At sunrise, faint voices echoed from our sister’s locked room. It had always been closed off since she left, but today… something was different.


    I quietly approached the door, only to hear Mom and Dad arguing—no, discussing—with Azrael. My curiosity got the better of me, so I quickly hid behind the hallway wall to eavesdrop.


    ……


    “This room is maintained… but Arc told me that sis lives in the Gold-level region. Care to explain why her room is still intact?”


    Azrael’s voice was calm but unsettling—his tone devoid of any warmth.


    “Azrael, it’s just for emergencies when she returns…” Dad''s voice trailed off, hesitant.


    “Emergency?” Azrael’s tone darkened. “What do you mean by emergency, Dad? You don’t even know when she’ll return.”


    I felt a shiver run down my spine. His voice was losing all traces of emotion, giving off an eerily cold and detached vibe.


    Dad hesitated. “…It’s nothing like that. She’s busy protecting civilians. She’s not as strong as Arc, but she holds her own.”


    “You still didn’t answer my question, Dad.” Azrael’s voice turned hollow. “Do you know when she’ll return?”


    “Azrael, mind your tone! You just got back; show some respect!” Mom snapped.


    Azrael didn’t even flinch. “Mom… I’m not raising my voice. I just need an answer. Do you know when she’ll return?”


    “…We don’t know.” Mom’s voice cracked. “We genuinely don’t know. She promised to return when things settle down. She’s just… busy.”


    “Ah… nice. So my ever-so-sympathetic sister left her daughter here while she played hero. Got it.”


    Silence. A suffocating silence. Even I froze, struggling to process his words.


    Azrael picked up a dusty photo frame from the nearby desk. It was a picture of our sister, her husband, and a 15-year-old Edith. The photo was clicked in our backyard.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    “This photo was taken here, wasn’t it?” Azrael muttered. “They lived here.”


    “…Yes,” Dad admitted reluctantly. “We were all together, once.”


    Azrael chuckled dryly. “So what happened to that happy family, Dad?”


    “…Your sister saw some kid get orphaned by those creatures. After that day, she vowed to protect civilians. She couldn’t stand watching innocent lives being lost anymore.”


    Azrael’s grip on the photo frame tightened. “…What a load of bullshit. You think I’d buy that?”


    “Azrael!” Dad snapped.


    “No, seriously. What a load of crap.” Azrael let out a humorless laugh. “You’re telling me she abandoned her daughter, her family, and her home because of a vow?”


    “You don’t understand—”


    “You’re damn right I don’t.” Azrael cut him off coldly. His voice lacked any anger—it was just… hollow. Detached. “Dad… Mom… when was the last time you heard from her?”


    Silence.


    Azrael let out a deep breath, then started piecing it together like a damn detective. “…Let me guess. Brother-in-law died. She spiraled. Couldn’t handle raising Edith alone. So she dumped her here and left under the guise of ‘protecting civilians.’”


    “Azrael, stop—”


    “Let me finish.” His tone was unnervingly calm. “She contacted you guys from time to time. But as months or years passed, her contact dwindled. Maybe even stopped altogether. And now… you have no idea if she’s alive or dead. Am I wrong?”


    The room turned ice cold. Even I flinched. How the hell did he figure that out so fast?


    Dad opened his mouth but found no words. Mom clenched her fists, trembling.


    Azrael scoffed. “So I am right. You guys were hoping I wouldn’t find out, huh?”


    “…We didn’t know how to tell you,” Mom admitted weakly.


    “Figures.” Azrael leaned against the wall, his head throbbing. “…The funny part is—I’m not even angry. I don’t feel anything. No rage, no grief, no sorrow. I should, right?” He laughed bitterly. “But I don’t. Isn’t that disgusting?”


    Mom’s expression softened. She gently patted the bed beside her. “Come here.”


    “…What?”


    “Come. Sit down.”


    Hesitant, Azrael walked over and sat down. Without a word, Mom pulled his head onto her lap and began caressing his hair.


    “The fact you think it’s disgusting shows you still have emotions, Azrael,” she said softly. “You’ve just buried them too deep.”


    “…Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Azrael muttered.


    Dad walked over, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You’re not wrong to feel numb, son. We’ve… lost so many people. You, your brother-in-law… and now, potentially your sister too. We’ve gotten used to loss.”


    “…That’s the messed-up part, Dad.” Azrael chuckled lifelessly. “You guys should’ve been more reactive when I came back. But you weren’t. Arc told you everything beforehand, sure. But the bigger reason… you’ve all gotten numb.”


    Dad sighed, his tone heavy. “We have. But it doesn’t mean we stopped caring.”


    Azrael stared at the ceiling. “…And here I was, thinking you’d ground me or something.”


    Dad chuckled dryly. “Son, you’re too old to ground. But I’d still smack you if you pull another reckless stunt like yesterday.”


    “…Noted.” Azrael closed his eyes. “Anyway, I’ll find her.”


    Mom froze. “…Azrael—”


    “No. I’ll find sis. You guys clearly gave up already. I’ll do it myself.”


    “…And what will you do if she’s—”


    “Don’t.” Azrael’s voice turned razor-sharp. “She’s not dead. I refuse to believe it.”


    I quietly stepped away from the door, knowing Azrael was already formulating a plan. I need to keep an eye on him.


    ……


    I woke up around 10 AM. The house was oddly lively. Mom had made breakfast—mostly junk food that Azrael devoured like a starving beast. Some things never change.


    After finishing my morning routine, I started my usual exercises in the backyard. Surprisingly, Azrael joined me.


    “Didn’t expect you to exercise,” I remarked.


    Azrael smirked. “Figured I should, y’know? Gotta keep up with my overpowered big bro.”


    I chuckled. Same old Azrael.


    “…Hey.” He suddenly spoke up after a few minutes. “Today’s my first day at work. Can you drop me off?”


    I raised a brow. “…What, you want me to carry you in my arms or something?”


    “Pfft—shut up. Just drive me, dumbass.”


    “Yeah, yeah. Hop in, crybaby.”


    And just like that, things felt normal again—for now.


    But I knew one thing for certain—Azrael wasn’t about to sit still. He was going to find our sister, no matter what it took. And I needed to be ready… for whatever madness he’d stir up next.