469 [Hero of Light]
"That is my line. I am the one searching for you, Joel."
Leo became emotional as he replied to the young man in his arms.
That's right! The young man was none other than Joel, the one who got involved just because he was with Leo at that particular time.
Whenever he thought of Jeol and Julia, Leo was always guilty because if it was not for him, Joel and Julia would have never been separated.
That's the reason why Leo returned to Phirie City as soon as he gained enough battle prowess to travel between the cities because he wanted to at least protect Julia until he found out about Joel's whereabouts.
"So, what happened? Where were you all these days? Also, if you are a supreme-ranked hero, why didn't you return to Phirie City to check on your sister?"
Soon, Leo asked a series of questions, wanting to know what happened to Joel after they got separated.
At the same time, Leo guided Joel into the City Hall and silently ordered someone to inform Julia to meet him as soon as possible.
"While you are sent to the underground mines to mine because of no talent, I was sent on some hunting missions in the wilderness along with other disgusting missions. Fortunately or unfortunately, I awakened a rare special talent [Blessing of Light] that lets me use a wide range of skills."
While moving towards the City Hall, Joel started his story in which his life was difficult in a different way from Leo's life.
One worked in an underground mine whereas the other worked in the wilderness and other things.
"Huh? A rare special talent?"
Leo could guess more or less what Joel was doing while Leo was working in the underground mine as they were meeting from time to time.
However, he didn't know that Joel awakened a rare special talent.
"I wanted to inform you about this; however, before I could visit you like always, I was ordered to meet someone who upgraded the normal slave seal on my body to the [Growth Enhancing Slave Seal]."
On the other hand, Joel nodded his head and continued his story of what happened after they were separated.
"After that, my strength started increasing rapidly and in just five years after our separation, I was able to increase my strength from level 4 mortal rank to level 3 supreme rank."
"What about Julia? Did you forget about her or did you give up on her?"
Leo knew that Joel didn't have an easy life either; however, he was a little disappointed if Joel didn't look for his sister.
Because when Leo returned to Phire City, Julia was already in trouble and if he was late by even a few minutes, Julia would have died.
Even though Leo knew the main reason why Julia and Joel had the toughness was him, if Joel had enough strength to travel between the cities, he should have looked for her.
'I hope he should have looked for her. If Julia knew that her brother didn't look for her despite having the strength, she would be sad and disappointed.'
Leo silently thought in his head as he waited for Joel's reply.
"Do you think I didn't check on Julia? The moment I became a supreme-ranked hero, I rushed to Phirie City; however, if others know that she is my sister, that b*stard would have turned her into a slave too."
How could Joel not come for his only sister?
Moreover, they were also orphans just like Leo. So, he was also desperate to reunite with his sister; however, things were not as simple as they seem.
Even though the [Growth Enhancing Slave Seal] could help in increasing the strength of an individual in a short time, Joel was not interested in having that slave seal.
However, it was because of Jayden's [Hypnosis] talent, he was able to engrave the [Growth Enhancing Slave Seal] on Joel's body.
"I don't want my little sister to become like me. That's why I kept my distance from her and acted like I didn't know her."
Joel had a bitter smile on his face as he continued, "Later, I learned that Amy was taking care of Julia and since I was always under the watch of other slaves, I stopped visiting Phirie City."
"Sorry, Joel. If only you were not with me at that time, you would…."
Leo apologized to Joel; however, Joel stopped him and said, "Even if I am not with you, isn't that how things end up for orphans like us in this God-Forsaken World?"
Joel knew Leo would be blaming himself for what happened to him; however, he tried his best to convince Leo that the fate of the orphans would be much worse than what he had gone through in his life so far.
"..."
Leo remained silent as he knew what Joel was trying to do and revealed a bitter smile on his face.
"By the way, I thought I am more powerful than you; however, it looks like you are much more powerful than you."
Soon, Joel changed the topic as he didn't want Leo to think much about it.
Even though Joel was a slave under Jayden, thanks to the [Growth Enhancing Slave Seals], none of his emotions was suppressed and he could feel and think just like a free person.
Hence, he remembered how Leo fought Jayden and his slave army before freeing all the slaves.
"Of course. Even without talent, I was stronger than you and now I have talent, so, of course, I am stronger than you."
Leo could not help but laugh as they reminisced the good memories they have from the past.
'Ding,
Hero Assessment.
Name: Joel.
Strength: Level 3 supreme rank.
Talents: 1) Blessing of Light (Super Special Talent)(supreme rank).
2) Light Steps (Special Talent)(Level 2 supreme rank).
Title: Hero of Light.
1) Increases the damage against dark-type creatures by 10 percent.
2) Can passively recover the energy from external light sources like the sun, moon, stars and others.
'What? A title?'