Click.
The door creaked open, and a mature woman stepped into the room, carrying a tray with a bowl and a glass of water on it.
She was… stunning.
Shoulder-length brown hair framed her gentle yet sharp eyes, hidden behind a pair of sleek glasses. Her features were refined, her figure the very embodiment of a voluptuous beauty—full breasts, wide hips, long legs. From head to toe, she resembled one of those ideal anime MILFs from Hiroto's past life fantasies.
Ryu—now in a young body but with the mind of a grown teenager—froze.
He could feel something stir below, even though his current body was far from developed. The sensation made him panic slightly, and he quickly shook his head, trying to dispel the rising thoughts.
But Velkora's voice chimed into his mind with a teasing, sultry tone.
"Master, it's not wrong to feel attracted. As a human male, it's only natural to be drawn to a healthy, fertile female. Especially one like her—with childbearing hips and generous breasts. She's an ideal candidate for reproduction."
Ryu flinched at her words. Though they felt logical, they also made him uneasy. He responded in his mind, 'Isn't that… wrong? I mean, isn't it bad to think that way about someone related to me?'
He hadn't had much family in his past life. Just his grandfather. Most of what he'd learned about these things came from the internet—memes, jokes, and cultural warnings.
'It was something like incest, wasn't it?'
He vaguely remembered something about the infamous "Alabama jokes" and how kids from close blood relations could end up with health problems.
Velkora, still perched on his shoulder, let out a melodious laugh. "Master, you forget who I am. With me by your side, such biological concerns are meaningless. I can ensure perfect offspring—healthy, gifted, and flawless—whether they're born from a human woman, a beastkin, or even an infertile partner. I control the conception at the cellular level. You don't need to worry about genetics ever again."
Ryu gulped.
That... didn't make things easier.
Velkora's proud declaration lingered in Ryu's mind, but he didn't have time to respond—because at that moment, the woman stepped closer.
"Little Ryu, how are you feeling?" she asked softly, her tone mature and gentle, with the warmth of a mother… even though she wasn't one.
This was Aunt Jena—his mother's younger sister, though only by a few minutes. They were technically twins, but you wouldn't know it by looking. Jena had her own distinct charm, a different kind of beauty, mature yet refreshing.
"I'm fine, Auntie," Ryu replied, a bit exasperated. "I've told you that like… five times already."
Jena narrowed her eyes slightly, unamused. "You had a fever and your energy levels were low. I checked it myself, remember? So stop pretending to be okay."
She placed the tray down gently on the bedside table and pulled up a chair beside him.
"Come on. Sit up."
Ryu obeyed without argument. She adjusted the pillow behind him, fluffing it just right so he could lean back comfortably.
"Now lean on that," she instructed. "I'll feed you some rice porridge."
"Ugh..." Ryu let out a low groan but didn't resist.
Velkora had been the one who caused this whole misunderstanding in the first place. To prevent suspicion during his panic earlier, she had tampered with his physical condition slightly—creating the illusion of a fever and fatigue. That false alarm was what led to his current situation, bedridden and doted on.
Jena picked up the bowl, stirred the porridge slightly, then blew gently to cool it down. The steam rose as her soft breath danced over the spoon.
"Open up."
Ryu did as told, and she gently fed him the warm porridge.
"Mmh." He nodded as he chewed. "Et's gwood."
"Don't talk with food in your mouth," Jena scolded lightly, her tone firm but affectionate.
Ryu swallowed, then nodded more clearly. "Sorry."
She smiled faintly and scooped another spoonful.
Despite the awkwardness... it felt strangely comforting.
After finishing the last spoonful of porridge, Jena set the empty bowl aside and smiled warmly.
"Just look at how much you ate—and you were saying you're fine," she teased.
Ryu let out a low grumble. "It was good… that's why."
Jena chuckled softly. "Then I'm glad it filled your little tummy," she said, reaching out and gently patting his stomach.
Ryu flinched slightly and grabbed her hand. "Auntie, don't do that."
She only laughed again. "Alright, alright. Then let me check your temperature next."
Before he could respond, she leaned in close—so close that their foreheads gently touched. Her eyes closed, her soft breath warm against his skin as she gauged his body heat the old-fashioned way.
Ryu's body trembled.
After a few quiet seconds, she pulled away and opened her eyes.
"Your fever's gone, and you're looking more energetic already," she said gently. "Let me check your pulse and blood pressure next, just to be sure."
"Do whatever you want," Ryu replied quietly, trying to keep his face calm while his thoughts raced.
And in his mind, Velkora's voice echoed, casual and confident.
"Master, the first symbiote has been successfully planted into your Aunt, as we planned."
Ryu acknowledged her with a silent nod in thought. 'Can you show me her status now?'
"Of course, Master."
With her reply, a new holographic screen flickered to life in front of his eyes—visible only to him.
***
[Status Screen – Jena]
Name: Jena Inazuma
Age: 28
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Vital Stats:
HP (Health Points): 98%
PS (Physical Stamina): 96%
MP (Mana Points): 95%
MS (Mental Stamina): 92%
Overall Rating: F-Rank
Stat Breakdown:
• Strength: 5
• Agility: 5
• Endurance: 6
• Constitution: 6
• Perception:5
• Intelligence: 7
• Willpower: 7
***
Ryu scanned the numbers.
Her stats were consistent—averaging between 5 and 7. Her Strength and Agility were on the lower end, both at 5, which made sense. She wasn't a fighter, after all.
But her Endurance and Constitution were slightly higher. Fully grown adults—especially women—tended to have more natural stamina and internal resilience.
Her Perception was average.
And her Intelligence and Willpower… both stood at 7.
No wonder she had a medical degree. Smart, strong-willed, and calm under pressure.
'She's impressive,' Ryu thought quietly.
And now, she was the first to be linked to him—through Velkora's Offspring.
Yes—Velkora's offspring.
As a Primordial Symbiote, Velkora possessed the ability to birth new symbiotes identical to herself—each with their own consciousness, complete abilities, and unwavering loyalty to both their mother… and to Ryu, their master.
It was one of her many powers.
Unlike conventional reproduction, Velkora's offspring were not born through any sexual means. She was a symbiotic being, more akin to a fungal colony or advanced bacteria. Through asexual division, she could create perfect replicas of herself—living extensions capable of independent thought and growth.
Even more terrifying… her children could do the same.
Each new symbiote remained tethered to the collective hivemind, with Velkora as the central node—overseeing all her children and their descendants without fail.
The very first host?
Aunt Jena.
The first offspring had already been implanted in her—deeply and securely. Of course, she remained completely unaware. For now, she didn't need to know. The symbiote would gradually strengthen her body—enhancing regeneration, boosting physical attributes, and subtly transforming her physiology to something far more refined than any normal human.
And Ryu?
He didn't believe in hoarding power just for himself.
For the first time in both his lives… he had people worth protecting. A family. And if he had the means to shield them, then being overprotective was no weakness—it was his duty.
That's why he'd made a decision earlier: to accelerate his passive growth.
Originally, his symbiotic evolution had been set to progress at a minimal rate. But now, he'd cranked it up to its highest setting. His Strength stat had already hit 5, and the rest were rising fast—each second pushing him beyond the bounds of ordinary human limits.
After all—
It's always better to be overpowered than average.