Chapter 18: Hyun and Ben meet

"Relax," Ben reassured Mina, giving her an affectionate pat on the head. "The choice is entirely yours. Don't do anything that doesn't sit right with you," he advised, his friendly smile putting her at ease.

'Who exactly is this Kai character to make my senior sister shed tears?' Ben pondered with a hint of annoyance in his expression.

"Is this Kai guy your... um, your special someone?" Ben inquired, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at her.

"He's my boyfriend!" Mina announced with a joyful grin, and it felt like a dagger to Ben's heart.

"Boyfriend?" Ben exclaimed, his voice rising in surprise.

"Yes," Mina confirmed with a nod.

'He's dead,' Ben sighed inwardly as he could imagine the mysterious Kai's shriveled up appearance, due to his senior sister's crazy stamina.

"Congratulations, but for the sake of your boyfriend's well-being, maybe consider having two or three people," suggested, his tone tinged with concern. He watched as Mina scrunched up her face in reluctance, contemplating his words.

"With your unique constitution, you might unwillingly drain his vitality, and if he's not on the same level of cultivation as you, well, it could be detrimental leading to death," Ben continued, and Mina began to contemplate the idea.

"I should discuss this with Kai then," she declared, determination in her eyes.

"Oh, right! I nearly forgot my original reason for wandering the city," Mina said with a playful grin. "Do you happen to know any details about the trials ahead?" Mina inquired, her gaze scanning Ben closely. 'Now that I get a good look at him, he's quite tall.' She thought.

Ben shrugged casually. "I'm just as clueless as you are about the trials," he admitted. "Most of the information is a secret and there have been no leads, but I do know that we are expected to take about a month to complete the trials," he added, prompting Mina to nod thoughtfully.

"A month, huh," she mused.

"I hope Kai gets better before then," she sighed, her face revealing a mix of guilt and sorrow.

"Are you okay, senior sister?" Ben noticed the change in her expression and asked with concern.

Mina bit her lip, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just that I feel bad about not remembering much about you," she confessed, scratching her cheek nervously.

Ben reassured her with a warm smile. "Don't worry; those memories will come back in time. Let's make new ones together and be friends again," he declared, extending his hand towards her.

"Sure," Mina agreed with a smile, shaking his hand before letting go.

'So soft (⁠￣⁠︶⁠￣⁠),' Ben couldn't help but think about how soft her palms felt.

"Want to grab some pastries?" Ben asked, his eyes filled with hope that she would agree.

"I don't mind," Mina replied nonchalantly.

"So, which inn are you staying at?" Ben inquired.

"I don't know the name, but I can recognize it when I see it," Mina replied, prompting a laugh from Ben.

"What's so funny?" Mina inquired, her cheeks puffing out in playful way as she directed her gaze at Ben. The corners of her lips twitched, revealing a hint of a smile.

"It's nothing. Shall we leave?" Ben responded as he gestured toward the alley's exit, and Mina nodded in agreement as he walked away and stepped out of the alley, with Mina following behind him.

As they strolled through the bustling city, Mina couldn't help but notice the increase in population since her arrival. The city had come alive, a vibrant mixx of sights, sounds, and scents even people of various races had gathered here, in all shapes and sizes. Ben led her to a series of food stalls, and they indulged in snacks while engaging in casual conversation, before moving on to the next stall. Ben couldn't hide his smile as he watched Mina enjoy herself.

"So, are you planning to return to your boyfriend?" Ben teased, raising both eyebrows with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Mina chuckled, holding bags filled with the pastries they had gathered during their time of roaming around the city, "Yes, he's not feeling well, and I thought these pastries might help restore his energy."

Unbeknownst to Mina, Ben couldn't help but find amusement in her commitment to nourishing her boyfriend back to health. 'Keke, he couldn't handle her,' Ben thought inwardly, a quiet chuckle escaping him at the thought of Kai.

"Can I meet him?" Ben asked, his gaze fixed on Mina.

Mina eyed him suspiciously. "From your eyes I see you have no good intentions."

Ben grinned playfully. "Come on, I'm just curious to meet the guy dating my beautiful senior sister."

"Hmm," Mina responded, considering his request. "Alright then."

"Great!" Ben exclaimed, and together, they made their way back to the inn.

Upon their arrival, Mina spotted a familiar face standing by the inn's entrance. "Hey, Mina!" the young man called out enthusiastically, waving to her.

"What brings you here, Hyun?" Mina asked, her gaze shifting to her unexpected visitor.

Ben couldn't help but size up the newcomer. Hyun sported short, vibrant blue hair and striking orange eyes. He stood tall, with a lean yet muscular build, he also wore a luxurious long robe.

Ben face scrunched up more as he noticed something about this Hyung, 'He's a playboy!'

"I came to see you, of course," Hyun replied with a warm smile as Mina and Ben approached him.

Mina, while undoubtedly pleased to see him, appeared to be somewhat nervous. "Actually, it's not a great time right now."

Hyun's forehead lightly creasing with confusion, as he questioned, "Why's that?"

Ben interjected, "She's here to take care of her boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?!" Hyun exclaimed, his expression filled with shock.

Mina nodded, confirming her relationship status.

Hyun, perhaps overwhelmed by the unexpected news, dramatically slumped to the ground, tracing aimless circles in the dirt. "I was too late."

Turning his attention to Ben, Hyun asked with a hint of annoyance, "And who are you?"

With a smirk and a twinkle in his eye, Ben introduced himself, "I'm her younger brother; we practically grew up together."

Hyun scrunched up his face in response, clearly not thrilled by the revelation.

"Keke," Ben laughed in delight.

"As you guys seem to be enjoying each other's company," Mina said with a warm smile, "I think I'll take my leave for now." She gracefully excused herself, taking the first step away from the group.

Hyun, however, didn't want their conversation to end just yet. Eager to continue their chat, he quickly caught up with Mina. "Hey, Mina, do you mind if we talk for a little while longer?" he asked, walking alongside her with an earnest look in his eyes.

Mina turned to him, her gaze thoughtful, as she considered his request. After a brief moment of contemplation, her smile returned, even brighter. "Well, alright then," she agreed. "Please wait for me downstairs. I just want to check on Kai and make sure he's feeling alright." Her words were accompanied by that captivating smile, which seemed to cast a gentle spell on Hyun, leaving not only him but also the nearby onlookers slightly flushed with its charm.

"Sure thing," Hyun replied, his face lighting up with a radiant smile of his own.

As Mina headed toward Kai's room, the two young men, Ben and Hyun, found themselves closing the distance between them. Their gazes locked, and an unspoken tension lingered in the air, revealing a subtle rivalry beneath the surface.

"I must admit," Ben confessed with a directness that cut through the palpable tension, "I'm not particularly fond of you."

Hyun, not one to beat around the bush, responded in kind. "Likewise."

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