vermin. "You're not lying just to stop me from crying, are you?"
"No! I swear, my lord, he's truly here!"
In a flash, Shan's entire mood transformed. "Ahahaha! What fresh air! Such lovely weather! Truly, the capital is full of miracles!"
(How can his mood change that quickly...?) Vermin sighed.
---
Inside the house, Jun stood calmly near the hallway entrance. His presence was quiet, yet somehow commanding. Shan saw him and instantly burst into tears again, running forward with arms wide open.
"Jun... My son...!"
Jun took one smooth step aside, letting Shan tumble to the ground in a heap.
"Father," he said innocently, "you're not a child. You should behave properly."
Still lying on the floor, Shan made a dark face, forehead shadowed with betrayal.
(Can't he at least let me hug him once...? Just once...?)
---
To be continued...