Upon exiting the tower, the shift was immediate.

His soul was ripped out of his shattered Tower body, then hurled into his actual body. There was darkness as his body was sleeping while he hunted in the Frostbitten Forest.

Ethan’s eyes shot open.

The world blurred into view as the new sensations of this body streamed into his consciousness. He was slightly sore, but aside from his left shoulder, he felt pretty much as good as new.

But that wasn’t what surprised him.

"What the-"

Mark was standing over him and...

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Elara was on top of him.

She had been trying to wake Ethan, and to do so, had been bouncing on his torso, gripping his shoulders and shaking him with surprising force. Her expression, usually timid and distant, was filled with raw panic.

But when he came to, she was startled.

Then they locked eyes in an awkward silence, blue on red.

Ethan blinked.

"Why are you sitting on me?"

She froze, then quickly signed; her movements were rapid and messy.

*You weren’t waking up.*

*You weren’t moving.*

*You weren’t responding.*

Mark folded his arms, though the tension in his posture hadn’t fully faded.

"You’ve been out for nearly twenty hours, mate," he said, his voice unusually serious. "Your breathing was shallow, and you weren’t responding to anything. We thought you’d slipped into a coma or something."

Ethan blinked again.

"Twenty?"

He had no way of tracking time in the tower when there were no cycles of day and night. Hearing it said put into perspective how long he had spent in the tower.

Ethan exhaled slowly, grounding himself.

"I’m fine," he said, his voice calm, almost dismissive. "I just like my sleep."

Elara didn’t look convinced.

Still, the moment his eyes had opened, the tension in her body had visibly drained. She was clearly relieved, and yet she hadn’t moved and was still sitting on him, directly on his...

’You better not get activated now, buddy.’

Ethan’s expression didn’t change, but internally he was screaming.

’I know it’s been a while, but now’s not the time. Please. Behave.’

He took a slow breath, then another, trying to keep his little friend under control. If he couldn’t, things would become a lot more awkward.

In between those breaths, he managed to get out, "You can get off me, you know?"

She immediately jumped off him as if electrocuted.

Ethan exhaled in relief.

Mark turned his head slightly, clearly trying, and failing, not to laugh.

"You good?" he asked, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Ethan shot him a look.

"Say anything, and I’ll put you through that wall."

"Noted."

Elara stood off to the side now, face faintly red, hands fidgeting slightly.

It would be hard not to have a misunderstanding when you woke up and someone was literally riding you. And yet Ethan didn’t look at her; instead, he stood up immediately, hands covering his groin.

"I’m going to the bathroom."

He scurried over quickly and laughed off what had just happened before getting into the shower.

Cold water poured over him.

Ethan stood under the shower, letting it run over his head, his face, his shoulders. It was almost a ritual, a way to wash off the tension, the remnants of the tower, the lingering sensations.

All of it slowly washed away.

"That was intense."

His reflection stared back at him from the fogged mirror, his blue eyes sharp and his body improving each day.

"But worth it."

He stepped out of the bathroom after getting changed, and Elara had headed upstairs with Mark.

Be it because they were getting more comfortable with each other, or because she was avoiding him after what had just happened, it was perfect timing.

His MP was full in this body, so he could use Beast Mend on each of his beasts. He started with Wolfy, draining most of his mana to help with the giant Ulfen’s recovery.

He would have partially assimilated with Spark to increase his reserves, but it wouldn’t be far on his exhausted Ciner Wisp.

After finishing with Wolfy, he summoned his two other beasts to check on their condition and give them some attention and appreciation. That left him with his MP practically depleted and hungrier than ever as he headed upstairs.

He acted as if nothing had happened as he joined Elara at a table in the bar that had a wide spread of food. Mark had prepared it willingly, which was both unusual and suspicious.

"What’s this?"

"Breakfast," Mark replied casually.

Ethan narrowed his eyes.

"You don’t do breakfast."

"I do now."

Ethan leaned back slightly, crossing his arms.

"Is it because of the cash, or because you’re scared of this crazy A Rank?"

Mark didn’t even hesitate.

"A bit of both," he said honestly, breaking into a grin.

Elara frowned slightly and signed, *I’m not crazy.*

"Sure, sure," Ethan replied dismissively, taking a bite, to which she hit him on the arm.

Mark smiled, "You two really are like a couple."

Elara blushed while Ethan didn’t even react, continuing to stuff his face.

Then, after eating, he suddenly stood up.

"Before I forget, I’ve got a gift for you."

Mark blinked.

"A gift?"

Suspicion immediately crept into his expression.

"That doesn’t sound good."

Ethan ignored him and went downstairs before returning with something bundled in a hoodie. He placed it on the table, Mark watching closely as Ethan unravelled it.

As soon as he did, his expression changed.

"No way."

It was a pistol, the same one Ethan had taken from those two guys working for Mace. After beating them up, he had kept it ever since in case he ever needed it.

But now, with his newfound abilities, he didn’t need a gun.

’My beasts and I are the weapon after all, just like the system says.’

Mark stepped back slightly.

"What the hell is this, Ethan?" he said sharply. "Why would I-?"

"Take it."

He cut him off, his tone flat and serious.

"Mace knows I’m a Titled," Ethan continued calmly. "And he came here."

Mark’s expression darkened.

"That sleazy bastard doesn’t move without a reason," Ethan went on. "So keep this on you."

He stepped closer, pressing the weapon into Mark’s hand.

"And you’d rather have it and not need it," he said quietly, "than need it and not have it."

Mark hesitated.

"I don’t like this."

"Neither do I," Ethan replied before shrugging. "But it is what it is."

He met his gaze.

"You need to be able to protect yourself. And our family."

Ethan emphasised the "our" so that it registered with him more.

"And in a world of superhumans and monsters, who gives a shit about a pistol?" he added.

Mark couldn’t argue with that, nodding slowly before questioning, "What about you?"

"I’m chilling," he said while grinning. "Plus, I’ve got an A Rank bodyguard glued to me."

He gestured toward Elara, who raised a brow, not exactly looking very reliable.

Mark looked between them, suppressing a laugh and giving in.

"Fine."

He accepted the gun, tucking it away as if it wasn’t his first time carrying one. Just touching it made him recall that night, but once again, he wouldn’t hesitate to use it if he needed to.

Ethan and Mark locked eyes, both nodding in silent understanding.

Then, after eating his fill, the blue-eyed enigma was off once again with Elara following closely behind him, like always...