{The transaction has been successfully credited to your account. There is currently no hold or reversal notice attached to it. However, since you don’t recognize the sender, I recommend keeping the transaction details for your records.}
Kai hummed upon hearing the words. He had called his bank to ask whether the payment was legitimate or if someone could ask for a refund.
But it appeared to be legitimate, and he wouldn’t be charged even if the sender somehow accused him.
"Thank you for the information."
He exhaled a sigh and rested a hand on his waist. He was standing just outside the door, with the early morning sunlight washing over him.
’So it’s true. I am being rewarded for taking care of my family, eh? It still feels surreal.’
He had read a few novels with systems and rewards, so the concept wasn’t completely new to him. But he had never expected something like that to exist in real life.
’If the ten thousand dollars are real, then so are the house and whatever that S-ranked thing was.’
[Indeed, Host. Your rewards have been stored in the Gift Box, which only you can access. You will find the armament and the deed to the residence there.]
[To access the reward box, please set a phrase or incantation.]
Kai hummed and thought of something basic.
’Inventory.’
[Command accepted. You can now summon your reward box by saying the term ’Inventory.’]
Kai didn’t hesitate.
"Inventory."
Instantly, a list appeared before his eyes, startling him.
There were two things listed. One appeared to be a parchment, while the other was a dagger.
[Host can summon a gift by willing it.]
Kai’s eyes settled on the dagger, and soon, he felt its weight appear in his hand.
He slowly looked down, his eyes widening.
’Good lord...’
It was a hunting dagger roughly forty centimeters long. Its dark blue blade looked more like a jagged shard of ice. A thick leather grip covered the handle, providing a firm hold, while the weapon faintly radiated mana.
Kai could sense it.
A moment later, its description appeared.
[Name: Frozen Tooth]
[Rank: S]
[Description: A weapon forged by the expert hands of Glacial Dwarves by freezing the core of a unicorn’s horn for years.]
[Effect: Freezes every wound, causing blood to clot and negating the effects of potions in the affected area. It can withstand attacks of the ice affinity and does not require sharpening for a very long time.]
Kai appreciated the dagger for a few moments before muttering, "Though I don’t feel like I can use it myself."
The only weapon he had ever used was a sword, and he wasn’t very good with it.
Having such a powerful dagger on him would be a waste, and it would probably attract unwanted attention.
He put it back into storage with a thought before releasing another long breath.
’I can’t deny that the System is real.’
A smile crept onto his face before he decided to head back inside.
He would check the other reward later.
He stepped inside the house and found Jean sitting on the bed.
"I’ll go buy some food for us. Do you want anything specific?"
He had nothing but ready-to-eat food at home because his body could survive on just about anything.
But he couldn’t let Jean and the baby eat that. Especially not when they clearly hadn’t had anything proper to eat in a long time.
"If... you’re going out, let us come with you. There’s a hospital nearby, so you can get the DNA test."
Jean said it as she got to her feet.
Kai sighed.
"We don’t need to rush this."
Jean shook her head.
"No... please. I don’t want you to doubt that she’s yours. Please, just get it done."
Looking at her pleading eyes, he felt cornered.
He wouldn’t lie. He wanted to get the test done as well. He just hadn’t expected them to do it in such a rush.
Still, he respected her wishes.
"I’ll book a taxi. And until then, here, eat this."
He picked up a rice cake from the bag and handed it to her.
Jean didn’t reject it. She was clearly hungry.
Kai glanced at the sleeping baby, his lips curving faintly.
Her small tongue slightly peeked through her lips as she slept without a care in the world.
He then took out his phone and booked a taxi.
Finally, he would know whether she was truly his child or not.
....
When the taxi arrived, Kai stepped out of the house with Jean and the baby.
He locked the door before walking over to open the car door for her.
"Thank you," she said softly before settling inside.
Kai went around to the other side and sat beside Jean.
Being so close to her suddenly made him a little self-conscious.
He glanced her way and saw her long lashes fluttering as she checked on the baby.
Soon, the car began to move.
His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden notification.
[Task: Take your first car ride with your family.]
[Reward: Teberley 320R]
[Note: The car has already been parked at your new house and the keys are in the Inventory.]
"...."
Um...