The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 6

6. My Brother is Strange (4)

As the world adapted to Dungeons, Hunters became known as a highly lucrative profession.

Not to mention S-Ranks, even B-Ranks were making hundreds of millions of won a month [approximately tens of thousands of USD]. C-Ranks had an annual income in the hundreds of millions, and even D-Ranks hit 100 million. Below that, even E and F-Ranks with combat aptitude earned more than the average small to medium-sized enterprise employee.

The magic stones from Dungeons became a new energy source, and byproducts were used as materials for new drugs and useful new substances. Furthermore, magic and science combined to create various new technologies.

In such a world, Han Yu-hyun, the Guild Leader of Haeyeon Guild, an S-Rank Hunter showing rapid growth, tall, and even handsome, was incredibly popular. He was only twenty years old, young and full of potential.

Just one interview would cause viewership ratings to skyrocket, and magazines featuring his photos sold out instantly.

‘If the fact that such a guy is also family-oriented becomes known, the reaction will be explosive.’

I muttered inwardly, watching Yu-hyun’s back as he lifted a pot from the induction cooktop in the spacious kitchen. I had naturally assumed we would eat out when he suggested dinner. Who knew he would serve homemade food at his place.

For the record, Yu-hyun’s house was on the upper floors of the Haeyeon Guild building. The exact floor was not disclosed for security reasons, but it was said to occupy half a floor. It was a ridiculously expensive place accessible only through a mini-portal, with no stairs, elevators, or outward-facing doors.

“I didn’t know you were good at cooking.”

I said suddenly, sitting in a dining chair and watching my brother finish the cooking.

“I got better as I tried to survive.”

“Huh? Why? You have plenty of money.”

From right after his Awakening, he had been earning enough money to buy whatever he wanted and even hire top chefs.

At my question, he answered a bit awkwardly.

“Now I have detoxification and curse-nullifying items, but it wasn’t always like that. So, I felt more comfortable making my own food. Even now, when I go into Dungeons, I take my own dried food. The inside of a Dungeon is the most dangerous place.”

“…Detoxification? Curse-nullifying?”

What did I just hear? So, there were bastards putting poison in food and casting curses, so he had to make his own… is that it?

“……”

I had no idea. I used to think he was just a successful, fortunate S-Rank Awakened, and even after the regression, I just thought he had gone through some hardships. I never dreamed that his life was threatened to that extent, that it was such a chaotic mess.

To me, Yu-hyun was so strong that I couldn’t even look him in the eye. He had been receiving attention from everyone as soon as he Awakened, and he was just doing well. I only saw the S-Rank title and turned a blind eye to what was happening beneath the surface.

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

Yu-hyun, who had approached the table, said in a soft voice.

“The nail that sticks out gets hammered [a Korean proverb meaning those who are different are targeted]. Among the large guilds allied with corporations, they wouldn’t have looked kindly on a young guy trying to create his own guild, right? If I had joined a suitable guild or obediently accepted sponsorship, there wouldn’t have been such threats.”

I couldn’t do that. He smiled bitterly.

“That’s why I was always worried about my relationship with you. Monitoring, interfering with, and tying you down under the guise of protection were all results of my choices. Knowing that those guys would target my only blood relative, I still created my guild.”

“…Why didn’t you say anything?”

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

…Certainly, if it were me before the regression, I would have told him to mind his own business and survive on his own, or I would have resented my brother.

“But I was completely wrong. You still cared about me and worried about me, just like when I was young. I misunderstood you without knowing that. I’m sorry.”

Ugh, my conscience hurts. Even after regressing, I was just trying to enjoy the easy life. If you say that, I feel too much like trash.

“…I didn’t do much better either.”

“You were interfered with in everything without knowing why. You had every right to feel that way.”

The inside of my chest tingled. As I took a spoonful of the food my brother had prepared, the warm, tickling sensation grew stronger.

I’m glad I turned back time.

It was the best choice I ever made in my life.

“I understand the situation roughly. But what you did today is too much. Locking me up so I can’t even go out—there’s no need to go that far. Nothing major has happened so far.”

I was about to say, ‘Let me go a little,’ but Yu-hyun’s expression hardened as he sat across from me.

“No way.”

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

“The situation is different now than it was this morning. The reason you’ve been safe so far is that I’ve completely cut off my relationship with you. It’s a serious crime for an Awakened to harm a non-Awakened, and I made them think you weren’t worth taking such a risk.”

His voice grew heavier.

“But if I directly order you to be brought into the Haeyeon Guild, my enemies will actively start targeting you. Just the fact that you’re here now will make them start watching you.”

“Then isn’t it better to keep pretending we’re on bad terms on the surface?”

“You said it was okay.”

“…What?”

When did I ever say that? I don’t have any memory of allowing a life of confinement.

Yu-hyun replied with a brazen face.

“You said you were sorry and loved me. Honestly, it’s my fault and my responsibility, but you accepted everything. That’s practically the same as giving permission.”

D, did he interpret it that way? This guy is really strange!

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

“Just bear with it for a year. I’ll wipe them all out within a year.”

Don’t smile while saying such a gruesome thing! And it’s not one year, it’s three years! It takes three years!

Damn it, best choice my ass. I was so angry that the back of my neck was stiff, but I tried to calm myself down by taking a long, deep breath. The guy in front of me is an S-Rank Awakened before he’s my brother. He’s also a Guild Leader who has been through thick and thin. Getting emotional won’t even scratch him.

I can’t win with force, so I have to resolve it through conversation somehow.

“No matter what, how can I live locked up for 3, no, 1 year? I’ll get depressed even if I’m stuck in my room for just a month. Even if there are guys targeting me, it’ll be hard for them to do anything in broad daylight. And if it really comes down to it, I’ll have a bodyguard with me. I can go around with Sung-han.”

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

“How often is ‘sometimes’?”

I felt pathetic after saying it. I’m negotiating outing times with my younger brother who’s not even my parent. I’m old enough that my parents wouldn’t say anything, so how did it come to this? What’s more, this guy in front of me is practically the one I raised! The roles have completely reversed.

“It depends on the schedule. When we start Dungeon raids, I won’t be able to spare an A-Rank to protect you. I can’t trust a B-Rank to do it.”

The conclusion is that it’s only possible if there’s an A-Rank with plenty of time to spare. I confidently opened my mouth.

“Then if I find a dedicated A-Rank guard, will you let me go around freely?”

“…You’re going to find an A-Rank?”

“Yeah.”

Yu-hyun’s eyes, filled with doubt, suddenly turned sharp.

“Hyung [older brother], you’ve Awakened.”

“…Huh?”

Oh, how did he know? This guy is disgustingly perceptive.

“Just this morning, you were going to meet a broker, so you were a non-Awakened. When did you Awaken? Right before meeting me? Right after meeting me? So that’s why you gave up contacting the broker so easily. Your destination was the Hunter Association.”

…I have nothing to say. Set up a fortune-telling mat [meaning he’s been caught red-handed].

“Your stat rank is probably D or below.”

“How can you tell?”

“If it’s C-Rank or higher, you can’t adapt to the excessively changed physical abilities, so it’s obvious. Especially if your strength exceeds the average B-Rank, you won’t have any belongings left for at least three or four days. You can’t control your strength, so you’ll break everything.”

I guess that’s true.

“Did you do that too?”

“Yeah. But from S-Rank, the adaptability is high, so I was fine in just one day. Of course, if only mental strength or magic power is extremely high, it won’t be obvious even if it’s C-Rank or higher.”

“I’m just a normal F.”

“Is your initial skill a special skill? You’re confident in bringing an A-Rank, so you can know the expected Awakening rank or Awaken them, or maybe both. It’s at least C-Rank or higher.”

It’s S-Rank. I can’t say anything in front of him. Yu-hyun’s expression looks uncomfortable, so it’s better to downplay the skill.

“As you said, it’s a special skill related to Awakening, and it’s C-Rank. I can Awaken non-Awakened people and vaguely know their expected Awakening rank.”

“How accurate is it?”

“Roughly fifty-fifty. Just whether they’re strong or weak. I couldn’t distinguish between you and Sung-han. Maybe they’re divided into B or higher and C or lower. Checking accurately takes a 30-day waiting period per person. If there wasn’t a waiting period, I would have become an A-Rank.”

At my words, he nodded. The shadow on his face lightened slightly.

“At that level, even if it’s exposed, you won’t be heavily targeted. It would be useful if you could find out B-Ranks or higher in advance, but the waiting period is too long, and even if you find A-Ranks or S-Ranks, there’s no guarantee they’ll sign a contract. The bait of Awakening them will become useless soon because an Awakening Center will be established.”

“Awakening Center?”

I asked, pretending not to know.

“Recently, the Awakening mechanism has been roughly revealed. So, construction for the center will start soon. The Association’s goal is to make it possible for anyone to Awaken safely within the next six months. The higher-ups of each guild have already heard about it and received investments. I put out some money too.”

“That’s amazing. The number of Awakened people will increase dramatically, right?”

“The official announcement is in four months, so don’t go around telling people.”

“Will you at least let me meet people to tell?”

A smile returned instead of an answer. Is this crazy bastard going to lock me in a solitary confinement cell?!

“Anyway, I’ll find an A-Rank to protect me, so just give me a chance.”

“It won’t be easy if it’s once every 30 days. A-Ranks aren’t common either.”

“Still, it won’t take a year. If I’m lucky, I might find one right away.”

Of course, I don’t need luck. I already know who the A-Rank is.

Yu-hyun’s mouth opened after a moment of contemplation.

“Okay. If you really sign a contract with an A-Rank, I won’t try to protect you forcefully. But it has to be combat or defense-related.”

Finally, permission was granted. What a terribly picky younger brother. Another condition was added, but Park Ye-rim was famous as a combat mage, so there was no problem. The problem is the keyword, damn it.