[Chapter 49]
Dean pulled back the hood, revealing his boxy jawline. The silver radiance of the moon washed over him as he stared at Jin intently. A chilling darkness nestled in his eyes, as if only his body was present, but his mind was somewhere else.
Glancing over his shoulder to ensure no one had followed them, he reached for the sword attached to his waist. He grasped the hilt tightly, embracing it with all his might, then loosened his grip. His other hand slid toward his chest. There, a vermilion medallion hung like a pendant, its border glowing ever so faintly.
Frowning slightly, Jin spoke first.
"Why are you here, Dean? There must be a dozen spies lying in wait to ambush me in this block alone. Are you sure you want to get involved in something like that?"
Dean remained silent. He appeared quite... distant. Jin had a few guesses why he was in such a state—one of them being Sam's death. However, he wasn't going to console him for his loss. His insides were already engaged in a fierce war between the existence of two distinct people, the young challenger was the least of his worries.
Lowering his head, Dean spoke.
"Did you really do it knowing what would happen?"
Jin clenched his jaw, covering his face with a hand out of frustration.
"What is with you kids... the whole world is against you, who knows how many monsters are surrounding this place. Yet all you care about is a single death..."
His voice was low enough not to reach Dean.
Jin felt like his mind was crashing down on him. Overusing Demonic qi, assimilating with Muyeon's vital qi, pushing back Lian's memories from his own, getting accused of conspiring to kill Sam—a lot had happened in little time. He wasn't a transcendent being anymore, so he couldn't push his consciousness as he used to. Knowing the Cost of his abilities, and having seen it personally, if this continued, his self would erode sooner than later.
However, when it came to Sam and his decisions outside the barrier, Jin was certain of one thing.
He leaned against the wall beside him and crossed his arms.
"I knew someone was going to die. I was expecting you to be that person... It seems I was wrong."
Dean widened his eyes. Cold fury glistened in his gaze, his hand wrapped tightly around the hilt of his sword. His body unconsciously turned sideways, lowering himself as if ready to lunge at Jin with full momentum.
Jin was aware of Dean's Core ability, how it enhanced his body and the weapons he wielded. It was supposed to be an Earth rank ability, but when used by the heir of an esteemed clan who had trained in all sorts of martial arts, it was deadlier than most combat abilities.
Time passed slowly as Dean considered his actions. Jin studied him closely, his eyes narrowed. Unable to hold it in any longer, Jin spoke in a condescending tone.
"I'm not going to wait forever."
Despite his provocation, Dean eased his stance and let go of his sword. His fingers trembled faintly, attempting to strike regardless of what decision he had made. However, he managed to keep his cool.
Jin raised a brow.
"What happened? Didn't you come here seeking revenge? Well, go ahead, do it while you still have the chance."
Of course, he wasn't just going to stand still if Dean actually changed his mind. But he wanted to see just how far gone the young challenger was. He needed to know whether he truly considered Jin an enemy, or if he was simply acting on clouded judgement.
The latter could be dealt with, but if Dean really thought of Jin as an enemy, then things were going to get much more complicated than they already were. He didn't have many people by his side, someone being neutral toward him and not against him was better.
Removing his hand from the hilt of his sword altogether, Dean spoke sternly.
"I won't kill you. I might hate you for being the one to send my brother and me ahead, but I'm not a child. If not Sam, anyone else would've died in that situation."
He clenched his jaw, regret clear in his voice.
"He was just... trying to save me. If not for my incompetence, he would still be here."
Jin squinted his eyes.
He had been playing around with the assumption that the younger brother had jumped in to save the older one, but knowing that he had been right all along, he was unsure how to feel about it.
Was he supposed to feel elated because he was right, or should he share Dean's guilt, since if he had been wrong, would Sam still be here?
He clicked his tongue and spoke evenly.
"If you don't have anything else to say, I'm leaving."
Dean swiftly pulled the hood back over his head, veiling his eyes behind the thick leather. As Jin trudged past him, he spoke in a low voice.
"Stay put for the next few days. Our clan might not be as strong as it was when my father was alive, but it is still one of the most prominent clans. The elders will try to do everything in their power to get to you, even if it means assassinating you in your sleep."
The corner of his lips rose up as he said, "I'll be waiting."
Dean glanced over his shoulder as Jin exited the alley. The faint footsteps and the steady hooves of the horses pulling a carriage reminded him that he wasn't that far from the main street. If a fight really had broken out between the two, both of them would get arrested for fighting inside the city's premises.
He let the cold wind wash over him, allowing his subdued thoughts to rise again. Sam's death was more than losing his only brother. A part of him had died together with Sam. He was no longer the Dean who wanted to lead the clan like his father once did, with Sam alongside him.
However, life had different plans for him.
As the memories of his childhood pulled him deeper into an endless abyss inside his head, a man approached him from behind. He had a deep diagonal scar across his face, embedded like the memory of a distant battle.
Clad in clunky armor, he firmly stood behind Dean.
"You made the right choice."
Dean chuckled lightly, but there was no joy in his eyes.
"Do you mean to say I would've lost to him?"
The man exhaled deeply.
"It takes a lot to forgive someone, Dean. I know you haven't forgiven him completely, but confronting him is still a big step."
Dean, however, didn't seem to have listened to him at all. Clenching his fist, he spoke in a reserved tone.
"I'm weak, Uncle Silas. I couldn't see a single scenario where I could win against him, even when he didn't have a weapon, and I did. Is it a gap in our skills... or is it his Core ability?"
Silas narrowed his gaze, guilt glistening in his eyes.
Dean wasn't as simple as most people made him to be. He was far more level-headed than his peers, even outside the clan. Sam's death had done nothing but push him closer to the edge of the cliff. Silas knew that his nephew wanted to alleviate the burden on his mother. But the path he had chosen was rough.
He hadn't joined the campaign just to avenge his brother's death. It was to grow stronger, strong enough to enter the tower again, even if it had just been a month since he returned. The sight of the young man throwing his youth away to search for power wasn't pitiful, it was heartbreaking.
But he didn't stop there. Dean knew that if he wanted to take over his clan, he needed allies he could trust. Those who didn't fear the Halden name.
So far, Jin was the only person who had been able to do something like that. That was why even if he hated the young man's guts, Dean decided to put his own feelings aside and approached the first ranker.
Relaxing his shoulders, Silas spoke with a hoarse voice.
"You don't need to be stronger than him to make him your ally, you know."
Dean shook his head.
"I don't have to be stronger than him to be his ally, uncle. I need it so that he'll think twice before stabbing me in the back."
Silas wore a hollow look. Massaging the back of his neck, Dean spoke wearily.
"Never mind, my job here is done. Let's return, we have to depart early tomorrow."
Silas didn't answer, he simply wore his helm and followed Dean.