The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 417: Hide and Seek

The world had gone silent. Not the comfortable quiet of a peaceful evening, but the heavy, oppressive silence that pressed against the eardrums like water. Even the whisper of clouds drifting overhead seemed amplified in the stillness. Song Taewon stood motionless in the middle of it all, a solitary figure against the darkness that had swallowed the sky, the air, everything around them. Moss had begun to creep across his north-facing shoulder, and nameless weeds grew thick around his feet where the dew had settled.

How easy it would be to simply stop thinking. To hold onto only what needed to be done and let his thoughts scatter like stones thrown into a forest, buried under fallen leaves and winter rain until an acorn sprouted and hid them forever beneath oak roots.

But thoughts weren’t limbs that could be severed at will.

The door creaked open. Under the pale wash of moonlight, a shadow slipped inside first, followed by the figure casting it. Song Taewon turned his head toward the visitor. Golden eyes blazed in the darkness, bright enough to seem lit from within.

“Let’s move.”

“What happened?”

Song Taewon studied the blood soaking through the coat collar. The ear looked intact, but judging by the stains, it had been badly torn earlier. One arm had clearly taken damage too. Though the coat sleeve appeared whole, the shirt sleeve that should have been visible underneath was completely gone. For clothing made from dungeon byproducts to be shredded beneath an SS-rank coat—a dungeon item itself—the wound must have been severe.

“SS-rank or higher?”

“No.”

Seong Hyunjae moved past him, already walking ahead.

“His stats are simple S-rank. Strength falls on the weaker side of the S-rank melee fighter average. Speed is exceptional, and his mana control is flawless.”

“That shouldn’t have been difficult to handle.”

“He can use every skill belonging to the S-rank Hunters around him.”

The image of Han Yujin, whom he’d seen at Seong Hyunjae’s residence, flashed through Song Taewon’s mind.

“The dragon—didn’t you say it was sleeping?”

“It woke when I called. Minimum one hour, maximum three hours. That’s the skill usage time limit. Perhaps out of consideration for you, he used his abilities sparingly.”

In other words, if Han Yujin found Song Taewon, there would be no such restraint. Seong Hyunjae glanced at the empty street, chose a direction, and began running with silent grace. Despite the terrifying speed at which he launched himself forward, his footfalls made barely a whisper of sound. Song Taewon followed.

“I was planning to buy as much time as possible, but predictably, he took himself hostage.”

“How much of Han Yujin’s consciousness remains?”

“Most of it.”

Crescent Moon’s influence was definitely there, but Han Yujin was still fundamentally Han Yujin.

“I escaped while the other three held him back, but he’ll catch up soon.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to return and support them?”

More than anything, they had no healer now. Han Yujin, on the other hand, possessed not only healing skills but various resistances, poison abilities, and specialized attacks. Song Taewon quickly calculated Han Yujin’s combat capabilities.

“It’ll be nearly impossible without a healer.”

“That’s exactly why we’re moving.”

Seong Hyunjae slowed his pace dramatically and came to a stop in the middle of the road. He tilted his head back to look at the building looming before them—a massive department store.

“He mentioned that around this time, dungeon items became part of everyday life.”

The majority of people had awakened to at least F-rank, and everyone carried an inventory. Dungeon items remained expensive, of course. While general marts stocked few of them, department stores that dealt in luxury goods were different. Seong Hyunjae entered the first floor and pulled out a directory map from its display stand.

“Second floor. Dungeon & Jewelry.”

They climbed the motionless escalator. As soon as they reached the second floor, a warning sign came into view.

[Inventory use is prohibited on this floor. The entire 2nd floor operates under an inventory restriction contract, which you agree to by crossing the line below. Customers with C-rank or higher curse resistance are asked to voluntarily report to the guide on the left in case of emergency.]

“The world has changed dramatically in just a few years.”

Even now, some Hunter-related stores prohibited inventory use, but never had Song Taewon seen an entire department store floor—one frequented by ordinary citizens—operating under such restrictions.

They headed straight for a potion specialty store. Not only low-grade potions but mid-grade and high-grade varieties lined the shelves. High-grade potions were still rare at this time, displayed in small quantities behind reinforced glass, but mid— and low-grade ones were plentiful. The warehouse behind held boxes stacked to the ceiling. Despite their cost, they were popular products—instant, safe healing was worth the price.

“The most dangerous of Han Yujin’s skills reduces stats through inflicted wounds. But healing the wound removes the skill effect, so mid— and low-grade potions should suffice. We’ll also need detoxification potions and—”

Seong Hyunjae walked to a special exhibition area at the center of the second floor. Where a Hunter would normally stand guard during business hours—or even after closing—three dungeon items sat on display. Among them, a large placard reading “Poison Resistance S” stood before a bracelet in the center position.

Glass crunched as Seong Hyunjae casually shattered the protective case and retrieved the bracelet.

“Some very useful items here.”

Poison resistance items were coveted even by non-Hunters. Wealthy individuals commonly smuggled poison and curse resistance equipment, even now. Seong Hyunjae tossed the bracelet to Song Taewon.

“Han Yujin’s poison is relatively weak paralysis-type, so even with doubled effects, S-rank should be sufficient. Though it seems we can’t take these with us.”

He gestured at the warning message that had appeared before him, stating that except for hunting and clear rewards, items could only be used within the dungeon and couldn’t be removed.

“So use it without reservation. Since this is meant for the general public, there don’t seem to be combat items.”

They made their way through the second-floor stores. Beyond potions and a few miscellaneous items, little proved useful. One section displayed various famous brand goods crafted from dungeon byproducts. Seong Hyunjae held up a shirt from an overseas brand.

“The clothes you’re wearing will be shredded instantly. Change.”

“There’s no need to—”

“It provides some defensive value. The provided items can adjust to size as well.”

He threw the garment to Song Taewon while selecting a replacement for his own torn shirt. Then he began preparing for Han Yujin’s inevitable arrival.

“If moonlight can’t penetrate indoors, there should be restrictions on chain usage. Teleportation is also limited when there are many obstacles.”

Before, he’d had to stop Han Yujin, making indoor combat impossible. But now Han Yujin had to pursue Song Taewon.

So they would stay indoors as much as possible. Use the subway system to change locations if necessary. Heal wounds immediately. Avoid the Han River or anywhere with large bodies of water.

Finally.

“How about earplugs?”

“Blocking my senses will reduce combat effectiveness.”

“Or we could gag Han Yujin.”

Seong Hyunjae settled onto the escalator railing with a slight frown. Song Taewon watched him reattach the SS-rank handcuffs he’d received from Han Yujin.

“Was it that severe?”

“Actually, that was more problematic than the self-harm threats. As long as killing Song Taewon remains the top priority, he’s unlikely to seriously injure himself in ways that would restrict Han Yujin’s actions. Though some effects manifest slowly.”

The tongue, however, could definitely hurt Han Yujin. It was especially dangerous because Seong Hyunjae knew how much Han Yujin treasured his children. That had been a major factor in his decision to separate and join Song Taewon.

The two of them here could be considered more adult than Han Yujin.

“I miss Hunter Moon Hyunah.”

“If she were here, the situation would be better.”

Song Taewon agreed. She would have been able to brush off Han Yujin’s words easily, even while protecting the others.

“Right now, I’m most concerned about you. Wouldn’t covering your ears be wise?”

“I’m fine.”

“I think protecting yourself and leaving the rest to me would be effective.”

His golden eyes narrowed with faint excitement as he spoke. It was a fragment of emotion others would struggle to notice, but Song Taewon caught it immediately.

“Am I allowed to have expectations?”

“Separate from my concern for Han Yujin.”

Seong Hyunjae’s index and middle fingers pressed lightly against his lips.

“I can’t help being excited. Instinctively.”

Those silver eyes. The moment he’d met them, his heart had pounded with fierce displeasure. Crescent Moon. The being she had created couldn’t help being drawn to her power.

If it had been Crescent Moon’s power directly, he might have felt only hostility. But the one who had accepted that power was none other than Han Yujin. A weak, ordinary human who simultaneously wanted to stand beside him.

And with Crescent Moon’s power, Han Yujin had positioned himself not just beside Seong Hyunjae, but potentially above him.

“I’m doing my best to restrain myself, but—”

The feeling resembled finally reaching the end after countless worlds and endless time. Or perhaps meeting a sole kinsman? It was probably because he was so deeply entangled with Crescent Moon, but even knowing that, he couldn’t suppress the excitement.

“It’s fortunate there are no physical complications.”

‘I want to tear him apart, violently, into pieces. Slowly dig into him and dismantle him piece by piece.’ Seong Hyunjae crossed one leg over his knee and cupped his chin, slouching slightly.

“Maybe I want to break it because I like it too much.”

“What kind of disturbing thing are you saying?”

“It’s reached the point where I feel my life is threatened if I don’t eliminate it. Whether positive or negative. Similar to wanting to kill someone you extremely dislike.”

Song Taewon frowned slightly.

Then—

Thud. A deliberately heavy footstep echoed through the building.

“Where could he be?”

A humming voice drifted up from the first floor.

“Hide and seek… your hair is showing.”

Thud. Another heavy sound reverberated to the high ceiling.

“Mr. Seong Hyunjae~ Chief Song~”

Seong Hyunjae retrieved a Hunter’s painkiller from his inventory and handed it to Song Taewon—preparation for the Silent Scream skill.

“You kept talking about the aquarium, but why a department store? Are you suggesting we check the seafood section? Do department stores even have seafood sections? Or maybe a sashimi restaurant’s tank?”

Han Yujin wandered through the first-floor stores, looking around casually. Various accessories glittered as they caught the moonlight floating near him. His hand picked up a perfume bottle, shook it lightly, then hurled it aside. Crash! Glass shattered, and a potent fragrance wafted up to the second floor.

“This really doesn’t suit Chief Song. You didn’t happen to abandon him, did you?”

Crash! Another perfume bottle broke. Splash. The sound of footsteps on the wet floor echoed softly.

“Where, where are you hiding? Let me see your faces.”

A wire whipped through the air in a wide arc. Glass exploded as cosmetics were swept from display cases, both outside and within, crashing to the floor in a cascade of breaking containers. Liquid with mixed fragrances of every description overflowed across the tiles. That sticky, pungent mixture rose into the air in fine droplets.

Then, with a whoosh, it began spreading throughout the space. After quickly scanning the entire first floor, Han Yujin tilted his head thoughtfully.

“Food sections are usually on B1, right? So maybe the basement? Is this place connected to the subway? I think Chief Song is below, and Mr. Seong Hyunjae is somewhere up high.”

The tracking item had vanished at the department store entrance. Up or down. Han Yujin extended his hand. Water droplets carried over a store directory and placed it in their master’s palm. Han Yujin opened the booklet and looked up.

“Dungeon & Jewelry.”

Crunch. Han Yujin’s feet pressed down with force, cracking the smooth floor. Simultaneously, he drew his sword and launched himself upward in a powerful leap. Passing through the open central atrium, Han Yujin reached the second floor in a single bound and spread the water droplets wide. The sticky fragrance permeated the entire second floor as Seong Hyunjae and Song Taewon began moving.

At the sound of their footsteps, the corner of Han Yujin’s mouth curved upward gently.

“You’re both here.”

Han Yujin slid across the luxurious marble floor and called out to them.

“Were you two enjoying some leisurely shopping? What’s next, the restaurant floor? A cafe?”

With a creaking sound, the two men stopped. Han Yujin approached them slowly. His silver eyes swept over Seong Hyunjae, then settled on Song Taewon.

“You changed clothes too. Must have been expensive.”

“Han Yujin.”

Song Taewon met Han Yujin’s gaze and spoke his name in a low voice. Han Yujin smiled brightly.

“My dear Chief Song. Would you mind committing suicide for me?”

“I refuse.”

“Then I have no choice.”

Whoosh. Flames rose as if to envelop Han Yujin’s entire body, and the sword in his hand carved a long line across his own arm.

“I’ll have to cut off your head myself.”