Sibling Secrets and a Date with Snow
The next day, I was lounging idly at my sister's house with nothing particular to do.
Even after wandering around the place so much yesterday, there were still plenty of spots Suli hadn't explored yet, so she was scampering all over the house with To Soon-i in tow.
For the record, Rue was quietly coiled up in Snow's arms, digesting the food she'd eaten yesterday.
Snow gently stroked Rue's body.
It made for quite the picturesque scene.
I was sitting in the living room, enjoying this leisurely moment, when my sister finally shuffled in. She'd been sprawled out all day off from work.
After downing a glass of cold water from the purifier, she glanced around the living room and spoke up.
"...You're way too comfortable here, aren't you?"
"No reason not to be."
I answered flatly, and she nodded with a 'Yeah, fair enough.'
She plopped down next to Snow on the sofa.
My sister had been subtly intimidated by Snow at first, but after chatting with her all night, they'd grown surprisingly close.
What on earth had they talked about overnight?
It was downright odd seeing her cling to Snow calling her "sister."
Well, technically, Snow was much younger if you counted from birth.
"So, what are you planning to do from here, bro?"
After basking in Snow's affection(?) for a bit, my sister suddenly turned to me.
"...Not sure. No real plans. I just wanted to show Snow and the kids the outside world this time."
"...I see."
She drawled it out, sneaking a peek at me as if gauging my reaction.
Anyone could tell she had something else on her mind.
I nodded lightly at my sister, who was hesitating to speak up.
"Spit it out if you've got something to say."
"...What about Mom and Dad?"
Her quiet, cautious question hit out of nowhere.
Actually, it wasn't that sudden.
Deep down, I'd half-expected her to ask.
Still, hearing it straight out like this felt strangely off.
"...No plans to meet them."
I kept my inner fluster hidden and replied evenly.
She stared at me for a moment before venturing again, carefully.
"But..."
"Sorry to say it, but I have no intention of seeing our parents. I'm not the human Yu Jun-young anymore. I'm Nyx."
My somewhat cold words made her flinch.
Seeing her visibly deflate, I couldn't help but tense up myself.
Maybe it was too harsh for the girl who'd spent three years desperately searching for her brother?
But there was no helping it.
Just like I said—I wasn't human Yu Jun-young anymore.
To put it bluntly, I was just the monster Nyx, with no real connection to my sister... Yu Hwa-yeong.
Snow, who'd been quietly listening in, glanced at me as my sister slumped.
Her silent gaze carried a clear reproach: Why crush our kid's spirit?
Snow patted my sister's shoulder lightly.
She might not understand the words, but the mood was obvious enough.
And at Snow's comfort, my sister burrowed into her arms.
Despite their different looks, they seemed like true sisters, leaving me momentarily speechless.
They'd really bonded a lot overnight.
In the end, Snow's insistent, reproving gaze wore me down first.
I let out a quiet sigh and spoke softly.
[Still... you'll always be my 'little sister.]
My sister flinched at the telepathic message, then slowly lifted her head from Snow's embrace.
Tears had welled up in her eyes as she peeked at me.
I felt inexplicably guilty.
"...Really?"
[Those two humans? Maybe not. But you're undeniably family.]
Her face finally brightened at my steady reassurance.
She wriggled free from Snow and threw herself into my arms; I reluctantly hugged her back.
She'd gotten way clingier while we were apart.
Snow watched us warmly for a moment.
[Anyway, speaking of which—do Mom and Dad know you're a hunter? Especially Dad?]
I asked quietly, as she showed no sign of letting go.
Her body stiffened in my arms.
Just as I'd suspected.
Dad definitely wouldn't have let her become a hunter if he knew.
...Or maybe he did know and just let it slide.
"They don't."
[I see.]
I swallowed the words threatening to spill out and simply patted her head.
Truth be told, both she and I had lived pretty rough lives.
I hadn't realized it back then, but now that human Yu Jun-young and monster Nyx were clearly separate, it was obvious.
Dad, who always prioritized his own success over family.
Mom, who loved only him and saw only him.
Looking back, it was one messed-up household.
Somehow growing up straight in that environment made my sister seem all the more admirable.
While we were enjoying some rare sibling bonding, Suli came toddling back, done exploring the house.
She dove straight into my arms, rubbing against me happily, which made my still-mopey sister burst into giggles.
"Such an energetic niece."
"Concong—!"
Suli cried out happily at the head pats.
I handed Suli over to my sister and quietly stood.
Snow, who'd pulled some orange juice from the fridge and was sipping it, glanced my way.
[Going somewhere?]
[Yeah. Just remembered some business.]
Snow set her glass down quietly.
[By yourself?]
[Wasn't planning to, but... hmm...]
I glanced over.
Suli was playfully squirming in my sister's arms—no worries there.
[It's been a while. Want to come along?]
[Oh?]
Snow flashed a mischievous smile at my casual suggestion.
[A date invitation?]
[Yeah. Just the two of us for once.]
I didn't argue, and she rose with a soft "Mm," her usual poker face in place.
But after all our time together, I could tell she was embarrassed.
She got shy in the weirdest ways.
[Alright, sis. We're heading out—watch the kids for us.]
"Oh? Sure, got it. Be careful... no, just don't cause any trouble."
My sister, who'd been waving us off breezily, suddenly added a plea.
Probably worried about our true natures.
Not us harming others, but others coming after us.
[We don't attack people without reason.]
"...'Without reason' means you would otherwise?"
[I don't back down from fights that come to me.]
"...Call if anything happens."
[No phone.]
"......"
She looked like she had a lot to say.
For a split second, she seemed tempted to follow, but Suli clinging to her legs crying "Concong!" made her stay put.
"Please, just behave... I don't want my long-lost brother making the news after three years."
[I'm originally human. I've got common sense.]
"From what I heard yesterday, it sounded like you didn't..."
I dodged her oddly piercing gaze and hurried out.
It was the first time Snow and I were both leaving, but thankfully the kids didn't fuss.
Rue and To Soon-i were fine, but Suli was the surprise.
Snow explained it.
[She's a big sister now too.]
[Big sister?]
[Exactly. With Rue around, she wants to act mature in front of her little sister. That's every big sister's heart, isn't it?]
[Makes sense.]
I nodded immediately.
Suli was gearing up to be a proper big sister.
Somehow, it felt endearing.
After leaving my sister's house, we strolled quietly through the bustling streets.
Even in broad daylight, the crowds were packed shoulder-to-shoulder.
Snow's striking appearance drew eyes, so we used Stealth to tone down our presence.
As we walked, Snow murmured in quiet awe.
[There are so many humans... endlessly so.]
I nodded slowly.
That was humanity's greatest strength, in my book.
No matter how many hunters I killed, more kept popping up outside.
Not all were awakened hunters, but any could awaken at any time—potential hunters, every one.
Which meant even with overwhelming power, restraint was key.
'Unless you have enough to crush endless challengers.'
I might hold back, but Snow could rampage freely if she wanted.
Though if every hunter in the country swarmed her...
[So, where are we headed?]
Snow asked, admiring the sights, then glanced at me.
[To meet some humans I owe a debt to.]
[Hmm? From your human days?]
[No, after becoming a monster. Helped me out when I was living outside.]
[...That 'Lisa' the left one mentioned? The fiery fox lady?]
[......]
Snow's stare was icy.
[...I won't deny it. But like I explained last time, it's a misunderstanding...]
[Oh? Quite bold, aren't you? Leaving me and the children for...]
[Misunderstanding! Pure misunderstanding—stop gathering mana! This isn't a labyrinth where you can cut loose!]
At my frantic telepathy, Snow finally quelled the mana she'd started amassing.
Lucky no hunters nearby; no one seemed to notice.
Though sensitive folks were paling fast.
Some even collapsed on the spot...
This was bad. Real bad.
Sis had warned me to be careful, and we'd barely left the house before trouble.
At least it was Snow's mess, not mine?
Not much consolation.
Sorry to the fainted people, but we needed to bail.
I grabbed Snow—who was still glaring daggers—and slipped away.
Already stealthed, no one paid us mind.
They were too busy tending the fallen.
And Snow—stop pinching my side already?
My durability's top-tier, but it has limits.
Especially since you're stronger than me.
It feels like it's gonna tear off. Please.
I'll explain properly.
It took some doing, but I laid out the situation for Snow.
Felt like repeating myself from last time, but whatever.
Appeasing her came first.
If I'd really planned anything shady, I'd have gone alone—not invited her.
Thankfully, she bought it.
(The 30 minutes of pleading on that rooftop? Our little secret.)
With her misunderstanding cleared, we finally moved on.
Destination: the Black Market.
First visit in half a year?
Wondered if Na Yeon-seong and Lisa were doing okay.
Purely friendly concern, nothing more.
Definitely not what you're thinking.
Snow nearly flared up again, but I survived.
Her "one more chance" glare was terrifying.
Anyway, quite a while after leaving sis's place, we reached the Black Market.
Something felt off about the vibe this time.