The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 654: Villain (5)

“…Still as obnoxious as ever, so I guess you’re not Dari.”

At her mutter, Seong Hyunjae tilted his head and looked back at her.

“You mean my son?”

“Gross, listen to you! Guess you really aren’t the real Seong Hyunjae.”

“I heard there’s a pink–haired brat who looks like me.”

“Don’t call him your son in front of Gyeol, you’ll make the kid cry.”

“So there’s another being similar to me.”

“Don’t worry, he’s the worst of all. Anyway.”

Moon Hyunah unbuttoned the cuffs of her shirt and continued.

“So you’re not the Sesung Guild Leader I know. Let me ask too – what did you do with that bastard Seong Hyunjae?”

“He’s right in front of the Breaker Guild Leader.”

The corners of Moon Hyunah’s eyes tightened in a frown. Song Taewon let out a short sigh.

Then, without the slightest warning, he stomped off the floor.

Splash – the shallow water burst up under the force, and Song Taewon’s large frame shot forward toward Seong Hyunjae in an instant.

This was not someone they could get anything out of with simple conversation. They had to subdue him, or at least push him into the mood to talk.

As he leaped, Song Taewon’s arm swung far back and then shot forward toward Seong Hyunjae with power behind it.

A black shadow gathered over his five curved fingers.

Crackle!

Electricity crackled along the water scattered across the floor.

Song Taewon was wrapped in that current as well, but he paid it no mind and reached for Seong Hyunjae’s throat.

The golden light that rose to block Song Taewon was shoved aside and scattered by the shadow.

Just before his throat could be snatched, Seong Hyunjae pulled his upper body back.

Song Taewon’s fingertips only grazed the skin of his nape – an escape as precise as if measured with a ruler.

The Devouring mana, thicker than in the past, burrowed into and shattered Seong Hyunjae’s mana defense.

Just the brush of those fingertips against the unprotected neck drew a long, red line.

A few drops of blood spattered up as the bent–back Seong Hyunjae twisted his body and snatched Song Taewon’s wrist.

Ordinarily their strength was about even.

With Song Taewon’s skill added in, the odds tipped against Seong Hyunjae.

So Song Taewon planned to yank in the seized wrist and slam him down.

However–

“…!!”

The shadow of Devouring ran down from Seong Hyunjae’s hand and coiled around Song Taewon’s forearm.

The mana protecting his body scattered in an instant, and then–

Crack.

A sickening crack rang out as bone twisted.

Watching from out of the electrified water, Moon Hyunah’s eyes widened.

Seong Hyunjae yanked on Song Taewon’s arm, which could no longer exert proper strength, and flung him down as if slamming him.

Song Taewon, momentarily airborne, twisted quickly to land on his feet.

But Seong Hyunjae’s kick came faster.

Song Taewon’s good arm, holding Devouring, blocked the sleek kick.

Normally he would have disrupted his opponent’s mana and blocked the attack easily.

But this time, Seong Hyunjae was using Devouring as well.

The two black manas collided and canceled each other out, and with his stance unstable, Song Taewon couldn’t hold his ground and toppled backward.

Splash! The pooled water sprayed high.

Like a snake lurking in the undergrowth, a golden chain shot out from the side, wrapped around Song Taewon’s neck, and Seong Hyunjae’s foot pressed down on his chest.

“…That’s…”

Song Taewon spoke in a low voice.

Hunching over and bending his leg to press his knee into Song Taewon’s chest, Seong Hyunjae smiled.

“Well, how is it? Your thoughts?”

Lying in the water that soaked half his body, Song Taewon looked up at him.

“You’re more adept than I expected.”

“On the other hand, you’re more repressed than I remember. Though your face has loosened up.”

Seong Hyunjae’s fingertips lightly tapped Song Taewon’s cheek.

“So that power must have become all the more repugnant to you. The higher the sun rises, the darker and smaller the shadow becomes.”

“Hold on. You mean you’re the Seong Hyunjae from after Chief Song died, before the regression?”

Moon Hyunah said, incredulous.

“I never went to China so I don’t know the details, but that just now – that was Chief Song’s Devouring, right?”

“It was the last gift Mr. Song gave me.”

“…So what, your pre–regression memories just came back?”

“That cannot be it.”

Song Taewon said as he unwrapped the chain from his neck.

“Both Mr. Seong Hyunjae’s attitude and Mr. Han Yujin’s attitude felt like they were facing a different person.”

“You met that version of Seong Hyunjae too, Hyung–nim?”

“He grabbed my hair and shook me.”

“Why do you guys only do the fun stuff when I’m not around? Let me in on it too.”

Moon Hyunah put on an exaggeratedly hurt expression.

Song Taewon stared up at Seong Hyunjae again.

“Get off me.”

“No.”

Seong Hyunjae answered as he settled right down on top of Song Taewon.

It would not have been hard to push him off by force, but Song Taewon just sighed and stayed where he was.

He could feel that Seong Hyunjae was in a rather good mood – good enough to talk.

“This body does belong to the Seong Hyunjae you two are looking for.”

“You overlaid traces of the pre–regression you onto it?”

At Moon Hyunah’s words, Seong Hyunjae glanced back at her, surprised.

“Something like that.”

“And the center has become the pre–regression you instead of the post–regression one.”

The Marisa Moon Hyunah had met possessed a post–regression personality.

She had received the pre–regression Marisa’s contract, abilities, and some of her memories, but she was clearly the current Marisa.

But with Seong Hyunjae, it seemed to be the opposite.

‘I thought the two of them felt similar, and now it turns out they pulled the same stunt,’ Moon Hyunah muttered under her breath.

“…What happened to the current Hunter Seong Hyunjae.”

Song Taewon asked, his brow furrowing.

As if telling him to calm down, Seong Hyunjae pressed his fingers into the wrinkled spot between Song Taewon’s brows until it smoothed.

“Even for me, swallowing myself in one gulp is difficult. So when I disappear, he’ll come back just as he was. If time keeps flowing like this, in the end he’ll be absorbed without being able to maintain his ego, though.”

But a trace, not a real entity, could not endure for long either.

Seong Hyunjae did not mention that part and laughed soundlessly.

Moon Hyunah folded her arms, looking troubled.

“Should we smack him in the back of the head or something.”

“I’d rather you not treat me like a broken appliance.”

“Electricity runs through both, it’s close enough. Chief Song, give him a kick.”

“What is your goal.”

Song Taewon raised his intact arm and grabbed the wrist pressing on his forehead.

“I don’t know much about the pre–regression Mr. Seong Hyunjae. But I don’t think he was the sort to do something like this without a reason, even back then.”

“So that’s why you couldn’t bring yourself to kill me.”

“It wouldn’t matter who it was.”

“This time too?”

Pulling his captured wrist free, Seong Hyunjae straightened up.

The broken tank had spilled its contents, and the water splashing up from the floor had soaked over half his clothes.

Loosening his tie and tugging open the clinging collar of his shirt, he continued.

“My dear friends, we are the villains opposing Han Yujin’s team, who are trying to protect the world.”

“I want out.”

Moon Hyunah raised one hand as she spoke.

“If Mr. Han Yujin wins, the world might be more or less saved, or it might not. But if we win, the world will be partially broken, and it’ll end with us handing over one more person as a bonus.”

“…When you say end, what exactly do you mean.”

“The literal end. The Transcendents leave, the dungeons might disappear, and even if they remain, they won’t be dangerous anymore.”

“How broken is ‘partially broken’.”

“On a lucky day, just a couple of small countries? I haven’t heard the exact figures yet.”

Frowning, Moon Hyunah asked again.

“And the extra person we have to hand over.”

“Mr. Han Yujin, or Seong Hyunjae.”

Seong Hyunjae said his own name as if speaking of someone else.

“…If it’s you and not Hyung–nim, I don’t think it’d be that much of a waste.”

“Going by what you’re saying, we have no reason to cooperate.”

“Then you might choose to stand in my way. But what’s certain is this.”

Seong Hyunjae explained, and Moon Hyunah and Song Taewon listened.

Song Taewon remained silent, and Moon Hyunah let out a sigh.

“Either way, it’s better to stay on this side. But this isn’t going on TV, right? We end up being the bad guys. I’m a guild leader.”

“No broadcast. As for the Hunters on the other side… shall I tell them I’ve got leverage on you?”

“And what about the Sesung Guild image.”

“Seong Hyunjae can handle it.”

Song Taewon rose silently to his feet.

Shadowed eyes looked at Seong Hyunjae and then at Moon Hyunah in turn.

“I think Mr. Han Yujin is truly remarkable. However…”

“When it comes to the whole world, it’s true I’d hesitate to bet on Hyung–nim. Director Han really is a good person. And because he’s a good person… you can’t throw him away. Even knowing what happened before the regression, it’s hard to tell him to let go.”

Neither Song Taewon nor Moon Hyunah were the sort to easily let go of the hands beside them.

But the two of them were leaders of their groups.

When something needed to be cut off, they cut it off.

When raiding dungeons filled with murderous monsters, they had to be even more cold–blooded.

They would bring everyone back alive, no matter what.

And at the same time, they stepped through dungeon gates prepared to cut someone off for the sake of the many.

They both held positions where they had no choice but to be that way.

Even if they had yet to lose anyone, they always had to carve the possibility of someday into their minds.

“It’s not like I want Hyung–nim to lose, but somebody has to be standing on this side too. The Transcendents are asking us to keep the balance, after all.”

Song Taewon nodded heavily.

“If I have to stand on one side, this is the one that suits me.”

“Just don’t forget that both of you have to give it your best.”

“Don’t worry. By the way, you said five people, right?”

“One of them will never come here, and the other two… I wonder if they’re done with their business by now.”

Seong Hyunjae opened a system window.

And soon, a man and a woman appeared.

Recognizing one of them, Moon Hyunah let out a delighted cry.

“Ms. Mari!”

“Ah, hello.”

“I’m Moon Hyunah, Guild Leader of Breaker. I’m a fan of yours, Ms. Mari!”

“…What?”

Mari stared at her with wide, round eyes.

She knew about Moon Hyunah – she’d investigated Han Yujin and watched the Chatterbox party.

But suddenly being told she had a fan?

Moon Hyunah chuckled and pointed at Seong Hyunjae.

“How could I not be a fan of the woman who tried to kidnap the Sesung Guild Leader and force a wedding? Hunter Kang Soyeong and the entire Sesung Guild were in an uproar.”

“No, I mean–”

Mari shot a quick glance at Seong Hyunjae and declared firmly,

“I have no intention of marrying Mr. Seong Hyunjae anymore! Back then, I…”

“His face?”

“…When he kept his mouth shut and sat still, he looked like a prince!”

Moon Hyunah nodded in agreement at that much.

No matter what, his face was beyond criticism.

“But then we started actually talking, and his personality was a little…”

“Shitty.”

“Th–that’s pretty close! He looked down on people so, so much! Then on the wedding day, the moment Mr. Han Yujin showed up, he completely changed!”

“Which must have made him even more of a pain.”

“Seriously! Looks and ability aren’t everything. Their personality has to be good too.”

Mari huffed out a deep sigh and grumbled.

“After the wedding, he did get a liiittle more considerate. I mean, he treated me better than I expected.”

“Don’t ever fall for that. Next thing you know he’ll be acting like he never did anything wrong and throwing a tantrum again.”

“Don’t worry. I am never marrying Mr. Seong Hyunjae!”

Clenching both fists, Mari shouted.

Moon Hyunah looked at her with a somewhat complicated expression.

“You’re really adorable, Ms. Mari.”

“Huh? Really? I mean, I do think I’m cute and pretty.”

Praised, Mari’s eyes sparkled happily.

Her hand twitched with the urge to ruffle the girl’s hair, but instead Moon Hyunah turned to the man who had appeared with Mari.

“And you are?”

Receiving her gaze, Samir smiled brightly.

“I’m Samir. Just a servant.”

“He’s a prince!”

“That’s quite the combo. How did the two of you end up caught in Seong Hyunjae’s net?”

“It wouldn’t hurt for everyone to take their time, introduce themselves, and see how well you work together.”

Seong Hyunjae manipulated the system for his room.

The water on the floor vanished, and the large tank returned to its original state.

Then a dressing room appeared in front of him.

As Seong Hyunjae pulled off his shirt, Mari squeaked Oh my and slapped her hands over her eyes.

“What are you doing.”

“Gotta look nice for Mr. Han Yujin. I brought my house over exactly as it is in my memory, so I should have some of Mr. Song Taewon’s clothes here too. Want to change?”

“…If you have something, I’d appreciate it.”

“Unfortunately, aside from mine and Mr. Song’s, there are no other clothes here, so let’s be careful not to break the tank again.”

It wasn’t easy to create anything beyond the basic room presets.

“If this were the post–regression Seong Hyunjae’s memories, he’d have Hyung–nim’s clothes too.”

“You mean Mr. Han Yujin’s?”

“He stayed over at his place for a few days. Guess he never took him home before the regression.”

“Progressing fast, I see. In my memories, there’s no one but Mr. Song.”

Putting on a crisp new shirt, Seong Hyunjae looked back at Moon Hyunah and Song Taewon.

“As temporary administrator of the system, I can settle your achievements outside of dungeons so far. Anyone want to cash in? You’d have to consent to me checking your status windows, though.”

“I’ll pass for now. If it were Hyung–nim, maybe, but with you I feel weird about it.”

“I’ll postpone it as well.”

“Me too. My mother told me never to reveal my skills carelessly.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ll decline as well.”

At the string of refusals, Seong Hyunjae shrugged.

After some time, a summon message from the Mermaid Queen appeared for him.

A hotel room in Paris, France.

“I wonder what this is.”

Left alone in the room after Park Yerim went out, Hangyeol had set a bead slightly smaller than his fist on the table and was staring at it.

The bead was the very thing Mari and Samir had suddenly appeared to give him.

Rolling the bead back and forth, Hangyeol pouted.

“Even Auntie left, and I’m the only one stuck here.”

The flight back to Korea was scheduled to depart tomorrow.

He’d planned to be a good, mature kid and just go home, but with even Park Yerim being called off by Han Yujin and leaving him alone, a sulky loneliness bubbled up.

“If Auntie gets to go, shouldn’t I be allowed too? I’m not going to get hurt or anything!”

I could even help Dad.

‘Maybe I should turn into fairy dragon form and sneak over to the Alps.’

“How long would it take to fly all the way to the Alps?”

He was about to pull out his phone to look it up when–

“With your wings, Hangyeol, that’d be a bit much.”

A familiar voice suddenly cut in.

Hangyeol jumped in fright and let out a yell.