No Forgiveness
“Forgiveness… I won’t forgive…”
Yamamoto Kazuma was strong.
Indeed, an SA-rank was an SA-rank.
Thank goodness Snow had set up a barrier beforehand. Otherwise, the police or the association would have come running at the commotion long ago.
He wasn’t quite on Charlotte’s level, of course, but among all the hunters I’d fought so far, he was undoubtedly the best.
There had been more than a few moments that sent chills down my spine, and if his twin brother Kazuki had been with him, we’d have been in real danger.
…The consumption is pretty severe.
The wounds themselves had already been fully healed by Regeneration, but the energy drain was more than I’d expected.
I hadn’t properly replenished since leaving the labyrinth, so it was only natural.
Even after defeating Kazuma and claiming the victor’s spoils as usual, all the prior expenditures meant I’d broken even at best.
If I pegged my state right after emerging from the labyrinth at 100, I was down to maybe 60 or 70 now.
No problem for day-to-day activity, but with future plans in mind, it was unsettling.
I’ll need to head into the labyrinth at least once.
I felt the need to stock up properly while I could.
After that, I left the cleanup and disposal of Kazuma’s gear entirely to Jeong Soo-ah.
She grumbled at first about the extra work, but once she saw his weapon, she was grinning ear to ear.
Word was it was a premium labyrinth-forged item—worth whatever the buyer was willing to pay.
One piece cost more than everything I’d sold before combined. That said it all.
Couldn’t unload it yet with the Yamamoto expedition watching, but she planned to juice up the options and flip it for top dollar once this blew over.
Not my problem.
Her profits would be mine soon enough.
She’d handle it fine.
Back home with Snow, I was mobbed by the inevitable rush from Suli and the kids, checking my gains amid the hugs.
Separate from the heavy energy drain, the haul from battling an SA-rank hunter was no small thing.
Skills hadn’t changed much, but my stats had ticked up, however slightly.
The new Loyalty skill I’d picked up recently had grown to C-rank, and I’d even caught a faint hint of evolution.
No status alert or anything, but I sensed it instinctively. Felt it, hazy as it was.
Evolution wasn’t far off.
It was close enough now that my body could feel it creeping nearer.
I tamped down the rising thrill and headed out the next day.
Snow was minding the house with the kids as usual for our outings, but today I had unusual company: my sister.
I hadn’t planned on it originally, but she wanted to drop into the labyrinth too, so we went together.
At first, since it was just for energy top-up, I considered turning her down. But I thought better of it.
Time to reclaim some big-brother dignity. Better to make it crystal clear now.
I was her brother, sure—but unmistakably a monster too.
She needed to get that through her head before it was too late.
Stepping out, she slipped on her mask as a matter of course.
Nothing like the hopeless mess she was at home—a proper hunter stood before me.
“...Don’t you usually wear that thing?”
“Huh? What’re you talking about?”
“...Nothing. Just… you really look like a hunter.”
My flat tone drew a giggle and a “Silly” from her.
She glanced around, composing herself quick. Made me wonder if that mask wasn’t just for hiding her identity.
“...Anyway, don’t you go with your raid team?”
“We handle our own unless there’s a commission. Last one was dicey, so we’re taking a long break. Some headed overseas.”
She muttered on, passing the checkpoint first.
“Plus, can’t dive regularly when I don’t know when Dad’ll call.”
“...Fair enough.”
I nodded once at the word “Dad” from her mouth.
“Still, you’re S-rank now. Isn’t it time to step out from under Dad’s shadow? You could push back harder.”
“...Bro who’s never done real hunter work wouldn’t get it.”
“Hm?”
In the dim upper zone, she casually dropped low-rank slimes and goblins lunging at us, continuing.
“How deep ‘Yu Cheol-yeong’s’ roots run across Korea.”
“...That much?”
“Ex-prime minister. Ruling party’s next presidential pick. Politics goes without saying—huge pull in the hunter world too. Controls a third of the association, no exaggeration.”
“A non-awakened civilian pulls that off?”
“...That’s why he’s amazing. And terrifying.”
She dropped the dad topic there, and I let it lie too, watching her quietly for a bit.
...I’ll have Jeong Soo-ah look into it next time.
That kind of influence probably meant underworld clout too.
I’d rather not tangle with the guy, but…
Still, better prep what I can.
Unless I planned to hole up in the labyrinth forever, it was only prudent.
No clue how this would play out, but I doubted it’d go smoothly.
I hoped it wouldn’t unfold exactly as I feared.
Sister’s S-rank and my SA-rank monster status meant smooth sailing—no hitches.
She cleared upper-floor mobs before I could even step in, and we hit mid-Forest Zone quick.
“No weird incidents lately, huh.”
Forest Zone, 18th floor.
No layer boss or zone lord encounters—smooth arrival in the woods. She stretched happily.
Cooped up at home, loosening up in the labyrinth felt great, apparently.
She ditched the mask, plopping her butt on a nearby bush carefree.
That easy posture screamed hunter.
“Don’t sprawl like that in the labyrinth. Monsters pop up anywhere. No detection skill and you’re this chill?”
I approached, giving her forehead a light flick.
“Ow!” She rubbed it, pouting up at me.
“I’m an S-rank hunter, y’know? Low-floor trash like this is nothing.”
“Says the one who nearly got done in by low-floor trash. Right on this floor.”
“Ugh…! That’s different! How’s an S-rank monster spawn in the Forest Zone?!”
“That’s what carelessness gets you. Labyrinth doesn’t play by outside rules. High-ranks can show in uppers, even something like me.”
I turned slowly.
Wolves started emerging from the woods I’d glanced into.
Familiar Forest Zone fare: Silent Wolves.
“Ugh… hate wolves. How’d they sneak this close? Elites mixed in too?”
She rose leisurely, drawing her weapon smooth, stepping forward.
I stopped her gently.
“Huh? Why? You got it?”
“Nah. Old ties.”
I glided toward them.
They flinched at my approach but held, tails tucked, eyeing me.
“My scent drew you?”
“Whiiiine—.”
I petted the small whine’s head lightly.
Fenrir’s old pack—from when I saved sis.
The ones I’d spared on Snow’s request, thinking ahead.
“...The ones you let go last time?”
“Meant to grab ’em on the way home.”
Guard dog vibes to bolster the lizardmen, but schedule dragged—forgot ’em unintended.
Numbers way down from then…
“Hunters get you?”
“Woof!”
Pet the affirmative nod.
From hundreds to under thirty now.
Fewer, but survivors elite—high ranks for Forest Zone.
“Held your own well. Good pups.”
Tails wagged under my lazy strokes.
“Keep grinding. Not sure when, but I’ll come fetch you.”
“Woof—.”
Cold words, but they barked fine.
I eyed them once, then turned.
“...Just leaving ’em? Weren’t you gonna bring ’em?”
“Plan to, but not babysitting. Survive, you come. Can’t? That’s that.”
Unlike the lizardmen I’d favored, these were different.
No need to coddle.
I’d already done plenty sparing ’em back then.
No urge for more.
Sis gave a weird look briefly, then nodded like she got it—sorta.
Understood but not fully, probably. Didn’t expect full buy-in anyway.
She’s hunter. I’m monster.
Time to show.
Forest Zone, 27th floor.
Area boss—zone lord. B-rank. Fitting for Forest.
Blocked sis stepping up, advanced.
Good energy snack.
And time to show.
SHAaaaa───!
The massive serpent’s cry echoed through the woods.
Sis ass-planted in shock.
That was funny.
Swallowed the area boss easy, locked eyes with sis.
Hers trembled hard.
No helping that reaction.
Knew it vaguely, but still bittersweet.
Let the shock fade. Meanwhile, I’ll fill my belly…
As I shifted, sis burst out.
“...Whoa! Wanna get tamed by me?”
Worried her head got rattled.
Expected fear or disgust at worst—not this.
She sauntered up, stroking my scales, petting finicky Left Head, hopping atop my skull.
Nothing like I’d pictured.
Flustered by the surprise, but relieved too, unbidden.
Odd warmth rising, I gruffed telepathically.
[Not scared? I’m the monster that’s devoured countless hunters.]
The voice rumbling in her head got her usual reply.
“Brother’s brother, any shape.”
Her crisp answer hit like a gut punch.
To her, human or monster—didn’t matter. Just big bro. Family.
Like she was sis to me.
This tiny realization unclogged something tight in my chest.
Now I could move free, no holds barred.
No more needless worry.
“So, seriously—tame for me? I’ll feed you three squares a day, gourmet stuff!”
…So yeah, still worried she might’ve cracked a bit.