Gina clarified her relationship dynamics with Jason to Janet, emphasizing she welcomes other women but is repulsed by the idea of another man. Meanwhile, Jason, using the Eye of the King, observed the Japanese Guild's progress in the Forest of One-Eyed Tigers through a falcon subordinate. He watched as S-Rank superhuman Mai, despite her defensive tendencies, successfully defeated the gate boss using her vine and root abilities to trap and kill it.
'Inform me at once if anything unusual appears.'
The falcon and the wolf answered with spirited cries, and Jason finally severed his connection with the falcon.
"Hey, babe. We've arrived."
Jason's eyes slowly opened, and he exhaled a sigh of relief as he registered that the plane had already landed. He looked up to find Gina gazing down at him with a gentle smile, and a loving grin couldn't help but spread across Jason's face. He reached up, drawing Gina into a soft kiss, and after they parted, Jason sighed before speaking:
"Thanks for letting me sleep, babe."
With blushing cheeks, Gina smiled and leaned down to plant another kiss on Jason.
"You're welcome. You just seemed so exhausted - "
"Ah-hem! Are you forgetting we’re still present?"
Both Jason and Gina turned their heads, observing Janet and Mira watching them with distinctly different expressions. Janet frowned, visibly annoyed by the couple's excessive affection, while Mira wore a vacant smile as she observed them. Jason chuckled softly, finally pushing himself to his feet. He blinked in surprise as he glanced out the window, noticing the entire airport had been cleared. A welcoming delegation awaited them at the entrance, and Jason could identify several high-ranking national executives among them.
'I had cautioned the president against informing them of my arrival. How did they discover?'
Jason had actively sought to prevent such a scenario, aware that his presence in any state or nation invariably attracted complications. Yet, for reasons unknown, Jason found it impossible to travel without people invariably finding out.
He made his way out of the jet, grinning as he spotted Ragnar lying on the ground, playfully huffing in his direction. Trigon and the other dragons were also positioned around the expansive airport, their immense scale making them resemble aircraft poised for takeoff! Jason approached and playfully rubbed Ragnar's snout, inquiring if the dragon wished to return to the Alternate Dimension. Ragnar expelled a puff of hot air into Jason's face in response to the question, causing Jason to raise an eyebrow before chuckling. It appeared the dragon desired a brief exploration of Texas.
"Alright, you may fly around. However, ensure you remain within the city limits and refrain from consuming any animals. Look at me, I am absolutely serious, you little rascal. The last time you ventured out for sightseeing, you devoured over a hundred thousand dollars worth of livestock! If I hear any reports of you pilfering cows, you'll be grounded for the next decade!"
Ragnar emitted a low growl, akin to a child complaining about a parental decree, and Jason simply laughed as the colossal dragon exhaled a small plume of fire in gratitude! The flames washed harmlessly over Jason, who clicked his tongue at the defiant troublemaker before waving his hand, signaling the dragons' liberty to depart!
Woosh!
A tremendous gust of wind swept across the airport as the dragons took to the sky simultaneously, their jubilant roars shaking the ground as they vanished beyond the horizon! Jason watched them disappear for a few seconds before turning his attention back to the still-awaiting delegates. The high-ranking executives wore expressions of astonishment, having witnessed the dragons' departure, but Jason ignored this, taking Gina's hand as they proceeded towards the airport terminal. Two long lines of officers stood at attention on either side of the terminal, saluting Jason as he approached! He offered them a calm nod and extended his hand to the elder gentleman standing at the front of the welcoming party.
"Lord Jason, it is an honor to finally make your acquaintance. My name is Daniel Rust, and I lead the Superhuman Troopers here in Texas. We will be overseeing your stay, so please do not hesitate to inform us of any needs you may have."
Jason nodded, about to respond, when Gina suddenly exclaimed from his side!
"Mom! Dad!"
Several of Gina's family members had been waiting inside the airport, and upon seeing her arrival, they swiftly emerged to greet her! A wide smile gracing her face, Gina leaped into the air and embraced both her parents in an immense hug! Gina had not seen her parents for nearly four months, and as she held them close, tears welled in her eyes, realizing the profound depth of her longing for them!
Gina’s parents presented a classic Texan image. Her father, Jonas Fey, was a portly fellow with a robust physique, a noticeable beer belly, and a distinctly kind face. Dressed in sturdy denim jeans and a t-shirt, his ensemble was completed by a cowboy hat and matching boots. Gina’s mother, Bett Fey, sported a similar style, also opting for cowboy boots paired with a shirt and jeans. Her vibrant red hair, cut in a chic bob, beautifully accentuated her lovely features. It was quite evident that Gina had inherited her striking looks from her mother! Alongside her parents, several of Gina’s cousins, aunts, and uncles were also in attendance. As none of them possessed superhuman abilities, they couldn't sense the mana radiating from Gina and Jason. However, they all perceived a significant shift in Gina since their last encounter! A palpable aura of confidence surrounded her, projecting an image of someone not to be trifled with, and the entire family grasped that Gina was now undeniably one of the planet's most formidable superhumans!
Mira and Janet approached to extend their greetings to the family. Meanwhile, Jason stepped aside to brief the SHT (Special Hostage Taskforce) on the arrangements for his stay. To ensure his in-laws' privacy, Jason requested a security perimeter be established around the residence and instructed the SHT to remain vigilant for any spontaneously appearing Gates in the vicinity. Although Jason and Gina had consciously suppressed their mana upon arrival, the residual flow was still substantial enough to drastically elevate the local mana concentration, necessitating the SHT's preparedness should it trigger a Gate's manifestation. The SHT leader acknowledged the instructions with a serious nod. Jason then offered a reassuring pat on the man's shoulder before proceeding to meet his in-laws.
A noticeable hush fell over Gina’s extended family as Jason approached, hands casually tucked into his pockets. A subtle weariness shadowed Jason’s eyes at that moment, yet no one among them seemed to register it! Instead, a wave of nervous anticipation washed over them, each pondering how they ought to interact with someone of Jason's stature! Every member of the Fey family had known Jason since his childhood. They had witnessed both Jason and Gina mature together, and they were accustomed to seeing Jason as the spirited young man dedicated to supporting his family. But presently, their perception of Jason had irrevocably changed! Not only was Jason recognized as the world's strongest superhuman, but the family had also seen him frequently featured on news broadcasts alongside numerous global leaders, confirming his status as one of the most influential men alive!
