Chapter 9
Just minutes ago, Seo Jaeha had been nothing more than an underclassman whose face Lee Youngwoo barely knew. The sudden feelings that emerged toward this completely unremarkable person shook Youngwoo.
“Hyung is going to get hurt. I’ve been telling you that all along.”
“Alright. I get it, so come down from the window.”
“You don’t believe me, do you, Hyung? That’s why you’re alone with that bastard.”
“I do believe you. If I didn’t, would I have brought you to school with me?”
Jaeha’s hair fluttered slightly as he moved forward bit by bit, trying to persuade Jaeyoon. Despite the subtle movement, Youngwoo was captivated, focusing on it as if gazing at a masterpiece he was seeing for the first time.
It was fascinating how emotions could change in just a few seconds.
Looking at the same person, his gaze was drawn as if light dust had been sprinkled over them.
Jaeha kept moving away from Youngwoo, approaching Jaeyoon who was standing at the window. Youngwoo didn’t like seeing Jaeha’s concern transfer to someone else.
Impulsively, Youngwoo placed his hand on one of the empty game cases stacked nearby and applied pressure.
Crack.
The sound of plastic breaking amid the tension drew everyone’s attention. Jaeha turned around and alternated between looking at the broken case fragments and Youngwoo, who was clenching his fist with a furrowed brow.
“Huh? Youngwoo Sunbae, are you hurt?”
“Yeah. When someone came through the window, I was startled and stepped back…”
Using Jaeyoon as an excuse deliberately made Jaeha quickly return to Youngwoo.
“Oh no, I’m sorry. Don’t be alarmed, Sunbae.”
Jaeha reached out to examine Youngwoo’s tightly clenched hand, clearly anxious. Instead of surrendering his hand, Youngwoo kept looking at Jaeyoon, who was still at the window.
Jaeyoon’s eyes were pitiful, as if he was about to burst into tears. When he met Youngwoo’s gaze, he glared back murderously, but did nothing more.
“Sunbae, please let me see your hand. I’m worried you might be injured.”
When Youngwoo wouldn’t open his hand, Jaeha persuaded him gently. Watching this scene, Jaeyoon suddenly vanished outside the window. Only then did Youngwoo extend his hand as Jaeha wanted.
“Ouch, Sunbae, your hand is cut. Wait a moment, please.”
Jaeha turned around to get the first aid kit but was startled by the now empty window. He rushed to the window and looked outside, but Jaeyoon was nowhere to be seen.
“What the… Where did he go?”
Though he figured Jaeyoon, whose athletic ability had improved enough to climb through windows, wouldn’t have fallen, Jaeha still worried since his brother had disappeared while angry.
As Jaeha carefully checked outside the broken window frame once more, Youngwoo’s voice came from behind.
“Ouch… I think there’s a fragment stuck in the wound.”
“Oh, Sunbae. I’ll take a look.”
“Yes, would you do that for me?”
As Jaeha approached, Youngwoo smiled kindly as if he’d never been in pain.
“The wound looks deep. I think you should go to the infirmary.”
“Really?”
“It’s better to have it treated properly than attempt amateur first aid. I’ll report the broken window frame.”
Despite being a new building that looked sturdy, the school frequently had broken doors or damaged fixtures. It was probably due to the energetic students, but the university seemed to have enough money that they would repair everything cleanly if reported, without asking questions.
Although Jaeyoon had broken it, this time too, it would be handled cleanly with just a report. However, since Jaeha was both the causer and witness, he needed to explain directly and tried to stay, but Youngwoo didn’t budge.
“Sunbae? Why aren’t you going…”
“Let’s go together, Jaeha.”
“What?”
Jaeha was confused by Youngwoo extending his uninjured hand. He didn’t understand why they needed to go to the infirmary together when it was a hand injury, not a leg.
“I need to report the broken window frame before the others arrive.”
“But I’m scared that scary-looking guy might appear again.”
When Youngwoo expressed vulnerability, Jaeha was greatly surprised. Moreover, since the cause was Jaeyoon, he was also worried. It was difficult to explain that he was his brother, given the hostility Jaeyoon had shown.
After looking back and forth between the broken window frame and the shattered game case on the table, Jaeha made a quick decision.
“Let’s go together, Sunbae.”
“Yes. Thank you, Jaeha.”
When Jaeha tried to walk ahead past Youngwoo, he was startled when Youngwoo gently grabbed his hand.
“I’m anxious. May I hold your hand?”
Jaeha was about to pull his hand away but remembered that Jaeyoon was the cause of Youngwoo’s injury.
“Ah, yes. If you’re anxious, I should at least offer my hand.”
“Yes, I think I like Jaeha’s hand. It’s warm and soft.”
If it hadn’t been the kind-natured Youngwoo saying this, Jaeha would have found the expression creepy and wanted to withdraw his hand. But since his hand was already caught, he couldn’t pull away and awkwardly smiled while keeping his hand extended.
“Haha, my hand is just ordinary.”
“I didn’t know it was ordinary because I never hold hands with other people.”
“I-I see.”
Although he was concerned about Jaeyoon disappearing while upset, Jaeha was overwhelmed by Youngwoo’s sudden change in attitude. Feeling awkward with Youngwoo’s suddenly friendly behavior, Jaeha quickened his pace.
Fortunately, the teacher was in the infirmary, and Jaeha was able to leave Youngwoo there safely.
Seeing Youngwoo’s kind face as he waved goodbye with a smile until the end, Jaeha left, bowing repeatedly out of guilt. Seeing him like this made it even harder to understand Jaeyoon’s wariness.
“Sigh, when I get home, he’s going to be extremely clingy again.”
Remembering how Jaeyoon would cling desperately when pushed away, Jaeha sighed deeply, already feeling hot at the thought.
* * *
His brother had run away from home.
He was certain it wasn’t just going out but actually running away because when he asked “When are you coming back?” via KakaoTalk, the answer was “running away.”
“This kid… He just talks about protecting me and staying by my side. Now he’s staying out all night again.”
Jaeha was irritated by Jaeyoon’s behavior, which had reverted to his old self after just two days.
Stealing a pig from somewhere, denting that sturdy window frame, climbing walls between floors—despite all these bizarre actions, Seo Jaeyoon was, in the end, his damn little brother.
“He’s such a pain. I should just ignore him.”
It was best to live like the brothers they originally were, barely acknowledging each other’s existence. All Jaeha could hope was that when he returned this time, he wouldn’t unnecessarily show vigilance toward the people around him.
“If you’re going to run away, at least take some meat with you. The refrigerator’s about to burst.”
Despite saying he’d ignore him, Jaeha kept grumbling, unable to shake thoughts of Jaeyoon.
Even sitting down to play games as usual, his mind was cluttered. Everyone was buzzing about the offline meeting, but he couldn’t join in and was lost in thought. There were too many concerns to casually dismiss his transformed brother’s absence.
Haeil: Are you uncomfortable with attending the offline meeting?
Until just a few days ago, Jaeha had been actively giving opinions on everything from the location to the menu for the offline meeting. When Jaeha remained indifferent even to discussions about the meetup, the guild master sent him a private message.
“Argh, I’ve even got the guild master worried about me.”
Not wanting to dampen the mood with his personal issues, Jaeha tried to raise his energy. When he turned on his microphone and entered the voice chat, everyone was in heated discussion about how much alcohol to buy, boasting about their drinking capacities. Of course, this discussion was quickly drowned out by cheers at the news of the guild master’s golden bell announcement.
The guild master’s wealth was often evident during gameplay. Even when potion prices skyrocketed, rather than recruiting additional healers, he solved the healing shortage by providing unlimited potions during hunts. This reduced the burden on healers like Jaeha.
Thanks to the wealthy guild master, the guild was always abundant and relaxed. Moreover, since it was a guild of adults, they tried to reciprocate the guild master’s generous spending rather than just receiving. As a result, guild members got along well, and Jaeha had been looking forward to the offline meeting.
— Since you’re providing the accommodation, we’ll take care of the food.
— My father has an oyster farm, should I bring some oysters?
— Oh, my uncle owns an eel restaurant, I’ll bring a few.
— I’ll bring some bread from the bakery where I work part-time.
“Ha, I can’t resist this warm atmosphere.”
Jaeha also joined in, seizing the opportunity to use up the meat filling his refrigerator.
“I have more than half a pig at home! I’ll bring a heavy load with both hands!”
— Come on, you’re exaggerating. Who keeps half a pig at home?
— I can believe the oysters and eels, but half a pig is going too far.
— My family really does have an oyster farm!
The oyster farm son, indignant at being doubted despite it being Jaeha who was doubted, frantically sent proof photos. Though Jaeha thought it strange to be so desperate over such a trivial matter, seeing the appetizing oyster photos, he also captured the meat-filled refrigerator on his phone.
“Here, everyone, look at all this meat.”
— Whoa. Why is the refrigerator so black?
— So the healer was a silver spoon all along…
— Wow, this is my first time seeing black pig, even the bones are black.
— What? Black pig isn’t like black chicken… oh, it really is!
— Come on, that must be photoshopped. Who would keep meat like that in their home fridge?
Realizing everyone’s puzzled reactions, Jaeha had a sudden realization. If they asked about the source of this breed not yet available on the market, it would be trouble for Jaeyoon. Regretting his careless action and about to make excuses, Jaeha was relieved by the guild master’s deep voice.
— Everyone, please come empty-handed.
— Argh, Guild Master! You’re our light!
— I’ll dedicate my life to this guild!
With the guild master’s generous declaration, Jaeha’s mistake was naturally overlooked. As he deleted the uploaded photo and sighed in relief, a private message from the guild master arrived.
Haeil: You’ve acquired something precious. I’d like to purchase some too. Could you introduce me to the seller?
“Huh? Suddenly?”
Though puzzled by the guild master’s unexpected request, Jaeha was also relieved. Despite Jaeyoon’s talk about catching it in a monster den or whatever, it seemed there was a proper seller after all, which put his mind at ease.
While the voice chat remained bustling, Jaeha responded to the guild master in a private message.
Me: I didn’t buy it myself, so I’ll ask and let you know.
Haeil: Ah, I seem to be prying. It must have been difficult to obtain. I apologize if I’ve made things awkward.
Me: No, it’s not awkward.
Recalling the guild master’s usual gravity and the numerous benefits he’d received, Jaeha thought this much would be okay and replied.
Me: My brother got it, but he’s run away from home at the moment. I’ll ask when he comes back. But he might not answer. The kid’s getting older but seems to have chuunibyou, always role-playing.
Haeil: How did it taste? Did you like it?
“Huh? The guild master is being strange today.”
Though it was odd that the guild master asked about the taste rather than prying into the source, Jaeha knew the joy of sharing familiar tastes and answered sincerely.
Me: It’s really delicious. The meat just melts in your mouth—I’ve never had pork this tender and savory before.
Haeil: I see.
The conversation seemed to pause momentarily, then the guild master spoke in the voice chat.
— As a gift for attending the offline meeting, I’ll give everyone an S-grade armor random box.
The voice chat exploded at the guild master’s sudden announcement. S-grade random boxes, which might drop once or twice after dozens of dungeon runs, given out as meeting gifts!
— I’ll come even if I have to die for it!
— If the train is delayed, I’ll come running!
“Yes, I’ll swim to Jeju Island if I have to!”
An S-grade armor box was an irresistibly tempting attendance gift for a healer.
“As expected, so generous.”
Excited by the guild master’s announcement, Jaeha could momentarily dispel his uneasy feelings as his mouth and hands simultaneously typed messages.
* * *
At the exact time Jaeha was hunting monsters in the online game following the guild master’s generous announcement…
Jaeyoon arrived at the entrance of a new dungeon to hunt monsters in person.
‘Hyung is too defenseless.’
Though he knew nothing could be done until the day of the great change came, Jaeyoon grew impatient.
Jaeha’s vulnerability in being friendly first with Joo Dojoon and now Lee Youngwoo made him easy to trample on at any moment.
Jaeyoon had witnessed firsthand how far a Guide could be trampled by an Esper. Especially what happened to his own sibling was too horrific to even mention.
Since he had returned, it wouldn’t happen in the future, so he didn’t want to tell his brother. As he didn’t want to frighten Jaeha, he had only shared necessary information and made minimal requests, yet Jaeha still didn’t comply.
“I need to show Hyung evidence to believe me.”
He had planned to show proof after his awakening, but he couldn’t leave Jaeha, who had no sense of caution whatsoever, like this. F-grade monsters resembled Earth animals in appearance, making them difficult as evidence. Though it would be a bit challenging before awakening, he decided to catch a higher-grade monster to show Jaeha.
Unlike the F-grade dungeon last time, this was an abandoned factory quite far from home. Jaeyoon reached the D-grade dungeon created there without hesitation.
Being challenging was only relative to his post-awakening strength; even pre-awakening, Jaeyoon possessed strength and experience incomparable to ordinary people. Though it would be difficult to catch one in a day, there was no worry of getting hurt.
“I’ll catch one within a week.”
With just an iron pipe in hand, Jaeyoon walked confidently into the dungeon entrance, which appeared to be nothing more than a wall.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
