The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 366

364. I’ve Grown!

“What time is it?”

I asked, sounding like I was on the verge of death from sleepiness. Hwanglim, who wasn’t wearing a watch, pretended to check his wrist and said,

“It’s not quite seven.”

“It’s still dawn. Don’t you ever sleep? I already couldn’t sleep well because the bed is so uncomfortable. Are you trying to kill someone you kidnapped by keeping them awake?”

I yawned dramatically. I was actually sleepy. I only got about four hours of sleep because I went out for a bit last night. It wasn’t an escape, just an outing. Even though there was a guard watching me 24/7 and no obvious way out, well, it wasn’t hard to get out and back in.

“I thought you’d be eager to hear the news.”

Hwanglim plopped down next to me. The mattress sank so deeply it felt like the whole bed was tilting. He’s already huge, and muscle is denser than fat, so he must weigh a ton. Probably twice as much as me. I’m jealous.

“The bed’s going to break. Can’t you give me something better?”

“You’ve filled that tiny body of yours with complaints.”

“You’re the one who’s huge. Did you leave your ego in the sun? You act like the world revolves around you.”

I’m already a little sad that everyone around me is so big, and you keep pointing out how small I am. Myungwoo, Yuhyun, and Yerim are all growing like weeds, but I’m not. Especially Yerim, who’s grown a full five centimeters since I first met her, thanks to her S-class awakening and the virtual dungeon. She was on the verge of tears, saying she wouldn’t be able to wear the shoes the old man bought her soon. …Is she going to get taller than me if this keeps up? I expected it, but still.

Yuhyun has also grown two centimeters, thanks to the growth buff and the effects of being an Alpha. I bet he’ll be taller than he was before the regression within a year. Maybe he didn’t even grow to his full potential before the regression…

“…Anyway, I’m going back to sleep, so don’t wake me up before nine. If you’re going to make me work without paying me, at least let me sleep.”

As I tried to lie back down, Hwanglim’s hand grabbed my waist. He effortlessly lifted me up and sat me on the table.

“You’re too fearless.”

“Why be afraid when my life is guaranteed?”

“I might make a mistake in a fit of anger.”

“Are you some brainless back-alley thug who lives like there’s no tomorrow?”

Hwanglim smiled, his eyes crinkling. “It’s good to know your worth, but why don’t you take care of yourself? I lost quite a bit of money because those two Shanghai airports are a mess.”

“Oh dear.”

“My family is in even more trouble. Logistics costs, extra shipping fees, delay compensation… the losses are significant.”

“Sometimes you just have bad days in business.”

He looks like he’d be a million miles away from such calculating matters. His large hand landed on my head. I tried to push it away, but it wouldn’t budge. His touch, like he was petting a dog, made me frown.

“The Haeyeon Guild Leader must be here too. What if I want to take my anger out on you? I hear he cares a lot about his brother.”

“My brother is just too kind. You sound like some extra in a villain movie. Have some class.”

“My class ran away the moment I kidnapped an F-rank [the lowest rank for a hunter]. Should I pet a cat instead?”

“How about you be reasonable and let me go? Or at least tell me how to break free from this mental skill.”

Give me a hint. At my words, Hwanglim lowered his hand and lifted my face. He had handsome features, but his eyes were heavy.

“It’s usually easy to break free from Park Hayul’s skill, but it’ll be hard for you.”

“Because I’m F-rank?”

“No, that’s part of it, but… I think you’re hopeless.”

…If it’s not just because of my rank, what’s the problem? Anyway, it’s clear there’s a way to break free.

“If it’s going to be hard anyway, why don’t you just tell me? Get it off your chest.”

“Let’s go get breakfast.”

Hwanglim tucked me under his arm. Like I’m luggage.

“Is that why you came here? To tell me to eat breakfast? You’re awfully free.”

“I was going to talk about the hunters from Korea, but you’re not going to say anything anyway. Skills, weaknesses, any information.”

“I’d rather have my tongue cut out.”

“You’re a strange one. You’ve lived too comfortably to be so reckless, but you haven’t been through enough to be so jaded.”

“I’m the latter, the latter. Your investigation is lacking.”

Hwanglim looked down at me as he walked.

“Just a non-awakened, and a Korean at that?”

“This is a secret, but I’ve experienced pretty much anything you can imagine. Besides, it’s better now. I even have poison resistance.”

They don’t even bother putting poison in my food when I’m just an F-rank. If it weren’t for the Transcendents and Sources, I’d be better off now than before the regression, even kidnapped. At least I’m not worried about dying.

“It sounds like a lie, but it doesn’t feel like one.”

“It’s the truth. So tell that Cho guy to stop wasting his time.”

“He doesn’t listen to me. He’s probably in a bad mood right now, so watch your tongue. He might actually cut it off.”

“Because the airport was destroyed?”

“His turtle died.”

What turtle?

“He raised a turtle? That’s surprisingly cute. Did he like it a lot?”

“No. But it was his. The turtle hated Un.”

“I don’t think there are many people, let alone animals, who like that guy.”

“That’s right.”

Hwanglim laughed, agreeing with me.

“He’s got a face that everyone hates.”

“Is it okay for you to badmouth him like this? I’m not complaining.”

“You’re not the type to care.”

True. Hwanglim carried me into the dining room. Cho Hwa-un wasn’t there yet. Hwanglim sat me on the table instead of a chair. Sitting on the table where people eat is a bit much.

“Since we’re badmouthing him, tell me more. How long have you known him? Was he always like that? Is he a close-combat type? He must have good gear. Does he have any SS-rank items?”

China is huge, with a large population and even more hunters, so they must have a lot of SS-rank gear [the highest rank for hunter equipment]. Maybe there’s an unknown SS-rank weapon. Cho Hwa-un seems to be near the top of the Chinese military hunters, so he must be decked out in SS-rank gear. I want to strip him bare.

“First you announce you’re going to kidnap baby monsters, and now it’s gear?”

“I actually have a skill that upgrades SS-rank gear. Want to give it a try?”

You must have at least one. I scanned Hwanglim from head to toe, wondering if he was wearing any. Damn, he’s got a great body. Wow, look at the size of his wrists. That bracelet must be an item. His thighs are huge, and I can’t even wrap my hands around his calves. His shoes must be items too.

“Can I hold your wrist for a second? The right one. No ulterior motive, it just looks really strong. I’m jealous.”

“You’re being too obvious. Just ask for it.”

“Then give it to me. I’ll just look at it.”

Really. I’ll just look at it for about ten years and then return it nicely. I swear. If the performance is bad, I might return it sooner.

While we were talking nonsense, the door opened. That Cho Hwa-un guy came in. He looked refreshed, like he’d slept well.

“Hiii~ Good morning! I heard your turtle died. How did it die? Should I come to the funeral? Oh, I left my wallet, so I can’t give condolences.”

“It drowned.”

Hwanglim said instead of Cho Hwa-un.

“Huh? A turtle? Oh, a land turtle?”

“At the airport.”

Ah… it was a person. If it was water, then Yerim… No, since it was at least an A-rank, probably an S-rank hunter, Yuhyun must have subdued them first, and then they were swept away with the airport. If it was a turtle, a defense type, that’s even more likely.

I gave Cho Hwa-un a sincerely apologetic look.

“Kids can do things like that when they’re playing.”

Of course, if you actually hurt someone else’s pet, you shouldn’t say ‘kids’ and bow your head. Cho Hwa-un glared at me coldly.

“Han Yuhyun and Park Yerim, right?”

“I’m versatile, but I don’t have clairvoyance. I only heard the news when I woke up.”

Thud. I was grabbed by the scruff of my neck and slammed onto the table. Then, a burning pain surged on the back of my left hand.

“Be gentle.”

Hwanglim said, pulling up a chair. How kind. “I heard you contacted the Murim Alliance [a fictional martial arts association]. Since when has Haeyeon Guild been in contact with the Murim Alliance?”

“It’s true that my incredibly strong, smart, and handsome brother is the Haeyeon Guild Leader, but we keep our business separate. I’m not affiliated with Haeyeon, I’m the director of the Gisungsu Breeding Center.”

And Sung Hyunjae was probably the one who connected them to the Murim Alliance. That guy must have connections to China. He even found his way to Hong Kong on his own. On the other hand, Haeyeon has only just entered Japan. They’ve only participated in auctions overseas.

I gritted my teeth, wondering what they would do next, but this time it was quiet. He’s good at playing push and pull. Making me lie face down so I can’t see what’s going on. That stimulates my imagination and makes me more nervous. He’s definitely tortured someone before. He’s good at it.

Screech. In the uneasy silence, I heard a grating noise. If I didn’t have fear resistance, I would have gotten goosebumps.

Silently, something touched my back. I gained another shiver I couldn’t feel.

“How many do you think came?”

“It’s not my area, really. I’ll tell you what I know. Huh?”

Sung Hyunjae and Song Taewon. Those two are probably working together. There’s no way Chief Song would still be in Korea after taking vacation.

“My skill doesn’t just grow baby monsters, it can also affect the abilities of adults.”

“Abilities too?”

It was Hwanglim’s voice.

“You know the Flamehorn Lizard, right? They don’t usually have the Ethereal skill. But the monster I raised gained the Ethereal skill.”

“You can give them new skills?”

“That’s right. I can also change their form. Especially reptiles. They seem to have a wide range of growth changes because they shed their skin.”

It’s not a lie. I could probably change them to some extent if I wanted to.

“I think I could change insects that metamorphose even more, but I haven’t raised any yet.”

“I’m suspicious that you’re telling us so much.”

“Well, you’ll find out when you raise the Water Dragon. And I also want you to treat me better. I went to the trouble of getting you an S-rank monster, but I could raise it to have terrible stats. I need to eat well, sleep well, and be healthy so the Gisungsu can grow strong! Stop starving me and torturing me like this.”

“Okay. We need to feed him, Un.”

“That’s right, we need to feed him. In the end, Hwanglim is the only one I can rely on. I really love you, Hwanglim. Please stop your friend, okay?”

“He’s not my friend.”

“Why not? You get along— Ack!”

The dagger that had pierced my hand was pulled out. I really hate being fixed in place with a knife or spear instead of being tied up. I wanted to take out a rope from my inventory and throw it at them. If I were the one doing it, I’d just stab them instead of tying them up in a pretty ribbon.

“If you want. Bring food.”

Cho Hwa-un strode over and sat down in a chair. Is he going to eat and then continue? It doesn’t seem like he really wants to get information from me, just vent his anger. Oh, my fate.

After eating lunch, we went down to the basement where the baby Water Dragon was. The humid basement pool was quiet.

“You didn’t feed it, did you? Only I should feed it until it’s fully grown.”

The soldiers remained silent. You can at least answer that. I clicked my tongue and approached the pool with my crutches. I’ll get sick if I stay here for a few more days.

“Hello, baby Water Dragon.”

The Water Dragon didn’t show itself at my call. Instead, the water rippled slightly.

“I don’t really want to go in the water today, can you come out?”

I leaned towards the pool and secretly took out an item from my inventory. It was a glow stick commonly used for signaling. I threw it into the water and shouted,

“Oh…? The baby Water Dragon’s condition!”

Immediately, a light flashed and the guards ran over in surprise.

“What’s wrong, huh!”

“A, a dragon!”

Splash! A blue-scaled dragon soared above the surface of the water, splashing water everywhere. As the bright light faded, the dragon’s appearance was fully revealed. It was a wyvern, slightly larger than a human, with large wings.

“It’s grown into a juvenile! Look at that! Doesn’t it grow well?”

At my excited words, the soldiers panicked and stared at the dragon coming out of the pool.

“…Water Dragon.”

“It can have wings. Look closely, it has fins.”

I approached the dragon with my crutches. As I said, the dragon had fins on its back, between its toes, and on its tail.

“Don’t get too close. It’s still a juvenile. It hasn’t grown fully yet. It’s probably sensitive because it just grew.”

– Grrr.

The blue dragon nuzzled its head against me. Meanwhile, Cho Hwa-un and Hwanglim, having heard the news, came down to the basement. Hwanglim stared at the dragon with surprised eyes.

“It’s too different except for the color?”

“I raised it as a wyvern on purpose because I wanted to run away with it. It’ll get longer when it becomes an adult. Then it’ll be pretty similar except for the wings. And wyverns are easier to use than Water Dragons.”

“That’s true.”

Hwanglim nodded. Cho Hwa-un didn’t seem displeased either. Water Dragons are limited to where they can be used, but wyverns aren’t. They can be used very effectively both inside and outside dungeons.

“It’ll probably stick close to me for a while. That’ll help stabilize it. I made it grow faster on purpose… but seeing how fast it grew, it must have already been close to being a juvenile.”

“We should restrain it so it can’t escape—”

– Krrr!

The dragon bared its teeth fiercely as Cho Hwa-un tried to approach. I soothed the dragon and gestured for Cho Hwa-un to stay away.

“It won’t leave my side anyway. And I can’t escape. Don’t provoke it, it’s bad for its growth.”

It’s a wyvern that will grow into an S-rank [the highest rank], a wyvern~ Cho Hwa-un surprisingly backed down, perhaps because it was a Gisungsu that he could use, unlike the Water Dragon. With this, I’ve finished preparing for my escape.

I hope the goblins take good care of the baby Water Dragon they stole.