The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 148

148. The Yong Siblings (1)

Before heading out to meet Liete, I habitually checked the Japanese hunter information site.

‘They’ve started attacking the stamina potion ingredient dungeon.’

The unfilial bastards had made the dungeon appear early, as promised. And the Japanese side had won the bid a few days ago and started the attack today.

A two-story dungeon mainly consisting of A-rank forests. Its value was just average. That is, until it was revealed that the root fruits of the trees forming the central forest on the first floor were ingredients for stamina potions.

‘I didn’t check the root fruits, so the discovery was delayed.’

So, the plan was to let them attack it first and then buy the dungeon rights. Once I can finally make stamina potions, it’ll be easier to train the kids. Of course, I shouldn’t rely too much on potions and overdo it.

“I wonder if Yerim and Peace are doing well. I was too harsh to come out first.”

“If you hadn’t, what kind of mess would you be in alone, hyung [older brother]?”

“What mess? I’m doing okay.”

Yoohyun made a sulky face and snatched my glasses away. After Comet, now you!

“Hey, I can’t see well!”

“You said you were doing okay.”

“People’s eyesight can get worse as they live. There are tons of people who wear glasses, okay? Give them back!”

Crack.

I heard something breaking. No way, did my brother…

“Sorry. I broke them by accident.”

“…Accident my ass.”

“Glasses break easily anyway.”

My brother said shamelessly.

“I have to go out, it’s inconvenient!”

“I’ll help you.”

“No thanks.”

Giving me poison and then medicine? I can’t see things far away, but I can still distinguish objects nearby. Should I get lenses this time? Which is more dangerous in case of an attack, lenses or glasses? Is something inside my eye more dangerous?

“Are you angry?”

Yoohyun followed me around, asking. Seriously, just because you’re a grown man acting like a kid doesn’t make you cute. Of course, you are cute. Since I can’t see well, it reminds me of the old days even more. Small hands, small feet, big round eyes. Not just because he’s my brother, but objectively, he was really cute.

“I’m not angry. But don’t break them again.”

Just then, the phone rang. Where’s my phone? I think I left it on the table.

“Here.”

Yoohyun handed me the phone. It’s an unsaved number, who is it? When I answered, I heard an unfamiliar voice.

[Are you Han Yoojin?]

“Yes. I am, but who is this?”

Only a few people know this number. The person calling was a hunter from the Awakened Management Office.

[Hunter Liete is in an excessively agitated state.]

“Liete is?”

Song Taewon is away because the Hunter Association is in chaos, and they contacted me for a quiet resolution as much as possible since it involves an S-Rank hunter. They seemed to know that I had calmed Liete down at the lake dungeon last time.

[I would really appreciate it. If we try to stop her by force, the damage could be significant.]

“Ah, yes. I’ll go right away.”

Thinking about when she fought Sung Hyunjae, the nuisance was beyond words. Yoohyun looked at me disapprovingly as I hung up.

“Why are you stepping in again, hyung?”

“We can’t send another S-Rank hunter. Besides, you and Sung Hyunjae are still officially in the middle of a dungeon raid.”

Kim Sunghan had only recently grown to S-Rank in defense and would be insufficient, and Moon Hyuna, Choi Seokwon, and Park Minkyu would also have difficulty dealing with Liete. It’s better for me to go, at least because of the poison.

“Even though your fear resistance grade is lowered.”

“Well, I can manage to endure it.”

Liete is a cursed poison dragon species, so the skill effect is doubled. Still, it won’t be quite A-Rank, will it? Mr. Song Taewon, please don’t ever touch my fear resistance again. Not that I’m asking you to lower anything else.

Amid Yoohyun’s grumbling, I left the house. Of course, I didn’t forget to contact Noah.

“Yoojin-ssi.”

I explained the situation to Noah, who came straight over after receiving the call.

“So, please go inside and stay there.”

“Wait a minute, hyung.”

My brother interrupted again, looking dissatisfied.

“It’s okay when I’m here, but not when I’m not. You’ve already been attacked before. It’s dangerous inside the house where it’s hard to ask for help from the outside.”

Noah looked dejected at Yoohyun’s words. Noah hasn’t shown any hostility towards me recently, but Yoohyun’s concern is understandable given his past.

“But you saw it too. How good of a person Noah-ssi is. He’s helped us a lot with our work.”

I can’t turn down the simple request to provide shelter just while Liete is staying. It’s not the right thing to do.

“…Then can’t he go to the house in Haeyeon? It’s safe there too.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Liete had sneaked into the dormitory, but she wouldn’t be able to infiltrate Yoohyun’s house with the mini-portal. Besides, Yoohyun is more reliable than me.

And more than anything, wouldn’t they become closer if they lived together? My brother’s house is always so empty, it’s been bothering me, and having a roommate of the same age would bring some life to it.

“Noah-ssi, how about it? My brother’s house is big and nice. And the safety is guaranteed.”

I wish they could live together forever. At my hopeful gaze, Noah hesitated and slowly shook his head.

“I don’t want to cause trouble for Hunter Han Yoohyun. I can’t keep avoiding my sister, so a few days will be fine.”

It was a disappointing answer, but as Noah said, he can’t avoid Liete forever. Someday, they’ll have to face each other properly. If Noah wants to keep running away, I’ll help him, but it would be much better to sort out their relationship.

I told him to go inside the house since Liete might come back in bad condition and activated the mini-portal. Noah refused again this time.

“I’ll go too.”

“…Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

At my worried question, Noah nodded.

“Yes. Just in case. I have recovery and support skills, so I’ll be helpful.”

“If it’s because of that, it’s okay. Other hunters will be there too, right?”

“If my sister decides to fight, she’ll take out the healers and support types first.”

It’s a basic tactic, but would she really go that far when it’s not even inside a dungeon? But Noah’s expression was serious. Yeah, Liete might do that. Since she’s a free agent without a guild, it would be easier for her to cause trouble.

“If it gets too hard, get out of there right away. I’ll be fine.”

“Yes.”

Instead of buying new glasses, I used Yoohyun’s teacher skill and headed straight to the dungeon that Liete had attacked. Barricades were set up and there was a heavy tension, but the surroundings were still intact. No destroyed buildings, and the dungeon facility only had a broken door.

This is pretty tame.

But as soon as I saw Liete standing there with her arms crossed, a chill ran down my spine. It was summer, but the air felt coolly murderous. Noah next to me was completely frozen. The sound of him swallowing hard was unusually loud. Yoohyun stepped forward as if to protect us.

“Hello, darling.”

The golden eyes with narrow pupils were smiling. She was definitely smiling, but it was still creepy. Still, I can’t leave it like this, so I forced myself to act calm and opened my mouth.

“What’s the problem that you’re protesting? What about the hunters who went in with you?”

“They’ll come out someday. Except for two really annoying guys, they’re probably alive, maybe.”

Fangs like a viper peeked out from between Liete’s lips. Two annoying guys. Those guys must have caused this situation. They were definitely hunters from the Association. To annoy an S-Rank hunter inside a dungeon, they’re bold. Did those guys have S-Rank fear resistance too?

“It would have been enough if they died in an unfortunate accident in the dungeon. Calm down and show me the monsters I need to take care of.”

“Yeah, darling. After I take care of the bastard who’s the head of the dungeon management headquarters.”

…He was a stooge sent by that guy. I can guess a little how he bothered her. He must have been very interested in an S-Rank free hunter. But to be so clumsy about it, did they forget how scary S-Ranks are because of the gentle Song Taewon?

“That guy’s already been arrested. He’ll never breathe outside air again, ever.”

“Outside or inside, it’s all the same to me~ It’s a waste of air either way. Just bring him in front of me for a moment, and I’ll vent my anger and be done with it.”

“I’d like to do that too, but it’s a big issue right now, so I can’t. I can pretend I don’t know if you sneak in later and beat him up.”

Liete’s eyebrows twitched, as if she was upset by the repeated rejections. Noah and I simultaneously pressed ourselves closer to each other. Damn it, what did those stupid bastards do to Liete? Did they abuse their power because she was in a position to help with the raid after committing a crime? Surely they didn’t say anything out of line about her gender.

“…Does she look very angry?”

At my whisper, Noah replied in a trembling voice.

“Half and half. She might be more angry because the boss monster was too easy.”

“Noah-ssi, are you okay?”

“Yes… She’s not angry at me.”

Well, she did attack him at the lake dungeon. But Liete was in a good mood then.

“Ah, annoying─”

Immediately after the light grumble,

Clang─!

Sword clashed against sword. Liete had attacked Yoohyun. Liete’s face was filled with delight at Han Yoohyun and Kim Minyee, who weren’t pushed back by her attack.

“I wondered, but you’re really something? Who are you? I’ve never seen your face before!”

Unlike Song Taewon, Liete didn’t recognize Yoohyun. Well, they hadn’t really met properly for long. Yoohyun twisted his sword, pushing Liete away, and opened his mouth bluntly.

“Stop it now.”

“What’s your name? How old are you? You’re kind of cute.”

Liete’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. I can’t leave it like this, even for Kim Minyee’s sake. And especially not if she’s messing with my brother.

“Enough! If you cause another accident here, I won’t take care of the monsters.”

“Oh my, darling. Don’t be jealous.”

What jealousy.

“In your current state, it wouldn’t be enough to eat you whole from head to toe, so please be patient~ I’ll give you plenty of attention later. Or is it okay if it’s a little rough?”

Keep it down, the kids are listening. They’re even my siblings. I was wondering if I should cover Noah’s ears, but Yoohyun swung his sword roughly. With an ear-splitting sound, Liete twisted her body to avoid it, and part of the dungeon building behind her was cut off like tofu.

“Don’t even think about touching him.”

Yoohyun growled, and Liete’s eyes widened.

“Oh, are you two dating? I was happy thinking you were jealous, but it’s a shame. It wasn’t me. But this kind of relationship is okay too! It’s fun!”

“Hey!”

My head ached at the unfiltered crazy talk. What kind of relationship is this? There’s no relationship at all! He’s my brother!

“Didn’t you understand? Stop saying weird things in front of the kids!”

“Huh? Really? He looked younger than he is.”

With a loud laugh, Liete spread her arms like wings. In her hands were two swords, one long and one short. Her eyes were gleaming, and it seemed like she was really planning to fight.

Isn’t the anger just an excuse, and she just wants to move her body since it’s not fully warmed up?

“How are you going to handle the aftermath!”

“Oh, come on.”

Swoosh, poison emanated from Liete’s body. This is crazy.

“Do you think I care about that?”

No. S-Ranks are allowed to get away with this much trouble as long as there are no civilian casualties, and Liete is the one who has taken advantage of that more than anyone else. She probably traded her self-control for *엿 [yeot, a Korean taffy-like candy, implying she traded it for something cheap and insignificant]* a long time ago.

“Everyone, get out of the way, or come to my side!”

Fortunately, the barricade range is wide, so the damage won’t extend beyond it, but there were several hunters nearby. While they were hesitating, poison flowed out like a light fog, and people collapsed one by one. I confirmed that Yoohyun lightly surrounded the area with fire to burn the poison and ran to the fallen people. It’s easier to apply poison resistance when they’re all gathered together.

“Noah-ssi, please help me!”

But faster than my shout, Liete reached Noah before Yoohyun could avoid the poison. The sister smiled brightly at her brother, who was frozen like a mouse in front of a snake.

“Our Pebble is a bit annoying. Will you sleep for a while?”

Noah took a step back. I was wondering if I should intervene.

Screech─!

With the sound of wheels scraping loudly on the floor,

“Noah-ssi!”

A high-pitched voice was heard. A heavy bike flew towards Liete, and a sword flashed. Just before the bike was cut in half, Kang Soyoung quickly jumped off, grabbed Noah’s arm, and pulled him back.

“Are you okay?”

“…Yes?”

“I heard the news and was worried, so I came. That person seems to be Noah-ssi’s sister.”

Kang Soyoung swept back her disheveled hair and looked at Liete. At the unwavering gaze, Liete clapped her hands and exclaimed.

“What a cute young lady?”

“Hello, Liete-ssi. I’m Kang Soyoung. I’m member number 1 of Noah-ssi’s Korean fan club!”

…When did a fan club even start?