Irin, trying not to be noticed by Yoohyun, peeked her head out slightly from inside my collar. Yoohyun was busy breaking Shishio's arms to completely subdue him, and he showed no signs of noticing our conversation.
- Yoohyun is unstable right now. It's his fire.
A small red flame flickered above Irin's nose.
- Normally, it would have been a regular red flame. But since he wanted to be with you, it's been suppressed into black.
This was the result of suppressing his true nature to fit into society.
- If left alone, it would grow or change accordingly.
I couldn't help but recall before the regression. The poison flame, the black blood fire that flared from self-inflicted wounds. Back then, I had simply thought of it as a powerful skill. Although I was unhappy about having to bleed, I had never deeply considered the nature of that flame.
Now, I wondered what kind of feelings led to such a transformation. It was like a thorn had been lodged in my chest. My insides felt scratched and sore.
- Hyung?
"Yeah."
I exhaled deeply. Peace looked back at me with concern. I gently stroked the soft fur around his neck and smiled faintly.
"That shouldn't happen."
Now, Yoohyun.
"It's changed again now."
It was glowing with a blue light. After realizing that I wasn't dead then, but alive.
"…Why did it change?"
My voice trembled slightly. If the reason was that I had briefly disappeared, causing Yoohyun to no longer suppress himself, then.
- It's because you loved me so much.
"What?"
Just then, Yoohyun turned his body towards us. Irin quickly hid completely inside my collar. I needed to hear more from Irin.
"Yoohyun! Could you check the condition of the Japanese hunters? If the guild's strength weakens too much, it will be troublesome. There will be less to plunder. So, make sure to treat them enough to keep them alive. Remember the number and grade of the potions used, as we'll need to charge for them."
If the Amaterasu Guild weakened and there were unnecessary guild disputes in Japan, it would be a loss for me as well. It's better to leave the lion as king and keep paying tribute.
"Got it, hyung."
"Thanks!"
Yoohyun nodded and approached the fallen Japanese hunters. With so many of them, it would take some time. Irin peeked her head out again.
- You and I reconciled and decided to live together, and you kept believing in me. That made me relax. Also...
Irin suddenly glanced at me nervously as she continued.
- Don't misunderstand, hyung. You shouldn't misunderstand!
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
- Yoohyun only accepts people related to you. Even if you were 99, or 1,000, or 100,000 times more important to him, there is still that one part he considers for others. But everything is based on you, so you are 100 percent! It's true!
...Why is she so desperately trying to justify it? Irin's small voice and pleading eyes were full of urgency.
"There's no need to misunderstand. It's a good thing if Yoohyun has other close people."
- …Why?
Irin looked shocked, her mouth wide open.
- Why aren't you upset? I care a little about others too, not just you!
"Usually, people interact with many others."
- If there's someone you truly like, it shouldn't be like that! We should only focus on one person!
Irin whined about how things should be. Hmm, I might end up with prejudices about fire spirits. I hope water spirits don't have such peculiar tendencies. I comforted Irin, explaining that humans are different.
- I know humans are different. So, even if you don't only focus on Yoohyun, I'm holding back.
"Yoohyun is human too. If he can interact with others, he should. Of course, I won't force him to."
If my sibling had been an ordinary human, I would have wished for him to be with many people, to meet good people. But now, it seemed like just my own desire.
As long as he's happy. It doesn't have to be that he must have many friends, be in a relationship, get married, and have children. …It would be nice, but what matters most is what he wants. Living as he pleases, as long as it doesn't harm others, is the best.
"By the way… about the people Yoohyun cares about. Can you tell me who they are?"
I asked, glancing at my sibling. Even the smallest detail would be useful.
- Out of the hundred thousand, it's just that one. About 80 percent is Peace and Park Yerim. Irin doesn't like Park Yerim.
Irin's tail flicked inside my clothes. Is it because of the attributes? I'm worried that water spirits might fight with each other when they are born. Yoohyun and Yerim were awkward when they first met. But now, it's gratifying to know that both Yoohyun and Yerim think of each other.
- The remaining part is a bit of famous Woo and Noah, and some members of the Haeyeon Guild. Also, Moon Hyun and Seong Hyun-jae and Song Tae-won a little. It's all based on you! I'm sure! If it weren't for you, he wouldn't have cared even a bit!
There's no need for that. But Irin looked like she really wanted me to be upset.
"Hmm, I'm a bit hurt that Yoohyun has others he likes besides me."
- That's right! It's not that he likes them, though. You're upset, right?
"Yeah. But don't ever mention it to Yoohyun. I'm fine."
Irin nodded with a satisfied expression and then started talking about Yoohyun's flames again.
- Having someone to rely on, even a little, would have made things lighter for him. That's why it changed a bit, but it's neither black nor blue now. It's in-between. It should be completely blue! Then he might gain special abilities.
Like the blood flame, perhaps. Whether it's black or blue, it seems he needs to settle on one to grow properly. If so, it should be the latter. He shouldn't hurt himself.
"How can he turn completely blue?"
- Irin doesn't know for sure. But since Yoohyun has been enduring so much, there will definitely be days when he doesn't have to endure and can be less harmful to you! In the past, Irin wouldn't have asked you for this.
Yoohyun waited for me in Akathes. I felt both sorry and proud, and then... Wait a minute.
"Less harmful? Not harmful at all?"
- That's impossible unless Yoohyun becomes a completely different being, hyung. Fire can only burn as long as it doesn't go out. You can tolerate that much, right?
"Uh, yeah, I suppose."
- But it shouldn't be too dangerous for you! Like when I told you before. Go into Yoohyun.
By "go into Yoohyun," does she mean using Diorama's skill to enter his mind? I've used it on Seong Hyun-jae before, so I should be able to use it on Yoohyun as well. It's certainly safer in there.
"I'm not sure if I can do it well, but alright. That way, I can check Yoohyun's condition safely."
- It's not exactly safe, though.
Irin tilted her head slightly as she spoke.
- If it were safe, I wouldn't have told you secretly. You won't die, but you might get swallowed.
"So, what happens then?"
- You won't be able to get out. Irin doesn't know the details. You'll probably have to stay with Yoohyun continuously?
My sibling would definitely warn me about the danger. But what if he were to act in his true nature? Anyway, Irin is really steadfast in supporting Yoohyun. Even now, she's giving me a look that says, "Of course, you'll do it," despite the lack of safety. It's reassuring.
"Let's first head back home. It's still dangerous here."
Other Japanese hunters, aside from the Amaterasu Guild, are probably grinding their teeth in frustration. Although they're no match for us, it's best not to be too complacent.
"I've tidied things up."
Yoohyun approached again, the molten metal reduced to about half of its original amount, still swirling around us.
"It's a bit of a waste. Will it just disappear like that?"
"Yeah. It will gradually disappear. The more it's used, the faster it vanishes."
- Irin wants to eat it! Let me eat it!
Irin shouted, and Yoohyun nodded. The red lizard stuck to the molten metal with flames and began to devour it slowly.
"All S-rank hunters are alive."
"Good work. Then let's draft the contract."
I got off Peace's back and approached Shishio with light steps. Despite having broken arms, he forced himself to sit up with a grimace.
"This is quite unfortunate. I thought we had a good relationship. Even now, I want to get along well with Mr. Shishio."
I sincerely want to keep tearing him apart. I took out the contract from my inventory. It was an SS-rank contract I had purchased in the virtual world. While SS-rank contracts are rare in our neighborhood, they are relatively common there. Maybe that's why it didn't cost many points to materialize it.
"Let's see, it saves the lives of the three S-rank hunters, including Mr. Shishio. That alone is worth quite a lot, isn't it?"
"…Why are you the one doing this?"
"Huh?"
"Why are you taking charge! It was that guy who subdued me!"
Shishio shouted, glaring at Yoohyun, who was standing beside me as if guarding me. I wondered what he was saying.
"Yoohyun, do you want to handle it?"
"No. Do it as hyung wishes."
Such deals are better kept personal, as they might not look good if it's revealed. Even if it's claimed that the Amaterasu Guild attacked first, and I saved them, there's a chance it could be perceived negatively. Besides, I have curse resistance, so it's easier to deny if needed.
"Did you hear? Let's wrap this up before others arrive."
"…That monster."
"Why complain about someone else's sibling."
"What else could he be but a monster! No, you're the strange one! How can you so casually exploit someone like him?"
"Exploit? That's a harsh word. My sibling is kind and willingly fulfills requests."
Shishio looked utterly bewildered, as if he wanted to jump up in disbelief.
"Damn it, even though we're both S-rank! That guy seemed to be hunting rather than fighting! We're just…"
"Being treated like prey?"
Shishio's face twisted further at my words. It seemed that his pride, as a so-called lion, was severely hurt.
"It's just that my sibling is exceptional. You're making a fuss about nothing."
"It's different! It's different from the Seongseong Guild leader!"
"Of course, it's different from other people. Stop squawking and let's get to the contract. First, Amaterasu Guild must provide detailed information on all dungeons within their guild's influence. This naturally includes items."
Shishio's eyes widened at my words.
"What…!"
"Second, Amaterasu Guild will pay 10% of their monthly revenue as compensation for damages. The term is 30 years. Doesn't it seem a bit low?"
I'm too kind, aren't I? What's 10%? But considering the need for guild maintenance in Japan, it's necessary. It's problematic being so close to our country. If dungeons burst and monsters cross over, it'd be troublesome.
"Ah, here it specifies that Amaterasu Guild is the guild with Shishio as the leader or a similar position. It's pointless to change the name or dissolve and recreate it. Also, if the vice-guild leader is Shishio or if 30% or more of the major guild members are the same as those in Amaterasu Guild, it applies."
Can't give room for loopholes. Since the person in front of me wouldn't give up the guild leader position, just stating that Shishio is the leader should suffice.
"Third, Amaterasu Guild will provide three items and dungeon rights monthly as compensation for damages. I'll decide what to take, of course. Send me the list accurately. This also has a 30-year term."
"What kind of outrageous demand is that! Are you planning to strip us of all our items and dungeons?"
"I'll leave enough for you to survive. Don't blame me for being unfair. Fourth, Amaterasu Guild must not harm Korean guilds. If a Korean guild starts trouble first, contact the Korean Hunter Association to resolve the issue. This condition is for life."
"I absolutely can't accept─ Ugh!"
Yoohyun lightly kicked the spear that was pierced through Shishio's leg. The wound tore open again, causing the blood that had stopped to flow once more.
"Don't worry, we're not interested in Japan. This clause is to prevent us from being pestered. Finally, Amaterasu Guild will provide active support, whether manpower or materials, if requested by the Beast Breeding Station's head, Han Yujin, or Haeyeon Guild's leader, Han Yoohyun. This is also indefinite."
I detailed the conditions more thoroughly in the contract.
"Let's leave it at this for now. Considering what's been done, it wouldn't be surprising if I stripped you bare and made you crawl around, but I'm rather soft-hearted. You can express your gratitude. You've already bowed your head, haven't you? What's it called again, when you bow your head and lay flat on the ground?"
"No, please!"
Yoohyun lifted his leg and slammed Shishio's head down with his heel. With Shishio's head now pressed to the floor, he growled angrily, not giving up until the end.
"Should I kill him? He might hold a grudge against me."
Yoohyun said while stepping on Shishio's head.
"It's a pity. I'll add detailed safety conditions to the contract. Since this is SS-rank, no one else can annul it right now."
Except for me. I signed first and then handed the pen to Shishio. His dirty face took the pen, grinding his teeth.
"Rather…"
"Die?"
"No, not die! A gentleman's revenge takes ten years to come!"
Then he quickly signed. Well done, well done. I like that aspect. I put one of the two sheets of the contract neatly into my inventory and smiled broadly.
"With this, everything is forgiven. Let's try to get along well from now on. Forget the past, and all hatred and resentment. I love you, fool, I mean, Mr. Shishio."
Since it's bound by the contract, applying the keyword should be fine. Of course, I didn't succeed all at once. Instead, Shishio had a disgusted expression on his face. It seems he's a bit put off by the light-hearted remarks.