Preparation

After sparring with Kan for an hour or two, both of us exhausted but satisfied, we made our way to the elevator. As the doors slid open, a mouthwatering aroma drifted through the air—a savory scent so rich and inviting that it felt like it could lift us off the ground. The unmistakable smell of Korean stew wrapped around us, warm and comforting.

Before I could take a step, Kan shoved me aside, nearly launching me back into the elevator. I twisted my body, absorbing the push, then followed him into the kitchen. Seated at the table were Kan's father and mother, both calmly enjoying their meals. Despite his imposing frame, Kan's father—a mound of muscle that seemed more suited for a battlefield than a kitchen—had clearly cooked the meal himself. The thought that such a man could craft something that smelled this divine was both surprising and amusing.

"Come sit," Kan's father said, gesturing to the table. "I'll bring the stew over."

We settled into our seats, and soon steaming bowls of stew were placed before us. Without hesitation, Kan dug in, shoveling the food into his mouth with little regard for table manners. Within minutes, he was already asking for seconds. His parents paused mid-bite, glancing at each other with a mixture of concern and confusion.

"Kan, are you feeling alright?" his mother asked. "You're eating more than usual."

Wiping my mouth with a napkin, I decided to interject. "It makes sense, actually. According to a book I read, individuals like us—called 'Retainers'—require more food than the average person. Our metabolisms are faster, and the more energy we use, the more nutrition we need to replenish it."

Kan's father nodded almost instantly, as if the explanation made perfect sense. His mother, however, exchanged a look with Kan, both of them eyeing me with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

"What book is that?" she asked. "And how do you know about Retainers?"

Feigning nonchalance, I replied, "It's called *Will of War*. I didn't read the whole thing, just parts of it, so my knowledge is a bit limited. But from what I gathered, Retainers are essentially evolved humans. Our physical abilities—strength, stamina, eyesight—they're all enhanced. But it comes with a cost: a faster metabolism and higher energy consumption. The harder we push our bodies, the more food we need to recover."

I turned to Kan. "Think about earlier—how long were you swinging that sword?"

"A couple of hours," he replied. "Why?"

"And you're not even tired, are you?"

Kan paused, realization dawning on his face. "No… I'm not."

"Exactly," I said. "That's why food needs to be our first priority. Without enough fuel, our bodies won't function properly."

Curiosity flickered in Kan's mother's eyes as she hesitated before speaking. "Reveal," she whispered. A translucent screen appeared before her, and her eyes widened as she read aloud. "Child of the Earth… Mother of the Spring… and Blessing of Life."

"No curses?" I asked, tilting my head slightly.

She shook her head. "None."

"As expected." I leaned back in my chair. "Skills like those depend on mental stamina. As long as your mind is sharp and rested, you can use them freely. But overuse comes with risks—best case, you'll suffer mental exhaustion or a mild stroke. Worst case… death. And in the worst of the worst cases—corruption."

"Corruption?" Kan's father repeated, his brows furrowed in concern.

I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. "Not sure what it is exactly. Just that it leaves you alive but… not yourself. It's like something else takes over."

"Tch," Kan scoffed. "So what? It's not like we're gonna fight a god or anything."

I met his gaze with an unreadable expression. *You poor child… you have no idea what's coming.*

Out loud, I simply said, "Just one. The monster Lee wants to kill. After that, no more."

"Right?" Kan pressed.

I ignored him, focusing on my meal instead.

By the time dinner ended, Kan had polished off at least three—maybe four—bowls of stew. With a satisfied sigh, I excused myself and headed to the bathroom. The hot water cascading down my skin felt heavenly, washing away the exhaustion of the day. For a moment, I could've sworn I'd died and gone to paradise—until a sharp, throbbing pain in my head quickly shattered the illusion.

*Mr. Yoon's blessings… No curses.* The thought lingered as I dried off and dressed, making my way toward my room. I needed to focus. The Second Awakening was near, and with it, more abilities would manifest—not just for me, but for others as well. Soon, I'd need to find the generals who had awakened.

Settling onto my bed, I closed my eyes, waiting. The air seemed to hum with anticipation, as if the world itself was holding its breath.

And then I felt it.

New knowledge flooded my mind, each ability etching itself into my consciousness: *Wind Gust. Memory Reading. Dream Walking. Thread Master.*

The first two were self-explanatory, but Dream Walking had unexpected nuances. Not only could I enter others' dreams, but I could also shape those dreams—or trap weaker minds in an endless slumber of my design. As for Thread Master, it granted the ability to create strings from any material I could imagine. The more complex the material, the greater the strain on my mind.

A smile tugged at my lips. *This… this is too good.*