"I accept your gratitude, but don't you think you're expressing it in the wrong way?"
Steven's mouth twitched slightly.
Sure, in a certain sense, this could be considered a reward—having a soft, warm, fragrant girl in his arms wasn't a bad experience.
Specter's body was incredibly light and delicate, almost boneless in his embrace.
But still. if he actually said that out loud, it would definitely be misunderstood.
"Then... should I be the one holding you instead?"
Finally loosening her grip, Specter tilted her head and offered a suggestion in an innocent and curious tone.
Steven: "..."
Like hell that's happening.
Having a girl carry him like that?
Unless they were in bed, he had too much self-respect to let sothing so humiliating happen.
Without bothering to answer her aningless question, Steven simply walked toward Gladiia, who still seed to be sulking at him.
Reaching out, he gently ran his fingers through her silky, white hair, which was as smooth as satin.
"Do you rember anything yet?"
For once, Steven actually sounded serious.
Even though he constantly claid that he had no one he truly cared about, monts like these always exposed the truth—
Because when soone trusted you unconditionally and genuinely saw you as family, it was impossible to just ignore that feeling.
Steven didn't want to abandon his humanity.
He simply wanted to live freely and do as he pleased.
But when it ca to Gladiia's condition, he had to admit that he was a little conflicted.
After all, if she ever regained her mories, their current bond would likely co to an end.
Just as he expected, Gladiia simply nuzzled into his palm before shaking her head with a clueless expression.
It was obvious she had no idea what he was talking about.
Steven sighed.
Then, turning toward Skadi, he asked—
"You haven't told her anything about her past?"
Skadi, who had been standing off to the side like a block of wood, simply blinked at him.
She already looked a little slow, but did she really have to be this dense too?
"Tell her what? I wasn't in the sa company as Captain Gladiia."
"At most, we just knew each other."
"Her direct subordinate was Shark, but..."
Skadi pointed at Specter, who imdiately responded with a bright, cheerful smile.
The kind of smile that clearly lacked any deep thought behind it.
"She seems normal now."
"But when she starts singing..."
"Her mind gets even more ssed up."
Skadi's voice carried an exhausted helplessness—
Steven could clearly see the tired resignation in her eyes.
It seed she had already suffered quite a bit.
Well, yeah.
Taking care of a mory-wiped kid was one thing.
Dealing with a mory-wiped lunatic?
That was a whole different kind of nightmare.
"So, uh... why exactly were you guys fighting when I walked in?"
Steven was completely confused.
Wasn't mory recovery supposed to be done through therapy and talking?
How did it turn into a demolition battle?
"The only thing I can help them recall is their combat skills."
Skadi sighed, glancing at her own hospital gown, which had been completely ruined from their scuffle.
"But from the looks of it, they don't need any reminders."
"Their fighting techniques have already beco pure instinct."
"Wait, they both lost their mories—fine, whatever—but why are they still this strong?"
Steven scratched his head, suddenly realizing just how absurd these Abyssal Hunters were.
To them, combat wasn't just a skill—it was instinct, carved into their very being.
Were they actually biological weapons or sothing?
"Huh, I thought this was just a unique way you deep-sea folks communicate."
"Turns out it's actually a form of treatnt?"
Steven muttered to himself.
If fighting really had a chance to restore their mories, then maybe he should try it too?
"How about I fight you guys?"
"If I put enough pressure on you, maybe the survival instinct will kick in."
"Isn't there a theory that extre crisis can awaken lost mories?"
Clenching his fist, Steven made his proposal.
It wasn't like he had anything better to do right now.
Plus, scaring them a little might actually work.
"Huh? I can fight Uncle?!"
"Yes! Yes! I can't wait to feel the thrill of tearing soone apart—or getting torn apart myself!"
The mont Specter heard she could fight Steven, her eyes sparkled with excitent.
It seed she still retained so vague mories of her rampage yesterday.
Though... her wording definitely sounded insane.
On the other hand, Gladiia, who had just finished throwing Specter across the room, simply shook her head.
Her expression was serious.
"We can't beat Dad."
This had nothing to do with Steven's relationship with them.
In her mory-wiped state, Gladiia relied entirely on instinct—
And that instinct told her very clearly—
Even if all three of them fought together, they wouldn't stand a chance.
She had seen Steven fight before.
And that sight had been burned into her soul.
"Still, we should at least try, right?"
"It's not about winning—it's about seeing if you can recall sothing in a crisis."
Steven smiled as he took his position opposite them.
Of course, that wasn't his only reason.
More than anything, he was simply curious.
Just how strong were these so-called "monstrous" Abyssal Hunters that Kal'tsit spoke so highly of?
Taking Gladiia's spear out of his inventory, he casually tossed it back to her.
"Don't hold back. Co at together."
"You're supposed to fight as a team, right?"
"You should be good at coordinating your attacks."
After thinking for a mont, Steven decided not to use [Yamato] or his [Netherite Sword].
Instead, he simply equipped his enchanted [Netherite Armor], then raised his hand and gestured for them to attack.
That was when Skadi felt it.
The instant Steven raised his fist, his entire presence shifted.
That casual, carefree aura disappeared—
In its place was sothing deep, oppressive, and primal.
Like a beast lurking in the abyss.
Like an ancient nightmare surfacing once more.
A pressure so imnse that Skadi couldn't even lift her head.
The sheer hostility and killing intent radiating from Steven was so dense, it felt almost tangible.
Her instincts scread at her, forcing her to grip her sword tightly.
Her temples throbbed violently—
Sothing that only happened when facing an overwhelming threat.
But wait—wasn't he supposed to be testing the mory-wiped ones?!
Why the hell was he targeting her too?!
Skadi's expression stiffened.
Was this guy actually serious?
Of course, Gladiia and Specter weren't doing much better.
The mont Steven released that monstrous pressure, their bodies reacted instinctively.
Almost simultaneously, they tightened their grip on their weapons, their expressions grim and focused.
And just like that, the hunt had begun.
< >
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