[Cracked Magic Stone (1)]
The second floor of the dungeon, like the first, had a castle and a lake. However, the castle was already half-collapsed, and the lake had become shallow and swampy. Beyond the difference in atmosphere between night and day, the abundant submerged plants made it look eerie.
What appeared above was a water dragon whose fins seemed to have mutated into wings. Was both the setting and boss monster some kind of evolved version of the first floor? Anyway, even though it was a dragon species, it was only A-rank level, so it wasn’t much. Not that an F-rank combat power should be saying that.
“Noah, why don’t you try fighting it alone? Just using hydrokinesis, without using poison or other skills. Since it’s a flying dragon type, I think it would be good experience in many ways.”
It would be a waste to let the others handle it when I had applied My Kid Is The Best skill. Noah nodded and transformed into a dragon before taking flight. I thought Seonghan would make a comment about how I said I wanted to get out quickly, but he was surprisingly quiet.
Noah’s boss monster hunt took quite some time. Even though he had gotten used to hydrokinesis, it was because the fight was mainly aerial and he wasn’t originally a close combat style. Still, seeing him successfully cut off the water dragon’s breath made me feel proud.
“What time do you think it is outside?”
“By now, day must be breaking.”
Not even 24 hours — it really was fast. This was all thanks to Noah and Liette being able to transform into dragons. Originally, just moving through the first and second floors would have taken more than a day.
When the boss monster died, the gate appeared. Once we get out, I need to stop by a nearby clothing store first. If I return to the Breeding Facility looking like this with many watching eyes, it would definitely reach Yuhyun’s ears. The top is one thing, but these torn and bloodied pants are basically advertising that I was attacked, so I need to hide them.
“…What’s that now?”
I was praising Noah for fighting well when Liette, who had disappeared for a moment, came dragging something back. None other than people tied up in a row like dried fish. The disheveled Choi Seokwon and Yun Kyungsu were among them.
“Didn’t you kill them all?”
“You live better when you save.”
That’s rich coming from someone who spends hundreds of millions on watches that aren’t even items. But they were all high-ranked Hunters, so it would be a waste to just kill them. Especially if we’re in a position to leverage their weaknesses.
There were even two S-ranks among them.
“The last part of tourism is shopping, right? I’ll splurge on one too.”
“Such a fickle tourist, saying you wouldn’t buy anything before.”
“If the customer changes their mind, you should gratefully make the sale, Mr. Guide. The service here is quite lacking.”
“To say it’s lacking even after I offered my eye and arm with such dedication, my my. I guess I have no choice but to offer the whole-“
“I decline.”
Don’t need it. If you’re going to give something, just hand over the skills. Liette was also looking at the tied-up people contentedly, probably having arranged to receive something. While Sudam is big, MKC probably has more to gain.
‘Once we’re out, first check Yuhyun’s contract and…’
I need to carefully sort through Diarma’s memories. Maybe because I pulled them directly from consciousness, they remained vivid despite the massive amount.
As we crossed the gate, I felt a slightly warm breeze. Then I saw the brightening sky. A sky tinged with faint purple, where darkness and light mixed.
…Why can I see it? This was supposed to be indoors. But we’re outside.
The fairly large dungeon building had completely vanished. No, traces remained. Being in a remote location next to an A-rank dungeon, there were no people in the surrounding buildings… now there were no buildings either. Instead, there were barricades, people, and.
“…Yuhyun?”
Yuhyun was sitting on a chair placed directly in front of the gate. Though it was just a common plastic chair, his presence was that of an emperor on his throne. In other words, heavy. Both his coldly frozen expression and the aura he emanated. He even had a long sword drawn in his hand. Aren’t weapons supposed to be kept away?
Beside him was Peace, slightly larger than his ascension form. He didn’t look pleased either. At least Chirp on Peace’s head-
-Chirp!
I don’t know why he followed, but unlike the two maintaining the atmosphere, he happily raised his wings in greeting. And a short distance away stood Chief Song Taewon with a tired face.
“Looks like we’ve been found out. Well, the Young Master must have been watching like a hawk. With two S-rank Hunters, and even mobilizing other high-ranked Hunters.”
Seonghan spoke as if it wasn’t his business. Hey, if you guessed this would happen, you could have given me a hint. So I could have mentally prepared. Unlike the composed Seonghan, Noah was slightly tense.
“Brother.”
Yuhyun stood up from his seat. His gaze slowly moved from my head to toe, stopping at my torn pants. Well, busted.
“This is the only place I’m hurt.”
My actual body, that is. What happened with that dragon bastard, well, it wasn’t real anyway. Though the dragon bastard really did die, but anyway. …It would be better to keep that hidden forever. Let’s say Droplet killed the dragon bastard.
“That shirt, isn’t it from the Sesung Guild Leader?”
Though it’s a dungeon item, it looks quite ordinary, but you’ve got good eyes.
“Ah, about that…”
I started to explain but got stuck. The situation is a bit… awkward to explain truthfully in front of my brother. Should I just say it got dirty so I borrowed it? Though it would be ridiculous for a Hunter to change clothes just because they got dirty in a dungeon.
Just then, the tied-up people started being thrown out of the gate one by one. As I naturally stepped aside, Liette hopped out over the pile of people.
“Got them all— Oh? Did a dungeon break nearby?”
No, but my brother is about to break instead. As Liette appeared after the tied-up people, his already fierce eyes gained a reddish tinge.
I had a momentary urge to shout that I knew nothing and Seonghan used me as bait! But if I really did that, it would create an atmosphere for the 1st Ranking Tournament, so I should hold back.
“…What happened?”
With an expression of pulling together every bit of patience he had, Yuhyun asked Seonghan.
“I rescued a princess who had been kidnapped and assaulted by a dragon, and then we danced. Ah, I didn’t get a kiss though. The princess was quite cold.”
Are you crazy, why would there be a kiss? At that absurdly insane answer, cracks appeared in Yuhyun’s cold expression. My confused brother turned to me as if asking what on earth this meant.
“Uh… it’s nonsense, but it’s also true…”
Even as I said it myself, I found it quite ridiculous. To think all of that actually happened. …No, how did it end up like this? This is all because of Seonghan and Liette. If it’s this bad with just two born S-ranks, and there are two more left? My head is already starting to hurt.
Surely we won’t end up filming an even crazier drama than this.
“I was the dragon!”
Liette cut in, raising one hand high. Song Taewon approached her with handcuffs.
“Illegal contract trading, illegal entry, and…”
Song Taewon turned to me and asked.
“Perhaps regarding sexual offenses-“
“Ah, no! Why would you suddenly…”
You’re disturbingly quick on the uptake. Song Taewon made an unnecessarily understanding expression.
“If you change your mind, contact us anytime. For Hunters, stat rank takes precedence over gender-“
“Yes, I understand. Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine.”
Let’s talk about this at least when my brother isn’t around. Swallowing a sigh, I shifted my gaze to Liette, who had her eyes raised high.
“Liette.”
“Yes, darling? Want to step aside?”
What are you planning? Of course, she has no intention of quietly accepting the handcuffs.
“A violation is a violation, so go quietly.”
“Why should I?”
“If you cause trouble here, you’ll really be banned from entry forever. If you want to entrust baby monsters to me, get properly punished. I won’t accept illegal routes, so come clean and entrust them officially. You won’t serve time anyway since you’re an S-rank Hunter.”
“Hmmmm, fine.”
Though she puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction, she obediently held out both hands. I wonder what kind of monster she wants to entrust. Probably not an ordinary magical beast.
Song Taewon, who successfully arrested Liette, looked at me with slightly emotional eyes. He probably didn’t expect to be able to take Liette away so easily. Additionally, Noah’s eyes were sparkling.
Now then.
“Yuhyun.”
“Seonghan must have known we’d be attacked, did you know too, brother?”
“Roughly.”
I heard the sound of a small exhale.
“Go home first.”
What are you planning to do after sending me away? Yuhyun’s gaze at the tied-up people and Seonghan doesn’t look good. It’s definitely not an atmosphere for talking. And that Seonghan won’t avoid it either. Look at him now, his eyes are smiling.
What should I do, what to do, should I insist on not going? …The future of being carried out within 3 minutes comes to mind. Ugh.
“…Let’s go together.”
“What?”
“I have something to tell you separately, and also…”
Also, also…
“…I’m anxious.”
I’m the victim here. I was kidnapped by a dragon, hurt my leg, and the tour guide was a complete fraud. Passing by Yuhyun’s side, I picked up Chirp from Peace’s head. While petting Peace who was purring and pressing against me, I continued.
“Even though I look fine, I’m not really fine.”
I sent a silent signal that I was barely holding up thanks to the fear resistance skill. It was half true anyway. In many ways, these weren’t things an F-rank stat person should have to handle.
“So won’t you come with me? There are a lot of other people, but you’re still the person I trust most, Yuhyun.”
Unable to say it while looking at his face, I met eyes with Chirp. Our Chirp, always so cute.
“…Alright.”
He fell for it. As expected of my kind brother.
“This isn’t over.”
Yuhyun said, glaring fiercely at Seonghan as he put his weapon in his inventory.
“That would be rather disappointing. Comfort your brother well and contact me. Or come together, that’s fine too. You two are always welcome.”
Stop fanning dying flames, you bastard. Fortunately, Yuhyun turned around without saying more.
“Noah, you can return alone, right?”
“…Yes.”
For some reason, the response came back dejected. He was in a good mood until his sister was handcuffed, why did he become gloomy again? I got in the car with the shrunken Peace.
The destination was Yuhyun’s house, not mine. Since Myungwoo could pop out anytime, Yuhyun’s house was more comfortable for talking about the Filial Duty Addicts. I should tell Myungwoo to set fixed appearance points. Usually it’s the living room, but sometimes he pops out in weird places.
“Hey, you…”
When I came out after washing and changing clothes, the fire lizard was nibbling away at a piece of cloth. It was Seonghan’s shirt that I had borrowed for a while.
“I need to return that.”
But I didn’t feel like stopping it. It had already eaten half anyway. Eating well.
“Come here and sit down.”
I called Yuhyun while heading to the sofa. Peace climbed onto my lap as if it was natural, and Chirp settled on top of him.
“Why did you bring Chirp?”
“He followed.”
Yuhyun said as he sat beside me. The lizard that had finished eating the shirt crawled onto my brother’s body.
“Check if the contract with the Filial Duty Addict is still intact.”
At my words, Yuhyun’s eyes grew round.
“How did you… Don’t tell me that bastard Seonghan-!”
“I asked, and he answered. And being acquainted with the system, how could they not know?”
Though they didn’t tell me properly on their end. When I urged him again to check the contract, he pulled out the contract from his inventory. It’s a black plate similar to Seonghan’s. Even though that lizard bastard died, it wasn’t canceled.
“I’ll cancel it for you now.”
“But brother, your curse resistance is L-rank.”
“My skill has double effect against the master of the Venom and Curse Dragon King. I even tested it on Seonghan. His arm and eye were bound, but they were released fine.”
“That’s a bit disappointing.”
“What was your price?”
“…Both eyes.”
…This damn bastard.
“Hey! Han Yuhyun!”
“Wait, brother! You’ll hurt yourself!”
My hand that actually hit his back stung. My wrist ached a bit too. Yuhyun held out a potion while watching my reaction.
“I was still young then, and it wasn’t a difficult condition. Seonghan put up his arm and eye too, right?”
“I don’t care what that guy stakes, all his limbs or whatever. You really-!”
“You lied to me and got hurt going to the dungeon too.”
“I just got my leg stabbed a bit. Is that the same as eyes? Both of them, hey, you!”
When I stamped my foot in frustration, Peace growled at Yuhyun. Chirp also chirped loudly. Then Yuhyun’s lizard hissed back.
Thanks to them, I calmed down a bit.
“Let’s break the contract first. Come here.”
I reached out and hugged Yuhyun’s head. But when it came to actually making him break the contract, the words wouldn’t come easily. It should be fine. Seonghan was fine too.
Damn lizard bastard, why did he have to want to take both eyes. What did he want to do to a kid who wasn’t even an adult? I should have threatened him to cancel the contract before killing him.
“Brother?”
“Uh, I’m ready so say it.”
“I know about the Filial Duty Addicts.”
With a small crack sound, the contract that had been taken out shattered. I hurriedly grabbed Yuhyun’s face and looked into his eyes.
“You’re okay?”
“I can see fine.”
“Don’t ever do such a crazy thing again.”
“Okay.”
Well, that’s one worry off my mind. Now, where should I start explaining and how much should I tell?
–TL Notes–
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