S Chapter 72

“Uh, um. He’s also your senior. That…”

Shin Jukyeong wasn’t sure why he had to offer such a non-explanation, but he nonetheless did his best to describe the ‘monster freak’.

However, far from appreciating Shin Jukyeong’s efforts, Yang U-dam’s expression grew more menacing with each passing moment. His gaze alone seemed capable of freezing a person solid.

“Hyung, are you talking about that bastard who pushed me into a Dungeon?”

“Yang U-dam. I told you, he’s your senior.”

“Who’s my senior? Never mind. You, are you still meeting that bastard?”

Sometime during the conversation, the honorific ‘Hyung’ had changed to ‘you’. But Shin Jukyeong didn’t point it out. ‘You’ was something he was used to by now, after all.

“It’s not like we’ve been in constant contact. It’s been a while for me too.”

“So? Are you meeting him?”

“Ah, yeah. He said he wanted to see me, so…”

“…What?”

“Huh?”

“What did you say?”

Why did it feel like the conversation was going in circles? As Shin Jukyeong blinked with a bewildered expression, Yang U-dam’s face cracked! A huge fissure seemed to appear. He looked as if he’d been struck by lightning out of a clear sky.

‘Why is he acting like this?’

“Say it again. What?”

“Because he said he wanted to see me…”

He hadn’t done anything wrong, yet he felt strangely self-conscious.

“We decided to watch a movie, so…”

As Shin Jukyeong stumbled over his words, Yang U-dam scoffed, “Huh.”

“A movie? You’re going to watch a movie?”

His trembling lips and the prominent vein throbbing in his neck were particularly noticeable.

…Should I not be seeing him? Shin Jukyeong had no idea why Yang U-dam was angry.

“Are you in your right mind? Why would you meet a bastard like that?”

Yang U-dam asked, hands on his hips, as if utterly bewildered.

Technically, he was going to meet Yang Ji-ho, not the ‘monster freak’, but due to his brother’s unexpected reaction, Shin Jukyeong completely forgot to explain properly and instead just thought of the ‘little mammal’ as he spoke.

“If you meet him, he’s actually quite cute.”

‘Of course, he’s small and arrogant, and he rarely listens.’

But he’s just mischievous, not bad-natured. It might even be okay for him to become Gong Eun’s friend in the future.

“Even though he’s annoying, always asking for ice cream or grabbing my hand, the kid is good-hearted.”

So, he summarized his impressions, but…

“Are you crazy? Don’t meet him!”

For some reason, he got scolded.

A week passed. Since the entrance ceremony, both Shin Jukyeong and Yang U-dam had been spending busy days without a moment to rest. Shin Jukyeong was busy learning his job in the Management Department, while Yang U-dam was bustling around as a newly admitted freshman. Even being in the same building, it was hard for them to see each other.

Shin Jukyeong, in particular, was often helplessly swept away by the rush of overtime, returning home wilted like a bean sprout.

‘To think I’d have to go through this hell again.’

Shin Jukyeong shed tears of blood, cursing his father.

‘Experiencing it after so long, it truly feels like death.’

Had he enjoyed his freedom too much until now? Shin Jukyeong gave a bitter smile. Piles of unprocessed documents were still stacked before his eyes.

He couldn’t believe his senior, who had laughed ‘haha hoho’ and kindly said, ‘Let’s do our best, okay?^^’, would work him this hard. It was a good thing he had received early training; otherwise, he would have spent every night in tears.

“Shin Jukyeong, lunch!”

“Ah, yes.”

Shin Jukyeong shuffled towards the cafeteria. His mouth felt dry and he didn’t feel like eating anything. But if his senior commanded him to go, closing his mouth and following was the natural course of action! This was the attitude of a true newcomer.

‘If I had my way, I’d go straight to bed and collapse right now…’

Hiding his true feelings, he picked up a tray.

‘Is Yang U-dam doing well?’

Seeing the food, he thought of his brother, who must be struggling in the next building. By now, he’d probably be learning how to control his abilities after his morning run. After honing his physical and mental strength to their limits, he’d come to eat lunch without even being able to wash up. Back then, food tasted incredibly good; looking back now, he realized it was a lifestyle where food couldn’t not taste good.

“Why are you picking at your food so much? Lost your appetite?”

“No. It’s delicious.”

‘There’s no way this cafeteria food would taste good when I’m not even training anymore.’

But Shin Jukyeong, the seasoned professional, quickly shoveled down his rice! Proceed!

-Beep!

He heard the phantom sound of a whistle from somewhere.

‘…Proceed.’

Shin Jukyeong mournfully repeated it to himself, busily moving his spoon.

As he ate his food with a terrifying, mechanical chomp, chomp, chomp sound, he heard a commotion. Wondering what it was, he raised his head. People were crowded around the cafeteria entrance.

“Oh? The kids came early today.”

His senior said, surprised.

“…!”

A ray of hope shone on Shin Jukyeong, who had been glumly eating his meal as if chewing rubber. It meant he might be able to see his brother if he was lucky.

His eyes darted around. Yang U-dam, Yang U-dam… he muttered inwardly, looking for the prettiest child. And finally.

‘Eureka!’

He found his brother, standing in line looking a bit grubby like the other kids, likely from the tough training.

‘He’s lost a lot of weight.’

His already sharp jawline had become even more defined in just one week. So sharp, it looked like it could cut paper if you held it up. Shin Jukyeong didn’t miss a single detail: his brother picking up a tray, piling rice like a mountain, and heaped side dishes. He must be really hungry. A slight smile tugged at the corners of Shin Jukyeong’s lips, finding it endearing.

‘There’s an empty seat here!’

He secretly hoped, with a pounding heart, that Yang U-dam would come and sit next to him. But what was this? Even though their eyes clearly met, Yang U-dam suddenly turned and went in another direction. It was an undeniable sign of rejection.

‘Why, no… here…’

Hm. Rejected.

Shin Jukyeong awkwardly picked up his water glass. Right, well, it’s the time when he’s getting close with his classmates, so he might want to eat with them rather than his older brother. No. That’s right. That’s natural! It’s not that he dislikes his older brother; it’s just social maneuvering to blend in with the group, social maneuvering! He tried hard to achieve a moral victory, but for some reason, the empty seat beside him looked desolate.

That’s right. Disappointment is disappointment.

“It’s fine…”

The important thing is that my brother is doing well at the Hunter Academy, not whether he eats with me. Shin Jukyeong forced himself to swallow his disappointment along with his meal.

Just as he crunched on the grains of rice rolling around in his mouth and was about to get up from his seat, something felt strange.

“…?”

Why was his brother eating alone? No, to be precise, no one sat around where his brother was sitting. As if deliberately avoiding him.

“Shin Jukyeong, aren’t you leaving?”

“Ah… Senior, I apologize. I saw my brother. I’ll just go say hello quickly.”

“Hmm? Oh, okay.”

After a brief bow, Shin Jukyeong walked straight towards his brother.

No way. It can’t be. I must be oversensitive, and so on. Even trying to think positively, the sticky stares, and the hidden interest, malice, and mockery within them, made him certain.

Shin Jukyeong’s fists were clenched tight. Thick veins bulged on his pale hand.

“Yang U-dam.”

Drrruk, he pulled out a chair and sat opposite him. Was he surprised by the sudden appearance? He saw the kid, who had been eating alone, open his eyes wide.

It was then. From somewhere, a ‘kuk’ sound of snickering was heard. And it wasn’t just one person, but several people snickering. This was clearly a provocation.

‘…?’

Before Shin Jukyeong could react, Yang U-dam scoffed, “Ha.”

“You childish bastards.”

Then he muttered a curse under his breath and waved his hand dismissively at Shin Jukyeong.

“Go.”

“Huh?”

“If you’re done eating, go. Can’t you see? You’ll just get cursed at if you stay for nothing.”

Yang U-dam added, glancing around. His gaze was filled with annoyance.

‘So it wasn’t a misunderstanding after all.’

Shin Jukyeong furrowed one brow.

‘Is that why he didn’t acknowledge me earlier too?’

A sigh escaped him. He had hoped it wasn’t true, but why were bad premonitions always right?

“Don’t deal with those pathetic bastards, just go.”

Yang U-dam added another word as he picked up his spoon. With that, Shin Jukyeong was certain. Yes. As crappy as it was, Yang U-dam was currently being bullied.

‘They’re doing this to make me furious, aren’t they?’

It was the moment Shin Jukyeong’s rage meter instantly filled to 30%.

Now that they’re adults, shouldn’t they be able to distinguish between what’s acceptable and what’s not? What are these bastards, who’ve received enough education, doing? Bullying at a Hunter Academy, not some thug training camp? This goddamn fucking…

His insides were boiling. He wanted to overturn everything immediately, but he was barely holding back. Shin Jukyeong gritted his teeth and first checked on his brother’s condition. Fortunately, he didn’t seem discouraged or depressed. Shin Jukyeong took a deep breath, then handed over the yogurt he’d brought, and said,

“I’m not going. I’ll leave when you’re finished eating.”

“What? No, it’s fine.”

“Are you ashamed of your older brother? Or will my actions now become a weakness for you?”

Shin Jukyeong, uncharacteristically serious, asked him directly.