The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 515

513. Dogfight (4)

The smells of gunpowder and fire mingled in the air, leaving a similar acrid taste at the back of my throat. Han Yoojin’s gaze flickered between Song Taewon and Sung Hyunjae. Sung Hyunjae spat out a mouthful of blood.

“That ended quicker than I expected.”

“That’s what happens when I have a gun. Besides, my little brother is still young. What are you doing, Sung Hyunjae-ssi, just leaving a perfectly good weapon behind? It was quite a spectacle.”

Of course, I hadn’t seen the beginning. But it seemed unlikely Sung Hyunjae would lose his gun so easily. He must have wanted to get involved like that.

“How cold, just watching.”

“You seemed to be enjoying yourself.”

Han Yoojin ejected the magazine from the pistol. The empty cartridges clattered to the ground.

“Anyway, Sung Hyunjae-ssi, you survived.”

He inserted a single bullet with a dull metallic sheen into the pistol. With a click, the gun was ready again.

“Congratulations.”

Han Yoojin said, aiming the gun at Sung Hyunjae.

“Being like this feels like a hostage situation. It doesn’t really suit Song Team Leader, though.”

With Sung Hyunjae’s arm still wrapped around his neck, Song Taewon looked at Han Yoojin.

“It might seem more natural to switch positions with me, but as you know, that’s not how the world works. Gears rarely mesh perfectly. We just force them together, creaking and groaning as they turn.”

Even mass-produced industrial products, thoroughly calculated, have defects. How could all sorts of different people fit together perfectly?

“Song Team Leader.”

The voice calling him was cold. The eyes that met his were filled with clear anger. He had a right to be angry, Song Taewon thought. Even if it’s for the sake of others, it’s just arrogance without their consent. Moreover, an action that is known to hurt the other person has even less room for excuses.

“Song Team Leader, you lost.”

“…Yes.”

“Your part is over. Now it’s my turn.”

The gun’s muzzle moved slightly. Sung Hyunjae readily released his arm. Even though he was free, Song Taewon stood rooted to the spot, not even tending to the bleeding wound on his shoulder. He was motionless, like a scarecrow for target practice, as if saying, ‘Take out all your anger on me.’

Han Yoojin’s eyebrows twitched slightly at the sight.

“Your shoulder, were you bitten?”

Sung Hyunjae asked, approaching Han Yoojin.

“You need to manage your little brother better.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll blow away the bastard who deserves to be bitten before he bites anyone else.”

Han Yoojin also stepped closer to Sung Hyunjae, pointing the gun directly under his chin.

“It’s time for you to leave.”

“I assure you, I’ll be a model spectator.”

“We don’t offer free viewings.”

“I seem to have left my wallet behind.”

“If you don’t have money, you shouldn’t be watching. What kind of excuse is that?”

“Is there no VIP seating available?”

“Uh… your name is… Sung… Mr. Mo? I think I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

*Who was it?* he wondered, as the gun barrel traced his jawline.

“Now be quiet.”

Han Yoojin said, lightly pressing his lips together.

“I really didn’t think I’d have to blow your head off twice.”

“That’s an honor.”

Han Yoojin met the golden eyes looking down at him. Seeing him look so amused was both annoying and reassuring. Even if he was dragged through the mud by the hair, it was okay as long as he was enjoying it.

“You don’t have to watch.”

“I’m not a child.”

“Even adults need to be cherished – to see good things, to hear good words.”

“You mean to throw Sung Hyunjae away.”

“Isn’t it nice to look at?”

“Ah, yes, yes. You talk too much.”

Sung Hyunjae smiled and opened his mouth. He tilted his head slightly and lightly bit the gun barrel. Han Yoojin blinked and then closed his eyes. The trigger was pulled, and a gunshot rang out. When he opened his eyes, Sung Hyunjae was gone.

Han Yoojin turned to look at Song Taewon, who was still standing there, unmoving. Even though he could easily subdue Han Yoojin now that they were alone, he just quietly exhaled.

“Song Taewon-ssi.”

Han Yoojin tossed the gun aside.

“Come at me.”

“……”

Song Taewon’s eyes widened slightly and then grew heavy again.

Han Yoojin’s eyes grew colder at that attitude, as if he wouldn’t resist even if he walked over and strangled him.

“That was with Sung Hyunjae-ssi! Now I’m just picking a fight because I’m pissed off.”

“Yes, it’s natural to be angry.”

“Then come at me.”

Song Taewon hesitated, looking at Han Yoojin. By general standards, he could never be called small, but compared to Song Taewon, he was inevitably smaller. The height difference was also significant, and their builds were incomparable.

Even with one arm unusable, the outcome was obvious. It would end the moment the distance closed. It felt like meaningless stubbornness to Song Taewon, but if Han Yoojin wanted it, he had no choice but to accept.

“…Take the gun.”

“No. I’ll use everything but the gun and bow, so don’t worry.”

“…Then I will face you unarmed.”

The corners of Han Yoojin’s lips turned up sharply.

“You’re arrogant to the end.”

“Even unarmed, I have the advantage.”

“You must have thought so before coming in here.”

Han Yoojin said, taking out a dagger and twirling it.

“You were sure I would lose.”

“……”

“Yes, I know I’m weak. Anyone would bet on you. So let’s fight properly.”

“…Han Yoojin-ssi.”

“Song Taewon-ssi.”

A roar of thunder echoed across the cloudy sky. Between the raindrops that began to fall one or two at a time, the two men clenched their mouths shut. *Chiik*, the dying flames writhed as they were hit by the rain.

Silence fell, and the one who moved first was Han Yoojin. He knew well that close combat was disadvantageous. Han Yoojin, with one foot back, turned his body and started running. Song Taewon, who had paused, also chased after him.

*It would be better to quickly catch him and end it.* Song Taewon, who had hesitated a little at first, began to increase his speed. If the physique is large, it may seem dull on the outside, but a trained physique can move faster with even greater force. The difference in stride was also significant.

As soon as Song Taewon made up his mind, the distance between the two quickly narrowed. Han Yoojin quickly turned a corner along the building wall. The moment Song Taewon also turned the corner…

*Thump!*

The display case hanging above fell down. While Song Taewon paused to avoid the obstacle, Han Yoojin disappeared. The sky, filled with dark clouds, became even darker, and the rain became heavier. *Rumble!* Lightning struck again.

*…He must have prepared this.*

He must have grasped the entire area and set up traps like this. It was highly likely that the darkening weather was also within his calculations. Perhaps he waited for it to get completely dark and rain before starting to move.

The rain beat down on Song Taewon’s hardened face, on his broad shoulders. Mixed with blood, it flowed thinly down his arm. A large hand wiped the wet face. Even so, if he was only going to fight with close-range weapons, Han Yoojin was still at a disadvantage.

He was definitely at a disadvantage, but strangely, he didn’t think he would win.

Song Taewon calmly surveyed his surroundings and moved his steps. As the sound of rain grew stronger and the thunder overlapped, Han Yoojin’s presence completely disappeared. Still, it was not difficult to find traces of him during the day. Song Taewon’s gaze moved, scanning the dirt floor. When the ground is wet, footprints are bound to remain. And even now…

Faint traces remained. After confirming the direction Han Yoojin had headed, Song Taewon carefully took a step. In his head, Han Yoojin’s expected attack methods quickly flashed by.

He would use the terrain as much as possible, just like before. He had to be careful above his head and under his feet. Due to Han Yoojin’s strength, it was impossible to throw heavy objects. At best, he could only drop them. He could make a catapult, but with Han Yoojin’s attitude now, it didn’t seem like he would use ranged weapons even if they weren’t guns and bows.

He wanted to clash directly.

“…Hoo.”

Song Taewon took a deep breath. Perhaps because of the wound that hadn’t even been given first aid, it felt like heat was spreading from his shoulder.

Thanks to the quickly wetting ground, the traces left by Han Yoojin became increasingly clear. Following the footprints, the collapsed watchtower came into view. At the end of the pillar sticking out from the center, a bright pink yarn was tied. And those yarns…

“……”

…Were stretched out in all directions. It was like a huge spider web. Song Taewon cautiously approached it. Centered on the ruins of the watchtower in the small square, it was connected to the surrounding houses, warehouses, wells, fences, etc., filling a fairly large area with yarn.

Song Taewon reached out to the outermost yarn but then withdrew his hand. It was obviously a trap. He didn’t know how it worked, but it seemed best not to touch it as much as possible.

Song Taewon stepped over the low-hanging yarn and went inside. As he lowered his head to avoid the third yarn, he saw a wire cleverly hidden beyond the yarn. Perhaps this wire was the real thing. If he touched it carelessly, wouldn’t something activate?

He could throw a stone and quickly deal with it, but he said he would face him unarmed. Song Taewon steadfastly moved, avoiding the yarn. He didn’t let his guard down, wondering if Han Yoojin would appear and activate the trap, but only the sound of rain continued to echo.

And at that moment when he bent his upper body to avoid the last yarn coming to his chest…

*Thump!* A pink blur rushed towards Song Taewon quickly with a sound. It was a bicycle that had gained speed in an instant by riding down the slope. Song Taewon, who was about to reflexively avoid it, paused in surprise. The side was a wall, and the back was a yarn trap.

*No way. Did he deliberately create an easy direction to avoid the yarn to lure him here?* No sooner had that thought occurred to him than the bicycle was right in front of him. Instead of dodging, Song Taewon bent his legs to support his body in order to catch the bicycle head-on. At the same time…

*Sreung.* Han Yoojin drew the sword he had hung on the back of the bicycle. It was the Ruler’s Sword that Han Yoohyun had dropped. The black sword was swung with the added force of the bicycle’s speed, and Song Taewon quickly lowered his upper body. *Whoosh* – right after the blade grazed over Song Taewon’s head.

*Bang!*

The bicycle crashed straight into Song Taewon. Song Taewon, whose balance was momentarily broken, could not withstand the heavily accelerated collision and was pushed back. *Tududuk*, the yarns were torn off and wrapped around Song Taewon’s body. Just before the bicycle fell, Han Yoojin jumped off, rolled once on the ground, and then stood up. Then, he swung his sword at the yarns.

The cut yarns poured towards Song Taewon with the reaction force that had been tightly pulled. Following that, Han Yoojin, who had released the tied wire, quickly grabbed the end and swung it around.

“That yarn, it’s stronger than you think.”

It wasn’t difficult to cut with a bladed weapon, but if you pulled it with force, it wouldn’t budge unless it was very bad. He wrapped the wire around the yarn and secured it. Of course, Han Yoojin couldn’t keep holding the wire with his strength, so he tied the wire back to the pillar connected to the building.

Han Yoojin approached Song Taewon with the long sword in hand. His body was raised, but Song Taewon’s upper body, his good arm, was tied up. Song Taewon silently watched Han Yoojin approaching him. His legs could move, but the reach was shorter compared to the long sword.

The rain continued to fall, and the color of the wet yarn became even darker. It almost looked red.

“If I stab you here,”

Han Yoojin said, pointing the sword.

“Will you be satisfied?”

*Both of us.* At that moment, Song Taewon moved. His toes scraped the ground and kicked up a stone. The flying stone accurately struck the back of Han Yoojin’s hand. He barely managed not to drop the sword, but at that moment when his posture was disrupted, Song Taewon lay down on the ground and stretched out his legs.

*Thwack!* Han Yoojin was kicked at the narrowed gap using his whole body. Han Yoojin, who rolled back, smiled with a face splattered with mud. *That’s how it should be.*

Song Taewon set up the fallen sword with his toes. Han Yoojin jumped up and charged, but before that, the yarn was cut off and the wire was loosened. Song Taewon, who avoided Han Yoojin’s punches, reached out his good hand. He barely avoided being grabbed by the neck, but Han Yoojin’s shoulder was tightly held.

“Ugh.”

While groaning at the terrifying grip of the non-awakened person, Han Yoojin also grabbed Song Taewon’s shoulder. Accurately where the wound was, he used his fingers to relentlessly dig into it. No matter how strong he was against pain, it was difficult to endure even that.

*Thud!*

Releasing Han Yoojin’s shoulder, Song Taewon kicked him. Han Yoojin’s body flew lightly and rolled on the floor. Coughing, he grabbed his chest and barely got up, glaring at Song Taewon.

“You’re a little weak.”

Han Yoojin raised the corners of his lips while coughing again.

“You have to kick with the intention of killing.”

Completely releasing the wire, Song Taewon rushed towards Han Yoojin this time without hesitation.