Chapter 1195: Punch me

At the Same Time

Max, Allen, James, and Hugo, who had gone into town earlier that day, had just arrived back at the castle. James and Allen carried boxes of souvenirs, having spent their last day shopping for friends and family back home. Max, on the other hand, hadn’t bothered. As for Hugo, even if he had wanted to buy something, he had no extra money.

"Allen, that’s a lot of souvenirs," James said in awe, turning to Allen, who was walking beside him.

Allen grinned. "I didn’t realize I bought so much. But since we came here for business, I didn’t have much time to shop. So, I planned to use today just for this."

"So, who are they for?"

"I got some tea cups for my mom, some for my cousins, then my nephews... there’s also something for my girlfriend..." Allen listed, wondering if he had forgotten anyone. "We’re a big family, so if I get one, I need to get something for everyone."

James laughed. "Sounds like a big, happy family."

"Haha. It is big, for sure. How about you?" Allen asked. "You bought a lot today too. I was a bit surprised."

"I bought some to give to the office," James answered casually. "I did promise everyone I’d bring back something, after all."

As the two chatted about their souvenirs, Max and Hugo, who were walking behind them, had different reactions. Max scrunched up his nose, rolling his eyes.

"And here I thought, with Lily and Ginnie not around, I wouldn’t have to get dragged into all this shopping," he grumbled. "They didn’t make me carry their bags, but they did make me wait."

"Why are you complaining?" Hugo arched a brow at Max. "If you were just going to whine about it, you should’ve stayed at your hotel. Why even bother coming back here?"

Max deadpanned, staring straight ahead. "..."

"Did you... forget?"

"I didn’t forget that I’m staying at a hotel in town," Max denied, but the look on his face gave him away. He had forgotten. "Why are you looking at me like that? — And why are you even walking with me?"

"Damn! You dragged me with you while I was sleeping..." Hugo trailed off, his brows rising as he noticed someone approaching them from behind Max.

"What?" Max furrowed his brows, turning back to see where Hugo was looking. "Atlas?"

Max and Hugo stopped in their tracks, watching Atlas approach. When he reached them, the lines on their foreheads deepened at the serious look on his face.

Atlas glanced at Max before noticing James and Allen stopping a few feet away, their eyes also on him. He ignored them and turned back to Hugo.

"Hugo, come with me for a while," was all he said before walking past Max.

"Uh..." Hugo blinked, tilting his head.

Max was just as confused as Allen and James, who were watching from a distance.

"Is Senior Atlas angry?" James whispered, leaning toward Allen.

Allen narrowed his eyes slightly and shook his head. "I don’t think so, but... his face does look kinda weird."

Meanwhile, Hugo just scratched the back of his head before shrugging.

"Oh well," he said, then followed Atlas without another word.

"I don’t want to think he’s in trouble," Max mumbled, eyes on Hugo’s retreating back. "But why do I even care?"

Shrugging off the thought, Max shook his head and resumed walking. Seeing Allen and James still watching Hugo, he spoke up. "They’re brothers. I don’t think Atlas would actually kill that happy-go-lucky idiot. Let’s just go inside. I’m starving."

******

"First Brother, where are you taking me?" Hugo asked as they walked across the other side of the driveway. "If this is something important, then I guess this is a good spot to talk. No one’s around to listen."

At his words, Atlas stopped. Standing in the middle of the lawn beside the driveway, he turned to Hugo with a stern expression.

"Hugo." Atlas pointed at his brother. "Punch me."

"..." Hugo blinked. Then he blinked again. His brows furrowed as he scratched his ear. "First Brother, I think that punch I took to the ear last night is messing with my hearing. Did you just ask me to punch you?"

"Yes." Atlas unhesitatingly took a step closer, stopping just in front of him. Looking Hugo dead in the eye, he repeated, "Punch me like you mean it."

"Uhh..." Hugo opened and closed his mouth. "Or is my brain malfunctioning?"

"You’re not mishearing things, and your brain won’t malfunction if it’s already defective to begin with," Atlas replied coldly. "And before you start thinking I’ve lost my mind—I haven’t."

"Haha! First Brother, if that’s not it, then why?" Hugo gasped in disbelief. "Why are you asking me to punch you? And why would you even think I’d do that? If you want to get punched, can you just do it yourself?"

Atlas didn’t smile. "If that was supposed to be a joke, you’re really bad at humor."

"First Brother, why are you asking me to punch you?" Hugo asked, genuinely curious. "I’m not asking because I’d do it, but I’m really wondering why."

Besides, Hugo was sure his first brother would never forgive him if he actually did what Atlas was asking. Hugo might not use his brain all the time, but his survival instincts were sharp. No way in hell was he falling for this.

Atlas didn’t answer right away, looking away as if deep in thought. "You’re right," he finally said, nodding before snapping his eyes back to Hugo. "A punch is probably too much. It would hurt."

"It would hurt. Not when you’re unconscious, of course, but once you wake up, yeah, it’ll hurt like hell," Hugo commented knowingly. "Also, I’m not going home just to get scolded by Mom and Dad for punching my older brother. I can see the trap a mile away, even with zero brain energy."

"Shoot me, then."

"..." Hugo blinked. Then, without a word, he turned and started walking away. "I wonder if Butler Lee knows a shaman. First Brother might’ve stayed away from the fight, but maybe he got too close to some ghosts."

Pausing in his steps, Hugo glanced back at Atlas. "First Brother, are you serious?"

"I am."

"Then, come with me," Hugo said and then winked at him. "I’m not doing it, but I’ll help you."