RNP Chapter 197: Expectations
Chapter 197: Expectations
The next morning, Kyle woke up early and decided to work out at home instead of going outside. Living in an urban area didn’t afford him many peaceful hours to take a run around the block.
"I can’t let this become an excuse," he muttered to himself as he stood beneath the shower.
He would be living here for a long time, so he couldn’t keep postponing his plans. Running had always been his remedy for mental fatigue and stress, so tonight he intended to head out and explore the area.
"I need to visit the family house too..."
He planned to return after a few hours. Hopefully, they wouldn’t pay too much attention to him, making it easier for him to leave again in the evening.
Stepping out of the bathroom, he asked the system, "Mind telling me about Tharos? How is she?"
[The situation is much better now. It’s all thanks to the host.]
Kyle let out a sigh. "Is that so? Then, as a reward, can you extend the duration of the quest?"
He had been granted sixteen hours to use God’s Eye without the system’s assistance during combat.
He had already spent nearly twelve of those hours and still hadn’t encountered a threat worthy of using the eye.
[The host might find a challenge during today’s expedition?]
Kyle smiled wryly as he changed into his work clothes.
"You suspect I’m the bad omen too, don’t you? Well, I can’t blame you. If anyone has seen me stumble into dramatic events time and time again, it’s you."
He couldn’t even remember how many bizarre situations he had found himself in during these few weeks as a Nightwalker.
So yes, even Kyle was beginning to have his doubts.
[The system will grant extra time if the host does not encounter any significant threats.]
"...."
Well, that sounded less like an extension and more like the system finding a way not to extend the duration at all.
After hearing Amanda and Veronica’s concerns about another anomalous event occurring today, he was now almost certain that something was going to happen.
Regardless, he changed into something more suitable for combat.
A pair of brown trousers, flexible enough not to tear even if he stretched them to their limits. He wore a full-sleeved, body-fitting shirt beneath a sleeveless vest that didn’t look particularly conspicuous, though it was admittedly a little out of season considering the weather outside.
Inside the vest, he adjusted the protective disc that could transform into his armor if the need arose.
Once he was ready, he glanced at himself in the mirror.
"I need to cut my hair..." he muttered, running his fingers through the unruly strands.
Just then, his phone began to buzz.
Picking it up, he froze for a moment when he saw the caller’s name.
Father.
For an instant, Kyle considered ignoring the call.
Then he realized he had no reason to fear the man anymore.
What could he possibly say now?
Accepting the call, he answered, "Yeah?"
{Where are you? Your uncle and aunt will be arriving in an hour.}
"I know. Blake already told me. Don’t worry, I’ll be there in the evening."
{You should have gone to pick them up at the airport. Your brother being busy is understandable since he has an empire to run, but right now you’re probably doing nothing more than miscellaneous work to impress your seniors.}
He tightened his grip on the phone until a faint creak echoed from its frame.
Every single time.
Every single time, the man somehow found a way to twist things until Kyle looked small, insignificant, and worthless.
Any resentment Kyle had once harbored toward Blake had started because of this man. Because he never stopped comparing them. Never stopped reminding Kyle that, next to Blake, he was nothing more than dust beneath someone’s boots.
A cold smile tugged at Kyle’s lips.
"You’re right. I should’ve marched into headquarters on my third day and demanded they hand me a national-level threat. Maybe then I could’ve impressed you. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t revolve around your expectations, so us mere mortals have to settle for taking things one step at a time."
A brief silence followed.
Then his father’s voice came through the speaker, colder than steel.
{And that pathetic attitude is exactly why you’ll never be worthy of carrying my legacy.}
{You chose to crawl before strangers instead of coming to me. Had you possessed even a shred of ambition, I would’ve trained you myself. I would’ve given you opportunities people would kill for.}
His father let out a derisive scoff.
{But expecting courage from you was always foolish. You were born weak. Not in body, but heart.}
Kyle could almost imagine him tapping his temple.
{The moment life pushed back, you folded. The moment the pressure arrived, you hid. While your brother learned to stand at the top, you spent your life lurking in corners, hoping nobody would notice you.}
{Tell me, Kyle. Has anything really changed? Or have you simply found a larger corner to cower in?}
Kyle remained silent for a few moments.
It...hurts.
It genuinely did.
Has he not heard about his achievements after he awakened?
Does he still believe that he was the same kid who needed direction to do everything?
Were his efforts all for nothing?
Exactly what does he expect from him?
{What happened? Again, nothing to say?}
Kyle took a deep breath, closed his eyes and then muttered, "You know what? The only thing I have learned from you over all this year is what not to do as a father. Because trust me, you aren’t just a failure as a patriarch but as a guardian too."
{You-!!}
Kyle disconnected the call and nearly threw it across the hall...only to stop when he looked at Amanda’s picture on his home screen.
He reminded himself that this world wasn’t all about his parents.
There were people like Amanda, Blake and Veronica too...those who actually cared about him.
"Well, forget about it. Let’s get going."
.....
[Astortia Mansion]
[Patriarch’s Office]
The moment the call ended, the anger on Mathew’s face disappeared as if it had never existed.
He calmly lowered the phone onto the desk and folded his hands over his lap.
The office fell silent.
After a brief pause, Mathew finally spoke.
"You understand what needs to be done, correct?"
The man standing across from him gave a slight nod.
"Are you certain no one will interfere? Your elder son seems rather intent on keeping an eye on the target’s surroundings."
"Don’t concern yourself with him," Mathew replied without hesitation. "He’s occupied in an entirely different location."
His gaze hardened.
"Just make sure the damage is significant. I don’t want him wandering the streets for at least a month."
The man smiled faintly.
"You have my assurance. Though I would appreciate it if no healer reaches him before my venom has had sufficient time to spread through his system."
Mathew’s expression remained unchanged.
"That won’t be a problem."
His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest.
"Just leave him somewhere dark and confined."
For the first time, a trace of contempt entered his voice.
"He won’t scream. He won’t call for help. He never does."
A cold silence settled over the room.
"I imagine that will give your toxin more than enough time to do its work."
The man grinned, "You can be assured then. That boy won’t be moving any time for the coming few weeks."