The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 380

378. The Owner of the Domain (7)

A chilling cold emanated from the center of the island. Thick fog rolled in like crashing waves, and Yoohyun pulled me closer. Almost simultaneously, Song Taewon darted out, quickly scavenging the least damaged iron plates or metal doors from the blackened and shattered remains of the heliport facilities. He threw them toward me.

Sung Hyunjae and Noah caught the wide panels mid-air. With a thud, they erected them around me as if they had rehearsed the move. Immediately, the surroundings turned frigid. I heard the crackling sound of moisture in the air freezing, and Yoohyun’s flames licked at the iron plates surrounding us. Despite the flames’ weaker power and narrow range compared to usual, they seemed difficult to control, scattering erratically, but they didn’t reach me.

As soon as the encroaching cold subsided, the iron plates were removed. Beyond the heliport, the frozen lake was faintly visible in the darkness. The moment I saw it, I shouted,

“Run!”

The distortion of mana was still present. Therefore, escaping the domain remained the top priority.

Without needing further explanation, Yoohyun readjusted his grip on me and pushed off the ground. He leaped over the half-destroyed railing at the edge of the heliport in a single bound, landing on the frozen surface. The others followed suit. Though he jumped last, Song Taewon naturally took the lead, stepping forward to protect Yoohyun, who was carrying me. By applying Predation to his body, he was currently the only one who could safely withstand the enemy’s attacks, so positioning him at the front made sense.

Noah moved to the side as if assisting, and Sung Hyunjae, with his battle precognition, stood at the rear.

‘Something feels a little strange.’

The S-Rank Hunters were moving in perfect sync without a word. These were people who, even when part of a team, would always stand apart at the forefront, supremely confident in their abilities. If it weren’t for me, there would be no reason for them to stick together like this. They were confident in protecting themselves no matter what happened.

I took a short breath. The air was still cold, though not as intensely as before. The thickly frozen lake emitted a faint blue light.

‘This lake is disgustingly wide.’

Even though Nosan Island was located near the center of a relatively narrow area, it was still said to be two or three times the width of the Han River at its widest point. Even for S-Rank Hunters, it was an impossible distance to cross in one go unless they had skills specifically for that purpose. Besides, I didn’t know how solid the ice was, so I couldn’t risk running too fast.

Krrrrrr!

Then, once again, the ground, or rather, the frozen lake, shook. Song Taewon, who was leading the way, stopped abruptly, digging his feet into the ice. Noah used his axe to halt his sprint by striking the ice, and Yoohyun used the Ruler’s Sword as a brake. Sung Hyunjae, at the very back, slid smoothly to a stop right next to me.

Immediately after, the ground shook again, and a section of the lake began to rise upwards!

As the ground cracked as if an earthquake had struck, Yoohyun and the S-Rank Hunters quickly retreated. It wasn’t just the spot where we had stopped. Ice chunks were rising from various places across the wide lake.

With a rattling sound, huge ice chunks formed the shapes of giants. Ice giants, like small hills, sprang up around us and far into the distance, emitting a blue light. There must have been at least dozens, if not hundreds.

“This has become quite troublesome.”

Sung Hyunjae said, shaking the Seeker’s Chains casually without any intention of moving. As he said, it was difficult to fight super-large monsters without skills. Fortunately, the ice giants didn’t seem ready to attack first. If we avoided them carefully, it wouldn’t be difficult to escape the lake.

Song Taewon cautiously stepped forward. As soon as he approached within attack range, the giant began to move.

– Grrrr.

A huge hand fell towards Song Taewon. It was surprisingly fast for its size. Just when I thought he would dodge it easily,

Crack!

Ice spikes rose from the ground. A long spear materialized in Song Taewon’s hand while he was still in the air, and the spear tip struck between the spikes. Using the recoil, he leaped out of the ice giant’s attack range as if pole vaulting.

“It seems they can manipulate the ice within their range.”

Screeching, Song Taewon slid back towards us and said calmly. We can’t use skills, but they can. How unfair.

“Is it still difficult to use skills?”

“The mana is still distorted. Unless you have exceptional control, it’s hard to even attempt it. If using skills normally is like flying a kite on a nice day with a gentle breeze, now it’s like being in a storm.”

“So, you’re saying you can use them if you control it well enough.”

I wouldn’t even dare to try it now. I took out the bead Myungwoo had given me. The bead glowed faintly and then melted into my palm. Immediately, the air, which had only felt slightly stuffy, began to prick my skin sharply.

“…Ugh.”

“Hyung?”

It’s really a mess. It’s still bearable, so let’s sharpen my senses a little. Enough for me to use skills. Slowly increasing the sensitivity, I first tried to contact Eunhye. Just in case, I tried using Teacher’s skill; it worked because it was an item with a self [an item with its own consciousness or will].

Up to S-Rank damage nullification was a bit difficult, so I helped her use it on me up to A-Rank first. This much would prevent injuries from the battle’s impact. And to the others…….

“Hoo…….”

“Hyung, what’s wrong? What are you trying to do?”

Yoohyun’s voice became a little sharp. Noah called me worriedly. I think I can do it, just a little more. But it was starting to get overwhelming.

I had no choice but to take out a cigarette case from my inventory. Yoohyun’s eyebrows furrowed when I held the cigarette. Song Taewon, who had been guarding the surroundings, narrowed his eyes at me.

“Is that perhaps something made by the Chinese mafia?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Stop it. It has a slight effect even on S-Rank Awakened. Poison resistance won’t work—”

“Hyung!”

Yoohyun shouted. I don’t have time to argue.

“Just once. Really.”

I didn’t want to do this in front of you either. Avoiding Yoohyun’s gaze, I offered the cigarette.

“Someone, please light it for me.”

My brother gritted his teeth and created a small flame at his fingertip.

“No, if you do it…….”

“Not twice.”

A low voice echoed with a warning. I’m really glad Yerim wasn’t here again. She probably escaped well in the water. She has cold resistance too.

As I put the cigarette in my mouth and inhaled, disapproving gazes were fixed on me from all directions. Hey, I don’t have fear resistance, so don’t do that too much. Slowly moving mana, I glanced at Sung Hyunjae.

“What’s with you being so quiet?”

“I’m trying to respect my partner. But Song Taewon’s advice keeps coming to mind.”

Song Chief’s advice. Was it to cause less trouble in the future? I’ve already caused a mountain of it. He even took our house’s spatula.

First, I used the Seedling Skill on the ice giant.

[2nd Grade Giant Summoned Monster – Frozen Guardian

Current Stat Grade S

Growth Possible Stat Grade A~S

Optimized Initial Skills

Acquired Icy Garden (S)

Acquired Ten Arms (S)

Acquired Instant Acceleration (A)

Acquired Cold Resistance (S)

Fire Resistance (B) Acquisition Failed]

I wondered, and as expected, it was S-Rank. Fire resistance as an initial skill is too much. But acquisition failed. I hope the others fail too.

“As you saw earlier, they can manipulate the ice in a certain space around them. It seems to be the Icy Garden skill. It’s S-Rank. The stats are also S-Rank, and they can increase their arms up to ten. They can also use instant acceleration, so be careful. Cold resistance, that doesn’t matter. They didn’t get fire resistance. Judging by the need for fire resistance, they must be weak to heat.”

They look like they’ll melt easily just by looking at them.

“And summoned monsters usually have a core, which is most likely in the head or chest, so let’s smash the head first. Sung Hyunjae, Song Taewon, don’t reject my skill. Yoohyun, you can use Eunhye, so you can put me down.”

“If you can use it, I’d rather—”

“Up to A-Rank.”

The battle’s aftermath is okay, but I can’t withstand your fire. My brother reluctantly tried to put me down but handed me over to Noah.

“I’ll leave it to you.”

“Yes.”

Following Yoohyun, I used Teacher’s skill on Noah, Sung Hyunjae, and Song Taewon. I wanted to convey the sensation of mana imprinting, but that was too difficult. Song Taewon didn’t need it much, and Yoohyun and Sung Hyunjae weren’t unable to use skills, so if they matched their intervals well with Teacher’s skill, it would be fine. Instead, I helped Noah, who was right next to me, control his mana.

“Support skill and healing skill, please.”

“Don’t worry.”

Song Taewon stepped forward again. A black shadow lingered in his hand. Yoohyun infused the Ruler’s Sword with fire, and Sung Hyunjae wrapped the Seeker’s Chains like a whip.

As Noah’s support skill was applied, Song Taewon shot out like an arrow. The ice shattered under his feet. Crack, crack! Ice spikes taller than a person rose from the ground.

“Use this.”

Sung Hyunjae threw a shield towards Song Taewon. The partially distorted shield didn’t seem to be his; where did he pick it up? I didn’t think he was that kind of person, but my partner is surprisingly good at picking things up.

Song Taewon, who received the shield, transferred Predation. The black shadow weakened and wavered, but it seemed he could use it reasonably well since it was armor that directly touched his body. Song Taewon charged straight ahead and collided with the ice spikes.

Ujijijik─!

The dense spikes broke like reeds. The giant didn’t just watch the relentless charge. Song Taewon bent his knees to recoil and directly received the palm of the hand that was raised to strike.

Bang!

– Grrr.

The shock spread as cracks formed in the ice hand and arm. In the moment the giant paused, Yoohyun, who was closely following Song Taewon, jumped upwards. He lightly stepped on the back of the hand that struck the shield with only one foot and climbed up the arm as if flying.

As the giant saw Yoohyun reaching his shoulder in an instant, it created more arms.

“The power weakens as the number increases! Usually!”

The power is bound to be dispersed compared to when there is only one. At that moment, when the ten arms moved to grab Yoohyun, a golden chain was thrown. It instantly wrapped around all five arms on one side and emitted fierce electricity.

A clattering sound echoed, but the five arms couldn’t escape the Seeker’s Chains. The remaining four moved freely, but that was not something my brother couldn’t avoid. He even has battle precognition now. Yoohyun, who easily reached near the giant’s head without willow leaves [a metaphor for effortlessly], swung the Ruler’s Sword.

The blade, filled with intense heat, pierced the ice. As if cutting a soft sponge cake, the giant’s head caved in, and a dark blue flame began to rampage like a beast just released from its cage.

– Grrr!

Something small and sparkling was visible inside the giant’s head, which melted in an instant. The Ruler’s Sword immediately split the core in half. At the same time, the ice giant’s movement stopped, and then it collapsed with a crash.

Was it only 3 minutes? No, it seemed to have taken less than 2 minutes.

“The pattern will be similar for the other guys! If they don’t have learning abilities.”

“Undead summoned monsters usually don’t have learning abilities. Unless they are of the magician type.”

Noah continued.

“But it seems they have definitely recognized us as enemies.”

Rumble, the ice floor vibrated, and the giants that had been quiet until now began to move towards us. Wow, there are a lot.

“Always pay attention to instant acceleration, and if there is a guy with fire resistance, please join Sung Hyunjae in cutting off his head.”

Other than that, it’s a race against time. Noah carefully took out his wings. It seemed difficult to fully transform into a dragon, but he could at least fly.

Song Taewon ran towards the nearest ice giant, and Yoohyun followed behind him. In a similar way, another ice chunk collapsed in an instant.

‘There are too many.’

If Yoohyun could properly use his skills, he could melt them all, and Sung Hyunjae could deal with the ones with fire resistance. But both of them couldn’t properly control it to use it in a wide area unless it was near them.

Still, one by one, steadily, quickly, at that moment.

Kugugugung─!

Suddenly, the other side of the lake soared upwards. A wall of enormous size, incomparable to the ice giants, appeared as if turning the lake bottom upside down. I thought it was finally the appearance of the boss who caused this chaos.

– Grrr!

– Grrr!

The ice wall, draped like a mountain range, sharpened its jagged edges and began to plunge straight down. Towards the ice giants.

Crack! Bang! Kwajijik!

They were all monsters with cold resistance. But they couldn’t withstand the thousands of ice spears pouring down. They only blocked the cold, but the physical force of the spears remained. Amidst the giants whose cores were pierced and collapsed and the giants whose bodies were broken while the cores remained, a familiar voice echoed.

“Uncle!”

Yerim? She’s safe! But how can she use skills?

While Yoohyun, Sung Hyunjae, and Song Taewon were taking care of the ice giants with remaining cores, Yerim flew quickly towards us. Peace was also visible next to her. Peace was even taking out his wings and using a flight skill.

“Yerim, you─!”

Kwaaaang-!

Before I could even ask what happened, an explosion erupted from the island, which had been frozen white.