Chapter 21: Natsu, One-Punch KO!
"Hahaha! So my reputation has spread everywhere?!"
Completely missing the looks from the guild members, Natsu tilted his head back and laughed triumphantly.
Ren smiled, ready to tease this simpleton a little more.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps sounded at the entrance.
Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a figure in armor slowly walking in.
Carrying a massive bundle on her back, Erza dropped it onto the floor with a loud boom.
"Why are you all making so much noise again?"
After dropping the bundle, Erza swept her sharp gaze across everyone.
Then her eyes landed on a familiar back, and she forgot all about scolding the others.
She immediately jogged over to him.
Seeing that familiar face, Erza's eyes instantly reddened.
"When did you get back?"
Looking at Erza, who had grown up quite a bit, Ren grinned. "Just a few days ago. The Guild Master said you were out on a request. No one was home, and I had nothing to do, so I came to sit in the guild."
"Then let's go home."
Erza, with red-rimmed eyes, reached out and placed her hand on the back of Ren's hand.
"Wait—you two know each other?"
Natsu suddenly spoke up from the side, interrupting their reunion.
Under Erza's dangerous gaze, he pointed at Ren and said, "Isn't this guy a newbie who just joined? How do you know him?"
Seeing their intimate behavior, Natsu was completely confused.
"Are you stupid? Ren is our guild's S-Class mage."
Erza rolled her eyes, glared at Natsu, and pulled Ren to leave.
"Ren? That strong kid the old man talked about?"
Hearing Ren's name, Natsu's eyes lit up instantly. He hurriedly blocked their path, staring at them excitedly.
"Fight me! Ren! I'm going to beat you and become the strongest!"
Battle spirit erupted in Natsu's eyes as he shouted at Ren with excitement.
Erza stepped in front of Ren and glared at Natsu. "Stop joking, Natsu. You're no match for Ren."
"Impossible! I'm definitely going to become the strongest in the guild!"
Natsu yelled, rushing forward to fight Ren.
Seeing the hyper-excited Natsu, the corners of Ren's mouth curved slightly.
He took Erza's arm and pulled her aside.
"Erza, you can't turn down a man's serious challenge."
Seeing Ren's slightly playful expression, Erza sighed and stepped aside, rubbing her forehead.
"Come on, Natsu. Show me what you've got!"
Standing there, Ren curled his finger at Natsu.
"Here I come!"
Natsu let out a loud shout and charged straight at Ren.
Bang!
With a loud thud, Natsu went stiff and fell straight to the floor.
A huge bump swelled on his head. He'd been knocked out by Ren's single punch.
"Eh?!!!"
"Natsu!!!"
Behind Natsu, Happy, who had been watching with folded arms, squeaked in shock the instant he saw Natsu go down.
He flew to Natsu's side and flipped him over.
One look showed Natsu's eyes rolled back in his head, completely unconscious from the punch.
"Too strong!"
Happy looked up at Ren with some fear, then looked worriedly at Natsu on the ground.
"It's fine. He just passed out. I didn't even use full strength."
Seeing Happy so worried, Ren crouched down and rubbed the blue cat's head.
"Huh? Ren didn't use full strength?!"
Happy was shocked. He didn't expect the gap between Ren and Natsu to be this huge.
Ren smiled, looking at the stunned Happy. "Yeah. Probably used less than a tenth of my strength."
"You're a monster!"
Happy's small body backed away two steps. His gaze, which had been respectful before, turned horrified.
"Take good care of Natsu. I'm going back now."
"Bye-bye, little Happy."
Holding Erza's soft hand, Ren waved to Happy, who was trying to shake Natsu awake.
Only after Ren left the guild did everyone crowd around Natsu again.
"See? He suffered for it."
"I didn't expect Ren to have such a wicked sense of humor."
"But Ren got stronger again. Did he really use less than a tenth of his strength just now?"
"I feel like that punch could crack my skull open."
The guild members surrounded Natsu, but no one was really worried about him lying on the floor.
Since Ren said he just passed out, then he was definitely fine.
Walking on the road, Ren looked at the massive bundle on Erza's back, black lines practically forming on his forehead.
"Erza, what exactly is inside that bundle?"
Ren had tried to help, but Erza refused. He looked helplessly at the package that was bigger than a person and asked.
"Just some clothes and weapons."
Erza puffed out her chest and smiled at the huge bundle behind her.
"Hey, hey. You went on a request, not a vacation!"
Ren complained, speechless.
"But these are all necessities!"
Erza turned her head, not thinking anything was wrong at all.
Seeing the innocent expression on Erza's face, Ren spread his hands helplessly. "Fine. As long as you're happy."
Back at home, Ren stretched lazily.
"Master, you're back!"
As soon as Ren entered, Zeus and Prometheus flew over.
"Mm. Go play."
Ren waved them off and took down Erza's huge bundle.
"Have you eaten?"
Erza changed out of her armor into a white dress.
Without even sitting down to rest, she went straight to the kitchen to get busy.
Watching Erza work, Ren felt like they really were a little family of two.
"Dinner's ready!"
Soon, Erza finished cooking and called to Ren from the table.
Ren jogged to the kitchen, washed his hands, and sat down in the dining room.
"Smells amazing. I'm full just smelling it!"
Ren grinned and gave Erza a thumbs-up.
Erza rolled her eyes at him and said softly, "Just eat."
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