The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 413: The Moon Rises (1)

In the glow of Yuhyun’s light, I switched on the flashlight I’d brought from the hotel. The surroundings brightened, revealing the familiar outline of the station.

“We don’t have time to go far. Let’s head to Seolleung.”

Using both flashlights to guide us, we passed through the ticket gate. Yerim glanced around, slightly excited by the unfamiliar sight of a darkened subway station, when something caught her eye.

“Oh! Isn’t that Han Yuhyun?”

She pointed at the wall where Yuhyun’s birthday advertisement hung, though the letters had been erased.

“It’s here too. The time seems different depending on location, but around Gangnam it appears to be Christmas Eve.”

“So it’s a birthday ad? Just from his expression, it looks like he’s advertising some expensive product that requires serious consideration.”

The kid did have that vibe back then. We descended the stairs to find an empty platform waiting below.

“There’s not much time left until December. When do they usually start putting up birthday ads?”

“Why? Are you planning to put up a guild leader ad for Mister?”

“Well, it’s not like I can’t, right?”

I’d like to do it too. Yuhyun pulled out a mask from somewhere and handed it to me.

“The air in the tunnel will be poor.”

“Thanks. Is there only one?”

“They’re S-Ranks. They’ll be fine.”

True enough, but I felt awkward using it while leaving Yerim out. I glanced back at her, but before I could even speak, she crossed both arms in an X, declining the offer.

“It would look like a birthday ad if Mister took the picture.”

“Me?”

“I want to take one with Hyung.”

“Huh? It’s supposed to be a birthday picture.”

“That’s exactly why I want Hyung there even more. Can’t I?”

“Well… I suppose it’s not impossible. If that’s what you want, of course it’s doable.”

Though it would be rather embarrassing. At my response, Yerim leaped onto the tracks and waved one arm enthusiastically.

“Then me too! I want to put up two—one group photo and one solo!”

“Alright, alright. I’ll take as many as you want. What about Mr. Noah?”

“What? Me? Oh, well. I don’t want to put up an ad, but I’d like to take pictures with people I’m close to. Lots of them.”

“That sounds good too.”

Yuhyun lifted me and set me down on the tracks. Chief Song took the lead, shining his flashlight into the dark tunnel ahead. Though I’d been through plenty before the regression, this was my first time walking along subway tracks. It felt oddly surreal.

“What about Han Yujin?”

Seong Hyunjae, walking at the very back, spoke up.

“What? Me?”

“February 7th. The day after Team Leader Seok’s birthday.”

Team Leader Seok—could he mean Seok Gimyeong? But why would Seong Hyunjae know Seok Gimyeong’s birthday? I don’t even know it myself.

“I’m not really into ads…”

“Come on, Mister, you should put one up too!”

“Should I take your picture?”

“Huh? Yuhyun, do you know how to take those kinds of photos? It’s different from a phone camera.”

“I can learn.”

The thought of putting up an ad felt burdensome, but seeing the kids’ expressions, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse. Right, I’ve been on TV multiple times already. What dignity do I have left to preserve at this point?

“As for my dear partner, I’ll take his picture with my phone, blow it up, and hang it on an advertising balloon in front of the Sesung Guild.”

It’ll be horribly pixelated though.

“I am honored.”

“Hyung, me too.”

“Mister, me too!”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask as well.”

“…Kids. Mr. Noah.”

Do I need to buy a proper camera the moment I get home?

“Chief Song’s birthday comes after Yerim’s and Mr. Noah’s, right?”

“It’s later than Hyunah-unni’s. Hyunah-unni’s is March 3rd!”

“I’m fine.”

Chief Song answered before I could even ask. I want to completely erase the word ‘fine’ from Chief Song’s vocabulary.

“Are public officials not allowed to put up birthday ads or something?”

“There’s no rule against it.”

Seong Hyunjae answered instead. Then he put on a pitying, apologetic expression.

“I’ve been far too neglectful of our Mr. Song Taewon. Next year, I’ll buy out all the ads in Gwanghwamun Station to properly make amends.”

Chief Song released a deep sigh from his chest instead of responding. Honestly, it would be nice to see the station covered with Chief Song’s face, but…

“Just one. Just one is fine, right, Chief?”

“…Yes. Thank you.”

“I suppose I have no choice. Then for Han Yujin—”

“One for me too.”

I said flatly. Let’s keep it even—give and take one each.

Before long, we reached our destination. We climbed out from the tracks and up the stairs, stopping at the B1 concourse.

“The Old Man said the chances of me losing consciousness were low, but just in case, be prepared for me to become a completely different person.”

He’d explained that the Crescent Moon in this dungeon was merely a remnant of the past, severed from its original body. With the power of such a fragment, it would struggle to completely overwhelm the consciousness of someone with high-grade mental skills, even with my F-Rank stats.

“Actually, it might be easier to handle if I’m unconscious. Because then I won’t act like myself.”

If they think it’s still me, they’d hesitate to attack without restraint. Especially Yerim and Mr. Noah.

“If I act completely like Crescent Moon, gather as much information as you can.”

I looked directly at Seong Hyunjae as I spoke. In a way, this was also an opportunity to learn about Crescent Moon, about the contract that bound Seong Hyunjae.

“Don’t go easy on me.”

“…I’ll try.”

Seong Hyunjae answered reluctantly. It’s not even my real body anyway.

“Everyone, gear up. If you think your mana is running low, drink a potion beforehand. Yerim, are you really okay?”

“Don’t worry!”

Her answer rang with energy, but I couldn’t help feeling concerned. It would be my appearance, after all.

“It might be difficult to use Shadowless Day though. Mr. Noah can’t either, right?”

“Yes. I have to wait quite a while.”

Mr. Noah sounded regretful. No, I wasn’t worried about the skill itself.

“It would have been helpful if I hadn’t used it fighting Noonim.”

“No. You won, Mr. Noah! You used it perfectly.”

Noah, who had encountered the pre-regression Liette, had wielded his newly acquired skill to battle his sister alongside Yerim and emerge victorious. Even though she would have been SS-Rank with the dungeon’s enhancement, he’d won and earned her acknowledgment.

He’d gained the skill through a title, and there were changes to his existing abilities as well, but with so many ears around, we’d decided to discuss it later. Above all, it would be better if the current me remained unaware.

“Mr. Seong Hyunjae and Chief Song, you’ve chosen a location, correct?”

Both nodded simultaneously. We resumed walking. Only Chief Song stayed behind as we approached the subway station exit. Faint light seeped in at the top of the stairs. I drew a deep breath.

“Here I go then.”

I climbed the stairs. My leg was certainly getting a workout today. Emerging outside, a wide road stretched before me. I jaywalked across the quiet street and gazed up at the sky. Moonlight streamed down in long ribbons between the thick clouds.

The actual moon remained hidden from view.

“Here! Over here!”

Can’t you hear me? Still no response. I scaled a streetlight and stood at its peak. Can’t you see me? Do I need to climb to a building’s roof? The elevator probably won’t work, so just let this slide.

“Moon, moon, bright moon~ The moon where Li Bai played~”

Please look this way. Are you ignoring me because I’m F-Rank? Fortunately, moonlight soon rushed toward me from the distance. It undulated like waves, flooding the wide road.

JINGLE, JANGLE—

With the sound of countless tiny bells chiming in unison, moonlight enveloped my body.

The dim subway entrance suddenly blazed with light. Not bright enough to say the sun had risen—darkness still lingered—but particularly dense moonlight crept down the stairs.

Then, in an instant, it was sucked back out of the entrance as if drawn by some force, leaving only a faint glow behind.

“…Is it done?”

Park Yerim whispered softly. Seong Hyunjae, who had been watching the subway entrance, stepped onto the stairs.

“We need to check.”

“I’ll go first. I have teleportation.”

Park Yerim bounded up the stairs, taking them three or four at a time. The others followed close behind.

“Mister!”

Park Yerim, who had emerged from the subway station, called out. The moonlight had dimmed considerably. Dark enough for ordinary people to lose their way even on familiar roads, but for an S-Rank Hunter like Park Yerim, this much light sufficed.

Park Yerim hurriedly scanned the area until her gaze settled on the top of the streetlight. Han Yujin stood there. Moonlight swirled faintly around him.

“Mister, are you alright?”

“Hyung!”

“Yes, Yuhyun-ah.”

A casual response drifted down. Han Yujin spread his arms slightly and spun around atop the streetlight. His gaze, looking down at Han Yuhyun and Park Yerim, held a hint of playfulness.

His dark silver eyes curved into crescents.

“Surprisingly, I’m still the same. Just me. I was hoping some of Crescent Moon’s memories would filter in, but unfortunately, there’s nothing at all.”

“Hyung… Are you really Hyung?”

“Of course. My beloved little brother.”

Han Yujin smiled brilliantly. And then—

BOOM!

Light flashed and a thunderous sound erupted. It was the signal for Song Taewon, who would be waiting.

Crescent Moon’s target was none other than Song Taewon. So there was no reason to expose him to Crescent Moon—to Han Yujin. Once all of Crescent Moon’s power had possessed Han Yujin’s body, the moonlight searching the streets would vanish.

At that moment, Song Taewon was to relocate without Han Yujin’s knowledge. Only Seong Hyunjae knew the destination, and if stopping Han Yujin here became impossible, he would leave first to join Song Taewon, then hide until sunrise.

Though Yuhyun and Park Yerim, who could move swiftly, were present, it would be difficult for them to continuously use their abilities for extended periods while carrying someone.

“That was startling.”

Han Yujin murmured without a trace of surprise, watching the golden light flash.

“Did Chief Song actually leave? I’m perfectly fine.”

“If you’re fine.”

Seong Hyunjae stepped forward. The hem of his coat swayed gently.

“How about we forget Mr. Song Taewon and have a leisurely conversation here? Until the sun rises.”

“I don’t really have anything to say.”

“I’m disappointed. I have plenty.”

“Ah, I do have lots of complaints. This entire situation is thanks to Mr. Seong Hyunjae, isn’t it?”

His silver eyes smiled. Golden eyes hardened subtly. Han Yujin’s knees bent slightly. There was no sign of his leg bothering him.

THUD!

The streetlight’s head snapped downward with a sharp crack. Kicking off the streetlight now bent into a U-shape, Han Yujin’s body reached Seong Hyunjae in an instant. Seong Hyunjae raised his arm defensively, and Han Yujin’s hand clamped around that arm.

Right before him, Han Yujin’s smile deepened further.

“My little moon.”

At the low whisper, Seong Hyunjae’s brows furrowed deeply. He shook off the grasping hand and swung his long leg. Simultaneously, Han Yujin leaped up. Han Yujin’s foot touched Seong Hyunjae’s leg, and without resisting the upward momentum, Han Yujin’s body spun through the air.

“You’re so touchy~”

Han Yujin, who had sailed through the empty air, landed on the streetlight pole as if it were solid ground. With light steps—tap, tap, tap—he walked up to the top.

“I apologize for blaming Mr. Seong Hyunjae. But I’m trying to restrain myself too, you know? I want to let loose with sharp words, demanding Chief Song’s whereabouts, but I don’t want to do that either.”

“…Is Han Yujin still Han Yujin?”

“Yes, that’s right~ That’s exactly why it’s more problematic. Yuhyun-ah.”

Han Yuhyun flinched and looked up at his brother.

“Shouldn’t you be on my side?”

“…Hyung.”

“Hmm? Yuhyun-ah. My beloved little brother. Let’s go find Chief Song together with Hyung.”

“No. Hyung said not to.”

“I’m your hyung too, aren’t I? That’s so cruel. Ah, could it be that since there are two hyungs now, it’s acceptable to abandon one?”

“Hyung!”

Han Yuhyun shouted in alarm.

“Of course not!”

“Mister, that was too harsh just now!”

“So no one’s on my side. What about you, Mr. Noah?”

“…I can’t take your side right now either, Mr. Yujin.”

Han Yujin released a long sigh.

“I know I shouldn’t be acting this way either. But I don’t think my stats have reached SS-Rank. And as for skills, well, there needs to be something worthwhile to use. Even if I double my attack abilities, there are no decent skills to apply the boost to.”

Han Yujin’s arms spread wide, his shoulders lifting in an exaggerated shrug.

“At this rate, I’ll truly just be spouting nonsense until sunrise.”

“If it’s not Han Yujin’s genuine feelings, I can listen as much as you’d like.”

“Hey, Mr. Seong Hyunjae. Do you want to see the kids cry? Do you think you’ll be fine with that? Words can wound people so deeply. A stab wound can be healed with a potion if you’re still breathing, but there’s no medicine for the heart.”

“I’m fine, so how about we spend some time alone?”

JINGLE, JANGLE— A golden chain coiled around Seong Hyunjae.

“I heard you went to the aquarium with the kids. Since it’s not far from here, I’d like to invite you on a date.”

“I think there will only be empty tanks?”

“That’s not bad either.”

“You have peculiar taste. What kind of date involves dragging someone along by force? Are you planning to throw me in a tank this time too? Is it a promotion if I become a fish you keep? Better than a common F-Rank, right?”

“I’m beginning to want to add a gag to complement your peculiar taste.”

“You shouldn’t say things like that in front of children while holding a chain. Kids, don’t listen. You shouldn’t associate with adults like that. Stay back, stay back.”

“Then come along quietly.”

Seong Hyunjae took a step forward. Han Yujin feigned terror and shivered dramatically.

“It’s cold, and I’m not a strong swimmer. So, Changeling.”

Han Yujin extended one arm. A ring of light appeared around his arm, and a small fairy dragon materialized.

– Yes, Dad.

“How long can I use your power in my current state?”

– More than an hour.

A satisfied smile spread across his face.