011. Family Ritual
Moden Bascon's chamber, the domain of the Bascon family head. Towering ogres, goblins, and other massive monster trophies lined both sides of the vast room. These were the results of the ritual offering— a tradition passed down only to the pure-blooded heirs of the Bascon line.
Today, yet another monster destined to catch the family head's eye would join their ranks.
Five of the Bascon family's "seven siblings" stood in a row, facing Moden amid the solemn atmosphere. Even Codic, dangling from Bin's belt, was struck speechless.
This... this is the current head of the Bascon family?! He feels nothing like the previous heads. For a house symbolized by agility, how could someone with such a hulking frame exist...?
Codic minimized his magi as much as possible. The Bascon family forbade it, after all.
If that brute catches wind of me, it'd be more than trouble for my lord. My skull might shatter into pieces...
In the heavy silence, Moden cleared his throat.
"Ahem..."
Codic froze like a dead mouse, just in case. Fortunately, Moden's gaze settled on the five siblings before him.
From left to right in Moden's view: Bin, Willie, Velvet, Billy, and Shirley. Ranked by their monster offerings.
This ranking wasn't based solely on the monsters' grades or sizes. The seven Bascon retainers had determined it, factoring in each sibling's personal prowess.
The situation felt utterly foreign to Bin. In his previous life, he'd always languished at the bottom. A one-armed nobody, ignored like he wasn't even there—forcing him to watch his every breath.
But now? The perennial last-place loser stood at the top. And at just ten years old.
Not everyone was thrilled with his position, though. Billy and Shirley glowered at him, faces twisted in displeasure.
How the hell did that spot go to trash like Bin...?
Bin didn't let it slide.
Still haven't learned your lesson, huh?
He shot them a chilling glare and casually raised his right arm.
Startled gasps escaped Billy and Shirley before they could stop themselves.
"Eek!"
The massive sword gale from the Forest of Death flashed in their minds.
"..."
All eyes turned, disrupting the grave ritual. Billy and Shirley swallowed hard, hyper-aware of the stares.
"..."
Moden's gaze weighed on them heaviest. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply.
"Hoo..."
His expression screamed discomfort—like he was barely suppressing boiling rage.
Billy and Shirley peeked at him anxiously.
Finally, Moden spoke, patience spent.
"Billy, Shirley—see me later."
They answered at once.
"Yes, family head..."
Quick on the draw, but dread filled their heads.
"..."
They squeezed their eyes shut, faces flushing crimson. Utterly mortified. Especially Shirley, stuck at dead last. Humiliation shook her to her core.
As the siblings eyed one another warily, Moden continued.
"Well done, all of you. Rewards will be distributed from first to third place based on your catches."
Bin, Willie, and Velvet replied in unison, voices bold and clear.
"Yes, family head!"
Billy and Shirley, outside the rankings, hung their heads.
Moden's sweeping gaze lingered on Bin.
"The controversy around you this time has been acknowledged. Hold your head high and carry on with pride."
He referenced the 6th-class monster Bin had hunted. Bin responded crisply.
"Yes, family head."
Reactions to Bin's first place varied. Velvet's eyes sparkled with Not bad for a kid. Willie stayed stone-faced. Billy and Shirley smirked darkly.
Enjoy it while it lasts.
Payback's coming soon enough.
They schemed their trap. That's when long-haired Willie stepped forward from Moden.
"Father, I can't accept this ranking."
All attention snapped to him. The siblings tensed at the bold move—daring to challenge the family head.
Moden stroked his beard, brow furrowed.
"What makes it unacceptable?"
"Words won't suffice. Better you see for yourself, Father."
A strange tension filled the chamber. Bin sensed things wouldn't end smoothly. He already knew they wouldn't back down quietly.
Bin narrowed his eyes at Willie.
Blue Wolf...
Moments later, ten Bascon retainers entered. Willie scanned them, then spoke.
"Previously, four chose Bin, three chose me out of the seven retainers. If the same holds with these three added—ten total—I'll accept it."
All eyes turned to the monsters in the room's center: the Erymanthian Boar and a "hippogriff," filling the space.
Hippogriff. Griffin's upper body on a horse's lower half. A 4th-class monster, an unnatural breed created by humans—born from griffin and horse pairings.
Griffins, who preyed on horses, couldn't naturally mate with them. But raised from hatchlings under human care? Possible. That birthed hippogriffs.
One retainer spoke up, eyeing the pair.
"If I may—hasty, but while 4th-class knight Willie took down a 4th-class monster..."
He glanced around before continuing.
"Hippogriffs fly and move at blistering speeds. No one's ever claimed one for the family! That alone merits bonus points."
Another retainer countered instantly.
"Come now! Isn't it greater that 8th-class Bin overcame a two-grade gap to fell a 6th-class beast?"
Debate raged as they stared at the trophies, weighing options anew.
"..."
The arguments left judgment murky.
As heads tilted in confusion, Velvet piped up, comparing the beasts.
"Size or weight? Tough call."
Spot on. By weight, Bin's Erymanthian Boar won. By sheer bulk, Willie's hippogriff—with those enormous wings.
Other retainers chimed in.
"I focused on family significance. Bascon means agility. Willie chose the hippogriff to embody that."
"Forget abstracts—real impact matters. Know how many fields this boar ruined? The farmers' suffering alone makes me pick Bin."
"..."
After deliberation, the ten retainers voted: 5-5.
Willie smirked at the deadlock. Fierce arguments left even Moden—who strove for objectivity—stumped. He propped his chin, deep in thought.
"Hm..."
Willie broke the silence.
"Father, staring longer won't resolve this. How about Bin and I settle it with a formal duel? Under handicap for his level, of course."
Moden pondered, then turned to Bin.
"A formal duel, eh? What say you, youngest?"
Bin delayed, glancing back with icy eyes at Billy and Shirley.
That's more like you bastards...
They'd smirked until his glare hit—then they ducked their heads, Death Forest trauma resurfacing.
Truth was, Willie's 4th-class offering had motive: avenging his full-blooded siblings' defeat at Bin's hands.
How dare he treat me like that.
Embarrassment from the rumors stung worse than his siblings' humiliation. So he plotted to reclaim status—frame a duel, pay Bin back in kind.
Billy and Shirley were in on it. They'd seen Bin's offering firsthand. Their real plan? Sabotage the duel, sever his black arm, doom him.
No mere contest.
Willie loomed over Bin with haughty eyes.
What'll you do, Bin? Got the guts for a real thrashing?
Billy and Shirley joined the stare-down.
Running with Father watching? Priceless.
When that freak arm drops, we'll repay your humiliation tenfold.
All awaited Bin's word. Velvet shot him a warning glance—Remember what happened with me earlier.
Bin caught it while scanning the room. Her prior words echoed:
That confidence suits Bascon. But mind yourself in there. They're all gunning for you.
Unconvinced, he met Velvet's eyes again. She signaled urgently:
Clash now, and Willie crushes you. Might never recover. Bide your time.
"..."
Bin finally spoke.
"My answer is..."
The four siblings held their breath, eyes locked on him.