<My Brother is Strange (4)>

By the time the world was getting used to dungeons, Hunters had become a famous money-making profession.

Not even mentioning S-Levels, even B-Levels could make whopping amounts of money. The annual income of C-Levels is also high. Even in D-Levels, you could make 100 million won. Below, not only the E-Levels, but also for F-Levels, if there is adequate combat aptitude, the income would be better than small and medium sized business men.

Mana Stones from dungeons have become a new source of energy, and also by-products for the development of new medicines and useful new materials. In addition, magic and science were combined and various new technologies have been created.

Is this world, Han Yuhyun who is all, handsome, and famous for his quickly developing Haeyeon Guild, do I need to explain any further? He is barely twenty years old, young and promising. (??: )

Even with just one interview, viewers ratings were several times higher, and magazines with photos sold out instantly.

If its let slip that hes a family man, the reaction is going to be explosive.

I muttered inwardly, looking at Yuhyuns back as he is pulling out a pot from the spacious induction kitchen. Of course, I thought we were going out for dinner. I never thought that we would be eating homemade cooking in his house.

For your information, Yu-hyuns house was on the top floor of the Haeyeon Guild building. It is not widely known for security reasons, but it accounts for half of the floor. It is a place where people can only enter via filthily expensive mini-portals, and not stairs, elevators, or doors.

I did not know you were a good cook.

Sitting at the dining table, I watched my brother finishing his cooking and accidentally let that slip.

Its better now that Ive been watching what I eat.

What? Why? Youve got a lot of money.

Not even mentioning the ability to buy anything you want to eat after youve Awakened, youre making enough money to hire a top-notch chef. He answered my question with some reservations.

Now I have to detox items, unlike before. Thats why I feel more comfortable cooking my own food. Even now, when I go into dungeons, I carry my own dry rations. Dungeons are the most dangerous place to be.

detox? You do that?

What did I hear? I mean, there were some bastards who put poisons and curses in the food, so I had to cook for myself was that it?

I didnt know. In the past, I thought that he was just a lucky, hotshot S-Level Awakening, and that he would only suffer a little after my return. To think that his life was being threatened, I never could have dreamt that it was such a mess.

For me, Yuhyun was so strong that I couldnt even look at him. As soon as he Awakened, he got everyones attention and became popular. I saw only the term S-Level and closed my eyes to everything else.

Dont look like that. This was the result of my choice.

Yuhyun, who came to the table, said in a soft voice.

The tall tree catches the wind. You think its nice to have a kid out there trying to make a guild for himself? If you just entered the right guild and made a proper living, you would not have to face such threats on your life.

I couldnt do what he did. He laughed at me.

Thats why Ive been upset with my relationship with hyung all this time. It is also the result of my choice to monitor, interfere with, and bind hyung in the name of protection. I made my guild, knowing that they would touch my only blood related relative. (??: .)

Why did you not tell me?

At first I didnt want to burden you and later I thought you wouldnt understand.

Certainly, if it was before my regression, I would either yell at my brother to let me live on my own or resent him.

But I was totally wrong. You were still thinking about me and worried about me like when I was a kid. I misunderstood hyung without knowing it. Im sorry.

Ugh, my conscience hurts. I was just going to loaf around after my regression. If you say these things, I feel like crap.

I didnt do much good either.

You were interrupted with everything you tried to do without knowing why. Its understandable.

The inside of my chest was itchy. The warm ticklish feeling became stronger as the younger brother took a bite of the meal.

It was good to go back to the past.

It was the best choice Ive ever made.

I roughly understand the situation. But isnt it too much for today? You dont have to do all this to keep me safe. So far, nothing big has happened.

As soon as I expressed my desire to leave, Yuhyuns face stiffened up.

No.

Why? Ill be careful. I was okay this morning.

This morning is different from now. The only reason hyung could have done so much is because I had cut off relationships with you. Its illegal to lay a hand on an Unawakened and people would think its not worth the risk.

A heavier voice followed.

But if I command the Haeyeon Guild to take note of hyungs safety, and ask them to patrol your residence, my enemies will start targeting you. Theyll already start keeping an eye on you just because I brought you into my house.

Then its better to keep pretending to be on bad terms on the outside, right?

You said you were okay with it.

what?

When did I? I dont have a single memory that allowed him to have me live in captivity.

Yuhyun replied with a cheeky face.

Im sorry and I love you. Honestly, its my fault and Im supposed to be responsible for it, but you shouldered it. Thats as good as permission.

Is, is that how you interpreted it? This kids weird, too!

Dont be ridiculous! Life in captivity is a no-no!

Just put up with it for three years. Ill wipe them out in three years.

Dont laugh as you say it! And its not three years but five years! It took five years!

Damn it, the right choice is bullshit. The heat extended across the back of my neck and my back straightened, but I tried to calm my mind with deep breathing. The guy in front of me is a S-level awakening before hes my brother. Thats a guild thats experienced many hardships. Emotionally, you wont get a scratch.

I could never win with force and this had to be solved through dialogue somehow.

How can I live in imprisonment for three years? I already get depressed if I stay in the room for only a month. Even if there were people who were after me, it wouldnt be hard to make a fuss in broad daylight. And if you do not mind, I can stick with a guardian. I can go with Sunghan or something.

Of course Ill let you out sometimes.

How often?

I have arrived here in the present. Im sitting with my younger brother, not even my parents. At my age, my parents wouldnt even say anything. How did this happen?

It depends on the schedule. If we start hitting the dungeons, we wont be able to hire A-Levels to protect you. You cant leave it to B-Levels.

The bottom line is that all you need is an A-Level with a lot of time. I opened my mouth with confidence.

Then youll let me go if I get a dedicated A-Level guard.

youre going to get an A-level?

Yes.

Yuhyuns eyes, that were filled with wonder, suddenly turned sharp.

Hyung, youve Awakened.

huh?

H, how did he know? This jerks dirty fast on the uptake.

Even in the morning, you were going to meet a broker, so you must have been Unawakened, so when did you Awaken? Right before you met me? Right after we met? Thats why you gave up on contacting the broker. Your destination would have been the Hunters Association.

I have nothing to say. Im going to lie down.

Im afraid the rating is less than D.

You can tell that?

C-Levels or higher would be a little awkward as they are not able to adapt to excessive physical abilities. Especially if muscle strength exceeds the average B-Level, you would not be able to adapt for three or four days. You wouldnt be able to control your strength so you would destroy everything you touch.

I guess so.

Did that happen to you to?

Yeah. However, the adaptability of S-Levels is high, and it gets better in a day. Of course, if you have extremely high mental strength or mana, it wont be noticeable even if its above C-Level.

Im an ordinary F-Level.

Initial skill, special skill? If you are confident that you can get an A-Level, you will be able to know the Awakening Level, Awaken the target, or both. It should be at least Grade C.

Its S Level. I cant say anything in front of him. Given that Yoo Hyuns expression is very shaky, I think its better to speak less about it.

Its a special Awakening skill, and its C-Grade. I can awaken the Unawakened and roughly know the expected Level of Awakening.

How accurate is it?

Its usually half and half. Its either strong or weak. I cant tell you apart from Sunghan. Perhaps B-Level or less. Theres a 30-day cooldown per usage. If it werent for the waiting time, it would be Class A.

He nodded at my words. His face, which had been shadowed, also lit up slightly.

Thats enough to get caught, but Im not going to get shot. (??: .) It would be useful if you could find out more than grade B in advance, but the waiting time is too long. Even if you find an A-Level or S-Level, theres no guarantee that you can sign a contract. The temptation of Awakening cannot be used because there is going to be an Awakening Center.

Awakening Center?

I pretended not to know.

The Awakening Mechanism has been roughly identified, so the construction of the center is about to begin. Its the associations goal to make sure that in the next half year, it would be safe for anyone to Awaken. Each of the top guilds has already talked about it, and theyve invested. Ive invested too.

Thats great. The number of Awakenings will increase tremendously?

The official announcement is in four months, so dont go around talking.

Are you going to let me meet someone to talk to?

Instead of answering, the smile came back. Why dont you let this madman lock you up in a prison cell?

Anyway, Ill find an A-Level to protect me, so just give me a chance.

It wouldnt be easy once every 30 days. A-Levels are not common.

But it wont take three years. If Im lucky, you can find it right away.

Of course I dont need luck. I already know whos an A-Level.

Yuhyuns mouth opened after a while.

Okay, if you really sign a contract with an A-Level, Im not going to overprotect you. They have to have an offensive or a defense ability.

Finally, I was given permission. Hes such a horrible, strict little brother. Although there was one more condition, Park Yerim was famous as a combat wizard, so that was no problem. The problem was the keyword, dammit.