The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 87

The rooftop garden was a disaster.

Tables were wrecked beyond recognition, the ground was torn up, and a thick layer of lingering poison made it difficult for even A-Rank Hunters to approach. Adding to the scene, the still-frozen grass and garden trees dripped water under the summer sun.

I had just moved in yesterday.

‘It’s fortunate the building is intact, though.’

Considering it was a fight between S-Rank Hunters, the damage was relatively mild. It must be because Yerim is a low-level ice-type magic user and Noah’s initial skills were support-based. The skills he used during the attack seemed related to the Dio Valshesis title [a powerful, potentially dangerous title], so he probably wasn’t fully proficient with them yet.

Noah left with Song Taewon and the Association Hunters. If it weren’t for his sister’s issues, he seemed like a decent guy, so hopefully, he’ll be alright.

“Ahjussi! You need to get treated too!”

Yerim, fully recovered, waved me over. She was soaked, having doused herself with water from the garden tap. Her arm, where the blood had been washed away, was smooth and flawless, as if it had never been injured.

As expected, high-level healers are invaluable. As long as I provide mana potions, it’s like having an endless supply of precious high-level healing potions.

“I already used a potion—”

Splash.

As soon as I approached, Yerim dumped a bucket of water over my head. It was summer, but the water was still cold.

“Ah, there are still scars left. Healer Ahjussi, over here!”

Hovering slightly in the air, Yerim checked my wounds and called for a healer. It’s true that when healers or potions are available, it’s best to quickly clean the wounds to check and treat them, but she’s really straightforward. That kid is a bit… intense.

Thanks to her, my scars were completely gone. Sung Hyunjae said he had business and left with the healer, leaving only a few people behind for the cleanup.

I should go inside to wash up and change, but I felt tired, so I just sat down on a nearby bench. If I went in wet, I’d have to wipe up the water I dripped. The summer sun is nice, so I’ll dry off a bit before going inside.

“How did you even get to know such a strange woman, Ahjussi?”

Yerim asked, sitting down next to me.

“SNS [Social Networking Service].”

“So this is the downside of SNS.”

Yerim muttered, watching the Hunters dealing with the poison. I think it’s a bit different, though.

“Anyway, don’t go around saying ‘love’ so easily. You saw what happened earlier; that crazy guy’s eyes went wild when that strange woman said she loved him. I don’t know why he took it out on you, though. Is it because he’s crazy? If his condition was abnormal, he should have given you a heads-up about forbidden words.”

“I don’t plan to anymore.”

I’ll just comfortably raise monsters. I should be able to complete my goal within 5 years. Considering what happened today, and seeing Yerim keep bringing up keywords, it seems a bit dangerous.

‘I definitely didn’t plan to overuse keywords at first; is this also an effect of fear resistance?’

I’m recklessly doing things without thinking about the consequences. Thinking about it, telling Sung Hyunjae the keyword was a really crazy thing to do. What am I going to do by applying the keyword to that guy? Have regular meetings and have him use my baby’s skill to raise them?

I shouldn’t even think about touching humans who are already S-Rank. I’ll only use it on non-awakened people or S-Rank or higher special skill holders who are difficult to optimize awaken. Of course, after thoroughly investigating them.

‘I only thought about the positive aspects because the title is Perfect Nurturer.’

Even if it’s negative, if the influence as a nurturer is significant, the keyword effect appears.

Looking back, Riete put her own effort into raising her brother. It’s like an S-Rank advanced version of parents who send their kids to cram schools and monitor their every move, not letting them rest. ‘This is all for your own good, I’m suffering too, I’m spending money and time on you.’

So, an A-Rank did become an S-Rank. If you don’t know the inside story and only look at the surface, it’s a success.

“…I was a bit naive.”

“A bit? Lately, you’ve been like a rabbit.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re running around without your liver [acting recklessly]. It was the same earlier. That crazy guy’s sister is also an S-Rank, but you were yelling at her. You had a right to be angry, but still, you’re a stranger.”

“I have a younger brother, so it didn’t feel like someone else’s problem.”

Since the keyword has already been applied, I’m not completely a stranger. The skill name is My Baby… no, it’s not really like that. Thinking about the list in the skill window, the skill name is a bit awkward. Damn deer.

“It is someone else’s problem. Besides, you’re talking about your brother like you raised him as a child? You said your parents passed away when you were in high school, right? Then the Guild Leader would have been around thirteen or fourteen? He was almost grown up. I’m fifteen.”

“Grown up? I took care of Yoohyun from around the time he entered kindergarten. He even gave me a carnation on Parents’ Day.”

It breaks my heart that I threw it all away in a fit of anger. I should have asked to go back 7 years instead of 5.

Yerim’s eyes widened at my words.

“Why, when your parents were still alive and well? You were just a kid too. …Was your family atmosphere a bit, not good……?”

“It wasn’t like that. They were both working……? How did it happen? My parents were on good terms. They went out to eat together almost every day after work and went on trips on weekends. They passed away at the same time because of an accident while traveling. They were known as a loving couple to everyone around them.”

“…That seems a bit unusual.”

Yerim said, narrowing her brows slightly.

Well, there are parents who aren’t interested in their children. They took care of the basics, and everyone around them said they were a happy family, so I thought so too.

‘Come to think of it, I didn’t think about my parents at all when using the Stone of Wishes.’

Yoohyun was the only thing on my mind, but even if that weren’t the case, I wouldn’t have thought about going back to before my parents passed away. Even if I tried to stop them from traveling or gave them advice, they wouldn’t have listened, and more than anything, I don’t want to experience the dungeon shock again.

Even if the same thing happens again, there’s no guarantee that the outcome will be the same. If Yoohyun hadn’t awakened and was attacked by a monster… that can’t happen.

‘Still, I feel newly apologetic.’

I should visit the columbarium [a place for storing cremated remains] when Yoohyun comes out.

* * *

Facilities for detaining high-level Awakened Ones were still inadequate. Especially for S-Rank combat Hunters, it was practically up to them to stay confined. There was only one S-Rank Hunter affiliated with a national institution, so it was impossible to monitor them one-on-one 24 hours a day. Therefore, on days like today when an S-Rank Hunter was brought in, a subtle tension permeated the entire Hunter detention center.

Noah Looheer was sitting in a chair in the visitation room. He was much calmer than when he was rampaging, but there was still a hint of confusion on his face.

After a moment, the door opened and Sung Hyunjae, the Guild Leader of Sesung, entered. He tossed an item that blocked surrounding sounds onto the table and sat across from Noah.

“I didn’t tell you to cause an accident as soon as you entered the country.”

His tone was slightly dumbfounded. In fact, he was unusually flustered.

Noah’s poison skill, derived from the Dio Valshesis twin title, was S-Rank. Even with high-level poison resistance items, someone with F-Rank stats wouldn’t be able to withstand it. Fortunately, it wasn’t immediately effective but rather a type of curse-like poison that gradually dominated the opponent’s body, so he rushed to the breeding facility with a healer.

But the scene he saw upon arrival was completely different from what he expected.

“…I’m sorry.”

Noah said. His voice was weak, but he wasn’t as frightened as he was in front of Riete.

“I’d rather hear the reason than an apology. I don’t understand the situation at all.”

Sung Hyunjae roughly knew about the relationship between Noah and Riete. In the first place, Noah joined Sung Hyunjae’s group to gain the power to confront his sister.

“It’s too much to ruin things like this so soon after I made you useful. At this rate, it will be difficult for you to operate properly in Korea.”

Sung Hyunjae sighed exaggeratedly.

“If you’ve paid the price, you must keep your promise.”

“…Even if it’s a price, didn’t my sister end up getting the same thing?”

A faint edge appeared in Noah’s eyes. Sung Hyunjae calmly accepted the gaze.

“I can’t help it if that’s the condition of the title. The condition wasn’t ‘better than Riete’ in the promise to make you stronger, so the price isn’t wrong.”

Noah’s eyebrows furrowed at the brazen words that knew all the circumstances. At the same time, he looked at Sung Hyunjae with a puzzled expression.

It would never be a welcome thing for Sung Hyunjae to have Riete, who was already strong enough, obtain the Dio Valshesis twin title. No matter how precious the SSS-Rank title was, it was still strange to hand it over to someone who could hold a knife to his throat.

“Why……”

“I’d rather hear why you attacked Han Yoojin. I’ve already asked twice.”

Noah closed his mouth. His hand on the table twitched slightly unconsciously.

“…I felt something strange from the moment I first encountered him.”

“Strange feeling?”

“Yes. Similar to my sister or me, a curse poison dragon species… should I say.”

He had been slightly nervous from the moment he felt it. Moreover, that strange energy was even stronger than Riete’s.

“He clearly looks weak, and he is weak, but he felt like a higher species.”

“So you were reminded of your sister?”

“…Maybe.”

Noah answered, tilting his head slightly. His voice was unsure even to himself.

He was certain that he felt Riete from Han Yoojin. Even now, his heart fluttered when he thought of him. Noah’s hands were tightly intertwined.

“Curse poison dragon species, a title? I wondered where the S-Rank or higher poison resistance suddenly came from. I wonder if he has curse resistance like you or Riete. That would be a bit annoying.”

Sung Hyunjae muttered quietly. He couldn’t even guess how someone with F-Rank stats could obtain such a title. Moreover, according to Noah, it was superior to Dio Valshesis. Even if it was similar, it was SSS-Rank.

‘But he doesn’t seem to have any attack skills… when he was kidnapped?’

He was definitely reported that two of the deceased were poisoned, and the rest were hit by curse skills.

Sung Hyunjae, who had been deep in thought, stood up. He looked down at Noah for a moment before picking up the item on the table.

“Let’s keep it so that you have no contact for a while.”

He didn’t show any reaction when Noah entered the country or visited the breeding facility, so there would be no reason to be suspected. A curious visit as a person involved in the incident wouldn’t be strange either.

Even after Sung Hyunjae left, Noah remained seated. He ignored the signal from outside to come out. Unable to enter rashly, footsteps went back and forth chaotically outside the door.

‘…Han Yoojin.’

Riete’s voice rang loudly in his ears. She must be very angry. Noah unconsciously shrank his shoulders.

He remembered her repeatedly telling him to treat Han Yoojin well, showing rare favor towards him. But because of him, their relationship was not only strained but completely cut off. Her angry voice, telling him not to even think about coming to Korea, not to even dream of showing his face, mixed with Riete’s voice.

Then, Riete’s voice gradually faded and eventually stopped.

Resolutely.

“Ah……”

Noah looked at the back of his hand, which had been pricked by his already sharpened nails. Blood was flowing. But he felt no pain, as if he had been anesthetized.

Instead of pain, his whole body was filled with fear mixed with impatience.

Thump.

He couldn’t stand it any longer and jumped up from his seat.

* * *

“The preparations are perfect.”

I spread out various toys in the living room and muttered with satisfaction.

“As expected, the best way to make them sleep soundly is to play with them to their heart’s content and wear them out.”

Last night, Comet slept the longest, for an hour, after playing excitedly. After that, we played for another hour, but he woke up after only thirty minutes because he was tired, and I just went along with it.

So, if I play with him with all my might, for as long as possible, he will sleep for a long time. Please, please let it be so.

‘He’s too young to be left in the breeding facility like the unicorns.’

Besides, the unicorns are always stuck together and don’t look for me much or feel lonely. On the other hand, when Comet wakes up and doesn’t see me, he beeps and flies around looking for me.

So, what can I do? I have to endure by napping for a while. Fortunately, I can leave Blue in the breeding facility during the day. Ppiyak is quiet unless he’s in eating mode. He’s been having fun with children’s toys lately and plays well by himself.

– Ppiyak!

Ppiyak came toddling over and cried ppiyak again at my feet.

“What’s wrong, Ppiyak? Did you finish the puzzle? Should I flip it over?”

– Ppiyak ppiyak!

His flapping and jumping pose means he wants me to hold him. When I lift up the bouncing fluff ball, he becomes quiet.

Blue is already asleep, should I put Ppiyak to sleep too?

Just then, my phone rang. Song Taewon’s slightly stiff voice flowed out when I answered the phone.

[Are you home alone right now?]

“Yes? For now.”

Ry Myungwoo is in a state of being neither there nor not there. He appears and disappears to cook. Is he a house elf [a reference to the Harry Potter series]?

[Noah Looheer has disappeared. Just in case, absolutely do not go outside. I contacted Haeyeon, so Hunter Kim Sunghan will arrive soon.]

“…Yes, I understand.”

Disappeared, where did he go? Since they have the same title, Noah might have a skill to hide himself like Riete. Then it will be difficult to find him.

‘I was going to put him in the detention center and try to appease him slowly, but this is troublesome.’

I thought he was stable, but what if he comes looking for me again… Could it be?

I put Ppiyak down and approached the front door. There was a monitor on the wall that could check not only right in front of the front door but also around the mini-portal entrance.

Beyond the clearly visible screen, I could see the figure of a platinum blonde young man crouching next to the portal.

‘…Is he a kicked-out puppy or something.’

Why is he doing that there? First, I sent a text message to Kim Sunghan asking him to wait outside the building for a while. If the two of them fought inside the building, I would be homeless in an instant.

Then, I picked up the intercom receiver connected to the mini-portal.

“Noah-ssi?”

Noah raised his head, which he had buried between his knees. I was worried that he would get agitated just hearing my voice, but fortunately, he just looked a little scared.

“What happened?”

When I asked as kindly as possible, he slowly got up.

[…No, just. I got a little scared…….]

“Riete?”

He nodded. Well, he must be afraid of the aftermath since he caused such a big incident. His eyes were trembling slightly, making me click my tongue involuntarily. Seriously, Riete.

“Do you want to come in?”

I was taken aback by my own words. No, this isn’t right. Fortunately, Noah shook his head first.

[No… I might, not be able to hold back again……. Can I just stay here for a while……? Just until morning.]

“Yes. It’s okay. But you have to go back to the detention center quietly in the morning.”

I sighed as I watched Noah nod. It must be uncomfortable.

I put down the receiver and called Song Taewon. I told him that Noah was in front of the portal and promised to go back quietly in the morning, and he was silent for a long time before saying he understood.

[If he cooperates willingly, it’s better to wait. I’ll go there too.]

“I think you can come in the morning. Hunter Kim Sunghan is already here.”

[To suppress him with minimal damage in case of an emergency, it’s better for me to join in too.]

“…Should I try to persuade him to go straight back to the detention center?”

[No. It’s better than searching all night.]

That’s true, but. Fortunately, the staff dormitory is well equipped.

I conveyed similar information to Kim Sunghan and turned my gaze back to the monitor. Noah was crouching in the same position as when I first saw him.

And in the morning, he quietly returned to the detention center as promised.

Before I could even catch my breath, I received a call that Yoohyun had come out of the dungeon. Sooner than expected.