The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 359

357. Baby Water Dragon (1)

Han Yu-hyun, the Guild Master of Haeyeon Guild, celebrated his birthday the same way every year. He accepted congratulations within the guild on the 24th, which was also the Christmas Eve party, and then spent the 25th alone. He met no one, exchanged no calls or texts.

Silence filled the spacious living room, where even the TV was off. All means of communication with the outside world were severed. In that isolated silence, Han Yu-hyun recalled his memories—the time when he lived with his brother.

All that remained for him were vague memories. That was why Han Yu-hyun acted even more meticulously after separating from Han Yu-jin. He couldn’t bear the thought of the traces and memories of his brother within him being overwritten by others.

Not just on his birthday, but everything else too.

He always tied his own tie. He couldn’t allow anyone other than his brother to touch it. Cutting and trimming his hair was tolerable since he had always gone to the salon anyway. But when it came to being caressed, he wouldn’t be satisfied even if he cut off the other person’s wrist.

The same went for holding hands. He was even reluctant to shake hands, which troubled Seok Si-myeong. He also refused to sleep where others were present. Even during dungeon raids, he would take breaks but refused to close his eyes. He didn’t allow anyone, not even a single step, into his personal space.

Despite all that, his memories gradually faded and grew fainter. Whenever that happened, Han Yu-hyun felt as if his very existence was being eroded. He had a feeling that if everything disappeared, he too would disappear.

Midnight arrived. Han Yu-hyun played a recorded file—a voice recorded years ago, on the first Christmas after the brothers separated.

[Happy birthday, happy birthday.]

A slightly slow voice, singing, flowed out.

[Happy birthday to my beloved younger brother…]

After a brief silence, the voice continued.

[Happy birthday, Yu-hyun.]

And then it became quiet again. The person who should have blown out the candles and answered was not there.

“Thank you, 형 [hyung – older brother],” Han Yu-hyun said quietly. The stopped recording file was played again.

[Happy birthday, happy birthday.]

It was a window with white frost forming. The corner of the iron railing on the large picture window was faintly rusted. Han Yu-hyun stared beyond it. He was dressed in black from head to toe, making it difficult to spot him even without using a stealth item. Around him, willow leaves that were invisible to others fluttered like snowflakes.

Light leaked through the gaps in the drawn curtains. The sound of the TV was faintly audible. Han Yu-jin hadn’t left the house all day. He had also turned off his phone. He had only drunk a little water and sat blankly, skipping meals, as if trying not to think unnecessary thoughts.

Han Yu-hyun tried to catch the movements visible through the small gap. He tried not to approach his brother as much as possible. But he couldn’t bear it for just one day a year. Even if he went, he would only stare blankly. He couldn’t even break off a flower branch and hand it over, like he used to do when he was young, and yet he experienced the pain of that fact tearing at his heart every year.

A faint sound of footsteps was heard. A cup was taken out and water was poured. It was almost midnight, but he still hadn’t put anything in his mouth other than water. The footsteps stopped, then started again. He slowly approached the window.

Han Yu-hyun held his breath and waited. The curtain was gripped and pulled back. A listless gaze turned towards the window.

‘…형 [hyung – older brother].’

Han Yu-hyun felt the cold. He shouldn’t have felt cold. It was below freezing, but it was a temperature that shouldn’t have affected him. Even before being an S-Class Hunter, he shouldn’t have felt the cold because of the energy he possessed.

Yet he felt cold—so cold that he wanted to knock on the window right away and beg to be let in.

Han Yu-jin stared blankly out the dark window. He placed his hand on the glass, leaving a handprint on the frost. His hand slowly twisted, wiping away the white energy.

“It’s cold,” Han Yu-jin muttered softly. Han Yu-hyun moved even closer to the window. He brought his forehead to the palm of his hand beyond the glass. It was cold. Only then could he breathe.

‘형 [hyung – older brother], happy birthday.’

* * *

I had a dream. Some of the memories I received from Yu-hyun appeared as dreams. I opened my eyes, then closed them again, turning my body to the side. The fact that my legs wouldn’t move properly made it feel like I had returned to before the regression.

The memories my younger brother gave me were only a small part compared to the long, long time of 8 years, 25 years. Still, all of the not-so-small memories contained me—until the very end. Han Yu-hyun always thought only of me, longed only for me, and lived.

If he was so lonely, he could have leaned on someone else a little. He was stubborn until the end, never uttering a word of hardship, smiling and only keeping me in his eyes. Suddenly, the words of the young Chaos came to mind.

매일생한 불매향 [Maeilsaenghan bulmaehyang – The plum blossom does not sell its fragrance even if it is cold all its life].

At that time, I didn’t understand and only made rough guesses, and looked it up later. The young Chaos said it to the current Yu-hyun, but I couldn’t help but think of another younger brother.

It wasn’t like there weren’t other people around him. There were so many people in Haeyeon Guild alone who revered the Guild Master. Nevertheless, he remained alone.

…I took a deep, long breath.

‘Is it because of my legs? I didn’t even dream well.’

Is it because my body is in the same state as before the regression? I tried hard to push away unnecessary thoughts from my head. It’s different now. There wasn’t just one or two people who would try to fix my legs. Yu-hyun would try to restore them to normal no matter what.

Not only that.

‘Now my brother won’t have to spend his birthday alone.’

I should have a bigger birthday party on Christmas Day, not just Christmas Eve. I should buy a cake and prepare presents. Hyun-ah said that Yu-hyun would have advertisements like Sung Hyun-jae’s birthday, but if there aren’t any, I should put them up myself. I can’t lose. Secretly without revealing my name… Would Yu-hyun like me to show off that I did it for him more?

He probably still has that recording file. It’s a file that’s no longer needed. Should I ask him to film the birthday party instead? Together.

And I will do that on my birthday too. This time I won’t be alone because there’s not just one or two people who would be horrified and take care of me even if I wanted to spend it alone—not only Yu-hyun and Yerim, but also other people. Even Seok Si-myeong would want to make it big and get a win-win situation if possible.

‘Partner will not stay still either. …Isn’t he going to cause an accident?’

I’m already a little worried. He’ll definitely say he’s going to repay me for his birthday, but I… on that human’s birthday……. Hot pink yarn is okay, but don’t destroy the breeding center. Actually, I didn’t destroy it. Should I send an invitation or not? I don’t want to send it either, but I’m a little scared of how he’ll repay me if I don’t.

Imagining Sung Hyun-jae causing an accident made me feel better. I’d rather rent a cruise… or buy it. Since I have to compensate for the damage anyway, it’s better to buy it, but it’ll be very expensive. How much does that kind of thing cost? Would it be cheaper to build a temporary building on a deserted island? Or go abroad.

“Aigo [expression of weariness], my arms, legs, shoulders, back, and waist all ache~”

I groaned and sat up, raising my upper body. It wasn’t a joke; my whole body really hurt. Only my face was fine, and I probably had bruises everywhere under my clothes. Moreover, the young Chaos told me not to use potions or healing skills as much as possible, so I had to refuse even if they offered to heal me.

“Why did you bring me here if you’re going to treat me like this! You’re like guys who would grind up Two-Plus Prime beef and make spicy gochujang [Korean chili paste]!”

How much is my labor cost! You’re holding onto a precious body and not even using it properly. Still, they gave me a regular bedroom instead of a prison cell. I glared at the soldier standing blankly by the door and tried to get out of bed, but sat back down. A curse word came out of my mouth.

“개새끼 [Gae-sae-ggi – son of a bitch]. Hey, your superior, that bastard Cho Hwa-woon, is he carrying his head around as a decoration? Didn’t you bring me here to raise Gi Seung-soo? But what are you going to do if you make my legs like this? Just because my face is pretty, you don’t care about what’s inside my head. Or did you care too much and peel off his skull and pour wrinkle-improving cream on it? I wonder where it’s from. The effect is so good that there are no wrinkles left on his brain.”

Just then, the man who wanted to have a smooth and handsome brain appeared as the door opened. He’s an S-Class, so he must have heard me at this timing. I crossed my injured leg over my healthy leg as if to show off.

“What are you going to do about this? I can’t work like this. I can’t even if I want to.”

“In the video.”

Cho Hwa-woon strode towards the bed. I tilted my head and looked up at him.

“There was also a laser pointer and throwing a ball. Should I break the other one too?”

“…Did you steal the video of Wan Yong’s physical training? That’s too much.”

As the 개새끼 [Gae-sae-ggi – son of a bitch] said, training that only used my arms was also possible. How can I screw this 개새끼 [Gae-sae-ggi – son of a bitch] over? I want to fold the legs of the 개새끼 [Gae-sae-ggi – son of a bitch] in front of me myself, but.

“Then give me crutches. It took me more than ten minutes just to go to the bathroom yesterday. It’s only a distance of less than ten steps.”

Do you want to see me fall while washing my face and smash my head against the sink and die?

“I’m covered in dirt and couldn’t even wash properly before going to bed. Give me some clothes to change into. Look at the knees, they’re torn. Please make the meals bland. Can’t you make Korean food?”

“Originally, I’m not in charge of you.”

“What, then replace me right away. I think even a real dog would be easier to talk to than you.”

I’m confident that I can get along with him as if we’ve been dating for ten years. Instead of answering, he grabbed the back of my neck. My neck was choked and a gasp came out.

“But I’ve washed military dogs before. It’s my first time with a stray dog, though.”

“You’re the 개새끼 [Gae-sae-ggi – son of a bitch].”

“You were the one crawling.”

“Humans crawl too. Four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, three legs in the evening, don’t you know that famous quiz? It’s morning, but I think I’ll have to walk on three legs, ack!”

I was thrown into the bathtub. It seemed like two more bruises would form—if there was room left, that is. Then the water turned on with a splash. 개새끼 [Gae-sae-ggi – son of a bitch], really.

Fortunately, the water torture disguised as a bath didn’t last long. Cho Hwa-woon received a call and left, and other soldiers took me out, shivering and soaked in cold water. I’m already said to have a short lifespan, but if I stay here any longer, I’ll really die before my time.

“형 [hyung – older brother], how did you get caught by a mad dog?”

Park Ha-yul appeared as I was struggling to take off my wet clothes. He lowered his voice with a worried expression. It’s Korean, so they wouldn’t understand anyway.

“That crazy-”

“I’m talking about Commander Cho Hwa-woon. Don’t say it out loud; they can hear everything.”

“Is he like that?”

“He’s famous. He was in the military even before his awakening, and he treated people with low status or background like bugs from the beginning. After awakening as an S-Class, well, there’s no need to explain it at length.”

So he was a guy whose personality was originally broken. I thought so.

“But if you quietly submit and do as you’re told, it’s okay. What did you do to make him like this?”

“Um, I killed someone in front of him, called him a 개새끼 [Gae-sae-ggi – son of a bitch], said he had nothing in his head—nothing much happened.”

Park Ha-yul stared at me with his mouth wide open. His face was full of astonishment.

“We even took a friendly walk together. He even offered to give me a bath himself, and that’s how I ended up in this state. How kind.”

“…형 [hyung – older brother], I don’t mean to say this, but be careful.”

“You’re really not the one to say that. You’re just…”

I temporarily stopped using the translation item.

“Just give me permission to run away. Then I can go home on my own.”

“I can’t, not yet.”

“What’s the purpose?”

“This place is being bugged, so lower your voice. They might play the recorded audio to the translator.”

I see. When I lowered my voice, the soldiers guarding us watched us closely.

“So what is it?”

“I don’t know either.”

…What is this guy?

“All I know is that the first step is to hand 형 [hyung – older brother] over to China, and then, um…”

A soldier approached us. He was babbling something, so I used the translation item again.

“Change your clothes quickly.”

“Yes, yes.”

After I changed my clothes, I was given crutches. Park Ha-yul then made a surprised expression.

“Are your legs hurt?”

“Yeah, I got bitten by a 개새끼 [Gae-sae-ggi – son of a bitch].”

“I have a potion.”

“Potions won’t work.”

I got up from my seat with the crutches. Before the regression, I could walk, run, and do everything on my own, even if I was crippled. Still, it was a little better than yesterday. Well, I had to rely on crutches for a while when I first got hurt back then. Maybe I’ll be able to walk after some time.

The soldiers separated Park Ha-yul and took me underground. Stairs, damn it.

“Just carry me.”

“What?”

“Carry me. I’ll be up all night going down the stairs.”

In the end, one of the soldiers carried me. After going down for a long time, we arrived at a place with a large pool. Something splashed and rose from the water filling the pool.