The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 358

356. In Korea (2)

“The Murim Alliance. It’s a group of Awakened who oppose the military.”

Park Yerim examined the photo attached to the file. A woman in her mid-thirties, dressed in a navy blue changpao [a traditional Chinese robe], sat in the center, flanked by men in long robes and dopo [traditional Korean overcoat], carrying swords. Though in color, the atmosphere felt decades old.

“It looks like they’re filming a drama or movie.”

“The Murim Alliance emulates the martial artists that appear in martial arts movies and novels. Detailed information is rarely transmitted outside of China.”

Song Taewon adjusted the position of the lamb in his arms. The lamb wagged its tail and began to gnaw on his cuff. Song Taewon looked slightly troubled but soon became expressionless as if he had given up.

“So, they dress like that all the time?”

“That’s right. Just having the attire is enough to be recognized as belonging to the Murim Alliance, so it would be easy to disguise oneself. The woman in the center is Dan Unbi, the leader of the Murim Alliance. The Chinese military is desperately searching for her.”

“This reminds me of Japan. I didn’t expect there would be hunters who go around with a set concept like that.”

Dohamin interjected at Park Yerim’s words.

“The US is no joke either. An S-Class hunter from the US even asked Myungwoo if he could make a round shield with a star in the middle.”

“Seriously? Didn’t they order a hammer or a metal suit too?”

Park Yerim’s mouth dropped open, and then she burst into laughter.

“I feel like I could build a castle out of ice! If I ever go to the US, I should get a blue dress made. Would that infringe on copyright laws?”

Han Yoohyun, who didn’t understand Dohamin’s or Park Yerim’s words, stared at them as if they were strange.

“Lastly, there’s the group of unaffiliated Awakened. Most are fugitives, and rather than disguising themselves, they simply hold Chinese citizenship. Since they don’t belong to any organization, they can’t receive help either.”

“Will the Mafia or the Murim Alliance help us?”

“The Murim Alliance definitely will. They wouldn’t want Han Yoojin to strengthen the military.”

Kiseungsoo would also covet Murim Alliance hunters, but detaining someone against their will would damage their reputation. Furthermore, creating a new enemy in the form of Korean hunters would also be problematic. It would be much better to cooperate with the Korean hunters to inflict damage on the military and send Han Yoojin back.

“On the other hand, the Mafia doesn’t want to clash with the military. So, if their identity is exposed, they’ll turn their backs on us immediately.”

“So, are we joining the Murim Alliance?”

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, as they say.”

“You mean split up! Between the Mafia and the Murim Alliance. Which one should we choose?”

Park Yerim wore a troubled expression.

“If it’s the Mafia… I’d be too conspicuous.”

A middle school girl in the Mafia? No matter how Awakened she is, anyone would find it suspicious unless she completely changed her appearance.

“I guess we have to go to the Murim Alliance. What about you, Han Yoohyun?”

“I don’t care. As long as I can get my brother back quickly.”

“It’s easier to move around with the Murim Alliance. Even if you commit violent acts against the military, it’s less likely to be suspected since that’s the kind of group they are.”

“Then I’ll go to the Murim Alliance! Should I watch a martial arts movie before going? What’s famous?”

“Swordsman, Smiling Proud Wanderer. If you have time, watch the dramas too. Legend of the Condor Heroes, Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre. They’re rated 15+.”

Dohamin, who was crouching on the sofa, quickly whispered.

“There are books too. I’ll lend them to you. If you’re interested in the Mafia, let’s watch Infernal Affairs.”

“Okay. Han Yoohyun, you come too.”

“Why would I?”

“The Murim Alliance is good for going wild, right? You’ll be able to meet Ahjussi [term of endearment for an older man] faster! Then, Seseong Ahjussi and Chief Song will disguise themselves as Mafia?”

Park Yerim said, looking at Song Taewon. Seong Hyunjae and Dohamin also turned their gazes towards him. Faced with gazes that seemed to say, ‘You’re a public official, but…,’ Song Taewon opened his mouth quietly.

“If necessary, I will.”

“…I want to go and watch too.”

Dohamin muttered excitedly. Then, when he asked if he could recommend a stylist, Song Taewon politely refused.

A brief explanation of the internal situation in China followed, and Song Taewon added a word.

“I’m sorry, but there is a time limit for this matter.”

“Chief Song’s vacation period?”

“No. It’s the day of the university entrance exam.”

Park Yerim tilted her head, wondering what that had to do with anything. Song Taewon explained to her.

“On the day of the College Scholastic Ability Test [a standardized test for university admission in South Korea], even S-Class hunters are drafted. To quickly respond in case a dungeon break occurs and causes damage to the test sites, they must be scattered and stationed in various regions across the country.”

“Ah, I think I’ve seen that on TV before.”

“Even if the possibility of a dungeon break has significantly decreased, if it becomes known that many S-Class hunters are absent on the day of the exam, public criticism may arise. The impact of the previous monster appearance incident has not completely subsided yet.”

“It won’t take that long. We need to bring Director Han back to his place as quickly as possible.”

At Seong Hyunjae’s assurance, Song Taewon nodded briefly and opened his mouth again.

“What is your plan for creating an alibi?”

“I’ve decided to go to Japan. The Japanese Guild Leader said he would help.”

Shishio was very cooperative upon hearing the news of Han Yoojin’s kidnapping. He not only cooperated in creating Park Yerim’s fake itinerary but even offered to go to China himself.

“I plan to enter an S-Class dungeon that needs to be cleared.”

Han Yoohyun said. It was true that Haeyeon had an S-Class dungeon that needed to be cleared. He planned to give a short interview, saying that he would protect the place where his brother could return, and then pretend to enter the dungeon. Of course, the actual clearing team was Haeyeon’s A-Class hunter team. Originally, lower-level S-Class dungeons were clearable by that team, and this time, two unicorns would also accompany them.

“I.”

Seong Hyunjae moved away from the table and continued.

“I think I’ll be under house arrest for the first time in a while.”

Song Taewon was conscious of the lamb in his arms and took a step back.

“How about we say that Song Taewon was trying to stop an S-Class hunter who was disappointed with the government and the Hunter Association’s lax response, and ended up being hospitalized for a long time? I happen to own a hospital too. I’ll give you a special room for a comfortable vacation.”

The suggestion itself wasn’t bad. But Song Taewon narrowed his brows.

“There are many other gentler methods you could use.”

“It’s a little annoying, a little irritating.”

Dohamin, who was watching carefully, quickly got up and hid behind Park Yerim. Han Yoohyun also threw in a word.

“Hyung [term for older brother] told you not to destroy his buildings.”

It was a way of saying that he didn’t care if they fought, but they should do it outside. On the other hand, Park Yerim’s eyes sparkled. She looked like she would follow them if they went outside.

“Please keep your temper in check.”

“Temper?”

Seong Hyunjae raised the corner of his lips.

“Do you think this is enough to vent my anger? This is just an action taken out of necessity. If I, who contracted to protect someone, just ended with ‘Oh, I see’ when that person was kidnapped and there was no official response, how ridiculous would my position become?”

He had to at least pretend to be angry at the government and the association. Saying that, Seong Hyunjae slightly twisted his toes. He was going to attack. Song Taewon quickly grasped the situation.

If he didn’t respond, Seong Hyunjae might lose interest and back down. But right now, there were non-Awakened and low-grade baby monsters in this place. For Song Taewon, doing nothing was not an option he could accept. Would there be time to put the lamb down? The moment he thought that, Seong Hyunjae took a step.

The distance between the two narrowed in an instant. Song Taewon twisted his body and raised one leg. Seong Hyunjae didn’t deliberately avoid the kick that came flying with all its weight but instead received it with his forearm.

Thwack! With a heavy impact sound, Seong Hyunjae’s body was pushed back. It was a kick with maximum force to change the battle location and create an opening. Seong Hyunjae’s back hit the wall, going beyond scraping the floor. The special wall, stacked in layers to provide soundproofing against S-Class hunters, shattered in an instant.

Crash!

Dust flew, and Seong Hyunjae, who had been pushed out to the promenade where the midday sun shone, straightened his posture and lightly brushed off his collar.

“Stay here quietly.”

Song Taewon said, putting down the lamb. Then, he walked through the debris and crossed the hole in the wall.

“I will comply with your wishes.”

He just had to pretend to fight and then collapse. As Seong Hyunjae said, if Seseong Guild, which had to protect the breeding center and its director, remained silent, it would seem suspicious. Haeyeon and Breaker, whose influence was still less than Seseong’s, were in a different position. However, if they protested at the guild level, it would only become more complicated, so it was much better to end it as the guild leader’s personal misconduct.

Moreover, Song Taewon was currently on vacation, so if he could handle it on his own, there wouldn’t be any major problems.

“Song Taewon-ssi, you could be a little more emotional right now.”

“…What nonsense are you talking about?”

“About Han Yoojin-gun’s situation.”

“Although he was kidnapped, there will be no problems with his personal safety. That’s why Park Yerim Hunter and Han Yoohyun Hunter are relatively calm, aren’t they?”

Seong Hyunjae lightly raised one arm. The heel of his shoe broke the block on the promenade, and his body instantly approached right in front of Song Taewon. The two men’s forearms collided and brushed against each other. Seong Hyunjae, clutching the tie that had been pulled and disheveled by the lamb, spoke quietly, so quietly that the S-Class hunters beyond the collapsed wall couldn’t hear.

“The children probably don’t know yet. Seok Simyeong seems to be deliberately keeping his mouth shut too. But Song Taewon-ssi is different, isn’t he?”

“…….”

“It’s different from Hong Kong. Back then, you were a valuable commodity. A precious body that had to be kept in top condition until it was sold. But now, you’re going to try to act like an owner.”

A target that had to be tamed, even if it meant using harsh methods if it didn’t listen. Of course, his life wouldn’t be in danger. Surprisingly, there might not be any problems. But it was definitely different from Hong Kong.

Song Taewon’s lips faintly hardened. Not missing the gap where his movements even stopped, Seong Hyunjae bent his knee and sharply stabbed it into Song Taewon’s body. With a hasty dodging movement, the tie was torn off with a snap. Song Taewon’s side was torn open, and Seong Hyunjae spun half a turn, kicking in succession.

Bang!

Song Taewon, who was directly hit by the kick with rotational force, flew to the breeding center fence and crashed into it. Seong Hyunjae pretended to be troubled at the wall that was cracking greatly.

“My partner will nag me when he returns.”

Song Taewon sat leaning against the wall where fragments were falling, looking at Seong Hyunjae. He didn’t seem to have any intention of getting up, as if he was going to play the role of the injured party at this point.

“Is that all? Should I call Seseong Hospital?”

Park Yerim said quickly, and Dohamin muttered quietly, asking if they could go back now.

“If you explain the situation to Evelyn Hunter, she will take care of it. Please ask Doryeonim [young master] to keep his mouth shut. It’s a location that can be seen from Haeyeon Guild, you see.”

Han Yoohyun answered that he understood and turned his body. Park Yerim also took out her cell phone and followed behind him, and Dohamin quickly left the scene.

“When I look at Song Taewon-ssi, I sometimes think that cutting off his breath might be helping him.”

Rather than letting him live tormenting himself, wouldn’t that be more merciful? Of course, Seong Hyunjae would never kill Song Taewon. He had no intention of personally carrying out such a trivial end. Seong Hyunjae slowly moved his steps and placed his foot on Song Taewon’s leg.

“To make it look plausible, shouldn’t I break one of your legs?”

No answer came back. There was no resistance either, as if he was saying to do as he pleased.

At that moment when silence coldly descended, a black fur ball jumped over the breached wall. The lamb, approaching with light, bouncing steps, circled around the two of them. Song Taewon frowned slightly and looked at the lamb.

“…Didn’t I tell you to stay still?”

– Baaa.

The lamb, as if not understanding Song Taewon’s words, stopped near him. At the sight of it settling down and lying down, Song Taewon clenched his fist. And he struck the ground hard right next to the lamb.

Bang!

– Baaa!

The startled lamb scurried away. But soon, it turned its body back and glared at Song Taewon, then scratched the floor with its shiny hooves.

– Baaaaa!

The lamb, after jumping once, charged towards Song Taewon. It headbutted his thick forearm with its hornless head, and then sat down again as if it had vented its anger.

– Baaang.

“They say that the young resemble the protector who raises them, but.”

Seong Hyunjae, who had been watching quietly, bent down and picked up the lamb. It wriggled slightly, but the lamb was held relatively quietly. Seong Hyunjae smiled at the gaze that looked up at him.

“Congratulations, Song Taewon-ssi. You have one more lamb that doesn’t run away even when threatened by you.”

“…….”

Song Taewon opened his mouth, then closed it tightly again.