Chapter 90 - Spirit-Hunting

"That was perfect, Nick."

Teren praised while he led Nick into the dead of the night. They were already in their casual clothes and have met up in the location Teren set up. Afterwhich, Nick drove the bike he borrowed from Nathan to the edge of the Heren City.

"T-thanks... that's how I normally acted back then so when I get into it... it just flows naturally you know."

Nick replied with an awkward smile.

They were already exiting the boundaries of the city. Even though they have been together for a while, this was the first time Teren spoke.

"Keep it up."

Those were the last words Teren said before quieting again. Nick always thought that Teren was a man of few words. He didn't know that in front of Iesa, he's as talkative as he could be.

Finally, they were off the road and somewhere near the foot of a hill. Different from where the warehouse is, one can look around and just see fields after fields. A bit far away was a highway.

"What kind of super ability do you want? Have you already thought about it?"

Teren spoke up again to ask.

"Ability? I... actually have not idea what to choose from. The idea of super abilities is just too vague. Like, having super strength is cool but having super speed is also nice. So..."

"If that's true then do you mind if I choose for you?"

Teren casually suggested while walking over the grass with a flashlight in his hand.

"Uhm... that's okay but if possible, I want something that can strengthen my martial skills."

Teren didn't speak but Nick knew that he had to say the reason.

"Our parents are actually martial arts enthusiasts. They met while training in some dojo and hit it off ahaha something like that. That's why my big brother is good at martial arts and self-defense too. If he gets serious, he can probably take on Uncle Jo, you know."

Nick realized that he was not getting to the point so continued with that in mind.

"I feel like he wanted to share his passion for martial arts even after our father got into an accident. Oh, it's not like it's an accident accident but it was just one of his national competitions, he received a broken leg... untreatable. Now he sits on a wheelchair all day and that ruined the family."

Getting immersed in telling his story, Nick forgot what he was originally saying as he continued.

"From that point on, even the word 'martial arts' is a taboo within the house. It's not like we have bad parents, it's just that my mother is worried that father will be sad if we reminded him what he had lost. Therefore, my mother stayed away from her passion too, making her a little... cranky. But well, big brother was still a kid back then. He didn't think much about anything, he just wants to continue practicing and getting better."

Nick began to reminiscent about how much Nathan sweat in one day.

"My mother would go crazy whenever she learns what big brother just did the day. She tells him to study but he does the opposite. I can't blame my mother. Not only is she working, but she's also still taking care of the house, her children, and her husband. That must've worn her off."

"Big brother finally realized this as he got older and felt the responsibility. He finally acted just as what mother wanted him - attending school normally and studying - but man was he's bad at it. I still remember him getting bullied, others saying how dumb he is and shit."

Nick slightly clenched his fist.

"At that time, I thought... fight back... fight back... fight back... but he didn't. Big brother secretly teacher me but I wasn't confident enough. Well, at least after a year, I finally had enough. Goddamn was I dumber than him!"

Sniffing could be heard. Teren didn't turn around but he clearly knew that Nick was tearing up.

"Of course, I was weak. I can't take on many people. I was beaten up and that made him snapped. He's amazing, big brother is! I could only make a few punches connect but he beat them all up!... So, because of me, he got kicked out of school. I know it's unfair but he alone gave those people a few broken bones. With witnesses, he could only be expelled.

He endured it.

But he was still expelled.

He got kicked out of the house.

Meanwhile, I? The dumber one? The guilt was too much, I didn't face it. I got scared of seeing him again. I tell myself it's because he's strict on me but no, I'm scared that he blames me for what happened. I also blamed the bullies.

I don't want to be bullied, I thought.

I don't want my life to turn out like my big brother, I thought.

But thinking back to it, those were the stupidest thoughts I have.

When my parents finally forgave big brother for something he had no control of, he was already a part of a gang. He finally became a thug. I thought... that's it. No turning back from that.

But.."

Nick felt his body becoming heavier. He only stopped when Teren looked and said.

"But it's worse than that. Your big brother is into much deeper trouble and that's all your fault."

Feeling overwhelmed with emotions, Nick held his head as he slowly crouched down.

"T-that's right... haa..."

His face showed the deep remorse he had. It was getting hard to breathe and his vision blurry. Nick even felt vomiting with his face ghastly paled.

"You're going to continue bringing him and your family down. Because you're weak and stupid." 

Teren's words reverberated within Nick's head.

"You should just die so that your family's load will be lighter. It's not like you can do anything, right?"

Like a switch, 'Nick' looked up to Teren with a terrified expression instead of the sad one.

"... w-what are you..?"

Pa*

Teren kicked 'Nick' in the face, making the victim eat the ground.

"Shut up.... I'm talking to Nick." Teren spoke with full certainty, "So, Nick, can you even do it?"