The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 374

372. The Owner of the Territory (1)

Beneath the night sky, the lights and the thumping sound of helicopter blades created a chaotic scene. Though it was late, more than five helicopters were constantly flying to and from the island in the middle of the lake. Cargo was being unloaded and, conversely, transported off the island. All items were securely packaged in multiple layers and placed in sturdy, opaque black boxes.

The soldiers carrying the cargo occasionally glanced towards one side of the helipad. There, a man wearing glasses stood, observing with the detached air of a spectator.

Even though the contents of the cargo were concealed, this was a military operation. Normally, access would be restricted to outsiders, but the man was an S-Rank Hunter. If he were an unawakened individual, they might have asked him to move aside, despite their apprehension. However, the soldiers present were all mid-level Awakened or higher, and they encountered S-Rank Hunters regularly. They were acutely aware of the power disparity and hesitated to speak up. Furthermore, their superiors didn’t seem concerned.

One cargo-laden helicopter took off, and two new ones landed in quick succession. This time, they carried people instead of cargo—Hunters clad head-to-toe in gear, as if preparing to raid a dungeon.

“Are we going to get Shanghai’d [robbed or tricked] like this? Everyone’s flocking here.”

“The airport’s paralyzed, so the dungeon byproducts are piling up untouched.”

“We need to finish quickly and get back, or Suzhou, Hangzhou, and even Nanjing will be stripped bare.”

Expensive equipment was stored separately, but not the general byproducts. Inventory space was limited, and for mid- to low-level Hunters, their inventories could easily become a liability rather than an asset. If a Hunter died, the items in their inventory would vanish as well.

One of the S-Rank Hunters gathered from various parts of eastern China looked toward the man on the helipad.

“He looks like an S-Rank, but who is he?”

He was an unfamiliar face. Hearing this, another S-Rank Hunter turned his head.

“Is he new?”

Even though S-Rank Hunters were rare, the Chinese military had more than a few. Moreover, some Hunters were kept secret, even from other S-Ranks, for security reasons. However, when participating in the same operation, they were usually informed of distinguishing features to avoid friendly fire.

Helicopters continued to land and depart, and most of the arriving S-Rank Hunters went inside. However, two who were curious approached the unfamiliar S-Rank Hunter.

“I am—”

“No, if he’s new, he should identify himself first. Is he really an S-Rank Hunter? And what’s with the glasses? Is it a fashion statement?”

“I think there’s one S-Rank with glasses in Sesung, too.”

“He probably doesn’t wear them during combat. That’s why I dislike S-Ranks from civilian backgrounds. If they start with the rank of Captain and a good skill, you can’t openly correct them like an instructor…”

The S-Rank Hunter’s voice abruptly stopped. He halted, touching the back of his neck. It was intuition, a feeling of unease. The other S-Rank Hunter beside him also stopped.

The eyes behind the non-prescription glasses turned towards the two Hunters.

“Hey… no, you there! Who the hell is this guy!”

The S-Rank Hunter asked a soldier carrying cargo.

“He’s Major General Hwang’s guest!”

“What? Hwang Lim’s? A guest?”

The S-Rank Hunter’s expression soured.

“So, is he from the mafia? I heard they were negotiating with cigarettes. Why is he out here?”

The lips that had been closed all along slowly parted.

“The Cinderella story is said to be spread all over the world.”

“…What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Is it twelve o’clock in China too?”

The S-Rank Hunter unconsciously looked at his watch. There were still about five minutes until midnight. The last helicopter carrying cargo took off with a deafening roar.

“If you’re a guest, go quietly into the guest room.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. I received orders to wait.”

The S-Rank Hunter gritted his teeth at the monotonous, inflectionless voice. An inexplicable sense of intimidation, the feeling that the man in front of him was looking down on him, made him feel even more disgusted.

“This bastard!”

“Hold on, he’s a guest. Don’t you know Hwang Lim’s temper? He’s the type to smile in front of you and stab you in the back to the higher-ups.”

It would have been better if he had stabbed him openly. Just as the S-Rank Hunter, who had been demoted and had his unit’s budget cut due to plausible words, was about to suggest they leave, the man in front of them raised his fingertips to his glasses. The glasses came off, and the dark brown eyes took on an inhuman golden hue. The dark black hair also faded slightly.

The expressions of the two S-Rank Hunters, who recognized the man with his distinctive appearance that they couldn’t ignore even if they tried, hardened.

“You—!”

“It’s almost time.”

It was the appointed time. Instead of twelve chimes.

KWAANG—!!

A blast erupted. The S-Rank Hunters, who had quickly drawn their weapons, turned around in horror. KWAANG again, this time smoke billowed from the basement.

“What!”

Buildings collapsed and flames soared everywhere. In the raging fire, a golden something appeared fleetingly. A golden object fading into the thick smoke with stealth skills.

A clear smile spread across Sung Hyunjae’s face, which had been frozen all along. Then, golden chains wrapped around him.

Charrr— The S-Rank Hunters, who had been momentarily stunned by the clear metallic sound, quickly regained their senses.

“Damn it, when did he!”

“What the hell did Cho Hwawoon do! How could he let this guy plant bombs!”

“It’s a misunderstanding. My Cinderella is just competent.”

Pajijik! Electricity sparked. The S-Rank Hunters reflexively jumped back, but it wasn’t an attack that could injure them. Instead, it spread widely, paralyzing the surrounding electronic devices. The soldiers who were trying to announce Sung Hyunjae’s appearance were frozen with broken communication devices.

KWAANG, KWANG!

As if it were the last, the explosions burst out more fiercely and simultaneously, and Sung Hyunjae began to move.

* * *

Seok Simyeong rejected my email as a matter of course. When I received the reply, ‘Please reconsider and finalize the candidate list,’ I was slightly annoyed even though I expected it. Anyway, he seemed certain that it was an email I sent. I deliberately included names that Seok Simyeong had rejected, so it was natural that he would recognize them.

“Is it that weird? Huh?”

At my words, Park Hayul hesitated. The Korean-speaking security guard standing next to him and monitoring us also had an ambiguous expression. He may speak Korean, but the culture is different! What does he know to make that face?

“Okay, damn it. No, leave out the damn it. Then write, ‘I will carefully consider and send a new list by 10 PM tonight, no, midnight, so don’t go home and wait obediently.'”

“Uh, then should I come back at night?”

Park Hayul asked blankly. Come back for what?

“I’m not going to send it.”

“Yes?”

“He’s saying don’t go home and wait in vain.”

“…Hyung [older brother or close male friend], that seems a bit too much.”

“Too much? I was going to make it 3 AM, but I’m being lenient. Hey, I’m working even after being kidnapped, so just being on night duty is a blessing.”

Of course, if he really makes me work overtime, I’ll bite him. My precious little sibling is waiting for me at home, and overtime and night duty and weekends… It’s an old story, but I’m about to swear. I have to take care of my kid’s meals! And it’s not like they properly pay for overtime, XXXX!

Seok Simyeong would order people to do it, but he probably never had to work overtime himself. Even if he did, he would have been paid for it.

“Let’s make it 3 AM, no, 5 AM. No, if it’s 5 AM, they might come to work early, so let’s make it an awkward 4 AM.”

“…I’ll just make it midnight.”

“The kidnapper is pretending to be nice.”

I grumbled, but I didn’t stop him from writing midnight. That’s what I was planning to do anyway. Seok Simyeong would notice and pass it on to Yoohyun and Sung Hyunjae. The security guard didn’t seem to have a clue, but even if he found out, it wouldn’t matter. The email has already been sent. He might guess that something will happen at midnight, like an attack by Korean Hunters.

“Park Hayul, I said you were a pushover, but your basic stats are high, so you’re sturdy, right?”

“Yes. I was fine even after jumping off that time~”

“Yeah. You’re sturdy.”

Even if a bomb goes off, Park Hayul won’t get hurt. It’s partly because the goblins don’t want to harm people, but I couldn’t use A-Rank or S-Rank bombs because of Park Hayul. If I thought Park Hayul would get hurt, I might confess everything.

But he’ll only get scratched at most, so it’s okay.

“Do you like fireworks?”

“Yes? Yes!”

That’s good. Let’s call it a surprise gift. So there’s no need to warn him.

After telling them the time I would cause trouble, I returned to my room. Then, I checked for surveillance cameras in the bathroom in the same way as last time. It used to be a training room, so there was originally nothing in the bathroom or the spacious room. Recording it could leak my abilities. Now there was a temporary one in the room.

Since it was attached to the training room, there were several shower stalls lined up in the bathroom. I took off my clothes and turned on the shower. My bruised body was reflected in the long mirror on one wall.

‘…Should I use a potion?’

I couldn’t help my legs, and I got my hands treated under the pretext that it would be difficult to take care of the kids. But I left the rest as is to avoid using potions as much as possible. It wouldn’t be visible if I wore clothes, but still. It’s nothing compared to my legs. What about my legs? Everyone will definitely be upset.

‘Cho Hwawoon, you son of a bitch.’

Then the goblins appeared one by one.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Mr. Kim!”

“Hello, hello!”

Among them, the red bead goblin stepped forward proudly.

“I’m ready! I practiced a lot!”

“Good. In a little while, I’ll be feeding the kids and dirtying the Pegasus’s wings. When they come in to wash it, switch it then.”

“Okay!”

“And you guys.”

I lowered my body and asked carefully.

“I know a way to break the curse contract.”

The goblins became quiet for a moment and blinked. It seemed that the reason they couldn’t speak properly and were hiding something was because of the contract they signed.

“Even if the rank is high, you can break it. Really.”

If the price is heavy, they won’t be able to accept my words easily because it’s hard to believe. But now I’ve seen them a few times, and there are goblins with keywords applied. I took out the words hoping they would believe me, and the green goblin fire opened its mouth.

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.”

“How?”

“Just come to me. I can definitely break it, but the details are secret.”

“What if we can’t go to Mr. Kim?”

“What if we’re far away?”

“Oh, then it won’t work.”

The goblins whispered softly and shook their heads at the same time.

“Then it won’t work.”

“Give us delicious things as promised!”

“A lot!”

“We’ll take them!”

…The words that it won’t work if they can’t come to me, does that mean they’re connected to the captured goblins and contracted? He really acted dirty. Then I need to escape first and find the confinement place without the help of the goblins. It won’t be easy… There won’t be many people who know, and they won’t tell me willingly.

I couldn’t ask Yerim either. I don’t want to see memories of people like Cho Hwawoon. I hesitated to ask Ms. Min Jisu. Should I just use manpower to search this area thoroughly?

While I was worrying, the green light goblin, who had been unusually quiet, disappeared with a rustle. I have a lot to do, so I shouldn’t waste too much time.

“Only the red bead and one person to take the baby horse, and the rest of the goblins go to the kids. You know what to do, right?”

“Okay! Entrust the baby water dragon to little Mr. Kim!”

The goblins disappeared, leaving only two. The water dragon would be uncomfortable without water, so Yerim would have to help, but the Pegasus could hide in a suitable forest.

I washed up and went outside, wearing black Chinese clothes buttoned up to the collar instead of pajamas. Then, after switching the Pegasus, I spent time pretending to put the kids to sleep. Ten o’clock, eleven o’clock, eleven thirty. I yawned long and got up from my seat.

“Can I go out for a bit?”

The guard ignored me. I took out the cigarette case I received from Hwang Lim and said again.

“Just in the hallway, to smoke one. I can’t escape alone in this state. I’ll give you guys one each. I heard this is really expensive. It works even for high-level Awakened.”

The guards’ expressions wavered. They’re mid-level, so they probably can’t taste regular cigarettes properly. And it’s what Cho Hwawoon smokes. They must be curious. Nevertheless, they dutifully contacted their superiors for permission.

Since it was just going out into the hallway, permission was soon granted. I went outside and gave one to each of the guards who followed me.

“Here, here. What’s the fun in being alone? I don’t have a lighter, so light it for me. Hwang Lim, that bastard, gives me cigarettes but doesn’t give me a lighter, is he even human.”

The guards didn’t have a lighter either, but one of them had a fire-type skill and lit it for me. It reminds me of Yoohyun. Of course, you shouldn’t ask your sibling to light your cigarette. Cigarettes are absolutely, never allowed! That’s what he said.

The hazy smoke reached the hallway ceiling lights. My throat felt scratchy for no reason. I smoked about two, and if it didn’t feel strong enough, should I just chew on it?

Ten minutes before twelve. I went back inside on time. All the kids except the dragon were asleep. It wouldn’t be very effective, but I shook off my clothes and approached the bed. The guards were standing with more relaxed expressions.

“Sleeping well, come here.”

I held the baby fox and Liefnil in my arms. I turned off the fear resistance skill. It became a little harder to breathe, but it was still okay. My head was a little hazy, so I couldn’t think deeply. Park Hayul, that bastard, was annoying and bothersome, though.

“Noah.”

The blue dragon raised its body.

“Please take care of it.”

– Yes.

Before the guards could be surprised, the blue dragon’s appearance changed. The color of the scales quickly faded, taking on a brilliant golden hue. All the fake fins fell off, and he instantly turned into a blond young man.

Almost simultaneously, Noah’s appearance disappeared. Stealth skill. And soon.

“Cough!”

Handprints appeared on the necks of the two guards at the same time. Before they could scream, poison seeped in, and the soldiers whose windpipes were constricted collapsed helplessly. Now three minutes, no, two minutes.

“Yoojin-ssi [a polite title], are you okay?”

Noah, who must have been frustrated that he couldn’t speak properly, came to me, releasing his stealth skill. Then he hesitated to hug me.

“I, it’s become a habit, all this time…….”

“It’s okay. Let’s get out of here quickly. Red bead!”

The baby Pegasus turned into goblin fire, and Noah changed back into a dragon, holding the baby water buffalo in his forepaws. Soothing the water buffalo who was startled awake, he climbed onto Noah’s back.

Meanwhile, the clock hands on the wall pointed to the hour. I heard footsteps rushing towards this way, probably having seen the surveillance camera. The locked door was smashed open with a bang.

“Thank you for everything. The hostel rating is five stars! With a minus sign in front.”

The bomb switch was pressed.