The Saint Wants to Rest - Chapter 36.2
However, those words struck Choi Jae-heon’s Achilles’ heel. His expression distorted painfully.
“…Battlefields? The Demon King’s Castle?”
Choi Jae-heon’s voice trembled. Seeing his expression, Ian flinched in surprise.
“At such a young age… you were dragged around battlefields? Those madmen put you in places like that?”
When he went missing, Ian was still a minor. While Jae-heon had been eating warm meals and sleeping comfortably, his younger brother had lived in a blood-splattered hell, stepping over corpses to survive. Jae-heon felt as if his heart were being torn apart.
“Absolutely not. Over my dead body. I cannot send you anywhere dangerous. If you suffered that much there, you should rest here. Why are you looking for more trouble!”
Choi Jae-heon’s eyes were wet. It appeared to be a manifestation of the guilt he felt for failing to protect his brother. Ian knew that too. However, he could not live forever trapped in his brother’s guilt, like a flower in a greenhouse. He thought he would be able to rest upon returning to Earth, but that plan was already ruined.
“Hyung, please believe in me.”
“It is not a matter of whether I believe in you or not!”
At that moment, Yoon Tae-gyeom cut in.
“Jae-heon, calm down and listen. Ian is not wrong.”
“Why are you taking his side too!”
“The fact that Ian is a healer has already been revealed. We are past the stage where this can be hidden. Under current law, Awakened individuals are required to register. It is illegal to use powers without registering.”
Yoon Tae-gyeom tapped on his tablet PC.
“It is actually safer for him to register formally and operate under the Management Bureau or a guild. He can receive legal training and personal protection. Wouldn’t it be better to let him adjust slowly?”
Hong Seo-yun, who had been quiet on the side, also chimed in.
“He’s right. If it can’t be hidden, it might be better to reveal it proudly. With Ian’s level of ability, the country will treat him well even if he hides part of it. Just look at that guy.”
“…….”
Choi Jae-heon fell silent. He had no words to rebut. However, his emotions outweighed his reason.
“Still, no.”
Choi Jae-heon remained stubborn.
“Who knows how those government bastards will work Ian. What if they push him to the front lines while calling him the ‘Hope of Humanity’ or something?”
The conversation ran in frustrated parallel lines. Ian could not take it anymore.
“Fine. If you are going to be like that!”
Ian jumped up from his seat.
“I am moving out. I’m going to live independently.”
“What?”
“I will handle my Awakened registration and activities as I please. I do not need your permission, Hyung.”
“Hey, Choi Ian!”
“Besides, you said we aren’t even real brothers anyway!”
In an instant, a silence fell over the living room as if cold water had been poured over it.
Choi Jae-heon’s face turned pale, and his lips trembled slightly. Even though he was the one who had said it first, hearing it like this was a wound.
Ian also thought, Oh no, the moment the words left his mouth. He hadn’t intended for it to come out that way.
“Right. That is true. Not a single drop of blood is shared.”
Choi Jae-heon wiped his face with his hand.
“So, from now on, you aren’t even going to treat me like a brother?”
“That is not what I meant! I just, I just…!”
“I am doing this to keep you alive. Because I do not want to lose you!”
Shouts were exchanged between the two. Yoon Tae-gyeom and Hong Seo-yun were restless, merely watching the two. It was a family squabble, making it awkward for them to intervene.
Only Vermouth was watching this situation with interest.
“Then leave. Go out and live however you want.”
Choi Jae-heon shouted in a fit of pique.
“Fine. I’ll leave even if you don’t tell me to!”
Ian shot back, refusing to back down.
“Where are you going to go? Do you even have a place to stay?”
“…….”
Ian was momentarily silenced by Choi Jae-heon’s words. There was certainly such a realistic problem. The only money he had before the dimensional shift was a small amount saved from part time jobs. Since he had relied on his brother after returning, he didn’t even have the money to get a rented room.
“I, I’ll go to a gosiwon.”
Ian said in a shrinking voice. Exactly at that moment, Vermouth stepped in.
“This worked out well. It just so happens that the hotel I am staying at is in Seoul. If Mr. Ian wishes, you may come and stay there comfortably. Just bring yourself.”
“…What?”
Choi Jae-heon’s eyes nearly rolled back in his head.
“Why would Ian go there! Why would I trust anything about you!”
“You said you were kicking him out. It is my duty to serve the Saint when he has nowhere to go.”
“Listen to you talk about duty!”
Choi Jae-heon stood up as if ready to grab Vermouth by the collar at any moment. No matter what, he could not send Ian to a guy like that’s house. He would rather just buy Ian a house himself.
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MissOmu
What right does Jae-heon have to get hurt about this…? Like, you severed your brotherhood first when it came to your romantic feelings. You don’t WANT to be treated like an older brother, you want to be treated like a lover. Feels like Ian’s wants aren’t placed first here.