CHAPTER 87: DENIZ

Deniz really wanted to strangle this stinky brother of hers, but she had no strength, so she could only use other methods to get away from his clutches.

But deep down, her heart was swelling with happiness because she had really missed him. The Academy didn’t provide many vacations, and she was also busy with job hunting, so they had rarely met in the last year.

Even though they weren’t siblings by blood, nobody could say they weren’t. Deniz truly looked up to Leon as her elder brother, and Leon felt the same way toward his younger sister.

That’s why every time Deniz made any big decision in her life, she always came to discuss it with Leon first.

"Figured," Leon said as he turned around and looked at her. "So, what did you decide this time?"

Deniz took a deep breath and said with determination, "I’m going to become an Awakened."

Leon didn’t react and simply stared at her for a while, making her a little awkward. But she knew he would never judge her choices, so she wasn’t worried.

"Is it because of Silver?" Leon finally asked.

"...Yes." Deniz nodded.

Leon sighed and took a few steps toward her. "Are you aware of what you’re getting into?"

"Yes. I understand everything, but I also feel too powerless," Deniz said, still remembering the dread she felt after hearing the news about Silver.

"Then go for it. You’ll turn eighteen in a few months, so have your talent checked," Leon smiled and said. "If it was anyone else, I might have given them a reality check, but you’re my sister, so you’re definitely smart enough to not need that."

"So you need credit even for my intelligence?" Deniz’s lips twitched at his shameless words.

"I only speak the truth," Leon shrugged before tapping on his wristwatch for a while. "Here, this’ll help you for a while then."

"What did you..."

Before she could finish her words, she received a notification on her AI watch and quickly turned to look at it. She knew it was related to Leon, so she was really curious.

When she read the content of the message, especially that number with all the zeroes, her eyes widened and she couldn’t even speak properly.

"B-Brother... are you pulling my leg?" Deniz couldn’t believe it.

"Why would I joke about something like this?" Leon rolled his eyes. "If you’ve decided to walk on this path, then it’s my responsibility as a brother to support you in everything."

"But this is still a lot," Deniz spoke in disbelief. "I can’t take this."

"Oh, you’ll be surprised. It really isn’t a lot," Leon chuckled. "I’ll send you a list of things you need to buy and use before the Awakening of your talent. That way, you’ll be able to dive into Dungeons right after awakening and level up quickly."

"Are those things really this expensive?" Deniz asked, dumbfounded, as that amount was enough for the orphanage to run for more than a year.

"That’s the thing. Resources are expensive. Why do you think people choose to join Academies instead of going solo?" Leon said.

Deniz was silent at his words.

Leon sighed and cupped her face. As their eyes met, he said, "I trust your judgment and believe you can do this. But that doesn’t change the fact it’s very dangerous. And believe me, whatever you think of the Primordial Expanse, it’s thousands of times worse."

He took a deep breath and said, "I won’t stop you from walking this path when I’m doing the same, but I do want you to understand the gravity of the situation. Never hesitate to ask for my help. Do you understand?"

Seeing her dazed eyes, he added softly, "I can’t do much to help Silver, but I do want to be there for you. You’re my sister, are you forgetting that? Ask me for anything and everything, even the things you think you don’t need. I’ll give it to you."

Deniz froze, realizing something very important. Her decision had a lot more effect on Leon than she thought, and it was all because of Silver’s situation.

What happened to Silver left a hole in Leon’s heart, and even though he wasn’t showing it, he had become a little insecure and was scared of losing more of his loved ones.

He couldn’t help Silver, so he wanted to give his all to Deniz so she wouldn’t end up in a situation where he’d fear losing her.

’But even with all that, he is still supporting my decision.’

Deniz knew that if she were in his shoes, she might have been against this choice. After all, walking on the same path was the very reason Silver was in that condition.

Despite all of it, he was supporting her because he trusted her.

She smiled brightly and said, "Don’t worry. You seem like you’re very rich now, so I’ll hug your thick thighs and be the nepo kid."

"Good! I can afford a spoiled little sister," Leon nodded in satisfaction. "But you’ll have to be cute for that."

"I’m always cute!" Deniz pouted.

Leon gave her a disdainful look and said, "Have some shame. You spent so much time with me and still didn’t learn to be humble."

"Is it my fault that my brother knows no shame?" Deniz stuck out her tongue and stepped back, but she still underestimated Leon as a light flick landed on her forehead.

She covered it and cried out, "I’ll complain to Aunt."

"Do whatever you want. It’s not like she cares about me. The whole world is her child except me anyway," Leon grumbled before moving toward the cookies.

"Oh my! Are you jealous?" Deniz’s ears perked up as a teasing smile formed on her lips. "Don’t worry! You’re a permanent resident of number one place in Aunt’s heart... but from the bottom."

"You want more beating?" Leon asked with a smile, and Deniz straightened up immediately.

"No, Sir! I’m completely fine and I’m on your side!" Deniz even saluted.

"Get off your act and help me," Leon shook his head and wondered where she got this cheeky side from.

It was definitely not from him.

"By the way, I was serious," Leon said. "Never hesitate to ask me for anything. I know your independent heart likes to do everything yourself, but there are times you need to take advantage of your connections."

"Isn’t this a bad lesson?" Deniz asked. "You used to say we can only depend on ourselves in this cursed world."

"That was the edgy me. Now I’m smart," Leon said, a little embarrassed to be reminded of his childhood.

"Hehe, I really liked that edgy brother though. He was so heroic when he..."

"Stop!! I won’t give you the cupcakes if you dare to continue."

"What? You can’t do this to me!!" Deniz genuinely looked terrified.

"Oh, but I can, and I will if you keep talking like that," Leon snorted and pushed past her. "Remember to bring the juice."

Deniz picked up the juice and hurriedly caught up to him. As they walked side by side, she said, "I’ll remember it."

"You better."

"By the way, are you leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes, good things never last."

"Hmmm, how about we play a game then?"

"Never seen someone so eager to lose."

"I can’t defeat you physically, but online is different. I challenge you, vile monster!"

"I reject. You ain’t worthy!"

"I’ll backstab you!"