The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 474

472. The Letter (3)

‘Within expectations.’

It must be a banquet hall or something similar. The overall lighting was dim, with only the center brightly lit. Round tables and chairs were pushed to the sides, leaving only one in the middle. And there was the scent of flowers and grass. The tables, of course, and every corner were decorated with fresh flowers. I wonder how much all those flowers cost.

‘It seems like he quite likes flowers.’

Chief Song must have received several truckloads of flowers over the years, and there’s an indoor garden in his house. On the other hand, Yoohyun and Hyunah said they’ve never received flowers. Soyoung said she occasionally received one or two. ‘It feels like a warning, like the mafia does,’ she said, shuddering.

The central table was also decorated with flowers. A five-tiered tray was filled with various desserts. An elegant tea set and flower vines overflowed to the floor. Beyond that, Sung Hyunjae stood. I’ve often wondered why he goes to the trouble of doing this. Well, I guess he just gives the orders, and his subordinates do the work.

‘He’d pay them well, though.’

Like, 100,000 won per hour [approximately $80 USD, a significant hourly wage in South Korea]. Hmm, I’m a bit tempted. The daily wage is like a month’s salary. This kind of odd job would be done by ordinary people, but since it’s related to an S-Class Hunter, there would be danger pay. I crossed the plush carpet and couldn’t help but ask.

“How much did you pay for this labor?”

“…Well. I don’t know.”

“There must have been a budget.”

“It’s pocket money. I don’t budget for light hobbies. Don’t you do the same, Han Yoojin?”

“No, I don’t. I even record buying a cup of tteokbokki [spicy rice cakes, a popular Korean street food] on the street in my allowance book. I decide in advance how much I can spend on snacks this month.”

Even as an adult, it was the same. Even when buying a cup of coffee on a winter day, I’d think about how much money I had left to spend this month. Now that my assets are hard to calculate, I’ve given up, but I’ve never just splurged on personal hobbies. Of course, I check how much it will cost and how much I’ve spent.

“Well, Sung Hyunjae, you’d quickly recover even if you went bankrupt.”

Even if all the Awakened and dungeons disappeared, he could go into the entertainment industry. Now, high-level Hunters are the new aristocracy, but before that, stars were called aristocrats. His nationality is Korean, but if he were taken to Hollywood, he’d fit right in, like a child star who’s been successful since childhood.

It was late autumn, not far from winter, but I stood tall in front of the spring-like table.

“I was too excited yesterday.”

I said, looking straight into his golden eyes.

“It’s because I like Sung Hyunjae. That’s why I was more angry, disappointed, and annoyed.”

If I didn’t have any affection, I would have just thought, ‘Oh, this has become troublesome.’ If I had never stepped inside the line, I wouldn’t have been suddenly pushed away. If a close friend suddenly said, ‘I’m moving today,’ I’d be naturally taken aback. I’d be upset that they didn’t tell me and worried about what happened. But if it’s just a stranger in the neighborhood, I’d just think, ‘That house is moving,’ and that’s it.

“I also like Han Yoojin very much.”

Sung Hyunjae’s hand lifted the teapot.

“If you’re sincere, you can show me the letter. You can also tell me exactly what you’re trying to do.”

The tea was poured into the cup.

“You only said you received an offer, but you didn’t give me any details.”

I reacted sensitively because he was the one who made me suffer in China, but it might be nothing. Just dinner or something. Maybe Park Hayool’s sister likes Sung Hyunjae. He’s popular with older women. Come to think of it, Crescent Moon is also older.

“This letter?”

Sung Hyunjae put down the teapot and took out the letter. I reached out my hand, but of course, he didn’t hand it over.

“There are restrictions, of course.”

“Is it a contract? Well, you wouldn’t have given me an important letter without any precautions. Probably something like, ‘Don’t tell or show the contents to anyone else.’ Come here.”

What’s a contract? It can’t be higher than SSS-Class. As I spread my arms to hug him, Sung Hyunjae put the letter on the table.

“If the contract is broken, Chloe will leave too.”

Ah… That was obvious. Even if the airport was blocked, it wouldn’t be difficult for an S-Class Hunter to cross the border. She could swim to China or Japan.

“Then will you cooperate in catching Chloe Hunter?”

“What should I do?”

Sung Hyunjae raised the corners of his lips mischievously.

“The contract conditions are not simply defined. Of course, there are exceptions.”

The tip of his index finger tapped right next to the letter.

“I don’t have the loyalty to risk my life. If I can’t protect the letter with my ability, it’s not a breach of contract even if it’s taken away.”

“Hey, Sung Hyunjae, give me that letter if you don’t want to die.”

He still didn’t give it to me. The exception clause is practically the same as having none. How am I supposed to take it? Should I coax him and take him to the old man?

“If you have time, would you like to go on a date with me? There’s a dungeon with good water nearby.”

I’ll treat you well.

“It’s a shame for a rare date request, but the aquarium is still pending, so I’ll decline.”

“We can make do with your house.”

Sung Hyunjae looked disappointed and made a sad face. He really seems like he’d be successful even if he went to Hollywood. Look at that hypocritical expression.

“Ah, okay, let’s go to the aquarium. How about we all go together?”

“If even one S-Class Hunter accompanies us in this place, taking it out of the inventory alone could be a breach of contract.”

“…It’s a headache. You can only take out the letter if Sung Hyunjae doesn’t feel threatened?”

“That’s right. There’s no problem putting it on the table like this now. Sung Hanhyeol didn’t come either.”

“It’s Han Gyeol. It’s better to check after catching Chloe Hunter.”

How can I take the letter by myself? It’s impossible even if he puts it down like that and takes three or four steps back. He could subdue me before my hand even touches the table.

“You said you’d get a reply, but she might not come in person.”

“Then Haejoo… No, that’s a waste, but.”

If Sung Hyunjae continues to be on our side, it’s advantageous to maintain the contract status whether Chloe comes or not. We can also get more information. So, the best thing to do is to check the contents of the letter without breaking the contract.

‘…There’s no way, no way.’

F-Class stats, no attack skills, various equipment, but the opponent is a terribly strong born S-Class with combat prediction. It was impossible for me to take anything from Sung Hyunjae with my ability. That’s why he’s so relaxed and the contract is safe.

I have to take the letter in a situation where Sung Hyunjae is sure he’ll never lose it. It’s like, ‘Don’t open the closed door, just go through it.’ And don’t break it, and no teleportation.

His golden eyes curved, and he wore a relaxed smile.

“Shall I add a condition that if you successfully take the letter, I will cooperate willingly?”

He’s making fun of me─ wait a minute.

“You’re annoyingly confident.”

I frowned and put strength in my legs. I glanced at the letter without looking at it,

Crash!

I threw myself at the table. The letter, which seemed within reach, disappeared in an instant, and the table tilted greatly to the side. The flower decorations and the dessert tray fell to the floor with my body. I fell face down on the carpet, buried in the tablecloth and flower vines. Thanks to rushing in with all my might, my thigh hit the table hard and throbbed.

“Not a commendable method.”

I raised my head from the pile of flowers. Golden chains had already appeared and were holding the teapot and teacups. Not a single drop of tea was spilled. The forks and knives also jingled.

“I just tried, you know.”

I said, sitting down in the pile of flowers. Sung Hyunjae lightly kicked the fallen table with his toe. As if tied with an invisible string, the table was neatly set up again. The teapot and teacups were placed on it.

“As you can see, it’s impossible to take the letter with my power. So, how about a bet? You seem like you can set conditions.”

“Anything that has even a slight possibility of me losing is impossible.”

“Something you can’t lose. If I win, you’ll hand over the letter as it is, undamaged, so I can see the contents. If I lose, I’ll do whatever Sung Hyunjae wants. However, it only applies to me. No handing over the breeding center, asking Myungwoo to take weapons, or changing Hanyeol’s last name.”

If Sung Hyunjae made a bet that he would never lose and then lost, it would be the same as being taken away by force majeure [an event or effect that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled]. That’s why he can take the letter out and put it down in front of me, right?

“That’s quite tempting.”

“It’s okay for me to take your side. You can take me with you when you leave Korea.”

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes narrowed for a moment at my words. Did he read it as me saying that if he’s going to Park Hayool’s place or somewhere else, he should take me with him?

“The condition is not what Han Yoojin wants, but what I want.”

“Anyway. What are you going to do?”

“The bet.”

“Um, let’s play tag. Not for long, just ten minutes. I will never go through that door, nor will I break the walls, ceiling, or floor.”

“You also have teleportation items.”

“I can’t buy them with the points I have left. Teleportation can’t go through blocked places. And it’s only ten minutes. Do you think you can’t catch me if I run outside? If I get help from someone else, it’s a forfeit. That includes monsters.”

Sung Hyunjae tilted his head slightly. It was impossible for me to escape from Sung Hyunjae for ten minutes with my power alone.

“Since I’m too disadvantaged, how about three times instead of once?”

“Even if it’s five minutes, I’d win.”

He looked at me intently. He must be suspicious.

“You said you used almost all your points in the Nightmare Dungeon.”

“Before that, I was completely broke buying Yoohyun’s sword. I can’t buy anything SSS-Class, even if it’s disposable.”

“So, you were serious about trying to kill Chief Song Taewon.”

He seemed to be retracing the items I used at that time. At best, MiniMini Cookie might be useful.

“The dungeon reward won’t be for yourself this time either.”

“You know too much for no reason.”

Sung Hyunjae took out a pocket watch from his inventory. Then he set it on the table. A contract appeared next.

“Even if I win, you can’t break the contract and not give me the letter.”

“I also don’t have the loyalty to bear the penalty. I have to accept it willingly if it’s taken away because my ability is lacking.”

Just in case, I’ll turn off curse resistance right away if I win. We each signed the contract. Immediately after,

Clatter─

“Ugh, wait a minute!”

The chains quickly wrapped around my body. I was lightly lifted into the air, and flower petals fell down.

“Once.”

“You should give me time to equip my gear!”

“I’ll give you three minutes. Of course, I won’t deduct the time.”

He’s giving me a lot. Just before the chains released me, I used an item. The 71st drawer of the Harmless King. At the same time, the surrounding scenery changed. I saw a blue sky, and under my feet was─

“What─!”

Splash! The sound of water echoed loudly. Damn it, because I’m a jellyfish! Why water! I had Grace on, of course, but I couldn’t stop swallowing water. It wasn’t salty.

“Damn it, eugh, jellyfish!”

– Beep! Beep!

It’s a drawer! Grace was surprised and popped out. I struggled and tried to swim, but it was hard to even float. I quickly took out the wire and threw it at a tree that vaguely came into view. Swish, the wire automatically wrapped around the tree, and I crawled onto the land relying on the rope.

“Cough, I almost died…”

I could go right outside, but I’d lose if I did that. I fell face down on the grass, looking like a drowned rat. Both of my shoes are gone… They were expensive.

“No, this. Can’t I specify the location?”

The jellyfish is fine even on the surface of the water, but I’m not. With Grace, a fire pit would be better. But even a fire pit could be dangerous due to lack of oxygen. More than that, what kind of drawer is this…

“The drawer is…”

– Beep.

When I got up, I saw a building like a villa. Where is this, a resort like the Mediterranean, a three-story mansion with bright colors. It was a small island, and the surroundings were all water, but the lake wasn’t wide. It was as if I was trapped in a snow globe, with all sides rounded off.

“…It’s like Myungwoo’s smithy, but is this small?”

He said it was just a warehouse. He said it wasn’t wide.

“Grace, you go back in. It might be dangerous.”

I don’t know what’s there. It’s better not to wander around to kill time for 10 minutes. I felt pleased thinking that Sung Hyunjae would be flustered by now. How could he have guessed that I would receive such an item? In terms of grade, it would be around L-Class. Moreover, the opponent was originally an enemy who had no reason to treat me well. Unless he’s a fortune teller, there’s no way he could know.

Let’s just wait leisurely for 10 minutes and then go out.

“If I can keep using it, I can really use it as a villa.”

The weather is nice, and the water is clean. I don’t know what the inside is like. I wonder how difficult it would be to replenish mana. I slowly walked towards the entrance of the mansion and peeked inside.

‘…Huh?’

Something moved. What is it?