Chapter 72: Mark is back

Dungeons were the temporary residences of monsters before they charged into human territory. After acquiring a dungeon, monsters required time for their bodies to adapt to Earth’s atmosphere. That was why they could not breach the barrier immediately after a dungeon spawned.

The E-rank dungeon had appeared only the previous night, which was why a team had been assigned first thing in the morning to clear it. Kai had been included as well.

’Considering how desperate low-ranked hunters always are, it’s no wonder they gathered within the first hour of work.’

He could relate to them. Back then, it had never mattered what hour it was. Whenever the guild called, he had picked up without hesitation.

"Are you leaving?" Jean asked as she watched him put on his shoes.

She was holding Elara in her arms. The little girl had just come out of her bath and looked nothing short of an fairy, her damp hair framing her innocent face.

Kai smiled and nodded before getting to his feet.

Extending his arms, he took Elara from Jean and said, "Yeah. Do you need me to bring anything back?"

He gently rubbed his cheek against hers, earning a delighted giggle from the girl as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Nothing in particular. Will you be back for lunch?"

Kai shook his head. "Not likely. I need to take care of a few things and sort things out with my previous apartment."

He had already received a call from the owner, but he had ignored it, knowing the man would only nag him over the phone. He would deal with it when he went there in person.

"Be careful with that." Jean’s voice carried a trace of worry, and rightfully so. That area must be still under close watch by those people trying to hunt her down.

Kai gave her a faint smile and used his free hand to cup her cheek.

"I know. Don’t worry. I’m already quite a cautious guy. And now that I have so much to lose, I’ll be even more careful."

The warmth that spread across Jean’s cheek left her momentarily speechless. She eventually nodded in silence.

God, why was she reacting like a teenager?

It was such a simple, sweet gesture, yet somehow it still made her heart flutter.

Kai spent a little more time playing with Elara before finally saying, "Daddy’s going now. Be a good girl, okay?"

"Naaa!"

She was clearly unwilling to let him go. Even when Kai tried to hand her back to Jean, Elara clung tightly to his jacket, refusing to release him.

Jean gently reprimanded her. "Now, don’t be stubborn, Elli. Daddy needs to go."

Elara shook her head, her little shoulders beginning to tremble.

The moment they saw her eyes starting to glisten, both adults straightened; not being able to push her any more.

"Really, you’ve been spoiling her far too much these days." Jean shook her head, though there was no real annoyance in her voice.

Kai merely smiled as he swayed Elara gently in his arms. She had finally relaxed, but her tiny fingers remained curled around his collar as though letting go might make him disappear.

"Well, I can’t help it. Ask her to be a little less adorable."

Jean rolled her eyes and shook her head.

The two of them were beyond saving.

Just then, Kai’s phone rang.

It was the same person Adam had told him about, the one responsible for getting him into the dungeon.

Kai accepted the call, and an impatient voice immediately came through.

{Where are you? The others have already arrived. Please report as soon as you can.}

"Ah, yes. I’m about to arrive..."

His gaze shifted toward Jean.

Jean’s temperament changed as she immediately rolled up her sleeves and took a firm hold of Elara. Before the little girl could even understand what was happening, she was separated from her father.

"Paa... waaah!"

Elara stretched both arms toward him, nearly throwing herself forward in her desperate attempt to reach her father.

Kai instinctively extended a hand toward her, but Jean gave him a look that clearly asked, Are you sure about this?

He paused.

His heart ached at the sight of his daughter reaching for him with tears already gathering in her eyes. He wanted nothing more than to stay, but he had already made an appointment, and the others were waiting for him.

In the end, he leaned forward, kissed her forehead, and whispered, "Sorry, baby. Daddy needs to go."

Then, before he could change his mind, Kai turned around and rushed out as quickly as he could.

The system immediately chimed with a notification.

[Quest: Make your daughter cry]

[Reward: Box of sour candy]

"..."

Kai’s expression darkened.

"I already feel guilty about it. Why are you punishing me with sour candy, system?"

There was, of course, no response.

Regardless, Kai made his way toward the entrance of the community, trying to settle the guilt weighing on his heart.

He made a mental note to bring some pudding for his little girl on the way back. And tonight, no matter how tired he was, he would spend at least two hours playing with her.

With that thought in mind, he pulled out his phone to check the location.

Before he could do so, an incoming call from a familiar number appeared on the screen.

A smile crossed his face.

"Hey, Mark."

{Hey, man. Where are you?}

"Just... heading out for some work. What about you?"

{I got back last night. And I’ve brought several gifts for my dear niece and my sister-in-law. When are you finally going to let me meet them?}

Hearing the eagerness in Mark’s voice, Kai could only smile wryly.

"You can come over for dinner today. I’ll send you the address."

{Alright. I’ll bring some good wine too.}

The mention of wine nearly made Kai chuckle.

"Just don’t. Regular beer will do."

While chatting on the phone he started approaching the dense cluster of mana not so far away from the community entrance.

He was finally here. His first dungeon raid after gaining the system.

’Let’s see how much things have changed.’