Aenon lay in the hot spring with his eyes closed, enjoying the healing sensation as his injuries started to mend. He had somehow managed to drag his body back to Reality's Edge and was recovering in the natural looking pool Nocthrya had set up. Despite the accelerated healing, it would take him almost a week to be back at his best. His injuries were just too massive, and that too at a cellular level. The Nurse wasn't kidding when she had said his body wouldn't be able to handle the overload from the inflated stats.

Aenon had managed to unlock a multiplier of four, and his body had almost deteriorated because of it. He couldn't even imagine what would happen if he unlocked the full 128 multiplier. By his guess, his body would just vaporize into dust if he tried. Not that he could even if he wanted to. He had checked his soul space after the fight and was able to explore a diameter of 40 feet when he unlocked his limiter.

"Aenon-Friend is too reckless," Nocthrya said crossly.

"Sorry about that, my friend," Aenon replied with genuine remorse. He didn't open his eyes though, just soaking in the pleasant sensation. "But I need to take risks to achieve what I want. But yeah, I will try to be more careful."

"You better be," Talia said from the side with a pout. She was trying for a menacing look, but her childish attempt made her look cute and adorable instead.

Only the green-haired druid who was next to Talia didn't say a word. But it was obvious that Thalindra too disapproved of his latest adventure. Luckily Jenny and the rest were still on their own quests to clear out the Treants, or else he would have more people to pacify.

"At least tell us how you managed to wreck your body to such a degree," Thalindra finally asked. "I have never seen such injuries. It's like your body went through a meat grinder. Its remarkable that you even managed to return here."

"Went up against something called an Ant Monarch," Aenon said without explaining about his limiter. That was a secret he didn't want to share with anyone.

A stunned silence is all Aenon got in response. When he opened his eyes, Thalindra was staring at him with a disbelieving expression. It took her a while to collect herself.

"If it was anyone else, I would have asked how you got away," she said slowly. "But knowing you, I'd say you managed to defeat it, didn't you?"

"It was a good fight," Aenon said with a shrug.

He saw Thalindra rub her forehead in frustration before shaking her head. "You do realize that a monarch variant is a raid boss, right? It takes at least 20 people to even attempt fighting it."

Aenon was stunned by that. Yes, it was a tough fight, but he didn't feel like it was that difficult either. Thankfully Thalindra continued without him having to reveal his cluelessness.

"A monarch variant is born when hive creatures like the Fire Ants sacrifice all their fighting force to create one being," Thalindra explained. "They often do this when they feel threatened enough that they see no other option. In terms of power, it is equivalent to a D-grade evolution. And having a stat multiplier of 8 is no laughing matter."

"What the woman doesn't know is that the monarch was level 115," the System Nurse chimed in. But she was only audible to Aenon. "And it had stats equivalent for someone with two epic rarity classes. Meaning a combined stat total of 51000, with the multiplier of course. Your measly 11000 stats are a joke for such a creature."

Aenon shuddered at the implications of his latest gaffe. If he had not managed to unlock his stat multiplier…

"When you took the punch to your face, the bug had a STR stat of about 12000, whereas you had a STR of 1669," the Nurse hammered in the point. "If not for your mask, it would have shattered your skull. Not that the concussive force was any better."

"Looks like I owe you a thanks for giving me the time to figure out my sealed multiplier," Aenon said sincerely.

"Most people in the Multiverse aim for an F or E grade evolutions," Thalindra continued, oblivious of Aenon's other conversation. "Which means a monster such the monarch is an absolute menace to deal with."

"Why did you decide to go alone anyway," Talia asked in a heated tone.

Aenon had spent considerable time with the kid, and she had gotten quite attached to him. Aenon had spoilt her a lot, and she was more of a little sister than anything else. Her tone reminded him of Harley. Even though Thalindra was taken aback by the kid's boldness, she kept quiet and waited expectantly.

"Maybe someday you will understand," Aenon finally said with a sigh.

Not satisfied with Aenon's response, the little girl harrumphed and marched off in a foul mood. Aenon felt guilty for his actions, not because of what he did. But because of the strong fear he sensed from her soul.

"The kid looks up to you, Lord Fenrast," Thalindra said with sadness while looking at the retreating figure of the girl. "Except her grandmother, she has lost most parental figures from her life. She is probably afraid of losing you too, someone she feels safe around."

"I know," Aenon responded with melancholy. "Which is why I wish she didn't have to see me like this. But I was not in a state to think when I stumbled my way back."

Thalindra had a complicated look on her face. She was silent for a while, before finally asking, "She may be a kid, but even I don't understand why you must take such extreme risks. The dungeons and the monsters here have been abnormal from the start. Nothing is the way it is supposed to be. And your insistence on going solo concerns a lot of us."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Aenon didn't answer the question, deflecting with a question instead, "What did you find out about her soul?"

Aenon sensed frustration from the woman, but she managed to suppress it. When she finally spoke, her voice was very controlled and subdued, "She has a very rare affinity. Emergent souls are highly sought after by almost all noble houses. I am not shocked that her soul is being tracked. She will be a great asset for you."

Aenon frowned at the explanation, not because it was something unexpected. But because Thalindra's soul suddenly revealed hostility and anger towards him. But there was deep sorrow and acceptance too, like she fully expected this to happen and had fully convinced herself it was for the best.

"You think I plan to use her for her affinity," Aenon stated coldly.

Thalindra was unnerved by the sudden change in tone. She tried to explain but Aenon didn't let her. He stood up from the water, revealing an extensively scarred torso. One of the aftereffects of breaking the seal was that his wounds didn't heal the same. Every cut, every bruise still ached. But he ignored it all and stepped out of the pool.

Aenon was in a pair of shorts, and the injuries were on full display. He felt Thalindra shudder and recoil at the sight, turning her head away in discomfort. Without a word Aenon started walking away, completely ignoring the pleas of the desperate woman. He dried the water from his body with some Air Manipulation and donned his armor—which had completely repaired thankfully.

He walked at a casual pace towards where he sensed Talia was hiding. As he got closer, he heard stifled sobs from a hole in a tree trunk. He approached carefully, but didn't peak inside. Instead, he coughed loudly to announce his presence. A sharp gasp came from within the tree. Talia emerged hastily with puffed up eyes, trying her best to hide the fact that she was crying.

But Aenon didn't comment, merely turning around and tapping on his shoulder. Getting the message the kid climbed on sheepishly. He started walking at a slow pace until he reached Nocthrya. The tree had grown to an impressive 100 feet height and was the tallest structure in the entire area. Steps formed from vines emerged around the trunk, allowing Aenon to climb his way to the top. Once there, he sat down with Talia still on his shoulders.

The two of them took in the vast expanse before them, the mist not hindering them in the least. The view was breathtaking, and for a moment they forgot all their worries. Aenon removed his mask and placed it to the side, before putting down Talia next to him. She was still avoiding his gaze, her soul emitting embarrassment at being caught crying.

"There is nothing wrong with tears," Aenon finally said, surprising the girl. "It's a form of communication too. It tells those close to you that you are in pain, which lets them help you."

"But only kids cry," she replied with her head bowed down.

"Adults cry too. They don't let you see it because there is nothing kids can do to help."

"Have you cried too?" Talia asked in her childish voice.

"Yes, I have," Aenon replied with a smile. "Quite recently too." Aenon of course didn't explain the reason he cried.

"But I don't want to be a kid," Talia replied with a pout. "I want to help too. Help in taking care of my grandma, of Nocthrya, and even you."

Aenon smiled and caressed the little girl's head. He looked at the ground below and asked, "Can you jump down from here?"

"What?" Talia asked in fear. "Of course not. It is too high."

"When do you think you will be ready to do that?"

Talia's face scrunched up in concentration as she calculated something in her mind. "My grandma told me that people who are level 60 or so can jump this high."

"And do you think you can reach level 60 in a day?" Aenon asked.

"No," she replied sullenly.

"Exactly," Aenon explained. "Growing, just like leveling, takes time Talia. You can't rush it; you can't force it. And if you hurry, you will only end up hurting yourself."

Talia was deep in thought for a bit before asking, "Then why are you in a hurry to level up?"

Aenon was taken aback by the sharp and witty response. He started chuckling, before breaking into a loud carefree laugh.

"You are right," he acknowledged. "I have been in a rush, haven't I?"

He looked at the forest canopy with a smile. He suddenly recalled a saying his father used to say, "Sometimes the greatest wisdom comes from the mouth of innocent children."

Aenon was lost in the fond memory when he felt a tiny hand grab his wrist. Talia was clutching it tight, with fresh tears forming in her eyes. The girl's face was scrunched up to hold back the tears.

"I…don't want…to lose you too," she said with great effort. "Like my mom and dad."

Like a dam bursting, Talia started bawling before hugging him tight. Aenon returned the hug and kissed her on her head, occasionally patting her back to comfort her. After a long time, she finally started to calm down, hiccupping occasionally.

"I am sorry little one," Aenon said in a soothing voice. "I will try my best to be more careful."

"Promise?" Talia asked with red eyes.

"I promise," Aenon reassured her. But then he added, "But I am not invincible. There might come a time when I may not be able to return."

Fresh tears started to form in her eyes, but Aenon patter her back gently as he explained further.

"But I will always be with you," he said while pointing at her heart. "In your memories and in your heart. Just like your parents live on through you."

Aenon didn't want to explain the intricacies of death to such a young kid. But she had already experienced it herself. And so Aenon wanted to turn it into something that would help her grow, rather than stunting her. It hurt him that he had to say all this at all, but such was life. He himself knew it from firsthand experience.

"But rest assured," Aenon said with an encouraging smile. "I am not that easy to take down either. It will take an army of dragons to defeat me."

He said the last statement in a faux haughty tone, with his head held high. It finally made the girl giggle.

"No one is that strong," she said with the first genuine smile of the day.

"What?" Aenon pretended to be hurt by her words. "You don't think I can take on an army of dragons?"

He stood up and gave a valiant pose with his hands on his hips. He pretended to draw a mighty sword and started to swing it around in an exaggerated fashion. He gave over the top commentary of him taking down dragon after dragon. His antics made the girl laugh, and even Nocthrya looked amused at the two humans sitting in its branches.

For hours Aenon regaled the fascinated girl with made up stories of distant battles that he would eventually take part in. From toppling evil empires, to rescuing the princess of far-off lands, he continued his performance. The echoes of the girl's sobs were eventually replaced with the mirthful laughter of youth. Till finally the girl fell into a deep sleep with a broad smile plastered on her face.

"Aenon-Friend has a wild imagination," Nocthrya commented in his mind. "I liked your stories."

Aenon smiled as he realized that Nocthrya too was in fact a kid. He didn't know how long it would take for Nocthrya to mature, but he hoped it would be a while at least. Aenon was about to respond, when a glint caught his eye. It was a golden locket that Talia was clutching in her sleep. It had a swivel that opened to reveal two pictures, no doubt of her parents.

The second he saw the woman's face, Aenon's smile faded. He gently held the locket to take a closer look, before closing and tucking it in Talia's tiny hands. Sensing his mood Nocthrya got worried.

"Why is Aenon-Friend sad?"

"Because this world keeps conspiring to keep me so," Aenon replied cryptically. He withdrew a copper coin from his pocket and started rubbing it with a lost look. "Because I am in a debt I can't repay".

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