The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 469: Selfish

Anyway, this made it clear. I turned my back on Seong Hyunjae and pushed the glass door. I’d tell Chief Song about Chloe’s rank and detain her. There was no reason to just say, “Safe travels,” and let her go. If we held on to Chloe, her side would reach out. Good intentions or not, at the very least the skill Park Hayul put on me had to be lifted. You don’t get to use someone like that and then pretend you didn’t.

I walked down the quiet corridor. Seong Hyunjae didn’t follow. My gut burned, and I stopped.

“…Gyeol, want to go on ahead?”

– No.

I couldn’t smoke in front of a kid. Instead, I leaned my back against the wall and stood still for a bit.

‘The me now is so much… better.’

But if I were the me before regression—just Han Yujin the F–rank—then I wouldn’t have heard Chloe say she disliked me. On the contrary, instead of the rumors swirling around me, she might have looked at an F–rank Hunter who’d fought hard to survive.

‘…So I just did something stupid and got words I was better off not knowing.’

She’d intended to tell me everything. No, she’d said she would before she left the country—if I’d heard it then, it would’ve been harder to respond. So why spill it now? Ah—maybe she realized from my talk with Seong Hyunjae that I’d already noticed who she was. I had pressed her—asked if she’d joined hands with that side.

‘Then I need to move—fast.’

She said she’d resist. That means she’ll run, right? Skills—what was Chloe’s skill again. She mainly did broadcasts on mid– and low–rank dungeons, so nothing really stood out. It was about surviving or clearing while using as little high–rank power as possible.

I started walking again. The lounge was still a ways off, and someone stood in the hallway.

“…Chief Song.”

It was Song Taewon. Maybe he’d come out of concern—F–rank and high–rank Hunters, after all. Suddenly I remembered Seong Hyunjae saying he’d trusted me. Maybe he’d trusted Chief Song, not me.

“Mr. Han Yujin.”

“As planned, I was rejected.”

At my words, his expression wavered. No—he looked flustered seeing my face.

“…First, I apologize. I’m not good with this sort of comfort.”

“No, I’m fine.”

His eyes didn’t believe me.

“More importantly—did Ms. Chloe return to the lounge?”

“She didn’t come this way.”

“Pardon?”

“She left through a different corridor up ahead. She was alone, so I didn’t stop her—was there a problem?”

I went blank for a beat, then scrubbed my face with a hand. Of course. She wasn’t even Burn Cave—why would she linger. She’d been found out—she’d hide immediately. Why did I just watch her turn and go. Damn it, I’m really…

“I’ll call the others.”

Whatever he read in me, Chief Song hurriedly started to turn, and I grabbed his sleeve.

“That’s not it. It’s not that. I just—was unbelievably stupid. And I shouldn’t be standing here even now.”

“…I think dating itself would be fine.”

“…What?”

“It’s all right to have that much room for yourself.”

He said it soberly.

“That doesn’t sound like something you would say, Chief.”

“I’m a public servant.”

“People call civil servants iron–rice–bowls, not iron–bodies.”

“I’m also S–rank.”

“Even so. I never imagined I’d hear you tell me to make time to date.”

For some reason, I laughed. I slumped down with my back to the wall. Chasing now—my chances of catching Chloe were slim. Better to aim for when she came to get a reply from Seong Hyunjae. Assuming he’d cooperate.

“You didn’t really like me, Chief.”

“I was worried, that’s all.”

“Then sit here. My neck’s going to snap.”

I patted the carpeted floor. After a pause, he sat down beside me. Room, huh. Room is nice. But this really wasn’t the time.

“I don’t know what Seong Hyunjae is thinking.”

“I’ve watched nearly four years, and I don’t know either.”

“If I were S–rank, I’d have grabbed him by the collar a hundred times and shaken him.”

“My advice—treat him as a natural disaster. A lightning strike you were unlucky to get.”

“…In that case, you’re basically a lightning rod, Chief.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t serve as a proper lightning rod for you.”

Polite—and still earnest. Why apologize for that.

“If we’re nitpicking, I’m the one who ran in waving the umbrella over my head.”

“Then I wish you wouldn’t. And don’t think about him too much.”

“You can not think about him?”

He fell silent. The line between his brows grew deeper.

“Even so, I don’t think you need to watch the Sesung Guildmaster’s mood. Ignore him like you did in the banquet hall.”

“…Pardon?”

Ignore him? Back then, he started—

“But for me to do that is a little…”

“Even if you try to keep your distance, it’s impossible. I have to mind him because of my position—but you can leave him be.”

“What if I stop caring and he leaves for good?”

“Then it will be peaceful.”

Not wrong, but, hmm.

“The Sesung Guildmaster is—useful. We need him.”

“You’re capable enough yourself.”

“Pardon? I—uh, if we include Haeyeon Guild, maybe in terms of force. Overseas, though…”

“You have Amaterasu Guild and the Murim Alliance. You also have the facility and Hunter Myungwoo. Expanding your power won’t be difficult. Of course it’s easier to lean on an already established Sesung—but you’re not lacking compared to them.”

That’s a generous evaluation. …Or am I undervaluing the people around me. I shouldn’t.

“Um, Chief Song.”

“Yes.”

“Ms. Chloe is connected to the people who abducted me—wait, hold on! She already left. It’s too late!”

I grabbed him before he shot to his feet. His face, gone hard, looked down at me.

“You knew and met her?”

“No—only a little suspicion. I’m sorry. But I told Seong Hyunjae and Ms. Hyunah. Also—they said abducting me wasn’t out of ill intent. You know the Goblin King (Female)—they said it was to stop the danger if the military got full control.”

“A crime is a crime, regardless of reason.”

He said it flatly.

“But if sacrificing one or two could save many?”

“I step up first.”

“…You’re saying it’s fine for you to be sacrificed? Because it’s your life?”

“You may think I’m inconsistent, but—I don’t believe self–sacrifice is the right thing.”

Unexpected. So maybe Chief Song doesn’t like himself very much. Because he feels himself to be an alien thing, he thinks it’s okay to sacrifice himself for others.

“I like you, Chief.”

“…”

“I think you’re a genuinely good person.”

“…But I can’t unconditionally block a decision someone reached after thinking it through. I can try to persuade. But to sacrifice others on their behalf—never.”

“Mm. But you can—stand by and watch?”

“At the very least, I cannot. And by my position, I can’t leave a high–rank Hunter with ties to a major crime at large. So forgive me, but I’ll issue a wanted notice for Hunter Chloe.”

“Please hold that for a bit. She said she’d come for a reply from the Sesung Guildmaster. If he’ll cooperate, that’s better than a blind search. If you issue it now, she’ll only dig deeper.”

He said all right, and silence fell again. Gyeol rubbed her head against my nape to comfort me. The chaos in my head settled a lot. Still, I couldn’t make sense of Seong Hyunjae. Be selfish? Is he really going to betray me? He said he expected me to grab him—does that mean he won’t leave if I cling? That’s even more annoying.

“…I want to grab Seong Hyunjae by the collar.”

“If it’s you, he’ll let you.”

“Because I’m F–rank and not a threat.”

“Rank doesn’t matter. If he doesn’t want it, he won’t let even a non–awakened lay a finger on him.”

“That’s…”

“Hunter Han Yuhyun, Hunter Park Yerim, Hunter Noah, and Hunter Moon Hyunah—as well.”

His tone was calm, like he was stating facts. …And it was true. Yeah, it’s not like I didn’t know.

“Ehh…”

“…By any chance.”

He hesitated, then spoke.

“Does Hunter Chloe have feelings for the Sesung Guildmaster—”

“No.”

“It happens from time to time—my apologies.”

Did he think Ms. Chloe dumped me and went to Seong Hyunjae? I did blurt I wanted to grab him by the collar.

“He told me to be selfish. What do you think that means?”

“That much, I think he’s right.”

“Wow… But I kind of want to tell you to be selfish, too, Chief.”

I’m not as bad as him, right? I do take care of what I should and protest when I need to. If I have to be more selfish than this—what, is he telling me to swallow Sesung? Or is it a signal—he’ll go to Park Hayul’s lot or Chatterbox’s, so I should take what’s left and gobble it down? A Sesung without Seong Hyunjae is less useful than a Seong Hyunjae without Sesung. If you’re giving—give me both.

“What is it about me that that man dislikes so much?”

“…Pardon?”

“As soon as I start to get attached, like he’s been waiting, he—”

I hurriedly covered Gyeol’s ears.

“It’s bullshit. If you’re going to treat me well, then treat me well; if not, just treat me like crap. There’s no consistency. You’ve got a bumper crop of bullshit—you’ll be singing harvest songs all year. Chuseok’s long gone; are you going to keep this crap up in midwinter too? Plant wheat and barley while you’re at it? Well, you’ve got a big greenhouse at home, so it’ll be green all year anyway. If it’s going to be like this, why plant flowers—grow rice.”

“…I see.”

“My birthday present next year is a cultivator. If you show up in some other car I’ll just mow it down. If I end up hospitalized from stress, the culprit is Seong Hyunjae. Please arrest him.”

“That would be difficult. You also can’t damage someone’s car for no particular reason. And I think the Sesung Guildmaster is excessively fond of you. If not, he wouldn’t show any interest at all.”

…I know, but still—seriously. I handed Gyeol to Chief Song and sprang to my feet.

– Dad!

“I’m just going to grab him by the collar.”

And yell so he gets it. Anyway, whatever—first I need to see his face.

A thin blue plate gave off a gentle glow. The letters carved into it did not belong to this world. But its owner could understand their meaning. The plate floating over his palm vanished in an instant. Right then, a chill brushed the nape of Seong Hyunjae’s neck. Along a faint red line, a few drops of blood beaded.

“Guess you feel a little sorry? Not even dodging.”

Perched on the terrace railing, Moon Hyunah lowered her spear. Then she plucked off the last of the cobweb–like strands clinging to her body.

“No wonder you let them go so meekly—you’d set up something weird. First time I’ve seen this item.”

“It was a birthday present.”

“Hm? Ah, Hunter Myungwoo? Good stuff. Even a mid–rank would take half a day to get out of it. So, Hyungnim is…”

The terrace garden was already empty. Sitting on the rail, Moon Hyunah glared at the back of Seong Hyunjae’s head.

“From how quiet it is I guess nothing happened—but what’s your scheme. Hm?”

“Shall we say—I wanted you and Hunter Miller to make up. You might be running into each other often.”

“Run into what. Guildmasters barely see each other once a month as it is.”

Once a month would be frequent. Guildmasters—S–rank Hunters—hardly had private interactions. A single stint in an S–rank dungeon could keep you inside for weeks, and any disputes outside became unmanageable. Of them all, Moon Hyunah was the one who mingled most broadly; other S–ranks usually stayed within their own guilds.

Lately, they’d been seeing each other often because of Han Yujin.

“If you’re acting Guildmaster of Sesung, you’ll have to see her from time to time.”

“…What?”

Her brows kicked up.

“You said you’re going abroad—are you just going for good?”

“Soyeong’s still young. For a while, we’ll leave her to Hunter Miller.”

“Director Han will be disappointed. Don’t tell me you dragged me out just to say that? He backs off on his own when you tell him.”

At her skeptical look, Seong Hyunjae’s lips quirked.

“I introduced Vantes to Han Yujin.”

“…What are you plotting.”

“Team Leader Seok is capable, but he’s someone who could grind Han Yujin down for the sake of Haeyeon.”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but—”

With her brows screwed tight, Moon Hyunah went on.

“Back when you said you’d help me—there were other reasons, sure—but I turned you down mainly because you act like that. You don’t just help; you flick people here and there to herd them.”

It didn’t end at a scholarship or a bit toward living expenses. He laid out a long path—what school to attend, the major, even the job after graduation. And yet he didn’t lead directly or force anything. He tweaked the surroundings so the person would mistake it for a path they’d chosen on their own.

“The young master might not have noticed, but Seok Gimyeong did—and he absolutely loathed it. Do you think he hates you for nothing? It’s a blessing your interest doesn’t last long. You’re not some god playing with people’s fates—makes me sick.”

“It was pure goodwill. And I am restraining myself these days.”

“You’re still doing shady crap at a glance. Hey, if you keep shaking the candy jar, everything inside will shatter.”

“I know. But if you’re rolling toward a cliff, even if some things break, shouldn’t you change direction.”

At that, she scratched the back of her head.

“Not wrong—but are you trying to make Hyungnim stand on his own or what. He leans on the Sesung Guildmaster a lot, but I don’t think anything will change drastically just because you’re gone.”

At most he’d be a little disappointed.

“Don’t go tormenting random people because you’re bored out of your skull without Han Yujin and without Song Taewon. Though I guess the Chief will be traveling a lot again.”

“It will be lonely. That’s why I waited.”

“What—for Hyungnim to not grab you and just say goodbye?”

He answered with a silent laugh. There were still a few days left. Knowing Han Yujin, he wouldn’t tell anyone everything; he’d brood alone. He might try to hold on, or he might give up. He might try some half–baked persuasion, fail, and raise a blade.

Either way, since the word partner carries weight, betrayal would be felt.

“I’m not used to being hated.”

“What the hell—want me to bring it by the truckload.”

“Those people don’t matter. What do I care what stones in the flowerbed think.”

“…You’re filthy insufferable. Makes me miss the Moon (Female). She was cute, unlike a crazy wily serpent. And if you don’t want to be hated, just behave.”

“I could.”

Maybe not five years—maybe in a year or two, his interest in Han Yujin would fade. Then it wouldn’t matter. But sitting still to hold a place because of an uncertain future didn’t suit Seong Hyunjae’s nature.

“But having him get mad at me will be fun, too.”

“Chief Song’s at least S–rank. Director Han—go easy…”

Her voice cut off. Soon, the glass door banged open. Han Yujin strode into the terrace garden.

“…Ms. Hyunah?”

“Dumped safely, Hyungnim?”

“…Yes.”

He nodded and walked up to Seong Hyunjae. Behind him, Song Taewon followed in, holding the fairy dragon, and stopped at the glass door.

“Mr. Seong Hyunjae.”

Seong Hyunjae looked down at him. He’d thought he wouldn’t hear from him for a day or so. His furrowed eyes were full of indignation. Aggrieved, resentful, angry, annoyed.

“I didn’t expect you back right away.”

“Shut your mouth. Come to think of it—today you said you’d be my accessory. An ornament doesn’t have a mouth, you know?”

“That’s true.”

He tilted his head slightly and smiled.

“Yes, Master.”

A long index finger touched lightly to his lips and fell away. Han Yujin took a deep breath. His shoulders hitched a little.

“I was really just going to curse you out, but then—”

He exhaled long again.

“‘Be selfish,’ you said? That’s basically ‘do whatever I want,’ isn’t it. Since you told me to, I will. I don’t care what you do.”

Meeting his eyes head–on, Han Yujin spoke.

“I—damn it. I want Seong Hyunjae to be the last one. Just live in this world. Pulling whatever self–indulgent, batshit stunts. I want that, and I’ll make it happen. Whatever your scheme is—I don’t care. It’s what I want.”

He ground his teeth—he wouldn’t care about that man’s side.

“And you too, Chief Song!”

Standing back a pace, Song Taewon flinched reflexively.

“Live long, just— I want to see you live well. I just want to see it. Ms. Hyunah—feels like you’ll do fine anyway, but I hope you’re happy.”

“Oh, thanks.”

At her words, he smiled. Then he narrowed his eyes fiercely again and glared at Seong Hyunjae.

“I’m going to do as I want. You picked the fight first. So if you’ll cooperate, cooperate; if not, get lost. Of course, if you vanish on your own, I’ll find you somehow, grab you by the collar, and drag you back.”

One way or another.

“I’ll give you a day, too. Time to run.”

After blurting that out, the back of his neck flushed a little.

“Ah, damn. Anyway, that’s that. Ms. Hyunah, can I drink more?”

“Of course. You can take everything left inside the lounge’s open kitchen.”

“Thank you.”

Averting his gaze from Seong Hyunjae, he took out his phone.

“Hey, Yuhyun. There’s more wine in the open kitchen inside. The ones Ms. Hyunah brought. Grab all that’s left. I need to get a little drunk today. What? I got dumped—obviously! I’m fine, but your car?”

While talking with his brother, Han Yujin looked back at Song Taewon.

“Chief Song, can an S–rank Hunter drink and drive?”

“…There are no regulations yet, but no.”

“Then only Yerim. She does have a license.”

“Preferably, sleep at the hotel.”

“Right—this is a hotel. Yuhyun, let’s head up to the room. Bring the wine and come to the elevator. Yeah—come comfort your hyung.”

Han Yujin left. Song Taewon followed after him. Moon Hyunah shrugged and looked at Seong Hyunjae.

“So? I don’t know the details, but it doesn’t seem like it’s going the way you thought.”

“…I’m going to go crazy.”

Seong Hyunjae’s hand came up to cover his face.