The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 107

107. Cracked Mana Stone (1)

The second floor of the dungeon, like the first, featured a castle and a lake. However, this castle was half-collapsed, and the lake was a muddy, shallow swamp. The atmosphere shifted between night and day, but it felt even more unsettling with the dense growth of submerged plants.

Above the lake appeared a water dragon, its fins seemingly mutated into wings. Were the background and boss monster simply evolved versions of the first floor? Regardless, even if it was a dragon species, it was only A-rank, so nothing to be overly concerned about. Though, perhaps an F-rank combatant shouldn’t be saying that.

“How about Noah taking it on alone? Don’t use poison or other skills, just your dragon form. Being a flying dragon species, it should be a helpful experience in many ways.”

It would be a waste not to use my ‘baby skill’ [a skill that enhances the growth of those I care for] on him if the other two took care of it. Noah nodded and transformed into a dragon, soaring into the air. I expected Sung Hyunjae to protest about leaving so quickly, but he was surprisingly quiet.

Noah’s boss monster hunt took quite a while. Even though he had grown accustomed to his dragon form, it was mainly for flying, not close-quarters combat. Still, it was admirable to see him successfully sever the water dragon’s breath [referring to a dragon’s ability to breathe elemental attacks].

“What time is it outside?”

“It must be getting close to dawn by now.”

Less than 24 hours – that’s really fast. It was all thanks to Noah and Riet being able to transform into dragons. Normally, the travel time on the first and second floors alone would have taken more than a day.

When the boss monster died, a gate appeared. I should stop by a nearby clothing store to buy some clothes as soon as I get out. If I go back to the breeding facility [a place where Awakened beings are trained and housed] looking like this, Yoohyun will definitely hear about it. The top is one thing, but the torn and bloodstained pants practically advertise that I was attacked, so I have to hide them.

“…What’s that again?”

I was praising Noah for fighting well and returning when Riet, who had disappeared for a moment, dragged something along. It was none other than people tied up in a string, like dried corvina [a type of dried fish]. Choi Seokwon and Yoon Gyungsoo, looking terrible, were also visible.

“Weren’t they all killed?”

“You have to save to live well.”

Is that something a person who spends hundreds of millions on a watch, not even an item, should be saying? But since they were all high-ranking hunters, it was true that it would be a waste to just kill them. Especially since I was in a position to exploit their weaknesses.

Even two S-ranks.

“The last part of the tour is shopping, after all. I’ll buy one too.”

“A tourist who said they wouldn’t buy anything, but changes their mind like boiling water [a Korean idiom for being fickle].”

“If a customer changes their mind, you should gratefully make the sale, guide. The service here is terrible.”

“Even with the sincerity of offering eyes and arms, you say it’s terrible. In that case, I have no choice but to offer the whole thing—”

“I refuse.”

I don’t need it. Just give me the skills. Riet was also looking at the string of people with a satisfied expression, as if she was going to receive something. So সুদam [likely a company or organization] is big, but MKC [another organization] must have more to gain.

‘Once I get out, Yoohyun will check the contract first…….’

I should calmly organize Diarma’s memories. Perhaps because they were directly pulled from my consciousness, they remained vivid despite the considerable amount.

As I crossed the gate, I felt a slightly warm breeze. Then I saw the brightening sky. A faint purple color, a sky mixed with darkness and light.

…Why can I see it? This was indoors. But it’s outdoors.

The rather large dungeon building had cleanly disappeared. No, traces remained. It was a remote area, and since it was next to an A-rank dungeon, there were no people in the surrounding buildings… Now there were no buildings either. Instead, there were barricades, people, and…

“…Yoohyun?”

Yoohyun was sitting in front of the gate with a chair. It was a common plastic chair, but the atmosphere was like a king on his throne. In other words, heavy. His coldly hardened expression and the aura he exuded. He was even holding a long sword in his hand. Aren’t you not supposed to take out weapons?

Next to him, Peace, slightly larger than its juvenile form, was also visible. He didn’t seem to be in a good mood either. At least the chick on Peace’s head was.

– Peep!

I don’t know why it came along, but unlike the two who were trying to set the mood, it greeted me happily, raising its wings. And Song Taewon was standing a little away with a tired face.

“Looks like I’ve been found out. Well, there’s no way the young master, who had his eyes peeled, wouldn’t notice. Two S-rank hunters, and even other high-ranking hunters, were mobilized to move.”

Sung Hyunjae said as if it were someone else’s business. If you guessed, you should have given me a hint. So I could prepare myself. Unlike the relaxed Sung Hyunjae, Noah was slightly nervous.

“Hyung.”

Yoohyun got up from his seat. His gaze, which slowly scanned me from head to toe, stopped on my torn pants. Hmm, I’ve been caught.

“I’m not hurt anywhere else besides this.”

I mean, my actual body. What happened with the dragon bastard, it’s not real anyway. The dragon bastard did die for real, but anyway. …It’s better to hide it forever. Let’s just say the water droplets killed the dragon bastard.

“Isn’t that shirt the one from the Sesung Guild Leader?”

It’s a dungeon item, but it looks ordinary on the outside, so you have a good eye.

“Ah, that’s…….”

I tried to explain, but I couldn’t speak. It’s a bit… difficult to tell the truth in front of my brother. Should I just say it got dirty and I borrowed it? A hunter who changes clothes because they got dirty in the dungeon is ridiculous, but.

At that moment, the string of dried corvina began to be thrown out of the gate one by one. Naturally, I stepped aside, and Riet jumped out onto the pile of people.

“I took them all out— huh? Did a dungeon explode nearby?”

No, instead, my brother is about to explode. As Riet appeared after the string of dried corvina, a red light flashed in his already fierce eyes.

I didn’t know anything, and Sung Hyunjae used me as bait! I had a brief urge to shout that. If I really did that, it would be like holding the first ranking match, so I have to hold back.

“…What happened?”

Yoohyun asked Sung Hyunjae with an expression that suppressed all the patience he could muster.

“I saved a princess who was kidnapped and attacked by a dragon and danced with her. Ah, I didn’t get a kiss. The princess was a bit heartless.”

Are you crazy, why would I kiss you? Yoohyun’s cold expression cracked at the crazy answer. My brother, unable to hide his embarrassment, looked back at me as if asking what this was all about.

“Uh… it’s nonsense, but it’s also true…….”

It was absurd even as I said it myself. All of that really happened. …No, how did it really turn out like that? It’s all because of Sung Hyunjae and Riet. This is what it’s like with just two born S-ranks, and there are two more left. My head is already throbbing.

Surely I won’t be filming an even more outrageous drama than this time.

“I was the dragon!”

Riet interjected, raising one hand high. Song Taewon approached her and held out handcuffs.

“Illegal contract trading, illegal immigration, and…….”

Song Taewon looked back at me and asked.

“Perhaps something related to sexual assault—”

“Ah, no! Why are you suddenly saying that…….”

You’re disgustingly quick to notice. Song Taewon gave me an unnecessarily understanding look.

“If you change your mind, please contact me anytime. Hunters prioritize stat grades over gender, so—”

“Yes, I understand. Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine.”

At least talk about it where my brother isn’t. I swallowed a sigh and shifted my gaze to Riet, who was raising her eyes as much as possible.

“Riet.”

“Yeah, honey. Should I stay out of the way?”

What are you going to do? Of course, she has no intention of being handcuffed willingly.

“Illegality is illegality, so follow along quietly.”

“Why should I?”

“If you cause an accident here, you’ll really be banned from entering the country forever. If you want to entrust me with a monster, get properly punished. I won’t accept illegal routes, so entrust it to me formally with clean hands. You’re an S-rank hunter anyway, so you won’t go to jail.”

“Ugh, okay.”

She pouted unhappily but willingly held out both hands. What kind of monster is she going to entrust me with? It’s probably not an ordinary monster.

Song Taewon, who had successfully apprehended Riet, looked at me with a slightly moved look. He probably didn’t expect to be able to catch Riet so easily. In addition, Noah’s eyes were sparkling.

Now, then.

“Yoohyun.”

“Sung Hyunjae couldn’t have not known he would be attacked, and did Hyung know too?”

“Roughly.”

A small sigh was heard.

“Go home first.”

What are you going to do after sending me away? Yoohyun’s gaze, glaring at the string of dried corvina and Sung Hyunjae, is unusual. It’s definitely not an atmosphere to talk it out. That Sung Hyunjae isn’t going to avoid it either. Look at him now, he’s smiling.

What to do, what to do, should I hold on and refuse to go? …I can see a future where I’ll be carried out within 3 minutes. Ugh.

“…Let’s go together.”

“What?”

“There’s something I need to tell you separately, and also…….”

Also, also…….

“…I’m anxious.”

I’m a victim. I was kidnapped by a dragon, my leg was injured, and the tour guide is a complete scammer. I brushed past Yoohyun and picked up the chick on Peace’s head. I stroked Peace, who was purring and sticking to me, and continued.

“Even if I look fine, I’m not really fine.”

I sent a silent signal that I was barely holding on thanks to the fear resistance skill. It’s half true anyway. In many ways, these weren’t things that an F-rank stat could handle.

“So, would you come with me? There are many other people, but you’re the one I trust the most, Yoohyun.”

I couldn’t bear to look him in the face, so I made eye contact with the chick. Our chick is always cute, no matter when I see it.

“…Okay.”

I got through to him. My kind brother, as expected.

“I’m not going to end it like this.”

Yoohyun, who put his weapon in his inventory, glared fiercely at Sung Hyunjae.

“That would be disappointing. Calm your brother down and contact me. Or you can come together. You two are welcome anytime.”

Don’t fan the dying fire, you damn human. Fortunately, Yoohyun didn’t say anything more and turned around.

“Noah, you can go back alone, right?”

“…Yes.”

A somehow dejected answer came back. He was in a good mood until his sister was handcuffed, so why is he feeling down again? I took the shrunken Peace and got into the car.

The destination wasn’t my house, but Yoohyun’s house. I don’t know when Myungwoo will pop out, so it’s more comfortable to talk about the filial piety addicts [people obsessed with showing filial piety, often in unhealthy ways] at Yoohyun’s house. I need to tell Myungwoo to set a location for his appearances. It’s usually the living room, but sometimes he pops out in unexpected places.

“Hey, you that…….”

After washing up and changing clothes, I came out to find the fire lizard nibbling on a piece of cloth. It’s Sung Hyunjae’s shirt that I had been wearing for a while.

“I have to return it.”

But I didn’t feel like stopping it. It had already swallowed half of it. Good eating.

“Come over here and sit down.”

I called Yoohyun as I went to the sofa. Peace came up onto my lap as if it were natural, and the chick settled on top of it.

“Why did you bring the chick?”

“It followed me.”

Yoohyun said as he sat next to me. The lizard, which had finished eating the shirt, crawled onto my brother’s body.

“Check if the contract with the filial piety addict is still in place.”

Yoohyun’s eyes widened at my words.

“How did Hyung…… surely Sung Hyunjae that bastard—!”

“I asked and he answered. And I’m friends with the system, so wouldn’t I know?”

They didn’t tell me properly on that side. I urged him to check the contract again, and he took out the contract from his inventory. It’s a black panel similar to Sung Hyunjae’s. The lizard bastard died, but it hasn’t been terminated.

“I’ll cancel it now.”

“But Hyung’s curse resistance is L-rank.”

“This contract applies the skill effect twice against the owner of the Curse Poison Dragon King. I even tested it on Sung Hyunjae. His arms and eyes were at stake, but it was released perfectly.”

“That’s a bit disappointing.”

“What’s your price?”

“…Both eyes.”

…That damn bastard.

“Hey! Han Yoohyun!”

“Wait, Hyung! You’ll get hurt!”

My hand, which actually slapped his back, was tingling. My wrist was also a little sore. Yoohyun offered me a potion and looked at me carefully.

“I was still young back then, and it wasn’t a difficult condition. Sung Hyunjae also put his arms and eyes on the line, right?”

“I don’t care if that human puts all his limbs on the line. You really—!”

“Hyung also went to the dungeon and got hurt without telling me.”

“I just got stabbed in the leg a little. Is that the same as eyes? Two of them, hey, you!”

Peace growled at Yoohyun as I stamped my feet in anger. The chick also peeped. Then Yoohyun’s lizard hissed back.

Thanks to that, I’m calming down a bit.

“Let’s cancel the contract first. Come here.”

I reached out and hugged Yoohyun’s head. But when I actually tried to make him break the contract, I couldn’t open my mouth. It’ll be okay, right? Sung Hyunjae was fine, so.

That damn lizard bastard, why did he have to put both eyes on the line? What did he do to a child who wasn’t even an adult yet? I should have somehow threatened him to cancel the contract before killing him.

“Hyung?”

“I, I’m ready, so say it.”

“I know about the filial piety addict.”

With a crack, the contract I had taken out shattered. I hurriedly grabbed Yoohyun’s face and looked into his eyes.

“Are you okay?”

“I can see perfectly fine.”

“Don’t ever do such crazy things again.”

“Okay.”

I’m relieved for now. Now, where should I start and how much should I explain?