I am Just an Average Tamer-Chapter 41: Back home

As the blinding light faded, Kai opened his eyes, clutching his head.

'Years of using this... and I still get nauseous.'

Lush bushes and towering trees filled his vision as he scanned his surroundings.

A faint smile tugged at his lips before he turned westward.

Luna and Vex were still perched on each of his shoulders.

Kai strolled without a care in the world, his hands tucked into his brown pants.

As he neared the cave, he halted.

His heart tightened in his chest, and his breath came in ragged gasps at the sight.

Blood.

The ground before him was stained a deep crimson.

Luna's expression twisted with unease, while Vex glanced around curiously.

[Papa!] she called, her voice tinged with worry.

Without wasting a second, Kai bolted inside, his eyes wide.

'No... it can't be.'

As he entered the cave.

"Fuck!"

His breath caught in his throat as his gaze fell upon a familiar figure sprawled on a stone slab.

Blood seeped from deep wounds, pooling beneath him.

"No, no, no..."

{Oh! You're back, brat.} Zer's amused voice echoed in his mind.

[Uncle Zer!] Luna hurled herself toward him, nuzzling Zer's battered body.

{Haha... I'm fine, little one.}

Zer tried to reassure the little beast, though tears streamed from her eyes.

[Waaah! No, you're not. There's a lot of blood coming out of you!]

Zer slowly raised his head, his gaze shifting toward Kai.

Kai stepped forward, his voice cracking as he fought hard to hold back his emotions.

"W-Who were they?"

{What are you even going to do if I tell you?}

Zer teased, despite being in no condition to talk or move properly.

But Kai's eyes burned with pure fury. His fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.

He gritted his teeth and growled,

"Just tell me. I'll hunt them down...rip them apart, tear—"

{You can't,} Zer cut him off. {You're still too weak and too young. Enjoy your life to the fullest. Don't walk the path of revenge.}

"How can you expect me to?"

{I'm not dead yet, brat.}

"But..."

Kai reached his limit. He couldn't hold back his tears anymore.

Zer sighed.

{Come here, brat.}

Kai slowly walked toward him.

{Listen closely. I'm not dead, and I won't die.}

Kai's eyes widened.

{Haha... I know what you're thinking.

But let me explain it clearly. This body is no longer functional. And yes, it will die.}

Kai opened his mouth to speak, but Zer continued.

{I won't.}

"W-What are you saying?"

{Listen, boy. Some beings are lucky—or unlucky enough to defy death itself. I'm one of them.}

Kai's eyes lit up with relief.

"So... you won't die?"

{No. But I didn't thought you'd cry for me.} Zer teased.

Kai's face reddened, and he stormed back.

"Go and die, then! Like I care."

{Haha...} Zer let out a hearty laugh.

{I have a favor to ask.}

"What?"

Kai folded his arms across his chest, trying to look indifferent.

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{Become my host!}

"Huh?"

{Until I find a suitable body, I'll reside within you. Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. I'll just go into a deep slumber until you find something suitable.}

Kai let the words sink in.

Reluctantly, he nodded.

A soft, ethereal glow seeped from Zer's body, drifting toward Kai's forehead like a wisp of smoke.

Kai closed his eyes, bracing for the unbearable pain or discomfort that might follow.

But...

Nothing happened.

He slowly opened his eyes and saw Zer's body beginning to dematerialize.

In moments, nothing was left except a pool of crimson blood.

Luna was still crying, her small body trembling with quiet sobs.

Vex stood close to her, silently watching.

Suddenly—

[]

Kai jumped.

He gasped as his fingers brushed past a blue panel hovering in front of him, words glowing faintly on its surface.

[]

"Zer?"

[]

"But I—"

[]

"I see..." A wave of relief washed over him.

[]

"What?"

Kai tilted his head as the text on the hovering blue panel shifted.

[]

Kai's eyes widened.

[]

Kai's lips twitched.

[]

"Huh?"

[]

"Okay... take care. Rest."

Kai took a deep breath and straightened up.

"Let's go, guys."

Vex quickly climbed onto his left shoulder, while Luna hesitated.

[But... Uncle Zer?] Her voice was still cracking.

"Don't worry, he's fine. He's just sleeping."

Kai bent down and gently patted Luna's head, with a reassuring smile.

"You know what kind of sleepyhead he is, don't you?"

Luna nodded.

She wiped her tears, then leapt onto Kai's right shoulder.

With that, they all began their journey toward Ashenford Town.

Their home.

Soon, they exited the forest and reached the outskirts.

Kai's gaze fell upon the large gate—towering over ten feet tall, reinforced with thick iron and polished oak.

The gate's surface bore intricate carvings of mythical beasts.

Guard towers flanked both sides, their watchful eyes scanning every passerby.

"Four damn long years, huh..."

A wave of nostalgia washed over him.

He remembered how he used to sneak into the forest after causing trouble in town—whether it was swiping pastries from the bakery or pulling pranks on merchants.

As Kai approached the entrance, a guard clad in full plate armor stepped forward, blocking his path.

"Identity and reason for entrance."

Kai reached into his cloak and pulled out a worn token.

The token was crafted from obsidian-black stone, etched with silver patterns that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

On one side was the crest of the Ritopia Kingdom—a roaring lion standing atop crossed swords.

On the other side, symbol of House Ellsworth—a noble family of high standing.

This token granted those under a duke's service the right to pass freely within the kingdom's territories.

"And I used to live here before traveling to another place with my master," Kai explained, his tone calm but firm.

The guard examined the token closely, his eyes widening slightly at the mark of House Ellsworth. He gave Kai a knowing nod and stepped aside.

"Welcome back."

Kai nodded in return, a flicker of anticipation rising in his chest as he stepped past the gates.

As Kai walked across the bustling streets of the market square, his mind drifted to the past.

—

'Four years ago, the Ritopia Kingdom declared an all-out war on the Solarian Kingdom... along with the Vermilion Kingdom and the Caldirian Kingdom.

The conflict lasted for years, but in the end, Ritopia crushed them all and claimed victory, transforming itself into the Ritopia Empire.

With Emperor Alistair Duskborne now sitting on the throne, the world had changed.'

—

'But... it's almost the same as I remember.'

The town hadn't changed much. Cobblestone streets still echoed with the creaking of the wagon wheels.

The smell of fresh bread mixed with the fragrance of wildflowers drifting from nearby stalls.

Vendors shouted their wares—fruits, fabrics, and trinkets—all displayed under colorful awnings.

Children darted between the crowds, laughing as they played.

'Looks like our small little town wasn't affected much by the war.'

Kai's steps, however, carried him deeper into the town... toward the place he once called home.

The slums.

But—

When he reached the familiar spot, his heart dropped.

There wasn't a single shack left.

Everything was gone.

Only piles of garbage remained, stacked haphazardly with rotting food and torn scraps.

The stench of decay filled the air, making Kai's stomach churn.

Flies buzzed lazily, feasting on whatever filth was left behind.

Kai's eyes widened as realization struck him.

He quickly scanned the area, his gaze desperately searching—until it landed on something.

His hands curled into fists.

"Is this... how those dirty bastards see us?" His voice was barely a whisper, laced with raw anger and disbelief.

"That our lives don't even matter...?"