Chapter 121

Chapter 12 – Murim Stepbrother

“So, you know, formally our Hunter team is now three members, but it’s really quite a headache.”

[You’re having a hard time too, Oppa.]

The day after things with Yoo Woo-jung were somehow wrapped up.

I was on the phone with Ggotbi, who was still on her overseas tour.

She was struggling with her daily schedule, so we always talked for a few minutes like this every day.

“It’s not that hard. Ggotbi, you’re the one having the hardest time.”

[It’s just what I always do. So, you said that Hunter Yoo Woo-jung is clinging to you excessively?]

“Yeah, now even blocking her with a shield is useless.”

Yoo Woo-jung recovered with incredible resilience and was discharged the next day.

Since she’s part of our team, I went to pick her up, but as soon as she saw me, she ran over and tried to hug me, so I instinctively kicked her away.

At the same time, the conversation with Yoo Woo-jung came back to me.

“Oh my, Kang Ha-chan, were you waiting for me? Should I give you a kiss as a reward?”

“Ah, Yoo Woo-jung, why are you like this! Where did all your pride go?”

“I don’t know! It’s all gone! Well, who told you to save me like that? Telling someone who’s always clung to others that they’re your teammate. My heart was pounding! Ah, want to feel it?”

“Wh-what the! Are you crazy?! Are you a pervert?”

“Yeah, I’m a pervert. I can do anything you want. Kang Ha-chan, what’s your preference? Stockings? Maid outfit? Master, want to do it?”

“Ahhhh!”

Even though her identity is now revealed, she’s acting like a runaway horse.

I’ve never seen someone like her in my life.

At least Seolhyang, Ayu, and Siho maintained some basic human decency.

Though they’ve become more aggressive recently, Yoo Woo-jung is like stepping on the gas and crashing into a truck.

She’s like a runaway train, charging headfirst.

Honestly, it’s scary.

The other three at least listen when I talk, but she’s like a beast who doesn’t understand words.

For the first time in my life, I felt my chastity was in danger.

Moreover, even though I have no feelings for her, it’s even more of a headache.

“So, I ran away.”

Today is the weekend after yesterday.

After running away from Yoo Woo-jung, I had some time before training with Ayu, so I called Ggotbi.

[……Oppa, why do you keep getting more women around you?]

“Someone said it might be intentional.”

[Who would do that intentionally? Why?]

“That’s what I don’t know, and that’s the problem.”

According to Baeksan, Seolhyang definitely has the ability to see the world’s threads.

But judging by her personality, she’s more likely to reduce the number of women around me than increase it.

“Because of that, I don’t have anyone to talk to comfortably now. I can’t talk to Ayu, Siho, or Seolhyang about this.”

I often shared my stories with Ggotbi during our talks.

So, Ggotbi knew well that I’ve been aware of the feelings of those three.

‘And maybe Eun-namu is also involved somehow…….’

Since that’s not certain, I decided to set it aside for now.

Right now, Ggotbi is the only one I can talk to comfortably.

Baeksan just clicks his tongue or curses, so there’s no point in talking to him.

“Tsk tsk.”

Look at that.

He’s clicking his tongue again.

[So, I’m the one you feel most comfortable talking to?]

Somehow, Ggotbi seemed happy about that.

[And it’s okay to talk to me about it.]

And for some reason, she sounded gloomy again.

“Ggotbi?”

[Ah, no, it’s not that. Oppa, who do you like the most among those three?]

When she asked that, I was at a loss for words.

Who do I like the most?

Honestly, I couldn’t give a definite answer.

Even if I decide to date one of them, Baeksan said it would lead to destruction.

But if I don’t date any of them, that’s not a solution either.

Because I’ll definitely reach a breaking point someday.

……No, honestly, I’m already on the edge.

I know better than anyone that all three are incredibly attractive women.

With three such women liking me so much, it’s impossible for me not to feel something.

So, I ended up speechless when asked who I like the most.

It’s embarrassing, but I’m swayed by all three.

‘……Kang Ha-chan, you trash.’

I didn’t know I was such a scumbag.

[So, you haven’t decided on one person yet?]

“……I’m such trash.”

[It’s because they all like you so much, Oppa.]

They like me.

As Ggotbi said, all three like me more than anyone else.

Though I don’t know why.

But that’s something I’d never say out loud because it would be disrespectful to them.

[What about going to Dubai?]

“Ggotbi, are you suggesting polygamy too?”

[Pfft, has someone already suggested that?]

I glanced at Baeksan.

[Well, Returners tend to disregard Earth’s laws anyway. If it’s okay with you and the three of them, why not?]

“I didn’t know you were so open-minded, Ggotbi.”

[Well, I’m a Returner too.]

Then, she hesitated and spoke softly.

[……And if three is okay, four is fine too.]

“Domi Oppa!”

At that moment, I almost fell over from the impact from behind.

When I turned around, there was Ayu, wearing a mask and hat.

“Hehe, I saw you walking and followed you secretly. Who are you talking to?”

“Ah, Ggotbi. I’ll switch.”

“Gasp, Ggotbi! My Yoo Ah! Yoo Ah, I love you! I’m cheering for you on your tour! Marry me when you come back!”

Ayu, who took the phone from me, excitedly confessed her love to Ggotbi.

Watching that, I smirked playfully.

“What’s this? You always say you’ll marry me and live happily, but now you’re proposing to someone else? That’s a divorce.”

“Wh-what?!”

Hearing that, Ayu’s face turned bright red, and she was too flustered to speak.

I felt bad, but I always teased her because that side of her was cute.

Then, Ayu grabbed my collar tightly.

She looked up at me with slightly teary eyes.

“……Will you marry me?”

Her serious question made me freeze.

I didn’t expect Ayu to take my joke this seriously.

“……Ah, Ayu, that’s.”

“……I’m okay with it.”

Seeing her gripping my collar, I was at a loss for words.

She moved her hand along my clothes and took a step closer to me.

Her lips slightly parted as she leaned in, her eyes clearly urging me for an answer.

Just as I swallowed nervously.

[Yoo Ah! We’re going to eat soon. Let’s go!]

A voice came from the phone Ayu was holding.

Both of us flinched and froze, and Ayu, meeting my eyes, turned as red as a tomato and quickly bowed her head.

“H-here, Oppa’s phone.”

“Ah, yeah.”

Unable to take it anymore, Ayu handed me the phone, and I quickly took it.

“Uh, Ggotbi? Sorry, I was talking to Ayu.”

[Ah, it’s okay. Oppa, I have to eat now, so I’ll go.]

“Yeah, okay. See you later.”

[Yeah, next time. Yeah…….]

Her weak voice was the last thing I heard before the call ended.

As I looked up, Ayu had already come close and wrapped her arm around mine.

A subtle silence lingered between us.

But Ayu kept her head down, looking straight ahead.

We entered the park where we always trained together.

“Hey, Ayu?”

Unable to bear the silence, I spoke, and Ayu flinched.

After a moment of silence, she let go of my arm and stepped away.

“……Domi Oppa.”

“Yeah.”

“I heard from the Iron-Blooded Empress. That girl confessed to you.”

Hearing that, I slowly nodded.

Ayu must have noticed Seolhyang’s feelings for me long ago.

“And that kid too, right?”

Ayu sighed softly, likely referring to Siho.

Then, she looked up at me with determination.

Her eyes were trembling more than ever.

“I’ll definitely be the first.”

First.

I didn’t understand what she meant by that and widened my eyes.

“Th-that’s it! Anyway!”

Ayu, too embarrassed to continue, crouched down and covered her face.

How did Ayu come to like me so much?

I somewhat understand Seolhyang and Siho’s situations.

Ayu too, it’s natural to like a guy you see often and get along with.

But why does she like me so much?

She, who once ruled an entire world.

At that moment, Ayu suddenly stood up.

When I looked at her in confusion, she was staring straight ahead.

When I turned to follow her gaze, there stood a man with plum-colored hair.

He was more pretty than handsome, and his clothes, reminiscent of Cheon Hong-ryun, were like something from a historical drama, but they were a mess.

“……How did you.”

“Ha, haha, sister.”

He began to collapse in that position.

Startled, I caught him and realized his clothes were soaked in blood.

“Ayu, this guy!”

I called out to Ayu, who was frozen in place.

I didn’t know what was going on.

But I knew he was important to Ayu.

Judging by his martial arts attire, he was probably.

‘Someone from Ayu’s world.’

I couldn’t be sure if he was a Returner.

“Damn it.”

At that moment, Baeksan also recognized him and cursed.

But regardless, I knew I couldn’t leave him there, so I carried him.

“Ayu! To the hospital!”

When I shouted that, Ayu, who had been frozen, bit her lip.

“……Okay.”

Her unusually weak response that day made me uneasy.

After leaving him at the hospital, I washed my gym clothes stained with blood.

It was winter, so wearing just a hoodie was a bit cold, but thankfully, being inside the hospital made it bearable.

The man I brought was now hospitalized.

According to the doctor, he wasn’t seriously injured.

However, severe malnutrition and energy overload, common among Hunters, had left his body in shambles, requiring a long rest.

As I left the bathroom, I glanced at Baeksan.

He had been cursing and lost in thought since the man appeared, but now he looked at me.

“Kang Ha-chan, let’s talk.”

Ayu was now in the man’s hospital room.

So, I agreed to Baeksan’s suggestion and found a quiet spot.

“Do you know anything about that man?”

“That’s probably something Cheonma will explain. The issue now is that he’s a Dimensional Invader.”

Hearing that, I froze.

Dimensional Invader.

That’s what Baeksan called beings from another dimension.