Chapter 3: Wife Investment, Incredible Returns!
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Riven walked back to the kitchen and carefully prepared a black Ceylon tea of the highest quality, her favorite blend. He measured the sugar with care this time, using only one cube and a half to match her preferred sweetness.
"Here, let me help you drink it."
"Hm."
Elisa acted like a spoiled princess even in her current weakened state, sipping the tea little by little while Riven held the cup steady for her. Supporting her like this was a bit tiresome for his arm after a while, yet once she finished the last drop she looked genuinely pleased.
"It was fine, thanks."
Riven nodded and carried the empty teacup away to wash it in the sink.
Then the familiar blue screens appeared before his eyes.
[Love Investment Authority – Asmodeus]
[Target: Elisa Frostbane]
[Affection Level: 12 → 18]
[Investment Progress: 0.3%]
[You received the Passive Effect: {Minor Vitality Link}: You share 1.5% of Elisa’s Vitality Stat before becoming crippled.]
[Note: Sustained positive interaction increases recovery rate and unlocks latent potential.]
"Huh, that’s...! A pretty fine reward but— Huh?!"
Ding!
[x10,000 Reward Multiplier Activated!]
[Passive Effect: {Minor Vitality Link} has been multiplied by x10,000!]
[You have received the Skill: [Skadi’s Blessing – Titan Physique: Level 1]: You share 1.5% of Elisa’s Vitality Stat multiplied x10,000. Your body has begun to assimilate the Bloodline of Titans.]
"There it is! This is— Ack!"
Riven collapsed onto the kitchen floor as the teacup slipped from his fingers and shattered into pieces against the tiles. Pain and power surged through him at the same time.
"Riven?!"
Elisa panicked, unable to move or help as she watched his body begin to transform right before her eyes. Her eyes widened when golden and azure light started gleaming across his skin. A familiar aura rose from within him, one that felt almost too close to something she had known long ago.
His lean and slender frame grew muscular and solid. He became taller by more than ten centimeters in mere seconds. The immense increase in Vitality completely changed how his body looked and functioned. His short black hair suddenly lengthened, cascading down past his shoulders in dark waves.
"Haaa... Haaa..." he gasped for air while staring at his own enlarged hands, realizing just how huge he had become. "W-What the fu—"
"Riven! What’s wrong? You... changed...!" she gasped in shock. "T-This is...?! Did you— Ah..."
The shock proved too much for her fragile condition. Elisa passed out on the spot, her body unable to keep up with the sudden intensity of everything happening around her.
"Elisa!"
Riven forced himself back to his feet, but every step he took through the kitchen left broken furniture and cracked tiles in his wake.
"Fuck! What the...?! This is... insane."
He knew he had to be careful now or he could destroy the entire house by accident. First he needed to get used to this new level of strength.
However, Elisa came first.
"Sorry about that," he sighed while carefully lifting her into his arms and carrying her back to her bed. Something that would have strained his back only minutes earlier now felt almost effortless. "Rest for now."
After leaving Elisa sleeping peacefully, Riven returned to the kitchen and cleaned up the mess he had made while slowly adjusting to his new power. Each movement felt heavier and more powerful than the last, yet he gradually gained better control.
Once the kitchen was orderly again, Riven prepared himself and put on the Awakened Clothes he had kept stored away for years, never able to use them before. The special fabric was capable of shapeshifting and stretching to fit any type of body, molding perfectly around his larger frame.
After he finished changing, he walked out of the house and took the car toward the city.
"I have to register as an Awakened and see how strong I am compared to the rest. With that, I can gain a pass to a Gate. If I use my Family Name, it should be possible for me to access the low-level ones pretty easily."
Once inside the city, Riven made his way to the Awakened Center, which remained open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. After sunset the large building was quite empty, with only a few people moving through the brightly lit lobby.
"Hello sir, may I help you with something? Have you come looking for a permission for a Gate Entrance?" the receptionist asked politely.
"Oh no, I am not registered yet. I came just for that."
"...What?!"
The receptionist’s mouth opened wide in disbelief as she stared at Riven’s immense physique. How could someone this large and powerful looking not already be an Awakened, let alone still unregistered?
"D-Did you just awaken—"
"Yes I did. Can’t we hurry up? I need to get this done as soon as possible. My wife is waiting for me at home. I can’t stay away for too long. She needs me."
"Uh, okay... sure. Please fill out these papers. Once you are done we will go to the testing center."
"Sure."
Riven filled out the forms quickly and handed them back to the receptionist. The lady nodded timidly and then guided him toward the testing facilities located underground.
The Awakened Center was a massive skyscraper built mostly of glass, beautiful and incredibly modern on the inside. Holographic windows floated in the air, displaying the latest news about Hunters and Awakened activity. Riven noticed a few other Awakened moving about. Some groups brought in their recent hunts and kills, while others exchanged money for equipment and materials. The place looked peaceful at this hour, though he knew it turned into absolute chaos every morning.
"Please follow me, Sir Riven Claymore. I had no idea you were of that family! It is well known, with Claymore Enterprises being the first and only provider of Hunter Tech in the world."
"Ah... yeah..."
Riven did not want to think about his damned family right now, yet their name still proved useful without him even trying.
Once they reached the underground level, Riven was directed into a huge white room. The heavy gate behind him closed automatically with a soft hiss. Through the thick glass walls he could see several people watching him closely.
"Feels like I am a lab rat being tested," he sighed under the weight of their stares. "Bring it on."
"Now, Sir Riven, you will be tested in combat and physical abilities. You will be made to fight and defeat a Goblin and then, if you pass, a Hobgoblin. This is your last chance to leave. We do not hold responsibility if you... well, die."
"...It’s fine."
The receptionist nodded and activated the artificial Gate in front of him, a piece of advanced Claymore Tech. The portal opened to reveal a small, green-skinned humanoid creature. It was bald, with a long pointed nose, skinny limbs, and a sickening grin on its face.
"Gyehehehe!"
The goblin charged at Riven without any hesitation.
Riven held nothing in his hands. Several weapons rested nearby for him to choose from, yet he decided to use only his fists.
"Hmph!"
As the goblin leaped toward him, Riven swung his fist and flattened the creature’s face with a single powerful jab.
CRASH!
The monster’s head was crushed like a pancake. Its body tumbled to the floor with a loud thud and did not move again. It was dead.
"Ooohh!"
"What Herculean strength!"
"I wonder what sort of Authority he possesses!"
"Well, it is nothing too shocking to see an Awakened easily kill the lowest level monster. Now, send the Hobgoblin," one of the professors observing the test said calmly.
The gate opened once more. Riven found himself facing a much larger goblin that nearly matched his new height. The creature carried a huge wooden club and wore the same sickening smile. This one was muscular and powerful, with a potent aura of mana wrapped tightly around its body.
"Come on, I don’t have all day."
"GRYAARR!"
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