Chapter 45: Annoyed Elli

Kai was on his way home, but his mind remained occupied by his conversation with Adam.

There were simply too many things the man had told him, things related to him and Jean. And how Drake was so ridiculously connected to Jean’s past.

Then there was Adam’s misconception that Kai had undergone a second awakening. That assumption had led him to believe Kai possessed enough potential to eventually reach a considerably high rank.

Well, he wasn’t entirely wrong.

The Growth Pill provided by the system had completely changed the limits of Kai’s potential. His upper ceiling was no longer the same as it had been before, but Kai still had no idea how far that growth could take him or how long it would be before he could genuinely consider himself a powerful Hunter.

’Maybe it’s because of the perspective I’ve built over the years...’

He didn’t want to doubt himself. At the same time, he knew better than anyone that he couldn’t transform into someone powerful overnight. It would take time. Step by step, with the system’s help, he would eventually become someone capable of protecting his family from any existence in this world.

’Though... what exactly does he want? Who does he want me to kill?’

Adam had never specified who his target was. He had merely said that when the time came, he would tell Kai.

Naturally, Kai hadn’t agreed to anything. Adam hadn’t tried to pressure him into signing a contract either. Instead, he had assured Kai that he would explain everything once he believed Kai was prepared and willing to accept the bounty.

’Calling it a bounty is a little too much... It’s just a deal.’

Kai hadn’t accepted anything yet. Still, considering what Adam could offer him, especially the information he seemed to possess, Kai was somewhat inclined to keep the man’s contact rather than cut him off completely.

For one thing, Adam already knew about him and Jean. And if someone from the surveillance department was involved, Adam undoubtedly had his own means of finding their new residence as well.

’Tch. I don’t like this sense of helplessness.’

No matter how carefully Kai tried to keep his family away from trouble, people with authority still possessed enough reach to interfere with their peaceful lives.

And that thought became the push he constantly need to keep growing.

’I need to level up soon.’

....

Soon, he reached his haven. He had already texted Jean to ask whether she was awake. If she hadn’t replied, he would have used his key to slip inside quietly. But she told him she was awake and already preparing dinner for them.

Knock.

Kai knocked on the door and waited for a few moments before it finally opened.

Standing on the other side were the two people who instantly melted away every trace of stress he had carried home with him.

Elara immediately raised both arms toward him, an angelic smile lighting up her face.

Kai sighed softly before reaching out and scooping her into his arms.

"Did you miss Daddy? Sorry, I’m a bit sweaty."

He glanced toward Jean, who was smiling as she watched them.

"She has been quite active the whole day. She even started tossing things across the place." Jean shook her head as she stepped aside, giving him room to enter.

Kai hummed in surprise. "Is that so? Isn’t that a good thing? At least she’s making some effort to move around."

Jean gave him a wry smile. "I feel like I somehow pushed her into doing it."

Kai turned toward her, confusion settling over his face. "What do you mean?"

Jean looked away for a moment before letting out a resigned sigh.

"Well, I took away her favorite dispenser to see what she would do. The nearest thing she found was a spongy ball, and it went flying right past my ear before bouncing off the wall."

"...."

Kai fell silent.

He slowly turned his gaze toward the baby in his arms.

Elara looked right back at him with the same innocent smile, as though she hadn’t just attempted to launch a projectile at her own mother.

A moment later, Kai let out a faint chuckle.

"Well, at least this gives us something we can use to encourage her to move around."

Jean nodded. "Though I don’t know how long we can keep her away from the dispenser unless we’re constantly holding her."

Their conversation continued as Kai settled into a chair at the table while Jean returned to the kitchen to plate the food.

She had prepared vegetable fried rice with chicken on the side, and the moment the aroma reached him, it stirred an appetite he hadn’t even realized he’d forgotten about.

For Elara, Jean had prepared some vegetable rice as well. There was also a small serving of soft pudding that Kai had picked up on his way home.

As they settled down to eat, Kai glanced at Jean and asked, "Are you feeling better now?"

Jean paused for a moment, lowering her gaze before nodding.

"Yeah... thanks for everything you sent."

Kai shrugged. "It wasn’t much. Were you able to use the massager, though?"

Only later had he realized that the massager required someone to keep moving it continuously, which made it difficult for Jean to use while lying down.

"I’m better now," Jean assured him. "My lower back was sore this morning, but it’s much better."

With that settled, they continued eating.

Kai was quite pleased with the food. It was exactly to his taste, lightly salted with mild spices, yet filling enough that he found himself taking a second serving before Jean was halfway through.

He also helped Elara eat while Jean watched them for a moment before asking, "When are we moving?"

There was a hint of anxiety in her voice.

Staying here had started to make her uneasy, mostly because she knew Kai worried about them every time he went out. She didn’t want that concern lingering in the back of his mind while he was away.

He had texted her six times throughout the day just to make sure everything was fine.

Jean found it sweet that despite spending the entire day running around, Kai still made time to check on them. But she didn’t want him constantly wondering whether something might have happened at home whenever he was away.

At least if they moved into a more secure community, he would be able to relax a little whenever he went out.

"The day after tomorrow, if everything goes well."

Despite all the chaos waiting for them on the horizon, Kai hoped they could finally move their household somewhere safer this time.