Ren sat quietly on the edge of his bed.The house had gone still—only the faint breathing of his siblings drifted through the walls. Their tears were still fresh in his memory.
Two days he was gone.Two days they thought they would lose him like they lost their parents.
He rubbed his face with a tired sigh.
"I have to become stronger… strong enough that none of them ever fear again."
As if answering him—
DING!
A familiar blue window flashed to life.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
You have accumulated 23,000 EXP.
Would you like to Level Up?
[YES] / [NO]
Ren didn't hesitate.
"…Yes."
He tapped the glowing option.
Instantly, a surge of heat roared through his body like dragon fire igniting his blood.
His muscles tightened.His bones trembled.Mana spiraled up his spine like a rising serpent.
He clenched his jaw as the power flooded him—pain and exhilaration blending into something indescribable.
[LEVEL UP IN PROGRESS…]
Level 6 → Level 15
(23,000 EXP consumed.)
Total per level:
• +3 Strength
• +3 Endurance
• +3 Agility
• +3 Vitality
• +5 Intelligence
The system finalized the changes.
TOTAL INCREASE: (Lv. 6 → Lv. 15)
+27 Strength
+27 Endurance
+27 Agility
+27 Vitality
+45 Intelligence
Name: Ren
Level: 15
EXP: 770 / 6250
HP: 1079 / 1079
MP: 1129 / 1129
Strength: 64
Endurance: 64
Agility: 61
Intelligence: 75
Vitality: 65
Ren stared at the numbers.
His heartbeat slowed.
"This… this is beyond human."
He tightened his fist, feeling raw power coiling beneath his skin—controlled, but dangerous. Even breathing felt different; mana flowed into him naturally, almost instinctively.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
INT ≥ 70 achieved.
Mana cycle stabilized.
Mana regeneration greatly increased.
A calm exhale slipped out.
Good.He would need this.
Because corrupted monsters…Because goblin hordes…Because the world outside their door was changing.
And he could no longer afford to be weak.
Ren stood and glanced toward the hallway. Behind that door were Mira, Toma, Elri, Nia, Finn, Rye, and little Lani—his family.
Their terror from earlier still lingered in their eyes.
He remembered Mira trembling as she hugged him.
"Don't disappear… please… not again…"
Their parents had died in a disastrous subjugation two years ago.Hearing Ren was part of one today brought all those memories back.
Ren placed a hand on the door frame, inhaling slowly.
"I'll protect them. No matter what I have to become."
With quiet steps, he walked toward the living room—toward the people he fought for.
A new dawn approached outside.And Ren stepped into it, stronger than ever.]
Ren didn't make it back to his own room that night.
Mira had cried herself to sleep clinging to him, trembling even after her tears dried.So he stayed—lying on the futon with her tiny frame pressed against his side, her fingers gripping his shirt like she feared he would vanish if she let go.
Ren brushed her hair gently.
"Sleep well… I'm not going anywhere."
Eventually, exhaustion pulled him under.
Soft warmth nudged him awake.
Ren groaned lightly, shifting…and froze.
Someone was hugging his arm.
Small hands.Warm breath.Soft chest pressed lightly against him.
He blinked and slowly turned his head.
Lyra.
Her silver hair was sprawled across his shoulder.Her cheek rested against his arm.She had somehow slipped under the blanket and molded herself against him during the night.
"…What the—?"
Mira had rolled away in her sleep, curled up near the wall, still peaceful.
But Lyra—
She was completely hugging him like a pillow.
Her eyelashes fluttered as his movement stirred her awake.
"Mmm… Ren…?"
Her eyes opened.
Then she realized where she was.
Her entire face turned crimson in a heartbeat.
"W-WHA—WHY AM I—HOW—YOU—YOU CAME TO MY SIDE AT NIGHT!?"
Ren stared at her like she'd just accused him of burning down the house.
"Eh!? No—I slept here! With Mira! You're the one who—"
Lyra sat up, flustered and puffing her cheeks, pointing aggressively at him.
"N-No way! I definitely slept over there near the wall! You must've pulled me—"
"I DIDN'T!" Ren protested with the seriousness of a man fighting for his honor.
"W-Well you must've rolled over then!"
"I didn't move! Mira locked my arm like a trap!"
"Then you teleported!"
"That's not even—"
But he stopped.
Because Lyra's glare was the kind where logic simply died.
Ren narrowed his eyes.
She narrowed hers back.
Two seconds of silence.
He sighed in defeat.
"…Fine. It's my fault."
Lyra crossed her arms triumphantly.
"As expected."
Ren stared at her with the face of a man who knew no one wins against a woman in an argument.
She blinked and softened slightly, her eyes dropping.
"…S-Still. You should've woken me if Mira needed you."
Ren shook his head.
"You looked exhausted. After everything that happened… you deserved the rest."
That caught her off guard.
Her cheeks warmed again—much softer this time.
"I… see."
She moved her hair behind her ear, flustered but smiling faintly.
Ren finally stretched, freeing his arm from both girls.
"You really hugged my arm the whole night, though."
Lyra froze.
"…D-Don't mention it!"
Ren smirked lightly.
"Why? Embarrassed?"
She threw the pillow at his face.
"SHUT UP!"
With the chaos of morning banter echoing through the room, Ren finally stood, feeling oddly…warm.
Not because of the level-ups.
Not because of the power.
But because, despite everything, this house was still filled with laughter.
And that alone made the battles worth fighting.
Morning chaos settled slowly.
Lyra had finished yelling, Mira was still asleep, and the rest of the children peeked from the doorway—Toma, Elri, Nia, Finn, Rye, and little Lani—all clearly worried but pretending not to be.
Ren inhaled deeply.
It was time.
He reached into his storage space, the familiar blue shimmer appearing around his hand.
With a soft shhhk, eight glowing vials materialized in his palm—each filled with a swirling golden liquid.
Potential Potions.
Extremely rare.
Extremely precious.
And Ren didn't hesitate for even a second.
He crouched, placing the vials on the table.
"All of you… drink one each."
The siblings froze.
Lyra blinked.
"M-Me too?"
Ren nodded.
"You fought beside me. You deserve it."
Lyra's expression softened, touched but holding it in with a small, shy smile.
The younger siblings, however—
Their eyes widened like fireworks.
"B-Brother… is this okay?"
"Isn't that expensive?"
"Why are you giving us something so precious!?"
"Ren-nii, you need this more!"
"Big brother… did you steal it?"
Rye whispered, horrified.
Ren flicked Rye's forehead.
"I earned it. And I'm giving it to you. No arguments."
He held Mira's gaze for a moment—the fear from last night still lingering in her eyes.
"You're my family. I won't let you stay weak."
The siblings exchanged glances… then nodded.
Lyra stepped forward and encouraged them warmly.
"Drink up. Your brother wants to make sure none of you ever have to suffer like before."
Together, the seven children and Lyra lifted their vials… and drank.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Golden light erupted from each child and Lyra, swirling like tiny motes of fireflies.
Ren widened his eyes.
"Woah—"
Lyra's body glowed brightest, the system responding instantly.
[Potential Potion Consumed — Subject: Lyra Valen]
Aptitude Awakening Complete
• Primary Aptitude:
Precision Growth (Agility & Perception increase easily)
• Secondary Aptitude: Mana Weaving (magic control development increased)
• Hidden Talent Awakened: Arcane Archer (Dormant)— "The path of one who blends mana and arrows. Awakens when certain conditions are met."
Lyra has gained: New Skill Unlocked
Ren smiled.
As expected of her.
She blinked at him.Her cheeks pinked, but she didn't say anything.
[Potential Potion Consumed — Mira]
Primary Aptitude: Empathic Mana (rapid Intelligence growth)
Hidden Talent: Spirit Tuning (can communicate with mana-sensitive beings when awakened)
[Potential Potion Consumed — Toma]
Primary Aptitude: Physical Fortitude (Strength & Endurance grow easily)
Hidden Talent: Battle Trance (latent combat potential)
[Potential Potion Consumed — Elri]
Primary Aptitude: Dexterity Shift (Agility-focused growth)
Hidden Talent: Silent Steps (future stealth specialization)
[Potential Potion Consumed — Nia]
Primary Aptitude: Healing Resonance (Vitality & Intelligence grow evenly)
Hidden Talent: Warm Light (a gentle, healing-based affinity)
[Potential Potion Consumed — Finn]
Primary Aptitude: Combat Instinct (instinct-based growth)
Hidden Talent: Sharp Will (resistance to fear and charm effects)
[Potential Potion Consumed — Rye]
Primary Aptitude: Insight Burst (fast Intelligence increases during study)
Hidden Talent: Mimic's Mind (can imitate observed skills with practice)
[Potential Potion Consumed — Lani (smallest)]
Primary Aptitude: Mana Blessing (high MP growth)
Hidden Talent: Dream Seer (rare, dormant future-sight hints)
All seven siblings gasped as the glow faded, looking at their hands in awe.
"Ren-nii… I feel… light!""My body's warm!""I can see clearer!""Is this what strong feels like!?"Lani: "Big bwuder… shiny…"
Ren's chest tightened emotionally.
This… was worth everything.
Ren pulled out the two skill scrolls next.
One gently glowing green, one blue.
He handed the green one to Lyra.
"This will unlock a new combat skill tailored to you."
"Ren… you're giving me so much today…"
"You earned it."
She swallowed, nodded, and activated the scroll.
[Skill Scroll Activated — Subject: Lyra]
**New Skill Acquired: Triple Arc Shot (Level 1) **
— Fires three mana-infused arrows with precision and minimal delay.
— Synergizes with Arcane Archer.
Lyra's eyes widened.
"T-Three arrows… automatically?"
Ren smirked."You're becoming a monster."
"Th-That's—! Don't say it like that!"
She flicked his forehead.
Ren then activated his own scroll.
A surge of mana rushed into him—wild, powerful, ancient-feeling.
[Skill Scroll Activated — Subject: Ren]
**New Skill Acquired: Elemental Magic (Level 1) **
— Beginner command over elemental forces: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind.
— Scales with Intelligence and Dragon Heir traits.
Ren exhaled sharply.
"...That's stronger than I expected."
Lyra blinked.
"Elemental magic!? That's advanced stuff!"
"Guess the scroll liked me."
"No—the world seems to like you."
She muttered it quietly, almost softly enough that Ren didn't catch it.
Almost.
With the leveling still pending for later and the system notifications settling, the house grew warm with laughter, surprise, and a newfound sense of hope.
Ren looked at all of them—Lyra included.
For the first time since arriving in this world…
He felt like he was building something real.
A future.
A home.