The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 286

284. Burning It Clean (3)

“Tsk, so many perfectly good buildings.”

I looked around at the scenery, feigning regret. It wasn’t quite up to par with the capital, but it was a neighborhood that seemed like a fairly developed city. It was quiet all around, probably because the evacuation was complete. Not a single light was visible under the darkening sky.

Turning my head back, I could see a line of a hundred upper-level Japanese Hunters filling the four-lane road.

“Mic.”

A microphone was placed in my outstretched hand. Ahem, testing, testing. I climbed onto the bollard [a short, sturdy post] installed on the sidewalk to prevent vehicles from entering. Now I can see the people in the back a little better. It’s not like I’m short, but everyone’s face is full of tension, probably because they think they’re going to fight an SS-Class monster.

“Dear Korean Hunters, and not-so-dear Japanese Hunters. What are you glaring at over there? I know you all hate me. Anyone thinking, ‘We should unconditionally thank you for helping us~,’ raise your hand.”

No one. Even if they did, they wouldn’t be able to raise their hand because they’d be too self-conscious. Especially with the Amaterasu Guild Leader right in front of me, face boiling with anger.

“First, let me briefly explain. Do you see this? This is a widespread bait that attracts all the monsters in the area. This one is, um, strawberry flavored.”

I lightly pressed the red, squishy bead and said,

“Shortly after, the bait will be released, and you will have about 30 minutes to survive. It could take up to an hour. The top speed of an SS-Class monster is about 200km per hour, so it won’t take more than an hour.”

There are slow ones like the giant toad from before, but they are generally fast. And because they are so big, they can jump hundreds of meters at a time.

“The S-Class Hunters will protect you as much as possible, so it’s safer to stay put and not run out unnecessarily. You all know that, right? The support types waiting over there will cast a bunch of support skills, so stick together and hold on tight.”

Even with the S-Class Hunters, it would be okay if the number of people decreased by about ten, but any more than that would be a problem. Looking down at the people, I checked my skill window. The skill I’m going to use this time doubles the effect of attack skills, plus,

[My Baby Is So Amazing (SS) – When cheering for a keyword-affected target with the keyword in front of five or more intelligent beings who can understand the keyword, the target’s stats and skill effects + the number of intelligent beings% (maximum 100%)

Duration: 30 minutes

Cooldown: 10 days

※ Not applicable if the target and surrounding intelligent beings are aware of the keyword’s effect.]

This skill increases stats and skills by up to 100 percent, doubling them. I haven’t been able to use it properly because the environment hasn’t been right, and I’ve been reluctant to use it because I was afraid the keyword would be exposed.

‘If I just say I love you, I’ll obviously get caught.’

Hyun-ie, of course, and everyone else around me will notice. Then it will be a one-time use skill.

‘What if I explain the skill in advance?’

Of course, with different content. If I say that the skill is activated by a different action, not because of the keyword ‘love,’ and then use it. If it doesn’t work, well, I’ll just have to pretend I don’t have the skill, but I think this kind of trick will be allowed.

“So, next, I’ll explain the skill. Mr. Lion King over there, don’t feel wronged that your item information was completely exposed. I’m revealing mine too. This is a skill that I’ve been saving and hiding. I’m not even getting a reward for it.”

I made it obvious that I was losing out and continued,

“It’s a support skill that doubles the stats and skill effects of the target.”

As soon as I finished speaking, silence fell. Some people were stunned, and others doubted that they had heard correctly. Doubling it is really crazy efficiency. Shishio couldn’t say anything and just blinked.

While everyone was in shock, the first to move was Yoo-hyun.

“What are you doing, hyung!”

He quickly pulled me into his arms and growled fiercely. I know he’s worried, but.

“It’s going to be exposed anyway if I use it, so calm down. And the conditions are strict.”

It’s a skill that will eventually be discovered if I don’t use it forever. I need at least dozens of witnesses to see a worthwhile effect. I calmed Yoo-hyun and continued the explanation.

“This skill can only be used on someone with a close bond with me. You all know that I can raise monsters, right? It’s a kind of nurturing skill in that trait category. So there’s an age limit. Under thirty years old.”

At first, I was going to say someone younger than me, but I changed it to thirty in case of Moon Hyun-ah and for any other possibilities. It’s five years away for Yoo-hyun, so it’ll be plenty of time, or I can just say that the skill has grown and the limit has increased in five years.

“So, unfortunately, I can’t use it on the Guild Leader of Sesung.”

Actually, it’s because I’m not applying the keyword. Sung Hyun-jae just stared back at me without saying anything. He’s such a sensitive person, so I was wondering if I should just tell him to stay at the hotel, but his abilities are too good to leave behind.

“Then I can, right?”

“Yes. Of course, Yerim can. Noah too. But there’s a cooldown, so I can only use it on one person at a time.”

If not, I would have used it on Yerim and Noah, as well as Peace and Hyun-ah, and pushed them hard.

“The condition of use is to hug the target in front of more than a hundred people while saying words of support full of affection. That’s why I asked you to gather. It’s a little embarrassing.”

If it’s words of support full of affection, it wouldn’t be strange to include the words ‘I love you.’

“It’s also a skill that can’t be used inside a dungeon because it requires a large number of people. There’s also a time limit. It’s only 30 minutes, so even if you use it outside and go in, you won’t be able to clear the first floor.”

I deliberately added the explanation that it’s useless in dungeons. As more and more conditions were added, the hot gazes toward me cooled down appropriately. Yoo-hyun also looked relieved. It can’t be used in dungeons, there’s an age limit, and I can’t be forced to use it. With these conditions, the skill was less valuable than its effect.

It’s just a pie in the sky that can’t be used properly.

“To summarize, you just need to hold out well and retreat quickly along the designated route as soon as the skill is applied to the Hae Yeon Guild Leader. Now, get ready.”

At my gesture, the support-type Hunters used their skills in a flurry. Then they got into the prepared vehicles and left. The support-type Hunters who just left and the Hunters who will retreat later will evacuate to the shelter set up over the mountain. It was the place farthest away from the expected path of the SS-Class monsters that would flock here.

After some time, a signal flare went up, and immediately after, I picked up the strawberry-scented bait bead and pressed it hard. With a pop, the bead burst.

– Keuheung!

Peace twitched his nose and shook his head violently. I stood next to Peace, who had grown in size using Grace.

“Yoo-hyun, don’t step forward as much as possible. Ignore the small fries [lesser monsters].”

The important thing is the SS-Class monsters. A faint sense of tension settled in, and soon there was a reaction to the bait.

– Keureu… Keck!

“Got one!”

Moon Hyun-ah’s spear pierced the head of a monster that suddenly popped out. At the same time, Yerim ran forward with a map translated into Korean.

“Unnie [term for older sister or female friend], wanna make a bet with me?”

She shouted cheerfully and started bursting the fire hydrants marked on the map. The soaring water turned into dozens of ice arrows and shot towards the approaching monsters.

“Don’t use too much strength! The goal is to hold out!”

“Don’t worry!”

I’ll play it safe! Yerim shouted. Don’t play around! Lightning struck behind me, and a golden dragon flew up. The S-Class Hunters from Japan, including Shishio, also began to move.

“What are the locations of the SS-Class monsters?”

“Ah, A, B, C, D, E have all started moving! They are heading straight here without deviating from the expected route.”

“Keep reporting the location and speed.”

So far, so good. Kururung, the sound of a building collapsing was heard. A house-sized monster jumped high and fell with a thud, but as soon as its four feet touched the ground, it was bounced back by a surge of water. A chilling mist spread out, and Moon Hyun-ah, riding a bike, swept through the monsters whose movements had slowed down with her spear.

“It broke again! A new one!”

Unlike Lancia’s, it was an ordinary bike, so it couldn’t handle the power and was soon smashed. Noah hovered over the hundred upper-level Hunters, protecting them. He quickly dealt with flying monsters that approached and lured them to other S-Class Hunters if it was too much to handle.

With a charrr─ sound, the golden chains also cheerfully guarded their territory. Monsters below A-Class couldn’t even cross the golden boundary and burned black. The result was no different even for S-Class. They just lasted a little longer.

“There are no SS-Class monsters that have deviated from the route yet. B is the fastest, and C is lagging behind.”

“What’s the estimated time difference of arrival?”

“Less than 10 minutes.”

“That’s fine.”

Modern civilization is good. They succeeded in attaching a location tracker and even used drones to film, so there was no way to miss it. D’s location tracker was broken, but the others didn’t care that a small mechanical device was attached to their bodies. It didn’t run on magic, so it just felt like dirt.

The corpses of monsters piled up. There were no intact buildings within sight. The roads were also cracked, and the last remaining bike was torn in two.

“B, estimated arrival time is 5 minutes!”

The time has come. The hundred Hunters quietly kept their places. I turned the microphone volume to the maximum.

“Sorry to interrupt the battle, but please turn down the volume a little. If you can’t, it can’t be helped.”

How can I reduce the sound of monsters being slaughtered? I was embarrassed to open my mouth, but there was no time to hesitate. I turned my head and looked at Yoo-hyun, who was standing next to me. My brother smiled at me.

“He’s always handsome, my brother.”

“Aaaagh, ajusshi [term for older man, can be used informally], I don’t have to listen, do I? I’ll cover my ears!”

No, why? This much is true.

“He’s also kind and has been good at everything since he was young. Sometimes I think, how can such a talented guy be my brother? He grew up so well without any flaws, and he treats his only brother so well.”

“What are you doing, hyungnim [honorific term for older brother]! Ah, I can’t stand it either!”

Ah, what, why? But it didn’t seem like support.

“Even now, he trusts me and readily accepted this dangerous job. But I’m sure you’ll do well. Yoo-hyun, I love you, my brother. I always trust and rely on you.”

I hugged my brother tightly in time with the words ‘I love you.’ Did the skill apply properly?

“Yoo-hyun-ah?”

“Yeah, hyung.”

My brother nodded slightly. Good, it’s a success.

“Retreat! Retreat immediately! Along the route!”

At the same time as the shout, I took out two mini-mini cookies.

“Peace!”

Peace took the cookie and shrank. When he became a spirit, he looked like a small decorative doll. In case we couldn’t catch all the SS-Class monsters and my baby’s skill time was consumed, Peace would stay behind to escape. Peace is much faster than Yoo-hyun.

Then I also ate a cookie and held Peace in my arms. Yoo-hyun quickly picked up our shrunken forms and put them in the chest pocket of the clothes he was wearing inside his formal attire. Cheon Woohyun’s formal attire was slightly loose, but it still obscured the view, so I used the teacher’s skill on Yoo-hyun in addition to sharing the double attack skill.

The retreating people could be seen.

“Be careful, Guild Leader!”

Yerim appeared next to him in an instant and disappeared again. Noah and Moon Hyun-ah also threw a word each and moved away. Sung Hyun-jae also wrapped the monster that followed him with chains and threw it away, then joined the retreating people.

Before they completely left.

– Kyaaaa!

A ferocious beast appeared with a fierce cry. It seemed to have run quickly, its dark fur scattering here and there, and the concrete and asphalt under its claws grinding. The momentum of the monster stopping caused the surrounding building debris to float into the air like leaves in a whirlwind.

At the same time, Yoo-hyun moved.

Blue willow leaves spread out, and he lightly stepped on the leaves and held out one hand. From the tip of that hand, dark blue flames rose. It was a small flame. The small flame, like a decorative candle, fell fluttering, mixed with the willow leaves.

– Keureureu.

It wasn’t a sight to be wary of, but the monster retreated, sensing something. And hwareureuk. The flame that touched the ground rose high in an instant. Yoo-hyun smiled faintly behind the wall of fire that was erected to prevent the monster from chasing people.

“I’ll start, hyung. Hold on tight. It might be a little dizzy.”

“I’ve experienced Noah’s acrobatic flight? Don’t worry.”

Following the black beast, a dragon species with dark scales also appeared. Two, and then three. The ominous momentum pounded the air and became so thick that it seemed visible. In that, Han Yoo-hyun leisurely took out his sword.