The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 481: This Time, the Kidnapper (4)

Only the indirect lighting was on, leaving the room dim. With no windows, there was no way to tell whether it was day or night. Chloe swiftly checked her own condition. Her clothes were unchanged, and the flow of her mana was still disrupted. Judging by the level of hunger gnawing at her, at most two days had passed.

At the same time, a sharp thought flashed through her mind — the people who’d been captured.

Originally, Chloe had planned to do nothing more complicated than deliver a letter to Seong Hyunjae and receive a reply. Given who he was, they had agreed to send a high–rank Hunter, but it hadn’t been set in stone that Chloe would be the one.

A one–on–one meeting with the Sesung Guild Leader. If she could capture his interest, it would be very easy. If not, he was the sort of person for whom an individual audience — let alone a direct phone call — would be difficult. While she was mulling over a method, a request came in from the Burn Cave Guild to raid the Gold Hamster dungeon.

A pet monster desired by Monster Mounts Breeding Facility Director Han Yujin. Since the condition also included taking in and raising Monster Mounts, she would be able to meet Han Yujin for sure, and given the setting, there was a high chance S–class Hunters would accompany him to protect him. Even then, there was no guarantee Seong Hyunjae would appear. And even if he did, the odds he would pay any attention to the Hunter carrying the letter were even lower.

But what if there were an S–class Hunter who had concealed their rank by claiming to be lower?

Chloe hadn’t intended to hide her rank for long. In the first place, pretending a lower Hunter rank — especially faking a high stat rank as low — was difficult. Because stats apply at all times, your true strength is liable to slip out unguarded. Unless you avoided interacting with others entirely or were a liar thorough enough to fool even yourself, concealing that you were S–class for long was next to impossible.

So she had decided to use this opportunity to reveal the hidden rank she would have to announce soon anyway. Reporting a lower rank wasn’t subject to any particular penalties yet, so it wouldn’t be a big problem. Her plan was to accompany the Burn Cave Guild and drop just enough hints to suggest S–class. Before that could happen, however, Han Yujin took an interest in Chloe first.

It was unexpected, but after touring the D&L Company that Han Yujin had recommended, Chloe contacted the Sesung Guild. Through the secretary’s office, she was able to speak directly with Seong Hyunjae, and even succeeded in meeting him privately before the evening banquet to deliver the letter. Along the way, she did hear that Han Yujin held feelings for her beyond simple fondness, but she didn’t pay it any mind.

An F–class Hunter with a special skill, under the protection of S–class Hunters. Based on that environment and the information that filtered out, the Han Yujin in Chloe’s mind was a hothouse flower. Park Hayul had said, “Yujin hyung is amazing! It’s a secret so I can’t tell you,” but before awakening, Park Hayul had felt unconditional affection toward Hunters, so she let it slide.

He had, however, once been forcibly uprooted and dragged outside the greenhouse, so his state would be unstable. It was highly likely his dependence on the S–class Hunters around him had increased, and he might be fixated on his own safety. With those suppositions, the Han Yujin she met was far brighter than Chloe expected.

He dragged in a whole herd of S–class Hunters and treated opposing S–class Hunters with such nonchalance it looked almost childish. No matter how many powerful people were at his side, if he himself was an F–class, he could be put in danger at any time. He already had been once. And yet she couldn’t find even a shred of caution in him.

It was hard for Chloe to understand, but seeing the attitudes of the S–class Hunters around Han Yujin made it feel plausible. His family — Han Yuhyun and Park Yerim — and even Moon Hyunah were excessively, almost embarrassingly, kind to him. When you’re hoisted up like that, perhaps you forget how scary the world can be.

Her worry about being kidnapped to China faded on its own. After the banquet, Han Yujin confessed to her, but he seemed more concerned with Seong Hyunjae than with her, so she had thought it might just pass. However—

“…What happened to the three people Han Yujin has detained?”

Still sitting on the bed without climbing down, Chloe spoke in a poised posture, tension coiled as if she might bolt at any moment.

“I promised I wouldn’t run away.”

The Han Yujin she met again seemed like a completely different person. He was no longer a meek herbivore protected, smothered really, among predators. He clutched beasts far bigger and stronger than himself and bared his teeth with venomous eyes.

As if — though it shouldn’t be possible — he’d experienced losing the people by his side. Chloe had seen that face, those eyes, many times. If he felt threatened, he would not hesitate to commit murder. That was why she had handed over the invitation.

“Sesung Guild Leader.”

Uneasy, Chloe called to him again. His loosely closed lips parted.

“Don’t be hasty.”

His voice was the picture of leisure, the very opposite of hers.

“Hunter Alger is my guest.”

Seong Hyunjae rose from his chair. The sudden rise in eye level made Chloe’s shoulders reflexively shrink. He was S–class too. Yet the sense of pressure felt strangely strong. It was as if each shadow draped across the dim room lay under that man’s dominion.

“I merely escorted my guest.”

“By that, you mean…”

“I didn’t make her run, nor did I whisk her away.”

A hand in a white glove picked up a clear water bottle on the table. Water was poured into a glass.

“If I announce that I will take my guest with me, what problem could there be?”

He offered the glass. Chloe accepted it by reflex.

“You’re saying you took me from Han Yujin fairly — aboveboard.”

“He wasn’t exactly pleased.”

His golden eyes narrowed slightly. Chloe could easily picture it. The disintegrating expression on Han Yujin’s face she’d seen on the terrace garden floated up before her eyes as well.

“Then the other three?”

“They aren’t my guests.”

Light, yet firm — Seong Hyunjae’s answer. He turned and sat back down. Chloe wet her dry mouth a little. To the Sesung Guild Leader, three mid–rank Hunters had no value whatsoever. He wouldn’t spare a flicker of interest in what became of them.

“Of course, my guest can rest easy.”

Leisurely and supremely confident. As if whatever Han Yujin and the S–class Hunters around him might do wouldn’t merely fail to hinder him — it wouldn’t even be an annoyance.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot rest easy while those three are detained.”

“Think it through. How to treat them.”

If Chloe were perfectly protected, then the three remaining Hunters would actually be harder to lay a hand on. They could use them to threaten, certainly. However—

“If Han Yujin tries to drag me down, what will you do?”

“Hunter Alger.”

Leaning against the chair back, Seong Hyunjae tilted his head faintly. The corners of his lips lifted gently, but to the viewer it was a chilling smile. In the weighty air, his low voice resonated.

“Getting here, there was no clash.”

He had simply walked in quietly, taken what he wanted, and walked out. Fighting and winning to seize something is, rather, easy. The hardest thing is to take without doing anything at all.

A feat possible only when you stand in overwhelming superiority.

Chloe swallowed dryly before she knew it. She had thought he was different from other S–class Hunters. But now, he was a little — frightening. At the same time, she felt relief. Han Yujin’s faction was at a level she would struggle to handle. Three S–class Hunters and even an unusual blacksmith with a peculiar ability. Just remembering being dragged into the famed forge and facing the fire spirit made her skin crawl.

But if the Sesung Guild Leader would cooperate—

The glass she had been holding with both hands was now supported with just one. Watching that, Seong Hyunjae’s eyes softened at the tips. The tight air naturally loosened.

“I even saw you two argue in person, but have you truly fallen out with Han Yujin?”

“Well now. It’s not something that matters much.”

As if he bore no particular hard feelings toward Han Yujin, Seong Hyunjae spoke. Which is harder — when both sides sour, or when one side alone is disappointed? What was certain, at least for this man, was that the latter would be far more miserable. No matter how much you flail, if you can’t affect him at all, what could be more futile? Especially when, only yesterday, he would have smiled at you like that.

“I’ve also heard that you lose interest in people easily. Not many things last long for you.”

“I’m only being honest with myself.”

“Even so, Han Yujin lasted, didn’t he? There were even rumors he was second only to Song Taewon.”

Chloe watched Seong Hyunjae’s expression closely, as if wanting to grasp his precise intent. Had he truly lost interest? On the terrace garden, it hadn’t looked that way. If anything, quite the opposite.

“Han Yujin was — delightful.”

Seong Hyunjae’s eyes curved far more softly. Genuine delight sparkled there, and he smiled like a pure, carefree boy. Chloe couldn’t hide her surprise and drew a sharp breath. She had never imagined the Sesung Guild Leader could make such a face.

“In many ways, he was exactly my taste. I cherished him quite a lot.”

“…And now, you don’t?”

No answer came back. Within eyes that were still smiling, a cold shard seemed to flicker for an instant. Chloe drained the rest of the water in her glass.

“I’ll take it as simple assistance to me.”

“Guest hospitality.”

“If you give a positive reply, you’ll have to leave Korea anyway. May I ask you to travel with me?”

If she left Korea entirely, even Han Yujin would be limited. If he kept the three safe, she could say she’d give an answer after discussion. She could buy time like that and make a plan.

“A partner proposal — for the party, was it.”

Seong Hyunjae’s expression suddenly turned lukewarm. Chloe tensed at once. It was embarrassing how her body reacted so sensitively to every flicker of his face and every shift of his posture despite them both being S–class, but it was understandable too.

“You look young. With S–class Hunters you can’t judge age by appearance, but at best twenty. At most, twenty–one or two?”

“…”

“I’ve no intention of standing side by side with a child. Children aren’t my taste.”

“But the reply—”

Seong Hyunjae stood. Chloe’s words snapped off. He strode over, then bent his head to look down at her.

“If I must have a companion, I’ll choose this one.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Don’t tell me you won’t even give me a choice? There were four invitations, so I assumed you’d have prepared four, naturally.”

Speaking playfully, Seong Hyunjae held out his hand. In the gloom, the white glove stood out sharply. Flustered, Chloe stared at the offered hand.

“This isn’t for me to decide. Above all, my invitation was taken by Han Yujin.”

“That doesn’t matter in the least.”

His low voice fell.

“All I need is Chloe Alger’s consent.”

He could do anything he wanted — so long as the person before him agreed. Chloe’s fingers twitched. She could finally understand why even high–rank Hunters were ensnared by the Sesung Guild Leader, and why his notoriety was so great.

A person who seemed perfect offered his hand first, and you could affect that person. Most people have the desire to be acknowledged, the urge to climb higher. So when a hand is extended from the very top, there are precious few who don’t find it sweet.

“…I need the Sesung Guild Leader’s cooperation too.”

It felt unpleasant, but she needed help now. Chloe extended her hand in return and shook briefly. Seong Hyunjae stepped back a pace and spoke.

“First, we should get you a meal. Or would you prefer a shower?”

“I’ll fill my stomach first. Is this your residence, Sesung Guild Leader?”

“Of course not. Once you step outside, there will be people waiting. A word of advice — after you leave this building without a word, I won’t be able to help with what comes next.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Chloe rose, dipped her head in a polite bow, and stepped out. From afar, the faint sound of a door reached them. Seong Hyunjae’s fingertips stripped off the white gloves. Sparks crackled; torn ash fell to the floor.

“Not all that entertaining.”

He had expected a little, since she was someone Han Yujin liked. Not bad, but not interesting either. Perhaps it would be more fun to accept Hoyeon’s invitation instead. And above all—

The door opened and someone entered.

“We have the location.”

Bantes said with formal deference. They were among Chloe’s collaborators who hadn’t been caught.

“Give about half of them to Hunter Alger as a gift. As for the rest, leave them intact, more or less. That way Ms. Min Jinsoo will find it easier to work. What about the United States side?”

“We’re investigating using the description Director Han Yujin provided.”

Seong Hyunjae couldn’t disclose the letter’s contents. But Han Yujin could. For an S–class Hunter that conspicuous, information would surface soon. The chill in Seong Hyunjae’s expression eased slightly. He had no intention of stealing Han Yujin’s share. But he had absolutely no intention of missing out on his own, either.