Sloth's Incarnation and Sibling Secrets
As I mentioned in passing last time, Snow has fully adapted to life outside the labyrinth.
She occasionally seemed a bit stifled from using Inhwa's Art for extended periods, but aside from that, she was perfectly acclimated to the outside world.
In fact, she had adapted so well that it bordered on excessive these days.
After delivery food and smartphones, she had even started borrowing her little sister's clothes. For a monster, she was almost too human.
Sometimes, I caught myself thinking she seemed more human than me, the former human.
Just look at her right now.
Lounging crookedly on one end of the sofa, with Suli sprawled on her belly and Rue perched on her head, fiddling with her smartphone while devouring snacks.
Was this truly the same Snow I knew? That epitome of laziness?
Where had that elegant, dignified Snow gone?
A wave of despair washed over me, and I rubbed my face.
Compared to when she first emerged from the labyrinth, her current state was unbelievable even seeing it firsthand.
'What a tragedy... And the culprit behind all this is...'
My gaze naturally shifted to the embodiment of sloth rivaling Snow.
No, perhaps even a step above her?
Comparing her to Snow might even be an insult to Snow.
"Sluuurp... sluurp... sliiiip... sloooorp—"
Too lazy to even hold her smartphone, she had it propped on a stand. One hand clutched a bag of snacks, while To Soon-i, balanced on her belly, held her drink. She herself just sipped cola through a straw.
All she did was periodically grab a potato chip and occasionally suck on the straw.
The incarnation of sloth—eliminating all unnecessary actions, achieving everything with minimal effort.
The root of Snow's corruption.
Seeing my one and only little sister like this filled me with inexpressible despair.
'...She used to be such a fine girl.'
Where had it all gone wrong?
The modest, polite child had become a cancer-inducing slob in the blink of an eye.
Where was that obedient girl who listened so well? Now she treated her big brother like some carry-on luggage.
It had to be those bad influences from her hunter days.
Rubbing my furrowed brow, I thought of her raid party members.
Maybe I should have a serious sit-down with them.
Ask what the hell they'd done to my sister.
Yes, it wasn't too late.
From now on, as her brother and as Snow's husband, I needed to step up.
Show Snow and my sister what a proper role model looked like...
"Oppa. Bring some potato chips from the kitchen."
"This Lady desires the chocolate Kobuk Chips... Ah, and something to drink as well."
"Ah—! Get me a drink too! This one's almost gone! Soda this time! With lots of ice, super cold!"
Truly inexpressible despair.
I wanted to yell at them to get it themselves, but with Snow there, it was impossible.
...Sister, did you corrupt Snow just to set this up?
A reasonable suspicion.
In the end, I reluctantly served the snacks and drinks.
At least they had some conscience and said thanks.
To Soon-i gazed at me with incredibly salty eyes.
The living drink holder and me, reverted to porter duties drawing on past experience.
For a moment, To Soon-i and I communicated with our eyes.
'...You've had it rough, Master.'
'To Soon-i, you too... Hang in there.'
'Yes... You too, Master...'
It was the moment a sticky bond formed between To Soon-i and me.
After that brief emotional exchange with To Soon-i, I quietly settled in one corner of the living room.
Snow and my sister hadn't budged from their initial positions.
"...Come to think of it, Yu Hwa-yeong."
"Yeah? What?"
Her eyes still glued to her phone screen, my sister replied half-heartedly.
Rubbing my slightly frowning brow at her attitude, I voiced the thought that had suddenly come to mind.
"Don't you need to do your own activities? You're an S-rank hunter at least. Aren't you busy?"
"...I'm fine."
"That pause was too long."
"...I said I'm fine."
Her words said fine, but her trembling eyes said otherwise.
"Just to be sure, you're not putting off work, right?"
"...Yang Yu-i unnie handles most things."
"...Yang Yu-i the hunter?"
"Yeah..."
I recalled the bright A-rank healer woman as my sister slowly nodded.
She did seem to take good care of my sister back then...
"You haven't been like this before?"
"No! I usually work diligently!"
My sister bolted upright.
Her sudden movement nearly spilled the drink To Soon-i was holding.
But To Soon-i hopped up reflexively, averting disaster on the sofa.
The training in the labyrinth had paid off—her plump body belied surprisingly agile movements.
I'd praise her properly later.
"Usually diligent... So you're definitely slacking now?"
"...Ugh!"
A groan escaped her.
Panicking, she started stammering excuses.
"I-it's just... Oppa and unnie are here, so... I was just helping unnie adjust to the outside..."
I glanced at Snow amid her excuses.
She had set her phone aside at some point and was watching us munch snacks with keen interest.
Anyone could see she was fully adjusted.
So much to say about that, but dealing with my sister came first.
"Snow seems fully adjusted already. So no issue with you working? I could've helped with her adjustment anyway."
"Th-that's..."
She averted her eyes, glancing around.
Seeing her so flustered—rare for her—gave me immense satisfaction.
I'd reclaimed my brotherly dignity, lately slipping away.
Thus, I savored my recovered authority and lectured her for a while.
Only when she finally promised to go to work did I end the scolding, satisfied.
Seeing her sniffling in Snow's arms with a wronged expression was deeply gratifying.
Monster slain.
Now she'd be a bit more proper.
Ride this momentum to Snow...
No, Snow was off-limits.
To me, she was extraterritorial.
Let her do as she pleases.
As long as she's happy, no problem.
Afterward, my sister snuffled in Snow's arms for a good while.
Snow comforted her mechanically—patting her back repeatedly—while murmuring "I see," "Is that so," "Hang in there," her eyes drifting back to her phone.
Snow's greatness struck me anew.
So much to admire.
After watching their comedic scene briefly, I quietly stood.
Snow's gaze flicked from her phone.
"Where to?"
"Got an appointment."
At her puzzled head-tilt, I hurriedly explained.
"Meeting Jeong Soo-ah... Coming along?"
"Hmm... No. Go ahead."
Snow pondered briefly, then slowly shook her head.
Before, she'd have insisted on coming. For some reason, she didn't.
Because of the suggestions I'd planted on Jeong Soo-ah before?
Snow was oddly lenient toward those under my suggestions or mental control.
Not many cases yet, so not definitive.
"Alright, then I'll go alone."
"Don't be late."
Her gentle addition made me nod calmly—
—when my sister, still in Snow's arms, suddenly lifted her head.
"Who's Jeong Soo-ah? A woman?"
No idea what she was thinking, but her eyes sparkled like her sulk was forgotten. I sighed lightly.
I could vaguely guess her thoughts.
"...Just a business partner."
"Hmmm? Really?"
"If not, Snow wouldn't let me go alone."
"Oh, right. Yeah, unnie wouldn't."
She nodded in agreement, then deflated with a limp expression.
Should've pushed harder earlier?
Seize the moment and educate thoroughly...
"So, business like before? Black Market stuff?"
As I regretted not schooling her more, she perked up and asked.
No reason to hide, so I affirmed casually.
"Mm. Yeah."
"Hmm... Mind if I tag along?"
"...You?"
"Yeah. Can't I?"
She asked cautiously. I paused.
"...Why?"
"Just curious? It's a big deal. Better to know something than nothing."
She peeked at me, explaining carefully.
Stroking my chin as I watched, I considered.
'Fair enough from her perspective.'
I'd told her some before, but not enough.
Unlike me—who didn't care much if Chinese or Japanese hunters took over Korea's underworld or hunter scene—as an active S-rank, she had to be sensitive.
Even if I said I'd handle it fine, she couldn't just watch carefree.
'But bringing her along...'
I understood her reason, but couldn't just take her.
Going together would signal some connection between us.
Even if not revealed as siblings, it would publicize a significant link.
Jeong Soo-ah and Na Yeon-seong were already under mental control, so no loose lips there.
Still, couldn't casually bring my sister.
'Even careful, limits exist. Long tails get exposed. Need to stay cautious.'
Already living at her place was late caution.
But I always used Stealth entering/leaving, so no worry there.
One reason for meeting Jeong Soo-ah: find a separate place.
Sorry for her, but curiosity alone meant more cons than pros.
Hide our relation till the very end.
'I'll have Jeong Soo-ah watch her back anyway.'
Powerless now, post-this, as underworld ruler again, she'd aid my sister greatly.
'So, handle this cleanly.'
One reason I wasn't charging in blindly.
I briefly explained to my waiting sister.
Disappointed, but smart as she was, she didn't whine once reasoned.
Understood as well as I did.
"...Yeah, if we're seen together, Dad might find out."
Her quiet addition was bitterly wistful.
My expression soured too.
That's what Dad was to us.
"...Anyway, you get it? Sorry, but going alone."
"...Yeah. Got it... But tell me everything after?"
She added firmly, unyielding on that. I nodded lightly.
No issue just telling.
"Alright, I'm off."
"Don't be late."
"Be safe."
Snow and my sister saw me off.
En route, Suli wailed "Cwang-cwang!" wanting to come, but my sister blocked her.
Sister no, but Suli or kids fine.
Voice that thought, and sister erupted.
She said it'd be super unfair if Suli/kids went when she couldn't.
...She regresses more with age.
Jealous of nieces/nephews from boredom.
Where did that gentle sister go?
An unsolved mystery.