Infinite System Inheritor Return From The Abyss-Chapter 288 - 286: Who are you

[What are you doing, Host? That little girl just told you she's lonely. Are you really being a good big brother right now?]

Seojun blinked. "I carried her. I even promised to play with her."

[Carrying her is not enough! You promised to be her big brother. Not just in words. She needs you, and you're still holding back.]

Huno stopped beside Seojun and tilted his head. "Uh… master? Are you okay?"

Seojun sighed. "What exactly are you talking about?."

[ I'm reminding you. She's your little sister, not a guest. Don't just smile and say 'I'm here.' Be there for real. Play with her. Talk with her. Listen to her. She's opening up to you, and you're acting like an awkward babysitter.]

Seojun looked down at Ahye, who was happily swinging her feet now on the couch, talking to herself and pretending to feed her stuffed bunny.

His heart sank a little.

[You didn't grow up with her, I get it. But that's not her fault. She still sees you as her big brother. So act like one. Before it's too late and she thinks you don't care.]

Seojun stayed quiet.

Even Huno spoke up gently. "Ahye really likes you, Master… She's been waiting to play with you every day."

Seojun let out a long sigh. He sat down beside her and ruffled her hair.

"I'm sorry, Ahye. I'll really try now."

Ahye turned to him, grinning big. "Really? Then you have to join my tea party next!"

Seojun chuckled. "Alright, alright. Pour me some tea, princess."

As she giggled and set up her toy cups, Seojun felt something shift in his heart.

[Good, Host. That's more like it.]

Even the system sounded a little proud. Maybe. The living room turned into a royal garden—at least in Ahye's imagination.

A small pink blanket was laid out on the floor. Stuffed animals sat neatly in a circle. Toy teacups were placed carefully, and Huno wore a small ribbon on his head, much to his dismay.

Seojun sat cross-legged, holding a plastic teacup with fake tea inside. He even tried to sip it seriously.

"Delicious," he said, making Ahye giggle.

"You have to raise your pinky, big brother," she said, raising her small hand to show him.

Seojun chuckled and copied her. "Like this?"

"Yes! You're a proper guest now."

Huno gave a tiny bark and sat straight. Ahye poured him an empty cup and whispered, "You're the royal knight, Huno."

He woofed proudly. The three of them laughed and enjoyed their little tea party. It was simple, but it made the room feel lighter and full of joy.

Then, as Ahye refilled Seojun's cup with pretend tea, she looked up at him, her eyes curious.

"Big brother?" she asked.

"Hm?"

"You're the same age as Nathan and Elshienne, right?"

"Yeah," Seojun nodded.

She tilted her head. "Then… why are you taller than them?"

Her tone was soft, full of childlike wonder. She wasn't doubting anything. She just wanted to know.

Seojun blinked, surprised by the question.

Even Huno froze, ears twitching like he was also curious about the answer.

Seojun smiled gently and placed the teacup down. "That's a good question."

Ahye waited patiently, eyes wide.

"Well," Seojun said, choosing his words carefully, "Sometimes, people grow taller faster. Everyone's body is a little different. Some grow early, some grow later."

"Oh…" Ahye nodded slowly. "Like how my friend is younger than me but she's taller?"

"Exactly like that."

"Okay!" she grinned, satisfied. "I hope I grow tall too!"

"You will," Seojun said with a smile. "Just keep eating your veggies."

She made a face. "Even broccoli?"

"Especially broccoli," he teased.

The tea party was still going. Seojun pretended to sip another cup of imaginary tea, nodding seriously like he was at a real royal banquet.

Ahye giggled as she poured another round for the stuffed bear. Huno sat beside her with a cookie on his head, trying not to move.

Everything felt peaceful… until Ahye spoke again.

"You promised to be honest with me, big brother," she said quietly, almost like a whisper.

Seojun froze, the plastic cup halfway to his mouth. He slowly looked at Ahye.

She wasn't looking at him. She was placing a cookie on a stuffed rabbit's plate. Calm. Too calm.

"What do you mean?" Seojun asked softly. "I didn't lie."

Ahye didn't answer right away. She just kept playing, carefully arranging the teacups and pretending nothing was wrong.

Then she looked up at him. Her expression was innocent, but her words caught him completely off guard.

"Sis and brother are 18 years old," she said. "And you told us you're the same age."

Seojun blinked, Ahye tilted her head and her eyes looking straight into his.

"Then why does it say… you're 518 years old?"

He let out a small, awkward laugh.

"Ahye…"

"You lied," she said, not harshly—just stating a fact.

Seojun scratched the back of his neck. "It's not a lie… just a really, really hard truth."

Ahye pouted. "That's still a lie if you don't tell me."

He let out a sigh, smiling softly. "You're really too smart, you know that?"

"I'm Five," she said proudly, "and I made you promise."

Seojun looked at her quietly for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I'll tell you one truth for now."

Ahye's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Really. But not all at once, okay? Just a little at a time."

"Hmm…" she crossed her arms. "Okay. But only if you really promise again."

Seojun held out his pinky. "Promise."

She smiled and locked pinkies with him again. "Deal!"

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Seojun kept glancing at Ahye. She was back to playing with her stuffed animals, smiling like nothing strange ever happened. But Seojun couldn't stop thinking about what she said.

'518 years old… she saw that?'

He looked at her again. There was something… odd. His curiosity grew. Just to be sure, he quietly used his ability.

"Appraise."

He focused on Ahye, expecting a normal result. But—nothing happened.

No details. No age. No class. No name. Just a blank space.

Seojun frowned, 'What? That's not possible…'

He tried again. Still nothing. Then he felt a chill run down his back. When he looked up, Ahye was already staring at him. She tilted her head, her big eyes watching him closely.

"Big brother," she said softly. "Why are you trying to appraise me?"

Seojun froze. He didn't expect her to notice. Before he could answer, Huno stood up, ears low, and spoke in a low voice only Seojun could hear.

"Master," Huno said, serious for once. "I haven't told you this before… but there's something strange about Ahye. I didn't say it earlier because I wasn't sure."

Seojun's expression changed. He became serious.

His voice was calm, but low and sharp.

"…Are you really Ahye?"