Elric's thoughts drifted backward through time to the days he had spent with his family.
That neighborhood—that collection of streets and buildings—
It was the place where most of his childhood memories were buried.
And almost all of them were memories of pain.
Endless days of being treated like an unpaid servant rather than family. Casual beatings for minor mistakes. Constant verbal insults delivered without thought. Systematic humiliation meant to remind him he was lesser, unwanted, tolerated at best.
Nearly all of his childhood trauma had happened within those streets.
Even thinking about the place made something dark stir in his chest.
"…Alright," Elric said, forcing calm as he pushed the memories down. "Let's go there now."
Since Ivy's two younger sisters were still trapped in that area, he had no reason to avoid returning despite his feelings.
The mission was clear. Emotions were irrelevant.
His previous Community was far from the former university district where they had fought the parasitic abomination—several kilometers of ruined cityscape lay between them.
This time, Elric chose not to transform into his massive Azure Dragon form.
That would cause panic and draw attention.
Instead, he activated his Flame Cloud technique.
Golden-red clouds ignited beneath his feet with a soft whoosh, lifting him into the air like solid ground.
Moments later, a similar flame cloud formed beneath Ivy's feet, carrying her upward to float beside him.
She gasped in surprise, instinctively grasping at empty air.
But after everything she had witnessed—dragons, massacres, teleportation—flying on clouds was just another impossibility.
She steadied herself.
Flying was no longer the most unbelievable thing in the world.
"Elric…" Ivy said as they moved through the air above the ruined streets, warm wind rushing past them. "After everything with your adoption… did you ever come back to visit?"
"No," Elric replied without hesitation, his tone flat.
"Never."
"Even if I had returned, it wouldn't have been to reconcile."
His eyes grew colder, golden light flickering faintly.
"It would have been to settle accounts."
They had never cared about him—not once.
If he encountered them again now, in a world where power ruled—
They would learn what regret meant.
Elric had no illusions about mercy.
If power meant anything, it meant never allowing those who trampled him to stand above him again.
"You're right," Ivy said quietly. "They went too far. Everyone in the neighborhood knew it."
She hesitated, then added,
"But be careful when we arrive."
"A few days ago, when the internet worked sporadically, Daisy sent me a message."
"The eldest son Leon awakened supernatural powers."
"Physical enhancement. Muscle growth."
"Oh?" Elric chuckled, dark amusement coloring his voice.
"A superpower user?"
His smile widened.
"Perfect."
"Then they'll understand what it feels like to fall… from very high up."
The Flame Cloud surged faster, accelerating their flight.
Minutes later, they descended at the edge of a dense urban village.
Just as Elric remembered it, though damaged and abandoned.
Rows of modest two-story houses filled the area. Some families had built three- or four-story structures before the apocalypse.
One of those four-story buildings belonged to his family.
The moment they entered the front courtyard—
A terrified scream echoed from inside.
"Don't—don't come closer—stop! Ah!!"
The voice was young and panicked.
"That's Ruby!" Ivy's face went pale.
Her youngest sister.
She rushed toward the front door.
Elric followed, already preparing threads.
The scene inside froze Ivy with rage.
A yellow-haired young man stood in the center of the room, grinning obscenely.
Ruby was pinned against the wall, clothes torn at the shoulder, trembling with fear.
"Get away from her, you animal!"
Ivy grabbed a bamboo broom and swung it down, striking the back of his head.
BANG!
"Who the hell—?!"
The young man staggered forward, clutching his head.
When he turned and saw Ivy clearly, his rage turned to recognition.
"...Oh?"
His grin returned, wider.
"The eldest sister?"
"I heard you ran away."
His eyes crawled over her body.
"Perfect timing."
"You and your sister can serve me together."
"If I'm happy, I might reward you with some ham sausages."
His voice hardened.
"And if you resist—"
"I'll call my brother Jack."
"He's a superpower user now."
"In here we are the law."
"So you'd better—"
"Oh?"
A calm voice interrupted him.
"So you have the final say now?"
"Interesting."
A tall figure stepped forward from the doorway.
"Then, my younger brother…"
The voice carried dark amusement.
"...do you think I could borrow some of that authority?"
The yellow-haired youth froze.
He turned slowly.
His pupils shrank.
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