The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 495

493. Nothing Much Prepared (4)

“Should have brought my surfboard,” Hwanglim said casually, watching the waves crash. He held a long red cloth in his hand, swinging it powerfully. With a whoosh, the cloth unfurled in a semicircle just as a wave broke.

Whoosh— The wave and the red cloth collided. The cloth withstood the seawater without a single ripple, as if it were solid steel. The wave broke, sending water droplets splashing wildly. Though the cloth split the wave, it couldn’t prevent the water’s surface from shaking violently.

The overturned parasol swayed precariously. Hwanglim pressed down on the tip, which was almost vertical, with one foot. Splash! The water splashed high, trying to breach the parasol’s interior, but the cloth skillfully knocked it away each time.

After the sea calmed, blue willow leaves danced beyond the subsided waves.

“You didn’t need to give me special treatment.”

Hwanglim laughed, looking up at Han Yoohyun, who stood on the willow leaves. The eyes looking down were chilling.

“Why are you here?”

“I came to do business, but I can’t give you samples—it’s not something you can sell to children. Of course, I got permission to attend. So, here.” Hwanglim took out his phone, tapping the screen to show the email from Dodam, but the Ruler’s Sword flew toward him. The curved tip struck the phone precisely, slashing Hwanglim’s hand. Splash—the phone sank into the sea. Hwanglim looked aggrieved.

“You shouldn’t damage other people’s property, Haeyeon Guild Leader.”

“You missed it—didn’t block or dodge.”

Han Yoohyun said coldly. An S-Class Hunter wouldn’t fail to dodge a sword swung right in front of him. With his limbs fine, he could have snatched the phone. Hwanglim shrugged exaggeratedly.

“That’s harsh. I came because I was told I could. Did Caretaker Dodam tell you not to let me on the island?”

Han Yoohyun frowned, then reluctantly tossed Hwanglim the earpiece and microphone. Hwanglim caught it and spoke, “Hello, Caretaker Han.”

[No peddlers allowed.] Han Yoojin said stiffly, as if reading.

“It’s top-quality.”

[I said, no peddlers allowed.]

“Ten percent of the profits for contracts made during the meeting.”

[Fifty percent of the sales.]

Hwanglim sulked.

“That’s highway robbery, isn’t it?”

[Is it comparable to the real robber who took a person whole? If you’re not happy, give me all the sales.]

“The Breaker Guild Leader just took the goods—a whole box of the best stuff—and that was it…”

Hwanglim stopped, tilting the parasol. The Ruler’s Sword grazed it and slammed into the water. Whoosh! Seawater surged high, centered on the sword’s impact. The water rose almost ten meters before subsiding.

“……”

Han Yoohyun’s brow furrowed. Blue willow leaves fluttered before him—leaves not his own. Hwanglim smiled, standing on them like Han Yoohyun.

“Don’t glare. This is a tricky skill, you know.”

“You’re stealing skills?”

“Not stealing—copying.”

Han Yoohyun didn’t answer, focusing on the mana flow, manipulating the willow leaves. His expression grew colder as he felt the mana in the two leaves, belonging to another. It was the same skill, exactly like his current state.

Having the same skill was common, especially resistance or low-grade skills, possessed by hundreds. But their usage differed after initial acquisition.

Even if the skill was the same, it changed with the user. Even with the same effect, there were differences in mana flow and distribution. Like people walking on two legs, each gait is different.

But Hwanglim’s blue willow leaves were exactly like Han Yoohyun’s, like twins. Even yesterday’s Han Yoohyun and today’s differed. It aroused instinctive unpleasantness, and Han Yoohyun’s hand tightened on the sword.

“So you copied that flying skill too.”

“That’s why I’m like this. It’s a copy. Copy products are common, aren’t they?”

Han Yoohyun took a long breath. Han Yoojin had used his skills, even from before the regression. But it felt different. Han Yoojin was the same as Han Yoohyun, but also Han Yoojin.

Of the same kind, closer, twins, yet different entities. But this was Han Yoohyun’s blue willow leaf itself, damaging his uniqueness.

He wanted to eliminate it.

Han Yoohyun hesitated, then rushed forward, remembering his brother’s words to let him pass. But Han Yoojin wouldn’t tell his younger brother to endure displeasure.

Han Yoohyun’s toes slid across the fluttering willow leaves as he moved. Hwanglim’s movements were clumsy.

Clang!

Hwanglim’s spear barely blocked Han Yoohyun’s sword, which had instantly closed the distance using the Ye-Gong’s [a movement technique] acceleration skill. But only for a moment.

Crack—

The spear shaft cracked. Han Yoohyun pushed Hwanglim back with pure strength, without skills, and stared at him. Hwanglim twisted his lips at the cool flame in his dark eyes.

‘Is it a little dangerous after all?’

He knew Han Yoohyun wasn’t easy, but his strength was extraordinary. He was a large build, but nothing compared to Hwanglim. Yet, the force was almost equal.

It was a setback. Hwanglim’s expression hardened. The blue willow leaf skill was difficult to use as a substitute for flying. Han Yoohyun stepped on them as if on flat ground, but controlling the randomly fluttering leaves, stepping at the right position and timing, was no ordinary feat.

It was three-dimensional movement, both moving quickly, but the area to step on was small.

Most Hunters would struggle to move naturally, unless skipping across like stepping stones. Han Yoohyun was unique; it wasn’t a flying substitute.

As Hwanglim hesitated,

Crack!

The spear shaft shattered. The sturdy S-Class spear couldn’t overcome the Ruler’s Sword. The black blade split the spear shaft and cut through Hwanglim’s chest. Instead of dodging, Hwanglim concentrated defensive skills and was pushed down.

Splash! Leaving blood in the air, Hwanglim disappeared below the surface. Only Han Yoohyun’s blue willow leaves remained. Han Yoohyun ignited flames on his sword, burning away the bloodstains.

“Surrender, surrender!” Hwanglim shouted, surfacing.

“As repentance, I’ll swim to the island!”

Han Yoohyun turned away, stepping on the willow leaves with graceful, flawless movement, moving towards the island.

“Seong Hyunjae, Han Yoohyun, and Liete. He said those three, right?”

Hwanglim muttered, swimming towards the island.

Most guests had arrived at the mansion. Despite the high-ranking Hunters, no fights had broken out, partly because they were observing each other, but also because of Han Yoohyun at the pier. It was as if they had bowed down to enter.

Also, the French Hunter’s disgrace played a part.

“How can you lose to an A-Class with S-Class support?”

“And it was one person.”

“Even an A-Class team can attack a lower-level S-Class dungeon. To fight an S-Class Hunter, several teams must cooperate thoroughly.”

It was easier to fight a large monster of the same grade. Because if the opponent is as small as a human, it would be difficult to cooperate and attack unless they worked very well together. So, in fact, it was almost impossible for A-Class Hunters to beat S-Class Hunters. If necessary, they could pull out their bodies and lure them one by one.

Eric could feel wronged because he had only been knocked down once, but the word had already changed to he had lost. The British Hunters were excited and exaggerated, saying their guild’s A-Class Hunter had won, and mentioning Noah.

“To make an A-Class Hunter beat an S-Class Hunter, but to ignore him because he’s a support. That’s why Noah Hunter left France and went to Korea!”

“I heard Guild Leader Tourchen protested to Korea.”

“Crazy guy. Is his patriotism overflowing?”

Not only foreign Hunters but also French Hunters did not look favorably on Eric’s protest. It was a pity that Noah had left, but it was not good to set a precedent for preventing the migration of high-ranking Hunters, whose migration between countries was free.

With a good topic for gossip, the last helicopter landed in front of the mansion in a friendly atmosphere. Seong Hyunjae and Song Taewon got off. The Hunters at the bar in the garden, saying the inside was stuffy, turned their attention to them. Seong Hyunjae and Song Taewon were famous, showered with gazes mixed with emotions.

“Don’t you have to go to the Guild Leader? Hunter Soyoung.”

“It’s okay because Director Song is here. Noah has left, and Sister Liete has gone into the sea,” Kang Soyoung grumbled, ignoring Seong Hyunjae. Seong Hyunjae moved inside, ignoring the gazes. Song Taewon’s face was overshadowed with worry, trying to hold it back.

“Smile a little. Your fans will be here too.”

“…I don’t have any.”

“You even received a bouquet.”

“I don’t need it.”

Seong Hyunjae looked around. He knew some people. When he smiled at a Hunter glaring fiercely, the glass shattered.

“Please don’t do that.”

“You won’t even let me smile. I’ll end up wearing a muzzle.”

“I won’t stop you if you do.”

If he would just shut his mouth, there would be less trouble. Han Yoohyun and Park Yerim stood at the main hall entrance with the list. Han Yoohyun said mechanically, “Only Hunters above A-Class can enter. You will be immediately expelled if you use combat skills or take out weapons.”

“Hello, Director Song, Seseong Guild Leader!” Park Yerim checked the list and greeted them.

“Here’s a simple contract. Please sign if you are the person listed. The contract penalty is that the tip of your right ear turns red.”

Both signed and went inside. Moon Hyuna, who had come in earlier, waved happily.

“Director Song! You’re working hard here too. And Seseong Guild Leader.”

Moon Hyuna approached Seong Hyunjae and nudged his arm. “They’re saying that the next one is Chloe after Hyungnim [term of respect for an older brother or male figure]. It seems like some of your old relationships are here too.”

“Relationships, that’s an exaggeration.”

Seong Hyunjae looked disgusted. Moon Hyuna laughed and handed him wine.

“Promote me a little. Director Song, please too. Honestly, Director Song is better than Seong Hyunjae. He’s rare, you know.”

“In a situation where work, or something might happen—”

“It’s light, it’s light. Just once, huh?”

Song Taewon hesitated but took the glass. Moon Hyuna poured wine directly into it, then threw the bottle to Seong Hyunjae, telling him to drink it himself. In the meantime, the Hunters outside came in. Han Yoohyun and Park Yerim also closed the door and entered.