Chapter 158: Ch158: Dinner Time
Wind rushed past his ears as he felt like he was falling from the sky. In a blinding shift, the scene switched and he dropped into an underground cavern with lava flowing below.
Daniel dropped like a stone toward a narrow platform jutting from the rock wall.
*Thud!*
But he took no fall damage.
What is this place?
Daniel stood and scanned the surroundings.
Above him stretched an endless void of darkness.
Below, agonized screams tangled with the roar of churning lava while stone platforms bobbed across its molten surface.
"What the..." he muttered.
Dozens of people in ponchos of every color, some doesn’t, battled a towering demon.
Its hair writhed like Medusa’s venomous snakes. Thick tree roots twisted from its feet and gripped the stone. Six slim arms lashed out, each ending in long nails sharp as fangs.
Its face resembled that of a corrupt lady demon — beautiful yet twisted with malice, eyes burning with infernal fire.
Daniel swallowed hard.
Some warriors were impaled by surging tree roots and hung limp like pieces of barbecue.
Others were sliced apart and slaughtered in seconds.
A handful cast desperate spells — fireballs streaking like sky-shot fireworks, water blades slicing through the air, boulders hurtling like cannon fire, while a huge purplish ritual diagram glowed ominously above the demon.
The battlefield was pure chaos.
What the fuck is going on?
*Crack*
Suddenly, the platform where Daniel was watching fractured under the shockwaves of the battle and plummeted toward a lower floating stone platform.
But no fall damage.
"Oh shit!"
Daniel froze as he spotted the nun in her black habit. Half her lower body had already turned to stone, the gray curse crawling steadily toward her neck.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"HAHAHAHA~"
A demonic laugh echoed throughout the cavern.
"EVEN THOUGH NATURE GAVE YOU POWERS, YOU ALL ARE STILL TOO WEAK TO SEIZE THEM. BUT YOU AREN’T GOING TO DIE A WASTE. AT LEAST YOU’RE ALL GOING TO BE MY FOOD. BE GRATEFUL."
Terrified, Daniel turned his gaze to his right.
Veilintina gritted her teeth as stone spread across her face. She almost turned. Yet her eyes held something else. Something beyond her sight.
They locked onto him as though she could see Dani—
*SWOOSH!*
...
*Gasp-Gasp-Gasp*
Daniel woke in his bed, drenched in sweat. It was already night. The closed windows rattled as though battered by fierce wind. Lantern light flickered across the room, casting restless shadows that danced along the walls like living things.
*Yawn~*
’What a weird dream that was,’ he thought, rubbing his eyes. ’It almost felt too real.’
Daniel tried to recall the scene, but only fractured images remained, foggy and fragmented.
Wow, I probably slept for like twelve to thirteen hours.
"I need to pee."
Daniel slipped out of bed and hurried to the outhouse. As soon as he stepped outside, he was greeted by the cold, damp wind of the night.
When he emerged a few minutes later, refreshed, he spotted Marnie carrying a cooking pot as she made her way back toward the house.
*Rumble*
The sky was covered with dark clouds, and the wind howled as though it was going to rain at any moment.
*Pitter... Patter...🌧️*
"Son, can you help me?" Marnie called, her tone urgent.
Daniel hurried after her and grabbed another pot with two folded clothes, making it easier to carry, then rushed to the house as the rain began to pour with increasing intensity.
It was their dinner.
He set the pot down on the table atop a thick pot holder and took the chair across from his father.
Both remained calm and silent.
Daniel poured water from the jug into a glass and took a slow sip. Darryl kept his gaze lowered, finger tapping restlessly against the wooden table as he pondered what he should ask his son.
"Son, how is your training going on?" he asked with a neutral expression.
"Good," Daniel replied.
Darryl gave a soft nod, and they fell back into silence.
Few minutes later, Marnie returned with another pot and set it on the table. She opened the lid. The warm aroma of steamed rice filled the air.
"Mmm... rice smells so good, Mom," Daniel said, a smile spreading across his face.
Marnie gave a soft smile. "It’s the freshly harvested rice from the field your father works."
"Eat as much as you want, son," Darryl said with a proud smile.
She scooped rice onto their plates and served chicken curry, cucumber salad with carrots, and several other dishes.
"It’s good you cooked dinner before the rain, honey," Darryl said, taking another bite of the chicken curry.
Marnie turned and smiled. "Thanks, honey."
Daniel ate at a steady pace, savoring each bite. In contrast, Darryl devoured his meal as though he were in a competition. After all, every early morning, he would wake up and head out for work in the fields.
*BURP~*
Darryl rubbed his stomach before standing and leaving the dining table.
Marnie followed behind, leaving Daniel alone.
*Nom-Nom-Nom*
Damn, I barely started, and you’re already done eating.
*Creak...*
Marnie returned.
"Son, do you want more rice?" she asked.
"Not now. I’ll have some later," Daniel replied with a smile.
"Son, how about some meat? Or salad?"
Daniel shook his head. "I’ve still got plenty on my plate."
"What about you, Mom? Aren’t you going to eat? Or will you eat later?" he asked.
"Oh yes... I was waiting for your father to finish his meal," she said, her tone low. "I guess it’s time for me to eat."
Marnie took the plate, rinsed it with water, and sat opposite him. As she picked up the spoon used to scoop the salad, it dropped.
"Oops."
She bent under the table and picked up the spoon.
However, she did not return to her seat.
Daniel’s eyes widened as he looked down.
"Son," Marnie said, lifting her eyes to meet his. Her face hovered an inch from the center of his pants. "I think it’s time I had a taste of my real manly meal.
I missed your cock so much... you can’t even imagine."
