CHAPTER 72: CH 72- THE DOME OF WHITE - PART 4

The leader of the kids was firm in his decision, but he also looked a little scared that he might have offended me.

But I was a far more understanding person than these kids thought of me, and I gave them a small but harmless smile.

"Sure. Go ahead and check what you need to. You are always welcome to check any stuff I give you if that brings you peace of mind."

The kids looked relieved and took the sweets to "test them." I waited for them to start testing since I felt curious about what they would do, but they started to walk.

The female twin looked back at me and, for the first time, spoke to me.

"C-Come to our house. We will test it there. Y-You can accompany us as well."

The female told me, and I followed. But I also felt curious to know more about this place and these kids. That weird feeling I had while looking at them wouldn’t go away.

’Hmm, will the system tell me about them if I snap a photo of them? Should I—? Maybe I should ask for permission before I take a photo.’

I thought as I fidgeted with my phone and camera.

My hand kept hovering over the "click" button, but the last shred of consciousness I was left with stopped me.

It was kids I was dealing with, and there were some lines I did not want to cross.

The kids led me to a small but humble home in the middle of the clearing. The sun’s rays illuminated the whole space, and I felt my nerves calming down as I followed the trio into that clearing.

"Master, be careful—"

Fenrir quickly took a step in front of me and growled at something. I blinked at the empty space one second and a huge body blocking my way the next.

The beast in front of me looked very familiar, and I quickly opened my phone to check in the book for what kind of creature this was... only to be pushed back by a loud yell.

"Intruders—! I will protect my charges—"

The creature yelled before he raised his body, and I saw those sharp claws heading down toward me.

My body felt frozen, and I felt like this was my end. I would end up dead any second.

"No, wait—! He’s our guest—"

The griffin turned his claw away at the last second, and I was spared. Fenrir had bitten the griffin’s lower foot, and the pain caused those claws to miss me by a few inches.

’I-I survived. I cannot believe I am still alive and in one piece.’

If I could, I would have broken down crying. But my shock made me feel numb and rooted in place.

"Guardian, don’t hurt that man. He’s here as our guest... and you, why didn’t you dodge? You could have gotten hurt."

The leader of the kids scolded me and the huge beast at the same time.

The huge beast that had just tried to kill me seconds before bowed his head at the scolding and let out a whine.

"I am sorry. I thought the intruder was a threat, so I attacked."

The creature seemed like a decent guardian, and I understood his swiftness to attack. His charges were still kids, after all.

The twins went to pacify the huge creature while the leader turned to look at me.

"Do you have no consideration for your life? You could have died right now. Do you think you are immortal or something?"

He asked, and I blinked as he looked at Fenrir and his bloodied lips. He had bitten the other creature hard enough to draw blood.

"I just... did not think I would get hurt...? Anyway, the more important thing is that we are all alive and well."

I told the kids, and they all gave me a worried and startled look. There was some pity mixed in there as well, but I saw more awe than anything else.

Finally, their leader coughed into his fist before he spoke once more.

"Anyway, welcome to our home. I am Eon, the eldest of us all. The two behind me are the twins Erebus and Nyxa. Welcome to our home."

Eon welcomed me, and I stepped into the clearing.

I felt my body pass through something, and Fenrir grumbled as he was pushed back.

[Your unique status allows you entry into the barrier.]

"Stupid barrier... rejecting me. Master, help me out, please. I cannot allow you to go in there all alone. That stupid griffin is the cause behind this."

Fenrir complained as he pawed at the barrier, and I turned toward the griffin next.

"Can you please allow my companion to get here through the barrier? Also, I would like to treat your wound while the kids test the treats I brought them."

I told the huge beast, and he looked startled by me suddenly addressing him.

"You can... understand us beasts? And you were able to enter my barrier as well? I truly underestimated your ability. You cannot be a normal person. I apologize for offending you."

The huge beast—griffin—told me.

"Ah, it’s fine. I am not that special."

I quickly cleared up the misunderstanding... or I tried to at least. But my words came across more pretentious than I expected.

’Ouch—! Don’t I sound like those overachievers trying to tell everyone that what they did was "nothing special"? Or am I thinking too much here?’

Even if I wanted to ask this question, no one was here to understand and answer me.

Before my thoughts could spiral away like this, the kids decided to come back with their wrappers open and their mouths full.

"The sweets are good and completely safe for us to eat. Where did you get them?"

Eon asked as the twins lagged behind. He seemed to be the most outgoing one and, from what I observed, the one to interact with the others the most.

"I got these sweets from a secret place. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to find that place because only I can get there... as far as I know. But if you want more, I can give you more."

I told the kids, and they looked hesitant to ask for more.

However, the twin girl, Nyxa, stepped forward first, startling us all.

"Can I... ask for more? Just a few more..."

She sounded shy and hesitant, almost as if she did not want to speak up. She reminded me of the extremely shy kids who had separation anxiety.

Her twin clutched at her sleeve, and his eyes gave me a pleading look as well. And I felt happy to oblige.

"Well, sure, why not? Maybe I should get some treats for your guardian and Fenrir as well?"

I asked, and they all looked happy. Even the griffin looked startled that I had something for him.

[Ding! 15 faith points acquired.]

And truly, the system had everything available... as long as I could pay for it. And the treats cost me almost nothing.

Especially when the kids somehow ended up paying for their share on their own. I ended up spending one more faith point than I initially thought.

The sun started to set before I decided to head back, and the kids finally went back to the cottage as well.