Chapter 42

< My Little Brother... (2) >

"Then I'll be on my way."

A man with an emotion sensing skill approached me and said. I want to check the status windows of the people here, but if I use the leaf now, it will be too obvious.

I'm drawing the attention of S-rankers. If I roll my eyes towards the sky, I'll be caught by the back of the neck for sure.

- Grrr

Peace, who was nestled in my arms, suddenly bared his fangs. Immediately after, the emotion sensor stepped back and said,

"Average stats are F-rank, both Agility Boost and Mental Power Boost skills are E-rank."

"Did you sense the use of the emotion sensing skill? You're quite sensitive."

The Han Shin Guild Master said in admiration.

The Han Shin Guild Master, Park Min-gyu. A defense-specialized S-rank Hunter who is exactly thirty this year. Originally, he was an ordinary office worker and a rather unassuming man among the domestic S-rankers. The Han Shin Guild itself was also a top-tier guild that didn't stand out too much.

The notable thing was that he had a bad relationship with Kim Sung-han. More accurately, Park Min-gyu viewed Kim Sung-han as a thorn in his side.

Did he instinctively sense Kim Sung-han's potential? If Kim Sung-han becomes an S-rank, the premium of being the only defense-specialized S-rank Hunter in the country would diminish.

"Still at an immature C-rank level? Mr. Han, use the skill again."

The Breaker Guild Master said to the emotion sensor. She must have called him over with a gesture earlier. Or maybe he's a member of the Breaker Guild.

One of the three major guilds, Breaker. Its guild master, Moon Hyun-ah, was the only female S-rank Hunter in the country. Although she's no longer the only one.

A former tennis player in her late twenties, her main weapon is a halberd, and she is most interested in taming beasts. Currently, Breaker has the most taming beasts in the country, and two years later, they even bought a high-level taming beast from overseas for a large sum of money.

- Roar!

As the emotion sensor used the skill again, Peace barked loudly. This time, he's even farther away. Is he really sensing it?

"It's okay, Peace."

While calming the excited Peace, the gazes directed at us became overtly intense.

"This seems to be real."

The Hunter Association President said in surprise and admiration.

"Wasn't the Flame Horned Lion an S-rank dungeon boss?"

Moon Hyun-ah asked Yoo Hyun-ee, who is eight years younger, but why is she speaking so informally to a fellow guild master and S-rank?

"Excluding fluid forms, there were only three adult individuals. Their overall stats are lower than a solo boss, but they are definitely at the S-rank level."

"The first raid was two months ago, so the second raid will be in a month. How about it, young master? If the fluid form appears again, we can hand it over to your side."

"An exchange for a high-level taming beast with cold resistance is possible."

Yoo Hyun-ee said with a gentle smile. Moon Hyun-ah also smiled.

"By the way, I heard that the adorable junior's 10th-level skill is ice-based. I wonder what it is. I'm curious."

"Hunter Park Yerim said to convey that excessive attention is burdensome."

"As one of the only two female S-rank Hunters in the country, I'm suggesting we get along. Being of the same gender as a guild master would be more comfortable for Yerim. Of course, I'm not trying to poach her from her contract. Three years is a short time."

She smiled. Wow, she's really annoying. Of course, it's Yerim's choice which guild to contract with after three years, and approaching her early isn't unethical, but it still bothers me. Don't look down on my little brother; show mutual respect.

"I know that you've already purchased several baby monsters from Hae-yeon. Isn't that a bit greedy?"

The MKC Guild Master, Choi Seok-won, said. Why is he picking a fight?

Choi Seok-won was a former soccer player and even the captain of the national team. I used to like him, but now he seems unlucky. Still, he's using formal language, so that's a plus one.

"You haven't even brought them into the country yet, but the news is fast."

"Did you think we wouldn't know when you publicly declared your intention to buy? Seven high-level and one top-level. You've swept them all up."

Choi Seok-won said, slightly excited. Eight of them. Yoo Hyun-ah, are you trying to drive me crazy? Of course, you won't take them all at once.

Still, I didn't expect new top-level monsters to appear so soon. Is it due to the surplus stock?

"A top-level fluid form can be exchanged for a top-level with cold resistance, or ten high-level fluid forms including one with cold resistance. Feel free to contact me anytime."

Yoo Hyun-ee said casually. The top-level monster he bought this time doesn't seem to have cold resistance. I wonder what it is.

"Thanks to you, the young master of Hae-yeon is reaping great benefits."

Moon Hyun-ah smiled and stood up. As she approached me, Yoo Hyun-ee's relaxed expression stiffened slightly.

Don't show it, you bastard. Just stay calm.

"I've kept you standing for too long. Come, sit down."

Moon Hyun-ah pulled out a chair and said. Her smile is really beautiful. She has a perfect figure and is exceptionally tall, easily over 180 cm.

I hate S-rankers for this. Will Yerim grow taller than me? It's sad.

"Thank you."

As I sat down, Moon Hyun-ah leaned in. Her proportions are so good that I didn't realize her build is better than mine. Before the regression, I had a good build, but now I'm just an F-rank who has only cleared a dungeon once.

"You're the young master of Hae-yeon, a super rookie's mentor, and even raising a cute cat. If I take Yoo Jin-hye, will I get all of them too?"

"That's not possible."

I smiled and replied.

"It's a standalone item with no bonuses or gifts."

"Even without any bonuses, I'm satisfied with the main item. How about it?"

"I'm sorry, but it's not for sale."

As I said this, I glanced away. When I checked, Yoo Hyun-ee wasn't even looking at me. Yeah, if you can't manage your expression, just don't look.

"Even for your little brother?"

Her long fingers touched my neck. Peace, who was lying on my lap, perked up his ears. Yoo Hyun-ee's head turned towards me, and our eyes met.

Maybe I should clarify this now.

"Are there any exceptions for non-sale items? But."

"But?"

"If you become the best in the country, I'll make an exception."

"Interesting."

Moon Hyun-ah laughed softly.

"Then if it's the Se-seong Guild, can you buy it right now?"

She shifted her gaze to a man who hadn't spoken a word until now.

Se-seong Guild Master, Sung Hyun-je. Both the guild and he himself are considered the strongest in the country. He was looking at me with a hint of interest.

Since he seems to be expecting an answer, I should give one.

"The best in the country gets a family discount."

I continued with a smile.

"Others need to be the best in the world to qualify for an exception."

"You're confident!"

Moon Hyun-ah exclaimed happily. Stop patting my shoulder, woman. It hurts. Peace is showing his teeth too.

"When I heard that the little brother is like the big brother, I remembered when that eighteen-year-old brat was trying to start his own guild. Still, you're more mature than your brother."

...What's so special about my little brother? He seems the most mature among the people gathered here, and the evaluation is too harsh.

"My little brother is more mature than me."

I couldn't hold back and spoke. Moon Hyun-ah's eyes widened dramatically.

"Is that a serious joke?"

"Of course, it's serious-."

"Wow, big brother! You're so cute!"

Then she started laughing. Why...

'...Wait a minute.'

The others are laughing too, except for Yoo Hyun-ee, who is sitting with a straight face. Even the Se-seong Guild Master is letting out a laugh of disbelief.

They can't be that idle to secretly film me, right... Yoo, Yoo Hyun-ah? Your reputation seems a bit strange...

"Wow, that brat is putting on a show in front of big brother-."

"Guild Master of Breaker."

Yoo Hyun-ee interrupted Moon Hyun-ah.

"Your words are a bit harsh."

"Really crazy! I thought he was being unusually polite today! I thought he had suddenly grown up, ahaha-."

Then she started laughing again, almost rolling on the floor. I wonder what's so funny...

'Putting on a show?'

What does that mean? Our Yoo Hyun-ee has been good and well-behaved since he was young. He listens well and rarely causes trouble.

Of course, I know that to be a guild master at a young age, he can't always be good and well-behaved. But calling him a crazy brat is too much.

"A good relationship between siblings is a good thing."

The Han Shin Guild Master said. You, who laughed the loudest, have no right to say that.

Damn, if you guys are crazy, my little brother must have acted accordingly. I can imagine how they must have tormented him for not knowing how to back down. Seeing how Yoo Hyun-ee worries about my safety, they must be a bunch of rotten kids. You don't wave a toy at a hungry wolf; you shoot a gun.

"Oh, big brother! That's fine. You have a good little brother."

Moon Hyun-ah, who was crouching, stood up and said. I really dislike this woman.

"Still, you said you need to be the best in the world. Are you really going to stay unaffiliated?"

The MKC Guild Master asked, slightly frowning.

"Only as a collaborator. I can't handle everything alone, so I need help. If we consider it that way, the people here will also receive special privileges from Hae-yeon as a negotiation deal. There are many guilds, both domestically and internationally, that need taming beasts. This is an opportunity to be much more advantageous than them."

The five guilds gathered here will have a clear advantage over other domestic and international guilds. One of the negotiation conditions is that each of the five guilds will have a priority spot for the five taming beasts I can raise.

Of course, they can form S-rank taming teams faster than others, and they can also trade with other guilds for vacant spots.

The conditions are so good that even Seok Si-myeong grumbled about how well I was treated.

"Also, my value is at its peak now and will continue to decline. There's no need to worry much about my relationship with Hae-yeon. Taming beasts are not consumables, are they?"

The lifespan of monsters is unknown, but it's certainly not short. Even a low-level monster raised for research lived for over seven years, so a high-level monster is likely to have a longer lifespan.

So, in a few years, the number of people coming to me will start to decrease. The demand won't disappear completely, but I'll only need to provide a few new taming beasts each year. If a Tamer or someone with a similar skill at the S-rank or higher appears, I might retire even sooner.

"My dream is to semi-retire in a few years and live a leisurely life."

This is a completely honest statement. I want to manage a building while holding a baby monster. Ah, just thinking about it makes me happy. It's a perfect life.

It would be perfect if the keyword doesn't work or if I get a partner who thinks of me as a breeder.

"You talk well, big brother. Let's get to the main point and finalize the contract."

Moon Hyun-ah smiled and returned to her seat.

Since the framework of the agreement was already in place, the final adjustments went smoothly.

The core of the agreement was as follows:

The five guilds guarantee the safety of me and my property.

I will prioritize taming requests from the five guilds. However, the number of requests is limited to one per guild every two months.

The construction of the building for the taming facility will be funded by the four guilds, excluding Hae-yeon.

The ownership of the completed building will be mine.

There were other minor details, but these four points were the most important.

The most beneficial part for me was the guarantee of the safety of my property.

Of course, this is limited to the building being constructed and for a set period. However, there is no clause that only I can enter the building.

In other words, if I accept someone like Yoo Myeong-woo or Seok Hyeon, they will be protected by the top five guilds in the country.

Yoo Hyun-ee and the other guild masters probably can't even imagine what I'm planning. Still, giving them priority like with taming beasts will be a win for them too.

I can just relax and collect rent.

After signing the contract, a few questions about Peace were exchanged, and it was quickly over. There were no particularly difficult questions, and the guild masters, including the association president, were subtly kind to me.

Well, it's a situation where they should be kind, and it's not bad to be treated well, but it felt a bit off.

Especially Moon Hyun-ah's "cute" gaze. I'm younger, but not that much. She was looking at me like a younger brother.

I have to endure it because they're funding the building.

"Thanks to you, I had a good time."

Moon Hyun-ah winked at me and left. Ah, yes. It's very fulfilling to hear that.

I'm tired even though I didn't do much.

"Peace, stop chewing the chair and come down."

Is he developing a hobby for destroying furniture? That chair is expensive.

I was about to go get him when someone blocked my path. It was Se-seong Guild Master, Sung Hyun-je.

"I'll remember the exception clause."

He said with a smile. What exception... Wait, just forget it.

"See you soon."

He lightly patted my shoulder and walked past. Ah, well. Becoming the best guild in the world isn't easy, and he didn't make it even five years later. No need to worry.

Anyway, it's over.

< My Little Brother... (2) > End

ⓒ Geunseo