7 Friends

Upon waking up Ren felt pain coursing throughout his whole body.

''Ngh~'' He let out a dull grunt, his hand reaching out for his aching head, but he realized he couldn't move as he wanted. Looking down, he saw his body covered in a thick layer of bandages. He was wrapped like a rice dumpling.

''Who?'' His hoarse voice rang from his dry throat. Slowly, he remembered what had happened to him, so he wanted to know who treated him.

''Oh, you're awake.'' An apathetic female voice came from close by.

Ren barely turned his wrapped up head and studied the person who had just spoken.

A young girl of 13-14 years of age, wearing a maid's outfit stood by the drawer, crushing some kind of pill into powder with an elongated stone. She had short auburn hair and freckles all over her cheeks.

The girl didn't have any cultivation, so Ren guessed she was a servant disciple.

''Were you the one who treated me?'' Ren voiced out as he slightly straightened himself on the bed.

''I guess. I'm just doing my job though.'' She replied lazily as she made her way towards him.

''Here.'' She handed out a glass full of water, which was mixed with the previously crushed pill powder.

''Thanks.'' Ren received the glass and downed it without hesitation. If the other side wanted to harm him, she would have already done so.

''Who's the master here?'' He asked after emptying the glass and returning it to her.

Casually retrieving the glass, she walked back to the drawer, put down the glass on the tray, picked it up and walked to the open door. Before going out, she slightly turned around and answered. ''The miss said to come down to the second floor when you feel you're okay.'' Saying this, she closed the door behind her. The sound of her steps soon disappeared.

''The miss?'' Ren was puzzled.

Left alone, Ren decided to check his condition. Unexpectedly, he was mostly fine. A day or two of recovery and he'd be back to full health.

*Growl

While he was inspecting himself his stomach protested unhappily. Ren saw a tray full of food lying on the drawer. He wanted to reach out, but he was bandaged too tightly.

''I don't need these anymore.'' He decided to get rid of it. After freeing himself he stood up and lightly stretched before grabbing the tray and wolfing down the bread in big bites before gulping down an unexpectedly delicious soup.

''It's pretty good. It's much better than what they serve in the distribution hall.'' Licking his lips, Ren complimented. His dried up throat was moistened and he could speak better now.

After finishing with the meal he wanted to get out and find out about his situation, but he was still feeling weak, so in the end, he lied down and rested for a bit more before dressing up and going out in pajamas, which was prepared for him.

The residence wasn't too big, but it was exquisite and comforting. Ren was curious about the owner. As instructed, he went down to the second floor and ventured in what seemed like a guest room.

There were already a few people sitting on the couch. He recognized the two of them.

''Hey.'' Ren greeted them, thus informing them on his presence, though they should have already noticed him as he did.

''Oh hey Ren. Are you doing fine?'' Fatty Ruka greeted him cheerfully.

''Yeah,'' Ren gave a short answer, not really sure how he should go on.

Carmine, who was also there greeted Ren with a nod, which Ren returned politely.

''Come, sit here, we've been waiting for you.'' Fatty patted the couch as he squeezed to the side.

''Darn fatty, don't ruin my couch with your greasy hands!'' A beautiful girl with yellow hair wrapped in ponytail jumped from her seat and scolded fatty angrily.

''I'm sorry, I'll clean it off, don't worry senior sister!'' Fatty replied panickily as he grabbed a towel from the table.

''Don't!'' The girl shrieked. Her figure blurred and before anyone knew, she snatched the towel from fatty's hands.

''Are you asking for a beating?'' She glared at fatty with gritted teeth.

Sweating, fatty waved his hands in defense. ''Not at all, not at all.''

Watching shameless fatty denying with a straight face, the girl sighed and turned towards Ren.

''Don't just stand there.'' She invited not so politely.

Of course, Ren wouldn't feel unhappy. From her, he felt energy fluctuations almost as strong as that of the elder! It didn't take a genius to associate 'the miss' who the maid spoke about and her. She was definitely the master of this house and also, his savior.

''Thanks for saving my life, miss. Ren will forever remember this kindness.'' He sincerely thanked her with a bow.

''It's nothing. Just come over here.'' She waved her hand dismissively.

Nodding Ren walked to the trio and sat next to fatty.

''May I know the miss' name?'' He asked her.

''Caren.'' She replied shortly.

''Nice to meet you, miss Caren. I want to than...'' Ren wanted to thank her once again, but he was cut off before he could finish.

''Thank fatty if you want to thank someone.'' She interrupted him a bit impatiently.

Ren showed a surprised expression as he looked at fatty. He had lost consciousness soon after getting struck. He didn't remember anything after that.

Being stared at intently, fatty reddened. ''Don't look at me like that. It was just shooing away an outer court elder, right? It's nothing. And of course, I couldn't just leave you there, it's nothing much, really.'' Amazingly, fatty pulled off a modest brag.

''Pfft.'' Caren stifled her laugh, while Carmine just smiled.

''Fatty, I owe you a life and a thousand porks!'' Ren said emotionally.

''Bah, who wants your porks? At least make it thousand demonic beast steaks!'' Fatty bragged about his appetite as he grabbed the duck drumstick from the table triumphantly.

''You only care about eating.'' Caren snickered.

''But of course! It's my specialty.''

The lighthearted conversation went on for a while, which brought the group together. A while later, when a small silence ensued, Carmine stood up and ninety degrees bowed to Ren.

''Ren, you saved my dearest person's life, so I owe you with my life. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and swear to repay the kindness hundredfold.''

The trio was baffled by a sudden serious statement.

''That's unnecessary. Let's just be friends.'' Ren stood up and offered a brofist.

Carmine was startled for a while, then he smiled and lightly knocked on Ren's fist with his in form of friendship.

''Count me in too!'' Fatty shouted and scrambled on his feet, then bumped his plump fist against the two.

''Come on, join in, Senior sister!'' Fatty yelled excitedly, turning his neck to Caren.

''Childish,'' Caren snorted lightly and turned her head.

Fatty could only smile helplessly.

Ren felt unknown comfort well up in his heart. He hadn't felt such feeling after his grandpa passed away. It made him a little melancholic...