Kent's Humanization
A damn crazy morning. An awkward silence hung in the air for a moment. I slowly got to my feet. One of the men who had gotten out of the car stepped forward.
"…."
He eyed me for a second before speaking up.
"By any chance… are you an awakener?"
I nodded.
"Could I see your awakener ID?"
I silently pulled out my ID and handed it over. He checked it quickly and nodded.
"Confirmed."
Then he looked at me again.
"What's your affiliation?"
I answered briefly.
"…I'm a student at the National Awakener Central Academy."
His eyes changed slightly at that.
"…A student, huh."
—He nodded and introduced himself.
"We're from the government-affiliated Awakener Association."
He handed me a business card.
"I'm the team leader of the 1st Emergency Response Team."
I took the card. He continued right away.
"First off,"
"thank you for protecting the civilians."
"All the mana stones from the monsters you took down in this gate are recognized as your property."
"Additionally, there will be a national commendation and bounty payout."
I nodded quietly.
"…Okay."
Then his gaze shifted behind me.
Psi. Dmol. Kent. Compi, Compf, Compa.
After observing them for a moment, he asked,
"…By any chance, are those behind you…"
"summons?"
I paused for a second.
Then I shook my head.
"…No."
I said shortly.
"…They're my family."
Silence.
The air grew a bit tense.
"…."
The team leader's expression shifted subtly.
"Your… family?"
I answered matter-of-factly.
"…Yes."
"My family."
"…I see."
But his eyes said he didn't buy it at all.
With that, I confirmed the mana stones from the battle.
Low-grade mana stones — 10
Mid-grade mana stone — 1
"…Even a mid-grade one."
I muttered softly.
After a moment's thought, I asked the team leader,
"By any chance… could I take the bounty in mana stones instead?"
He hesitated briefly, then nodded.
"Yes, that's possible."
"…Then please do that."
Once everything was sorted, I headed home with the kids.
But the moment we reached the front of the house, my feet stopped.
"…Ah."
I looked at Kent.
She was blatantly too big now. No way she could fit through the door.
"…This is…"
I couldn't finish the sentence.
We'd managed somehow before full growth, but now it was impossible.
Reality hit hard.
Kent stood there quietly. She glanced at the house, then at me, alternating.
"…."
She said nothing, but her expression said it all.
"…Kent."
I hesitated.
"…What do we do."
No solutions came to mind.
Then Kent slowly lowered her head.
Unlike her proud stance moments ago, she looked somehow small.
"…."
Despondent. The word fit perfectly.
Seeing her like that twisted my heart a little.
"…Sorry."
I muttered softly.
"Didn't think of this."
Psi and Dmol watched the scene quietly too. Unlike usual, they were silent.
The victorious mood from before vanished, replaced by a strangely heavy air.
I approached Kent and slowly reached out, stroking her head.
"…Hang on."
"I'll figure something out."
At my words, Kent nodded ever so slightly.
But her eyes didn't brighten easily.
I pondered for a bit, then made a decision.
"…Hang on."
I went up to the house and came back down with the one-touch tent.
I looked at Kent and said,
"Let's go, Kent."
And so we headed to a nearby campground.
It was quite a distance to walk, but it was fine.
"Being together matters more."
Kent gazed at me quietly, her eyes somehow apologetic.
I caught it right away.
"…Kent."
I reached out and gently stroked her head.
"No need to feel sorry."
"…Being together as a family is what counts."
Kent nodded slowly.
We walked like that.
Two hours. A long time, but with the kids, it wasn't boring.
Finally, we arrived at the campground.
"…Nice."
I looked around.
It was a weekday, so not a soul in sight. Peaceful.
"Feels like we rented the whole place out."
I chuckled.
I pitched the tent in a secluded corner. The one-touch tent sprang up in seconds.
"Okay."
The kids played around nearby. Compi, Compf, and Compa zipped about mischievously, while Psi and Dmol watched with quiet smiles.
Kent stood by solidly, guarding the spot.
Time passed like that. The sun set, and darkness fell.
"…Time to sleep."
I tidied up inside the tent. The kids gathered around me one by one.
Kent settled right next to the tent.
I left the flap slightly open so I could see her.
"…I can see you from here."
I muttered softly.
Then I said to Kent,
"Kent."
"Good night."
"…See you tomorrow."
Kent looked at me quietly, then lowered her body slightly.
I smiled at that.
Inside the tent. Psi, Dmol, Compi, Compf, and Compa huddled close to me.
"…Everyone."
I said softly.
"Good night."
"…See you tomorrow."
"Kids."
Warmth. A quiet night. Only the sound of wind rippling gently.
That night felt more peaceful than any other.
That night, the kids drifted into deep sleep one by one beside me.
The silent campground. Only the wind whispered softly.
But Kent couldn't sleep. She sat quietly by the tent, guarding.
Her gaze fixed inside—on me and the kids.
"…."
She let out a soft breath.
'Me too…'
The thought flowed slowly.
'Like the other big sisters and little ones…'
'I want to sleep next to Dad…'
A quiet wish. But one laced with clear emotion.
'I'm grateful Dad cares about me…'
'But still…'
She paused.
'I want to…'
'Not just be cared for,'
'But be Dad's strength.'
Psi. Dmol.
'Like my big sisters…'
'I want to stand proudly by Dad…'
Kent's eyes slowly closed.
And finally, she murmured softly.
'Me too…'
'I want to become human…'
'And live together…'
With that, Kent fell into deep sleep.
And the next morning.
"…Ugh…"
I opened my eyes. Something felt off.
"…Cramped."
Way stuffier than usual. Breathing was a bit hard.
"…What's this…"
I rubbed my eyes and slowly lifted my head.
Then I froze.
"…Huh?"
Someone was on top of me. Wrapped in the blanket like a burrito, lying over me as if covering me.
"…A girl?"
I couldn't process it for a moment.
"Ugh… mm…"
"…Wh… who…?"
Still half-asleep, I blinked.
Then my vision focused bit by bit.
"…."
Shoulders. Spikes on both sides. Not threatening, but definitely familiar.
"…No way."
I carefully opened my mouth.
"…Kent?"
I called her name softly.
At that instant, the figure on top of me twitched faintly.
"…."
My breath caught.
Then the girl on top of me stirred and tried to sit up.
"…Ngh…"
The blanket slipped off slowly.
"…!"
My eyes flew wide open.
"Ah—!"
I yanked the blanket up and covered her again in a panic.
"…Ha."
Then the girl blinked and looked at me.
"…Dad?"
"…."
I froze solid.
That's when a voice exploded from the side.
"Whoa!"
It was Psi.
"Kent! You turned human too?!"
Dmol bolted up, eyes sparkling.
"…It's real."
The two crowded right over, staring at Kent.
"…Amazing."
Then Psi's gaze slowly drifted downward.
"…But."
"…You're bigger than me?"
Silence.
"You look about Dad's age…?"
Psi looked down at herself.
"…."
And then—
"Ughhh—!!"
She blew up.
"This is unfair!!"
"Dmol and I were born first and turned human first,"
"so why is Kent bigger!!"
Dmol nodded quietly too.
"…I agree."
"…This feels unfair to me too."
"…."
I clutched my head.
"Ha…"
Then—ding.
Affection Level Limit Break and Strong Desire Confirmed
Hidden Common Trait Unlocked – Humanization
"…Again."
I sighed.
"…The third one."
I wasn't even surprised anymore.
I shook my head and looked at Kent.
"…It's okay."
I gently patted her head.
"Just stay put for a sec."
With that, I grabbed my phone right away.
"…Mom."
I called her.
—"Yeah, Mom…"
"…Uh… could you bring some clothes for a little sister?"
A brief silence.
"…No, it's not weird or anything,"
"…We didn't do anything wrong."
I explained hurriedly.
"…Just come and you'll see."
I hung up.
"…Haa…"
I looked around.
Kent was still clueless, looking around in wonder, while Psi and Dmol kept venting their complaints.
"Seriously though,"
"…this is a bit much…"
Meanwhile, Compi, Compf, and Compa were blissfully playing around, oblivious.
"…."
Perfect chaos.
I let out a deep sigh.
And opened my mouth.
"…Kids."
"Hang on a sec,"
"…let's calm down."
No one listened.
"…Kids, please."
I said again.
"…Calm down, okay?"
Today wasn't easy either.
Never ordinary.