Rise of The Underdog

Chapter 6: The Best Brother in the World

By the time Kyle reached their apartment colony, the streets had emptied out, leaving only the occasional hum of patrolling drones overhead and the flicker of old neon signs that refused to die even after abandoned like them. The kind of place you didn’t choose to live in, it chose you when the system marked you as Dustborn and not worth the resources.

 He walked to the most desolate building in the colony and sighed.

He pushed open the rusty gate to their building, careful not to wake anyone. These people had to give their all just to live one day more. They barely had time to rest, so he didn’t have the heart to disturb them. 

Kyle slowly climbed up the worn out stairs, stopping at the third floor. 

He paused outside the rusting door of the A303, pressing his forehead against the metal for a moment. Then he adjusted the bag in his hand, and straightened his worn out shirt, hoping to look a bit better.

He exhaled slowly. 

Then he pressed his finger on the scanner.

The door creaked open, and warm yellow light spilled out. 

“Brother Kyle!”  a voice rang out, light and sweet. 

Lia sat in her wheelchair near the window, wrapped in two thin blankets. Her long black hair tied in a loose braid. Her cheeks were pale, but her eyes lit up like stars when she saw him. 

“You’re late,” she said with a playful pout. “I thought you were ditching me to celebrate your birthday outside.” 

Kyle gave a tired smile as he shut the door behind him. “What kind of brother ditches his sister on his birthday?” 

Lia rolled closer, eyes darting to the bag in his hand. “Is that…?” 

He pulled out the hard plastic case containing the healing potion and nodded. “Yes, the one helped you the best till now. C-grade healing potion from the Green apothecary shop.”

Her eyes widened. “But that should’ve cost…” 

“Shh,” he said gently, walking over and kneeling in front of her. “Just drink it first. You’ll feel better soon.”

“But Brother Ky…”

“I said drink.” He smiled, softer this time. “You know how bossy I get when I’m tired.” 

Lia huffed but took the case. With shaking hands, she opened it and took out the bottle filled with potion. She popped the cap, and drank it in one long gulp. Her nose scrunched. “Ugh. Still bitter.”

“Means it’s working,” Kyle said, standing up. “Feeling better?”

Lia smiled, wiped her mouth. “Yeah. A little warmer already.” Her body started to glow with warm hue and relax. Her cheeks got back a bit of color after a few moments.

Then she reached out and held Kyle's hand. 

“One more year,” she said softly. “One year till I awaken. Then I’ll protect you.” 

Kyle sat down beside her, eyes soft. “Don’t rush, dummy. You’ll be okay by then. I’m gonna get the coolest talent tonight from system as the birthday gift, you’ll see. Then I’ll conquer dungeons, earn real credits. Enough for your medicine. Maybe even earn enough to buy a Moonlight Potion within a year.” 

Lia's eyes lit up. “Really?”

Kyle nodded. “Really. Then we’ll team up. You and me. The strongest siblings duo on the continent.” 

Lia nodded seriously. “Deal.” 

There was a short silence as they just looked at each other. Kyle rubbed his palms on his jeans. “I’m gonna wash up before midnight hits. Only fifteen minutes left.”

“Go on,” Lia said, wheeling toward the kitchen area. “I’ll make dinner.”

Kyle raised an eyebrow. “Ah, I forgot about dinner. Let's just have noddles soup with r****h…”

Lia rolled her eyes at Kyle. Her brother was so much of a foodie when their parents were alive, however, these years, he was acting like he wouldn't need food even if he fasted for years. She knew everything, but there was not much she could do with her disable legs.

“The menu depends on the chef. So, just go, dummy,” Lia said with a grin. 

Kyle chuckled and walked into their tiny washroom. The mirror was cracked and spotted, the water pressure was pathetic, but the cold splash on his face felt like life returning to his tired body.  

He just took a quick shower and looked himself in the mirror. 

'Please… just give me something useful.' Kyle prayed as he closed his eyes after seeing his battered appearance within the mirror. 

He dried off quickly, changed into his only clean shirt, and walked out, towel still around his neck.

His stomach growled with the scent of the food coming from the kitchen. He licked his lips and walked towards their kitchen. 

On their old wooden table sat two bowl of noodles. Steam still rose lazily from the broth. The noodles floated in a clear broth, along with diced radishes, potatoes, and a single poached egg with in one of the bowl.

Kyle stared at it like he’d forgotten how to breathe. 

And next to it was Lia, holding a mini cupcake with a half-melted, small candle flickering gently on top.

“Happy birthday, Brother Kyle!” Lia said with a soft smile. “You’re the best brother in the world.”