Chapter 35: The Battle (2)

Though the Red Moon’s assault was successfully repelled, the damage to the land was significant.

Over half of the sturdy Golems were destroyed, and those that remained bore severe wounds.

What pained Sang-woong the most was that the land, painstakingly cultivated by everyone, had been trampled into ruin by the savage Orcs.

While he gained considerable experience points and rewards from defeating the Orcs, the immense points spent preparing for the Red Moon and the devastation of the land meant it could hardly be called a victory.

Moreover, with his talents, leveling up further was nearly impossible, rendering the experience points meaningless.

Through this brutal battle, Sang-woong gained a profound realization.

The most significant was that the land he’d nurtured was no longer a safe haven.

The red gates could unleash merciless attacks from powerful entities at any moment.

Thus, not only Sang-woong himself but also his precious land needed to grow stronger as quickly as possible.

Despite the fleeting joy of victory, the aftermath of the gruesome battlefield was a daunting task.

For a week, Sang-woong buried the Orcs’ horrific corpses, their stench worsening his suffering.

Afterward, he began restoring the ravaged fields.

Tilling the ruined soil and planting new seeds, Sang-woong and the Afua tribe sowed hope together.

Fortunately, the trees bearing precious shiitake mushrooms were spared, preserving at least that resource.

Had the mushrooms been destroyed, rebuilding would have been far more arduous.

Though the battle cost them dearly, the atmosphere was surprisingly positive.

Rather, the entire tribe brimmed with fervent hope and optimism.

The Afua tribe saw great promise in successfully fending off the Red Moon’s terrifying invasion.

Sang-woong’s strength instilled a steadfast belief that he could protect them from any future threat.

Seeing their faith, Sang-woong found renewed resolve to live up to it.

“Haa…”

The man’s deep sigh betrayed his exhaustion.

His face, etched with fatigue, was drained of color, dark circles heavy under his eyes, and his lips parched and cracked.

His slumped shoulders and heavy aura revealed his extreme weariness.

This was Koo Yoo-joon, Eun-woo’s older brother.

After half a month of grueling monster hunts, he was utterly spent.

Swish…

His eyelids drooped heavily, the weight of the world seemingly on them.

But he jolted awake, startled.

“Phew, that was close.”

He was driving.

Overcome by exhaustion, he’d nearly dozed off.

“They say danger strikes when you let your guard down…”

Having survived the brutal hunts, it would be absurd to die in a car accident.

“No way… not until Eun-woo’s fully recovered.”

Slapping his pale face with rough hands, Koo Yoo-joon barely clung to consciousness.

After a perilous drive, his worn-out car finally reached the familiar house.

He parked haphazardly in a quiet spot nearby.

“Moving here was a good choice,” he muttered.

Unlike their old cramped neighborhood, where late-night parking was a hassle, this area always had ample space.

Before stepping out, he checked his haggard face in the rearview mirror, adjusting his clothes.

Worried the stench of monster blood lingered, he sniffed himself and, still uneasy, sprayed a bit of cologne from the glove compartment onto his collar.

“Good enough.”

After one last glance in the mirror, he trudged toward the house.

Though just a modest one-room apartment, it was his most cherished and comforting space.

“Eun-woo, hyung’s home!”

Opening the door, he called out with a bright smile, shedding his weary expression.

“Hyung, you’re back?” came Eun-woo’s voice, feigning indifference but tinged with warmth.

“You little…”

Having lost their parents in a tragic accident, the brothers were left alone in the world.

Yet, Eun-woo’s voice alone melted Yoo-joon’s fatigue.

The biggest reason for his cheer was that his brother’s long-standing dungeon disease was visibly improving.

Despite hunting monsters tirelessly to fund treatment, Yoo-joon could only slow the disease’s progression.

But miraculously, his efforts bore fruit, and Eun-woo’s condition was steadily improving.

“Yeah, Eun-woo, hyung’s here.”

Opening the door wide, Yoo-joon’s smile grew brighter.

In the small room, Eun-woo sat comfortably, his once gaunt and anxious demeanor replaced by vibrant energy.

“Wow, Eun-woo, you dyed your hair!”

Yoo-joon noticed his brother’s new black hair immediately.

“Yeah, just felt like a change,” Eun-woo replied, though it was Ji-an’s enthusiastic urging that prompted it. He felt shy admitting it to his brother.

“It suits you way better. You look alive now!”

Yoo-joon felt deep relief at his brother’s calmer appearance.

The previous tense, sharp aura was gone, replaced by a serene stability.

It was as if the healthy Eun-woo from years ago had returned, making Yoo-joon’s nose tingle with emotion.

“What’re you up to?” he asked, curious about Eun-woo’s focus on the computer screen.

“Editing a video. Ji-an and I started a YouTube channel.”

“YouTube?”

Yoo-joon tilted his head at the unfamiliar term, surprised by his brother’s new venture.

“Yeah, starring Pink and Leon.”

“That Pink’s the super cute cat, right? So Leon’s a cat too?”

Yoo-joon pictured a fluffy, small cat, assuming Leon was similar.

“Nah, Leon’s a dog the restaurant ajussi raises. Looks like a cool Saint Bernard.”

Eun-woo’s answer widened Yoo-joon’s eyes.

A tiny cat and a massive Saint Bernard? The combination was hard to imagine.

“A Saint Bernard? That’s a huge dog! Isn’t it dangerous?”

The thought of a large dog raised concerns for his brother’s safety.

“Leon’s so smart and gentle. He flops on the ground right away if someone might get scared.”

Eun-woo emphasized Leon’s docile nature, chuckling at the memory.

“Wow, that’s something. I gotta see him sometime.”

“You’d probably have a hard time meeting him.”

Eun-woo spoke casually, eyes still on the monitor, a hint of regret in his voice.

“What?”

Yoo-joon tilted his head, puzzled.

“Pink and Leon are super picky. They don’t warm up to strangers easily. It takes time.”

Eun-woo explained their surprisingly cautious personalities.

“Come on, who do you think I am? I’ve got a special way with animals.”

Yoo-joon boasted confidently, believing he could charm any creature.

“What’s that?” Eun-woo asked, finally looking up with curious eyes, wondering if his brother’s method could be YouTube content.

“Simple. Win them with food. Cats love… what’s it called? Churu? That’ll do. For a big dog, toss a whole raw chicken, and it’ll wag its tail and follow you.”

Yoo-joon looked pleased with his idea, but Eun-woo gave a wry smile, thinking, Typical hyung logic.

“What? Not good?” Yoo-joon asked, baffled by his brother’s reaction.

“Ji-an tried Churu with Pink, but she wouldn’t budge. And Pink hisses at strangers who get too close.”

“Geez, they’re that prickly? How’d you get close then?”

“We got help from the restaurant ajussi. Pink and Leon love him.”

Eun-woo clicked his tongue, describing their aloofness.

Hearing this, Yoo-joon thought of Sang-woong.

Somehow, he felt Sang-woong could win over any animal instantly.

He nodded with a faint smile.

“Well, with that hyung’s vibe… even animals can tell, huh?”

Yoo-joon had grown fond of Sang-woong, though he wasn’t sure when it started—maybe when he generously lowered their rent.

Despite seeming like an ordinary restaurant owner, Sang-woong’s occasional air of mystery and quiet warmth set him apart.

Yoo-joon was especially grateful for Sang-woong looking after Eun-woo’s meals during his absences.

Though he paid for the food later, seeing his brother healthy and well-fed was worth far more.

Each time he saw Eun-woo’s fuller frame, gratitude for Sang-woong swelled.

Realizing he’d never properly thanked him due to his busy schedule, Yoo-joon decided he needed to express his gratitude in person soon.