The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 483

This Time, A Kidnapper (4)

481. This Time, A Kidnapper (4)

The room was dimly lit by indirect lighting. With no windows, it was impossible to tell the time of day. Chloe quickly assessed her situation. Her clothes were the same, and her magical energy was still suppressed. Judging by her hunger, no more than two days had passed.

She suddenly remembered the others who had been captured.

Originally, Chloe was only supposed to deliver a letter to Sung Hyunjae and receive a reply. It had been decided to send a high-ranking Hunter, given the importance of the task, but Chloe hadn’t been specifically chosen.

Meeting the Seseong Guild Leader [one of the most powerful Hunters in Korea] one-on-one would have been easy if she could attract his attention. But if not, it was difficult even to speak to him directly, let alone meet him individually. So, while she was pondering how to approach him, the Bern Cave Guild requested a raid on the Gold Hamster Dungeon.

A pet monster desired by Ki Seung-soo’s Breeding Center Director, Han Yoojin. The condition of accepting Ki Seung-soo’s breeding request was attached, ensuring she would meet Han Yoojin. As it was such an important matter, S-Class Hunters were likely to accompany him to protect him. Even so, there was no guarantee that Sung Hyunjae would appear. Even if he did, the probability of him paying attention to the Hunter carrying the letter was even lower.

But what if there was an S-Class Hunter who had disguised their rank?

Chloe didn’t intend to hide her rank for long. In the first place, it was difficult to pretend to be a lower rank, especially with high stats. Because stats were always applied, it was easy to inadvertently reveal one’s true power. Unless one didn’t interact with others at all or was such a thorough liar that they even deceived themselves, it was nearly impossible to hide the fact that one was an S-Class Hunter for long.

So, she decided to use her soon-to-be-revealed hidden rank as an opportunity. Lowering one’s rank wasn’t yet strictly regulated, so it wouldn’t be a big problem. Therefore, she planned to accompany the Bern Cave Guild and subtly reveal her S-Class rank. Before that could happen, Han Yoojin had shown interest in Chloe.

Unexpectedly, Chloe visited D&L Company as recommended by Han Yoojin and then contacted the Seseong Guild. She was able to speak directly with Sung Hyunjae through his secretary and even succeeded in meeting him alone before the dinner banquet to deliver the letter. In the meantime, she had heard that Han Yoojin harbored feelings for her that went beyond simple liking, but she didn’t pay much attention to it.

An F-Class Hunter [the lowest rank] with special skills under the protection of S-Class Hunters. Based on that environment and the information she received, Chloe thought of Han Yoojin as a hothouse flower. Park Hayool had said, “Yoojin hyung [older brother/male friend] is amazing! I can’t tell you because it’s a secret,” but Chloe dismissed it, knowing Park Hayool had an unconditional liking for Hunters even before his awakening.

However, since he had been forcibly uprooted and dragged out of the greenhouse once, he would be in an unstable state. His dependence on the surrounding S-Class Hunters was likely to have increased, and he might be obsessed with his own safety. Making such assumptions, Chloe met Han Yoojin, who was much brighter than she had expected.

He treated the opposing S-Class Hunters casually, leading a group of S-Class Hunters, which seemed immature. No matter how many strong people he had around him, he himself was an F-Class, so he could easily be in danger. He had already been attacked. Yet, he showed no caution at all.

It was a difficult sight for Chloe to understand, but seeing the attitude of the S-Class Hunters around Han Yoojin, it felt plausible. Han Yoohyun and Park Yerim, who were family, as well as Moon Hyuna, were excessively affectionate. If he was treated like that, he might not know the terrors of the world.

Worry about being kidnapped in China also faded away. Han Yoojin, who confessed to her after the dinner banquet, was more concerned about Sung Hyunjae than herself, so she thought it would pass like this. But.

“…What happened to the three people held by Han Yoojin?”

Chloe, not getting off the bed, asked, sitting in a tense posture as if ready to jump out at any moment.

“I promised not to run away.”

The Han Yoojin she met again seemed like a completely different person. He was not a gentle herbivore protected by being buried among predators. He embraced beasts much bigger and stronger than himself and bared his teeth with venomous eyes.

Even though it shouldn’t be possible, it was as if he had experience losing people by his side. Chloe had seen that kind of face, those eyes, many times. If he felt threatened, he would mercilessly commit murder. So, she gave him the invitation.

“Seseong Guild Leader.”

Feeling anxious, Chloe called him again. His loosely closed lips parted.

“Don’t be hasty.”

Unlike Chloe, his voice was full of leisure.

“Alger Hunter is my guest.”

Sung Hyunjae rose from his chair. Chloe’s shoulders unconsciously shrank at the suddenly increased eye level. He was also an S-Class. But she felt an unusually strong sense of oppression. It was as if every shadow that fell darkly was under that man’s control.

“I have only brought a guest.”

“That means…”

“It’s neither running away nor taking away.”

A hand wearing a white glove picked up a transparent water bottle on the table. Water was poured into a glass.

“You’re saying you brought her from Han Yoojin legitimately?”

“Of course, he wasn’t happy about it.”

His golden eyes narrowed slightly. Chloe could easily imagine the scene. Han Yoojin’s resentful face from the terrace garden also came to mind.

“Then what about the other three?”

“They are not my guests.”

Lightly but firmly, Sung Hyunjae replied. He turned and sat back in his chair. Chloe slightly moistened her dry mouth. For the Seseong Guild Leader, three mid-level Hunters would be of no value. He wouldn’t care what happened to them.

“Of course, you can rest assured.”

It was a relaxed and confident attitude. No matter what Han Yoojin and the S-Class Hunters around him said, it was as if they were not even a nuisance, let alone an obstacle.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t rest assured as long as those three are held captive.”

“Think about it. How to treat them.”

Chloe was perfectly protected. Then it would be even more difficult to touch the remaining three Hunters. They could use them to threaten her. But.

“What will you do if Han Yoojin tries to bring me down?”

“Alger Hunter.”

Sung Hyunjae, leaning back in his chair, tilted his head slightly. The corners of his lips gently lifted, but it was a smile that felt chilling to the viewer. A low voice echoed in the heavy air.

“Until reaching this place, there was no conflict.”

He simply walked in quietly, took what he wanted, and walked out. It was rather easy to fight and win. The most difficult thing was to take without doing anything.

It was possible because he was overwhelmingly superior.

Chloe unknowingly swallowed hard. She had thought he was different from other S-Class Hunters. But now, she was a little scared. At the same time, she felt relieved. Han Yoojin’s power was at a level she couldn’t handle. There were three S-Class Hunters and even a blacksmith with special abilities. Recalling the fire spirit she encountered after being dragged into the smithy she had only heard about still gave her goosebumps.

But if the Seseong Guild Leader cooperated.

The water glass she had been holding with both hands was now held with only one. Sung Hyunjae narrowed his eyes as he watched it. The tense air naturally loosened.

“I’ve also seen you two arguing directly, but have you definitely broken up with Han Yoojin?”

“Well. It’s a matter of indifference.”

Sung Hyunjae said as if he had no particular regrets about Han Yoojin. Which would be more difficult, both sides having bad feelings or one side being unilaterally disappointed? What was clear was that, as far as that man was concerned, the latter would be much more miserable. What could be more futile than not being able to have any influence, no matter how much one struggled? Especially if he had smiled like that just yesterday.

“I’ve heard that you easily lose interest in people. And that things don’t last long.”

“I’m just being honest with myself.”

“Still, Han Yoojin lasted a long time, didn’t he? There were even rumors that he was second only to Song Taewon.”

Chloe said, carefully watching Sung Hyunjae’s expression as if wanting to grasp his true intentions. Had he really lost interest? It didn’t seem that way in the terrace garden. If anything, it was the opposite.

“Han Yoojin-gun [a polite suffix] was enjoyable.”

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes curved much more softly. The light of genuinely enjoying himself sparkled, making him smile like a pure boy. Chloe couldn’t hide her surprise and gasped briefly. She couldn’t have imagined that the Seseong Guild Leader could make such a face.

“He was also very much to my taste in many ways. I cherished him very much.”

“…You’re not anymore?”

No answer came back. A cold fragment seemed to flash inside his still-smiling eyes. Chloe finished the water in the glass.

“I’ll just think of it as you helping me.”

“It’s hospitality.”

“If you give me a positive answer, you’ll have to leave Korea anyway. Can I ask you to accompany me?”

If she left Korea altogether, Han Yoojin wouldn’t be able to do anything. If he safely kept the three people, she would give him an answer after discussing it. She could buy time and then come up with a plan.

“A party partner proposal, was it.”

Sung Hyunjae’s expression suddenly turned sour. At the same time, Chloe tensed. Even though they were both S-Class, she was embarrassed to be overreacting to his expressions and gestures, but she also understood.

“You seem young. S-Class Hunters can’t have their actual age determined by their appearance, but at most, you’re twenty. Twenty-one or two at most.”

“…….”

“I have no intention of standing next to such a child. I don’t like kids.”

“But the reply—”

Sung Hyunjae stood up. Chloe’s words were cut off. He strode over and looked down at Chloe.

“If I have to accompany you, it will be this way.”

“…Yes?”

“Surely you’re not giving me no choice? Since there were four invitations, I assumed you had prepared about four.”

Sung Hyunjae said playfully and held out his hand. The white glove in the dark background was particularly noticeable. Chloe looked at the outstretched hand in confusion.

“It’s not something I can decide. Above all, my invitation was taken by Han Yoojin.”

“I don’t care about that.”

A low voice fell.

“All I need is Chloe Alger’s consent.”

He could do whatever he wanted. But only if the person in front of him agreed. Chloe’s fingertips twitched. She could see why even high-ranking Hunters were captivated by the Seseong Guild Leader, and why he was so notorious.

The person who seemed perfect reached out first, and one could influence that person. Most people had a desire to be recognized, a desire to climb higher. So, it was rare for someone not to feel that the hand reaching out from the highest place was sweet.

“…I also need the Seseong Guild Leader’s cooperation.”

It was unsettling, but she needed help now. Chloe reached out and shook his hand briefly. Sung Hyunjae took a step back and said.

“First, I should get you some food. Or a shower?”

“I’ll fill my stomach first. Is this the Seseong Guild Leader’s residence?”

“Of course not. There will be someone waiting outside. Let me advise you that I can’t help you with what happens after you leave this building without saying anything.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Chloe got up from her seat, bowed lightly, and went outside. She faintly heard the sound of the door closing in the distance. Sung Hyunjae’s fingertips peeled off the white glove. Electricity crackled, and torn ashes fell to the floor.

“Not very interesting.”

He had expected a little more since Han Yoojin liked her. She wasn’t bad, but she wasn’t interesting. Wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to receive Ho-yeon’s invitation instead? And above all.

The door opened, and someone came in.

“The location has been identified.”

Bantes respectfully said. They were the ones among Chloe’s collaborators who had not been captured.

“Give about half to Alger Hunter as a gift. As for the rest, leave them intact. That will make it easier for Ms. Min Jisu to work. As for the American side.”

“We are investigating based on the description given by Director Han Yoojin.”

Sung Hyunjae couldn’t tell them the contents of the letter. But Han Yoojin was different. If it was an S-Class Hunter that noticeable, he would soon be able to find out the information. Sung Hyunjae’s cold expression softened slightly. He had no intention of taking away Han Yoojin’s share. But he also had no intention of missing out on his own share at all.

The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]

The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]

My S-Class Hunters The S-Ranks That I Raised 俺が育てたS級たち 내가 키운 S급들 내스급 스급이다
Status: Completed Author: , Native Language: Korean
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[English Translation] Once a pathetic F-rank Hunter, burdened by the weight of his younger brother's extraordinary talent, he lived a life of regret, culminating in tragedy. But fate offers a second chance. Reborn with the title 'Perfect Caregiver,' he vows to nurture the gifted, to guide them to greatness from the shadows. But these aren't ordinary talents. These S-ranks... they're acting strangely. Prepare for a captivating tale of second chances, hidden powers, and the unexpected bonds that form when the most powerful beings in the world need more than just training. They need a caretaker, and he's about to discover that raising S-classes is anything but predictable.

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