Brotherly Missteps
“Why are you attacking this one? We need to take on that guy.” I pointed with my eyes at the other target.
Then my little brother replied, “What are you talking about? Didn’t you say you’d handle that one, hyungnim?”
“What bullshit is that?”
I’d clearly signaled with my eyes. I’ll take this side. But Veil was spouting nonsense.
In that brief opening, the monster lunged at us. Its front paw and jaws came right up to our faces.
“Don’t screw up this time. I’ve got the front one.”
“…Understood.”
But we finished our casual chat and swung our swords without a hitch. Our skills outclassed these beasts by far.
Slash!
A clean strike cleaved the monster in two. Blood spurted from the severed cross-section.
Veil pierced the other one right between the eyes, finishing it off cleanly. As expected from the continent’s top talent—impeccable skill.
We wiped out all the monsters in under two minutes. The air filled with the stench of blood.
And sure enough, that scent drew more monsters, one by one, emerging from the surroundings. No time for a quick “good job.”
I signaled with my eyes again. He nodded like he got it this time.
Then we leaped into action—but my brother dashed in the opposite direction from what I’d indicated.
Grind. My teeth clenched.
I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with him since the fight started. I could understand differing opinions on my moves, but this? No.
No time to dwell, though. Twice as many monsters were swarming us now.
I methodically cut them down. Their blood scent and cries only pulled in more aggro, but it wasn’t tough.
Still, sheer numbers forced me back step by step.
Then I bumped into someone—my brother’s back.
“Hyungnim, there’s a leader nearby, I think.”
“Same here.”
Monsters encircled us from all sides, clearly trying to cut off escape routes. Normal monsters lacked that kind of smarts, so yeah—a commander was close.
Thud!
A massive footfall echoed. My brother and I whipped our heads toward the sound.
“Ogre.”
“Professor must really trust us to throw something like that at us.”
The ogre towered well over five meters—full adult size.
“Ever fought one?”
“I took down some from those black mages.”
“That’s plenty.”
Whether necromancy-raised or wild, ogres were ogres. Just a difference in power source. Counter the same way.
“Clear the small fry first. Ogre after.”
“Yes, hyungnim.”
He nodded. We kicked off the ground, swords flashing. Needed to break the encirclement.
We hammered one spot relentlessly, and the ring shattered.
“Whew, first real fight like this at the academy.”
With numbers thinning visibly, he stopped to catch his breath.
“What’s with the whining? Black mages were worse.”
“Had the knights with me then.”
“Tough guy.”
Even geniuses couldn’t beat age gaps in stamina. He was only fifteen, after all.
Monsters mostly cleared. Ogre left.
We faced it down. It sat arrogantly on a tree stump, club made from jungle timber in hand, looking down at us.
Whoosh!
It swung. Crack-boom!!
Splintering wood hurtled our way. Trees were toothpicks against ogre strength.
I locked eyes with my brother amid the roar. A wordless exchange.
As the blow closed in, I leaped skyward to draw its gaze—creating an opening for Veil.
I pulled mana from my dantian for the follow-up. That’s when I spotted him mid-air beside me.
The ogre didn’t miss the perfect timing. It shifted trajectory mid-swing, smashing us both.
Boom!!
A bone-crushing shockwave hit. I shielded with mana just in time, but slammed into a tree.
“…Fuck.”
I spat the curse, crawling from the crater. Veil dropped from the adjacent tree.
I glared at him. “…What the hell’s your problem? That’s three fuck-ups already.”
“…Hyungnim, why’d you do that? I followed your lead exactly.”
“Followed my lead and we both do the same dumb shit…?”
Yeah, first time I chalked it up to style differences. Different experiences, values—combat styles too.
But repeated like this? Near zero chance, but the thought crept in.
“Little bro, you rebelling or what?”
“……”
His face stiffened. He answered, “…Are you trying to screw with me, hyungnim?”
“In this situation? You think I’m nuts?”
I’m dead serious against monsters. Accusing me otherwise was an insult.
The ogre closed in by then—far enough to take a sec.
“Little bro.”
“Yes, hyungnim.”
“Let’s do this right.”
“…Maybe worry about yourself more than me.”
“You little shit…”
We charged the ogre again.
***
Thud!
The ogre’s massive bulk toppled with a heavy crash. It lay still.
Shunk!
I yanked Carssa free; blood fountained from the wound. Mana barrier blocked the spray.
I hopped down. Brother waited below.
“……”
“……”
No words. Not even a “good work” post-fight.
We checked swords and bodies. Mission time.
On the way to the ruins, I murmured, “Little bro.”
“Yes.”
“No more teams after today. Unless someone else joins.”
“…I agree.”
“Good.”
I nodded and walked on.
Damn…
First time I’ve synced this badly with anyone.
***
Truth is, people rarely mismatch that bad. Read the room, empathize a bit—you sync fine. Pros especially.
Knights and mages fight. Even individualists or first-timers mesh okay without sabotage.
Brother’s a genius; I go without saying. Yet we were cursed—total mismatch.
“Hey… you gonna keep cockblocking like that?”
“…I’m doing fine. You’re the one veering off.”
Mid-fight banter again. From constant misfires, big or small.
Always one of us—him blocking me, or vice versa.
Our brotherly bond cracked in real time. His tone dripped irritation now—no respect left.
“Argh, why’d I team with you…”
I muttered in frustration. He shot back.
“I wouldn’t have if I knew it’d be like this with you.”
“That’s my line.”
New discovery, though. Who’d guess the world’s top family’s brothers clicked this poorly?
Third parties might laugh. Outsiders find it novel; we’re suffocating.
Comedy from afar, tragedy up close.
Anyway, after trekking, we reached the ruins. Vines and roots choked the jungle structure.
“That’s the entrance, huh.”
Half-buried at an angle, entrance led underground.
I mixed oils from trees and monsters into a torch.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
Down we went, torch lit. Mission: fetch a specific item. Not hard.
No lifeforms inside. Mazes and traps instead.
And yeah, we bickered nonstop getting here.
“Hyungnim, slow down. You nearly triggered that trap.”
“Nearly? I spotted and disarmed it on purpose.”
“…Don’t lie. Anyone could see you almost got hit.”
Twitch. Vein throbbed on my forehead. Wouldn’t bug me usually, but today it grated.
“What do you know? Think you’re better than me?”
“…I don’t know mazes or traps. But I doubt you do either.”
Why’s he such a smug prick today?
I ignored him, pushed on. He blocked me every time.
Thus, we breached the ruins—and hit the end. An old chest sat there. Mission item, probably.
I spread mana to check traps, then reached for it.
“Hyungnim, wait.”
“What now.”
“Feels off. Don’t touch it.”
“Eat shit.”
“Hyungnim!”
I ignored him, opened it slow. A single orb inside—not quite, more like a high-density magic stone. Upper-grade minimum.
Pocketed it. Ruins shook.
Veil yelled, “I said it was suspicious!”
“What do you know? Shut up and follow!”
I dragged him out. Vibration intense—could collapse any sec. Rocks fell from ceiling.
Luckily memorized the path. Our senses top-tier; shook off dangers easy.
Hard escape later, we burst free.
“Hoo…”
“Haa…”
Panting from full sprint. Caught our breath.
Stabilized, he said, “Hyungnim, why so reckless? I warned you.”
“Had to open it for the mission. No one got hurt.”
“I’m saying be cautious.”
He tried sounding mature. I scoffed.
“Then get born earlier next time. Might’ve listened.”
He ground his teeth at the jab—visibly pissed.
Veil seemed adult in words and acts, but still a kid inside. Barely fifteen, not mature yet.
Proving it, he turned his torso aside—not facing me.
Rustle. Someone pushed through the brush.
“Hyungnim, there you are! Been looking forever.”
Evan. Not alone, of course.
“Princess is with you too.”
“Teamed with Evan, so yeah.”
As per canon—Evan with Princess Ariel. Here for one reason: our mission.
“Veil, get ready.”
Couldn’t take both solo. But his reply?
“No.”
…Sigh. Little shit’s sulking.