S Chapter 38

What’s the use of looking so relaxed when your body is honest?

Shin Jukyeong’s gaze persistently scanned his brother. Tightly clenched fists and trembling pupils revealed his nervousness. He must have tried to hide it, but it was all too visible.

You know that saying, don’t you? ‘Love and a cold cannot be hidden.’ Hmm… I strongly agree with that. But personally, I’d add one more thing: desperation. A person’s desperation also cannot be hidden.

‘Even if you’re born a phoenix, you’re a chick when you’re young? Cute.’

Thanks to that, Shin Jukyeong was just thrilled. If things continued this way, a complete separation from Aolluseu seemed possible soon. It was about time for some talent donation. Alright, from where should I start making him a Justice Realization Addict? Shin Jukyeong smiled wickedly. Just by his expression, he looked like a villain.

‘I want to say yes right away, but…’

Seeing how things were unfolding, it seemed Shin Jukyeong held the upper hand, so he deliberately acted hesitant. It wasn’t a meaningless act. He did it on purpose. That way, he would gain more. There was no need to show that he really wanted it or was swayed. It’s always easier to hold the initiative in a relationship.

“Hmm…”

‘Awesome.’

But good was good.

“…Hmph.”

‘I shouldn’t become a Master like my Master.’

Amidst that, he clearly decided what he wouldn’t be.

(Choi Bon-gwang: Look at this disrespectful brat!)

“Hrmmmph!”

‘Ah~ finally, God is helping me. Yes, that’s what a God should do! If there’s any conscience, they should help at least once! How many churches, cathedrals, and temples have I protected?’

“Haaaah…”

‘Starting tomorrow, I’ll pay all offerings, donations, and temple contributions.’

He didn’t know which god, but he had caught a big fish. He’d never regret it, would he?

“Are you kidding me? This is taking too long.”

He wanted to enjoy it a little longer, but his brother’s badgering left him unable to do anything. Shin Jukyeong gazed at U-dam, whose brows were furrowed in dissatisfaction. He was thumping his foot like an angry rabbit. …Cute.

…Oh, no. I need to get a grip.

“Ahem.”

If he waited any longer, his features would gather in the middle of his face. The kid was impatient, but even he had to admit he was dragging it out too much.

‘It was sweet, even if brief.’

“Tell me, yes or no.”

“My, what a prickly fellow. Here a Master like heaven is pondering…”

“Master? Then…!”

See, he is a rabbit. His eyes immediately sparkled, didn’t they? He’s absolutely adorable.

“Ahem, alright. I’ll raise you. But I’ll set three conditions.”

Shin Jukyeong spread out three fingers. But there was no answer, so he stretched them out a bit more, and oh dear. U-dam pressed his eyes firmly with three fingers.

“…”

“…”

“…What are you doing?”

“Uh, no… I thought you might not see it.”

“I see it. Take it away.”

A sharp snap was clearly discernible in his voice.

‘Huh? Crinkled? Not relaxing your expression?’

His inner boomer uncharacteristically surfaced. It had come out like a spasm at the word ‘Master’. Though he pretended otherwise, Shin Jukyeong was actually very similar in nature to his Master, Choi Bon-gwang. He liked being respected, was a dopamine (gambling, justice realization) addict, and an unmarried man with a high dependence on alcohol and tobacco. Of course, he denied it himself.

Anyway, gently trampling on the memory of his Master, he laid out conditions for his brother. The conditions were as follows:

First, never visit dangerous places again. Examples include various clubs, restricted areas for minors, parks after midnight, DVD rooms, and multi-rooms. …Incidentally, PC rooms were also on the list, but he vehemently refused, insisting he’d die first, so after a 30-minute debate, Shin Jukyeong agreed to allow them. What in the world is a ‘promotion match’? Damn it.

Second, do not ask about his identity.

“I know you’re curious, but—”

“I’ve let go of my lingering attachments.”

“Ahem! I understand your desire to know about me—”

“Not at all.”

“You’re at least a tiny bit curious, aren’t you?”

“No hawkers allowed.”

The second condition met a “no forced sales” ending. And finally, the third. This was definitely the highlight.

“Tell me. The reason you want to become my disciple.”

He absolutely needed to know why U-dam had frequented dangerous places and why he wanted to gain strength. At Shin Jukyeong’s words, U-dam scoffed briefly. It seemed his rebellious cool-down period was over. But no chance, Shin Jukyeong would definitely hear it.

“This is a long interview, isn’t it?”

“Do you think you’re the only one who wants to learn from me? If you don’t like it, don’t.”

It was a lie.

‘But he really shouldn’t quit. Huh? It’s a promise, little brother.’

Despite confidently lying, he was quite pathetic, but there was no helping it. Shin Jukyeong boasted, hiding his thoroughly scared inner thoughts. An attitude of having nothing to lose was a bonus.

Then U-dam, with a sigh, parted his tightly closed lips. Fortunately, it seemed to have worked. Soon, an astonishing revelation came, one that surprised even Shin Jukyeong, who had only guessed at trivial reasons like puberty, rebellion against his father, or wanting to show off among his peers.

“To… find my parents.”

Shin Jukyeong paused.

‘Parents?’

…That’s strange. It’s strange because, as Shin Jukyeong had clearly heard from his father, U-dam’s biological parents had died long ago. The cause was driving inexperience and carelessness on a wet road. Afterwards, his father, an old friend of U-dam’s parents, had taken in the homeless boy. Since his father had said so, it was probably true.

‘But he’s looking for dead people?’

They even had a separate columbarium, didn’t they? Many questions piled up, but Shin Jukyeong quickly regained his composure. And, feigning indifference, he asked again.

“Parents?”

“I answered. Anything more is overstepping.”

However, his brother was not easily swayed. High vigilance was a good thing. There was no benefit in carelessly revealing deep personal matters. Thus, it was a wise decision. The problem, however, was that the listener was Shin Jukyeong. He had no intention of letting this matter go easily.

‘I’ll have to look into it.’

If he wouldn’t speak… Fine. Understood. I’ll cleanly give up asking you. Instead, I’ll dig it out myself. Shin Jukyeong subtly adopted a fighting stance.

By nature, he generally wasn’t very interested in others and actively agreed to respect personal boundaries, but that only applied to other people. With his younger brothers, it was a different story. Kids have no personal boundaries. He firmly declared here and now: there should be no secrets his older brother didn’t know. They should share everything with each other, like one body.

‘Ah, excluding my secrets.’

He’d just gloss over this with the “first son” privilege. Anyway, even if people pointed fingers and called it overprotection, he couldn’t help it.

Of course. If he made even one mistake, it could all end in a guillotine, so how could he not be sensitive! More than anything, he was the eldest son. He was their brother. Not just for the future, but he was genuinely worried about his brothers and couldn’t help it.

Especially U-dam. Just look at how that kid acts. How could he not worry? Therefore, this was a natural concern and a right.

“What about your brothers’ opinions?”

‘…Tsk. If big brother says so, then it is so. You talk too much.’

“Boomer.”

‘Eve.’

“Phew~”

“Alright. But as I said before, dangerous places are forbidden. Don’t look for me either. If needed, I’ll find you. Don’t think for a second that I won’t know where you are. I can know everything. If you violate it even once… you’ll be punished.”

“Not contract cancellation?”

‘Well, that’s what makes it difficult for me.’

“Yes. You’ll get a spanking. One that’ll make your tears burst out.”

“Huh.”

“If you just keep your promise, I’ll definitely make you a Hunter.”

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. What I want isn’t to be a Hunter—”

“Then I’ll add another condition.”

“It’s already over.”

“Then, let’s extend it.”

“Are you kidding me?”

This is completely up to the taffy seller, isn’t it? That was exactly his expression. He was flustered by the sharp gaze, but Shin Jukyeong was also in a difficult position to back down. Not wanting to be a Hunter. What kind of nonsense was that? He absolutely had to become a proper Hunter!

“Manifest and enroll in the Hunter Academy.”

“Nonsense.”

“Alright. Good. You know how to bargain. It’ll be cleaner if you also gain something. Understood. Since it’s come to this, how about we each give and take one thing? If you enroll in the Hunter Academy, I’ll find your parents for you.”

“…!”

He could see U-dam’s lips, which had been about to argue, now sealing shut. He should drive the point home one more time here, shouldn’t he?

“Do you think I can’t do it?”

It was you who were confident in my potential, wasn’t it? The unspoken words were likely conveyed well enough.

“…”

Sure enough, U-dam’s prickly demeanor subtly vanished. The silence stretched as if he had fallen into thought. Shin Jukyeong didn’t rush him. He gestured for him to think it over thoroughly and waited patiently.

Only after exactly 10 minutes could the conversation progress.

“Why?”

U-dam asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Why do you… me like that?”

“Are you asking why I’m trying to help you? Or why I’m trying to make you a Hunter?”

“Both.”

“You’re the one who asked for the favor, yet you’re asking me for my reasons?”

“That’s…”

Indeed, U-dam mumbled the rest of his words. His expression showed he had been caught off guard.

It’s not that he didn’t understand. It’s natural for people to grow suspicious when, even after asking for help, the other person goes above and beyond.