Chapter 26: Secret Circles and Loose Ends
Bright shifted in his seat, trying not to feel like a cornered rat under Mr. Carter's intense gaze.
He had won the round—barely.
But the weight in the room made it clear:
This game was just getting started.
Mrs. Carter's knuckles were white as she clutched the hem of her blouse.
"You're lying," she hissed.
Bright's eyes flicked toward her, but he didn't bother replying.
Let her believe what she wanted.
The only opinion that mattered sat right across from him.
Mr. Carter's sharp gaze hadn't moved.
"You're claiming you cleared a dungeon… alone?"
Bright swallowed hard.
"I did."
A long pause stretched between them.
Bright's heart thudded in his chest.
Mr. Carter was sizing him up—probably trying to figure out if he was some crazy street rat spinning a story…
Or if he was telling the truth.
Finally, the man leaned back, arms still draped lazily across the couch.
"You don't look like much, Mr. Brooks."
Bright smirked, even though his palms were starting to sweat.
"Neither do you."
Emily choked on a laugh.
Elijah's eyes widened, staring at Bright like he'd just grown wings.
Mrs. Carter looked one second away from throwing something at his head.
For a moment, Bright thought he had crossed the line.
But then—
Mr. Carter's lips curved into the slightest smirk.
It was barely there… but Bright saw it.
He liked that.
"You've got guts," Mr. Carter muttered.
"I'll give you that."
Mrs. Carter's face twisted.
"Husband, you're not seriously entertaining this—"
"I'm not finished, dear."
The woman clamped her mouth shut, glaring at her husband but saying nothing.
Bright's respect for Mr. Carter just went up a few notches.
The man's sharp eyes locked back onto Bright.
"You said you killed the boss… and the system rewarded you?"
Bright nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"What ability?"
Bright blinked.
He hadn't expected him to ask that so directly.
But there was no point in hiding it.
"Fire manipulation."
Elijah's mouth dropped open.
Mrs. Carter's eyes narrowed.
Emily's head snapped toward him—
She definitely hadn't expected him to say the truth yet.
It seems Bright is trying to portray himself in good light infront of her parents.
This sly guy.
"Wait…" Emily's voice was soft.
"You can control fire?"
Bright gave her a sheepish shrug.
Playing along are we?
Bright chuckled.
"Kind of… I'm still figuring it out."
That's my Emily. Bright thought with a sly grin.
Mrs. Carter scoffed.
"How convenient."
Elijah, however, was practically vibrating on the couch.
"Prove it."
Bright glanced at Mr. Carter.
The man's face remained neutral—but there was a glint in his eyes.
He was testing him.
Bright sighed.
Might as well.
He held out his right hand, focusing on the warmth buried deep inside him.
The flicker of heat answered almost instantly now—faster than before.
A small orange flame flickered to life at his fingertips.
Elijah's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"HOLY SH—"
"Language!" Mrs. Carter barked.
Bright let the flame flicker for a few more seconds before snuffing it out with a clench of his fist.
His heart was pounding harder than he wanted to admit.
Mr. Carter leaned forward slightly.
"You're telling the truth."
It wasn't a question.
Bright exhaled, some of the tension finally leaving his chest.
"I am."
Mrs. Carter was still staring at his hand like it had just grown fangs.
"This… this is ridiculous."
Elijah, on the other hand, was absolutely delighted.
"This is AWESOME."
Emily was still quiet, staring at Bright like she was seeing him for the first time.
Finally, Mr. Carter broke the silence.
"If what you're saying is true… You alone were able to clear it. Do you think the military can't?."
Bright nodded.
The military definitely can.
"There will be a dungeon break in less than two days."
Mr. Carter's eyes darkened.
"So?"
Bright blinked.
That… was actually a good question.
What the hell was he doing here?
He alone could handle a dungeon with a gun and some luck.
Trained soldiers can do better.
He glanced at Emily.
The truth was… he'd come because she asked.
Because the moment she'd answered his call—worried, vulnerable—
He hadn't even thought twice. Umm...maybe he did?
But now…
Now he was starting to realize how deep the waters were.
"I don't want anything."
Bright's voice was steady.
"I came to warn Emily."
Mrs. Carter scoffed.
"Warn her? About what?"
Bright's eyes flicked toward her, his patience finally thinning.
"About the fact that your mansion isn't going to mean shit when those portals break open."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Elijah's grin faded.
Emily looked away.
Only Mr. Carter remained completely still.
After a long moment, he spoke.
"You're right."
Bright's heart skipped a beat.
Wait… what?
Mrs. Carter's head snapped toward her husband.
"Husband—!"
He held up a hand, silencing her instantly.
"You think I haven't been preparing for this?"
Bright's mind reeled.
"You knew?"
Mr. Carter leaned back, the faintest smile playing at his lips.
"Everyone knows something was coming. I just didn't know how soon."
Bright sat back, trying to process everything.
So…
This guy was connected.
"And the soldiers?" Bright asked quietly.
Mr. Carter's smile faded.
"Only half returned. None of them were… normal."
Bright's stomach twisted.
Emily's voice was barely above a whisper.
"What do you mean?"
Her father's eyes flicked toward her—just for a second.
Then back to Bright.
"You've seen it, haven't you?"
Bright nodded slowly.
"The system… it's changing people."
Mr. Carter leaned forward, voice low.
"And soon… it's going to change the whole world."
The room went completely silent.
Bright could feel the weight of what was coming crashing down on all of them.
The portals.
The powers.
The monsters.
Everything was about to fall apart.
Finally, Mr. Carter spoke again.
"You're not as useless as I thought, Mr. Brooks."
Bright smirked weakly.
"Thanks… I think."
Mr. Carter leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly.
"But if you're going to protect my daughter… you'd better learn how to use that fire."
Bright blinked.
Wait.
What?
Mrs. Carter lost her mind.
"Absolutely not!"
Mr. Carter's voice was final.
"I've already made my decision."
Bright glanced at Emily, who was staring at her father like he'd just grown a second head.
Elijah, meanwhile, was pumping his fists in the air.
"YES! Superhero training arc!"
Bright groaned, rubbing his temples.
What the hell had he just gotten himself into?
"And… no need to fret over that. There are only two portals close by."
"The military were only taken by surprise the first time.With the rate they are closing the portal….
It won't be of much concern for long." He spoke with confidence.