The birthday of Haeyeon Guild’s Guild Leader, Han Yuhyun, was always the same. On the 24th, Christmas Eve, he celebrated with a party at the guild. On the 25th, the actual day, he spent it alone. He didn’t meet anyone, not even exchanging a single call or text.

In the wide living room, where even the TV remained off, only silence lingered. All contact with the outside world was cut off. In that severed quiet, Han Yuhyun recalled the past. The time he had lived with his older brother.

What remained with him were formless memories. That’s why Han Yuhyun became even more obsessive after Han Yujin left. He couldn’t stand for the traces of his brother, the memories left with him, to be overwritten by others.

Not only on his birthday, but in all things.

He always tied his own necktie. He couldn’t bear anyone other than his brother touching it. Going to the salon to cut and trim his hair had always been routine, so that was tolerable. But to have someone stroke his hair—it wouldn’t have been enough to cut off their wrist.

Holding hands was no different. He was reluctant to even shake hands, causing Seok Gimyeong frequent trouble. He never tried to sleep where others were present. Even during dungeon raids, he might rest, but never closed his eyes. He let no one, not even a single step, into his personal space.

Yet even so, the memories slowly faded and dulled. Each time, Han Yuhyun felt as if a piece of his very existence was being chipped away. He felt that once everything vanished, he too would disappear. That was the kind of premonition he had.

Midnight arrived. Han Yuhyun played a recorded file. A voice recorded years ago, on the first Christmas after the brothers had been separated.

[Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.]

A slightly slow voice, a song, played.

[Happy birthday… to my beloved little brother.]

After a short silence, the voice continued.

[Happy birthday, Yuhyun.]

And then, it went quiet again. The one who should blow out the candles and respond was no longer in that place.

“Thank you, hyung.”

Han Yuhyun said softly. The stopped recording began to play again.

[Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.]

Frost had gathered faintly on the white windowpane. In the corner of the large steel-railed window, a bit of rust had crept in. Han Yuhyun quietly stared beyond it. Even without using a stealth item, he was dressed in black from head to toe, making him hard to spot. Around him, willow leaves invisible to others scattered like snowflakes.

Light spilled through the gap in the sagging curtains. The TV sound was faint in the background. Han Yujin hadn’t left the house all day. His phone had been turned off. He’d only drunk a little water, skipping meals and just sitting dazed, as if trying not to think useless thoughts.

Han Yuhyun tried to catch the slight movements visible through the narrow gap. He tried not to get too close to his brother. But for just one day a year, he couldn’t endure it. Even when he visited, he could do nothing but watch blankly. Even though he couldn’t hand over a single flower like in childhood when there was nothing at all, he still went through the pain of that truth every year.

Soft footsteps could be heard. A cup was taken out, water poured. Even though it was near midnight, he still hadn’t put anything other than water to his lips. The halted footsteps sounded again. Slowly approaching the window.

Han Yuhyun held his breath and waited. The curtain was grasped, then pulled aside. Lifeless eyes turned toward the window.

‘…Hyung.’

Han Yuhyun felt cold. He shouldn’t have. Even in subzero temperatures, such weather had no effect on him. Not as an S-Rank Hunter, not with the energy he harbored.

And yet, he was cold. Cold enough to want to bang on the window and beg to be let inside.

Han Yujin silently stared out the dark window. Without expression, he placed his hand on the glass. A handprint was left in the frost. His hand twisted slowly, wiping away the white condensation.

“It’s cold.”

Han Yujin murmured softly. Han Yuhyun pressed even closer to the window. He brought his forehead to the palm on the other side of the glass. It was cold. Only then could he breathe.

‘Hyung, happy birthday.’

I had a dream. A part of the memories I received from Yuhyun appeared in my dream. I opened my eyes, then closed them again, turning my body to the side. My legs wouldn’t move properly—it felt like I had returned to the days before regression.

The memories my little brother had given me were only a small fraction compared to the long stretch of eight years—no, twenty-five years. But still, all those not-so-few memories were filled with me. Until the very end. Han Yuhyun had always lived thinking only of me, longing only for me.

If he was that lonely, he could have leaned on someone else, even just a little. But he remained stubborn to the end. Smiling without saying a single word about how hard it was, his eyes held only me. Suddenly, I recalled something Young Chaos once said.

梅一生寒 不賣香.

Back then, I didn’t understand, only made a vague guess and looked it up later. Even if a plum blossom lives its whole life in the cold, it does not sell its fragrance. Young Chaos had said it to the current Yuhyun, but for me, I could only think of another little brother.

There weren’t even no other people around. Even just within Haeyeon Guild, there were countless people who adored their Guild Leader. And yet, he ended up alone.

…A deep, long sigh escaped.

‘Is it because of my legs? I don’t even usually dream, but here we are.’

Maybe it’s because my body’s back to how it was before regression. I forced myself to shove away the pointless thoughts. Things are different now. There’s no shortage of people willing to fix my legs. Yuhyun will definitely do whatever it takes to restore them properly.

And that’s not all.

‘My little brother won’t have to spend his birthday alone anymore, either.’

We’ll throw a bigger party on Christmas Day instead of just Christmas Eve. We’ll get a cake, prepare presents. Hyunah said that Yuhyun would probably get billboard ads for his birthday just like Seong Hyunjae did—if not, I’ll put them up myself. I won’t lose. I’ll do it anonymously… but maybe Yuhyun would prefer if it were obvious I was the one behind it.

He still has that recorded file, right? It’s a file he doesn’t need anymore. Instead, maybe I’ll suggest filming his birthday party. All together.

And me too—my own birthday will be like that now. I won’t be alone this time. Even if I wanted to spend it alone, there are way too many people who’d freak out and make sure I didn’t. Of course, Yuhyun and Yerim would. And others, too. Even Seok Gimyeong would want to make a big event out of it, using it as a chance to benefit in multiple ways.

‘And there’s no way Mister Partner would sit still… Are they going to stir up trouble?’

I’m already a little worried. I’m sure he’ll say it’s payback for what I did on his birthday, but for me… on that guy’s birthday… hot pink yarn is fine, but destroying the Breeding Facility is where I draw the line. Technically, I didn’t break it, anyway. Should I send an invitation or not? Honestly, I don’t really want to, but if I don’t, I’m a little scared of how he’ll repay me.

Thinking about Seong Hyunjae throwing a tantrum cheered me up. Maybe I should rent—or buy—a cruise ship. I’ll have to pay compensation anyway, so buying might be better… but it’s probably super expensive. How much do those even cost? Maybe it’d be cheaper to temporarily build something on a deserted island. Or just go abroad.

“Aigo, my arms, legs, shoulders, back—every damn joint aches~”

Groaning, I sat up. I wasn’t joking—my whole body hurt. My face was the only thing still intact; I bet there wasn’t a single bruise-free spot under my clothes. And to make matters worse, Young Chaos had told me not to use potions or healing skills if possible, so I’d probably have to refuse even if someone offered to treat me.

“If you were gonna work me this hard, why’d you bring me here?! You bastards’re like butchers grinding up 2+ grade /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ ribeye to make gochujang paste!”

Do you even know how much I’m worth?! They haul in this VIP body and don’t even put it to good use. Still, at least they gave me a regular bedroom instead of a cell. I glared at the soldier standing dumbly by the door and tried to get up—only to fall right back down. A curse flew out of my mouth.

“Son of a bitch. Hey, your superior—Cho Hwawoon, that bastard—does he carry his head around for decoration? Did he drag me here to raise monster mounts or what? So what the hell’s the point of leaving my leg in this state? Sure, he’s got a pretty face, but I guess he left his brain out of the equation. Or maybe he cared too much and peeled open his skull to slather on wrinkle cream. I’m curious which one. The results are so effective, it’s like there’s not a single wrinkle left in his brain.”

Just then, the door opened, and the man who wanted to look smooth right down to his brain walked in. Given the timing, he must’ve heard everything. I crossed my injured leg over the healthy one as if to show it off.

“What are you gonna do about this? In this condition, I can’t work. Even if I wanted to.”

“In the video…”

Cho Hwawoon walked steadily toward the bed. I craned my neck and looked up at him.

“There were laser pointers and ball-fetching. Should I break the other leg too?”

“…You even stole Peace’s training footage? That’s too far.”

According to that bastard, training that only wrecks your arms was an option too. How do I screw this guy over? I might not know much, but at the very least, I want to personally fold this bastard’s legs forward.

“Then at least give me crutches. It took me over ten minutes just to get to the bathroom yesterday. It’s not even ten steps away.”

What, do you wanna see me slip, crack my head on the sink, and die?

“I went to bed covered in dirt ‘cause I couldn’t even wash properly. And give me some clean clothes too. Look at the knees—they’re all worn out. As for food, something light, please. Can I get Korean dishes?”

“Ordinarily, you wouldn’t be my responsibility.”

“What the hell, then switch with someone else right now. Even an actual dog would be easier to talk to than you.”

I could be best buds with them in ten minutes flat. Instead of replying, he grabbed the back of my neck. My throat got squeezed, and a dry gag slipped out.

“But I have washed military dogs before. Wild dogs are a first, though.”

“You’re the son of a bitch here.”

“You were the one crawling.”

“Humans crawl, too. Morning—four legs, afternoon—two legs, evening—three legs. Don’t you know that famous riddle? It’s morning now, but I guess I’ll be walking on three legs, so—ack!”

I got thrown into the tub. Probably picked up two more bruises, if there was space left on my body. Then the water came on in a rush.

Goddamn bastard. Seriously.

Fortunately, the mock bath that was really water torture didn’t last long. Cho Hwawoon got called away and left, and the other soldiers pulled me out while I was shivering, soaked in cold water. People already said I had a short lifespan—if I stayed here any longer, I really wouldn’t live to see my natural end.

“Hyung, how’d you end up getting stuck with a rabid dog?”

While I was groaning and struggling to take off my wet clothes, Park Hayul showed up. He lowered his voice with a worried look. Not that anyone would understand since we were speaking Korean anyway.

“That crazy–”

“You mean General Cho Hwawoon. Don’t say it out loud—people can hear you.”

“He’s really like that?”

“He’s famous. He was in the military even before awakening, comes from some elite family, and treated anyone with low status or rank like they were bugs. And after awakening as an S-Rank… well, you can imagine.”

So he was already a psychopath to begin with. Not surprising, really.

“He’s actually fine if you just bow your head and do what you’re told. What did you do to end up like this?”

“Hmm. I killed someone in front of him, called him a son of a bitch, said he had nothing in his head… nothing major.”

Park Hayul stared at me with his mouth wide open, face full of horror.

“We even went for a nice walk together. Said he’d bathe me personally, and now look at me. Isn’t he thoughtful?”

“…Hyung, I hate to say this, but you really need to be more careful with your life.”

“You’re seriously not one to talk. You, of all people…”

I deactivated the translation item for a moment.

“Just give me permission to run. I’ll find my way home just fine.”

“No, not yet.”

“What exactly is your goal?”

“Keep your voice down—this place is probably bugged. If it’s recorded, the interpreters might hear it too.”

Right. As I lowered my voice, the soldiers keeping watch gave us a sharp look.

“So what is it, then?”

“I don’t really know either.”

…What the hell is this kid?

“I can’t say what I do know here. First step is to hand you over to China. After that, um…”

A soldier approached us. As he started speaking, I reactivated the translation item.

“Hurry and get changed.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Once I finished changing, I was given a pair of crutches. Park Hayul looked surprised for the first time.

“You hurt your leg?”

“Yeah, got bitten by a damn mutt.”

“I’ve got a potion.”

“Potion’s no good for this.”

I used the crutches to get to my feet. Before regression, I’d still bowed and prayed, but I could walk and run on my own. Still, this was better than yesterday. Back then, too—right after getting injured, I had to rely on crutches for a while. Maybe I’ll be able to walk again once some time passes.

The soldiers separated Park Hayul from me and took me underground. Stairs. Damn it.

“Just carry me.”

“What?”

“I said carry me. At this rate we’ll be here all night just going down the stairs.”

In the end, one of the soldiers carried me on his back. After a long descent, we arrived at a place with a massive pool. From the water, something splashed up and broke the surface.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep