MSH •

<CHAPTER 8>

Trash Should Be Burned

“Yeah. I decided to leave.”

In a world like a rated-19 tragic setting, there were no normal people around Ehilie.

That included her family as well.

Cain had treated his younger sister Ehilie like a maid since she was young.

If Ehilie did not listen, he would not hesitate to hit her.

And their parents knew about it and still turned a blind eye.

‘It’s because I’m not their real daughter.’

Thanks to remembering her past life, she understood.

She finally knew why those people, who barely deserved to be called parents, had treated her and Cain so differently.

They gave their biological son Cain soft bread and meat, while giving Ehilie dried grass and watery soup.

“If you want to marry a good man later, you need to take care of your body from now.”

Cain always wore clean, new clothes, but Ehilie had to patch up worn-out rags.

“If a woman indulges in luxury, the household will be ruined.”

“Be obedient to your parents and your brother.”

She had grown up being brainwashed with those teachings.

If she had not remembered her past life, she would have thought it was normal.

“It’s terrifying that my own brother is a violent person who thinks it’s natural to treat his sister like a maid and beat her.”

“What? Violence? Hey, watch what you say. When did I ever hit you for no reason?”

Cain glared at her.

“You’re slow and always do stupid things, so I was teaching you as your brother. Right?”

When she was young, she would always beg for forgiveness whenever Cain raised his voice.

But not anymore.

Ehilie looked him straight in the eyes and spoke clearly.

“That’s ridiculous. You get ignored outside because you’re useless, so you come home and vent your anger on your weaker sister.”

“Ha, Ehilie, you’ve really lost your mind.”

“You’re right. I’m not sane. How could I be after living in such a disgusting place?”

“You little…!”

Cain raised his thick hand.

Of course.

It was always like this.

Since childhood, Cain had never hesitated to hit her when she displeased him.

‘He thinks I’ll just take it again.’

Ehilie suddenly ran into the house.

“Where do you think you’re going, you rat! Get back here right now!”

Running away?

No way.

Why would she be afraid of that idiot who only knew how to shout?

She had only gone to find a weapon.

She had no intention of being beaten quietly anymore.

Seeing that, Cain sneered.

“Ha, what are you going to do with that? You think you can swing it at me?”

Cain strode forward and reached out.

Ehilie swung the frying pan with all her strength.

Bang!

A heavy impact echoed.

She had aimed for his head, but Cain blocked it with his arm and grabbed her hair, yanking it hard.

“Aah!”

Her scalp felt like it was being torn off from the pain.

Cain seized the moment her grip weakened, snatched the pan, and threw it away.

“Stupid bitch. You think a frying pan is a weapon?”

Just as Cain raised his hand again.

Clang!

A loud sound rang out.

At the same time, the hand gripping her hair loosened, and Cain’s heavy body collapsed.

Ehilie lifted her tear-blurred eyes.

Behind Cain lay Rek, holding a dented frying pan.

His red eyes were filled with disgust and killing intent.

“Rek…?”

At her surprised voice, Rek turned to her.

His icy expression softened instantly.

“Are you all right, Ehilie?”

“Ugh, you bastard, what are you doing…?”

Cain staggered up, holding his head.

Rek’s eyes grew cold.

He calmly raised the frying pan.

This time, Cain tried to block it.

Crash!

“Aah! W-Wait!”

Clang!

“Why are you doing this to me!”

Bang!

“S-Stop! Let’s talk! Let’s talk!”

Bang! Clang! Clang! Bang!

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Brother, it’s all my fault! Please calm down!”

The rhythm was oddly good.

Rek beat Cain like he was playing drums.

All the while, his gaze stayed fixed on Ehilie.

His face was eerily gentle as he swung the pan.

“Ugh…”

Realizing Rek would not listen, Cain crawled toward Ehilie.

“E-Ehilie, please save me. Do something about that lunatic…!”

He was drooling in fear.

Ehilie watched her brother cling to her pathetically.

‘Even now, he won’t apologize to me.’

He begged Rek, but not her.

That was so like him.

Ehilie smiled.

It was her first genuine smile in front of Cain.

“Why should I?”

“…Huh?”

The final blow came down.

Clang!

With a refreshing sound, Cain’s eyes rolled back.

Rek threw away the ruined pan.

He gently fixed her messy hair.

“Ehilie, I caught a rat.”

“Ah… yes. Good job.”

Rek smiled in satisfaction.

He lifted Cain by the collar with one hand.

Cain was a big eater and huge in size.

Yet Rek lifted him effortlessly.

‘How can someone who broke his wrist before lift him so easily?’

“I’ll be back soon.”

“W-Where are you going?”

“We can’t keep trash inside. I’ll throw it away.”

“Wait, Rek!”

“D-Don’t kill him.”

Rek tilted his head.

“Why?”

She felt he had no hesitation about killing.

‘He must have grown up surrounded by people who wanted him dead.’

“He’s… my brother.”

“Brother? Didn’t you say you had no family?”

“I’m sorry. That was a lie. My parents are alive, but they’re nothing to me.”

Rek nodded calmly.

“I understand. You wouldn’t want to call such a person family.”

“You heard that?”

“Yes.”

“Ehilie. The one who should bow his head is that trash.”

“You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

Those words comforted her deeply.

“Is your wrist okay?”

Rek smiled.

“I’m fine. I’ll go deal with the trash now.”

“…Deal with it how?”

“Burning trash is the cleanest way.”

“…Did you already forget I said not to kill him?”

“Ah, right.”

“Then I’ll bury him.”

No, I said don’t kill him.