Return of the Lost One

Promise And Sacrifice

One must know that a single Gold Injury Pill was enough to buy three slaves with the same strength as his big brother Gulang, a D-rank awakener. Even in the Salaman House, there were only five slaves of such a level

With this Gold Injury Pill, it was more than enough to heal Dugo Zugath's current injury in almost an instant. It could be said that this item was a life-saving treasure.

If his big brother Gulang sold this Gold Injury Pill, it was more than enough for him to buy back his sl*very. He could even live a carefree life in any village with the help of this pill.

But now, his big brother actually took out such a treasure just to heal his current injuries? It would be a lie if he said that he wasn't touched at all. At that moment, warmth even filled his heart as he finally let out a heartfelt smile for a short time.

Taking a deep breath, Dugo Zugath looked at Gulang with a meaningful gaze as he said, "Keep it big brother Gulang. As I said earlier, even if I really survive now, it won't take long for master Diego to find me. If that happened, he will definitely not let me go. It is highly likely that he will kill me."

Seeing the resolute expression of his little brother, Gulang shook his head with a faint smile and replied, "Take it, little brother. Just see to it as me returning a favor to you."

"Favor?" Dugo tilted his head slightly as he was bewildered. Just when did his big brother own favor from him?

"You took care of me when I was heavily injured 6 months ago after I returned from the task given to me by our master. If not for you taking care of me, I would be dead by now." Gulang said slowly, reminding the other party the instant he heard it. But Gulang's eyes were telling a different reason. It was as if he was looking at his very close relative when he stared at Dugo.

Naturally, Dugo Zugath didn't notice the deep meaning behind Gulang's gaze as he was taken aback by the other party's reasoning for saving him now. He couldn't help shaking his head as he forced a smile and replied, "What are you talking about big brother? I'm just obeying our master. I will naturally take care of you. I did it for my own good, not yours."

But now that Dugo recalled about it, he also remembered that from that day onwards, the two of them seemed to get closer with each other as the other party even treated him as a little brother. He naturally called him big brother as well although he still felt somewhat distant towards him. Only now did he realize that this big brother of his was a genuine brother who wouldn't leave him in the worst times.

"Even so, take it. Here, let me help you." Since Dugo was having a hard time lifting his arms, Gulang put the Gold Injury Pill into Dugo's mouth. Since it came to this, Dugo had no way to reject the goodwill. He sighed inwardly and then opened his mouth slightly to receive the pill.

At that moment, the Gold Injury Pill was just placed in his mouth and he already felt that he was healing. It was evident that his wounds were longing for it.

Dugo Zugath didn't wait another moment and he swallowed the Gold Injury Pill. Right after the pill entered his throat, it immediately melted as he felt a warm sensation in his chest spreading throughout his body. The injuries he had earlier, the broken bones, wounds, and internal injuries were being healed in almost an instant. He even felt that he was being reborn. His strength had also come back to him as if he was not being injured in the first place.

Realizing that he was now fully healed, Dugo Zugath turned to look at his big brother Gulang as he saw the other party having a bright smile. Dugo couldn't help but smile as well as he said, "Thank..."

Pasak!

However, Dugo Zugath was still yet to finish saying the word "thank you" when something horrifying happened right before his eyes. Blood splattered on his face and clothes as his eyes widened in terror.

In Dugo's line of sight, an arrow was being pierced through his big brother's left chest. Blood spurted out from the other party's mouth and splashed on him.

Cough!

"It s-seems like master has sent his men to come after us. He is indeed suspecting me that I might bring little brother Dugo away..." A pang of realization dawned on Gulang as his expression turned grave. He looked at Dugo worriedly as he urged, "Little brother, hurry and run away, I will delay them for you. I don't believe that you didn't awaken any energy. With your strong body and illusiveness, I'm certain you will be able to get away on time." Gulang took a moment of pause as he forced a smile and continued, "Don't worry, with the things I've done for them, they won't kill me. I would be punished heavily at most."

"N-no! I don't want to!" Dugo refused to leave. His voice was trembling, his eyes filled with worry. Even if what the other party said was true, that he wouldn't be killed, his conscience wouldn't let him leave him just like that.

He would either run away with him or die with him! But at that moment, he also knew that the former was likely to be impossible. However, if he chose the latter, wouldn't his big brother's sacrifice for him be in vain?

Dugo Zugath was at loss. He didn't know what to do at that time. If he only had enough strength, then he wouldn't be as confused as this as he would rather annihilate whoever hurt his loved ones.

Pasak!

Another arrow pierced through Gulang's back as he even used his arms to support his body from falling on the ground. At that moment, he felt his strength leaving out of his body as his sight was getting blurry. He could tell that there was some kind of poison imbued on the arrow. It seemed like their master, Diego Salaman, was prepared to lose him. What a pity. He thought that with all the things he had done for him, he would have some value. In the end, he was still as worthless as could be.

"B-big brother!" Dugo Zugath was in a panic as he immediately helped his big brother to support him up. It was apparent that the worry in his heart increased greatly. He could see clearly that the pale countenance of his big brother had become even paler.

"Since it comes to this..." Gulang muttered in his heart seemingly planning about something. He then stared intently at Dugo's eyes as he urged again, "Little brother, please run away. If you die here with me, how can you avenge me? Besides, you remind me of my little brother so I don't really want you to die in here."

As it turned out, the reason why Gulang was so warm towards Dugo Zugath and do something for him to such lengths was that he reminded him of his brother in blood. But since his little brother and his family had already died a long time ago, he had no way of meeting them again.

But now that he saw someone who resembled his little brother so much, he didn't want him to die as well. Since he was already all alone and was tired of living like a dog of someone tyrannical, he might as well use this worthless life of his for someone he dear.

Besides, this little brother Dugo of his was somewhat peculiar. Without having any energy, and with his physique alone, his strength could be compared to a one or two-star E-rank awakener who had awakened Physical Energy. With this, he was certain that Dugo was not an ordinary individual. Even their master knew about this. He even had high hopes for him. It was just that, in the end, Dugo disappointed their master as the magic crystal didn't react at all when he tested his awakened energy.

"But... But..." Dugo wanted to refuse but the other party interrupted him.

"Don't be stubborn." Gulang turned exceedingly serious. There was even a hint of anger in his eyes.

Dugo Zugath was somewhat terrified seeing his big brother looking at him like that. The warmth showed by the other party earlier was nowhere to be found anymore as he could even see another person from him. If he stubbornly stayed there, his big brother would certainly be disappointed in him for wasting his sacrifice.

With that in mind, Dugo gritted his teeth as he replied solemnly, "Alright."

After which, Dugo stood up and turned around with darkened expression. But before running away, he opened his mouth again and said, "You must promise me to stay alive. Someday, I will come to save you."

"Alright, I promise you." Gulang smiled as he responded. His tone of voice showed his confidence.

With a darkened expression remaining on him, Dugo didn't utter a word to respond. But instead, he made a step forward as he ran in his quickest. As unwilling as he was to part ways with his big brother, he knew that this was the only thing he could do at that moment. He didn't want to waste his big brother's effort for saving him. This favor... Dugo Zugath promised to himself that he would surely become stronger and come back to return the favor to his big brother ten or a hundred folds.

Seeing the silhouette of Dugo getting farther and farther away, Gulang heaved a sigh of relief before he turned serious again. Without bothering himself with his injuries and the pain he felt, he stood up while having fierce eyes. Though his body was trembling slightly, and his eyes were getting heavy urging him to sleep, he still kept an imposing and dignified manner. It was as if even if the sky fell, he would remain standing like a mighty fortress.

After a moment, Gulang opened his mouth and spoke coldly, "You two will stay here."

Without turning his body around, Gulang turned his head to look behind him. His gaze became fiercer as he exuded out an aura of hostility and added, "I asked you two to do me a favor and let little brother Dugo leave. Otherwise, die!"