Chapter 21

◈ Chapter 21. A Being of Love and Hate (2)

*Thud*

1st, Lee Eun-hye.

2nd, Lee Ji-yoon.

3rd, Lee Ye-rim.

The only married one among the four siblings.

"Arang, you should say hello to Uncle Ho-yeol."

"Hello, Uncle Ho-yeol!!"

The eldest sister firmly held Arang's hand and opened the door to my studio apartment.

2nd, Lee Ji-yoon.

As she followed behind, she said to me,

"Ho-yeol, your hair dye turned out great. You look like a complete idol. An idol."

3rd, Lee Ye-rim.

She shot me a sardonic smile.

"Idol, my foot. If Mom knew, she'd faint. How much have you suffered? Your hair is already turning white. Your son's hair is grayer than your father's."

Four women burst into the entrance.

In the past, I would have been flustered.

After all, it was as if my hidden secrets had been exposed.

But now, I was shameless.

"It's been a while since I've seen you. Have you been well, sisters?"

I bowed deeply, a formal greeting.

The sincerity in that formality.

My sisters, however, became more serious in response to my greeting.

2nd poked 3rd's side.

"…Hey, it seems he's not faking it."

"That's right. Where's our well-mannered Ho-yeol?"

"When I called, I half-doubted it…"

I explained most of the situation over the phone.

Not long ago, I became a Player.

The influence changed my tone and appearance.

Due to those circumstances, I quit my job.

And the Ho-yeol in the news is indeed me.

They came running at once.

They couldn't believe it until they saw it with their own eyes.

Naturally, I had no right to refuse.

'…Because I have sinned.'

Even if I hadn't sinned.

Surrounded by 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, their sharp tongues made even their personalities seem like my fault.

In short, it was an unresistable relationship with my natural enemies.

However, as I said, I have changed.

I can act shamelessly even in front of my natural enemies.

"The wind is cold. What would you like to drink?"

At my words, they exchanged glances.

"…What are you talking about?"

"Does our Ho-yeol have a girlfriend?"

"Your affection is nice, but why? Ho-yeol, the eldest sister wants coffee~ Arang, do you want something warm? Uncle~ Arang, give me one too~"

I skillfully took out teacups and prepared tea.

2nd and 3rd whispered as they looked around.

"Looks like he has a girlfriend. Otherwise, a man's house wouldn't be this clean, right? And look at those teacups. They're so delicate…"

"Even if that's the case, the house is too clean. Not a single hair in sight."

"Look at the fridge. You're caught, Lee Ho-yeol."

3rd took out a head of lettuce from the fridge.

2nd picked up some chicken breast.

"Seeing only these in the fridge, it seems his girlfriend is on a diet. Tell us honestly, what does she do? How old is she? Is she pretty?"

…There are many misunderstandings to clear up.

After that, we sat down and had a calm conversation.

Thanks to that, most of the misunderstandings were cleared up.

There was clear evidence.

"…You're eating the lettuce and chicken breast?"

"Looking at your improved physique, it seems so, huh."

"Does that make sense? It's so troublesome to take care of your meals while living alone!"

"Lee Ye-rim. Don't judge the world by your standards. You made a fuss, and I thought our youngest had a girlfriend."

"Then, are these teacups chosen by Ho-yeol? He has quite an eye~"

You did well to prepare snacks according to the formality.

Perhaps it's because of the warm and sweet touch.

Their reactions became even more toxic.

Except for 3rd, who looked a bit aggrieved.

But there was a topic that couldn't be avoided.

The eldest sister asked me,

"So, how is it? Is it manageable?"

A short question, but.

I know the meaning behind it isn't simple.

It was common knowledge that being a Player was dangerous.

So, I couldn't speak first.

Saying something dangerous was not dangerous.

I couldn't lie, either.

3rd warned,

"Look me in the eye when you speak."

…Natural enemies aren't natural enemies for nothing.

After all, she could spot a lie from a mile away since we were young.

But at this moment, I had no lies.

"It suits me."

It wasn't to avoid worrying my blood relatives.

It was a genuine expression of confidence.

In the Ascura Count Raid, I realized my potential and limits.

Knowing my capacity.

At least, beating demons was something I was truly suited for.

I could answer without hesitation.

"…It doesn't seem like a lie."

"Lee Ye-rim, it's you again. I told you, right? Ho-yeol isn't like you. He's been independent since he was young. That's why he's always in the news, right?"

"Is that so? I feel relieved hearing that from our youngest."

…It went more smoothly than expected.

Perhaps due to my confident attitude.

Anyway, I asked the eldest sister,

"Do Father and Mother know?"

"Mom and Dad? They've been busy making dumplings since dawn, so they don't know yet. But with the news all day, they'll find out soon. Your hair color, your physique. Even if you've changed a lot, they won't fail to recognize you."

"Me too! I recognized Uncle Ho-yeol!"

*Pet pet*

I stroked Arang's head and said,

"I should tell the truth to Father and Mother."

"It's fine. We'll tell them."

…You will?

3rd continued, looking at me.

"Mom and Dad are different from us. They worry even when we go on a trip. If you tell them as casually as you told us, how much will they worry?"

So, she was saying she would tell them on my behalf.

…Yes, I thought it would be better for me too.

As I nodded, suddenly, a chuckle was heard.

"But Father, Mother, sister, and sister. It reminds me of old times."

"Right, I'm not the only one, right?"

"…?"

"Let's see, about 10 years ago? Lee Ho-yeol, you were completely in the middle school second-year syndrome. Suddenly, you started using honorifics with us. You said you would greet Mom and Dad."

"…!"

"But back then, you were cute. Your face was cute. Back then. Now, it's the opposite… No, wait. Looking at you now, it seems like you're back to that face?"

"Thinking about it, Ho-yeol, didn't you throw a tantrum saying you wanted to dye your hair silver?"

One after another, my past embarrassments were brought up!

…No matter how I think about it, they are my natural enemies.

More than a demon hunter and a demon, they are definitely my natural enemies.

.

.

.

I carefully handed over Arang, who was sleeping in my arms.

*Whisper*

"I'll go. I'll keep in touch."

"I want to nag, but there's nothing to nag about, tsk."

"I'm going."

I bowed deeply.

Just as I was about to close the door,

*Thud*

3rd stuck her foot in.

"This sister has one last nag."

"…?"

"If it gets tough, quit immediately. That's why I came here, actually."

The sisters couldn't say it in the end, but…

I understood the meaning behind her words without needing an explanation.

I nodded, and she added,

"And one more thing. Save well while you can. Above all, never be a guarantor. Got it?"

At her words, I suddenly remembered.

Right, being a guarantor is absolutely not allowed.

Why did a red sticker appear on our house…

'…Wait, that's not it.'

The Rift Clear Reward!

I must claim what I deserve, whether it's integrity or purity!

*

Rift Clear Reward.

It could be considered the main source of income for Players.

The reward amount is determined based on the appropriate level of the Rift, and it is distributed to Players according to their contribution.

The state also provides these rewards.

Rifts, which can lead to a national disaster, are like time bombs.

It's only natural to reward Players who handle these Rifts. However, the state-level rewards are notoriously low.

"Given the limits of the national budget, I understand…"

"But shouldn't they increase it a bit?"

"At this rate, we won't even get a salary, you know."

Then,

Who provides the massive rewards to Players?

The developer of Arcana, 'Cosmo.'

Or rather, it's hard to call it Cosmo anymore.

Everyone except one person has resigned.

They moved to AAU.

So, that one person.

The CEO of Cosmo, 'Raymond Shen.'

As if he knew Arcana would become reality.

The Arcana homepage changed to match the upheaval.

The ranking system was revised.

New update announcements.

Rift Clear status.

A major upheaval.

The world, which had turned upside down like a game, could maintain its current state thanks to the existence of the Arcana homepage.

As a result, there was a reevaluation of Raymond Shen in various parts of society.

"Assuming Raymond Shen is the mastermind behind the upheaval, why would he still operate the homepage? Thanks to the homepage, humanity has progressed more than before the upheaval, hasn't it?"

It was a reasonable opinion.

The social system maintained thanks to the homepage.

The civilization of Arcana invading reality.

The mutual benefits of interaction led to actual progress in the world compared to before the upheaval.

"That's an undeniable fact, but… Before reevaluation, I think we need to clearly determine whether Raymond Shen is really operating the homepage to prepare for the upheaval. Or is he simply trying to turn public opinion in his favor?"

Of course, the differences in opinion won't be easily resolved.

However, at least the Players can't help but defend Raymond Shen.

After all, the Rift Clear rewards provided by Cosmo and Raymond Shen are enormous.

"…The pain in my back is all gone."

"Right. This is financial therapy."

"Because of this, I can't quit my Player life."

Where did this massive reward come from?

If asked, one only needs to recall the exorbitant monthly fees of the early Arcana continent.

Hundreds of thousands of won per month.

Not to mention the millions of won for the dedicated access device.

It's an undeniable fact that Cosmo made astronomical profits.

For the next few decades.

Even if they paid massive Rift rewards to Players, the principal would still be preserved.

So, it's natural that interest is focused on the new Rift Clear rewards.

Just looking at the appropriate level, it's expected to be a record-breaking amount.

Guild, Berserker.

His shaggy crimson short hair twitched.

He counted the numbers on the screen and muttered,

"…What is this?"

"What's wrong? The numbers are too big to read, sister?"

"Damn it. Shut up. I'm counting again."

Ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand, million, ten million, hundred million, billion, ten billion, hundred billion, trillion, ten trillion, hundred trillion, quadrillion, ten quadrillion, hundred quadrillion, quintillion