The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 267: The Fifth

Clouds coiled around the wide-spread wings before splitting apart in long streaks. The unnamed SSS-rank monster flew ahead as if shielding the ship. Atop its head sat an ethereal Peace, perfectly settled. He had been wary for a moment at first, but once he seemed certain it was an ally, he began treating it like nothing out of the ordinary. More precisely, like a new recruit. Probably because I was often the one to bring in new beasts.

Even if Seong Hyunjae had sent that monster, I still felt a bit uneasy about whether it was really safe. Even with a difference in rank, Peace wasn’t someone who’d be taken out in one hit.

“I’m a few points short of getting the skill.”

Moon Hyunah said, staring intently into empty air—at the store window only she could see. In the lounge with wide front windows, only our group was gathered, including Sigma.

There wasn’t much distance left to Medsang City. We had contacted them in advance, so evacuation preparations should be underway. Once Noah opened a travel portal, the evacuation would end quickly, and we’d install the fifth and final disc.

The atmosphere in the lounge was a little heavy. It was natural for everyone to have mixed thoughts. There was the anxiety of not knowing what might happen next, but also, once we left, it would be farewell to this world—forever.

“Yuhyun, have you picked out what to buy?”

“Points are limited, so I’m still thinking. I feel like skills are better than equipment.”

So Yuhyun was more interested in skills, too. Yerim and Noah were the same. Yerim had a lot of points, so she could buy one or two pieces of equipment along with the skill she wanted, but she wasn’t using any on the Spirit Egg.

What should I do? I’d saved up quite a few points. I thought about buying gear for the kids with what was left after getting cookies, but Hyunah smacked me on the back, saying I should take care of myself first.

‘…Buying a skill for myself wouldn’t be a bad idea.’

Once I adapted to mana engraving, my ability to handle magic would improve. But it was hard to find a skill that matched my aptitude and was still within a reasonable price. Attack-type skills that weren’t low-grade were far beyond my point range, and the same went for defense types. It was like someone was saying, “Combat doesn’t suit you at all, not by a million light-years.”

‘There are quite a few affordable support-type ones, though.’

Especially buff types—they were usually low-cost compared to their rank. The problem was, similar skills couldn’t stack. That was typical. It was My Kid Is The Best and Veteran F-Rank that were the exceptions. And if stacking wasn’t possible, Yerim and Noah’s skills were simply better.

Maybe I should buy a skill that helps raise monsters instead. Those were cheap too. Skills that calmed agitated creatures, or ones that helped recovery and growth through deep sleep—hm, that one sounded good. Maybe I could get a nocturnal baby monster to sleep during the day. Though, I wondered if there were any side effects.

There was even a skill that prevented picky eating. One that helped them eat whatever was given… Wait a second, that one might be dangerous if misused. It did have a condition that required a certain level of trust. There was even one that made bath time easier. Seriously, they had everything. Since most of them were based on conditional trust and specific situations, there were barely any limits based on the monster’s rank.

Maybe I should buy a few of those support-type ones. The rank was low, so maybe there were heavy discounts—they were cheap.

“Before we leave, I mean.”

Moon Hyunah leaned deeply against the backrest, her voice carrying a playful tone.

“Shouldn’t you at least once try calling him ‘hyung,’ Yujin?”

“…What?”

“To Yerim too. Hey Yerim, wouldn’t you like to hear him call you noona?”

What was she suddenly saying? Yerim, who had been fiddling with the Spirit Egg, blinked wide-eyed before grinning mischievously.

“She’s right! Mister, you’ve never once called me noona! And I’m a year older!”

I thought I’d dodged that bullet a while ago—why now… Moon Hyunah began egging on Yuhyun and Noah too.

“Don’t you want to hear it, young master? Hunter Noah’s ten years older, you know. Take the chance while you can.”

“Hyunah! I mean, it’s technically a different person. Just because the role they’re playing is older doesn’t mean you call your younger sibling hyung.”

“But when you’re acting in the same drama, of course you call them hyung. Right?”

“Hyunah unni is right! Okay, Mister.”

Yerim crossed her arms smugly, like she was daring me to go ahead. It’s not that I couldn’t do it, but now that they’d laid it out like this, it was just embarrassing. I glanced awkwardly at my brother standing beside me.

“…Do you want to hear it too?”

“No. You’re my hyung. I’m not Alpha.”

At Yuhyun’s firm response, Yerim pouted, calling him stingy.

“What about you, Noah oppa? It’s rare to get a chance like this!”

“I…”

Noah glanced at me, then smiled softly.

“I kind of do want to hear it.”

“Right? Han Yuhyun, if you don’t like it, back off.”

“Why would I.”

“Didn’t you say you didn’t want to?”

“I didn’t say that. Just don’t force hyung into it, either of you.”

“What do you mean, force! Ugh, Han Yuhyun’s being stiff again. Maybe he’s not a fireball after all but an ice cube?”

Yerim shot up from her seat, saying they should check. Yuhyun stepped forward as well. Noah told them to take it outside if they were going to fight.

“Hyunah, seriously.”

As I tried to pull away, Moon Hyunah gently grabbed my arm, her voice dropping low.

“Mister, what are you going to do about Dal?”

Moon Hyunah’s words made me glance at Sigma, who was watching the tension between Yuhyun and Yerim. Maybe he sensed my gaze—he turned his head this way.

“I can’t say anything for sure, either.”

If he truly had become real, it would be simple. We’d just take him with us. But if it wasn’t possible, I still didn’t know what to do.

“It’d be best if he could come with us.”

An SS-rank Hunter would be welcomed anywhere. Even if his identity was uncertain, it wouldn’t be a problem. Once his rank was confirmed, they’d accept him with open arms. People might talk about how he looks exactly like Seong Hyunjae, but we could just say he was a relative or something.

Then would his last name be Seong…? …Seong Wol? Even I had to admit that sounded wrong. Maybe Sowol instead?

“If he goes out there, he’ll need a new name, too.”

“Don’t even think about naming him, Mister.”

“…Why is everyone like this?”

“No.”

Why not? Was it Chirp again? I thought Chirp was cute. Or maybe Whitey… oh wait, there is a Whitey. Roundy? Beebee? Fluffy…?

Boom! Steam rose as cold and heat clashed. The noise was loud, but for non-awakeners, it was about the level of a snowball fight. Still, you shouldn’t do that inside. The wallpaper’s going to cry.

Through the misty steam that spread out, I looked again at Sigma. He felt quite different from when we first met. Back then, oddly enough, he’d seemed vague, blurry. But now, even shrouded in steam, he felt much more distinct.

“Why are you staring like that?”

“I was thinking about how I’m supposed to take responsibility for you. Like right now, but especially once we get to my neighborhood. Dal, you’ve got no real home, no ID, nothing. First, we’ll take you to my place—”

“Hyung! Again?!”

“Mister! You can’t just take people in like stray puppies!”

“M-Me too, Mister Yujiin, I don’t even have a place yet!”

“…Well, there are lots of spare rooms in the building. You could stay there.”

“Oh dear, Dal, want to come stay with noona?”

I’ve got money, you know—Moon Hyunah added with a grin. Sigma snorted.

“Isn’t there plenty of demand for high-rank awakeners out there too? Even if a C-rank takes responsibility.”

“Exactly! I’ll take responsibility and introduce you to a great guild! It’s called Haeyeon. It’s really, well, hard to describe, but it’s an excellent place.”

“Ah, Mister. We should be fair about this!”

That’s not how it works—first to reel him in gets the prize!

“Are evacuation preparations complete?”

The ship arrived at Medsang. As we disembarked at the airfield, Noah asked the staff from the Medsang Defense Bureau who came to greet us. One of them stepped forward and nodded.

“Yes, Sir Myu. Citizens are standing by at three plazas, including the central square. You just need to open a portal to Second Medsang.”

“Understood. Everyone, please head to the destination first.”

Noah left with the Defense Bureau guards, and we headed to the location for the final disc installation. One end of a large bridge that spanned a river—that was where the fifth disc would be set.

“The cannons installed here are capable of damaging even SS-rank monsters.”

A Medsang guard said proudly.

“They’re enhanced with support skills. However, since support-class guards can’t remain stationed here, they’re single-use only.”

As long as enough mana was provided, anyone could use them with the same effect. I really liked that about this place. I pulled out and stroked my White Lynx Gun. So I wouldn’t be able to take this with me. Same with the shoes, and the jacket. I bet there were more items in the set, too—and I didn’t even get to collect them all.

The guards of Medsang left behind only the weapons and withdrew. Yerim went down toward the river, wondering if there might be a spirit here too. Yuhyun was up in the air with Peace, surveying the surroundings. Moon Hyunah checked over her bike with a look of regret.

“Just in case, take this.”

I handed a mini-mini cookie to Sigma.

“If you end up being targeted or overwhelmed, it’s safer to shrink down.”

He accepted the cookie and was about to turn away without saying anything, but I stopped him again.

“I don’t think I ever asked you properly. Sigma—are you okay with leaving this place?”

He’d lived here for a long time. And now, not even by choice, he’d been pushed out and had to leave. Not just go far away—he was going to an entirely different world.

Golden eyes looked down at me.

“And now you ask something like that?”

“I mean, yeah, but still.”

“You act like you know me so well, C-rank.”

…Well, that was kind of because of a certain someone. His looks, and even the way he acted, were pretty similar. Of course, Sigma was rougher, less refined, and clearly younger. But still, the similarities were many.

“Uh, yeah. I guess so. You wouldn’t still be here if you hated it.”

Compared to Seong Hyunjae, he definitely felt younger—which made me forget for a second. He wasn’t the quiet type. No way he’d put up with something just for others. When I thought of it like that, a chuckle slipped out before I could stop it.

“Guess traveling together wasn’t too bad. And you didn’t really fight back when Hyunah treated you like a kid. Kind of enjoyed it, didn’t you?”

“…Try getting caught by Lambda sometime.”

“It’s not Lambda—it’s Moon Hyunah.”

Moon Hyunah suddenly came up behind him and casually threw her arm over Sigma’s shoulder.

“Didn’t even run before I caught you, right, Dal?”

“Why would I run?”

Moon Hyunah said with a mock pout.

“Once we go out, I’ll be Moon Hyunah again. I’ll even look a little different. What a waste, this body!”

The weapons! The bike! The drinks! She joked, but there was a trace of sincerity in her voice.

“Once we leave, the contract ends too.”

Yuhyun, who had landed behind me at some point, said as he looked at Sigma.

“Hyung isn’t even a C-rank.”

Yeah, my stats are F-rank. …Now I’m getting sentimental too. What a waste, this body! Of course, Grace is better, but still. I even have three lives left—guess I can’t take those with me either.

“So I’ll return this. Take it with you.”

Return what? I blinked in confusion until Yuhyun pulled out the doppelganger doll. Wha—he still had that?

“Huh? What’s that?”

Yerim shouted in surprise, and Moon Hyunah’s eyes widened.

“What is this… Oh, a doppelganger doll? I’ve heard of it.”

“Wow, it looks exactly the same! This is a doll? Gimme, Han Yuhyun. I wanna see too!”

Yerim waved both hands excitedly, and even Moon Hyunah showed interest. No, please stop. It’s just a simple dummy doll, but this is super embarrassing…

“It’s nothing special, Yerim. Just an item that drops occasionally.”

“Mister, its hands are exactly like yours! It’s a little cooler, but it even has fingerprints!”

“No heartbeat, and the aura is completely different, so it’s obviously fake—but the appearance is exactly the same. How far does the resemblance go?”

“Hyunah! Don’t lift its clothes!”

What the hell are you doing?! If you’re curious, go make your own! I tried to snatch the doll back—but my strength wasn’t enough.

“…Yujiin?”

I heard Noah’s voice. He appeared through spatial movement, looking back and forth between me and the doll that Yerim and Moon Hyunah were holding.

“…Ah, since the Filial Duty Addict is after Yujiin, you made a decoy. But I think it still looks pretty fake. It looks identical, but…”

“Uh, in the middle of battle, it should be enough to fool someone briefly. Yerim, Hyunah, give it back!”

“To who?”

Moon Hyunah gave the doll a little shake. I think I’m getting dizzy, please stop. Yerim raised her hand, saying “give it to me,” but the doll returned to its rightful owner—Sigma. Well, technically it’s mine, but still.

“Alright, let’s get ready. Time to go home.”

Not much time had passed outside, but it felt like ages. I wondered if Mingyu was worried. I hoped Chirp and Belare were getting along. Chief Song Taewon… maybe he’s enjoying a bit of peace without us? Though Liette’s still there. She didn’t cause trouble, did she?

“Seong Hyunjae, if you’re watching, don’t be late.”

I waved toward the sky once, then took out the disc. Peace stood close beside me, as if to guard me. The SSS-rank monster also stepped forward. Noah was ready, and I activated the Teacher skill.

If we could contact Rookie right away and leave safely, I wouldn’t ask for more. But it wouldn’t be that easy, would it?

I took a breath and pressed the disc’s button. A message window appeared immediately.

[Honey, I’m having trouble connecting to your side!]

Huh? Still? And then another message followed.

[You’ve installed the second disc! Can’t you see the messages yet?]

Messages kept popping up one after another. The second disc? Wait a second—when were these sent?

[This is Chatterbox!]

[There’s someone among the Filial Duty Addicts who can interfere with the system!]

[The Jellyfish and Chatterbox!]

[Honey, the King of Harmless has made contact over there!]

[Try installing the discs a little more slowly—]

[The King of Harmless, with the information on the Transcendents there—!]

[We’re not ready yet!]

[The fifth disc—!]

[Wait a bit longer!]

The disc had already been installed. After a brief pause, a new message appeared.

[Our little moon.]

The sky darkened—as if it cracked open. It had been daylight, but beyond the descending darkness, moonlight began to seep through.

Just like the last time I met Seong Hyunjae.