Chapter 212: Six Months Later

Liam Davis had faced monsters capable of destroying buildings, participated in a war that threatened the entire world, and survived situations where a single mistake could have cost him his life.

However, none of that had prepared him for changing two diapers at the same time.

“Lydia! I need help!”

Laughter came from the other side of the apartment.

“Again?!”

Liam stared desperately at the two babies in front of him.

Lionel lay on the changing table, kicking his tiny legs as he watched his father. Beside him, Liana waved her arms and made cheerful little noises.

Both had black hair, chubby cheeks, and such adorable faces that it was difficult to get angry with them.

At least, until it was time to change their diapers.

“All right, champ. Just stay still for a second.”

Lionel responded by kicking away the clean diaper Liam had just prepared.

“No! That wasn’t part of the deal!”

The baby giggled.

Liam closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

‘I’ve led my squad on dangerous missions. I can do this.’

He tried again and, after several clumsy movements, finally managed to put a diaper on his son.

“Victory!”

“Are you seriously celebrating that?”

Lydia appeared in the doorway with a cup in her hand.

“Of course. Do you have any idea how difficult this is?”

“Surprisingly, yes. I’ve changed quite a few more diapers than you have.”

“That doesn’t count. You have experience.”

Liam glanced at Liana, who was still waiting for her turn.

“Well, little one, it looks like your mother doesn’t want to help me.”

Lydia set her cup on a dresser and approached to pick up her daughter.

“I never said that. I’m just enjoying watching the great sub-captain Liam Davis face his greatest challenge.”

“I’m starting to suspect you married me just so you’d have someone to change diapers.”

“What nonsense! I also needed someone to pay the bills!”

“Lydia!”

She burst out laughing as she settled Liana against her chest.

Six months had passed since their children were born.

During that time, their lives had changed completely.

Their original apartment had been too small for a family of four, so they had purchased the apartment next door and connected the two units.

Their home was now more spacious and comfortable, with a room for the twins and enough space for everyone to have their own place.

Although getting the babies to sleep at the same time was still a difficult task.

Lionel and Liana were growing up healthy and strong.

Liam watched them for a few seconds.

‘Six months…’

He still remembered the day they were born. The nerves, his concern for Lydia, and the overwhelming excitement he had felt when he held them for the first time.

Now, those two little ones were part of every decision he made.

“What are you thinking about?” Lydia asked.

“How fast they’re growing.”

She lowered her gaze toward her daughter.

“I know. Sometimes it feels like we were still at the clinic just yesterday.”

“And now we have two little troublemakers who seem determined to keep us awake.”

As if he had understood his father’s words, Lionel let out a little babble.

“See? He even talks back!”

Lydia laughed again.

“I think he’s just hungry.”

“Please don’t tell me we have to start preparing their meals now, too.”

“Relax, Daddy. We haven’t reached that stage yet.”

Liam sighed in relief.

He knew his children would grow up and that every stage would bring new challenges. But for now, he preferred to enjoy these moments rather than worry about everything that lay ahead.

◇◆◇

After feeding their children, Liam settled them into their respective cribs. Both babies looked satisfied and began to drift off to sleep.

Lydia sat beside the cribs, gazing at them with a peaceful expression.

“They’re adorable, aren’t they?”

Liam stood behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders.

“The most adorable babies in the world.”

“And the naughtiest, too.”

“They must have inherited that from you.”

Lydia slowly turned her head.

“What did you just say?”

“Nothing. I said they’re adorable.”

“I heard you perfectly well.”

Liam decided it was better to keep quiet.

As they watched their children, he remembered a conversation he’d had with Pix before their birth. Back then, the little system assistant had asked him whether he thought the twins would inherit any abilities.

Liam had preferred not to worry about something they couldn’t know yet.

Since then, neither of them had seriously considered the question again.

Lionel and Liana seemed like perfectly normal babies. They slept, ate, cried, and gradually discovered the world around them.

Liam didn’t need his children to become hunters or inherit their parents’ abilities. When they grew older, they could decide for themselves what kind of people they wanted to be.

All he wanted was to watch them grow up healthy and happy.

“Everything okay?” Lydia asked, noticing that he’d grown thoughtful.

“Yeah. I was just thinking about how lucky we are.”

She smiled and took his hand.

“We are.”

They stayed together until they were certain the little ones had fallen asleep.

Then Liam’s communicator vibrated on the table.

He picked it up and opened the message he’d just received.

[Zayn: Boss, how are the little ones?]

Liam smiled.

Since the twins’ birth, it had become common for one of his squad members to message him and ask about them.

Some had even asked for pictures, while Chuck kept insisting they should organize a group visit so everyone could meet the babies.

They still hadn’t agreed on when to do it.

[Liam: They’re doing fine. They just fell asleep.]

The reply arrived a few seconds later.

[Zayn: Great! Hope they’re not giving you too much trouble.]

Liam glanced toward the cribs.

[Liam: I just changed two diapers. I think I’d rather face a dungeon.]

[Zayn: HAHAHAHA. I have to tell the others about this!]

“Who’s messaging you?” Lydia asked.

“Zayn. He wanted to know how the little ones are doing.”

“That’s sweet. We should invite them over sometime.”

“That’s exactly what Chuck said last time. Although I suspect he just wants an excuse to eat at our place.”

“Then we’ll have to prepare plenty of food.”

Liam shook his head with an amused smile and put away his communicator.

His squad had been through a lot over the past year. Some of its members had been injured during the war, but everyone had survived and gradually returned to their duties over the following months.

Now, Liam was responsible for organizing their missions and making sure they were prepared to face increasingly difficult challenges.

SS-rank dungeons remained a considerable threat. That was why he’d decided his hunters would continue taking on lower-ranked dungeons to hone their skills, improve their coordination, and correct their mistakes.

He didn’t want to send anyone on a dangerous mission without being certain they could handle it.

He opened his schedule for the day and reviewed the pending reports. He needed to confirm the upcoming assignments, analyze the results of previous missions, and discuss the progress of several squad members.

However, before he could get started, Lydia rested her head against his shoulder.

“Are you going to work now?”

“Just for a little while. I need to organize the upcoming missions.”

“Then I’ll take care of the little ones.”

Liam looked at her.

“Are you sure? I could help.”

“Darling, we’ve been doing this for six months. I think I can take care of our children for a little while without you worrying about us.”

“I know. But…”

Lydia kissed him on the cheek.

“Go to work, Boss. Your hunters need you.”

Liam smiled and kissed her back.

“All right. But call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

◇◆◇

An hour later, Liam had finished reviewing his squad’s assignments.

He’d selected several lower-ranked dungeons for their upcoming missions.

The goal was simple: prepare them to face greater challenges without relying solely on individual strength.

After organizing the documents, he heard a small noise coming from the twins’ room.

He got up immediately.

When he arrived, he found Lydia holding Liana while Lionel was beginning to wake up in his crib.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Perfectly fine. I think someone wants to eat again.”

Liam approached his son and carefully picked him up.

Lionel opened his eyes and watched his father for a few seconds before smiling.

Liam felt all the tension he’d accumulated melt away.

“Hey there, champ.”

The little one responded with a babble.

“You know, your father just organized several dangerous missions and hasn’t received a single word of appreciation yet.”

Lydia looked at him in disbelief.

“Are you trying to get your son to congratulate you for working?”

“I’m trying to teach him to appreciate hard work.”

“Of course. And I’m the queen of dungeons.”

They both burst out laughing, trying not to wake Liana too much.

Liam looked at his son again and gently stroked his cheek.

Six months ago, his greatest concern had been surviving a war and making sure his family had a future.

Now, he had a home, a wonderful wife, and two little ones who depended on him.

There were still plenty of things to take care of. His work as a hunter wasn’t going away, and he knew that sooner or later, he’d have to face new challenges.

But he was no longer building his future solely for himself.

He was building it for them.

Lionel yawned and rested his head against his father’s chest.

Liam smiled.

“Get some rest, little one. Daddy will take care of the rest.”