It had been a few days since he had been hanging out with the two and Kane almost forgot about his nightmares. He had been occupied by the two that he didn’t think about DME. So when Robin and Amir came knocking at his door, he felt surprised but he hid his emotions immediately.
“You haven’t forgotten about our deal, right?” Robin said with a smile on his face when he saw Kane open the door for them. The sun had already set and it seemed like they planned to schedule the research during the night so that the schedule wouldn’t conflict with the study.
“No. Let’s go.” Kane went inside to get a jacket before he led the way and closed the door to his place. As soon as they were out of the apartment building, Amir opened the car door for Kane and the latter obediently entered.
Robin handed him the contract and Kane took his time reading the contract. The two didn’t start the car until Kane finally asked for a pen
“Where was he?” Erin immediately asked as soon as she arrived on the fourth floor where most of the employees’ rooms were located. She received a call from Amir during the night and she was worried that something bad might’ve happened to Kane.She was aware that Kane didn’t want to remember his memories in the dungeons so she wanted to help him avoid recalling those memories. He even quit working for the DME so why would he go in AC out of the blue?“Kane is in the room.” A man who seemed to be a young researcher guided her the way. “We were just asking him about a few things when he suddenly acted like he was in pain and then he collapsed.”“Can I know about the questions you asked him?”The man looked at Amir who was the one who opened the door for them as they entered the room. When Amir nodded, the man sighed and took his phone.“These are the questions that we asked him.&r
“You’re alone today.” Gustav smiled as he sat beside Kane. He just entered the fast-food diner near the school when he saw Kane alone in the corner. “Where’re the others?”“None of your business,” Kane answered nonchalantly without even looking at him. He was too busy reading his book and he didn’t want to exert his energy on someone so bothersome like Gustav.“You’re too cold, aren’t you?” Gustav chuckled as if he didn’t mind Kane’s indifference. When they were younger, he was already aware of Vasquez’s arrogant genius. He already expected him to be a bit self-centered so he was prepared when he tried to approach him.Wouldn’t it be gratifying to tame someone like him? He didn’t know how Xander and Erin did it, but if he allowed those two to stay by his side, wouldn’t he do the same with him?“If you’re freezing, then just leave.
When the maids called for them and informed them that the dinner was ready, Eren asked the two to go to the dining room first because he would call for their father. He was looking at the wall and admired the different paintings that were hung.Their house signified the history of their family. It showed how many families had been there to protect the northeast and he felt that something was whispering on his ears. It was telling him that it was just nice to be the family’s successor. However, that very same voice would tell him to give up because he would end up working under the shadows of his talented sister.But if the owner of the voice thought that he would only grow jealous, they were wrong. All his life he had been watching from the beginning and he already had created a decision to offer his services to her. He told himself that he would proudly raise his head up being his sister’s supporter. He was aware that Erin had the capacity to shine brighte
“Eren, what are you spacing out for?” Kane’s voice snapped him back to reality. “We’re still not safe. Is there any place where we could make sure that no intruder could go in?”Eren sighed. The longer they were in the situation, the more he felt disappointed with himself.“Follow me.”Kane held Ed’s hand as they walked towards a secret door in the family room. There was a hidden room that was protected by a magic item so no one could enter unless it was opened by an authorized individual.He saw how Ed clung to Kane even inside the hidden room. Ed sat beside Kane and the latter held him tight. Why did he look more like the older brother compared to him? He was supposed to be the one making his siblings feel safe, right?Kane looked at Ed and noticed that his eyes were droopy. He gently patted his head and soon enough, the young man fell asleep like a little kid.“It’s rare to
Kane’s first time stepping foot on the Ruiz house didn’t go well so he had been invited again for a formal introduction and it would also be his first day as Ed’s tutor. Though he had been aware that Ed had a bit of a temper, he didn’t get the chance to see his normal attitude because of what happened. He just hoped that things would go well for him.“Kane, welcome back to our home.” Erin greeted him as soon as he was out of Eren’s car.“Thanks for inviting me again.”Erin laughed because she knew that Kane was just trying to be polite. If it wasn’t a formal event, he wouldn’t even waste his time talking or saying his thanks.“Let’s go, bro!” Eren said as he put his arms on Kane’s shoulders and dragged him inside.Erin who was left behind raised her left brows. “Did he just call him bro?”Surprised by the two’s sudden closeness, Erin f
“That’s not how you treat a guest, Ed.” Eren prodded. “Don’t you remember him? You didn’t even want to let go of him until you fell asleep.”“So what? I was just so afraid that time and I didn’t know what I’m doing. I’m fine now so I don’t need him.” Ed stubbornly glared at him before he turned his back and played on the piano.“And stop doing that!” Eren sounded annoyed when he closed the piano cover while Erin took Ed’s hands away from the piano. “It’s hurting our ears.”“Then leave! I didn’t ask you to listen.” Ed also sounded mad when he opened the piano cover again. “Leave.”“See?” Erin sighed. “That guy was so stubborn; I don’t know if you would be able to handle him.”Ed started playing the piano and produced that clanking sound again. The two grimaced and left the room
“How did you do it?” Erin immediately asked Kane as soon as he saw him go out of the classroom. She clung to his arms and tugged the hem of his jacket to get his attention. “Hey, how did you tame that stubborn kid?”“Tame? I didn’t.” Kane continued to walk while fiddling with his phone. He informed the AC that he would arrive at the lab early that day since he still had to tutor Ed after.“But you did! He stopped coming to the music room to play that terrifying music and he started asking more about you!” Erin seemed happy to see that something already changed in his brother after the first time he met Kane.However, Kane knew better. It was not as if Ed changed within just one night. Rather, he was just starting to open himself up to other people without being afraid that he would be considered as weird.It was good to know that Ed was more motivated than he thought. Since he was the one working on hi
“What is this?” Mr. Romero berated when he saw the third page of the questionnaire that Kane had been answering before his collapse. “I emphasized not to mention anything about dungeons and anything related to being a hunter!”The other two just lowered their head. Mr. Basilio was sure that he double-checked the questionnaires earlier and he asked those questions to be removed. How come the unedited one was printed and given to Kane instead of the one he asked Mr. Capili to prepare?Though he wanted to defend himself, he couldn’t retort because of his superior’s rage. Kane was a valuable test subject. They were all aware of that. So even if they felt wronged by Mr. Romero’s anger, they couldn’t say anything because of Kane’s state. He, too, was mad about what happened. He was afraid that Kane would feel unsafe in their current setup and suddenly withdraw.“Don’t you have an excuse for this? We all
Dio decided to spend his last day in Arnea City in a very productive way-- to stay inside his room and sleep for a day. He was set to do it though Blur had been whining to go around the city before they leave.He had no choice but to go with Blur or else, he would keep chanting on his head. His hands were inside his pocket while blur was on to of his head as they strode along the market streets.‘Are you having fun?’ He asked his bond through telepathy.‘I think it would be more fun if I could eat some meat.’Dio could imagine his bond grinning from ear to ear when he entered a tavern. “Please give me 4 sets of meat dishes. Just pick the best selling ones.”‘Dio, are you rich?’ Blur’s voice sounded excited as he looked around.‘Maybe? My grandfather left me a lot of money.’He rested his head on the table and closed his eyes. He just wanted a peaceful sleep but he was being push around by a pet. Since when did he become a pushover?‘I’m not your pet.’“Yeah. Whatever,” he mumbled agai
“Dio. . .”The voice that he knew so much called out to him. He smiled as he held his mother’s hand and gently tugged her dress. “Mother, I saw a very beautiful flower over there!”His mother let out a soft laugh before following his lead. They stopped at the corner of the garden then the he pointed at the budding flower.“Look at how small it is, mother!” He was delighted to show it to her and he was happier when her mother tousled his hair.“It’s a beautiful budding flower, just like Dio.” His mother gave him a gentle smile.His brows furrowed in curiosity. “Like me?”His mother nodded. “Just like Dio, this flower will grow to be amazing.”“Will I be someone amazing when I grow up, Mother?”“Of course. Dio was born to be someone strong and amazing, after all.” His mother gently touched his cheek. “Will you promise me that you’ll be someone whom the weak can depend on?”He smiled cheerfully. “Of course, Mother. I’ll grow strong to be someone who will take the side of the weak and not
“Uhmm.” The lady fidgeted before she took the courage to hold the hem of Dio’s shirt. “Can I at least know your name? I am Cassandra, the youngest daughter of Duke Riva.”The sun was already up and they were nearing the entrance where the gates were located. Cassandra wanted to know the name of her savior before they depart. She wanted to make sure that she would be able to repay him if ever they would meet again.“My name is Dio, my lady.” Dio looked towards the direction of the western gates where knights were coming back and forth. “Perhaps, did you run away from your knights?”Cassandra blushed as she looked down in embarrassment. “Will you keep it a secret?”Dio nodded. “I guess this is where we depart.” He turned towards the gate to Arnea and started walking but he stopped when Cassandra tugged on his shirt.“T-thank you for saving and protecting me.”Dio looked back and stared at her for a while. “You are quite timid for a noble.”“Do you need a reward? I could arrange for it.”
After the topic of his light-colored hair, an awkward silence ensued between the two of them as they walked towards the entrance not knowing that a disaster was waiting to fall upon them. Unfortunately, even though the lady basilisk let them go; another one was waiting right around corner. Without making a noise, the smaller basilisk which happened to be the younger brother of the lady basilisk that guarded the mountain bit Dio on his shoulder.“Argh!” Dio groaned in pain when he failed to dodge the surprise attack. He immediately pulled her to the other side to evade the serpent-like beast.Dio held his bleeding shoulder and the lady’s hand trembled in fear as she panicked not knowing what to do. Dio gritted his teeth, the pain coming from the clash between the basilisk’s venom and his healing abilities made him feel wobbly.“W-what should I do?” The lady exclaimed as she tried to wipe Dio’s blood as they ran.“Calm down,” Dio said in a hushed voice as he pulled her to hide behind a
After jumping off the tree, Dio followed the direction of the voice until she saw a lady who seemed to be the same age as him. She was slowly dragging herself backwards as the basilisk in front of her slowly moved forward.“Help me… Help me… Help me…” The girl continued to mumble.Dio stared at the girl who was no more less than a noble. Her ripped dress looked like something that was used to be on display at the capital’s boutiques, her fair white skin which was touched with shallow cuts probably caused by the branches when she ran, and her red hair with a gray hue signified that she was indeed a noble lady.He shook his head when she saw how the lady’s body trembled in fear but still managed to contain it in front of an S-class beast before he stepped out to show himself.“Excuse me,” he said to catch the attention of the lady as well as the basilisk.The lady probably noticed him since his voice was loud enough to resonate in the area. Her eyes grew wide as she lifted her hands to
It took Dio a few more days to collect himself. Knowing fully well that he wouldn’t die easily unless he commit suicide, he decided to just continue what he had been doing-- walking without moving forward. Besides, it wasn’t that bad to comply with his grandfather’s last request: live on.Dio found himself staring at his grandfather’s grave once again. This time, he was neat-looking and well prepped. Unlike the past days when his body hasn’t been washed and covered with sweat, dirt and tears.“Should I go on an adventure?” He stood up and put his hands on his pocket. It was more of a question for himself than to Archie. Dio lost motivation to continue living but he remembered his grandfather’s words.“I need to get moving, Gramps. Please rest in peace.” He bowed in a ninety-degree posture before leaving. As he turned his back on his grave, he felt a pang in his chest. Just the mere thought of leaving the place where he spent his days with his grandfather tore his heart into pieces.He
Dio opened his eyes and he saw the dark sky above him. He looked around and realized that he was still at the alley where the boys left him. He touched his side and felt disappointed when he felt the dried blood but the stab wound was completely healed.His restoration ability was something that he inherited from his mother. It would be hard to kill him unless his heart or brain was crushed or he suffered from too much blood loss that his restoration wouldn’t be able to keep up. Though they can heal and regenerate, they could still feel the pain.“What a lousy bunch. They couldn’t even do a good job of killing me,” he mumbled as he stood up. His stomach grumbled when he smelled the aroma of grilled meat just right outside the alley. He sighed before moving his feet and walked towards the store.“2 chicken skewers, please.” He took out 4 copper coins from his space ring and gave it to the vendor. The vendor gave him his order and he went on his way. Once again, he let his feet walk aim
Dio threw the shovel to the side after he finished burying his grandfather’s remains. He sat on the ground with his legs crossed as he stared at his grandfather’s tomb. He played with the ring on his finger, the last thing that his grandfather gave him, as he sighed repeatedly.“Heir apparent.” He sighed after reading the letters carved into the ring. If it was the reason why his grandfather wanted him to live on, then it would be useless. He threw everything away that day and nothing was left for him to live for.He poured mana onto the ring and a magic circle appeared in front of him. He already expected that it would be a space ring, yet his lips curved upwards when he realized that he was right. He peeked at the contents of the dimension storage and he shook his head in disbelief. In the end, his grandfather prepared everything for him to live a good life. It was obvious with the stack of gold and jewelries that he found inside as well as the amount of high-quality potions that he
While Dio was on an adventure with Matt, Archie was preparing something. He was putting the gold bars he collected for more than eight years to a spatial bag. Then he moved to the medicine cabinet and moved the highest quality magic and health potions as well. After putting a couple more items necessary for survival he then entered his room and opened a hidden door under his bed. He opened a chest full of magic crystals and lastly, he took a twin dagger hidden in the chest and moved them all to the bag. He opened his space ring and put the bag in there with a sigh.“This should be enough,” he mumbled as he put the ring on his pinky finger.He went back to the store when he heard a sudden knock.“I hope you’re ready.”“I’ve been waiting for you.” Archie let out a dark smile.“Dio!” Matt called out to the kid who was suddenly attack by a canis. They were just a few meters away from the heart of the forest when a pack of canis attacked them.Matt kicked a small canis who stood on his way