Ethan found the old man's unfamiliar tone strange, only for Asterion to immediately smack him across the back of the head.
"Let me finish talking, you ungrateful brat!"
Ethan grabbed his head in pain. A single casual smack from the old man beside him had made him feel as though his head was about to fly straight off his neck.
"What I'm trying to say is... all of you have come a long way. You survived for months inside a Legacy Dungeon far beyond your level. You've grown stronger, and you've done well."
Asterion paused for a moment, his gaze drifting almost unconsciously toward his two granddaughters.
Moon and Luna.
He did not show much emotion, but Ethan had seen the relief on his face earlier when he realized that both of them were still alive.
"There's only a little left now. Don't let everything you've accomplished so far go to waste."
Asterion's voice grew firm.
"I'm here now."
"And I'll give everything I have to make sure all of you leave this place alive."
