Morning sunlight filtered into the courtyard.
Leo was already awake.
Or rather—
Leo was already doing something completely insane.
He was standing upside down, balancing his entire body on two fingers, calm and focused. His breathing was slow, controlled. A faint golden aura flickered around him as his muscles trembled under pressure.
Then he changed position.
One finger.
Perfect balance.
No shaking. No sound.
Chen Wei, watching from the side, crossed his arms.
"Yeah… this guy is not normal anymore."
Yuna nodded.
"At this point, gravity itself is scared of him."
Just then—
A soft voice came from behind.
"Leo?"
Lily had arrived.
She leaned forward slightly, hands on her knees, tilting her head in confusion.
"What… exactly are you doing?"
The moment Leo saw her—
CRASH.
He lost balance completely and slammed into the ground.
"Ow—!!"
Chen Wei burst out laughing.
"Ten seconds ago: unstoppable warrior.
Now: defeated by eye contact."
Leo sat up, rubbing his head, then suddenly frowned as he looked at Lily carefully.
"…By the way," he said slowly,
"can you tell me something?"
Lily blinked.
"Hm?"
Leo pointed awkwardly.
"Why does your stomach look… a little bigger today?"
Lily froze.
"…I don't know," she replied quickly, turning her face away.
Behind them—
Chen Wei and Yuna leaned toward each other, whispering with mischievous smiles.
"He still hasn't noticed?"
"He really hasn't."
They both snickered.
Leo looked between them.
"…Why are you two laughing like that?"
"Nothing," Yuna said sweetly.
"Absolutely nothing."
But Lily's ears had turned red.
🌙 Evening — Dinner Time
Night settled in peacefully.
Everyone gathered around the dining table, laughing and eating together. The atmosphere was warm—almost too normal for a house filled with monsters, warriors, and secrets.
Lily gently placed her chopsticks down.
"Leo," she said, her tone calm but serious,
"if you're planning to enter the tournament… it's coming very soon."
Leo looked up.
"How soon?"
"Less than a week."
The room went quiet.
Lily continued,
"If you want to test yourself before that… you could challenge one of Japan's famous underground gangs. They're strong. Very strong."
Chen Wei's eyes lit up.
"Oh?"
He grinned at Leo.
"That sounds fun."
Leo leaned back slightly, thoughtful.
"A pre-tournament fight, huh…"
Chen Wei slapped the table.
"Then it's decided."
Yuna smiled calmly.
"Looks like we're going."
Lily watched Leo closely.
Her hand instinctively rested over her stomach.
Whatever was coming next—
she knew things were about to change.
END OF CHAPTER 27