Chapter 79

"Don't cause any trouble."

"Peace! The best! Oh, you're so cute! Do you want to come to me, huh? Huh? Is it because I'm your sister?"

Moonhyeon, hanging from the neck of the Flame Horned Lion, shouts like a drunkard. Even as Peace shakes its neck in annoyance, she doesn't budge and laughs loudly.

The air is hazy with the high dust. Around the corpse of the giant toad, piles of stones are scattered.

In between, Han Yuhwan and Park Yerim are looking at each other with a mix of unease.

These two, who instinctively avoid each other due to their incompatible personalities, had their discomfort completely disappear for a moment when Han Yujin's skill was applied.

What filled the void was a faint sense of connection and intimacy.

It might have felt repulsive, but it was accepted naturally because the intermediary was none other than Han Yujin.

It was a kind of deception.

Both Han Yuhwan and Park Yerim were already quite familiar with receiving positive emotions from Han Yujin. They didn't even notice that the natural flow was slightly twisted.

"…Let's not say anything, shall we?"

Park Yerim said, slightly frowning.

The skill's effect had disappeared, but the residual emotions remained. Although they started to feel annoyed with each other again, the pleasant sense of teamwork remained.

Especially for Park Yerim, this was her first time engaging in a battle where she poured out her maximum strength against a powerful enemy. It was exciting, enjoyable, and thrilling. Even now, standing on the result of her efforts, her heart was still racing, and even the once-irritating Han Yuhwan looked beautiful. She didn't want to admit it, and it made her feel bad.

Han Yuhwan, in a similar situation but to a lesser degree, nodded grimly.

However, the one most affected was not Moonhyeon, who perfectly synchronized with the top-tier mount, nor Han Yuhwan and Park Yerim, who felt a subtle connection with their opposite, but Seong Hyunje.

The back of the giant toad, which had been completely torn open, was in a terrible state.

Despite the massive wound, no blood or bodily fluids flowed. The wound and the area inside were as if they had been boiled and cooked.

It looked as if a super-large predator, similar in size to Babar, had torn it apart. Seong Hyunje, looking at it, then shifted his gaze to the young man holding it.

"Where did this come from?"

He murmured in a tone of curiosity, as if he had discovered a new and fascinating species.

He was well aware of Han Yujin's usefulness. However, raising a mount or determining the awakening level did not require direct involvement.

What he needed to take was not Han Yujin but his harvest.

If Han Yujin were to be monopolized by Hae Yeon or another guild, it would be a different story, but as long as he remained neutral, maintaining a good relationship was sufficient. There was no need to interfere with a farmer who did his job well. The contract had already been signed, and all he needed to do was receive the excellent harvest.

However, the situation had changed.

A special command skill. In exceptional cases like this, it was not yet necessary for S-rank hunters.

'But the day it becomes important is not far off.'

Seong Hyunje knew better than anyone that the difficulty of the dungeons was increasing. He also expected that cooperation among S-rank hunters would soon become essential.

When that time comes, a command skill that affects even S-rank hunters would be extremely important. Moreover, the fact that the skill user's stats were low was also appealing.

No hunter welcomes direct physical or mental interference from someone who could potentially threaten them. However, Han Yujin was so weak that it didn't even feel bothersome. The skill could be easily broken if strongly resisted.

It wouldn't harm the sensitive high-level hunters and was useful enough to be accepted generously. It was almost as if it had been deliberately designed to fit perfectly.

And another thing, the shared effect of doubling attack skill power.

Seong Hyunje's lips unconsciously curved into a smile.

'There's a clear difference between hearing about it and experiencing it.'

No one who wields great power can fail to be attracted to it. Among these, physical power, which produces the fastest and most definite results, can be addictive once experienced.

Moreover, hunters have a legal target for violence in the form of monsters, with significant rewards following.

Wielding the inhuman power they possess to crush and trample enemies, becoming even stronger.

A perfectly controlled powerful body, high-purity mana that dominates the surroundings, and the immense destructive power of skills that defy common sense. The higher the rank of the hunter, the stronger the sense of liberation and pleasure they feel in battle.

For a hunter at the top, the sensation of doubling attack skill effects was like a drug. It was different from just knowing the number "two." The anger at having to give up the power already tasted and return to the original state was palpable.

Why is this a human? If it were a dungeon item, he would have done anything to get it.

"Is everything okay with you, brother?"

At that moment, Han Yuhwan and the others approached.

"There are no injuries, just a deep sleep."

"That's a relief. Give him to me."

Han Yuhwan held out his hand as if it were a given. Seong Hyunje frowned involuntarily. If he handed Han Yujin over now, there was no telling when the next time would be. He knew well how much the young man doted on his brother. Even if Han Yujin was fine, he wouldn't willingly send him into a high-level dungeon.

'Maybe I should kill him.'

Han Yuhwan, of course, and the others.

The effect of doubling attack skill power was still shared. Even if he wiped out the other S-rank hunters here, the corpse and rewards of a level 1 monster would provide sufficient excuses and evidence.

Then, the contract related to mounts would be left only with MKC and Han Shin. MKC wouldn't be able to act properly, and Han Shin could be easily dealt with. The blacksmith was not yet a significant threat.

"I asked you to return him."

Sensing something amiss, Han Yuhwan's expression hardened. Park Yerim, who had been teasing Moonhyeon about Peace, also closed her mouth.

Rattle

The Seeker's chain wrapped around Seong Hyunje protectively. Han Yuhwan's eyes turned dark red as he looked at it.

"Quite a scary look. Are you going to attack, young master?"

"You're the one starting trouble."

"Surprising, aren't you? I've been sending signals since yesterday. I was curious about how much you've grown."

"I'd like to meet your expectations, but first, return my brother."

"I don't want to."

Seong Hyunje laughed. The growling is kind of cute, isn't it? Park Yerim's voice, seemingly indifferent, cut through the tense air.

"If you two fight, you'll end up in pieces, sir."

Though it sounded like a casual reprimand, her eyes were icy cold. Moonhyeon, standing beside her, spoke cheerfully.

"Right. So, hand over your brother and fight. I'll keep my mouth shut and let you two have at it. I promise I won't tattle."

"Big sister, that's a really obvious lie, isn't it? You just want to watch the fight and get some snacks."

Park Yerim, smiling only with her mouth, took out a mana potion. Moonhyeon also reinserted the halberd she had put in her inventory next to her foot. Peace bared its fangs slightly. Kim Sung-han arrived, assessing the situation without asking and glared at Seong Hyunje.

"Hey? Dear Hyunje. Give me the glass bead. It's about to break."

Seong Hyunje's gaze shifted to Han Yujin, specifically to his wrist. A crude bracelet with a crack caught his eye. It had been more than ten minutes.

'Moonhyeon is the problem.'

The other three, even the Flame Horned Lion, wouldn't attack Han Yujin properly out of concern. But Moonhyeon was different. The moment she realized the effect of doubling attack skill power was still active, she would target Han Yujin first.

'If I want to use it properly in the future, I'll need a special item.'

Thinking this, his mind cleared.

"There are too many eyes and mouths to report this, so I have no choice."

Speaking as if he were tired of being reported, Seong Hyunje handed Han Yujin to Han Yuhwan. After putting on the coat he had returned, he glanced at the destruction he had caused and then looked away. Lingering would only hold him back.

"Come on, let's finish quickly and get out."

With the situation resolved, Moonhyeon waved her hand. Compared to the giant toad, only tadpoles, or even toad eggs, remained. There was no need to prolong it.

----------------------

"It's definitely true. They were targeting Han Yujin."

The new recruit said, fidgeting. Beside him, the tree was restoring the G-15 dungeon, the City of Black Golems. The monsters from five years later, which had been blocked by the spatial distortion, had burst out. Unfortunately, a dangerous one appeared, matching the presence of the S-rank hunters. If not quickly restored, similar incidents could occur in other dungeons.

"Did they already notice? What should we do, Honey?"

"It's not that. They were trying to take Han Yujin, not kill him. Besides, it happened within Honey's world. Someone must have used a spatial movement skill."

The new recruit's expression brightened for a moment but then darkened again.

"Then, could it be them? The filial children?"

"Maybe. It was likely a high-level skill, either SSS or L. They can't directly interfere yet, but we need to check. Alright, done!"

Messages floated over the black screen.

"Ah, they already caught Babar! It was so fast!"

"Indeed. I thought it would be more challenging with the current strength. Honey's contribution is high. The team with F-level stats completed the dungeon quickly, and the achievement points are significant."

The rewards for dungeon clearing and monster hunting are determined by achievement points. Usually, the system calculates automatically, but in exceptional cases, the administrators calculate and determine the rewards.

The tree moved its fingers, connecting appropriate rewards.

"Lastly, for Honey, ordinary equipment won't do."

"Maybe advanced equipment that increases essence?"

"There's a blacksmith. Not needed. Rather, this would be better."

Connecting the reward value to a special item and closing the window.

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- Beep beep beep

A small murmur tickled his ear. Opening his eyes, he saw an unfamiliar ceiling. It seemed he had left the dungeon.

- Beep! Beep!

Beside his head, Beep flapped. Yeah, yeah. Stop hitting my face, it hurts.

"Uncle!"

"Yujin!"

It was Yerim and Myeong-woo. Picking up Beep, he sat up. Where am I? It's a large room with no windows. And the clothes… they look like hospital gowns. Is this a hospital?

Turning to the side, he saw Myeong-woo almost crying.

"Did I sleep for a long time?"

"Two days! The hospital said you'd be fine, but… how could four S-rank hunters not protect one person properly?!"

Yerim averted her gaze at Myeong-woo's angry outburst. He was tired, but he didn't realize he had slept for two days. His body seemed fine, and his head was clear.

At that moment, Kim Sung-han entered, smiling widely upon seeing him.

"You're awake!"

He then turned his head like Yerim, avoiding Myeong-woo's glare.

Myeong-woo is the boss. Especially to these two new S-rank hunters, he's even more of a boss. Yerim, of course, and even the experienced Kim Sung-han probably doesn't have many S-rank items. S-rank items are still rare, so S-rank hunters get them first.

The fastest way to get all the equipment is to rely on Myeong-woo.

"Don't do that. There was no problem until the level 1 monster appeared. Even S-rank hunters can't predict and prevent such abnormal events. Everyone cooperated well in hunting the level 1 monster."

After that, the dungeon was cleared without any issues, right? Surely, they didn't cause any more trouble during the process.

"Where's Blue?"

He asked, petting Beep.

"He's too mischievous to bring to the hospital. He's a bit down because he can't see you, but he's healthy. He eats well."

"Beep has been crying non-stop since the second day. We got permission from the hospital and the guild to bring him here."

I see, our Beep. You missed your dad.

"Is Yuhwan in the dungeon?"

"Ah, yes."

Yerim answered somewhat hesitantly, avoiding his eyes, suggesting she was hiding something. And why is Kim Sung-han here?

"Wasn't Sung-han going with them?"

"Ah… that's…"

Kim Sung-han also averted his gaze. What's going on?

"Where's Peace?"

"Peace went with them, but…"

Yerim hesitated before continuing.

"The guild leader and Peace went in alone."

"…What?"

He didn't understand at first. So, they went in… alone… His heart sank, and the Fear Resistance skill message appeared. Damn, my little brother, are you really crazy?

"…An S-rank dungeon?"

"Yes. Other guild members went in, but they were all chased out. The atmosphere was really tense. But they said it's a compatible dungeon, so even if it's tough, they'll be fine…"

Even so, it's an S-rank dungeon. It requires at least mid-level S-rank hunters. Taking only Peace? What did Peace do wrong? Well, she's not the type to be dragged in unwillingly… But even if it's manageable, S-rank dungeon clear times are long. With only two people, they won't even get proper rest.

Really… Yuhwan, you crazy kid. If you have a complaint, say it, little brother.

"Don't cause any trouble" - End

ⓒ Geunseo