The monsters attacked the barrier, but it held strong with no damage.

Feeling reassured by the powerful barrier, I relaxed—until the unthinkable happened.

Amidst the throng of monsters, a powerful strike shattered the barrier into pieces.

Seizing the opportunity, the monsters began scaling the fortress walls.

Players stationed on the wall defended against the advancing monsters, trying to protect each other as they engaged in close combat.

With hordes of monsters pouring in, the battlefield devolved into chaos, and even the magic circle began to waver.

The magic circle was supposed to debuff the monsters and buff the players.

The culprit? A legion of liches casting dark magic in the distance.

"Why are there so many liches!?"

"Take down the liches first!"

To get to the liches, players would have to push through waves of monsters—an impossible task.

Cracks began forming in the magic circle, leading to the worst-case scenario.

As the magic circle broke, the monsters became frenzied, overpowering the players.

Despite the strength of the gathered players, sheer numbers seemed insurmountable.

A critical mistake had been made: undead monsters were continuously spawning, using the fallen players and monsters as material.

As the situation grew desperate, a shadow spread over the land as the moon eclipsed the sun, casting everything into darkness.

In that moment, everyone—players and monsters alike—looked up at the sky. A thunderous roar shattered the silence.

"I’ve found you, my dear."

---

On the way back to the city from the fox village, I calculated that I’d arrive just in time.

I had been leisurely enjoying the sights when I spotted the city in the distance.

But something was off.

[Main Quest triggers channel unification.]

[CHAPTER 2: Protect the Commercial City of Talassa.]  
Invasion commencing.

Realizing I was running late, I rushed to approach the city, but I couldn’t get any closer.

A massive monster army was already laying siege to the city, and an enormous magic circle hovered in the sky, blocking further approach, according to Rin.

“Benefactor, it’s too dangerous to get any closer.”

“But I have to help protect the city…”

I had vowed to help monsters in need, but those attacking the city were the exception.

When it comes to endangering others, you have to be willing to risk your own life.

As I mulled over my options, I noticed the Seal Ring on my finger.

Removing it would trigger the mark of the Dragon King Ernia, allowing her to locate me instantly.

An idea sparked.

Would she grant my request to deal with these monsters?

“Kyuuu!”

“It’s alright. Don’t worry.”

Yongyong, ever the brave one, seemed determined to help.

I patted his head and reassured him before asking to be set down on a nearby hill.

From the hill overlooking the city, I took a deep breath and removed the Seal Ring.

[By removing the Seal Ring, you may now use mana.]

Since I could now use mana, it was the perfect chance to test out my new skill.

“Skill: Moon Shadow, activate.”

As the moon eclipsed the sun, darkness fell over the land.

[Due to the effect of Moon Shadow, the stats of your summoned creature have significantly increased.]

The impact was striking, even if I wasn’t sure what it actually did.

Just then, a voice echoed.

"I’ve found you, my dear."

With jet-black hair, pale skin, and eyes gleaming like rubies, dressed elegantly and exuding a bewitching aura, the Dragon King Ernia appeared before me.

As she approached, Rin stepped in front to block her path.

Ernia’s face hardened momentarily as she looked at Rin, but I gently motioned for Rin to stand down and approached Ernia myself.

"It’s been a while! Thanks to you, I was able to safely hatch Yongyong."

“For my dear, of course, I had to help,” she said, patting my head with a warm smile that somehow sent chills down my spine.

“Shall we go now, my dear?”

“Just one thing first—I need a favor.”

I gestured toward the monsters, and after a glance, Ernia waved her hand.

The monsters immediately ceased their attack and began to retreat.

A golden message appeared.

[You have successfully protected the Commercial City of Talassa.]

Calculating rankings based on contribution. Please wait.

No. 1: Yuna  
No. 2: Katlea  
No. 3: Zeus  
No. 4: Hecate  
No. 5: Blinka

Rewards are being distributed based on contribution.

[The quest has ended; channels will normalize in one minute.]

“My dear, you have far too much compassion. It makes me worry,” Ernia said with a gentle smile.

“Uh…mom?”

With that same warm smile, a door appeared in front of us.

As it opened, Ernia beckoned me to enter, and the moment I stepped through, I felt the space shift.

I found myself in an unfamiliar place.

A message appeared.

[You have entered the lair of the Dragon King Ernia.]

I marveled at the massive space, glancing around until Ernia embraced me with gentle hands.

“My dear, shall we explore together?”

Curiosity struck me.

“Why do you keep calling yourself my mom?”

At my question, she seemed momentarily pained, tears welling up. Startled, I pulled out a handkerchief from my inventory and handed it to her, and she gazed at me with an expression of deep emotion.

“It’s alright, my dear. In time, you’ll remember everything.”

Her voice was soft and soothing, yet I still couldn’t understand.

Following Ernia around the lair, I was astounded at the sheer wealth within.

Each room overflowed with gold and jewels, with high-grade mana stones scattered on the floor.

Yongyong drooled at the sight of the treasures.

Anyone would think he hadn’t eaten in days.

I handed him one of my mana stones, but he compared it to the top-grade ones on the floor, clearly preferring the latter.

After a moment’s hesitation, I picked up a top-grade stone and gave it to him, which he devoured happily.

Now that he’s tasted the best, will he ever settle for less?

“That little one has grown quite a bit.”

Ernia said this with a serious expression, her face hardening.

“A dark influence has latched onto him.”

Yongyong glared back with equal intensity.

Afraid of what might happen, I quickly spoke up, expressing my interest in seeing more of the lair, and Ernia smiled as we continued our tour.

What…what just happened?

---

Watching over my sleeping dear one, I turned my gaze to the snake—no, the dragon—who was staring at me.

“It seems you’ve protected my dear this whole time, so I won’t fault you for that. But now you’re no longer needed, so leave my dear’s side.”

Those eyes bore tremendous power, even without ascending.

[I know you mean no harm to our contractor, but do not overstep.]

“Oh, now you’re trying to act innocent? I know exactly whom you’re projecting onto our contractor. It’s that child lost in the war between the Black Dragons and Red Dragons, isn’t it?”

“She didn’t die. She’s right here, before me.”

[How pitifully foolish you are.]

As much as I wanted to tear the dragon in front of me to shreds, I knew it would frighten my dear one.

What should I do?

Just then, the dragon proposed a deal.

[Let’s make a deal.]

“Don’t be ridiculous. Deals are made between equals, on equal terms.”

[Shall I retrieve your child from the afterlife? How does that sound?]

“… … …”

I couldn’t quite grasp what he was saying.

[Make your decision before the effects of Moon Shadow wear off.]

I didn’t understand, but tears began streaming down my face.

What…what is this?

[The terms are simple. Keep it a secret from the contractor…]

“If…if I could just see my dear one again…”

[The deal is struck.]

With those words, the dragon vanished from my sight.

Though he had yet to ascend, he possessed enough power to make this happen. But why won’t these tears stop?

In truth, I had known all along.

The dear one sleeping before me—Yuna—was not my true child.

I had simply been running from the truth, unable to accept reality.

I didn’t know how much time had passed, but someone gently wiped away the tears from my eyes.

As I turned my head, I saw a face.

A girl with long, black hair, pale skin, and ruby-like red eyes.

The face I had dreamed of.

My one and only daughter.

“My dear.”

“I’m home, Mom.”

 

TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars for the translation - I'd really like to see how far Leon goes and how far we can increase the number of chapters. Thanks~!

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