They went home together.
Elizabeth took Zara to a room so she could rest.
Rose heaved a sigh of relief, then looked at Ethan.
That man was now casually sitting on the sofa… eating fruit.
When did he even take that out of the fridge?
He looked completely at ease, like this was his own home.
Yet, Rose smiled. Somehow, it felt… good.
She walked over and said, "Hey Ethan, I want to ask you something."
Ethan didn't even look at her. He was peeling an orange. "Go ahead. What do you want to ask?"
Rose asked, "Who exactly are you? How can you mobilize so many powerful martial artists—and even a King showed up?"
Ethan replied nonchalantly, "I'm nothing special. I just broke through to Level 9 Warrior. So the Alliance thinks highly of me. That's why I could do what I did today. Don't you think it was exaggerated that even the Supervisor came personally?"
Rose was nodding until the words registered.
"Oh, so you just broke through to—" she paused, eyes wide. "WHAT?" she shouted.
Even Elizabeth came running, alarmed by the shout.
Ethan looked at her as if to say, Why the dramatic reaction? Isn't it normal for a genius to reach Level 9?
Daily show-off complete. Ethan was satisfied.
Rose stared at him like her soul had left her body. She muttered, "Yeah... totally normal to become a Level 9 warrior. Super casual."
Then she snapped out of it and shouted again, "Normal, my ass!"
Ethan glanced at her and said, "Don't use such vulgar words like 'ass.' Be a proper lady. Have some restraint, Rose." He resumed peeling his orange.
Rose's face turned crimson. She coughed awkwardly and sat on a nearby sofa, glaring at Ethan like he was an alien.
Ethan looked at her again. "Don't tell me you're planning to pounce on me. I don't mind, but Aunty is still here. What's wrong with you, Rose?"
Elizabeth, overhearing this, left the room with a grin stretching ear to ear. Finally, she thought. My daughter can follow her heart.
Rose screamed, "Stop talking nonsense, you bastard!" Her neck was red all the way to her ears. She was completely flustered.
Then, suddenly, Ethan grew serious.
"Hey Rose. I wanted to tell you something."
Rose blinked, stunned by the sudden shift in tone. "What is it?" she asked nervously.
Ethan looked her in the eyes and said, "I like you, Rose."
Then he shook his head. "No… I love you. Will you become my girlfriend?"
For a moment, Rose felt light-headed. Her heart pounded like a drum. Something bloomed inside her—a feeling she had never felt before.
The world became colorful in her eyes. She had admired Ethan from the day of awakening. But she always thought he lived in another world, far away from hers. He had helped her as a classmate—nothing more.
But this… this was real.
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Her hands trembled.
Ethan noticed her silence and grew nervous.
"Don't reject me, please. I may not be the best person in the world—but I'll be the best man for you. I don't need a share of your happiness… just let me carry your sadness. I'll never let you down."
He sighed and began looking away. "Okay… forget it if you don't like the idea. I won't force you."
But just then, a finger pressed gently against his lips.
Ethan froze.
A soft, cat-like voice whispered, "Stop, you idiot."
He looked up in shock.
Rose stood before him, blushing like crazy, tears glistening in her eyes. Her finger still on his lips, her expression was soft and trembling.
She looked… divine. Like an angel descended from heaven.
Ethan stared, dazed.
He gently reached out, brushing her cheek and tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
Rose felt an electric jolt. Like her tail had been stepped on, she squeaked and ran off like a startled cat with a lightning fast speed—only leaving behind one word:
"Baka!"
Ethan sat there, stunned.
Baka? What does that mean?
Then he shook his head. Forget it. I need to leave before I lose my self-control.
He called out, "Aunty, I'm leaving! I'll be back another time."
Elizabeth, still grinning in her room, came out and said, "Don't leave yet, son! I've already started cooking. Stay for dinner—it's almost night!"
Ethan smiled. "No Aunty, but thank you. I'll come eat another day."
Elizabeth nodded. "Alright then. But don't forget to come soon."
Ethan's heart was still racing as he drove toward the business district.
He reached his home and, by habit, released his spiritual sense to scan the area.
The moment it touched the house—Boom!
Three terrifying auras erupted in his perception.
His face turned pale.
Three Emperors… here?! One feels almost as strong as Vice President Leon!
He dashed toward the house like a madman.
He didn't care about himself. He had only one thought—"Are Mom and Dad okay?"
He slammed open the door and shouted, "Mom! Dad! Are you alright?!"
But the scene before him stunned him.
His father, Jack, was laughing at the dining table with three old men. His mom was happily serving food.
What the hell is going on here?
Jack waved, "Son! Come here, look who's visiting!"
Ethan cautiously stepped forward.
Jack gestured, grinning. "This is your great-grandfather, Alexander Hunt. This is your grandfather, James, and this is your Uncle- grandfather Ryder."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, looking at his father suspiciously.
Didn't you just tell me your tragic loser protagonist story the other day? Now you're grinning like a lottery winner?
Jack coughed, embarrassed. "Anyway… won't you greet your ancestors?"
Alexander's eyes glistened as he looked at Ethan like he was the family's most precious treasure.
"No need for formalities between family. Come here, child. Let me look at you. I'm sorry we weren't there for you when you grew up."
Ethan glanced at his mother. She looked away innocently, like saying "Don't look at me—I know nothing."
His mouth twitched, but he smiled and said, "Hello, Grandpa. Uncle Grandpa. Great Grandpa."
Ryder grinned, beaming. "No need to call me Uncle Grandpa. Just call me Grandpa. You can call this old guy Uncle Grandpa instead."
James: 😔
"Big Brother, what are you saying? He's my grandson afterall."
Ryder snorted, "Then why didn't you take care of him?"
Clearly, all blame went to James. Alexander and Ryder were the good guys.
Ethan didn't hold deep resentment. He had only been worried about his parents. Now that even Jack had accepted them, Ethan saw no reason to resist.
They sat and chatted. Ethan learned about the Hunt family, its members, and its powers.
Then Alexander turned to Jack and said, "Let go of the past, child. We made mistakes. Come back to the family. Your research lab remains untouched. No one dared touch it. Come back—the family is waiting."
Jack's eyes grew moist. This was something he never even dared to dream of.
His son had brought back his lost honor. He felt proud like never before.
Alexander turned to Elina. "It's been hard on you. You did nothing wrong, but still suffered. We're sorry."
Elina's eyes turned red. "Please, Grandpa. It was our fault too. Jack didn't consider the family's feelings when he made his choice."
Alexander smiled. Truly the mother of a dragon.
She could let go of resentment easily.
James apologized to Elina as well. She shook her head. "You're my father too. How can you apologize to me?"
Then James stood up and led Jack into the garden.
They had a lot to talk about. Until now, there had been distance between them. But they'd waited to see how Ethan would react. If Ethan didn't want to let go the resentment,they couldn't do anything. They couldn't even force him. As a level 8 emperor followed them here all the way from the supercity. He was hiding in the darkness.
Ethan smiled. He knew how much his father yearned to return to his roots.
Alexander, watching all this, finally turned to Ethan.
"So, what's your plan now?"
"Will you go with us to the family?"