Chapter 67: Silent Reflections

Jash sat alone inside the car awaiting the arrival of Kesha and Emma after performing emergency treatment for Caera.

His eyes fluttered shut involuntarily as he couldn't resist the fatigue for too long.

'Not now,' he told himself and instead chose to pinch the back of his hand.

The pain helped him remain awake as he chose to assess the damage that he had suffered from going beyond his limits.

He channeled his mana circulation technique, and his expression scrunched up due to the stinging pain.

"Phew." His expression eased as the pain reduced with every cycle, allowing him to feel better.

Although he could still feel some pain around his mana core from overloading it, it wouldn't cause him much trouble in the long run.

'My current condition does not require an immediate potion to heal the numerous small injuries that I sustained in the dungeon run.'

He was well aware of his improved healing speed and calculated the time required to heal completely. 'At most a day or two.'

"Not that bad," Jash muttered as he kept his eyes shut and relaxed on the comfy car seat.

He was thoroughly impressed at the result of employing a technique from his past life with one he learned in this life. The way it worked was nothing short of extraordinary

To this date, he followed the mana circulation technique that his grandfather Inigo taught him, saving him from any questioning.

However, this time wasn't so simple.

Even if he did use the same technique, his method of employment changed to a far advanced stage, something unique to his constitution.

'If only I could use the one from my past life,' Jash thought, feeling helpless.

He didn't really know where that technique came from, but it just seemed to suit him much better.

"Only the phrase perfection itself can define it," he mumbled to himself, drowning in the memories.

Alas, it just wasn't possible for him to use it.

'At least I have this one,' Jash sighed, thinking back to how bad the other techniques were.

After all, his current technique was just a toned-down version of something used by one of the apex hunters in the world.

It couldn't be compared to any other technique available for him.

Well, anyone who had an SSS-Rank hunter once in their family would have access to such techniques, that is, if they left their heritage behind.

So, it wasn't really that great of an advantage unless one accounted for his wider mana channels.

Absurd was the right word for it.

Suddenly, the noise of the car door opening broke him out of his reverie.

—Click!

Turning to face his left, Jash opened his eyes to the sight of Caera being supported by Kesha and Emma.

'She's awake, at least,' he noted, observing her slightly shivering body, trembling lips and her eyes darted around, blinking rapidly and shifting nervously from side to side.

Her face clearly reflected her discomfort and anxiety; a reminder of the trauma that was still fresh in her mind, not something easily shaken off.

Seeing her distress and understanding her condition, he chose to stay silent while she settled into the car with Kesha's help.

Jash looked at Caera, who was holding Kesha's hand and unwilling to let go, forcing Kesha to sit next to her.

"Let's leave," Jash instructed the driver after Emma settled in the front passenger seat.

His calm facade barely retained its effectiveness as Caera trembled, even at the touch of the seat belt.

Yet he didn't know what to say, his mouth opening and closing repeatedly, unable to formulate the correct words for this situation.

As if catering to his dilemma, his memories came flooding at the perfect moment, guiding him with the solution he needed.

"Caera," he called softly, respecting her need for space and waiting for her to meet his gaze.

When she looked up, he continued, "I know that encounter was terrifying and left you shaken—it probably felt like you were staring death in the face."

Noticing her flinch at his words, his tone softened further. "It's normal to feel this way after such a close call."

Despite his comforting words, they seemed to bounce off Caera, who appeared to have built a shell around herself.

All he received in response was Caera nervously biting her lips, struggling to maintain eye contact as her eyes mirrored the lingering horror.

'Just what do I do?' Jash could only ask himself, hoping for another guidance, but he received none.

The lack thereof seemed to indicate that he needed to rely on his own words—words that were his own, not from the past, but the present.

Hesitating on whether to say what he had in mind or not, he finally broke the awkward silence.

"It's fine to take your time, just don't dwell over it again and again," he advised, based on his personal understanding of her character.

Caera finally nodded slightly in response, prompting Jash to face the window on his right.

The car ride remained silent for a few seconds as it moved back into the city.

"J-jash," Caera called him, stuttering slightly, but he immediately responded.

"Yes?"

"So-some se-security t-team hunters a-are mis-sing," Caera shifted her attention to the outside and asked with a shaky voice.

"They are sealing the dungeon on my order," Jash coolly replied to her question.

Taking note of her confusion, Jash nodded and explained before she troubled herself to ask.

"There was some unseen anomaly in the dungeon and also because I think it'll be a necessary step for you to re-enter it to conquer your fear."

Caera visibly stiffened at the mere mention of the re-entering the dungeon, but Jash ignored it.

'It should be temporary,' he believed with all his heart and hoped for that to be the case.

Although curious, Caera refrained from asking further about the dungeon, wanting nothing more than to bury her trauma with it.

The rest of the ride remained silent with occasional comforting by Kesha.

Finally, the car arrived at the Ramille Estate, specifically the family mansion, and all of them got out.

Jash desperately wanted to rest a bit because his body was tired, even though he appeared fine from outside.

'I also need to shower,' he thought and faced the three, "I am going to my room. Take care of her, Kesha."

"I will," Kesha nodded in determination, but Jash's eyes focused on Caera's vulnerable form before he turned and left without another word.

He still needed a bath because he was covered in the blood of the wolves and leeches.

'This nano armor was designed to make sure no lingering residue was left yet it doesn't work too well,' he noted in displeasure.

However, if not for its futuristic features, the ride home itself would have become impossible since the stench of monster blood was strong and unpleasant.

As soon as he reached his room, he didn't care and directly entered the shower.

Every drop of water against his skin made him wince from the numerous small injuries.

The method he used was quite extreme, so it was natural for his body to be unaccustomed to it.

In fact, he could bear the pain, but his sensitive nerves made it hard for him to remain indifferent in their face.

For the first time, he took a quick shower so as not to aggravate his wounds and rest as soon as possible.

"So tiring," he muttered as he yawned, forgetting everything else as he exited the shower and instantly lay flat on his bed.

It was still afternoon by the time they had returned, so he decided to sleep until dinner. 'It'll be annoying to make up some excuse anyway...'

His body needed rest, fatigued, he quickly fell asleep.