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lalune9x · 2 months ago

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SCTIR Translation - Chapter 469: Selfish

One of my favorite chapters in the entire novel.

"What does that Sung Hyunje dislike so much about me?" I asked. "…Excuse me?" "Every time I start getting attached, it’s like he’s been waiting and he suddenly—" I quickly covered Han Gyeol’s ears. "—pulls some crap like this!"

Chapter translation under the cut.

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Anyway, this made it clear. I turned away from Sung Hyunje and pushed the glass door open. I needed to tell Director Song about Chloe’s rank and stop her. There was no reason to just let her go with a simple goodbye. If we held onto Chloe, her side would probably contact us. Regardless of their good intentions or whatever, at the very least, they needed to release the skill Park Hayul had cast on me. You can’t use someone like that and walk away pretending nothing happened.

I walked along the quiet hallway. Sung Hyunje didn’t follow. My stomach churned, and I stopped walking.

“…Gyeol-ah, do you want to go ahead first?”

— 'No.'

I couldn’t smoke in front of the kid. Instead, I leaned against the wall and stood still for a moment.

‘I’m much better now than I was before.’

But what if it had been the me from before the regression? If I were still just the F-rank Han Yoojin, Chloe wouldn’t have said she disliked me. On the contrary, instead of paying attention to the rumors swirling around me, she might have taken notice of the F-rank hunter struggling to survive.

‘…In the end, all I accomplished was hearing things I was better off not knowing.’

She said she’d planned to tell me everything. Actually no, she said she’d tell me before leaving the country. If I’d heard it then, it would have been harder for me to react. So why did she confess now? Ah, did she realize during my conversation with Sung Hyunje that I was onto her? Maybe because I’d been questioning if he’d joined forces with the other side.

‘Then I should act quickly now.’

She said she would resist. Didn’t that mean she planned to run away? What was Chloe’s skill again? Since her broadcasts were focused on low- to mid-level dungeons, her abilities hadn’t been properly revealed. The content mainly focused on survival or raiding strategy, minimizing reliance on her higher-ranked hunter skills as much as possible.

I started walking again. The lounge was still a ways off, but someone was standing in the hallway.

"…Director Song."

It was Song Taewon. Did he come because he was worried? After all, I was an F-rank and Chloe was a high-rank Hunter. Suddenly, I remembered what Sung Hyunje said about trusting me or whatever. Maybe it wasn’t me he trusted, but Director Song.

"Han Yoojin-ssi."

“I got rejected, just as expected.”

Director Song’s expression faltered at my words. Or no, he seemed startled by the look on my face.

“…I apologize. I’m not very good at comforting people in these matters,” he said.

"No, I’m fine."

He didn’t seem to believe me.

"More importantly, did Chloe-ssi return to the lounge?" I asked.

"She didn’t come this way."

"What?"

"She took a different hallway. Since she was alone, I didn’t stop her. Is there a problem?" Director Song asked.

I froze for a moment, then ran a hand down my face. Of course. Why would she stick around when she wasn’t even a member of the Burn Cave Guild? She would have tried to hide as soon as she realized she was exposed. Why had I just stood there watching her walk away? Damn it, I was really…

"I’ll go call the others,” Director Song said.

I grabbed his sleeve as he hurriedly turned around, probably misunderstanding my expression.

"No, that’s not it. It’s not that. I just… feel like I’ve been acting foolishly. And now isn’t the time for me to be doing that.”

“…I think it’s fine for you to focus on dating.”

"…Pardon?"

"I think it’s alright to allow yourself that much freedom,” Director Song said seriously.

“I don’t think you’re the right person to say that, Director Song.”

"I am a public official."

"Just because you’ve got a rock-steady government job doesn’t mean your body’s made of steel too, you know?"

"I am also an S-rank,” he pointed out.

“In any case, I never dreamed I’d hear you give advice about having the freedom to date, Director Song.”

For some reason, I couldn’t help but laugh. I slid down the wall and sat on the floor. There was little chance of catching Chloe now, even if I chased her. It would be better to wait until she came to receive Sung Hyunje’s reply. Assuming Sung Hyunje would cooperate, of course.

“Didn’t you used to dislike me, Director Song?” I asked.

"I was only worried."

“Then please sit down. My neck is going to cramp up.”

I patted the carpeted floor beside me. After a moment’s hesitation, Song Taewon sat down next to me. Freedom, huh? Sure, freedom is good. Though now wasn’t really the time to indulge in it.

"I can’t figure out what Sung Hyunje is thinking,” I said.

"I’ve watched him for nearly four years, and I still don’t know,’ Director Song replied.

"If I were an S-rank, I’d have grabbed him by the collar and shaken him a hundred times by now.”

"If I may offer advice, think of him as a natural disaster. Like being unlucky enough to be struck by lightning."

“…In that case, you’re like a lightning rod, Director Song.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t act as a proper lightning rod for you, Han Yoojin-ssi," he replied politely but seriously. Why was he apologizing?

“When you think about it, I was the one who ran into the storm holding an umbrella high,” I admitted.

"I wish you wouldn’t do that. Also, please try not to worry so much."

"How can I not worry?"

Director Song fell silent. The crease between his brows deepened. “Even so, I don’t think you need to worry about taking cues from the Sesung Guild Leader’s feelings. Ignore him like you did at the banquet,” he suggested.

"...What?"

Ignore him? But at that time, Sung Hyunje was the one who first…

“I’m not sure if I can do that, though…” I said.

"He’s not someone you can avoid, no matter how hard you try," Director Song said. "I’m forced to deal with him because of my position, but Han Yoojin-ssi can just let him be."

"What if he loses interest and leaves for good?"

"Things would be very peaceful."

He wasn’t wrong, but… um.

"The Sesung Guild Leader is very capable, and we do need him,” I pointed out.

“You’re just as capable, Han Yoojin-ssi.”

"Huh? No, I— Well, I suppose if we include Haeyeon Guild, we might manage in terms of combat power. And we do have international connections…"

“You have the Amaterasu Guild and the Murim Alliance, not to mention the Rearing Facility and Hunter Yoo Myungwoo. Expanding your influence won’t be difficult. Of course, relying on the already established Sesung Guild might be more convenient, but I wouldn’t say you’re lacking compared to them.”

He was being generous in his assessment… Or maybe I’ve been underestimating those around me too much. That wasn’t good.

"Listen, Director Song,” I began.

"Yes?"

"Chloe-ssi is connected to the people who kidnapped me—wait, no!” I quickly grabbed Director Song as he stood up. “She’s already gone! It’s too late."

He looked down at me with a stiff expression and said, "Please don’t tell me you met her knowing that."

"No, I was just a little suspicious. I’m sorry. But I told Sung Hyunje and Hyuna-ssi about it. Also, she said kidnapping me wasn’t done with bad intentions. You know the Dokkaebi King, right? They were trying to prevent him from falling completely into the military’s hands because it would have been dangerous.”

"Regardless of the reason, a crime is still a crime,” Director Song said firmly.

"But what if sacrificing one or two people could save many others?"

"I would step forward first."

“…Are you saying it’s okay for you to sacrifice yourself, Director Song? Because it’s your own life?”

"You might find my words and actions contradictory, but I don’t think sacrificing oneself is the right thing to do.”

That was unexpected. Then did Director Song not particularly like himself? Maybe because he felt so alien from others, he believed it was fine to sacrifice himself for them.

"I like you, Director Song."

"...."

“I think you’re a genuinely good person,” I affirmed.

"...Nevertheless, I cannot stop someone if they’ve made their decision after due consideration. Persuasion might be possible. However, one should never sacrifice others in place of oneself, unwillingly or not.”

"Well, you could always just stand by and let it slide, couldn’t you?"

"I, at the very least, cannot. And due to my position, I cannot overlook a high-ranking Hunter involved in serious crime. So, I’m sorry, but I will have to issue a warrant for Hunter Chloe.”

"Please wait,” I said. “She said she would return to get the Sesung Guild Leader’s reply. If he cooperates with us, it would be better than blindly chasing her down. If you issue a warrant, she’ll only go deeper into hiding."

Director Song nodded in agreement, falling silent for a moment again. Gyeol rubbed his head against my neck as if to comfort me.

My muddled thoughts began to clear. However, as usual, I still couldn’t understand Sung Hyunje. Act selfishly? Was he really going to betray me? And what did he mean by saying he thought I would catch him?[1] Was he saying he wouldn’t leave if I clung on to him? That just made me more annoyed.

"…I want to grab Sung Hyunje by the collar,” I said.

“If it’s you, Han Yoojin-ssi, he would let you do it.”

"Because I’m F-rank and not a threat."

"Rank is irrelevant. If he didn't want it, he wouldn’t allow even an unawakened person to lay a finger on him."

"That’s... well…"

"The same goes for Hunter Han Yoohyun, Hunter Park Yerim, Hunter Noah, and Hunter Moon Hyuna." Director Song’s voice was calm, as though he was simply stating facts. And well… he wasn’t wrong. Yeah, I already knew that.

I let out a sigh.

"…By the way." Director Song hesitated before continuing. "Is it possible that Hunter Chloe has feelings for the Sesung Guild Leader—"

"No."

“My apologies. It does happen sometimes, so I had to ask.”

Did he think Chloe-ssi rejected me and ran straight to Sung Hyunje? I did suddenly mention wanting to grab his collar.

"Sung Hyunje told me to act selfishly. What do you think he meant by that?"

“I think that is one thing he’s right about.”

"Wow… But I kind of want to tell you to act selfishly too, Director Song."

I mean, I probably wasn’t as bad as Director Song. I took care of what I needed to and voiced my complaints when necessary. If I were to act even more selfishly than this, what would that mean? Was he telling me to take over Sesung or something? Was it a signal that he was going off to join Park Hayul’s group or Chatterbox’s faction, and that I should take over what’s left behind?

As if Sesung without him was more valuable than him without Sesung. If he was going to give me something, he should give me both.

"What does that Sung Hyunje dislike so much about me?" I asked.

"…Excuse me?"

"Every time I start getting attached, it’s like he’s been waiting and he suddenly—"

I quickly covered Han Gyeol’s ears.

"—pulls some crap like this! If he’s going to treat me well, then he should just treat me well. If not, then stick to treating me poorly! He’s so inconsistent. It’s like a bumper crop of crap, all year round. How long has it been since Chuseok? Will he keep this shit up in the dead of winter too? He might as well plant rice and barley at this point. I mean, he’s got a greenhouse at home, it’ll be green all year round. If he’s going to be like this, why cultivate flowers when he could be farming rice?"

"…I see."

"For his birthday next year, I’m getting him a tractor. If he shows up in another car, I’ll plow right through it. If I get hospitalized with stress, the culprit is Sung Hyunje. Please arrest him."

"That would be difficult. And you shouldn’t destroy vehicles for no reason. Besides, I think the Sesung Guild Leader is exceedingly fond of you, Han Yoojin-ssi. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t show any interest in you at all."

…I did know that, but still. Even so, honestly. I handed Gyeol over to Director Song and stood up suddenly.

— ‘Dad!’

"I’m just going to grab him by the collar."

I was going to yell at him to explain himself clearly. And… whatever. I’d figure it out once I saw him face-to-face.

The thin blue panel glowed softly. The writing etched on it was not from this world, but its owner understood its meaning. The panel hovering above his palm disappeared in an instant. Immediately afterward, a cool breeze brushed the back of Sung Hyunje’s neck, and a thin red line appeared, a few droplets of blood beading along it.

"I guess you do feel guilty, huh? You didn’t even try to dodge."

Moon Hyuna, standing on the terrace railing, withdrew her spear. She then brushed off the last of the spider web-like threads clinging to her body.

“I thought it was odd that she let me go so easily,” she said. “You had something strange set up. It’s my first time seeing that item.”

"It was a birthday gift.”

"Yeah? Ah, from Hunter Yoo Myungwoo? It works well. Even a mid-rank Hunter would take half a day to escape it,” she said. “So, Hyung-nim?"

The terrace garden was already empty. Moon Hyuna sat on the railing and scowled at the back of Sung Hyunje’s head.

"Judging by how quiet it is, it seems nothing serious happened. But what are you plotting, huh?"

“Let’s just say I wanted you and Hunter Miller to make up. You might be seeing each other more often in the future.”

"Seeing each other more often? Even Guild leaders barely meet once a month."

Meeting once a month was actually quite frequent. Guild leaders, especially S-rank hunters, rarely had personal interactions. Once they entered an S-rank dungeon, they could stay inside for several weeks, and if a conflict arose outside the dungeon, it was impossible for them to manage it. Moon Hyuna was an exception, as she tended to have a wider social network, but most S-rank hunters kept to their own guilds.

Recently, though, they’d been seeing each other often because of Han Yoojin.

"If she takes over as the acting guild leader of Sesung, you would see her more often.”

“…What?” Moon Hyuna’s eyebrows shot up. "You’re going overseas? Like, for good?"

"Soyoung is still young, so I’ll entrust things to Hunter Miller for a while."

"Director Han will be disappointed. Don’t tell me you dragged me aside just to tell him that? You could have just told me, and I would’ve stayed out of the way."

At Moon Hyuna’s suspicious gaze, the corners of Sung Hyunje’s mouth turned up slightly.

"I introduced Vantes to Han Yoojin-gun,” he said.

“…What are you scheming?"

“Team Manager Seok is competent, but he is someone who would gladly sacrifice Han Yoojin for the sake of the Haeyeon Guild.”

“I don’t know what you’re intending, but…" Moon Hyuna narrowed her eyes as she continued. "When you offered to help me back then, though there were other reasons, I mainly turned you down because of the way you operate. Sung Hyunje, you don’t simply help people—you nudge them around, driving them into a corner.”

He didn’t stop at giving scholarships or covering living expenses. He would carefully shape their surroundings, like laying out a long path for them to follow, from the school they would attend, to their major, to the job they’d get after graduation. All without directly leading or forcing them into it. Rather, he subtly manipulated the surrounding environment so that the person in question would think they were naturally choosing their own way.

"The young master might not have noticed, but Seok Shimyung caught on and absolutely hated it. Do you think he dislikes you for no reason? It’s honestly a relief that your interest doesn’t last long. You’re not some god playing with people’s fates. It’s gross."

"I had only pure goodwill. And I’m restraining myself a lot these days."

"You’re obviously up to something suspicious. Hey, if you keep shaking the candy jar, all the pieces inside are going to break."

"I'm aware,” Sung Hyunje said. “But if you see it rolling towards a cliff, shouldn’t you push it in a different direction, even if you break a few pieces?”

At his words, Moon Hyuna scratched the back of her head. "You’re not wrong. So, are you trying to help Hyung-nim stand on his own or something? He relies on you a lot, Sesung Guild Leader, but I doubt things would drastically change if you were gone."

At most, he would feel a bit sad.

"Don’t go bothering random people out of boredom, just because Han Yoojin and Director Song aren’t around,” she said. “Though it does seem like Director Song will be going on more frequent business trips."

"It might get lonely. That’s why I’ve been waiting."

"What, for Hyung-nim to let go of you and send you off?"[2]

Instead of answering, Sung Hyunje smiled silently. There were still a few days left. Knowing Han Yoojin’s personality, he would agonize over everything alone instead of confiding in others. He might try to hold on to him or he might just give up. He might even try to clumsily persuade him, fail, and end up raising a weapon against him.

Either way, with a word like “partner” carrying so much weight, he was bound to feel a sense of betrayal.

"I’m not used to being hated,” Sung Hyunje said.

"What the hell are you talking about? I could bring you a truckload of people who hate you."

"Those people don’t matter. What do I care what the pebbles in the flowerbed think?"

"…God, you’re insufferable. I miss Dal. At least he was cute, unlike a conniving snake like you. And if you don’t want to be hated, just behave yourself."

"I suppose that’s an option.”

Perhaps his interest in Han Yoojin wouldn’t even last five years. Maybe it would fade in a year or two. If that happened, it wouldn’t matter anymore. But staying quietly in place hoping for an uncertain future didn’t suit Sung Hyunje’s nature.

"But I still think I'd enjoy him getting angry at me,” he said.

"Director Song, at least, is an S-rank. Hyung-nim, on the other hand…"

Moon Hyuna’s voice suddenly trailed off. Moments later, the glass door swung open. Han Yoojin entered the terrace garden with large strides.

"…Hyuna-ssi?" he said.

"Got rejected safely, Hyung-nim?"

"…Yes." Han Yoojin nodded and approached Sung Hyunje.

Behind him, Song Taewon entered, holding the fairy dragon, and stood by the glass door.

"Sung Hyunje-ssi,” Han Yoojin said.

Sung Hyunje looked down at him. He hadn’t expected to hear from him for at least a day. Han Yoojin’s narrowed eyes were full of frustration—resentment, anger, and annoyance.

"I didn’t expect you to come back right away," Sung Hyunje said.

"Shut up. Now that I think about it, you said you would be my decoration today, didn’t you? Accessories don’t have mouths."

"That’s true." Sung Hyunje tilted his head slightly, smiling. "Yes, master." His long index finger rose to lightly touch his lips before falling back down.

Han Yoojin took a deep breath, his shoulders slightly rising and falling.

"I was just going to curse you out, but then…"

He exhaled deeply again.

"You told me to act selfishly? Doesn’t that just mean I should do whatever I want? Fine, Sung Hyunje-ssi, since you told me to do so, I will. I don’t care what you do."

Han Yoojin met his gaze directly as he spoke.

"I just—damn it. I hope Sung Hyunje will be the last. Just live in this world, doing whatever selfish, reckless things you want. I want that for you, and I’ll make it happen. Whatever your plans are, I don’t care. That’s how I want it to be.”

He grit his teeth, declaring that he wouldn’t bother with him anymore.

"And you too, Director Song!"

Song Taewon, standing a bit further back, flinched reflexively.

"Just live a long life, okay? I want to see you live well, Director Song. That’s all I want. And Hyuna-ssi, I’m sure you’ll live well on your own, but I still hope you’ll be happy."

"Oh, thanks,” Moon Hyuna replied.

Han Yoojin smiled at her words. Then, his gaze turned sharp again as he glared at Sung Hyunje.

"I’m going to do whatever I want. You’re the one who started this. So if you’re going to cooperate, then cooperate. If not, get lost. Of course, if you disappear on your own, I’ll make sure to find you, grab you by the collar, and drag you back.”

No matter what it took.

"I’ll give you a day to run, too." After saying that, Han Yoojin’s neck reddened slightly, perhaps out of embarrassment. "Damn it. Anyway, that’s that. Hyuna-ssi, is there more to drink?"

"Of course. You can take whatever’s left in the lounge’s open kitchen,” she replied.

"Thank you,” Han Yoojin said. Avoiding Sung Hyunje’s gaze, he pulled out his phone. "Hey, Yoohyun. There’s more wine in the open kitchen. It’s from Hyuna-ssi. Bring it all. I need to get drunk tonight. What? Of course, I got rejected! I’m fine, but what about you?"

While talking to his younger brother, Han Yoojin glanced over at Song Taewon. "Director Song, can S-rank hunters drink and drive?"

"…There are no specific regulations yet, but no, it’s not allowed."

"Then it’ll have to be Yerim. She does have a license."

"I’d prefer it if you stayed at the hotel tonight,” Director Song replied.

"Oh right, we’re at a hotel. Yoohyun, let’s head up to our room. Grab the wine and take the elevator. Yeah, come comfort your hyung."

Han Yoojin left, and Song Taewon followed after him.

Moon Hyuna shrugged and looked at Sung Hyunje. "So, that’s how it is. Looks like things aren’t going the way you planned, huh?"

Sung Hyunje’s hand rose to cover his face.

"…It’s driving me crazy."

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Footnotes:

[1] Sung Hyunje said “잡아 줄 줄 알았는데” which means literally “I thought you’d catch (me),” but also has the meaning of holding/supporting someone or stopping them from leaving. Not really sure how best to translate it because they do also kind of use it in the sense of “catching”. I previously translated Yoojin’s inner monologue about the Crescent Moon possession as Yoojin thinking “역시 확실하게 잡기 위해서는 (In order for me to ensnare him properly)” but I corrected “ensnare” to “catch” to make the callback to Hyunje’s line clearer.

[2] Hyuna says “안 잡아 주고 (Not hold on/catch you, i.e., let go of you)”, same word as the “catch” above.

#oh yeah i forgot to mention that Dal is Sigma (i think Dal sounds cuter than translating it as Moon)#sctir #tsctir #the s classes that i raised #s classes that i raised #my s class hunters #내가 키운 s급들 #novel translation #jinjae

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lalune9x · 2 months ago

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SCTIR Translation - Chapter 402: Sunset (6)

"I promise you," Sung Hyunje said, looking up at me. "I will never take Han Yoohyun away from Han Yoojin, in any way."

Chapter translation under the cut.

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I roughly wiped my tear-streaked face with my sleeve. Seeing my other self across from me, I couldn’t help but think how ridiculous I looked. Damn, it was actually funny. Maybe it was because I had just been punched, but I felt a strange warmth inside, like something that had been hard and frozen for so long was finally starting to thaw. The version of me held by Yoohyun glared at me.

"What are you crying for? You think you’ve done something great?" my pre-regression self said.

…This bastard, seriously.

"What about you, huh?" I asked.

"Damn it, I’m crying because I’m pissed off!"

"Hey! You think I’m perfectly fine? I can’t exactly show you by splitting myself open!"

"Why don’t you try! Split yourself open!"

"If you get too pissed off, I’ll do it for you!"

"H-Hyung…"

"You said you wanted me to leave this place, right? Fine, let’s go! I’ll leave after I kill you, you damn bastard–no, you damn me!"

"Who do you think I am, a punching bag with no hands or feet? Hey! I’ve got more experience than you, you know? How far have you even made it in dungeons?"

"What accumulates in your body is also experience! You’ve squandered it all and you’re talking about experience?!"

"Don’t you know about gear? You can cover up weaknesses with equipment!"

"You dirty, underhanded bastard!"

Yoohyun looked between me, standing a bit farther away, and my other self, whom he was holding onto, as if he didn’t know what to do. I felt a bit sorry for my brother, but if he hadn’t come, we would have ended up pulling each other’s hair out. Look at that short temper of mine. Isn’t it natural to comfort someone when they cry after losing a precious younger sibling? Though of course, if I were in my other self’s shoes, I would have cursed myself out, too.

"Did you also throw your conscience back to the Stone Age when you returned to the past? Even an Australopithecus, who doesn’t even know how to cover themselves, would have more decency than you!"

"You think I’m enjoying this?!"

It’s not like I was asking for much. But I kept losing my brother. If there really was a god, I wanted to ask them: do you enjoy tearing me and my little brother apart? Huh? Both of us just want to be together, so why are you doing this? Do you get some twisted pleasure from forcing us apart? Or do you just hate us that much?

It wasn’t just a year or two—we were separated for eight years, and then, after all that, things ended up how they did. And then some damn kidnapper showed up and took my little brother away, and we’re still stuck in this mess. Is it so wrong that I want to prepare for the future? Don’t you think I know this isn’t the best way?

"I’m struggling too, damn it!"

"Hyung…" Yoohyun’s face crumpled like he was going to cry. Ah, no, that’s not right.

"No, Yoohyun, I’m only talking to that bastard. I just want to live peacefully with my little brother by my side for the rest of my life. Is that too much to ask?"

"Then just do it!"

"Easier said than done!"

"I want that too, hyung, but. Um, hyung."

"Yoohyun-ah, let go of him for a bit. We’ll talk it out, just talk."

"Yeah, I won’t use a knife, so just let go of him and step outside for a minute."

Yoohyun hugged my pre-regression self even tighter. And look at that jerk, sniffling and acting all obedient in Yoohyun’s arms after yelling at me earlier. Anyone would think he’s an innocent victim. There were still clear marks from the knife and spear on the floor, you know?

"Stop hiding behind our little brother and come out here!"

"I’m not hiding behind him, I’m in front of him!"

"Like that’s something to brag about!"

"…Han Yoojin-gun?" Sung Hyunje spoke.

"I won’t use any gear, since you say it’s underhanded! I’ll just match our stats and prove to you whether my experience is worth anything or not—hey, let me go!"

Sung Hyunje was pulling me back and dragging me away.

"Good grief, what a life I have!"

"Your life is my life!" I retorted.

"Your lip is bleeding," Sung Hyunje remarked.

"Damn it, if you regressed, you should live better! What the hell are you doing, Han Yoojin!"

"I’m your future, you bastard!"

"Hyung, should we go prepare dinner? Hmm? Let’s not fight."

Both I and the other me instantly fell silent. We had to feed our little brother, after all. The other kids and Director Song would also be here soon.

"Come on, hyung. The kitchen here is really nice." Yoohyun coaxed the other me as he led the way out of the lounge. Look at that, following our little brother so obediently, that damnable bastard. Or should I say, that already-damned bastard.

"Your lip is going to swell. And you can’t even use a potion," Sung Hyunje said.

"It’s not like I’m going to be showing off my face, so it’s fine."

When you think about it, that bastard’s going to become me, but I’m the only one getting hit. It’s not fair. I should have hit him too. I wanted to chase after him even now, but Sung Hyunje didn’t let me go. Instead, he carried me over to the hotel’s front desk while I struggled.

"There should be first aid supplies."

"I told you, I’m fine, really."

Sung Hyunje set me down on the desk and found a first aid kit. With a click, the box opened, and he pulled out some antiseptic.

"First, I should say I’m sorry for what happened."

"For what? For my little brother dying? How considerate of you. The Sung Hyunje in the ruins didn’t care whether Yoohyun lived or died."

"I was cold-hearted, then."

"Oh, I’m sure the current Sung Hyunje-ssi doesn’t feel that differently on the inside."

The only difference was that he was slightly more considerate of my feelings now. The antiseptic touched my lip, and it stung.

"It’s because I know Han Yoojin-gun would get angry, if I’m being honest."

"What if I said I want to hear your honest thoughts? About me, my situation, all of it."

Without a word, Sung Hyunje continued treating my wound.

"Yoohyun died because of me. That’s why I regressed. Even though I reconciled with him, I could never really bring my dead little brother back."

"Han Yoojin-gun."

"If you’re going to say it wasn’t my fault, just don’t say anything. I know there was nothing I could do. It wasn’t my fault, because the situation was just too difficult, too harsh for me to handle. I was just… ordinary. But even so, he was my little brother."

Even if it wasn’t strictly my fault, even if I was just caught up in it all.

"Setting aside the ranks, whether S-Rank or F-Rank, or the Transcendents and the apocalypse and all that—he was just my little brother. And I couldn’t protect him, I couldn’t care for him, I couldn’t keep him safe."

I deserved to be cursed. A bitter laugh escaped me.

"That guy asked why I was still alive, but he’d do the same. Even knowing all this, he wouldn’t let go either, that bastard. I should have punched him too."

"There was a time when I considered getting rid of Han Yoohyun and Park Yerim.”

Sung Hyunje spoke quietly as he packed up the first aid kit.

I’d said I wanted to hear his honest thoughts, but he was being a bit too honest.

"It would have made it easier to take Han Yoojin for myself, and I was curious about what kind of Han Yoojin would emerge—whether you’d completely break down or manage to stand firm. And whichever it was, I thought I could still reel you in."

"If you were anyone else, I would’ve stabbed you in the neck by now."

"Then am I an exception?"

"You won’t do that kind of thing now, anyway." Even as I said it, my heart skipped a beat.

Sung Hyunje gave a slight smile. "To be truthful, I’m still not entirely pleased with how tightly you’re bound with Han Yoohyun. Especially now that you’ve added a dead version to that."

“If I lose Yoohyun again, I really will die. I’ve already lost so much that I’m barely hanging on. You didn’t see how that guy’s eyes went wild when he pulled his knife on me earlier. He doesn’t even think of me as himself anymore. That’s exactly how I feel. I really can’t have my little brother taken from me."

Sung Hyunje handed me some wet wipes that he’d procured from somewhere. I pulled one out and wiped away my tear stains.

"I promise you," Sung Hyunje said, looking up at me. "I will never take Han Yoohyun away from Han Yoojin, in any way."

"…Can I really trust you, Sung Hyunje-ssi?"

"Despite appearances, I do keep my promises, so you can trust me on this." Sung Hyunje hopped up to sit on the desk beside me and crossed his legs. The tip of his shoe bobbed playfully. "But I can’t promise I won’t take Hyung-nim away from the Young Master."

"What? What if Yoohyun comes after you? Will you not fight back? You better not, in case my brother gets hurt."

"I’d quickly hide behind Han Yoojin-gun."

I imagined that for a moment and burst out laughing. No matter how much he crouched, he wouldn’t be able to hide completely.

"After it’s all over. When everything is truly settled… playing around like that would be fun," I said.

"After it’s all over, huh."

"I just want to live peacefully. I mean the kind of days where the biggest incident is Peep-Peep raiding the kitchen or Yoohyun and Yerim getting into a fight. Days where it feels like time passes too quickly, but it’s not something to fear."

And, also…

"With my brother by my side."

Both of them.

"If anything, it’s a modest wish," Sung Hyunje said.

"But it’s difficult to achieve. What about you, Sung Hyunje-ssi?" I turned to look at him. "If everything ends well, I mean. If you’re no longer at risk of being dragged away again, and are truly free. Is there something you wish for?"

Sung Hyunje tilted his head thoughtfully.

"Well…"

Surprisingly, he didn’t have an immediate answer. He wore a rare expression of uncertainty.

"This is difficult," he said.

"Difficult?"

"There aren’t many things I could wish for that are actually hard to achieve."

…You’re really something else. Then again, once the issue with the Crescent Moon is resolved, what could Sung Hyunje possibly fail to achieve? He’s already living life exactly the way he wants.

"How about making Director Song genuinely happy to receive a free SS-Rank piece of equipment?"

"You’re challenging me to do the impossible, hm? But it could be fun—"

"Cancel that! Cancel! I’m sorry, Director Song!"

Damn this mouth of mine, causing trouble again.

"Wouldn't it be nice for you to just live peacefully, too, Sung Hyunje-ssi? You’ve been through so much that you probably unconsciously find it boring. But if you think of this world as your last, where you’ll settle at the end of your wandering, even ordinary days might start to feel special."

Simply due to knowing this place is the last.

"Living ordinarily, day by day… ah."

Come to think of it, there are some things Sung Hyunje never got to experience, unlike most people. Making friends and dating. Sure, he had me and Director Song as friends, but what about romance? Even if he’s freed from the Crescent Moon, all his accumulated experiences would remain, so unless it’s with a Transcendent, I guess it probably wouldn’t work.

"Do you like older people by any chance?" I asked.

"…Older people?"

"I mean, as a romantic partner."

"If I had to choose, I’d prefer someone around my age," Sung Hyunje replied.

"In their thirties or forties?"

I feel like we need to add at least a thousand years to that. Sure, Sung Hyunje has his own baggage, but um…

"Is someone significantly older not appealing to you?" I asked.

"I don’t have plans to date, but if I had to answer, I’d say someone older is better than someone too young. Young people usually don’t make great conversation partners. If we can’t communicate well, the relationship wouldn’t be enjoyable."

So as long as they can hold a good conversation, older is fine. Somehow, I didn’t think the Crescent Moon would fit that bill. Not that I’d ever met her. But anyway, it was a surprisingly wholesome view on relationships.

"What about appearance? A human-like form is better, right? What about tentacles? As long as they don’t show them, it should be fine, right?"

Tentacles seem to be trendy. Myungwoo, don’t let the Newbie get to you. I’m worried about you.

"How human does their form have to be? Are animal ears, horns, or wings acceptable? I guess you’d prefer two arms and two legs? You don’t seem like the type to discriminate based on skin color. Blue or red—ouch!"

Sung Hyunje, who had been watching me closely, suddenly grabbed my ear and twisted it. Since he didn’t do it hard enough to cause injury, Grace didn’t activate.

"I’m not interested in blue or red."

Hmm, maybe I went too far.

Rubbing my twisted ear, I almost stumbled as I jumped off the desk, but Sung Hyunje quickly caught me. I’d left my umbrella behind, but I declined his offer to carry me and just let him support me as we walked over to the restaurant. I could see Yoohyun and myself in the open kitchen.

"Where’s the seaweed?" I asked.

"There."

The other me pointed to a bowl filled with water. It was soaking nicely.

"Sung Hyunje-ssi, would you go cover the entrance with some fabric?"

"There’s still time, so I’ll stay here. I’ll have to separate you if you start roughing each other up again," Sung Hyunje replied.

"We’re not going to fight."

We’re not kids. After washing my hands, I picked up a kitchen knife to slice the meat, and Yoohyun glanced at me nervously. Even Sung Hyunje, sitting at a table outside the kitchen, seemed to be keeping an eye on me. I’m not going to stab anyone.

"Yoohyun, you can go sit down."

"No, hyung. It’s hard for you to move around. I’ll at least help out. The kitchen’s big enough."

He’s such a good kid. I cut the meat into appropriate sizes and drained the blood. In the meantime, the other me was washing rice.

"Since the electricity’s working, does the rice cooker work too? How many people does this serve?"

"It’s a restaurant, so probably a lot. There are some mixed grains here—should we add them?"

"You already know the answer."

Our thought process was the same, after all. Where’s the sesame oil?

"Why did you buy snacks? That’s why you’re like that," my other self said.

"I bought them for the kids!"

"I heard you’ve been scrounging snacks everywhere you go."

Y-Yoohyun, you told him…? My little brother avoided my gaze.

"And that you’ve been hanging out with Hunter Park Yerim, Hunter Kang Soyoung, and even the Breaker Guild Leader, going around eating sweets. Living the good life, huh, Han Yoojin?"

"That’s not—it wasn’t even my idea! And Noah was there too. Honestly, it’s better than al— uh…"

I couldn’t say it was better than drinking alcohol, not with Yoohyun watching me. Damn it! That bastard abused his body to the limit too! Sensing my frustration, the other me smirked mockingly.

"You unlucky bastard!"

"My luck is your luck."

"That’s true."

We both had rotten luck. We laughed at the same time.

"Life has been rough."

"But things were good before the dungeons appeared."

"It was tough, but yeah, it was good."

We both turned to Yoohyun at the same time. He reflexively smiled back at us.

"I guess one punch wouldn’t have been enough," my other self said.

"So you pulled out a knife instead and attacked like you were trying to kill me."

"If you couldn’t dodge something like that even after regressing, you deserve to die. It’s a recognition of experience."

"Why are you acting like you expected me to dodge it? If I were in your shoes, I’d have stabbed to kill."

"Are you asking me to stab you now?"

"Can’t you see how worried Yoohyun is? Let’s just fight with our bare hands. And hey, add more rice. There’s not enough for everyone."

"I’m used to living alone."

Yeah, you were. As he went to get more rice, my other self deliberately stepped on my foot, so I kicked him in the shin in return. My other self groaned and grabbed a kitchen knife.

"Hyung! No weapons!"

Sung Hyunje also got up from his seat. My other self put down the knife and picked up the lobster from the sink, throwing it at me. Because of his higher rank, it flew at me with alarming speed, but Yoohyun grabbed it in mid-air and placed it back on the counter.

"Don’t throw food! You bastard!" I shouted.

"It’s because you buy food this expensive that you’re so full of yourself!"

"It was free!"

"So, you’ve never eaten lobster before?"

"That’s not the point. Just wash more rice."

Being the same person, we worked well together. Too well, in fact, since we ended up grabbing each other by the collar a few more times, though no actual stabbing occurred. I knew I shouldn’t be doing this in front of my little brother, but honestly, it felt good. Yoohyun seemed to notice that I was getting along with myself better than expected and eventually relaxed.

The rice finished cooking, the seaweed soup was simmering, and as sunset drew near, we sensed someone in the hotel lobby.

#sctir #the s classes that i raised #s classes that i raised #my s class hunters #내가 키운 s급들 #novel translation #han yoojin #jinjae #i love this chapter and have so many thoughts about the significance of the life hyj wishes for himself and what he suggests to shj #this is the last chapter i'm posting of this section of the novel (for now!)

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