Chapter 97

< Traditional Play (1) >

Originally, I intended to have Yoohyun check my skill, but to do that, I had to naturally recall the events before the regression. It was a bit difficult, so I came back from the dungeon quickly, using the excuse that I had a cold. Maybe because I was out in the cold for quite a while, I actually felt a bit chilly.

"Turn off your poison resistance and take it. It's fortunate that you can still take it, but with F stats, your immunity is no different from a non-awakened person."

My younger brother, who pushed me into bed, handed me a cup of cold medicine and water. Although I didn't really need the medicine, I obediently took it. I also made a note on my phone's home screen to remind myself to turn off my poison resistance. I shouldn't turn off my fear resistance at home for a while. It's not like it helps with depression, but it will be useful.

"You used to catch colds when you were little."

"It's been more than five years since the last time, right?"

I stared blankly at Yoohyun as he put away the cup of water. I thought the past five years had disappeared because of the regression. But apparently, they were separated into another world and merged with the current world.

But my already deceased younger brother couldn't merge and disappeared.

'...Whether it's disappearing or being erased, there's not much difference, right?'

Still, it feels like I've been hit hard on the back of the head. ...Maybe it's more of a heart thing. The choice of words like "volleyball ball" might be the problem.

Not just being deleted, but being cut out. It keeps making me feel like I've been abandoned. It feels like I'm still lying there in the dungeon, just as I left. It was a cold and hard floor. I shouldn't have regressed so quickly. I had poison resistance. It would have been fine to stay a bit longer.

- Piyak

Something soft touched my hand. I saw two round, black eyes looking up at me. I lifted my hand and stroked Piyak.

I had many thoughts, but the present is more important.

"Yoohyun, what exactly is that cult?"

"I don't really know."

"Tell me what you know."

Yoohyun tilted his head and looked at me.

"Why suddenly? Did you hear something strange?"

"Is it strange... to say?"

I planned to live quietly after regressing. Although various things snowballed, my basic mindset remained unchanged. I was still quite relaxed even after the system contacted me.

I knew that if I had just stayed quiet, the past five years would have been problem-free.

"It's just that it's related to you."

"Of course it's related. But it's not something you need to worry about. Get some sleep."

He left after saying that. The door closed, and Piyak climbed onto the bed. I stroked Piyak and organized my thoughts.

'Not mentioning each other means they are on a similar level to the system creators, right?'

It's not just a cult. Those suspicious people are related to Yoohyun. They have already interfered, to the extent that the system creators can create dungeons for me.

Most importantly, this interference is a different progression from before the regression.

Many things changed in less than two months, but I thought it was for the better. Without me as an obstacle, Yoohyun would grow much faster and more smoothly.

Without any problems... Without any problems, this time.

This time.

I picked up my phone. After narrowing my brows for a moment, I made a call. Soon, a familiar voice came through.

"What's the occasion for calling first?"

"I have something I want to ask."

Seonghyeon. I was confident that this person would know something. Just looking at his actions before the regression, there were many suspicious points. His sudden withdrawal from Korea and his mysterious disappearance not long after.

If asked if he is trustworthy, I don't know, but I have to go into the tiger's den to touch the remaining fur.

"Do you know anything about a cult like Confucianism?"

Instead of an answer, a low laugh came back. As soon as I heard it, I felt I had hit the mark.

"Did someone try to convert you to a religion?"

"No. It's just personal curiosity."

"Personal curiosity of Han Yujin, it must be related to the young master."

"Answer first without confirming. Just answer."

"You're more sharp than usual. If you drag the young master into something unnecessary, he'll be angry."

"Is it okay if I get angry?"

After a short silence, an interested voice came through.

"Of course not. You just scatter what you have like pebbles by the river, but what wind has blown? Our Han Yujin is much more dangerous than the young master. What can I do by telling you?"

Seonghyeon is right. I've been idle all this time, more so than this overly sharp man thinks.

I have the confidence to grow my power if I decide to. I've already established a foothold. With Blue's growth, I have two S-rankers under my command, excluding Piyak. I also have Myungwoo, the only item crafter. Bringing in another S-ranker, Yoon Yoon, shouldn't be difficult.

Not only that, I have an abundance of information on other S-rank hunters. I can easily train special skill hunters. It's also easy to bind hunters through contracts or other means. Information on dungeons, items, and many other things. I have many weapons at my disposal. I can even ask the system creators to adjust the appearance time of dungeons to my advantage.

But I just...

I wanted to see Yoohyun grow. To see my younger brother again after five years. And after that.

This time, I can purely feel proud and amazed while watching.

"Then tell me."

"It can't be explained in words, but it can be shown."

It can't be explained in words. It seems the cult, like the system, has restrictions on leaking information. Perhaps Yoohyun doesn't know because he was silenced.

"That's not bad. How will you show me?"

"Prepare that bracelet and the skill that doubles the effect of attack skills. And Noah."

"Assuming everything is prepared, what's next?"

"You need to enter an S-rank dungeon to take the bait. But first, we need to calm the young master."

...Why an S-rank dungeon? An A-rank would be easier to persuade, and an S-rank is a bit much. Moreover, a dungeon is unsettling.

"Can't it be an A-rank or lower? I'm also curious about my safety."

"Don't worry. They don't intend to harm you. That's certain."

They'll take care of my life. I should tell Yoohyun about Do Hamin and Yoon Yoon. The problem is whether Yoon Yoon can be contacted immediately, but he consistently updates his SNS even in China, so it should be fine. Whether he went to find subordinates or for tourism, he's leaving a good travel record despite the SNS block in China.

I asked why he was so confident that they wouldn't harm me, but I didn't get a proper answer this time either. The system is the same, as if their mouths are sewn shut.

"To change the dungeon, an excuse is needed. There's no reason to bring Han Yujin to an A-rank or lower dungeon... I guess I'll have to ask you out on a date."

...Why does he suddenly jump to something strange? This guy is really... I suppressed the urge to hang up and listened, as it was a somewhat plausible excuse.

"Last time, you showed quite an interest in the ruins in the A-rank dungeon. I know a place that's good for sightseeing. It's a castle by a lake in a lower A-rank dungeon. There are several tall towers, and the largest one in the center is almost undamaged. The weather is good, and there are no flying monsters. If you can temporarily forget about the monsters in the water, it's a scenic spot worthy of a tourist."

"Having an S-rank hunter as a tour guide is quite luxurious."

"Isn't it? I'm doing this much for Han Yujin."

You really are.

Anyway, with a bit of exaggeration, it can be said that I'm going on a trip for a few days. Even an A-rank dungeon, with Noah who can fly, should allow me to come out in two days at the latest. If the monsters in the water are concentrated, it could be even faster. Electricity and poison. Perfect attributes for clearing the water.

"Can't the number of people increase?"

"A few A-rank hunters should be fine, but not the young master. It needs to be manageable to give a proper challenge. Noah is a bit concerning, but it's necessary for safety."

They will contact us when we enter the dungeon with a reasonable number of people. It's a dangerous method, but there's no guarantee that Seonghyeon isn't in league with them. From what he says, his relationship is deeper than Yoohyun's.

'If Yoon Yoon hadn't become the demon king, I would have hesitated to jump in.'

They'll save me if I'm still alive. If they intended to kill me, they wouldn't go through this much trouble. Even a tiger doesn't put in maximum effort to catch a rabbit, let alone set up a trap. It would just be a quick kill.

"Then I'll look forward to it."

I hung up and threw the phone down. Once I find out, what will I do next? If it's as threatening as Volleyball Ball said.

I opened the status window and looked at the titles and skill list.

[Final Retribution (L)]

A skill that transfers the target's skills and stats at double the rate when the target of the keyword is killed. Retribution, what a ridiculous name. If they were going to call it retribution, they should have erased the memory. The perfect caretaker title's skill name was given by the deer, but this one doesn't seem to fit. It's just a slight change from the perfect caretaker's final repayment.

'...An A-rank should be enough.'

With the skill that doubles the effect of attack skills. If I can apply an A-rank level, I might be able to get an S-rank. I thought of the special containment facility Song Tae-won mentioned. A criminal who, despite the sweet society for high-level hunters, still needs special treatment. It can be used. The irony is real when I think about the skill names and keywords.

-Piyak Piyak

After staring at the skill window for a while, Piyak on my lap tilted his head. I suddenly closed the status window and looked down at Piyak.

"I'm fine."

-Piyak

"Piyak, you'll be fine too. Don't accidentally enter the dungeon."

-Piyak Piyak!

His adorable yellow beak and soft, round body are so cute. How could our Piyak be so adorable? Volleyball Ball is really annoying in many ways.

"Can't I protect you, my child?"

Of course, the others too. No matter what.

Going on a date... no, a sightseeing trip with the Se Sung guild leader, Yoohyun naturally opposed it. If he had agreed easily, I would have been more surprised.

After listing the lack of flying monsters, Noah, poison skills, and poison resistance, he finally said it would be fine, but of course, he insisted on going too. I had to sweat to reject him politely.

"So if I go missing, contact Do Hamin and the demon. They can find and rescue me safely, so don't worry."

"Even so, aren't you being too careless? You know what could happen in between. I know your resistance skills are good, but they're not perfect."

"If my condition is abnormal, take me to any dungeon gate and knock three times. The system administrator will help."

He said there's no one to replace me yet, so they'll do something. This is almost a perfect preparation. Of course, if I die, it's over.

After persuading Yoohyun, telling Myungwoo, and entrusting the children, I finished all the preparations and left the building with Noah. Of course, I added that it's not Noah's fault.

"This is my personal matter. It's not related to you, Noah. I'm sorry for involving you."

"No, not at all."

Noah, who was restless about going into the dungeon with the Se Sung guild leader, finally calmed down. I handed him a necklace with a Shallos bead, explaining its effects. I need to prepare in case he gets involved in my affairs and faces danger.

"There's a gate stone, right? If it gets dangerous, use this and go to the gate to escape."

"What about Han Yujin?"

"I have one too. Here."

There's an extra in the same necklace form in my inventory. When I said I was going into an A-rank dungeon, Myungwoo made it into a necklace for easy use.

At the parking lot, Seonghyeon was already waiting. He seemed unusually excited, even looking happy.

"Doesn't it seem like it will be a pleasant time?"

"I hope it's not an option-filled tour with extra charges."

"I'll just take a tip."

A man with more than enough wealth, what tip? Since it's my first overseas (?) tour, I want no tips and no options.

I grumbled and got into the car. The destination is an A-rank dungeon, the Castle of the Lake. It's managed by the Sudam guild, led by Yoon Kyung-soon, an S-rank hunter I haven't met yet.

< Traditional Play (1) > End

ⓒ Geunseo