DEB 126

“Right, brother, you have to come too this time.”

When Huiyun informed Huigang, who had been sitting quietly even after hearing everything, the man—who had expected to simply see them off—flinched in surprise.

“Me?”

“Yeah. When the war starts, you’ll be fighting too, right? This is a good chance to stop by the Fountain of Souls and see if you can grow stronger.”

From what Yasha could sense, Huigang’s growth potential was—at best—barely skimming the edge of A-rank. 

Still, since no one really knew what might happen at the Fountain of Souls, he made the suggestion. 

Upon hearing it, Huigang’s face lit up. 

It seemed the hope he once expressed—that maybe he had some special ability—still lived on inside him.

…This could really hurt if the results don’t turn out well.

Huiyun felt a bit guilty for bringing it up and started to worry it might have been a mistake.

“I’d love to go with you. Give me a second, I’ll pack right away.”

That worry vanished when Huigang ruffled Huiyun’s hair in thanks and rushed off, only to return in less than ten minutes with a massive backpack slung over his shoulders.

Though his expression was composed, he was clearly excited. 

It wasn’t just the possibility of discovering new potential, Huigang looked genuinely thrilled just to be included and moving together with Huiyun.

If I knew he’d be this happy, I should’ve asked him to join us sooner.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Huiyun approached and apologized. 

Despite not explaining a thing, Huigang read his little brother’s entire thought process with just a glance and gave a faint, deflated smile. 

With his large hand, he lightly pinched Huiyun’s cheek and let go.

“No need to apologize. You were just worried about me, right? If I were you, I’d have done the same. Don’t apologize for something so natural.”

“If you really want to apologize, do it for always throwing yourself into danger without holding anything back.”

His calm words had bite. 

And Huiyun had nothing to say in return, because that truly was something to be sorry for. 

Awkwardly laughing, he glanced away, and spotted Hyeon once again trying to slip away quietly.

Perfect.

Huiyun quickly pulled him aside and suggested—well, practically forced—him to join them.

“I doubt anything will change even if I visit the Fountain of Souls,” Hyeon said, looking unsure.

“I feel the same. But I still can’t leave you here alone.”

“Yasha…”

Tears welled slightly in Hyeon’s eyes, touched.

“I trust you, but there’s nothing wrong with being cautious. I hope you understand.”

When Huiyun added firmly that there was no way he’d leave him behind, Hyeon immediately wilted. 

Ash, watching, burst into giggles. 

Moot then handed Hyeon a doll with a suspiciously good-natured smile.

“If Ash gets annoying, you can use this.”

The tone was so soft and coaxing, it was no different from a witch offering Snow White a poisoned apple.

Moot’s open display of sinister shaman vibes made Ash hastily snatch the doll away from Hyeon’s arms. 

Gasping, the red-haired man barely managed to breathe in relief, only to watch as Moot pulled another doll from his robes.

“How many of those did you make?!”

With that incredulous shout, the usual chaos erupted as the two wrestled over dolls. 

While they were distracted, Huiyun took advantage and dragged the reluctant Hyeon along, locking him into the journey.

The group was now set. All that remained was the system.

Looking to the sky as if handing over responsibility, Huiyun watched a golden light materialize in the air and shoot into his eyes. 

Accepting it without flinching, he closed his eyes briefly and reopened them to see a golden line—like a navigation system—showing the path ahead.

[Honestly, there’s no other administrator who’d give you this kind of premium service!]

[If you awaken now, there’s a 100% chance you’ll make me a very happy admin!]

…Not that I want to make you happy.

[You’re so mean, Mr. Huiyun!]

Brushing off the system’s whining with practiced ease, Huiyun opened the front door, which had been closed for a day.

“Well then, shall we go?”

“Is it far to the Fountain of Souls?”

“Hm… I don’t see the distance listed, so I’m not sure. Is it far?”

Huigang’s question was lobbed straight to the system. 

Though Huiyun expected a quick reply, there was an odd pause.

[…Huh. Good question. Is it far?]

“……?”

What kind of answer was that?

Giving the system a look of pure disbelief, it hastily brought up a new window.

[I didn’t want to answer like that either! But I don’t know! What do you want me to do?! Sue me!]

“…….”

[…What? Why are you looking at me like that? You already promised to awaken, so threats don’t even work anymore!]

“…….”

[…I’m so miserable. How did I end up this enslaved?]

Huiyun didn’t even speak. Just stared.

But the system cowered all on its own, tail between its legs. 

Honestly, if this thing hadn’t been a system, it would’ve been a total pushover.

Then again, maybe it already was one.

Still… I’m a pushover for the world’s sake, too. I guess we’re a good match.

[Anyway, the distance to the Fountain of Souls can’t be precisely calculated. It updates dynamically.]

[That said, you should arrive within a week!]

“He said we’ll get there within a week.”

Too tired to argue with the ever-optimistic system, Huiyun just relayed the message. 

“Oh, that’s not long. Good,” Huigang replied cheerfully.

Realizing he now had two blind optimists by his side—his system and his brother—Huiyun quietly resolved to check his own cynicism.

“Now that I think about it, this’ll be the first time I see you fight, brother.”

It was their first time heading together to an area where battle was likely. 

Huiyun said it with genuine excitement at the chance to see Huigang’s skills firsthand. Huigang chuckled awkwardly.

“Thanks for being excited, but I’m just B-rank. Don’t expect anything amazing.”

“Why are you being modest? I’ve heard a lot of good things about you from Vina.”

“Really?”

No. Sorry. Not even once.

Huiyun had only said that to keep Huigang’s spirits up. 

He quickly turned to Vina and blinked twice, hard. 

Vina, seeing the silent plea in Huiyun’s urgent blinking, looked between the two and gave a small nod.

“…Hunter Mok Huigang has excellent fundamental combat sense. That kind of thing is innate, and within the same rank, it often creates significant gaps. He’s talented and a solid hunter. That’s why Blue Flame recruited him.”

“…….”

“Most importantly, he has strong camaraderie and leadership. Some might call it a bit naive, but to teammates, having a leader who’ll never leave them behind is an incredible asset. I hope you’ll continue to grow in Blue Flame. We’ll match your conditions as best we can.”

“…Thank you.”

Spoken in a strictly professional tone, the words felt even more genuine. 

Clearly taken aback, Huigang bowed his head, touched by the unexpected sincerity. 

Vina bowed too.

“And since you’re Yasha’s blood, I’ll also apologize for my past discourtesy, albeit belatedly.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine. It’s all in the past.”

Huigang waved it off. 

With no resentment in his expression, Huiyun looked at his disciple with new eyes.

Though they’d been living under the same roof, Vina had never properly apologized before. 

But now, without even being told, he offered an apology and took a step toward mending things.

Thinking back to the pressure-filled early days in the hospital, Huiyun was overwhelmed with pride. It was like watching a hatchling grow strong.

…Yeah.

He still looked young, but he wasn’t just a kid anymore. 

Filled with a bittersweet pride, Huiyun patted Vina’s hand.

“Thank you.”

For playing along, for apologizing, for growing up this well.

He looked into Vina’s eyes, hoping his feelings got across. 

Vina’s ears turned red. 

Since childhood, he’d always blushed at the tips of his ears when embarrassed.

“…There’s nothing to thank me for.”

Even so, Vina gripped his hand tightly. 

As if to say, rather than words, being together like this meant more.

Ash began whining about how gross it all was. 

Huiyun soothed him and then turned to Huigang with a proud smile.

He wasn’t sure if he was prouder of his disciple or of Huigang being acknowledged by someone as picky as Vina.

“Told you, didn’t I?”

“…Yeah, but… will I even have a chance to fight this trip? With the guild master and all these others, there might not be any room for me to step in.”

“What do you mean might not be? If there’s no room, make room.”

“…Huh?”

“Don’t worry, brother. I’ll be watching closely this time.”

The idea of his own flesh and blood being weak was unacceptable to Huiyun. 

And now that he’d been acknowledged by Vina, he was determined to use all his experience to properly train him.

Seeing the fire in his brother’s eyes, Huigang’s lips parted.

“H-Huiyun?”

But sadly, his voice didn’t reach his brother. 

Ash, Vita, and Verita came over and gently patted the frozen Huigang on the shoulder.

“Good luck. Blood or not, Yasha’s not the type to go easy…”

Ash looked at him with pity.

Realizing something had gone terribly wrong, Huigang blinked.

“Huiyun…?”

Clinging to a sliver of hope, he called again—but got no response. 

As Moot kindly explained, when Yasha was like this, he never answered, probably busy building some brutal training plan.

The kind sympathy only made Huigang feel worse.