The hospital room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Replica floated lazily in the air near the window, spinning in slow circles as if it had all the time in the world. I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind still stuck on the quest it had just given me.
Ten kilometers a day.
Two hundred push-ups.
Two hundred sit-ups.
For two weeks.
"…Replica," I said slowly. "You're not telling me everything, are you?"
The small black creature stopped spinning.
Its glowing eyes focused on me.
"There is information," it said, "that was previously restricted."
My heart skipped. "What kind of information?"
Replica floated closer.
"Information related to your sister."
My breath caught.
"…Aniya?"
"Yes."
Replica's voice lost its usual cheerfulness and turned serious.
"Let me tell you something no one else knows."
I sat up slightly. "What is it?"
"Only two beings are aware of this fact," Replica continued. "Your system. And me."
I swallowed.
"…And?"
"And your sister herself—though she does not understand it."
My heart began to race.
Replica spoke clearly.
"Your sister has awakened."
I froze.
"What?"
"Not only awakened," Replica added. "She possesses S-rank Slayer abilities."
The words hit me like a truck.
"S–S-rank?" I whispered.
My head spun.
That was impossible.
S-rank Slayers were monsters among monsters. Walking disasters. Living weapons. There were barely any in the world.
"In Pakistan," I said slowly, my mind racing, "there's only one S-rank Slayer."
"Khawar," Replica replied instantly. "Ranked within the top ten hunters at the national level."
That man alone was the reason Pakistan still stood strong against large-scale gate disasters.
And now—
"My sister…?" I murmured.
Replica nodded. "Yes."
I clenched my fists.
"But… she doesn't act like one. The tests said she had no mana."
"That is because her abilities are sealed," Replica explained. "Subconsciously."
I looked up sharply. "Sealed? Why?"
Replica hovered silently for a moment.
Then spoke.
"She is afraid."
"…Afraid of what?"
Replica's voice softened.
"She believes that if she becomes stronger than you… you will feel inferior."
My chest tightened painfully.
"She fears hurting you."
My vision blurred.
That idiot…
"She knows you're awakened now," Replica continued. "But she believes your rank is low. She chose to hide her own power so you wouldn't feel burdened."
I let out a shaky breath.
"…That's so like her."
Anger and warmth twisted together in my chest.
"She's protecting me again," I muttered.
Replica observed me quietly.
"I need to get strong," I said suddenly.
My voice was firm.
"Strong enough to stand beside her. Strong enough to protect her."
Replica's eyes glowed brighter.
"Then begin the quest."
Before I could respond—
Knock. Knock.
I flinched.
The door opened, and a doctor stepped inside.
"May I check your body condition?" he asked.
I stiffened.
Wait…
What if they noticed something strange?
I hesitated.
Replica's voice echoed calmly in my mind.
"Relax. It is possible they will create their own explanation."
I exhaled slowly.
"…Okay," I said. "You can check."
The doctor examined my arms, chest, and legs.
His expression changed.
"…Strange."
He pressed harder, then checked the charts.
"No internal bleeding. No muscle tears."
His eyes widened.
He quickly stepped out and returned with another doctor.
"Check this," he said urgently.
The second doctor examined me carefully, then frowned.
"This recovery speed…" he muttered. "It's abnormal."
They exchanged glances.
"Could it be awakening-related?" the second doctor suggested.
The first nodded slowly. "That's possible."
They turned to me.
"You're lucky," the first doctor said. "You may not be strong as a Slayer, but your body condition is excellent—far better than a normal human's."
I smiled faintly. "Thank you."
Then I asked, "If possible… can I be discharged now?"
The doctors hesitated.
Then nodded.
"If you feel fine, you may go."
Outside the hospital, the air felt different.
Clearer.
Heavier.
I stood on the sidewalk, sunlight washing over my face.
I clenched my fists.
"Replica," I said quietly.
"Yes, Successor?"
"…Let's begin the quest."
Replica floated beside me.
"Acknowledged."
And somewhere deep inside me—
Something awakened.