The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 225

223. First Time Here (2)

One B-rank, four C-ranks, and two F-ranks. Above their heads, like in a video game, their names appeared along with their ranks, health, and mana. What was surprising was this:

[F-rank Ma Wilean

Health 141/141

Mana 1,523/1,523]

The F-rank’s mana was incredible. Other hunters, or rather, guards? Another F-rank riding behind the guard also had nearly 2,000 mana. On the other hand:

[B-rank Je Sumin

Health 3,055/3,055

Mana 591/591]

The single B-rank had high health but relatively low mana for their rank. Considering the added equipment effects, the B-rank seemed to have average stats compared to monsters. Among the remaining C-ranks, one had high mana like the F-ranks, while the other three had high health and low mana.

It seemed they were divided into melee and ranged/support types, but the difference was still too significant. That mana is insane. It’s like having A-rank mana stats.

Something’s definitely off.

“The weather’s really nice today. Not too cold, not too hot. Perfect for an evening stroll.”

I deliberately raised both hands to show I wasn’t carrying anything.

“Who are you affiliated with?”

Je Sumin asked. This guy has a surprisingly Korean-sounding name, even though he looks foreign.

“Just an ordinary citizen of Medsang City. Could you perhaps give me directions?”

I’d like to get some information if possible. Shouldn’t an NPC [Non-Player Character, a common term in video games for characters controlled by the game itself] appear around this point to rattle off the background story? ‘Oh, new adventurer, our A City is at war with B City. The war began a dozen years ago because of blah blah blah.’

“An ordinary citizen?”

“Team Leader, he’s an Awakened and a C-rank.”

A C-rank ratted me out to the B-rank. Looks like he can identify other people’s ranks. Je Sumin lightly hopped off the bike.

“Fuel or support?”

…What’s he talking about? What an unfriendly NPC.

“I’m sorry, but I’m new to this area. I’d appreciate a kind, friendly, and detailed explanation. I’d be even more grateful if you could display some keyword options.”

[What is a Guard?][Goldberg Park][Medsang City][City Defense Force] Something like that. I hoped just in case, but no options appeared. Instead, the side quest I already had flickered to life.

[Someone’s Here

Gather information by talking to people!

Information Acquired 0/5

Reward: 500L, 500P, 3rd Class City Pass]

Yes, yes. I understand. I’ll do it since you’re telling me to. I politely asked Je Sumin, who was staring at me strangely, again.

“Oh wise and magnificent sir, where am I? If you would only tell me, I will remember your kindness for three generations to come.”

Je Sumin looked at me like I was even weirder than before.

“…This is Sorgone Central District.”

With his answer, my acquired information went up by 1. The park was definitely supposed to be on Sorgone Central 7th Road.

“Then what’s the road number here?”

“Hey, are you perhaps an unregistered Awakened?”

“Ah, yes. I just Awakened recently. I’d also be grateful if you could tell me the location of the City Defense Force.”

Je Sumin chuckled at my answer. The other three C-ranks also wore mocking expressions. Conversely, the F-ranks and the C-rank with high mana looked at me with a strangely pitiful expression.

“A C-rank fuel tank, what a stroke of luck. Hey, we can go home early today.”

Je Sumin said, flexing his fist. Two C-ranks got off their bikes. This… this doesn’t seem like a peaceful conversation is going to happen, does it?

Well, there are plenty of mouths to talk.

“Be a good boy and—”

Bang! The B-rank’s head flew off. Pulling out a gun from my inventory and firing was instantaneous. The 50-mana bullet didn’t take long to charge and had enough power to shatter the head of the defenseless B-rank right in front of me.

The recoil pushed me back. This time, I was prepared, so my feet only dragged slightly, and I didn’t fall.

Quickly regaining my balance, I threw a dagger at a C-rank. The C-rank, stunned by the unexpected situation, cried out and grabbed their leg where the blade had lodged. Only then did the gun barrel turn towards another C-rank.

Thud.

The B-rank’s headless body collapsed.

“Th-This crazy bastard just suddenly!”

“He’s not usually like this, so don’t blame him too much. He’s basically a pacifist.”

I don’t like killing people, unless they’re monsters. But these guys are already dead. They’re just virtual reality and a piece of information.

…It’s too realistic, though, making me uneasy. Isn’t there a 15+ mode? At least when I shoot, I only feel the recoil, and the aftermath is automatically blocked by a barrier or something, so, like when I caught the panther, blood and flesh don’t splatter on me.

“This is an A-rank gun, everyone. It’s a one-shot for B-ranks.”

Originally, it’s an S-rank, but it wouldn’t be good if it came out that a C-rank was carrying an S-rank weapon. An A-rank is not worth deliberately targeting, so it’s just right.

“If you answer my questions honestly, I won’t attack anymore.”

“We’re just fuel tanks!”

The C-rank with high mana shouted. The F-ranks quickly nodded.

“What’s a fuel tank?”

They kept saying ‘fuel, fuel’ since earlier, but what is it? Watching the other C-ranks carefully, one of the F-ranks opened their mouth.

“It refers to Awakened who are used to replenish mana. Fuel tanks replenish the mana of their affiliated guards when they’re running low.”

“…So, they’re a substitute for mana potions? Why not just use mana potions?”

“Because mana potions are incredibly rare. Only high-ranking guards can carry them for emergencies.”

The F-rank said as if it were obvious. Mana potions are that rare? Can’t they make potions in this town? So that’s why the mana potions in the point shop were strangely expensive. I need to use them sparingly.

“Then Awakened with unusually high mana… wait.”

Just a moment. Earlier, the B-rank definitely said I was a C-rank fuel tank and that it was a stroke of luck. Right after I said I was unregistered.

“…Don’t tell me, registering as an Awakened determines whether you become a fuel tank or not?”

“Yes. C-ranks and below are unconditionally subjected to mana imprinting unless they have special and useful skills. All of the Awakened’s abilities are forced into the size of their mana tank. So even if their level goes up, their stats and skills don’t grow, only their mana tank gets bigger.”

Wow, so they’re basically living mana potions. This town is messed up. Judging by the atmosphere, Awakened who are fuel tanks aren’t treated well.

“It’s too much, even if they’re C-ranks, they should still be useful.”

“Real guards start from B-rank, you know.”

This time, the C-rank with the big mana tank said with a gloomy expression.

“C-ranks are at best support. Those three are also support. Their attack abilities are weak, so you don’t need to be too wary of them.”

So the question of ‘fuel or support’ meant that. Only treating B-ranks and above as guards or hunters, this is a strict town. I’d be grateful just to be a C-rank. What a waste of manpower.

While we were talking, the number of acquired information in the quest window went up, ding ding. I’m conflicted about whether to register as an Awakened or not. I might end up getting mana imprinted as a fuel tank with no affiliation. I should check out the atmosphere of this town a bit more before going to the Defense Force.

I also asked for the location of Goldberg Park and the Defense Force. Both weren’t too far from here. Though not within walking distance.

“Is there public transportation?”

“Of course, there is.”

He looked at me like I was asking something obvious. I guess it would feel really strange even if I thought about it. Claiming to be a citizen of this town while acting like I just dropped in from another world.

In the meantime, the quest was completed. It would be even weirder if the city pass dropped from the sky, so I didn’t receive the reward and tried to continue the questions.

Kwaroooong!

Thunder rumbled in the distance. I reflexively looked up at the sky. A large, round moon hung in the dark sky. Other than the size of the moon, the sky wasn’t much different from my town. Few clouds and no sign of rain at all.

A bolt from the blue, sending a signal to make it easy to find, huh, partner.

Successive sounds of tearing through the air were heard, and I saw a flash of light over there. Yes, yes, I’m going. I quickly got on the abandoned bike. …Well, I got on, but.

“…How do I operate this thing?”

It’s different. Of course, it would be. The appearance and handlebars were similar, and even the brakes on the handlebars were the same, but the dashboard and buttons were unfamiliar. The C-rank with high mana came over and explained.

“This turns it on, front and rear lights, left and right blinkers, and combat mode switch. You can adjust the speed by turning the right handlebar.”

“Combat mode?”

“It temporarily enhances it by consuming charged mana. You can ram into C-rank monsters.”

Oh, nice. It seems combining machines and mana is commonplace here. There are also guns as weapons. Judging by how they weren’t surprised to see my gun, it seems there are guns that use mana.

“Sorry for the trouble, have a good night~”

I quickly started the engine so Sung Hyunjae wouldn’t move to another location. As it was used by a B-rank, the speed increased instantly. I quickly sped down the road towards where the lightning struck. Turning a corner, I turned on the notification window that had been flashing since earlier. What message is it?

[!Warning!

You have ambushed and killed an unsuspecting opponent.

Be careful as penalties may be applied and you may be wanted as a criminal if you kill a large number of innocent citizens!

Current kill count: 1]

…No, why wasn’t he unsuspecting. That’s unfair. Was I supposed to get hit first and then attack? Or warn them before shooting? What is this, the Wild West, wanting a one-two-three bang! thing? System, process this properly! That bastard was trying to catch me and use me as a fuel tank!

‘Isn’t there a customer service center? I’m going to complain.’

But it seems like stabbing with a knife is okay, so from now on, should I blow off their limbs when ambushing? Of course, if it seems dangerous, I’ll have to blow their heads off right away, regardless of the kill count.

The streets were still silent. Occasionally, the growls of monsters could be heard, but they were low-level and couldn’t keep up with the bike’s speed.

The buildings that flashed by had no particular damage, and the road conditions were also quite good for a place where monsters roamed. There were broken places here and there, but most of it was intact.

But the area near where Sung Hyunjae is won’t be easy.

‘If he’s using skills so flamboyantly, it won’t be a low to mid-level monster.’

I took out a mana potion and drank it, then used the stealth skill. If a monster appeared, it would attack the bike moving alone, so I reduced the speed a little in preparation for being thrown off.

[9th Road

Burmadil Grand Library 5JU

5-B Residential Area 11JU]

A sign on the side of the road caught my eye. JU seems to be the unit of distance, but I have no idea how much it is.

As I drove a little further, I finally began to see traces of battle. Following the broken road and fallen streetlights, a building appeared with one side destroyed as if it had been torn off. The road became increasingly messy, and obstacles popped up in the middle. Eventually, I had to stop the bike in front of a completely collapsed building.

Kururung, the sound of rolling rocks was heard from somewhere. Maintaining the stealth skill, I jumped onto the rubble of the collapsed building. Tapping, stepping on the protruding rubble, I climbed to the top.

‘Whoa.’

The corpse of a giant monster came into view. Nearly half of its body was blown away, and the remaining parts were charred black, making it impossible to properly identify its species or even its shape. Even the remaining traces seemed to be the size of a four or five-story building.

It must be at least an S-rank. For something like that to appear directly in the city instead of a dungeon, are the people in this town okay?

There was no time to be surprised, a welcome face was standing near the monster’s corpse. It’s Sung Hyunjae. Since it’s supposed to be like possession, I thought his appearance might change, but there wasn’t much difference.

Just a slight darkening of his hair color? It could be because it’s night. His outfit was also different from usual. He was wearing something like a black special forces uniform that fit his body perfectly. He was just wearing cloth clothes without a bulletproof vest or other protective gear, but that must be high-rank equipment too.

And also….

‘…It’s strangely blurry.’

Is it because the distance is far? His usual eye-catching presence felt faint. Anyway, I found one. I wanted to find Yoohyun first, but joining up with Sung Hyunjae would be a great help. I think he’s also adapted the fastest among the people who fell here.

I was about to release my stealth to acknowledge him, but Sung Hyunjae looked this way. He met my eyes exactly. …Even with the stealth skill buff, it should be hard to notice even for an S-rank. In my bewilderment, his status window belatedly came into view.

[SS-rank]

That was all. Wait a minute, why is he SS-rank? Perhaps because his rank is so high, neither his health nor mana, nor even his name appeared. Surely not someone else, it can’t be. His appearance and skills are the same.

I thought I could just ask, so I released the stealth skill first. Immediately after.

Thwack!

A strong impact struck my abdomen, and my body tumbled across the floor.