The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 161

“Song Tae-won!”

I called out to him and gestured to Noah. Noah quickly approached and lifted me up. In a flash, he flapped his wings and carried me over to Song Tae-won and the others.

“About the Plunder skill…”

I said, observing the giant’s condition. Perhaps because he had lost an arm, Choi Seok-won wasn’t attacking recklessly but confronting Riet. Thorns crackled menacingly all over the black dragon’s body.

“You can make weapons younger, right? Is it possible to apply the skill even if someone else is holding a large spear?”

Because she had the Dragon Rider skill, Kang So-young also possessed the Great Spear. She hadn’t had a chance to use it properly because she lacked a suitable mount, but I had heard her grumbling about how the A-grade weapon she bought at a considerable price was gathering dust in her inventory.

“If the Plunder skill is applied, it should be able to pierce that armor sufficiently.”

“Impossible,” Song Tae-won stated firmly.

“Penetrating Plunder also affects the weapon it’s applied to. It lowers the weapon’s skills, stats, and even its durability, so the weapon will break before it can pierce the armor. That’s one of the reasons I mainly use mid-grade weapons. I choose them based on durability rather than performance.”

Even then, they often broke after only a few uses. It was a double-edged sword. It seemed that Song Tae-won mainly engaged in hand-to-hand combat because Plunder had no effect on his body unless it was for skill downgrading.

Certainly, if Plunder applied to both sides, even an S-grade Great Spear might struggle against that armor, which was estimated to be SS-grade. If it wasn’t just piercing or cutting but also adding the force of a charge, the burden on the weapon would be much greater.

Where could I get something like a spear that was sturdier than S-grade equipment even when weakened by the Plunder skill… Ah.

There is one.

“Hyung, what are you doing?”

Yoo-hyun frowned as he approached, seeing me taking off the Grace bracelet.

“You can’t take that off.”

“You just need to stay in the air with Noah. That guy doesn’t have wings.”

“Still…”

“I’ll get to safety right away. Grace.”

– Bleep.

A blue bird appeared with a flutter.

“The Damage Nullification skill is the only thing that won’t apply, but other people can use it as a simple weapon, right?”

– Beep.

Grace cried as if answering. If others couldn’t even hold and swing it, there would have been no point in stealing the bracelet in the first place. But it had already been stolen several times.

“Turn into a spear. The biggest charging Great Spear possible.”

The blue bird re-entered the blue gem, and the bracelet’s form changed. It stretched out, easily surpassing my height. Unable to bear the suddenly increased weight, I quickly placed it on the ground.

Soon, a giant spear about three meters long with a translucent blue light appeared. It seemed to be made by carving gemstones, emitting light and with elegant wave patterns engraved on it. It looked like it was only for decoration; in other words, a beautiful spear that seemed like it would shatter if swung carelessly.

“Its sturdiness is L-grade.”

“…Excuse me?”

“It says it will never break. On the other hand, that guy is only SS-grade.”

She confidently asserted. Our Grace would be the sturdiest item in existence. Even if the Plunder skill was applied, it would be at least S-grade.

“Yoo-hyun, can you draw the giant’s attention? But don’t overdo it.”

“I’ll be fine at that speed.”

“Be careful, it seems to be getting faster.”

Even so, his stats were SS-grade. Like the giant toad Babar, there were cases where defense was prioritized, making them slower and clumsier than even mid- to low-grade hunters, but that guy was based on Choi Seok-won. Although he was wearing thick armor, he was humanoid, so he wouldn’t be slow.

Yoo-hyun jumped into the air. Irin spun around on her brother’s arm and transformed into a blazing flame. The spirit’s flames fluttered out,

Swallowing the leaves of the blue willow tree. Hundreds and thousands of fiery petals scattered.

‘She could do that too.’

I had never seen that when he used black flames. The blue willow leaves, which were originally for confusing the enemy’s vision, became flames, swirling even more chaotically around the giant. The body only made a sizzling sound and extinguished when the leaves touched it, but the eyes made of mist were different. They evaporated as if being eaten away each time a fire petal touched them.

The giant’s arm swung, but it was nearly impossible to block all the fluttering leaves. Meanwhile, Irin leaped down.

The fire lizard, which had quietly seeped into the ground, approached the giant’s feet and unleashed tremendous firepower. The ground melted softly, and the heavy legs sank down.

‘If Yerim was here, she could solidify it right away.’

Yoo-hyun, he’s doing well. Even though he doesn’t have his memories, is it because his body remembers? I don’t have to worry. I turned my gaze away from the staggering giant and shouted towards the black dragon.

“Riet, So-young!”

At my call, Riet leaped back and approached this way. The dragon’s head lowered, and Kang So-young, who was on top of it, waved at me.

Since Riet was so large, instead of riding on its back like other mounts, she had something like a saddle placed on its head. Ropes were strung and tied between the thorns, making it look quite sturdy. It was also a perfect position to hold a spear and charge.

“Hold this spear and attack.”

“That? Won’t it break?”

– It looks like it’ll shatter if you just touch it.

“It won’t break. It doesn’t have any other abilities, but its durability is L-grade. We’ll apply Song Tae-won’s skill to it. You saw it earlier, right? Weakening the armor.”

“Yes! But is its durability really L-grade? It must be incredibly sturdy.”

“It only has sturdiness, though.”

Other weapons were just as sturdy, so it wouldn’t be very useful unless in this kind of unusual situation. Why would you leave behind a weapon that raises stats and has useful skills to use a club that only doesn’t break?

Song Tae-won jumped onto Riet’s head, holding the spear. Kang So-young, who received the spear, lightly aimed it forward as if swinging a fishing rod. She firmly fixed the end of the spear’s handle into the gaps in the dragon’s thorns.

Song Tae-won also took his place next to her. His hand touched the spear, and a black shadow climbed up the blue blade.

“Noah, you haven’t used your stat lending yet, right? Please lend your strength to Kang So-young. And use as many support skills as possible.”

– Yes!

Noah answered and returned to his human form, only taking out his wings.

“It’ll be safer in human form without the bracelet.”

He said, holding me in his arms and rising into the air. It was certainly a bit unsettling to ride on the dragon’s back without Grace. And I could get hurt by its claws if it carried me as a dragon. Bellare, who had moved to Noah midway, nudged her head against me.

– Shhh.

“You’re suddenly having a hard time too.”

I had only brought her along thinking I’d just come out for a bit and go back right away.

“I’m ready, Unnie [older sister or female friend]!”

Kang So-young shouted confidently. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, probably because she was so excited. She had gained the stats of an S-grade hunter and added Noah’s strength stats, so she must be overflowing with uncontrollable power.

And there was also the combination with Riet, whose stats had also increased.

– Karrr!

The black dragon also let out a growl filled with joyful energy. Then, it lowered its head and braced its four legs.

The giant was still pinned down by Yoo-hyun. Big and slow, a truly perfect target.

Black light flickered at the tip of the spear, and the black dragon’s feet pressed down on the ground. The muscles under its scales, filled with terrifying power, twitched slowly.

Immediately after, like a fully drawn bowstring being released, the black body shot forward. The distance between the giant and the dragon closed in an instant.

Yoo-hyun withdrew the flames, and Kang So-young clenched her teeth. Just before the tip of the spear pierced the giant’s chest, Song Tae-won increased the mass of the already heavy Great Spear to the maximum.

And then.

Kwaaaang!!

The tremendous collision echoed through the heavens and the earth. Although it was a simple clash of physical force, like dozens of bombs exploding simultaneously, everything around shook.

The tip of the spear struck the giant’s chest accurately. The armor caved in, and as the effect of the Plunder skill permeated, it was torn to shreds. The blue spear relentlessly pierced through the inside of the armor, which was being torn apart like paper in a whirlwind.

Inward, and further inward.

Eventually, a huge hole was pierced, and the giant’s body was split in half.

Kwaaaaa─

The remaining force, even after piercing the giant’s body, raced forward, sweeping away the buildings in a straight line.

“Noah, healing skills!”

With that much force, the recoil must have been enormous. As expected, both of spear wielder Kang So-young’s arms were completely broken. The thorns supporting the spear on Riet were also snapped off. Song Tae-won’s hand, which had been on the spear, was almost crushed.

Even if that was the case for the two of them, Kang So-young was in a state where she couldn’t even take out a potion, so Noah, who had flown nearby, quickly used a healing skill.

Kureureung.

The giant’s body, torn in half, collapsed. Kang So-young, who had been gaping, smiled brightly.

“This is really the best! I won’t have any regrets even if I die in fifty years!”

…What’s with fifty years? In this era of hundred-year lifespans, it might be a short life for an A-grade hunter, but it’s too long to be saying you won’t have any regrets.

– Our Sweetie, you have no greed.

You’re the one who boldly declared that you’d embrace all the dragons.

As I landed on Riet’s head, the spear turned back into a bracelet. I took out a mana potion and drank it, putting Grace on my arm. Feeling the intense fatigue washing over me, I turned off the Teacher Skill. There were too many S-grades. Kang So-young was also at the S-grade level right now.

I wanted to go home and lie down right away. Come to think of it, was Sung Hyun-jae walking all the way here? He’s completely late. Should I text him to go back home since the party’s over?

‘How do I get Yoo-hyun’s memories back?’

I’d be happy if they just came back on their own. I turned my head to look at Yoo-hyun—

Gugugung.

A heavy rumble struck my ears. At the same time, my body flew into the air. Even after crashing to the ground, I couldn’t immediately understand the situation.

I forced myself to lift my head. A thick smell of blood stung my nose. Far away, I could see someone standing. It was where the giant had fallen. I used the Seedling Skill on him.

[Awakened ? Choi Seok-won (Tribe of Harmlessness)

Current Stat Grade SSS

Awakening Possible Stat Grade A~S]

I doubted my eyes for a moment. Stat Grade SSS. One grade higher than when he was a giant. A fear resistance message window appeared before my eyes. The smell of blood in the air felt like it was scratching at my mind.

Still, no other message windows appeared. So, he was safe.

“…Choi Seok-won!”

I shouted as I got up. He looked towards me. I gritted my teeth and looked around.

The first thing I saw was the fallen black dragon. One shoulder was deeply torn, pouring out blood. It hadn’t lost consciousness. But Riet wasn’t getting up, whether it was the effect of the skill or simply exhaustion, and was baring its teeth, its golden eyes gleaming.

Next to it, I saw Kang So-young. She had fallen to the ground and lost consciousness. Song Tae-won was barely raising his upper body next to her. I didn’t know where he was hurt, but there were traces of blood.

And Noah was lying among the debris far away. His golden wings were drooping powerlessly. There was no movement, but he must be alive since the Final Favor hadn’t been activated.

“You wouldn’t have gained that much power without a price.”

I took a step towards Choi Seok-won. He was wearing armor similar to the giant’s. The skin above his neck was exposed and as pale as a corpse. His hair was swirling with a murky blue color, like a mass of fog. His eyes were also not human.

“Tell me, what did you give up?”

I took a breath and turned my gaze to the side again. My brother’s figure came into view. He hadn’t lost consciousness. He was crouching, looking at me with a bloodless face. There were traces of blood seeping around him.

My stomach turned cold, but it was still okay.

I looked back at Choi Seok-won and smiled.

“It must be something big, but I might be able to help.”

“Help?”

Choi Seok-won finally opened his mouth. His voice was dry, as if hoarse.

“How could you?”

“I’m a little acquainted with that jellyfish you contracted with. We meet occasionally. Looking at your state, you don’t seem normal. Are you going to become a monster as you are? Or are you burning your last flame brightly?”

At my words, he twisted the corner of his lips into a smile.

“At first, it was half of my remaining life. Now, I have about a day left. The first one was, damn it, nothing short of a trap.”

“What trap? An ordinary person would just be told they have *chuunibyou* [Japanese term for someone who acts like they have special powers] if they shouted to give up their life to become the strongest.”

F-grades don’t even get accepted for those kinds of contracts. I continued, enjoying Choi Seok-won’s distorted face.

“Shall I tell you how to live?”

He moved. In an instant, he got close, grabbed my collar, and pulled me roughly.

“Hyung!”

A cracked voice was heard. Please, just stay still.

“Elixirs or curse removal won’t work. It’s not just that my lifespan is decreasing, but that woman is taking it.”

“Then it’ll be even easier. The jellyfish is very fond of me.”

I said, lightly tapping his hand to tell him to let go of my collar since he was choking me.

“Much more than you. So, give me to her and negotiate.”

To save me.