After taking the pure herb, Alex slowly sat up, his breath steady, his senses clear. It was like waking up from a never-ending nightmare. His comrades, Zeke and Seraphina, exchanged a brief glance before finally speaking.
"Alex... you've been out for a while," Seraphina began softly, her voice trembling with emotion. "We thought we lost you... but thank the stars, you're still here."
Zeke stepped forward, his expression more composed but equally sincere. "We've got a lot to fill you in on," he added. "Everything that happened... the place we're in... it's time you knew it all."
As they spoke, their words poured like a river of truth, unfiltered and raw. They told him about the hidden sanctuary they had stumbled into, the strange energies that surrounded it, and the mysterious workings behind General Thorfinn's intervention.
Alex sat still, absorbing every detail. His eyes flickered with disbelief, shock anchoring his expression. He muttered under his breath, almost to himself, as if trying to stitch together pieces of a puzzle.
"How come... Why would a whole General Thorfinn extend his hand to me without anything lurking beneath it?" he whispered, brows furrowed as countless thoughts spiraled through his mind. "There's always a price... always."
Seeing the weight on Alex's shoulders, Seraphina reached out gently. "Alex, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Her voice was laced with genuine concern, her eyes reflecting a deep, unwavering care. The kind that didn't come from duty — but from the heart.
Zeke stepped in as well, his eyes scanning Alex. But unlike Seraphina, Zeke could read Alex like an open book. With a calm, confident smile, he placed a hand on Alex's shoulder.
"Relax, man. I know what you're thinking... but not everything comes with a catch. Trust me," Zeke said, his voice steady and warm. "All is well, Alex. Just breathe."
Alex gave a small nod, the corners of his lips twitching upward as a slight smile broke through. The heaviness in the room lifted a bit, and before long, the trio found themselves lost in laughter, sharing jokes and old memories under the dim moonlight. None of them felt like sleeping. Not tonight.
By now, Alex's body had fully recovered. His skin radiated a healthy glow, his spirit surged with untamed energy. It was as if he'd been reborn — no, transformed. He could feel the energy pulsing through his meridians like a divine river. Inside, something shone — vibrant, flawless... alive.
Just then, the door creaked open.
General Thorfinn stepped inside — though this time, there was no grand armor or formal regalia. He wore a simple blue knicker and a casually stylish shirt, a surprising contrast to his usual commanding presence.
The moment he entered, Alex and his friends instinctively stood to salute, but—
"Enough with the formalities," Thorfinn said, raising a hand. His tone was light, casual. "Let's just keep things mutual, alright?"
The trio froze, stunned. That wasn't what they expected from a man of his rank. Mutual? With him?
Is he serious...? A general, asking for casual ties with rookies like us? The thought echoed in each of their minds.
Thorfinn stepped further into the room, halting beside Alex. He turned slightly and raised his hand again, signaling for silence.
"And one more thing," he added, his voice dropping into a cool, easygoing tone. "Just call me Thorfinn. No titles. It sounds cooler that way, don't you think?"
The silence that followed was almost deafening.
Alex, Seraphina, and Zeke turned to each other, eyes wide. Did we hear that right? they wondered. But judging from each other's expressions, they all confirmed the same unbelievable truth.
Then slowly, smiles crept across their faces. Something had changed. A new chapter was opening... and this time, they weren't walking it alone.
"Yeah, I'm not the only one who heard this," Alex whispered to himself, still caught in a whirlpool of disbelief.
At the same time, Seraphina and Zeke were silently echoing the same thought. Their eyes tracked General Thorfinn as he calmly moved across the room, pulled out a chair from the corner, and sat down like he had no titles or weight behind his name.
"Now then," Thorfinn said, resting his elbows on his knees, eyes sharp but curious, "How are you feeling, Alex?"
Alex met his gaze without flinching. "I'm feeling much better," he replied, voice firm and composed, his tone laced with sincerity. There was no stammering, no hesitation—only truth.
Seraphina and Zeke flinched at the boldness. Zeke barely muttered under his breath, "Whoa, Alex… isn't that a little too direct? We're talking to a general here."
General Thorfinn leaned back with a hearty laugh, clutching his chest. "Ha! That's the spirit! Papa Dortmon is a genius with herbs, isn't he?"
The room filled with echoes of laughter—but only from Thorfinn.
The others were frozen.
They just stared, baffled beyond measure. Is this really happening? Their minds scrambled for logic.
This can't be General Thorfinn... The generals we know carry razor-sharp gazes, cold presence, unshakable authority… this feels like a dream, Seraphina thought, her eyes bouncing between Thorfinn and her comrades.
"This has to be a dream," she whispered, almost hoping someone would snap her out of it.
Then suddenly, the laughter stopped.
"My bad," Thorfinn said, noticing their stunned expressions. "Hope I'm not making you uncomfortable?" His voice was genuinely soft now, tinged with concern. His demeanor radiated sincerity—this wasn't some act.
The silence lingered... until Alex broke it.
"No, not at all," he said calmly, looking at Zeke and Seraphina before continuing. "We're just... surprised, honestly. I mean, it's rare to meet a general who's so... down-to-earth. Especially when you guys usually carry that whole intimidating presence."
He chuckled awkwardly, hoping he hadn't gone too far.
Zeke and Seraphina's jaws dropped instantly.
"Alex, wha—!? Did you really just say that out loud?" Seraphina gasped in disbelief.
"I swear, he just dug our grave…" Zeke whispered.
But instead of getting angry, General Thorfinn burst into laughter again. "Well, come on! We're human too, you know. Nobody's built to be a Frankenstein all day long," he said with a wink. "You get what I mean."
"Yeah…" Alex grinned. "Life's not meant to be lived with a stone face."
Their laughter echoed into the night. Zeke and Seraphina watched in awe as a strange yet beautiful bond bloomed before their eyes. They talked deep into the early morning hours, until their eyelids grew heavy and they drifted off to sleep, right there in the room where everything had changed.
---
Meanwhile, back in the city—at the Hunter Base...
Two figures sat in silence, shoulder to shoulder, dressed in immaculate hunter uniforms marked with the sigil of high rank. General Julius and General Ezekiel—men known not only for their power but for their presence—spoke in hushed tension.
"Why would Thorfinn suddenly take interest in that boy?" Julius said, his tone razor-sharp. His eyes burned with suspicion, jaw clenched. "He knows we're watching. Why act before we could even make a move?"
Ezekiel tapped his fingers thoughtfully against the armrest. "Because of the boy's strange ability… I've never seen Thorfinn show interest in anyone before. Something's definitely behind this. Something we're not seeing."
Before another word could be said, the heavy doors creaked open.
Several high-level hunters entered the chamber, each exuding powerful sorcery. Their mere presence warped the air slightly. Without a word, they took their places around a long rectangular wooden table that seemed to command silence.
Moments passed in a thick, tense hush... until one voice cut through the air.
"Is it true?" a cloaked figure asked, his voice like thunder restrained. The others exchanged glances and then turned their attention toward Julius and Ezekiel.
---
Back in the heart of the woods, within Thorfinn's hidden home...
Sunlight spilled through the windows as the scent of fresh fruit filled the room. The table was set with a colorful spread: juicy grapes, sliced melons, plump oranges—each piece glistening with morning dew. Plates of warm, perfectly baked bread steamed with aroma, and at the center of it all was a feast cooked by Seraphina herself.
They ate together with peace and laughter, a rare morning unshackled by fear or duty. For now, the storm outside was still... but fate was already preparing its next move.
By now, Zeke and Seraphina had adjusted to General Thorfinn's unconventional ways. Though they felt at ease around him, their actions remained precise and respectful—like walking on a field of flowers with hidden thorns. Friendly, yes—but they knew better than to be careless.
They were gathered around the breakfast table once again, the atmosphere light and cheerful. That's when Zeke suddenly leaned closer, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Wait, Seraphina!" he blurted, his tone shifting into one of mock seriousness. "Didn't you say you were the princess... and the last child of your royal family?"
Seraphina froze. Her cheeks instantly flushed crimson as the memory clicked in. Why's he bringing this up now?
"Yes, I am," she said, her voice quiet but firm.
Zeke gasped dramatically, slapping a hand to his forehead. "What!? The royal last-born... cooked for us? Oh no—this is doomed! It's either a sea of salt or a desert of blandness!"
Everyone stared wide-eyed for a moment.
Then came the explosion—BOOM! Thunderous laughter burst from the table like a wave crashing against stone.
They all burst out laughing—everyone, except Seraphina.
Her eyes narrowed. Her cheeks burned not just with embarrassment now, but fire.
Without warning, she shot to her feet. "You clown!" she shouted.
WHAM!
Her fist connected with Zeke's head so fast, the sound echoed like a cannon blast.
Zeke's eyes went wide. His head swelled comically in one spot as he held it in both hands.
"Ack! Seraphinaaa!"
"I said shut it!" she yelled, panting slightly. "Nobody dares skip this food unless you all want a punch each!"
Everyone went silent in an instant.
The mood changed like a flicked switch. They all stared at the table, unmoving. Even Thorfinn looked amused, trying not to laugh too hard.
Alex slowly reached for the bread, the tension hanging in the air like a final boss encounter.
He took a bite... paused... and then—his eyes widened like twin stars.
"Ahhh!" he gasped, mouth full. "This is amazing!"
Without waiting another second, he stuffed more bread into his mouth. "Delicious! I'm serious!"
That was all it took. Zeke blinked in disbelief, then grabbed a slice himself. Thorfinn followed. Soon, the room was filled with the clatter of cutlery, the soft hum of happy chewing, and the sound of friends enjoying a feast.
Seraphina sat down quietly, a soft smile blooming on her face. As she watched them devour her cooking, she thought of the maid back home—the kind woman who secretly taught her how to cook behind the palace walls.
Thank you, she thought, her heart full.
For the first time in a long while, this felt like a real family.