Chapter 21 – Home
Leo sighed quietly, leaning back in his seat as the bus continued to move.
The faint rumble of the engine filled the silence.
The memories lingered—
But he forced them down.
No more thinking about it.
Then—
The bus slowed.
With a soft hiss, it came to a stop.
Leo opened his eyes.
Without a word, he stepped forward, reaching into his pocket as he moved.
He paid the fee—
And stepped off the bus.
As his feet touched the ground—
A quiet stillness greeted him.
The streets were calm.
Too calm compared to what he had just experienced.
For a few minutes, he walked in silence, his footsteps soft against the pavement. The weight on his shoulders wasn't just physical—it lingered in his thoughts.
Eventually…
He arrived.
Home.
He opened the door quietly.
Inside, in the living room—
He saw them.
His mother and his little sister were sitting at the table, talking softly.
Leo paused.
His chest tightened.
His mother…
Hana.
She looked a little pale. A little weaker than before.
Tall—around 5'7.
Soft dark brown hair falling naturally over her shoulders.
Warm hazel eyes—gentle… yet strong.
Her face held a quiet kind of beauty. Not something flashy.
Even now… even while sick—
She was still beautiful.
Leo swallowed.
How much has she sacrificed…?
A dull pain spread across his chest.
Beside her stood his sister.
Aria.
Small. Around 5'0.
Her black hair tied in a ponytail.
Bright blue eyes full of life.
Slim, petite… always moving with energy.
Even in simple, worn clothes—
She still looked cute.
Still full of light.
Then—
They noticed him.
"Brother! You're back!" Aria said excitedly, running toward him.
Leo smiled faintly and nodded.
"I brought food," he said, lifting the bag. "Meat, vegetables, fruits… let's eat."
His mother looked at him, surprised.
"Leo… where did you—"
"We should eat first," he said gently.
She paused… then nodded.
That night—
They ate together.
Not just because the food was good…
But because moments like this were rare.
Simple.
Warm.
Complete.
After eating, his mother looked at him again.
"Now… tell me. Where did you get the money?"
Leo scratched his head.
They already knew he entered the Awakener Academy.
So—
"…Mom," he said.
"I awakened."
Silence.
Both of them froze.
"What?" Aria blinked.
His mother frowned slightly. "But… isn't it too early? First-year students shouldn't awaken yet…"
Leo nodded.
"That was before. They changed it."
He leaned back slightly.
"They said Fractures are increasing. There aren't enough hunters anymore."
He explained.
Hunters… were like adventurers.
But managed by the government.
Once you pass their exam—
You become an official Hunter.
You receive a license.
Even as a student—
You earn 200 dollars every month.
Aria's eyes sparkled.
"Brother… does that mean we'll be rich?!"
Leo smirked.
"No."
Then he added—
"I'll be rich. Not you."
For a moment—
Silence.
Then—
They laughed.
His mother smiled… but her eyes held worry.
"So… you'll become a Hunter?"
Leo shook his head slightly.
"I still need to pass the exam."
They nodded.
Then—
Leo spoke again, his voice quieter… but more firm.
"Mom… I've already applied to become an adventurer."
Her face changed.
She became even paler.
Hunters were dangerous.
But adventurers?
Even more.
Hunters dealt with Fractures—classified, studied, somewhat predictable.
Adventurers…
They went to the Deadlands.
Uncontrolled.
Unpredictable.
No classes. No safety.
You could encounter a Level 1… or a Level 4 monster at any time.
And one mistake—
Was enough to die.
"Don't worry, Mom," Leo said, forcing a small smile. "If things get bad… I'll just run."
But deep inside—
He knew.
That wasn't the truth.
-
Once…
All he wanted was a simple life.
Playing games with friends.
Reading novels and manga in his room.
Eating his favorite chocolate and cake.
Drinking milk and juice.
Laughing.
Relaxing.
Living normally.
But that life—
Ended.
The moment everything happened.
To him.
To his mother.
This was the era of monsters.
Money wasn't enough anymore.
He needed power.
Not just for himself—
But for his family.
If I'm strong…
Would Melissa even dare touch us?
No.
She wouldn't.
That's why—
Leo chose this path.
His mother suddenly stood up and walked to her room.
After a moment—
She returned, holding something in her hand.
A necklace.
It was black.
Shaped like a teardrop.
Simple… yet heavy with meaning.
She handed it to him.
"Your father told me… if you ever decide to become an adventurer…"
"You should wear this."
Leo took it.
Slowly—
He put it on.
"This belonged to your father," she continued softly.
"He used it for a long time. He said… it helped him many times."
She looked at it quietly.
"But its origin… even he didn't know."
"Your grandfather gave it to him."
"A family heirloom…"
"Passed down for generations."
Leo looked closely at the pendant.
There were small words engraved on it.
Forget me not.
"…?"
A sudden dizziness hit him.
Just for a moment.
He blinked.
Everything returned to normal.
"…Strange," he muttered.
But he didn't think too much about it.
Instead—
He reached into his pocket.
"Mom," he said, placing money on the table.
"Here. 300 dollars."
Her eyes widened.
"Leo… this is too much—"
"I got help," he said calmly. "From Elias."
"And this—"
He handed her the medicine.
"This will help your illness."
He explained everything.
Carefully.
Gently.
His mother was surprised.
"…Elias… adventurer?"
His mother's eyes widened slightly.
"…Elias Ward?"
"The one who keeps coming to our shop… buying cakes?"
Leo nodded.
Hana fell silent for a moment, her expression shifting as realization slowly sank in.
"…That Elias?"
She looked down slightly.
"…He's… an adventurer?"
Leo nodded again.
After everything that happened before—
It was Elias who brought them to the hospital.
Back then, Hana only knew him as someone who helped them.
Kind.
Quiet.
Reliable.
But now—
To think that same person…
Was an adventurer all along.
A small sense of relief filled her chest.
At least—
Someone was watching over her son.
Then—
Leo felt a small tug on his sleeve.
He looked down.
Aria.
Her eyes were shining with expectation.
Leo smirked.
"Here."
He handed her money.
"Five dollars."
Aria froze.
"…That's it?"
Leo shrugged. "Being an adventurer is hard, you know."
She pouted immediately.
Then—
Leo laughed.
"Just kidding."
He handed her more.
"Here. 100 dollars."
Her face lit up instantly.
"Thank you, brother!!"
She started jumping happily.
Leo smiled.
After that—
He walked to his room.
Closed the door.
And finally—
He was alone.
End of Chapter 21