[Blue(3)]
I was planning to ask one of the guards on duty today for help, just in case, but Yuhyun insisted on coming along since he had some free time. I absentmindedly agreed before suddenly remembering Myungwoo.
‘He should be at the forge by now.’
It’d be a problem if he suddenly appeared out of thin air, but it’d be even worse if Yuhyun noticed he wasn’t home. There’s no way an S-rank wouldn’t pick up on whether or not someone was in the house.
Maybe I should use this opportunity to try and get them to become friends. It would be nice if Myungwoo made Yuhyun a weapon first. Especially if it’s SS-rank or higher.
“Do you remember Yu Myungwoo? My friend.”
“He’s not really your friend, right? You said you knew him since you were kids, but I’d never heard of him before. I even checked, and he lived somewhere else.”
Yuhyun said as he pressed the elevator button.
“When did you go and check that?”
“You wouldn’t bring an outsider into the house without doing some background research.”
That’s true, but it’s not common to look into where someone lived as a child.
“Still, we’re friends. We didn’t just hang out for a day or two.”
Should I tell Myungwoo before he gains the ability to check for himself? I could just say that we didn’t know each other back then. It’s not like I was trying to con him—quite the opposite—so even if I say we weren’t really friends, it shouldn’t be a big deal.
“Anyway, treat him well.”
“Why should I?”
“I can’t say much without his permission, but he’s someone who could be very helpful to you.”
Very, very helpful. Not just treat him well, but practically worship him.
“…What kind of skill did he get?”
“You’re quick.”
“There’s really no other reason. He was an ordinary guy. I heard he used to go down to the equipment management team to sharpen knives every day, but he suddenly stopped a few days ago. He must’ve gotten the skill then. That means it’s probably a special skill… given the situation….”
Yuhyun narrowed his eyes slightly.
“…No way?”
“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably even more than that.”
An unrestricted crafting skill. Even I didn’t see that coming, and I already knew the skill name.
“So be nice. Myungwoo won’t be joining any specific guild. He’s going to stick with me.”
“With you?”
“Yeah. I told him it’d be easier if he joined a guild, but he wants to stay independent. So don’t even think about trying to get him.”
I said firmly as we stepped into the arriving elevator. But he didn’t reply. When I glanced over, I saw him deep in thought.
“You’re not going to try anything, right?”
“What exactly is his skill?”
“Aren’t you going to answer me?”
“…Alright.”
Yuhyun nodded reluctantly. As a guild leader, it makes sense that he’d be hesitant to give a firm answer. Even though I asked for one, he could have held out longer. He’s too soft.
We walked down the hallway and finally reached the front door. Blue, who was nestled in my arms, was still being quiet for now.
“There’s no way they won’t fight at all, so just step in if things get too intense.”
With Chirp, the stat difference was too large for it to be a fair match, so Peace had to go easy on him. But this time it’s different. Once they grow up, they’ll have similar abilities, so it’s better to establish the hierarchy now while they’re still young. Peace and Blue will be staying with me most of the time, except when I’m clearing dungeons, so it’s important to settle this. If they end up fighting as adults, I wouldn’t be able to manage it.
“Peace, Dad’s home.”
As I entered the front hall and opened the inner door, Peace, who had been waiting, looked up at me. No, he was looking at Blue. Normally, his red tail would be wagging, but it was still.
“It’s sudden, but this is your little sister.”
-Screee!
Blue let out a cry as if to respond, her curious eyes fixed on Peace. As I took off my shoes and stepped inside, Peace, who had been standing still as if frozen, started scratching at my leg with his front paw. He wanted to be held.
“Wait a sec. Blue, you need to get down.”
I tried to set Blue down on the sofa, but she dug her claws into my arm and held on.
-Screee! Screech!
“No, you have to let go.”
Just as Blue was being stubborn, Peace leaped up onto the sofa. He then grabbed Blue’s wing with his mouth and—
Whip!
—tossed her behind him. I’ve seen this scene before.
-Screech!
Blue flapped her wings frantically to regain her balance. Meanwhile, Peace nestled into my arms.
-Grrr
He flicked his fluffy tail and looked down at the baby Griffin with his golden eyes, as if to say, “This is my spot.”
-Screee?
-Grrrr
-Screee! Screee!
Standing on the sofa, Blue lowered her head and wiggled her raised hips. It looked like she was just about to pounce. Hopefully, she doesn’t accidentally slam into my back. Yuhyun is here, so he’ll stop her, but still.
-Screech!
With a loud cry, Blue leaped at Peace. And—
Thump!
-Screech!
—Peace swatted her yellow beak with his front paw. The baby Griffin spun in the air and flopped onto the sofa.
-Scree, Kyuuu
Blue whined, holding her beak with her talons. It didn’t seem like Peace had hit her that hard.
-Kyuuu
“Blue, are you okay?”
-Screee!
At the sound of my voice, Blue sprang to her feet as if nothing had happened. You’re a tough one, Blue. But she must’ve been hurt, because she didn’t try to go after Peace again.
“Peace, she’s your younger sister, so be gentle with her.”
-Kyuu?
Peace tilted his head as if he didn’t understand what I was saying. It was an innocent gesture, but… it feels like he’s just pretending not to get it.
“Alright, you too. Get down.”
-Grrr
“Go say hello to your little sister.”
Reluctantly, Peace jumped down from the sofa. I stepped back, leaving the two of them alone. Blue, who seemed a little tense, started bouncing on the spot, full of energy.
-Screee! Screee!
As Blue bounced around excitedly, Peace watched her carefully before lifting one of his front paws. Blue immediately froze.
-Kyuuu
-Grr, Woof! (TL Note: Did you know that Griffon is a type of dog?)
With a short, sharp bark, Blue planted her rear on the sofa and sat quietly. Whatever they said to each other, Peace pressed Blue’s beak down with his paw. He then turned to look at me as if asking for confirmation.
It ended smoothly without any bloodshed. As expected of our Peace. You’re so reliable.
“Well done! You’re such a good boy.”
-Kyuu!
Feeling proud of himself, Peace ran over to me, and I scooped him up into a hug. Blue, who had followed behind, looked up at Peace in my arms before plopping down at my feet. It’s a bit sad to see her so down, but Peace comes first.
“With things like this, I don’t think we’ll have anything to worry about. Isn’t Peace so smart?”
I said with a smile as I turned to Yuhyun. Now we just need to safely introduce Chirp, but I’m not sure how that will go.
Just as I was about to head to the room to get Chirp, Yu Myungwoo came out of the kitchen. Thanks to his boosted stats or the hard labor, his body had filled out, and he’d grown a bit taller, making him look like a completely different person compared to when I first met him.
More than anything, his skin had changed color. The spirit guy said the contract was safe, but why is he looking more and more roasted?
“Are you done early today?”
“You said you were bringing in new monsters, so I came out just in case.”
As he spoke, he looked at Yuhyun instead of Blue. The system folks said high-rank Awakeners liked people with low stats and special skills, so try being a bit more friendly, Yuhyun.
“Long time no see.”
My little brother smiled, but it was clearly a businesslike smile.
“There wasn’t much reason for us to run into each other.”
Myungwoo’s reply was colder than I expected. It makes sense that he wouldn’t have the best feelings toward Yuhyun. He’d been treated as non-existent whenever we went to dungeons, and Yuhyun had also kept him locked up in the house when I got kidnapped.
I should’ve told Yuhyun to treat him well earlier.
“So that’s the new one?”
“Yeah. She’s the Golden Griffin, Blue. The other two are unicorns, so I left them in the training room. The cages here are too small, and you can’t keep Griffins and horses together.”
“Is she okay with Peace?”
“Our Peace put her in her place. The two of them are fine, but I’m worried about Chirp.”
With Chirp’s F-rank stats and small size, a single blow could be fatal. Myungwoo pulled out a leather and metal collar and bracelet.
“Here, try these.”
As I took them, a simple description window popped up.
[Safe Breeding Collar ? B-rank
The wearer of the collar cannot attack the wearer of the bracelet.]
“It can block attacks up to the level of a C-rank stat. I originally made it for you, but since the bracelet adjusts automatically, you can put it on Chirp.”
“You can make stuff like this? You’re amazing.”
Wow, he can make special effect items too. I knew he could craft anything with metal, but this is impressive. He’s so versatile it’s almost cheating.
“It’s nothing special.”
Myungwoo said, looking pleased with my praise. But why is he staring at Yuhyun instead of me?
“Special item crafting is quite impressive.”
“It’s just the beginning. I can make simple items up to A-rank, so S-rank isn’t far off.”
“As a guild leader, it’s hard not to be interested in such things.”
“But I’m still far from being on our Yujin’s level.”
“My brother’s skills are certainly surprising.”
Why am I being brought up? They’re both smiling, but the atmosphere doesn’t feel exactly friendly… I should go get Chirp.
-Chirp!
-Screee!
Chirp waddled over, wearing the bracelet which had shrunk to fit around his leg like a bird ring. Blue, wearing the collar, followed closely behind like a puppy chasing a ball, swiping at Chirp with her front paws.
Boing!
Blue tried to pin Chirp down, but her paw was blocked by a bubble-like barrier. The attacks don’t go through, but she still seems to be having fun, swatting Chirp repeatedly.
-Screee! Screee!
-Chirp, Chirp
So cute. I pulled out my phone to record a video but ended up just taking a picture. The two guys were still talking in the background.
“Of course, Yujin recommended it first. I’m only here because of Yujin.”
…Should I get Blue some magical beast meat? It could help with her growth, so that might be best. Which guild manages the dungeon with magical beasts again?
“My brother can be like that. Just recently—oh, you probably haven’t heard yet.”
“It’s fine. If I couldn’t get involved in Yujin’s matters, it’s only because I was lacking. But soon, that won’t be an issue. I’ll be leaving the Haeyeon Guild as well. You might find it a bit disappointing when Yujin leaves.”
“As family, it doesn’t matter to me whether he’s in a guild or not.”
Why do they keep talking about me behind my back? I can feel the barbs in their words. If they keep this up, they’re going to get along even worse.
“Don’t you both have things to do? Maybe you should get going.”
If it’s going to be like this, just leave. After sending the two of them away, I fed the kids. Fortunately, Blue ate any kind of monster meat without a problem. I’ll have to go up and down often to feed the unicorns and use the keyword on them.
‘It’ll be easier once the breeding facility is finished soon.’
It’s just downstairs, and with a portal, it’ll be easy to go back and forth. Now that I’m about to leave the dorm, I feel a bit sad. This place was pretty nice.
‘Maybe I should ask if I can keep it.’
You never know when it might come in handy.
‘Seok Hayan’s friends from her group will be arriving soon. Once they’re here and I finish organizing the data, I’ll call on Goblin and ask her to go to China this time.’
I’ve already found thirteen people with B-rank or higher optimized special skills. I’m also in contact with Liette via SNS, and I’ve asked her to send her little brother over once the breeding facility opens.
‘I should probably contact Do Hamin soon too. Is there anyone else?’
I don’t think so, but it feels like I’m forgetting something. Was there someone else? I don’t know. If it’s important, I’ll remember it later.
“Blue! No!”
I lifted the baby Griffin, who had her head stuck in an ice cream tub. Her beak, now covered in black and white streaks, let out excited chirps.
“When did you learn to open the fridge!”
-Screee!
“Peace and Chirp don’t even touch human food! You’re a monster, what if you get sick!”
-Screee?
Damn it, scolding her is just making me hoarse. It’s only been a day, but Blue has already… I almost miss the days when Peace just chewed up some furniture.
On the first night, she broke the sink and shower hose while I was bathing her, shredded about thirty towels while bouncing around excitedly, and smashed a light fixture. During dinner, she pounced on the table and swept everything off with her wings. Then, while trying to gobble up the food that had fallen to the floor, her creamy fur got stained with all kinds of soup and sauces, so I had to bathe her again.
Of course, she didn’t bathe quietly. Unlike Peace, she loves water—so much that it makes things worse.
The only saving grace is that she falls asleep right at 9 p.m. The nights are peaceful. And then, she wakes up right at 9 a.m., screeching to be let out of her cage.
She’s been fighting with Peace, chasing Chirp around, breaking the table, scratching up the sofa, and leaving claw and beak marks all over the walls and ceiling…
And now she’s raided the freezer while I wasn’t looking.
“Stay still so I can wipe your beak. If you keep moving, it’ll get all over your fur.”
-Screee!
She rolled over, exposing her belly and wagging her tail. Her big blue eyes and wide-open beak looked like she was laughing. She kept playfully tapping my hand with her paw, still as cute as ever. Sigh, I guess I’ve had it easy raising the other kids until now.
“Peace, you really were a gentleman.”
I petted Peace as he snuggled up beside me. Aside from breaking some furniture, there wasn’t much trouble. Chirp is weak, so he’s been quiet. And my brother Yuhyun was a really good kid.
“I’ll have to leave Blue with another hunter.”
If I leave her alone in the cage, I’m afraid she’ll screech all day long. Even though the dorm has good soundproofing, it has its limits.
After tidying up, I took Blue outside with me. I had a meeting with the Hunter Association about the Awakening Center around lunchtime. Hopefully, the talks go smoothly.
–TL Notes–
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