The S-Classes That I Raised

"Chief Song, please wait. He said he's still thinking it over."

I stopped Song Taewon, who had already gotten up from his seat. Then I finished the rest of the juice. It really is good.

"And the fact that he hasn't made a decision yet—doesn't that basically mean he doesn't want to touch me?"

I looked up at Seong Hyunjae. Why was he saying something so unlike him?

"For now, at least, let's hear the reason. After offering to be my guardian and giving me every kind of care, why the sudden sulk? You're even feeding me like this right now. Is it because I've been fattened up enough and now it's time for slaughter?"

"At this rate, I'll have to raise you for life."

"I'm fully grown. You might want to answer before Chief Song pulls out his knife."

The glass was filled again. The scent had ripened to a rich sweetness. That smell that reminded me of soft, freshly-baked bread still lingered all over the kitchen.

"I've always had a sense of déjà vu."

A croissant was served with a casual, "Would you like some more?"

"As if I'd been through something similar, or even exactly the same."

"There's a high chance you really have."

Not just because of my regression, but also due to some experience he had in a previous world. Seong Hyunjae turned the small, pretty lid of a jam jar. The sweet scent mixed in once more.

"I get used to everything quickly, and then bored just as fast. It always ended anticlimactically."

"Even in completely different worlds, life probably doesn't differ that much."

Even in our world, despite the variety of cultures, the basics are the same. Eating, dressing, sleeping, fighting, becoming friends, falling in love, being consumed by hate. And Seong Hyunjae—no matter what world he was in, he would've been an object of worship. Always rising to the top with ease, always looking down from above.

It must've been incredibly boring for him.

"Still, isn't it at least a little satisfying to know the reason now?"

Being tied to Crescent Moon must be infuriating, though. As I spoke, I glanced sideways at Song Taewon. He probably had no idea what we were talking about, yet he stood silently, watching Seong Hyunjae's every move.

"Thanks to that, the two of you became even closer."

Seong Hyunjae smiled as he picked up a knife. So close he wanted to kill him now?

"Chief Song really is quite the unusual person."

I followed Seong Hyunjae's gaze and looked up at Song Taewon as well.

"Right? I didn't think he was that unprecedented."

Chief Song's eyebrows twitched slightly. He probably didn't understand why we were acting like this. It's rare to find someone who suppresses themselves so extremely, and for that person to be an S-Rank Awakener? That's truly unusual. Even Seong Hyunjae was seeing it for the first time.

Seong Hyunjae must've met not only S-Ranks but also plenty of natural-born S-Ranks. Maybe he'd even encountered a nurturer—someone who cherished their guardian. A naturally S-Rank Awakener like Han Yuhyun or Liette building and maintaining their own nest—he must've seen it at least once. Though, of course, my little brother was special even among them... They said his intense focus lasted only about three months, so no one could've predicted it. Not even the Transcendents.

"Seeing the same scene over and over again is never enjoyable. Maybe for a couple times, there's still some fun to be had—but never like the first time."

"Some things are good no matter how many times you see them. Yeah, yeah, I get it—you're absurdly sensitive and picky."

He could even feel forgotten memories of past lives. Sigma didn't seem this sensitive at the start. Repeating life over and over must've made him more delicate.

"Han Yujin is very special, too."

He slathered jam generously on the croissant. Then he used the knife to elegantly trace patterns in the jam that had dripped onto the white plate. Just looking at it made the tip of my tongue feel sweet.

"I am indeed quite special and one of a kind."

After all, I was the only perfect nurturer acknowledged by the Transcendents. A human with F-grade stats but holding S— to L-grade skills and titles—that was rare. I crossed my arms and lifted my chin arrogantly, looking down at Seong Hyunjae.

"Better get a good look while you can. You won't have another chance."

Opportunities like this don't come twice. On top of the jam, whipped cream was added in a soft white swirl. Stop it already—are you trying to sugar me to death? Why add fruit, too? It looked nice, sure, but still.

"That's why I wanted to cherish you. For my own sake. For my enjoyment, to be exact."

"You're going to make a mess eating that."

I'd have to cut it with a knife. What a hassle. Can't they just give me the croissant as is? Seong Hyunjae picked up something like a thread. The thin line whipped through the air, slicing the croissant sharply. Probably. I couldn't even see the movement. Neither the croissant nor the cream on top was disturbed. He sliced four times, so I figured it was in five pieces, but visually, I couldn't tell.

The plate was placed in front of me. I lifted my fork and gently pushed the edge, and the neatly cut sections parted.

"From where I'm standing, you seemed to enjoy yourself. Or are you bored now?"

"If I were bored, there'd be no need to hesitate. I don't destroy things just because I lose interest. I simply look away."

"And the person who gets abandoned crumbles all on their own."

"Calling it abandonment is misleading. I simply leave it where it was. If someone can't accept that and comes chasing after me to grab my ankle, then I have no choice but to act."

It's delicious. Sweet, but not overly so. Just like Seong Hyunjae said. Kang Soyeong once said things rarely end well with him, but as long as you don't cling to him, there's no problem. Just look at the people around me—aren't they all fine? Yuhyun, far from clinging, would be relieved if Seong Hyunjae disappeared entirely, and the same probably goes for Seok Gimyeong. Hyunah is just someone I know and get along with, and Soyeong seems to be living quite happily. Even Noah doesn't seem to have any problems caused by Seong Hyunjae. Liette is the issue.

"I won't be grabbing your ankle. I keep business and personal matters separate. It might feel a bit empty, but I've got a good track record when it comes to breakups. Even if I'm left alone, I can still live."

I did live for eight years, after all. Things are way better now than back then. At my words, Seong Hyunjae pretended to be hurt.

"Hearing that makes me feel a little sad."

"I said it would feel a bit empty. Unlike you, I'm not the type to just slice things clean with a knife. I'll probably think of you from time to time. 'There was this really brilliant and strange guy once. Not bad. The croissants were good.'"

I popped the last piece into my mouth.

"So what is it, then? You keep talking about why you can't get rid of me."

"I can't give you up, Han Yujin. I have no intention of letting go."

...I almost choked on my juice. What was that?

"What are you even saying? That doesn't make any sense."

"I'm willing to make a few sacrifices for my interest and enjoyment. Especially since I'm in a position where stimulation is desperately needed. After learning the reason behind my condition, losing an arm or two feels insignificant."

"...Is it that bad?"

"I may not look it, but I'm quite worn out."

Suddenly, his faded hair color caught my eye. Was he talking about his body, his soul—or both? Would he become dangerous without new stimulation to repaint over himself? Get buried in boredom and freeze in place?

"But lately, I went a bit overboard. The lines got blurry. I'm not sure if it's for me, or purely for Han Yujin. That boundary has become confusing. If I were to crack open your insides, I'm sure all sorts of fascinating truths would pour out."

"Sounds like a goose that lays golden eggs. If you cut it open and it dies, you're at a loss."

"Nowadays, cracking open the belly doesn't necessarily kill them. Stitching them back up, healing them, and watching them recover is enjoyable in its own right."

Y-yeah, that's probably true these days. Or you could just take an X-ray.

"So, what you're saying is... it bothers you that you had to hold back for my sake, not your own? That I've influenced you too much...?"

Even as I said it, I felt weird. Like—how did we even get here? Was that really the case? Even if I did influence him, it'd be # Nоvеlight # like a tiny splinter in his fingertip at most. Seong Hyunjae's not someone who has to tolerate even that kind of irritation.

"It is bothersome, but I wouldn't cut off the neck of my precious goose for that."

He let out a low laugh, as if to say, I'm disappointed you'd think of me that way. Thank you so much for assuring me you'll only gut me and not cut off my head, really. Thanks for reading—brought to you by M|VL|EMPYR.

"That's another form of stimulation, too. When will I get to experience this kind of confusion again?"

"So then what? What is it? What?"

I was starting to get annoyed. What's the actual reason? From the start, it didn't sound like him. It doesn't suit him to eliminate someone who still has value just because he's in a bad mood. So then why?

"That's why it's not Han Yujin's responsibility."

"...What?"

"If you hadn't come, I might've thought it over a bit more. But it's just as well that the two of you are here together."

"Hey, could you say that in a way I can understand?"

Now, not just Chief Song, even I didn't get what he was talking about.

"I won't be able to take care of things for a while, so try not to make the young master and the little lady worry too much."

"Are you going overseas?"

"This kind of thing isn't really my style, but once I tried it, it wasn't so bad. My leg's better now, and I've been getting at least seven hours of sleep. Judging by your expression, it seems I've improved quite a bit."

When he asked if I wanted some egg tarts to take home, I instinctively frowned. What's with this guy?

"Forget the egg tarts—I'm not going anywhere until I get a proper explanation. And besides, I came here to tell you something. I haven't even gotten to that yet."

"Call it a kind of overload."

"Huh?"

"I'm worn out, and at the same time, a lot has piled up. That's what the Scouter said too. That I've reached my limit."

Scouter, as in that horse, the piece of Crescent Moon?

"I need something new, but at the same time, I don't have the capacity to take it in. I'm in a precarious state, and with things shaking on top of that, it's become hard to endure."

"...What does that even mean?"

"If I eliminated Han Yujin now, I might be able to regain some stability. If I took care of the source of instability with my own hands, there's a good chance I'd calm down quickly."

...So what, I'm saying my very existence has become a threat to Seong Hyunjae? Like a water balloon stretched to its limit, and I'm not just adding more water—I'm also poking at it? That kind of existence?

"...What on earth are you talking about."

Song Taewon, who had been silently watching us, finally couldn't hold back and spoke up. Seong Hyunjae looked at him with no hint of apology and answered.

"I'm sorry I can't explain it to you."

"Chief Song, I'm sorry. Later, okay? Can't you just endure it for a while by not seeing his face? Let's avoid each other for a bit and try to find a solution."

"I already found the solution."

"What? Then why—"

"It's just a little dangerous."

And he smiled. A little? That sounded like there was maybe a one in a hundred chance of success. I shot up from my seat and glared at Seong Hyunjae.

"There must be another way."

"Han Yujin. Go back."

"No—"

In an instant, the atmosphere around Seong Hyunjae shifted. Song Taewon grabbed me by the waist and swiftly pulled me back. The golden eyes held a faint trace of a smile. It still looked like Seong Hyunjae, but it was heavy.

Something that had been building and building was faintly leaking out. It felt like something enormous—almost like an entire world compressed into a human form—was on the verge of bursting.

"...You said you had a plan!"

"I do."

"What is it!"

"The problem is that too much has built up, right? Then we just need to unload a bit."

"Easy for you to say! Can that even be done?"

"If our dear Chief Song Taewon does well."

Both Seong Hyunjae and I turned to look at Song Taewon. He furrowed his brow.

"...Please be specific."

"It's simple. Make good use of Plunder. Extract and devour a monster greater than what you usually feel from me."

"..."

"There's a chance I might get devoured too, but let's call it a gift to you, Song Taewon."

...You call that a gift? That's choking him to death. Song Taewon exhaled briefly. At some point, a sword had appeared in his hand.

"What happens if we leave things as they are?"

"It's fine for now, but if my survival instinct becomes stronger, I'll likely try to kill Han Yujin. And you'll be next."

"Then I'll stop you."

"With your current skill grade, it'll be difficult to make fine adjustments. Let's see how well you survive."

It sounded like, "I'm going to put an apple on your head and have someone who's never fired a gun before shoot it. If you're lucky, you'll survive." I didn't even know what he meant by how to use the Plunder skill, but Song Taewon lowered his center of gravity and prepared to strike.

"Ch-Chief Song! Do you think it's possible?"

"I don't know. But that—"

He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

"—is not human."

"...You're not seriously saying you'll just kill him and see what happens, are you?"

There was no answer. I was going crazy. Was this going to turn into a bloodbath? I honestly didn't know if Song Taewon would survive after killing Seong Hyunjae. He might live. The real question was whether he'd live well.

"Damn it, Chief Song! Just hold on a second!"

"Leave the room."

Song Taewon said calmly. If I went out, something was definitely going to happen! But he looked like he had no intention of listening to me. How do I stop this? Should I activate Grace and physically block him? Yuhyun... would probably just help kill Seong Hyunjae, so maybe I should call Evelyn...

"Or I'll move you to a safe place myself."

Song Taewon grabbed my arm. The sword in his other hand disappeared, replaced by a pair of handcuffs. He noticed I was planning to interfere. Ha, ha.

"Grace!"

At the same time as I shouted,

Flash—a burst of light exploded. The blast was small, but the powerful magic surged through the narrow space, instantly blowing Song Taewon back. Screeeeech, the floor scraped as he held his ground and didn't fall. I used that moment to rush to Seong Hyunjae.

I stood in front of him as if shielding him, drew my gun, and aimed it at Song Taewon. Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger, and a magic bullet fired from the barrel. Song Taewon had already regained his stance and drawn his sword. The blade, wrapped in black energy, sliced through the bullet. With a soft pop, the bullet scattered. Even though it was likely his first time seeing a firearm-type weapon, his reaction was swift and precise.

"I never thought I'd be the one to blow off Seong Hyunjae's head, and I really never thought I'd end up doing this to protect him! Back-to-back once-in-a-lifetime experiences—this is just fantastic!"

Ah, life sure is a thrill.