S Chapter 20

“I asked why you followed me.”

“…”

There was no answer. It was strange. He wouldn’t have wanted to hear Shin Jukyeong’s voice at all.

“Were you worried about me? Why?”

Yang U-dam’s eyes unfocused lazily. His speech became slurred. He hadn’t realized it, but he had instinctively let his guard down. Like a child who only feels safe when someone they trust is nearby.

Soon, his head drooped. In his fading consciousness, Yang U-dam recalled what Jae-min had said.

‘Then he ran out… You, no, you went to find your brother.’

“It must have been dangerous, but how did you find me?”

Even in his half-sleep, he mumbled endlessly.

“Do you like me that much?”

“…Yes.”

Flash. His closed eyes opened. Did he hear wrong? Yang U-dam, with a bewildered expression, lifted his head. Through his blurry vision, he saw Shin Jukyeong, whose eyes were slightly open.

Tap. Soon, Shin Jukyeong weakly lifted his hand, placed it on Yang U-dam’s head, and slowly stroked it.

“…You’re precious.”

“Thank goodness. You’re safe.”

With those words, Shin Jukyeong collapsed and fell asleep again. He probably wouldn’t remember what he had just said. But neither Shin Jukyeong, nor even Yang U-dam, realized the immense power of words spoken from the subconscious.

A sincerity that couldn’t be faked. Yang U-dam’s sleep completely vanished.

…

Yang U-dam watched the sleeping Shin Jukyeong until the rain clouds cleared and the bright sun rose. It was the first time he had ever heard someone say he was precious.

‘This is humiliating.’

It had been three days since he returned from the Villa. Shin Jukyeong was still feeling weak, with a children’s fever patch stuck to him. His recovery was exceptionally slow. Thanks to this, his image as sickly became even more firmly established.

After saving Yang U-dam from the Water Dragon, he ended up collapsing together with him while supporting and dragging him away. He probably suffered severe injuries from being tossed around at that time. Even so, for his condition to worsen this much… The name ‘pro’ would weep.

More than anything, the restriction on his activities was a problem. Shin Jukyeong sniffled, remembering a certain entity.

‘Should I start looking for it now?’

Shin Jukyeong’s partner and the secret weapon that had elevated him to a Hunter Association Director: ‘Eve’. To put it more simply… a sentient sword. Also known as an ego sword.

The reason he hadn’t looked for it until now was simple. He thought he’d be fine without it. However, through this incident, he realized that he needed a being who could fully support him in protecting his brothers. And Eve was precisely the entity that met all those conditions.

‘Where was Eve sleeping again…’

“Cough! Cough! Ugh! Haa, ha… Damn it.”

“First… let’s get rid of this damned cold.”

“Hmm…”

Click-clack. Currently, Shin Jukyeong was gritting his teeth and denying reality.

[(^▽^) Dreamland! Everyone’s waiting for Dreamland!]

‘I’m screwed.’

He stared blankly at the internet window. Things were more tangled than he thought. Shin Jukyeong let out an exasperated sigh.

As soon as he got up from his sickbed, he set out to find Eve. He rummaged through his remaining memories of the past to pinpoint where it might be sleeping. But… an amusement park?

‘Right. That place was destroyed by a Dungeon explosion… Eve was buried beneath it.’

There were still several years left until the Dungeon explosion incident.

“If there’s no other way… then I have no choice.”

Quick acceptance! Quick understanding! These are the virtues of modern society. This is how you develop the ability to say, ‘Ah, yes^^’ even when things suck. You rookies.

Shin Jukyeong entered a different search term into the search bar.

[Dreamland 1-person admission ticket…]

“Whoa! Young Master, are you going to Dreamland?!”

Heart: (Farewell, everyone~!)

Shin Jukyeong quietly pressed his pounding chest. He almost died.

“…Hey, you…”

What was even more frustrating was that he couldn’t even swear. Why? Because he saw something tiny between the damned Kang Seo-oh’s legs.

“…?”

No way. Kang Seo-oh, having read Shin Jukyeong’s gaze, also lowered his head. Then he burst into uproarious laughter. The current situation seemed quite amusing and cute to him.

“Why are you hiding there! You said you wanted to see Young Master Jukyeong!”

“…Uh-huh.”

What emerged hesitantly was none other than Gong Eun. His youngest brother. He clung tightly to Kang Seo-oh’s leg with his small hand, glancing at Shin Jukyeong. If their eyes met, he would hurriedly drop his head. His ear, like a dough flake, was bright red.

“Uh-huh…”

Embarrassed, Gong Eun twisted his body. His plump cheeks and beak-like protruding lips made him especially adorable.

“Young Master! Young Master Jukyeong! What are you doing?!”

Kang Seo-oh whispered in a small voice.

“…Ah.”

Only then did Shin Jukyeong move. He got down from the chair, knelt on one knee, and spread his arms.

“Eun.”

Had he understood his feelings with just one word? Gong Eun hesitated for a moment, then scampered and threw himself into Shin Jukyeong’s arms.

A simple scent of baby powder, faint sweat. It was so small and precious that Shin Jukyeong, without realizing it, hugged the child tightly. Then Gong Eun, as if responding, grasped Shin Jukyeong’s clothes tightly.

What was even funnier was that they both froze afterward. Both Gong Eun, who was hugged, and Shin Jukyeong, who was hugging, had done it, but were surprised by how awkward it felt. It wasn’t that they disliked it. They just… simultaneously thought, ‘What should I do next?’

It was at that very moment. Gong Eun was the first to pluck up the courage.

“Brother, p-please don’t be sick…”

Gong Eun, burrowing into his embrace, chirped softly. Shin Jukyeong was struck as if hit in the back of the head. The unique innocence of a child was astonishing.

Honestly, it hadn’t been long since they’d even exchanged greetings. Yet, to open his heart so quickly… It was more than just being moved.

“Yes… I will.”

Paternal love surged within him. It felt like receiving a grand prize. No gold or treasure could compare. Shin Jukyeong rubbed his nose into Gong Eun’s hair. It was warm. It felt like there was nothing in the world he couldn’t do for this child.

A rather heartwarming atmosphere continued. It could have ended nicely right there…

“Wow! Dreamland sounds really fun. I’m so jealous, Young Master Jukyeong~!”

…if someone clueless hadn’t poured cold water all over it.

“Uh-huh…?”

Gong Eun, having pulled out of the embrace, tilted his head. His small, round eyes turned towards the computer. The internet window must still be open, right? …A child seeing an amusement park? Ah, no!

Shin Jukyeong suddenly recalled a scene from the past. A memory of a close junior telling him about recently used acronyms. What did that punk say?

‘Senior, do you know what ‘Self-Inflicted Disaster’ means?’

Self-Inflicted Disaster. He knew now.

“Broth-er…”

“Ugh.”

“Eun wants… to go too…”

All sorts of reasons why he shouldn’t take Gong Eun floated in his mind. He was busy looking for Eve. It could be dangerous. He wasn’t going there to play, after all.

“Eun wants to gooo… please…?”

I know. I know. I really shouldn’t take him! I shouldn’t…!

“I want to play… with my brother…”

That’s right. Self-Inflicted Disaster.

“Guh, kuh! Sh… shall we…?”

“Really? Yayyy!”

It was a disaster brought upon oneself.

‘…I’m crazy, Shin Jukyeong.’

Regretting it now is spilled milk.

It was the day they promised to go to the amusement park.

“Hey, take this.”

Jae-min abruptly held out a large bag.

“…?”

“Lunchbox!”

Startled by the reprimand, he hastily took it. Shin Jukyeong looked from the Lunchbox bag to Jae-min’s face, conveying a look of ‘What is this?’

“Gong Eun often gets upset stomachs. If he suddenly eats outside food, he’ll get sick, won’t he? As his brother, how can you not know something like that?”

“…”

Indeed, he had been negligent in this aspect. Today, he accumulated another self-reflection.

“You’re right. Thanks.”

“…Well. It’s not like I did it for you. Gong Eun just kept bragging about it, so by chance… just.”

Jae-min replied, scratching his cheek. Then he lifted another generously sized cross-body bag. As Shin Jukyeong naturally reached out to take it, Jae-min scoffed and slung it over his own shoulder. What was that about?

“…?”

“What? What is it?”

“No… um, I think we should start leaving soon… the bag-”

“Hey, were you really planning to go just with Gong Eun?”

“Huh? Uhm… Hm?”

Shin Jukyeong blinked in confusion. He didn’t know why he was acting like that. Was there some problem? As he remained silent, unable to find an answer, Jae-min let out a deep sigh. His frustrated expression was priceless. Shin Jukyeong felt unnecessarily intimidated. Had he made another mistake?

“What kind of trouble would happen if I sent just you and Gong Eun? One of you is sickly all the time, and the other is a kid who can’t even wipe his own butt yet.”

Sickly…! He wanted to refute it, but too many past records flashed by!

Jae-min, seemingly oblivious to the frustrated Shin Jukyeong, quietly pulled out a ticket. It was a ticket that read [Dreamland Youth Unlimited Pass].