On the wide spread wings, clouds coiled around, stretching long. The unidentified SSS-class monster flew ahead as if protecting the ship. A fluid-like piece perched atop its head. At first, we were cautious, but soon became confident it was on our side. It felt like it was just a new recruit, probably because I often brought in new familiars.
Even if Sung Hyunjae sent that monster, I still had some worries. Despite the grade difference, it wouldn't be easy to take down the piece in one blow.
"Your skill points seem a bit lacking for bragging rights."
Moon Hyuna stared into the empty space, as if peering through a shop window that only reflected in her eyes. Only our group, including Sigma, gathered in the lounge with its expansive front windows.
We didn't have much time left until the Medsang city. Contact had been made in preparation for refuge. Once Noah made the moving portal, refuge would be swift, and then we'd install the final fifth disc.
The air in the lounge felt heavy. Everyone must have had complicated thoughts. There was probably anxiety about what might happen next, but once we left, it would be farewell to this world forever.
"Yerim, have you decided what to buy?"
"I'm still considering since points are limited. I think skills are better than equipment."
Yerim was also more interested in skills. Same with Yerim and Noah. Yerim had plenty of points, so she could buy a few pieces of equipment in addition to the skills she wanted, but she wasn't using them for elemental eggs.
What about me? I've accumulated quite a few points. I thought about buying equipment for the kids with the leftover points, but Hyuna told me to take care of my own first.
'...Buying my own skills wouldn't be bad.'
Once I adapted to the mana engraving, my ability to manipulate mana would improve. However, finding a skill at a reasonable price suitable for my aptitude was a bit uncertain. The points for attack or defense were out of reach unless they were inferior. It felt like saying, "Your aptitude lies a million light-years away from combat."
'On the support side, there are quite a few cheap options.'
Especially buffs could be bought for lower points compared to their grades, but the problem was that similar skills couldn't overlap. Usually, that's how it is. My kid and the veteran are the exceptions. If overlapping wasn't possible, Yerim and Noah's skills would be better.
Should I buy skills that help raise monsters instead? This side was also cheap. Skills to calm down excited opponents, sleep skills to aid recovery and growth, hmm, this seems decent. Can I put nocturnal monster babies to sleep during the day? Still, are there any side effects?
There were skills to prevent temper tantrums. Giving and receiving well... Wait a minute, isn't this dangerous if abused? Although it came with conditions such as a certain level of trust, it could still be risky. There's even one to make bathing easier. There really are all sorts of things. Almost none of them had grade limits, probably because they were based on limited conditions and trust.
Should I buy some support skills? They seem to have discounts for lower grades.
"Before we leave."
Moon Hyuna leaned deeply against the backrest, her voice mixed with laughter.
"Don't you think it's about time you said something, Hyung?"
"...Me?"
"Same goes for Yerim. Yerim, don't you want to hear it too?"
What's with the sudden talk? Yerim, who was fiddling with the elemental eggs, widened her eyes and then smirked mischievously.
"That's right! Ahjussi, you've never called me 'noona' even once! I'm one year older than you!"
We let it slide before, so why bring it up now? Moon Hyuna started instigating Yoo-hyun and Noah.
"Don't you want to hear it too, Director? Noah Hunter is a whopping ten years older. Before we leave, give it a try."
"Hyuna-ssi! No, technically it's someone else. The assigned role is older than the actual age, so calling someone younger 'hyung' is just for the role, right?"
"Of course, you should call him 'hyung'. Isn't that right?"
"Hyuna unnie is right! Come on, Mister."
Yerim arrogantly crossed her arms. Well, I can't refuse, but setting it up like this feels a bit unfair. I glanced at my brother standing next to me.
"...Do you want to hear it too?"
"No. You're still older. I'm not the alpha actually."
Yoohyun's refusal made Yerim frown in disappointment.
"What about Noah-ssi?"
"I..."
Noah glanced at me discreetly and chuckled softly.
"I do want to hear it."
"See! Han Yoohyun, if you don't like it, just leave."
"Why me?"
"You said you don't like it."
"I didn't say I didn't like it. Don't force that on Hyung, both of you."
"Force? Oh, Han Yoohyun is being stiff again. In fact, isn't he more of an ice cube than a hot potato?"
Yerim stood up to check. Yoohyun also stepped forward. Noah said if they were going to fight, they should do it outside.
"Hyuna-ssi, too."
Moon Hyuna lightly grabbed my arm as if avoiding it and whispered, lowering her voice.
"Hyung, what are you going to do about Moon?"
At Moon Hyuna's words, I glanced at Sigma, who was watching Yoohyun and Yerim's playful banter. He noticed my gaze and turned his head in our direction.
"I also can't guarantee anything."
If it really becomes true, it's a simple matter. Just take it with us. But if it's impossible, I still didn't know what to do.
"It would be best if we could go together."
As an SS-class hunter, he would be welcomed anywhere. There wouldn't be a problem with his uncertain status. Once we confirmed his grade, we would welcome him with open arms. He looked similar to Sung Hyunjae, so just saying he's a distant relative should do it.
Then should he become Sung... Sung Wol? It doesn't quite seem right even when I think about it. Or maybe So Wol.
"If we do go out together, you'll have to change your name."
"Don't even think about it, Hyung."
"...Why is everyone..."
"No."
Why not. Is it because chirpie? It's cute though. Or maybe Hayang... there's also Dongle, Bibi, Cotton Ball...
Bang! Steam rose as cold and heat collided. The sound was loud, but in terms of violent storms, it was just a light snowball fight. Still, it shouldn't happen inside the house. The wallpaper's crying.
Amidst the spreading steam, I looked at Sigma again. The feeling was quite different from when we first met. Back then, he was oddly fuzzy, but now, even obscured by steam, he seemed much clearer.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Thinking about taking responsibility for you. Even now, if we go to our world you have nothing, no home, no status. First, take him to our house--"
"Hyung! Why again!"
"Ahjussi! You shouldn't treat people like picking up stray dogs!"
"But I'm still a kid, too, Yoojin!"
"...No, there are plenty of empty rooms in the building, so you can stay there."
"Oh, come on, want to come to noona, Moon?"
Sigma chuckled at the mention of Noona having lots of money.
"There's also a high demand for advanced awakeners there. Anyway, even if you're C-class, they'll take care of it."
"Yeah, I'll take care of it and introduce you to a good guild! There's one called Haeyeon, it's really a great place."
"Oh, Hyung. We should be fair about this!"
Where is fairness in this? The first one to bait gets the prey!
* * *
"Is the evacuation preparation all done?"
The ship had arrived at the Medsang, As we descended to the airstrip, Noah asked the Medsang Defense Agency personnel who came to greet us. One of them stepped forward as a representative and nodded.
"Yes, Mu-ssi citizens are waiting in the three squares, including the Central Square. We just need the spatial teleportation portal to the Medsang to be opened."
"Got it. Well then, everyone, you should go to your destinations first."
Noah left with the Defense Agency guards, and we headed to the last disk installation area. It was at one end of a bridge spanning a large river. That was the installation site for the fifth disk.
"These cannons installed here are weapons that can strike up to SS-class monsters."
A Medsang guard proudly stated.
"They're enhanced with auxiliary skills. However, since there are no auxiliary guards stationed here, they're disposable."
It was said that as long as enough mana was put in, they would exert the same effect regardless of who used them. This world was really great in that aspect. Just as I was about to bring out my White Lynx gun, but I remembered I couldn't take it with me. I felt regretful about not being able to collect all the series.
The Medsang guards withdrew, leaving only the weapons behind. Yerim went down to the river, saying there might be spirits here too. Yoohyun scanned the surroundings from above with his piece. Moon Hyuna also checked her bike, wearing a disappointed expression.
"Just in case, take this."
I handed Sigma a mini cookie.
"If you're being targeted intensively, it's better to shrink for protection."
After receiving the cookie, he turned to leave without a word. I grabbed him again before he could walk away.
"I haven't properly asked you. Sigma, are you okay leaving here?"
He had lived here for a long time. It wasn't just moving away, it was being abruptly rejected and leaving for a completely different world.
The golden eyes looked down at me.
"You're making such formalities now."
"Well, yeah."
"You, a C-class, are acting as if you know me well."
...Well, partly it was because of someone. The appearance and even the behavior patterns were quite similar. Of course, Sigma was rougher and less refined, and there was a hint of youthfulness. Still, there were many similarities.
"Oh, um. Yeah, I guess so. If you didn't like it, you wouldn't be here."
Compared to Sung Hyunjae, he felt much younger, and I had momentarily forgotten that. This guy wasn't exactly docile either. He wouldn't tolerate things for others. As I thought about it, a laugh escaped me unintentionally.
"It wasn't so bad traveling together, was it? And you seemed to enjoy being treated like a kid by Hyuna. You didn't really rebel, did you?"
"...Try being caught by Lamda."
"It's not Lamda, it's Moon Hyuna."
Moon Hyuna approached suddenly and leaned her arm on Sigma's shoulder.
"You didn't run away before getting caught, our moon"
"Why should I run away?"
"If I Left here, it's gonna be Moon Hyuna now. And your appearance and even your form will change a bit. It's really a waste, and this body!"
Weapons too! Bikes too! Booze too! Moon Hyuna pouted playfully. It seemed genuine, but also quite dramatic.
"If you leave, the contract ends too."
Hyunjae, who had suddenly stepped back behind me, spoke to Sigma.
"You're not even a C-class"
Yeah, my stats are F-grade. ...I felt a bit regretful. It's a waste, this body! Of course, the favor would be even greater, but still, it was regrettable. I had three lives left, but I couldn't take it with me.
"So, I'll give this back to you. Take it with you."
Giving it back? I wondered what he meant until Yoohyun took out the doppelganger doll. Wait, was that still here?
"What's that?"
Yerim exclaimed in surprise, and even Moon Hyuna widened her eyes.
"What... Oh, is that a doppelganger doll? I've heard of it before."
"Wow, it's really identical! A doll, you say? Let me see it, Han Yoohyun. I wanna see it too!"
Yerim waved both hands eagerly, and Moon Hyuna showed interest too. No, stop it. It's just a simple dummy doll, but this feels annoying...
"It's nothing special, Yerim. It's just an item that occasionally comes out."
"It's exactly like Ahjussi's hand! It's a bit cooler, and it even has fingerprints?"
"It looks exactly the same, even though there's no heartbeat and the energy is different. It's so identical on the outside. How far does it go?"
"Hyuna-ssi! Don't strip its clothes!"
What are you doing, seriously! If you're curious, make one yourself to check it out... I was about to snatch it away, but I suddenly felt weak.
"Yoojin?"
Noah's voice came. He appeared through teleportation and alternately looked at the doll held by Yerim and Moon Hyuna and at me.
"Oh, they said someone with filial piety syndrome targeted yoojin, so they made a fake one. But it seems quite obvious that it's fake. It looks the same, but..."
"To Who?"
Moon Hyuna lightly shook the doll. I felt dizzy, so stop it. Yerim raised her hand, saying she wanted it, but the doll returned to its original owner, Sigma. Well, it's technically mine though.
Moon Hyuna shook the doll lightly as I felt dizzy, so I asked her to stop. Yerim raised her hand, saying she wanted it, but the doll returned to its original owner, Sigma. Well, it's technically mine though.
"Alright, let's get ready. It's time to go home."
Even though it might not have been long outside, it felt like it. Myeongwoo must be worried. Is Chirpie and velare getting along well? And Director Song Taewon, maybe he's feeling a bit relieved without us. But there's still Riette. I hope she wont chaos there.
"Sun Hyunjae-ssi if you're watching, don't be late."
I waved my hand towards the sky and summoned the disc. Piece stood by my side, guarding. Even the SSS-grade monster stepped forward. Noah finished his preparations, and I activated my teacher's skill.
If we can contact the newbies and leave safely, there's nothing more to ask for. But it won't be that easy.
I swallowed my breath and pressed the button on the disc. Immediately, a message window popped up.
[Honey, we're having trouble connecting!]
Huh? Still? And then.
[You've installed the second disc! Can't you see the messages yet?]
One after another, different messages appeared. The second disc? Wait a minute. When were these messages sent?
[It's the chatterbox!]
[Among the filial piety addicts, there's someone who can tamper with the system!]
[Jellyfish and the chatterbox!]
[Honey, the King of Harmlessness has made contact there!]
[Take a little more time installing the disc─]
[The King of Harmlessness, and information about the transcendents there!]
[I'm not ready yet!]
[The fifth disc is!]
[A bit later!]
The disc had already been installed. After a moment, a new message appeared.
[Our little moon.]
The sky, as if waking up, darkened. Even though it was supposed to be daytime, moonlight seeped through the descending darkness.
Just like when I last met Sun Hyunjae.