Reborn In A Perverse Monster World! My System Adapts To Everything!

Chapter 151: [DNO! RETURN SHORTLY!]

Jason led the way into a modest tavern on the outskirts of the nearest settlement. The weathered wooden sign creaked gently above the entrance as the evening breeze swept through the quiet street. The building wasn’t particularly large, but warm light spilled through its windows, carrying with it the comforting aroma of roasted meat, fresh bread, and simmering stew. After the bloodshed of the battlefield, the ordinary atmosphere felt strangely out of place.

The tavern door swung open.

Jason stepped inside without hesitation.

The Ant King lowered its massive frame and carefully ducked beneath the doorway before following him inside. Even then, its armored body barely fit through the entrance, forcing several chairs near the wall to scrape aside.

The room fell silent.

Every conversation stopped.

Patrons who had been laughing only moments earlier stared at the enormous insect, then at the young man calmly leading it. Several instinctively reached for concealed weapons before thinking better of it.

Jason paid them no attention.

He approached the counter and dropped a heavy pouch onto the polished wood.

The bag burst open slightly upon impact, revealing a glimpse of gleaming gold coins.

"The best meals you’ve got," Jason said calmly while sliding the pouch toward the innkeeper. "Three portions. Keep them coming until we say stop."

The innkeeper’s hands trembled as he picked up the pouch.

He looked from the gold to the Ant King before swallowing nervously.

"Y-Yes, sir," the innkeeper replied with a stiff bow. "Right away."

Jason nodded before making his way toward the largest corner table.

The sturdy furniture creaked as the Ant King settled itself beside the wall, careful not to damage the building despite its tremendous size. Several customers quietly relocated to tables farther away, unwilling to remain within arm’s reach of the giant creature.

Jason pretended not to notice.

Within minutes, the first dishes began arriving.

Large platters of roasted venison, freshly baked bread still warm from the oven.

Bowls of thick beef stew filled with vegetables, roasted potatoes coated in herbs.

Grilled river fish and honey-glazed ribs.

Several pitchers of dark ale.

The inn staff hurried back and forth, placing dish after dish onto the already crowded table.

Kaelen stared at the feast.

His stomach growled loudly enough for Jason to hear.

"...Don’t mind if I do," Kaelen muttered before grabbing a roasted venison leg.

He tore into it with surprising enthusiasm.

The first bite made his eyes widen.

He quickly swallowed before taking another.

"...This is actually decent," Kaelen admitted between mouthfuls. "After everything that’s happened... I didn’t expect normal food to taste this good."

Jason smiled faintly.

He pushed another platter toward Kaelen.

"Eat," Jason said simply. "You look like you haven’t had a proper meal in days."

Kaelen reached for the second plate almost automatically before suddenly stopping.

His fork hovered halfway to his mouth, for a brief moment, he simply stared at Jason.

Only hours earlier, he had watched this same man erase an elite army with terrifying ease.

Now Jason was quietly making sure he had enough food.

The contrast felt almost impossible to process.

Jason noticed the hesitation immediately.

"You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to," Jason said quietly while tearing a piece of bread in half.

Kaelen lowered his gaze.

His appetite suddenly wasn’t as strong.

"...I froze back there," Kaelen admitted after several seconds of silence. "Again."

His grip tightened around the fork.

"I just stood there while you handled everything like it was nothing."

Jason shrugged as though the subject barely mattered.

"You’ve been through hell," Jason replied calmly. "No one’s expecting you to jump straight into another battlefield."

He reached over and refilled Kaelen’s bowl with more stew.

"Eat first," Jason continued with a faint smile. "Blame yourself later."

Kaelen couldn’t help letting out a quiet laugh.

"...You’re terrible at giving motivational speeches," Kaelen remarked, shaking his head.

"I’ve been told worse," Jason answered with an amused grin.

For a while, the two simply ate and caught up.

The comfortable silence lingered between them.

Eventually, Kaelen spoke again.

"...The guild ambush," Kaelen began quietly. "I keep replaying it in my head."

Jason looked up but didn’t interrupt.

"I should’ve seen it coming," Kaelen continued. "If I’d reacted faster... maybe fewer people would’ve died. Maybe Mira and Helga would be...!"

Jason took a slow sip of ale before setting the mug down.

"You don’t control everything," Jason replied evenly. "If you spend your life carrying every death on your shoulders, you’ll eventually break."

Kaelen stared into his bowl.

"...Doesn’t stop me from feeling responsible."

"No," Jason admitted honestly. "It doesn’t."

The conversation faded once more.

Neither of them felt the need to fill the silence.

-

Around the tavern, whispers gradually began spreading between the remaining customers.

They spoke quietly enough that they believed Jason couldn’t hear them.

"Isn’t that him?" one patron whispered nervously.

"The one the council captured?" another replied.

"I heard he destroyed an entire city."

"No... they said he killed hundreds today."

"Then why is he walking around free?"

"Maybe the council couldn’t stop him."

"...Or maybe they made some kind of deal."

Fear mixed with curiosity throughout the room.

Every glance directed toward Jason carried uncertainty.

Nobody knew whether they were sharing a room with a hero...

...or a monster.

Kaelen noticed it too, he glanced around before looking back at Jason.

"You’re wanted practically everywhere," Kaelen observed quietly. "Yet here you are buying dinner like nothing happened."

Jason took another drink.

"Something like that," Jason replied with a shrug. "The council handles their side."

He leaned back comfortably in his chair.

"I handle mine."

Kaelen frowned.

"That’s it?" Kaelen asked.

"Pretty much." Jason shrugged.

"...You’re leaving out a lot."

"I usually do, I’m a secretive villain that wants to take over the world! Bwahaha!" Jason said so loudly and saw everyone panic

Kaelen sighed.

"Don’t do that!"

Despite everything, the conversation gradually became easier.

The tension from earlier slowly melted away.

Jason occasionally pushed another plate toward Kaelen whenever he noticed it becoming empty.

By the time the last serving arrived, Kaelen had eaten enough for three people.

His movements gradually slowed and his eyelids became heavier.

He blinked several times in rapid succession.

Jason watched with quiet amusement.

Kaelen tried lifting another mug.

Missed it entirely.

His head dipped forward.

Jason reached across the table just in time to catch him before his face landed inside the bowl of stew.

"...Out cold," Jason murmured with a chuckle.

He carefully stood before walking back toward the counter.

"I’ll need a room upstairs," Jason told the innkeeper while placing several more gold coins on the counter. "One with enough space."

The innkeeper looked at the generous payment before nodding repeatedly.

"O-Of course, sir," the innkeeper replied quickly. "The largest room is ready."

Jason thanked him before effortlessly lifting the sleeping Kaelen onto one shoulder.

The Ant King quietly rose to its feet.

Together, they climbed the wooden staircase.

The old steps groaned beneath the Ant King’s weight but somehow held.

Inside the modest room, Jason gently laid Kaelen on the bed.

He removed Kaelen’s boots before pulling a blanket over him.

For the first time in days, the lizardkin’s expression looked peaceful.

Jason smiled faintly.

"Rest," Jason said quietly. "You’ve earned it."

He turned toward the Ant King.

"Watch over him," Jason instructed while pointing toward the door. "Nobody comes in unless I say so."

The Ant King clicked its mandibles once.

Without another sound, it positioned itself beside the doorway like an immovable guardian.

Satisfied, Jason left the room but he knew he had to take over for Kaelen for a while even though he had so much to do because Kaelen was a friend.

Night had fully settled over the settlement.

He walked behind the tavern until the sounds of conversation faded into the distance.

-

The cool night breeze brushed against his face as he stretched both arms above his head, releasing tension that had built up throughout the day. Countless stars filled the sky overhead, their quiet light standing in stark contrast to the violence that had unfolded only hours earlier.

For several peaceful moments...

Nothing happened.

Then Jason felt it.

Someone approached without making a sound.

A familiar presence emerged from the darkness.

Namtar stepped into the moonlight before lowering herself onto one knee several paces away. Her pale gray skin almost glowed beneath the moon while dozens of polished piercings reflected silver light. She kept her head lowered in complete submission.

Jason looked at her for a moment.

"What are you doing here?" Jason asked calmly.

"I am here to serve you, my lord," Namtar replied without lifting her head. "Command me however you wish."

Jason blinked once.

"Serve me?" Jason repeated with an amused raise of his eyebrow. "I don’t remember asking for followers."

Namtar remained kneeling.

"You shouldn’t have to ask," Namtar answered reverently. "Those worthy of following naturally gather those willing to serve."

Jason opened his mouth to dismiss her.

Before the words left him...

Something stirred deep inside his chest.

The Marrow.

For the first time since conquering it, its presence no longer felt like a foreign entity trying to influence his mind.

It felt... natural... No, it felt lust towards this creature and since they were one, this lust was directly his as well.

"Say sike right now, you freaky ass marrow!" Jason thought to himssssself.ddr