The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 285

283. Burning It Clean (2)

“What is it?”

No answer came. After a brief silence, he said something completely out of the blue.

“Wouldn’t it be better to get some rest?”

“I’ve been resting, both in the dungeon and out here, without doing anything.”

Only my mouth moved. I was a little sleepy, but I’m fine now.

“Don’t change the subject.”

Sung Hyunjae narrowed his brows slightly. He looked troubled, somehow. It made me even more curious. Is it something he’s reluctant to talk about? Why? He wasn’t usually one to beat around the bush.

…Ah, perhaps.

“Is it because I showed you how weak I am?”

Did he think it wouldn’t work out after I poured out my rotten insides? In the past, I would have felt a chill in my heart, thinking I didn’t meet Sung Hyunjae’s standards again, but I was okay now. It’s not that I didn’t care at all, but I wasn’t as intimidated as before.

Anyway, he’s still concerned about me. Still. Otherwise, he would have said it outright.

“I was like this from the beginning, and I won’t be perfect in the future either. As you know. So, if you have something to say, say it. I have nothing more to lose now, and I feel like I can accept anything you say.”

“Why is that?”

“Huh?”

“You want to reveal everything inside. All the way to the depths.”

At those quiet words, I felt an instantaneous urge to run away. My fear resistance didn’t activate. It was an instinctive feeling.

“I can if I want to. Anytime.”

His indifferent voice, which felt almost languid, was even more chilling. It was clearly not threatening or scary, but I felt it was dangerous. But at the same time.

“You won’t, though. Why bring it up now?”

At my words, Sung Hyunjae paused for a moment before letting out an exaggerated sigh. The atmosphere changed completely.

“I thought you were unusually patient for a young master just the other day.”

“You don’t seem to suit patience either, Sung Hyunjae. If you hold back too much, you’ll get sick.”

“Fortunately, I’m an S-Class, so I’m sturdy. And if I don’t hold back…”

His gaze swept over me. It was a look that seemed to penetrate my soul.

“Han Yoojin wouldn’t be left in one piece. Maybe just crumbs would scatter.”

“It seems there’s a lot you want to dig up.”

“Enough to make a list.”

That’s probably true. First of all, he’d be curious about the state of the mana stone in my chest, and he’d wonder why I had such a hard time. The current me shouldn’t really have any major wounds. My parents are gone, it happened a long time ago, I’ve gotten along with my brother, and even if the future is uncertain, I’m eating well and living well for now.

There were so many suspicious things that I thought it was amazing that my sensitive partner had endured it all this time. On top of his own work, it was only natural that he would explode, but he was suppressing it.

I chuckled for some reason.

“I wouldn’t want to upset my dear partner. I’m sorry for making you wait so long.”

“It sounds like you’re going to tell me.”

“Yes.”

If the unfilial sons [referring to the system messages] could only tell one person about my regression, I would choose Yoohyun without hesitation. But if I made a rational and cold decision, that person should be Sung Hyunjae.

He is more strongly connected to the pre-regression world than I am.

The memories that haven’t been completely absorbed, the dormant Crescent Moon, the Changeling, and the events with Song Taewon. Besides, the person who tried to save the world before the regression was practically Sung Hyunjae. I thought he would have to go into hiding due to the Crescent Moon’s interference, but he wouldn’t have just been hiding quietly.

‘At least I should tell him about the Crescent Moon.’

Since his freedom is at stake.

“The unfilial sons told me not to say anything, but I don’t intend to obey them quietly anymore. I’ll have to check what kind of impact it will have, but I’ll tell you.”

“To me?”

“Yoohyun is first. I can’t help it. But after that, it’ll be you, Sung Hyunjae.”

He looked surprised. What was certain was that he didn’t seem displeased. He even had a faint smile.

“I’m honored that I’m next to the young master for Han Yoojin.”

“Ah, don’t go misunderstanding whatever you want. It’s just for this matter, and it’s not like that, okay? I have more than one or two of our kids [referring to the fostered monsters], so don’t jump over them.”

I grumbled for no reason and met Sung Hyunjae’s gaze. We wouldn’t normally be looking at each other like this. It felt new, somehow. Really.

“They say something sweet is good when you’re feeling down.”

I took out a bottle of star candies from my inventory and handed one to Sung Hyunjae.

“It’s delicious.”

It was a pink, sparkling star candy. They said it was a warm star candy, and eating it made my insides feel warm and my mood comfortable. Sung Hyunjae just stared at it for a moment before taking the star candy and eating it. I should tell them to get rid of the coffee; it’s just bitter.

Not long after, the entrance to the lounge became noisy. I could guess without looking back. They’ve finally arrived.

“You’re going to gather the monsters and deal with them all at once?!”

With a booming shout, a large man strode towards me. A faint, metallic smell wafted over.

He didn’t seem injured, but the Amateras Guild [a Japanese Hunter guild] must have suffered heavy losses.

“Is that even possible?”

“You’re asking for a favor, but you’re still standing tall.”

Shishio frowned at my words. His pride must be hurt. But if Japan collapses like this, they’ll have to abandon their base and seek refuge in another country. There would be many places that would accept an S-Class Hunter, but their reign would be over.

At least they could take their items with them. But starting from scratch without their own dungeon wouldn’t be easy. In any country, medium and large guilds have already established themselves. It would be easy to go somewhere in the middle, but someone who had been sitting at the top wouldn’t be satisfied.

“…You want me to believe unconditionally when the method isn’t even certain yet.”

“What are you going to do if you can’t believe it? Should I go back to Korea? And asking someone who’s receiving help to lay out all their assets is completely thieving.”

Some of my skills will be exposed to some extent. It’s impossible to completely hide them when I’m using them openly. Still, demanding a detailed explanation isn’t something someone who’s drowning should do.

“You should grab whatever they throw you and climb up. Enough, let’s draw up a contract. A clean reward per head.”

“Per head?”

“Yes. SS-Class equipment per SS-Class monster. S-Class equipment or dungeon rights per S-Class monster. Of course, I have the right to choose. Wow, I’m really being generous. Honestly, you should accept even if I asked for double and bow your head in gratitude.”

Shishio’s face contorted even more at my words. The other Japanese Hunters around him also didn’t look pleased.

“You’re going to sweep away all of Japan’s SS-Class equipment?!”

“What are you going on about with just five? You’ll still have twice that much. And I’ll take it on credit? There are probably a lot of things that don’t suit our kids right now. Ah, I should also add the condition that you have to report all SS-Class and S-Class items that come out in the future to me in detail. That’s how I’ll choose.”

“What? This bastard!”

Having to report SS~S-Class items in detail. This was a disadvantageous condition that any guild would balk at. It meant revealing all the equipment’s abilities to others. All the weaknesses. Especially since Japan had frequent fights between guilds, they would be even more reluctant.

“Ugh, I’m so scared, I should just go home~”

I clicked my tongue and pulled out a chair to sit on. Peace climbed onto my lap, baring his teeth at Shishio, and Yerim and Noah stood on either side of me as if guarding me. Myungwoo and Moon Hyunah also didn’t take their eyes off me. Sung Hyunjae was also watching with interest.

“Shishio, you should just quit at this point and go back to your homeland. The African savanna, it’s nice, isn’t it? It would suit you well.”

I heard a grinding sound. The veins on his already thick neck stood out even more. Ugh, look at the strength in his fist. He’s going to hit me. Good for you for having thick arms.

“…If you can’t solve it.”

“You can just compensate me. Let’s put in the condition that you’ll remove the five SS-Class monsters that have appeared in Japan, and if you fail, I’ll give you five SS-Class equipment as compensation.”

I won’t fail, though. It doesn’t matter even if things go wrong. I won’t put in a time limit. Besides, my curse resistance is L-Class, and if the Amateras Guild collapses, they won’t be able to pressure me to keep the contract. I feel a little, ant-sized bit sorry.

“Include the Flame Horned Lion too.”

“Our kid [referring to Peace] can’t. I’ll also add that you’ll give priority to raising the mount you want for the Flame Horned Lion that we capture in the future. As a bonus.”

I looked at him as if asking if he was satisfied with this, and Shishio took out a contract with a dissatisfied expression. It was even SS-Class, from where he got it.

“Item details report…….”

“You must include it. Who knows if you’ll steal the good stuff and not show it to me.”

“Keep the security.”

“Yes, yes. Put that in the conditions too. You can put in any penalty for breach of contract.”

We wrote the contract with various conditions. The SS-Class equipment was big, but even more valuable were the S-Class dungeon rights. One per monster. How many S-Class monsters would there be? Of course, we can’t manage them all, and if it’s not a valuable dungeon, we can just eat the first clear reward and resell it or hand it over overseas.

“Amateras Guild isn’t the only one in Japan. Have all the medium-sized or larger guilds sign it. The same goes for guilds that are created in the future. All international standard medium-sized guilds in Japan are subject to this contract.”

Because they might use loopholes. I let the small guilds off the hook. Shishio had a face that looked like he was about to explode and started contacting people here and there. He was venting his anger on me, shouting at them to come right away.

“You’re very angry.”

He did look like he would be.

The other medium and large guild leaders in Japan also flocked in. Some sent representatives. They all glanced at me and signed the contract.

Meanwhile, preparations were steadily underway. A hundred A-Class or higher Hunters who were skilled in defense and evasion were gathered, and the locations of the S-Class or higher monsters were also identified.

“The lure operation to drive the SS-Class monsters within a 200km radius is in progress.”

“Keep the SS-Class monsters as far away from the central point as possible. So they can reach it last.”

As the sun was setting, I went up to the room where Yoohyun was resting.

“Yoohyun, I’m coming in.”

I announced myself and opened the door. I saw my brother sitting on a chair in the living room. He was wearing the Thunder Bird’s attire and holding his sword horizontally. There were other weapons around him, as if he had been inspecting them. His half-lowered eyes slowly lifted and turned to me. He had a smile on his face, but there was an energy like a well-honed blade.

“I told you to rest.”

“I did. I woke up a little while ago.”

“I don’t think it was a little while ago.”

Yoohyun got up from his seat. His movements were extremely light. He took out a wire from his inventory and quickly swept up and organized the weapons around him.

“Are the preparations all done?”

“Yeah. We can leave now.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Aren’t you worried?”

I asked as I left the room with Yoohyun.

“There are five SS-Class monsters.”

With Yoohyun’s current abilities, even one would be difficult. Even if the attack skill effect was doubled, his stats were still S-Class, so it was no different from telling him to risk his life. But he didn’t have any tension. Rather, he seemed a little expectant.

“You wouldn’t put me in danger.”

“I appreciate you trusting me.”

“I would have worried if you were going out alone or with other people. But you asked me.”

That guy, really. I ruffled my slightly disheveled brother’s hair as if tidying it up.

“Like you said, there’s nothing dangerous. Just go wild.”

“Yeah.”

“It’ll take a while to get there, so let’s have dinner. What do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you.”

“Anything. I like everything.”

When I went down to the lounge, I could feel the starkly divided atmosphere all over my body. Shishio and the Amateras Guild members were sitting in one place with expressions as if their country had fallen. They were comforting each other and glancing at us.

On the other hand, our group.

“There’s no SS-Class greatsword after all. Should I take this at least?”

“Unnie [older sister], how about this belt? The options look good.”

They were excitedly rummaging through the item list they had received. Yerim, who still lacked S-Class equipment, was the most excited.

“Why is Noah Hunter just sitting there?”

“That’s right, you have to take it when they say they’ll give it to you!”

“No, I…….”

“How about this? It seems like it would be okay to use even in a beast form if you modify it a little.”

“Myungwoo oppa [older brother]! Look at mine too! This, these boots. Can I change the design? Remove the metal decorations here.”

It’s nice to see everyone shopping. I’m pleased. I lightly patted Noah’s shoulder and told him to choose comfortably.

“We need Noah’s help too, so I’ll feel better if you pick something.”

“Ah, yes. Then just a little.”

“You can pick a lot. They said there are a lot of S-Class monsters, so that’s how much we’re taking. Partner, is there anything that catches your eye?”

“There was a bow that looked good.”

“It’s admirable that you care about your guild members. You can send the list to Soyoung. You’ll need to equip several pieces of equipment suitable for mounts.”

Perhaps because of his desire for mounts, the Amateras Guild also had some high-level mount equipment.

When I headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner, Myungwoo and Moon Hyunah followed, saying they would help. Sung Hyunjae also slipped in, and the remaining kids all flocked in, so I chased them out, saying that those under twenty weren’t allowed.

We ate a hearty dinner and set off for our destination. To the land that would burn brightly.