A Peaceful Day with the Family
After finishing a short walk and returning home, my sister and Snow were still deep in their studies.
The sight of the kids gathered around them, focusing intently, filled me with a warm sense of contentment.
Yes, Suli's working hard too.
But isn't it tough for her to pronounce things properly in her monster form?
As long as she understands it, that's fine?
True, but still...
I suddenly imagined Suli using Inhwa's Art to transform into human form.
Snow-white hair like her mother's, and clear blue eyes.
Yeah, she'd definitely be adorable.
As I lost myself in visions of Suli in human form and absentmindedly patted her, Snow suddenly spoke up.
Snow explained that Suli would need a bit more time before she could use Inhwa's Art.
I'd been a high-rank monster from the start, so I'd picked it up easily, but it wasn't something just anyone could learn so quickly.
For example, it would take at least B-rank for To Soon-i or Rue to use it—minimum A-rank.
Even then, they wouldn't have enough mana to maintain human form for long; it'd only be for short bursts.
That was a bit disappointing.
Still, Snow's kin had innate talent for mana control, so if Suli trained diligently from now on, she could transform soon enough.
Though it wouldn't be as seamless as Snow or me—there'd likely be traces of her monster form lingering.
Did that mean fox ears or a tail might stick around?
That might actually be even better.
Not just me—my sister, who'd been listening in, looked excited too.
Of course. Suli is cute.
Yeah, yeah. Rue, you're plenty cute too.
You've got your own charm, different from Suli's.
I know.
Huh? To Soon-i, you... um...
As I subtly averted my gaze, To Soon-i burst into rare, heartfelt sobs.
"Hweeeeng—"
I gently patted her back, now used to her wails.
Hey, it was just a joke.
Being plump is its own charm.
You're always so cute rolling around on the floor.
Yeah, yeah. Our To Soon-i is cute.
"So, bro. Where'd you go?"
While I spent this brief, joyful time with the kids, my sister—taking a break to grab drinks from the kitchen—suddenly asked.
It'd been a while since I got back; why ask now?
[Just took a little walk.]
I considered telling the truth but settled for a vague cover.
My sister knew the underworld well as an S-rank hunter, but I still couldn't tell her everything.
I could easily imagine her reaction if she learned her brother had slaughtered hundreds of humans in that short time.
Unlike me, the monster, she was unmistakably human.
Thankfully, she didn't press further on my evasive answer.
She just nodded calmly, stroking Suli—who'd nestled into her arms—like it was second nature now.
You've discovered Suli's fluffiness too, huh.
Pretty amazing, right?
Our eyes met, and she nodded silently in agreement.
I nodded back, and Snow, watching from the side, let out a soft chuckle.
We both glanced at her.
[Ah, forgive me. No malice intended. I merely thought you siblings resemble each other so much.]
At Snow's calm telepathic voice, I quietly studied my sister's face.
She did the same to me.
As if on cue, we both grimaced.
It felt oddly unsettling.
With the short break over, my sister and Snow resumed studying.
I'd thought it was just my sister one-sidedly teaching Snow before, but watching closely, it was different.
My sister was asking Snow questions too—mostly about the labyrinth, like what lay in the lower floors.
As a floor master herself, few knew the labyrinth as well as Snow; she made an ideal teacher.
While they dove back into their studies, I lounged leisurely with the kids.
Rue coiled atop my head.
To Soon-i settled on my right side.
And Suli curled into a ball on my lap.
They'd all played hard during the day and were soon fast asleep.
Gazing fondly at the sleeping kids, I glanced at the TV.
I'd thought I'd stirred up quite a storm out there, but the news had nothing on it.
Had they silenced it on their end?
Hundreds dead, and not a peep?
Evidently, their influence ran deeper than I'd figured.
Or rather, the Chinese and Japanese factions had serious pull.
Either way, as the one who'd caused the ruckus, it felt strangely anticlimactic that even a brief mention hadn't aired despite my efforts.
Of course, quiet was preferable to a media frenzy...
But it still grated a little. Felt like a bruise to my pride.
Should I really flip the world upside down next time...?
The thought flickered, but I shook it off.
My goal wasn't fame through chaos—it was just to reach Lisa.
No need to draw extra eyes.
Right. I know that...
[Let's wreck it all—! I can do it great!]
[So much food there... Didn't grab any... Hungryyyy...]
Sighs escaped at the voices quietly egging me on in my mind.
These guys... weren't they being a bit too willful?
Somewhere along the way, the process had become the point.
As I patted the sleeping kids, with Snow and my sister's study voices as background noise, I stared blankly at the TV.
Suddenly, breaking news flashed: An emergency report.
A large expedition team in the Lava Zone had lost contact.
Arde must have made his move.
Knowing the full story, I just noted it casually, but my sister was shocked by the sudden bulletin.
I glanced at her stunned expression as she stared at the screen.
[...Anyone you know in the expedition?]
"N-no, nothing like that... Just surprised..."
I'd asked just in case, but she seemed fine.
Relief washed over me unexpectedly.
"Bro... Do you know anything?"
[Huh? About the expedition?]
"Yeah... And the labyrinth's been weird lately, right? Anything on that?"
Under her curious gaze, I rubbed my chin thoughtfully.
[Nothing specific. It's odd from a human perspective, but normal for monsters.]
"...Yeah. 'From a monster's perspective,' it's normal."
Her gaze turned strange for a moment.
She looked at me with eyes that felt distant, so I quickly changed the subject.
[But I do know about the expedition.]
"You do? How? Did you...?"
[I didn't do anything. Just that some folks I know well are involved.]
Ignoring her suspicious stare, I continued.
I gave a brief rundown of what happened, and she let out a soft gasp.
"Wow... From the monsters' side, humans must seem like the villains. They killed their family, after all."
[Even objectively, humans started it—messing with monsters who were just living fine.]
"......"
She fell silent, lost in thought—likely mulling over Arde and the Red Wyvern.
She had monsters as family now, after all.
I added quietly to her.
[No need to overthink it, though. Fighting's natural for monsters. Even without hunters, they fight among themselves anyway. Arde's the unusual one for retaliating so boldly.]
"...I see. Thanks, I learned a lot."
Her face relaxed as she nodded.
My words wouldn't solve everything, but it'd tide her over for now.
"More than that, SS-rank... Such monsters really exist. The recent ones were all overseas... How strong is this Arde wyvern, anyway?"
[Hm... Snow right next to you is an SS-rank monster, you know?]
"...Snow sis feels more like a big sis than a monster to me."
She glanced at Snow with a slightly awkward expression.
Snow, studying 'ga-na-da-ra' in her notebook alone, looked up.
They exchanged looks, and my sister smiled awkwardly.
[Hm. Curious about this lady's strength?]
"Uh... yeah, a little? How strong are you, sis?"
[Hmm... Tricky to say. Local riffraff wouldn't stand a chance... But yes. At least stronger than my husband over there.]
Snow glanced my way.
My sister's gaze followed, and I frowned slightly.
Snow meant no harm—just stating facts—but from my side, it was awkward.
"Heh... Stronger than you, bro?"
[For the record, Snow's been a monster for over 18 years. I'm barely three years in.]
"But counting your human days, you're older, right?"
[Human time doesn't really count, does it?]
"Yeah, probably. No real intent there."
Her grinning face was a tad infuriating.
No—extremely so.
Maybe time to show her my true form sometime.
Hope she doesn't wet herself.
* * *
The next day, leaving Snow—who was still engrossed in outdoor studies—and my sister learning labyrinth lore from her, I slipped out quietly.
I'd planned to go alone, but Suli clung on silently, so it turned into a rare date with her.
Well, with To Soon-i and Rue tagging along naturally, it was more like an outing with the kids.
No complaints here.
Rue on my head. Suli and To Soon-i one on each arm. I strolled outside with them.
Parading obvious monsters without safety measures drew no interference.
I was in Stealth mode, as always.
Suli cooed endlessly at the bustling streets.
To Soon-i shrank from the crowds, a bit scared; Rue showed no reaction.
Or maybe the subtle tail wag meant she was excited?
We hadn't been together long, but I was getting good at reading Rue's moods.
Ah, her scales are bristling a little—she's startled by something.
Her soft "Shii—" hiss was adorable.
It's okay. No need to be so scared.
I'll protect you no matter what.
There, there. Good girl.
I soothed To Soon-i too, spooked by the masses.
Hang on—Rue's G-rank, fine, but you're D-rank, To Soon-i.
Most here are civilians who wouldn't know a fight if it bit them. No need to fear.
No one could stop you if you rampaged.
Want to try for some confidence? Go wild.
You'd love it.
To Soon-i refused flat-out.
She must've picked up street smarts these past days—hunters swarm if you attack humans outside.
A shame.
Later, I took the kids to a decent beef place.
Got a private room for their comfort.
Dropping Stealth upon entering startled the server, but mental control fixed it quick.
Alright, kids. Delicious beef. Dig in.
What about sis and Snow?
Rue, such a sweet heart—thinking of Mom and Auntie too.
Don't worry. I'll grab extras on the way home.
Snow seems to like chicken, so a few whole ones.
Suli and To Soon-i's shares too—no fretting.
But don't overdo it here, or no room for chicken later. Pace yourselves.
What? Beef belly and chicken belly are separate?
Where'd you learn that, Suli?
From Auntie? In just those few days?
Fine... I warned you. Eat your fill if you want.
But no blaming me later.
As we leisurely grilled beef with the kids, someone quietly approached our room.