The morning came cold.
But inside his chest — fear burned.
He woke with sweat on his forehead and fire in his lungs.
"Another day.""And still… nothing."
No mentor. No teacher.He couldn't read the spellbooks, and his mother had stopped the nightly stories.His sister was too busy training.His father was gone.
He had nothing.
He sat up slowly, arms wrapped around his knees.
"I promised to protect them.""But I can't even protect myself."
🏡 Return of the Flame
Then—
"I'm home."
A voice from below. Familiar. Grounded. Strong.
His head snapped up.
He ran — flew down the stairs barefoot and breathless.
And there he was.
His father. Covered in dust, sunburned, muscles sore — but alive.
The man dropped his gear the moment he saw him.
And without a word, lifted him high into the air, hugging him like he'd never let go.
"You've gotten taller," he said, voice thick.
His sister ran in behind.
"Welcome home, Father!"
He scooped her up too — one arm each.
"You're not a kid anymore, huh?"
"I'm strong now!" she said proudly.
He smiled, kissed her forehead.
"You'll always be my little girl."
The MC froze.
Something surged inside him.
A warm pulse. Like a golden chord strumming through his core.
He saw it — through sheer instinct.
His father's aura.A-rank… no, nearly S-rank.
His muscles, his blood, his breath — all honed. Sharpened by pure effort.
Even royal bloodlines struggled to reach that level.
His father did it… without privilege.
"He fought monsters to protect us…""He risked everything…"
The MC threw his arms around his father's neck and held tight.
🍲 The Meal of Peace
Later, their mother cooked.
Not scraps, not for survival — but a meal full of spice and warmth.
She hummed at the stove. Smiled while stirring. Her eyes softer than they'd been in weeks.
"She thought he'd die.""And now, she gets to serve him soup."
He looked around.
His sister was polishing her blade — now B-rank.
His mother's aura pulsed steadier too — stronger than before.
"They've all grown.""Every one of them worked for this.""Except me."
His fists clenched.
"I said I'd protect them.""But I can't do anything yet. Not in this world."
🧭 Seeking the Path
He looked for his father — maybe he could teach him now.
But he was gone.
Off to scout new lands. With the money he earned, they could move to a safer place.
"No…""There's no one left to ask."
Except…
His sister.
🌑 The Breaking Point
He found her near the back fence.
She stood still, hands low.
Surrounded.
Three boys — royal attire, golden trim and arrogance oozing from every inch.
"Heard your daddy's a monster hunter. Must be why you act like one too."
"You think just 'cause you're a little strong, you're better?"
"Maybe your whole family's cursed—"
He didn't hear the rest.
Because by then, the world had gone silent.
And black.
🌌 The Rage Awakens
His blood boiled. Not metaphorically — literally.
His mana burst from his body — pure and ancient.
The sky above them turned black.Birds fell from trees.The wind died.And the air thickened like oil.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
The guards spying from the treetops fell, choking on the pressure.
The royal brats turned white. One vomited. The others ran.
But he wasn't watching them.
He was looking at his sister — standing tall, eyes unblinking, unaware.
"They threatened her.""They tried to hurt her.""No one hurts my family."
He raised his hand.
Power gathered — a spear of pure chaos.
The kind of spell that could erase a city.
And in that moment, he didn't care.
He wasn't thinking.
Only burning.
"I've fought gods.""I've crushed kingdoms.""But I've never been this angry."
💔 The Cost of Control
Then—he saw them.
His mother, running.
His sister, turning.
Their faces.
Afraid.
Not of the bullies.
Of him.
He dropped the spell.
Collapsed to his knees.
And coughed up blood.
His body wasn't ready. His mana circuit ruptured. Skin split. Veins burned.
He fell, trembling, as the black aura faded like smoke.
His sister rushed to him, screaming his name.
His mother dropped beside her, pulling him into her arms.
"I'm okay…" he whispered, voice faint. "I didn't… mean to…"
And in his heart:
"I almost lost everything.""I said I'd protect them…""But I almost became the demon again."