Inside the interrogation room, the air was heavy with silence. Rai sat on a cold metal chair, his wrists free, but the pressure in the room was enough to feel like chains. Across the table sat Baren, Mina's father—and Rai's uncle.
A thin wire ran from Rai's fingers to a machine on the table—the kingdom's highest-grade lie detector. Even in his past life, Rai had only read about it in secret government files.
> "This thing has exposed high-profile criminals across seven states… even A-rank bosses avoid it. No way I can lie my way through this."
Rai gulped, but his expression remained calm.
Baren leaned forward. His voice, deep and sharp, broke the silence.
"Question one: Who are you?"
Rai met his eyes.
"I'm Rai. I lived with you… you're my uncle. Don't you recognize me?"
Baren looked away, conflicted. The machine showed a flat green line.
"Question two: How did you survive inside an A-Rank dungeon… for two years?"
Rai took a breath.
"I was training… under the dungeon boss. He wasn't trying to kill me. He taught me, trained me. That's how I survived. That's how I got stronger."
Again, the machine stayed silent. The line didn't waver.
Baren closed his eyes, then opened them slowly.
"Last question... Are you really my brother's son?"
Rai didn't even hesitate.
"Yes."
Beep— the lie detector confirmed. 100% truth.
Baren sighed and sat back in his chair, eyes softening just a little.
---
Later that Evening – Baren's Home
Rai stood quietly by the hallway, staring at familiar walls. The scent of the house, the creak of the floorboards—it was all the same, yet somehow different. Baren led him inside, placing a strong hand on Rai's shoulder.
"From now on, you're staying here. No arguments."
Rai nodded.
Just then, footsteps echoed down the stairs—Mina appeared, wearing casual clothes, her hair loose and slightly messy.
Her eyes widened the moment she saw him.
"Rai… you really came back."
Rai raised a brow with a grin.
"Didn't I just walk in the door? Of course I came back."
Mina smiled, cheeks glowing pink.
"You'll need to train every day, by the way," she added.
"We're not skipping that."
"Alright," Rai replied, chuckling.
Baren stepped forward, placing a hand on Rai's shoulder again—but this time, his tone was lower. He whispered near Rai's ear.
"So… all that time in the dungeon. Anything… happen with you and my daughter?"
Rai nearly choked on air.
"Wh-What?! Absolutely not!"
Baren narrowed his eyes.
"I'm not stupid, Rai. Look, I'm not asking for confessions. I'm just saying… if you have feelings for her— accept her hand. Don't toy with my daughter's heart."
Rai froze, stunned.
> "Is this… an interrogation or an award ceremony?"
He thought to himself, completely caught off-guard by the sudden proposal tone.
Baren didn't wait for a reply.
"Think about it. Tomorrow, your real training begins."
---
(Chapter ends…)