The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 231

I had guessed things wouldn’t be pretty when I opened my eyes. Considering what I had done, there was no way I’d be treated like a regular guest.

But still.

“…Isn’t this a bit much?”

I’m just a weak C-rank Hunter [a low-level ranking]. First of all, my arms were tied securely behind my back. Judging by the feeling of tightness, it seemed like they were wrapped several times with something like a wide leather strap. On top of that, my hands were blocked by restraints similar to mittens.

In other words, I couldn’t even wiggle a finger.

Thankfully, my legs were tied separately. It wasn’t a metal chain, but a long leather strap connected to the bed. My neck also had a similar leather strap attached, making me feel like a mental patient at risk of self-harm. The bed was also completely padded to prevent any injuries. I almost tried to die in front of Sigma, so it’s kind of similar.

I had all my items taken away and was changed into ordinary clothes. Only my earrings remained. Was it because they mainly increased magic power and had a shield skill?

“Don’t you think so, Mr. A-rank over there? This is really too much for a C-rank with no attack skills.”

I spoke to the A-rank Hunter guarding me, but there was no response. It’s probably to prevent me from using my inventory, but still, this is too much. Don’t they have inventory sealing bracelets in this town?

I tried to put strength into my arms, but they didn’t budge. Is it an item, or a dungeon byproduct… Ah, there are no dungeons in this town. Monster byproduct must be right. Anyway, it was sturdy despite not being metal.

Still, I was thrown onto a bed instead of the floor, so I sat up. I can’t escape in this state.

‘I can’t even play dead. Should I just behave for now?’

I even installed the disc, so please send me back. I need to see my brother. Even criminals get family visits.

Just then, the door opened and a familiar face entered. The A-rank Hunters straightened up and greeted him, like a military unit. Since it’s the City Defense Force, it is a military unit. It doesn’t suit the Seong Hyeonjae I know at all. …No, sitting at the top as a military commander seems plausible. Like a dictator.

“You’re an SS-rank Hunter [the highest rank] and you couldn’t handle a single C-rank without tying them up like this? You’re more timid than I thought.”

Sigma approached me. He really does look alike, but is it really not him? Since I’m already captured, I used the Chick Teacher skill on him. Then.

[Skill cannot be used on this target!]

The message window popped up. I was instantly drained. I was still hoping, but it really isn’t him. Where the hell is that damn Seong Hyeonjae doing? Did he even come in properly? I wonder if he’s being sensitive again and bounced off to some weird place.

It would be funny if Seong Hyeonjae appeared here. Meeting someone with the same face, skills, and weapons as himself would be incredibly enjoyable for even the most bored person in the world. I really want to introduce them to each other.

“What are you disappointed about now?”

“…Excuse me?”

“I mean, you expecting something from me and then being disappointed. You were like that when we first met too.”

His words made my chest prickle. Was I comparing him to Seong Hyeonjae too obviously?

“Ah, that’s… It’s just that Sigma-nim feels different from what I heard. I thought you’d be much kinder, gentler, and more generous, taking pity on a poor C-rank and letting them go, you know, like some great person.”

“Even without knowing my name?”

“…It’s not your real name anyway, is it? Sigma-ssi [Mr. Sigma].”

“Seong Hyeonjae.”

…I flinched reflexively. He curled his eyes and looked down at me.

“I don’t think my face is at a level where you could mistake me for someone else.”

“You’re awfully confident. There are usually three people in the world who look alike. The Seong Hyeonjae I know isn’t exactly known for his good personality, but he doesn’t go around kicking random people. So you’re definitely someone else. I just mistook you for a moment, so don’t worry about it.”

“So the conclusion is that you’ll shut your mouth. Are you close to that Seong Hyeonjae? Friends?”

“There’s no reason for me to tell you in the first place. You’re awfully interested in other people’s relationships. What does it matter who I’m dating?”

The A-rank Hunters glanced at me. They looked quite embarrassed. They must be wondering what I’m relying on to act like that as a C-rank. I’d rather Sigma get angry and chop off my head. But he wouldn’t be like that, would he?

“I do like people who keep their mouths shut, though.”

Swish, the leather straps were cut off in an instant. I barely even saw the movement. Then, the strap connected to my neck was pulled roughly.

“Treating, Keuk, people like dogs!”

How can I live like this? It’s not the first time I’ve experienced this, but I’ve been surrounded by people who like me recently, so it feels even more unfair.

The door opened and I was dragged out. The hallway was quite wide. The ceiling was also high. I could see surveillance cameras installed at regular intervals. There seemed to be no other security devices. Seeing A-rank Hunters being used for surveillance, there must be a lot of high-level Hunters. That’s probably why there aren’t any other security measures.

“Could you at least tell me where we’re going? Is this really the City Defense Force?”

“It is.”

“Then please give me a tour. Judging by the atmosphere, it seems like I’ll be staying here for a while, maybe even longer, so I need to know what’s what.”

At my words, Sigma stopped walking and turned to look at me.

“Like this?”

“You’re not going to let me go anyway, are you?”

I wonder if there’s a weapon warehouse or something. They probably keep valuable things in their inventories, but you never know. Yuhyeon even had a safe in the Haeyeon Guild residence.

I walked forward until the length of the rope allowed, then turned around. At my gesture telling him to come on, Sigma started moving again.

“Are there any restricted areas? I want to know how the security devices work.”

“Isn’t that a bit too obvious of a question?”

“You’ve tied me up like this, what are you afraid of? If it looks like there’s a lot to gain, I might open my mouth obediently. I’m quite materialistic, you know. Hello~ Is there a weapon warehouse around here?”

The A-rank Hunter standing in front of the elevator froze when he saw us. He looked back and forth between me and Sigma with an expression that said he didn’t know what to say.

“That……”

“Could you press the button for me? As you can see, I’m in this state.”

The A-rank Hunter pressed the button with a dazed look. The elevator is similar to the ones in my neighborhood. Usually, important things are in the basement. I was going to ask him to do it again, but I just lifted my foot and pressed the bottom floor button. The elevator went down quickly. You shouldn’t press buttons with your feet if other people use them. Except for exceptions like me.

When the door opened, I saw two armed A-rank Hunters guarding the entrance. The connecting passage was blocked by something like a thick glass door.

“Hello, excuse me. Could you open the door?”

When I spoke in front of the glass door, the A-rank Hunter panicked and looked at Sigma.

“Open it.”

The door opened right away at the short command. He must have an SS-rank Hunter pass. Good performance.

I walked along the hallway. I don’t know where this is, but when a fork in the road appeared, I chose the direction with the heaviest security. The pass came along behind me without a word. He presented it every time we were blocked, and the path opened smoothly. As expected of an SS-rank Hunter.

The last door was guarded by an S-rank Hunter [a high-level rank]. Where the hell is this place? I gestured to the pass, and the door opened easily this time as well.

“…May I ask what you’re doing?”

Unlike the A-rank Hunters whose eyes were just shaking, the S-rank Hunter asked directly. Sigma answered lightly.

“Taking a walk.”

“That’s too much, really. I’m not a dog, you know?”

“Shall we go back then?”

“Woof woof.”

Why would I go back after coming this far? It feels like just yesterday I heard a dog call me Dad, and now I’m being treated like a dog by a guy who looks exactly like my son. Alas, my fate.

Even while grumbling, I quickly went inside. After passing through the triple doors, I finally came to the last space. That vast place was filled with blue light.

A Mana Hole.

The moment I saw the light overflowing in the deep pit, something came to mind.

The Third Source, the Deepest Spring.

I had a feeling that what I saw in Diarma’s memory was related to the Mana Hole. Is this the world of the Third Source? Not our world, the Fifth.

…Even so, it doesn’t really matter. It’s just a world inside a virtual dungeon anyway.

The Mana Hole was surrounded by countless unknown machines. The people managing the machines greeted Sigma and looked at me strangely.

“Are there any information boards here? Or a map? When do we eat lunch? Or is it lunch? I don’t have a clock.”

“There’s still time until lunch.”

Sigma moved. He headed towards one of the rooms located around the Mana Hole. There was a pattern like a magic circle engraved on the floor of the room, and in the middle, there was an operating table where people could be tied up.

I reflexively took a step back. Hey, wait a minute.

“What are you trying to do─”

“Prepare the imprinting procedure.”

Sigma said, pressing a button on the wall, and soon a B-rank Awakened [a mid-level rank] entered. Even though he was a B-rank, his mana capacity was large. Imprinting?

“…I thought you would have done it while I was unconscious.”

“It’s impossible without the subject’s consciousness. When someone is unconscious, the flow of mana is almost stopped, making it difficult to connect with the imprint. Thanks to that, unfortunate incidents like using skills in your sleep don’t happen.”

The B-rank Awakened explained kindly. I see. This town is definitely well-researched when it comes to Awakened.

Then, another B-rank Awakened entered, pushing a cart. Wait, there are things that look like syringes and IV drips.

“Could you release the restraints?”

The B-rank Awakened asked, and the straps that were tying my arms fell off. My arms and hands regained their freedom. As soon as I could move my hands, I used a flashbang.

“Ack!”

“Ugh!”

The two B-rank Awakened staggered from the tremendous light that burst out silently. It would be impossible to run far away with just a flashbang, so instead of running, I took out a dagger. Honestly, I didn’t want to stab myself in the neck, so I was going to get killed by a monster. Even if I don’t really die, it’s still unsettling.

But as soon as I took out the knife.

Thud, my wrist was grabbed. Then, my arm was twisted back mercilessly. The dagger fell to the floor.

“That hurts! Can SS-rank Hunter eyeballs see through flashbangs!”

I thought he would at least hesitate for a moment. Sigma, who was suppressing me on the operating table, tore off the necklace around my neck.

“Is your curse resistance also S-rank or higher? It was an A-rank inventory sealing necklace, but it’s useless.”

…He had an inventory sealing item on me. One of the B-rank Awakened made me lie face down on the operating table and tied me up, while the other picked up the dropped syringe and held a new one in his hand.

“This is a painkiller. It will sting a little.”

The B-rank Awakened grabbed my arm and gave me the injection. Even if it’s a painkiller.

“Wait, I have poison resistance, Aaaagh!”

A scream burst out involuntarily. It felt like they were grabbing the vertebrae in the back of my neck and pulling them out. It was so painful that tears welled up in my eyes.

“The painkiller should kick in right away……?”

“I have poison resistance, poison resistance! S-rank!”

I shouted, and the B-rank Awakened panicked. Sigma, who had been watching from a few steps back, opened his mouth.

“Continue.”

“But the pain will be severe.”

“It’s the fault of the one who didn’t lower their resistance skill.”

Fault, hey you. Something cold touched the back of my neck, and my spine started to throb again.

“I can’t control it! I can’t, I said!”

I screamed, mixing in curses, saying that my stats were low compared to my skill rank and that I couldn’t control it because it wasn’t my attribute. Later, I think I just told them to kill me nicely and spat out curses.

“Sigma-nim, a full connection seems too dangerous. With C-rank stats, they won’t be able to withstand it without painkillers and mana neutralizers.”

“That’s what they say, C-rank.”

The bastard grabbed my head, made eye contact with me, and said that. What am I supposed to do if I can’t? I don’t know if I can turn off my resistance skill even now that my rank has dropped to S-rank, but I’d rather die in pain than turn it off. There must be all sorts of drugs here, why would I turn off my poison resistance? There must be plenty of truth serums too.

If they find out that I can be resurrected even if I die, it will be really impossible to escape.

“I don’t even want to see your face, so don’t ever come to my funeral.”

Sigma smiled. Then he turned to the B-rank Awakened.

“What’s the method?”

“To imprint with S-rank poison resistance, we’ll need help from Medesang.”

“Put in a request for cooperation.”

Like with the high-level healers, is Medesang a city specializing in healers and support-type Awakened? As soon as I was released from the operating table and got down, my legs gave out and I collapsed. I touched the back of my neck, but maybe because they stopped halfway, I couldn’t feel anything yet.

“…I don’t know if it’s protection or mana, but do I really have to do this?”

“Without the Mana Hole imprint, mana charging efficiency will decrease. The charging speed alone will be more than ten times slower.”

I think there’s another reason besides that. But Sigma and the B-rank Awakened didn’t say anything more.

It will take a few days to get help from Medesang.

“You’re not going to tell me you’re going to keep me tied up the whole time, are you? Don’t you have an S-rank inventory sealing item? Or let’s write a contract. If I use my inventory, my curse resistance skill rank will drop by one level, something like that. There must be S-rank curse contracts too.”

Sigma surprisingly agreed to my request to let me live like a human. Of course, he tested to make sure my curse resistance was definitely S-rank, and an inventory sealing item was put around my neck. It also included a location tracking function.

My arms and legs were free, but the surveillance was still there. After eating lunch, an A-rank Hunter guard followed me into the room I was guided to and kept an eye on me without looking away.

‘I could probably fool an A-rank Hunter’s eyes if I used my stealth skill.’

They’d probably track my location and try to catch me as soon as I used the skill. Besides, I still have a rope around my neck, so as soon as I disappear, they can just pull the rope and drag me back. Unlike before, the length is long enough that I can move around the room without any problems.

The room only had a bed, a desk, a table, and a TV. There was also a bathroom attached. I wonder if they’ll follow me when I go to the bathroom.

“Please take care of me for a while~”

I greeted him, but the A-rank Hunter just watched me without answering. I made a gesture that it was boring and lay down on the bed. I stared at the A-rank Hunter and turned on the TV.

Time passed slowly, and I had a hearty dinner. In the meantime, the A-rank Hunter who had been replaced also started to look bored. I’m just a stat C-rank Hunter with bare hands and a sealed inventory. Escape against an A-rank Hunter was virtually impossible. Knowing that well, even a guard with a strong military spirit couldn’t help but have openings.

There was even a surveillance camera running, so if something happened, they would rush in right away.

‘Even I think I’m hopeless.’

I finished eating the dessert and shook the crumbs off my hands onto the floor outside the bed. At least there’s only one surveillance camera, so there are blind spots.

I naturally tossed and turned, then turned to face the wall. I pulled the blanket up to my shoulders. Only the sound of the TV continued in the silence.

Yeah, I can’t escape with bare hands. But what if I’m not barehanded?

‘Point Shop.’

[◐▼◐∥Welcome! Point Shop!∥◑△◑]

A window that only I can see popped up. A shop full of various equipment and all sorts of unheard-of consumable items. And the points I have are.

[2,210,566P]

Expressing my gratitude to the damn Sigma-nim. I’ll use all 2 million points to give him a proper… no, it’s a bit of a waste to use it all, a million… um, I’ll use a basic 500,000 and up to a million depending on the situation to make sure I escape.