Chapter 15

< Shrimp-Like (2) >

"Yerim? Didn't you sign a contract to join the Hyeon Guild?"

"It's not absolute, just a priority, right? Uncle fixed it for me."

Yes, I did that. Yerim said in a sharp tone.

"I'll add a clause to the contract with the Hyeon Guild making you my guardian. I saw on TV that A-rankers get various additional conditions; mostly they receive items, but it's not impossible for a person to be included, right?"

That's true, but why me... Do you remember we've only known each other for less than a day? There's no need to be so stubborn. Could there be some side effect from your awakening?

"Hmm, calm down first. There's no need to add such a clause to the contract. Designating a guardian is Yerim's right."

My words seemed to ease her expression.

"Is that so? Then I don't need to listen to the Hyeon Guild leader, right?"

"That's right. As long as I accept it—."

"Brother."

...Is it you this time? I was wondering why you didn't interfere.

"You need to be careful. This isn't just any rank; it's S-rank. I know from experience that young S-rankers attract all sorts of trouble. Park Yerim is only fifteen, so it will be even worse."

"Still, it's better not to miss out on an S-ranker. If she joins a guild, it will cover a lot of things. As long as Yerim doesn't ignore my advice, it should be fine. She's not a bad kid... right?"

"I'm good."

Park Yerim said abruptly. At the same time, she stepped closer to me. If she could control her strength, she would have grabbed my arm and pulled me.

"It's because of Uncle and especially that bastard Park Su-cheon that my personality got a bit dirty. I was originally good. My teachers praised me a lot when I was in elementary school."

"...Then can you step back a little? Just one step, or two."

I'm afraid she might grab my arm in excitement. If she pulls just a little, it might come off. Park Yerim stepped back obediently. Then she looked at me as if to show me.

Yes, you're good.

I sighed inwardly and turned back to my brother. How did I end up in this situation?

"You, as the guild leader, should prioritize capturing S-rankers over anything else. Why are you acting so harshly?"

"If an S-ranker can't control themselves, they might be worse than not having one at all."

"Come on, even if that's true, it's better to capture them first, get a good reward, and then transfer them."

"Transfer? You mean send them elsewhere?"

Yerim stepped closer again. Please, can you keep a safe distance?

"If you act too recklessly, that might happen. But you said you're good, so it shouldn't be a problem."

"That's right, I'm good. It shouldn't be a problem."

As if to prove she's good, she stepped back again. Please, just stand there nicely.

"Most importantly, as I said earlier, the guardian issue is between me and Yerim. As a guild leader, you can give advice, but any further interference is excessive."

My words made Yuhun sigh.

"If you say so, I won't stop you. But be careful. Among awakened, rank is the most important. It might be fine now that you've just awakened, but there's no guarantee it will stay that way."

Saying this, Yuhun looked at Park Yerim. Park Yerim also met his gaze without looking away.

The two of them are giving each other cold looks. Being in the middle of them is making my neck hurt.

The atmosphere was good just a moment ago. Why are they making such a fuss over a guardian?

"Most importantly, if you prioritize rank, then the guild leader must do the same, right? Right, you and Uncle only reconciled a few days ago. Was it because of 'rank'?"

...Huh? Yerim threw down the gauntlet?

"I only kept my distance temporarily to protect my brother, not like someone who keeps you close for their own selfish reasons."

Then Yuhun countered. Yerim looked like she was about to explode with anger at the mention of selfish reasons.

Yuhun, if she gets so angry that she can't see straight, you'll be fine, but I'll be in danger.

"Both of you, stop it."

I quickly intervened to prevent things from getting worse.

"Why are you getting so worked up over something so trivial?"

"It's not trivial."

"It's not trivial."

Shit, it is. Why do you two always match so well in these situations? It's embarrassing.

"Anyway, let's stop here. If you want to keep fighting, I'll leave, and you two can figure it out."

"Brother?"

"Uncle, are you upset?"

What are you upset about?

"I'm scared. If you two start fighting, I'll die."

"I won't fight!"

"I'm past the stage of making such mistakes."

Yuhun's words made Yerim glare at him.

"I'll adapt quickly!"

"Understood. Don't have a mental battle in front of me. It feels like being a shrimp caught between two whales."

It's bad for my heart. Both of them shut their mouths at my words. Surprisingly, they listen well.

"The guardian issue is settled. And Yerim, I'm sorry, but I can't stay here with you. If you break something while adapting, the fragments could be dangerous. I'll come down early tomorrow morning."

"...Okay, I understand."

Park Yerim looked dissatisfied but nodded.

"By the way, even if you don't get along, shouldn't you contact your family? If they report it, it will be troublesome."

"There's no need. I've often fought and stayed at a friend's house. Just contact the school."

"Got it. See you tomorrow."

I left the training room and headed towards the elevator. My brother, walking beside me, still looked unhappy about the guardian issue but didn't say anything.

"Who is Park Yerim's current guardian?"

Yuhun asked. I pressed the elevator button and answered.

"A person who values money more than family. He took all of Yerim's parents' assets and didn't even buy her a pair of shoes. He makes her work in a restaurant for free."

"Then there's a high chance he'll cause trouble later."

"Absolutely. So give him some money."

"To buy his silence?"

"Something like that."

I've dealt with such people many times. Their greed is endless, and a one-time payment won't satisfy them. So we need to have a clear leverage.

We can't let a precious S-ranker get damaged, right?

"And since Yerim is here, I'll move to the staff dormitory."

I said as the elevator doors opened. The Hyeon Guild has external dormitories, but I can't live outside with troublesome people and Piess.

"…What are you doing?"

As I got into the elevator, Yuhun pressed the door button and looked displeased.

"Do you like that girl so much?"

What's this nonsense?

"I've only known her for less than a day. There's no reason to like her."

"You're taking care of her too much for someone you don't like."

"It's natural for an adult to take care of a child. Especially since I brought her here to help me. If I don't take care of her, what kind of person would I be?"

I said I wanted to end the guardian issue, so why are you bringing it up again? ...Could it be because you think I'm leaving home? Just in case, I added:

"I'm moving to the dormitory because it's more convenient. I'm not moving out completely; I'll use both places. It wouldn't be right to bring Yerim to your house, would it?"

Yuhun's house has a greenhouse full of dungeon creatures and several S-rank items labeled as personal collections. He can't let just anyone in.

"A separate building would be more convenient."

Yuhun said as he entered the elevator. Is that really why?

"I also have a separate house for guests."

"You do?"

"A separate house is good for quiet meetings. There are many people who don't like to be seen."

People who don't like to be seen, like unregistered awakened.

Obviously, not all awakened register with the association. Especially those who want to use their awakened abilities in the real world, not for dungeon exploration, tend to stay away from the Hunter Association. If they register their abilities and skills, it's like saying, "Come and catch me."

I wondered if Yuhun also did some shady things behind the scenes, but I didn't ask. It's pointless to ask; he's not 100% clean.

Park Yerim will have to stay here for a year... There's a lot to prepare.

Yuhun said he would be busy for a while and got off at an intermediate floor. I went straight home and headed to the greenhouse.

"Piess!"

A red cat with horns wagged its tail behind the glass wall. It jumped around as if it was happy to see me.

"What a cute little thing!"

I quickly opened the greenhouse door and let Piess out.

- Meow!

"There, there."

I picked up Piess, who jumped onto me, and felt a sense of calm from its warmth and softness. Ah, my stress is melting away. You're the best. This is why people keep pets.

"Let's go eat."

Forget about human S-rankers; I wish I could raise a monster S-ranker. Look how good and cute it is.

I went to the kitchen, put Piess on the floor, and opened the refrigerator to take out some raw meat. It wasn't beef, chicken, or pork, but monster meat. I put the blue-tinged meat into a grinder and finely ground it. Then I took a glass bottle from my inventory.

The glass bottle, slightly smaller than a 500ml water bottle, was filled with red mana stone powder. It contained the powder of twenty C-rank mana stones, worth 200 million won.

"This is going to ruin my sense of money."

Ten days' worth of pet food costs 200 million won. That's 600 million won a month. Money is no longer money.

- Purr

Piess, who was circling my feet, quickly urged me for food.

"Okay, I'll give it to you soon."

I used a measuring spoon to sprinkle the mana stone powder over the ground meat and mixed it. Then I formed it into a ball about half the size of a fist.

"Piess, look. Here's your food."

Following the training videos I saw, I first used the meatball to get Piess's attention. Its golden eyes stared directly at the meat in my hand.

Good.

"I love you."

I said clearly and gave the meatball to Piess. It chewed and swallowed it as if it was delicious. I repeated this a few times until Piess finished all the meat.

How long will it take to see results from a few days of training? It seems to have the intelligence of a dog or cat, so it shouldn't take too long.

- Meow! Purr

Piess, with a full stomach, playfully bit my toes. Maybe I should buy some toys. Should I get cat toys or dog toys?

I picked up Piess and went to the living room. I sat on the sofa and took a light cloth belt from my inventory. I waved it, and Piess quickly grabbed the end and pulled. It's B-rank, so it shouldn't tear.

- Growl, purr

"Be gentle, be gentle. I'm not strong."

Should I take out some Manticore leather gloves? It's getting hotter, and leather gloves are a bad choice. Should I ask the guild if they have any good items? Or should I level up?

'How much did the F-rank dungeon exclusive entry permit cost?'

To go secretly, I need an exclusive entry permit that guarantees confidentiality. I only remember the auction style from before the regression, so I can't recall the exact price. The average bid for upper F-rank dungeons was around 300 million won. For an exclusive permit, it would be at least double.

'By the way, how much money do I have now?'

I can't remember my bank account from five years ago. I should have the one million won registration assistance for awakened, and maybe some savings.

'I quit my job to meet an awakened broker... I think I took all my severance pay and savings with me.'

According to my memory, I didn't hand over the money. So there should be a fair amount in my account, but I need to check... What was the password for my digital certificate?

'...There's no way I can remember it.'

I changed the password three times over five years. Are the people who regress and try to win the lottery geniuses? I can't even remember my password.

"I need to go to the bank."

- Purr

"Should I buy some stocks if I have enough money? What stocks are rising?"

Work, my memory. There were definitely a few stocks that skyrocketed due to the development of new materials or substances from dungeons. Which pharmaceutical company developed a hair loss treatment?

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out and saw a call from an unknown number. There was no indication it was an advertisement. Who could it be?

"Piess, play by yourself for a moment. Hello?"

"Hello, Mr. Han Yujin."

A man's voice came from the other end of the phone. It sounded familiar. Who is it?

"I am Seok Si-myeong, the head of the personnel department at the Hyeon Guild."

...Shit, it's this guy. Should I just hang up?

< Shrimp-Like (2) > End

ⓒ Geunseo

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