Chapter 72

“Ugh…”

I stir awake, my mind still a little foggy. It’s hard to tell if my body is recovering properly or not. But the once burning hot accessory now feels cool against my skin, indirectly confirming that I’m on the mend.

“Are you awake?”

The world feels disoriented. What time is it? Turning my head to check, I see the sun is close to setting – looks like I’ve slept over 10 hours.

“Mm-hmm.”

I respond in a daze. Anne is by my side, covering me with blankets and staring at me intently with her clear blue eyes and soft golden hair.

Anne’s smile wavers slightly as she reaches out to touch my cheek, letting out a soft breath.

“You don’t have a fever anymore!”

“That’s good news.”

Evangelin quietly approaches, removing the towel from my forehead. Looks like I was well taken care of while asleep – something anyone could easily guess.

“Thank you.”

My weak reply draws gentle smiles from both Anne and Evangelin. Their calm presence fills me with a comforting warmth.

“Take it easy on work. You’re pushing yourself too hard every day, that’s why your body hurts.”

“I will.”

Though technically not the issue, I agree readily, thinking it does look that way from an outsider’s perspective.

“Would you like something to eat?”

“I’m fine. Maybe later…I don’t have much appetite right now.”

“Alright. I’ve prepared some food, so feel free to eat when you’re hungry.”

“Thank you, always.”

Evangelin’s neatly wrapped dishes sit on the table. For a moment, I feel like I’m living a life of luxury – who would have imagined receiving nursing care from two beautiful women?

“Just in case, can I stay here and sleep too?”

Covered in blankets, Anne leans dangerously close to my ear, whispering sweetly. Her tone carries a light, lazy charm.

“As you wish.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Anne giggles softly, seemingly satisfied with how things turned out.

Evangelin has also quietly moved beside me, gently settling onto the bed.

“Can I stay and sleep too?”

Her voice remains calm and composed despite her slight blush, betraying a hint of shyness in her actions.

“Of course.”

At my response, Evangelin lets out a long-held breath. The faint sound of “phew” is easily picked up by my heightened senses.

“Since you’re not fully recovered yet…it’s fine to keep sleeping.”

“Then I will. I’ll keep you warm.”

Anne’s soft touch envelops me while Evangelin’s gentle hand covers my face. Yes…

I should get some more rest until I’m fully healed…

With Evangelin’s soothing quietness as my lullaby, my drifting consciousness soon enters the peaceful realm of night.

[…]

Day 47 of Summer

“Peep!”

Awoken by Suri’s cry, I open my eyes. Looking to either side, I see the two women still sleeping soundly, their gentle breathing filling the room.

My body feels in peak condition – perhaps better than ever before. Was it from sleeping all day, or the new trait gained from reaching advanced combat level?

Careful not to wake them, I rise from the bed. Jack is also curled up at the end, hugging Evangelin. Thankfully our bed is spacious enough – though I did intentionally choose a larger one, not expecting this exact scenario but glad it worked out.

With a crackle, the magic flame I conjured emits its warmth. It’s been a while since I’ve personally made breakfast, wanting to treat Anne and Evangelin for their care.

A simple salad made with tofu, sandwiches with tomatoes, eggs and corn pancakes, and a warm soup to soothe the stomach.

The leftover food Evangelin prepared yesterday sits on the table, slightly cooled. With my unexpected morning hunger surge, it should pair perfectly with today’s breakfast.

The sizzling sounds and enticing aromas begin to stir movement in the bed behind me. Concentrating on cooking, I sense someone quietly rising and sneaking up behind me.

Is this what they call a sixth sense?

Pretending not to notice, I flip the pan without turning around.

“Hehe.”

Anne’s voice. She warmly embraces me from behind.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Mm-hmm. How about your pain?”

“It’s gone.”

“I’m glad. Please don’t get sick.”

Focusing on cooking while listening to her slightly nostalgic words…

“Anne.”

“Yes?”

“You’re making this inconvenient for me.”

“Tch.”

Anne’s muttering comes through as her lips pout. Meanwhile, Evangelin has risen and approached beside me.

“Let me do it.”

“I already troubled you with nursing care yesterday. Let me make breakfast today.”

“Alright then. I’ll enjoy it.”

As I finish adding the last corn pancake to the sandwich, breakfast is complete. Jack rubs his eyes and joins us for the meal.

The spirits had left through the open door quite a while ago. Suri is happily munching on the raw meat I gave her.

I find myself wishing every day could be like today. Is this what happiness in dreams looks like? Vaguely imagining building a family in the future, this seems like what it would be like – perhaps slightly different but generally similar.

Feeling unusually hungry, I enjoy a hearty breakfast followed by a brief moment of afterglow.

Anne has left to attend to her duties, while Evangelin begins her daily housework.

It’s my turn as well. Time to start the work I postponed yesterday.

“Hey you guys.”

First, I gather the spirits. The ones digging aimlessly at bare soil perk up instantly at my call.

“Hmm…”

Their excited expressions make it hard for me to say no to planting seeds. In the end, I settle for having them plant the cheap bulk seeds I bought in the empty fields, with free play in the greenhouse during off-hours.

“Now you can have fun with these seeds over there. Got it?”

Their gleeful silver smiles are contagious, making me smile as well. Consider it part of their welfare – think of it as their salary. It doesn’t cost much anyway, and I couldn’t bring myself to deny them.

“Suri.”

“Peep!”

“Can you keep an eye on them?”

“Peep!”

“I trust you, Suri.”

Lately, Suri has gotten into power struggles with the spirits. While the spirits maintain their innocent appearances, Suri works hard on establishing some sort of hierarchy. Watching the little ones squabble brings out a natural fatherly smile.

Suri flies off proudly to oversee the spirits’ work, standing guard with wings spread wide. With this setup, the farm should run smoothly on its own for a while.

“Huff.”

Moving on to my next task – more of an inspection really.

Equipping my gear and drawing my sword…

The experience and knowledge that come with wielding the sword feel on an entirely different level now. Perhaps beyond mere mastery.

Heading to the dungeon to experiment with my advanced combat level, while checking the abilities of my two traits.

“Magic power. Mana…”

Reaching advanced combat level has granted me the ability to use magic power. It might be thanks to my Magic Expert trait.

Passing through the unpleasant membrane into the dungeon’s first floor, I swiftly ascend the levels. Cutting down everything in my path, burning and crushing obstacles.

My sword isn’t limited to monsters. Walls and floors alike are slashed apart.

The capabilities revealed through this display as a Flesh Expert are astonishing. Beyond just heightened senses, my entire physical being has evolved to near-transcendent levels. Reaching advanced rank certainly played a role, but spending a day recovering has paid off immensely in improving my physique.

The dark knights at level 20. Gauging distance and timing breaths…

There’s no need for that anymore.

Magic power opens up possibilities. The basics of conserving energy through controlled breathing become obsolete. Magic power replaces raw energy. The number of consecutive actions possible in a single breath has multiplied by tens, hundreds.

The difference between having and not having magic power is far greater than the gap between child and adult. Scratching my cheek out of frustration isn’t just because combat has become easier.

Even with irregular breathing, poor posture, or an incorrect sword path…

Magic power simply compensates to maintain average performance. No matter how many mistakes are made, the overwhelming power of magic can force them into nonexistence.

The chasm between those who have awakened and those who haven’t leaves one dizzy.

Level 30. Golems that once required picks to break now split apart effortlessly like clay. That’s what imbuing with magic power means – turning impossibilities into possibilities, blazing new trails.

Level 40. Cerberus. Its flames are turned back upon itself to burn.

Arriving at level 50…

Regulating my breathing. Checking all equipment. Confirming the warp device in my hand functions properly – escape routes must always be prepared. With a clear escape plan established, I slowly enter.

Dragon. Wyrm.

Just facing it makes my legs tremble violently. Overwhelming pressure.

Gritting my teeth against the primal fear rising from my throat. An unbeatable opponent. Yet not without possibility.

Even if failure is likely, I grip my sword firmly to experience the limits combat offers. There’s always the option to flee.

[Hmph.]

The massive form resonates through space with its voice, shaking the surroundings. Would air fleeing in terror even be believable?

The awe-inspiring dignity that intimidates even inanimate objects – that’s the presence of a dragon.

Magic swirling all around. Magical arrays unleashing their spectacle. Arrows, spears, fireballs, lightning – all manner of sharp projectiles infused with elements aim toward me.

Regulating my breathing. A technique ingrained through habit.

Encasing myself in magic power. The lightly swirling magic around my body and sword feels as natural as my own limbs. Flowing freely through my whole being like extensions of my will.

[So, little ant.]

The majestic voice shakes my very soul. Shaking it off, I straighten my sword.

“I’m no ant.”

Muttering to myself. Or perhaps affirming my resolve against the voice’s implications.

[You know the language of dragons?]

Surprise tinges the tone, though the aggressive stance remains.

With the warp device clearly identified in my pocket, ready for a quick escape if needed.

The first wave of magic attacks arrives – lightning spears.

Dodging by moving to the right.

Immediately adjusting trajectory for the ice and fire arrows following.

Deflecting the fire, flowing around the ice to block. The clash of magic powers creates a stronger repulsion than metal meeting steel, numbing my hands.

No time to rest. Water bombs hurtling toward me.

Moving further right.

Ducking another lightning strike from above.

Shifting right again, throwing in a small feint for misdirection.

Magics converging on my predicted movement. Easily reversing direction to evade.

Such rapid directional changes would be difficult without magic power – a feat made possible only by its enhancement.

As all the magics subside, a brief respite occurs. Only then do I release my held breath, regaining composure.

A light probing. Yes.

The battle has just begun.

---