The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 123

123. Cleaning is Best Done with Water (3)

The night view of Hong Kong was beautiful. Though the stars of the land had been violently scratched away numerous times, countless lights still remained. Noah’s eyes looked down at the cluster of lights.

The sea breeze was thick with the scent of the ocean. Even after sunset, the air was still humid. At the same time, the air conditioning wrapped around the skin with a slightly cool sensation.

I watched the people gathered, experiencing completely different temperatures simultaneously.

“I hope you aren’t too surprised that the merchandise can also speak. For now, I’m just like you all, a human.”

Though there might be those who rank humans themselves, thinking, *why is a bottom-tier commoner speaking in front of me?*

Still, there were hardly any real big shots here. The big names who couldn’t be bothered to come themselves sent their close aides. Those aides were also powerful figures in their own right.

“It would be a waste of time to drag out the product description. If you’ve forgotten, please shift your gaze slightly above my head.”

– Peep!

When I pointed at himself with my finger, Piyo fluttered and cried. Some people unconsciously smiled. Our Piyo is indeed very cute.

I twirled a microphone in my fingertips, its sleek curves resembling an ornament rather than a typical, clunky shape. On the table prepared for me was a glass filled with mana potion.

Most countries produce their own potions. Perhaps that’s why the taste varies from country to country. I heard that China has many kinds of tea, England has black tea flavor, and Russia has vodka potion, but why does Korea only have apple and orange? *They should import some other flavors. Though they won’t.*

I took a few sips of the mango-flavored potion from among the various potion glasses and placed Piyo down next to me. “Behave yourself.”

“You have already received the instructions for today’s auction.”

The gazes that followed me as I moved were unpleasant. I didn’t particularly like being the center of attention in the first place.

I lightly closed my eyes. Beneath my feet, the whole world sparkled. *That’s a proper mood change.*

“You all know the auction method well. However, unlike a typical auction, the merchandise has three vetoes. You can use all three, or none at all.”

*Please think of it as a gateway for cooperative merchandise.* I added a few words lightly and continued the explanation.

“The veto can be used against a bidder you don’t like, but it can also be used for the 2nd to 4th place bidders you *do* like. So, everyone, please make a little effort to catch the merchandise’s eye for the first and last time.”

*You guys wouldn’t normally have this kind of opportunity. If you do well, it could be a good chance.*

“However, since most of you here won’t be my real owner, I’ll evaluate based on items. In today’s world, high-performance items are a symbol of wealth—a mini-portal instead of an elevator, a defense skill jacket instead of a bulletproof vest. More than anything, you can get a glimpse of the prospective owner’s generosity by how good of an item they give to their subordinates.”

I don’t like people with small hands.

“So, everyone, I would appreciate it if you generously offer your most confident items.”

*Although you won’t get them back. Well, if you safely survive after today and become free, you can contact me to get them back.*

There was a slight murmur. As their eyes met, no one stepped forward first. They were uneasy about giving up valuable items even temporarily, and they also judged that it might be better not to start the competition for the veto at all.

What’s needed in times like this?

“You’re talking nonsense.”

A shill, of course. But why *are* the lines like that?

As Sung Hyunjae stepped forward, people parted like a school of fish meeting a shark. It wasn’t that there weren’t other S-Rank Hunters, but the level was different. I wasn’t originally planning to ask that man, but he said he’d do it because he was bored…….

“Oh dear, I—”

Clatter—

*Damn it, I’m really going crazy.* With an ominous sound, a thin golden chain wrapped around my neck like a snake. Holding the end of the chain lightly in his fingertips, he arrogantly twisted up the corners of his lips.

“The merchandise should act more respectfully.”

His eyes and tone looked down on his opponent as if they were beneath him. I wondered what kind of crazy concept this was.

*…Wow, everyone likes it.*

The guests seemed very pleased with Sung Hyunjae’s acting. They were annoyed by the merchandise’s attitude, but they couldn’t step forward themselves because of the veto, so was this like him giving them a refreshing cider [a popular Korean analogy for something that is satisfying and relieves frustration] instead?

With a metallic sound, the chain that had been loosely stretched between me and Sung Hyunjae was pulled taut. Since the reaction was good, I had to go along with it. I acted slightly intimidated without being completely subdued, making it seem like I was resisting even more.

“We’re not strangers, so shouldn’t you be helping me instead of being so harsh?”

“You didn’t know your place from the first meeting and were presumptuous. Even after coming here, that habit doesn’t seem to be easily fixed.”

“It wouldn’t be a habit if it could be fixed in just a few days.”

“Isn’t that why I’m trying to help? Because we’re not strangers.”

The narrowed eyes were fierce. In response, I avoided his gaze as if frightened. As if to drive a wedge, the chain was pulled strongly, and just as I was about to be dragged away.

“That’s enough.”

There was a hand stopping the chain. At the same time, a brief power struggle ensued. The owner of the hand was Yoo Hyun, who had approached me unnoticed. Though he would appear as a different face to the people’s eyes.

*But why are you butting in, Yoo Hyun? There’s a limit to ad-libs; it’s troublesome when even unscripted roles appear.*

“This is surprising. I hadn’t heard that Ian Holten was a high-ranking Hunter. Wasn’t he originally a non-Awakened?”

“Awakening can happen overnight, and there’s no reason to inform Sung Hyunjae.”

The two’s gazes clashed sharply.

I couldn’t feel it well, but it seemed that more than just words and gazes were exchanged. People were retreating further and further, and some faces were trying hard to hide their fear.

*I asked him to stir things up, but he’s trying to overturn the stall. He’s going to ruin the business.*

“Are you alright, Han Yoojin-ssi?”

“Y-Yes…….”

My younger brother’s honorifics felt awkward. It’s all because of Sung Hyunjae. I should have just been the first one to throw out an item and disappear.

“Thank you, Holten-ssi. You’re very kind.”

“To be taken before even taking out an item, isn’t that too easy?”

“The Seseong Guild Leader is probably being too violent. I hope you don’t forget that I have a veto.”

With a look that contained the desire for him to get lost, Sung Hyunjae released the chain he was holding. The end of the chain, which had shortened in an instant, swayed near my chest.

“He’s handing over a famous weapon that everyone knows about, even before the Ranking Battle has opened.”

Exclamations arose from here and there at the sight of him handing over a famous weapon that everyone knew about, even before the Ranking Battle had opened. Among S-Rank items, weapons are especially rare. Perhaps nothing among the items gathered here was more valuable than the Seeker’s Chain.

So, if we only look at the items, the game is over.

*Because of that commotion, they’ll think that one veto will naturally go to Sung Hyunjae.*

In other words, one strong competitor disappeared, and at the same time, a precious item appeared, so the reluctance to offer items would have faded. As people murmured, Yoo Hyun also took out a bracelet from his inventory.

“I’m not prepared enough to offer anything suitable.”

More precisely, he didn’t have an S-Rank item that wouldn’t reveal his identity. Yoo Hyun’s name value was still lower than Sung Hyunjae’s, but as my younger brother, at least the people here would have thoroughly investigated Yoo Hyun.

“Even if it’s A-Rank, I prefer this one.”

Holten-ssi, who scored points with me, only offered an A-Rank bracelet. Now, isn’t it really worth trying? Immediately after receiving the bracelet,

Flutter.

A long blue cloth fell over my head.

“S-Rank Magus’s Shawl of Waves! Keira Grayda, remember that name!”

Ah, an S-Rank shawl! A cloth item that Myungwoo can’t make! Yerim, you’ve got an S-Rank equipment! I quickly accepted the shawl and smiled brightly with sincerity.

“Keira Gray-ssi, you’re really generous. Please record it quickly.”

The assistant with the tablet wrote down the item and the owner’s name. *It’s not like they’ll return it even if they record it like that.*

Following that, a Chinese man emphasized that it was an S-Rank, not an A-Rank, and offered a bracelet. Wow, as expected of such great people, they have a lot of S-Rank items. There were some non-Awakened people, but since item application works for anyone, S-Rank items that even Hunters can’t use were popping out.

That’s why mid- to low-level Hunters suffer from item inflation and pour all their earnings into equipment.

“Ah, this is a robe cardigan. As expected, items that can be used in real life are good. I’ll be able to benefit from it too.”

They didn’t offer weapons well, but I don’t need them since I have Myungwoo. It’s much better to focus on weapons during the time it takes to make other relatively common equipment.

“You can compete with quantity. I prefer several A-Rank items to one S-Rank item.”

I need a lot of A-Rank equipment to create Yerim’s team. Kim Sunghan-ssi hasn’t properly formed a team yet either. S-Rank is the best, but it’s currently impossible to deck out the team members with S-Rank items.

So, A-Rank is also welcome!

“This is already the fifth earring. I can’t help but admire the greatness of the people gathered here today.”

I emptied the glass of oolong tea-flavored mana potion and placed a silver ring earring on top of the pile of items on the table. Piyo stared intently at the mountain of items.

The value of the items gathered here is higher than my own value. How much is the Seeker’s Chain alone? I can’t swallow this, though.

As the atmosphere ripened, Sung Hyunjae left his seat. Since I had cast the Teacher skill a little while ago, I could see where he was going.

“Thank you once again for your enthusiasm. Especially Marcel Bardo-ssi, Sergei Arshavin-ssi—”

I didn’t forget to mention the generous spenders in particular. It was hard to memorize their names and faces, but that much effort was worth it for giving away high-level items.

Meanwhile, the black sky was visible. Sung Hyunjae was standing on the roof of the hotel. At the same time, Noah’s gaze looked down at him. The tails of the tailcoat, which matched the dress code, fluttered in the breeze.

*Let’s begin.*

I muttered inwardly, though it wouldn’t be conveyed. As if he had heard it, he began to move. Light scattered around him. Following the lightly waving fingertips, lightning soared from below. Almost simultaneously, Noah threw the item that resembled an unfolded umbrella into the air and dodged.

Kwaroooong!!

“Is that thunder?”

“There was no mention of rain.”

The roar shook the banquet hall once, but I ignored it. What captivated my eyes and ears now was the fiercely spreading current.

The light wrapped around the item Noah threw and shot out like arrows in all directions. Lightning rods for guidance had been erected on buildings within a few kilometers of the hotel. However, there were no grounding wires.

The current plunged towards each target, buildings above a certain height, in the blink of an eye. And then it bounced back and spread. Not only the buildings that were directly hit, but also the surrounding large and small structures. Following the owner’s instructions, they quickly plunged the targets into darkness one by one.

The lights went out.

Perhaps it was because of his attire, but the man guiding the darkness felt like a conductor.

And soon, the surroundings became dark, leaving only one light.

“Everyone, now.”

The tall hotel. Before sending out the general staff for the auction, I asked Gregson. I asked him to turn on the lights in all the rooms of the hotel and open the curtains. The slave trader willingly nodded at the words that I wanted a performance that would light up the entire hotel, because it was nothing much.

Thus, the hotel was shining splendidly alone, towards the sea, in a very attractive figure to someone.

“It’s time to start the main game.”

I said, approaching the table where the items were piled up. People’s gazes turned to me all at once. My gaze was beyond them, towards the darkened front window and beyond again.

Towards the rising sea.

The black water crawled up, like an inverted waterfall. The corners of my mouth naturally drew a smile.

“What did you say the starting bid for the auction was? 1 billion dollars?”

That’s not much. It’s cheaper than a nuclear submarine.

I handed the microphone to the professional auctioneer. I emptied another glass of mana potion, held Piyo, and Noah flew down along the hotel wall.

Kwajangchang!

The shattering of the glass wall, the sweeping of all the items on the table into the inventory, and Yoo Hyun snatching me were almost simultaneous.

Poisonous energy bloomed from the dragon’s body, hidden by stealth skills.

“Cough!”

“It’s poison, avoid it!”

Han Yoohyun jumped into the rising poisonous energy without hesitation—of course, with me in his arms. As soon as Yoo Hyun got on his back, Noah’s claws scratched the floor. He quickly changed the direction of his body and soared beyond the broken glass wall.

No sooner had he escaped the building than a wall of water appeared right in front of him. Noah’s wings flapped greatly, and he began a steep vertical ascent, passing through the end of the huge wave with his whole body without avoiding it.

Kureureu—

The hotel, which had been shining like a guide light, was swallowed by a mountain of black water. The last light of the night view disappeared, and complete darkness descended.