Chapter 27: Rest Before the Storm
Bright now didn't know what to think.
The dungeons were definitely a threat.
But Mr. Carter didn't seem to feel it—at least, not the way Bright did.
If the military was aware of the monsters inside and the system's powers, why weren't they panicking?
If even he could clear a portal alone with nothing but a gun and sheer luck…
Wouldn't trained soldiers be able to handle the same or even more?
Bright knew he wasn't special.
He had barely made it out alive.
If someone better prepared had entered, they would have cleared it first—without half the injuries.
The thought made him feel… small.
He gave a long sigh, clearing his throat.
"Thanks for the offer, Mr. Carter, but I can handle my ability on my own."
Mr. Carter's sharp gaze didn't waver.
"But can I ask… do you know what abilities others have awakened?"
Mr. Carter's lips curled into a faint smirk.
"Mr. Brooks, I've only been giving to you… What do I get in return?"
Bright blinked, caught off guard.
He thought for a moment, then grinned.
"I offered you information… but you didn't take it seriously."
There was a beat of silence—then Mr. Carter threw his head back in booming laughter.
"You're an interesting kid." He leaned forward, eyes glinting. "Protect my daughter well."
The words lingered in the air.
Bright's grin faded.
The world would shift soon—he could feel it.
But Mr. Carter had brushed everything off like it was a minor inconvenience.
What was this man hiding?
Mr. Carter stood, the conversation clearly over.
Mrs. Carter rose as well, giving one last scathing glare before striding out of the room.
Elijah, meanwhile, practically bounced over to Bright, his earlier grudge forgotten.
"Big brother, I was mean. Please forgive me!"
Bright barely had time to react before Elijah unleashed a rapid-fire barrage of questions.
"What were the monsters like? Goblins? Horned rabbits? Elves? Did they have swords? Did they talk? Did you fight a dragon?"
Bright stared at him, half-amused, half-exhausted.
"I think you've been reading too many comics."
"Elijah!" Emily's sharp voice cut through his rambling.
"Bright hasn't had a proper sleep. Let him rest first."
Elijah pouted but backed off, mumbling something about how all the cool stories always got interrupted.
Emily grabbed Bright's wrist and led him to her room without another word.
Inside, Bright sank onto the bed, wincing as his bruised body protested.
Emily sat beside him, the room filling with a soft, comfortable silence.
After a moment, Bright glanced at her.
"Do you trust me?"
Emily's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What kind of question is that?"
"Just… tell me what's on your mind."
Emily's gaze softened.
"I trust you, Bright."
Bright let out a slow breath, some of the tension leaving his shoulders.
Without another word, he laid back on the mattress, staring up at the ceiling.
Emily followed suit, lying beside him with her arms crossed over her chest.
Bright's mind wandered.
Everything that had happened… the dungeon… the system… the monsters…
Finally, curiosity won out.
With a thought, his status window flickered to life.
[Name: Bright Brooks
Race: Human
Ability: Fire Manipulation
Skills: Fireball (Beginner), Partial Elementalization, Ignition
Titles: First Clear (Global), Early Hunter Bonus, First Fire Awakened]
Bright stared at the glowing text hovering in front of him.
It looked… underwhelming.
No crazy stats. No hidden powers.
Just a couple of abilities and some titles.
Definitely not protagonist material.
He sighed, rubbing his eyes.
Emily turned her head toward him.
"What are you looking at?"
Bright glanced at her, debating whether to tell her.
Then he smirked.
"My stats… I'm kind of a big deal now."
Emily snorted.
"I'll believe that when you can light a candle without setting yourself on fire."
Bright chuckled, shaking his head.
After a pause, he glanced sideways at her again.
"Do you want to help me train?"
Emily blinked, caught off guard.
"I want to know more about it… but you need to rest first."
She sat up, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"It's still early. Rest a bit—I'll get us something to eat, okay?"
Bright's eyes were already drooping closed.
"Alright… but don't burn the sandwiches."
Emily smirked.
"No promises."
Bright barely registered the sound of the door closing behind her before sleep finally pulled him under.
Emily stood by the door for a moment, watching him.
His face was peaceful—far too innocent for someone who had just fought monsters in another world.
Her heart squeezed unexpectedly.
Without really thinking, she walked back to the bed and lay her head lightly against his chest.
His steady heartbeat thrummed beneath her ear, calming the storm of thoughts swirling in her head.
She closed her eyes, just for a moment.
After a while, she finally got up—moving quietly so she wouldn't wake him—and went to find something to eat.
Tomorrow…
Everything would change.
But for now, at least, they had a little more time.