Chapter 36

< Monster Tamer (1) >

“Pisya~.”

After receiving the ointment the goblin had bought, I dismissed it and headed for the living room. Inside the cage, Pisya was jumping around, welcoming me. No matter how many times I see it, it’s such an adorable little thing.

As always, I picked up Pisya and stroked its neck. The purring sound is so pleasant.

There aren’t many days left when I can carry it around. Once it starts growing, it will soon become bigger than me. It’s a bit disappointing.

“You can’t pretend I’m not your dad just because you’ve grown up.”

Do monsters have a rebellious phase like humans? If it starts hating me and swings its front paws, I’d be hospitalized for sure. But our Pisya is so well-behaved, it won’t do that.

I put Pisya down and used my new skill. Immediately, a message window appeared before my eyes.

[My baby is the best (L) growth effect will be applied to Pisya for 3 days!

Level 2 unicorn subspecies ? Flame Horned Lion Pisya’s adult transformation time (365:00) effect duration (72:00)

Dungeon, the breeder, can train the subject to accelerate

the entire transformation time

without a long

wait.]

...Usually, it would have ended with the effect duration (72:00), but there’s an additional explanation. There’s even a typo. But it doesn’t seem like a normal typo.

‘They intentionally made a typo.’

This is clearly a vertical pun. It was originally “dan,” but it’s pretending to be a typo with “dungeon.” If you read it vertically, it says:

Dungeon, come.

It’s even giving instructions through the message window. Wow, impressive. I’m genuinely curious about who or what is doing this.

‘Why do they want me to go to the dungeon?’

Given how much effort they’re putting in, it seems like the chat window only works inside the dungeon, like when I entered a D-grade dungeon. There must be some restriction outside the dungeon, which is why they’re using this vertical pun.

‘If I send a direct message inside the dungeon, it might cause a bug, like a new chick popping out.’

Whoever or whatever it is, they’re not omnipotent.

‘They couldn’t find me before I entered the dungeon, so it seems they can’t do much outside the dungeon, in this world. That’s why they’re telling me to go to the dungeon.’

But why should I trust them? If I go and make another mistake, what if an S-grade boss monster pops out this time?

I’m sorry, but my trust in the system you or you all created has been at rock bottom for a long time. If it were Yoo Hyun or a regular A-grade trainer, we might have already crossed the Jordan.

So, I’ll pretend I didn’t see it. What could happen if I ignore the message?

‘...That’s the problem. Something might happen.’

Shit, how many people or deities (new lives) would be so idle as to make vertical puns for no reason? Why me, of all people, when there are so many S-grade monsters around? Is it because of the regression? Should I have wished for the removal of the wish stone, the dungeon, and the Awakened with it?

- Kyeang?

While I was standing there lost in thought, Pisya let out a small cry, as if asking what was wrong.

“It’s nothing. Just...”

I feel like I’ve ended up with a strange and crazy kid. I sighed while hugging Pisya again.

Why can’t people just let others live in peace? I just wanted to live a carefree life. Is that too much to ask?

“Sigh, no matter how much I think about it, what’s the point?”

Anyway, I only have two choices: ignore it or obediently go to the dungeon. There’s no one to consult with about the system sending me such a message. I couldn’t even figure out the system’s “S” after five years, so it’s probably even more complex now.

If I’m the one who knows the most about F-grade Awakened and the dungeon system in the world, what am I supposed to do? Really, what am I supposed to do?

‘Let’s focus on making Pisya grow first.’

It’s good news that training will speed up its growth. I’ll think about entering the dungeon after Pisya becomes an adult. If it’s urgent, they’ll find a way to contact me.

“But do I have to train it myself?”

Since the breeder is supposed to do it, it seems that’s the case. How should I do it? Fetch the ball? Frisbee? I need to rent a training room first.

I was planning to tell Yoo Hyun about monster taming anyway, so I should tell him first. Since he’s just hit level 10, it will be natural to say I got the taming skill while playing with Pisya.

I can offload the negotiation with large guilds to Seok Shimyeong, with the help of Hae Yeon. Since he’s been using me for free, it’s time to use him a bit.

[Do you have time tonight?]

I sent a text to Yoo Hyun. He was busy with the association’s cleanup, so the reply took a while.

[Okay]

[There’s something I need to talk about. Let’s meet at your place.]

I wrote “your place” and then corrected it. This kid seems to think of my place as his own.

The second reply took even longer.

After applying the ointment and Pisya went ballistic, I took it off, and after returning the equipment, Yoo Myungwoo came home and we talked about the thousand blades. When I was about to test the training effect by throwing a ball to Pisya, I received a text.

[I believe in you, brother.]

Oh, what a cute thing to say. He must have been worried about what I said in the dungeon, thinking I was acting strange. Did he think I wanted to meet to explain my suspicious behavior?

[I’ll buy the drinks.]

Your fridge was so wholesome. Come to think of it, I’ve never had a drink with my little brother. When Yoo Hyun got rid of the “good boy” label, we were already on bad terms. I’ve been crawling home drunk before, but...

It can’t be that he’s still inexperienced, right? Even if it’s his first time, with S-grade stats, he won’t get drunk easily. Neither will I. What’s going on?

There will be a time when I can use my skills without worry.

I headed to my brother’s place, holding Pisya with one hand and a bag filled with drinks and snacks with the other. The drinks weren’t bought; I asked the management office, and they prepared them. They were high-end things I didn’t even know the names of.

I just wanted some expensive beer.

The management office staff, who was called, smiled and listed off drinks with sky-high alcohol content, saying even B-grade stats couldn’t handle them. He even mixed in some palate-cleansing wine. I don’t know what “Grand Cru” means, but it’s clear that carrying the bag would be embarrassing.

But it’s fine since I’m bringing it to Yoo Hyun.

The house was as quiet as the first time I came. It’s really too big for one person. You should at least date someone.

“Are you here?”

After laying out the drinks and snacks on the table and sitting on the sofa, Yoo Hyun appeared after a while. His hair was wet, as if he had just showered. That kid really has a lot of blood.

“The association kept me for quite a while.”

“It’s a rare situation. I also took care of some other matters.”

Yoo Hyun, who brought a glass, sat on a separate one-person sofa. He frowned slightly at the bottles on the table.

“Aren’t they too strong?”

He knows. It’s not his first time. I feel a bit disappointed.

“Even a few days ago, you were carried in.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll drink moderately today. And it’s at home, after all.”

At home, even if I act like a dog, what’s the problem? I won’t get drunk, anyway.

“By the way, wouldn’t it be hard for a goblin to enter here?”

Portal travel is only possible one at a time, so even if it hides, it will be discovered. With the location hidden, spatial travel would be difficult too.

“It’s not impossible.”

Yoo Hyun said while opening a bottle.

“There’s a window. If they search one by one through spatial travel from outside, they’ll eventually find it.”

But he doesn’t seem like the type to go to such lengths. To avoid goblins, I might need to hide the location in a secret room or something.

“You don’t need to worry about goblins. They will protect your secrets for their own safety. Once you forget the eerie feeling, they can be quite useful.”

“For secret communications?”

“That’s one of them, but also when making agreements with people you don’t trust. Goblins can verify the safety, making them essential for high-ranking non-Awakened.”

So they provide such services. For the goblin’s sake and for my own, it’s better to keep our contract a secret. Even if the contract states not to reveal others’ secrets, high-ranking people will surely be anxious.

“By the way, don’t goblins seem a bit young?”

“Hmm? They do have a unique personality. But they’re precise and thorough in their work. They might be more like a concept. You know, like how some hunters create and act out characters based on their abilities.”

Is that so? During the contract, the goblin was too thorough in setting conditions to seem like a child.

Is it really not a child but a goblin character that’s over-identified with its role? The things it does are just like a goblin from a folk tale. It likes to play pranks and tease people, is versatile, and also clumsy.

If I lend it money, will it pay back daily?

While soothing Pisya, who was trying to touch the shiny glass bottle, I picked up the glass my brother poured. Hmm... about 20 milliliters. Hey, little brother, the drink only touches the bottom of the glass.

“This is a bit much. I can’t even take a sip.”

“I told you it’s strong. Take it one sip at a time.”

But he fills his glass more than half.

“I’m not that weak, you know?”

I’ve been drinking for five, no, ten years longer than you. I grumbled and took a sip, then picked up another bottle. What the hell, are you going to glare at me? Are you going to take it away?

“Your words are harsh, but your liver doesn’t even react.”

It really doesn’t. I only know that it smells good and is spicy, and it’s quite drinkable. Maybe it’s because it’s expensive, but it’s fine even without getting drunk.

“Don’t make that face. Take a glass. It’s your first time, after all.”

After hesitating for a moment, Yoo Hyun emptied his glass in one go and held it out. Seeing that, I felt a strange emotion.

Before the regression, I never thought I’d be sharing drinks like this. Well, before the world changed, I thought I’d eventually have a drink with my little brother.

After the college entrance exam, I thought I’d teach him how to drink, of course with cheap stuff, as if it were a given.

“You were a good little brother.”

You had a lot of shortcomings but never complained like a child.

“Of course, you’re still a good little brother.”

I filled his empty glass to the brim and smiled. You can be a bit annoying, but it’s because of the skill. Even without the skill, you’re worried about me.

“...You were a good little brother.”

Yoo Hyun mumbled bitterly. He was a good kid, a model student. Seeing his expression, I was about to ask if he had ever gotten into trouble without me knowing, but he spoke first.

“What did you want to talk about?”

“Oh, that.”

I continued while petting Pisya, who was purring on my lap.

“Because of the level 10 skill.”

“Skill? You must have gained experience from defeating the boss monster. Since it was an A-grade dungeon, you probably leveled up and had some left over. What skill is it?”

“Monster Tamer.”

It sounds more impressive with “monster” than “beast.”

“...Monster Tamer?”

Yoo Hyun’s gaze fell on Pisya. Feeling the gaze, Pisya bared its teeth slightly, as if it didn’t like it. You’ll be his partner, so don’t do that.

“Yeah. It seems taking care of Pisya influenced the skill. The skill level is S-grade—”

“S-grade?!”

My little brother’s expression turned serious.

“With F-grade stats, having an S-grade... especially a special S-grade skill...”

“Hey, don’t think weird things.”

If you say you’ll lock me up again, I’ll leave home.

“But, brother—”

“Stop with the ‘but’ and ‘but’ and just listen. The skill effect is exactly as the name suggests, a skill to raise monsters, specifically to make them grow. Pisya, the Flame Horned Lion cub, couldn’t grow without the help of an adult. But with my skill, it can grow. While tamed.”

A tamed adult Flame Horned Lion.

Its value is something Yoo Hyun, that kid, knows best.

Silence fell. Pisya wagged its tail.

After a long pause, Yoo Hyun, with a complicated expression, spoke.

“But, then, brother—”

“Another ‘but’? Think about it. How many S-grade trainers are needed right now?”

“...All of them. Lower-grade trainers can’t be used in S-grade dungeons. Even for large guilds, it’s a burden to use them as one-time use. They only bring them for the first attempt or occasionally. The survival rate of lower-grade trainers in S-grade dungeons is extremely low.”

He continued in a slightly dazed voice.

“So, there’s demand not just for S-grade but for the entire team. Even if it’s not a top-tier like a Flame Horned Lion, as long as it can survive in an S-grade dungeon, people will flock from all over the world, not just domestically.”

Yoo Hyun finished speaking, covered his face with his hand, and let out a long sigh. Seeing that, I smiled.

“With that much demand, it shouldn’t be hard to manage, right?”

“...Of course, really... Even the skill advice during the day...”

Yoo Hyun lowered his hand from his face. His slightly dazed expression was amusing. A bit cute, too. It reminds me of when he was a kid.

“You’re really the best, brother.”

Don’t flatter me.

< Monster Tamer (1) > End

ⓒ Geunseo

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