Chapter 67: Like brothers
The job Teon had given him was to stand at the main entrance and welcome Leon when he finally arrived.
He was expected to stand outside like a common servant, put on a fake smile, and escort his disgraceful brother through the front doors as if he were a returning prince.
To Yeon, being forced to act this role for the very person he despised most was the ultimate form of disrespect from his father.
The thought of having to welcome Leon made him sick to his stomach, filling his throat with a bitter, sour taste that made his jaw lock in pure disgust.
He had even spoken directly to his father about it, pleading with the old man and saying the task should be handed over to anyone else apart from him.
Teon however, refused his son’s frantic request without hesitation, shutting down the argument with a cold, unyielding stare.
The man believed that seeing his arrogant brother bowing his head and standing at the gate would instantly prove to Leon that the family was serious about offering him the position of true heir.
It was a calculated psychological move, and Teon didn’t care how much it humiliated Yeon in the process.
Yeon stared out into the streets, his jaw clenching so tightly that his teeth ground together in rage.
’If you know what’s good for you... don’t come here brother, I just might kill you myself.’ he thought.
As soon as he thought that, a familiar figure appeared just a few meters away from him, kicking up a small cloud of dust at his sudden arrival.
The three players standing beside Yeon gasped in surprise, instinctively dropping into their combat stances as the heavy, ominous pressure of an unknown powerhouse settled over them.
Yeon’s eyes widened in shock, his heart skipping a frantic beat as he stared down at the person who had very identical features with him, except for his thick black hair.
He froze, his breath catching in his throat as he took in the familiar, sharp jawline, the piercing eyes, and the broad shoulders of the young man standing before him.
The raw intensity radiating off the newcomer was so overwhelming that it felt like looking into a twisted, far more dangerous reflection of himself.
It was hard for someone who didn’t know them personally to believe they were actually fraternal twins and not identical twins.
Their facial structures were practically identical down to the smallest detail, sharing the exact same sharp nose, high cheekbones, and dangerous, predator-like stance that ran deep within the Allistar bloodline.
Anyone passing by on the busy street would have immediately assumed they were born from the exact same egg.
If not for their different hair color, they were almost like mirror versions of themselves standing at opposite ends.
Leon had a deep frown on his face as he stared at Yeon, but he also felt a couple of conflicting emotions rising rapidly within him.
A heavy mixture of cold nostalgia, bitter resentment, and deep-seated disgust tangled together inside his chest as he locked eyes with his twin.
Yeon’s face back a flood of forgotten moments from their childhood, making his heart beat faster.
It had been about a year since he last saw his brother face to face like this, only seeing his face on television screens and news stations throughout his time in the slums.
He took a slow breath, his voice dropping to a low, heavy murmur as he muttered, "Yeon..."
The simple sound of his brother’s name felt heavy on his tongue, carrying the full weight of the terrible blood between them.
Yeon’s brows twitched in response, a visible flash of annoyance crossing his sharp features as he heard his name spoken.
"Leon..." he muttered, chewing on the words like they were poison.
For a moment, there was nothing but complete silence between them.
The twin brothers remained frozen in place, staring at each other across the short distance like two apex predators waiting for the other to make a single wrong move.
Even the three standing directly behind Yeon could clearly sense the terrifying, explosive tension radiating between the two.
The heavy pressure hanging in the air was so dense that it felt like a physical weight pressing against their chests, making it almost impossible for them to draw a proper breath.
Realizing that a single spark could instantly detonate a full-scale battle on the steps, they subconsciously shifted backwards, taking small, cautious steps toward the safety of the glass doors.
Yeon was the first to break the heavy silence, forcing his stiff lips into a wide, unnatural grin as he took a step forward.
He stretched his hand out wide in a theatrical gesture of greeting, his voice ringing across the open courtyard as he said, "What a pleasure... to see your face again brother! Haha!"
His laugh was obviously forced, echoing awkwardly off the tall glass walls of the headquarters without a single drop of genuine warmth behind it.
The fake joy on his face was threatening to crumble at any given second, strained to its limit as thick, angry veins kept popping prominently on his forehead.
Every single muscle in his body was screaming at him to draw his blade and attack, making his theatrical display of hospitality look deeply unsettling to anyone watching.
Leon scoffed loudly in disgust, his sharp eyes narrowing into cold slits as he dismissed his brother’s fake performance without giving it a single second of respect.
He didn’t move an inch from his spot at the bottom of the steps, his voice slicing through the air as he said, "Cut the bullshit! What is this supposed to mean... Roaring Lions welcome me back with open arms?!"
Yeon sighed heavily, rubbing his temple with two fingers as he forced his fake grin to relax into a tired, condescending expression.
He shook his head slowly, looking down at his younger brother from the top of the stairs as he said, "No need to shout like a baboon, you see... we could just go in and talk about this like... like bro-brothers."