The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 708: Three Days (2)

“Have you been well, Eldeeer.”

I quickly bowed my head to Young Chaos. Chaos sent me a look laced with a sigh. Myungwoo’s gaze was about the same.

“And what is that supposed to be.”

Chaos looked at the metal ornament wrapped around one of my arms. The pair of intertwined ornaments turned into snakes and slowly lifted their heads. Liette saw that and went, “Oh,” eyes going round.

“Are they Belare’s relatives?”

“Huh? Belare?”

“Gem snakes can be weaponized, so she asked you to raise one for her. These two look even younger, but they can transform already?”

Now that she mentioned it, they did look a bit like Belare. The King of Predation had said he’d scattered his descendants all over, so it wouldn’t be strange if his blood had gotten mixed into Belare too.

“They’re kids the King of Predation entrusted to me. He asked me to take them back to our world.”

“Snakes, you mean. Why do you just grab and take in whoever like that.”

“He helped us in his own way, and it doesn’t hurt us. The King of Predation wants his descendants to become a sapient race.”

“The evolution of a species and the growth of an individual are different. First of all, you’re the latter. Those two might grow, with you handling them.”

I automatically glanced at Peace padding along at my side. So does that mean Peace could also grow into a sapient being? He’s plenty smart already. He just can’t talk; otherwise what’s the difference from a person. He seems to understand everything, so he just needs his mouth to catch up.

[The principle behind how a lifeform evolves into a sapient species still hasn’t been figured out! In worlds where no sapient species – no ‘people’ – have appeared yet, the system doesn’t intervene, so we can’t even observe it!]

“Is that also related to the Source?”

Even in our own world, it’s kind of weird that only humans suddenly evolved as the one sapient species.

“Right, thanks for the help, Rookie.”

The volleyball spun around happily.

[I’m always trying my best to help Honey! What are you thanking me for?]

“I mean that last game just now.”

[Huh?]

Rookie floated a question mark, like it had no idea what I was talking about. I couldn’t bring up the Grace skill, so I just papered it over with a vague thanks. So it wasn’t Rookie? Did an admin like the Lighthouse Keeper or Sloth wake up for a bit?

“By the way, why are you still sticking to the volleyball look? Is that comfortable? The other Transcendents just show up in their original forms. You don’t have to hide yours here, do you?”

[…It’s a little embarrassing.]

“I thought it was cute.”

[Really?]

Rookie tilted to the side, then changed shape. A kid–like puppy with curly fur appeared.

“Puppy.”

“Rookie’s so cute!”

Liette and Yerim strode right up to Rookie. Rookie panicked and ducked behind me. So it really did look like a puppy. Where was the rabbit in that.

[I can’t do this after all!]

Rookie turned back into a volleyball. Surprisingly shy, that one.

“That rabbit punk’s been using the volleyball form more lately even when he’s out with me.”

[These days, for some reason, it just feels awkward being in my original form.]

The volleyball bounced as it spoke. Hopefully he wouldn’t actually turn into a real volleyball at this rate.

“Second.”

Chaos crooked a finger at Yuhyun. Yuhyun politely walked up to the Elder. At the same time, Chaos grabbed his wrist. Yuhyun reflexively tried to pull away, but that small hand didn’t budge.

“…You swallowed something dangerous just like that.”

“Dangerous?”

That was the wrist where the Fragment of the First Flame resided. I asked in alarm, and Chaos clicked their tongue.

“Rabbit, no one’s noticed yet, right?”

[Huh? Ah, no one! Awakened data is classified, after all. Lord Chaos can’t – or rather, won’t – use the system, so the security effect is weaker from that side. If you used the Fragment’s power right in front of a Transcendent, the chance of getting caught would be higher, though. Should I hide it better?]

“Do that.”

Chaos nodded, then looked straight up at Yuhyun as if studying him.

“Fire is easily absorbed into a greater fire. Wind and water also tend to merge, but those two still have distinct currents. Winds can push one another away, and in the sea, different streams of water flow. Fire is not like that.”

– Lin said it was dangerous too!

At some point Iryn had made it onto my shoulder and screeched. I started to get worried too. Maybe I should’ve stopped him.

“Second, you at least have parts that were made as a human, so there’s that. But be careful. If fire inside its vessel tries to handle a fire greater than itself, the master will be reversed.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Yuhyun answered calmly. In other words, if we weren’t careful, that First Flame could take Yuhyun’s place. Yuhyun would be absorbed and become just one part of the First Flame…

“…Yuhyun.”

“I’ll be careful.”

…Even if he said he’d be careful, I didn’t feel like he actually would. If he thought I was in danger, he wouldn’t hesitate. I stared worriedly at his wrist.

“Can’t we just get rid of it now?”

“We still have a bet left.”

“I’ll handle it, Hyung.”

“It’s fine. If it seems dangerous, I’ll cut it off.”

“No, but there’s no reason to risk it on purpose.”

“Guess your little brother really is your brother, Yujin. You two act exactly the same.”

Myungwoo cut in out of nowhere. Yerim and Noah were nodding along. No, I’m not that bad… hmm. Considering I’d gone wild with Mana Inscription just yesterday, I didn’t really have room to talk. Even if they’d said overusing Mana Inscription wouldn’t… kill me. Probably.

“Grandpa, I got a new skill too!”

“Good. Both of you, come here. You two over there as well.”

“What are we doing, exactly? And if he’s a grandpa, that means he’s old, right?”

“Training! I bet it’s gonna be a ton! Noah oppa, hurry up.”

“Ah, okay.”

“Then I’m in too!”

Young Chaos took the lead, with Yerim, Noah, and Liette following behind. Yuhyun didn’t go along, hesitating as he looked back at me.

“Um, Hyung.”

My brother and I blinked at the same time. Both sets of eyes trembled just a little. Yuhyun felt guilty about the thing he was hiding, but so did I. I’d thought we were beyond being shaken by anything, but a small crack had formed between us. And the fact that the cause was pre–regression Han Yuhyun felt ironic.

“…The Elder’s waiting.”

“…Yeah.”

Yuhyun gave a small nod and turned away. I watched his back grow distant and scuffed the ground with my toe for no reason. With so many ears around, it wasn’t something I could talk about now anyway, but I definitely felt like avoiding the conversation. Yuhyun couldn’t be without me. But I couldn’t let go of the other little brother either. Even though I knew it was a dangerous, painful road.

“What’s wrong? You two didn’t seriously fight, did you?”

Myungwoo asked as I stood there, spaced out. I hurriedly shook my head.

“No, just… a lot on my mind. Right, Rookie?”

[Yeees~♡]

“Do you really think this bet will be the last one?”

[We’ll make it that way! …But there are a few worrying points. Droplet–senior is trying to, somehow, get her hands on Honey…]

“Why the hell is she doing that.”

[Um, I think she’s changed from how she was at first… but she won’t tell me why. Still, it’s true that once the results are out, she’ll back off from Honey’s world! Droplet–senior actually follows the rules pretty well, so it’ll be fine. The other Unfilial Children will help too.]

“I hope so.”

As expected, I couldn’t just trust the Transcendents and leave it at that. Rookie was definitely on our side, but when it came to Droplet, and especially Crescent Moon, Rookie didn’t know enough. Crescent Moon would never give up. What were the odds they could raise another existence like Seong Hyunjae again?

[Honey! Cheer up and get some good rest for now! Is there anything you want to eat?]

“Yeah, Yujin. Let’s just rest for now.”

Each time Rookie bounced, soft chairs, a table full of food, and sunshades popped into existence. A boom echoed from far away. A dragon’s roar reverberated as well – Liette must have used Exclusive Materialization. Good, they were having fun.

“Rookie, the rooms for each team are secure, right?”

[Yes! Honey’s room is Honey’s domain. Even if it’s temporary, it’s under administrator authority, so as long as no one bypasses the system itself, there’s no way to sneak in. Someone with higher authority than Honey could unlock it, though.]

Then that was perfect. Seong Hyunjae had sent all his team members away and stayed behind alone. Hyunah and Chief Song did need to go back at least once, but for him to deliberately empty his room like that…

‘It’s an invitation, obviously.’

It was the best place to talk quietly.

“I’m gonna pop over to Hyunjae’s. Let’s see what kind of tragic sulking he’s doing alone.”

“To Guild Leader Sesung? Isn’t that dangerous? You said he’s technically not the same person.”

“If he lays a hand on me it’s an automatic loss– I mean, that’s not why.”

Myungwoo, your eyes are scary.

“It’s basically him calling me over. He’s not the kind of guy who’d pull something cheap on a guest. I won’t take long. I’ll hurry back before Yuhyun notices.”

I opened my system window and sent a message to Seong Hyunjae. Before long, an invitation popped up. I grabbed an apple off the table and accepted.

My vision went dark for a moment, then lightened. The inside of a familiar mansion that no longer existed came into view. Before the regression, Seong Hyunjae’s house had never been wrecked. It had just been abandoned by its owner instead. So–young had become acting guild leader, but she’d probably left it the way it was without touching anything.

“Your eyes are thick with nostalgia.”

“I’m the one who blew this place up, after all.”

The owner had done more of the actual breaking, but still. Seong Hyunjae was dressed in a sleek tailcoat. Just looking at him, it felt like orchestral music should start playing any second, massive doors swing open one after another, and gorgeously dressed people whirl into the room.

But the place was only silent. The wide hall, now missing its aquarium, was dim like the backstage of a darkened theater. Hyunjae’s hand moved lightly, as if he were holding an invisible baton. Clink– the lights in the hall turned on one by one. I looked at his smooth face, hair neatly slicked back and lit by the lamps, then tossed him the apple.

“Housewarming gift.”

“It is my first time inviting you here, so I’ll accept it gratefully.”

“You did invite me before… ah, right.”

He meant a different person. He’d said the pre–regression me had refused.

Crunch, Hyunjae bit into the apple. His jaw moved so quietly and elegantly he didn’t let a single drop of juice fall. It felt like watching a faded old short film. The apple, reduced to only its seeds, vanished from his fingertips. I broke the silence.

“Give me a reason to trust you.”

“I thought my trust rating was fairly high.”

“The very fact that that Seong Hyunjae is here is the problem.”

I couldn’t believe all that talk about him just wanting to say a final farewell. Without solid trust in him, I was reluctant to ask for his cooperation.

“I trust the current Seong Hyunjae. But even though I know you, I don’t really know you. And the same goes for you, doesn’t it?”

“Things have certainly changed a great deal.”

That was the nature of the relationship between the two of us. I don’t know Seong Hyunjae. But I know him. Seong Hyunjae doesn’t know me. But he knows me.

“The Han Yujin I know was someone who couldn’t share his burdens. Because even standing on his own was hard for him.”

“Even just walking forward alone was tough.”

“And yet, stubbornly, he refused to split his burdens with anyone.”

“It’s because I was that stubborn that I’m standing here now.”

I raised a hand and tapped my chest as if pointing at myself.

“Because the Han Yujin you know existed, the current Han Yujin is here. And now, I share my burdens and take on those of others.”

Hyunjae smiled faintly.

“Then I’ll tell you. I’ve confirmed it with my own eyes.”

“Still as picky as ever. So, why did you call me?”

“Rather than just telling you…”

The scenery around us shifted. A large window came into view. Beyond it stretched white–capped mountains. The faint breeze slipping in was cool.

“It’ll be clearer if you see it yourself.”

“At this rate you’re gonna rip off the temp badge and go full–time staff.”

Even if it was his own room, the way he handled the system was way too smooth. I should get Rookie to tutor me while I’m at it.

“I’ve pulled out my memories as they are. Unfalsified.”

I turned my head. On the far, slightly dim side of the room stood Seong Hyunjae. Two Seong Hyunjaes.

“I refuse.”

One of them spoke flatly. One of his eyes was missing. The sleeve on one side of his loosely worn shirt hung empty. My mouth went bitter for no reason.

“You would’ve known my answer without asking.”

“It’s nothing more than an invitation for a walk, though.”

The intact pair of golden eyes were curved in an easygoing smile. It was the same ageless face on both of them. And yet one side looked younger.

“That place is my past and also a future that doesn’t belong to me. It’s not where I should be.”

It was a clear refusal, but it didn’t feel firm. It was indifferent, like he was stating an obvious fact. Like he’d been asked something meaningless, along the lines of, “How about a fish building its nest on a pretty tree at the top of a mountain?”

Yet why was Seong Hyunjae here? How on earth had Seong Hyunjae persuaded him? There was no way he could offer the price that man would want, so with what?

“Who knows.”

Hyunjae tilted his head slightly. It was a gesture that felt faintly playful.

“‘I’ wouldn’t be able to refuse. If you were me, you absolutely couldn’t either.”

Hyunjae and I both looked at Hyunjae at the same time. The voice, tinged with amusement, flowed on gently.

“Because the me standing at the very, very end still wants to live.”