CHAPTER 19 THE WARMTH THAT REMAINED
The man's eyes narrowed. "...Oh?"
He pulled out a strange device and activated a technique, scanning Johan's body. His expression shifted.
"So… it is you," he muttered under his breath.
He stepped back and crossed his arms, still not apologizing.
"I heard from my Master that you'd have some sort of freakish healing ability. But I didn't think you'd change this much in just a few years," he admitted. "Still... I had to make sure. We've had others impersonate you—trying to steal the secrets of the Morby family."
Johan stood silent, still feeling the dull ache of the blade and the sting of being attacked.
He clenched his fists. "You could have just checked first."
"Oh, I checked," the man said with a faint smirk. "I confirmed it was you before I finished the strike. I just needed to see how you'd react."
"Why?"
"To test your resolve."
Johan's gaze darkened. He didn't know whether to be more angry or impressed.
"Now get lost before I kill you," the man said again—testing him.
But this time, Johan didn't explode in frustration. He was about to… until Lucy's calm voice rang in his mind.
"Johan, calm down. He already knows who you are. That wasn't real hostility—it was a test, just like Miss Chloe said."
She continued:
"Also, I haven't told you everything yet. Ever since we obtained the domain, your strength has skyrocketed. You're currently at the peak of the Aura Condensation Realm. If any of your stats apart from mind crosses 150, you can begin breaking through to the Aura Fusion Realm."
Johan's thoughts returned to the system. His stats were nearing that threshold. His transformation had accelerated everything.
"So," he asked aloud, leveling his voice, "are you done with this little fuss? Can I see my sister now?"
The man tilted his head. "Interesting. You figured it out, huh? That I was testing you."
Johan's tone didn't change. "I didn't figure it out. I knew it. Your face gave it away, plus it's obvious only a fool won't figure it out ."
The man's expression softened slightly for the first time. "You've grown sharper… Johan Morby."
He extended a hand. "Call me Uncle Den."
Johan didn't shake his hand, but gave a slight nod.
Uncle Den turned and opened the door.
Inside the house...
Before Johan could take a step in, a small voice cried out with uncontainable excitement:
"Big bro Han! You're back!!"
A small figure launched herself into his arms—light, warm, and familiar.
Time stopped.
For the first time in six years, Johan's soul trembled. Emotions he had sealed away surged to the surface.
Stacy.
She had grown taller, stronger—her energy more refined, her spirit brighter than he remembered. She had survived. Thrived.
His heart—cold and hardened through battles and betrayals—felt a warmth he had forgotten.
And from the depths of that same heart… something else burned:
A deep hatred for the world that tried to take her away from him.
A new conviction—to protect her at all costs.
His lips parted, forming something rare—a genuine smile.
He held her tightly. "I've missed you, Stacy."
She giggled in his arms. "Hehe! Big brother—you've gotten so big! Come, come! Let me show you my room!"
She jumped down and grabbed his hand, tugging him forward like a beam of light.
And just like that, Johan was pulled into her little world—leaving Uncle Den standing at the door, quietly watching with a flicker of admiration in his eyes.
Stacy was a bundle of energy.
From the moment she pulled Johan into her world, she never stopped talking. She gave him a full tour of the house, proudly pointing out everything—each crack in the wall, each odd piece of furniture, and even her collection of shiny pebbles and handmade charms.
She told stories of her days, her training, her cooking disasters, and how she once tried to build a flying box out of a broken chair and three fans.
And Johan just… listened.
He walked behind her, quiet and patient, not interrupting once. It had been too long since he'd heard this voice—pure, innocent, full of life. Every word, every silly moment she shared made his cold heart thaw just a little more.
Later that evening…
They joined Uncle Den in the kitchen, where the aroma of cooked beast meat and fragrant grains filled the house. It wasn't fancy, but it was home. And Johan hadn't had that in a long time.
They sat together at a wooden table. Stacy talked through most of dinner while Johan ate quietly. Uncle Den was silent, but observant, his gaze flicking between them now and then.
Once the plates were cleared, Den leaned back in his chair and spoke.
"You two should go and rest. Johan—back after that. We'll talk about what to do next."
His voice was firm, directed only at Johan. He didn't even glance at Stacy.
"Hmph. Fine! Whatever!" Stacy pouted, crossing her arms dramatically.
But Johan smiled and ruffled her hair. "I'll come see you soon."
She made a face but nodded and stomped off toward her room.
Silence fell.
Johan remained seated, eyes resting on the flickering candlelight.
He'd eaten at many tables. Starved at many more. But something about this moment—this man's steady presence—felt different.
So this is what it feels like… to not be alone.
He looked at Uncle Den more closely. The man's posture, his restraint, the quiet authority in his tone—it reminded Johan of someone.
His stepfather.
The man who had never treated him as "other." The one who had taught him the basics of meditation and balance. The one who had accepted him into the Morby household despite the rumors, despite his blood.
And now he sat across from that man's disciple.
So this is who he left behind…
Johan wanted to deny it—this feeling of junior respect, of natural deference. But even his stubborn pride… didn't reject it.
It wasn't a weakness. It felt… secure. Like a protector he never knew he needed.
And somehow, strangely…
It didn't feel bad.