The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 673: World of the Moon (3)

“Cres…cent Moon.”

I had a lot to say. Which meant I couldn’t say anything. It felt like every word I knew had come crashing out at once and jammed the narrow passage of my throat, all their sharp little corners poking the inside until it stung.

“As I thought, that is the gaze of someone who knows me.”

Crescent Moon spoke in the same gentle tone as before.

“I clearly have no memory of you. Yet you know me. Isn’t that so.”

I coughed out a breath, almost like a real cough. Way to catch on fast. Not that I hadn’t made it obvious. Still flailing like I was still tangled in that net, I somehow managed to open my mouth.

“S–so, uh, I… didn’t know you were the pink–hair type.”

– Peep!

“Uh, I mean, I do know you, more or less, but I didn’t know you’d look like this.”

The Crescent Moon I knew had a completely different vibe. Crescent Moon wrapped a few of her hairs around her fingertip, twirling them idly.

“It’s the color you like.”

“…Huh?”

“I am the lowest of the moons that open the night. Faint moonlight slipping through a dark forest is the dreamscape you once wished for. Right now I’m in the sunlight, so only something like my hair can reflect what your eyes desire.”

“…Yeah, I don’t like pink, though.”

Crescent Moon’s eyes curved slightly. The silver sheen over her pink hair deepened, spreading like spilled paint. Every last strand, down to the final wisp that fluttered apart, turned a silver shot through with gold. Under the sun, the color of the moon only grew richer.

“This is my original hair color.”

“…”

“But pink seemed nice too.”

When I got embarrassed, Crescent Moon laughed and changed her hair back, then gathered a handful and examined it this way and that.

“I’ve seen people with green or sky–blue hair, but pink is a first. It’s new.”

“…I’ve seen it as dye before, but either way, I don’t like pink.”

“Green and blue tones are common in races that dwell in water. They also take on green from the forest and blue from the sky. But pink stands out anywhere.”

“There are pink lakes, you know. Where flamingos live. Anyway, I don’t like pink.”

“The more I look, the more I like it. So you must like it too.”

“No, I just told you I don’t.”

Would you please listen when a person talks. Still, thanks to the pointless chatter, my mind settled down a little from its frantic spin. I took a deep breath and sorted the words I had to say.

“Um, Crescent Moon.”

Why.

“Why did you think you could swing someone else’s life around however you wanted?”

This Crescent Moon wasn’t a Transcendent yet. She hadn’t met Seong Hyunjae, probably didn’t even know he existed. And yet that was the first thing out of my mouth. The eyes of the moonlit night widened slightly, then softened again.

“Is that the me you know?”

“…Excuse me?”

I’d expected something along the lines of, what nonsense are you spouting, but her reaction was calm. Crescent Moon took a step closer. I heard the brush of her feet through the undergrowth. Pale fingertips rose and touched my cheek. They were a little cool.

“You’ve been offered up to me before.”

Twice. But “offered up” isn’t quite right. I met that silver moon head–on and spoke.

“Once I fished you up, and the other time you pounced on me on your own. At someone else’s wedding, at that.”

“A wedding?”

“It was the wedding of your groom–to–be and his kidnapper.”

Put together like that, it sounded like a full–on soap opera. But it was one hundred percent pure truth. Crescent Moon tilted her head. She probably couldn’t make heads or tails of it. Anyone would be confused hearing it with no context.

“The groom you’ve been carefully raising was kind of my business partner. Then he suddenly got kidnapped and forced into a wedding, so I went along thinking I’d at least give a gift. We all got decked out and walked into the hall together, and then Crescent Moon, you jumped me, the bride–to–be flipped the whole ceremony, I kicked the groom out… something like that. Let me give you some sincere advice: he’s not the one. The guy’s got nothing going for him but his face.”

Maybe you should go find someone else even now. Crescent Moon blinked. Her expression was still a complete “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You must care quite a bit for this groom–to–be.”

“It’s not so much that I care as that we know each other and we’re, uh, financially pretty intertwined, so I can’t just leave him to be forced into marriage. He said he doesn’t want it. So, kind and generous Crescent Moon, how about you give up on that wedding while there’s still time.”

If she wrote some contract right now like, I, Crescent Moon, will sever my relationship with Seong Hyunjae, what would happen? Even if this was just a vanished moment in the past, wouldn’t it have at least a little effect?

“I have no idea why I’m raising up a young groom, but someone like me clearly has a reason. It’s not something I can answer on the basis of your claim alone.”

“The person himself says he doesn’t want it.”

“Explain in detail and convince me.”

I opened my mouth to answer, then shut it again.

To save the countless worlds being devoured by the Source, you plan to raise a man named Seong Hyunjae and make him grow until he can replace the Source. One person’s sacrifice will keep this world safe.

If I were completely unrelated, someone from some entirely different world, wouldn’t I say, well, if that’s how it is, it can’t be helped. I’m not such a saint that I’d gladly risk the people I love for the sake of a stranger I’ve never met. And most people would probably be about the same as me.

“…Whatever the reason, it’s wrong to hold onto someone who says they don’t want it.”

Was there some way to spin this that would fool her? From how quickly she’d pieced things together just from a few of my sentences, it didn’t look easy. Force was… obviously off the table. She seemed pretty kind right now; maybe I should just cling and beg.

“What about you.”

While I was twisting my brain around, Crescent Moon suddenly spoke.

“You’re bound too, aren’t you, little one who doesn’t even know his name yet.”

Her hand brushed across my eyes. My eyeballs stung faintly. I blinked on reflex.

“Silver eyes. A dark blue moon.”

“…My eyes?”

“For the people of this world, what binds them appears in their eyes.”

Without thinking, I lifted my hand and touched my eyes. Not that that would let me see any change in color. The silver was Crescent Moon’s influence, but what was this dark blue moon supposed to be?

“No, it’s a cold, sharp fire, like the waning moon.”

Flustered, I squeezed my eyes shut. I tried to step back and stumbled over something, and Crescent Moon caught me.

“Wreathed in flame, dyed in moonlight, standing at my opposite side. Isn’t that so.”

…She was talking like she was reading fortunes out of the stars. I opened my eyes a sliver. Crescent Moon’s face was still gentle.

“If it’s hard to say, you don’t have to. There are many who would harm those of other races, so leave your eyes as they are for a while.”

– Peep!

Chirp hopped back onto my head. Crescent Moon slowly turned away. I hesitated, then hurried after her.

“Wait! Can’t you at least say you’ll let Mr. Seong Hyunjae go!”

“Without a valid reason, that’s impossible.”

“Forced marriage is a crime!”

“I can’t believe you based only on your words. For all I know, you might be lying to target me, or the groom–to–be.”

“I wouldn’t take him even if you loaded him on a truck and gave him to me. I mean, not that I’m saying I don’t like you, Crescent Moon. Mr. Seong Hyunjae really is being held against his will!”

But I had no proof. If I’d known it would come to this, I would’ve made him write out something like, I sincerely refuse to marry Crescent Moon, and sign it.

“Look, basically, if Mr. Seong Hyunjae gets married, he dies. That’s his fate.”

“It isn’t good for you to walk with me.”

Crescent Moon asked where I’d been heading.

“I came to find you. Okay, then how about this. You write, if Seong Hyunjae does not wish to marry Crescent Moon, Crescent Moon will also give up marriage with Seong Hyunjae. If I’m lying, that piece of paper is useless anyway. Marriage should be something both people wan–”

Thunk!

Something whizzed past my face and smacked into the tree right next to me. Only then did I see the pebble drop to the ground. I whipped my head toward where it had come from. A boy with braided green hair was perched among the thick branches. In the black of his eyes, tiny leaves were embedded.

“You mustn’t.”

Crescent Moon said softly. The boy’s cheeks flushed red and he vanished with a flick.

“It’d be better if you moved away from my side.”

“…Because I’m an outsider?”

“No. Because you’re with me.”

“Sign just one piece of paper and I’ll move away immediately. I can’t stay here long anyway.”

I had no idea when Rookie or Myungwoo would find me. Before I knew it, the barely–there path had widened. We stepped onto a road with wheel ruts, and a person of indeterminate gender approached from ahead. They bowed politely to Crescent Moon, then shot me a vicious glare. At least they didn’t throw a rock at me like the kid…

“Who is that.”

A cold voice came from behind.

“Never seen that face.”

A big man suddenly appeared at the roadside. Three, four, five – they just kept coming. And every single one of them was glaring at me. Those cold stares didn’t feel unfamiliar. On reflex, I edged closer to Crescent Moon, and someone ground their teeth with an audible grit. This was… yeah.

‘Jealousy.’

The look I’d gotten a few times from people in Haeyeon or Sesung. Who do you think you are, hanging around with S–rank Hunters. I saw less of it these days. But all I was doing right now was walking next to Crescent Moon?

“…Um, could you maybe just tell them we’re not a thing.”

Crescent Moon looked back at me. A smile warm enough to make my heart pound spread over her face.

“I find you lovable.”

My heart really did jump. In two different senses. I appreciated it, but I was pretty sure this wasn’t the time or place. The stares stabbing into my body were almost physically painful. The old memories they brought back made my insides ache too.

“And you as well, Bramblewood.”

The first one to appear smiled back at Crescent Moon, his earlier ferocity gone like it had never been.

“Seipari and Riverstone, and Bluehorn.”

At her affectionate calling, people’s stiff faces relaxed. And it wasn’t just words. In Crescent Moon’s gaze, which held each and every one of them, there was unmistakable affection. Even someone blind could have felt the warmth in it.

“All who live, every last one.”

Crescent Moon started walking again. As I followed, those awl–sharp stares dug into me once more.

“I cannot help but love their lives themselves.”

“…We only just met, though.”

“Yes. Until you crossed my path, and in the moment you did, you were living. For me to love you, that’s enough. There are no conditions for you to be loved.”

Unconditional love. Sweet words. Someone – and not just someone, but someone far above most others – pouring affection on you. How many people would truly hate that. Any discomfort or pressure wouldn’t last long. You could just let yourself be loved, like a carefree child.

I snuck a glance around. They were all still glaring at me.

“For everyone, equally, right.”

Fair love isn’t a bad thing. Most people would say it’s the right thing.

“People are greedy.”

“There are children who are content. But there are also those who want to be special.”

The road, once wide, narrowed again. A small house stood alone up on a hill.

“They want someone who, unlike me, loves only them, and they want that from me as well.”

The western sky above the hill was faintly red. The people who’d been trailing after us all stopped, as if on cue, at the base of the slope. The gazes stabbing into me were still like blades.

“There was a child who tried to be the only one left. Unable to change me, they cut and smashed everything around them, so that lone body could receive my affection.”

Standing on the low steps at the door, Crescent Moon turned her body toward me. Her eyes were warm as spring sunlight.

“I stopped them before the entire country turned red. And I still loved that child.”

Still. Unchanging. That person never became special, not even at the very end. It must have been as futile as hurling yourself at a mountain or the sea and screaming at it.

“Because that struggle is also part of life. Even the sight of them going mad could only be lovable.”

If you were to suffocate on affection, would it feel like that. You love the one who loves you. Up to that point, it’s desirable and normal. But their love reached everyone. To the one you loved, you were the same as everyone around you. No matter how much of that pouring water you drank, the thirst would never go away.

Maybe they’d wished to be hated instead. It wasn’t hard to imagine how it would feel to dry up and die, submerged in love that never changed. As payment for the slaughter, I suppose it was enough.

“So that’s why you stay out here, in the middle of nowhere.”

“The children who stayed by my side usually met three ends. They gave up and left, they tried to kill me, or they tried to erase everything around me. The ones who didn’t leave all went mad.”

It wasn’t unrequited love. But it was a one–sided love in the sense that they couldn’t affect the other person at all.

“What about you.”

“I’d end up loving you too. I can’t… push away someone who loves me. But I’d leave. Because there are people I love more.”

Crescent Moon looked at me like I was dear to her. Right now, she didn’t feel like someone who’d sacrifice Seong Hyunjae. Because that would mean treating one person as special. Or maybe Seong Hyunjae was the first to ever feel like a special existence to her. Either way, that wasn’t the point right now.

“Please just sign one contract!”

The space around us trembled faintly. Crescent Moon didn’t notice at all. Apparently someone outside was starting to track me down. I didn’t have much time. I whipped out the contract and shoved it in front of her. I didn’t know if it would do anything, but I had to try. Whatever the history, unlucky Mr. Seong and I had to live in the present.

“Just, I, Crescent Moon, will not demand a marriage Seong Hyunjae doesn’t want. That much is harmless, right. Please, kind, gentle, overflowing–with–love Crescent Moon! And while you’re at it, write that you won’t harm Han Yujin or the people around him either.”

“Han Yujin, is it.”

“You said you love me, didn’t you. Right? Let’s live without hurting each other, peacefully. Peace is good, isn’t it. Love means Peace!”

– Peep–yak!

On top of my head, Chirp spread his wings wide. The space shook harder again. We’re out of time here! As the contract fluttered in front of her, Crescent Moon’s eyes dipped slightly at the corners.

“I can’t take only your side. But I’ll at least make a request.”

“A request?”

“I would prefer that forced marriages not happen. That is what I’ll say.”

A pen appeared in Crescent Moon’s hand. Instead of signing, she wrote a short line on the paper. Even with my translation item, I couldn’t read the characters.

“…Doesn’t sound like they’ll listen.”

Still, it was better than nothing. Other than that… should I be asking about weaknesses, or how contracts work. But this Crescent Moon didn’t seem to be a Transcendent yet. Our stats would be worlds apart, so even if I learned a weakness, it wouldn’t be much use.

“Anyway, thank you~.”

I bowed politely. If only the present Crescent Moon were like this. Kind and gentle and not killing the insane serial killers, just stopping them.

Rumble–

As if it had been waiting, the space shook harder and split open in a long tear. Crescent Moon and the scenery around her blurred away, and glittering tentacles… crawled out of the crack. The one with flowers had to be Rookie. Was I supposed to grab that? It looked like it would be sticky.

I let out a sigh and watched the approaching tentacle.

– Peep–peep!

Smack!

Chirp slapped the tentacle away with his wing. At the same time, the blurred world around us came crashing down.