The clinking of knives and forks against plates suddenly ceased.
Everyone stared at the nearly finished steak on their plates in silence.
They had just eaten the chieftain's totem.
"If I said this was crocodile meat, would you believe me?"
Stark decided to try salvaging the situation. If he turned into a woman again, he might need to see a psychologist.
"You think I'd fall for that? Where'd this thing even come from?"
Kino's smile didn't reach his eyes as he replied.
"It was brought here by Magneto. The head was already missing when it arrived. We spent 2000 contribution points to buy it for research.
Turned out to be a total loss. That dragon had almost no research value—except for its long lifespan. Though... the meat is somewhat useful.
It's highly nutritious, enhances strength, boosts metabolism... even improves male performance."
Stark tried hard to explain that they weren't being gluttonous—it was all part of the experiment.
After hearing this, Kino silently finished the rest of his steak.
Since it had already been eaten, there was no sense in wasting it.
"Give me a few hundred pounds of the meat."
"Huh? Right away!"
Stark was stunned. What did that mean—was he addicted to it?
"You guys should do more research—see if it can be farmed or cloned. I'll bring the rest over tomorrow."
If he remembered correctly, there were still several more in the sea.
Kino walked off with the meat.
The others were left exchanging confused glances.
"So... we're not in trouble?" asked Otto.
"Seems like the boss actually liked it," said Killian.
"Do you think it's because of the, uh... male enhancement?" Stark grinned lewdly.
"No way. The boss is already super strong, why would he need that?" Connors was skeptical.
"You don't get it. Every guy needs it. Besides, his wives are already in the double digits… Whoa!"
Before Howard could finish, a cloud of red mist engulfed him, and moments later, a baby plopped onto the floor.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"That's enough talk about that. Dr. Zola will handle the cloning project, and the breeding effort will be assigned to other labs. I'll go hand my dad over to Maria," Stark said as he picked up the crawling baby Howard from the floor.
Serves you right for running your mouth.
Nighttime.
In Erik's home, pots and pans flew around the kitchen, and a fire taller than a man blazed in front of him.
"Erik, maybe I should handle this instead?" Jenna looked at the chaotic "battlefield" with concern.
"Relax, Jenna. I've got this."
Erik was full of confidence as he simultaneously stir-fried in three woks, expertly sliced vegetables with two knives, and used four tongs to wash greens in the sink.
Although it was his first time cooking Eastern cuisine, he had memorized all the ingredients and steps down to the last detail.
"As long as you're happy…"
Jenna wasn't worried about him—she was worried about her kitchen.
"Daddy, you're amazing!"
Nina cheered excitedly from the side. She didn't care if the food would taste good—she just thought her dad looked super cool.
Encouraged by his daughter's support, Erik doubled his efforts.
Ding-dong!
"I'll get it."
Seeing that Erik and Nina were both busy, Jenna went to answer the door herself.
A blond man with a gentlemanly smile handed over a gift.
"Hello, Mrs. Jenna."
"Welcome, Mr. Charles."
It was Erik's old friend—Charles.
Charles stepped inside and stared at the chaotic yet grand kitchen scene. For a moment, he was speechless.
Should I just leave?
"Uncle Charles!"
Nina spotted him and ran over.
"Nina, have you been studying well lately?"
"Yes! I was second in my class on the last test. Damian was first!"
Even after regaining his youth, Charles's gentle charisma remained intact.
"You old man—why are you here? I didn't invite you."
Erik had assumed it was Lorna at the door—not this guy.
"Jenna invited me. And are you sure you don't need my help?"
Charles smiled meaningfully, his words holding a double meaning.
"…Don't just stand there. Set the table," Erik replied.
"Gladly," said Charles.
Before long, the doorbell rang again.
Jenna opened it to find Nina and Kino.
The others had declined after hearing it was a Lorna family dinner. Besides the ones who arrived later, only Lorna remained—giving the couple some alone time.
"Chief, you've arrived."
Jenna was a bit flustered.
After all, he was the ruler of the world—the Demon King.
"Sis, this is my first visit, so I brought some fruit. Hope you like it."
That "Sis" left Jenna momentarily stunned.
Lorna immediately slapped Kino hard.
"Why are you calling her that?"
"Didn't you say she felt like an older sister? I wasn't wrong, right?"
"But who told you to actually call her that?!"
"Then what should I call her? Madam? Aunt?"
Watching them bicker, Jenna burst into laughter. The distance she'd felt from Kino vanished.
"Chief, just call me Auntie."
"Then Auntie, just call me Kino."
Kino smiled and handed over the fruit basket.
"Alright, Kino. Come on in."
Jenna took the fruit basket, pausing when she saw what was inside—only a single fruit, the size of a human head, emitting a fresh, pleasant aroma.
Given Kino's status, it was clearly no ordinary fruit.
Kino entered.
He was wearing a blue school-style suit and black-rimmed glasses that masked the sharpness in his eyes.
He looked like a student who'd just finished class.
Following behind him was Lorna, dressed in a simple white blouse and a long green skirt. Her loosely curled hair fell casually over her shoulders, giving her a soft and elegant charm.
"Kino-uncle! Lorna-sis!"
Nina's eyes lit up when she saw Lorna and tried to leap toward her.
But halfway there, Kino scooped her up.
"You call her sis, but I'm uncle?"
He gently poked her cheek.
"Eek! That tickles! You're Damian's godfather, so you're Uncle!"
Nina squirmed and kicked playfully.
"Nina!"
Jenna's sharp gaze made Nina shrink back instantly.
Kino's fingers glowed with red magic.
Suddenly, a baby unicorn appeared on the floorboards.
Whinny—
The unicorn gently nuzzled Kino's leg.
"Oh my god!"
Jenna covered her mouth in shock. Though she knew the chief was powerful, creating life like this was nothing short of divine.
"Ahh! A unicorn! A real unicorn!"
Nina struggled to get down from Kino's arms.
"Then what should you call me?"
Kino teased her deliberately.
"Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law!"
Nina shouted repeatedly.
"Brother-in-law likes sweet-talking kids."
Kino put her down and spoke to the young unicorn.
"She's your master from now on."
Whinny—
The unicorn nodded gently and nuzzled Nina's small hand.
Quote of the Chapter:
"The strength of family isn't in blood or power, but in the warmth we choose to offer one another."
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