Chapter 136: One After Another
“Yes, the dungeon break area. The guild leader’s car got wrecked, so please send over a new one. They’re asking what type of car you’d like.”
“Is there anything you want?”
“Does the garage have every car type in the world?”
“If it’s currently for sale, it’s practically in the garage.”
He really is something else. Should I ask for a tractor? …Should I really? The temptation to see it is growing stronger. But since I’d be the one uncomfortable driving it, I requested something reasonably practical instead.
After ending the call, I returned Seong Hyunjae’s phone to him. My own phone was dead. While Grace had managed to shield me from the direct effects of Seong Hyunjae’s outburst, she couldn’t do anything about the indirect damage. Maybe I should invest in an electricity resistance item too. Electronics always end up as casualties.
“What’s this about magnetism? Can you manipulate electricity however you want? Do you even recharge your phone battery yourself?”
“Plugging it in is easier than maintaining a skill while managing voltage and current. It’s not as simple as you might think.”
So it wasn’t impossible, then. I wondered just how precise his control could be. What were the possible applications of electrical manipulation? I tried to think it through but gave up. Too exhausted. My body felt like a wrung-out sponge; all I wanted was to go home and sleep.
Thunk!
Suddenly, I heard something heavy crash down. I forced my half-closed eyes open and turned toward the sound.
— Yujin!
It was Noah. The golden dragon had landed atop the massive corpse of what appeared to be an A-rank dungeon boss. Wasn’t that where the sports car had been? Well, no need to worry about the scrapyard press anymore.
— Are you injured?
Noah eyed me with concern as Seong Hyunjae held me. Though his eyes were gentle, his half-spread wings and ready claws bristled with tension, as if he might strike at any moment. Still, compared to Seong Hyunjae or Chief Song Taewon, Noah’s presence felt distant. Probably thanks to the keyword’s effect.
“I’m fine. Just tired.”
— But there’s a wound on your chest.
I should have changed clothes. Noah used a healing skill on me. Despite his B-rank healing power, the chest wound remained unchanged. Only the scratches from rolling on the ground disappeared. Noah looked bewildered, and Seong Hyunjae’s curiosity intensified.
— My skill… doesn’t seem to work. Perhaps it’s not high enough rank…
“No, Noah, you’re skilled enough to be a proper healer. Even a B-rank single-target healing skill is extremely valuable. This wound is just… special.”
“How is it special?”
The words, seemingly directed more at himself, sent a shiver down my spine. I really miss my higher fear resistance skill level.
— With this one down, the gate has stabilized. We should head back now.
Noah said, extending his forepaw. I wanted nothing more than to return home immediately.
“Thank you for your hard work, Noah. But I’ve already called for a car, so I’ll take that instead.”
In my current state, I wasn’t keen on flying back in Noah’s grasp. It would be terrifying without proper safety measures. Though Noah wouldn’t drop me, and Grace was present, fear was still fear.
“And if it’s not too much trouble, could you heal Chief Song Taewon? He’s quite badly injured.”
— Is his injury severe?
Noah tilted his head in surprise.
— He seemed strong, even against an S-rank monster.
I could only offer a faint smile. We’d handled the monster quickly, but there had been someone more monstrous than the monster itself.
“Please take care of him.”
— But I can’t leave you here alone…
The light gray eyes narrowed sharply, glancing at Seong Hyunjae. I understood his concern, but what could I do?
“I called the Sesung Guild Leader here myself, so don’t worry.”
— …Alright. Be careful on your way back.
The golden dragon hesitated before spreading his wings and soaring back into the night sky. Though potions were available, Chief Song wouldn’t use them readily. With things mostly settled, he’d likely only used a low-grade potion for basic first aid.
Yuhyun, Seong Hyunjae… Properly treating injuries from their violent attack skills required high-grade potions. He’d definitely save those and just seek a healer instead.
“From what I recall, Han Yujin shouldn’t have received such a wound.”
Seong Hyunjae, who had been studying my chest wound intently, finally spoke.
“I was chopping green onions in the kitchen and my hand slipped.”
“Are you suggesting you cook with items that create wounds even B-rank healing skills can’t heal?”
“The green onion was S-rank.”
“Mind if I split it open?”
He wasn’t talking about the green onion. Goosebumps rippled across my arms.
“I’ll die, you lunatic.”
“I can control myself well enough, don’t worry.”
“No thanks. Just put me down. I’ll call a cab.”
As if any cab would venture out here. Not to mention my dead phone. Was there a public phone nearby? Seong Hyunjae complied and set me down. My legs were still weak, but I could stand.
Just as I was about to search for an open convenience store, Seong Hyunjae grabbed my shoulder and turned me around. His gaze, though level with mine as always, felt oddly distant. Must be nice being tall.
“You’re being unusually cold today.”
“I think not cursing at someone who wants to cut open my chest is extremely generous.”
“Didn’t you curse earlier?”
“That was just stating facts.”
“Then, my kind Yujin.”
His smile was terrifying. The only reason I didn’t bolt was because it would be pointless; I’d be like a flea trying to escape. Maybe I should have chosen the unstable flight option. But then again, Seong Hyunjae probably wouldn’t have let me go easily. Noah would have ended up on today’s casualty list alongside Chief Song Taewon. And below them, my name would have been added.
“Is your unusual state today because of Chief Song?”
“I’m feeling weak lately. Been busy and all.”
It seemed Seong Hyunjae wasn’t well-versed in Chief Song’s plunder skill. He probably thought it just nullified damage during combat.
“I see. I should have paid more attention.”
“You’re too busy for that. It’s more than enough if you just leave me alone. Preferably, right now.”
“I can’t do that, not between us.”
Shouldn’t have called him after all. Yuhyun, you made a mistake this time…
“How did Yuhyun get here?”
“You must not have heard, but the Haeyeon Guild Leader went into a dungeon raid. The fire was just from a gas explosion. Someone must have forgotten to turn off the valve during evacuation.”
“Your tongue seems too loose for the energy you’re using to move it.”
Though still smiling, it was clear he wasn’t one to let things go. But all his questions were difficult to answer. I couldn’t just reveal Chief Song’s skill, and there was no way I’d explain Yuhyun’s skill in detail. The magic stone in my chest was also off-limits.
A brief silence fell. Seong Hyunjae, who had been staring at me intently, finally spoke.
“It can’t be helped.”
At that moment, my knees buckled. My breath caught, and my mind went blank. As my blurred vision cleared, I saw my hands pressed against the ground. My gasping breaths seemed to come from far away.
“Yujin.”
Seong Hyunjae knelt on one knee, lowering himself. He patted my head like one would pet a dog, then lifted my bowed head. Even in my dazed state, our eyes met. The kindly smiling eyes conveyed deep terror.
“Yujin, you need to answer honestly.”
The gentle voice came as an absolute command. My fingertips scraped against the ground.
“How did you get the wound on your chest?”
“The magic stone… of Diarma.”
At the mention of Diarma’s magic stone, my head cleared slightly. Diarma. And the Mermaid Queen. The memories of that time flooded back.
The Venom and Curse Dragonkin that could swallow stars whole and the ruler of water.
Damn it. I’ve. I’ve faced all sorts of things even with F-rank stats. This pressure was nothing. Sure, my fear resistance skill had been a huge help, but it hadn’t erased those experiences.
‘He’s just an S-rank. That’s nothing compared to the ocean.’
I gritted my teeth. I struggled against the chains holding me down, but it wasn’t easy. In fiction, these situations are always resolved by sheer willpower, but reality is much colder.
“Stop being stubborn and speak. It’ll be easier that way.”
It was a tempting offer.
There was no denying the rank gap. I couldn’t break free on my own. My stats were only F-rank, and the difference between Seong Hyunjae and me was overwhelming. I also lacked an appropriate mental resistance item.
F-rank wouldn’t do. So a higher rank had to face an even higher rank.
‘You bastard, Seong Hyunjae.’
Within the suffocating pressure, I moved my magic. Diarma’s mental skill. The target wasn’t the madman in front of me. I couldn’t use it properly yet, and there was no way it would work on him without his acceptance. The target was myself.
I barely managed to pull out a portion of the skill’s effect to recall my memory. The memory of Diarma and the Mermaid Queen facing off. Their overwhelming presence.
S-rank? That’s like a well compared to the sea.
And then the sea engulfed me. The well washed away, and I was swept along with it.
“Kuh, hack!”
Damn it. I was truly insane. I should have stopped at Diarma before transforming into a complete dragon. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe at all. I collapsed completely onto the ground, my face wet with tears, looking up at Seong Hyunjae. This time, he was genuinely surprised.
“What are you staring at, you S-rank wannabe?”
What are you laughing at, damn it. Seong Hyunjae picked me up again. I felt mentally shattered. Peace… wasn’t here. I wanted to hug Chirp. Chirp, dad feels like he’s dying.
— Chirp!
“…Chirp.”
He actually came. Seriously. I gently cupped the chick floating before me with trembling hands. The soft, warm feeling slowed my racing heart.
“So that thing really does have a spatial movement skill, huh.”
“Mind your own business.”
— Chirp chirp!
“Chirp, thank you for coming to find me, but you can’t just go around like this. It’s dangerous.”
If he appeared in the middle of a battle, it would be problematic. I needed to train him not to use spatial movement carelessly, but how?
While I was feeding Chirp the magic stone, the car arrived. The driver quickly got out and opened the back door for us. As soon as I sat down, I wanted to fall asleep, but I resisted. Instead, I glared at Seong Hyunjae, who had seated himself beside me.
“If you have any conscience, get out.”
“We’re heading straight to the guild.”
Ignoring me, Seong Hyunjae instructed the driver. Wait a second, surely he didn’t mean Haeyeon Guild?
“Shouldn’t you drop me off first? Are you telling me to take a taxi home?”
“I can’t leave you alone in that state. I’ll take care of you for a while.”
“You’re the most dangerous one here!”
— Chirp!
“Thank you for overestimating an S-rank so much.”
“Forget it. Just drop me off on the side of the road.”
Whether I could walk or not, I’d crawl home if necessary. Or at least let me make one call to Haeyeon.
“My condition may be poor, but if I just rest at home, I’ll be fine. Besides, why should you even worry?”
“Let me clear one debt.”
“Two. Let’s settle things related to Noah cleanly this time as well.”
“That’s quite demanding.”
Seong Hyunjae looked slightly disgruntled. Too bad. It was definitely two. Knowing his wrongdoings, Seong Hyunjae didn’t hold out long and accepted the deal.
Fortunately, the car changed direction toward the breeding facility. Noah had arrived earlier and was waiting anxiously in the parking lot.
“Yujin!”
Noah ran over and supported me. He immediately glared at Seong Hyunjae.
“Why does he look worse than before?”
“Just like always, Yujin overexerted himself. Let him get some rest.”
This is all your fault. Before getting back into the car, Seong Hyunjae looked at my chest.
“I’m curious what excuse you’ll give to the young master.”
“Wait, you’re going to tell him?!”
The bastard disappeared into the car without answering. What excuse could I possibly give? There were still a few days before Yuhyun came out, so I should cover it up with fake skin or something.
“Are you hurt anywhere, hyung?”
The moment I emerged from the shower, having cleaned up my battered body, my brother appeared. Iryn, who had taken form again from the tattoo, perched on my shoulder, looking between me and Yuhyun.
Seems he used the gate stone, that brat.
–TL Notes–
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/MattReading
Join my Discord! https://discord.gg/BWaP3AHHpt