Oh no, I'm going to be a dad?

A short while later, Zenith woke up, humming a tune, while Lilia emerged from the bedroom, looking tired, and began helping Zenith prepare breakfast.

"Good morning, young master."

"Good morning, Lilia."

Rudy walked past them in the hallway, greeting Lilia with a cheerful demeanor.

"Lilia, you don't look so good today. Are you sick?"

Lilia's pupils flickered with a hint of panic behind her glasses at his words.

"I didn't sleep very well last night. Thank you for your concern, young master."

Rudy blinked and walked past her.

Just then, Allen came down from the second floor, shirtless, with a towel draped over him, water droplets still clinging to his hair.

"Morning, you two."

Hearing Allen's voice, Zenith poked her head out from the kitchen, pressing her hands together apologetically.

"Morning, Allen. I'm so sorry. Paul was a little upset yesterday, so he hit you a bit too hard! I checked your neck, and there was nothing wrong, but it looked like you wouldn't wake up for a while, so we brought you back. However, you still had bloodstains on you, and we couldn't very well bathe you, so we just laid out a mattress for you on the floor. Paul even told me last night that he wanted to thank you properly this morning. He should be waking up any minute now."

Allen squinted at her radiant face, his eye muscles twitching uncontrollably.

This energetic lady, if you're truly sorry, I suggest you just sleep at night instead of playing ball and disturbing the neighbors! And you clearly said "thank you" just now!

But speaking of which, I should be thanking you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have known Detoxification Magic could be used like that. Seriously, amazing.

"It's fine, after all, it was my fault that Rudy and the others got poisoned… By the way, was Sylphy taken home by Uncle Rolls yesterday? Uh, was he… angry?"

Zenith blinked.

"No, he just looked a bit helpless. But it seems he has a very good impression of you and Rudy! He even told me to tell you not to feel too sorry, and that he hopes you'll look after Sylphy more in the future."

Allen couldn't help but scratch his head.

"That's good that he wasn't angry."

Meanwhile, Rudy was somewhat dazed listening to their conversation.

From the sound of it, did Paul beat up Allen yesterday? He was knocked out… When was the Shrine made then? In the early morning? Allen looks a bit tired. This guy hid my secret for me and even made the Shrine for me. He's unexpectedly a really good person. Hmm, I must find a chance to repay him.

Dong dong dong!

Suddenly, there was a rapid knocking sound at the door.

Allen looked at the door in surprise, exchanging glances with the others who were equally surprised.

"I'll get it."

Unexpectedly, outside the door was a somewhat short but well-built young woman. Her hand was tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, and her slightly upturned eyes looked into the house.

But when she saw that the person who opened the door was not the sturdy knight she expected, but a complete stranger, she couldn't help but be momentarily stunned. Her gaze then quickly swept over Allen's sharp features, traveling down from his neck to his muscular trapezius, and then glancing down at his chest muscles.

Then she quietly pinched her nose.

"Where's Paul? By the way, who are you…?"

Allen blinked, trying to search his mind, but still couldn't match the person in front of him with any named character from the novel's childhood arc.

Allen instinctively smoothed back his wet hair, frowning as he asked, "Excuse me, are you…?"

Before he could finish his sentence, Allen paused. He tilted his head slightly to look at the figure beside the woman.

It was the chubby kid she had intimidated yesterday, looking at him with an embarrassed expression.

Wait?! This plot seems to be…

[Instant Quest: Temptation of the Big Truck, released.]

[Mrs. Somal likes Paul's sturdy physique and always seeks his attention under various pretexts. At this moment, you have gained Mrs. Somal's attention. She seems to think that compared to Paul's sturdy 25-year-old physique, your fit, ten-something-year-old physique also has a unique appeal…]

[Quest Reminder: Zenith often complains internally about this lady's harassing behavior. Now is a good opportunity for you to repay the Detoxification Rune.]

[Reward: If handled properly, you can further gain Zenith's favor, earning 2 points in participation evaluation. At the same time, you may also gain a wonderful married woman.]

[Go, Host! How can you turn down a blonde…?!]

Allen didn't have time to bother with the System, which clearly wasn't there to give him a quest but to mock him. He just stared blankly at the chubby kid in front of him, whose face was etched with embarrassment, his own expression gradually stiffening.

Because.

He remembered what he had said to the kid yesterday.

"If she's a Demon Race, then I'm your dad."

Oh no, something terrible has happened…

I think I'm about to become a dad…

Mrs. Somal looked at Allen's dazed expression as he stared at her child, and instantly understood that this handsome young man in front of her was the culprit who had bullied her child.

A subtle smile played at the corner of her lips, but then she frowned deeply, looking at Allen and speaking in a low voice.

"So you're the one who bullied Somal? How impressive~ Bullying a child just because you're taller and older?"

Allen stared blankly at the large cart that was looking back at him with interest. No, I'm too tall, there's no way that's a cart. What the hell am I thinking?!

He quickly looked back at Somal, who had his head bowed, completely speechless. Anger suddenly flared within him.

"Don't just stand there! Did I bully you? Speak up!"

Somal flinched, shrinking his head further, burying it even deeper.

Allen was bewildered.

Seeing Allen's expression, Mrs. Somal's eyes lit up. She grabbed the dazed Allen by the ear and began to drag him outside.

"You still dare to say you didn't bully him? You come back with me and explain yourself. Somal's father passed away early, and I won't let anyone bully our child."

The senior Water God Style Swordsman, captured by the widow's "Light Ear-Pull Technique," felt utterly resigned to his fate.

So, your Somal is the one who bullies others! And why is there a "widow buff" stacked on top of this? Danger, danger, danger! Help me, help me, Paul, help me!

"Wait!"

Allen's eyes lit up as he looked at Rudy, who was rushing out.

I didn't expect you, kid, to actually be reliable! It wasn't a waste that I stayed up half the night making that Shrine for you. Quick, come on—

"Mrs. Somal, could you please let him go before noon? I have Swordsmanship Class this afternoon."

Rudy gave a perfect bow, polite to the extreme, then half-raised his face and winked at Allen.

'I can't believe the time to repay a favor came so perfectly! With Allen's skill, there's no way Mrs. Somal could actually grab his ear, right? So Allen must be doing this on purpose! Hmm, hmm~ I never thought you, Allen, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, would be this kind of person. But people always have some special quirks, and since I've accepted you as my big brother, it's only natural for me to help you out of trouble!'

Allen: ?????

"Wait!"

Just then, Paul finally arrived. Allen looked at him as if he were seeing a savior.

'Paul, you are my god!'

But Allen's "god" had barely stepped out the door, mouth open, before Rudy frantically shoved him back into the house.

As the door slammed shut, Allen, Mrs. Somal, and Somal himself fell silent.

The late spring breeze blew across Allen's body. He stiffly turned his head to look at Mrs. Somal, who was squinting and glancing at his upper body, and felt his heart turn ice cold.