The fathers of the two sisters walked up to Airen, faces still showing relief from moments earlier.
"Come. Let's go to the car," one of them said firmly, though gratitude softened his tone.
A suited man hurried ahead and opened the back door of a sleek black luxury car.
Airen paused, glancing at the vehicle.
I didn't know their fathers were this rich…
He got in.
The father waved the driver away.
"I'll drive myself."
Airen sat in the front passenger seat, while Min-ji and Seo-yeon settled into the back.
For a moment, the car was quiet, only the hum of the engine filling the silence.
Then the father spoke.
"So, young man… what's your name?"
Min-ji leaned forward slightly, eyes bright with curiosity.
"Right! We never asked! What should we call you?"
Seo-yeon nodded shyly, still clinging to calm after everything.
Airen blinked once.
"Oh— Airen."
Min-ji raised a brow. "No surname? No title?"
Airen paused.
Ah… right. Airen is the name I gave myself. I never created a fake title . And my real name from back then…
He exhaled lightly and spoke casually, as if it didn't matter.
"Ah, sorry. Airen is like a nickname. Everyone calls me Airen, so I just say it without thinking."
He glanced at them once.
"My real name is… Seo Jinhyun."
It rolled off his tongue like a name he wasn't attached to — because he wasn't.
Min-ji smiled. "Then what should we call you?"
Airen turned his gaze to the window.
"Airen. I prefer that."
"Alright," she replied softly. "Airen it is."
Half an hour passed.
The car slowed and stopped.
Airen looked up through the window.
A massive hotel towered in front of them, shining against the night sky.
Twenty floors, bright glass, gold accents, security and staff lined up near the entrance.
The sign gleamed:
ROYAL GRAND HOTEL
Chandeliers sparkled inside. Valet staff stood in rows.
The place screamed wealth and power.
Airen raised a brow.
"You have a room booked here?"
Min-ji shook her head.
"No. We own this hotel."
Airen froze.
Own… this?
His thoughts clicked instantly.
Isn't this the hotel chain owned by that business tycoon—the one who builds ships and infrastructure across the country? So that means… their father is—
He glanced at the man driving.
...that man.
The father stepped out first.
"Let's go."
They walked inside, and immediately–
"Welcome, sir!"
"Welcome back, young ladies!"
Staff bowed deeply.
Managers straightened their posture.
Even random guests glanced in awe.
Airen watched quietly.
So this is the power money brings...
They took a private elevator to the top floor.
The father gestured toward a hallway scented with expensive cologne and polished wood.
"You must be tired. Freshen up first. We'll have dinner downstairs and talk."
A hotel staff opened a door for Airen.
The room was huge — polished marble, glowing lights, king-size bed, panoramic city view, gold-trimmed bathroom, a private mini-bar… luxury everywhere.
Airen whistled softly.
"This is easily a five-star suite," he murmured.
He stepped inside.
Silence and comfort wrapped around him.
Just then, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[Did you forget something?]
Airen paused.
"What?"
[To open a dungeon… and awaken people.]
He rubbed his neck.
"Right. I'll think about it after I wash up. Tonight's been… a lot."
Steam rolled along the bathroom glass as Seo-yeon showered, warm water tracing her spine and shoulders.
The glass wall was tinted blue, blurring her form — not fully clear, just a soft silhouette, curves traced by light and shadow.
She lifted her arms to wash her hair, water sliding down her back.
As she tilted her head, her wet hair clung to her skin, and the droplets glittered under the light.
She slowly ran a hand along her shoulder, then down her side, the gesture tired and gentle — washing away fear, confusion, adrenaline.
But her mind wasn't quiet.
It kept replaying today.
If Airen hadn't been there…
Her breath trembled.
She didn't want to imagine that basement without him.
Then another image pushed in — uninvited, vivid.
Airen tied to that chair earlier — shirtless, torso cut with tension, muscles hard like carved stone.
Tall, imposing, silent — not like a man captured, but like a beast waiting for the chain to snap.
She remembered the way his body looked — strength not made in gyms, but in struggle.
His calm eyes even in danger.
His frame at least 6'3, towering, breath steady despite the situation.
Her cheeks flushed instantly.
Hotter than the shower.
"Why am I thinking like this…?" she whispered, pressing her palms to her burning face.
A heartbeat passed.
And another.
She shut off the water, inhaling deeply.
He's dangerous. Cold. Powerful.
But… there's something else too.
She wrapped a towel around herself, still red.
Airen stepped out into the night, hair still damp.
The rooftop was quiet — city lights below, the moon hanging above like a silver coin forgotten in the sky.
The world sleeps… but I don't get that luxury, he thought.
He looked at the moon.
"Time to decide the direction of this world."
Airen: "System. Show my points."
A panel shimmered into existence.
[Points: 4,855,180,000]
Airen nodded slowly.
More than expected. Good.
Airen: "Open Dungeon, Grant Skill, and Awaken Humans functions."
Three panels appeared, glowing softly.
[ Create Dungeon ]
F-Rank — 10,000,000
E-Rank — 100,000,000
D-Rank — 1,000,000,000
C-Rank — 10,000,000,000
B-Rank — 100,000,000,000
A-Rank — 1,000,000,000,000
S-Rank — 10,000,000,000,000
[ Awaken Humans ]
1,000,000 per person
[ Grant Skills ]
F-Rank — 5,000,000
E-Rank — 50,000,000
D-Rank — 500,000,000
C-Rank — 5,000,000,000
B-Rank — 50,000,000,000
A-Rank — 500,000,000,000
S-Rank — 5,000,000,000,000
---
Airen tapped F-Rank Dungeon.
A sub-panel opened:
[F-RANK DUNGEON
Monster Type: Goblin
Description: 50 goblins on an island guarding a stone temple.]
"Only goblins?"
[Only for F-rank dungeons.]
Airen's eyes narrowed.
A sudden thought came.
Can I level up in my own created dungeons?"
[No. You can only gain EXP in the Cubic World.]
Airen clicked his tongue softly.
So that's why I didn't get any experience killing those teenagers…
He moved to the next option — E-Rank dungeon — eyes serious, mind planning futures.