Chapter 6

< My Brother is Strange (4) >

As the world adapted to the dungeons, the Hunter became a well-known profession for making good money.

Without a doubt, S-rank Hunters were famous, but even B-rank Hunters could earn tens of millions per month. C-rank Hunters had annual incomes in the tens of millions, and D-rank Hunters could earn at least 100 million. Even E-rank and F-rank Hunters, if they had combat aptitude, earned more than the average employee at a small to medium-sized company.

The mana stones that came from the dungeons became a new energy source, and the byproducts were used as materials for developing new drugs and useful new substances. Moreover, the combination of magic and science led to the creation of various new technologies.

In such a world, the popularity of Han Yuhyeon, the guild leader of the rapidly growing Haeyeon Guild, who is tall and handsome, hardly needs much explanation. He is only twenty years old, young and full of potential.

Just a single interview could boost ratings several times over, and magazines featuring his photos would sell out instantly.

‘If it were known that he is also a family man, the reaction would be explosive.’

I muttered to myself as I watched Yuhyeon take the pot off the induction cooktop in the spacious kitchen. I naturally assumed we would go out to eat when he suggested dinner. I didn’t expect him to cook a meal at home.

By the way, Yuhyeon’s home was on the upper floors of the Haeyeon Guild building. The exact floor is unknown for security reasons, but it is said to occupy half of a floor. There are no stairs, elevators, or doors; only an extremely expensive mini portal can access it.

“I didn’t know you could cook.”

I said this suddenly while sitting at the dining table, watching him finish the meal.

“It’s a skill I picked up to survive.”

“Huh? Why? You have a lot of money.”

After his awakening, he could afford to buy whatever he wanted to eat and even hire top chefs. In response to my question, he answered a bit awkwardly.

“I have antidotes and protective items now, but I didn’t back then. So, I felt more at ease cooking my own food. I still bring my own dried food when I enter the dungeon. The dungeon is the most dangerous place.”

“...Antidotes? Protective items?”

What did I just hear? So, there were people who put poison in food and cursed, and he had to cook for himself... Is that it?

“...”

I was completely unaware. I only thought of him as a successful, lucky S-rank Awakened, and even after the regression, I just assumed he had gone through some hardships. I never imagined he was in such danger, that it was a battlefield.

To me, Yuhyeon was so strong that I couldn’t even look at him. He became famous right after his awakening and seemed to have everything. I ignored the things happening beneath the surface, focusing only on his S-rank title.

“Don’t make that face. It was my choice.”

Yuhyeon, who approached the table, said softly.

“It’s like a protruding rock gets hit. A young guy trying to start his own guild among giant guilds allied with large corporations wouldn’t be seen kindly. If I had joined a suitable guild and secured a position, I wouldn’t have been in danger.”

But I couldn’t do that. He smiled bitterly.

“That’s why I always felt guilty about the strained relationship with you. Everything, from monitoring and hindering you under the guise of protection, to keeping you tied down, was a result of my choices. I knew they would target my only blood relative, yet I still started my own guild.”

“...Why didn’t you tell me?”

“At first, I didn’t want to burden you, and later... I thought you wouldn’t understand.”

Indeed, before the regression, I would have shouted to leave me alone and blamed him.

“But I was completely wrong. You were still thinking about and worrying about me, just like when I was young. I misunderstood you completely. I’m sorry.”

Ugh, my conscience hurts. After the regression, I just wanted to enjoy myself. If you say that, I feel like a complete scumbag.

“...I didn’t do much either.”

“You were obstructed in everything you did, without knowing why. It was understandable.”

My chest felt itchy. As I took a spoonful of the meal he prepared, the warm, tickling sensation grew stronger.

It was a good decision to turn back time.

The best decision of my life.

“I get the situation, but wasn’t today’s action a bit much? Locking me up so I can’t even go out, that’s unnecessary. Nothing major has happened so far.”

Just as I was about to ask him to loosen up, Yuhyeon’s expression across from me hardened.

“No.”

“Why? I’ll be careful. It was fine until this morning.”

“The situation this morning and now is different. You’ve been safe so far because I cut ties with you completely. It’s a serious crime for an Awakened to interfere with a non-Awakened, and I made it clear that you weren’t worth the risk.”

His voice grew heavier.

“But if I bring you into the Haeyeon Guild, my enemies will start targeting you actively. Just bringing you into my home will make them start watching you.”

“Then, shouldn’t we pretend to have a bad relationship?”

“You said you were fine with it.”

“...What?”

When did I ever... I have no memory of agreeing to be locked up.

Yuhyeon answered with a shameless face.

“Sorry, and I love you. Honestly, it was my fault and my responsibility, but you accepted it all. That’s as good as giving permission.”

You, you interpret it that way? This kid is also strange!

“Don’t joke, I absolutely refuse to be locked up!”

“Just for three years. I’ll take care of everything within three years.”

Don’t laugh while making such a serious statement! And it’s five years, not three! It takes five years!

Damn, what a good decision, my ass. My neck was stiff from the heat, but I tried to calm down with deep breaths. The guy in front of me is an S-rank Awakened, and a guild leader who has been through everything. Attacking him emotionally wouldn’t even scratch him.

I couldn’t win by force and had to resolve this through conversation.

“No matter what, how can I be locked up for three years? I’d get depressed just from being stuck in a room for a month. Even if there are people targeting me, it’s hard for them to do anything in broad daylight. And if it really comes to it, I can have a bodyguard. I can go out with Seong Han, for example.”

“Of course, I’ll let you out sometimes.”

“How often?”

As soon as I said it, I had a sudden realization. Negotiating outdoor time with a younger brother, who isn’t even a parent, is ridiculous. At my age, even parents wouldn’t say anything, so how did it come to this?

“It depends on the schedule. When we start dungeon strategies, I can’t spare an A-rank to protect you. It’s too risky to leave it to a B-rank.”

So, the conclusion is that I just need an available A-rank. I confidently spoke up.

“Then, if I bring a dedicated A-rank guard, will you let me go out freely?”

“...You’re going to bring an A-rank?”

“Yeah.”

Yuhyeon’s eyes, which were filled with curiosity, suddenly became sharp.

“You’ve awakened.”

“...What?”

How did you know? This kid’s intuition is disgustingly sharp.

“You were still a non-Awakened this morning when you were planning to meet a broker. When did you awaken? Right before or right after meeting me? That’s why you gave up on contacting the broker. Your destination was the Hunter Association, right?”

...I have no words. Lay down the mat.

“It seems your stat rank is D or lower.”

“How can you tell?”

“C-rank and above can’t adapt to their drastically changed physical abilities, so they look awkward. Especially if their strength exceeds the B-rank average, they can’t control it and destroy everything around them for at least three to four days.”

That makes sense.

“Did you go through that?”

“Yeah. But from S-rank, the adaptability is higher, and they can adjust within a day. Of course, if only mental strength or mana is extremely high, even C-rank and above won’t show it.”

“I’m a normal F.”

“Your initial skill is a special skill, right? Your confidence in bringing an A-rank suggests you either know your expected awakening rank or can awaken someone, or both. You’re at least C-rank or higher.”

I’m S-rank. I can’t say anything in front of this kid. Seeing Yuhyeon’s expression, which was still skeptical, I decided to downplay my skills.

“Like you said, it’s a special skill related to awakening, and I’m C-rank. I can awaken non-Awakened and roughly predict their awakening rank.”

“How accurate is it?”

“Roughly 50-50. Strong or weak, that’s about it. I can’t distinguish between you and Seong Han. They might be B-rank or higher.”

“...How precise is it?”

“Roughly 50-50. Strong or weak, that’s about it. I can’t distinguish between you and Seong Han. They might be B-rank or higher. To confirm precisely, it takes a 30-day cooldown. Without the cooldown, I could have been A-rank.”

Yuhyeon nodded at my words. His face, which had been shadowed, brightened slightly.

“That level of accuracy won’t draw too much attention even if it’s exposed. Being able to predict B-rank and above is useful, but the cooldown is too long, and there’s no guarantee they’ll sign a contract even if you find an A-rank or S-rank. The bait of awakening will become useless once the Awakening Centers are established.”

“Aweakening Centers?”

I asked, pretending not to know.

“The awakening mechanism has been roughly revealed. The construction of the centers will start soon. The goal is to make safe awakening available to anyone within half a year. The upper echelons of the guilds have already heard about it and received investments. I’ve also contributed to it.”

“That’s impressive. The number of Awakened will skyrocket.”

“The official announcement is in four months, so don’t spread it around.”

“Will you let me meet people who can talk?”

Instead of an answer, a smile returned. This crazy kid might as well lock me in a solitary confinement cell.

“Anyway, I’ll find an A-rank to protect me, so give me the chance.”

“Once every 30 days, it won’t be easy. A-ranks aren’t common.”

“Still, it shouldn’t take three years. With luck, I might find one right away.”

Of course, luck isn’t needed. I already know who the A-rank is.

After a moment of thought, Yuhyeon spoke.

“Alright. If you really sign a contract with an A-rank, I won’t force you to stay. But it has to be a combat or defensive type.”

Finally, permission was granted. This overly picky brother. An additional condition was added, but Park Yerim is a famous combat mage, so it’s not a problem. The keyword is the issue, damn it.

< My Brother is Strange (4) > End

ⓒ Geunseo

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