The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 421

419. Last Words (2)

Han Yoojin’s mana imprint was meticulously crafted at Mede, a place renowned for its exceptional imprint techniques. Mu, a spirit hybrid and the world’s foremost expert in mana manipulation, personally carved the pathways for the imprint, utilizing only the finest tools and materials.

Its size was unprecedented. The mana pathway, extending down to his waist, was made possible because it could sacrifice a life.

Its effects should have far surpassed Han Yoojin’s expectations, but the problem was his frail, F-grade body.

Han Yoojin’s magic and mana were woefully inadequate for the mana imprint to function correctly. It was like trying to run the latest software on a decade-old computer. Installation was forced through unconventional means, but it never worked correctly.

But now, Han Yoojin’s body was S-grade. Not borrowing the stats of another S-grade Hunter through Changeling’s power, but a genuine S-grade Awakened One newly formed as the Avatar of the Crescent Moon.

“This is, quite…”

Han Yoojin slightly widened his eyes, acutely sensing his own abilities enveloping the entire third floor of the department store. Like a beast slowly awakening from a deep slumber, the mana imprint was activating, adapting to its master’s body. And even this wasn’t at 100% yet.

Even as an S-grade, wouldn’t it be difficult to handle perfectly? Such thoughts even crossed his mind.

“…”

Song TaeWon also sensed Han Yoojin’s change. Although his focus on direct physical combat made him seem distant from handling magic, Song TaeWon’s mana detection was exceptional. After all, the ability to nullify others’ skills required delicate mana control.

In the urgent situation of battle, he could disrupt the opponent’s skill and mana structure. Given enough time, he could even infiltrate their magical abilities to lower the skill’s rank. The former was difficult, but the latter was extremely challenging.

Such sensitive senses of Song TaeWon were battered by Han Yoojin’s mana like a downpour. The word ‘monster’ momentarily flashed through his mind.

“Oh, Mr. Song.”

Han Yoojin smiled faintly, noticing Song TaeWon’s hardened expression.

“What were you thinking just now?”

The potions all flowed out, their contained power seeping into Han Yoojin. Han Yoojin’s body recovered, and the potions turned into ordinary water, sloshing in the air.

“Am I now on the list of monsters you have to catch and kill?”

“…No.”

“Why? I look like a monster even to myself.”

“But, Han Yoojin-ssi…”

KWA-GWA-GWANG! An explosion erupted from the floor below. The floor of the third floor collapsed with a rumble. The sound of chains clattering and jingling faintly echoed.

Even at this distance, Han Yoojin perfectly controlled the moonlight, his mana.

“You stepped forward to protect me.”

If Han Yoojin had given up on Song TaeWon, he would never have become what he was now. Water flowed shallowly beneath Song TaeWon’s feet. It was too much to be just potions. All liquids on the third floor except for potions had been cleared away, yet water was being drawn from somewhere.

The rising water gradually submerged his shoe heels.

“And you even said you were a victim—”

“How naive.”

CHWAAAAK!

The water pooled on the floor surged upward. Dozens of water streams transformed into sharp ice spears, flying towards Song TaeWon.

“There was some sincerity, but there were also many lies, you know? In the first place, people…”

Song TaeWon swung his leg powerfully. The ice shattered with a crack, and glittering fragments adorned the darkness. Splash, splash, water splashed with each of his movements.

Now, he was submerged up to his insteps.

“Even in everyday conversations, right? Especially ‘It’s okay.’ What else can you do but say it’s okay?”

Han Yoojin slid along the fishing line, chasing after Song TaeWon. Water droplets, suspended on silver threads, scattered beneath his feet.

“If only I’m okay, other people won’t get hurt~ Mr. Song, you have many people around you who would worry if you said you weren’t okay.”

THUNG! Blocking Han Yoojin’s attack, Song TaeWon recalled the people he had killed. People who would have been safe outside the dungeon.

What they were saying when Song TaeWon died. How they usually worried. He remembered the paper cup completely enclosed in his grip. The warmth and familiar scent of instant coffee.

Water grabbed at Song TaeWon’s ankles. Ice wrapped around his wrists. Sharp silver threads scratched his skin.

“If you become an S-grade to protect others, you’re not a monster? Then what is Mr. Song?”

CHWAAAAK! Han Yoojin’s foot, along with the water, was raised high. The water, swirling up in a crescent shape, instantly froze, cutting through Song TaeWon’s chest as sharply as a blade. His clothes tore as if cut by scissors, and a red line was drawn across his skin.

“My brother died saving me.”

Han Yoojin’s voice deepened momentarily. An ice spear grazed Song TaeWon’s ear, and a sword of flames narrowly scraped under his chin.

“Han Yoohyun, well, he’s honestly different from other humans. The Elder was too.”

KOO-OONG! Song TaeWon’s back collided with a pillar. As he ducked, the pillar, the part where his head had been, was instantly cut off. Fragments fell, rolling across the waterlogged floor as Song TaeWon moved away.

Now, the water was almost up to his ankles.

“But so what? He’s my brother.”

“But I’m—!”

The silver threads that wrapped around him with every step tightly bound Song TaeWon. Each strand’s power could be easily broken, but together, it was difficult to move properly.

Not missing the opportunity, a kick, powerfully penetrating as he fully rotated his body, pressed down on Song TaeWon’s chest. Eventually, with a large splash, Song TaeWon collapsed. The water he was half-submerged in instantly froze. Trapped by dozens of special fishing lines and a block of ice weighing tons, even an S-grade Hunter couldn’t easily escape.

Han Yoojin’s foot gently pressed down on Song TaeWon’s neck.

“Do you have any last words?”

“…I will, be wary of me.”

Until the very end. That’s why Song TaeWon struggled to put strength into his fingertips. He knew he couldn’t escape. He was an S-grade Awakened One and a being capable of stopping Sung Hyunjae. Even if that fact never changed. Even as his skin was scratched and the muscles in his fingers and wrists twisted, he didn’t stop.

Silver eyes looked down at Song TaeWon’s eyes.

“Were you like this before the regression too? You must have been the same.”

A crimson flame gathered at Han Yoojin’s fingertips. It became a long sword, gripped in his hand. He felt Sung Hyunjae’s gaze from the third floor. For some reason, he didn’t approach any further.

“So definitely.”

Han Yoojin gritted his teeth and continued.

“Song TaeWon would have saved Sung Hyunjae.”

The sword swung. Blood spurted. Han Yoojin swallowed a groan and stepped back. Song TaeWon stared at him with wide eyes. Sung Hyunjae picked up Han Yoojin’s hand, which had been flung far away.

“…Haa, I wasn’t trying to kill him! Damn it!”

Han Yoojin shouted loudly.

“I’m not killing him! That person! And, damn it! Why do I have to go through this!”

He frowned deeply, complaining to himself as if lamenting, even cursing.

“Crescent Moon, you son of a bitch! You only made me S-grade and you’re trying to exploit me to what extent! How many items have I used! And, even if my stats are lacking, if you only look at my abilities, I’m as good as an S-grade! Hey, I would have been suppressed long ago with just what you gave me!”

Inefficient and without reward. But why am I killing Song TaeWon! Han Yoojin flared up, venting as much as he could.

“What’s the big deal about S-grade stats! …Well, it is good. But I’m better! But you’re just throwing me around like this? I can’t stand it anymore, even if it’s unfair! It’s all in vain, completely!”

Song TaeWon doesn’t kill Sung Hyunjae. Even if he is the leader of the monsters to be opposed, in the end, he will try to protect even the monsters from himself. That’s the kind of person he is.

“It’s a useless act. It’s a useless act! It is!”

There’s no need to kill him. He must be killed. He is a threat to the small moon. No. Han Yoojin swept his face with his remaining hand. His eyes, still tinged with silver, looked at Sung Hyunjae.

“And, I swallowed that too.”

Could it still be possible now? Han Yoojin turned and walked towards Sung Hyunjae. He heard the sound of ice breaking behind him. But only one arm had broken free.

“Sung Hyunjae-ssi.”

Han Yoojin said, raising the corner of his lips. The current him is threatening enough to that person.

“Please kill me.”

It’s time to wrap things up.

As if that phrase was a signal flare, Sung Hyunjae, who had been standing still, began to move. Han Yoojin also didn’t stay still. Sliding across the frozen floor, the two bodies overlapped. Han Yoojin’s fingernails pierced Sung Hyunjae’s shoulder. Regardless, Sung Hyunjae grabbed Han Yoojin’s remaining wrist.

CRACK, the sound of bones twisting echoed, and poison seeped into Sung Hyunjae’s wound. Han Yoojin’s tail dug into the ice like a blade, KWA-DEUK. Supporting himself with his tail on the slippery floor where it was difficult to exert strength, he pulled out the grabbed arm in one swift motion.

With that momentum, Sung Hyunjae’s shoulder was deeply gouged. Blood flowed down his coat to his fingertips, but without the slightest hesitation, he slammed his knee into Han Yoojin’s waist. The membrane of the wing that wrapped around his waist was torn by the sharp knee kick, and Sung Hyunjae once again grabbed Han Yoojin’s faltering arm.

Jangling, the now only one silver chain was fired towards Sung Hyunjae. Sung Hyunjae gave up his arm instead of the Seeker’s Chain [a special chain used to bind powerful beings]. Silver pierced his arm, and gold wrapped around Han Yoojin’s legs, crushing them.

Sung Hyunjae intently stared at Han Yoojin, who was hanging limply in his hand.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“At Han Yoojin.”

“Honestly, if I didn’t have the Crescent Moon’s power, you wouldn’t have reacted this much.”

“Perhaps.”

Fighting someone, catching them, and killing them. How long has it been since he felt excitement from this act? A violent instinct, long forgotten, bloomed on his flamboyant face.

He doesn’t have a bad habit of pointlessly trampling on the weak. So, the joy of pure violence could only be felt against an opponent of similar caliber. Not Han Yoojin, but because of the Crescent Moon. That’s how it should be thought of.

“Even F-grade Han Yoojin is enough for me to enjoy.”

Sung Hyunjae’s hand touched the back of Han Yoojin’s neck. His mana pressed down on the mana imprint. The resisting force felt pleasantly electrifying.

“This belongs to Han Yoojin.”

And everything else too. Song TaeWon, who had been injured here and there while breaking free from the ice and fishing lines, approached. Sung Hyunjae gave a deep smile towards his stiffened face.

“Would you help me prevent the use of [Electricity] Resistance?”

Song TaeWon hardened his expression and then placed his hand on Han Yoojin’s back. A black shadow flickered, and after a while, Song TaeWon stepped back. A small breath leaked from Han Yoojin’s lips. Immediately after.

PA-JI-JIK!

“……!!”

A dazzling light spread out. The clothes, already half-torn, burned away as a powerful current surged across Han Yoojin’s entire back. As if resisting the pouring hostile mana, the mana imprint emitted a faint light before fading away.

As the mana imprint faded, strands of electricity left deep marks on his back, replacing it. Han Yoojin’s head dropped.

Sung Hyunjae supported the limp body, staring at the scene as if possessed. The sight of the mana imprint reappearing and intertwining was strangely beautiful. His golden eyes curved with satisfaction. Noticing that, Song TaeWon frowned.

“…Is he alright?”

“I minimized physical damage as much as possible, just in case.”

Sung Hyunjae stroked Han Yoojin’s back. Not even the slightest movement could be felt. His heart had completely stopped. And soon, the scars on his back slowly began to disappear. His severed wrist also disappeared, returning to normal. At that sight, Song TaeWon breathed a sigh of relief.

“It seems there really is no problem with Han Yoojin-ssi’s body.”

A voice agreeing with Song TaeWon’s words was not heard. Instead, Sung Hyunjae’s brow narrowed. He groped his back again, his clothes still burned.

“…Han Yoojin-gun.”

There was still no movement. The pulse that should have been felt at his fingertips was just silent.

“What—”

“Damn it.”

Sung Hyunjae hurriedly tried to lay Han Yoojin on the floor, but first took off his coat and laid it on the melting ice.

“He’s not breathing.”

“Yes?”

Song TaeWon’s expression also hardened. Sung Hyunjae placed his hand on Han Yoojin’s chest. The current spread out under his hand, undergoing meticulous adjustments. Song TaeWon also quickly took his place next to him and began emergency measures.

Fortunately, not long after,

“Cough, Keok!”

A blocked breath burst from Han Yoojin’s mouth.