The next day, Rhash woke up while feeling weak all over his body. Since he burned most of his blood, it would take him some time before he can recover back to his peak
If it was just him, he surely wouldn't survive. Fortunately, there is someone that is there to help him
"Big brother you're finally awake!"
Before Rhash can even fully regain his consciousness, a delighted voice already entered his ears
The first thing that he saw was a man's face that was filled with joy while looking at him
Times like this makes Reif happy that his big brother doesn't have a normal human's body
If that wasn't the case, it would surely take more than a day for Rhash to regain consciousness. If that happens, how sad and worried would Reif become?
Rhash blinked his eyes repeatedly and the events prior to him losing consciousness was replayed in his mind
As a result, Rhash jolted in shock and he immediately sat up
"Where are we?! What happened?!" Rhash asked in panic and he even checked Reif for any sign of injury
He only felt a bit relieved when he sees none
"Big brother, we are safe. You don't need to worry anymore" Reif reassured him. "Please continue resting, you're still weakened" he continued
Now that Reif said that, Rhash's fatigue overcome his senses again. Just sitting alone was already tiresome for him to do
Reif tried to have Rhash lie down again but the latter refuses
"I'm fine, brief me of what happened first"
When Rhash looks around him, he discovered that he and Reif weren't captured. This place was familiar to him since it was the place where they left Khaknur before going to the village
However, with how strong Nath was, how could Reif deal with him alone when Rhash wasn't even able to do anything?
There is something fishy with this outcome especially after he saw Reif looking down as if he was afraid of something
Seeing that, Rhash furrowed his brows as he holds Reif's hands. "What's wrong?" Rhash inquired as his little gem just can't look at him
"B-big brother, y-you should rest" Reif tried to divert the topic but how could that be easy?
Rhash wouldn't be at ease as long as he don't know what is happening
"Reif, how many times do I have to tell you that you can say anything to me? There is no need to be worried or afraid" Rhash spoke in a reassuring tone but Reif is still unsure
As a result, Rhash decided to act coy. He rested his head on Reif's shoulder, he even rubs his cheeks on it
"Reif, my baby, be honest to me and big brother will give you a reward" Rhash said in a suggestive tone that causes Reif to swallow a mouthful of saliva
"B-big brother, y-you are still injured! W-what are you saying?!"
On the outside, Reif was protesting yet Rhash can hear the quickening of this man's heart beat
Men really sometimes think with their lower head. Look at how easy it is for Rhash to affect Reif just by acting like this?
Rhash ignored how heavy his body feels as he kisses Reif's protruding adam's apple causing it to tremble violently
"I can't move but it doesn't mean that you also can't" Rhash replied in a sensual manner. He was like a small kitten rubbing itself on its owner
It didn't take that long before Reif's whole body heated up. This situation gave him an urge to tear his big brother's clothes and violently enter that pinkish hole that was always clenching on him tightly
However, no matter how strong the temptation is, Reif's genuine concern for Rhash is still greater than his lust
"Big brother please stop, I might not be able to stop myself" Reif pleaded. There is a limit to his patience after all
"Then tell me what I want to know and only then would I stop" Rhash replied and Reif doesn't have a choice but to be honest if he doesn't want to be seduced to death
"I d-defeated him" Reif said unsurely and he can feel how Rhash's body trembled. The latter forgot his weakened condition as he moved a bit away from Reif to look at him in the eyes
"Y-you defeated him? H-how?" Rhash asked in shock although he already realized what might possibly happen in the next second
There is almost no secret between the two of them. Rhash don't have a treasure that Reif don't know and vice versa
That only means that for Reif to defeat Nath, his power was greater than him. That's the only plausible explanation except for someone helping them that only has a very low chance of happening
Not to mention, Reif's reaction would not he like this if someone help them
"Y-you... you were hiding your real power?" Rhash muttered in shock and he saw Reif nodding his head a bit
"W-why?" Rhash asked again and Reif turned his head to his side while biting his lower lip
"I-I don't want to give you too much pressure"
Pressure... Rhash can remember that whenever the two of them sparred and Reif won, he would put an extra effort into his training
That goes on for a while but now that Rhash realizes it, it has been a long time already since he loses
All their sparring matches now became a draw
"I'm sorry" Reif apologizes sincerely while looking down. He was afraid to look at Rhash in case he would see anger and betrayal from him
"No, you did that because I was too sensitive" Rhash replied with a sigh. He can't believe how vain he was
Even if he doesn't want Reif to leave him in the dust, he still shouldn't have acted like that. Looks at the result
Reif hid his real power, which might have also restricted his growth. Not to mention, Rhash also miscalculated because of that
Helping Reif climb to the top was Rhash's goal in life. He cannot believe that he was restricting Reif when that is something that he shouldn't do no matter what
This was all because of his pride. He wants to stand side by side with Reif. He doesn't want to be far weaker compared to Reif
Because of that, instead of doing something good, he just harmed Reif's growth
"Big brother I'm really sorry for lying" Reif apologizes again and Rhash shook his head
"No, you're not at fault. This was my fault"
Rhash thought that is he already matured but that is not the case at all. He still has his childish side that he needs to acknowledge
It was fortunate that Rhash discovered that before it was too late
"For now, let's deal with the things at hand. You said that you defeated Nath but you weren't able to kill him?"
"Y-yeah, I was too weak. Another Paladin arrives and sacrificed himself to trap me in a cage. If I was stronger, I would not let him flee" Reif replied with low spirits
Although he was stronger than Rhash that still doesn't make him feel good. What he wanted to have was strenght that would make his big brother safe from any harm
Too bad that he still has a long way to go before achieving that
"No, that's to be expected. If he was that easy to kill, it would be shameful to call himself a Son of God"
In fact, Rhash would be more shocked if Reif managed to kill Nath this early. As a special existence in this world, Nath has a lot of advantages
How could it be easy to kill him? Nath might still not be at his peak but the same was true for Reif!
Hence, killing Nath is easier to be said than done
"Since he's still alive, he would either continue finding a way to kill you right now or focus on increasing his power"
Since Reif defeated him, Nath would not easily find trouble with Reif. What he would do first was to increase his power to the point that he can kill his enemy
Rhash can think of a few ways of how Nath would do that. He has some understanding of that man thanks to his dreams
If he was Nath, what he would do was to call his people and obtain the Shard of Brilliance
If the shard entered Nath's hand then Reif might look the next time they clashed. Not to mention, Nath is very careful
Since he loses, he wouldn't attack Reif without confidence that he can beat him whether that be through his personal power or with the help of his allies
Nath would surely prioritize the shard of brilliance and Rhash cannot let such a treasure fall into his enemy's hands
"Reif, go now. You must obtain the Shard of Brilliance before Nath or his men could get it! Our future lies on that treasure!"