Thousand-Faced Dragon

Chapter 448 Brothers
"Is it really Rean?"

"Yes, although his appearance and aura have completely changed, he is indeed Brother Rean."

Rewind a little, and in the temporary residence of the Sudar family, Kane Sudar, who was leading the team, received some surprising news.

He had long suspected that Rean was a fake.

The reason is simple: Rean has only been away from home for a little over half a year. It's too absurd that he went from being a good-for-nothing to a true hero. Other things can be achieved quickly, but can the combat power above the Great Warrior level and bloodline abilities also be achieved quickly?
The most crucial one is always "him," the "good-for-nothing" he's watched grow up.

The second and third sons of the nobleman were close in age. Kane was always wary of Rean replacing him, but the more he grew up, the more he felt that the other was no threat at all.

Is it an act? Impossible. Reality doesn't offer the opportunity to play dumb to outsmart others. Missing out on the growth period of one's bloodline and professional training from a young age is tantamount to cutting off one's own path to success. In the desert kingdoms, without power, one has nothing.

Even if Rean had a "fortuitous encounter" and gained power, he would still be a useless person.

"Waste is always waste."

Character determines destiny. Some people think they can change others, but the reality is that those self-righteous efforts are often just foolish acts that lead to failure.

Change may happen, but it is definitely not something that can be achieved overnight. Without significant events in life (often unfortunate ones), one's personality is fundamentally unchangeable.

Given Rean Sudar's extremely awkward personality, below-average social skills, a tendency toward a corrupt camp that is neither good nor evil nor neutral, and most importantly, a lack of courage to take any responsibility, he would be incapable of doing anything without decades of honing his skills.

The more Kane learned about his "brother," and the more he confirmed the man's information from local sources, the less he believed that it was really his brother. Especially the almost manic dance on the battlefield, the demon obsessed with killing, was too different from the "nerdy guy" in his memory.

"Who? Who is this?" At that moment, Kane Sudar only saw the end, but looking at the demonic monk bathed in blood, he didn't look like his useless younger brother at all.

"Who is it? You." At that moment, even though Kane only saw the final battle scene, he felt that it definitely wasn't his brother.

But then, Mina gave Kane an answer he didn't expect.

Did she betray us? Was she bribed? No, probably not. She honestly met with us for no more than ten minutes and then came back. It's impossible to reach an agreement in such a short time.

Besides, Mina isn't stupid. Doesn't she know what kind of treatment noble children receive after losing their family's protection? Does she expect the local country nobles to protect her?

Kane trusted Mina's judgment, and if Rean was Rean, it wasn't entirely impossible to find a plausible reason.

"I see, it's berserk mode, a second personality during battle."

There are many extraordinary professions with berserk abilities, and the more beastly the berserker, the more likely they are to become. Many shy berserkers transform into bloodthirsty demons once they enter the battlefield.

If Rean acquired an ability similar to "Dragon Frenzy," then these changes would indeed make sense, and his berserk behavior on the battlefield would be normal.

Comparing the achievements of that "mad paladin," his utterly unreasonable rage and uncompromising nature, Kane felt he had found the key.

Borrowing the fearlessness that came with his berserk state, that good-for-nothing did indeed accomplish some feats. It just so happened that the local Sudar needed a figurehead and the royal family needed a leading idol, so they brought him out.

Rean in that battle scene was crazed and bloodthirsty, but his absolute strength couldn't compare to his legend.
"I know how to deal with it now. All I need to do is bump into it in public and keep pressuring it outside of combat situations."

Kane felt he had found the key to strategy.

"Let's start with a chance encounter, establish contact under the guise of family, and launch an emotional offensive with Mina involved. Once we've established this basic connection, the rest will be much easier."

Berserk mode can make people fearless, but it can also amplify weaknesses in one's personality such as recklessness, arrogance, and vanity.

If he just humbled himself, he should be able to make the other person happy, and then he could easily control this idiot. In less than a year, even if he made some progress, it was destined to be limited.

As long as the other party still acknowledged that he was his brother, he had a chance to complete his mission. So he arranged this chance encounter, but the result was somewhat beyond his expectations.

"You? Who?"

Rean spoke calmly, as if he were talking to a stranger.

Instantly, Kane's face turned bright red, and he almost went berserk with anger.

He made many predictions and considered the worst-case scenario.

He considered the humiliation he would suffer and even thought about how to grit his teeth and bear it.

He had considered that the other party might proudly boast to him how he had surpassed him, the second son, and become the most outstanding child in the family.

He had considered how he should respond to the possibility that the other party would yell at him with hatred, take the opportunity to suppress him, or even resort to violence.

He considered that the other person might be feigning friendliness and indifference while inwardly feeling uneasy.
"Oh, he looks familiar... Kane?"

What does it mean to have that indifferent attitude, as if you're looking at a stranger?
Are you saying, Rean, that I, Kane, have never been included in your memory from beginning to end?!
He was furious because he had confirmed the other party's authenticity. It was indeed a pointer from his younger brother's sleeve, pointing towards Rean. It was a "bloodline chain," a strange object used to seek out treasures, and a precious item that the family had given him to verify certain things.

From the very beginning, verifying Rean's identity was unnecessary. It was also a test of Mina's stance and a way to decide how to use this pawn in the future.

Yes, chess pieces, and for the “excellent Sudar nobles” who prided themselves on being chess players, family members were also useful chess pieces.

What chess players find most unacceptable is being treated as a pawn, and an insignificant one at that.
"Haha, long time no see, little brother."

"Oh, Hello."

Rean nodded calmly, then simply turned away, preparing to pass by.

The moment they brushed past each other, Kane's face contorted in horror.

Ignore? Disdain? No, no, no, it's not that simple; it's not something that's truly insignificant.

I know you, I remember you, and then what?
“You’ve been like this since you were little! You treat the things we fight so hard for as worthless trash.”

"Now, what I struggled for the first half of my life but couldn't get, you've easily obtained in just six months. Doesn't that make all my previous persistence and contempt for you a joke?"

"Yes, what a joke. From the very beginning, my life, my efforts, my persistence, were all just a joke in your eyes!"

Kane Sudar's face was contorted with rage, and he wanted to shout it out, but he dared not, for he had to fulfill his family's obligations.

But the next moment, his long-standing aristocratic education allowed him to force a smile.

"Rean, are you free? Let's go for a walk together."

"Oh, I'm busy, let's talk next time." He waved his hand, as if he were talking to a stranger.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Rean didn't even glance at Kane once.

"Is this Mina? Let's go shopping together, brother."

(End of this chapter)