"Um, she’s kind of like the superhuman you were describing earlier, but really she’s more of an Amazon. She’s currently sitting at a tier scale of 3.8," Mark explained to Tasha, who leaned in with obvious, keen interest, hanging on every word.
Still, Mark hesitated over whether to share the actual results of his awakening ceremony with her, since the school administration had specifically instructed him to keep things quiet, low profile for now. It wasn’t really meant to protect him, more that they preferred to avoid drawing unwanted attention from the authorities or any of the top guild agents circling around such news.
That particular conversation would have to wait for a better time later, assuming it ever became necessary to bring up at all.
Tasha tilted her head slightly. "So what exactly can she do, and how does she use it? Sorry for all the questions, I really can’t help myself."
Mark smiled faintly. "I can handle it. We haven’t seen each other in almost a year, so go ahead and let out whatever’s on your mind."
Tasha nodded eagerly at his invitation, practically buzzing with excitement to ask everything she wanted about his new summon. She had never seen anything quite like it before, and she had no intention of letting the opportunity to understand it slip past her.
"Honestly, I’m still not entirely sure myself, but I’ll share what I’ve figured out so far. I’d really rather you just see it for yourself, though." Mark held up his fingers one by one, counting off each point as he spoke. "She’s got incredible strength and durability, and she’s fast too. As a seasoned warrior, her battle efficiency is genuinely impressive."
"I’ll take your word for it, but honestly, I’m still surprised you ended up with a summon like that, nothing like the usual, traditional kinds people talk about." Tasha shook her head slowly, clearly a little disappointed in herself for ever doubting her brother’s potential to land something this unique.
"Personally, I don’t really believe in the whole idea of ’traditional’ when it comes to summons. It’s just a social construct, nothing more. Everyone’s unique in their own way, no matter how similar they might seem on the surface. That’s just how I see it," Mark said with a light scoff.
He glanced over at Precious resting beside Tasha. "So how have things been for you, working under the department of health and care? I’ve heard people in your position get some pretty solid privileges."
Tasha smiled, though it never quite reached her eyes the way it usually did. A small crack briefly appeared beneath the composed facade she normally carried. Mark caught it immediately, which had been exactly why he’d asked the question in the first place, testing her genuine, unguarded reaction.
She might have been skilled at hiding things from most people, but never from him. He had spent enough of his childhood alongside her to study her behavior, flaws, and character with the same careful precision as a seasoned anthropologist. He knew, without needing to be told, just how much stress those demanding responsibilities were putting on her, all because of her summon’s rare, specialized talent.
He hated seeing his sister pressured into working for the department, treated more like an asset or piece of property than a person, especially while she still struggled to find even a small window of time to help care for their mother. An oath had been sworn, binding her summon directly to the authorities, forming a tight, unbreakable contract that effectively leashed both of them to that particular department’s control.
He also understood exactly why such a measure existed, meant to prevent the department from losing someone genuinely valuable to their operations against their own will. It ensured there would be serious consequences for stepping outside their control. But all Mark truly wanted was for his family to finally be free from the grip of power, whether held by agents, government departments, or any other authority claiming ownership over them.
It reminded him uncomfortably of his own father’s situation, once a celebrated, high ranking summoner who had saved countless lives from danger and destruction, only to be recast as a villain the moment he made a sacrifice most people would never have dared to make themselves. The authorities never once stepped up to defend him against the resulting public backlash, choosing instead to stay silent, or worse, quietly join in the condemnation.
This was a deeply corrupt world, through and through. People like his father were valued only for their potential, then discarded the moment they were judged insignificant or no longer useful.
His sister, in much the same way, felt trapped, bound to her duties like some kind of tethered asset serving the public’s needs. Because her summon fell under a supporting class rather than a combat one, and because such summons remained genuinely rare, she was treated with a level of demand and pressure that felt deeply unfair.
Suddenly, a sharp, sustained tone rang out from one of the life support machines surrounding the pod, immediately pulling both Mark’s and Tasha’s attention away from their heavy thoughts. Mark’s brows furrowed the moment he recognized what the sound meant, a clear signal that someone’s vital signs were fading, dropping steadily lower. Their mother’s.
Precious rose quickly to her feet, lowering her head to angle her horn directly toward the pod. A soft, glimmering pink light poured outward from its tip, and glowing water swirled gently around the bed like a coiling serpent, wrapped in soft radiance. Moments later, the light dimmed and the water evaporated completely into nothing, just as the harsh, sustained tone faded back into the calm, steady beeping of their mother’s restored vitals.
Mark’s racing heart finally settled, and he let out a long, relieved breath. "What on earth was that? I nearly had a heart attack myself."
Tasha stared down at the tiled floor, a somber, tired expression settling over her face. "It happens sometimes. But Precious always manages to fix it, one way or another."
"Fix it, huh? Look, I’m not trying to knock her ability, but isn’t there something more permanent out there, something better than relying on this happening again and again? Maybe from ongoing research somewhere?" Mark asked, genuine worry coloring his tone.
Tasha remained quiet for a long moment, her expression unmoving as Precious settled back down beside her. She made no move to stroke the unicorn’s mane this time, her thoughts too heavy and numb to focus on much of anything at all.
Mark understood the weight she carried all too well, so he chose not to push the subject any further, offering her that small mercy instead. Together, they both turned their attention back toward the slender woman resting quietly inside the transparent glass pod.
***
Later that night, Mark offered to keep watch so Tasha could finally get a proper night’s rest. She hesitated at first, clearly feeling guilty about accepting his offer, but he insisted, reminding her firmly that she needed real recovery time after everything her demanding job had already put her through.
A laptop rested across his lap, its screen casting a soft, steady glow over his face as he scrolled through page after page of information, night mode active to spare his eyes from the strain. He barely blinked, fully absorbed in his research.
He opened a browser and began digging into a rare, highly sought after product known as the Elixir of Life. Rumored to contain a rare blend of phoenix tears, the blessing of doves, and several other exceedingly rare ingredients, it was said to be capable of reversing nearly any illness or lasting physical damage.
Several documented cases existed of guilds recovering items like this from particularly rare, dangerous dungeon expeditions, its healing properties reportedly surpassing even what a skilled, dedicated healer could achieve on their own.
Once he had gathered what information he could find on the elixir itself, he shifted his research toward recent dungeon gate activity reported around the city. Most official, registered dungeons remained firmly under the control of the authorities and major guilds, with the higher rated ones typically reserved exclusively for powerful, established families and clans.
Finding something genuinely accessible to him personally was going to prove difficult. Still, as he continued searching, he stumbled across a video posted only about two weeks earlier.
Its title read clearly beneath the thumbnail: PRIVATE OWNED, SECRET DUNGEONS. SOLO ENTRY AVAILABLE WITHOUT ANY GUILD REGISTRATION REQUIRED. DEALS ONLY.
The video featured a man with sharp black hair, dressed in a formal business suit, his long tie loosened casually around his neck. He advertised three previously unknown Lost Dungeons of Elite tier, listing their general locations with the polished confidence of a professional vendor. Two had already been cleared out by other clients, leaving only a single opportunity still remaining.
This, Mark realized, might be exactly the chance he needed to track down the Elixir of Life. Without any formal registration process standing in his way, this was simply a straightforward business deal between himself and the vendor, a far more efficient path than navigating official guild channels.
He had no real guarantee the dungeon actually contained what he was searching for, but it still felt worth the risk. Without hesitation, he clicked the request button, formally accepting the offer. There was no time left to waste, and once submitted, there would be no turning back.
A/N: I hope that you’re enjoying it so far. Don’t forget to support with a powerstone or two, golden tickets and adding to your library.
If you’ve reached this point, I would also appreciate you to do me a favor of giving your reviews. It helps a lot to motivate.
And also comment your thoughts and opinions. It would be helpful guys