The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 511: Dogfight (2)

“Didn’t expect this.”

Along with a low murmur, the gun fired. As if he’d been waiting, Han Yuhyun hid his body behind the fence. Thud—as the bullet embedded itself in the fence, Han Yuhyun’s hand suddenly shot out. Gripping the top of the nearly two-meter-high fence, he pulled his body up as lightly as if flying. Landing instantly after vaulting over the fence, Han Yuhyun immediately rolled across the ground. Bang! Along with the gunshot, dirt sprayed up from where he’d been.

Reloading. Even though it was manual, in that extremely brief gap, Han Yuhyun quickly assessed the surrounding terrain. The area around the watchtower was wide open without obstacles, but a short distance away were a warehouse and a well. Another bullet flew toward Han Yuhyun as he ran toward the warehouse.

Click—the bolt was pulled and the shell casing ejected. The rifle he was currently holding could load six rounds at once. After the last round embedded itself in the well, Han Yujin threw down the gun and picked up the new rifle he’d set beside him. In that brief moment—

Thud!

Another stone came flying. Perhaps because the distance had gotten much closer, it dug nearly halfway into the watchtower’s pillar. Two or three more sling throws would be enough to bring down the flimsy watchtower. Han Yujin aimed the fully loaded six-round rifle toward the warehouse. Han Yuhyun’s figure wasn’t visible. A brief silence flowed, then—

Crack!

Han Yuhyun, who’d somehow gotten inside the warehouse, carved out the door with his sword. Using the fairly thick wooden door as a shield, he started running toward the watchtower again.

The distance to the watchtower wasn’t far, but it was wide open on all sides. It was practically like becoming a moving shooting range target.

Han Yujin pulled the trigger without hesitation and bang! The gunshot rang out loudly. The bullet that pierced through the door grazed Han Yuhyun’s shoulder and embedded itself in the ground. The second bullet that followed aimed precisely for his head, but—

Clang!

The bullet, weakened from piercing through the door, deflected off the Ruler’s Sword that diagonally covered his head. Having fired all six rounds, Han Yujin grabbed a pistol instead of the rifle and caught hold of the rope hanging long beneath the watchtower roof. Meanwhile, Han Yuhyun arrived right below the watchtower.

The door riddled with holes was thrown high upward, and from beneath that shadow, Han Yuhyun pulled his sword far back. Then, just like that—

Crash!

He swung it forcefully toward the watchtower’s pillar. The black blade dug deeply into the wooden pillar and protruded out the other side, drawing a semicircle. Spinning around and shifting position, he cut down the pillar beside it as well. Two of the four pillars snapped. At the same time, Han Yujin leaped from the watchtower while gripping the rope.

Creeeeak—

With Han Yujin’s weight added, the watchtower began tilting with the sound of wood grinding. Still dangling from the rope, Han Yujin stepped on the watchtower’s pillars and aimed his gun at Han Yuhyun below. Han Yuhyun wasn’t staying still either. At this distance, there was no need to use the sling.

The two’s gazes met, and the bullet and dagger were fired simultaneously.

Han Yujin kicked off the pillar and leaped up. Han Yuhyun dodged behind the pillar. Crack—the dagger embedded itself where Han Yujin had been, and thud—the spot where Han Yuhyun had been was torn up by the bullet. Meanwhile, creak creak, the watchtower continued slowly tilting. Han Yujin, who’d yanked the rope and shot his body upward, stepped on the pillar and climbed onto the roof. Without even looking at his target, he fired suppressing shots while swiftly changing magazines.

Under the collapsing watchtower, Han Yuhyun held his sword firmly and held his breath like a predator stalking prey. His eyes were catching glimpses of Han Yujin without losing track.

The moment the watchtower completely fell like this, he’d rush in. Han Yujin had switched from the rifle to a pistol. According to Song Taewon’s explanation, it would have relatively less power. As long as he avoided vital points, he could endure one or two shots.

Han Yuhyun’s toes scraped across the dirt ground. Crack crack—the sound of the pillar completely breaking came, and the moment the roof edge touched the ground—

Dash!

Han Yuhyun left the pillar he’d been hiding behind and kicked off the ground forcefully. At the same time, Han Yujin threw a bandolier toward his younger brother. Puzzlement briefly formed in Han Yuhyun’s eyes. It wasn’t even a gun that could be used as a blunt weapon, so why a belt with bullets hanging from it? It would even be troublesome if it got stolen like this.

He didn’t understand, but there was no way Han Yujin would make a pointless move. Just as he instinctively tried to avoid the bandolier, Han Yujin fired his gun not at Han Yuhyun but at the bandolier.

Bang—right after the sound, it hit the bandolier precisely, and—

Rat-tat-tat-tat!

With a loud noise, the bandolier exploded! The gunpowder inside burst out in succession and heat surged up, making Han Yuhyun reflexively turn his head, but it was already too late.

“…Ugh.”

Not only his face but the eyes that had been watching to avoid the bandolier stung hotly. Originally, he wouldn’t have felt even an itch from fire several times stronger than that. But the non-Awakened body couldn’t withstand it. At least since he’d faintly held mana even before Awakening and his nature was fire, he avoided suffering serious burns, but his vision was lost in an instant.

Bang!

A bullet embedded itself in the leg of Han Yuhyun as he retreated with closed eyes. Along with burning pain, his knee buckled and touched the ground. As soon as he braced the ground and dodged to the side, this time a bullet struck his shoulder hard. It had been aimed at his chest, where his heart was. Blood that seeped out in an instant stained his clothes.

“The bullets are a bit unstable, you see. Myungwoo’s not used to dungeon-produced gunpowder yet.”

They’d explode in succession if shocked, so he’d been told to be careful—Han Yujin explained. The sound of clicking as rounds were loaded could be heard.

“If it had been an obvious bomb, you would’ve run far away.”

Because it was a bandolier, he must have acted passively. If he’d obtained the bandolier, he could have used it with the rifles lying around.

Han Yuhyun carefully opened his eyes. His vision was still blurry. The figure of his older brother standing in front of the collapsed watchtower looked smudged like a ruined oil painting. Han Yujin looked at his younger brother with some pity. Since the pain was felt as-is, he couldn’t help but feel sorry.

It would be better to end it quickly. Thinking that, he aimed the gun, but—

“…”

At the sight of his younger brother collapsed helplessly, his finger wouldn’t move easily. During combat, it had been fine. But once it became a one-sided situation, the inside of his throat went dry.

‘…Come to think of it.’

I don’t have Fear Resistance either. Han Yujin gritted his teeth. His heart pounded anew. His younger brother came to mind.

“…Hyung.”

Han Yuhyun opened his mouth. He pushed away the sword he’d been holding as if discarding it and looked up at the still-blurry Han Yujin.

“I can’t see you well, hyung.”

“…Huh? Oh, sorry.”

Han Yujin unconsciously apologized and took a step forward. Even while flustered, his eyes coldly assessed Han Yuhyun. One shot to the shoulder, one to the leg. Vision still not recovered. Since he was a non-Awakened without skills, he could sufficiently subdue Han Yuhyun right now.

He’d used his backup dagger and had no wire either. He’d also dropped the Ruler’s Sword far away. Han Yujin carefully approached his younger brother.

“You did well.”

Standing before his younger brother, Han Yujin spoke.

“I thought you’d be helpless, but to think you’d make and use a sling there.”

“Chief Song taught me.”

Han Yuhyun said somewhat sulkily.

“I thought I didn’t need to know about combat between non-Awakened.”

“That’s normal. Even if dungeons disappeared and Awakened vanished too, at that point you wouldn’t have any reason to fight at all.”

Even now, he felt too young to go to the battlefield. Han Yuhyun blinked. Physiological tears that had pooled flowed down his cheeks. Han Yujin swallowed dryly. It’s not really dying, but still. The moment he hesitated and fiddled with the uncocked pistol hammer with his thumb—

Thwack!

Han Yuhyun put strength into his uninjured leg and leaped up. It wasn’t that he hadn’t expected an attack. But there was no time to shoot. Han Yujin bent his knee and kicked up at the abdomen of Han Yuhyun pouncing on him. A faint groan leaked through his tightly clenched teeth. At the same time, Han Yujin’s two hands, having thrown the gun far away to avoid having it stolen, grabbed Han Yuhyun’s uninjured arm.

The difference in strength was definite. But it wasn’t to the point where two arms couldn’t block one arm. Toward Han Yujin, who was pulling his younger brother’s arm forcefully to knock him to the ground, Han Yuhyun opened his mouth.

Chomp!

“Kugh!”

Han Yuhyun, who’d barely missed the neck and bit down firmly on his older brother’s shoulder, fell backward unable to maintain balance. Han Yujin also tumbled forward in a tangle.

“Hey, you!”

He’d sunk his teeth in as if to tear off flesh and wouldn’t let go. Even the sullen act from earlier had been an act after all. Han Yujin tried to push Han Yuhyun away while striking down on his younger brother’s injured arm with his elbow. Han Yuhyun’s brow furrowed deeply, but he still didn’t budge. Rather, he kicked off the ground with his uninjured leg and arm, trying to reverse their positions.

Getting pinned underneath like this would be a disaster. Because of the physique difference, he wouldn’t be able to get out easily. Han Yujin repeatedly kicked Han Yuhyun’s leg, his wound, while fumbling at his waist to pull out a dagger. Then he stabbed it straight into Han Yuhyun’s uninjured arm.

Hot breath squeezed out through the teeth biting Han Yujin. Han Yuhyun, who’d grabbed Han Yujin’s arm scratchingly with his injured arm that couldn’t properly exert strength, finally released his mouth. Han Yuhyun’s lips were stained red with Han Yujin’s blood.

Han Yujin, who’d taken a deep breath, got up while also helping his younger brother sit up.

“So persistent.”

Despite the injuries to his leg and both arms, Han Yuhyun smiled. Blinking his eyes several times, his older brother’s appearance came into view somewhat more clearly.

“You’re soft, hyung.”

“No, I was going to shoot right away. But without Fear Resistance, my heart kind of sank.”

“I want a hug.”

At the arm raised weakly, Han Yujin hesitated.

“…You’re going to bite again.”

“Just hold the pistol, right?”

There was one more in the holster. Han Yujin drew the gun that had been firmly locked and fastened at the back to prevent easy removal. Han Yuhyun aimed the gun barrel at his own heart with his weakly trembling hand.

“Here.”

At his younger brother’s nonchalant face, Han Yujin’s lips twisted slightly.

“Even if it’s not real, you’re way too calm.”

“Because it’s you, hyung.”

Han Yuhyun spread his arms and Han Yujin brought his body close, putting his knees on the ground. The weak arms wrapped around Han Yujin’s body as if leaning on him. As their bodies pressed close together, the muzzle firmly pressed against Han Yuhyun’s clothes, his skin.

“Even if it were real, I would’ve been happy.”

“…Hey.”

“No, rather than that, as expected—”

“…The reverse would’ve been better?”

Han Yuhyun grinned broadly. Meeting his end by Han Yujin’s hand would be fine too, but more than that, devouring was indeed more his nature. Though he’d worn human skin and lived his whole life imitating, erasing his nature was impossible.

If that disappeared, Han Yuhyun would ultimately cease to be Han Yuhyun. He could learn, follow along, and pretend to change. But that was the limit.

“It was fun.”

Han Yuhyun leaned his head against Han Yujin’s shoulder as if acting spoiled.

“Play with me again next time.”

“Of course, yeah.”

“And hyung, if it’s really hard—”

“It’s fine.”

Han Yujin said with a smile.

“Obviously hyung will win. You’ll be disappointed though.”

At Han Yujin’s words, Han Yuhyun nodded honestly. It was his older brother’s safety, more important than anything else. Even if Han Yujin disliked it, he wanted to directly offer Song Taewon and Seong Hyunjae as sacrifices himself. However, at the same time, because he also trusted Han Yujin—Han Yuhyun accepted this.

“Still, if there’s a chance, I’ll act the same way again.”

“Well… same for me.”

If it were a matter directly related to his younger brother’s safety—ultimately, Han Yujin’s choice was only one.

While stroking his younger brother’s head, Han Yujin pulled the trigger. At the same time as Han Yujin’s eyes reflexively squeezed shut—

Bang!

The gunshot rang out. Han Yujin’s body jerked from the recoil, and when he opened his eyes, his younger brother’s figure had vanished.

“…This feels strange.”

He’d be safe though. Han Yujin let out a long breath and stood up.

Bang! Hearing the gunshot, Seong Hyunjae wore a relaxed smile. His gaze was directed toward the forest. Nine times out of ten, the one rushing at him would be Song Taewon.

‘It’s a shame I can’t watch though.’

He’d dearly wanted to see the brothers fight, but right now he had to focus more on this side. And shortly after, the bushes swayed greatly—

Whoosh!

A stone came flying at fierce speed. A sling throw. Seong Hyunjae quickly dodged behind the chimney. Right after the thud sound, he revealed himself again and aimed his gun toward the direction the stone had come from. At the same time, something large from the bushes—

Rumble

Rolled out. It was a boulder. The bullet fired the moment he saw movement accurately struck the boulder, and right after, Song Taewon started running toward the fence at a terrifying speed.