Chapter 31 Party Members
Chapter 31: {Party Members}
{Party Members}
"My sister is just too much to handle."
Yu Ji-hu lay sprawled on the training room floor, his Magic Crystal Armor deactivated. Above him, Yu Ha-rin had pinned him down, her long hair cascading over his face in tickling strands as she held both his arms in a dominant position.
"Hehe, but you've gotten so much stronger, Ji-hu. Your big sister is so proud of you. You've grown so wonderfully~"
Even as Ha-rin praised him, Ji-hu could only respond with a strained laugh.
Their current position—with Ha-rin straddling him and gazing down—placed her breathtaking face mere inches from his. Worse yet, the subtle sway of her ample chest with each movement sent his blood boiling.
'I want to take her right now.'
The desire for his own sister kept surging uncontrollably within him.
What was this feeling?
Had he genuinely fallen in love with his blood-related sister?
Or was this some twisted obsession, an irrational possessiveness toward her?
'I don't know.'
He still couldn't tell.
But one thing was certain...
'I want her.'
In every possible way, he craved Yu Ha-rin.
More than anything else in this world, he yearned for her.
"Sis..."
"Yes, Ji-hu?"
"Can you... get off me first?"
"Okay."
Though she seemed reluctant, Ha-rin obediently moved aside. As Ji-hu sat up, his gaze instinctively drifted to her thighs—the milky skin exposed beneath her short dolphin shorts, the alluring curve of her slender legs stealing his breath.
Suppressing his rising urges, he cautiously changed the subject.
"Uh, Sis..."
"Yes?"
"About those party members you recommended... Could you tell me more now?"
It was a transparent attempt to distract himself, and Ha-rin saw right through it.
"One of them will be here soon—you can meet her in person," she said with a playful smile. "But more importantly, Ji-hu... Want to take a bath together? It's been so long since I washed you..."
Ji-hu felt like he might genuinely lose his mind at her blatant seduction.
Sophia Clark, the girl known as the Saintess, had dressed impeccably upon hearing of the Empress Yu Ha-rin's visit.
Her attire—a white dress with a matching veil—gave off wedding-like vibes, though in reality, these were high-grade defensive artifacts. Crafted specifically for her by the Underground Guild, they amplified both her healing and defensive capabilities.
'Why would Her Majesty come to see me?'
Rumors had spread through the guild: Yu Ha-rin's younger brother, Yu Ji-hu, had returned to Earth as a Returnee.
'Could this be about him?'
Sophia wondered about the purpose of the visit—and what kind of person this brother might be.
—I'll appear before you in three seconds.
Ha-rin's voice suddenly echoed in her mind via telepathy.
'She's coming now?'
As Sophia tensed, the Empress materialized before her.
Even to another woman, Ha-rin's beauty seemed inhuman—divine, as if sculpted by gods. Her flawless figure was accentuated by the tailored suit she wore, but Sophia's attention quickly shifted to the young man beside her.
'He's handsome.'
The resemblance confirmed this was Ha-rin's brother. At 23, his refined features could make any girl's heart flutter, softened further by the gentle aura he carried.
"N-Nice to meet you. I'm Sophia Clark," she greeted in slightly accented Korean.
"Likewise. I'm Yu Ji-hu."
The contrast between the two was striking. Where Ha-rin's gaze was icy, Ji-hu's expression was warm, his tone kind.
"Ji-hu, Sophia here is the healer I recommended. Her abilities are still growing, so expect great things."
Sophia flushed at the Empress's praise. Being acknowledged so highly by the woman she revered most was exhilarating.
"Mm, I can see that. Sophia, you're fifteen this year, right?"
"Yes. Fifteen by Korean age, fourteen by my country's count."
She knew Korea's age-counting differed and clarified accordingly.
"Seoul and Italy have an eight-hour difference... It's 11 PM there, so 3 PM here."
Post-lunch hours. Sophia had eaten lightly earlier and pre-treated severe patients in preparation for this meeting.
"Your Majesty... what should I do now? Am I joining his party?"
She guessed Ha-rin intended her as Ji-hu's party healer.
"That's right. I recommended you for his team."
Ha-rin's voice was uncharacteristically tender—a tone Sophia had never heard before.
'She really cherishes him.'
The affection was palpable. Needing details, Sophia pressed further.
"How is the party currently structured?"
Even at her age, Sophia knew survival in Rifts demanded thorough preparation.
"Right now, it's just me, Seo Yu-rin—a close-combat specialist using sword and shield—and you. But Sis said she'd recommend two more."
Sophia looked to Ha-rin.
"Blazing Heat, Erika Mochida. The Elf, Irina Isteden. Those two."
"Them?"
Erika Mochida, Blazing Heat, was a famed Japanese Ability User—a pyrokinetic who incinerated hordes of monsters in seconds. Her reputation was slightly marred by her affiliation with the Underground Guild instead of Japan's own.
A former aspiring actress and model, she occasionally modeled for guild-affiliated brands while dominating the battlefield.
Irina Isteden, the Elf, was a Swedish-born archer who'd migrated to the U.S. before settling in Korea. Her moniker came from her emerald hair, peerless archery, and ability to summon creatures—traits reminiscent of fantasy elves, though she was fully human.
"An incredible lineup."
Even Sophia could recognize their caliber. With Ha-rin's endorsement, their participation was guaranteed.
"What do you say? Will you join?"
"Yes. I'll do my best, though I may still need time for volunteer work...?"
She referred to her habit of healing terminally ill patients. Ji-hu nodded.
"That's fine. I'll make time for volunteering too."
"What a relief."
Sophia felt eager anticipation.
'If I serve Her Majesty's brother well, she'll value me even more. And he seems kind.'
As she mentally reviewed the party's roster, her eyes sparkled with commitment.
"Then I'll summon the other two—they've agreed," Ha-rin said after checking her phone.
"Sis, let me message Yu-rin too. It'd be unfair if she missed gathering everyone."