Pausing briefly, Ryuji's face lit up with intrigue as he remembered something important.

"Boss, you won't believe what I found. The storage room is like a hidden treasure trove, stocked with everything we need to survive. It's like a mini-market ready for a siege. We won't have to worry about provisions for a long time. And the armory? It's filled with weapons and ammo. That's my report, boss. Hope you find it useful."

I couldn't help but smile at Ryuji's words and extended my hand for a fist bump. He understood and reciprocated with a smile. With that small moment of connection, I turned my attention to the rest of the room.

Taking a deep breath, I began, "Now that we've taken care of other matters, it's time to share our plans for the future."

Locking eyes with Lana, determination filled my voice as I continued, "Lana, I've secured a substantial sum of money from the chief. I want to use some of it to pay off your family's debts. Your family will live without worries, and they can focus on improving their lives. Additionally, I'll provide your mother and sister with enough money to live independently."

Lana's eyes widened in disbelief, and she tearfully refused, "No, Xeno. You don't have to do that. I haven't done anything to deserve it."

Frustration boiled within me, and I slammed my fist on the table, raising my voice in anger. "Did nothing? Are you kidding me? Who took care of me when I was beaten and broken? Who shed tears for me when they saw the irreversible damage? It was you! If you consider all of that 'nothing,' then maybe you don't even consider me and the rest of us as family. It's unbelievable!"

Witnessing my anger, the people around Lana smiled and nodded. She shed tears of joy, expressing her gratitude to all of us. It was a surreal experience that brought smiles to all of our faces.

Turning to Albert, I spoke with conviction, "Albert, I will never break a deal. I assured you power, and power you shall have. Your revenge will be carried out by your own hands, without interference from anyone here."

Albert was taken aback by my sudden declaration and knelt before me. He expressed his heartfelt appreciation, saying, "I am truly grateful for your consideration. I'm thankful that you approached me that day and spoke with me until the end. From this moment on, allow me to swear my loyalty to you and this family. As long as I’m alive, you will need nothing, and no harm will befall all of you. And well, I hope we get along!"

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

As Albert remained on his knees, blushing and scratching his head, we all smiled and extended our hands to help him up. We welcomed him into the family and asked him to take good care of us. This made the old man, Albert, as happy and ecstatic as could be.

Turning my gaze towards Aurora, a smile played on my lips. "You're already part of the family," I said, my voice filled with warmth.

"And now, I need your help with something truly important. We're going to need as much APTX-08 as possible for everyone's awakening. But don't worry, I won't be experimenting on our own family members. Instead, I'll be focusing on the nurses and guards that are imprisoned. I want to find a safe and guaranteed method to awaken all of you. If anyone has any objections or concerns about awakening or changing races, please speak now."

Pausing for a moment, I scanned their faces to check for their reactions.

To my surprise, not a single person objected. In fact, they all seemed positively thrilled, their eyes shining with anticipation. It was as if they were children receiving their favorite candy or a long-awaited gift. Their excitement was contagious, and I couldn't help but laugh.

As the room buzzed with excitement, I couldn't resist the urge to dive deeper into my future plans. With a determined gaze, I declared, "Alright, listen up, everyone. I've got a few things to share that will blow your minds. First and foremost, let's talk about my grand vision for the future. Brace yourselves, because I've got not one, but two monumental goals in mind."

Pausing for a moment, I continued, "Goal number one: I'm on a mission to liberate this Japanese settlement from the clutches of 'The Cult of the Damned.' But here's the real kicker—I won't stop there. I'm aiming to eradicate their presence from every corner of this world. It's a promise I made to Ryuji, and let me tell you, I'm sticking to it till the bitter end."

With a fire in my eyes, I leaned in closer and revealed, "Now, let's talk about goal number two. Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime, my friends. I'm about to embark on a thrilling quest that involves hunting down menacing monsters, uncovering hidden dungeons, and unearthing priceless treasures. It's a revenge-fueled journey that will push me to my limits."

Pausing for a moment, I continued, "But here's the thing—there's a method to my madness. You see, by facing off against different monsters with varying levels of power and absorbing their mana, I'll not only level up my own abilities, but I'll also unlock new skills. It's a crucial step in my personal growth and advancement. And guess what? The same goes for you when you awaken."

With a touch of sincerity, I added, "But it doesn't stop there. Along the way, if possible, I want to create a world where humans can finally live in peace. By eliminating the threat of monsters and establishing safe connections between settlements, I can provide people with more resources, better job opportunities, and a decent life. Yes, I may have become a monster myself, and yes, I may hold a grudge against some humans, but that doesn't mean I hold a grudge against all of humanity. If I have the power to help those in need and gather an incredible family of allies along the way, then count me in. So, my question to you is simple: Are you with me?"

With a mix of anticipation and determination, I awaited their response, ready to embark on this extraordinary journey together.