Turns out, I had become the most famous person in the kingdom. My bount pictures were everywhere, though the Holy Knights were doing their best to remove them.
It didn’t take long for me to find my way to our new house.
To be honest, it was far better than our previous one—a bigger yard with a lush green lawn, a sturdy fence, and a freshly painted white house.
I stepped inside and called out from the doorway, "I’m home."
But I was met with sobs.
My heart clenched as I rushed in, only for my breath to hitch at the sight before me.
Mom was in a terrible state—bruised, battered, her face almost unrecognizable.
I ran to her. "Mom! What happened?"
She weakly lifted her gaze, her lips trembling, stained with blood.
"Asher... is that you?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
A deep, raw anger surged through me.
"Mom... don’t tell me Mrs. Rambrandt did this to you?"
She tried to speak but couldn’t. All she could do was cry.
Without hesitation, I purchased a healing potion from my system store, gently lifted Mom into my arms, and made her drink it.
Her wounds vanished one after another in mere seconds. Her eyes widened in shock as she gasped.
"Asher..." she muttered before pulling me into a tight hug.
I hugged her back, feeling her tears dampen my shirt.
"I’m sorry I wasn’t here to protect you, Mom." My voice was laced with guilt. "But I won’t let it happen again."
Then, a voice echoed in my mind.
"Would you like me to protect her for you?"
Telepathy?
I stiffened as something emerged from my shadow.
"REX?!" I stumbled back in shock.
That annoying massive hound of Rose stood before me.
Mom trembled, clutching my sleeve as she eyed the beast. "Asher... what is that?"
I exhaled. "I’m just as shocked as you are, Mom. Looks like it followed me from the Demon Realm."
"D-Demon Realm?!" Her breathing turned ragged.
"Mom! Just take a deep breath. It won’t harm you."
Though, to be honest, I wasn’t sure about that myself. I was just as wary of this thing as she was.
Rose... was this the gift she said she gave me? Out of all things, she had to send me her obnoxious hound?!
I glanced at Rex, who wagged his tail like a normal dog—except he was anything but normal. If people saw him, they’d definitely freak out.
Just like Mom was doing right now.
"Sit down, Rex!" I commanded.
To my relief, he obeyed instantly.
Mom’s hands were still shaking. "Asher... so it’s true? You’re a devil boy now?"
I sighed. "No, Mom. I’m not."
"Then why is there a monster following you?"
I had no choice but to explain everything—how I saved the Priestess from the Demon Realm. My story sounded straight out of a comic book, yet, for some reason, Mom believed me.
Though, I left out the part about my system and that l have to bang women her age to gain more power. Instead, I told her I received my power from the gods.
But now, I had a new problem—Rex.
"Hey... can you, like, go back into my shadow or something? You’re going to freak people out."
"I don’t want to!" The stubborn hound replied.
"Why?"
"Because I want to protect your mother."
I narrowed my eyes. "I can do that without your help, thanks. In fact, let me just take you back to Rose."
"I don’t want to!"
Stubborn freak!
After what felt like an endless argument, Rex somehow managed to convince me to form an official demon-human contract by blood, making me his master. Now, he had to obey me.
First order? "Shrink to a normal-sized dog."
He complied, though he remained pitch black and still a little terrifying.
I spent the rest of the day with Mom until we were later joined by my crazy sister, who had just come home from school.
"Brother dearest!" she squealed the moment she saw me.
Then, she launched herself at me, wrapping her small arms around my neck.
"You’re choking me," I grumbled.
"Can’t help it! Everyone’s talking about you! There’s a rumor you saved the Priestess—and she hugged you in front of everyone. Is that true?"
I sighed. "Yeah... kinda."
She pouted. "You womanizer! I can’t believe you were seducing the Priestess!"
"Hey! I wasn’t seducing her!"
"Yes, you were!"
"Ugh, fine! Believe whatever you want!"
She finally noticed Rex lying on the carpet.
"Where did you get this adorable dog?" she cooed, patting his head.
"If that’s what you call adorable, you have terrible taste."
"Oh, come on! He’s the cutest thing ever!"
"Right. Well, have fun with him. I was about to go take a bath."
One thing I loved about our new house was the inbuilt large tub—big enough to fit five people.
Using my fire magic, I heated the water to my preferred temperature, stripped off my clothes, and slid in.
Nothing was more refreshing than this.
I felt at peace.
But not for long.
The bathroom door creaked open.
I turned my head just as Sharon stepped inside, covered only by a towel. My eyes widened.
"What are you—"
"Shhh! Don’t make noise! You want Mom to hear us?"
"Yeah, duh?! Because you’re barging in while I’m bathing!"
She crossed her arms. "There’s nothing wrong with siblings taking a bath together. It strengthens our bond as a family."
"No, it doesn’t. It’s weird."
"How is it weird? We used to bathe together when we were kids."
"I have no memory of that! And I don’t want to bathe with you now. So get out!"
Sharon suddenly sniffled.
Was she... crying?
"So you’re just like every other guy, huh?" Her voice wavered.
"What do you mean?"
"You only like girls with big boobs."
"Hah?! Where’s that coming from?!"
She sank to the floor, hugging her knees.
"I’ve been bullied my whole life for having small boobs. And out of everyone, I thought you—my little brother—would be different. But you’re just like the rest."
Her words made me feel guilty. Even though I didn’t do anything wrong, I suddenly felt like... maybe I should comfort her.
I sighed. "Sharon... I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were bullied. And I’d never discriminate against you because of that. I honestly think small ones are cute and attractive too."
"Liar!" She sobbed harder. "You’re just saying that to make me feel better!"
"No, I really mean it."
"Then why won’t you bathe with me? It’s just a bath."
I couldn’t believe she was putting me in this situation. But... the tub was big, and it was steamy, so...
"Fine. But you stay on that end, and I’ll stay on this side. Got it?"
Her face instantly lit up. "Thanks, brother dearest!"
Then, she dropped her towel and dived into the water.
Tbc