Three months later, Dean stood in the Gremory training ground with Issei beside him. His younger brother had grown stronger too, his Boosted Gear evolving into something far more powerful. But more importantly, Issei had learned to respect his older brother not as someone who'd transcended humanity, but as someone who'd refused to accept defeat.
"You've changed," Issei said, watching as Dean meditated, his body glowing with dimensional power.
"So have you," Dean replied, opening his eyes. "We both have."
"Do you regret it?" Issei asked. "Becoming strong? Getting caught up in all of this?"
Dean considered the question. A year ago, he would have said no without hesitation. But now, with the perspective of someone who'd achieved his goal, he could see the cost of his ambition.
"Sometimes," he admitted. "There are people who fear me now. People who see me as a threat instead of a person. And I've had to make choices that I'm not entirely proud of."
"But?" Issei prompted, knowing there was more.
"But I wouldn't change it," Dean said. "Because this is who I am now. Someone who refuses to accept limitations. Someone who fights for what he believes in. Someone who protects the people he cares about."
He stood and placed a hand on Issei's shoulder. "And I'm going to protect you, no matter what comes next."
Issei grinned. "Good. Because something tells me our adventure is just getting started."
Dean smiled. His younger brother was right. This was just the beginning. The supernatural world had accepted the Unbound, but there were still threats out there, still dangers lurking in the shadows. There were still mysteries to uncover, still power to gain, still battles to fight.
But for the first time since waking up in that hospital, Dean felt like he was exactly where he needed to be. Not because fate had put him there, but because he'd chosen his path and walked it with absolute determination.
He was Dean Hyoudou, the powerless human who'd refused to accept his limitations. He was the founder of the Unbound, the faction of misfits and outcasts who'd found strength through understanding. And he was just getting started.
The game was far from over.
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