The first thing Ren felt was warmth.
A deep, full-body warmth that felt almost unreal—like he had been swallowed by a living, breathing cocoon.
Then he felt the weight.
Everywhere.Arms, legs, hair, tiny hands… someone's knee?
Only when he blinked awake did he understand why.
The giant straw bed he bought before the storm—so large he had doubted it would fit inside the small house—was now completely occupied.
By his entire family.
He lay in the very center, buried under the seven siblings, each of whom had gravitated toward him in their sleep like magnets pulled to their core.
It would've looked chaotic to an outsider.
But to Ren?
It was perfect.
Mira, who always acted like the responsible eldest, was currently draped sideways across Ren's stomach, her arms wrapped around him like he was a giant pillow. Her expression was peaceful, all traces of her usual sternness gone.
Toma, stubborn as ever, had latched onto Ren's arm with a death grip, cheek pressed against his sleeve.He always pretends he's not clingy… but here he is.
Elri was curled like a small cat near Ren's waist, her breathing soft and steady.
Nia had tucked herself under Ren's arm, hugging his side with surprising strength.
Finn was sprawled at Ren's legs, using them as a warm cushion. His mouth hung open in a way that Ren always found weirdly endearing.
Rye was wrapped around Ren's ankles like he thought Ren's legs would float away if he didn't hold them down.
And tiny Lani, the smallest, the gentlest, and the one Ren felt the most protective of—had climbed onto Ren's chest and fallen asleep there.
Her tiny hand clung to his shirt.
Her small breaths tickled his chin.
Ren didn't dare move.
It wasn't discomfort—it was the overwhelming wave of emotion that hit him.
His throat tightened.
His chest ached.
He had never…never experienced this.
And then there was Lyra.
She hadn't slept close to him before.
She usually stayed a short distance away, giving him space, respecting some invisible boundary Ren never said aloud but always appreciated.
But last night…
She laid beside him.
Her head rested gently on Ren's shoulder.Her hand loosely curled around his forearm.Her breathing matched the softness of her expression.
Strands of her silver hair spilled across his shirt.
Her face, framed by the early morning light, looked almost ethereal.
Ren swallowed.
His heartbeat became unsteady.
He wasn't used to someone sleeping so close to him.He wasn't used to the way her presence made him feel grounded and nervous at the same time.
She wasn't blood.
She wasn't tied to him by duty.
She was here because she chose to be.
And that… was something Ren wasn't used to at all.
The moment stretched as the warmth soaked deeper into him.
Ren felt his thoughts drift—backwardto a life filled with silence.
To a small, dim room back on Earth.
To the nights when he had no one waiting for him.
No siblings climbing onto his bed.
No soft breathing beside him.
No one who'd care if he didn't come home for days.
A world where he was always alone.
A world where all he had was emptiness.
He remembered staring at the ceiling more nights than he could count.
No family.
No girlfriend.
No warmth.
Just him.
Just a cold bed.
He clenched his fist slightly, making sure Lani's tiny hand wasn't disturbed.
…That life feels so far away now.
Ren looked down at Lani again.
Her small fingers twitched sleepily.
Mira shifted slightly, tightening her hold.
Nia pressed closer.
Toma mumbled something in his sleep.
Lyra's breath brushed his neck softly.
And Ren realized—
He wasn't alone anymore.
Not in this world.
Not ever again.
The ache in his chest grew—not painful, but overwhelming in a way that made him want to laugh and cry at the same time.
Is this what… having a family feels like?Is this what I've been missing all my life?
He lifted his free hand and gently placed it on Toma's head, careful not to wake him.
Warm.
Soft.
Human.
Real.
Tears pricked his eyes before he could stop them.
He blinked them away quickly.
He'd always been alone.That was normal to him.He had learned to get used to loneliness.To accept it as the only thing he could rely on.
But now—these children clung to him like he was their world.
And Lyra…Lyra looked at him with a softness he still didn't understand.
His heart beat painfully, like it hadn't learned how to handle this many emotions at once.
Ren's gaze drifted again to Lyra.
Her hand still held his arm lightly, as if she feared he would disappear if she let go.
Her lips relaxed into a soft, unguarded smile.
She looked peaceful.
Safe.
Beautiful.
His heart thumped once—too loud, too clear.
He didn't know what it meant.
He didn't know if it was love.
Or affection.
Or simply the comfort of having someone trust him so deeply.
But he knew one thing:
He wanted to keep protecting her, too.
Not because of the system.Not because she was a companion.
But because he wanted to.
Ren let out a slow breath, one hand gently resting on Lani's back, the other trapped under Toma's grip.
He looked at all of them…
And something in him firmed.
A vow he didn't say aloud, but carved deeply into his heart:
"I won't let any of you be taken from me."
Storms, monsters, corrupted creatures, the unknown world—he would face them all.
He had strength now.He had purpose.
But more importantly…
He had something worth protecting.
Someone worth fighting for.
Multiple someones.
A family.
A girl whose presence always softened him.
A life he never knew he wanted.
Ren closed his eyes and allowed himself a rare, quiet moment of peace.
Wrapped in warmth and trust, he drifted for a few more breaths…
Before morning truly began.
Warm breath, soft shifting, and the weight of tiny limbs were the first signs that the morning had fully arrived.
Ren slowly inhaled, steadying his emotions, then gently began waking the cluster of siblings piled around him.
"Mira… time to get up," Ren whispered softly, nudging her shoulder.
She grumbled, burrowing even closer into him.
"Toma, come on… you too."
"Five more minutes…" the boy muttered into Ren's arm.
Ren chuckled quietly. "You've said that for the last thirty minutes of your life."
Lyra blinked awake as he gently shifted beneath her. Their eyes met for the briefest moment, and she quickly sat up, cheeks pink from embarrassment—still convinced Ren had come to her side last night, not the reverse.
"W-we should get them moving…" she murmured, avoiding his gaze.
"Yeah."
He carefully lifted Lani off his chest, placing her between Elri and Nia.One by one, he roused them:
Elri yawned wide enough to swallow the world.Nia complained her feet were cold.Finn refused to wake up until Ren shook him twice.Rye asked if breakfast was ready even before sitting up properly.Lani blinked sleepily and immediately clung to Ren's sleeve.
Within a few minutes, the sleepy chorus of children filled the room.
The outside wind howled faintly—cold enough to make Ren feel it even through the wooden walls. The ice storm had weakened, but winter's breath lingered heavy.
Ren stood and stretched, then began preparing the metal pot over the small flame. He melted snow and added heated stones into the pot until warm steam curled upward.
"Alright," Ren said, rolling up his sleeves, "one by one. You all bathe with warm water today. No arguing."
"It's too cold outside," Lyra agreed firmly as she gathered towels. "Cold baths are fine for you two, but they'll catch a cold."
Ren nodded.
He and Lyra were trained, used to harsh conditions.But the children? They were fragile and had suffered enough storms in life.
Warm water was non-negotiable.
The siblings lined up reluctantly, shivering slightly as the chilly air crept through the window cracks. Ren poured the warm water slowly, careful not to splash, while Lyra rubbed their hair and handed clothes.
Mira helped the younger ones get dressed.Toma complained the water wasn't hot enough.Finn giggled each time Lyra scrubbed behind his ears.Lani refused to let go of Ren's hand even as he washed her hair.
It took time, but soon enough, every sibling was clean, warm, and bundled in thick clothes.
Ren cooked a quick meal—warm broth with herbs, leftover rabbit meat, and some bread he bought before the storm hit.
The small house buzzed with quiet chatter:
"What monster will you fight today big brother?""Will you come home early?""Lyra, will you keep Ren safe?""Remember to wear the scarf!""Ren, don't skip meals again!"
Ren sat with them, eating calmly but softly smiling at their fussing.
Lyra, too, ate among them—almost like she was already part of the family.Whenever one of the siblings asked her something, she answered with a smile so gentle Ren felt a tug in his chest.
After breakfast, he helped bundle each child in warm clothing, adjusted Lani's scarf, brushed Rye's hair flat, and double-checked the door for drafts.
Only once everyone was settled and comfortable did Ren stand and grab his gear.
His sword—his creation—hung at his side.
Lyra readied her bow and quiver, determination sharpening her expression.
"You're leaving now?" Mira asked, holding Ren's coat sleeve tightly.
He crouched to meet her eyes. "I'll come back before nightfall. Both of us."
"Promise?" Nia whispered.
"Promise."
Lyra patted their heads. "We'll be careful."
Ren stepped outside with Lyra and felt the crisp cold bite at his skin.The storm had passed, leaving white frost coating the earth.
The sky was clear.
But Ren knew too well—weather could change again at any moment.
He and Lyra exchanged a nod.
They had lost two days.They had only four days left before the wedding.They needed that Earth Golem core.
Ren pulled his cloak tighter and began walking.
Lyra followed beside him, boots crunching against the frosted ground.
Together, they headed toward the northern forest path.
Toward the mountains.
Toward the unknown.
As they passed the village exit, Ren exhaled softly—
"Let's find that Golem."
And the hunt began once more.