At the Ryunn Residence — MARU
Mary Ryunn sat quietly, her eyes red and cheeks wet from hours of crying. The moment Rio entered the room, her sadness turned to stunned silence — then she rushed to embrace him.
Rio knelt down, gently holding her hands, and began massaging her feet to ease her pain.
"Mom… I'm back," he said softly. "I'm sorry for worrying you."
She sniffled, smiling through tears. "Where were you, Rio? What happened in these past few days?"
(What should I tell her? The truth… or something made up?)
[Dense Mysterious Voice]: "It'll kill your fortune and others' too. Be selectively honest."
(Alright. No questions. Stay careful.)
"I was headed to Earth," Rio said, keeping his tone light. "But I crashed on Saturn. I'm fine. So is the Godwar suit. I thought Saturn's gravity and conditions might help my training... and honestly, it worked."
He looked up at her, concern on his face. "But Mom, please… don't worry about me this much."
Mary looked at him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Was it beneficial or not? Your father is… very angry. And disappointed, Rio."
Before he could answer, SLIX — the semi-4D AI — chimed in with her soft, crystalline voice:
[SLIX]: "Ma'am, servants have prepared dinner. Please proceed to the dining table. Also, don't forget your pills afterward."
(SLIX: a female-bodied AI with a flexible, non-physical form, capable of phasing through matter.)
"Yeah, Mom. SLIX is right," Rio said, helping her up. "Let's eat and take care of yourself."
At the Dining Table...
WHACK!
"You dumbass!" Rio's older brother Theo Ryunn smacked him on the back of the head. "How can someone be this stupid?!"
"Mmph haum haum haum…" Their friend Erame Mozak said mid-mouthful, stuffing food down while smirking. "You two always fight like kids."
"Erame," Theo growled, releasing a small pressure of TIER-3 aura, "shut up and chew before you choke."
"ALL of you — shut up and eat silently!" Lython Ryunn's voice boomed as he set down his spoon, cabbage dangling from his chopsticks.
Everyone froze.
Lython's eyes narrowed toward Rio. "As for you, you'll stay at home for time being."
Rio's jaw clenched.
"You're not being punished harshly — just the elimination of your candidate coupon. You won't be participating in the tournament."
His voice was low but firm. "You went AWOL. You're not above rules, son."
Mary suddenly interjected, breaking through the tension. Assuring Rio that he'll be in tournament.
"Rio. Go to your room and do something productive. No more leaving without permission."
Rio gave a grateful nod. "Yes, Mom."
Later… Walking to His Room
Step… step… step…
(Mom saved me again… But I can't tell anyone about the breakthrough to TIER-2 Phase-3 . This breakthrough — it's my Ace of Spades.)
[D.M. Voice]: "Good thought. Stay persistent. One month to go…"
(Who are you…? At least tell me your name. Or was that overwhelming power yours?)
[D.M. Voice]: "Earn my name. That wasn't my full power — just a little string. TIER-10 level. I'm going to sleep now…"
(TIER-10... and that was only a string?)
Rio lay down, mind buzzing, but sleep overtook him fast.
Meanwhile, Back at the Table
Lython, still seated, looked toward Mary as the others left.
"You shouldn't be so soft on him," he said quietly. "Show him how this world really works.Peircing's Damage on That Suit can't be just from crashing"
Mary didn't reply. The clinking of spoons and plates echoed, then silenced as each family member retreated to their rooms.
In His Room...
(Erame's Thoughts — from his own room):
'Rio… don't do anything stupid. You've got a long road ahead. Don't waste it.'