Early the next morning.
Arthur woke up in his bed and looked around at the empty space.
"When will I be able to bring a girl here?"
What Arthur didn't realize was that even a casual conversation like the one he had with Jean could bring about a huge change in the future.
But let's leave the future for the future.
After getting up and washing, Arthur made himself breakfast and went to the roof to do some exercises.
Slowly but steadily, his body was becoming more defined, gaining flexibility and agility he had never possessed before.
Afterward, he soaked up the morning sun while enjoying a sumptuous breakfast.
About that…
Gwen's house.
Gwen, who had also just woken up, came downstairs, looking worried.
George, reading the newspaper, noticed Gwen's emotional state.
"What's wrong, Gwen?"
"It's nothing, Dad. I studied late last night and didn't sleep very well."
Gwen knew she couldn't tell George what was happening. Besides not being able to help, it would only create more problems.
And the fewer people who knew about this kind of thing, the better.
After a simple breakfast, Gwen put on her backpack.
"Dad, Mom, I might end up coming back later today. You don't have to wait for me to eat."
After saying this, she ran out of the house before George could respond.
At the same time, a woman came out of the kitchen and sighed.
"Ahh, this girl…"
George smiled proudly.
"My daughter definitely inherited my genes."
After leaving the house, Gwen took a deep breath and stared at her hands for what felt like the thousandth time.
She had tried out her new abilities the previous night.
It was almost like being a spider!
"Was that dream real?"
Gwen remembered the dream she had while passed out—the dream of herself transforming into a giant spider.
For a girl, turning into such an ugly monster was far scarier than simply gaining a strange superpower.
After hailing a taxi, Gwen told the driver her destination.
Regarding the changes in her body, she had no one she could talk to.
Then she remembered Arthur.
The taxi quickly arrived at Arthur's gate. Gwen paid and immediately got out of the car.
As she approached the gate, she felt a little weak.
Though subtle, the feeling was still there.
"Is there something wrong with my body?"
She could only attribute the sensation to herself.
Raising her hand to ring the doorbell, she paused.
"It hasn't even been two days, and I'm coming again?"
"Will Arthur think I'm a boring girl?"
"If Arthur finds out I'm turning into a monster, will he kick me out?"
Just as she was about to ring, Gwen hesitated, unsure how to explain what was happening to her.
If she was too direct, would Arthur dislike her?
If she was too vague, wouldn't it look like she was lying?
But if she didn't talk to him, she wouldn't know what to do if something strange happened again.
"Argh!"
Gwen scratched her head, feeling flustered.
"Why don't I just find someone else?"
Suddenly, inspiration struck.
"I know! That's it!
I'll just tell Arthur that a friend of mine has a problem and see what he says!
Yes, I'll do it!"
Gwen couldn't help but praise her own cleverness.
Satisfied with her reasoning, she rang Arthur's doorbell with confidence.
Arthur, relaxing on the roof and enjoying the sun, heard the doorbell and answered via the intercom.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Hello, it's me, Gwen.
I have something I want to talk to you about. Can I come in?"
"Of course, the gate is unlocked. I'm sunbathing on the roof, you can come up."
"OK."
After hanging up, Arthur continued to enjoy the sun.
Although he didn't know what Gwen was coming for, it was also nice to have an attractive girl join him.
Soon, Gwen arrived on the roof.
Seeing Arthur in casual clothes, sunbathing, she greeted him with a smile.
"Hi, good morning, Arthur."
"Good morning. Sit down, Gwen."
Next to Arthur were two other reclining chairs.
Seeing Gwen sit, he continued,
"Let's enjoy the sun together for a while; the morning sun is quite comfortable."
"Sure."
Agreeing, Gwen lay down, feeling the warmth of the sun over her body.
She couldn't help but stretch, letting out a comfortable moan.
"Mm~ so comfortable!"
Her voice stirred something in Arthur.
He hadn't expected her voice to sound so beautiful.
Gwen, however, didn't notice. After adjusting her position, she said,
"Arthur, I came to ask you some questions."
Clearly, she hadn't forgotten her purpose.
"About the books?"
"No, it's not that."
Arthur, curious, asked,
"So? Tell me, what's the matter?"
Gwen adjusted her tone, trying to appear casual.
"It's just that a friend of mine has been going through some problems lately."
(Hmm? Really? A friend's problem?)
Arthur's interest was piqued.
People who start like this are usually talking about themselves.
Something interesting was clearly happening.
"Hmm~ So what kind of problem does your friend have?"
(Yes! It worked!)
Gwen felt proud.
(I was smart to think of such a good reason.)
Little did she know, Arthur had already realized her little trick.
"A friend of mine recently… got something and worries that it might bring her misfortune.
But there's no way to get rid of it.
In that case, what do you think my friend should do?"
"That sounds complicated. Can you tell me what she got?" Arthur asked, genuinely interested.
At this moment, Gwen hesitated.
To explain fully would reveal too much.
She could only tell half-truths.
"It's just…
She gained a superpower."
(End of chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."