Chapter 99: Home

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Home

Kyle slowed his horse as he passed the entrance.

’The village has developed quite a bit.’

He remembered how quiet the settlement had once been. Most of its residents had been farmers, hunters, and ordinary villagers who rarely had any reason to travel far from home.

The village had been small enough that everyone knew one another, and the arrival of a stranger was usually something worth discussing for the rest of the day.

Now, however, the situation was noticeably different.

The village was the settlement closest to the forest where the dungeon is located, and its location had made it a convenient resting point for those traveling for the dungeon.

With more adventurers passing through, local merchants had recognized an opportunity to earn money by selling food, equipment, and basic supplies. Some residents had converted parts of their homes into guest rooms, while others had opened small businesses to serve the growing number of visitors.

The increase in activity had brought more money into the village, allowing its residents to repair their homes and improve their living conditions. Even the number of people walking along the main road seemed greater than before.

Kyle felt a quiet sense of satisfaction as he observed the changes.

Although he had played no direct role in these improvements, he was glad that the villagers were benefiting from the growing activity in the region.

As he continued farther into the settlement, a few familiar faces began to recognize him.

"Kyle? Is that really you?"

A middle-aged man standing outside a shop stared at him in disbelief. After looking at Kyle for several seconds, the man’s eyes widened, and he hurriedly called out to the people nearby.

"Everyone, come and look! It’s Kyle! He’s come back!"

His voice attracted the attention of several villagers, some of whom stopped what they were doing to look toward the young adventurer riding through the village. A few recognized him immediately, while others needed a moment to connect the well-equipped adventurer before them with the boy who had left the settlement to pursue his ambitions.

"Good heavens, he’s changed so much!"

"I heard that he became famous in Lufast City after helping defeat a powerful monster during the dungeon outbreak. I thought those stories might have been exaggerated, but look at him now!"

"He’s wearing proper adventurer equipment, and that horse doesn’t look cheap either. It seems the rumors were true!"

Kyle smiled and greeted the villagers as he passed. He did not act arrogantly or pretend that he had become someone too important to acknowledge the people he had grown up with.

Even though his circumstances had changed, these were still the people who had known him long before he became a recognized adventurer.

He exchanged a few words with those who approached him, answering their questions about his adventures while avoiding the more dangerous details. Some villagers wanted to know how strong he had become, while others were more interested in the places he had visited and the opportunities available in Lufast City.

Kyle answered as much as he could before finally making his way toward the house where his family lived.

The house stood in a quieter part of the village, away from the busier main road. It was an ordinary home, built from wood and stone, with a small yard and a modest garden. Although it had been well maintained, the building was clearly older than many of the newer structures he had passed along the way.

The sight brought back memories he had not realized he missed so much.

He remembered the mornings when his mother would call him to breakfast, the evenings when his father returned from work, and the countless conversations they had shared around the dining table.

Back then, he had often worried about money and wondered whether he would ever be able to provide a better life for them.

Now, he had finally returned with the means to change their circumstances.

Kyle dismounted, tied his horse near the entrance, and walked toward the door. Before he could knock, he heard footsteps approaching from inside.

The door opened, revealing a middle-aged woman who stared at him for a moment as if she could not quite believe her eyes.

"Kyle?"

His mother looked him over, from his adventurer’s equipment to the sword at his side. Then her expression softened, and she reached out to touch his arm, as though she needed to reassure herself that he was really standing in front of her.

"You came home!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise and happiness. "Why didn’t you send word that you were coming? We could have prepared a proper meal for you. Have you been eating properly? You look stronger than before, but adventurers are always getting themselves into dangerous situations. Tell me, have you been taking care of yourself?"

Kyle couldn’t help but smile at the familiar barrage of questions. No matter how much he had changed, his mother still treated him as though he were the boy who had once left home with more ambition than experience.

"I’m fine, Mother. I’ve been eating well, and I’m not injured."

His mother immediately stepped aside to let him in, still holding his arm as if she were afraid he might disappear if she let go.

"Then come inside! Your father is out at the moment, but he should be back soon. Your sister is helping a neighbor with some work, so she’ll probably return before dinner. I can’t believe you’ve come home without telling us first. If I’d known, I would have bought more ingredients and prepared all your favorite dishes."

"There’s no need to go to so much trouble, Mother. I can eat whatever you prepare."

"Of course you can, but you’re my son. You haven’t visited in a long time, and I want to make sure you eat something good while you’re here."

Kyle laughed softly and followed her into the house.

----

Back inside the dungeon, Ragnar Lindgren sat upon his enormous throne in the main chamber, his massive frame resting against the dark backrest as he watched the system screen floating before him.