He reeked of dust.
Seren pressed her face into his hair and felt grit against her cheek. She held him tighter, as if she could anchor him to the ground, as if letting go would make him disappear the way he had in her mind for the past hours.
Seconds stretched into minutes, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable.
Then she felt it. The shift in his breathing—relief giving way to something else. His shoulders went rigid. His fingers curled against her spine, pressing harder now, not holding her but something invisible. A tremor ran through his arms. His chest expanded and stopped.
He was holding on.
She pulled back from the hug. Her hands stayed on his shoulders, fingers pressing into bone beneath the fabric. He looked thinner than he had that morning. Maybe it was her mind playing tricks. She raised her hand, moving her fingers through his dirt-caked hair, feeling chunks of solidified dust, then down his hand to his wrist.
Beat. Beat. Beat. His pulse was present. Steady.
She let her hands drop to her sides and stared at him. Her eyes moved from his dust darkened hair to his shredded hoodie as if cut by a thousand blades and somehow still clinging to him.
He men her stare.
Then her hand found his ear. She pulled. Not hard, but firm enough to tilt his head and pass a message.
"Ow—"
He winced, breath hissing through his teeth.
"Don't." Her voice came out strange. Tight. She swallowed, trying to loosen her throat. "Don't 'ow' me."
"But—"
"You shouldn't have been late." Her voice rose, sharp.
"Something came—"
"Don't 'something came up' me." She pressed her lips together, exhaled through her nose. "Do you have any idea—" The rest didn't come out. "I had my phone in my hand all night."
"I'm sorry, mo—"
"No, Kaelen." Her eyes closed as she shook her head. Her black hair, streaked with white, danced with the motion. "No, don't do that."
"I'm—"
"You disappear and come back like this—" She gestured at him, sharp and brief. "—and you think 'sorry' fixes it?"
He couldn't reply.
"Look at you."
She stepped closer, brushing dust off his sleeve, then stopped halfway, uncertain whether to clean him or shake him.
"You couldn't even call earlier."
Behind him, someone shifted.
"We tried to—"
"I wasn't talking to you."
She didn't turn.
She wanted to press further, but then she noticed. His hands were no longer clenched. His shoulders had eased. The trembling in his legs had softened into a light sway. His eyelids were heavy, half shut.
"Haa." She sighed. "Go clean up."
She watched him climb the stairs, his feet dragging on each step, almost stumbling, until his figure disappeared.
Then—
"Lira." Her voice came out sharp. She shot Lira a gaze.
"I-It's not what—"
"Are you okay?"
"Pardon? Ah! Yes, ma'am. I am."
Seren moved closer, taking Lira's hand with her left and covering it with her right.
"I'm sorry for my actions earlier." She paused, pressing her lips together. The color had drained from them. Her eyes were unfocused as she struggled to hold Lira's gaze. Her lips parted, wanting words to come out, but they struggled. She exhaled before continuing. "I was worried."
"It's okay, Mrs. Burn."
"I don't know what I'd do without him. He's the only one I have."
"I understand your fear, Mrs.—"
"No." Her tone sharpened. Her grip tightened around Lira's palm. Her gaze steadied, her red eyes piercing into Lira's not with wrath but desperate futility. "No, you don't."
"You're young. You think you understand because you know, but knowing and feeling are different things, Lira." Her voice softened. Her red eyes became calm, the aether bulbs reflecting on them like lightning on a smooth surface. "You can't understand the fear of a mother. Not now. Someday, maybe, when you have a child of your own. You won't understand because you're smarter. You'll understand because you'll be a mother."
Lira wrapped her free hand over Seren's. "I may not understand you, Mrs. Burn, but your actions are. I can't hold a grudge against you." A smile touched her lips.
Seren pulled her into a hug. Lira's copper braid swayed with the motion. Seconds stretched before they let go.
"You should also clean up. You and your friends."
"Thanks, Mrs. Burn."
"Use my room's bathroom. They can use the guest room's. When you're done, let me know. Be quick. There's food prepared."
"Oh, Mrs. Burn." Jay popped out, catching her palm. "You're a goddess. Thanks for your leniency and patience with the invasion."
"Jay."
"It's okay, Lira." Seren smiled. "You should go clean up, Jay."
"Yes, ma'am."
Penelope watched. Her eyes scanned Seren with an unsettled gaze, moving upward and downward as she shifted her attention between her and the tiled floor. Her lips parted, gentle breaths coming in and going out. Her fingers curled and uncurled, uncertain where to settle. Her brows furrowed slightly before returning to normal.
"Won't you two follow?" Seren asked with a smile.
"Pardon our invasion, Mrs. Burn." Mel's expression didn't change.
"You're not invading."
"Thank you. If you'll excuse us." Mel bowed lightly and followed Jay and Lira.
Penelope paused, unsure for a moment.
"Thank you, ma'am." She dipped her head in a light bow and followed the others.
Seren watched her go. 'What's with her?' she thought, confusion crossing her features.
...
Kaelen had reached his room. His movements were sluggish, but he'd made it into the shower.
He stared at nothing in particular, his red eyes catching the light reflecting off the wall. His legs barely held him. One arm braced against the wall to support his weight. He hadn't exchanged a single blow with the beast, but its presence alone, along with Jil and Mel, had pressed down on him like a weight. He needed to be stronger.
'Observer Davos.'
His brows drew together. His teeth gritted. His fist clenched with whatever strength remained. The reaction wasn't anger at Davos. It was the memory of the obsidian mauler. Back then, he'd lacked the strength to do anything. Luck and fate had saved them both.
It had been the same with the void-billi. If not for Mel and Jil, he would have died. He couldn't even count that as a win. The outcome had been unexpected. Luck again.
He would visit Davos.
'Status.'
The blue interface chimed to life, and a barrage of messages flooded his vision.
[Quest Completed: Hunt of Terror]
[Rewards:]
[+500 Stat Points]
[+10,000 SP]
[Combat Technique: Adaptive Combat (D-rank)]
[Combat Technique Section Unlocked]
[Combat Technique Unlocked: Adaptive Combat (D-rank)]
[Type: Analytical]
[Description: Forged in the crucible of the Void-billi, this technique trains the user to read and adapt to enemy patterns in real time. The longer a battle lasts, the more the user's instincts refine, granting subtle advantages in prediction, evasion, and countering.]
[Note: Effectiveness scales with the user's perception and experience. Against foes of significantly higher cultivation, adaptation becomes exponentially more difficult.]
[Achievement Unlocked: Unbreakable Will]
[Effect: +15 Perception, +10 Intelligence
· Immune to fear and intimidation effects from enemies of A-rank or lower.
· Reduces mental pressure from higher-ranked enemies by 40%.]
"Wow." His voice barely escaped. He closed his eyes for a moment, let a smile touch his lips, then opened them again.
[Are you sure you intend to switch titles?]
He was.
[Novice Beast Hunter has been unequipped.]
[Unbreakable Will has been equipped.]
He felt the stat increase immediately. He could sense the difference: the droplets of water falling slower, the faint creaks from his room's wooden boards.
[Hidden Affinity Unlocked: ???]
"Affinity?" He blinked. His brows creased. He tilted his head. "Affinities are authorities, right?" he asked the empty room.
He set it aside for now. Even the affinity hadn't been revealed.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
[Base Level Up]
[System Level Up]
[Base Level Up]
[System Level Up]
[Base Level Up]
[System Level Up]
The notifications kept coming until they stopped. He opened his status.
[Host Status]
[Name: Kaelen Burn]
[Class: Chrononaut]
[Race: ???] (Pending)
[Title: Unbreakable Will]
[Energy Level: Initiate Basic Control]
[Point Stage: Latent Stage]
[Classification: Unique]
[Ability Grade: S-Grade]
[Base Level: 19] (Pending)
[System Level: 19] (Pending)
[HP: 455 / 455] (Pending)
[A.E: 705 / 705] (Pending)
His brow arched downward. He didn't take the pendings lightly. Was the system about to pull something?
Ding!
[Host has successfully met the conditions for evolution. Would host like to evolve?]
'Evolution?'
[Evolution occurs when the host has met certain conditions. This allows you to grow stronger. The host has reached the required level for evolution. Until evolution occurs, the host cannot receive XP from slaying beasts or completing missions.]
[Would the host like to evolve?]
Kaelen turned the knob and shut off the shower. He got out clumsily, his knees buckling as he planted his feet on the cold tile. He staggered, grabbed the nearest towel, and slipped into his room.
Once there, he fell onto his bed, facing the ceiling, the towel draped over his waist.
"Can I get more info on this 'evolution'?"
"..."
"..."
"Hello?"
"..."
"..."
"Haa." He exhaled. 'Well, I accept.'
[Base evolution or System evolution?]
'There's that too? System.'
[Note: Once this process is undergone, it cannot be reversed. During System evolution, skills cannot be used through the System. All System features will be shut down until evolution is complete. Are you sure?]
Kaelen paused. The warning didn't frighten him, but it made him cautious. System features would be down. He realized how much he'd relied on the System. He wasn't sure he could even activate his skills without it.
This is troubling.
After a moment of silence:
'No.'
He'd undergo Base evolution first.
'Base evolution.'
[Note: Once this process is undergone, it cannot be reversed. The body may or may not undergo physical changes that are irreversible. Are you sure?]
Yes.
[Base Evolution Has Begun]
[Base Evolution: 2%...]
[Note: You may or may not experience excruciating pain.]
"Excruciating wha—"
...
The dining table sat near the kitchen. Five figures gathered around it. Seren had given them clothes to change into, since their previous ones were either torn or covered in dirt.
One particular figure kept adjusting her top over her chest, the rustle of fabric loud in the awkward silence.
"Jay." Lira whispered, teeth gritted.
"It's okay, Lira." Seren's voice was calm.
"I'm sorry. Clothes just don't tend to fit my chest, Mrs. Burn." Jay continued her battle with the cloth.
"You should all eat." Seren took a bite.
They started eating in silence. Then Penelope's hands began to tremble.
Everyone stopped.
"Are you okay?"
"Do you need some water?"
"It might be too spicy for her."
Sob. Sob. Sob.
Her shoulders shook. Her hands trembled as she rushed to wipe her face.
"Penelope." Mel placed a hand on her shoulder, her voice gentle despite her neutral expression. "Are you okay?"
"I'm sorry." Penelope managed between breaths. "Forgive me, ma'am. I didn't mean for you—"
"To see you like this?" Seren's voice was soft. She took Penelope's hand and stroked it. "It's natural for a young woman to have short bursts. Men can't do it openly. Teenage boys either. It's your privilege. Enjoy it." She stroked the back of her hand. "Was the food too spicy?"
"No, ma'am." Penelope shook her head. "It was t—too—" The words were meant to come out, but they wouldn't form.
Jay nudged Lira.
"Can you be serious for once?" Lira whispered.
"I'm not playing. I'm just surprised."
"I'm as surprised as you are."
Penelope wiped her face again. "I'm okay."
They resumed eating like nothing had happened, but the silence pressed down.
Seren noticed. Her gaze moved between each person at the table.
"You must really enjoy your mother's cooking, or your sister's... to have such a reaction." She directed it at Penelope.
"My mother's dead."
The clinking of plates stopped. The chewing stopped.
Jay shot Lira a glance, but Lira kept her head down.
Then Seren stood. She crossed the room and pulled Penelope into a hug.
Penelope's hands rose, then dropped. Her lips parted, but only exhales came out. She swallowed. Her hands rose again, hovered for a moment, her fingers curling and uncurling. Finally, they found Seren's body and held on tight.
Seconds turned into minutes. No one moved. No one made a sound. Careful not to break the moment.
Penelope sobbed into Seren's shoulder. She hadn't felt an embrace like this in so long. A mother's warmth.
Seren raised her hand and stroked Penelope's hair. "It's okay."
Lira kept her gaze down. When she lost her parents, Seren had cared for her. That was one of the reasons she viewed Kaelen as a brother. Seren had always comforted her when she felt uncomfortable or disturbed. She'd even offered for Lira to stay, but after Lira turned eighteen, she didn't want to be a burden. She'd resisted Seren's embraces, despite how hard Seren tried.
A drop landed on her hand. Then another. She touched her cheek and found it wet. She hadn't realized she was crying.
Jay's gaze darted from Seren to Penelope to Lira to Mel and back to the table. Her vision blurred. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
Mel's expression stayed void, but her posture shifted.
After a long while, Penelope let go. Seren released her.
"I'm sor—"
"Don't apologize." Seren's tone was soft but firm. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay."
They returned to eating. Most of them hid the droplets still managing to seep out.
...
[Base Evolution: 7%...]
Kaelen hadn't felt any pain yet. He decided to go downstairs to eat.
When he reached the dining room, he noticed the strange atmosphere. Not tension. Not awkward silence. Something else.
"Is everything okay?" He pulled out a chair and sat, placing food on his plate. "Is this still about me, Mom?"
Seren glanced at him from across the table, then returned her gaze to her food. "Everything isn't about you, honey."
Silence followed as Kaelen ate.
"Slow down," Lira said.
"I'm hungry."
"Manners, Kaelen." Seren's voice carried an edge.
"Um—I'm sorry, Mom." He swallowed. "I'm starving."
Penelope glanced at him briefly. A smile touched her lips.
It would have been peaceful if not for the sound.
Snap.
"Aaaahh."
"Are you okay?" Lira was at his side before anyone else could move, her brow furrowed. Everyone had risen to help him.
"Don't touch me." His voice was sharp.
[Base Evolution: 11%...]
The snap had come at exactly ten percent. He pushed back from the table and rushed upstairs. The others followed, but before they could enter his room, he locked the door.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
"Honey, open the door."
"I'm sorry, Mom. Just stay out for now."
"I can't stay out. What just happened?—"
'It's starting,' Kaelen thought.
"Hey, Kaelen. Listen to your mother. You've worried her enough for one night." Lira's voice carried irritation.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Crack.
"Aahh." Kaelen hissed as another bone snapped.
KRAAK.
"Aaaahh."
"Kaelen! Kaelen." Seren's voice rose. "Lira, break the door."
"No, Mom! I'm okay." His voice cut through the door. "Please, leave me be."
"Listen to me, honey. Whatever you're going through, I'm here for you. Please open the door."
KRAAK.
SNAP.
"Aaaah, fuck."
"Break the door, Lira."
"Don't, Lira."
He knew Lira wouldn't listen. And there were others who could break the door for his mother—Jay, Penelope, Mel. He did the only thing that came to mind.
[Temporal Lock Lv.1]
The door locked in a stasis of frozen time.
Click. Click. Click.
"It's not—"
"Don't bother. Break it." Seren's voice was firm.
Silver light climbed Lira's arms, coating them up to her elbows as her aether flared.
BANG.
The door held.
He could buy himself a minute. Maybe enough for the evolution to finish.
[Base Evolution: 21%...]
[Flow Regrowth Lv.4]
"Kaelen."
"Kaelen."
The voices muffled. The chime slipped through his mind. The pain wasn't bearable. His fingers cracked, splitting into multiple joints, then rejoined. His shoulder blade broke, reshaped itself. Every bone in his body was breaking, reshaping, rejoining. His organs shifted. He felt the urge to vomit, but the pain wouldn't let him.
"What's wrong, Lira?"
"I can't break it."
"Let me help." Mel stepped forward. The moment she reached the door, she sensed it.
'A temporal skill. What exactly don't you want them seeing?'
"Can you break through?" Seren pulled her from her thoughts.
"Aaaah. Damn it."
"Kaelen! Honey, just open up."
Mel placed her hand on the door. 'Whatever it is you're doing, I hope you pull through.'
He could feel his skin burning from the inside out. Heat seeped out of him.
[Base Evolution: 78%...]
That was the last thing he saw.