The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 368

366. Disposal (2)

The emergence of dungeons and Awakened individuals brought many changes to the so-called underworld. Above all, ordinary people could now effortlessly suppress the violence of organized crime. Those who were once vulnerable targets of extortion could suddenly Awaken as mid- or high-grade Hunters. One Eastern European crime syndicate was annihilated by the son of a merchant from whom they had collected protection money just the day before.

Those who relied on simple violence as a weapon naturally became cautious. However, the Mafia also quickly adapted to the changed world and reorganized themselves around Awakened individuals. In some ways, they resembled ordinary Hunter Guilds, but unlike other Hunters, they did not prioritize dungeon raids. Dungeons were merely used to level up.

“Dungeons need to burst occasionally to keep things interesting.”

Said Du Yeop, a Chinese Mafia member and S-Rank Awakened, as he got out of the car.

“The streets are empty, and public security is nonexistent. No one cares even if a few people go missing. It makes my work so much easier.”

Ashes fell to the ground from his cigarette. His ‘work’ was similar to what it was before the dungeons appeared. Instead of ordinary people, he traded Awakened individuals; instead of ordinary smuggled goods, he dealt in dungeon items; and instead of ordinary drugs, he developed dungeon-derived substances.

Although China was vehemently opposed to drugs, dungeon-derived substances were not yet prohibited. In fact, some, like cigarettes, were even making their way into the military. However, smuggling these Awakened-targeted drugs out of China was not easy. The Chinese military, now influenced by Awakened individuals, tended to turn a blind eye to the S-Rank Hunter Mafia, but the cigarettes they had recently developed were an exception.

“That pig-like Hwang family.”

The reason was simple: merchants with connections to the military wanted a monopoly. These cigarettes had a mild effect even on high-grade Awakened individuals. Not wanting to lose out on such a lucrative product, Du Yeop was desperately trying to secure a smuggling route.

The guest he was meeting today was none other than someone with access to American routes.

“Has the guest arrived?”

Chu Su-un, another S-Rank Hunter, approached Du Yeop and asked. There were only three Chinese Mafia S-Rank Hunters, and two of them were gathered in one place. Securing a smuggling route would allow them to move not only cigarettes but also other goods, which was why the two S-Rank Hunters had joined forces.

“The signal is in, and we’ve confirmed it’s not a trap.”

The two men entered the building with their subordinates. The five-story restaurant, modeled after a traditional building, was empty. Du Yeop stepped onto the red-painted staircase.

“Now is the perfect time, with the military distracted by the Korean Hunters.”

“Reminds me of Hong Kong.”

Chu Su-un muttered.

“We’ve sold several Awakened with special skills, but none were as good as that Korean.”

“Don’t even compare them. Still, it’s best not to touch them.”

If they ever got their hands on him, they should sell him off as quickly as possible. He was too much trouble.

In front of the curtained door on the third floor, A-Rank Hunters stood guard. They were Du Yeop’s subordinates. One of them bowed slightly and said.

“They are waiting inside.”

The curtains were drawn back, and the two S-Rank Hunters and their A-Rank Hunters stepped into the banquet hall. Two men were standing in the banquet hall, where a round table was placed in the center. Du Yeop gestured to his subordinate, signaling him to check for any hidden communication devices. The A-Rank Hunter took out a detector and approached the guests.

“Please raise your ar–”

*Crack.* The sound of bones breaking echoed through the hall. In an instant, Sung Hyunjae’s hand was gripping the A-Rank Hunter’s neck. Du Yeop and Chu Su-un’s eyes widened. At least they had seen the movement, but the other A-Ranks hadn’t even registered what had happened.

The A-Rank Hunter, his neck broken, was tossed aside like a rag doll. Sung Hyunjae, as if removing a stray thread from his coat, nonchalantly took off his glasses. The earpieces clicked shut in the heavy air, and as they disappeared into his inventory, Du Yeop finally spoke.

“S-Sesung Guild Leader?”

“I heard he was under house arrest.”

Sung Hyunjae replied, slowly pulling his wrinkled gloves taut. Yet, he didn’t even glance at Du Yeop. The blatant disregard made Du Yeop frown, but he couldn’t afford to get angry. He was already intimidated.

“…What is the meaning of this? I came here because I was told you could open a trade route with America.”

“Oh, dear. Even a carp realizes it’s been baited once it’s hooked.”

Unlike his elegant, condescending voice, his words were laced with mockery. Hearing that he was worse than a carp, Du Yeop finally snapped.

“You tricked us!”

“What is your purpose?”

Chu Su-un coldly asked, subtly drawing his weapon.

“You contacted us long before Han Yoojin was kidnapped.”

It couldn’t be about Han Yoojin’s kidnapping; the timing was off. Or had someone intercepted their contact in the middle? Sung Hyunjae slightly raised his gaze at Chu Su-un’s question, looking at the two S-Rank Hunters.

“Hong Kong Auction.”

Du Yeop and Chu Su-un’s bodies stiffened. The fact that they were involved in the Hong Kong kidnapping auction was true. But that was a long time ago, and they thought they had severed all ties.

Du Yeop also took out a heavy battle hammer, swallowing hard.

“There’s no need to act like this now.”

Du Yeop’s gaze shifted to the man standing slightly behind Sung Hyunjae. He was a stranger, but since he was wearing glasses, his real face was probably hidden. Could that man also be an S-Rank Hunter? Sesung Guild only had Sung Hyunjae as an S-Rank Hunter, but it was better to be cautious. Du Yeop carefully continued.

“If you’re looking for information about Han Yoojin, we can help. We have connections with the military and can provide that much convenience. Let’s just forget about the Hong Kong incident.”

Even if the man behind him wasn’t an S-Rank Hunter, Du Yeop didn’t want to fight Sung Hyunjae. He knew all too well the Sesung Guild Leader’s reputation. More than one S-Rank Hunter had been crushed for rashly challenging him. However, Sung Hyunjae surprisingly didn’t try to take the lives of S-Rank Hunters. That’s why Du Yeop relaxed slightly and focused his gaze.

“There’s no need to use force. If you tell us what you want, we’ll listen.”

“I wouldn’t stop you if you wanted to commit suicide.”

Du Yeop’s tongue momentarily froze. At the same time, Chu Su-un moved. He wasn’t trying to attack Sung Hyunjae. There was no need to take risks in his own territory. Since Sung Hyunjae wouldn’t stay in China for long, he could just hide for a while. Chu Su-un tried to escape, but…

*Thwack!*

A wire flew in. The black steel cable blocked Chu Su-un’s retreat, piercing through the wall. Chu Su-un swung the twin swords he held in both hands at the wire. But the wire, shimmering with a dark aura, didn’t budge.

“What is this!”

As Chu Su-un panicked, the man who had thrown the wire moved. Song Taewon’s right foot forcefully stomped on the red-carpeted floor, launching him forward like a cannonball.

“Kuh!”

“Ack!”

The A-Rank Hunters between Song Taewon and Chu Su-un were scattered like leaves caught in a storm. *Bang!* The carpet under Song Taewon’s left foot was torn to shreds. Cracks spread across the exposed floor. With a single leap, Song Taewon instantly closed the distance with Chu Su-un and extended his fist wrapped in wire. The twin swords crossed, hastily blocking the attack.

A fist and blades. Normally, it would have been an uneven fight. But it was the twin swords that shattered. *Clang!* A heavy reverberation rang out as the blades of the twin swords cracked. Chu Su-un’s face turned pale at the sight. Overwhelmed by the force, Chu Su-un staggered, and the next attack immediately followed.

“Wai-!”

Chu Su-un tried to dodge the knee striking his side. But Song Taewon’s movements were much faster. The knee strike, predicting even the attempt to dodge, accurately pierced its target, and Chu Su-un’s body flew limply to the side.

*Bang!*

The wall shattered, and debris rained down. At the same time as kicking Chu Su-un, Song Taewon retrieved the wire and threw daggers at the A-Rank Hunters trying to escape. Screams echoed from all directions, but Du Yeop didn’t even dare to look back. He was completely suppressed like a mouse before a snake by the man with an unreadable face, faintly smiling, or perhaps expressionless.

The air felt painfully sharp. Cold sweat beaded on Du Yeop’s neck.

“Y-You said you wouldn’t kill S-Rank Hunters……”

“The reason I’m lenient with S-Rank Hunters…”

Sung Hyunjae slowly took a step forward.

“…is because they are raiding dungeons. I can’t afford to waste irreplaceable resources.”

No matter how great Sung Hyunjae’s abilities were, he only had one body. So, there was no reason to intentionally reduce the number of high-grade Hunters. In other words, a parasite who couldn’t do their part was worthless, even if they were S-Rank. If they used their power in the wrong places, they would only be a nuisance.

Du Yeop took a step back. The A-Rank Hunters he had brought were quickly falling, but he couldn’t lift a finger.

“I can raid dungeons, even from now on.”

Sung Hyunjae slightly curved his eyes.

“I was originally going to leave it to my partner.”

“…What?”

There was no reason to ignore those who had touched what was his. That’s why he had been tracking those involved in the Hong Kong auction. But in the meantime, his relationship with Han Yoojin had changed.

“It was supposed to be a kind of gift, but…”

Instead of dealing with it himself, he was going to pass on the information. As a first step in expanding his gaze overseas.

“Since I can’t give it to him, I have to dispose of it.”

If this hadn’t happened, he would probably be on a plane right now, reviewing the data. It would have been quite an enjoyable time. But the plan had been disrupted.

Sung Hyunjae took another step forward. *Clang,* a metallic sound hit the floor. Another loud explosion echoed from behind Du Yeop. Chu Su-un’s sword was broken, and the fragmented blades spun in the air before falling.

“Shit!”

Du Yeop raised his hammer. He used a skill to increase his defense and speed and charged at Sung Hyunjae. The golden chains blocked him, but he swung his weapon without hesitation. The sturdy S-Rank hammer was imbued with a weapon destruction skill. Even SS-Rank chains wouldn’t be able to withstand it. As Du Yeop expected.

*Clatter!*

With a loud reverberation, the chains shattered. Sung Hyunjae had no other weapons. *Yes,* they were both S-Rank Hunters anyway. Du Yeop tried to crush Sung Hyunjae with the momentum of his wildly swung hammer. Sung Hyunjae, who had been watching quietly, took exactly half a step back. The end of the hammer brushed against the collar of his coat. *Thud,* the fabric tore away.

He hadn’t inflicted any damage. Still, the fact that he had touched him made Du Yeop’s lips curl up. The hammer’s large movements meant that if the attack failed, the opening would be large. But he would use a hidden skill to support it with a continuous attack—

“Kuh?”

Du Yeop’s eyes widened. Blood spurted from his widely opened mouth. The chains he thought he had broken were already piercing his chest. Sung Hyunjae had already approached Du Yeop, who was frozen, unable to use his skill. Sung Hyunjae’s hand gripped the arm holding the hammer. Without any chance to resist, his arm twisted with a snap, and a shoe heel forcefully struck Du Yeop’s knee. Du Yeop’s leg instantly bent in the opposite direction.

With a clear sound, the chains wrapped around the decorations on the ceiling, lifting Du Yeop’s body into the air. Dropping the hammer, Du Yeop, his arms and legs broken one by one, thrashed in the air. He tried to cut the chains with another weapon, but even an A-Rank auxiliary weapon couldn’t make a scratch.

The stench of blood permeated the air.

“Confiscate them, Mr. Song Taewon.”

Sung Hyunjae said, kicking the hammer that had fallen to the floor with his toe. Song Taewon, averting his gaze from Chu Su-un, who had collapsed with all his ribs broken, opened his mouth.

“I am not here.”

“Consider it a brief dungeon stroll since the special room doesn’t suit you. If you ask Hunter Yoo Myungwoo, he’ll modify it to suit you.”

“That’s an unreasonable request.”

Not only should he not personally use Mafia confiscations, but he also doesn’t have the money for modifications.

“You received the wire, didn’t you?”

“It’s a loan.”

“That’s not what I heard.”

Yoo Myungwoo had clearly said it was a gift, but Song Taewon wouldn’t budge. It wasn’t a one- or two-day occurrence, so Sung Hyunjae didn’t insist for long. Instead, he lightly kicked the hammer with the tip of his shoe and picked it up. It wasn’t to his liking, but it was still S-Rank. He put it in his inventory, thinking of someone who would be delighted to take it right away.

In the meantime, the upper floor had become quiet. Blood droplets continued to fall onto the red puddle on the floor. Sung Hyunjae took off his coat, the collar torn, took out his phone, and casually threw it away. The connection tone briefly continued, and someone answered the phone.

“I need a cleaner and a new coat.”

[Are you already finished? Understood. I will prepare it immediately.]

The call ended, and electricity briefly sparked. The blackened phone was in the same state as the coat.

“You can follow the line that’s connected to the military as it is. Mr. Song Taewon, it would be better to remain silent.”

Just thinking about his awkward holiday greetings, he couldn’t ask him to act. Song Taewon also agreed, nodding slightly.

Before long, the cleaner arrived. Sung Hyunjae put on the newly received coat and left the building with Song Taewon.