SSS Ranked Shadow Monarch: Summoning Infinite Shadows-Chapter 247: Family

Aren rushed at Kai again, moving extremely fast like a bullet. Kai saw him coming and decided to engage this time. Aren launched into the air and sent another kick toward Kai’s head. Kai raised his arm and blocked the attack before immediately countering with a powerful punch. Aren crossed his arms to guard. Boom! The punch collided with his block and the force sent Aren flying backward through the air. He flipped once and landed on his feet, already preparing to launch forward again in reckless abandon.

Kai had finally had enough.

"That’s enough," he said calmly.

His voice carried a quiet authority that cut through the tension instantly. Aren might have gained a sudden boost in strength and might even be capable of touching him now, but Kai knew very well that Aren could never defeat someone at his level. Aren was still far too inexperienced, far too weak compared to someone who had already crossed level one hundred.

Yet the spirit behind Aren—the raw determination to fight endlessly for someone else—Kai found that strangely interesting.

Aren stopped where he stood and looked at Kai. The red glow in his eyes slowly faded as he waited to hear what Kai had to say.

"I will allow you to speak to her," Kai said. "And I will allow you to keep your life as well."

His eyes shifted briefly toward Peter.

"As well as yours."

"But I doubt you’ll be able to take her away from here."

He paused.

"Maybe if the Patriarch allows it, which I doubt he will."

Kai folded his arms.

"Your friend Athena is quite crucial to a lot of things we need to do... things the Patriarch needs to do. That is why she is here."

Aren looked at him quietly.

Then he took a deep breath.

"One way or another, I’m leaving here with Athena," Aren said. "Even if it means bringing this entire place down."

Kai smiled faintly.

"I like your zeal. But again... that’s impossible."

He gestured toward the house behind him.

"For now, let’s put the fighting aside. Athena is safe and nothing has been done to her."

He turned slightly toward the door.

"So come inside. I’d like to have a word with you."

Aren frowned.

"Why would I just follow you?" he asked.

Kai shrugged lightly.

"Well, if you stay out here, the guards will probably attack you and kill you."

His tone remained calm.

"You might have gained some strength, but with the number of guards here, it’s only a matter of time before they overwhelm you and take your life."

Aren glanced around.

Kai wasn’t wrong.

There were too many guards.

Aren took a slow breath before finally stepping forward.

Peter immediately followed behind him, not wanting to remain outside when things might suddenly go wrong.

Kai led them toward the back of the house and through an open door. They stepped inside and entered a beautifully designed interior.

For the first time in his life, Peter was seeing the inside of the main Blade family house.

But instead of feeling amazed, he felt something else entirely.

Fear.

A deep, quiet fear about what might happen to him now that he had gone against the family.

As if hearing the thoughts in his head, Kai suddenly stopped and turned around.

His eyes landed directly on Peter.

"You have done quite a bit by going against the family," Kai said.

Peter froze.

"But nothing will be done to you."

Peter blinked in surprise.

"That being said... when he leaves, you will leave as well."

Kai’s gaze hardened slightly.

"Because if you stay within the family grounds, you will be executed."

Kai turned back toward the hallway again.

"That is... if he manages to leave," he added casually.

Aren narrowed his eyes.

"Do you plan to keep me captured?" he asked.

Kai shook his head slightly.

"There is no plan without the Patriarch."

"Whatever he decides... will happen."

Aren’s jaw tightened.

"Where is Athena?" he asked.

Kai stopped walking again and glanced at him.

"Don’t be hasty, kid. The fact that you’re still alive is already something you should be grateful for."

"Calm down. You’ll learn everything soon enough."

But Aren shook his head firmly.

"I’m not interested in anything else. I just want to see her and know that she’s safe."

Kai raised an eyebrow.

"You think I’m lying to you?"

Aren shook his head again.

"It’s not about truth or lies. My heart just won’t be at peace until I see that she’s safe myself."

Kai sighed softly.

"Come with me."

He turned and began walking toward the stairs leading to the upper floor.

They followed him through a quiet hallway until he finally stopped in front of a door.

He knocked.

A moment later the door opened.

Aren saw Athena sitting on the bed inside.

Without hesitation he rushed into the room, relief and excitement flooding his face.

Behind the door stood June.

Her head was lowered respectfully toward Kai.

Peter froze the moment he saw her.

For a split second he almost called out her name.

But he stopped himself.

He looked at her, silently hoping she would lift her head even once.

Even for a moment.

But she didn’t.

She didn’t look at him.

She didn’t blink.

She didn’t acknowledge his presence at all.

Peter felt his heart sink slowly as he stood there, wanting to reach out but unable to do anything.

And no matter how much he hoped...

June never looked up.

"Athena," Aren called out.

She looked up.

The moment she saw him, shock filled her face.

What was Aren doing here?

For a brief moment she thought it was some sort of illusion or trick. There was no way he should have been here.

But then Aren rushed forward and wrapped his arms around her.

The warmth of his hug told her everything.

He was real.

"Aren..." she whispered.

"I’m really sorry," Aren began immediately. His voice was strained and filled with guilt. "I’m sorry I let them take you. I’m really sorry. I’m sorry for everything."

He kept apologizing, the words spilling out one after another.

Athena was still stunned, her mind struggling to catch up with what was happening. But slowly she realized he was truly here.

So she hugged him back.

"I missed you," she said softly.

Aren finally pulled back slightly and looked at her anxiously.

"Did they do anything to you? Did they hurt you?" he asked quickly.

Athena’s eyes briefly shifted toward June.

June had knocked her out more than once since bringing her here.

But Athena shook her head.

"No," she said. "They didn’t do anything to me."

Aren let out a deep breath of relief.

Then he straightened and looked at Kai.

"I’m going to stay with her," Aren said.

Kai raised an eyebrow.

"Hm?"

"I’m staying with Athena until your Patriarch returns," Aren continued firmly. "Then we’ll decide what happens next. Until then, I’m not leaving her side."

June finally spoke.

"I am the one assigned to watch her. Not you."

Aren didn’t even look at her.

"If it means fighting to the death for this, then I will," he replied coldly.

Kai let out a tired sigh and scratched the back of his head.

Despite finding Aren interesting, the boy was also incredibly exhausting.

"Fine," Kai said at last. "Do whatever you want."

He gestured around the room casually.

"It’s not like you can leave the main family house without me knowing anyway."

His tone grew colder.

"But understand this. If you attempt anything suspicious, you will be killed immediately."

"The Blade family does not joke with its members."

His gaze shifted toward Athena.

"And right now... Athena is a member of this family."

Aren’s jaw tightened.

"She’s not," Aren said sharply. "She will never be a member of this family. You kidnapped her."

Kai looked back at him calmly.

"That is not up to you."

"The Patriarch has already tied her to the family. Our blood has been tied to hers."

"So she is a member of this family now."

Kai turned to leave.

"If that’s what family means to you," Aren said behind him, "then you don’t know the meaning of family."

Kai stopped for a moment.

But he didn’t turn around.

He simply paused for a second...

Then continued walking.

His footsteps slowly faded down the hallway, leaving Aren, Athena, Peter, and June standing in silence.

After Kai left, Peter finally walked into the room.

Only then did June lift her head.

For a brief moment, her eyes met his.

Peter felt his heart skip. She looked straight at him, and for a second he thought she was about to say something.

But then she simply looked away.

Without a word, she walked into the room and sat down on a stool, her gaze settling coldly on Aren and Athena.

Peter remained standing there, stunned.

It was as if she had completely shut him out. As if she had turned off a part of herself and refused to acknowledge that he even existed.

He let out a quiet sigh.

Then he walked over to the wall and slid down until he was sitting on the floor. His back leaned against the wall, one knee propped up with his arm resting over it.

His head lowered.

He didn’t bother paying attention to what was happening in the room anymore.

He was simply... exhausted.