S Chapter 18

While U-dam hesitated, Jukyeong closed the distance this time. His approaching gaze was intense. Ugh! U-dam felt like his stomach was about to turn.

“Your brother will really treat you well.”

A cheap line, like ‘Trust your big brother, okay?’

‘What exactly is he… going to do well for me?’

He genuinely got goosebumps.

‘I just meant to vent my anger…’

U-dam frowned. He had only spoken to Jukyeong to relieve his accumulated stress. In short, he needed an emotional trash can. But he hadn’t expected to be counter-attacked in this way.

Actually, U-dam was also the one who reported to [I Want to Know About the Curious Incident Z]. The reason was simple: to find the unidentified person who had helped him. Knowing that he couldn’t do it alone, he tried to use everything at his disposal.

TV stations, the police, and the Hunter Association were prime examples. Well… it was comical that there had been no significant progress despite all that.

Anyway, while busy looking for the unidentified person, or “that guy” for short, he was dragged to the Villa in Gangwon Province because of Shin Taekyung, so it was natural for his stomach to be churning. If he had even 1g less patience, he would have already become an arsonist.

Then, Shin Jukyeong, whom he accidentally encountered, was the perfect prey for U-dam. Like a toy to let out his plummeting mood? But instead of relieving it, he felt even more disgusted.

“…U-dam?”

He wasn’t worth responding to anymore. Dirty Homosexual Bastard. U-dam shut his mouth and turned his body. His attitude was cold, as if he didn’t want to stay in the same space.

‘I wish they’d all just… die.’

U-dam walked down the quiet hallway. He paused, imagining Shin Taekyung and Shin Jukyeong stabbing each other with serene expressions. Come to think of it, wasn’t there a motorcycle in the Villa’s storage shed? What couldn’t he do with an enraged mind? U-dam smiled brightly. However, his eyes were full of mischief.

The simple reason he hadn’t left the Villa. There was just no excuse.

“…Ahem.”

Isn’t running away from a Homosexual Bastard who’s after my purity not wrong?

‘It’s definite. It’s love.’

Returning to his room, that’s when embarrassment washed over him.

‘I’ll try my best. Give me a chance. I won’t disappoint you. Your brother will really treat you well.’

“…Ahem.”

Was I too clingy? I don’t think I’ve ever been like this even with a lover. U-dam’s reaction wasn’t exactly great, but… still, he was grateful that U-dam spoke to him first. There were still countless areas to improve, but those were problems he could fix himself. Just knowing what feelings his two younger brothers harbored towards him was a stroke of luck.

‘…I’ll have to approach them even more diligently.’

Man, Shin Jukyeong, will not succumb to hatred!

‘For the remaining two days, I must try to eat with the kids.’

Stay strong, Shin Jukyeong…!

It was straight soju, no, straight mineral water drinking. He had clearly resolved his mind, but it crumbled like a sandcastle before a wave. That’s because he was still in rejection heaven. Morning, noon, and night. All rejected. A perfect three strikes, you’re out.

‘Another failure today…’

He looked up at the dark sky through the window. Black clouds filled it. His animalistic instincts predicted that rain would soon fall. The weather was gloomy, and his mood was gloomy. It was a bad omen. If his mind became chaotic, his body would too.

‘Let’s just exercise.’

Just as he was about to turn away indifferently, rumble, crash! Lightning struck. Then, a torrential downpour began.

Shhhwaaaa-

“…”

An ominous energy surged. Without a moment’s hesitation, he ran to the second floor. He quickly climbed up and checked on his brothers first.

Bang, bang, he knocked on the door, and Jae-min came out, annoyed.

“So noisy at night!”

One checked. Next, he pounded on U-dam’s door. He just needed to sense a presence, but he was so startled he was acting foolishly.

“What is it?!”

Jae-min approached and grabbed his shoulder, but Jukyeong didn’t stop.

“U-dam! Yang U-dam!”

Bang! Bang! Bang! No answer. Music… Is he listening to music? He has to be. He has to be.

“Hey, Shin Ju— Hey! What are you doing?!”

Jukyeong stepped back, took a stance, and shattered the door with a clean roundhouse kick.

“Are you crazy?! Have you lost your mind?!”

‘He’s not here…’

No one was in the room. His heart sank. Jukyeong grabbed Jae-min’s wrist tightly, his expression hardening.

“Stay in the room until I come back.”

“What? Nonsense—”

“Cha Jae-min.”

His voice, heavy and low, was weighty.

“If you disobey, you’ll be punished.”

His unwavering gaze was resolute. This wasn’t the usual Shin Jukyeong. Jae-min involuntarily swallowed, feeling intimidated. He couldn’t ignore or defy him as he usually would.

Jukyeong only turned his steps after getting Jae-min’s confirmation. He ran out of the Villa, pushing through the heavily falling rain. Mud splattered with every step he took.

There was a clear reason for the strange behavior. A Dungeon. He had felt an unusually gloomy aura, and sure enough, a Dungeon had opened. And not far from the Villa. If it were F… no, even a C-grade Dungeon, he wouldn’t be like this. It was at least an S-grade.

‘Why suddenly!’

In 20XX, an S-grade Dungeon had never opened in Gangwon Province. As Jukyeong remembered, it had appeared once in Busan and twice in Incheon, that was all. He was certain.

But why was it flowing differently from his memories? Could it be because he had twisted the future? Had the ripple effect influenced other places?

He didn’t know what was what, but that wasn’t important.

“Damn it…!”

Jukyeong, belatedly coming to his senses, spat out a curse. He urgently drew upon his abilities and began tracking his brother.

‘Even if you cause me trouble, just be safe!’

He barely managed to pinpoint the location. At the same time, he saw a red haze of light. It was the remnants of the Dungeon.

Found him. There he is. Slish! Jukyeong arrived, sliding.

“…Haa, haa!”

It was dreadful. The torn carcasses of wild animals were strewn about haphazardly. Looking like a wet rat, he scanned the devastated surroundings. Large footprints, a distinctive fishy smell. It was a Water Dragon, known to become more ferocious on rainy days.

“U…”

He started to call his brother’s name but stopped. Because he had already found him.

‘That bastard… that thing.’

This is insane. He’s standing in front of the Water Dragon holding a tree branch. Is he going to confront it with that? From the Water Dragon’s perspective, he’s just food decorated with a branch.

“Haa…”

What should I do? I can’t appear in this form while U-dam is wide awake. I was so frantic that I didn’t bring anything to cover my face.

‘Damn it.’

[Grrr…! Kuaaah!]

While he hesitated, the Water Dragon bared its sharp fangs and lunged at his brother. That’s when sparks flew in Jukyeong’s eyes.

Pitter-patter! Whoosh!

A way to fight the Water Dragon while hiding his identity. Fortunately, it wasn’t entirely impossible. An ecological disruptor. I’ll show it a furry creature that hunts Water Dragons. Rakun appears.

Bwoooock!

[Kieeeek!]

As a child, I once thought I wanted to be a Poemon. But I never imagined I’d achieve that dream at thirty.

‘Body slam…’

Jukyeong timidly muttered the attack name.

[Grrrk?!] (What is this?!)

The Water Dragon, unexpectedly struck, spoke.

“Kkooreung waaaeng.” (Shut up.)

[Krrr? Krrrut?] (Huh? Suddenly?)

“Kkwaeng kkooreung?” (You were trying to eat him?)

[Krrut… Krrreung. Kr? Karuru.] (Yes… well. I was having a meal. Uh? That friend fainted.)

Jukyeong, no, the ball of fur, casually placed its tiny hand on its plump side. Then, lo and behold, it even sighed. Its belly jiggled with every movement. The Water Dragon was dumbfounded by the absurd sight. At first glance, it looked like a terrestrial beast that had never even stepped foot in a Dungeon, yet it was using informal speech and violence right off the bat.

[Krkkrk.] (Excuse me, do you happen to live in a Dungeon?)

“Kkooreung.” (No.)

[Kuaaaaaah!] (This little whippersnapper dares to ask who I am—!)

Smack!

[…?]

It was slapped.

Smack!

Another one. The tiny thing jumped around quite well.

[Krrut…] (Why are you hitting me…)

The Water Dragon demurely closed its mouth. The furry creature’s hand was so stinging it was numb.

“Kkoorureu kkooreung waaaeng waeng-al.” (Close the Dungeon and scram while I’m being nice.)

[Krrut… Krrreung.] (No… Who are you to keep—)

“Kkooreurung?” (Too much talk?)

It was truly a tyrant. The Water Dragon wanted to chew it up in one bite, but it instinctively sensed danger.

If you touch that ball of fur, it’s big trouble. It’s stronger than a Dullahan, considered a high-ranking magical beast. Round ears, a plump belly, a tail resembling a bat. It looks like a total pushover, so why is it so terrifying? For one, its spirit is no joke. And its eyes aren’t sane either.

[Krrreung…] (But I have my reputation…)

“Krrut.” (Then get hit and scram.)

It was at that moment.

[Kieeeek!] (Lord Water Dragon!)

Other monsters slowly crawled out of the Dungeon. Perhaps because it was an S-grade Dungeon, there were many of them.

At the same time, the Water Dragon’s face brightened. You’re dead now, you pushover fatty! No matter how strong you are, you can’t beat a group attack. This might be worth a shot, he thought? The Water Dragon pointed at the plump ball of fur with a wicked smile.

[Grrr!] (Tear it up!)

Monsters charged, screaming. Jukyeong (a.k.a. Rakun) puffed up his tail, then bounced in place. Then he casually raised his adorably balled-up fists.

“Waeng-al. Kkooreu kkookkooreung.” (This won’t do. Time to set things straight.)