The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 504: Seed (2)

“I have more and more questions for you as time goes on.”

I tried to calm my trembling heart while organizing the situation in my mind. First, I wasn’t currently in danger. Grace was still well hidden, Gyeol was here, and I had the King of Harmless’s drawer. If push came to shove, I could easily escape.

Right now, I was actually more worried about Chief Song.

What Hwang Rim had taken out was a small glass bottle. Inside was filled with powder that looked like dirt. What on earth was that to render Chief Song powerless? Even when fighting Seong Hyunjae, he hadn’t knelt so helplessly.

His hands were already braced on the floor. Even through his clothes, I could clearly feel his thick forearms trembling finely. Sweat beaded on his nape, and his brow was deeply furrowed as if even raising his head was difficult. His tightly closed lips moved slightly as if wanting to call out to me, but only faint breathing escaped.

…I should have come alone instead. I’m the safest one here.

“Can’t you let Chief Song go?”

At my words, Song Taewon’s face contorted even more severely. Screech—his fingertips scraped the floor. His strength must have also weakened, as only shallow lines were drawn on the floor that would have been deeply gouged otherwise.

“Han Yu, jin…”

“You don’t look fine at all, so don’t say you’re okay.”

My voice also trembled weakly. Damn it, being sandwiched next to an S-rank Hunter I wasn’t even close to without Fear Resistance wasn’t great for mental health. Chief Song was also an S-rank, and this was a situation where two S-ranks were confronting each other. Even though I could escape anytime, my whole body kept getting chills as if caught in a cold draft. If this were an ordinary person who’d never experienced dungeons or high-rank Hunters, they would have fainted from the atmosphere.

“There’s absolutely no way I’ll die. It’s not just once or twice.”

Had I told Chief Song about the drawer? I couldn’t quite remember.

“That… won’t do.”

Trying somehow to raise his body, Song Taewon scraped the floor again. Tendons bulged on the backs of his hands and wrists, but it was all useless. He must have bitten his lip, as blood showed faintly at the corners of Song Taewon’s mouth.

“Stop it.”

“I am…”

“Chief Song!”

“You two are having fun by yourselves when I wanted to talk.”

Hwang Rim spoke with raised corners of his mouth.

“Then you talk too.”

I’d asked him to let Chief Song go, but realistically that wouldn’t happen. First of all, Chief Song wouldn’t obediently withdraw. So the best course was to somehow naturally approach Chief Song and escape into the drawer together.

Yuhyun and Yerim knew about the drawer, so they could guess my whereabouts. Or I could use the contact contract that Yuhyun still had.

“I’m so frustrated I could die, so let go of my arm.”

“Little Jin has too many tricks, so I can’t.”

“I won’t run away leaving Chief Song behind! Or just tie me up instead.”

Even with Gyeol’s help, S-rank and above was difficult. Moreover, Hwang Rim’s build alone suggested his strength was no joke. He’d be in the upper tier even among S-ranks. But if I was separately tied up, since I was an F-rank stat opponent, he’d use at most mid-grade items or ordinary tools. If I was tied up, there was a high possibility he wouldn’t stop me from approaching Chief Song.

“You like being tied up. If that’s what Little Jin wants.”

“As if!”

“Then do you want to stay in my arms?”

“…Let’s say I like it.”

Fuck, just tie me up. Quickly. As if to prevent me from using my inventory, Hwang Rim turned my arms behind me and made me grab opposite forearms with each hand. In that state, he wrapped and bound my hands and forearms.

“What should I do about the baby dragon? It’s cute.”

Gyeol growled while clinging tightly to me. It was known he couldn’t speak, but he wouldn’t let him outside anyway, and Fairy Dragonkin didn’t take physical damage either.

“He’s F-rank. Leave him alone.”

“Don’t worry. I like dragons too.”

Gyeol bit down hard on Hwang Rim’s extended hand. Hwang Rim laughed as if tickled.

“I’ll have to catch him if he tries to run. Should I tie him up too?”

“I absolutely won’t run leaving him behind, so don’t worry.”

“Good boy.”

Hwang Rim forcibly petted Gyeol’s head with his finger as he tried to dodge. Gyeol rubbed his touched head all over my clothes in displeasure. Still, I was relieved for now. Now I just had to contact Chief Song as naturally as possible.

Of course, before that—

“What’s that bottle?”

An item that could easily subdue an S-rank Hunter was too dangerous. At my question, Hwang Rim placed the glass bottle on the table.

“Soil from home.”

“…What?”

“Unfortunately, it’s only for Song Taewon.”

That bastard Hwang Rim said there’s some rope left, and wound it around even my ankles. In this state, would I have to crawl on the floor?

“Let’s say it’s related to how Lunar Eclipse was created.”

“…He said it was the source’s immune system.”

“Then let’s call it something like a vaccine.”

Hearing the word vaccine immediately brought Whitey to mind. If there was someone who would administer a vaccine to help the source, wouldn’t it only be her? At the same time, my insides twisted painfully.

“When exactly did you start having relations with Transcendents? Don’t tell me from the beginning…”

“No, Little Jin. In China, I was just doing my family business. Now let’s say my business partners have increased. There are many Transcendents trying to make direct contact with this world. It’s a hot place. It’s just that beings capable of doing so are rare.”

…Chatterbox alone was headache enough. Hadn’t we negotiated that they couldn’t interfere carelessly? But thinking about it, there must be neutral parties too. Those who don’t take either side and just peek around thinking they’ll watch.

Hwang Rim looked down at me while stroking my head. Take your hand away, you bastard.

“So my first objective is kidnapping Song Taewon.”

“…What?”

Wait, what did he say? Kidnapping aside, Chief Song?

“Not me?”

At my words that slipped out unconsciously, Hwang Rim looked at me with round eyes.

“Did you want to be kidnapped, Little Jin?”

“That’s—”

“So the kidnappings until now were a hobby after all. I was a bit suspicious. Our Little Jin is definitely not an easy target.”

“I’m not!”

What hobby?! Am I some princess in a game?! Even those princesses, it’s more part of their job than a hobby, and it’s completely old-fashioned. It just felt too unfamiliar that an S-rank, Chief Song, would be the target of kidnapping rather than an F-rank. When I unconsciously turned around, I caught relief appearing in Chief Song’s expression. Why are you relieved?! This is maddening.

“Want to come with me, Little Jin? And if possible, Seong Hyunjae too.”

At those words, my heart sank with a thud. Normally I would have ignored it saying ah yes, good luck with that, but I was anxious about the current Seong Hyunjae. Damn it, why did I leave that person alone? I should have informed Evelyn or at least Soyoung. Or there was Hyunah too. No matter how much he can’t die, I was still too complacent.

Even now, he was an opponent completely unsuited to, unimaginable with the word kidnapping.

“…You’re being too greedy. You’ll burst your stomach like that.”

I spoke as calmly as possible while pretending to sneer. If it was just Hwang Rim alone, it would still be okay, but if there were other collaborators. Surely he hasn’t already been kidnapped.

“Can you even handle it?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Hwang Rim let out a sigh saying “Phew,” and stood up. My body that had been leaning against him naturally collapsed onto the sofa.

“I have to at least try.”

“Hey!”

I wriggled and sat my upper body up. Hwang Rim approached Song Taewon, bent down, and placed one knee on the floor. He grabbed under Song Taewon’s chin, made him lift his face, and examined it as if observing.

“I’m not sure. What’s different about him?”

“…Please, release… Han Yujin.”

The rest didn’t continue, but it was obvious without hearing. He’d obediently go along if only I was safely released, or something like that.

‘…This is maddening.’

I couldn’t just take Chief Song and jump into the drawer like this. Since the next target was Seong Hyunjae. I hoped he’d recovered by now, but if he’d collapsed again. Why did I really leave him alone? I should have kept him by my side regardless of pretending we were on bad terms. But I never imagined there’d be someone trying to kidnap that person!

“Hey! We’re not done talking! You said let’s have a cozy time together!”

“Once work is done, all the remaining time is yours, my love~”

My teeth ground involuntarily. Did he think I’d just watch Chief Song get taken before my eyes? I turned my head to look at Gyeol. I used the teacher skill on Gyeol, and the moment Gyeol’s skill was applied to me, I broke the rope and lunged forward.

“You can’t break promises!”

From now on, all your time belongs to me. I used the King of Harmless’s drawer including not only Song Taewon but also Hwang Rim. The surrounding scenery changed in an instant and splash, the sound of water rang out loudly.

“Little Jin?”

Water swirled around the flustered Hwang Rim. The water that wrapped around him surged above the surface and froze solid just like that. I climbed onto land with Chief Song and looked at Hwang Rim. Serves you right.

“Are you okay?”

“…Yes. Where is this?”

“Inside the drawer, similar to Myungwoo’s forge. Hey, Hwang Rim!”

Since I couldn’t last long, I immediately deactivated Gyeol’s skill. When Hwang Rim put strength into his arms and whole body, the ice cracked and broke apart. Then splash again—he fell into the water. Brushing back the hair clinging to his face, Hwang Rim looked at us.

“I told you you’re formidable. This is troublesome, I only have one bottle of soil.”

As Hwang Rim said, Song Taewon soon regained his strength. He met Hwang Rim’s gaze with cold eyes.

“You won’t be able to escape punishment this time.”

Taking one step forward, wire shot like an arrow from Song Taewon’s hand. Whizz—the wire that flew cutting through the air viciously struck the water surface. Just before being entangled in the wire, Hwang Rim dove underwater and emerged again at a distance in an instant.

“Let’s talk, government official!”

As soon as Hwang Rim surfaced, Song Taewon swung his arm to retrieve the wire while kicking pebbles at the water’s edge. Hwang Rim hid underwater again and swoosh—the water struck by the pebbles splashed high. He dodges well like a mudfish.

Chief Song didn’t have skills or equipment suitable for fighting on or in water. At this rate, it would take too long.

‘How do I… Ah!’

That existed!

“Chief Song, just keep him occupied for a moment!”

I shouted to Chief Song and hurried toward the mansion. Number 71, still looking identical to my brother, greeted me.

“The items in the basement, it’s fine to use them here, right? I mean, not things like stat boosters, but simple weapons or things consumed and finished here.”

“Yes, they can be used.”

“Great!”

I hurried down to the basement. It would be nice if I could use spatial movement like Myungwoo.

“I’ll show you the power of items, you peddler!”

I have more stuff than you. I rummaged through the display cases and grabbed things that seemed useful. I couldn’t take much since I didn’t have time to check carefully, but this would be enough. When I went back outside the mansion—

Swoooosh—!

I saw water shooting up high. Hwang Rim was still holding out in the water. He seemed to have no confidence in facing Chief Song on land.

“Chief Song, this!”

I threw a bracelet to Song Taewon.

“It’s a bracelet that lets you walk on water! You have to return it before leaving here, so use it comfortably!”

No need to worry about him pocketing it against Chief Song. He’s someone who’d secretly leave behind even gifts.

“And this is an S-rank binding item, this is an underwater action ring, this is a speed increase option, this is an SS-rank restraint, this freezes water, this is cold resistance, and this—”

“Jinaaa!”

Hwang Rim shouted from far away in exasperation.

“That’s too much!”

“Be quiet! Now, they’re all items that can only be used here, so use them without holding back!”

“…Thank you.”

Chief Song also accepted and equipped the items while slightly flustered. Then he began running across the water. At the sight of Song Taewon rushing in at a terrifying speed, Hwang Rim tried to dodge, but before that—

Crackle crackle—

The water froze. The moment Hwang Rim broke through the ice and came up, this time the binding item was thrown. Still, being an S-rank, he dodged quickly, but Song Taewon using the instant acceleration item approached in an instant and swung his leg.

KWAANG!

The ice shattered to pieces, and beneath it, all the surrounding water also surged up as if hit by a bomb. Though only his heel grazed narrowly, Hwang Rim’s shirt was torn to shreds. Consecutively, bang! The two’s fists and arms collided, and Hwang Rim was pushed back.

This was Song Taewon who faced S-rank Hunters without proper equipment. Now that he was equipped no less impressively than any S-rank in the world, well. Was there any need for lengthy explanation?

Eventually, unable to hold out long, Hwang Rim with restraints on his wrists was dragged out with his neck caught in Song Taewon’s hand.

“Hello, Little Jin. I have lots of time now.”

I kicked the legs of Hwang Rim as he spoke with a bright smile. Ow, my foot.

“Perfect, I have tons of questions too.”

Should I start by extracting Park Hayul’s identity first? How many times have I suffered because of that bastard already?