Chapter 549: Riven's Return and a Change of Clothes
Ren stared at the continuously glowing threshold of the shop, a faint look of surprise crossing his features. The soft, otherworldly light spilled across the wooden floorboards, yet the entrance remained devoid of any new arrivals. It was an unusual sight. He wondered if the customer on the other side had run into some unexpected trouble right at the doorway.
Just as he was about to voice his thoughts, a heavy sound echoed from the void beyond the door.
To Yakumo Yukari and the others present, the atmosphere shifted instantly. A suffocating pressure bled into the room, carrying the distinct, metallic scent of a fierce beast stalking its prey.
One step. Two steps.
The footfalls were deliberate, mimicking the slow, rhythmic thud of a calm heartbeat. Neither rushed nor hesitant, the heavy boots struck the ground with a veteran's precision. In the span of a few short seconds, the sheer tension made the wait stretch on like agonizing minutes.
Finally, just as Yakumo Ran parted her lips to speak, the jagged, heavy tip of a shattered broadsword breached the doorway.
Ren recognized the weapon instantly. A warm smile touched his lips. "It really has been a long time..."
"Eh?!" Five different voices echoed through the dining area in unison.
Lucifer leaned forward, her red eyes wide. "You know her?!"
Ren offered a calm nod. "The exact same entrance as last time. We meet again, Miss Riven."
Before the rest of the girls could fully process his words, a young woman stepped through the glowing portal. She possessed a striking, heroic presence, her skin a sun-kissed wheat color that spoke of endless days under harsh skies. Her wild, silver-white hair framed a weary face, and she carried the massive, broken runic blade over her shoulder with practiced ease.
Riven lowered her weapon slightly, her sharp gaze sweeping over the newly upgraded restaurant. It looked vastly different from her memory, yet the underlying warmth and safety remained untouched. Her tense shoulders finally dropped as she let out a long, exhausted breath. "Yes. Long time no see, Shopkeeper Ren."
Yukari observed the newcomer over the edge of her fan, her eyes lingering on the dark, dried blood heavily staining the warrior's armor and clothes.
Ren stepped out from behind the counter, his tone gentle. "It looks like you have not been having the easiest time lately."
Riven paused, her mind drifting to the endless battles. "I have been wandering. Oh, by the way, can you tell if this is edible?"
With a casual toss, she threw a heavy, bloodstained burlap sack toward the counter.
Ren caught it effortlessly, untied the thick rope, and tilted his head to inspect the contents. Inside rested a massive, freshly severed bear paw, thick with coarse fur and heavy muscle. After a brief moment of consideration, he pulled the massive ingredient out and set it on the cutting board.
Reimu and the others stared at the sheer size of the monstrous limb in stunned silence.
Ren poked the thick pads of the paw twice before smiling. "It is definitely edible. Do you want me to pack it for you to take on the road, or will you be eating it here?"
Riven found an empty stool at the corner of the counter and heavily sat down, the exhaustion finally catching up to her. "Cooked meat with a strong scent will only attract enemies in the wild. I will eat it here. You can keep the bear paw as payment. Just roast the meat inside for me. Aside from that, I need hot soup and a large portion of whatever else you have."
"And wine!" Reimu and Yukari chimed in simultaneously, perfectly in sync.
A faint, genuine smile broke through Riven's stoic expression. "That is right. The strongest wine you have. Should I hand this over to you?"
Ren glanced at the massive, jagged sword resting near Riven's boots. "Let me hold onto it for you behind the counter. If any older, more cautious customers wander in, a bloodstained blade might ruin their appetite."
Riven nodded in agreement, lifting the heavy weapon and passing it over.
As Ren took the hilt, he noted the lack of resistance. "What, dropping your guard this time?"
"I only came back a second time because I know there is no danger to be found here," Riven replied quietly.
"Earning your trust is a wonderful thing," Ren said, turning toward the kitchen. "Oh, before I start, I forgot to ask last time. Can you handle spicy food?"
Riven nodded firmly. "Yes. Spices ward off the cold. When I was on long military campaigns, it was the only thing that kept my body warm through the freezing nights."
"Understood. I will prepare it accordingly."
Ren stored the broken sword safely behind the counter. He was just about to head into the kitchen when a thought crossed his mind. He stopped and turned back to look at Riven, who was currently inspecting the polished wood and new decorations of the expanded shop.
Her combat-honed instincts flared instantly, her head snapping toward Ren the moment she felt his gaze.
Before she could question him, Ren walked past her and gestured toward the CEO of Hell. "Lucifer, come here for a moment."
Lucifer gave him a curious look but obediently walked over.
Ren briefly compared the two women, his eyes measuring their proportions. Finally, he leaned in and spoke to Lucifer. "Do you not think Riven's height and figure are a near-perfect match for Justice?"
Lucifer blinked, looking Riven up and down before a knowing smirk spread across her face. "I get it, I get it. Go get busy with the food. Leave this to me."
Ren nodded, satisfied, and disappeared into the kitchen.
Lucifer turned her attention fully to the battle-worn exile. "Alright, let us go. I am taking you upstairs to change. You arrived at the perfect time. Justice has a closet full of clothes that will fit your build perfectly."
Riven looked down at her battered, blood-soaked armor in confusion. "I..."
"The giant sword is fine, but tracking dried blood all over the dining room is terrible for the atmosphere," Lucifer stated, her tone leaving no room for argument. "It is not good for your skin to stay in filthy clothes anyway. Go take a hot bath and change. The food will be ready by the time you come back down."
Before Riven could formulate a protest, Lucifer grabbed her by the wrist and marched her toward the stairs. Riven sensed zero malice from the white-haired woman, but she was deeply startled by one obvious fact. This seemingly elegant woman possessed a terrifying amount of physical strength.
Upstairs, in the entertainment lounge, Justice was currently sprawled out on the sofa, thoroughly engrossed in a movie alongside Rantabi and Nami.
Finding Justice's actual bedroom empty, Lucifer tracked the sound of explosions to the lounge. She stood in the doorway, crossing her arms as she watched Justice mindlessly shoveling handfuls of popcorn into her mouth. "You certainly never stop eating."
Justice grinned, not taking her eyes off the screen. "I eat because I am happy! Besides, I burn it all off with exercise."
Nami leaned over, eyeing the demon's athletic physique with a sigh. "Seriously, how do you maintain a figure like that with your diet?"
"Want me to teach you? We can hit the gym together tomorrow morning."
"Forget it. I think I would look ridiculous with muscles like yours," Nami laughed, waving her hands. "By the way, Lucifer, what brings you up here?"
Lucifer sighed, rubbing her temples. "Justice, pause the movie and come out here. I need a favor."
Justice swallowed her popcorn and shot Lucifer a sly, teasing grin. "Oh? You are not going to bring up how I caught you and Ren alone in the kitchen earlier..."
"Woah! Shut up!" Lucifer shrieked, her pale face instantly flushing a deep, vibrant red.
Rantabi paused the movie, her eyes darting between the two demons in sheer curiosity. "Wait, what were they doing in the kitchen?"
"Making cake! We were just baking a cake!" Lucifer yelled, waving her hands frantically. "It was not what it looked like! Just get out here and help me, you idiot!"
Justice chuckled, tossing the popcorn bowl aside. "Alright, alright, keep your horns on. I am coming."
Stepping out into the hallway, Justice finally noticed the silver-haired warrior standing awkwardly behind Lucifer. The demon's eyes lit up in genuine appreciation. "Oh! Now that is a fantastic build. We should definitely swap fitness routines sometime."
Riven remained entirely dazed by the chaotic energy of the household.
Lucifer quickly explained the situation, and Justice nodded in understanding. "No problem at all. My closet is open. You two go in and pick out whatever fits. I am heading back to the movie, I need to see who the killer is before Nami spoils it. See you downstairs!"
With a casual wave, Justice vanished back into the lounge.
Lucifer sighed, shaking her head at her friend's antics. "What a ridiculously casual demon... Anyway, let us find you something decent. Let me see... this shirt should work... and these pants... Hmm. For footwear, these sneakers will do perfectly. Now, follow me to the bathroom."
Riven stood in the hallway, her arms piled high with soft, clean fabrics and a pair of modern athletic shoes. She felt completely out of her element. The materials were softer than any silk she had encountered in Noxus or Ionia, radiating an aura of extreme luxury.
Before she could process the gift, Lucifer was already dragging her into the massive, pristine bathroom.
Lucifer began pointing at a dizzying array of bottles lining the marble counter. "This one is shampoo for your hair. This is shower gel for your body. That bottle over there is moisturizing body lotion. This tube is facial cleanser, the blue one is toner, and also make sure to use the conditioner after the shampoo, leave it in for three minutes, then rinse. Just use whatever you need. The large bathtub is not filled yet, so just use the standing shower over there. Adjust the water temperature with that handle. Left is hot, right is cold."
Lucifer paused to take a breath, pointing to a woven basket near the door. "When you are done, throw all your dirty armor and clothes into that hamper. Go ahead and wash up. I will be waiting right outside the door if you need anything."
The door clicked shut, leaving Riven standing alone in the gleaming, brightly lit bathroom. She stared at the endless rows of colorful bottles, then down at the strange, soft clothing in her hands. She reached up and scratched her messy silver hair, her mind completely blank.
After a long, silent moment, the battle-hardened exile let out a deep sigh of utter defeat.
'What in the world is all of this...'
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