The flames crackled behind them, the scorched village slowly calming as the last mutated beasts were slain. The air still stank of blood and smoke, but the immediate danger was gone.
Ethan stood among the villagers and his allies, the flickering light of the fires illuminating the strain on his face. His knuckles were bruised, clothes torn, and yet, he looked more alive than ever—vigilant, even with his exhaustion mounting.
Beside him stood Xiao Yao, the cat-eared girl who had fought valiantly to save people that despised her.
"Thank you..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Ethan turned to her with a warm smile. "For what?"
"For... not looking at me like them. For helping."
He blinked. "Why would I look at you like them?"
She hesitated, tail twitching. "Because I'm a hybrid. People hate what's different. I was born like this, half-beastkin, half-human. Some call me a cursed child. I've been driven out of more villages than I can count."
Ethan furrowed his brows. "People are idiots."
She blinked up at him, startled.
He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "You saved lives tonight. And you kept fighting, even when they were throwing stones at you."
"I'm used to it…"
"Well, you shouldn't have to be."
Xiao Yao's ears perked up.
Ethan met her gaze without flinching. "If anyone ever calls you cursed again, tell them Ethan Gray said they're dumber than a rock."
Her cheeks turned bright red, and her tail flopped like a flag caught in the wind. "You… really don't understand the effect your words have, do you?"
He tilted his head. "I mean… should I not have said that?"
She giggled. "No, it's fine. It's just… no one's ever said anything like that to me."
From behind them, Karen watched the interaction with a smile, her arms crossed.
"He's doing it again…" she muttered.
Lilian, leaning beside her, grinned. "Yep. Another girl joins the club."
Vivian blushed and looked down, softly fidgeting with her staff.
—
Later That Night – The Camp
The group had temporarily relocated a safe distance from the ruined village. Xiao Yao sat near one of the smaller campfires, wrapped in a blanket offered by Selene. She watched the others, her eyes darting shyly from person to person.
Sylvia, the Ice Queen, was off meditating under a frozen tree she conjured to calm her mind. Eline Alexander, the former assassin, was sharpening her daggers silently while stealing occasional glances at Ethan. Karen and Lilian were laughing over something ridiculous Ethan had said earlier. Vivian, naturally quiet, kept herself beside Ethan but spoke little.
And Ethan? He was roasting sweetroot over the fire like nothing had changed.
"Why are they… so comfortable with each other?" Xiao Yao whispered to Selene.
The silver-haired mage smiled. "Because that idiot has no idea what he's doing to people."
Xiao looked confused. "What do you mean?"
Selene smirked. "He's dense. Oblivious. Clueless about romance. But he treats everyone like they matter. Like they deserve to be treated with kindness. That's a rare thing in this world."
Xiao Yao looked down, her cheeks warming. "So that's why all of them…"
"Yep," Selene said before she could finish. "Welcome to the club."
"Club…?"
"The Ethan Gray is emotionally unavailable but ridiculously lovable club."
Xiao Yao blinked. "...Do I have to fill out a form?"
Selene laughed.
—
Midnight – Alone Again
Ethan stood at the edge of the camp, gazing up at the stars. There was a heaviness in his chest he couldn't quite explain. So many people now followed him, depended on him. He didn't ask for this. But he couldn't turn away from it either.
He clenched his fist. "Gotta keep moving forward."
Suddenly, his system panel glitched.
A faint shimmer appeared—then words slowly materialized.
Passive Ability Gained: [Heart of the Unseen]Your sincerity inspires loyalty and love, even if you remain unaware of it. Allies near you recover 20% faster from physical or emotional wounds.
Ethan blinked. "What the hell does that mean?"
He poked the floating window like it was misbehaving. "System, stop giving me weird romance powers! I'm trying to punch monsters, not collect a harem!"
The system, as always, said nothing.
From behind him, a soft giggle echoed.
"You're talking to yourself again," came Xiao Yao's voice.
"I—I was not!" he protested.
"You were. Loudly."
Ethan looked sheepish. "Uh, did you need something?"
She walked up to him slowly, the moonlight highlighting the soft fur of her ears and the gentle sway of her tail.
"I wanted to thank you again. And… if you don't mind… I'd like to stay with your group."
Ethan looked surprised. "Of course. We'd love to have you."
"I'm not just saying it for that," she added quickly. "I mean it. You made me feel safe. Like… I wasn't a monster. Just a girl."
Ethan's eyes softened. "You're not a monster, Xiao Yao. You're one of the bravest people I've met."
She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering. "Do you… really think I'm cute?"
His brain short-circuited.
"U-Uh… w-well I mean you are, b-but I didn't mean it like—wait no, I did mean it, but not in a weird way, I just thought—"
She burst into giggles, tail flicking playfully. "You really are bad at this."
Ethan scratched his head, defeated. "I'm going to stop talking now."
She stepped closer. "Don't. I like hearing your voice."
He stiffened.
"G-Goodnight!" he blurted and ran.
Xiao Yao blinked, then laughed into her hand.
—
Elsewhere – The Shadows Gather
Far from the camp, deep in the mountains, something stirred.
A cloaked figure stood before a dark portal, humming a twisted lullaby.
"The F-Rank anomaly grows," it whispered.
Another figure emerged, armored and masked. "Shall I eliminate him?"
"No. Not yet. Let him grow. Let him gather more hearts. That will make his fall all the more… poetic."
The portal pulsed. Something ancient was watching. Waiting.
—
To Be Continued…