The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 468: Even Good People (4)

“First…”

I swallowed. The wind brushing my back felt suddenly cold. It was November now, and nights had gotten pretty chilly. When I regressed, it was early summer.

“How much… do you know… and since when?”

Moon Hyunah wasn’t here. There was no sign she’d show up. She wasn’t the type to leave me for no reason—so something had happened to hold her up.

“…Damn it, did you have fun?”

If you’d prepared enough to separate Moon Hyunah from me, then in the end—

“You contacted her at least before the banquet. And then you just watched? To see me get dumped?”

“For now, my answer is that I didn’t see a thing.”

Seong Hyunjae’s eyes lowered slightly.

“I headed to the roof as planned, confirmed you from there, parted ways with Moon Hyunah, and came down here. So from that point, I neither saw nor heard anything. You didn’t, say, start dating, did you.”

“…No.”

I was going to get dumped anyway, but she truly booted me cleanly.

“More than that—we came outside on purpose, and you took your eyes off us. You trusted Ms. Chloe that much?”

Even with some distance, from the roof you could strike Chloe at once if needed. But strolling inside, taking an elevator down—that wasn’t it. Even if he’s amazing, he doesn’t have x–ray vision.

“I was trusting you.”

“You keep your mouth shut and—dammit. Sorry, Gyeol. Let’s cover those ears.”

When I tried to cup her pricked ears, Gyeol shook her head. When I whispered just a second, please, she made a pouty face like she couldn’t help it, then pulled her own ear–tips down with her forepaws. It was so cute my knotted insides loosened a bit.

“I knew you were shameless. Oh, right—knowing and still not doubting even once makes me the idiot. You delivered that dossier obscenely fast. Was it from then? Did you two meet that very day?”

Which, fine—you don’t owe me a report if you meet Chloe or anyone. Even now this isn’t you deceiving me; you simply didn’t inform me. You could’ve kept your mouth shut to the end—maybe I should thank you for stepping up first like this.

Even so, I wasn’t just disappointed—I was angry. He’d been thoughtful with me lately—maybe that’s why. I must’ve fallen for the illusion that he’d just help readily and tell me anything. He has no reason to.

“Whatever.”

I let out a long breath.

“I think I got too comfortable with you. The cold shower helps.”

He only raised his brows slightly.

“If this was a decision you made for your own ends, I can understand—so tell me.”

If the other side had said, There’s a sure way to break free of Crescent Moon (Female), I could see it. Honestly, if someone told me, I’ll get your brother back and keep your precious people safe, I’d be tempted, too.

“I expected you to grab me.”

“What, really? And I said I’d only understand, not let it slide. If you get in my way, you think I’ll go easy on you because it’s you? For now, we’re on the same side so I handle you with care—if you’re on the other side, you’re first under my heel.”

Until I deal with that man, I won’t sleep easy. For real. Ability aside, he knows too much. The moment I thought it, my chest cooled.

Two S–ranks. Grace was on my ankle, and that damned Seong Hyunjae knew it. The lounge was a decent distance away, but one light blast and they’d be here in a flash. Is Jason on Chloe’s side, too? Without Moon Hyunah—three, maybe four.

I can share twice the attack skills. He knows that. Mr. Noah’s skill—I can’t use yet. It’s absurdly strong, but the cooldown is long. If I use that, it’s basically our win—so maybe…

“Mr. Seong Hyunjae.”

If I’m going to hold you, I need it sure. Luckily it was night, and the moon was out.

“Back then, I went pretty easy on you.”

“Say it like that and how can I not be thrilled.”

“So cough it up honestly. What are you scheming.”

“I got a proposal.”

He took out a letter from Inventory. Both stationery and envelope looked like dungeon byproducts.

“Before the banquet began. To be exact, just before you came down.”

My taut nerves eased a touch. If it was then, I could get why he didn’t tell me. There was no time, and rather than change plans, it made sense to verify Chloe first. Me prodding her without knowing might give a cleaner read.

“What about Ms. Hyunah.”

“Hunter Miller doesn’t know the situation either. She simply had no reason to refuse.”

If she doesn’t feel like it, she won’t even accept my requests, he said. He’s a guildmaster, sure—but she’s an S–rank too. Yerim’s in Haeyeon, but that doesn’t mean Yuhyun can boss her around.

Anyway, he had Evelyn separate Moon Hyunah.

“No reason to refuse—when she didn’t even know the situation?”

“If there’s an incident, responsibility lies with the Guildmaster. Sadly, it seems they didn’t clash much. Or maybe they changed venues?”

So—that means he set the board so Evelyn could pick a fight with her comfortably? I thought only Ms. Hyunah disliked her, but maybe Evelyn disliked her too. And what’s that “sadly.” Egging them on to brawl?

“I’m not asking how you tripped Ms. Hyunah—I’m asking why.”

If you separated her to show me that letter, great. Show it. But he put the letter back into Inventory. And then—

“…!”

My wrist was in his hand before my eyes could follow. He gave a little pull, like a dance turn—one half–step spin—and I went from the rail to nearer the glass door. The fairy dragon rumbled softly, and he let go. The lights on the rail cast a heavy shadow over his face.

“So I can tell only you.”

“…You’re saying we split? You’re walking away?”

“You do love your negatives.”

“Then get your act together. If you come at me like this with zero heads–up, what do you expect me to do. Say exactly what you want from me—clearly.”

“Be selfish.”

His voice was flat.

“…Huh?”

“Or how about I wipe your head clean.”

“…What kind of bull is that.”

Chloe, who’d been standing a little apart, knit her brows. If she’s like Chief Song, even if she dislikes me, she wouldn’t turn a blind eye to an S–rank threatening an F–rank. Ironically, she might protect me from Seong Hyunjae.

“I mean the impulse exists. It’s been a while since we got back from China.”

The corners of his lips rose—a picture–perfect smile.

“I’ve been waiting, shall we say—for a proper uproar.”

“I really don’t understand.”

“If I say it first, it means nothing.”

“…I honestly don’t know what you want, but you’re waiting for me to do something?”

“Yes.”

The gaze looking down at me felt cold for a flicker. At the same time, I wanted to grab him by the collar and demand what he wanted. Damn—what is he, some ancient god? Toss a few vague lines, watch, and if I walk the path he wants, pat me on the head?

“Why should I do what you want.”

“It’s not just me.”

Now his voice turned infuriatingly gentle.

“Many people want it.”

“…I really want to punch you.”

“If it’s for that end, I thought—why not play the villain.”

In a flip, he said it almost playfully.

“It’d be fun, too.”

“You’re insane.”

I thought he’d changed—but he’s the same. Unreadable, untethered, impossible to predict. And what do you actually want me to do? Did I do something that offended your eye? I’ve got plenty of flaws, sure—but I’ve worked. If that’s still not enough, then hell, cut open my belly.

“I can’t follow the conversation, but please don’t commit misdeeds lightly. Especially in the Sesung Guildmaster’s position—the collateral damage is too great.”

Chloe cut in, face serious. …Saying even that? Maybe she really isn’t on Park Hayul’s side.

“By any chance, Ms. Chloe—do you know anything about my abduction to China?”

I tossed it vaguely. She wouldn’t confess with a question like that—

“I feel sorry about that.”

“…Huh?”

“Well, that’s unexpected.”

Even Seong Hyunjae looked a little surprised and turned to her. Chloe spoke calmly, like she’d never meant to hide it.

“Officially I came to deliver a letter to the Sesung Guildmaster. Privately, I wanted to check on Director Han’s condition.”

“Uh—but you said you don’t like me?”

“Personal feelings aside—you were the victim.”

“Are you… confessing ties to the kidnappers? Can I record this?”

“I wasn’t involved. I simply didn’t stop it.”

So she felt guilty for knowing and not stopping it.

“I also agreed it was the solution with the least harm. If Director Han were only abducted, it would let us remove certain risks in the military.”

“…I’d like to hear a bit more.”

“Hwang Rim contacted me first.”

…What? I’d half–expected it—but so he really wasn’t on the military’s side.

“He said if the military gained perfect control over the Goblin King (Female), the standoff with the Murim Alliance would collapse completely. That would be unacceptable. Also, long–distance portals were highly likely to lead to invasion of other countries.”

Thinking on it, it’s chilling. If they release undead Hunters through long–range portals… and China has many unknown high–rank Hunters—people would be helpless before high–rank undead that came from who–knows–where.

“So they abducted me to pull in Korean Hunters? They could’ve simply requested cooperation.”

“That becomes a dispute between nations.”

Not wrong. Because I was abducted, Korean Hunters could go to China and raise a ruckus with blinders on and no one could say much.

“Also, only if Director Han were abducted could we head to Nosando naturally. The plan to capture the Korean Hunters there would have been feasible.”

“You succeeded—but if you’d failed, wouldn’t only we have been sacrificed?”

“Korean Hunters were stronger than expected. Originally, Hwang Rim and some of his faction were going to cooperate—but they found there was no need.”

…So that’s why Hwang Rim took Cho Hwawoon and left then. The goblins had fled, and they sent Yun Yun into a rampage—so his business there was done?

“Is it okay to tell me all this.”

“If your condition was stable, I planned to say this before departure. I also have a letter from Hwang Rim. Will you accept it?”

Watching my face closely, Chloe asked. I sighed lightly and held out my hand. Honestly, hearing Ms. Chloe say she dislikes me was the bigger shock. Hwang Rim is just a passing memory. She took out a letter from Inventory and handed it to me. I wondered what nonsense he’d written, but for now, I put it away.

“So the conclusion is—you abducted me out of good intentions?”

“It was, of course, wrong.”

She cut the words cleanly. Then—maybe—

“Have you, by chance, severed ties with that ‘older sister’ of Park Hayul—the one I still don’t know the name of?”

“No.”

…What is that.

“I can’t tell you more. If you seek retaliation, I understand. But I will resist.”

She bowed to me for the many discourtesies, then looked to Seong Hyunjae.

“Please reply before I leave the country.”

Then Chloe turned, opened the glass door, and left. I felt even stranger than when the system message popped up. A bad method for a good intent—that scraped harder at my chest. It’d be easier if she were just plain bad.

“One word to add.”

Seong Hyunjae looked back at me.

“Even good people can become enemies at any time.”

“…I know. Plenty of the people who insulted me were probably good, kind people.”

“And whoever means to hurt you—whatever’s inside them—they’re an enemy.”

Says the guy who just volunteered to play villain. I kept the question—so you could be, too—to myself.