S Chapter 82

I wanted to escape quickly, but hunters were still nearby. They were incredible at sensing even the slightest presence, so I couldn’t act rashly.

‘If I get caught for no reason, it would only cause trouble for me.’

So, Shin Jukyeong decided to endure a little longer.

Eventually, the car carrying him departed. Every time the car rattled due to the rough driving, his small body would float up and then plop back down onto the floor. And that wasn’t all? If they went over a speed bump, Shin Jukyeong had to roll around like a billiard ball.

‘This should be enough, I think.’

After rolling around for a long time, he thought, stuck upside down in a corner.

His dangling feet in the air and his belly fat, sagging due to gravity, were particularly plump. After flapping his crumpled ears a few times because they were itchy, he slowly picked himself up. There was no more time to dawdle. He had to go back soon.

‘My back is killing me.’

Shin Jukyeong thought the driving was terrible and gripped the tightly closed iron bars with his small hands. He felt the cold iron bars against his soft palms. They were so thick that they would remain intact even if struck with a solid hammer.

Since it was for monsters, it must have been made with special materials. Most monsters probably wouldn’t be able to break it. But to Shin Jukyeong, a man who had once held the title of the strongest in the world, it looked nothing more than a thin stick of cracker.

Shin Jukyeong took a deep breath. His tail shot up high into the sky and quivered. Then, with a mighty push, the thick iron bars bent weakly.

After making a hole just big enough for a raccoon to pass through, he leaped out. The car continued to rumble forward, unaware that Shin Jukyeong had escaped. Shin Jukyeong wagged his tail.

Farewell, terrible driving.

By the time he returned to the Hunter Academy without looking back, things were already quite settled. The sparring had, of course, been halted, and the faculty members were checking one by one to see if any children were injured.

Shin Jukyeong pushed through the crowd, repeating phrases like “Excuse me” and “Just a moment.” As he moved forward, the stories he heard were consistent. A professional Hunter, a crazy raccoon, the unconscious Runner-up… and his younger brother’s exploits.

Although many details had been added as it spread by word of mouth, the essence remained unchanged. It was that Yang U-dam, the ugly duckling of the Hunter Academy, had saved everyone.

Shin Jukyeong left the whispering children behind and looked for his younger brother. Perhaps to avoid being the center of attention, his brother was in another room with the guild leaders. As he opened the door and entered, he was immediately stopped.

“You cannot enter without permission.”

“No. I am…”

Shin Jukyeong hurriedly reached for the Employee ID from the Management Department that he had shoved into his pocket. But U-dam was faster. Upon seeing Shin Jukyeong, blocked by others and unable to approach, he stood up abruptly and spoke. As always, his tone carried a unique languor.

“He’s my brother.”

At that single remark, the surroundings began to buzz. Yang U-dam, a brother? Glances clustered onto Shin Jukyeong. Ah, is he the eldest son of UA Group? The one who failed his Ability Manifestation? Sure enough, gazes mixed with interest and pity landed squarely on him. Still, it was a relief that the arm blocking his way was gone.

Shin Jukyeong quickly approached U-dam.

“U-dam, what’s all this about?”

With a face feigning ignorance, he stroked U-dam’s arm, pouring out his worries. There was no denying he was acting, but even if it was somewhat pretentious, his worry was genuine.

Instead of frowning or pulling his body back as if to say ‘don’t touch me’ – actions that would make Shin Jukyeong uncomfortable as before – U-dam merely gave an indifferent answer, saying it was nothing.

“It’s not nothing. You’re covered in scratches.”

“No serious injuries.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Brother, don’t worry too much.”

Just then, a Hunter stepped between the two. He was laughing heartily with a dark bruise around his eye. Shin Jukyeong realized that he had caused that bruise.

‘He certainly took a proper hit.’

“Our big brother! You didn’t get to see U-dam’s performance!”

‘When did he become ‘our big brother’? And before that, what’s with the familiar address ‘U-dam’?’

‘These guys didn’t even pay attention during the sparring.’

It seems like they’re trying to lay the groundwork to recruit him into their guild.

While Shin Jukyeong hesitated for a moment, Hunters C and D had approached, and were rattling off U-dam’s exploits, saying he had raised his younger brother well.

‘It’s pointless to try and earn points with me.’

However, they didn’t stop. They continued to flatter, rubbing their hands together.

“Please praise your younger brother. How amazing he was, I can guarantee he’s the best in this cohort…”

The Hunter, who had been excitedly chattering away, quickly shut his mouth. It was probably because he belatedly remembered that Won Go-yu was in the same cohort. He probably felt awkward calling someone else the best when his superior’s grandson was prominently present.

He sweated profusely and vaguely mumbled, “Hahaha… he was amazing.” What a wimp. But Shin Jukyeong, a fellow veteran of N years in society, couldn’t help but understand him.

Anyway, even after their sycophantic closing remarks and several more praises for his younger brother, they hastily left the room after receiving a sudden call. Judging by their pale faces and their chatter about having missed it or being incompetent, it seemed they had only just realized he had escaped.

Being in a position where he couldn’t possibly tell them that he was right in front of them, he offered a silent word of consolation to the Hunters who would be toiling all night. …Hang in there.

“Now I can finally rest a bit.”

Whether the seniors left or not, U-dam sat down on the sofa and muttered with a sigh. It seemed he liked the quiet room, as even the slight frown between his brows had smoothed out.

‘Yeah, it was too noisy.’ Shin Jukyeong shrugged in agreement.

“Are you really okay?”

When he approached and asked, U-dam met his gaze instead of answering.

“Are you worried?”

U-dam countered. His eyes, gazing back, were perfectly clear, yet Shin Jukyeong felt strangely as if he was being seen through. Why? Was it because he had lied so much? His heart gave a significant jolt.

Whether he knew Shin Jukyeong’s true thoughts or not, U-dam calmly continued.

“If you’re worried, you should check yourself.”

Saying that, he patted the spot next to him on the sofa.

Was that an invitation? Shin Jukyeong hesitated for a moment, then walked over to his side.

As he came within arm’s reach, U-dam swiftly pulled his wrist. Contrary to appearances, a rough palm touched his delicate skin. His strength was also much greater than before.

Shin Jukyeong let out a pathetic “Uh-oh,” and flopped down. The distance between them became so close that their noses almost touched. His handsome face filled Shin Jukyeong’s vision. For some reason, his shoulders stiffened, and his breath hitched.

…Isn’t this too close? An unfamiliar awkwardness spread through the air. Shin Jukyeong’s Adam’s apple slowly bobbed. It was then. Breaking the strange silence, U-dam opened his lips.

“Brother.”

“Huh?”

“You need to check the injuries.”

U-dam took Shin Jukyeong’s hand and pulled it. His hand, having lost its will, moved as the other person led it. From his cheek to his neck, from his neck to his chest…

“Why aren’t you putting any strength into it? Put some strength into it. You’ll only know if you press it. I’ll make a sound if it hurts.”

A voice laced with laughter was heard.

…Something’s off.

Shin Jukyeong twitched his fingertips, and tried to pull his hand away, saying that was enough. But U-dam didn’t allow it. With the corners of his mouth turned up, he asked if he shouldn’t check his lower body too. It was at that moment, as his hand was about to move lower.

“Ugh! Oof!”

A loud clatter was heard from behind, and it was enough to break the strange atmosphere between the two.

Shin Jukyeong didn’t miss the opportunity.

“It looks like someone’s over there.”

Unlike before, his hand, now with a clear purpose, pushed U-dam’s chest without hesitation. Then he quickly got up and moved towards where the sound had come from. Fortunately, U-dam didn’t stop Shin Jukyeong. Quite anticlimactically, unlike his persistent urging to check the injuries.

Where Shin Jukyeong approached, Runner-up was there.

“…Huh?”

Seeing that there was a cot next to him, it seemed he had thrashed around and fallen off.

The guy was looking around with half-closed eyes and an open mouth. Whether he wasn’t fully awake or hadn’t grasped the situation yet. Either way, he had a foolish expression.

Then he quickly grabbed his sternum and let out a pained shriek. That’s right. It was the spot Shin Jukyeong had hit.

‘My conscience is pricking me a bit about this.’

After the incident had calmed down, perhaps because of his surprisingly young face, Shin Jukyeong felt a slight pang of conscience. Shin Jukyeong quickly bent his legs to check on the boy’s condition.

“Are you okay? Lift your shirt.”

“Yes. Uh… that bastard, bro, uh?”

‘That bastard,’ he says. My apologetic feelings are completely disappearing.

Shin Jukyeong calmly explained what had happened to the bewildered Runner-up. Naturally, the guy didn’t believe him, telling him not to talk nonsense, but thanks to the Hunter Academy instructor who came in, he had to accept it.

“Student over there, if you’re awake, please come outside. You need to go to a large hospital for a thorough examination. And Yang U-dam, you worked very hard.”

This instructor was touched.

Runner-up, seeing the instructor give a thumbs-up, was utterly dumbfounded.