LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 226
Chapter 226: My Younger Brother (4)
Coco let out a sigh inwardly.
‘Haaah… Well, if you think about it, this isn’t entirely Duran’s fault.’
Of course, this whole mess did start with Duran.
If he hadn’t initially put the Elixir on the special sale list, none of this would have happened.
But seriously, who in their right mind would swim that far just to get to the special sale?
And who would have thought that the lunatic would painstakingly save up two hundred million points over the course of a whole year to come back?
And really, who could have predicted he would draw the one and only item out of thousands?
‘This… is simply the result of that guy’s sheer determination.’
Coco shook her head as she watched Yuri gleefully squeezing Mucci’s chubby cheeks.
‘Now, I wonder if there’s another Elixir available?’
From what she knew, the Elixir they had back then was already a difficult item to procure.
Since it was a rare commodity even within the Bone Clan, it wouldn’t be easy to find.
‘Well, that’s none of my business anyway.’
If there was any cleaning up to do, Duran, who caused the problem, should handle it, right?
With that thought, Coco waved her hand dismissively.
“If you’ve gotten what you wanted, how about leaving now?”
Ten minutes had already passed since the special sale started, and Coco was planning to leisurely enjoy a drink to welcome the New Year.
Yuri hopped down from Mucci’s back and flashed a wide grin at Coco’s pleading eyes for them to just leave.
“Come on, where are we going? We’re just getting started.”
At that, both Coco and Mucci turned to look at Yuri in surprise.
“It… it’s not over?”
“What are you talking about? I’ve only drawn 26 times.”
“…Huh?!”
“Let’s draw just 100 more times!”
He didn’t necessarily have to spend all the remaining points, but who knew when an opportunity like this would come again?
So, Yuri planned to save a decent amount of points and pour everything into this.
‘I think I’m on a roll right now!’
He felt that he needed to draw as much as he could while the momentum was on his side.
Yuri looked at Mucci with gentle eyes.
“Since you’ve already got what you wanted, just draw without worrying now.”
“…Really?”
“Of course!”
Mucci sensed the greed hidden behind Yuri’s kind smile.
Also, his instincts told him that he shouldn’t take those words at face value.
‘But still, he said he got what he wanted.’
He didn’t know what that 3-million-point item was, but he figured it must have been what Yuri wanted.
Since he had drawn that, Yuri probably wouldn’t be too upset about any losses, right?
With that thought, Mucci reached into the box.
The result:
– Lecture Application Form 10,000P
– Lecture Application Form 10,000P
……
……
…
– Lecture Application Form 10,000P
He pulled out 20 duds in a row.
“Oh… um…”
Yuri gave Mucci, who was watching him anxiously, a reassuring smile.
“It’s fine! Come on, don’t get discouraged and keep drawing!”
Mucci deliberately ignored the slight trembling in the corners of Yuri’s lips as he reassured him.
Another 30 draws after that.
Of the 50 draws in total, only one item was useful: a high-grade recovery potion worth 1 million points.
Cold sweat dripped down Mucci’s back as he felt Yuri’s murderous aura slowly rise.
At the same time, a pale hand rested on Mucci’s shoulder.
Thud-.
“…Take it easy.”
“Hii, hiiik.”
Mucci’s neck shrank in an instant.
“You know?”
“Yes?”
“The lid on your coffin that was closed just now has opened again.”
“I-I’ll try harder!”
Mucci, now pale as a sheet, quickly pulled out a piece of paper.
And it was a high-grade potion worth a whopping 10 million points.
Seeing something worthwhile after a long time, Yuri’s fierce expression softened slightly.
But it was, as expected, only a slight softening.
“I’m not going to be satisfied with just this, am I? Do you know how much you’ve wasted so far?”
“I’ll try even harder!”
And so, Mucci straightened himself up and continued to draw from the random box, pulling out useful items in succession.
As a result, Yuri’s expression gradually softened again.
“Good, just keep doing that!”
“Yes!”
But as soon as those words left his mouth.
– 30 bundles of rations 25,000P
Mucci drew another dud.
Yuri’s expression turned fierce once more.
“You little….”
“I-I’ll draw again!”
After that, Mucci managed to draw something useful again.
After about 20 more draws, Yuri suddenly tilted his head.
‘Huh?’
He noticed something odd about the current situation.
‘…Every time I scold him, he draws something good.’
Whenever he let his guard down, he would draw something useless.
But every time Yuri scolded or pressured him, Mucci would draw something worthwhile.
‘What’s up with this guy? Is he some kind of magic pouch that spits out good luck when you poke him?’
Yuri glanced at Mucci curiously.
Then, just to be sure, he tested it a few more times.
‘Oh?’
As a result, Yuri realized that Mucci’s luck improved every time he got scolded.
‘Well, well.’
…Does he really draw good stuff every time I give him a hard time?
Yuri’s eyes gleamed as he subtly asked Coco beside him.
“Do you sell whips here?”
“…Are you even human?”
Coco, instantly realizing why Yuri’s eyes were slightly wild as he asked for a whip, stared at him in disbelief.
Ignoring her incredulous look, Yuri positioned himself behind Mucci and began scolding him earnestly.
“You… is this really the best you can do?”
“Ugh…”
“Did you come to the Cradle with such a weak spirit?”
“Hic!”
“Put more effort into it!”
“Yes, sir!”
Mucci drew from the box each time.
As the scolding continued, the results astonishingly improved.
When they reached the final 100th draw.
“Do you want to show your pathetic self to your mother and father in heaven?”
“Uh… Well… They’re both still alive though?”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes.”
“Then why were you living with your grandfather?”
“Oh, I was just visiting since his house was nearby…”
“Anyway, do you want to show your mother, father… and your grandfather such a pitiful sight?”
Mucci didn’t understand what pulling a piece of paper had to do with being pathetic, but he definitely didn’t want to show that side of himself.
“I definitely don’t want that!”
“Then focus and draw. It’s the last one!”
“The last one! Uryaah!”
Coco, watching Yuri and Mucci’s antics, muttered.
“…What a bunch of clowns.”
They were just drawing from a random box, so what the hell were they doing?
She shook her head at the ridiculous sight.
“It’s here!”
“Whoooaaaa, we got it!”
Yuri and Mucci shouted in delight as they clutched the final 100th paper.
Coco blinked.
“It’s here? Really?”
Did those ridiculous antics actually work?
No way!
Perhaps hearing Coco’s disbelieving mumble, Yuri and Mucci rushed over and held out the paper to her.
“We did it!”
“Damn! Life is all about that one big hit!”
Coco’s eyes widened as she looked at the paper they held out.
– Special Mana Enhancement Elixir 150,000,000P
The special potion that only one had been sold last year.
And now, the item that would more than make up for all the points spent so far was right there in their hands.
“Senior, did I do well?”
Yuri spoke solemnly to the beaming Mucci.
“Mucci.”
“Yes?”
“Calling me senior, huh? I’m disappointed. Is that all we are?”
“Then?”
“Call me brother, man!”
“Really?”
“Yes! If anyone ever bothers you, just tell me! Your big brother will handle them all!”
Who dares to bully my little brother who drew the Elixir and even the special potion!
Just try messing with him, I’ll crack your skull open!
“You’re gonna have it easy in the Cradle from now on! Just trust your brother!”
“Yes, Yuri bro!”
“And if you need points, let me know. I’ll lend them to you with no interest, especially for you!”
“Wow! Thank you!”
“Good!”
“Oh, by the way.”
“Huh? What is it? Ask anything!”
“Uh… What exactly are points?”
“….”
Yuri flinched at the question.
Mucci had simply followed instructions, not even knowing that the punctured silver coin he received in the Forest of Beginnings was worth points, what its value was, or what the billions of points he’d spent so far meant.
Yuri patted Mucci’s shoulder.
“There… there’s something like that! It’s something very valuable!”
“Oh, it’s valuable!”
“I’ll explain in detail later! For now, just enjoy this moment! Hahaha!”
“Yes! Hehehe!”
Seeing the two laughing happily at each other, Coco lit a cigarette.
Whoosh-.
‘…I don’t even know anymore.’
The long puff of smoke she exhaled lingered in the air, her eyes beyond it looked oddly tired.
* * *
“…Is that really Poppy with hair?”
“It really is.”
“I’m hungry.”
That was the first thing Arin, Theresia, and Poppy said when they saw Yuri, who should still have been in the Forest of Beginnings, somehow back here.
Or rather, their words were directed at Mucci, who was holding a large sack behind Yuri.
Yuri had shown up out of nowhere, saying, “Hey, this is my little brother, so take good care of him!” and then vanished again.
As Theresia and Arin looked at Mucci curiously, Poppy nudged Arin.
“…Hungry.”
“Huh? You want me to ask that? Alright.”
Arin approached Mucci and asked.
“Are you by any chance a Yum clan member too?”
“Nope! I’m just a pure human! Hehe.”
Mucci laughed bashfully and scratched the back of his head.
Theresia glanced at the sack Mucci was holding and asked.
“So, what’s in that?”
“Oh, this?”
Mucci opened the sack.
Inside were lecture application forms, rations, clothes, various recovery potions, and more.
These were all the miscellaneous items he had drawn from the random box earlier.
Mucci showed them off with a bright smile.
“Yuri gave them to me since I worked hard!”
The three were shocked by his words.
“Yuri…?”
“He gave those to you? That Yuri?!”
“I’m hungry?!”
Oh my god.
The very Yuri Holland, of all people, had given his stuff to someone else?
And for free?
Frozen in disbelief, the three couldn’t even move.
Misunderstanding something, Mucci took out some items from the sack and handed them to the three.
“I’ve got plenty, so I’ll share with you!”
Starting with rations, lecture application forms, and recovery potions.
Mucci handed out a handful of things to each of them, without even knowing their purpose.
The recipients, still stunned, stared blankly at the items in their hands.
Then, as if suddenly realizing something, Mucci stood up and bowed deeply.
“Oh, right. I haven’t introduced myself yet. Hello, let me formally introduce myself. I’m Mucci Schnell! I just turned 15, and I’m really excited to meet the distinguished seniors of the Cradle!”
Theresia’s eyes widened at his innocent introduction.
“So… he’s kind?!”
Look at those pure, untainted eyes, so rare in this Cradle.
Not the evil and corrupt juniors around.
A fresh, genuine junior who exudes innocence and youthfulness.
Moved by his presence, Theresia clasped her hands over her mouth.
But.
“I’ll strive to become an outstanding cadet of the Cradle by following the example of my seniors!”
At Mucci’s bold declaration, Theresia pulled her hands away and shouted.
“You can’t do that!”
“What?”
“There are things you should and shouldn’t learn!”
“Really?”
“Yes, those are not things to learn. No, no.”
Theresia made up her mind.
Though Mucci was a bit large, he was still the youngest with an innocent and untainted spirit.
She decided to protect his purity.
Even if the path would be tough, she resolved to try her best.
While Theresia made that decision, Yuri appeared.
“Did you wait long?”
He arrived, carrying a heap of food in both hands.
Arin and Poppy, salivating reflexively, rushed over to Yuri.
Yuri naturally kicked them away.
“Hey, where do you think you’re clinging to? Get lost already?”
“Gimme some too!”
“I’m hungry!”
With Arin and Poppy protesting, Yuri said with a fierce expression.
“There’s nothing for you two here.”
Then, he placed all the food he brought in front of Mucci, smiling kindly.
“Here you go, been waiting, right? Enjoy your meal!”
“Ah…”
Mucci looked at the food in front of him, then at Arin and Poppy, who were drooling behind Yuri, and slowly pushed a plate towards them.
“Should I… share a bit?”
“Really?”
“I’m hungry!”
“You damn brats, how dare you!”
Yuri immediately kicked away Arin and Poppy as they darted forward, then turned to Mucci with a solemn expression.
“Mucci, I’m going to teach you the most important principle of living here.”
“What is it?”
“Everything that happens within my domain must come at a price. Even the food you’re about to eat isn’t free.”
“Oh, but I haven’t given you anything yet…”
“It’s fine. Today, you’ve earned your meal.”
Oh yes, you’ve earned it and then some.
Yuri patted Mucci’s shoulder.
“So don’t worry about it today and eat as much as you want!”
“Yes!”
Mucci, already starving to the point of madness, began devouring the food without hesitation.
“It’s delicious!”
“Isn’t it? I’ll make more anytime! Eat up!”
“Yes!”
Mucci, no longer holding back, tore through the food like an untamed beast.
Yuri watched him with satisfaction.
Those observing from a distance couldn’t help but be shocked.
“My god… Yuri?”
“Why… is he acting nice?”
“I’m hungry?”
That same Yuri who never gave anything without compensation was now offering free meals?!
It was such an unbelievable sight that the three were left utterly confused.
As Mucci comfortably ate and rested at Yuri’s fortress for the day, that very moment.
On the morning of January 2nd, just as dawn was breaking.
Creak—boom!
A massive black ship docked.
The 51st batch who had passed the Forest of Beginnings’ trial had finally landed on the Cradle’s mainland.