Level Up Family

The air was tense as the scene within the Fallen Star Inn couldn't help but carry a violent mood. No one spoke or chatted like prior as their eyes were trained onto the figure of the towering silhouette that made its way towards Ria in the company of two others.

With each step taken forward, the wooden floor would creak as if it were an old ship at sea that couldn't bear the weight of the man's legs, bringing a surge of fear into the hearts of a few onlookers.

"She's done for..." One man said while shaking his head.

"Such a pity, that fine woman, these darn brutes are the running dogs of that bunch; there couldn't have been a worse time to show off such a lady before them."

"Look at the so-called father, so useless, his feigning indifferent by pretending to speak with the receptionist. It's such a pity for a fine woman to meet a pathetic man like him."

"Your right, but even if he did have the guts to help with, he wouldn't be able to do anything. Those bastards are always cruel with their methods; look at that dirty little trick of theirs, forcing the jar to fall off on purpose; it looks like this won't be a peaceful morning."

As more persons voiced their opinions, some looked at Ria with pity as others seemed to enjoy the morning entertainment. It didn't take long for the man and his lackeys to arrive directly before Ria, Grevlin, and Little Rose.

Looking at them closer, one would notice a skinny and a well-built man in patched-up leather armor; they both had scars on various parts of their bodies with their weapons being chipped at their edges.

At the head of this group was a bulky male with hair like fur on his skin as he had four massive arms, the size of a grown man's waist. He glared at Ria with his sunken eyes as his messy beard stuck out from his rough-looking face.

'So, this is a Mantar; it looks like those books of the elder were quite accurate in their description, be it in their nature or physique. Heh, truly fascinating, but those poor fools don't know whose family they're dealing with,' Marius thought as he observed from the side of Liola with a mocking look, but as if he didn't care, he continued to focus on registering and signing the documents.

Liola had a pensive look as she saw the large Mantar glaring down on Ria with lust; she looked at Marius and saw him writing up the necessary details and made a curious look stared at him with her arm holding the side of her face.

'Hmm, he isn't even a bit scared, hehe... this handsome mister is truly something else, or should I say, his family is quite different.'

At this moment, the Mantar's eyes turned a bit playful; he didn't even pay attention to Grevlin or Little Rose as he smiled and spoke, "Such a beautiful woman, it's a pity that someone of your class must travel together with such a - weak man. Woman, you've gone and shatter my precious jar and even spill its contents; if it were any other person, I wouldn't even give them the chance to beg for mercy. So, here's how we'll do it, if you accompany me and my brethren for a few nights and forget those children, I might just consider letting you off."

After the Mantar spoke, his lackeys started to laugh as one of them even boldly stepped forward and pointed his finger towards Ria, licking his lips in a sickening manner.

A few persons cast looks of sympathy towards Ria as they heard the man's words, but other than Liola, the only person who observed with a set of keen eyes was the middle-aged man who slowly sipped his wine with a smile at the corners of his wrinkled lips.

Unlike everyone else, Ria and Grevlin didn't seem to mind the change; Little Rose made a pensive look as she stared at the Mantar before looked at Ria and speaking, "Mama, I dwon't like him."

Ria chuckled as she patted Little Roses head and spoke, "It's okay; he'll be gone soon."

Little Rose had every confidence in her mother's words; she snuggled her head onto her face and held her tightly with her small fingers as she replied with a cute little grunt, "Mn."

Smiling at his little sister's words, Grevlin looked towards the strange man's direction with curious eyes as he looked at Ria and asked.

"Mother, these uncles look pretty angry. Did we do something bad?"

When Ria heard Grevlin's words, she ruffled his hair and spoke with a gentle smile, "We did nothing child, this group of men is just one of those persons I've always told you about."

When Grevlin heard those words, his eyes flickered with a hint of realization as he looked at the incoming group of hostile strangers and spoke.

"I see, then they're all pests; no wonder I can't stomach their presence."

When the onlookers heard this, their faces showed shock and surprise as a commotion started; even the middle-aged man didn't think that Grevlin would say something like this out of the blue.

"Hahaha! What a kid, well said, boy!" The middle-aged man said with a laugh as he lifted his head, unable to hold back himself.

"This brat sure has guts,"

"It's not only himself, can't you see that the woman and even that small baby has spunk; she's the one who raised them to say such things."

"True, but there are somethings that shouldn't be said; look at Brakan; his face is so red he's about to blow steam, huhu... this should be quite entertaining."

The lackey's face sunk when he heard Grevlin's words, his eyes that stared at Ria, Little Rose, and Grevlin turned poisonous as he drew his sword from his waist and yelled, "You insolent wretch and dirty whore, I dare you to say that again! You better know that I will..."

The lackey's eyes burned with fire as his sword's edge shimmered in a cold baleful light, he yapped away in anger, preparing to attack, but at this time, the Mantar called Brakan frowned as he snorted.

"Silence!"

Hearing Brakan's shout, the lackey gulped and calmed himself down as his forehead ran with sweat; he promptly took a step back as he spoke, "Sorry, sir, I got ahead of myself."

Brakan snorted but said nothing to him; his eyes turned towards Grevlin, not even looking at Ria as he emanated a menacing intent. He spoke, "Boy, you've got guts; I can see that you're raised well by your cunt of a mother. I'm curious, can you dare to say that again?"

When Brakan said this, his body erupted with a denser amount of mystic power, shrouding his immediate surroundings. Most of those in the room had a change in expression, feeling his strength, but as for Grevlin and Ria, they remained indifferent as if they were unphased.

Ria kept a warm smile on her face as she gently held onto Little Rose; her eyes were lovingly looking at Grevlin as if she had no interest in interfering with the current conflict.

Grevlin frowned as he heard the man's words; his eyes flashed as he looked at Barkan and took a step forward as he spoke in an icy tone, "You big dumb bore, are you deaf? I don't care who you are. I won't allow for you to speak ill of my father, nor covet my mother, so get lost!"

Following his words, Grevlin's body also exploded with a large amount of mystic power, causing the onlookers' faces to change from pity and ridicule to shock and utter surprise as they didn't expect a child his age to have that kind of presence.

Barkan frowned as he felt the powerful energy from the child before him, his manner growing a bit solemn as the mood once more changed.