—


    After returning to the medical facility, Kieran turned toward everyone and examined how inebriated they were. Because Nemean and Bastion were of arger frame, they held their alcohol incredibly well.


    “Bastion, Nemean–do me a favor and lead Sithik and Cygnus back to their rooms,” Kieran directed.


    “You’ve got it, boss,” Nemean answered. He swung Sithik’s arm over his shoulder and walked the extremely tipsy boy upstairs.


    “Y-you know what, Nemean? You’re a solid guy. A big burly, sweetheart,” Sithik slurred his words and huped.


    Although the residual energy of the X-hancers had neutralized some of the alcoholic content, Sithik didn’t possess enough to counteract the number of drinks he had.


    “There you go, little guy. Small steps. Take it easy because if you hurl on me, I will turn on the security system and toss you into it,” Nemean said, patting his chest.


    Afterward, Bastion extended his hand like a gentleman and guided Cygnus up the steps two paces behind Nemean and Sithik.


    Upon confirming they had made it up the stair without incident, Kieran turned to Alice. “Are you alright?”


    “Just a bit lightheaded,” Alice said in a breathy voice. Despiteing from an Affluent Family, she didn’t drink often, so it felt good to celebrate with friends. Due to the asion that seldom came to pass, he truly outdid herself.


    “Altair, can you assist Alice?” Kieran asked.


    “That’s no problem at all.” Altair walked beside Alice and extended his elbow in a hook shape so she could hold on to him. Before leaving, Alice spared Kieran another nce with a radiant smile.


    “Thank you, Kieran.”


    “No problem, Alice. I enjoyed our night out,” Kieran responded. His voice was low akin to a whisper, because he felt that Dr. Riley’s breath had softened as if she were nodding off against his arm.


    Kieran understood that Dr. Riley worked herself harder than she cared to admit. The number of times he logged out and saw her passed out over her research numbered more than a few.


    Soon enough, only Kieran and Dr. Riley remained in the facility’s outer corridor. Unlike the others who walked up the left staircase, Dr. Riley’s room, which was more like an entire apartment, could only be reached through the opposite set of steps.


    Kieran moved his hand and tapped on her cheek. “Lillian.”


    “Mm~?” Dr. Riley’s response was a cross between a moan and a groan. She lifted her watery bluish-green eyes and gazed at Kieran.


    “I’ll carry you to bed,” Kieran said.


    Contrary to Kieran’s expectation, Dr. Riley immediately opened her arms like a toddler asking an adult to carry them. Kieran knelt and swiped her leg, hoisting her up in a princess-style carry, which made her cling around his neck.


    Her breath was warm and filled with notes of a fruity scent and light traces of an aromatic alcohol scent known to sting one’s nose. However, it was mellow and overpowered by Dr. Riley’s natural aroma.


    Kieran carried her to her room and dropped her bags by her door. As he looked around, Kieran was surprised by how tidy she kept the apartment. Perhaps it was due to her rarely being up here, but the cleanliness required praise.


    “We’re here,” Kieran said, standing over Dr. Riley’s queen-sized canopy bed with many cream sheets draped out the frame.


    Despite announcing their arrival, Dr. Riley continued to cling to his neck before nestling her face into his corbone. Alcohol tended to dull one’s inhibitions, like a kind of truth serum, so many of Dr. Riley’s repressed urges overflowed.


    Kieran froze as he felt a pair of soft, plump lips caress his skin.


    “Mm~! You’re so warm, and I like it,” Dr. Riley said. Her voice was velvety and filled with emotion.


    Kieran cleared his throat and exhaled before leaning over the bed so that Dr. Riley’s back touched it first. Once that happened, Kieran whispered into her ear. “Things like this shouldn’t happen while we’re slightly intoxicated.”


    Eventually, Kieran managed to unsp Dr. Riley’s arms from around his neck and tuck her into bed after taking off her heels and jewelry. Before leaving, however, he brushed a few strands of strawberry blonde hair away from her forehead.


    “You’ve treated me well and cared for me. Perhaps overstepping those boundaries would be wrong,” Kieran muttered. The way he spoke was as if he was trying to convince himself.


    He somewhat feared intimacy because of a few views imposed on him while young.


    Could someone of his emotional bearing even love correctly? What drove Kieran was power, to the point it obscured many emotions that were natural to a human being.


    Seeking affection and reciprocating intimacy never appeared at the forefront of his desires. Sure, carnal desires sprouted time and again, but they could be suppressed with willpower.


    Kieran soon dimmed the light and stepped toward the door, but he failed to notice Dr. Riley’s glossy eyes open again and gaze at his departing back. She rested in bed, looking forward with clouded thoughts and a somewhat unfocused gaze.


    After a while, her cheeks reddened, but it wasn’t the red tint from her alcohol-induced fervor. Dr. Riley’s actions partially dawned on her, and embarrassment rose in her mind. When Kieran stopped, she instinctively closed her eyes and stilled her breathing.


    “Good night, Lillian.”


    …


    After cing his bags in his room, Kieran returned to the facility’s medical area.


    Inside the room’s quiet atmosphere, Kieran calmly unfastened his belt and removed his suit.


    ‘You may all sleep to your heart’s content tonight. But I don’t have that luxury. I must ensure our path ahead if we’re going to catch up to ourpetition and surpass them.’


    A few secondster, Kieran changed into his typical spandex bottom after neatly setting aside his suit. He approached the container before him and took out one 20% concentration X-hancer.


    After consuming it, Kieran felt all traces of alcohol being expelled from his body.


    The aftereffects warmed his body, but the sensation was bearable. Rather than consume another 20%, Kieran ingested 15% to top off his energy reserves.


    Afterward, Kieran went through attaching all the electrodes and starting up the data recording system. Once he finished making the preparations, Kieran ced the helmet on his head andid back with a sigh that expelled most of his concerns.


    Following his sigh, Kieran initiated the log-in process, transporting his consciousness through the virtual link.


    …


    Inside Zenith Online…


    Kieran’s eyelids fluttered a few times before his eyes opened. As he sat up, Kieran noticed that the pain in his mind had reduced by 20%.


    Although his current condition paledpared to his peak state, Kieran was satisfied that he didn’t suffer from a mind-splitting headache anymore.


    Upon exiting the healing chambers, the guard outside stopped him.


    “Commander Ezrath stopped by not too long ago. He asked that I ry to that they’ll be waiting in the first lounge area,” the guard revealed.


    The first lounge area was located near the main entrance and could only be essed by formal members of the War Deity Council. One could reach it by taking the left path instead of the middle route that led toward the building’s depths.


    “Thank you.”


    After leaving his thanks, Kieran retraced his steps while withdrawing the unknown stone from Lord Veradin. A tinge of familiarity rose in Kieran’s mind the longer he inspected the item in his palm, but it continued to elude him.


    Perhaps the sparse information was buried in the depths of his mind, but Kieran failed to confirm the source of this gnawing feeling.


    ‘Lord Veradin advised that I take it to the Wykins, so I’ll have to take my chances and venture there.’


    Kieran had his reason for his reluctance.


    The Wykins were known to be masters of several mystical arts, some of which could inflict a True Death upon yers. If he overstepped, there was a possibility that he could lose his ount.


    Such an oue was far from desirable. There were too many extravagant items and impressive quests in Kieran’s possession to lose his ount to issues caused by the residents of Xenith.


    Nevertheless, it wasn’t something he could avoid. If he wanted to visit the Emplenan Few, gaining the favor of the Wykins was a must due to their amicable rtionship.


    A few minutester, Kieran arrived in the first area and noticed Zerim and Ezrath awaiting his arrival.


    “Excellent,” Ezrath eximed. “It seems my grandson has made his first friend, even going as far as to invite him into our revered homnd.”


    “Please don’t spoil my image, grandfather,” Zerim muttered with a slight grimace. His grandfather had an uncanny ability to embarrass him indirectly at every turn.


    Ezrath released a peal of heartyughter as he led the two boys outside, where he ced two fingers in his mouth and released a deafening whistle.


    A squawk sounded as a gigantic figure dived toward their location from the skies above.


    Bang!


    When the dust cleared, a colossal bird resembling a hawk with azure eyes bowed its head before Ezrath. Intelligence shed in its gaze as its massive wingspan cast an immense shadow.


    ‘A Zephyr Hawk? And it seems to be an Awakened Beast,’ Kieran thought. ‘It’s an incredible mount.’


    “All aboard,” Ezrathmanded, lightly tapped his foot. Kieran and Zerim followed, taking a seat on the hawk.


    A few secondster, they were jolted by the Zephyr Hawk’s abrupt eleration. Kieran instinctively clutched a few of its feathers.