The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 356: In Korea (2)

“Murim Alliance. A faction of awakened individuals opposing the military.”

Park Yerim looked closely at the photo attached to the file. A woman in her mid-thirties dressed in a navy changpao sat in the center, flanked by men wearing robes and carrying swords. It was in color, but the atmosphere made it feel like a photo taken decades ago.

“It looks like a drama or movie set.”

“The Murim Alliance presents themselves as martial artists straight out of wuxia films or novels. Detailed information about them rarely leaves China.”

Song Taewon adjusted the way he was holding the lamb. The lamb wagged her tail and started gnawing on his sleeve. Song Taewon looked a bit troubled, then gave up and became expressionless.

“So they dress like this all the time?”

“That’s right. As long as you wear the attire, you’ll be recognized as a member of the Murim Alliance, so it’ll be convenient for disguises. The woman in the center is Dan Unbi, the Alliance leader. She’s someone the Chinese military is desperately searching for.”

“Reminds me of Japan. I didn’t expect there to be more concept-driven Hunters.”

At Park Yerim’s comment, Do Hamin chimed in.

“America’s no joke either. I heard an American S-rank Hunter once asked Myungwoo if he could make a round shield with a star in the center.”

“What, really? Didn’t they order a hammer or a metal suit too?”

Park Yerim’s mouth dropped open and she burst out laughing.

“I feel like I could build a castle out of ice! If I ever go to the US, I’m going to get a blue dress tailored. Would that be a copyright issue?”

Han Yuhyun, who didn’t understand either Do Hamin or Park Yerim’s comments at all, looked at them like they were strange.

“Lastly, a group of unaffiliated awakened individuals. Most are runaways, and it’s less a disguise and more just that they happen to have Chinese nationality. Since they have no affiliation, they can’t expect help either.”

“Will the underground group or the Murim Alliance help us?”

“The Murim Alliance, definitely. They wouldn’t want Han Yujin to strengthen the military’s hand.”

The Monster Mounts would appeal to the Murim Alliance’s Hunters too, but forcibly detaining someone who didn’t want to join would undermine their cause. It would also be problematic to make new enemies out of Korean Hunters. It was far better to cooperate with them, deal a blow to the military, and send Han Yujin back.

“On the other hand, the underground group doesn’t like clashing with the military. If our identity is exposed, they’ll turn on us immediately.”

“So we’re going in as members of the Murim Alliance?”

“They say not to put all your eggs in one basket.”

“You mean split it up! Underground group and Murim Alliance. Which one should I go with.”

Park Yerim made a thoughtful face.

“If it’s the underground group… I’d stand out too much, right?”

A middle school girl in the underground group—no matter how awakened she was, unless she completely changed her appearance, anyone would find it suspicious.

“Guess I should go with the Murim Alliance. What about you, Han Yuhyun?”

“I don’t care. As long as we get my brother back quickly.”

“The Murim Alliance will be easier to move around with. Even if we carry out aggressive actions against the military, that’s their usual behavior, so we won’t raise suspicion.”

“Then I’m with the Murim Alliance! Should we watch some wuxia movies before we go? What’s popular?”

“Swordsman, The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. If you have time, watch some dramas too. The Legend of the Condor Heroes, Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber. Rated 15 and up.”

Do Hamin, who had been curled up on the sofa, quickly whispered.

“There are books too. I’ll lend them to you. If you’re interested in the underground group, we can watch Infernal Affairs.”

“Okay. Han Yuhyun, you come too.”

“Why should I.”

“They said the Murim Alliance is better for going wild. You’ll see Mister faster that way, right? Then is Sesung’s Mister and Chief Song going to disguise as the underground group?”

As Park Yerim spoke, she looked at Song Taewon. Seong Hyunjae and Do Hamin also turned their eyes to him. Their expressions said, “He’s a public official though,” and Song Taewon quietly opened his mouth.

“If necessary, I will.”

“…I want to come watch too.”

Do Hamin murmured with excitement. When asked if he could give fashion recommendations, Song Taewon politely declined.

A brief explanation of the internal situation in China followed, and then Song Taewon added a word.

“I’m sorry, but this operation has a time limit.”

“Because of Chief Song’s vacation period?”

“No. It’s the day of the college entrance exam.”

Park Yerim tilted her head, not seeing the connection. Song Taewon explained to her.

“On the day of the College Scholastic Ability Test, S-rank Hunters are also mobilized. In case of a dungeon break, they must be ready across all regions to ensure the exam sites are not affected.”

“Oh, I think I saw that on TV.”

“Even if the chances of a dungeon break have significantly decreased, if it’s known that many S-rank Hunters were absent on the test day, public criticism will rise. The effects of the last monster incident haven’t fully disappeared yet.”

“This won’t take long. We’ll have Director Han back in place as soon as possible.”

At Seong Hyunjae’s assurance, Song Taewon gave a short nod and then spoke again.

“What’s the plan for creating alibis?”

“I’ll be ‘in Japan.’ The Japanese guild master said he’d help.”

Upon hearing about Han Yujin’s abduction, Shishio had become extremely cooperative. Not only did he agree to fabricate Park Yerim’s fake whereabouts, he even said he’d go to China himself.

“I’ll be entering an S-rank dungeon that requires clearing.”

Han Yuhyun spoke. It was true that there was an S-rank dungeon that needed to be cleared in Haeyeon. The plan was to conduct a short interview about staying behind to protect the spot his brother could return to, and pretend to enter the raid. Of course, the actual raid team was Haeyeon’s A-rank Hunter team. They were already capable of clearing lower S-rank dungeons, and this time, two unicorns would accompany them as well.

“I will.”

Seong Hyunjae stepped away from the table and continued.

“I think I’ll try being under house arrest for the first time in a while.”

Song Taewon stepped back, mindful of the lamb in his arms.

“How about we say you were trying to stop an S-rank Hunter disappointed by the government and Hunter Association’s lax response, and ended up hospitalized long-term. I just happen to own a hospital. I’ll give you a deluxe room so you can enjoy a comfortable vacation.”

It wasn’t a bad suggestion. But Song Taewon furrowed his brow.

“There are plenty of more moderate ways to do this.”

“I’m a little annoyed, a little irritated.”

Do Hamin quickly stood and moved behind Park Yerim. Han Yuhyun also threw in a comment.

“Hyung said not to break his building.”

He didn’t care whether they fought or not, but the message was to take it outside. On the other hand, Park Yerim’s eyes sparkled. If they left, she looked ready to follow.

“Please don’t overdo your outburst.”

“Outburst, huh.”

Seong Hyunjae curled the corner of his mouth.

“You think something like this would be enough to count as an outburst? This is purely out of necessity. If I simply said ‘Oh, I see’ to the idea that someone I contracted to protect was kidnapped and there’s no official response, wouldn’t that make my position laughable?”

At the very least, he had to pretend to be angry with the government and the association. Saying that, Seong Hyunjae twisted the tip of his foot slightly. He was going to attack. Song Taewon quickly grasped the situation.

If he didn’t respond, it might kill the mood and make Seong Hyunjae back off. But right now, there was a non-awakened person and a low-ranked baby monster in the area. Doing nothing wasn’t an option Song Taewon could accept. Was there time to put the lamb down? Just as he thought that, Seong Hyunjae moved.

The distance between the two closed in an instant. Song Taewon twisted his body and raised one leg. He put his weight into a flying kick, which Seong Hyunjae deliberately didn’t dodge and took directly with his forearm.

Thud! A heavy impact sounded as Seong Hyunjae’s body was pushed back. It was a kick with maximum force to change the location of the fight and create an opening. More than scraping the floor, Seong Hyunjae’s back slammed into the wall. The specially reinforced walls, layered for soundproofing against S-rank Hunters, shattered instantly.

Crash─!

Dust flew, and sunlight from midday streamed into the walkway as Seong Hyunjae straightened his posture and lightly dusted off his collar.

“Please stay quietly here.”

Song Taewon spoke as he set down the lamb. He then walked through the debris and stepped beyond the hole in the wall.

“I will match you however you like.”

He just had to pretend to fight and then fall. As Seong Hyunjae said, it would look suspicious if Sesung Guild, which should be protecting the facility and its director, remained completely silent. Haeyeon and Breaker, which still lacked influence compared to Sesung, were in a different position. But if the guild as a whole made a formal protest, it would only complicate things. It was much better to pass it off as the guild master’s personal deviation.

Moreover, since Song Taewon was currently on vacation, handling it on his level wouldn’t cause any major issues.

“Song Taewon, you could afford to act a bit more emotional right now.”

“…What an odd thing to say.”

“I mean about Han Yujin.”

“Although he was kidnapped, there’s no immediate danger to his person. That’s why Hunter Park Yerim and Hunter Han Yuhyun are also relatively composed, aren’t they.”

Seong Hyunjae lightly raised one arm. The heel of his shoe cracked the pavement block, and in a blink, he was right in front of Song Taewon. Their forearms collided sharply. As the lamb tugged at and disheveled his tie, Seong Hyunjae spoke in a low voice, quiet enough not to be heard by the S-rank Hunters beyond the broken wall.

“The kids still don’t know, right? And it seems Seok Gimyeong is intentionally keeping his mouth shut. But you’re different, aren’t you, Song Taewon.”

“…”

“This isn’t like Hong Kong. Back then, he was a valuable product. He had to be kept in perfect condition until sold. But now, they’re going to act like they own him.”

If he doesn’t listen, they’ll use harsh methods to tame him. Of course, it likely won’t come to risking his life. It might surprisingly be fine. But this is definitely not like Hong Kong.

Song Taewon’s lips tightened faintly. In the moment his movement paused, Seong Hyunjae didn’t miss the chance. He bent his knee and drove it sharply into Song Taewon’s body. As he quickly dodged, his tie tore with a ripping sound. Song Taewon’s side was slashed deeply, and Seong Hyunjae spun half a turn and followed up with another kick.

Bang!

Struck directly by the rotational kick, Song Taewon was flung into the breeding facility’s outer wall. As the wall cracked heavily, Seong Hyunjae put on a troubled expression.

“My partner’s going to nag me when he comes back.”

Song Taewon sat leaning against the wall where debris was still falling, staring at Seong Hyunjae. He didn’t look like he intended to get up, as if he had decided to play the injured man from this point on.

“Is that it? Should we contact Sesung Hospital?”

Park Yerim quickly caught on and spoke, and Do Hamin murmured quietly, asking if he could go back now.

“If you explain the situation to Hunter Evelyn, she’ll take care of it. I ask the young master to keep it quiet. The Haeyeon Guild has a clear line of sight to this place.”

Han Yuhyun answered that he understood and turned away. Park Yerim also followed, taking out her phone, and Do Hamin hurried to leave the scene as well.

“Watching you, Song Taewon, sometimes I think maybe putting you out of your misery would be more of a kindness.”

Letting someone keep living while tormenting themselves might be less merciful. Of course, Seong Hyunjae had no intention of killing Song Taewon. He had no desire to personally carry out such a dull ending. Seong Hyunjae walked slowly over and placed his foot on Song Taewon’s leg.

“If we want this to look convincing, shouldn’t we at least break a leg?”

No answer came. There was no resistance either, as if saying to do whatever he wanted.

As cold silence settled over them, a black ball of fluff suddenly hopped through the broken wall. The lamb bounced toward them with light, plodding steps and circled around the two of them. Song Taewon frowned slightly and looked at the lamb.

“…Didn’t I tell you to stay put?”

— Baa.

The lamb, seemingly not understanding his words, stopped near him. Then it settled down and lay next to him as if it had found its spot. Song Taewon clenched his fist. Then he slammed it hard onto the ground right next to the lamb.

Bang!

— Baa!

Startled, the lamb jumped and darted away. But it quickly turned around, glared at Song Taewon, and began scraping the floor with its glossy hooves.

— Baaaa!

With a sudden leap, the lamb charged straight at Song Taewon. Smack, smack, it headbutted his thick forearm repeatedly with its hornless little head, and once it seemed satisfied, it sat down again.

— Baa.

“They say young ones resemble their guardians.”

Seong Hyunjae, who had been quietly watching, bent down and picked up the lamb. It wriggled a little but was relatively calm in his arms. Seong Hyunjae smiled down at the gaze directed at him.

“Congratulations, Song Taewon. You now have one more lamb that won’t run away even when threatened by you.”

“…”

Song Taewon opened his mouth to speak, then closed it tightly again.