The Return Of The God Level Assassin

”IʼM here,” a voice suddenly said coming from the house.

They all looked to that direction and saw Shirayuki just coming out of the house. She was staring at Dusk, as if observing every nook and cranny of the otherʼs face. If it was another person, they would have probably already found her action rude. Heck, if the one before her was the Dusk with no memories of the past, he would have already shouted at her.

But the Dusk now didnʼt do anything. He just stood there, letting the other observe him. But one could see that he wasnʼt really comfortable by it. Fortunately, Shirayukiʼs probing didnʼt last long.

”It looks like your memories have returned,” she commented. One couldnʼt feel what her emotion was when she said that.

”Yes,” Dusk responded simply. ”And just like what I promised before, I will explain to you why I did the things I did back then.”

Luo Yan glanced at Dusk, he had a feeling that that might be the case. So, he called Eclipse telepathically to make room for the two. It wouldnʼt be good to witness a private conversation like this.

Eclipse received his message. And although he looked reluctant, he still walked back to where Luo Yan and Shen Ji Yun were.

As if knowing that they planned to leave, Dusk suddenly turned to them and said, ”You should stay.”

”I agree,” Shirayuki seconded. ”Itʼs better for Eclipse to hear whatever he had to say.”

What else could Luo Yan do? Should he still refuse when the people involved didnʼt mind it at all? It would just turn into a childish conversation like; ʼIʼll goʼ, ʼno, donʼt goʼ.

”Okay,” he could only agree at the end.

Dusk, once again, turned to Shirayuki. He remained silent for a moment. As if gathering the words that he wanted to say. And then, finally, he managed to say those words.

”Back then, I was consumed by too much anger and grief. All I could think of was to avenge what happened to Kagetsuki. But I also wanted to honor her last words. So, in my arrogance, I believed that the beast egg that she left would be the safest with me. I didnʼt believe that you or any members of your clan had the ability to protect the beast egg properly. But as it turned out, I also didnʼt manage to properly protect it.

”Instead, I put the beast egg in harmʼs way. Itʼs only because of luck that the worst thing that happened was for the beast egg to be trapped in time with me. But if I was not being selfish and was not thinking too highly of myself, I would have let your tribe protect the egg. Then, it would break its shell naturally.

”Eclipse would be born and he would be able to spend his childhood with the only family he had, along with his own people. He would have become an adult by now. Maybe he would have already taken over the position of the tribe leader. But because of me, none of that happened.

”Because of pride and rage, how I viewed a situation also narrowed. Itʼs probably why I didnʼt succeed in that war. Because I was so blinded by revenge that I didnʼt even notice that I was already being betrayed. Itʼ just right for me to fail.

”I understand if you couldnʼt forgive me. But I hope you could accept my apology.”

Dusk then bowed towards Shirayuki. A ninety-degrees bow that showed his sincerity.

Eclipse suddenly ran forward and hugged Duskʼs waist. ”Uncle is saying nonsense! Aunt is not Eclipseʼs only family, you are too! Mashter and Captain as well! If- if Eclipse had lived in this village, then, then he wouldnʼt be able to meet Mashter. And the Eclipse you know now wouldnʼt be the same Eclipse. Eclipse doesnʼt want that at all!” Then, he turned to his aunt with tears in his eyes. ”Eclipse is sorry, Aunt Yuki. It doesnʼt mean that Eclipse would hate it if he grew up here with you. But- but—”

Shirayuki walked forward and stroke Eclipseʼs hair gently. ”I understand. You donʼt need to explain,” she said, probably to help the little boy because she could see the frustration in his eyes for not being able to explain what he wanted to say properly. Then she turned to Dusk.

”You also donʼt have to apologize. We all have our circumstances back then. It was also my fault for reacting the way I did when we met again at the shrine. I should have been more understanding. Instead of attacking you as if everything was your fault. I guess I just wanted to vent all the pent-up anger I felt throughout the years and you just became the perfect target. For that, I apologize sincerely.”

Dusk seemed to be surprised that Shirayuki would forgive him so easily and that the other would even apologize herself. But he quickly regained his composure and said, ”Thereʼs no need for you to apologize. Your reaction back then at the shrine was only natural. It just showed how much you cared about Eclipse. Itʼs not something you should apologize for.”

Eclipse showed a very joyful expression after the conversation of the two. He held Duskʼs hand with one hand and held Shirayukiʼs hand with the other. Then, he put the hands of the two people together. With his own hand atop of them.

”Now, we really are family,” the little boy said with a big and warm smile on his face.

Shirayuki seemed startled by this but she quickly let out a chuckle and said, ”Yes.”

Dusk, who was also very surprised, finally showed his very first smile after he had regained his memories. Evidence that he liked what Eclipse said about being a ʼfamilyʼ. Because that, the subtle gloom thatʼs surrounding him slowly dissipated. Itʼs like he was slowly conquering his pain right before their very eyes.

Luo Yan stared at the three and he couldnʼt help but think in his heart, ʼyes, they indeed look like a familyʼ.