The figure strode inside, stopping at the bedside. He wore an outfit that would catch anyone's attention, a bright red ensemble decorated with intricate dragon patterns. The armor was sleek and imposing, laced with scale-like sections that shimmered like a dragon's hide.
"Dragon Lord," she greeted carefully, her voice slightly cracked. "What brings you to this humble home?"
The Dragon Lord did not answer her. He simply walked past and approached Leo, his presence filling the small room. A female demihuman who accompanied him stepped forward to speak in his place. Fox ears twitched elegantly atop her head while multiple tails swayed behind her. Her attire was simple yet seductive, clothing hugging her body in ways that highlighted every curve.
"We sensed a lord-level monster in this area," she explained, her voice soft yet commanding. "That is why we came to investigate."
"Lady Ranna." The demihuman scanned the area while placing her hand under her nose. "What happened here?"
"I don't know about any monster, milady." Ranna kept her head lowered slightly as she spoke. "But I felt the same aura coming from this house. When I arrived, I found Amanda on the floor and the boy on the bed."
The demihuman's eyes narrowed slightly, her ears twitching with interest. "An aura that strong, and yet..."
"What a waste of time."
The Dragon Lord's voice cut through the air like a blade. "No trace of that aura remains. The boy is just... a boy." He glanced at Leo one last time before turning his back.
Ranna's heart pounded in her chest, but she remained kneeling and kept her head down. The sound of hard boots thudding on wooden floor filled the silence. The Dragon Lord turned his gaze to his servant, a mocking smile forming on his lips. "You thought a lord-level monster had appeared here?" He scoffed. "That's the main reason why your kind is easily caught by us humans."
The demihuman's ears curled back, her tails stiffening. She kept her head down, maintaining a passive expression on her face. But her fists, hidden under long sleeves, curled tightly. Quivering.
"No mere monster wields that kind of power." The Dragon Lord stepped toward the door with calculated movements. "That's the power of a system user." He looked back again, scanning the room for the last time.
His gaze lingered on Leo for a moment. Sharp, assessing eyes studied the unconscious boy. Then his lips curled in disdain. "And I see no one in this room."
"HAH! And here I thought you had something useful to say." Another scoff escaped his lips. "Let's go. There's nothing of interest here."
The demihuman bowed deeply to Ranna and followed him out. Ranna kept her stance perfectly still, hearing only her own breathing, until the dreadful footsteps had completely faded away.
She exhaled sharply.
Eyes shut tight.
After a moment to compose herself, she stood and glanced at the two still forms on their beds. She stepped outside quietly, gently shutting the door behind her.
Hours passed in relative quiet. A group entered silently and began cleaning the mess with practiced efficiency. Once they finished their work, they left as quietly as they had come, but Ranna stayed behind. She moved through the house, ensuring everything was in order before nighttime fell completely.
Amanda and Leo continued to lie still in their beds, their breathing steady and peaceful. Ranna sighed softly at the sight before turning to the food she had brought. As she sliced vegetables with quick, precise movements, her mind drifted back to the events that had unfolded earlier.
"Hero, my ass," she muttered under her breath. "Just after two years of receiving a system, that Seth became even worse."
The house gradually filled with aromatic fragrances as varied spices mingled with the scent of freshly baked bread. While cleaning the kitchen side, a thought struck her that made her pause and look back at Leo.
"Was that boy always that big?" Her forehead creased as she studied his form more carefully. "He looked more... battle-hardened, I guess?"
She shook her head and returned to her work. "At least not like Seth." The cloth scraped harder against the counter as her irritation grew. "If not for his system, I could take that snot down!"
She paused in her cleaning, stretched her tired muscles, and yawned. "If those Gods are even real, they're certainly bestowing systems incorrectly." Another sigh escaped her lips. After finishing the cleanup and securing the food she had cooked, she stopped once more to look at Leo and Amanda.
"Keep resting, you two..." A gentle smile crossed her face as she observed their calm expressions.
The door creaked softly as she opened it. Cold wind rushed against her face, making her grab at her wind-swept hair. The bright moonlight accentuated her dark eyes as she stood in the doorway.
"It would be great if Leo did have a system." She chuckled at the thought. "That Seth would choke!"
"Maybe the Hero system?"
"Eh, we'll never know..."
The soft crackle of dirt underfoot accompanied Ranna as she headed toward her office, leaving the quiet house behind.
Leo opened his eyes slowly, blinking away the fog of deep sleep. He turned instinctively to Amanda's side of the bed, expecting to find her there.
Empty.
A delicious aroma wafted through the air, making his stomach growl in response. He looked toward the kitchen and saw Amanda stirring their usual soup, with bread warming beside it. The familiar sight brought a smile to his face as he began to get up.
The wooden floor creaked under his weight as he stood. He was about to fix his bed when something dropped to the floor with a sharp clatter. He turned to investigate, only to see Amanda rushing toward him.
The impact nearly knocked him back, but he managed to remain standing. Amanda hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest as sobs wracked her body. "Oh, Leo, thank goodness you're okay," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
He was about to ask her to let go when something struck him as odd. His eyes narrowed as he processed what felt different.
Was Amanda always this small?
His gaze darted down to his arms, making his forehead furrow even deeper. He raised his hands slowly, staring at them as if seeing them for the first time. When he flexed his fingers, muscles rippled beneath the skin in ways that felt both powerful and completely alien to him.
When the hell did I get this jacked?
"Ahem..."
The polite cough made Leo look up sharply. Ranna stood in the doorway, holding a basket in her hands. She entered the house and placed it carefully on the table before turning to him with a warm smile.
His eyes widened in surprise at her presence.
Why is the farm owner here?
She moved closer to him and tapped his shoulder gently. "I'm glad you're awake, Leo. You've been out for three months."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken questions and implications that Leo's mind struggled to process.