The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 88

“I’ll go with you.”

[Yes. I’ll come to pick you up.]

I ended the call with Kim Sunghan and immediately prepared to go out. My head was spinning the entire time I was leaving the house.

‘It hasn’t even been a week.’

Could it be that they didn’t clear it normally and came out halfway through? If they had to use a Gate Stone [a consumable item that allows for emergency exits from dungeons], it’s hard to believe they came out unscathed.

“Seriously, that little brother of mine!”

And he lectures me about being in danger! He should take care of himself first!

I went outside and got into the waiting car. Even without traffic, it would take over 30 minutes to get to the S-Rank dungeon Yoohyun went into.

“Any other news?”

At my words, Kim Sunghan looked away from his phone.

“The surveillance cameras in the Gate Room cannot be immediately checked for security reasons. Also, if the attack team’s strength is similar to or falls short of the minimum standard for the dungeon’s rank, access to the area around the Gate is restricted. Especially with high-ranking Hunters, they often can’t distinguish between friend and foe immediately after an attack or escape, so rash approaches are strictly prohibited.”

I knew that. It was quite common for Hunters to be on edge after a fierce battle where lives were at stake, and if unfamiliar people, especially Hunters who could be a threat, approached, they would attack first.

Especially since this time it was an S-Rank Hunter and they came out faster than the expected attack period, no one would dare to approach rashly.

“Still, shouldn’t we check on his condition?”

Despite knowing the regulations, I couldn’t help but complain. If Yoonyoon were here, I could have asked him to take a look first.

“Whether it’s an attack or an escape, once it’s confirmed that the Gate has been activated, there shouldn’t be any major problems. We’ve also prepared high-grade potions in the Gate Room just in case. And personally, I think they succeeded in the attack. The number of people is small, but that means there’s less to worry about, and they have Peace, too.”

…Come to think of it, I heard that having Peace could cut the dungeon attack time by as much as half. The original estimate was over ten days, so if it really was halved, there was a good chance they finished the attack and came out.

That would be a relief. Or is it really a relief? They caught the boss monster, so isn’t the probability of him being seriously injured higher than if they had escaped midway?

Seriously, that crazy bastard. Damn it, he’s the same now as he will be in five years, not taking care of himself.

Without any further news, we arrived at the dungeon building. Being an S-Rank dungeon, the building was even bigger than the A-Rank dungeon last time. The surroundings were desolate. There were hardly any people on the streets, and some stores were closed.

Unlike low to mid-level dungeons, where problems rarely occur and can be dealt with quickly, the property values around high-level, especially S-Rank, dungeons plummet. Since there are no customers, stores close, and the residential areas are only used for sleeping because they’re cheap.

Unlike the empty streets, the area in front of the Gate building was crowded with people. In addition to the Haeyeon Hunters who were taking turns waiting, there were also people from the Association [referring to the Hunter Association, a governing body for Hunters].

As soon as I got out of the car, I headed straight for the entrance, and several people blocked me.

“It’s dangerous!”

“Please wait until we hear from inside.”

What more are they waiting for? Are they going to sit here and cry all night? I’ve already been up half the night.

Still, I understand why they’re blocking me.

“Kim Sunghan, would you lead the way?”

“Yes. Please don’t step in front of me.”

When they heard that an S-Rank defense Hunter would accompany me, no one else stopped us. Or maybe they couldn’t stop us.

The closed door opened, and we went inside. As big as the building was, the hallway was even longer. There weren’t any other facilities compared to low to mid-level dungeons. Just layers of walls.

Perhaps because of that, the air felt stuffy, and as I walked, I felt even more suffocated. My lips moved unconsciously, wondering if they weren’t being too cautious.

Finally, the last door opened, and the smell of blood hit me. Han Yoohyun was standing in front of the blue Gate, which had finished its attack and was entering stabilization. I couldn’t see his expression well because of the backlight, but since he was standing on two legs, it seemed he didn’t have any major injuries.

Peace was next to him. He was out in his adult form, and when our eyes met, he wagged his tail.

Seriously, you damn things.

“Han Yoohyun, you!”

“Hi, hyung. Did you come to pick me up?”

“Pick you up, my ass! I came because you weren’t coming out—!”

I briefly wondered why this guy hadn’t come out, but then Yoohyun’s face came into full view. There was a long wound from his right eye to his ear. It was so close that if it had gone in a little further, his eye would have been injured.

My hand unconsciously reached for the wound.

“You’ll get blood on your clothes.”

“What did you do with the potion, to end up like this?”

“It’s not a big wound, and I saved it since I had Peace. You never know, since there’s only one inventory [referring to a limited storage space Hunters have to carry items].”

“Then why do something so reckless! Wait, the potion—”

Only after taking out a potion and treating the wound did I remember that there was a healer waiting outside. Well, it’s not like I need to save potions anymore.

– Kkeung, kking.

Then Peace whined softly. Looking down, Peace, who had shrunk to his cub size, was lifting one of his front paws. There was a long cut on his small paw.

Damn it.

“Peace! I’m sorry my brother is crazy. You’re the one suffering.”

I quickly picked up Peace and treated the wound on his paw. Look at how dirty his fur is. There were clumps of blood everywhere. He was even burying his head in my arms, looking listless.

“What’s wrong, Peace?”

– Kkiang.

“Are you tired?”

“He’s probably sleepy rather than tired.”

“Didn’t sleep properly, no, of course, he couldn’t have. Just the two of them.”

Since they couldn’t communicate, they couldn’t even take turns keeping watch. I clicked my tongue, and Yoohyun said in a slightly complaining voice.

“I’m sleepy too.”

“That’s why— no, let’s get out of here first. You’re a mess, and it’s best to go wash up and sleep. Are there any other injuries?”

“No, there aren’t.”

As I patted Peace and turned around, I saw Kim Sunghan with a somewhat ambiguous expression. He must have come inside, but when did he go back out?

“Guild Leader, you’re safe!”

“Did you finish the attack? Or—”

As soon as we left the building, people swarmed… no, they didn’t swarm, they just stayed far away and asked questions. It was like they dragged a beast out of a cage. My baby doesn’t bite. Then, when they thought it was okay, they approached one by one.

The Haeyeon Guild members were relieved and said they were glad, but the Association was different. They got excited at Kim Sunghan’s answer that they had cleared it and clung to him. They were bound to be excited since they had shortened the expected attack period of an S-Rank dungeon by half.

“Would you please go to the Hunter Association right away? The higher-ups want to quickly organize the situation and make an announcement.”

“If it becomes known that the management of S-Rank dungeons can be much more stable than before, the public will be able to feel more at ease. Please take Peace with you as well.”

Yeah, well, those are good words. But what more do they want from someone who hasn’t slept for days and has been through so much? They even want to take Peace, who is half asleep. Are they crazy? Would S-Rank dungeons start exploding one after another if it was delayed by a day?

“I can’t go right now, so contact me again tomorrow.”

My voice was naturally mixed with annoyance. The man from the Association was flustered.

“Yes? No, I’m talking to the Haeyeon Guild Leader. If you could give us an answer……”

“Don’t you know that such a request is rude? Do you not understand the situation? Or are you a Hunter, a Hunter Association person, who hasn’t even looked at a dungeon and just sits at a desk looking at paperwork? Ah, you probably went through one for new recruit training. Unless you won the Association-affiliated Hunter ID card hanging around your neck in a gambling den.”

Do they really not know what a quick clear of an S-Rank dungeon by just two people means? Are they brainless? The more I thought about it, the more angry I got, and my voice got louder, causing Peace in my arms to open his eyes.

– Kkiang.

“No, it’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

“We won’t take up too much time—”

– Keureureu.

When the man came a little closer, Peace suddenly bared his teeth. The man was startled and stepped back.

He must be very sleepy. He’s gotten sensitive. I soothed Peace and looked back at Yoohyun, just in case.

“Do you want to go?”

“No, not at all.”

Yeah, of course, he wouldn’t want to go. When even Yoohyun shook his head, the people from the Association couldn’t cling any longer. Still, I was worried they might bother us again, so I quickly got in the car and left.

* * *

[—Therefore, it is expected that this reduction in the S-Rank dungeon attack time by the Haeyeon Guild will have a positive effect on the phenomenon of avoiding areas around high-level dungeons.]

Along with the calm voice of the 9 o’clock news anchor, the data screen sent by the Hunter Association was displayed on the TV. The person who cleared the dungeon refused to cooperate, but they did their own research and made an announcement in a hurry.

Han Yoohyun leaned back on the one-person sofa and casually listened to the news. There was nothing new or important.

Then, he suddenly took out one of the items he had obtained as a reward for clearing the dungeon from his inventory.

A long, oval-shaped red egg about three finger-widths long. It glowed faintly in the dark living room.

[Red Egg – SSS-Rank]

There was no explanation, just the name and rank. Since the rank was high, it must be no ordinary item, but he didn’t know where or how to use it.

After looking at the egg for a while, he put it back in his inventory. Then, he turned his gaze to the long sofa.

His brother was asleep on the sofa. The fur of the Flame Horned Lion in Han Yoojin’s arms was glossy. After washing Peace, he sat on the sofa with a tired face and complained that he couldn’t sleep properly because of the newly arrived baby dragon. He said he would just close his eyes for a moment, and then he fell asleep.

Blue told him to wake him up at 8 o’clock because he had to go back before bedtime, but it was already past 9 o’clock. He hadn’t forgotten. He had no intention of waking him up in the first place.

‘He could have just done it moderately.’

He’s only taking care of it temporarily when it’s a baby, but he’s putting so much effort into it that he’s even raising it and still holding it like that. Even if you look at the difference in power, it’s like a cat licking a fully grown tiger because it’s cute. Han Yoohyun couldn’t understand it, but at the same time, he understood.

His brother had always been like that.

“Hyung is weird.”

A low voice muttered quietly. It had been like that since he was young.

The brothers’ parents quickly noticed that the second child was different from them. Of course, they didn’t feel anything clear. Uneasiness, foreboding, or fear. He was their child, but it felt like he wasn’t, a feeling similar to an obsession.

If he had been a complete stranger, it would have ended with just feeling a little uncomfortable. But the fact that he was a blood relative they had to take care of, combined with the guilt of feeling that way towards their child, was like a terrible nightmare for the parents.

If nothing else had happened, the second child might have been abandoned. Even if he wasn’t, they would have pretended he didn’t exist and closed their eyes and ears.

But the first child treated his brother as if nothing was wrong. He took care of his brother instead of his confused parents. Seeing that, the parents even turned away from the first child. They couldn’t bear the reality that seemed to be saying that there was something wrong with them, the parents. But if they both were considered strange, it would be easier.

Once they made that decision, the parents actually felt relieved. The couple shared the same feelings, the same guilt, and became much closer, living happily like they did during their honeymoon.

Han Yoohyun was keenly aware of all of that. On the other hand, Han Yoojin thought it was a bit unique compared to other families, but he didn’t care much. He was satisfied with his loving parents and his kind, obedient brother.

If Han Yoojin had rejected his brother normally. If that had happened, they would have been a happy family of three, not a happy couple. They might not have lost their parents in an accident. They wouldn’t have gone on frequent trips, leaving their beloved only son, who should have been focusing on his studies.

If he had grown up normally and gone to college normally, and if he had safely overcome the Dungeon Shock [a psychological trauma experienced after being in a dungeon], he would have remained an ordinary student without looking for an Awakening Broker [someone who helps people awaken their Hunter abilities]. Even if he heard the news of Han Yoohyun’s Awakening, he would have been a little surprised but would have dismissed it as someone else’s business.

Knowing that, he was holding on to it.

Han Yoohyun felt a slight pang of guilt and bitterly raised the corners of his lips. No one, including him, would dislike the affection and care that was purely given to them. Especially if it was the only one, they would have no choice but to cling to it.

“…So I have to endure it.”

He grumbled with a sigh.

He naturally hates sharing his things with others. It was a similar feeling to his parents suddenly saying, ‘You have a new brother, get along with him,’ and bringing in a complete stranger. And they’re increasing in number.

It’s a frustrating situation. Still, he knows that he is the top priority, and he can somehow turn a blind eye because those hangers-on are helpful for Han Yoojin’s safety.

It was better than being helpless.

‘It seems like nothing happened while I was away.’

Peace was necessary for the quick attack, but he deliberately left Kim Sunghan behind. He left the other high-ranking Hunters of Haeyeon behind as well, and there’s also the inexperienced Park Yerim. And Sung Hyunjae. Given his personality, there was no way he wouldn’t protect Han Yoojin, whom he had determined to be definitely useful. Even if he had other intentions, he would guarantee his immediate safety.

Then, the phone on the table rang softly. Han Yoohyun picked up the phone and checked the message. Three photos with no content. The first photo was of a hospital room.

“…Here is.”

A special room with cracks in the wall and a broken door. His smooth, curved eyebrows furrowed instantly. The next photo was of Han Yoojin. The handprints on his neck were clear in the photo. The last photo was also of his brother. His clothes were torn and covered in blood, as if he had been attacked in the chest by something.

Kwajik!

The phone in his hand was crushed in an instant.