Chapter 278: Accepting (2)

The trace of the harmless king returned to the shallow puddle, leaving behind an empty space. His hands were still cold, stiffened like a corpse with bloodless veins. Tears welled up in his once white eyes, now turning into droplets and falling. Strands of hair were stuck to his clothes and at the tips of his fingers.

- Tweet tweet.

- Dad.

He tried to respond, but his lips wouldn't move. His entire body felt heavy, like soaked cotton. After standing there dumbfounded, he finally managed to speak.

"It's okay."

It's okay. He can go back. Since he already had one chance, there must be a second.

"I'm okay."

- Beep.

"Chirpie, can you go back? It might be dangerous."

He didn't want to go back to the original dungeon. He didn't really know if chirpie would be in danger, but he enveloped chirpie who was floating, with both hands.

"Chirpie, we don't know who you really are or what your purpose is."

- Beep.

" but thank you."

At least you led me to Yoohyun. A small white bird chirped, flapping its tiny wings. Did knowing the whereabouts of his sibling have something to do with the white bird? It could be a member of the white bird tribe, given its white feathers.

The white bird that Yoohyun took with him.

The reason was still unknown. At first, he was angry and resentful, but now he felt grateful.

If Diarma had taken him away, he wouldn't know how his sibling was treated. But the white bird was carrying Yoohyun safely, without a scratch. If it continues to protect Yoohyun until I bring him back, then.

And if it doesn't interfere when the opportunity arises. I'll be sincerely thankful.

"...Myeongwoo must be worried. Go back quickly."

- Beep!

Chirpie tilted its head. Can't understand?

"I mean Myeongwoo, Myeongwoo! You collected a lot of magic stones at Myeongwoo's house. Remember? Go to Myeongwoo."

Chirpie disappeared with a chirp. Hopefully, it went well.

- I have to sleep now, Dad.

Changeling flew to me and looked me in the eye.

"You too, thank you. Really."

Despite knowing what emotions I used to combine the magic stones, I felt guilty under the affectionate gaze of his golden eyes. Changeling flicked its long tail. Its wings sparkled like prisms.

- It won't take long. I'll seal the mana engraving again. Take care, Dad.

"I'll be fine, so don't worry."

The silver little dragon dispersed like an illusion. Shortly after, the surroundings changed. Birdsong could be heard through dense trees. Then.

"Hyung!"

With Yoohyun.

"Ahjussi!"

Following Yerim.

- Meow!

"Yoohyun, yoojin-ssi"

Peace and Moon Hyuna ran towards me.

"No casualties among the team members... is everyone out?"

Moon Hyuna was fussing around me for no reason.

"It seems like it's taking a bit longer for some to come out."

Sung Hyunjae glanced at me sharply.

"What's this, hyung..."

Yoohyun looked down at the torn piece of cloth on my arm and the blood-stained hole in my pants with a dark expression. While the torn piece of cloth could be overlooked, there was blood on the pants. Oh, this.

"Ahjussi, are you hurt?!"

- Meow.

"I'll use healing skills right away!"

"No, I'm fine. Yoohyun, Yerim, it's okay. This was nothing."

I smiled while saying it. I'm really seemed fine. Yoohyun prodded my body with a frown. Yerim joined in, and Peace leaned against the leg that had been injured. Moon Hyuna also expressed her concerns.

It felt like the heavy, suffocating feeling in my chest was finally loosening. Yes, I'm okay. It has to be okay.

"Yoohyun."

My brother. I looked at his chubby face with some annoyance. It's aggravating.

"I took what you lost-..."

I choked on my words. Because in my hands... Both of them....

Empty.

"...Hyung?"

Gone. I was definitely holding it in my hands, but it was gone. Until we got there, definitely. But then, holding Yoo Hyun-i in my arms. How did it happen? A chill spread through my whole body, and my chest tightened again. No, it can't be.

"What's wrong, hyung?"

"Ahjussi? What happened there while we were out?"

My fingertips trembled. They didn't notice at all. The bead containing my brother's memories... I dropped it. How could I do such a foolish thing...

I lost it. Along with the purpose of bringing my brother back, I lost his memories too. I... in the end, I couldn't bring anything back. hands were empty.

Even this, even this I couldn't do...

Crack.

Something inside me broke. The thin thread I was barely holding onto.

"Sorry..."

"Hyung, why suddenly—"

"Yoohyun, please, just a moment..."

Don't look. I had to leave this place. I had to run. I don't even know why, just..

"Hyung!"

"Let go, let go, let go!"

I shook off Yoohyun's hand grabbing me. I stumbled aimlessly, gasping for air. It felt like someone had punched deep into my throat.

"Yoojin-ssi calm down for a moment. Yerim, you too. Noah Hunter, block them."

"Get out of the way!"

"What are you trying to accomplish by rushing in recklessly!"

Someone lifted me as I staggered, swiftly striding away from the scene.

"Breathe."

"Ugh, ugh... *cough*..."

A hand patted my back. But my breathing still wasn't normal. It felt like my throat would tear apart any moment. It was like trying to pull out a boulder from a coin slot. It hurt. It hurt.

"Han Yoojin. Yoojinah."

"*Sniffle*... Ugh, *sob*..."

"You can cry. No one will hear you outside."

My eyes were dry, my throat still clogged. Only hoarse sounds came out.

It's not okay. It's never okay. How could it be okay? How could I? What can I do? How can I sleep, eat, breathe? How can I live like this?

My stomach burned. It felt like I swallowed embers. It smoldered, turning pitch black long ago.

From the burnt depths, a choked sob erupted. How could I have survived like this? It's a mess. Really.

"...Hyung."

"Ugh, *gasp*..."

Yoohyun stood before me. I writhed to break free, but his grip on me remained firm.

"Hyung."

My brother lowered himself. With gentle eyes and no rush, he waited for me.

"*Cough*... *sigh*..."

The blocked breath burst out in his gaze. My throat still burned, and with each breath, it felt like my mucous membranes melted away. His hand slowly let go of me as I collapsed. Yoohyun caught me, supporting my fall. I grasped his arm with both hands.

The burst breath turned into tears. It was an annoying sound, like a dying beast. I cried as if I were dying. I vomited everything that had accumulated over a long time. I poured it all out, leaving only an empty shell behind.

Yet.

"Yoohyun, ah..."

Not everything had vanished. There was still, there was still more than anticipated. Quite a bit more within the short span of time that had passed.

Enough to be able to speak aloud without completely crumbling.

"It's okay, no not... not really...."

"...Yeah, hyung."

"It's not okay at all, and perhaps it won't be for a while, maybe even in the future."

They say wounds heal. But there are wounds one carries for a lifetime. They may fade to the point of being forgotten momentarily, yet they may also worsen. Suddenly flare up and be laid bare. Like how old wounds ache when it rains, something seemingly insignificant to others could become a heavy downpour.

"I, Yoohyun..."

It will be unforgettable forever. It might get buried deep in the heart and by covering layer by layer, but it will never disappear. Suddenly recalling everything my heart pounding in my chest, I staggered

"I might continue to suffer and struggle, so you, you all might worry. I want to say it's okay, that I'm okay, but..."

"It's okay, hyung."

Yoohyun embraced me.

"It's okay not to be okay. It's okay to be hurt. Of course, it's best if hyung isn't in pain, but there's no need to force yourself to endure everything."

Honest, kind whispers.

"I love you no matter what, hyung. Even if you have to give up everything because it's too hard. Whatever choices and decisions you make."

"...Sorry, Yoohyun."

"No, it's okay."

Yoohyun hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"Actually, I'm happy even though it hurts my heart to see you struggling."

"...Huh?"

"I'm happy because you tell me these things and giving me hope."

I lifted my lowered head. Yoohyun was smiling faintly.

"So, I'm even more sorry, hyung. If this also makes you feel bad."

"So. It's okay. I'll be happy if you tell me everything that hurts you."

My brother's smile grew even brighter. Though weak, my body was weary, but my heart was lighter. It felt like being submerged in warm water, clear and gentle waves swaying.

I exhaled a long breath and smiled back. It's okay not to be okay...

"May I lend hand?"

Sung Hyunjae's voice came from behind. When I turned, I saw him holding an item to block out sound in one hand, standing tall as if protecting us.

"Is the hand your lending properly attached?"

"Of course."

He reached out his hand towards me. I took his hand and stood up. Then I extended my hand to Yoo Hyun. Even though he didn't need support, he took my hand and rose.

"Well, thank you for now."

I felt embarrassed belatedly. My face must be a mess. I can't remember the last time I cried like this. Before Sung Hyunjae could say anything, I quickly moved away, knowing others would worry too.

"Ahjussi!"

-mmn?

"Yoojin-ssi, are you okay?"

Moon hyuna along with Yerim, Peace, and Noah, came running towards us. Moon hyuna also sent me a worried look. It was really touching and I felt greatfull at the same time.

"I've been through some tough times, so that's why. Before I came out, I even encountered that jellyfish. The one responsible for us ending up in that strange dungeon," I explained briefly.

"Hyung!"

Yoohyun gasped, and Yerim and Noah looked bewildered. Then, the lectures started pouring in. No, I didn't even start it this time, and yet I'm the one being scolded.

"So, that monster helped us out. And the king of the Harmlessness is also dead."

I explained briefly about the powerful monster born from the combination of magical stones, which, although disposable, resolved the situation remarkably well. Sung Hyunjae gaze seemed somewhat meaningful, but he didn't offer any further comments.

"Let's focus on conquering the dungeon for now. We don't even know how much time has passed outside."

"Right, ahjussi"

Yerim handed me a basin filled with water.

"It's not for your mouth, it's for your face."

"Thanks."

As I washed my face with the lukewarm water, a towel was also handed to me. Noah applied his healing skill just in case, and Peace grew taller, standing beside me.

"You know, ahjussi"

Yerim whispered softly, saying she didn't want to interrupt because it seemed related to Yoohyun this time, but she also wanted to come with me.

At her assurance of not missing out next time, I couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah, of course. I'd be disappointed if Yerim left me out."

Yoohyun leaned against my back protectively as we set off. With an A-grade dungeon, we would easily conquer it with our current team. To escape the dungeon faster, we scattered in different directions.

Perhaps thinking of me, Peace walked slowly, almost without any trembling. As Yoohyun leaned against me, drowsiness crept in. It was a pleasant feeling of relief after crying so much.

"I have to tell everyone."

To as many people as possible, at least to my brother. Even if the rascals resist until the end, I'll tell them. Unless there's a catastrophic event happening right now, I'll spill it out.

You saved me.

I didn't want to bring up the painful process of the past few years. But I wanted to talk about how I could be here now, how we could be together again.

And as I am now, despite being covered in scars, I am happy.

"There's something I want to tell you when we're outside."

I said, half-closing my eyes. Everything was peaceful except for the occasional screams of monsters in the distance and the swaying shadows.

"Well, me too, Hyung. There's something I haven't told you."

"Huh? What is it? You don't have to force yourself to say it if you're unsure."

Yoohyun shook his head, indicating it wasn't like that.

"It's about me."

"You?"

"Yeah. The me I hate."

What's going on all of a sudden? I was fully awake now. I quickly turned to look at Yoohyun.