An Uneasy Truce with Yelena
With the minor mishap involving Yelena finally sorted out, I sat on the living room floor, waiting for Sujin. Yelena had been released and was now perched on the sofa, making it awkward to sit next to her.
Sujin, come quick.
Yelena had been staring right at me nonstop since earlier, turning the place into a bed of nails. It would've been better if she'd said something, but she just sat there, stone-faced and unmoving. At least the murderous glint in her eyes had dulled a bit compared to before—that was something.
"Oppa~ I'm home!"
"Sujin!"
My long-awaited little sister had finally arrived. I dashed out in my socks to greet her warmly.
"Huh? Oppa! You missed your little sis that much?"
"Yeah..."
"Heh heh. Such a baby."
Only then did Yelena poke her head out from the sofa where she'd been sitting.
"Sujin?"
"Yelena!"
"Sujin!"
The two lit up like fireworks the moment they spotted each other, bouncing with joy. Sujin I could understand, but Yelena too? It was pretty unexpected. The icy expression was gone, replaced by a bright smile.
"Ah! Oppa! Did you two introduce yourselves properly?"
"Uh, yeah. Sort of."
"Ahem. They're both my friends, so you should at least make proper introductions. Oppa, this is Yelena Rexaiyevna Marcoova. We've been pen pals like besties."
"...How long? How long have you two known each other?"
At my question, Yelena's eyes filled with killing intent again. I brushed it off lightly.
Whatever, do your worst.
I hadn't pried earlier about the secrecy stuff, but some things needed clarifying. Sujin was my little sister. If Yelena—real name or fake, who knew—had approached her on purpose, I couldn't just let it slide as her big brother.
"About... over ten years? We started chatting right when I was just starting out as a hunter."
"...I see."
That was quite a while. And from when Sujin was a rookie hunter, no less.
Guess it's not because of the Yukang Group badge, then.
"So, you're really just pen pal friends?"
"Yeah! Of course!"
Sujin nodded with wide eyes. Sorry, but that question wasn't really for her.
"...Yes."
Yelena gave a short nod, clearly aware of my gaze.
"Alright, then."
For now, I'd take her word for it. For Sujin's sake. It'd be a shock if she learned her pen pal of over ten years was on the run from something.
"Anyway, Yelena! This is my big bro, Park Soo-hyeok."
Sujin gave a quick intro about me. I'd just returned from another world two days ago.
Yelena's brow furrowed deeply—it was the kind of story that didn't jibe with common sense here. No need to spell it out; her eyes screamed suspicion. I shrugged back at her.
"...Is it true?"
"It is. Believe it or not, up to you."
"But Shak, you..."
Yelena trailed off mid-sentence. Probably because spilling what happened before Sujin arrived might expose her own secret.
Tricky spot for her. She'll have to explain it herself.
"Sujin. What should I do from now on?"
Yelena cut right between us, perhaps worried I'd blab her secret.
"Ah, about that..."
Sujin frowned, deep in thought.
"First off, Yelena, I'm really sorry things turned out like this. I had no idea Oppa would suddenly come back home."
"No, Sujin. Just inviting me to Korea is more than enough."
"Pfft. Where'd you pick up 'more than enough'?"
"From your letters, Sujin."
"Heh heh. Well, if you feel that way, I'm grateful, but..."
Sujin, who'd been grinning, started fiddling with her phone.
"Anyway, I'm working on a new identity for you. So."
She placed both hands on Yelena's shoulders, locking eyes.
"Just stay here for the time being."
"Here? No. This place is..."
Her gaze flicked toward me.
What.
"...I don't want to impose on Sujin."
"Argh! That whole 'impose' nonsense! Don't you know who I am? Yukang Group Great Beast Operations Division Deputy Chief! A-rank Hunter Park Sujin! You think my wallet's gonna dry up with one or two extra mouths?"
"Sujin..."
"If you're really worried, help Oppa with the farming. That's more than enough already."
"Oppa...?"
Her eyes flicked to me again. Not a friendly look.
Watch it.
To be fair, I wasn't in the wrong. She'd jumped to conclusions and tried to kill me; I just fought back.
Though I guess the guy who beat her unconscious till she passed out wouldn't look too kindly.
"Remember those letters? About turning this area into farmland."
"I do. You said changing the land use to farmland would jack up the value. Two or three times over."
"Ahem. You remember well."
Sujin glanced at me and cleared her throat.
So that's the deal.
I'd thought she was reminiscing about family memories and settling into rural life. Not quite.
Well, that might still be part of it.
With my one and only sister turning into a money-grubber over 20 years, better to think positively.
Thanks to Sujin, things wrapped up smoothly. Yelena would live here as a housemate until her new ID was ready. No freeloading—she'd help with the farm work too.
Yelena approached me hesitantly and extended her hand.
"...Shak. Let's get along from now on. For Sujin's sake."
"If it's for my sister, sure."
I shrugged and shook her hand.
"And my name's not Shak. It's Soo-hyeok. Park. Soo. Hyeok."
"Park Shak."
"Ha. You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
"I'm Russian. Korean hard."
No way. That glint in her eye screamed mischief.
"Heh heh. Don't be too hard on her, Oppa. She'll get used to it quick."
"Ugh."
I held back since Sujin was there.
Just you wait till Sujin leaves.
Luckily, our parents had built a big house, so plenty of spare rooms. Second floor for Sujin's room and study; Yelena would take the one opposite mine on the first floor.
"Oppa, grab anything she needs. I've got paperwork to finish."
She'd rushed over without wrapping up work after hearing Yelena was here. She looked busy, so minor stuff made sense for the guy with time on his hands.
"Hey."
"Why call, Soo-hyeok."
So she can say it right when she wants.
Infuriating now that she nailed it, but sister's request—I let it slide.
"Wear Sujin's old clothes for now. Uh..."
"Soo-hyeok. No need help."
"...Something's been bugging me."
"What, Soo-hyeok."
"How old are you? You've been talking all casual since earlier..."
No matter how long abroad, when in Rome. This was Korea, land of propriety. This kid—who looked way younger—kept banmaling was grating.
"25. 27 Korean age."
"27? You little punk with no life experience yet... Don't you know you use jondaemal with adults in Korea?"
"Lived in Russia. Don't know jondaemal well."
Liar.
Annoyed, but no way to verify.
"Whatever. First meeting was weird, but we're living together awhile, so let's get along."
"Got it."
"Add 'yo' at the end."
"Got it yo."
"Hm. Anything else you need?"
"No yo."
"Alright, then."
That covered Sujin's request. She didn't seem to expect much help anyway.
I'd barely glanced at those celebrity articles thanks to Yelena's intrusion. About to head to my room when—
"Soo-hyeok. Have question yo."
"...Just talk normal."
"Have question."
"What?"
"Why Soo-hyeok live here? Some scheme?"
"Ah, that."
I'd half-expected it. Why she was so wary. Must seem suspicious. Someone strong like me holing up in the sticks.
"Hm. One question first."
"What?"
"Sujin said A-rank hunter. That's strong?"
"Obviously. A-rank gets respect anywhere."
"Oho. And you?"
"...Untested. But confident I wouldn't lose to Sujin."
She rummaged in her long coat again. Not another fight, thankfully. She twirled a dagger, showing off her sword skills.
"My unique ability is 'Sword Master.' Master any blade."
"Hm."
Unique ability. Coming back to this world, that surprised me—they had them here too. Similar to the other world.
Wonder why non-awakeners lack them.
Otherwise identical. In my other world, hornless humans, dwarves, elves could use them. Why the difference?
Complicated.
Anyway. Her Sword Master seemed like the 'Sword Adept' I'd seen there. Great ability—instant mastery of any edged weapon.
Don't know this world's power level, though.
"So, where do I rank?"
"...Dunno. Least beats A-rank."
"Ahem. I see."
I scratched my nose, embarrassed.
"Anyway. You asked why I'm here?"
"Yes."
"Uh... just 'cause."
"...What?"
"Just. 'Cause I want to. Sick of fighting."
She looked like I'd smacked her upside the head. Couldn't comprehend.
"Dreamed of it my whole life in the other world. Lazy farm life at the old homestead. That's this, right? Plus, make some farm cash to spoil my sis."
"That... with that power, do nothing?"
"Haha. Do nothing? I'm farming! What, 'great power, great responsibility' spiel?"
"......"
"Sorry, that's just to exploit people for free."
"But..."
Yelena shut up like a clam. Lost for words or vocab? Who knows.
"So, I'll live like this. Peacefully with my only family. Unless Sujin marries, then I'll move out."
"Soo-hyeok. You... hard to befriend."
"Heh. Suit yourself."
I flashed a grin at the fuming Yelena and headed to my room.
"Starting today, we'll build the farm shed."
Next morning at breakfast, Sujin laid out the plans. She'd handle the back mountain field cleanup gradually; for now, focus on the land around the house. First step: the shed.
Nothing fancy. Farming meant not trekking from home daily. A small warehouse-style hut midway.
I'd helped Dad a few times, so not totally new.
"Farm shed? Already?"
Too soon. Shed's for managing fields. Right now, just weeds—no fields yet.
"Yeah. Good to store tools and stuff."
"Hm."
She grew up here too—knew that. Yet pushing for the shed meant...
"Gotta look the part for farming. Build the shed, then a greenhouse next door. Yeah? It'll be awesome!"
There it is.
Not just aesthetics. Prep for rezoning to farmland.
Sujin, how'd you end up like this.
What could I do? Lived alone since 15. Positively: self-sufficient.
"Heh heh. Clear the field, build the greenhouse, and soon...!"
Sujin grinned slyly, already hearing the land value soar.