CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 69: PORTAL BACK TO EARTH

"You’re late," Seris said dryly.

She stood in front of the door.

"I know," Kael replied, letting the door swing shut behind him.

"You look like you’ve been dragged through a sandstorm," she said.

"Feels about right," Kael muttered, walking past her. "Also, thanks, Seris. For sending the supplies."

She held his gaze for a moment before giving a small shrug. "You wrote it clearly. I followed the list."

Then she said, "You eat yet?"

"Why do you ask when you already know the answer?"

Seris gave the faintest smile. "I set the table."

He followed her into the back room. The small kitchen behind the shop was lit by a steady oil lamp mounted to the wall. It cast a warm, soft light across the wooden table.

There were two bowls of thick stew still steaming, a plate of flatbread lightly dusted with crushed herbs, and a small dish of red flakes off to the side.

"I kept it warm," she said, motioning to a chair. "Sit."

Kael raised an eyebrow as he pulled out a chair and sat down. "That smells like the red spice batch I brought in last week."

She nodded as she set the bread beside him. "You said it was good for the blood. And it doesn’t spoil quickly."

Kael smiled faintly. "You used it well."

"I’m not a tavern cook," Seris replied, sitting opposite him. "But I’ve prepared rations for soldiers in worse places."

Kael picked up a spoon and took a bite. The flavor hit him immediately—savory, slightly smoky, with a gentle heat that built over time.

"You didn’t have to go this far," he said after a few bites. "But I’m glad you did."

Seris leaned forward slightly, resting her forearms on the table. "You need to eat properly. If you collapse, who’s going to keep this strange shop of yours running?"

Kael chuckled quietly but said nothing more.

Most people in this world barely used salt, let alone chili. Spices were a luxury. Imported goods from foreign countries—usually hoarded by nobles or sold for absurd prices in capital cities. Even a small pinch of proper cinnamon could fetch a silver coin.

But for Kael, who came from Earth—where spices were sold in plastic bottles and stocked in every grocery store—he could afford to be generous. And more than that—Seris knew how to use them well. Maybe it came from her noble upbringing... or her years surviving after losing that title.

After dinner, Kael pushed his bowl aside and leaned back slightly.

"Thanks again. That hit the spot."

"Go rest," she said. "You look worse than when you left."

"I will."

He stood, nodded once, and climbed the stairs to his room.

Upstairs – Kael’s Room

He shut the door behind him and let his coat fall to the floor. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he exhaled deeply.

He wanted to sleep. His body begged for it.

But his mind wouldn’t stop.

He had too much to do.

The sickness in Dustrim Village wasn’t going away with just coils and netting. If it really was malaria—or something like it—they needed medicine. Real medicine. Something no one here could create.

Kael rubbed his temples. "I need to go."

Kael stood and raised his hand, and the ring on his finger shimmered faintly.

[Dimensional Portal]

A soft hum filled the room, and a thin vertical line of light appeared in the air. It stretched and widened, forming a portal—a circular gate of faint blue energy.

Kael stepped through.

[Earth – The Basement]

Kael stepped through the portal and into the familiar darkness of his grandfather’s basement.

He then went to the basement door, opened it, and came out. Kael then closed the basement door.

The house was completely renovated now.

Polished floors. Repaired stairs. New curtains. Even the plumbing was fixed. The house was livable now.

Kael walked outside.

The yard had been trimmed. The cracked pathway had been repaired with gravel. Someone had stacked leftover bricks near the fence.

His old green bicycle leaned against the side wall, exactly where he’d left it.

As he wheeled it toward the road, he noticed something strange. A flashlight was lying just off the path.

Kael frowned.

"What the... What’s this doing here?"

He looked around. The street was quiet.

Must’ve fallen from a worker’s belt, he thought.

Just then, he saw headlights approaching.

Two mini-trucks rumbled down the road.

The first truck slowed as it reached the driveway. Eli was in the driver’s seat. Yuna sat beside him, scrolling through her phone.

The second truck followed behind, loaded with lumber and toolboxes. Workers sat in the back, half-dozing.

Eli leaned out the window. "Kael! You’re back again?"

Kael gave a casual nod. "This dawn."

Yuna looked up, frowning slightly. "I didn’t see any vehicles in the highway when I went jogging."

Kael paused a beat. "I came early. Before the sun."

Her eyes narrowed, but Eli waved a hand. "Don’t think too hard about it. He probably got here while you were still tying your shoes."

Kael offered a grateful smile.

"You saw the house, right?" Eli asked, gesturing. "We’re almost done. Just need to patch the drainage and finish the side fence. Should be all wrapped up today. You came at the right time."

"Looks great," Kael said genuinely. "Thank you."

Eli nodded, then looked at the bicycle beside Kael. "You going somewhere?"

Kael tapped the bike handle. "Need to get some medicine."

"Oh? You sick?"

"No, just something to keep on hand. Malaria pills, actually."

Yuna made a face. "But we already sprayed around your place. Where would mosquitoes even come from?"

Kael gave a vague smile.

Eli ignored her. "You should check out Mr. Harbor’s shop. His pharmacy is located two shops away from ours. He’s got a decent stock of pharmacy stuff. Old man with white hair. Can’t miss it."

"Thanks," Kael said, swinging a leg over the bike.

"Be safe," Eli called as the trucks rolled into the driveway.

Kael pedaled down the quiet street, the morning sun casting long shadows behind him.