Chapter 240 - Han Yoohyun’s World (2)

The plum blossoms had bloomed exceptionally early. Although it was early February, white flowers had already budded at the ends of the branches. Perhaps it was because it had been warm for the past few days, or maybe it was a place where the sun shone intensely. Who knew when they might be disturbed by snow flurries, but quite a few clusters were in full bloom at the tips of the long, outstretched branches.

Han Yoohyun stopped walking and looked at the plum blossoms. He had no interest in flowers. But yesterday had been his hyung's birthday. The kindergarten student Han Yoohyun had folded paper flowers and made a card. Saying "happy birthday," the little brother had given his hyung a big hug.

There was a cake. Along with the cake, the brothers' parents gave Han Yoojin a 10,000-won bill to buy something tasty to eat with his friends, then went to the master bedroom and watched a movie as if they had fulfilled their duties. Han Yoojin would carefully save the money he received.

Those 10,000 won would be used for Han Yoohyun's birthday. As it was every year.

Cake, gifts, and flowers. Without hesitation, Han Yoohyun climbed into the flower bed. The flowering branches were at a height out of reach for a small child. Han Yoohyun climbed the tree and grabbed the branch with one hand. The branch, too thick for a kindergarten student to hold... cr-ack—it broke easily. Then he lightly jumped down from the tree.

He discarded the main branch after breaking off a thin twig with flowers and holding it. Meanwhile, someone approached and shouted.

"You can't go into the flower bed! Even if a branch breaks, you shouldn't pick the flowers!"

Han Yoohyun looked at the elderly man scolding him. Faced with his gaze, not frightened but rather cold, the elder momentarily stepped back. On the surface, he was a cute and handsome child, enough to charm anyone. However, receiving that cold stare, the elder felt an instinctive terror.

But he was just a small child. As if to deny being frightened, the elder shouted even louder.

"Wh-whose child are you?! What are your parents doing?!"

Han Yoohyun turned around without saying a word. There was no need to worry about the nonsensical shouting of someone scared of him. Han Yoohyun returned to a house where no one greeted him and gave the bouquet of flowers to his hyung when he came back from school. Han Yoojin smiled brightly but also looked worried.

"You can't break branches without permission, Yoohyun."

Han Yoojin diligently explained to his little brother in as much detail as possible why he shouldn't go into flower gardens and pick flowers or break tree branches, and that climbing trees was dangerous. Han Yoohyun nodded. The reasons weren't very convincing and he wasn't in any danger, but he accepted them anyway.

And a few days later, he met that elder again. Han Yoohyun bowed his head to the frozen elder.

"I'm sorry."

"...Uh, it's okay."

Seeing the child apologizing, the elder smiled, albeit reluctantly. Han Yoohyun went home and told Han Yoojin about it, and he was praised.

That was how 'Han Yoohyun' was created.

He was born with a nature that didn't fit in with anyone. Even among unique individuals who rarely came into the world, his temperament was one of being alone. A fire that burned everything around it, that no one dared to touch. It was in his nature to burn with extreme freedom, unbound by anything, caring for no one.

But Han Yoohyun was different. He had to become different.

His hyung loved him. In his childish innocence, he didn't know what to do when his little brother was so adorable. From the beginning, Han Yoohyun didn't react to that love. He accepted it because there was no need to reject it, but that was all.

Even though he received nothing in return, Han Yoojin did not give up. Because he was a baby. He didn't find it strange or uncomfortable with him like their parents did; instead, he would hold Han Yoohyun's hand and hug him while comforting him. Until Han Yoohyun finally realized that it was a warmth he couldn't give up, even though it was much smaller and weaker than his own flame.

"Yoohyun, should hyung read you a fairy tale?"

While Han Yoohyun tried to respond, little by little, Han Yoojin became more attached to his little brother. It may have also been because he noticed how their parents were trying to avoid his brother first and now him. Han Yoojin chose his little brother over their parents, and Han Yoohyun ignored all beings except his hyung. And the targets of that ignorance included the original Han Yoohyun: himself.

"You should greet adults properly. No, speak politely."

"Listen to your teachers and don't fight with your friends."

"Even if you don't want to, Yoohyun. Hold on a bit. There are many things in the world you have to do even if you don't want to."

He didn't understand why he should treat adults that way. They were people he could scare as much as he wanted if he tried, but Han Yoohyun obeyed his hyung's words. Both kindergarten and elementary school teachers were annoying and boring. But Han Yoohyun held back. He didn't have anyone to call a friend, but he endured it when he had no choice but to socialize with them.

Thus, little by little, Han Yoohyun was created with Han Yoojin's love. But that didn't mean he didn't show resistance.

"Hyung, what would you do if I killed mom and dad?"

They were unpleasant. If he didn't hold back, what would Han Yoojin do? Faced with his little brother's chilling and calm question, Han Yoojin broke down and cried. He took his little brother in his arms.

"...I'm sorry, Yoohyun."

Apologizing, he somehow convinced him not to do it, saying that it was because mom and dad were busy. He explained one by one that people couldn't be hurt, that it would be problematic if Yoohyun went to prison, and that his hyung would be really very sad.

Even when Han Yoohyun sometimes revealed his edges, Han Yoojin loved his brother as always. At some point, Han Yoohyun stopped thinking about getting rid of his affection. Like an animal breathing air and sliding into the water, he put a foot in a world completely different from his own nature.

A new world with Han Yoojin as its source.

To remain in that world, Han Yoohyun had to restrain himself and endure many things. As he learned, realized, and became familiar with it, Han Yoohyun's world gradually expanded. Based on what Han Yoojin taught him, he began to act on his own.

Even if he didn't list them one by one, he did things that would make Han Yoojin happy, and without doing anything that might worry Han Yoojin, he worked hard for a future where he could protect his world.

When restraint and suppression became his daily routine, dungeons appeared.

"Lately, there have been strange rumors. They say some sort of beasts have appeared. Some people say it's due to environmental pollution. Come home as soon as classes are over, Yoohyun."

A few lower-grade F-rank dungeons had appeared, and although most people hadn't noticed anything unusual yet, Han Yoohyun sensed the change in the air. Even without external stimuli, he noticed he could draw out his power.

If he wanted, he could burn his small home at any time and fly away anywhere. Alone and free, unbound by anything.

But Han Yoohyun refrained from seizing his last chance to return to his true nature.

When he was attacked by monsters and finally awakened, the flames surrounding Han Yoohyun shone with a deeply suppressed black. And once again, Han Yoohyun held back.

"My world and hyung's world are different now."

Han Yoohyun left Han Yoojin. He didn't think he would be away for long. He could tolerate it for about three or four years at most. Han Yoohyun became the fifth S-rank awakened person in Korea.

Even having moved away from Han Yoojin, Han Yoohyun's world didn't change much. Rather, it became even more solid. At the root of all the work he did to establish himself as a Hunter, form a guild, and build his forces, was Han Yoojin. And that wasn't all.

"Wow, this is the first time I've seen a high school boy wash his hands so diligently before eating. Our Han Yoohyun-ssi must have received a very good education. Now that I think about it, you were also respectful when we spoke at our first meeting. You're exactly like a young master. Why don't you set the table for us?"

That was at the first meeting of S-rank Awakened individuals, organized by the Hunter Association. When Moon Hyuna spoke, laughing, Han Yoohyun, who had previously served water when sitting to eat with Seok Simyeong, slightly frowned. The presence of Han Yoojin still persisted in Han Yoohyun's behavior.

Under Seok Simyeong's guidance, he had corrected some of the things that were not suitable for an S-rank hunter and guild leader, but most of it still stemmed from Han Yoojin's upbringing. Moon Hyuna found that quite interesting.

"I look forward to working with you, young master."

At the end of the meeting, which had consisted more of tearing up the restaurant than eating, Moon Hyuna offered a slightly extended hand. Touching others was unpleasant. But Han Yoohyun endured it and took her hand. Since then, similar things would continue to happen.

Even after that, Han Yoohyun continued to endure it. To nurture a guild, he had no choice but to involve himself with various people. At least, as his staff grew after Seok Simyeong, Han Yoohyun's workload reduced, but he still had to consider others, obey the law, and restrain himself.

"I wonder why you restrain yourself that way."

Sung Hyunjae, who noticed that, once asked in passing. Han Yoohyun did not give a response to Sung Hyunjae, who was curious about the reason.

Again and again.

Until things went wrong, there was no turning back, and the deeply suppressed black flames finally turned toxic.

In the original future, he would have had to restrain himself again and again, but.

"My brother, Han Yoohyun. I love you."

The moment he heard those words from Han Yoojin, Han Yoohyun did not hold back. No, more precisely, he couldn't.

Many things had happened when he brought his hyung back earlier than planned and tried to protect him. In the meantime, Han Yoohyun habitually restrained himself as always. The number of nuisances around his hyung increased one by one, but he endured it.

The same was true for the Horned Flame Lion.

He knew it was his kiseungsu and that it would be useful, but he didn't like seeing it clinging to the side of Han Yoojin. It was an S-rank monster, but even after becoming an adult, it curled up in Hyung's arms, craving affection like a baby, and that displeased him.

It was even more so because he could understand its actions. Surely it felt nice to be loved. Starting to like hyung was a natural result. Even the act of learning a useless juvenile transformation skill by itself and forcing its huge body to become small.

Everything was similar to Han Yoohyun.

The moment he realized that, it felt strange. But I’m the only one who does that for hyung. Simultaneously, a sense of crisis at the feeling of being deprived of a part of hyung and a slight sense of kinship arose within him.

What should he do? Should he just get rid of it? But hyung cares a lot about that.

- Krrng!

With a roar, the whole body of the Horned Flame Lion was enveloped in flames. Han Yoohyun extended his hand, not caring about the fire licking at him, and grabbed it by the neck. He had no intention of harming it. It was simply about establishing a hierarchy. Even if he had the Owner Token, he wanted to subdue it at least once to ensure it prioritized his safety over orders.

He almost didn't use any skills and didn't draw weapons. Prepared to be injured, Han Yoohyun pushed it down with sheer force.

Yes! The huge monster hit the ground violently. Han Yoohyun pressed down on the Horned Flame Lion. With a fierce growl, a front paw flew toward him. It was unlikely that taking its claws in blade form with his own hands would leave him unscathed.

But Han Yoohyun raised his arm and blocked it without equipment or skills. With a thud, when they clashed, Han Yoohyun's body shook slightly. And that was all.

"...?"

Peace hadn't extended its claws. It was visibly furious, with its eyes twisted and teeth bared, but it had kept its claws retracted. It hadn't done anything that could severely injure Han Yoohyun's body.

"...You."

It wasn't worried about its owner's safety. Han Yoohyun realized immediately. Peace was worried about Han Yoojin. It was because it knew how important Han Yoohyun was to the person it loved that it restrained itself.

Han Yoohyun let go of its paw and stepped back. Peace stood up, shaking its body violently. Their eyes met.

"...I can't kill you either."

- Yip.

“Do you love hyung that much? But for hyung, I am the most important.”

Peace wagged its long tail. Then its body shrank and it narrowed its eyes. With an expression as different as a human's, telling him to be quiet, Han Yoohyun laughed unconsciously. He knew.

"You are definitely like me."

Peace's world was also made of Han Yoojin. It was like Han Yoohyun's world.

For the first time, another existence appeared in Han Yoohyun's world. Sitting next to him, who had been alone all this time, was a Horned Flame Lion.

Just that was amazing. He hadn't thought there would be more similar occurrences. But contrary to what Han Yoohyun believed, many more would happen.

One night, Park Yerim called Han Yoohyun. Then she quickly extended a hand.

"...What."

“I say I hope we get along well from now on. We’re living together for now, you know?"

Saying "so let's shake hands," she waved her extended hand. When Han Yoohyun's expression remained as it was, wondering what the point of this was, she shrugged.

"I trust you."

Said Park Yerim.

“Because although you're annoying and you stink, it's obvious you love ahjussi enough to protect him with your life. I think if you care that much about ahjussi, you're okay.”

With perfectly opposite attributes, she even had instinctive reservations. But Park Yerim recognized and accepted Han Yoohyun. Anyway, he wasn't a bad guy and they cared about the same person.

Han Yoohyun stared at Park Yerim, who was looking at him, and extended a hand. He also recognized Park Yerim. Then, thinking he could endure this much, he shook her hand.

'...Huh?'

It happened to not be bad. Han Yoohyun's lips tightened slightly. Even though their hands touched and she hugged him, there was no need to endure it. It wasn't as pleasant as when he touched Han Yoojin, but it wasn't unpleasant. He didn't have to endure that.

For the first time, with another person...

“What, aren’t you going to let go? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"...Because it's strange."

At Han Yoohyun's words, Park Yerim withdrew her hand and frowned.

"Hey! It's not like your face is flawless. Did I say we should get along well and you're picking a fight?

“Hyung said you called me ‘that handsome op—”

"Uwaagh! Ouch! Ack! Ahjussiii! Come to me, Han Yoohyun! I'll beat you until you completely forget it!"

Park Yerim raged, saying, "I have to get rid of the biggest mistake of my life." While melting and vaporizing the ice leaves that flew towards him easily, Han Yoohyun smiled. It wasn't that bad, actually.

Another person entered Han Yoohyun's world. She wasn't exactly like Peace, but she was similar. Another person in the world where Han Yoojin was the top priority. An ally who recognized Han Yoohyun's place when it came to Han Yoojin.

His desire to keep Han Yoojin to himself remained. But at least he didn't have to endure Peace and Park Yerim anymore. Han Yoohyun pushed the two of them around, and both fought freely, trying to gain positions by Han Yoojin's side.

"I also went out to eat with Ahjussi, just the two of us!"

So he worked for Park Yerim and went out to eat with his hyung once again.

- Kkiang!

"Peace, yes?"

"Hyung, keep watching Chirpie. I'll go find Peace."

In the rooftop garden, he found Peace, who had intentionally dirtied his feet and set fire to them to clean them.

"Don't forget Ahjussi's swimsuit!"

He appreciated that she had given him the opportunity to take care of Han Yoojin. Of course, he had no intention of returning the money.

Han Yoohyun felt relief that new people had joined him in the world where he had been alone all this time. He didn't have to carry his world alone. Neither Peace nor Park Yerim were weak. They had the ability to protect Han Yoojin. And like him, they would give everything to protect that world.

Han Yoohyun naturally clung to his hyung and acted childish and more comfortable. He also enjoyed even more the fact that he was incomparably the most important person to Han Yoojin, showing it off.

Honestly, he enjoyed it all.