Chapter 227: New Power, Old Shame.
[Ding!]
⟦ Core Frost Ogre fully absorbed ⟧
⟦ Evolution complete. Body stability: 100% ⟧
Nathan staggered for a moment, then froze—
The pain that had been ripping his stomach apart... was gone. His breathing steadied, the freezing shards stabbing his organs disappeared, replaced by a warm surge spreading through his whole body.
Slowly, he reached for his pants that had slipped halfway down, hurriedly pulling them back on. His face burned crimson—not only from relief, but because Livia was still staring at him with those wide, bewildered eyes.
"...D-damn it..." Nathan muttered under his breath, trying to bury his shame. He dropped himself onto the stone chair nearby, lowering his head, both hands covering his face. His heart was pounding hard—not from the pain, but from how everything must’ve looked in front of Livia.
Livia herself stood frozen, her cheeks flushed deep. The white liquid staining her face dripped slowly down to her chin, and instead of anger, her body only grew hotter. She wanted to say something, but her tongue refused to move.
Before the awkward silence could break—
[Ding!]
⟦ Title "Hunter" has been revoked. ⟧
⟦ New title granted: Earth First Commander ⟧
Nathan’s head shot up, eyes widening. "H-huh...? Earth... First Commander?" he whispered.
The notification rang inside his mind, clear and absolute. His new title wasn’t just some minor change—it was a shift in status within the Tower, to a level even he couldn’t yet grasp.
As the echo lingered—
Clap... clap...
Lilith slowly brought her hands together, her lips curling into a wide smile. Her glowing red eyes locked onto Nathan with sheer satisfaction.
"Heh... splendid, Nathan. You’ve grown stronger again..."
She leaned down, wrapping her arms around him from behind, pulling his trembling body into her cold embrace. Her chill pressed against his sweat-drenched warmth, and yet somehow the contrast was soothing. Her breath whispered against his ear, feeding into his fluster.
"Commander... mmhh, such a fitting name for you," she murmured sweetly, though every word carried a sharp edge. "You’re no longer just some pathetic Hunter. Your body itself has proven it—you’re worthy to stand at the Earth’s front line."
Nathan lowered his head even deeper, his face burning. His heart thrashed wildly—not only because of the title, but because Lilith was hugging him right there in front of Livia... after everything that had just happened.
Meanwhile, Livia stood stiff, her face still smeared with the sticky white fluid she hadn’t yet wiped off. Her cheeks blazed, her rabbit ears twitching uncontrollably. Her gaze flicked between Nathan and the glowing notification.
With a faint, trembling voice, she muttered, "J-just... eating a monster core... and he becomes... Commander? Humans... really are strange..."
Her hand finally brushed her cheek, but the more she felt the lingering heat of that fluid, the deeper she buried her face in overwhelming shame and confusion.
Lilith still held Nathan tightly, her smile never faltering. She patted his shoulder lightly, then leaned down until her lips nearly brushed his ear.
"That’s enough for today," she whispered, soft but commanding. "The core is absorbed, the evolution complete... now it’s time to return."
Nathan turned slightly, his eyes still hazy with confusion. "Return... to the plantation?"
Lilith nodded, her long black hair sweeping across his shoulder. "Yes. Everything here is done. You must begin stepping into your new role... and it starts with something simple."
She finally released him, standing gracefully by his side, before casting a glance toward Livia—still bowed in embarrassment, her face smeared with sticky traces. A thin smile tugged at Lilith’s lips again, though she spoke no words, only staring sharply as if testing her.
Then her gaze shifted back to Nathan.
"The fruits in the plantation are ripe for harvest. You must also begin producing metallumcum in large quantities."
Nathan scoffed, clicking his tongue. "Metallumcum...? That disgusting potion really makes me sick."
Lilith nodded slowly, eyes narrowing with quiet satisfaction.
"Yes. The White Null Shop is already waiting. That’s where the first steps of Earth’s Commander will begin... not with a blade, but with what you can create here on this floor. Fruits, metals, potions—that will be your strength before you ever step onto the battlefield. A seller, before a warrior."
Nathan fell silent, his heart hammering. Between the shame of what just happened, the weight of his new title, and now being told to think like some street reseller of knockoff goods—his head spun.
Off to the side, Livia clenched her teeth lightly, muttering under her breath as if mocking the absurdity.
"How pitiful... humanity’s first Commander is a man as pathetic as you..."
The three of them finally left the place. Nathan’s steps were still a bit unsteady, but at least his body had fully recovered. Livia walked beside him, head lowered, still trying to hide her face that had been smeared earlier. Lilith led at the front with elegance, as if none of it weighed on her at all.
For several minutes, they walked in silence. Only the sound of footsteps echoed along the long corridor. Nathan finally spoke, his voice low but clear.
"Lilith... why don’t we just teleport? Wouldn’t that be faster?"
Lilith glanced back halfway, a faint smile curling on her lips. "Heh, it would be faster. But too fast... is boring." She lifted her hand, fingers flicking lightly as though brushing away dust from the air. "We need to savor moments... like this."
"Moments?" Nathan furrowed his brows.
Lilith nodded, her eyes glimmering. "Yes. Moments of togetherness... like a small family walking home. Do you think true strength is born only from battle? No, Nathan. True strength comes from belonging... from what you feel. By walking like this, you learn what it means to be together, instead of hopping around with cold, empty teleportation magic."
Nathan went quiet, his gaze dropping to the floor. The word family sounded strange to his ears, yet... warm. Something in Lilith’s tone stirred faintly inside his chest.
Livia, who had been silent all this time, finally stole a glance. Her cheeks were still flushed, and even though she had wiped Nathan’s cum away with snow, she could still smell its faint trace clearly. Her lips moved in a soft murmur, barely audible.
"...Smells like pandan slime..."