The S-Classes That I Raised

"U-Um, what do I do."

Rookie looked around. He was the only one in this space. The system had been restored. While he still couldn't connect to Han Yujin's world, that too would soon be reestablished. So the urgent situation was over. He could finally relax and take a short break.

"...The system."

The reason the system was created. The original system creators. He couldn't pretend he hadn't heard her words. He could clearly feel his heart wavering. But it was still hard to accept that he had been wrong. Rookie shook his head. He couldn't throw away that long, long time in an instant.

Even so.

Suddenly standing up, Rookie spun in circles through the snowy field before raising a hand. The flowing, fin-like sleeve slipped down, revealing his fingertips, which stirred the air. A round hole appeared in the sky.

[You said you'd be busy for a while—what's going on? Did you finish restoring the system?]

"...No."

Rookie answered Tree's question with a lie, almost unconsciously. He covered his face with his wide sleeve and continued speaking.

"You said the worlds of the First Primordial didn't need to be managed."

[Yeah, I did. There are no Unfilial Children or Filial Duty Addicts there. The basic system exists, but it operates automatically without a manager's interference.]

Rookie had certainly heard the same. That those worlds didn't require intervention.

"What about Chaos?"

[Chaos?]

"Yes. I heard he's on the side of the First Primordial."

[Ah, young Chaos. Right. I don't know the details either, but the young Chaos is over there. They say he's the only transcendent who manages the worlds belonging to the First Primordial. The oldest sword. The Master of the Nine Stars. The Myth Hunter. The Twilight of the First Primordial. There were a bunch of other rumors too, but it's all from so long ago.]

"How long ago are we talking?"

[So long that there are barely any transcendents who've seen him directly. Maybe around the same age as the Crescent Moon, the White Bird, or the Gardener? If it's the Mermaid Queen, she might've seen him back in her newbie days.]

The Tree beyond the hole waved a hand dismissively.

[Anyway, he's not someone you need to worry about. As long as you don't step foot in the First Primordial's worlds, you won't run into him. But why ask all of a sudden?]

"I saw something related while restoring the system. It was a name I'd never seen before, so I was curious who it was."

[Is that so? He probably knew the original system creators too. Ah, something else must've come up. Well then, keep up the good work, Rookie! I wish there were more people who could mess with the system. Maybe that blacksmith has potential.]

Basic system management and operation could be done by others as well. But transcendents capable of diving deep into the system and performing restoration work were extremely rare. Rookie offered a half-hidden smile and waved his hand, closing the hole.

"...What do I do."

He seemed to be a much more impressive person than expected. Rookie hesitated for a moment, then moved the system. Even in the worlds of the First Primordial, the system existed, so establishing a connection wasn't difficult.

Following a complex magical flow, a passage was formed, and a link was created between systems. Rookie glanced around again, a little tense. If he made contact directly from here, other transcendents might notice.

'I'll create a separate virtual space... Though it'll make me more vulnerable to external attacks.'

Rookie created a virtual space near Han Yujin's world, which had become disconnected from the system and everyone's attention. It was a kind of fake dungeon. Among the system's functions, dungeons were the easiest to integrate as a passage. Rookie took a deep breath, created an avatar, and entered the dungeon.

It was a small forest. The summer sunlight shimmered along a creek.

"...Young Chaos?"

No reply came. He had already connected to the system on the side of the First Primordial and sent a message, so Chaos should be able to cross over. Rookie waited for a moment, then checked the portal.

"Hello?"

Tap, tap. A knocking sound echoed like someone tapping on a door. Rookie sent a message as if speaking to a regular awakened being, not a fellow transcendent.

[Young Chaos? Is that you?]

[It is.]

[Then why aren't you coming through?]

[I can't do that kind of petty trick. You'll have to help me.]

[Petty trick?!]

Rookie grumbled but assisted him in crossing over. A boy with red eyes appeared before Rookie.

"Yeah, yeah. Bunny."

"...You look like Honey's younger sibling?"

"That's how I was perceived."

Rookie stared at Chaos with curiosity. Contrary to what he'd heard, he looked like a normal human.

"Why did you ask me to contact you?"

"I can't do those petty tricks—tricks like you rabbits do. So I needed help, and asked for your contact info."

"What kind of help? You should be able to manage basic system functions, at least. Anything beyond that, I'd have to sneak—"

"I can barely do the basics."

Rookie's eyes widened.

"Really? It's easy. Want me to teach you?"

"Even the original system creators gave up on teaching me. I've got no intention of learning."

"But if you can't operate the system, how do you manage the worlds of the First Primordial?"

Rookie asked in amazement. Chaos smiled.

"I break in."

"...Huh?"

"When it seems like the Primordial is about to devour something, I break in, sweep it clean, and come back out. No other transcendents exist there, and if one is born, I kick them out. So even if some of the force protecting each world gets broken, it's fine."

"...That actually works?"

"It does."

It was a light response. Rookie, flustered, covered his mouth with a sleeve. It was a method he hadn't considered at all. No, even for a transcendent, it was reckless to the point of near impossibility. Even the King of Harmless had been weakened when he forced his way into a world not his own.

"Then... theoretically, you could protect worlds belonging to other Primordials the same way."

"I shouldn't. If protection disappears, it'll just turn into a battlefield for transcendents. My method only works because there's a place to retreat to. If I cut off all the attacking wolves' heads, they'll only watch the unguarded sheep without approaching, but if the whole mountain turns into a pasture and all other prey disappears, they'll bare their fangs and come for blood."

Unless you intend to wipe them all out, you have to leave an escape route open.

"If transcendents band together, it's a headache for me too. Besides, I only step in at the very last moment—managing it through the system is better. If you follow the rules, that is."

Red eyes stared directly at Rookie. There was no strong emotion in them, yet somehow it felt like a scolding, and Rookie raised his sleeve higher, hiding half his face. Two pairs of similarly colored, yet completely different red eyes met.

Avoiding eye contact, Rookie changed the subject.

"You asked me to help because..."

"The original deal was to lend one of my swords."

Chaos frowned slightly in displeasure. Thanks for reading—brought to you by M|VL|EMPYR.

"If I'd known it would turn out like this, I would've made directly handing over the sword a condition. I don't like Future-Seers."

"Future-Seers?"

"That doesn't mean I'll hesitate to do what I want. Little bunny, help me get in contact with that kid named Han Yujin."

Rookie shook his head, confused.

"I can't right now! But—did you really give your sword to Honey?"

"Yes. It probably ended up with his younger brother."

"How? When? You said you couldn't use the system, but if you gave the sword, that means you could've sent a message too, right?"

"Back then, another manager helped me. I guess it can't be done now. No immediate trouble should arise, though."

Chaos tilted his head slightly. A sword appeared in his hand, from hilt to tip completely white—a single-edged longsword.

"An uninvited guest."

As he spoke, Rookie sensed it too. And then—

KWAANG—!

The space shook. Black cracks split through the sky with a sizzle. Something like sharp claws sliced through the clouds and crashed down at the edge of the forest. A growl filled with fury leaked through the rift.

[Where are you, where are you hiding!]

"Chatterbox!"

Rookie leapt, baring a small, hidden fang.

[The King of Harmless—my beloved mist!]

"G-Go back! She's not here!"

[Give him to me! The Nurturer—every last one of the Nurturer's children! You've been watching, haven't you? You helped them, didn't you?! No way those non-transcendents could've imprisoned and killed her on their own! It was you!]

The sky split even wider. A viscous poison seeped through, and with a thunderous roar, a pale red veil unfurled with violent force. The veil, descending heavily from the heavens, was met by Chaos, who raised his white sword.

Without a hint of wavering, the blade sliced through the air. A light breeze stirred along the long, straight line it drew. Just like that, the veil began to recede. As if struck by a giant wave, it tore, crumpled, and was driven back to the far edge of the sky.

"Annoying."

Chaos lowered his sword.

[...You.]

"Young Chaos. Even at this age, being called 'young' is embarrassing—but due to various circumstances, it is what it is."

[Why... are you here. You were never [N O V E L I G H T] supposed to leave the First Primordial.]

His voice faltered in surprise. Chaos's lips curled into a smirk.

"Just out for a stroll. Gonna make a move?"

A brief silence fell. The low growl merged with rough breaths. But Chatterbox eventually backed off. His presence faded, and the cracked sky slowly began to mend. As Rookie stared at it blankly, he suddenly shouted toward Chaos.

"You could've just taken him out! That was dangerous! He's after Honey!"

"Can't."

"What? Are you weaker than Chatterbox?"

"You damned rabbit."

Chaos flicked his knuckles against Rookie's forehead. Rookie groaned, rubbing the red mark on his head with a tearful face.

"Kids these days just don't know. Back in the day, I used to hunt down any transcendents that looked even remotely strong and kill them. But after a lot of things happened, I made a vow—unless someone shows hostility first or enters a world belonging to the First Primordial without permission, I won't attack."

"But Chatterbox struck first!"

"His target was you."

The white sword slipped from Chaos's hand and vanished. He roughly gathered up his flowing sleeves and perched on a tree stump.

"Well, I've got time. I'll wait here until you're ready."

"Ah, okay."

"Give me a cup of tea."

"...You can't make it yourself?"

"I can't. I told you, I don't do petty tricks. The only thing I can craft is swords."

"It's not a trick!"

Rookie shouted with a shrill voice, but still conjured a table and tea set, politely pouring a cup.

'It might just be unnecessary worry, but I thought it'd be best to be cautious. Take care, Chief Song.'

Song Taewon stared at the airfield, recalling Moon Hyunah's words. The call had been brief. It was simply a warning that the condition of Guild Leader Seong Hyunjae wasn't good. If the caller had been an ordinary civilian, it would've been fine to ignore. But it was Moon Hyunah, the Guild Leader of Breaker, who had reached out directly.

Among the early Awakened, she was one of the few who could be said to be relatively close to Seong Hyunjae. As an S-Rank Hunter and a guild leader, she had clashed with him more than once. Given that, a personal warning from her couldn't be taken lightly.

Song Taewon immediately cleared out the airport where Seong Hyunjae was scheduled to arrive. Fortunately, due to a sudden monster appearance incident, all flights had been suspended, so it was only a matter of sending away the few remaining staff at the airport.

"Are you really sure you'll be okay alone?"

Kang Soyeong asked with concern. Curled up beside her was the Thornwing Rock Dragon, Comet. Because of the uproar caused alongside Liette, she had been temporarily detained, but in a situation where monsters might still remain, they couldn't afford to sideline a flight-capable dragonkin. Thanks to a promise to only conduct aerial patrols, she was released right away.

"I prefer being alone."

"...You're not mad at me, are you? I mean, I know you wouldn't get mad over something like that, but just in case. If it is because of me, please just send a quick message. I'll go hide out at Breaker."

"I don't think that's the case."

"Right? Still, please promise you'll contact me, Chief Song! Please! If you help me, I won't speed for a while!"

Reiterating her plea, Kang Soyeong climbed onto Comet's back. Though not fully grown, the black dragon was already slightly larger than the griffon Blue. She spread her long wings wide and, with a light leap, took off in an instant, disappearing into the distance.

Song Taewon watched the dragon's retreating figure before turning his gaze forward again. The scheduled arrival time of the plane was drawing near. He adjusted the belt on the gloves wrapping up to his wrists and let out a short breath. A tension different from entering a dungeon brushed the back of his neck. Outwardly, he was unmoving like a statue, but inside, emotions tangled and churned.

Before long, the plane appeared with a loud roar, descending in altitude. With flights grounded across the globe, there was no need to confirm who might be aboard. The lowered landing gear touched the runway. With a tremendous noise, the black tires spun rapidly. The aircraft, speeding along the runway, gradually came to a stop.

Song Taewon stood firm, guarding his position, watching the man disembark from the plane.

"It's been a while. Didn't expect a welcome party."

Should he be touched? The tone was light. But Song Taewon felt the tension in his body grow even stronger.

"Why did you come back alone."

There was no answer. Instead, golden young eyes curved into a light smile.

"It hasn't been long enough to even call it 'a while.' If there's an issue, say it here and now."

He couldn't allow a dangerous presence to be let through. That's what his words meant. Seong Hyunjae's smile deepened further.