The heavy steel doors of the facility creaked open as a soft breeze greeted the sunlight-starved skin of Rover Cheon. He stepped out, blinking at the brightness, his body still aching but upright. The world had been waiting. Reporters swarmed beyond the safety lines, camera drones hovering like curious flies.
"That's him! The boy who defeated the Calamity Dragon!"
"Mr. Rover! What are your thoughts now that you're free?"
"What happened inside the tower? Are you human or something else?!"
Rover flinched but didn't speak. The noise was overwhelming.
A sleek, black luxury car pulled up to the curb. Its doors opened and Naiomi Sasaki, the Gravity Queen herself, stepped out with grace and poise. Her presence silenced the crowd in an instant.
"Rover Cheon," she said, her voice warm, smooth, and soothing. "May we have your time for a little?"
Rover looked at her in awe. He didn't know what to say. It was her. The Gravity Queen. Her presence alone was disarming. He muttered, "Y-Yes, sure."
The moment he was guided into the car, the crowd erupted.
"WHAT?! The Celestial Order got to him first?!"
"We didn't even get a chance to talk to him!"
"I should've brought flowers or something!"
Inside the luxurious car, Rover sat quietly as Naiomi, Roger Wilson, and Hestia Roseberg watched him. They arrived at a private lounge owned by the Celestial Order.
"Rover," Christoff Erickson said, his mind-reading powers likely deactivated for this meeting. "We'd like to extend an invitation. Join the Celestial Order."
Rover looked at each of them, then lowered his head.
"I'm not ready... I don't think I can just step into something like this after everything. I need time."
The members nodded, understanding.
"Fair," Roger said. "You're still a kid. A ridiculously strong one, but still a kid."
"At least let us treat you to dinner?" Hestia asked with a gentle smile.
Rover shook his head. "Thank you... but I need to see my family."
Naiomi blinked. "Family? I thought the Hunter Association records said you had no living relatives."
Rover gave a faint smile. "Someone took me in. I see them as my family now."
Naiomi paused. Then nodded. "Alright then... let me drive you there."
"Ughhh," Roger stretched, already heading toward the door. "I'm coming too. It's boring here. Only food, no drinks."
"I'll tag along," Hestia said. "This seems fun."
All four loaded into Naiomi's car. The mood shifted to something lighter.
Roger sat in the front seat, fiddling with the AC settings. "Naiomi, it's too cold. I feel like a frozen steak."
"Then close your flame pores, Infernal Vanguard," Naiomi smirked.
"I swear if you use that nickname one more time—"
"Guys, look at this," Hestia held up a phone. "Someone drew fanart of Rover riding the dragon like a cowboy."
Rover chuckled for the first time in days.
When they pulled up to Professor Kuroda's humble apartment, a familiar figure was outside smoking.
Vex dropped his cigarette. "Oh my god. Guys!! You need to see this!! The Gravity Queen is here!"
Within seconds, Mina, Ayaka, and Professor Kuroda ran out.
"Roger Wilson..." Mina whispered, stunned.
Ayaka didn't care. She rushed forward. "Rover!!"
He barely had time to react before she threw her arms around him.
"You're alive... you're really here," she whispered, trembling.
"Ayaka... Mina... everyone..."
Mina approached with a soft smile. "You scared us, idiot."
Vex stood in the background, nudging Kuroda. "Should we... bow or something? That's the Gravity Queen, man."
Kuroda just chuckled. "No need. But this... this is good."
Naiomi watched Ayaka's hands linger on Rover's shoulder. Her smile faltered just slightly. Their eyes met. A silent, passive-aggressive stare-down.
"Well," Roger said, breaking the tension, "I guess we'll get going. Too much family love here. Not enough fire."
"Wait!" Vex ran up. "Can I get an autograph?!"
Roger sighed. "You better have a pen."
With that, the Celestial Order left, their car driving off into the sunset.
Inside the apartment, everyone gathered around Rover.
"How have you been, Rover?" Mina asked.
"It's been... confusing."
Professor Kuroda returned from the kitchen. "Dinner's ready."
"Ah, Professor, I already ate..."
"You eat again! Hahaha!"
Everyone laughed, the room warm with life again. For the first time in a long while, Rover felt something he hadn't felt in years.
He felt home.
To be continue...