The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 499: So Hand It Over, Then (6)

The hall, now absent its leading actors, lay quiet. With no one left inside, only the scattered traces of the party remained. Through the open wall, dusk bled in long and low, casting light across the stained tables. At the top of the stairs, the end of the long veil snagged and curled around Seong Hyunjae’s toe.

He would always have been the last to remain. Taking more than anyone else as if it were natural, then watching it sift away between his fingers like sand. Again and again. Standing at twilight’s edge, right before all slipped into darkness. Yet he himself never quite reaching the night.

And into that dusky glow, his night entered. Leaning his arms along the railing, Seong Hyunjae smiled. Song Taewon looked up at him with the faintest crease between his brows. Seong Hyunjae looked down into those black eyes with evident delight.

“Please try not to go around alone, if you can avoid it.”

“Did the first digit of my age vanish while I was away.”

“I’d rather shepherd a child.”

Song Taewon crossed the hall, walking with steady measure. Seong Hyunjae, in contrast, descended slowly along the banister; before he’d reached even half the steps, Song was already there below. Song’s eyes flicked to the faint marks on Seong’s hands. Several scars ran up from beneath his shirt cuff to the insides of his wrists.

“What happened.”

“A guest dropped by. Nothing serious.”

“If traces remain even after using potion, is it perhaps a curse–type.”

Song reached out, asking silent permission.

“Director Han Yujin has stepped away for the moment, so allow me to take a temporary look.”

Since Infiltrate nullifies an opponent’s skills, it had some effect on poison and curses too, so long as they stemmed from skills. If a skill had already finished resolving— such as losing a body part— there was nothing to be done; but for ongoing effects like slowed healing, temporary nullification was possible.

“It would be only a stopgap, so we’ll still need Director Han— but I should be able to treat it for now.”

Not a full dispel. Once Infiltrate is withdrawn, the curse would remain; wound the same spot again and the healing would drag once more. Unless—

“…Unless one were to swallow the curse itself.”

With the true power Infiltrate held. Song’s face dimmed a touch; Seong answered as if joking.

“I’m to be a test subject, then.”

“That is not my intent at present.”

Song replied woodenly and brought his hand to the wound. The moment a shadow–like blackness bloomed at his palm—

Crack!

A spark jumped; the shadow, moving erratically, slit Seong’s hand open across the back. Song jerked his skill away and stepped back. Shocked, he saw blood well up and sheet across the hand in an instant.

“Just now…”

“I see. Come to think of it, it was somewhat similar.”

Unbothered, Seong took out a potion and poured it over the cut. The wound knit; the blood washed away in the potion’s flow. He flicked his hand once to shake off the wet.

“No need to fuss.”

“What— happened.”

“I said it was nothing.”

He continued down. Song caught his shoulder. The moment Seong turned his head toward him, Song’s hand dropped away at once. Golden eyes curved, amused, as Seong looked up at him.

“You are worried. Not only about what I’ll cause— but about me as well.”

“…Sir?”

“In the meantime, you’ve been colored quite a bit by Han Yujin.”

Inevitably influenced by someone who treated Seong naturally, as a human.

“Whether it’s an old world without even a lamp, or a bright modern city— night is night.”

“Please tell me what happened. Don’t tell me it’s… the matter of that… accumulation again.”

“That, you needn’t worry about. Our Elder gave me a decent method.”

“Young Chaos?”

“This time I won’t be imposing on either of them.”

Song studied the gentle smile on Seong’s face. If the transcendent, Young Chaos, had helped, there was some reason to believe him. And yet, strangely, unease lingered.

“More than that— don’t relax your vigilance too much.”

Seong turned his body fully, and stepped one stair back up.

“You’d know better than anyone that my interest doesn’t only turn in good directions.”

You should be worrying more about Han Yujin. At the soft murmur, Song’s brow twitched up.

“Of late, the urge to kill either the young lord or the young lady has grown stronger.”

“You will not—”

“Think back to the dungeon in China.”

Honestly, it was enjoyable. A little dizzying. The smile on his lips deepened.

“If he lost the brother he cherishes like life, how would Han Yujin react. Isn’t the imagining alone exciting.”

“Not in the slightest.”

One of Song’s feet slid back, up a step. He wanted to retreat, yet the other foot didn’t budge.

“And it is my job to stop that.”

“Don’t worry. Unfortunately, I already made a promise— never to lay a hand on Director Han’s brother. And Han Yujin is one and only.”

He let out a short sigh.

“Seeing him try so hard to draw his brother into his arms— it’s delightful, and a fine sight. In this case, you can even be jealous— isn’t he coddling him too much.”

“…You are only pretending.”

“Maybe it’s for the best the Han Yujin from inside the dungeon didn’t come out. If he had, it would’ve been hard to restrain myself.”

With a sort of spare in reserve, he might have done what should have been restrained. One should never have two of a person, after all— Seong turned again and hopped lightly down. Song stared at his back, dazed, then snapped his mouth open.

“Do not go out alone! And we must properly re–examine your injury.”

A bad feeling grazed his chest, but for now, chasing Seong was more urgent. He hurried down and left the hall.

“Damn it!”

With a furious shout, a Hunter went flying and splashed, face–first into the sea. Splash! If it were summer, the sound would have been refreshing.

“That team’s busted too.”

Let’s see— this was the third team. And still, there wasn’t so much as a scratch on the turtle’s shell. It shone smooth and clean, not a mark to be seen.

[Grade–1 Great Carapace–Type – Sunken Sea–Shell

Current Stat Class SS

Potential Stat Class S–SS

Optimized Starter Skills

Blessing of the Sea (SS) – Acquired

Soaked Water Armor (SS) – Acquired

Gulp–Gulp (S) – Acquired

Wave Whip (S) – Acquired]

Even the name screamed sturdy, and the skills looked sturdy as well. Thankfully its attack skills weren’t that powerful, but like that toad from before, the real problem was that our attacks weren’t landing at all. As expected, SS–rank monsters weren’t easy. However—

‘It might actually be simple to攻略.’

Looking at the skills, I had a decent idea how to handle it.

“Yerim.”

“Yes, Mister.”

“Scout around a bit for me?”

They were working hard out there, but I was sorry to say— their chances of taking the turtle were nearly zero. If you want it in thirty minutes, you need your route laid in advance. A moment later, Yerim brought back exactly the info I wanted. Just right.

“Good. Yuhyun, do you think you can pierce that shell? Without my buffs or Blade–Eater.”

He shook his head slightly.

“The carapace itself is hard, and it’s saturated with water— I think it’ll be tough. I can’t use Last Gate either.”

“As I thought?”

“Yeah. Sorry.”

“Sorry for what— works out better for me.”

If we get a water–attribute SS–rank magic stone, I can make gear for Yerim. Perfect. Even without having seen its face yet, I found the turtle very lovable. It’d bring in profit and a magic stone— what a dear thing.

Shhhhhh—!

“Gah!”

“Urgh!”

Currents roared around the turtle, sweeping Hunters back. Slapped by waves, Hunters caromed and splashed into the drink. We should’ve done this in mid–summer. With a broadcast, while we’re at it.

Anyway, seems nothing unusual will happen.

“Let’s head back soon. Ms. Hyun–ah is watching; we can ask about the teams’ abilities later.”

“I’ll stay a little longer. Since it’s a water fight, I think it’ll be good to watch!”

“Alright— don’t be too late.”

The turtle wasn’t moving much— a bit disappointing— but it’d still help to watch. I, well, had watched plenty on TV. It’d be nice to show Yerim more too.

With most Hunters drawn to the beach, the mansion was hollow. Near the still–open wall, I saw Seong Hyunjae and Song Taewon standing. He really had gone to wash— light shirt and slacks. Not a kid— why’s his hair still damp? Shirt, still wet… wait. Why are his sleeves rolled up? The air felt a bit off.

“Yuhyun, how’s Chief Song’s face.”

“Rigid.”

He’s like that normally, but still. Peace folded his wings and skimmed down along the flowerbed. We dismounted and walked up to the two.

“What happened.”

With people around, I kept it as businesslike as possible. Chief Song, inspecting Seong’s arm, turned to answer me.

“…There was an attack, he says.”

“An attack?”

Who in the world would— who— the suspects might fit neatly in one hand. Chief Song seemed to be thinking similarly.

“He says the attacker used only skills from afar, so he couldn’t confirm the face.”

“Is that so? I’m asking as a duty of the host, but— are you alright?”

Seong raised both arms. Fine scratches remained on his skin.

“Only a few scrapes.”

“Scraped… right…”

Shady. Even if shallow, to get cut that much and let the assailant go? No matter if the skills came from range, there’s no way he couldn’t have pursued. …Is his condition worse than I thought? Recognizing Chatterbox’s mark was one thing— it bothered me.

“You used a potion, but the wounds linger— curse–type?”

“Doesn’t seem too strong— but if you’d like to hold me, I won’t refuse.”

“…No, thank you.”

What are you doing— there are eyes. So he’d thrown out the act now? Still, I told him quietly to contact me if there was any issue.

“Any suspects.”

“Who knows. I’ve earned plenty of dislike, unintentionally— but bold enough to come directly…”

He looked at me steadily. …What.

“…I have an alibi. Several witnesses.”

“A pity.”

So he had the energy to spout nonsense. I worried for nothing.

“Don’t mind it— let’s go in.”

Yuhyun asked if I wasn’t tired. Right— why worry about that man. It was probably just one of the many Hunters who bore him a grudge. Still, a vague unease lingered.

“I’d prefer if the Sesung Guildmaster didn’t end up stabbed in the night. May I ask you to keep an eye on him.”

“Rest assured. I’ll watch.”

Chief Song answered reliably. Sorry to trouble you so far from home. Not that I needed to say it— he’d be watching Seong anyway. Watching, not guarding. I gave Seong a sidelong glance one more time and turned away.

Peace hopped up the stairs ahead of us in light bounds. Even if this was used mainly by high–rank Hunters, no elevator? While I’m here I won’t need separate exercise.

“Thank you for your hard work, everyone~”

I bowed as we entered the room dotted with monitors. One of the Hunters reviewing recordings approached.

“Here’s the first–pass list.”

These were Hunters presumed to have received Chatterbox’s invitations. The people here were all A–rank, both to finely check high–rankers’ movements and, more importantly, for safety. Breaker cooperated alongside Haeyeon. Even without hearing the details, everyone was proactive.

“Thanks. What about the ones who contacted us?”

“So far, five. Two regarding Monster Mounts, three saying they wanted to ask about the sigil on your neck.”

“Let’s meet all five for now.”

The Mounts could be an excuse. I skimmed the list and the five contacts— and Yuhyun plucked it from my hand.

“Tomorrow. Most people are at the beach anyway.”

“Alright, alright.”

“You need to wash and change.”

He seemed unhappy that I’d been buried in work recently. Gyeol nodded too, and Peace let out a soft kkiang as if agreeing. Since tomorrow would be busy, maybe we should turn in early today. The instant we stepped into the suite, Gyeol shrieked.

— Re! al! ly! Hate! It!

There was no subject, but it was obvious who she meant.

“Why, your dad got the bigger splash.”

— That was fine.

“And, honestly— it was fun.”

Who else but me would pour wine over Seong Hyunjae’s head. Even aside from that—

‘Just fighting with Seong Hyunjae itself is… pretty fun.’

Not just dousing him— I wanted to grab him by the hair and have a proper brawl at least once. Impossible with just my strength, though. I shrugged off my jacket, picked up the phone from the table, and sent a text.

[What does the sigil on my neck mean?]

Until I came out from my shower— and even after— no reply came.