A Week of Bliss and a Bitter Prank
A week had passed since the marriage. During this time, Jin remained hidden within the palace. He forgot everything—the Cult, the squad, the Council, the training. Nothing mattered but his wife and daughter. For the first time in years, he tasted the warmth of a family, wishing these moments would never end.
In the family wing, Jin and Shuang were flirting aimlessly. He kissed her hand softly.
"You know, I came to the North to vent my rage on some monsters, but fate had something truly beautiful in store for me."
Shuang teased him gently, "Did you vent your anger well?"
The question embarrassed him deeply, and he quickly changed the subject.
"Shuang, I want to go to Western Astariun. Maybe I can reach my homeland."
"But... there is nothing but the ocean in the West," she replied. "Even if you decide to go, you can't guarantee a safe journey. It's six thousand miles of nothingness."
Sadness clouded his face. He truly wanted to end this search, but he didn't dare risk it now. He had a daughter, a wife, and a sister whose fate remained unknown. She leaned her head on his chest, trying to comfort him.
"Dear, what will you do once you find her?"
He smiled faintly. "I'll return to Earth. I'll graduate from the Academy, join the International Guard, and marry Aileen. We'll all live together with Lily... nothing more."
She laughed. "That ambition sounds simple, but joining the International Guard isn't easy. Why that specifically?"
"Well," Jin muttered, "that's what it takes for the King of England to accept me as a son-in-law."
"Jin... you are truly kind," she said, laughing.
The word hit him like a physical blow. His mind ignited with memories—blood, massacres, screams. 'Kind? Me? How?' he thought. 'Why am I remembering this now? Damn my memory, can't I just forget for a moment?' Pain etched across his face.
"Me? Kind?" his voice cracked. His eyes reddened, glistening with unshed tears.
She noticed the change and embraced him warmly. "It's okay, don't think about anything. I'm here. Isn't that enough for now?" She kissed his hand.
In her mind, however, she was uneasy. 'Jin... he's not normal anymore. He can't even control his thoughts. Why won't he tell me what happened to him?' She played with him as if he were a child.
"I'm twenty, not two," Jin smirked.
"I don't know," she teased, "I see you as a baby."
But their peace was shattered.
"What the hell are you doing, you bastard?!" a teenage voice barked from behind.
They jumped. Jin was more shocked than surprised; he was so relaxed that his senses had dulled. He hadn't felt the boy's presence until that second. It was... awkward.
Jin looked back slowly, frowning. "Is that Yu Mo-Ryo?"
"Yes," Shuang whispered, "bad timing."
This was Mo-Ryo, Shuang's younger brother. Annoying, but fiercely protective.
"You bastard! What are you doing with my sister?"
Jin whistled, looking at the sky, while Shuang stared at the ground.
"And you're just letting him do this to you?!" Mo-Ryo unsheathed his sword.
Shuang whispered to Jin, "Don't get mad. Try not to hurt him, hehe."
Jin laughed and walked toward the boy, hands in his pockets, leaning his head forward like a stereotypical high-school delinquent.
The boy attacked, but Jin vanished, appearing behind him. He yawned. "What are you doing, you noble knight of chivalry?"
Mo-Ryo, enraged, swung his blade in a vertical strike. Jin caught the sword between two fingers.
"Hahaha! Watch out, I'm going to kidnap your sister. I'm a wicked creep, hahaha!"
It was a low provocation, but Shuang was enjoying it, laughing at her poor brother. They were a classic pair of bullies.
Jin sent a telepathic message: 'Can he keep a secret?'
"Yes, don't worry!" she shouted aloud.
Jin leaned in and touched Shuang's face gently.
"Brother, save me from this villain!" she cried out, faking distress.
Mo-Ryo lost it. He attacked with everything he had. Jin dodged, tripped him, and knocked him unconscious with a swift blow to the neck.
Jin crouched, scratching his chin. "Hmm, did he pass out?"
"Jin! You were too harsh!" Shuang laughed.
Jin smiled. "The little brat has spirit. Chivalry like his is rare nowadays."
Later...
Mo-Ryo opened his eyes. "Where am I? Why is it so dark? Why can't I feel anything?"
He was in total darkness. He couldn't move; he felt bound, but couldn't tell how.
"Are you awake?" a heavy, deep voice echoed from the shadows.
"Who are you?!" the boy panicked.
"How old are you, brave youth?"
"I'm... fifteen. But where am I?"
The voice paused. "You are... dead."
"Stop joking! Where am I?!"
"You did well. You died like a man, young one. Be proud."
Mo-Ryo fell silent. He felt no energy, no body. His voice broke. "Is this... my end? Did I die as a joke? I couldn't even protect my sister." He burst into tears. "Mom, Yu-Ah, Shuang... I'm sorry! Waaaaah! Dad... I'm coming to you now!"
Suddenly, the lights flickered on. He was in his own room.
He looked up to see Jin holding a smartphone, recording him, dying of laughter. Shuang, Yu-Hwa, and the little girls were there too, all laughing.
"What was that, kid? 'Did I die as a joke?' Hahaha!" Jin wheezed.
"I couldn't protect my sister, waaaaah!" Shuang mimicked.
"You're fifteen?" Jin laughed. "When I was your age, I was living in a monster forest eating Orc ribs, you rascal! Did you really believe you were dead for those few seconds?"
Mo-Ryo sat in stunned silence. His brain had stalled.
Yu-Ah walked up to him. "Mom, my brother is pathetic. How did he believe that?"
Yu-Hwa untied him and released his pressure points; Jin had sealed his internal energy. She patted his head. "Look, this is Jin. He's your sister's husband now. He's your big brother. Don't be mad, they were just teasing."
The boy looked at Jin, who was childishly sticking his tongue out at him.
But in Jin's mind: 'I need to talk to him alone. This kid... is a real man in the making.'
Author's Note: I know the chapter is a bit absurd, but haven't you noticed? Jin is no longer mentally stable. Expect anything from him now.