LIGHTNOVELSTORY chapter 8
8
The next day, after bringing Haimer to the team’s quarters, Gu Ming quietly went to visit his arch-nemesis, the hero Leo.
“Mazaka. This dark-haired brat is going to be a future hero? He doesn’t look the part at all.”
Name: Leo
Level: 8
Profession: Hero (Unawakened)
Race: Human
Skills: None
Equipment: None
Unaware of the sneaky figure behind him on his way home from drawing water from the well was Leo.
Gu Ming pressed his body against the wall, muttering to himself as he gazed at Leo ahead,
“This lad’s a bit of a fool. Maybe I should snip him now before he grows up.”
As Gu Ming contemplated whether to kill Leo, a prompt suddenly appeared on his panel.
“Warning, the plot has not fully commenced. If the host interferes significantly with the development of the plot, it may trigger a series of unpredictable chain reactions. Please consider carefully.”
Gu Ming scrutinized the prompt that popped up on the panel and typed in his question,
“What might happen, for instance?”
“Answer: The hero could be replaced, the hero’s awakening could be expedited, the plot could accelerate, the holy sword could autonomously seek a new master to slay the host, among other fate-related events.”
“Damn, is it that dangerous, huh, en.”
Watching Leo’s silhouette carrying a water bucket, Gu Ming swallowed nervously.
“After the plot starts, if I strike him, will these potential events still occur?”
“Answer: To the host, it probably most likely won’t.”
“Uh, your answer makes me feel anxious, ah well.”
Gu Ming took one last look at Leo’s retreating figure,
“I hope we never meet again.”
Leo seemed to sense something, turned his head, but found nothing, and touched his head in confusion.
…
Back at his residence, Gu Ming affectionately stroked Tina’s head,
“Master, shall we set off?”
Heimer, sipping his drink, nodded, then leaped onto the horse’s back.
Heimer wasn’t particularly tall, about 1.6 meters, but that’s considered quite tall among dwarves.
Charlie quietly approached Gu Ming and asked,
“Young Master, where did you find this master? Is he reliable? And he’s a dwarf?”
It was no wonder Charlie had such doubts.
In this world, although dwarves were first-class in sword-making skills
Tina’s tail feebly wagged a few times, expressing her anxiety. Gu Ming cradled her face and said, “Don’t worry, my father and Mia are very kind people. Don’t burden yourself too much; just stay calm.”
Tina still looked worried as she asked, “Is that so? They really won’t send me away?”
“Really, truly,” Gu Ming reassured her. “When have I ever lied to you? You can relax.”
“Mm, I believe in you, Master Brother,” Tina said.
She hugged Gu Ming’s waist and her tail began to wag joyfully.
…
Outside the carriage came Charlie’s voice: “Young master, we’ve arrived.”
Gu Ming opened the carriage door and stepped out. As he gazed at the familiar courtyard before him and was about to reflect on it emotionally, a little girl rushed toward him.
“Brother! I missed you so much. it’s your scent!”
Mia threw herself onto Gu Ming’s chest and sniffed his scent. He gently stroked her little head in response.
“I missed you too,” he said gratefully. “Thanks to the lucky charm you gave me. look, I’ve been wearing the necklace you gave me all this time.”
Gu Ming took off the necklace from around his neck and shook it slightly.
Unnoticed by Gu Ming as she clung to him was Mia whose ears had turned red up to their tips as she murmured softly,
“Heheh… Brother missed me too.”
Gu Ming gently patted her shoulder.
“Alright Mia,” he said gently but firmly. “It’s time for you to let go of me; I need to speak with Father.”
“Oh, okay.”
Mia obediently released Gu Ming and finally noticed Tina standing behind him. She asked,
“Brother, who is this?”
Just as Gu Ming was about to introduce her, Tina stepped forward and said,
“Hello, my name is Tina. I am the master’s… brother’s sister.”
Mia eyed Tina warily, especially noticing the swell of her chest and subconsciously tightened her grip on Gu Ming’s hand.
“Hello, I’m Mia. I’m also brother’s sister.”
Whether it was a woman’s intuition or something else, Tina also became cautious towards Mia and took hold of Gu Ming’s other hand.
Mia was taken aback and looked at Tina with even greater hostility. Unwilling to show weakness, Tina met her gaze squarely; the air seemed thick with the smell of gunpowder.
Meanwhile, Gu Ming was blissfully unaware of all this tension; he only felt his hands being squeezed painfully tight. He chuckled and reminded them,
“Mia, Tina, could you let go of my hands for a moment? I still need to speak with father.”
Both Mia and Tina obediently released his hands. Under her breath Mia muttered,
“Casanova brother.”
Gu Ming didn’t catch what she said and asked,
“What did you say?”
Mia responded lightly,
“Nothing much; just wanted you to share some stories from your travels on the road.”
Gu Ming smiled.
“No problem; I’ll tell you about my adventures in a bit.”
“Mm.”
Leaving the two women behind, Gu Ming walked towards Simon.
“Father, let me introduce you to my fencing teacher, Haimer.”
Simon warmly shook hands with Haimer.
“Hello, Chris Simon. Thank you for taking care of my good-for-nothing son on the journey.”
Haimer responded with a smile.
“Not at all; he is very talented. As long as he is willing to work hard, he will certainly achieve great things in the future.”
“Haha, I’ll take your word for it,” said Simon.
Seeing that the timing was right, Gu Ming spoke to Simon,
“Father, this trip has been very fruitful for me. I’ve realized that this world is not so simple and is filled with dangers everywhere. At the same time, I’ve also found new family members. Father, let me introduce them to you.”
Gu Ming waved at Tina,
“Tina, come here.”
Tina jogged over and looked somewhat uneasy facing Simon.
“Father, her name is Tina; she’s like a new sister to me.”
Simon scrutinized the nervous Tina and then gave Gu Ming a somewhat puzzled look.
“Nowadays kids mature so early; even finding a wife starts from childhood. ah well it seems I can’t keep up with these times anymore,” he remarked jokingly.
Gu Ming was puzzled by how Simon was looking at him,
“What’s wrong father? Is there something on my face?”
“It’s nothing,”
Regaining his composure and looking kindly at her Simon warmly said,
“Young lady welcome to the Crete family.”
Tina bowed nervously.
“Hello, noble lord, my name is Tina, I…”
Simon smiled slightly, giving Gu Ming a meaningful look as if to say, “So this is the type you like.”
Gu Ming touched the back of his head in confusion.
“You’re Tina, right?”
Tina nodded.
“Since Gu Ming already considers you family, you shouldn’t call me ‘noble lord’ anymore. Just call me ‘father,’ like Mia and the others do.”
“Okay, noble… father.”
“Mm-hmm. Son, why don’t you show her around and get her acquainted with the place? Your master and I will have a chat.”
“Alright, father.”
Then he turned to Tina with a smile.
“Let’s go, Tina. I’ll give you a tour.”
“Okay, master brother.”
Mia hurried over and clung to Gu Ming’s arm.
“Brother! I want to come too!”
“Alright. Let’s all go together.”
Tina also took the opportunity to grasp Gu Ming’s other hand.
Caught between them both yet oblivious to any tension,
“Achoo! Why does it feel a bit cold?”