The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 267

265. Water Spirit (4)

Having reformed, the spirit, now only slightly larger than a person, seemed to look at me. Without eyes, I couldn’t discern its expression.

“When I sensed the third tremor, a very strong force from outside was trying to peer into this place. It happened to be near where I was, and since it had properties similar to mine, I touched it.”

“From outside?”

“It possessed the power to manipulate memories with mist and seemed to be looking for a caretaker. Probably you.”

The King of Innocence. A jellyfish. It would be a relief if the filial piety addict in this world was the King of Innocence [a reference to someone excessively devoted to their family].

“Are you sure it’s from outside? Not a being from this world?”

“Yes. It knew this place was a created dungeon and even tried to enter me, like Yerim entered Delta’s body. But it was soon pushed back out, and I gained some of its power and information.”

Originally, spirits couldn’t use skills, so performing the trick from earlier was nearly impossible. That meant the skill to manipulate my memories with mist belonged to the jellyfish.

Not just stealing memories, but changing them too. That’s a truly dangerous ability.

‘So, if I finish installing the discs, not only the newbie but also the filial piety addicts can interfere.’

Could the newbie stop them? The lack of news was unsettling.

“I will give you the remaining power. You won’t be able to use it like I do, but it will block the owner of this power from tampering with your memories once.”

A faint mist wrapped around my body and then disappeared.

“Not giving it to Yerim?”

“Yerim has that pearl. But others should be careful… especially the contractor of the Fire Spirit…”

“Why again.”

I was starting to get annoyed because it kept bringing up Yoohyun.

“This time, it’s not because of the attribute. He has already lost some of his memories to the owner of the mist, making him more vulnerable.”

“He did lose memories, but he got them back, didn’t he?”

“As far as I know, not completely. The owner of the mist still has his memories.”

…The newbie did warn me. That some might be missing. Yoohyun lost the most memories among those caught in the mist… Damn it, that jellyfish bastard.

“Be careful.”

Leaving those last words, the spirit’s form faded. Yerim looked back at me worriedly.

“Wasn’t the memory loss thing resolved well?”

“…I thought I got everything back, but some must have remained. Still, it’s not significant enough to worry about much.”

It must be trivial. But even if it’s a really insignificant memory, I don’t intend to leave it alone. Even though I told Yerim it was okay.

I won’t let my brother be taken away again. Not even the smallest part, absolutely not.

“But Spirit, the one I contracted with won’t go around blabbing my secrets, right?”

“Well, Rina is a bit… talkative. I don’t know if that’s really Yoohyun’s thoughts, though.”

Yerim’s face turned pale at my words.

“Even if they can’t read my mind accurately, they’ll always be with me… If I teach them well before they get too big, can they distinguish what to say and what not to say? All the spirits here are too honest! What if they go around telling everyone about my business like before?”

Yerim made a tearful face, saying it was too, too terrible. I really hated it too.

“Rina doesn’t tell everything. Myungwoo’s Ismual is more gentle compared to Rina. Above all, if they cherish you, they naturally won’t do things you hate. If you teach them, they’ll understand.”

“Really? It has to be. Otherwise, I can’t go outside! I’m already so embarrassed! Ah, this is absolutely a secret from Han Yoohyun! Don’t ever tell him I cried thinking about Mom and Dad!”

“Okay, okay. I won’t tell.”

“Han Yoohyun probably cried too, though. He did cry, right? He cried a lot last time.”

“Uh… yeah. He did.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t say anything about that. Han Yoohyun didn’t say anything about my grades either.”

The surrounding water rippled. Yerim moved her magic widely, as if trying to rise to the surface.

“Still, Yerim, let’s focus a bit more in the second semester. I know you were busy last time because you had just awakened, but I think it’s good to attend classes properly. You might feel it’s useless since you’re already a hunter, but we can’t know how the world will change in the future.”

“Uncle, I’m a good student. I was really busy last time. Hunter training, going to dungeons, and also, Kim Hayeon, the legal team leader. I even studied law with her!”

“Law?”

“Like, how much trouble can I cause~? Something like the appropriate level of illegal activity that an S-Class hunter can handle, considering their social position and circumstances? It’s hard for high-level hunters to follow all the laws when monsters are popping out of dungeons. Han Yoohyun was also taught by the legal team leader.”

I should buy some fruit and visit her. Yerim and I slowly began to rise towards the surface.

“Hayeon Team Leader is very famous in the hunter legal field. Especially since the guild leader is young, she’s been involved in almost all laws related to underage hunters. Hyeonah also said that the young master is fair.”

“Our Yoohyun is like that.”

“He hates everyone equally except for you.”

“…It’s not that bad, is it?”

Yerim giggled.

“It’s more like he’s not interested in anyone but you, right? But hating is also a form of interest.”

“Still, Yoohyun cares about you and Peace. I’m not taking Yoohyun’s side, but that’s what I think.”

“Oh, um. I was a bit surprised when Han Yoohyun said I deserved to hear it, though I didn’t show it. I felt proud, like he definitely acknowledged me. This is also a secret.”

“As a hunter, Yoohyun probably trusts you more than me.”

Another bright smile spread across Yerim’s face. Slowly heading towards the sea, we shared various stories. Childhood stories, and for the first time, detailed stories about Yerim’s parents.

I couldn’t ask carelessly, and Yerim was hesitant to bring up words that would make me, her guardian, worry.

“When I was with my uncle, I tried not to think about my parents as much as possible. I told you before that I used to imagine another uncle coming to pick me up. That was fun to think about, but Mom and Dad were painful.”

So, was that why the keyword effect appeared as ‘Uncle’ instead of her parents? It still wasn’t that she wasn’t sad, but now that she said she thought about her mom and dad much more, I wondered if applying the keyword now would make her feel like I was one of her parents. It’s a relief it doesn’t.

Splash! Water surged, and we emerged from the surface. The sunlight, now stronger, felt particularly dazzling.

“Hyung, was everything okay?”

Yoohyun approached and asked, saying it took too long just to talk.

“Yeah, I’m fine. But it seems the jellyfish is waiting for us to come out.”

My brother’s expression turned cold instantly. Like me, Yoohyun loathes that opponent. Still, I calmed him down, telling him that neither of us could do anything about it right now.

“Everyone, gather around!”

Yerim shouted, holding up and shaking the pearl.

“It’s hard for you guys to come directly to where I live. But you can create something called a Spirit Egg instead!”

“An egg?”

“I’ve heard of it!”

Some spirits chattered excitedly even before Yerim could explain. They really are talkative.

“It’s hard to make.”

“It doesn’t wake up easily either.”

“How long do you live?”

“Don’t worry, it said it wakes up quickly. This pearl is the foundation of the egg.”

Saying that everything was ready and that they just needed to infuse their power, the spirits began to rush in.

“Me, me!”

“Me too!”

“Here too!”

“Line up in order, line! I won’t accept spirits who don’t keep order!”

At Yerim’s command, the spirits lined up in an orderly fashion. The sight of all sorts of shapes endlessly lining up on the icy sea was truly spectacular. Moreover, it was increasing rather than decreasing over time. Would it even end today?

“I don’t know much about the Spirit Egg, but if that many spirits gather their power, will a stronger spirit be born?”

“Well, it would have some influence, right?”

At Moon Hyunah’s and my words, Rina climbed onto Yoohyun’s shoulder and tapped her tail.

“Still, Rina is the first, so she’ll be the strongest there. She’ll never lose!”

“They’re like younger siblings, so you have to get along.”

“That’s water, though? Hyung, fire and water don’t get along.”

“Yoohyun and Yerim get along, don’t they?”

He felt a bit of resistance at first, but he’s okay now.

“Hyung! Humans and spirits are different! Rina doesn’t like water!”

Rina, shouting shrilly, was stared at by the nearby water spirits. The little lizard flinched and went inside Yoohyun’s collar. Even then, she grumbled softly, saying she didn’t like it.

If fire likes an attribute, it would be wood. Is there wood?

‘I should look for Spirit Eggs when I get back.’

Since I can hatch them. Not only other attributes but also the same attribute would be good to have more of. It seems several spirits can contract with the same person. What colors were there? Could green be poison? It could be a plant, but if it’s poison, I looked back at Noah, who was standing quietly on one side.

There’s no guarantee that a poison or healing spirit will contract with Noah, but Noah might be the person who needs the being that likes him the most here. So, I wanted to find a spirit for Noah.

It would be good if others could contract too.

The spirits continued to share their power, and the pearl in Yerim’s hand gradually began to glow blue. The size also changed slightly, becoming oval.

The endless line had also decreased a lot. Soon, the completely blue egg received the power of the last spirit. All the spirits looked at the egg. After a brief silence, a white whale raised its long fins.

“Goodbye, Yerim.”

“Goodbye! Bye!”

“I won’t forget you! I like you!”

“Me too! Bye!”

“Be careful.”

A jumble of greetings poured out. It was as if I could see the numerous voices shaking blue and shimmering as they descended. Yerim also shouted and waved her arms.

“Goodbye! Everyone!”

Yerim’s face looked like she was about to cry for a moment, but it soon brightened again. Holding the blue egg preciously, she flew towards us.

“Let’s go now.”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

“I shouldn’t give the egg to you now, right?”

“It would be troublesome if it hatched here. It will take some time, but you never know. Put it in your inventory. Does it go in?”

“Yes, it goes in. It appears as an item.”

I didn’t bother mentioning what would happen to the remaining spirits. Yerim already knows. It will be a painful memory to recall, but she will be able to talk about it again.

What about me?

We left Drosia before sunset. The Libenuah Forest, which I found by diligently searching through past records, was quite far from Drosia. To be exact, it was a forest near the lost city that could be called the predecessor of Drosia. Even though it was far, it would take about half a day by Medusa’s Floro Ho [likely a mode of transportation].

If I install the fourth disc there, only one will remain. What will happen to Sigma, will I be able to safely take out the Spirit Egg, when will I see that human Seong Hyunjae, and.

The King of Innocence lurking outside the dungeon.

“Yoohyun.”

Looking at the red-tinged snowfield reflected beyond the window, I turned my head. My brother, who was carefully examining the items and skills in the point shop, shifted his gaze to me.

“Do you, by any chance, remember the watch?”

“Watch?”

Yoohyun tilted his head, as if he didn’t know. I approached in front of my brother.

“Seong Hyunjae tried to give me a watch before.”

“…Did you not want to refuse, Hyung? But I wanted to give you a gift first…….”

Yoohyun’s words trailed off. His red eyes blinked slowly. Rina, who was on the back of my brother’s hand, came out of his skin and opened her mouth.

“What’s wrong, Yoohyun? It’s in the inventory, the watch. It’s not in the inventory now, though.”

“…What watch?”

I gestured to Rina not to say anything. It seemed that not only the memory was erased, but he couldn’t even recognize the story related to the lost memory.

“It’s nothing, Yoohyun.”

“…Hyung?”

“Should I buy you one? A wristwatch, I mean. You probably have a lot already, but.”

“No, I don’t. Just a stopwatch for guild supplies. They break easily, and I don’t really like those kinds of accessories. Of course, if Hyung gives it to me… wearing it would be…….”

Concern deepened on Yoohyun’s face. It would probably break often. It would also be cumbersome to take it off and put it in the inventory every time something happened.

“I’ll buy you as many as you want. What are you worrying about? Your brother has a lot of money now.”

You can break as many as you want. Whether you lose it or it breaks, I’ll buy you that many again. And I’ll somehow get your memories back too.