The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 86

Thud!

A heavy sound, like something substantial had fallen, echoed from nearby. I could see the shadows of people moving through the garden’s landscaping. A-Rank Hunters.

And shortly after,

“Please step back.”

Kim Sunghan vaulted over the rooftop garden wall and approached me. It hadn’t been long since the chaos erupted, but he wasn’t coming from the elevator; he must have jumped. He was likely the source of that thud from earlier.

Noah was still frozen, cowering. Visibly potent poison lingered around his feet.

“Yerim, come here.”

I reached out to Yerim, who was staggering slightly as she stepped onto the lawn.

“It won’t work. The antidote I have won’t work on this poison.”

“I have poison resistance. Just come here!”

Attribute resistances broaden in scope at B-Rank or higher. Even S-Ranks get a slight effect on their clothing, equipment, and even the space around their bodies. My poison resistance is L-Rank, so I should be able to apply it to at least one person.

I spoke firmly, in a commanding tone, and Yerim hesitated but approached. I quickly reached out and pulled the blood-soaked girl into my arms.

“How’s your arm?”

Yerim rested the back of her head against my chest and examined her poisoned arm. The sight of the dug-up, blackened wound made my brow furrow involuntarily. Even though I’d seen wounds like this often, it still stung. I’d rather be the one hurt.

“It doesn’t seem to be spreading anymore. The pain has subsided too. It still hurt a bit even after taking a Hunter’s painkiller.”

“That’s good. If you feel blood rising from inside, don’t hold it back, just spit it out.”

“Um, I feel fine inside.”

No internal injuries, it seemed. Her agility-focused instant teleportation skill and ability to bind her opponent’s feet allowed her to withstand even much stronger opponents. I felt both proud and sorry for her.

Clang!

A sheet of iron, about 1.5 meters [approximately 5 feet] in length and width, slammed into the ground in front of Kim Sunghan. Noah raised his head at the sound. His eyes still weren’t right.

‘How could anyone see him as a kind, obedient younger brother?’

Well, he probably was docile in front of Riet. He must have been convinced that she was a terrifying opponent he couldn’t handle. But as soon as that older sister, that seemingly sisterly figure, was deemed weak, he lost his reason and attacked. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how much he had been suppressing himself.

The doubled effect of Rauchitas’s nemesis trait, combined with the Dragon Slayer title, seemed to have triggered some kind of affinity, just like with Riet, and the keyword applied easily, which was good, but I didn’t expect this chaos. Not all guardians are good people, and it was my fault for not properly investigating. I should have listened to the ward instead of the guardian.

“How long until another S-Rank Hunter arrives?”

“The message has likely been sent, but even if they left immediately, it would take at least ten minutes or so.”

Kim Sunghan had only recently become an S-Rank, but as a defense-oriented Hunter, he should be able to hold out for that long. Still, if Noah rampaged any more against Kim Sunghan, nothing would be left. Unlike with Yerim, it would be a clash of pure power. I had to avoid having my house destroyed just one day after moving in.

I sighed and pulled out my phone. Thankfully, it was intact.

‘The target of his hatred is definitely Riet.’

There’s no way he’d try to kill me, whom he just met today, with such rage. The person Noah feared but also wanted to attack was undoubtedly his sister. Which was understandable.

‘It’s not easy for an A-Rank Hunter to grow into an S-Rank.’

Kim Sunghan, for example, had been stuck at A-Rank for over five years. Part of it was because he was defense-oriented and grew slowly, but even the Hunter who was known to have grown from A-Rank to S-Rank the fastest took five and a half years.

But Noah became an S-Rank in, at most, three years. Just how harshly did she have to push him to achieve such rapid growth? It wouldn’t be surprising if Riet had a title like ‘Guardian from Hell’.

[Hello, honey~]

A cheerful voice flowed from the phone, which I had turned up to the maximum volume on the speaker. At the same time, Noah, who was about to pounce on Kim Sunghan, paused again, startled.

“Riet.”

[Yes, yes~ Did you meet my brother? Isn’t he cute?]

“He’s here right now. There’s a bit of a problem, though.”

[What problem?]

“He was attacking me.”

[Huh? He wouldn’t do that. Pebble?]

At the call in a slightly raised voice, Noah’s eyes widened. Seeing the clear fear in his eyes, I felt a twinge of sympathy, even though he was the one who attacked me and Yerim.

[I asked you to treat my darling politely. Are you listening?]

Noah inhaled sharply and answered quietly.

“…Yes, Sister.”

[Why is your voice so small? Is what he’s saying true?]

“…Yes, I’m sorry…….”

Even though his voice was barely audible, it seemed to have reached her over the phone.

[Why would my good little brother do that? I’m sorry, honey. Are you okay? Of course, you’re okay, but I just wanted to make sure.]

“…I’m fine.”

Seeing Noah’s completely terrified expression, a lie slipped out unintentionally. I was the victim, so why did I keep feeling like I was doing something wrong to Noah?

Just then, a voice that was welcome for once rang out.

“It’s a shame the Young Master is absent. He could have enjoyed an interesting spectacle.”

It was Sung Hyunjae. He had arrived sooner than expected, bringing a healer with him. The dark-skinned, brown-haired man with the healer’s mark on his chest was none other than Sesung’s A-Rank healer. I remembered that he was one of only two A-Rank healers in the country, and he was Indian.

“She’s been poisoned. It seems to be partially detoxified, but please treat her.”

At my words, Sung Hyunjae looked back and forth between me and Yerim, then raised the corner of his lips.

“Poison resistance. At least S-Rank, I presume. Our Han Yoojin is quite talented.”

His voice was somehow satisfied, and I frowned. It’s my skill, so why is he so pleased? Is it because it means less work for him?

More than that, he’s disgustingly perceptive. He could have just thought I was giving her an antidote and supporting her, but how did he know right away?

[Oh my, oh my, oh my, whose voice is that? Honey, don’t play with that old man. He’s a very sinister person. He’s dangerous.]

Look who’s talking.

“If you’ve come all the way to Korea, you should at least show your face. I was disappointed to hear the news, Miss Riet.”

[Oh dear, were you planning a move? Or perhaps some reconstruction?]

“To think you’d end it with just that, your temper has mellowed out a lot. Well, it’s about time you started acting your age.”

[Why can’t I use my skills through the phone? Honey, please give him a nice stab for me.]

They’re getting along so well. Why don’t they just contact each other directly without me? They probably even have each other’s phone numbers.

I left Yerim to the healer and turned my gaze to Noah. All signs of aggression had vanished, and his transformed hands had returned to normal. The A-Rank Hunters couldn’t even think of approaching because of the lingering poison.

He seemed to sense my gaze and glanced up, then immediately lowered his head again.

‘…What am I going to do with him?’

I couldn’t undo the keyword application now. I shouldn’t have trusted Riet. That woman genuinely seemed to think her brother was kind and obedient. She was even surprisingly well-intentioned towards him.

It suddenly reminded me that the goodwill of high-level Awakened beings could become violence. Riet and Noah were both high-level Awakened, but was it because one was a born S-Rank?

‘Should I try to persuade him somehow?’

I didn’t know if he would listen, but I couldn’t just leave him like this.

Just then, more people arrived. This time, it seemed to be from the Association, as Song Taewon was also present. He glanced at Noah for a moment before approaching me.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m not quite alright, but I’m fine.”

The front of my top was tattered and bloodstained. Still, I had used a potion to stop the bleeding, and the wounds had healed reasonably well. If I didn’t have poison resistance, I might have crossed the river Styx [the river separating the living from the underworld in Greek mythology].

[Ooh, hello, Mr. Civil Servant!]

Riet chimed in again, recognizing him.

“Do not conduct illegal contract transactions in Korea.”

[Oh my, have I already been caught? You’re so quick. I was being so careful.]

I ignored her giggling and moved towards Noah. But as soon as I took a single step,

Thump.

My shoulders were grabbed. Both of them. Sung Hyunjae and Song Taewon were both looking down at me. Their expressions were different, yet somehow similar.

“I suppose people can’t change overnight, but you’re still as defenseless as ever.”

“For once, I agree with Chief Song. If you insist on approaching him, wait a moment. We’ll neutralize him.”

Neutralize… well, I won’t bother asking.

“There’s no need for that. I just intend to talk to him.”

I’m not an idiot; I wouldn’t approach him recklessly. I was just trying to get close enough to talk. With Sung Hyunjae and Song Taewon here, it wouldn’t be dangerous as long as I maintained a certain distance.

More than anything, Noah was completely subdued now. He occasionally glanced at Sung Hyunjae instead of me, so were they acquainted? He knew Riet, so maybe.

“Riet, it seems your brother has a lot of grievances against you.”

I asked to understand the situation accurately. Riet, and even Noah, flinched.

[How could that be? I took such good care of my brother!]

“Took good care of him? How?”

[How else? Can’t you see? I didn’t abandon that weakling and raised him to be like this. I suffered so much. He was so frail that he acted like he was about to die at any moment. If I didn’t love my brother, I would have thrown him away a long time ago. Right, Pebble?]

The moment the words ‘love my brother’ came out, Noah bit down on his lower lip.

“Yes, Sister.”

[See, he says so.]

“…Still, your brother seems young. Weren’t you a bit too harsh? He must have been even younger when he Awakened.”

[Young? He’s almost twenty. He’s nineteen.]

Her cheerful answer made the back of my neck ache. He looked like he was in his early twenties, but he was a year younger than Yoohyun.

[If I hadn’t raised him, he would still be useless and helpless. Even now, he’s not up to my standards~ Just look at today. How difficult is it to just meet my darling? He still made a mistake. My beloved Pebble, when will you ever become useful?]

Each time Riet casually cut him down, Noah’s eyes darkened. I thought she had only tormented him physically to raise his stats to S-Rank. But it seemed that wasn’t the case.

[He’s pointlessly creating guilds and engaging in lazy childish games. It’s frustrating to watch.]

…This woman is an S-Rank Hunter. Moreover, she has an SSS-Rank title. If there were a ranking battle right now, she would definitely be competing for first or second place. If I mess with her, I’m doomed. I have to get along with her.

…Damn it, I don’t care. My warning lights are off.

“Riet, you’re being a sister, what kind of bullshit are you spouting to your own brother!”

[Huh? What’s wrong, honey?]

“What do you mean, ‘what’s wrong’? How can you drive and badger a kid to that extent! Every word you say makes his face completely die. Did you really not know your brother was like that?!”

[No, when you raise a child, you can scold them sometimes, right?]

“Did I only raise your brother? I raised mine too! I’ve never spoken to Yoohyun like that!”

Of course, I didn’t when he was young, and after we drifted apart, I wasn’t in a position to belittle him in the first place. No, even if I was better than him, I would never have said such bullshit.

[But honey, he’s weak. If you suffer a lot, you’ll become stronger, and it’ll be easier to live in this harsh world.]

Riet made excuses, flustered.

“If your brother is weak, protect him! Don’t drive him into a corner! You’re strong enough to protect him! Besides, he’s only nineteen now, and when he Awakened… damn it, are you really crazy? He would have been at least A-Rank when he Awakened, and that’s excellent. Just because he doesn’t meet your standards, what’s with all the suffering?”

[A-Rank is weak. He’s my brother.]

“He’s not weak! And so what if he’s your brother? You shouldn’t try to control your children as you please, and you’re proudly dictating your brother as you please? Enough, don’t even think about coming to Korea.”

[H-Honey? That’s going to be a problem?]

“Unless you fix that crazy mindset and sincerely apologize to your brother, don’t even dream of showing your face!”

[Wait—!]

I hung up. Riet called back, but I ignored it.

Well, I’ll have to be careful for a while. It’s fortunate that Riet mistakenly thinks I’m strong. Even if she realizes I’m weak, she said she has a monster to raise, so she probably won’t try to kill me right away.

“…Sister.”

Just then, a faint murmur was heard. It was Noah. He was staring blankly at me, as if surprised or dazed.

Did I speak too harshly to his sister in front of him? It’s not a normal sibling relationship, but still.

“What will happen to Noah?”

I asked Song Taewon. There were injuries, so they couldn’t just let it go. Would he be taken into custody? It would be a problem if he was deported as a foreign Hunter.

“Since there were no injuries to non-Awakened individuals, he will be detained, and a settlement request will be made. In this case, a foreign Hunter attacked a Korean Hunter, so if you wish, we can immediately deport him and protest to the relevant national association.”

“I don’t want him deported. Could we, conversely, impose something like a travel ban?”

“It’s possible for up to 30 days until a settlement is reached.”

“Then please do that. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. It’s my job.”

I’ve bought some time, at least, and I’ll have to try to persuade him slowly.

“The two of you seem to have a good relationship. Should I strangle you too?”

Sung Hyunjae said something ridiculous. That got to his ears too, huh.

“Then I’ll have to report it. Putting you behind bars will definitely make our relationship more comfortable than before.”

“The discrimination is severe.”

In the meantime, Song Taewon put special handcuffs on Noah. They were made for Hunters, but they wouldn’t be of much use against an S-Rank, but Noah was docile. All the lingering poison had completely disappeared, and he was just staring at me like a child who had lost his mother.

…I suddenly miss Yoohyun. When is that kid coming out?