“Then let’s go with this dungeon!”

The rookie said. It wasn’t easy to align the schedules of the three of us—including me—for Yu-hyun and Ye-rim’s training. We each had work, and once you start clearing a dungeon, you have to be away for days. So the rookie arranged that, for this one dungeon, Yu-hyun and Ye-rim could come in here on their own.

“Just keep this key. Unlike Honey, anyone can enter if they have the key, so don’t lose it! And unlike Honey, it’s valid for just one person.”

A flat, rectangular, blue gem–like object was handed to Yu-hyun and Ye-rim. The two looked quite exhausted as they took it—they’d activated their suppressed mana and then fought Young Chaos again.

“Thanks, rookie. Sir, please continue to look after us. Is there anything you need? Just say the word—shall I bring you some snacks?”

He teaches us without even charging a tutoring fee. And he’s not just a SKY-level student but a world-class expert. Our kids are great, of course, but compared to Young Chaos, they’d be like national first-place students—maybe high schoolers at best, possibly middle schoolers.

“You’re not too tired, are you? Shall I massage your shoulders?”

Chaos glanced at me sideways.

“Take care of your own body. Exercise.”

“Of course I will. Naturally.”

“Speed.”

“Pardon?”

Young Chaos grabbed my wrist, and I bent wherever he pulled. His small but firm fingertips brushed across my forehead, lightly tapping.

“First, you have too much affection.”

“I wouldn’t say that…”

“Of course, liking someone is far better than hating them. I’m not talking about right or wrong. Hatred only grows and someone gets hurt—simply put, isn’t that a loss?”

The voice continued, young yet not youthful, saying it had seen countless worlds.

“So I won’t stop you ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) from embracing even the weird ones. But take care of yourself, too.”

“I told you, I really will exercise.”

“Value yourself first. That’ll feel awkward—trying not to worry those around you, wanting to seem fine, thinking that if only you suffer, it’s all right. Getting used to suppressing yourself like that is common.”

“That….”

“But if you get exhausted, fall ill, and something goes wrong, what good is it? Rely more on the people you care about. Just as you don’t want to lose them, they won’t want to lose you. If someone would leave because you said something weak or unpleasant, they weren’t worth caring about in the first place.”

…Showing I was struggling was hard—for me even before dungeons.

“The world isn’t so easy. If you hate hearing people say you’re tired, consider yourself lucky. They can use that as a weakness.”

“Either way, you die.”

“Well, that’s a bit extreme.”

“Rather than suppressing yourself into withering away, grab hold and wrestle it out. At least then you won’t die.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Actions are surprisingly easier. I’m not saying don’t endure—just endure appropriately. Endure halfway, and you’re a good person; endure everything unconditionally, and… what is that?”

[That’s being a sucker! They call it being a sucker!]

The rookie suddenly interrupted.

“Exactly—you’re offering your head to a tiger. Just because you have nowhere to run doesn’t mean you should hand over your head to be eaten.”

“Hey, I definitely won’t endure it that far either.”

“Are you saying it’s only something you need to hide and endure?”

“W-well… it’s like this.”

“If I were single, I wouldn’t endure it at all—but since I have so many dependents… Still, I’ve caused a lot of trouble, and it’s not like I’ve ruined just one or two people.”

I hadn’t held back—I’d hauled them in and disciplined them plenty. I’d taken a lot from them, too. …Thinking back, I really didn’t have much. But I did have a building, got called the breeding farm director—I had plenty.

Narrowing his eyes, Chaos finally grabbed my ear and twisted it. It hurt, really.

“Give yourself some affection, too.”

I even got a slap on the back. Young Chaos waved the others off—“See you next time, Honey!”—and the surroundings shifted.

“Let’s clear it quickly and go home to rest. You must be tired—shall I take care of the monsters?”

When I drew my gun, Yu-hyun and Ye-rim both shook their heads.

“I’m fine, hyung. Stay with Peace.”

“You’re right, sir. Even if I were twice as tired, I’d still be faster than you.”

—Krkh.

Peace growled in agreement, stretching his body. The monsters here are slow, so I could handle them easily—and I’d get mana replenishment as a courtesy, able to shoot from afar.

Yerim said she’d tidy things up and flew off, and Yu-hyun put me on Peace’s back.

“Take care of hyung first, as Sir said. We’re really fine.”

“Got it.”

I nodded and patted Peace’s nape.

‘…Even if they tell me to give affection to myself.’

Honestly, that wasn’t easy. I’m doing pretty well—I’ve gained a lot and changed things. But the past doesn’t change; it remains vividly indelible.

‘At least before I bring my younger brother…’

It’ll be tough. Until then, I don’t think I’ll like myself much.

‘I’m suddenly envious.’

That guy in the dungeon—now in a new world—must be different. He rescued his brother perfectly and reconciled. He’s living well without a hitch; lucky him. I should’ve gotten close and roughed him up a bit.

“Yuhyun, you don’t hate yourself now, do you? No matter which version of you it is.”

My younger brother blinked, looked at me, and smiled gently.

“Yes. Because hyung accepted me.”

“Whatever happens from now on, that’ll stay true, so don’t put yourself through needless anguish.”

I. Someday I guess I can wrap it up too.

After quickly clearing the dungeon and stepping outside, a few messages had piled up on my phone.

[Suddenly jumps during a meal. Approximately 50 cm to 1.15 m in height. Is this abnormal behavior?]

Director Song contacted me again about Song. Suddenly jumping while eating is normal—it’s saying it’s delicious. He was a taciturn yet diligent rookie dad.

“How’s this? Perfect for the place he’ll stay, right?”

A spacious room lay before me. I wondered if I could even call it a room, but it was at least a room.

“I’ve prepared a bouquet, but maybe food would be better? Ugh, I’m so nervous. My heart’s pounding. He won’t hate it, right? Hope he likes it. This room feels too small!”

“Isn’t it spacious enough?”

“The activity range of wild hamsters is several kilometers! Those little guys roam 3 km, and our Geumdong is even bigger!”

Dohamin beat his chest. The space for Geumdong was originally a commercial unit—nearly twenty pyeong of open area covered in earth and sand. A massive breeding ground, made to mimic a gold hamster dungeon with grass, small trees, even an artificial pond in a rock—but he still called it small. One wall was special glass, letting in plenty of light, and heating and cooling were fully equipped.

“That flower’s from the dungeon mountain, too, isn’t it?”

“I heard rodents like it, but the dungeon environment’s different! It’s still not enough—totally not enough. Why Africa of all places! I could hardly bring anything!”

Dohamin wailed that he wanted to bring Geumdong’s dungeon plants, sand, and water. But hauling sand from an African dungeon wasn’t easy. At best, only a few plant species would come with Geumdong.

“Don’t worry. They say you can just sprinkle mana stone powder on dungeon insects or nuts.”

“But for adapting to food, you need the right origin, the right environment, the water, even the dungeon’s average temperature, seasonal changes, day-night differences—I don’t know any of that─!”

I wished someone would shut Dohamin up.

“Monsters are sturdy. It’s a D-rank boss—sturdier than you.”

“They get stressed when the environment suddenly changes! How many animals die during long-distance moves!”

“It’ll be first class on the plane.”

Dohamin grumbled again about pressure differences. I said it’s D-rank, D-rank. It’s sturdier than me. If it fought me gearless, I’d lose. Even the two of us together would lose.

“I knew Hamin hyung loved hamsters, but…”

Noah looked a bit pale. It felt like he was going to meet the crush of a ten-year unrequited love, not a hamster.

“What does a hamster know that you got a new outfit fitted just for it?”

“How important first impressions are.”

“…Why didn’t you wear gold-colored clothes then? It might like that since it’s the same color.”

“Gasp! That would’ve worked! Why are you telling me now!”

Dohamin said oops and looked at Noah warily.

“Sorry, Mr. Noah. Could you not approach Geumdong until he gets used to me?”

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

Noah nodded with a serene smile. As if a hamster would see Mr. Noah as kin—even if they signed, it’s a dragon and a rat. I dragged Dohamin away, whining about wanting to tweak Geumdong’s house more.

“And you—why is your face so shiny?”

“For me, is it that obvious?”

“You got your hair done, dressed up in fine clothes, and you lecture me?”

“Hey, I’m meeting a person. It’s even my first overseas contract.”

“As if it’s the same as a hamster.”

“Even low-rank monsters imported from overseas must go through quarantine. Even if you wait here, it’ll arrive on its own.”

“Of course we have to go to the airport!”

“Well, of course. That’s why I came to pick him up with Mr. Noah.”

“After landing, he’ll go straight to quarantine at the airfield, then to the Hunter Association. He needs to register.”

Upon hearing Mr. Noah would accompany him, Dohamin gave another wary look.

“Want to wear a hat? A turban’s fine.”

That guy, really. But kind Mr. Noah indulged Dohamin’s stubbornness.

“Sorry, Mr. Noah. If it weren’t for cultists, I’d just send him with any suitable High-Rank Hunter.”

I was uneasy—it’s an airport frequented by foreigners, and the Hunter Association is a prime terror target.

“It’s okay. Protecting these people is my job.”

Mr. Noah really is an angel.

After assigning Mr. Noah to Dohamin, I headed to the airport. Yu-hyun was already going to accompany me.

“Yerim, you coming along too?”

Yerim had arrived at the parking lot.

“Yes! I’m curious. A hunter who’s such a fan he manages his appearance.”

“No, it’s not like that.”

I hadn’t meant to say it, but Yu-hyun and Yerim, suspicious of how diligently I’d been managing my look, figured it out. Yu-hyun, standing by the car, spoke with a sulky expression.

“Hyung, you’ve never cared so much when meeting me.”

“We’re family—family! We see each other every day!”

“Even if we’re family, maybe at home it’s fine, but when going out, I do pay attention.”

“R-Really? But you two look properly dressed no matter what.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful too.”

“No, hyung. I like it better when you’re comfortable.”

“…That’s different from what you said a moment ago.”

“So don’t worry about what others think. I get if it’s for a broadcast, but personally, why are you grooming yourself? If anyone spouts nonsense, I’ll handle them.”

He added that as if right away. Huh—does he not want me trying so hard to look good to others? Well, I’d hate it if Yu-hyun or Yerim did that, too. My kids are already great.

“It’s not exactly personal; there’s a contract. Since he’s coming from overseas, I do want to look, um, decent.”

“Hyung, you’re always fine. You’re cool.”

“Thanks.”

But Yu-hyun says he likes me no matter what, so…

At the airport, Moon Hyun-ah and Seong Hyunjae were there. Since a High-Rank Hunter was arriving on a special contract, Director Song was there, too.

“Hyung-nim! You really dressed up nicely!”

“Not that much…… Why did you two come all the way here again?”

“Hearing he’s Han Yujin’s first love, I couldn’t help being curious.”

“Well, no!”

“Why did it suddenly become a first love!?” At Seong Hyunjae’s words, Hyun-ah’s eyes curved into a wide smile.

“This counts as a first love, right? Or second? Hmm?”

“I told you I’m just a fan—a fan. Yuhyun, Yerim, I said it’s not that. Why are you staring like that?”

“And even if it is a first love, do you need to swarm around like this? What business is it of yours, really.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep