Chapter 65

< Q&A(1) >

“Hmm, let's make sure to awaken C-rank, or rather B-rank and above, and just give advice to the rest. I was thinking of hiring people to assist... No, if there are that many, the Association should provide support, right? I'll just send the data saying I have this optimal initial skill and be done with it. Anyway, I only know the skill names.”

Why do I have to do all of this? No way. If I only take B-rank and above, the Association might complain, but consider it as my effort.

“Let others do it, let others do it.”

“You're pretty firm for an uncle.”

“Firm or not, who wants to suffer unnecessarily?”

Yerim widened her eyes dramatically.

“It's right in front of me. That's why the Guild Master is getting a cold shoulder.”

“...Yuhyun? Still mad?”

“Totally low pressure. Honestly, I understand you're worried about the Guild Master, but to others, it seems excessive. Even if a few more skills are added, it doesn't really change anything. Even if the already highly sought-after gold nugget doubles in size, it's still highly sought-after.”

That's completely true. Whether or not I can determine the expected awakening rank and skills, the guys trying to mess with me will remain the same.

“That kid is overreacting, but we still need to calm him down. We agreed to go into the dungeon together.”

“Come on, just this once, make it clear. Stop interfering so much. And come to me!”

...What's with the 'come to me'? You're still part of Hyeon's team.

“We can go to the dungeon together! I can finish lower-level dungeons on my own now.”

Yerim said confidently. She's almost level 30, after all. If it comes to it, I could go with Yerim.

“Do you have the time?”

“I'm an S-rank Hunter. I make my own schedule! Just say the word.”

“Hey, you need to consider the other Hunters working with you. You can't act like an S-rank from the start.”

“Just let them know in advance. When are we going?”

“Hmm... Let me check with Yuhyun first.”

I texted Yuhyun that I'd go to the dungeon with Yerim. He replied quickly. He hasn't been answering calls for a few days.

[No need. I've made time.]

“He's going?”

“Yeah—knew it!”

Yerim looked disappointed.

“Come with me too!”

“Alright, next time.”

“Let's go somewhere with a nice view, and pack a lunch!”

Like we're going on a picnic. Lower-level dungeons are kind of like a picnic.

After using the seed skill to exhaustion, I found two B-rank special skill owners by the afternoon. I plan to start the actual special skill awakening attempts after the building construction is complete, so the Hunter waiting outside just took their names and contact information.

I need to gather at least a dozen people within two weeks. It would be great if we get as many as today.

‘Tomorrow is Garosu-gil, right.’

Finding a good first-floor building is also a task. Money can get most things done, though.

“Peace, Piyak, how have you been?”

I wanted to bring both of them, but the law doesn't allow it yet. I'm not alone, and there are A-rank Hunters with me, so why not? The Association needs to push for some changes.

“Are you here?”

While I was taking care of the kids' meals, Myungwoo appeared out of thin air. His face looks terrible, just like yesterday.

He's going to kill someone at this rate.

“Why not take it easy since it's not urgent?”

Despite looking exhausted, Myungwoo smiled.

“I'll make at least A-rank before the construction is done. My goal is S-rank.”

“You're not pushing yourself too hard?”

“It's a rewarding effort. It's much better than when the future was bleak. Back then, it wasn't really living. Now, this is real life.”

It is real life. Hearing that, I couldn't stop him. I should at least make sure he takes the tonic Seonghan sent.

After using the seed skill to exhaustion, I found three more B-rank special skill owners. There was also a B-rank combat Hunter. If it hadn't rained, I might have found more. I didn't consider the weather as a variable.

‘Going around by company or school units might reduce duplicate checks, even if the commercial area isn't bad.’

After presenting the results of the special skill awakenings, I'll start nationwide tours with the Hunter Association and the government... but limit it to once or twice a week. I won't take on more work. That's it.

“Peace, we're going to the dungeon today.”

-Grumble

I said while rubbing Peace's neck.

“It's where you originally lived, remember? ...It's not a good memory, though.”

From Peace's perspective, humans killed his family and kidnapped him. ...Can he even get along with Yuhyun?

“We can't avoid dungeon runs. Eventually, there will be organizations advocating for the survival rights of monsters.”

They argued that creating monster protection zones outside the dungeon is natural since dungeons are a natural phenomenon. It's absurd. Will monsters stay within the protection zones? We need to at least communicate to attempt coexistence. Monsters attack humans on sight.

“Still, my brother isn't a bad guy. ...To you, he might be the worst villain. I'll tell him to be nice to you.”

I cradled Peace and patted him. It would be better if he didn't remember the dungeon. From how he's not being aggressive towards Yuhyun, it seems he doesn't remember.

-Piyak!

Piyak circled my feet, wanting to be picked up too.

“You can't come. It's dangerous in a D-rank dungeon.”

-Piyak?

“No.”

He looked dejected, as if he understood. He's showing more varied expressions lately. He's interested in more than just food.

“Wait here quietly.”

-Pip

I put Piyak in a basket and went out with Peace.

[I'll be in the parking lot.]

I texted Yuhyun and started walking. A Hunter by the elevator smiled and greeted me.

“Are you going down now?”

“Yes, to the parking lot.”

He held the elevator for me and pressed the button. I shouldn't get too used to this, but everyone is overly polite.

When I arrived at the parking lot, Yuhyun was already there, looking stiff and a bit dejected.

“Be careful.”

The Hunter who came with me stepped back, sensing the tension.

“Cheer up. Are you going to advertise your anger to everyone?”

“I'm not angry.”

“Then what?”

“...Do I even have the right to be angry at you?”

He turned away. What's he talking about? It's like he's having a late puberty.

“If you're upset, just say it properly.”

“You won't tell me properly anyway.”

Ugh, that's... I have nothing to say. Even if I did, he wouldn't believe me.

“You don't tell me everything either. It's not much different from unilaterally keeping quiet to protect someone.”

“I said I'm not angry. I'm just upset on my own, so don't worry.”

Easy for him to say. Yuhyun opened the back door of the car. No one else was there. It's better this way given the current mood.

“How long are you going to be upset?”

“I'm thinking. What to do with you. Honestly, I can't handle it. I admit that. I know it's presumptuous to keep interfering with you.”

He said as he sat in the driver's seat. It feels strange hearing him say this. I'm not much compared to him.

“...Why say it like that? We're brothers, so we can worry about each other regardless of the circumstances.”

“It's true. I need to accept that you're out of my hands, but I don't want to, so don't worry.”

He said firmly and started the car.

Hmm, I don't know what to say. I can't say it's okay to keep interfering, but I also don't like the idea of giving up. Especially the part about not having the ability.

...What's presumptuous about a brother worrying about another? The opposite is true too. In my case, it's like a cat worrying about a tiger, but it's not impossible.

We arrived at the dungeon quickly. It was a beach and forest environment under Hyeon's management. Regular monsters appear in the forest, and the boss monster on the beach.

-Growl!

As soon as the monster appeared, Peace jumped out of my arms. The monster, a mix of a monkey and a cat, called an Olgor, bared its teeth at Peace.

“Even when they were maggots, monsters never got along.”

“Different species usually try to kill and eat each other. That's why in higher-level dungeons with multiple species of similar ranks, we sometimes provoke fights between monster groups to deal with them.”

“I see. You know a lot.”

I nodded and glanced at my brother. I should have a proper talk with him.

[Ready to chat!]

Right, chat. Wait, hold on—.

The message window appeared, and the surroundings turned dark. Then, small lights like fireflies started to float.

“...Yuhyun?”

Neither Yuhyun nor Peace was visible. It's a completely different space.

‘I can't see anything.’

The lights float, but that's it. It's pitch black.

“Hey?”

If you brought me here, at least say something.

As if in response, the lights gathered in front of me. A rectangular window appeared, and a Korean keyboard floated. It looks like a giant smartphone screen.

Deer: Hi, darling!

Tree: Nice to see you! How have you been?

Newbie: Hello!!

Wolf: Hi, sweetie!

Waterdrop: Can you see me? Can you see me? I'm not sure if it's working properly.

Text appeared on the screen. Is this a chat? A chat window.

‘Five people, then.’

I hesitated for a moment, then placed my hand on the keyboard.

Honey: Hello.

...What's with the nickname? Can I change it? Is there a chat setting?

Deer: Oh, our pretty one! You connected safely! Give me a welcome kiss~

Wolf: Have a lot of questions? Ask away!

Waterdrop: Not everything! Sorry, Honey. Ignore those two. They'll be blocked soon. Let me explain the rules first.

At least one is normal, which is a relief.

Waterdrop: The information we can provide is limited. The connection between your side and ours is narrow. It's usually closed. Right now, it's forced open, so if the information exceeds a certain amount, it will disconnect.

Honey: Does small talk count as information? Can I just use my name?

Waterdrop: Small talk is fine. Names are information, so no. Most importantly, Honey needs to remain hidden for now.

Honey: From what?

Deer: It's the one whose name must not be spoken!^▽^

Voldemort?

Waterdrop: They haven't been blocked yet. But they're not wrong. Names carry a lot of information. If you mention it in detail, they'll notice.

Honey: Is it related to the dungeon?

Waterdrop: Yes! The dungeons growing and becoming stronger is a way of expanding influence. But don't worry. Honey only needs to do one thing.

Honey: Train S-rank Hunters, right?

That's all they directly asked for.

Tree: Correct again! Specifically, apply the keyword and gather exactly 50 people.

Waterdrop: More is fine too.

Newbie: If you do that, the rest is up to us!

Waterdrop: I can't explain in detail, but trust us. Fill the skill window with 50 people. That's all you need to do.

Really just 50 people? Well, with the keyword and continuous growth buffs, they'll be much stronger than the original S-ranks. They might even reach SS-rank as they grow.

Honey: Can you make the keyword easier?

Like 'cheer up' from before.

Waterdrop: We don't set the keyword. We check Honey's skill and write the name and description to match.

Deer: I named all the Perfect Breeder skill names! Isn't it perfect?

You're the culprit.

Honey: No, not at all. Can you at least write a more detailed description?

Waterdrop: There are two reasons, Honey. First, we don't know the exact abilities of people's skills. It's like discovering a new rabbit, examining it, and saying it has long ears, hops, eats grass, and is called a rabbit. We don't have the ability or time to investigate further.

Tree: Fortunately, we have accumulated data, so we manage the skill window somehow, but Honey is a real exception.

Waterdrop: Yes, the Perfect Breeder title is new.

Deer: Really □□□□□!

Wolf: □□□□□□□□□!!

Waterdrop: Take those two away immediately!

[Sorry for the chat disruption.]

Waterdrop, you must be working hard.

< Q&A(1) > End

ⓒ Geunseo