Chapter 87

< Noah >

The rooftop garden was in shambles.

The table was unrecognizable, the floor was dug up, and the trees were broken, with a thick, poisonous mire that even A-class hunters couldn't easily approach. The still-frozen grass and garden plants were dripping water under the summer sun, having just melted.

I had just moved in yesterday.

‘At least the building itself is intact, so that’s a relief.’

Considering that it was a fight between S-class hunters, this was actually quite mild. Yelim’s magic was mainly low-level freezing spells, and Noah, judging from his initial skills, was originally a support class. The skills he used in the fight seemed to be related to the Dio Balshesis title, so he probably wasn’t fully adept at using them yet.

Noah left with the association hunters, including Song Tae-won. He seemed like a nice guy, so he should be fine, as long as it wasn’t for his sister.

“Uncle! Uncle, you need treatment too!”

Yelim, who was completely refreshed, waved for me to come over. She was drenched, as if she had been doused with water from the garden hose. Her arm, which had been bleeding, was now smooth and unblemished, as if she had never been injured.

Indeed, having a high-level healer is great. With just a mana potion, you can use expensive high-level life potions as if they were nothing.

“I already used a potion—”

Splat.

As soon as I approached, Yelim dumped a bucket of water over my head. Even though it was summer, the water was cold.

“Hey, there’s still a scar. Healer uncle, over here!”

Yelim, who was hovering slightly in the air, called for the healer after checking my wound. While it’s true that it’s best to clean and treat wounds quickly when there’s a healer or potion available, she’s really bold. This kid is tough.

Thanks to her, I was able to get rid of my scars too. Seonghyun-je said he had something to do and left with the healer, leaving only a few people to clean up.

I needed to go inside, take a shower, and change clothes, but I was so tired that I just sat down on a nearby bench. If I went in while wet, I’d have to clean up the water I dripped. The summer sun was nice, so I decided to dry off a bit before going in.

“When did you meet that strange woman, Uncle?”

Yelim asked as she sat down next to me.

“What do you mean?”

“You know, social media.”

“This is the downside of social media, huh.”

I think it’s a bit different, though.

“Anyway, don’t say things like ‘I love you’ so easily. I saw that strange woman say it, and that crazy guy’s eyes went wild. I don’t know why he took it out on you, but maybe he’s just crazy. If he knew his condition was abnormal, he should have warned you about trigger words.”

“I don’t plan to say it anymore.”

I just want to raise monsters peacefully. I should be able to do it within five years. Today’s events and Yelim’s constant mention of keywords are making me think it might be getting dangerous.

‘At first, I didn’t plan to use keywords so recklessly. Is this the effect of fear resistance?’

I’m acting without thinking about the consequences. Reflecting on it, telling Seonghyun-je about the keyword was really reckless. What did I think I was going to achieve by applying the keyword to him? Regular meetings where he uses his skills to help raise my child?

I shouldn’t mess with S-class people anymore. I’ll only use it on S-class or higher special skill users who are hard to optimize, and only after thorough background checks.

‘I thought the title of Perfect Raiser would only have positive effects.’

Even if it’s negative, the influence as a raiser must be strong for the keyword effect to appear.

Thinking about it, Riet must have put a lot of effort into raising his sister. It’s like an S-class version of parents who push their children to excel, monitoring their every move and not letting them rest.

All for your own good, right? I’m tired too, and I’ve invested time and money.

That’s how Riet became S-class. On the surface, it looks like a success.

“...I was a bit too relaxed.”

“A bit? Lately, you look like a rabbit.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re walking around with your guard down. Even with that crazy guy’s sister, who’s S-class, you just got angry. You had a reason to be angry, but you’re not related to her.”

“I have a brother, so I can’t just treat it as someone else’s problem.”

Since the keyword is already applied, it’s not like we’re completely strangers. The skill name is ‘My Child’... but it’s not like that. Thinking about the skill list, the name is a bit awkward. Baby deer, really.

“It’s someone else’s problem. Besides, you talk about raising your brother like he’s your child. You said your parents passed away when you were in high school. So, wouldn’t your guild master have been about fourteen? That’s almost grown up. I’m fifteen.”

“Grown up? I took care of Yuhyun from when he was in kindergarten. He even gave me a carnation on Mother’s Day.”

I regret throwing it away in a fit of anger. Maybe I should have wished to go back seven years instead of five.

Yelim’s eyes widened at my words.

“Why, when your parents were still alive? You were a kid too. ...Was the family atmosphere not good...?”

“It wasn’t that. They both worked, so...? It just happened that way? My parents got along well. They went out to eat almost every day after work and went on trips on weekends. They even passed away in an accident while traveling. They were known as a very loving couple.”

“...That’s a bit unusual, isn’t it?”

Yelim narrowed her eyes slightly.

There are parents who don’t care much about their children, so I didn’t think much of it. They took care of the basics, and people around us thought we were a happy family, so I accepted it.

‘Now that I think about it, I didn’t even think about my parents when I used the wish stone.’

I was only focused on Yuhyun, but even if I hadn’t been, I don’t think I would have wished to go back to before my parents passed away. Even if I had tried to stop them or give them advice, they probably wouldn’t have listened, and I don’t want to relive the shock of the dungeon.

Even if the same events repeated, the outcome might not be the same. If Yuhyun were attacked by a monster before he could awaken... it wouldn’t be good.

‘Still, I feel guilty now.’

I should visit the columbarium when Yuhyun comes.

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The facilities for restraining high-level Awakened were still inadequate. For an S-class combat hunter, being confined was almost like being imprisoned. There was only one S-class hunter in the national agency, so it was impossible to have 24/7 one-on-one surveillance. Therefore, when an S-class hunter was captured, the entire hunter detention facility was filled with a subtle tension.

Noah Ruhir was sitting in the visiting room chair. He was much calmer than when he was raging, but his face still showed signs of confusion.

A moment later, the door opened, and Seonghyun-je, the guild master of Seoseong, entered. He casually threw an item that blocked surrounding sounds onto the table and sat across from Noah.

“I never said you should cause trouble as soon as you enter the country.”

His tone was slightly exasperated. In reality, he was rarely flustered.

Noah’s, Dio Balshesis’s, twin title poison skills were S-class. Even with high-level poison resistance items, a stat F could not withstand them. Fortunately, it was a slow-acting, curse-like poison that gradually took over the body, so they rushed a healer to the breeding facility.

The scene they found upon arrival was far from what they expected.

“...I apologize.”

Noah’s voice was weak, but he didn’t seem as frightened as he did in front of Riet.

“I’d rather hear the reason. I can’t understand this situation at all.”

Seonghyun-je knew roughly about Noah and Riet’s relationship. Noah had joined him to gain the strength to face his sister.

“To mess things up so soon after getting ready is too much. This way, it will be hard for you to operate properly in Korea.”

Seonghyun-je sighed dramatically.

“If you paid the price, you should keep your promise.”

“...Even if it’s a price, didn’t my sister get the same thing?”

Noah’s eyes flashed with a faint anger. Seonghyun-je took it in stride.

“What can I do about the conditions of the title? I didn’t say I would make you stronger than Riet. The price wasn’t wrong.”

Noah’s eyebrows furrowed at his brazen words. He looked at Seonghyun-je with a puzzled expression.

It wouldn’t be a pleasant thing for Seonghyun-je if the already strong Riet obtained the Dio Balshesis twin title. No matter how valuable an SSS title is, giving it to someone who could threaten his own life is strange.

“Why...”

“Rather than that, I’d like to know why you attacked Han Yujin. I’ve already asked you twice.”

Noah remained silent. His hand on the table twitched slightly.

“...I felt something strange from the moment I first met him.”

“Strange?”

“Yes. Similar to my sister and me, a cursed poison dragon...”

He had been slightly tense from the moment he sensed it. The strange aura was even stronger than Riet’s.

“Clearly weak, but it felt like a higher species.”

“So, it reminded you of your sister?”

“...Maybe.”

Noah tilted his head slightly, his voice uncertain.

He definitely felt Riet in Han Yujin. His heart raced just thinking about him. Noah’s hands clenched tightly.

“A cursed poison dragon, a title? I was wondering where the sudden S-class poison resistance came from. Do you have curse resistance like Riet? That would be troublesome.”

Seonghyun-je muttered. He couldn’t even guess how a stat F could obtain such a title. According to Noah, it was even higher than Dio Balshesis, or at least on par, which would make it SSS-class.

‘It doesn’t seem to have any offensive skills... Was it when he was kidnapped?’

He had been told that two people died from poison, and the rest from a curse skill.

Seonghyun-je stood up, lost in thought. He looked at Noah for a moment, then picked up the item on the table.

“For now, we’ll act as if there’s no connection.”

Noah’s behavior upon entering the country and visiting the breeding facility didn’t raise any suspicion. A curious visit from someone involved in the case wouldn’t be unusual.

After Seonghyun-je left, Noah remained seated. He ignored the signal to leave. Outside, footsteps moved chaotically.

‘...Han Yujin.’

Riet’s voice rang clearly in his ears. He must be furious. Noah involuntarily hunched his shoulders.

Riet’s repeated instructions to treat Han Yujin well and make a good impression came to mind. But now, their relationship had soured, and he was even being shunned. Riet’s angry voice, telling him not to come to Korea and not to show his face, mixed with Riet’s voice.

Then, Riet’s voice grew fainter and finally cut off.

Decisively.

“Ah...”

Noah looked at the back of his hand, punctured by his now-sharpened nails. Blood was flowing, but he felt no pain.

Instead, his body was filled with a mix of fear and urgency.

Clunk.

Unable to bear it any longer, he finally stood up.

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

“Everything is perfect.”

I laid out various toys in the living room and muttered to myself, satisfied.

“To get them to sleep deeply, playing and tiring them out is the best.”

Last night, Comet slept the longest, for an hour, after a fun play session. After that, even though we played for another hour, he woke up after thirty minutes when I gave in a bit.

So, if I play with him as much as possible for as long as possible, he should sleep for a longer time. Please, let it be so.

‘I can’t leave him in the breeding facility like the unicorns, he’s too young.’

Besides, the unicorns were always together and didn’t look for me or feel lonely. In contrast, Comet would fly around, crying and looking for me if he didn’t see me when he woke up.

What can I do? I’ll have to endure a nap. At least I can leave Blue in the breeding facility during the day, which is a relief. Piyak is well-behaved unless he’s in glutton mode. He’s been enjoying children’s toys lately and can play by himself.

-Piyak!

Piyak came over, chirping at my feet.

“Why, Piyak? Did you finish the puzzle? Do you want me to reset it?”

-Piyak Piyak!

The flapping and jumping pose means he wants to be held. I picked up the fluffy ball, and he calmed down immediately. Blue was already asleep, and it was time to put Piyak to bed too.

Then my phone rang. Song Tae-won’s voice, slightly tense, came through.

[Are you alone at home now?]

“Yes, for now.”

Yoo Myung-woo isn’t around, but he appears to cook and then disappears. Like a housewife.

[Noah Ruhir has disappeared. Don’t go outside under any circumstances. I’ve contacted Haeryeon, and Hunter Kim Sung-han will arrive soon.]

“...Yes, I understand.”

Disappeared? Where did he go? If he has a similar hiding skill to Riet because of the same title, it will be hard to find him.

‘I was planning to slowly calm him down in the detention facility, but this is troublesome.’

I thought he was stable, but now he might come looking for me again... or worse?

I put Piyak down and approached the front door. There was a monitor on the wall that showed the area in front of the door and the mini portal entrance.

On the screen, a platinum-haired young man was huddled next to the portal.

‘...Why is he sitting there like a stray dog?’

Why is he doing that? I texted Kim Sung-han to wait outside the building. If they fought inside, we’d be homeless in no time.

Then I picked up the intercom connected to the mini portal.

“Noah?”

Noah lifted his head, which had been buried between his knees. I was worried he might get excited just hearing my voice, but he only looked slightly scared.

“What happened?”

I asked as kindly as possible, and he slowly stood up.

[...No, just. I got a bit scared...]

“Riet?”

He nodded. Given the trouble he caused, he must be afraid of the consequences. His eyes were trembling, making me sigh. Riet, really.

“Do you want to come in?”

I said without thinking, then panicked. No, that’s not right. Fortunately, Noah shook his head first.

[No... I might not be able to control myself... Can I stay here for a while...? Just until morning?]

“Sure. But you have to go back to the detention facility in the morning.”

I sighed, seeing him nod. It must be uncomfortable.

I put down the intercom and called Song Tae-won. I told him Noah was at the portal and had promised to return in the morning. He was silent for a while before agreeing.

[If he cooperates, it’s better to wait. I’ll go there too.]

“I think morning is fine. Hunter Kim Sung-han is already here.”

[To minimize damage in case of an emergency, it’s better if I join.]

“...Should I try to convince him to go back to the detention facility right away?”

[No, it’s better than him wandering all night.]

That’s true, but fortunately, the staff on-duty room is well-equipped.

I relayed similar information to Kim Sung-han and turned back to the monitor. Noah was still huddled in the same position.

In the morning, he kept his promise and returned to the detention facility.

Just as I was sighing in relief, I received a call that Yuhyun had come out of the dungeon. Much sooner than expected.

< Noah > End

ⓒ Geunseo