"Sister, have you heard of rebirth?"

"......"

Ouyang Ge’s words stunned Ouyang Shi for a second. But she quickly snapped back.

"Those novels? I never thought you, little brother, had the habit of reading such weird stuff."

"Sister...."

Ouyang Ge shot his sister a displeased look. Ouyang Shi smiled briefly, then turned serious. Through their recent time together, she’d realized this young man didn’t like jokes.

"Alright, alright. Go ahead—I’m listening."

"First, look at this."

Raising his right hand, Ouyang Ge showed her the back of it—the crimson Reaper’s mark.

"This is... a tattoo? Ge, when did you go bad and get inked?!"

"No, this isn’t a tattoo...."

"Then what is it? Honestly, don’t go learning those—”

She stopped mid-sentence. A phantom sensation pierced her heart—someone wanted her dead. Illusory yet sharp, it froze her in place. Her body and mind shifted into combat readiness.

The source? The eyes staring back at her.

"Sister, do you think this feeling is fake?"

His raised hand slowly extended, gently reaching for her shoulder.

—I’ll die!

A warning flashed unbidden in Ouyang Shi’s mind. That slowly enlarging palm radiated bone-chilling killing intent, like the Reaper’s scythe.

"........"

She couldn’t speak. How could someone untouched by slaughter or war grasp this intangible weapon—forged through rivers of blood and countless lives?

Reborn to the present, Ouyang Ge had lost past friends and former strength. But this power from his heart? Unshakeable.

"Just like that."

Not meaning to torment her, the killing intent vanished as fast as it came. His hand landed smoothly on her shoulder.

"Ge, what on earth...."

Cold sweat drenched Ouyang Shi’s face. She didn’t wipe it, staring at her brother with wide, shocked eyes.

"All these years, I know you’ve cared for me, Sister. But haven’t you wondered—why did my muscular dystrophy, a terminal illness, suddenly heal? Why did I adapt so naturally to that alley fight weeks ago?"

"That’s...."

What she’d deliberately ignored resurfaced. Why *had* her brother acted so strangely lately? Could a terminal illness just vanish? Was it possible?

The answer had long been in her heart. She just refused to face it.

"I am Ouyang Ge, but I’m not the Ouyang Ge you knew. Sister...."

"You...."

His words left her utterly bewildered. Her mind churned, unable to form thoughts. She could only gaze at him anxiously.

"In the future, Ouyang Ge becomes a mercenary—world-famous after countless trials. No official ranking. Codename: Caesar. But during one mission, a mysterious figure ambushes him. He dies in ruins."

"Dead? Dead? But...."

"Ouyang Ge didn’t die completely. He revived seventeen years later.... The one killed back then? That was me."

"How... is that possible......."

"Ouyang Shi, in my history, on Ouyang Long’s forty-fifth birthday, a mysterious attacker stabbed you through the heart. You died right before my eyes."

"......"

His words were more unbelievable than fiction. Yet, meeting his resolute gaze, she couldn’t deny them.

"If I do nothing, three nights from now, you’ll die. History will repeat before me. Do you understand? I changed because I refuse to lose you. You’re my most important family, my closest friend. I won’t let you die—not even if it costs my life."

"No!"

Ouyang Shi shot up from her seat, glaring at her brother.

"I forbid such talk! I won’t die. You won’t die. Neither of us will! If you die, who’ll take care of me later? And I’m the older sister—I protect *you*. How could I let my little brother protect me?!"

She’d missed the crucial point. But it didn’t matter. Ouyang Ge had planted the seed. Three days later, the battle would prove him right.

"Heh..."

Seeing Ouyang Shi radiate sisterly authority, Ouyang Ge couldn’t help but smile.

"Sister, prepare yourself. Three nights from now, what I described will likely happen. If it doesn’t—great. But brace for the worst."

"Honestly, I still can’t believe you, Ge.... But!"

Ouyang Shi’s eyes suddenly sparkled. She sat beside him again, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Who else but my little brother? A sister’s duty is to believe unconditionally, isn’t it?"

"Is that so? What a reliable sister."

Watching her adorable reaction, Ouyang Ge laughed softly.

The secret he’d bottled up since rebirth finally spilled out. True relief washed over him. A burden known only to oneself grows heavier with time—threatening to crush you. To face this destined calamity, he needed help. Alone, with ordinary weapons and no gear, he couldn’t defeat those assassins.

Ouyang Shi was the one he trusted most. She deserved his truth.

"Hello? Anyone here?"

Just as warmth settled between them, an intruder burst into the cabin. Zokilia raised a hand to knock—but froze at the scene inside.

"Uh, did I interrupt something private? I’ll... come back later...."

What was pure sibling affection twisted lewdly in his mouth—he was a genius at weirdness. Realizing his bad timing, he apologized awkwardly and backed out.

"Zokilia von Gilginis?! Why are you here!"

Ouyang Ge stood abruptly, shielding his sister, shock etched on his face.

"Huh? You know me? I’m famous, sure—but not *that* handsome for kids to recognize me, right?"

Zokilia gaped at the stranger child, then slicked back his bangs with a cheesy grin.

"Ge."

Ouyang Shi stood behind her brother, shaking her head. "He’s not an enemy."

"Huh?"

Ouyang Ge’s mouth opened and closed, speechless.

—Why so many surprises today......