[Something’s Wrong with My Brother (3)]
Since there was still plenty of time before dinner, I decided to head to the Korean Hunter Association.
‘It’s probably best to just accept being ranked as F.’
I planned to reveal only my basic skills and hide my titles and their supplementary skills. With F-rank stats, having L or even S-rank supplementary skills is more than just overkill—it’s dangerous. Especially with skills like *My Kid Is The Best* and *Promising Talent*, which can be used outside of dungeons. If I lack the ability to protect myself, I might as well be advertising “Come kidnap me” with a neon sign.
All it would take is someone kidnapping me, threatening me, and using torture to force me to use my skills.
If the supplementary skill had to be used during a fight, then there’s at least the possibility of a “You die, I die” scenario, making it more practical to team up. But if it’s a skill that can be used outside of combat, without any connection to fighting, there’s no need for money—they can just capture me and treat me like a slave.
And there have been plenty of victims who’ve suffered this fate.
‘That’s why I hid my Nurturer title back then.’
If I’d revealed it to the association, I could’ve had my hunter rank raised immediately, but I was too scared. At the time, I believed I was on bad terms with my brother and couldn’t count on his protection.
What should I do this time?
‘It might be better to come clean with Yuhyun and get protection while helping with guild work using my skills.’
I’ll exclude the *Dragon Slayer* title since it’s hard to explain, but I’ll tell him about *Perfect Nurturer*. Just *Promising Talent* alone would let me do my part as an older brother. If I recruit promising rookies left and right, not only will the guild not kick me out this time, but they might even give me a solid position.
Lost in pleasant thoughts, I opened the door. And then I made eye contact.
“…Oh.”
A man over 190 cm tall with a hulking build was leaning against the wall in the hallway, staring at me with a stern expression.
A-rank awakened, Kim Seonghan.
He’s one of Han Yuhyun’s most loyal subordinates, a combat hunter specialized in defense. His loyalty to Yuhyun is so strong that he’s always seen me as a thorn in his side… Judging by his expression, that hasn’t changed.
But what’s he doing here? Was he just passing by? …No, he’s standing against the wall.
“Um… Hello?”
Kim Seonghan completely ignored my greeting. What’s this about? This didn’t happen before. Back then, after getting scolded by Yuhyun, I was so upset that I stormed out, yelling at him not to worry about me.
“I just have something to take care of. Take care.”
I tried to walk past him.
“You can’t leave.”
A deep voice stopped me in my tracks. It wasn’t just his words—his hand firmly gripped my arm.
“The Guild Leader has ordered me to make sure you don’t leave.”
“…What?”
Why? Does he think I’m going to run off to meet another awakening broker? Does my brother really not trust me? …Okay, I wouldn’t trust me either.
“I’m not going to cause any trouble. I’m just stepping out for a bit and will be back soon. It’ll only be for an hour.”
It’s a 10-minute taxi ride to the Hunter Association, and it’s a weekday, so there shouldn’t be many people. I could be back within an hour. But Kim Seonghan’s hand didn’t budge.
“Please return to your room.”
“But I really just need to step out… for a…”
As his gaze grew increasingly hostile, my voice trailed off. And then—
[The fear effect has been nullified!]
The *Fear Resistance* skill activated. But what good is it if I’m still about to get beaten up for being cocky? This is utterly useless.
“Alright, alright. I’ll go back to my room.”
I shook off Kim Seonghan’s hand and turned around. In front of an A-rank, running was futile, and he wasn’t flexible enough to be reasoned with. Maybe I should try using a skill?
When I turned back toward him, his eyes narrowed. What are you looking at? That glare won’t work on me. I activated *Promising Talent,* and a status window appeared.
[Awakened ? Kim Seonghan
Current Stat Rank: A
Potential Stat Rank: A~S
Optimal Initial Skills
Unyielding Body (S) Failed to Acquire
Regeneration (S) Failed to Acquire
Earth Shield (A) Acquired]
What a waste! I almost shouted out loud. He had the potential to acquire two S-rank skills, and his stats could have reached S-rank too! As far as I remember, Kim Seonghan’s initial skills were *Earth Shield* and *Stomp.* *Stomp* is A-rank, but it wasn’t his optimal skill.
‘Wow, this is really unfortunate. Is there any way to reawaken someone? Kim Seonghan, optimize awakening!’
[The target is not fully inspired by the keyword.]
Right, the keyword.
[Once a target is awakened, optimized awakening is not possible.]
A follow-up message appeared. I guess it’s impossible. Nothing I can do…
[With the *My Kid Is The Best* (L) skill, focused growth can allow the acquisition of previously failed optimal skills.]
Whoa! You can focus growth on a single skill? This damn system never explains things properly. There are so many hidden effects that I only find out about later. Sometimes, you even get skills with hidden effects without any notification at all.
Anyway, this is huge. The chance to acquire an S-rank skill I missed out on before… this is amazing… amazing… but…
‘Damn it, the keyword.’
I looked up at Kim Seonghan. The rugged man was giving me a look that said, “What are you still doing here? Get back inside.” He was 20 centimeters taller than me, with a physique that would make most gangsters instinctively call him “boss.”
No, I can’t do it. Absolutely not.
I forced a smile, pretending nothing was wrong, and went back into the room.
And then I screamed internally.
‘Change the keyword!!’
Is there no reset? Can I regress one more time? Just for one day. No, just for one hour.
Even though I turned away, it’s still a waste, a huge waste, an unbelievable waste!
‘If we could add just one more S-rank to the guild, it would be a massive help. Maybe I should explain the situation to Yuhyun and ask for his cooperation…’
I stopped mumbling to myself as a thought occurred to me. …If I explain the keyword? If I reveal the skill?
A dreadful realization hit me like a brick to the back of the head.
Let’s calmly assess the situation. Right now, I’m…
‘…being held captive, aren’t I?’
I’m trapped. Not just by anyone but by an A-rank awakened guarding my door. This is way over the top if it’s just to stop me from running off to cause trouble. Even a C-rank, no, a D-rank would’ve been more than enough to stop me.
‘Yuhyun, what the hell are you thinking?’
Why is he doing this? Before I regressed, he never went this far.
I paced around the room before sitting on the bed.
‘If this is all supposed to be for my protection…’
I remembered how Yuhyun made me delete the broker’s contact and said he would ensure I couldn’t reach them. Things have been strange since then.
No matter how much weaker I am compared to him, I’m still his older brother. I’m already an adult, and if I just drop my obsession with becoming a hunter, I can live just fine on my own. And unlike before, we’re getting along well now, so there’s no reason to lock me up like this.
And Yuhyun doesn’t have any right or reason to confine me in the first place, does he?
I racked my brain, then pulled out my phone. I’ll just ask him directly.
After a short ring, Yuhyun answered.
“Hey, it’s nothing serious, but I was thinking of stepping out for a bit, and Kim Seonghan won’t let me. He says it’s on your orders?”
[Where are you planning to go?]
The Hunter Association… It’s probably best not to mention that right now.
“Just home.”
[Why home?]
“Do I need a reason to go to my own house? I’ll be back by dinner.”
There was a pause before his voice returned, a bit lower this time.
[That’s not what Seonghan said.]
“Huh?”
[He said you promised to be back within an hour.]
“No, that’s just because he was blocking me. I was just saying I wouldn’t go anywhere special.”
Why is he being so sensitive? The unease in my chest grew a little more.
[If you don’t have any pressing matters, just stay put. You might as well move into the guild permanently.]
“What?”
[There’s no need to live separately. It’s not like the world is a safe place these days. Sure, there aren’t any dungeons near your house, but you never know when or where one might pop up. What if it happens and explodes? What then?]
Well, I know it’s safe for the next five years.
[I’ll have your things moved over immediately.]
“Moving? Hey!”
[I’ll be busy until dinner, so I might not be able to take any calls. If you need anything, just ask Seonghan.]
“Wait, hold on! Yuhyun!”
He hung up. I stared at the phone, feeling both frustrated and bewildered.
‘Is this another side effect of returning to the past?’
My brother’s personality seems to have changed a lot. What’s with this guy?
‘Maybe I shouldn’t reveal the *Perfect Nurturer* title.’
If this is how he acts when he thinks I’m not awakened, who knows what he’ll do if he finds out I have such useful supplementary skills? I might not even be allowed to leave the room. …Not that I can right now anyway.
Damn it, I’ll keep things hidden for now and observe the situation.
‘If Yuhyun keeps acting strange, I’ll build my own power.’
With the *Perfect Nurturer* title, it’s possible.
First, I’ll track down future A~S-rankers and help them awaken. It’d be best if they’re on the younger side. I’ll convince them that I can help them awaken and—
‘…That sounds exactly like a scammer or a human trafficker.’
But hey, at least I’m not taking money, and I’ll actually awaken them!
To make sure the awakened don’t betray me, I’ll have to draw up a contract. Something like, “They won’t reveal the awakening secret and will protect me as my hunters for one year.” I’d love to ask for lifetime protection, but there’s no contract item that can bind an S-rank awakened for that long. The longest one is only ten years.
If I gather a bunch of A~S-rankers and use growth skills to keep them around, I’ll have a big guild in no time.
‘Or I could merge with Haeyeon Guild halfway through.’
If I bring several A~S-rankers with me, Yuhyun will have to acknowledge me. He wouldn’t try to lock me up again, would he? Not that I’d let him, with powerful people protecting me.
Alright, the first awakened I’ll recruit is…
The Ice Witch, Park Yerim, who will become an A-rank awakened three years from now. She’s a good choice. She stood out quickly even among A-ranks, so maybe she could awaken as S-rank.
‘She was living in Seoul, right? I remember reading an interview where she mentioned losing her parents in the first dungeon shock and living with a relative who ran a barbecue restaurant near Myeong-dong Station. How old is she now… Fifteen?’
…She’s a middle schooler. I’d have to use the keyword on a middle schooler…
I’m not a lolicon! I like adult women! This is just the groundwork for her awakening, that’s all!
–TL Notes–
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