I Shall Devour Everything

Arion was a bit surprised, but he moved towards a corner along with Kisho and asked, "Uncle Kisho, what is it?"

"I just wanted to ask if you remember what happened after those Dreadlings attacked you?"

Arion explained the same thing he told Mei, after which Kisho nodded, "So basically you have no idea who or what killed all those Jawfiends, including their Queen."

Arion nodded as he said with a perplexed expression, "Yes. I find it quite unbelievable. I thought I had already died or something. Maybe someone rescued me?"

Kisho nodded with a thoughtful expression, "That is the most probable explanation. But it still doesn't explain the way those Jawfiends and their Queen were killed. It seemed more like another Dreadling killed them all...a more powerful and terrifying one at that, considering the mangled, rotten, and torn Jawfiend corpses we found."

Arion scratched his head, "Really? Then how am I even alive? If any other monster appeared, then I shouldn't be standing here right now."

Kisho said with a tired sigh, "I know. That is why the way in which we found you and your survival seemed the most puzzling to us. It's something that has no chance of happening. I mean, we have never heard of anyone coming out alive after getting assaulted by a horde of Dreadlings. I think whatever happened to them has got to be connected with how you are able to walk now and become stronger than before. Or we will just consider that the Heavenly Mother favors you. She has done so in legends, and this could be one such very rare occurrence."

"Then I am really thankful to the Heavenly Mother," Arion said with a smile. However, inwardly Arion felt a chill crossing his spine wondering if there was really a monster far terrifying than the Jawfiends.

He quietly thanked his lucky stars that he was able to survive from such a monster in case there existed one.

Kisho then asked with a soft smile, "Another thing. Do you know the main reason we were able to find you?"

Arion knitted his brows as he already had this question in the back of his mind wondering how these guys managed to find the nest of those Jawfiends.

Seeing Arion's confused expression, Kisho continued, "Actually, we all considered you to have died since Cayden and Nena saw you getting bitten by those Jawfiends and getting dragged to their nest."

'Whoa...well, I guess I can't exactly blame them. Even I considered myself dead…' Arion thought, which only increased his confusion about how these people still found him.

Kisho briefly glanced at Mei talking to Cayden and Nena before saying, "It's all because of your sister's determination and persistence to find you no matter what. Even when we told her that you had probably died, she refused to believe or listen to us, fortunately. She then decided to search for you herself, and we formed a search party because of her since we felt it wrong to let her search for you alone."

He continued with a sigh, "We were fortunate that the Jawfiends hadn't moved their nest since they usually do that to avoid getting ambushed by us. And Mei kept on digging her way through to you till she ran out of prana and then used her bare hands till they started to bleed. Only because she is a Healifier, she looks alright now. If it were any other person, I doubt they would be able to look alright without a hint of fatigue."

Arion was taken aback and felt a warm feeling crossing his chest and wondered how long it has been since he felt this feeling. 

In his past life, for the latter half of his life, nobody cared whether he was dead or alive, nor did he have someone to worry about him or be concerned about his whereabouts.

Even the temporary friendships or acquaintances he made were only superficial at best, and each party only cared about their own self-interests, and even he became like that. 

This was why he was surprised at himself when he was prepared to sacrifice himself to save Cayden and Nena since he was absolutely sure that he wouldn't have done the same thing in his past life.

However, hearing how Mei never chose to believe that he was dead and how she continued to search for him throughout the day made him experience a mixture of emotions he had not felt for a long time—joy, relief, gratitude, surprise and didn't know how to express them.

He knew that Mei seemed to care very much about Arion, but from the perspective of his past life personality, he still hadn't completely believed in his heart that Mei would go to any lengths to save him in the time of need since he had experienced too much trickery from double-faced people.

However, now the last tinges of doubt and suspicions were thrown away from his heart and were replaced by overflowing warmth and love towards her.

Through his peripheral vision, he looked at Mei and saw her beautiful countenance, which for some reason seemed to look even more mesmerizing now.

As if feeling his gaze, Mei, while talking to Cayden and Nena, glanced at Arion only to see that he was still talking with Kisho.

"So even if she doesn't want you to know about these things, I couldn't help but tell you how blessed you are to have such a sister. And seeing how you are no longer the disabled person you were before, I believe you will go on to become a great hero to the world and make a name for yourself. But no matter how great you become, always love and take care of your sister as you always do. I just wanted to say this and don't mind me if I seem like a preaching old man, hoho," Kisho said with a light laugh.

Arion smiled as he shook his head, "Not all all. In fact, thank you for telling me this. Otherwise, I would have regretted not knowing this."

"Haha, as expected from a decent young man. I look forward to tonight's gathering since we will be having two special guests tonight, and you are going to be the center of attention. So don't get shy at that time, hoho. Time for me to go, and you can put on your best clothes for tonight and bring along your sister to Yaro's house," Kisho said as he patted Arion's shoulder and moved over to Cayden and Nena, who were busy conversing with Mei.

"Are you sure you guys don't want to come inside and rest for a while?" Mei asked the three, seeing that they were about to leave.

"No need, Little Mei. We are in a hurry, actually—some other time. Have a nice day," Kisho said with a smile as the three bid their goodbyes.

Clearly, Cayden and Nena's backs no longer looked hunched but instead looked straight as if a heavyweight was lifted off their shoulders.

Arion entered his house, and Mei was walking towards the kitchen as she said, "It seems like tonight we—ah!"

Mei was surprised when two strong arms suddenly wrapped her waist and pulled her backward, only to have her back press against a tall youngster's chest for a close embrace.

Mei was surprised by Arion's sudden embrace and was about to ask him when she felt his hot breath behind her ears.

"I love you…" These three words seemed to have a magnetic charm as they entered Mei's ears and for a moment stunned her since Arion had never said them in such a way...a way which seemed to push out the deepest emotions in her heart.

It was as if he meant every word with the entirety of his heart and soul.

And feeling the warmth from his chest and arms spreading over her body only made her skin flush with a beautiful reddish hue.

Arion didn't know why but he felt like expressing his love for her at this moment; since this time, he felt that she was the perfect girl he had been waiting to truly fall in love with.

He didn't even think how she might respond and did what his heart told him to do.

Mei stayed in Arion's embrace like that for a few moments as silence descended. Then she slowly turned around and looked at his eyes, "I...love you too," She said with a smile as she kissed his cheek, much to Arion's disappointment, who thought she was going to kiss him on his lips for real.

Even though he felt that her words were sincere, it felt like she was suppressing some emotion behind her words and actions and was unable to see what was going through her mind.

She averted her gaze for a moment before asking with a veiled smile, "Why...what made you suddenly say it?"

"Because I wanted to, and that's how I truly feel. Or did I say something wrong?" Arion asked as he suppressed his worries.

"No...of course, you didn't. I can't be more happy hearing you say that" She then hugged him with her head close to his heart and continued in a low voice as she avoided his gaze, "I just wish—"

"Cough...cough…"

As if somebody stepped on a rabbit's tail, Mei and Arion quickly jumped out of each other's arms, hearing someone coughing awkwardly behind them only to see that it was Shun who was looking at them with a poker face.

Mei wondered why she was so flustered seeing somebody else seeing her hug Arion while Arion was quite annoyed that this shorty ruined his moment with Mei.

"I will go out and buy some new clothes for you to wear for tonight, Arion. You can take some rest in case you are still feeling any discomfort," Mei said as she hurriedly left, making one wonder what was going through her mind.

"Did I interrupt something? A bro-sis moment perhaps?" Shun asked with a subtle smirk.

Arion closed his eyes and took a deep breath so as to resist the temptation of punching Shun's smug face.

"I thought you were out for a stroll," Arion said as he forced a smile.

Shun shrugged, "Seriously, do you expect me to take a stroll for the whole day? For heaven's sake, I am injured. I also heard that some kind of gathering was going to happen tonight, including the arrival of some special guests. So I decided to join as well."

"I don't think outsiders are allowed."

"It's all perspective. You have no idea how much I mingled with these people when you were out cold for two days. Now they treat me as if I have been living here for a decade," Shun said with a wink.

"Ah, yes. One more thing I have meant to ask. Are you and Miss Mei really brother and sister?" Shun asked as a glint of doubt flashed across his eyes.