As soon as Nicos stepped out of the hidden space and back into the cave, the world looked completely different.
His vision had changed.
For the first time, he could clearly perceive countless grayish particles drifting through the atmosphere, constantly corroding the sparse traces of Spirit Essence that still lingered in the Forgotten Region.
So this is what Mother and Uncle Alfonso meant...
He finally understood.
There truly was something in the atmosphere devouring every strand of Spirit Essence before it could gather.
At the same time, he noticed a faint translucent film surrounding his body. Whenever those corrosive particles drifted close, they were quietly repelled before they could touch his skin.
Before he could study it further, a loud rumble echoed behind him.
Startled, Nicos turned around.
Four tiny figures tumbled out through the barrier one after another, squeaking indignantly after losing their footing as they landed on the cave floor.
It was the four little Spirit Beasts.
Nicos blinked in surprise.
"So... you really followed me."
A helpless smile crept onto his face.
Truthfully, he had wanted to bring the cubs with him before leaving the hidden space.
He had merely restrained himself because he didn't know whether the older Spirit Beasts would regard such an act as hostility. More importantly, he believed the harsh environment of the Forgotten Region wouldn't allow the cubs to survive.
Yet somehow...
They had followed him anyway.
Since they were already here, he silently resolved to care for them as best he could.
However, another discovery quickly caught his attention.
Just like himself, the corrosive elements in the atmosphere seemed completely incapable of affecting the four little Spirit Beasts.
"They must have gained the same protection from the Spirit Spring," he muttered, arriving at the only explanation that made sense.
Looking toward the cave entrance, Nicos stretched his stiff body.
"It's time to go home."
"Everyone must be worried sick by now."
"I just hope they haven't spent too long looking for me."
Completely unaware that seven days had passed, he dusted off his clothes before making his way out of the cave.
The four little Spirit Beasts hurried after him, following so closely that they almost stepped on his heels.
As soon as he emerged from the cave, he paused.
The Forgotten Region looked different.
Not because the landscape had changed...
But because he had.
His enhanced senses allowed him to see the region for what it truly was.
The gloomy sky.
The lifeless earth.
The invisible corrosion that slowly consumed every trace of Spirit Essence.
"What an awful place..."
Nicos sighed.
"No wonder no one has ever been able to connect to the Spirit Realm here."
"With this much corrosive energy filling the atmosphere..."
"I'm not even sure a fly could establish a connection."
Shaking his head, he began following the familiar path back home.
Along the way, he noticed something else.
The beasts inhabiting the forest all kept their distance.
Although they weren't naturally hostile unless provoked, every creature instinctively avoided approaching him or the four Spirit Beast cubs.
Many even retreated the moment they sensed them.
Nicos found the reaction peculiar but didn't dwell on it.
Before long, he stepped beyond the forest's perimeter.
Morning had already arrived.
For the first time in three years, he carefully observed the settlement where he had been living.
The dilapidated buildings.
The crumbling walls.
The lifeless expressions on the people's faces.
Everything reflected a place that had long since surrendered to despair.
Fortunately, before leaving the cave, he had pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, concealing most of his transformed appearance.
As he walked through the settlement, many residents recognized him immediately.
Their eyes widened.
Not because of his appearance...
But because he had emerged from the forest after disappearing for so many days.
Their attention soon shifted to the four little Spirit Beasts following closely behind him.
Several acquaintances, people he had come to know over the past three years thanks to Nakita, approached him with concern.
"Nicos! Where have you been?"
"We thought something happened to you."
"And where did those little beasts come from?"
Fortunately, he had already anticipated those questions.
On his way back, he had prepared a simple explanation.
"I found them in the forest," he answered calmly.
"They were barely alive when I came across them."
"I rescued them, and they've been following me ever since."
"I tried leaving them behind several times, but they always found their way back."
"So... I decided to let them stay."
The listeners exchanged astonished looks.
Spirit Beasts voluntarily following a human?
That was practically unheard of.
Still, seeing that the cubs showed no signs of aggression, they eventually accepted his explanation and returned to their own affairs.
Nicos continued walking through the settlement.
Now that he could perceive the corrosive energy surrounding everything, the Forgotten Region appeared even more desolate than before.
The ruined buildings.
The polluted atmosphere.
The complete absence of vitality.
Perhaps because of everything he had experienced inside the hidden space...
Or perhaps because of his rebirth...
A thought quietly surfaced within his heart.
This place... shouldn't remain like this forever.
He wanted to change it.
Yet he also understood that as long as no one could establish a connection with the Spirit Realm, nothing would ever truly change.
Eventually, he arrived at the small bungalow they had called home for the past three years.
Its patched roof was barely holding together.
Broken walls had been reinforced with uneven wooden planks.
Compared to the residence they once owned in Silversky Shelter, it was pitiful.
Back then, even though he had lived like a recluse, his life had been infinitely more comfortable.
Yet...
Standing before this worn-down house...
He still felt something he hadn't expected.
Home.
A place where people were waiting for him.
He took a deep breath—
And instantly regretted it.
The air still smelled as foul as ever.
Suppressing a bitter smile, he pushed open the door and stepped inside, followed closely by the four curious Spirit Beast cubs.
The moment he entered...
Silence descended.
The room became so quiet that even the sound of a needle falling would have echoed.
Everyone seemed to have been in the middle of a discussion.
All conversation abruptly stopped.
"Nicos?"
Tabitha was the first to break the silence.
Out of habit, Nicos lowered the hood covering his face.
A collective gasp filled the room.
"Is... that really Nicos?"
Nakita stared at him in disbelief.
"It doesn't even look like him."
"It really is Brother," Barnabas answered after studying him carefully.
"He just... looks completely different."
Tabitha folded her arms.
"Even if he turned into ashes, I'd still recognize him."
She narrowed her eyes at him.
"What in heaven happened to you?"
"And where have you been all this time?"
"Nicos..."
Even Alfonso couldn't hide his surprise.
"Is that truly you?"
Nicos rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
"Yes..."
"It's me."
Nakita circled him once before stopping.
"What in the name of the Holy One happened to you?"
"And where exactly have you been for the past seven days?"
Nicos blinked.
"Seven... days?"
He genuinely hadn't realized so much time had passed.
Looking around, he suddenly frowned.
"Where's Mother?"
"I'll get her!"
Tabitha immediately dashed toward the backyard.
"Mother's at the pergola."
Only a short while later, she returned with Chloe.
The moment Chloe stepped inside, her eyes fell upon Nicos.
She paused.
"Nicos?"
Even she nearly failed to recognize her own son.
She slowly walked closer.
"What happened to you?"
"And where have you been these past seven days?"
"Everyone was ready to search the forest."
"I was the only one who stopped them because I knew you'd return safely."
Nicos froze.
She knew...?
Did Mother somehow know what happened inside the hidden space?
As though reading his thoughts, Chloe smiled gently.
"Don't overthink it."
"As long as you weren't in mortal danger..."
"The pendant I gave you wouldn't have broken."
Instinctively, Nicos touched the star-shaped pendant hanging around his neck.
At its center rested a small gemstone.
His mother had given it to him shortly before his Spirit Affirmation Ceremony, and he had worn it ever since.
Realization dawned on Nakita.
"So that's why..."
He turned toward Alfonso.
"You weren't worried because you already knew about the pendant."
Alfonso merely smiled without answering.
His silence was confirmation enough.
"Enough suspense!"
Tabitha pointed accusingly at Nicos.
"You look completely different."
"What exactly happened to you?"
"And where did these little cubs come from?" Nakita added.
Only then did everyone finally notice the four Spirit Beast cubs.
Their attention had been so focused on Nicos that they had completely overlooked the tiny companions trailing behind him.
"Wow..."
Tabitha's eyes sparkled.
"They're adorable!"
She immediately locked onto a fluffy white fox cub.
"I want this little one!"
The cub shivered.
Without hesitation, it darted behind Nicos.
The other three cubs scattered in different directions, turning the room into complete chaos.
"Tabitha!"
Chloe called out.
"Stop chasing them."
"You don't even know what kind of Spirit Beasts they are or where they came from."
"But they're so cute!"
Tabitha protested, pouting.
"Actually..."
She looked around the room.
"They're all cute."
"Sit down."
Chloe couldn't help smiling helplessly.
"Let Nicos explain everything first."
Tabitha reluctantly crossed her arms.
"Fine."
"But you'd better tell us everything."
"Don't just stand there pretending nothing happened."
Chloe shook her head with an amused sigh.
"If I hadn't watched you worry about him every single day..."
"I would've believed you actually hated your brother."
Nicos couldn't help smiling.
He understood his sister better than anyone.
Her words were always sharp.
Her heart wasn't.
Before his misfortune, he and Barnabas had delighted in teasing her together.
Back then, laughter had been commonplace.
Everything had changed after his Spirit-Root decayed.
He had withdrawn from the world.
From his family.
From himself.
Perhaps...
It was finally time to change that.
Nicos found an empty chair and sat down.
By now, the four Spirit Beast cubs had gathered around his feet.
Even so, they continued watching Tabitha warily, ready to flee the instant she moved toward them again.
Barnabas chuckled.
"Looks like even the little cubs are scared of you."
Nakita laughed along with him.
Tabitha shot both of them a glare.
"You two can keep quiet."
Immediately, both men suppressed their laughter.
Satisfied, Chloe nodded before taking her own seat.
"Go on, Nicos."
"Tell us everything."