The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 280

I returned to the empty space where only the remnants of the King of Innocence remained as a shallow puddle. My hands were still cold, stiff like a corpse with no blood flowing. The white snow that had been on them turned into droplets and fell, dripping onto my clothes and the ends of my hair.

– Peep peep.

– Dad.

I tried to answer, but my mouth wouldn’t move. My whole body felt heavy, like waterlogged cotton. I didn’t know how to move, so I stood there blankly before finally managing to say,

“…It’s okay.”

It’s okay. I can go back. I already had one chance, so there will definitely be a second.

“It’s okay. I’m okay.”

– Peep.

“Peepee, can you go back? It might be dangerous, though.”

I guess you’ll be going back to the original dungeon. I don’t really know if Peepee will be in danger or not. I cupped the floating Peepee in both hands.

“I don’t know what your true identity is, or what purpose you have.”

– Peeya.

“Thank you.”

Whatever you are, it was clear that you brought me to Yoohyun. The little white chick flapped its tiny wings. Does knowing exactly where my brother is mean it’s related to the white bird? Since it’s a bird with white feathers, it might be from the white bird clan.

The white bird that took Yoohyun.

The reason was still unknown. At first, I was angry and resentful, but now I also felt grateful.

If Diarma had taken him, I don’t know what kind of treatment my brother would have suffered. But the white bird kept Yoohyun safe and sound, without a single scratch. If it continues to protect Yoohyun like that, until I come to get him, like that.

And if it doesn’t interfere when the opportunity comes, I will be truly grateful.

“…Myungwoo will be worried. Go back quickly.”

– Peep!

Peepee tilted its head. Doesn’t it understand?

“Myungwoo, I mean Myungwoo! You ate a lot of mana stones at Myungwoo’s house. Remember? Go to Myungwoo.”

Peep, and Peepee disappeared. I hope it went okay.

– I need to sleep now, Dad.

The Changeling flew in front of me, made eye contact, and said.

“You too, thank you. Really.”

I felt guilty looking into the golden eyes that sent me affectionate glances, even though it knew what I was feeling when I combined the mana stones. The Changeling wagged its long tail. Its fluttering wings sparkled like a prism.

– It won’t take long. I’ll block the mana imprints again. Take care, Dad.

“I’m okay, so don’t worry.”

The silver little dragon’s figure dissipated like a mirage. Immediately after, the surrounding scenery changed. I could hear birds singing among the lush trees. And then.

“Hyung!”

Yoohyun and.

“Ahjussi [Uncle/Mister]!”

Followed by Yerim and.

– Kkiang!

“Yoojin-ssi!”

Peace and Noah ran towards me.

“Section Chief Han came out safely too… There’s no one else, right?”

Moon Hyuna looked around me for no reason.

“It seems like you were a little late coming out.”

Sung Hyunjae scanned me sharply.

“What is this, Hyung……”

Yoohyun’s face darkened as he looked down at the torn sleeve and the hole in my pants. The sleeve was one thing, but there was blood on the pants. Oops.

“Ahjussi, are you hurt?!”

– Kkeueueung.

“I’ll use a healing skill on you right away!”

“No, I’m fine. Yoohyun, Yerim, it’s okay. It wasn’t a big deal.”

I smiled, saying it was okay. It really seemed like it was okay. Yoohyun frowned and examined my body. Yerim joined in, and Peace rubbed its body against the leg that had been injured. Noah and Moon Hyuna also said worried words.

It felt like the heavy, stuffy feeling in my chest was finally easing. Yeah, it’s okay. It has to be okay.

“Yoohyun.”

My brother. I looked up at his dissatisfied, sulky face. Being sulky, huh.

“What you lost, I……”

My throat caught as I spoke. Wait a minute, my hands. Both hands.

Were empty.

“…Hyung?”

It’s gone. I was definitely holding it, but it’s gone. Until before going there, definitely. But Yoohyun, holding him in my arms. While holding him… what did I do? A chill ran through my whole body, and my chest was pressed down again. No, no way.

“What’s wrong, Hyung.”

“Ahjussi? Did something happen after we left?”

The tips of my fingers trembled. I didn’t notice at all. That the bead containing my brother’s memories in my hand had rolled away. How could I do such a foolish thing…….

I lost it. I left my brother behind, and even lost his memories. I. In the end, I couldn’t bring anything. My two hands were empty. I couldn’t even do this, even this.

Snap, and something broke inside. Something thin that I was barely holding onto.

“S-sorry……”

“Hyung, why suddenly─”

“Yoohyun, please, just a moment……”

Don’t look. I had to get out of here. I had to run away. Without even knowing the reason properly, just.

“Hyung!”

“Let go, let go, let me go!”

I shook off Yoohyun’s hand that was grabbing me. I moved my steps aimlessly, as if struggling. I couldn’t breathe. It felt like someone had shoved a fist deep into my throat.

“Doryeon-nim [Young Master], calm down for a moment. Yerim, you too. Hunter Noah, stop Peace.”

“Get out of my way!”

“What are you going to do by rushing in recklessly!”

Someone lifted me up as I staggered, not knowing where I was going. They put distance between us with large strides.

“Breathe.”

“Heok, cough… Ugh……”

A hand patted and stroked my back. But I still couldn’t breathe properly. It felt like my throat would be torn at any moment. I wanted to throw something up, but nothing came out. It was completely blocked. It was like trying to take out a boulder through a coin-sized hole. It hurt. It hurts.

“Han Yoojin. Yoojina.”

“Heueu… ugh, eu……”

“You can cry. No one can hear you outside.”

My eyes were dry, and my throat was still blocked. Only strangled sounds leaked out.

I’m not okay. I’m definitely not okay. How can I be okay? How can I. What can I do. How can I sleep, how can I eat, how can I breathe. How can I live like that.

My insides are hot. It felt like I had swallowed a ball of fire. It was burning black. No, it had already been burned black a long time ago, and only ashes remained.

From the burned insides, a sob that couldn’t even become a cry was vomited out. How have I been living in this state? It’s a mess. Really.

“…Hyung.”

“Eugh, heok……”

Yoohyun stood in front of me. I struggled to get away, but the arm holding me didn’t budge.

“Hyung.”

My brother lowered his body. He put both knees on the floor and looked up at me. He waited for me without urging, only with a kind gaze.

“…Cough! Heok, hook.”

In that gaze, the breath that had been blocked burst out. My throat was still burning, and it felt like the mucous membrane was melting every time I breathed. The hand that had been holding me, who had lost strength, slowly let go. Yoohyun supported and caught me as I collapsed as if crumbling. I grabbed the arm holding me.

The bursting breath turned into sobs. It was an irritating sound, like that of a dying beast. I cried like I was going to die. I vomited out everything that had been accumulated for a long time. I poured it all out to the point where only an empty shell remained.

Even so.

“Yoohyun, a……”

Not everything disappeared. Still, there was still something left. More than I thought. There were things that had been newly accumulated in a not-so-long time.

Enough to be able to speak out without completely collapsing.

“I’m not, okay……”

“…Yeah, Hyung.”

“I’m not okay at all, maybe not ever, continuously.”

They say wounds heal. But there are also wounds that you have to carry for a lifetime. They may become so faint that you almost forget them, but they may also get worse. They may suddenly throb and be dug up. As they often say, old wounds ache when it rains; something that seems insignificant to others can become a heavy rain.

“I am, Yoohyun……”

I will never be able to forget it. I will bury it in my heart and cover it up, but it will never disappear. I will suddenly remember it, beat my chest, and limp.

“I might keep hurting, struggling, and worrying you, so I want to say I’m okay, I have to be okay……”

“It’s okay, Hyung.”

Yoohyun hugged me.

“It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to hurt. Of course, it’s best if Hyung doesn’t hurt, but there’s no need to force yourself.”

He whispered softly and kindly.

“I love any Hyung. Even if Hyung is too tired and gives up on everything. Whatever choice and decision you make.”

“…Sorry, Yoohyun. I.”

“No.”

After hesitating a little, Yoohyun continued.

“Actually, I feel bad that Hyung is having a hard time, but at the same time, I’m happy.”

“…Huh?”

“I like that you tell me and lean on me.”

I lifted my lowered head. Yoohyun was smiling faintly.

“So, I’m even more sorry, Hyung. Would you feel bad about this too?”

“No. No. I’ll be happy if you tell me everything that’s hurting you and making things difficult for you, too.”

My brother’s smile deepened. I had no strength, and my whole body was languid, but my heart was lighter. It felt like I was submerged in warm water. Clear and soft waves rippling.

I took a long breath and smiled back. It’s okay not to be okay.

“May I offer a hand?”

Sung Hyunjae’s voice came from behind. When I turned my head, I could see him holding an item that blocked sound in one hand. He stood tall, as if protecting us.

“Is the hand you’re offering properly attached?”

“Of course.”

He extends the arm that had been blown away to me. I took his hand and got up. Then I held out my hand to Yoohyun. My brother doesn’t need any support, but he takes my hand and gets up.

“Um, thank you for now.”

Belatedly, embarrassment washed over me. My face must be a complete mess. I don’t know how long it’s been since I cried like this. Before Sung Hyunjae could say anything, I quickly moved my steps, saying that the others would be worried.

“Ahjussi!”

-Kkeueung, kkyang.

“Yoojin-ssi, are you okay?”

Yerim, Peace, and Noah, who Moon Hyuna was holding back, rushed over. Moon Hyuna also sent a worried gaze. I was really embarrassed, but at the same time, grateful.

“I’ve been having a hard time, so that’s why. I also met that jellyfish bastard before coming out. The one who made us fall into a strange dungeon.”

“Hyung!”

Yoohyun was horrified, and Yerim and Noah were also flustered. And then, nagging followed right away. No, this time I wasn’t the one who stepped up first; I was a pure victim.

“So that monster blocked it. The King of Innocence also died.”

I briefly explained that a monster with tremendous power was born from the mana stones I combined, but it was resolved well. Sung Hyunjae’s gaze seemed a little meaningful, but he didn’t interfere much.

“Let’s start by clearing the dungeon. I don’t know how much time has passed outside.”

“Here, Ahjussi.”

Yerim created a water ball the size of a washbasin and held it out in front of me.

“Your face is a mess.”

“Thank you.”

When I washed my face with moderately lukewarm water, a handkerchief was also handed over. Noah used a healing skill just in case, and Peace stood next to me, increasing its size.

“You know, Ahjussi.”

Yerim, who told me to quickly get on Peace because I looked so tired, whispered softly.

“I held back this time because it seemed to be related to Han Yoohyun. I wanted to go to Ahjussi too.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her saying that she would never be left out next time.

“Yeah, of course you should. I’d be sad if I left out our Yerim.”

Yoohyun got on behind me as if protecting me, and we set off. Since it’s an A-class dungeon, it will be cleared quickly with the current personnel. To get out of the dungeon faster, everyone scattered in all directions.

Perhaps because he was thinking of me, Peace was walking slowly, with almost no shaking. As I leaned against Yoohyun’s back, sleepiness naturally washed over me. It was a pleasant feeling of exhaustion after crying my eyes out.

‘I have to tell them everything.’

To as many people as possible, at least to my brother. Even if those parricidal bastards keep saying no, I will tell them. Unless something happens that will destroy the world right now, I will tell them.

That you saved me.

I didn’t want to bring up the painful process of the past few years. But I wanted to tell them how I can be here like this now, how we could be together again.

And that I am happy now, even though I am full of scars.

“There’s something I want to tell you when we get outside.”

I said with my eyes half-closed. If you exclude the occasional monster roars that come from afar, the swaying breeze and the swaying blue shade were all peaceful.

“Then, me too, Hyung. There’s something I haven’t told Hyung either.”

“Yeah? What is it? I’m saying this just in case, but there’s no need to force yourself.”

I could feel Yoohyun shaking his head, saying it wasn’t that.

“It’s about me.”

“You?”

“Yeah. The me that I hate.”

What is this all of a sudden? I was wide awake. I quickly twisted my upper body and looked back at Yoohyun.