Kaiden's dry chuckles echoed off the stone walls as he hung beneath the talons of an Abyssal Nightclaw, boots dangling over the black pits below. The beasts carried their passengers across the death-field of spikes that split the pathway.

Behind him, screams filled the air.

High-pitched, unending, and full of sheer panic.

He tilted his head toward Luna, who flew alongside him. "Sounds like they're in an amusement park, doesn't it?"

Luna squinted back at the terrified natives being carried across. "Yeah. A shady one that definitely failed every safety inspection known to man."

"…"

The creatures swooped low as they neared the end of the cavern. The air shifted, turning cool and damp.

Soon, the Verdant Expanse stretched out before them. Compared to the harsh black rock of the entry area, this place felt like pure heaven.

Kaiden dropped to the ground as the flying Nightclaw released him, landing with a solid thud. Alice, clinging to him like a needy cub, refused to let go. Her arms locked around his waist.

He chuckled and patted her head behind him. "You can let go now. The ride's over."

"No," she muttered into his chest. "I'm still scared, big brother…"

Yes, the girl responsible for killing thousands of monsters and hospitalizing hundreds of mighty awakened combatants cited 'fear' of the cruel pathway as a reason why she had to cling to him.

The fact that she was an S-tier awakened who's seen much worse did not seem to be a good enough argument because when the girl was presented with it, she formed big crocodile tears and clung to him even harder.

No one believed her act, but no one wanted to confront the girl either.

Kaiden shook his head with a small smile tugging at his lips. "You're unbelievable…" he muttered to himself before reaching back and grabbing hold of her wrist.

Alice made a sharp noise of protest, tightening her grip around his waist. "No! I'm still afraid of the ugly monsters!!"

"I'm not pulling you off," he sighed. "Trust me."

After a few seconds of stubborn silence, she finally loosened her hold, giving him a sulky look from behind. Kaiden got a good grip and hoisted her up with practiced ease. Alice yelped as he lifted her, only to find herself perched on his shoulders a moment later.

The pout vanished almost instantly. Her eyes lit up as she steadied herself, thighs pressing around his neck for balance. "Ohhh! A new brother-sister position!!!"

Kaiden snorted with the wryest of expressions on his features, especially as he felt the gazes of his women aimed right at him. This was… certainly a sight to behold, he had to admit.

"I don't know what to do with you anymore, Alice… You're almost seventeen. This doesn't exactly suit your age."

Indeed, Alice was not a little girl who should be riding on his shoulders like a child. She was already taller than Luna.

With her fingers absentmindedly playing with his hair, the black-haired teen snorted. "Hmph!! I'll always be your little sister, and big brothers are obliged to cherish and love their little sisters! This is a fate you can't escape! Embrace it with all your heart!"

Kaiden exhaled a quiet laugh. "… There's really no escape?"

"None."

"…" As Alice began happily singing atop his shoulders, Kaiden turned his attention back to the tunnel, from which Vespera appeared without sound or fanfare.

She had skipped the Abyssal Nightclaw ride entirely, reforming from shadow near Kaiden as if the entire obstacle course had been beneath her notice. Her calm stride and untarnished coat made the rest of them look like amateurs.

Kaiden's amusement dimmed as he watched her. Even inside his dungeon, the woman moved like she owned the place. The realization tightened something in his chest. If she could move through the spike traps this easily, then he could not truly feel untouchable in here.

Granted, if Vespera was designated as a hostile, then the monsters would've attacked her.

But still… This feeling lit up Kaiden's desire to farm even more Dungeon Master Points so he could polish the dungeon's defenses even further.

Around them, the natives collapsed onto the floor, gasping and clutching at the ground as though they'd barely survived the ride from hell. Some vomited. Others just lay still, staring at nothing in disbelief. The ride had clearly been too much for most of them.

Taigi's sharp intake of breath broke the momentary quiet. "Everyone, look!" she shouted while pointing into the green beyond.

Heads turned. Eyes widened.

They finally realized the kind of place they were in now.

The natives stared in silence as the sprawling forest stretched before them, a vast, thriving wilderness framed by soft mists. Towering trees swayed gently overhead, their leaves rich with color and life. Birds darted between branches, and the scent of soil and water filled the air.

Even though the reservation area they lived in was great, it was not one bit such a magical place. But more than that, for people used to monster-filled lands that have been run down by Calypso's subordinates, the sight hit like a punch to the gut.

Some elders pressed their palms together and whispered prayers under their breath. A few even fell to their knees, tears slipping down weathered cheeks. Others simply stood, too stunned to speak.

"It's… The dreamland," one murmured.

"Our ancestors spoke of this exact sight…" another whispered, voice trembling.

Before the emotional tide could sweep everyone away, a sharp clap rang out.

Kaiden had brought his hands together once, loud enough to echo through the expanse.

Then, right above his head, Alice mimicked the sound, clapping her smaller hands twice. "Everyone, my big brother demands your attention!!" she shouted proudly from her high perch.

Kaiden tilted his head back, meeting her upside-down grin with a flat stare. "..." He was still speechless.

A few of the natives glanced between them with visible confusion. Taigi, in particular, raised an eyebrow at the sight. A grown girl was perched atop their new chieftain like a parrot. But she said nothing. If this man could create miracles like the one before them, a bit of eccentricity was more than a fair price.

Kaiden cleared his throat and spoke, his tone settling into one of command. "Beyond the rock we just crossed lies three square kilometers of land: forest, river, and fertile soil. Everything you see here, I leave to your care."

A ripple of disbelief spread through the crowd.

He gestured toward the horizon. "You'll find clean water, wild game, fruit trees, and plants ready to harvest. What you build here is up to you. Houses, farms, totems, anything. I just have one condition."

He raised a finger. "The far end of the forest, that's my home. The area around it should not be touched."

The crowd nodded quickly, some even bowing in understanding.

Kaiden smiled faintly. "Good. As long as you work to make this land thrive, I'll make sure you have everything you need to live without fear of the world outside."

Above him, Alice lifted her chin and pointed dramatically toward the trees. "You heard him! Work hard for my big brother!"

The natives cheered, fully on board.

Kaiden let them have their moment before his eyes drifted toward the distant cliffs where his home and throne waited.

He had work to do, and something told him this day's surprises weren't over yet.

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