The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 440: Thank You for Your Hard Work (4)

“Ambush!”

Someone’s shout rang out, followed by the blare of a loud siren. A number of Hunters rushed toward the exploded building. In the detention building, including both high— and mid-rankers, only fifteen Hunters remained.

Flames surged under Han Yuhyun’s feet. The rooftop floor melted silently away as his body dropped down into the building. He had already finished mapping the interior. Sprinting down the corridor without hesitation, Yuhyun threw a wire at the Hunter guarding the stairwell entrance.

“…!”

The steel cord tightened around the neck, and with a sharp crack, it snapped it. As the Hunter collapsed, Yuhyun caught the body mid-fall with his toe and laid it quietly on the ground.

“Green Willow Leaf.”

With the low murmur, leaves scattered in the air. Instead of stepping on the steel staircase that would ring even at the slightest touch, he slid down on leaves, soundless, to the floor below. Unlike the upper floor, a thick iron door blocked his way here.

The Black Blade was drawn and slashed across the top of the door in one motion. The neatly cut square chunk fell away, and the Hunter guarding inside turned sharply at the sound.

“Who—!”

Before the shout could grow louder, a small flame flared over his face. As the fire spirit swallowed the Hunter’s voice, the scabbard shot out. Thwack! The end of the scabbard struck the back of his neck with such force that it sank in more than a knuckle deep. With an injury like that, there was no way he could remain conscious.

Stepping lightly over the fallen body, Yuhyun moved on.

This floor held many captives, but instead of freeing them, he kept going. If the non-combat Awakened were released before the situation was fully secured, they’d only get in the way.

Outside, sporadic explosions and the sounds of collapsing buildings could be heard. Noah was doing well, but unless Yuhyun moved quickly, someone here would start evacuating people. Turning into a bend in the corridor, he spotted a Hunter watching through a barred window.

Strength gathered in the toes of Yuhyun’s right foot, cracking the floor beneath. At the sound, the Hunter turned immediately— but that was all. The Ruler’s Sword, still sheathed, swung across the Hunter’s neck like a cleaving strike. He deliberately didn’t use the blade — a cut neck would spread a thick scent of blood in an instant.

Down to the next floor, and then the final first floor. In moments, the sweep was complete. Yuhyun headed back up to the top-floor holding area. Long corridors lined with doors stretched on both sides. Rather than open each door one by one, he moved his mana.

The divided fire spirits reassembled, delicate strands of flame trailing along the corridor under Yuhyun’s direction. Scattered sparks struck each lock precisely.

Ssshhhk, a dozen or so doorknobs melted simultaneously. Low murmurs rose from behind the doors.

“Push them open with your feet.”

Touching them carelessly would cause burns. Offering the warning, Yuhyun further dampened the presence he already kept subdued as an S-class, then reached for the central door. He grabbed the molten, heat-filled hole as if it were nothing and swung the door open.

“Hunter Hoyun?”

“Now then, where’s the cart for tossing in fruit?” (TL Note: From the story of Cheok Gwa-yeongcha — Ban An of the Western Jin was so handsome that spectators threw fruit into his cart.)

The woman seated inside rose to her feet. She looked to be over sixty, but her back was straight, and her hair was only lightly flecked with gray. Far from frail in appearance.

“Hunter, bah. Call me teacher.”

Hoyun, gathering the few belongings she had prepared, looked him over intently.

“I’m Han Yuhyun, guildmaster of Korea’s Haeyeon Guild. I’m here with the Murim Alliance’s cooperation to rescue you, so please come with me.”

“A stiff one, aren’t you.”

As the two stepped into the corridor, the people hesitating there turned to stare. One approached cautiously, glancing at Yuhyun.

“Teacher!”

“We’ve come to rescue you. Let’s go.”

At Hoyun’s wave, the people began to move. Having unlocked the doors on the lower floors as well, Yuhyun spoke to them.

“Follow the road east — Hunters contacted by the Murim Alliance will be waiting.”

He couldn’t escort all of them himself. Yuhyun handed a Mini Mini Cookie to Hoyun.

“Hunter Hoyun, please come with me.”

“I was thinking of heading to Europe.”

Hoyun spoke as if she already knew the circumstances.

“At present, Korea is the safest.”

No country could match its dungeon security. With Hoyun shrunk down, Yuhyun placed her in the belt pouch he’d prepared in advance, while the rest poured out the back exit. The back-gate Hunters had also been taken care of beforehand.

Once he confirmed their escape, Yuhyun headed for the front building. There, poison gas hung thick in the air. The mid-rank Hunters had long since collapsed from paralysis, and even the high-rankers struggled to move their dulled bodies.

Only one high-ranker had a poison resistance skill or item — and they charged at the enemy.

“Ghk!”

A tail swung like a whip, knocking them away. Noah stood atop the rubble, reptilian pupils fixed on the S-class Hunter standing at a distance. Golden scales covered his hands, sharp claws glistening with blood.

His support specialization meant his raw combat ability wasn’t overwhelming, but the S-class Hunter couldn’t easily get close — Noah’s forceful support skill could arbitrarily alter another’s physical stats.

“I told you not to kill them.”

Noah spoke suddenly, and at the same time, the S-class Hunter twisted his body sharply. A blade’s sharp arc grazed his arm and tore into the ground. Gritting his teeth audibly, the S-class Hunter moved to counterattack — only for his stats to twist again.

Right then, Yuhyun’s kick drove into his solar plexus like a spear thrust. Kwoooom, the Hunter’s body slammed into a building, sending up a thick cloud of dust.

“Dizzy!”

Hoyun grumbled, peeking out from the pouch.

“That him?”

“Yes. Let’s head back. With the poisoned Hunters, they won’t be able to pursue for a while.”

“Well, this youngster isn’t bad at all. Life feels good with two Princes of Lanling at my side.” (TL Note: A Northern Qi general so handsome he wore a fearsome mask in battle.)

Spotting Noah, Hoyun even clapped her hands in admiration. Noah hesitated briefly before bowing politely.

“Hello. I’m Noah Luhir, a Hunter with the Riding Beast Breeding Center.”

“Hoyun.”

From the rubble came the sound of collapse — the S-class Hunter rising. Noah quickly transformed into a dragon, carrying Yuhyun and Hoyun into the sky.

“Back already?”

I’d thought it would take longer, but Yuhyun and Noah returned before sunset. Rushing outside, I saw the golden dragon land in the wide courtyard. A few people were already sneaking out their phones to snap pictures of Noah. Not exactly fitting the mood.

“Yuhyun! You’re not hurt, right? Noah, you too?”

Yuhyun smiled as he approached me.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

The woman dismounting from Noah had to be Hoyun, the healer. Looked young for her age.

“Beacon of Bao Si, is it? You’re even more handsome when you smile.” (TL Note: From the tale of the Zhou dynasty beauty Bao Si, who smiled only at the sight of a false beacon fire.)

Hoyun’s remark to Yuhyun — I’d heard of Bao Si somewhere before. Guess Chinese folks really do love those kinds of expressions. Anyway, she seemed like a good elder.

“My brother is handsome, isn’t he? I’m Han Yujin, director of Korea’s Riding Beast Breeding Center.”

“Even at a glance, the bond between you two is deep.”

“We’re close. I look forward to working with you.”

I extended my hand, and after silently studying me, Hoyun clasped it between both of hers.

“…Your energy flow is peculiar.”

“Pardon?”

“They call it mana these days. It’s like… hmm, I’d call it blocked meridian syndrome — mostly closed, with a few openings forced through.”

…She was probably talking about mana circuits. Behind me, Eun Sesun quietly explained.

“It’s not an actual illness, but a condition from martial arts novels. Still, now that mana exists, something similar could happen.”

“Oh? What kind of illness?”

“…Generally, they die young.”

Uh, yeah. She nailed it. At the word “die,” Yuhyun, Yerim, and Noah’s expressions froze.

“No, no — that’s just an example. It’s not literally that illness.”

“Is it serious, Teacher?”

Yuhyun asked, and the elder’s wrinkled fingers took my pulse. Faint mana stirred at her fingertips.

“Someone’s treated you before?”

“Something like it happened.”

Thanks to Crescent Moon.

“It’s somewhat improved… but there’s no immediate cure. Just take good care of your body.”

Looks like life will get even more exhausting back in Korea.

“And your leg?”

“It’s injured — needs surgical treatment.”

“Let me see. Lift it.”

“Pardon?”

“Then I’ll bend down.”

That wouldn’t do. We had tables and chairs inside, after all — but Yuhyun just scooped me up. Embarrassing as hell.

“You broke the bone and just poured potion on it. Healed the surface, but it’s a mess underneath. Which brute did it?”

“Cho Hwawoon.”

“That blockhead.”

“So my brother cut off the leg.”

“Well done. Good temperament.”

Wow, she was actually praising Yuhyun’s personality. There are people like this in the world after all — not hopeless.

“My brother’s nicer than he seems.”

“You’re going to put those rose-colored glasses back on, and doubled at that,” Yerim muttered. No, Yerim — it’s just that older folks, with more experience, can read people better.

“Even Hua Tuo couldn’t fix this without a blade. You must be in pain — I’ll at least give first aid.”

“Thank you. And about the contract — we’ll give you the best terms possible. Haeyeon is one of Korea’s leading guilds, led by this handsome, good-natured, and highly capable Hunter Han Yuhyun. We also have the equally good-natured, talented, and very promising S-class Hunter Park Yerim.”

“Hello~ Please take good care of my Mister. Even though he causes a lot of trouble, neglects his health, and doesn’t want to exercise, please look kindly on him, Teacher.”

That’s… accurate, but still.

“Contract details will be finalized in Korea, but we can accommodate almost anything. I promise.”

Even Seok Gimyeong wouldn’t object unless it shook Haeyeon’s foundations.

“Of course, your family— huh.”

Hoyun had pulled a bamboo tube from her belongings. Inside, she unrolled a cloth to reveal a row of gleaming needles.

“W–weren’t you going to use a skill?”

“I will use a skill.”

Oh hell no. Wait, wait.

– Grrr.

At the sight of the sharp needle in her hand, Peace bared his teeth.

“Catch the cat.”

“P–Peace, it’s fine. Daddy’s fine.”

“Mister, you don’t sound fine at all. Come here, Peace. They say it’s not dangerous.”

“It’s treatment, so bear with it, hyung. It’ll hurt less than getting stabbed with a knife.”

“He’s right, Yujin. Look how thin they are.”

Even Noah, fresh from being mobbed for photos, had returned to human form to chime in. It wouldn’t hurt, sure — but I couldn’t help the psychological resistance. A faint blue light ran along the needle in Hoyun’s hand.

“It’s disinfected too, so it’s comfortable.”

I see… Still, yikes — but it really didn’t hurt at all. Even so, I winced reflexively every time the needle pricked my skin.

“…I definitely don’t feel pain, but it’s like the sensation’s half-numb.”

“That’s why you don’t feel pain.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s just dulled a bit — no problem moving. Might be easier since it doesn’t hurt.”

Yuhyun set me down, and sure enough, I could walk fine without a cane. Skilled, indeed. Definitely better to contract with this elder than the MKC healer.

Later, I met again with the Murim Alliance leader to discuss future relations, had dinner, and contacted Korea.

[So I’ll be officially discharged tomorrow.]

“You’ve worked hard. We’ll be heading back early tomorrow too. Nothing happened — really.”

[Good. I’m relieved.]

The baby monsters were fine, and Yunyun and the goblins had arrived safely. Haeyeon and Sesung had agreed to prepare temporary lodgings for them.

After the call, I went to the hot spring, washed up, and came out to find Sam Mokwol and the Murim Alliance members returning from looting military items. Seong Hyunjae was absent.

“We rescued five, but only two agreed to come. The other three said they couldn’t trust Haeyeon.”

“There weren’t many items anyway. What about the Sesung guildmaster?”

“He went somewhere else…”

Mokwol gestured awkwardly behind her. A pale-faced Hunter stepped forward.

“He said to tell you he’ll be back before sunrise.”

“What? That long? It’s not somewhere dangerous, is it?”

The Hunter shook his head quickly.

“It didn’t seem dangerous… you can rest easy.”

Was it really fine? Granted, no one short of a transcendent could threaten Seong Hyunjae’s life, but still. I nodded, feeling a bit uneasy.

In any case, I’d gathered most of what I needed. Tomorrow, back to Korea.