The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 227

225. The City of Day (1)

A black-haired young man was asleep in the center of a large space. Mana absorption glyphs [symbols or designs with magical properties] carved into the floor around him continuously drained his mana.

People standing outside the glyph’s effective range watched the young man with worried expressions.

“Solemness’s Sigma has refused our request.”

“At least Lancea’s Lambda has agreed to provide support in the event of an SS-class monster appearance, but Lancea City will take priority if they occur simultaneously.”

SS-class monsters appeared about once or twice a month. It wasn’t a frequent occurrence, but the cycle wasn’t exact, so even with the promise of support, they couldn’t rest assured.

Moreover, an SS-class guard belonging to the city was essential to reduce damage from monsters below S-class.

“Awakening Alpha without any countermeasures is still too risky, isn’t it? Especially since we’re so close to a mana hole [a place where mana leaks into the world].”

Even an SS-class Awakened with powerful abilities would lose consciousness if their mana ran out. Subduing a rampaging Alpha involved cutting off mana replenishment, waiting for skills to deplete their mana, and then using skills and items that absorbed the opponent’s mana.

Even SS-class guards carried only a tiny amount of mana potions, and Awakened individuals had extremely low natural mana recovery, making this method feasible.

“Since he showed signs of mental confusion, it’s best to wait until we can get help from another SS-class guard. Let’s try asking Solemness City again.”

“And be careful not to let Alpha’s current state leak out.”

Low sighs escaped from the people’s mouths simultaneously. Fortunately, the last appearance of an SS-class monster had been less than a week ago. They would be safe for at least a week, so they had to find a way to stabilize Alpha before then.

* * *

Weeeeeeee─ Weeeeee─

I startled awake at the deafening sound of a siren. What the, did a dungeon break happen nearby… What? Where am I?!

‘…Ah, right.’

I was startled by the building wall blocking my view, then I barely recalled what happened last night. I was inside a dungeon.

To be precise, inside a world that had already been destroyed. A false world with only information remaining. I came in here and met someone who looked like Sung Hyunjae, and… thinking about it makes me angry again.

I got up. The siren was still blaring. A faint light filtered through the gaps in the buildings, indicating that it was dawn.

Should I go see what’s going on? I activated my stealth skill and carefully slipped out through a gap in the building.

Drrrrr.

A large machine was moving along the road. Each time the machine passed, the cracked and broken road was neatly repaired. ‘It’ll just get destroyed again as soon as a monster pops out,’ I thought, looking around, but unlike the night, it was quiet.

‘Why isn’t anything appearing when it’s making such a racket?’

While I was wondering, the road-repairing machine disappeared into the distance. And a moment later, the siren stopped, and…

Clang, clatter.

The thick barriers blocking the entrances and windows of the buildings began to open. Lights turned on in the store across the street, and the shopkeeper threw the doors wide open. It was bewildering to see them start cleaning in front of the store as if nothing had happened overnight.

Not just the stores, but people began to appear on the streets one by one. Cars appeared on the roads, and even vehicles that looked like buses showed up.

“I heard an SS-class monster appeared nearby, but it’s fine here.”

“The damage was severe in the 5-B residential area.”

“But it seems like no one was hurt. Oh, Mr. Pike, let’s move quickly since we have to finish cleaning up before sunset.”

There were mentions of monsters, but the people seemed peaceful. It was just an ordinary street scene.

Most of the people were non-Awakened, with a sprinkling of F~E-ranks. Those F and E-ranks all had low mana levels. I stared blankly at the street for a moment, then slipped back into the alley and deactivated my stealth skill. Just in case, I took out some water and lightly washed my face before going outside.

Some people glanced at me, but only briefly. It was just a normal glance, like passing by a stranger.

‘…Do monsters not come out during the day?’

That was the only explanation for the atmosphere. I was careful not to look around too much as I slowly walked. A bus stopped at the bus stop, and people got on and off in droves. Stores put out signs and stalls. Office workers lined up to enter a large building. The takeout drink shop right next to the building was busy taking orders from the office workers. I wondered if it was coffee, but the drinks in the clear cups were red or green. Instead of the smell of coffee, I smelled a sweet and refreshing scent.

It was truly ordinary and peaceful.

‘It’ll be easy to get information in this kind of atmosphere.’

And first, should I buy something to eat? I’m hungry. But I don’t have any money.

I currently had 1,000 L [Local currency] in my possession. Several more subquests had appeared, so I went back into the alley to see if there was a way to get money. This is quite annoying. But if I’m staring at the sky and waving my hands, people will think it’s weird.

[Sub Quest

First Purchase at a Store

First Step as a Guard

First Purchase at a Store 2

First Outing

Today’s Part-Timer]

Another First Purchase at a Store quest had appeared. The first purchase quest was for buying from the points store, and the second was for buying from a regular store. The rewards were 1,000P [Points] and 500L, and 500P and 1,000L, respectively.

Then should I buy something from the points store first? I opened the points store window and looked at the cheap items.

‘Flashbang 350P. Should I buy this? There’s also wire, it would be nice to have a spare, but it’s expensive…….’

It would be better to save points as much as possible and buy the necessary items when needed. But I’m already short on equipment. I lost a dagger because of that fake Sung Hyunjae. The cheapest dagger is 1,000P. And since I have S-class poison resistance, poison items would be really useful. But high-grade poison orbs were ridiculously expensive, even though they were disposable.

There are bombs too. I want to buy them. Oh, a sniper rifle. A trap set! Ah, this ghillie suit has overlapping stealth skills. A sleeping bag, I want a sleeping bag too. Even if it’s not a tent, at least a sleeping bag. My back hurts from sleeping on the cold, hard ground.

‘These are all dungeon items that go into the inventory, but there’s all sorts of stuff.’

Ah, there are so many things I want to buy, but I don’t have any money, any points. I have a lot of money outside the dungeon. Can’t I buy points with cash? Let me pay, please. If it’s a game, taking cash is basic, isn’t it? I’ll offer my bank account, please let me. I have money, why can’t I use it?

I clutched my chest in frustration and bought a flashbang for now. Judging by the looks of it, the monsters here mainly come out at night, so they’re likely weak to strong light. It’s also good for using in conjunction with stealth skills.

I completed the First Purchase at a Store quest and looked at the other quests. I put off the First Step as a Guard quest.

[First Outing

Let’s go outside the city! The outside of the barrier is dangerous, so be well prepared. A pass is essential. Follow the road and arrive at another city.

Reward: 10,000P, 80,000L, Map]

Judging by the reward, it seems really dangerous. Is it swarming with monsters? I can avoid up to S-class with stealth skills, but…

‘I heard people talking earlier about how SS-class monsters appear here too.’

The fake Sung Hyunjae was also SS-class, so it seemed like the overall average rank was higher than in my neighborhood. There should be at least one person from my group in this city. Maybe everyone here has leveled up to SS-class, so if I just join them… Sung Hyunjae, you bastard.

[Today’s Part-Timer

Let’s find a job during the day! You can find various part-time jobs in the city. Experience the joy of labor!

Reward: 500P, Job Posting]

…Seriously, what am I supposed to do? I need money, but am I really in a position to be leisurely working part-time? But the job posting bothered me. Since the reward is an item, I feel like I have to complete the quest. Surely it’s not just an ordinary job posting.

Anyway, since it’s not a quest I can do right now, I went back out to the street to complete the Store Purchase 2 quest and fill my stomach. I currently have a total of 1,500L. I don’t know the value of the money, so I went into a store that looked like a convenience store.

“Welcome!”

A woman in her thirties sitting at the counter greeted me with a bright voice. I wonder if they sell cup noodles here. There were tables and chairs on one side, and even a TV. That’s good. I can grab a bite and get some information.

A drama was playing on the TV.

[You’re going to leave the city, but how?]

[I used all my assets to hire an S-class guard. I also prepared a stealth-applied transport truck.]

So it seems dangerous outside the city. A stealth-applied truck, it must be expensive. I wonder if I can hijack it.

The convenience store had a variety of foods. However, there was nothing that looked like cup noodles, and the machine on one side was unfamiliar. I guess it’s like a microwave, but I don’t know how to open it.

I reluctantly picked up a sandwich that didn’t need to be heated. Grilled Foa Sandwich, 250L. If I consider 3,000 won [Korean currency] to be about 250L, then 1,000L is about 12,000 won. If I buy this and get the reward, I’ll have about 27,000 won.

At this rate, I’ll be sleeping outside again tonight. Damn it.

“Hello.”

Holding the sandwich, I went to the counter and smiled as kindly as possible. I’m definitely not a suspicious person, I just want to ask something.

“Yes, hello.”

The store owner also replied with a friendly smile. She seemed more favorably inclined than I expected.

“It was quite a commotion last night, wasn’t it.”

“Yes, it was. This SS-class monster was the first in almost a month. It’s been peaceful for a while. But I’m glad it was taken care of quickly. Last time, the underground shelter was damaged, it was a real disaster.”

Underground shelter. So ordinary citizens take refuge underground at night. Monsters only appear at night, and after the guards take care of the monsters overnight, they come out to the surface during the day and live their daily lives, that’s the pattern.

I handed over my card along with the sandwich, and she processed the payment skillfully. 250L has been paid. A mechanical voice sounded.

“Do you happen to know anyone among the high-ranking guards who uses fire-related skills?”

Skills might be modified when entering this world, but the basic attributes should be the same, right? Except for me, everyone else is possessing someone originally from this world, so there’s a high chance that the guard with S-class or higher fire skills is Yoohyun.

“If you’re talking about a fire skill guard, it’s definitely Alpha of Akates City.”

“Alpha?”

“You don’t know him?”

The store owner asked, puzzled. It must be similar to hearing someone in Korea say they don’t know Yoohyun or Sung Hyunjae. I smiled as naturally as possible and opened my mouth.

“I’d like to pretend I don’t know him right now. Could you tell me more about him?”

I was very embarrassed inside for saying something like, ‘I know, but I want to hear it from you.’ But the store owner seemed to take it well. She smiled back and started explaining.

“Alpha is an SS-class guard from Akates City. Like our Solemness City’s Sigma. He’s a young man of twenty-six who awakened four years ago, and his main skill is fire. He’s young and doesn’t have much experience, but I’ve heard he’s very capable.”

It’s likely Yoohyun. That’s exactly the kind of avatar that would suit Yoohyun. The problem is.

‘He’s in another city.’

That means I have to leave the city after all. And judging by the way she’s talking, it seems like each city has one SS-class guard. Do I have to go on a city tour to gather everyone? I have a feeling the disc installation sites are also located in each city.

…Rookie! Give a beginner a vehicle! Peace, where are you? I need you. I hope you haven’t been mistaken for a monster and attacked. He is a monster, though.

‘Solemness City’s Sigma must be referring to the fake Sung Hyunjae. It doesn’t seem to be his real name, and SS-class guards in each city are given a title based on the city’s name?’

My city, Medsang City, is M… um, what is it. I know Alpha, Beta, Delta, Theta. Is it Meta?

“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”

The store owner asked with a smile. She’s very kind. Or maybe… does she have a crush on me? Now that I think about it, my stats have risen to C-class. Did my face get a makeover? I think I’m a little taller too… or maybe not.

Anyway, this is good. Let’s get some more information while I have the chance.

“The City Defense Agency. Is it possible for ordinary citizens to take a tour? Like seeing guidebooks about the history of the guards or engravings. It wouldn’t be very fun, though.”

“Only some of the civil service facilities are open during the day, but the nearby park is nice for a walk. It’s not far from here either.”

If only civil service facilities are open, the chances of high-ranking guards being there are low. It might be okay to go during the day.

[There will be an emergency broadcast from the City Defense Agency shortly.]

At that moment, the drama on TV was interrupted, and a stern voice came on. I turned my head to look, and a familiar face appeared on the screen.

“Oh? It’s Sigma. What’s going on.”

Seeing him in the light, his hair was definitely darker than the Sung Hyunjae I knew. He gave a faint smile on the screen.

[Citizens of Solemness.]

Hearing his voice, my irritation soared again. It could be someone else, but he looks too much like him.

‘I can’t use the fierce chick class teacher [a specific skill or ability] on people here, but I could use that to confirm it.’

It would be better if it was someone else, but if that idiot has lost his memory and is Sung Hyunjae, it’s no different from saying, ‘Arrest me right away.’ Rejection from an SS-class would immediately knock me out.

I definitely need to go to Akates City and join Yoohyun first.

[Last night, an unregistered Awakened who was scheduled to become a member of my agency escaped.]

…What? Seriously? A sense of foreboding chilled my chest.

[He is a black-haired, black-eyed C-class male Awakened wearing red earrings. He has an above-average height for his rank, fair skin, and a handsome appearance in his early to mid-twenties. For the defense of the city, we ask that you report him immediately if found.]

…Damn it, wait a minute. Then Sung Hyunjae disappeared from the screen, and a caption appeared stating that a reward of 5 million L would be given for a decisive report, and 100 million L for capture.

That fake Sung Hyunjae, you son of a bitch!!!

In a state of bewilderment, I turned back to the counter. I met the store owner’s eyes. She stared blankly at me. Then, she picked up something that looked like a phone.

I’m screwed, really!

“You wouldn’t believe me even if I said no, would you?”

“Hello, Defense Agency?!

Yeah, right. I snatched the sandwich and card from the counter and quickly turned around. I activated my stealth skill and slipped out into the street.

That fake Sung Hyunjae, you son of a bitch!