Iseul turned to Chae-min, a teasing glint in her eye. "Your son is quite the charmer, isn't he?"
Chae-min let out a soft laugh, her eyes twinkling with maternal pride. "Yeah, he's got that 'I-don't-even-know-I'm-charming' type of charm. Girls just sort of... gravitate to him."
Iseul's lips curled into a smirk. "Tch. If we weren't from rival sects and rival bloodlines, I think we might've gotten along a little too well."
Chae-min arched a brow, her tone playful. "Oh, don't tempt me. I already like you more than I'm supposed to."
Their quiet exchange was soon overshadowed by the animated antics in the back row.
Mi-cha was in full playful mode, jabbing Muhan's shoulder with the tip of her finger like it was a divine weapon. "You call that a defense stance? Even a turtle would laugh at you."
"Ow—Mi-cha!" Muhan whined with exaggerated drama, clutching his side. "You're supposed to nurture your boyfriend, not assassinate him!"
Mi-cha laughed, her cheeks dimpling as she poked him again. "Toughen up, warrior boy. I need a man who can survive me and my father."
Muhan flashed a cheeky grin, brushing a hand through his hair like he was posing for a celestial magazine. "You wound me. I'll have you know I'm one of the top contenders for the 'Most Handsome Near-Universe Champion' title."
"Oh yeah?" Mi-cha narrowed her eyes. "Prove it."
He leaned in, eyes sparkling with mischief. "I will." And with the agility of a trained predator and the glee of a mischievous child, he attacked her side with a lightning-fast tickle.
Mi-cha squealed in surprise, flailing as she tried to escape the ambush. "Muhan! Not fair!"
"You challenged me!" he laughed, dodging her retaliatory slaps like he was ducking cosmic missiles. "Tickle combat was always in the cards."
Their chaotic love-fight sent laughter rippling through the car. Gunhee stole a glance from the front, a rare chuckle escaping his lips. "They're worse than we were, huh, Han?"
Han gave a soft smile, eyes distant. "Speak for yourself. Chae-min nearly broke my ribs on our second date."
From the second row, Iseul leaned toward Chae-min and whispered, "Is that true?"
"Oh, absolutely," Chae-min said proudly. "He mistook me for a waitress at a sect gathering. Had to teach him a lesson."
"I like you more and more."
By the time the Nano Car crested the sky-road toward Avalon Estate, the teasing in the back had mellowed, their fingers gently interlaced as they watched the estate unfold beneath dual suns.
---
Elsewhere, in the Leveling Realm…
A throne carved from obsidian and laced with crimson energy loomed in the shadows of the realm's upper tier. Seated atop it was a being whose very presence bent gravity—his form humanoid, but colossal, with dark-red skin and horns that glistened like blood-soaked rubies.
Lord Vorthas, Demi-god of Dominion, gazed at the interdimensional monitor before him, his voice reverberating like thunder caught in a war drum. "The boy named Muhan… he's vanished from this realm."
Eun-ji, his secretary and second-in-command, bowed with practiced grace. Her long raven hair flowed like midnight silk, and her eyes, though respectful, held a shimmer of veiled curiosity. "Yes, my Lord. The investigators are working around the chrono-core. It appears he's crossed into the Outerverse."
Vorthas leaned forward slightly, red lightning dancing across his arms. "Interesting…"
His interest wasn't just political—it was personal.
---
Back on Planet Nexus – Avalon Estate
The grand procession down the velvet red carpet unfolded like the opening of a cosmic opera. Gunhee Lawson of Pjeonjaeham walked beside Han Lockhart of the Jonjae Sect, both radiating quiet power. Behind them trailed Iseul and Chae-min, their presence commanding yet elegant. Muhan and Mi-cha brought up the rear, walking close but not holding hands—though their fingers occasionally brushed, setting off silent fireworks.
Dozens of soldiers in black-and-crimson Nano suits stood in rigid formation, helmets reflecting the fading sun, heads bowed in silent respect. The estate's towering doors swung open, revealing the inner sanctum.
Inside sat King Raswa the 10th—ruler of Planet Nexus, pride of the Intergalactic Crown, and a man currently red in the face and very angry.
"The damage to the Hyeonsil Continent was catastrophic!" he boomed, slamming his jeweled fist onto the round elder table. "You even killed the governor!"
Dokja, sect leader of Hondon, stood casually with his arms crossed, unfazed by the royal tantrum. "Oh please, your governor was the reason the riots started. We just ended them."
Gasps echoed. Tension crackled like static through the chamber.
Gunhee raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "This again…"
Han whispered toward Muhan, "Watch closely. This is how multiversal politics doesn't work."
Muhan nodded solemnly, but internally he was thinking, Wait... did that guy really say he 'just ended' a governor like he skipped a side quest?
Mi-cha leaned closer and whispered, "This is normal here."
Chae-min sighed, rubbing her temples. "I miss the days when wars were settled by tea duels."
Iseul chuckled. "You lost every one of those."
The dynamics were layered: King Raswa ruled Planet Nexus through a quartet of governors, each overseeing a continent. Beneath them, the sect leaders held terrifying power that could rival the royal family itself. Gunhee was a veteran powerhouse, and Han, once a warborn rebel, had the terrifying quiet of a man who could snap a universe if mildly inconvenienced.
The argument raged on, a volatile mix of pride and wounded egos. But beneath it all, something stirred. The balance of Nexus was beginning to tip, and Muhan could feel it in his bones.
As the elders shouted, Gunhee's calm voice finally cut through the noise.
"That's enough," he said softly.
The room stilled. Even King Raswa's mouth clamped shut. Everyone knew—you never ignored Gunhee Lawson when he quietly told you to stop.
Han stepped forward next, cool and collected. "Settle your vendettas another day. Today, we talk future. Not grudges."
Muhan watched in awe. So this is what power really looks like… not just strength—but presence.
Mi-cha squeezed his hand gently, her expression tender. "Someday, you'll command a room like that too."
He turned to her, lips quirking into a soft smile. "With you by my side, I think I already do."
And for a moment, beneath the cosmic weight of politics and impending war, everything felt just a little lighter.