What was on the table looked like a miniature perfume bottle. I’d seen Yerim display things like that before. Supposedly decorative and not actually used. Inside the tiny bottle was a blue-tinged liquid.

‘…Is this something you drink?’

I was sure I’d asked for a mana engraving adjustment item.

“No.”

Myungwoo said as he picked up the small bottle.

“What’s inside this is the item.”

“That liquid?”

“It’s liquid metal.”

Like mercury, maybe. When the cap of the bottle was opened, the blue liquid inside sloshed around slowly. Its heavy movement was definitely not that of an ordinary liquid.

“It’s a method that overlays the engraving. To remove it, just bring the bottle’s mouth to the spot and it’ll get sucked back in on its own. In other words, without the bottle, you can’t remove it through normal means.”

“Don’t tell me you’re not giving me the bottle.”

“You guessed right.”

Myungwoo laughed.

“It’ll automatically adjust within the limits of what your body can handle, Yujin.”

“What should I do when I need to go beyond those limits, teacher?”

“Here.”

This time, he handed me two small beads.

“These will temporarily switch it to manual control. I’ll give them to you, but try not to use them if you can help it.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Myungwoo looked slightly displeased as I put the beads into my inventory. Then, he poured the liquid metal on the nape of my neck, where the engraving started. The cold sensation spread along the engraving on my back.

“You need to get it checked at least once a month. I’ve set a reminder in your phone.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Did you ask what to do about the weapon?”

“Yerim’s upgrading her spear.”

We talked about it that day in front of the manatee tank at the aquarium. Since I can’t always be by her side, it’s better for Yerim to have an SS-rank weapon. Though, to be honest, I’d like to always stay with her. But that’s not easy.

Also, I didn’t buy her any ice cream. That little sister of mine, watching the manatee munching on cabbage, said cabbage is good for the stomach. She seems to be accumulating all sorts of useless knowledge for an S-rank. Is Seonghan the culprit? As a bonus, Yerim went into the large tank with sharks and made a bubble heart. She also took pictures with the stingrays.

“Then let her know to bring the spear over this weekend.”

“Will it take long? Yerim doesn’t have any spare weapons.”

Weapons can get damaged during battle, so it’s best to have at least one backup SS-rank weapon. But matching both attribute and type isn’t easy.

“For a spare, it’s better to have something other than a spear, something she can use as a secondary. Ask her what she’d like.”

“You’re going to make one? I feel bad if you do…”

“It’s not like it’s free.”

…Yerim, you know, customized weapons are something you can’t get even with money. Even if it adds to your debt, you’re an S-rank Hunter. Honestly, I’d like to help, but she probably wouldn’t accept it. Still, she’ll be happy when she hears. If it’s a different type of weapon, she’ll find something that fits well in her hand, so I should tell her to try a few in advance.

“We still have plenty of water and ice attribute materials, and I just finished making Hunter Evelyn’s weapon.”

“Hunter Evelyn? A bow?”

“Yeah. I can’t tell you the details though.”

“Of course. So you took on Hunter Evelyn’s request.”

“Technically, it was Guild Leader Seoseong’s request. I can’t really go into detail on that either.”

I waved off Myungwoo’s apology, telling him it was fine. When dealing with Hunters, keeping things confidential is important. It’s probably part of the deal for bringing Hunter Evelyn to Sesung. I am a bit curious what Seong Hyunjae gave Myungwoo in return.

“About recruiting the item creators we talked about before. I’m thinking of posting the notice overseas too. How should we structure the awakening process exactly?”

Myungwoo asked. If it includes overseas, too many people might flock to it, but if the first round has strict requirements, it should be okay.

“First off, they must never be attacked directly by a monster. If that happens, there’s a high chance they’ll awaken with combat or combat-support skills.”

If it were okay to awaken from being attacked by monsters, you could just go to an awakening center. The buildings may have collapsed, but the awakening system is still intact. But when awakening during combat with monsters, 999 out of 1,000 end up with combat-type skills. There’s a small chance of getting a production-related skill, but the probability is just too low.

“So, it should be like… yeah, like an escape room. There’s a monster lurking behind iron bars, a countdown starts, and you have to use the tools in front of you to make a key and escape within the time limit.”

To awaken from being threatened rather than directly attacked, it has to feel as real as possible. So even if it’s actually safe, we’ll need to have them sign a waiver and give them an emergency bell.

“They could make a ladder to escape, repair chains binding a monster, or choose the correct item. Structure it like a special dungeon.”

“Sounds like it could be fun.”

“It’d be scary for the unawakened. It’ll take time to set up though.”

“I’ll give it a shot.”

“You, Myungwoo?”

“Even that kind of dungeon is, in a way, a type of item. Like this Golden Forge. With my current abilities, I can’t create an entire separate space, but I want to try modifying a building at least.”

Makes sense, the rookie managed to create a dungeon too. He’s a Transcendent, so there’s a big gap between him and Myungwoo, but Myungwoo might be able to reach that level one day.

After getting some nagging about taking care of my body, I returned to the Breeding Facility. On the rooftop garden, fully grown Comet and Kang Soyeong were waiting for me. The Thornwing Rock Dragon, showing off her smooth black scales and long wings, pressed her large head against me.

— Grrrnnng.

She’d acquired S-rank stats and all the optimized skills. Kang Soyeong was smiling so brightly it looked like she might float away.

“The building where Comet’s home used to be completely collapsed, so we’re heading to the Gyeonggi Breeding Facility for now.”

“Are the remaining buildings okay?”

“Yes, they’ve passed the safety inspection. It’s a relief, really.”

Kang Soyeong let out a deep sigh.

“Honestly, if the Guild Leader’s going to eat buildings, she should eat someone else’s, like I did.”

Whether it’s someone else’s or your own, I still think breaking them is wrong.

“The blacksmith said Comet’s equipment will be ready tomorrow, so we’re planning to enter a dungeon the day after. As S-rank.”

“From the start?”

“I go into low-tier S-rank dungeons myself. It’s a dungeon with plenty of data, so it’ll be fine.”

“Still, be careful out there.”

Kang Soyeong replied with a yes and grabbed my hand. Her sparkling eyes were a bit overwhelming.

“Director Han, I really like you a lot.”

“Ah, yes…”

It was something that might make someone’s heart flutter, but I figured it was just a very-very-very heartfelt thank-you for raising Comet well. Probably also meant she was counting on me in the future too.

“If you ever need anything, just call me anytime. If it’s a favor from Director Han, I can do anything! You know how grateful I am, right?”

“Yes, yes.”

“For your sake, Director Han, I could even aim for the back of the Guild Leader’s head. I couldn’t actually hit her, though. I’m only A-rank. And please take care of our Guild Leader too.”

Why’s Seong Hyunjae being brought up here?

“He’s going through one of his nasty personality phases lately, but he won’t touch Director Han, so please go easy on him.”

“…Nasty personality phase?”

“Some annoying flies have been buzzing around him. The Guild Leader hates being bothered by boring people. It’s fine if he annoys others, but not the other way around.”

Flies? Was that what he was handling during the call? I tried to pry a bit more, but Kang Soyeong clammed up. Said she’d do anything, and yet. Even though she seems easygoing, she still knows how to keep guild matters confidential.

Kang Soyeong lightly jumped onto Comet’s back. Her wings spread wide, and the massive body soared into the sky with ease. The black dragon’s figure quickly disappeared into the distance.

‘That makes three S-rank monsters now.’

Now, except for Belare and Sorok, only A-ranks remained. Sorok might take a while, and Belare… for some reason, she just wasn’t growing. Maybe it’s time to consider taking in S-rank monsters from overseas. I’d already received requests from two places.

‘The US and India, right.’

They hadn’t told me the species, just the rank. Yerim needs a Monster Mount too, so I wonder if either has monsters with cold resistance. Not that anyone would hand over an S-rank baby monster easily, but I’m the only one who can raise them, so negotiating shouldn’t be impossible.

‘But before that, I need to be able to use the Promising Talent skill to check the baby monsters’ status windows.’

When is the system going to get fixed? I looked up at the sky and stretched. Still, with the system down, it’s peaceful. If it weren’t for the doomsday countdown, I’d be fine with things staying this way.

“Oh, it’s Yuhyun.”

My little brother sent me a text. Since I’m already out, he said I should take a walk before heading back. Is he watching me? Maybe from that open window over there. Yeah, that looks like it. I waved, and he waved back.

What should we eat for dinner tonight? Yerim went back to school for the first time in a while, so maybe I should pick her up—no, she might hang out with her friends. Yuhyun used to come straight home after school, though. If I got home late, he’d wait alone… geez, my little brother.

‘…Maybe I should go to university with him.’

Surprisingly, they said in college, you can take classes in the same room even if your year is different. And you can make your own schedule. So you could attend almost like you’re in the same grade, same class. That was a little tempting.

With Noah and Soyeong there, I could even act like a regular school friend. At least on the surface.

‘At this rate, I hope the Transcendents negotiate for like ten more years.’

They’ve got plenty of time. Let them spend forever negotiating, while we stop the end of the world. Can’t we do that? Rookie, drag it out as long as you can.

Following my brother’s suggestion, I took a walk around the garden and went downstairs. It was about lunchtime.

“Hyung.”

“…Oh.”

It was Park Hayul. This time, he came in completely alone. Was that okay? Well, he did know me. Park Hayul gave me a friendly smile.

“Hunter Park Yerim went to school, right?”

“Yeah. She’s a student, after all.”

“Then there’s no one else around? No one coming to see you?”

“Not ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) really, but I’m having lunch with my brother soon.”

At that, Park Hayul looked really disappointed.

“Can’t you cancel?”

He stared at me with wide eyes, and I felt a little guilty, but I still turned him down.

“No. If I leave my brother alone, he ends up eating alone or not eating properly.”

He nags me to eat properly, but says it’s fine for him since he’s S-rank. Especially when he’s working at the guild, he can’t be bothered to go out, so he often just eats dungeon meal packs. When I heard that from Seok Gimyeong and got mad, he tilted his head and said there was nothing wrong with it nutritionally. I just couldn’t leave him alone like that.

Sure, it’s healthier than instant food, but still. It doesn’t taste good. Taste matters!

“…So you eat together every day?”

“If nothing comes up. He’s still a kid. Literally young, too. I can’t eat lunch with him today, but I’ll at least give you a drink.”

I gestured for him to follow me.

“Only coffee from beans or capsules though.”

I can’t deal with mix coffee. The other drinks are all unsweetened too. As I opened the reception room door, Park Hayul hesitated.

“Are there surveillance cameras in here?”

“Not in this room. It was made mainly for dealing with S-rank Hunters.”

I put a coffee capsule into the machine and brewed a cup. It looked absolutely terrible. After adding just enough water, I handed it over, and Park Hayul took a sip, his expression twisting slightly. I’m good at making mix coffee though.

“Just coming in like this without contacting you…”

“Is that bad?”

It was bad, but the words didn’t come out. I just said, give a heads-up next time, and sat down on the sofa.

“Hyung, you had a stealth skill, right?”

“You didn’t tell anyone, did you?”

“I didn’t. You used it when you slipped out of the Haeyeon Guild, so it must work against A-ranks?”

He seemed to have figured it out already, so I nodded. At my answer, Park Hayul nodded back in satisfaction.

“Do you still sneak out alone sometimes?”

“If I did, there’d be a huge fuss.”

“A fuss? It’s not like you’re locked up. Don’t you feel stifled?”

“A bit?”

Even just going to the convenience store nearby meant having someone tail me. It was a hassle. But it couldn’t be helped. At my response, Park Hayul looked disheartened.

“That’s just too much, seriously.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“It is bad. You’ve got low stats but useful skills, so they’re just locking you up and using you. Even the Haeyeon Guild Leader, who’s your own brother.”

“Hey, that’s not—”

The word “using” made me flare up for a moment, but I couldn’t get angry after seeing Park Hayul’s face. He was saying it out of concern for me. Still, that’s not it.

“My brother’s just trying to protect me.”

“You must care about the Haeyeon Guild Leader a lot.”

“Of course. He’s like a little brother I raised myself.”

I see, Park Hayul nodded.

“What about the other S-rank Hunters? I heard the Sesung Guild Leader is dangerous, in particular.”

“Even if he’s dangerous, well.”

“Have you ever been threatened? It seems likely. He hasn’t ever used violence on you or anything, has he?”

Why is he asking something like that? Still, I couldn’t say there was absolutely nothing. With a strange discomfort, I watched as Park Hayul stood up from the seat across from me and approached.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep