The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 426

424. Midnight Guest (1)

The hotel’s main doors were all closed. The revolving door was also firmly fixed and covered with thick cloth. In front of it, two chairs were placed side by side at intervals in the quiet center of the lobby.

“You don’t have many skills, do you?”

The young Chaos, sitting upright in a large armchair, suddenly said. Sung Hyunjae, leaning completely against the back of the chair, nodded slightly.

“I have relatively few.”

“They’re probably the skills the first ‘You’ had.”

“I don’t think it’s Combat Prediction, though.”

“That would be the result of accumulated experience. It’s not a skill, but I can do something similar.”

Prediction based on vast information. That must have been what manifested as a skill under the system.

“You said it’s been accumulating continuously.”

“It seems so.”

Sung Hyunjae spoke indifferently, as if talking about someone else’s affairs.

“Disconnected memories are likely a kind of defense mechanism to prevent lives from mixing. Skills already acquired and used probably can’t be obtained again. Or rather, they’re not used.”

The accumulated things are also Sung Hyunjae. In other words, they were already acquired skills. It was impossible to reacquire abilities he already possessed.

Sung Hyunjae loosely intertwined his fingers.

“Can’t they be used?”

“It’s like taking out stones from a tower one by one. If you’re lucky, it’ll be fine, but if you’re unlucky, it’ll collapse in an instant.”

No, it would explode. And if that moment came, the surroundings, as well as this world itself, would not be safe. The young Chaos looked displeased at the man who was treading dangerously close to the human line.

“If we handle the nightmare safely, this dungeon will be closed. There will be no chance for information to leak out.”

Even if that weren’t the case, it was an abnormal dungeon in many ways that couldn’t be left alone.

“The First’s information is a problem, but you’re even more serious. If they find out about the existence created by the Crescent Moon, the transcendents divided into two factions will be even more fragmented. Those who covet you, those who try to do the same thing, those who try to eliminate you, those who doubt the Crescent Moon, those who try to block it from the root, and so on.”

It was as if an incredibly powerful force had suddenly appeared. Moreover, the person with that power was still human and couldn’t control himself. In other words, it meant that anyone could seize that power if they just stole the Crescent Moon’s contract.

“So, the Crescent Moon won’t easily speak up either.”

“What is your opinion, Elder?”

“There’s no reason to keep alive someone who possesses power they can’t control.”

The young Chaos said coldly.

“If you hadn’t been forcibly accumulated by the Crescent Moon, if you had become like this out of your own greed, of your own volition, I would have dealt with you no matter what the First said.”

“Could you do it? Even if I don’t agree to follow you?”

“…This neighborhood would be ruined.”

Chaos made a reluctant expression, as if he didn’t want to go that far.

“What’s wrong with the First anyway? I thought the Second was already a handful, but he’s got an even more troublesome one. And even the Third isn’t normal. That gloomy guy is also suspicious.”

“Han Yujin is just Han Yujin.”

“…That’s even stranger. I could understand if the First was born special. It’s not like the Third who has the qualifications to become an S-Class. He’s only lived for thirty years at most. It’s been about five years since he awakened, wasn’t it?”

The young Chaos had also reached transcendent status from a low rank, but that was the result of a long time.

“Anyway, as long as you’re still trying to live as a human, I don’t intend to interfere. The beings outside shouldn’t go beyond being mere assistants. Being intoxicated with the mission of saving the world and using the owners of that world as tools is putting the cart before the horse.”

It’s okay to help those who are weaker than oneself. That in itself was a good thing. But under the guise of help, forcibly dragging the weak towards the goals desired by the strong was simply dogmatism and dictatorship.

“The problem is that there are so many guys who look down on the people inside the world. They’re all guys who grew up based on their own worlds. The recent guys who easily became transcendents by swallowing their worlds are especially problematic. They grow up easily, so they think they’re great.”

“It seems it wasn’t like that in the past.”

“It wasn’t like that in my time. Well, there were some who changed like the Crescent Moon, but the system itself was designed to minimize interference and help the people belonging to the world protect themselves.”

But it changed, he grumbled, and Sung Hyunjae wore a gentle smile as if he understood well.

“The Crescent Moon and I are connected to the guys who created the system, so I have some sense of responsibility, but as for me, I don’t have any particular solutions.”

“Other than death?”

“Even that is impossible for you to die as you. The last 모습 [appearance] would be a monster with all the accumulated things bursting out.”

“That would be quite miserable.”

“It’s not someone else’s story. The most 무난한 [easiest/safest] way is for this world to continue to exist. If you can continue to maintain your current self without being pulled out by the Crescent Moon, you might be able to naturally digest the accumulated things.”

But the Crescent Moon would never let that happen. Moreover, other transcendents were also showing interest. If you ask if you can endure to the end in that situation, no one can guarantee it.

“It won’t be easy, and you should keep failure in mind. So.”

A thin, bluish plate floated in front of the young Chaos.

“This is a contract to transfer you to the world of the First Origin if you wish.”

“Is it an emergency exit in case of emergency? I refused before.”

“You can go back if you survive.”

The golden eyes narrowed slightly.

“That’s a little tempting.”

“The possibility is very low, but with your qualities and accumulated things, it’s not impossible.”

The administrator of the First Origin. A long, arduous path of struggling to survive while being chased by the most powerful transcendent.

Sung Hyunjae accepted the contract. But he didn’t sign it and put it in his inventory as it was.

“I’ll contact you after reviewing it.”

“…Look at this guy.”

His brow furrowed, but the young Chaos didn’t ask any further. In any case, it was something he had to decide for himself, and this was the extent of the consideration Chaos could give.

“I have one question I’d like to ask.”

“Speak.”

“How much lifespan does Han Yujin have left?”

The young Chaos’s eyebrows twitched.

“What did the First say?”

“He left a will, thinking he was going to die. It was a situation that could be mistaken, but before that.”

Han Yujin’s attitude.

“He acted as if he had 예상하고 있었던 것처럼 [expected it].”

Like someone who had received a terminal diagnosis. Rather than being surprised by death being right in front of him, it was as if it had come.

It could be because his life before 회귀 [regression/reincarnation] was not smooth. Lower-level hunters often find themselves at the crossroads of life and death, so they may have always kept their death in mind. However, it was unsettling.

“I don’t know either.”

The young Chaos clicked his tongue.

“He might live for another five years, but looking at what he’s doing, it wouldn’t be strange if he died tomorrow.”

“At most five years?”

“That was also greatly reduced and then increased again. Thanks to the Crescent Moon, the mana engraving has stabilized more than before, I don’t know what happened. Don’t tell him. He’s a bad guy who will overdo it again if he thinks it’s okay.”

The mana engraving was too strong compared to the F-class body, and it was creaking as if it had been forcibly fitted. But thanks to having the body of an S-class, even temporarily, it had settled down reasonably well. It wasn’t perfect, but it wouldn’t eat away at his body as badly as before.

“That’s short.”

“Are you 신경 쓰이냐 [worried]?”

Sung Hyunjae’s head tilted slightly. His gaze briefly turned to the high ceiling.

“I’ve been bored for a long time.”

There was nothing new in the world, and there were no difficulties. The reason why Sung Hyunjae had the temperament of 사육 [domestication/raising], which was perhaps unsuitable for a combat-born S-class, may have been due to boredom. If things that existed as they were by nature were not new, then he had to create them.

“A death for me appeared, but it was difficult to completely shake off the 무료함 [boredom].”

Song Taewon. It was the last gift given to him, who had no death. But Song Taewon didn’t want to be Sung Hyunjae’s death. He wanted to suppress himself rather than bind Sung Hyunjae.

“If my death had been active, I would have played the villain.”

If Song Taewon had wanted to protect the world actively without self-loathing. If he had wanted to be a hero without a shadow, Sung Hyunjae would have become a great villain. Or vice versa.

However, Song Taewon wanted to be too human.

“Han Yujin. Even if I could raise 기승수 [rideable beast], I didn’t feel that interested.”

“It’s not that rare for guys to raise 마수 [magical beasts]. You’ve experienced it a few times, too.”

“It was a little 재미있었지만 [interesting] that an F-class wasn’t 위축되지 않는 것은 [shrinking back/intimidated].”

If that was all, his interest would have disappeared in a month at most, or a week at the shortest.

“Han Yuhyun and Park Yerim, and the Fire-Horned Lion. It was 볼만했습니다 [worth seeing] to see them follow him. When I found out about the hidden ability that followed, I was 탐이 나기도 [tempted/covetous].”

He became a useful being enough to readily offer the SS-class coat, Silrakia’s Wings, as a price. But he was only a trading partner. No, even without trading, he was confident that he could get it if he wanted it. And after that.

Just today, the black-red coat was given to Han Yujin’s hand without any compensation.

Sung Hyunjae’s lips gently drew an arc.

“It was 즐거웠습니다 [enjoyable/delightful].”

Those few months. The young Chaos understood that that one word contained everything. Various emotions moving, feeling stimulation, and facing change. The feeling of living.

“You wouldn’t want to let go.”

The golden eyes 스르륵 [softly/smoothly] turned to look at the young Chaos. A faint edge was present. Something that could be seen as madness was permeating.

“Until I end it.”

“Don’t think about catching an innocent kid.”

“I just want him to live longer.”

“Are you thinking of putting a leash on him and locking him up? Look at the First’s temper. No one else can fix that.”

It’s a nature that will never stop, even if it takes a break. Sung Hyunjae let out an exaggerated sigh.

“It’s difficult.”

“You’re the type who would say it’s boring if he changed, though.”

“I didn’t think I had an 얼굴은 [face] that wasn’t 믿음직스럽지 못하다 [trustworthy].”

“Leave him alone. Don’t give him more advice than to take care of his body. Feed him good stuff.”

Sung Hyunjae shrugged instead of answering. The young Chaos frowned, but turned his gaze towards the main door. It was still quiet. Only a faint sound like wind could be heard.

“The First is coming.”

“You mean Han Yujin?”

“And that stuffy guy too. The Crescent Moon has disappeared, so he won’t be able to come.”

The things that come at night were memories. The sun has set and time has passed, and now it will soon be midnight.

“If there are any other guys, tell me in advance. I mean people who are important to you.”

“If it’s not just someone I know, there are only two besides them.”

“I don’t have any memories that this dungeon knows, so it’s okay. At most, the First will come.”

But that wasn’t the case for other people. Especially if Han Yujin and Han Yuhyun were here, it would be difficult to withstand the visit of memories. Park Yerim was also likely to be easily shaken, and Noah was also at risk. There was no need to make Song Taewon 괴롭게 [suffer] for no reason either.

Yunyun might cause trouble out of curiosity.

How much time had passed? A sound of tapping on the glass was heard.

“Sung Hyunjae.”

It was Han Yujin’s voice. The felt presence was also completely identical to the real one. If he hadn’t heard the precautions, he would have been fooled. Sung Hyunjae looked at the door blocked by cloth with an interested gaze.

“I just shouldn’t open the door?”

“For now, but what are you trying to do?”

Sung Hyunjae got up from his seat, and another voice was heard.

“Please open the door.”

It was Song Taewon. He waited for a while in case anyone else appeared, but it seemed to be just the two of them.

“Accurate.”

“Of course, it’s your memory.”

“If Han Yujin was here, there would have been quite a few guests.”

Han Yuhyun, Park Yerim, Yoo Myungwoo, Noah, monsters, and so on. Sung Hyunjae wondered if he would have been there too, and how he would have appeared, and moved towards the door. His fingertips reached the 늘어진 천자락 [dangling cloth].

“Han Yujin.”

“Sung Hyunjae! Please let us in quickly!”

“There are monsters 배회하고 [wandering] outside. Please let Hunter Sung Hyunjae, Hunter Han Yujin in.”

“Oh dear.”

He was imitating Song Taewon’s attitude well. If it was just Song Taewon alone, what would he have said? Sung Hyunjae smiled and opened his mouth.

“Han Yujin, when did we first meet?”