The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 76

“Be careful, Hyung.”

Yoohyun said, tugging at my arm. A small flame flickered in front of my feet. Peace stomped on the flame with his front paw, extinguishing it.

The undead legion melted away in Yoohyun’s flames. Fire was definitely the most effective against the undead. The black golem with fire resistance was smashed to pieces by Moon Hyuna.

It took about ten minutes to annihilate them all. It was faster since they were all gathered together. An A-rank team would have needed to disperse the legion to avoid a direct confrontation, but against overwhelming firepower, numbers were meaningless.

“I wonder what kind of statue this was.”

I nudged the pedestal of the statue with my foot. The inscription was so damaged that it was unreadable.

The 2nd floor gate appeared, but Yerim, ever in debt, needed time to collect magic stones. I also had to clear the area safely before going to the 2nd floor.

Moon Hyuna and Sung Hyunjae went up first, and I entered the castle with the remaining three. I wanted to take a good look around while I had the time.

“There’s nothing to see here.”

The castle was mostly intact on the outside, but the inside was empty. The murals, ceiling decorations, and various sculptures had only faint traces remaining.

“I told you there was nothing to see.”

“Is it like this everywhere else?”

“Everywhere I’ve been.”

It was the answer I expected, though I had hoped for something different. If there had been anything, it would have been mentioned in the five years before my regression.

‘The System people’s stories and Mingwoo’s case make it clear that there are other worlds.’

A ruined city in a dungeon, unrelated to our world. I didn’t think much of it before. But now it felt ominous.

‘Someone connected to the dungeons who needs to hide my information.’

Could it be that if I don’t stop that unknown Mr. So-and-so, our world will end up like this too?

‘Is it really just a matter of gathering 50 S-ranks? System people, can I trust you, really?’

The Waterdrop and the Tree were okay, but the Deer was… not so much. But as I am now, there’s nothing else I can do. I have no choice but to trust and follow them.

I have to trust and follow them, but suddenly I’m feeling a sense of reality loss.

…No, I just wanted to regress and live comfortably. Why am I in an A-rank dungeon swarming with S-ranks right now? If I had just said yes when Yoohyun said he would be trapped for three years… would it have been a world-ending scenario in five years?

Isn’t there anyone who can take my place? I should have asked that. Not now, but let’s go into a suitable F-rank dungeon with Peace and ask. Surely, I’m not the only one.

“Hyung, what’s wrong?”

“Are you perhaps tired?”

Yoohyun and Kim Sunghan looked at me with concern as I stared blankly at the severely damaged mural.

“No, just a little… well, a little tired.”

Where is my life heading? Will I be able to relax once I’ve gathered all 50 S-ranks? If the System disappears in 10 years, I can quit the special skill awakening business too.

Okay, let’s just endure for 10 years. Just 10 years of hard work.

“You don’t look well. Can you walk?”

“Let’s stop looking around and go out to rest. Ride on Peace. Or, should I carry you?”

– Grrr.

What are you saying? My stats may be F-rank, but I’m not a sick person on their last legs.

“I’m fine. I’m okay, I can walk out.”

I looked up at the incredibly high ceiling one last time.

The decorations that must have been there were gone, and only the lonely, rusty chains occasionally rang in the wind. Could there have been stained glass in that large, round, empty space? Or perhaps something completely unexpected was installed.

And someday, someone else might have similar thoughts as they look at the square buildings and damaged outdoor billboards.

…Let’s stop with the useless fantasies.

“I’ve collected everything!”

Yerim shouted excitedly as we came outside. Her face was smudged with soot here and there. I felt sorry for the young, indebted breadwinner. Although, in reality, she’s earning hundreds of millions in side income.

“Don’t you have something like a handkerchief?”

“Why would I carry something like that? When you’re raiding dungeons, there are many times when even bringing boxes of towels isn’t enough.”

Well, yeah. I should have brought wet wipes.

We passed through the gate and entered the 2nd floor. Beneath the darkening sky, a city about twice the size of the 1st floor was situated in the middle of a desolate land. Unlike the 1st floor, the walls and buildings of the 2nd floor were relatively intact. Golems were outside the walls, and undead swarmed inside the city, making it a place where you would have to engage in urban warfare if you followed the textbook.

‘They’ve destroyed everything.’

One side of the high, sturdy wall had collapsed like a sandcastle. Beyond it, there were traces of monsters being pushed away along with the buildings.

“The cleanup crew is going out!”

Yerim raised one hand and bounced away.

Moon Hyuna and Sung Hyunjae, who had gone up to the 2nd floor first, approached us. As they got closer, I couldn’t help but sigh.

‘They had a fight in the meantime.’

Those damn humans. The clothes on Moon Hyuna’s left arm were charred black. Sung Hyunjae’s hair was also roughly disheveled.

They wouldn’t even be scratched by ordinary monsters in a lower A-rank dungeon, so they must have fought each other. Yoohyun seemed to notice it too, as his eyes narrowed. His fingertips twitched unconsciously, as if he was eager to start a fight himself.

“Hyuna-ssi, your clothes are burned?”

I asked, pretending not to know, and Moon Hyuna touched her exposed arm.

“It was an accident, an accident.”

Accident my ass.

“I didn’t think there would be any monsters here that could damage the Guild Leader Breaker’s clothes. Be careful. You came at my request, and I’d feel terrible if you got hurt.”

Moon Hyuna’s eyebrows twitched at my words implying she was hurt by an A-rank monster.

“Hyungnim, that’s too much. Do you think some measly A-rank burned my clothes? Of course, that bastard did it. That bastard, that bastard.”

I put on an expression of disbelief at his sudden confession.

“You’ve been picking fights since before we entered the dungeon, and you ended up actually fighting? We came as the same raid team, but fighting is nothing to be proud of. You’re not kids, and you’re old enough to know better.”

“No, Hyungnim. Listen. Hyungnim, you have low stats, so you don’t know—”

“It has nothing to do with stats. If you want to have a power struggle, find a place to do it separately. Today, we’re gathered at my request, aren’t we?”

Let’s finish this quickly without any trouble and go home, okay?

Moon Hyuna glared at Sung Hyunjae as if she felt wronged, but Sung Hyunjae pretended not to notice and straightened his disheveled hair.

“Hyungnim, aren’t you being too hard on me?”

“Not at all, you must be mistaken. How much do I like Hyuna-ssi? I love you, Moon Hyuna-ssi.”

“You’re good with words! Say something to Sung Hyunjae too!”

“Ah, yes. I love you, Sung Hyunjae-ssi.”

“Not that!”

“Did you collect all the magic stones already? Okay. I love you too, Yerim-ah. And our Yoohyun, and Sunghan-ssi. And of course, I love Peace too.”

Yerim grabbed my arm and gave me a mischievous look.

“Then who do you love the most?”

Look at this kid.

“Someone who doesn’t cause trouble and listens well.”

“I think I was good today!”

Good kids don’t pick fights with others. Yoohyun, why are you looking at me with such expectant eyes? The ones who didn’t cause any trouble and listened well today were Peace and Kim Sunghan-ssi.

* * *

The sun had set. We hadn’t even cleared half of the vast city yet.

Of course, the raid speed for an A-rank dungeon was very fast. It seemed like it would be over by tomorrow, so it wouldn’t even take two days. If all the S-ranks here had mounts, it would have been cleared in a day.

Whoosh.

A flame the size of a human head rose up. It wasn’t a bonfire. But it wasn’t gas or electric either. It was a minor dungeon item. Lighting such a bright fire in the middle of a dungeon raid was usually taboo because it made you an easy target for monsters, but with this group, we could blast music on huge speakers, spin a mirror ball under spotlights, and set off fireworks without any problems.

In addition, a tent was set up. It was a tent made from dungeon byproducts that could be stored in an inventory. But hunters didn’t use them often. Tents blocked their senses and were inconvenient for quick escapes, so they usually just used sleeping bags unless the environment was harsh.

“You must be tired, go inside and sleep.”

Yoohyun said, handing the shrunken Peace to me.

“That’s right, Ahjussi, go to sleep quickly.”

“Don’t worry about what’s happening outside and get some rest.”

No, I don’t need to sleep.

“I can stay up all night for a day or so. I stayed up all night when I was training Peace, why would I lie down and sleep in a dungeon now? It’s better to finish quickly and get out.”

“We’re going to continue the raid. We’re going to hunt in shifts of two.”

Considering the distance, it would be better if I just followed along. Besides, why two people? It doesn’t seem like they’ll just be catching monsters.

“But it’ll be faster if I go with you.”

“It’s dangerous in the dark. Just rest comfortably, okay?”

Yoohyun spoke in an excessively kind tone and expression. Looking to the side, Yerim was touching the Ice Tree Spear with shining eyes. Moon Hyuna had already changed her damaged top, and Sung Hyunjae had changed his gloves.

They’re up to something.

Well, honestly, it’s amazing that these humans are even paying attention to me this much. Yoohyun and Yerim are one thing, but the other two have lived without caring about anyone’s gaze since they awakened. It’s amazing that those mavericks are being docile, at least in front of me. But still.

“Okay, I’ll sleep. But listen.”

I didn’t want to use this method.

“Just catch monsters. Don’t do anything else. Yerim, you too. The other two as well. If I see any signs of fighting between team members.”

I took a breath and continued.

“I’ll tell Hunter Yoo Myungwoo. I’ve been telling you not to fight until my tongue is sore, but you ignored me, so I can’t sleep because of the stress, my stomach hurts, and I feel like I’m going to cry. I’ll clutch my forehead and lament that I’m sick because of you, that I’m going to die because of you. Then there will be no mercy. You’ve all seen the broadcast, right? You’ve heard about what happened in the waiting room, right?”

The faces that initially looked like they thought it was a joke gradually hardened. The mounts are already under contract, but Myungwoo is different. Myungwoo, I’m sorry, let me borrow your authority for a moment.

“No, Ahjussi. I haven’t even properly equipped myself yet. I only have one spear.”

“Then don’t fight. Get along with your teammates.”

“We’re just going to spar lightly, it won’t even turn into a fight.”

“No exceptions for my dongsaeng [younger sibling/friend].”

Lightly my ass. It’s not like I’ve only seen the ranking matches once or twice, and S-ranks are the kind of people who are desperate to go all the way nine times out of ten. Their clothes were burned after leaving them alone for just 10 minutes, I get a headache just imagining how far they’ll go if they’re separated far away.

“Ah, and I’ll show goodwill to those who give me information in good faith. As much as you’re satisfied.”

I added that in case they colluded and destroyed the evidence, and went into the tent.

– Growl.

“Yes, yes. Peace. Let’s sleep together for the first time in a while.”

Peace is the best after all.

* * *

I fell asleep more deeply than I thought, and when I opened my eyes,

[SS-rank skill, ‘Fearsome Chick Class Teacher’ acquired! >ㅁ<] The message window was floating around. What is this… But this…… ‘It’s that deer bastard.’ Please don’t let that deer bastard name the skills. * * * – Peep. □□□□□□□ cried softly. He hadn’t seen his dad in a long time. It had only been two days in reality, but it felt very long to □□□’s young senses. – Kyaa! Kyaak! “Blue, no! Be good, come here!” The Hae Yeon’s A-rank hunter reached out to the young griffin hanging from the ceiling light cover. He had received the proof of ownership from Han Yoojin, but he couldn’t stay still no matter how much he was soothed, perhaps because he was still young. The hunter, who forcibly grabbed Blue and took him off the ceiling, looked back at the lump of fur that was drooping gloomily. “Piyak, what’s wrong? Are you hungry?” – Pee. □□□ fluttered and jumped off the sofa. The place he headed to with slow steps was none other than Han Yoojin’s bedroom. – Piyak piyak! “Should I open the door for you?” □□□, who entered through the open door, tilted his little head and looked up at the bed. When he fluttered, the hunter picked up □□□ and put him down on the bed. “Dad isn’t here. He’ll be here tomorrow.” – Piya. □□□ slumped down on the empty bed. The hunter looked at the baby bird with pity before leaving the room. The screaming sounds were heard loudly again. – Peep peep pee. He’s not here. – Piyak pi! He’s not here. He doesn’t come even if I call him. □□□ fluttered and stood up again. If he’s not here, let’s find him. – Piyak! Dad! □□□ shouted vigorously. And he tried to draw out his lacking strength. If Han Yoojin had checked □□□’s status window here now, he would have seen an amazing change. ‘□□□□□□ acquired after growth’ was replaced with ‘Ruler of Space (L) acquired’. – Peeek!! And, – …Piya. He failed. It’s still not enough. I’m also hungry. Very much. – Piyak… Piyak piyak piyak!! The status window returned to normal and □□□ began to cry sadly.