The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 57

57. Midnight Curse Poison Dragon (2)

I couldn’t pinpoint their exact appearance, perhaps due to a stealth skill. But the silhouette was definitely human. And it spoke.

An S-Rank Hunter with a stealth skill, perhaps?

I didn’t recall anyone like that.

I focused on the fallen silhouette as I approached the basket with Bbyak. Just as I picked up the peacefully sleeping Bbyak, the silhouette shot up.

“Wow, that was electrifying. Honey, what was that? My curse resistance is S-Rank, and it barely wore off even after equipping a cleanse item?”

It was a woman’s voice. Curse resistance at S-Rank? I hate to say it, but she’s a monster.

According to my Instinct of the Weak, she had S-Rank stats, an S-Rank poison skill, a curse skill, an SS-Rank close-range physical attack skill, and an SSS-Rank title… What is this? A Hunter I’ve never heard of. What kind of title has three S’s?

Of course, like my L-Rank title, it might not have any attack power, but that seemed unlikely. Because.

[Awakened – Liete

Current Stat Rank S

Awakening Possible Stat Rank S

Optimized Initial Skills

Eternal Severance (SS) Acquired

Path of the Sword (S) Acquired

Radiant Aura (S) Acquired

Flowing Clouds (A) Acquired]

Severance, Sword, Aura. All initial skills unrelated to curses or poison. That meant her poison and curse skills were likely from her SSS-Rank title skill.

“What are you looking at so intently, my pretty?”

…The way she talks. And her name. Is she Western?

‘Even if her stats are so-so, her skills are no joke. If there were a ranking battle right now, she’d definitely be at the top.’

Close-combat aptitude with an SSS-Rank poison curse title. And she seems to have a stealth skill. Judging by the activation of Lauchitas’s nemesis skill, the SSS-Rank title must be related to the Curse Poison Dragon. Dio Valshesis, was it? A monster I’ve never heard of, but just the name sounds like a formidable beast.

“Honey? Aren’t you going to react? Are you frozen in surprise?”

“If you have business, Ms. Liete, you should have requested a visit by phone during the day.”

“Oh my?”

Immediately after the exclamation of surprise, the blurry silhouette became clear. Emerging from the darkness was a beauty with a cheerful smile. Her short, practical haircut was a deep black, and her eyes were a striking gold.

Golden eyes. High-ranking Hunters sometimes have unique appearances depending on their aptitude or skills, but those eyes had an alien, metallic quality that was far from human.

“How did you know my name? Besides, aren’t you supposed to have F-Rank stats and no attack skills, honey?”

She doesn’t look Asian, but her Korean is fluent. It must be thanks to the item around her neck—a translation item that occasionally appears in S-Rank dungeons.

“Isn’t it basic for Hunters to hide a trick or two up their sleeves?”

“Not just a trick or two, is it? That was a curse skill just now, at least SS-Rank. And you seem to have a skill that allows you to see information about others. You were reading something intently, weren’t you?”

As expected, using a seedling skill in front of an S-Rank Hunter gets you caught immediately. I gently smiled as I placed Bbyak back in the basket.

“It was my hidden card. I’m quite disappointed it didn’t work.”

“You just had a bad opponent. A skill that can neutralize even S-Rank curse resistance is amazing.”

It was doubled again by Lauchitas’s nemesis skill. How many times did it jump?

“First, can I assume you don’t have any intention to attack?”

Bbyak was right next to me, and Peace and Myungwoo were nearby, so it was best to avoid a fight if possible. Besides, with those skills, even if Yoohyun came, the odds of winning weren’t very high. I wasn’t alone, and I had people to protect, and she had close-combat aptitude with S-Rank poison and curses. Just blocking would be overwhelming.

Fortunately, the other party seemed to have no intention of fighting, nodding vigorously to my question.

“Then, of course not. Above all, we have terrible compatibility. You felt it, didn’t you? The curse skill I launched as soon as I broke free from the curse?”

I didn’t feel it. My curse resistance skill must be too high, so it just disappeared because it was insignificant.

“My curse resistance skill rank is a bit high.”

But I shrugged as if I knew. She raised both hands as if to answer.

“My curse skills are specialized for conditions, so they’re weak for use in combat, but it’s frustrating that they don’t work at all.”

Simple attack curse skills like Blackie’s thorn trap are mainly used by monsters, and typical Hunter curse skills are specialized for conditions. Versatile skills used for sealing inventories or contracts… Wait a minute. Could it be.

“…Did you come because I tore up the contract?”

“That’s right! Was that you?”

Seriously? You came all this way just for that? Unbelievable. Seeing my expression, Liete quickly added an excuse.

“That’s not the only reason. I came to ask for a favor too. I didn’t even think you would break the contract in the first place. I was just going to ask if you knew anything. But seeing Han Yoojin’s abilities… was the kidnapping incident a trap aimed at MKC [a fictional company] after all?”

It wasn’t. But I put on an expression that said it could be.

“Is that the rumor going around?”

“You rescued him too easily and quickly. There’s suspicion. More importantly, are we going to keep talking while standing here?”

Liete walked towards the bed and casually swung one of her long legs over it, sitting down. What is she doing? This is Korea!

“Take your shoes off.”

“Ah, right.”

Liete obediently took off both of her work boots. She was wearing cat-patterned socks.

“Cute, right? I bought them at Dongdaemun [a famous shopping district in Seoul].”

“Ah, yes.”

“Honey, you’re too dry. You should come up to the bed on your own.”

She leaned back and waved her hand invitingly. The moonlight shining through the window… well, not moonlight, but the faint lights from the building across the street created a nice atmosphere, but I didn’t want to share a bed with an unfamiliar S-Rank Hunter—one with an SS-Rank close-range cutting skill.

After a moment of hesitation, I went to the bed. I didn’t lie down, just sat on the opposite side.

“Isn’t it common not to care about illegal contracts being broken?”

Illegal is illegal for a reason. Sometimes, the other party prepares curse resistance and cleanse items before signing the contract. But even if the main purpose is different, why bother checking?

Liete looked a little embarrassed at my words.

“It hasn’t been long since I started.”

“Not long?”

“Yeah. I just started my business, so I can’t help but be concerned. I only got the curse skill ten days ago.”

Ten days? Just?

“May I ask how you got it?”

“Honey, you’re asking too many questions. And you’re not even coming closer.”

“I’ve learned your secret, so let’s agree to keep our mouths shut.”

“Secret? You mean my stats and skills? Your brother knows anyway. And the other guild leaders who contracted with the Breeding Center will know too.”

“They don’t know.”

At my words, she turned around and lay on her stomach. Her golden eyes widened.

“They don’t know? Really? That’s unexpected. Not even your brother?”

“Yes. They really don’t know. Isn’t this a secret worth exchanging?”

Even though my hand is half-fake. But if they know one fact, they can guess that I have some special skill. So I’m not giving away too little.

“What should I do?”

“I also know that the skill comes from a title.”

“Wow, you even have a skill to check the status window. You’re too much, honey. Okay. It’s a title I got after catching a boss monster in an S-Rank dungeon.”

“Dio Valshesis?”

“Why are you asking if you know everything?”

Liete pouted.

“Dio Valshesis’s Twin, an SSS-Rank title. It can only be obtained by catching the twin dragons Dio Valshesis with your twin sibling. My younger brother is also an S-Rank Hunter.”

As befitting a high rank, it was a title with difficult conditions. But her younger brother is also S-Rank? Lucky. I’m jealous.

“Could you tell me which dungeon it is?”

“It was a Chinese illegal dungeon, but…”

She frowned slightly and continued.

“You might not believe me, but it disappeared after the raid.”

“Disappeared?”

“…You’re not surprised? I’m not lying.”

“I know. I believe you.”

Twin Curse Poison Dragon Dio Valshesis. There’s no way information about a dungeon with such a monster as the boss wouldn’t have been revealed for five years. So definitely.

It was a dungeon that should have appeared in five years.

The dungeon suddenly disappearing must be because the system administrators intervened.

‘So that’s why there was no information about that amazing Hunter.’

I had heard of a female Hunter with simple close-range attack aptitude. The name was different, but many Hunters don’t use their real names, so it must be the same person. S-Rank Hunters aren’t common, and if the aptitude and gender are the same, it must be her.

In other words, in the original future, Liete didn’t get the Dio Valshesis’s Twin title. Because the dungeon hadn’t even appeared yet.

…Were there more similar cases?

“You believe me? Really?”

Liete slowly moved closer to me. She really was beautiful up close. For a moment, I was captivated by her face and sat there blankly until her arm reached out and wrapped around my waist.

“But honey, you’re a bit strange.”

“…What is?”

Liete pulled me closer, pressing her body against mine. Wait a minute. She raised her upper body and put her nose to my shoulder. Her sitting height is quite a bit taller than mine.

“…Are you also a dragonkin?”

“I’m human.”

“But I feel… the same kind? No, more like… someone who could easily beat Dio Valshesis, um, a big shot?”

…Is it because of Blackie’s skill? It must be the effect of Lauchitas’s nemesis or the Dragon Slayer title. Well, Blackie was scared, so it’s not strange that Liete feels something strange.

“I’m getting a little excited, honey.”

“…Excuse me?”

“You smell good too. Do you use perfume?”

I did use a lot of body wash. More importantly, she’s sticking too close.

“Can you move away a bit?”

“Are you really twenty-five years old? You’re so cold.”

“I’m old enough to pick and choose my targets. More importantly, please tell me what you need.”

I’ve satisfied my curiosity, so I wish she would just go back. Liete roughly unwrapped her arms as if she was sulking and lay sprawled on the bed.

“You’re too much. Would it hurt you to play along? I’m already sad that I’m not attracted to ordinary humans.”

“…You’re not attracted?”

“Yeah. I’m not attracted. I’m half-dragon, so my sexual preferences must have changed.”

Oh dear. Too bad, but it was someone else’s problem.

“Finish your business and leave. I’m going to sleep.”

“You’re so cold. You looked cute on TV. Come to think of it, why does your face look the same? You seem to have pretty high stats. You look okay now, but if that’s how much you’ve been buffed, what were you originally—”

“I haven’t been buffed.”

This is the original.

“Well, you said you haven’t been awakened for long. My business is obvious. There’s a baby monster I want to entrust to you.”

“If it’s something like that, call me during the day. Surely you know my number.”

All sorts of spam calls come in, there’s no way an S-Rank Hunter can’t get my number. Liete widened her eyes at my words.

“Are you pretending not to know? The guilds that negotiated with you are watching with bated breath; how can I call you directly? Especially your brother, he’s openly threatening people not to contact you personally.”

Yoohyun was doing that?

“But is it okay to come here like this?”

She smiled knowingly.

“It’s fine as long as I don’t get caught. You saw my skill. I didn’t originally plan to reveal my face. I never dreamed you could see through an S-Rank Hunter’s status window. I was planning to sneak in, check your intentions, and gently reel you in.”

Well, if she has a stealth skill, it would be safer to come directly than to make a traceable phone call.

“So you want me to raise a baby monster?”

“If I openly entrust it to you, it’ll be obvious that I contacted you, so can’t you create a channel for me to connect? There are many people desperate besides me.”
Please~ She acts cute. A channel to connect.

“Do you use SNS [Social Networking Service]?”

“Huh?”

“I’m going to create one soon. Guilds and Hunters use SNS a lot, so I’ll follow you first and contact you. Post something related when my SNS is created. Give me your ID now.”

“Ah, I haven’t managed it properly. Here’s my ID.”

She takes out parchment and a pen from her inventory, writes down her ID, tears it off, and hands it to me.

“Thank you, I love you~”

Hearing her say ‘I love you’ made me wonder if I should apply a keyword to Liete. With the double effect, I could just say one word. It didn’t take long for the unintelligible Blackie, so it would be easy to apply to someone who understands love talk. What should I do? I could fill one of the S-Rank slots and occasionally give her a growth buff.

If the growth buff is also doubled, it feels like I’m giving too much. Let’s check if the keyword effect appears first.

“Is there anyone you consider a caretaker? Someone who raised you?”

“Huh? No. Not at all. Rather, I raised my brother. Come to think of it, you said you raised your brother too, right?”

“Yeeeah, well…”

I did raise him. But as a result, I’m just, well.

“…In the end, he awakened on his own and went his own way.”

Overnight. He was about to take the college entrance exam, graduate, and go to college. I thought my job would be over then.

Ah, I remember. The savings account I had set aside for tuition. I had left it untouched because I didn’t need it, but I canceled it before going to meet the awakening broker. That’s why my bank balance was more generous than I thought.

“Honey?”

I lost motivation for some reason and lay down on the bed.

“If you’re done with your business, please leave now. I’m going to sleep.”

“Are you really just going to sleep?”

“Yes, I’m sleeping.”

I just closed my eyes. I felt Liete hovering over me. And the gaze looking down at me.

“Han Yoojin, I’ll come again.”

“…No thanks.”

“Thank you. Good night.”
A light touch like fluff brushed against my forehead and then disappeared. I heard the sound of shoes being put on, followed by the opening and closing of the door. The constantly noisy Instinct of the Weak subsided.

It’s quiet.

I opened my eyes again.

‘…The system administrators are working.’

In addition to preventing progress, they even deleted the dungeon that appeared five years later. I already raided it, though. It would have been the first raid, I wonder what rewards I got. I should have asked about that too.

‘The rewards would have increased according to the difficulty over five years. Well, compared to the title, even a rare item wouldn’t be much.’

Dio Valshesis’s Twin. An SSS-Rank title was a rank that hadn’t even appeared five years later. As far as I know.

She said she was half-human, half-dragon, so she must have inherited Dio Valshesis’s abilities as they were. Moreover, since it’s a twin title, both siblings must have received it.

‘If they caught the boss monster alone, and it was an illegal dungeon, they must be active as siblings without a guild or team. Two S-Ranks are more than enough for now. Liete has close-range attack aptitude, so her brother must be support, or a healer? No, if he was an S-Rank healer, he would have been known, so he’s more likely to be support.’

He could have long-range aptitude or magic.

In any case, both of them are currently beyond rank. Leaving them alone is not only a waste but also unsettling.

It’s fortunate that Liete is in a position where she has to ask me for favors. But I don’t know how long that will last.

‘The keyword effect won’t appear on Liete either.’

She’s a Curse Poison Dragon, so it’s easy to apply, but she says there’s no one she considers a caretaker. Then, I should hook her brother.

He’s the younger brother that that sister raised. I can roughly guess his personality without even seeing him. At least he’ll listen to his sister.

He’s also a Curse Poison Dragon, so the keyword will be applied immediately.

‘I should ask her to introduce me to her brother.’

Should I use Peace or Bbyak for my SNS profile picture?