The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 298

The heel of a shoe lightly tapped against the smoothly laid runway. Sung Hyunjae leisurely turned his head, surveying the surroundings.

It was quiet. Aside from the crew members disembarking from the plane, there was no sign of anyone. The airport was likely deserted. Perhaps there were people in the control tower, but even they would have evacuated by now.

“No matter what I say, the outcome will likely remain the same.”

“Will you explain yourself?”

“No.”

Sung Hyunjae laughed, seemingly amused. While not taking his eyes off him, Song Taewon checked the crew members leaving the runway.

“If I don’t accept such a challenge, wouldn’t it invalidate Director Song Taewon’s efforts?”

“Just tell me that you won’t cause any problems and that you are capable of controlling yourself.”

“Just a word is enough?”

“Yes.”

Song Taewon replied calmly. However, he didn’t expect Sung Hyunjae to say those words. It was clear that he was already displeased; he wasn’t the type to admit he was fine. Submitting in such a way didn’t suit him.

They couldn’t simply let an S-Rank Hunter exhibiting abnormal behavior go. But he wasn’t someone who could be reasoned with through conversation either. In the end, calming him down here, even a little, was the best option.

“Why didn’t you accompany Han Yoojin?”

After all the crew members had disappeared inside the airport, Song Taewon opened his mouth.

“I didn’t realize Han Yoojin needed a guardian. I was momentarily fooled by the fact that he’s twenty-five years old.”

“Is he safe?”

The golden eyes that had been smiling faintly turned cold. Song Taewon quietly watched Sung Hyunjae, who didn’t answer.

He had heard the general story from Moon Hyuna. There were no problems with Han Yoojin. But clearly something, at least between Sung Hyunjae and him, had occurred.

Otherwise, there was no way Sung Hyunjae would have returned home without any particular reason.

It would be fortunate if he had simply lost interest. But how should he interpret this uncharacteristic reaction?

It was unfamiliar. To the point where he didn’t want to delve any deeper. And there was no reason to. Song Taewon, the head of the Awakened Management Division. That fact took precedence over everything else.

“Hunter Sung Hyunjae, please answer regarding your condition.”

“What if I invoke my right to remain silent?”

“I will assume you are in a state similar to after a dungeon raid and respond accordingly.”

“My mood is not comparable to something like that. But fine.”

Sung Hyunjae lightly manipulated his magic power. A weak current flowed as naturally as breathing.

Song Taewon’s fingertips tensed. This was easier than a complicated conversation. Because understanding often followed the end of a conversation.

The shoe slammed against the ground. It was a runway built to withstand the impact of airplanes taking off and landing. Faint cracks appeared on the specially treated surface, and Sung Hyunjae’s figure disappeared from that spot.

Clang!

A loud sound echoed as fist and palm collided. Song Taewon blocked the attack that came straight at him without any feints.

Song Taewon stared at Sung Hyunjae with a puzzled expression, bracing himself against the powerful fist.

“…What are you doing?”

It was a simple punch without any skills or techniques. It was almost embarrassing.

“Weren’t you offering me a punching bag to vent on?”

Squeak, the sound of the shoe’s tip being pressed and twisted was followed by a kick. This time, there was no sign of the surging current or even the metallic sound of chains.

Song Taewon lowered his forearm to block the incoming kick. Sung Hyunjae twisted his lips and lightly jumped back, seeing him standing firm without budging an inch, bearing his full weight.

“A tough sandbag.”

“What the hell!”

“To think I’m helping a public official with his self-consolation in broad daylight.”

Sung Hyunjae made an exaggerated crying face, saying it was a sad affair.

“Dear Director Song Taewon, let me see you bare your teeth properly.”

Sung Hyunjae raised his wrist to check the time and continued speaking.

“The next plane will probably arrive sometime today. Will it take three or four hours? You need to remove the dangerous elements before then.”

“…In the current situation, it is impossible to inflict more than a certain level of harm on an S-Rank Hunter. There is a possibility of a situation like Japan occurring in Korea as well.”

“You’re so confident. What should I say, it’s true that I cherish Han Yoojin.”

Sung Hyunjae said, lightly placing his bent fingers near his chin. On the surface, he seemed calm and lost in thought.

“He is an extremely rare and interesting being that may never exist again. I don’t think there will ever be anyone I cherish more than him, before or after. I was willing to protect him and endure most things, even if it required a lot of effort. Because he is worth it.”

Song Taewon watched Sung Hyunjae without letting his guard down.

Song Taewon also knew that well. If it was something he liked, if he judged it to be valuable, Sung Hyunjae became generous. He didn’t mind taking the time and effort to care for it in detail.

However, he sometimes felt that it was excessively excessive when it came to Han Yoojin.

“…Have you grown tired of him?”

“It would be easier if that were the case.”

Clatter, the sound of chains was heard.

“Even if I’m tired of him, his value remains the same, so I just need to cherish him as before.”

But it has become difficult to even do that.

“I’m a little… confused.”

Sung Hyunjae’s gaze stared straight at Song Taewon.

“About what to do.”

Song Taewon unconsciously gritted his teeth. Why, of all things.

Suddenly, Han Yoohyun’s figure came to mind. A figure he had never seen before, and believed he would never see. Pure joy, smiling, genuinely worrying about someone, and approaching them with warmth—ordinary attitudes.

“Director Song Taewon.”

“…Haven’t you always acted as you pleased?”

“What if I can’t do that anymore?”

Sung Hyunjae said provocatively. No, it was definitely a provocation. Like waving a red cloth in front of a bull.

“No matter how much I like something, I come first. It is mine, I cherish it, and I am the subject.”

“I know.”

Song Taewon slightly shifted his stance. He put strength into his toes. He didn’t want to hear any more.

Even so, he couldn’t jump in. His own desires were always impurities that had to be suppressed, endured, and eliminated.

“Did you ask why I came back alone first? I avoided it.”

Sung Hyunjae said, as if it were ridiculous.

“Because I felt like I wouldn’t be able to suppress myself and would end up laying my hands on him.”

“You, of all people?”

“Yes. So Song Taewon, you have to ask.”

Before I tear your fragile sheep to shreds.

As if an order had been given, Song Taewon rushed out. He charged at the enemy like a leash that had been stretched taut and then snapped. There was no need to think any deeper. Han Yoojin was weak and needed protection. And Sung Hyunjae said he would threaten him.

He could move clearly and simply.

Fzzzt! Electricity crackled. Song Taewon jumped straight into the electric shock that would burn his flesh and char his bones.

He had an electrical resistance item, but its relative rank was much lower. However, he could avoid a fatal injury, and that was enough.

Blocking the extremely powerful electric shock that aimed for his vitals with a black shadow that nullified the opponent’s skills, he swung the knife he had somehow drawn towards Sung Hyunjae’s neck.

Clang! However, a golden chain that had instantly unfolded collided with the knife. The knife, weighted with simple force, had the advantage, but the difference in weapons was clear.

The blade broke, and Sung Hyunjae’s hand aimed for Song Taewon’s torso. Song Taewon quickly twisted his body, raising his knee to kick Sung Hyunjae’s outstretched arm upwards.

If they collided as is, Sung Hyunjae would be the one to take the hit. Song Taewon’s close-range attacks, which could add weight with skills, were difficult for the same rank to block without defensive skills. It was already too late to withdraw his hand. Instead of dodging, Sung Hyunjae turned his palm downwards.

Crack, cracks appeared on the hard ground as he put strength into his foot, and Sung Hyunjae’s body soared upwards. Without resisting the direction of the upward attack, he spun once in the air, as if lightly stepping on Song Taewon’s knee with his palm to gain momentum.

Song Taewon was not one to simply watch Sung Hyunjae, who seemed to defy gravity, fly over his head. At the same time as retracting his bent knee, something sharp was launched from his hand. Thwack, the sound of a weapon piercing flesh was heard, and the chain plunged down towards Song Taewon like an enraged snake.

Crash!

The ground was torn up at the end of the chain. One after another, crack, thwack! It chased after Song Taewon, who was dodging. Unable to respond with his own weapon, Song Taewon wrapped Plunder around one hand and arm and grabbed the golden chain.

The chain was stretched taut between the two of them. Electricity crackled along the chain, but it was devoured by the black shadow and disappeared.

“Monster’s thorns, huh.”

Sung Hyunjae, still holding the end of the chain, raised his other arm. Four thorns were embedded in his wrist.

He didn’t take his eyes off Song Taewon as he bit the ends of the thorns with his mouth and pulled them out. The thorns slowly came out of his flesh and fell to his feet with a thud. Blood instantly soaked his sleeve.

“There’s still some paralysis poison left, but it’s weak.”

Song Taewon took a deep breath. He put weight on both feet and pulled the chain in one go. Sung Hyunjae seemed to be dragged along, unable to overcome the force, but then, thud, thud, thud, the links of the chain instantly snapped into pieces.

The broken links flew violently in the direction they had been pulled.

Bang! Crash!

They pierced the body of the innocent airplane.

It was as powerful as if a bomb had been fired, but Song Taewon unflinchingly knocked away the links with his fists and rushed towards Sung Hyunjae again. However, a terrifying electric shock blocked his path.

Krrrr!

A blinding light spread out. Energy with tremendous destructive power, accompanied by a fierce roar, enveloped Song Taewon’s entire body. Barely resisting the light, Song Taewon slammed his feet into the ground. The special concrete rose up as if being pushed away, blocking the frantically dancing current.

At the same time.

“Keuk!”

Sung Hyunjae, who had already circled behind Song Taewon, kicked his back hard. The pushed body collided with the rising concrete, creating a loud noise.

With his eyes not fully open due to the light, Song Taewon instinctively rolled his body to dodge. Clatter, the chain was about to plunge down like a spear where Song Taewon had dodged.

“……!”

It abruptly changed direction and pierced Song Taewon’s arm. It was difficult to even properly dodge the attack. It was highly likely that he had been hit by the paralysis thorns on purpose.

The chain that had pierced his arm like a fishing hook was pulled in a large arc. Song Taewon’s thrown body smashed into the airplane, which was half-destroyed, and tumbled among the debris. Lightning struck again on top of him. Swallowing the blood that seeped out through the gaps, Song Taewon dodged. A burning smell filled the air, and flames rose.

Through the wavering smoke, he saw the man standing tall. Song Taewon was relieved to see him without a single scratch, with only his sleeves slightly reddened. He stood up, scattering potions on his body.

“My partner will nag if she sees me in this state.”

The gesture of raising his hand and caressing the end of the chain that had returned to him was utterly elegant. Even the disheveled hair from the intense movements seemed to have been deliberately styled that way. He seemed completely detached from the surrounding chaos.

“Do not approach Han Yoojin.”

Fragments of the airplane were crushed under Song Taewon’s feet as he walked out.

Sung Hyunjae quietly watched him. He fixed his gaze on the boiling gaze directed at him and the stiff expression that seemed to have been carved out in contrast.

“The two of you have surprisingly similar aspects.”

“What do you mean?”

“What you want from me and what’s suppressed inside.”

The corners of Song Taewon’s eyes faintly narrowed. Crack, the sound of something collapsing behind his back was heard.

“Thanks to you, I feel a little better, so I’ll say thank you.”

“Wai—!”

“I’m standing right here.”

Strength entered his fists and legs. But Song Taewon couldn’t charge any further. If his mood had been lifted, then that was the end of it. Sung Hyunjae, who had been watching him hesitate, raised the end of his eyebrow slightly and turned his body.

* * *

“It’s not a major injury?”

“Yes, the Seseong Guild Leader has returned home, and Director Song Taewon is also safe.”

I heard the news in the airport lounge. Sung Hyunjae arrived at the airport and had a fight with Song Taewon, who was waiting for him. That was all I could hear. With a complicated heart, I stroked Peace, who was sitting on my lap.

‘It’s a relief that both of them are okay, but.’

Director Song wouldn’t have started a fight first. Sung Hyunjae, what on earth are you doing? My insides were burning, so I gulped down the drink placed next to me.

“To think I have to be congratulated now!”

“Yerim, it’s been three days.”

I guess it feels like a long time has passed for me too.

At my words, Yerim, who was being held by the coordinator, quietly puffed out her cheeks. I wanted to go straight home, but I was held back like this because they said they needed to prepare to welcome us back after winning the friendly match against Japan. With the atmosphere becoming ominous due to the sudden monster appearance, they needed an even more festive event.

When I turned my head, I saw Yoohyun and Hyuna, who were busy receiving reports about the recent events. The Haeyeon Guild didn’t have any major problems, but Hyuna was frowning deeply because of the accident caused by Liete.

“I feel sorry for Soyoung.”

Still, perhaps because of what’s to come, she didn’t say that she would take responsibility for the Breaker Guild as well. I want to quickly receive the congratulations and go home, forgetting about everything else.