DEB 82

Though briefly overwhelmed, Huiyun wasn’t one to give up easily. 

Half sitting up, he looked at Huigang with slightly lowered eyes. 

It was a scene that would have astonished his disciples.

“Brother. Don’t make impulsive decisions. Think it over a bit more….”

“The impulsive one here is you, for suggesting we cut ties. No matter who you were in your past life, to me, you’re still my brother, Mok Huiyun. How could I cut ties with you?”

But his attempt at a pitiful expression didn’t work at all.

“And besides, your illness hasn’t fully healed yet. How can we cut ties when it’s clear you wouldn’t manage well without me? Your disciples… yes, your disciples. All of them have bad personalities except for the one you just brought.”

“Um.”

The sudden attack left him speechless. 

As their master, he wanted to defend his disciples, but the truth was too precise for him to argue, so he looked away. 

Huigang showed a triumphant expression and insisted that only he could properly take care of Huiyun.

“What did you do in your past life to end up with such flawed disciples?”

“…I was kind back then. And if you look closely, they’re still kind.”

“Well, you were more obedient and kind when you were younger. You were docile and never tried to deceive me.”

Arguing on this topic would never end well for him. 

Realizing this, Huiyun quickly changed the subject.

“It could really become dangerous. You know the creatures that come out of the gates are demons, right?”

“Any hunter would know that.”

“Then it’s easier to explain. I’m connected to those demons. Because of matters related to my past life, they’re tracking traces of my power. Maybe not immediately, but if things escalate, you could be in danger. I can’t predict how the demons might harm you. So, if you’re going to distance yourself, now’s your chance… Ow, Brother!”

How could he pinch my cheek while I’m talking…!

Frowning deeply, Huiyun felt Huigang’s fingers press his creased forehead.

“Hey, Mok Huiyun. I am a hunter. Do you think that worries me? Even if you weren’t a significant figure in your past life, I would still be destined to fight demons. Do you think I’d be bothered by that now?”

“It’s not something to take lightly. What if you get killed?”

“Being a hunter means danger.” 

“You know this is on a different scale.” 

“You’re more important to me!”

Huigang’s voice rose, clearly frustrated. 

Startled by Huigang’s sharp tone, Huiyun’s eyes widened. 

He had never heard Huigang this agitated before.

Normally, Huigang would have apologized for raising his voice, but now, with his face still full of irritation, he grabbed Huiyun’s hand.

“Mok Huiyun. Do you hate me? Do you find it annoying that I look after you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“If not, then just accept it when I say I’ll always support you, no matter what. I want to stay by your side because I don’t want to lose my brother.”

“…”

“When our parents passed away and I said I’d take care of you, nothing was easy for me. But I did it because you’re my brother, Huiyun. You’re my only remaining family.”

His words carried the weight of the years he spent worrying and caring for his brother, who had mana hypersensitivity since birth, and the efforts he made to protect his frail sibling. 

Faced with this surge of emotions, Huiyun found himself speechless.

What could he possibly say in response to such dedication?

“I’ve already made up my mind. If it’s not because you dislike me, then just accept it, Huiyun. Why are you so scared and trying to run away? I’ve never abandoned you.”

Huigang’s now calm voice was soothing. 

Huiyun finally realized his fear. 

He was terrified of losing Huigang because of him and equally scared that Huigang might agree to leave him.

Ashamed that Huigang had seen through his selfish feelings, Huiyun remained silent until Huigang’s breathing steadied. 

Then, he finally spoke.

“I really don’t know. I warned you. I told you, but you decided to stay.”

“Yes.”

“So, don’t blame me later.”

He knew it was a foolish and childish thing to say. 

But even as he regretted his words, Huigang laughed softly.

“What is there to blame? You’re just talking nonsense because you’re sick. Don’t say weird things and rest. I’ll stay by your side.”

Just as the bond between master and disciple was strong, so was the bond of family. 

Realizing this anew, Huiyun looked at Huigang with a troubled expression before cautiously embracing him. 

Huigang, without surprise, hugged his brother back and patted him gently.

“Honestly. How you became the master of those people is beyond me.”

Worried that Huiyun still seemed immature, Huigang expressed his concern. 

Huiyun, pouting, insisted he only acted like this in front of Huigang, then took a deep breath.

“…When I get the chance, I’ll explain everything I couldn’t say now.”

Huigang’s patient response reassured Huiyun, just as it had when he first revealed his powers.

“But Huiyun.”

“Yes?”

“If you were so amazing in your past life, don’t you think I might have some special powers now too? There must be a reason we ended up as a family.”

“…”

“…”

Surprised by Huigang’s unexpected question, Huiyun scrutinized his brother. 

Using Yasha’s power, he concentrated and focused on Huigang’s heart, sensing the soul’s flicker.

He was currently a B-class. 

Maybe he could grow to a high A-class at best.

Estimating Huigang’s potential, Huiyun closed his eyes against the dizziness caused by using his power. 

Already in poor condition from the recent trip to the demon realm, the strain of peering into another’s soul brought immediate penalties.

I avoid this method for a reason, but how can I refuse when my brother asks?

As the silence stretched, Huigang felt awkward.

“Guess not? I just… wanted to check.”

“Foolishness.”

Understanding Huigang’s intention, Huiyun straightened up to look more dependable in front of his brother.

“Just like you’ve always protected me, now I’ll protect you. So don’t worry.”

“Heal your mana hypersensitivity first.”

Huiyun’s grand declaration was met with a surprisingly mundane response. 

Huigang seemed to treat his brother’s resolve like a child’s play, which frustrated Huiyun. 

He wanted to explain what kind of person he was as Yasha and the weight of his promise but stopped short.

Just as Huigang said, whether Huiyun was Yasha or not in his past life, it was his present life as Huiyun that mattered to Huigang. 

Adding that he was sincere, Huiyun saw Huigang smile.

“Alright, that’s reassuring.”

With a gentle response, Huigang reached out and ruffled Huiyun’s hair.

Though the watching Yasha’s disciples felt displeased, thinking they should storm in to proclaim Yasha’s greatness and the weight of his promise, Huiyun was content with that simple reply.

The trivial sibling dispute was thus resolved. 

Looking down at Huigang, who had fallen asleep, possibly out of sheer exhaustion, Huiyun stroked his hair.

The feeling was different from witnessing his disciples’ loyalty as Yasha. 

Knowing he could rely on someone without guilt brought a comforting peace to Huiyun, who then called up the system. 

With his disciples away, it was time to settle some unfinished business.

“Gacha  ticket.”

Mumbling to activate the command he first used with Vina and received as a reward, the familiar capsule machine appeared. 

Drawing the lever as before, he watched the machine dispense a capsule.

[Congratulations! You have obtained an A-rank command!]

[Choose a target to apply the command ‘Bow Down.’]

Having acquired the command ‘Bow Down’ following ‘Kneel,’ Huiyun sighed at the second domination-based command he assumed Yasha frequently used.

“…Ah, Yasha.” 

This is driving me crazy.

Not understanding why he had to bear the burden of his past life’s deeds in this life, Huiyun consoled himself that at least ‘Bow Down’ was better than ‘Kneel’ and selected the target.

New information was registered in the training manual for reincarnators.

[Command: Kneel (Vina), Bow Down (Moot)]

“… At least this leash will keep the unpredictable one in check.”

Feeling more certain about his decision after seeing the doll on the table murmuring “I love you, Yasha,” Huiyun finally fell asleep.

And the next day.

They finally got in touch with Verita.