The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 373: Ruler of the Domain (2)



The explosive sound served as Noah's signal. He charged toward the wall like a battering ram, his dragon head lowered with the fury of an angry bull. The razor-sharp horn at his snout slammed into the reinforced training room barrier. Though specially designed to withstand high-rank Hunter battles, even it couldn't hold against such raw power.

CRACK!

Spider-web fractures spread across the entire surface before a hole large enough for our escape burst open.

"S-Stop!"

The soldiers who had burst through the door shouted in bewilderment, but stopping wasn't on our agenda. Instead of answering, I triggered another series of bombs.

BANG! BOOM!

"Ugh!"

"Th-The remote! Over there!"

This explosion hit much closer. The vibrations reached us even here, rattling my bones. Despite clearly realizing I was the one orchestrating this chaos, the soldiers just milled about in confusion. Not a single S-Rank Hunter among them, apparently.

"Well then, goodbye."

Humid lake air rushed through the gaping hole, carrying the scent of freedom. A golden claw scraped once against the floor before we soared lightly into the darkness. My stomach dropped as my body lifted high into the night sky.

– Krrng.

"It's okay. Lif, you stay still too."

The fox stirred from sleep, growing anxious at the commotion. Lifnil squirmed in my arms, curious about what was happening. At least the egg I'd sent with the baby pegasus should be safe by now.

Noah's magnificent golden wings unfurled, drawing graceful semicircles through the air. I pressed bomb switches one after another, hurling the remaining explosives down below. Flames spread through the building and across the entire island like wildfire.

"Ah."

Then something changed. The tips of my red flames suddenly began turning dark blue.

Like a massive wave swallowing smaller ones, the blue-tinged black fire greedily devoured my handiwork. Though still flames, the eerie blue light illuminated the surroundings, revealing a familiar silhouette.

A figure leaped with impossible grace, as if flying while stepping on Blue Willow Leaves.

Yuhyun's gaze locked onto us—onto me. Even with our Stealth Skill active, it couldn't completely fool an S-Rank Hunter's eyes. Neither Noah nor I wore jackets, which reduced the skill's effectiveness anyway.

Thanks to using the Teacher skill on Noah, I could see my younger brother's form clearly even from this distance. He was smiling. With a casual flick of his wrist, he batted away a collapsing building using the Sword of the Corrupting Sovereign. The group of soldiers caught dozens of bullet-like fragments and went tumbling in all directions. As if mid-rank Hunters weren't even worth a glance, my brother kept his eyes fixed on me. His intention was crystal clear—he wanted to reach me this instant, stepping across those willow leaves.

No.

Not yet. If I went to Yuhyun's side now, I'd only be dead weight. My brother shrugged his shoulders with theatrical flair and dashed forward, clearly intending to sweep away everyone in his path as quickly as possible.

But where was Yerim? If she'd come with him, there was no way she wouldn't be noticeable.

Had Yuhyun told her not to come? This was a battlefield where many people were bound to die. Perhaps he'd been considerate of that. My praiseworthy younger brother. I'd hoped Yerim wouldn't come either. Even if they were all lives, monsters and humans just felt different.

– Mr. Yujin! Over there!

Noah shouted with excitement. Unlike his earlier anxiety and worry for me, he seemed in considerably better spirits. Was it because I'd finally escaped, and with his significant help at that?

A flash of gold sparked in the direction the dragon was looking—toward the heliport.

"Don't approach recklessly. Looks like there's a battle underway."

First priority: get Grace back from Seong Hyunjae. I wondered if he'd given it to Yuhyun, but judging from my brother's behavior, that didn't seem to be the case. If Yuhyun had it, he would've tried to approach me the moment he spotted me. Or maybe he couldn't trust entrusting it to a goblin for delivery.

Either way, if it wasn't with Yuhyun, then Seong Hyunjae still had it. Once I retrieved Grace, I could go to my brother and cast the skill on him.

That should be enough.

Could there really be something worse than an SS-Rank monster?

As Noah cautiously headed toward the heliport, everything changed.

– Mr. Yujin!

The warning shout hit me just as I felt it too. I clung desperately to Noah's harness straps as my body tilted sharply. The dragon's wings folded abruptly, and we plunged into a series of terrifyingly fast descents and steep climbs. A sharp projectile thrown from below sliced through empty air where we'd been moments before. My vision swam sickeningly.

When I get back, maybe I should sign up for fighter pilot training.

– Are you okay?

"Ah, yes. I think we need to move the kids first."

"Shall I take them for you?"

Red Marble clinging to my shoulder offered helpfully.

"Please do. Lifnil, follow the goblin. Kiddo, let's have a cookie."

– Kiiing.

I soothed the baby fox and fed it a Mini-Mini Cookie, then gave one to the buffalo as well. Perhaps dazed from Noah's violent maneuvers, the baby buffalo ate the unfamiliar treat without resistance. No sooner had I entrusted the kids to the goblin than another attack came flying.

Which bastard was it this time?

Ah, that bastard.

Cho Hwawoon stood on the roof of a half-demolished, flame-engulfed building. What was this, revenge for a bad review? At this rate, he might even sue me for obstruction of business. If you hadn't broken someone else's leg, I would've given you half of half a star! Even that's too generous.

"Mr. Noah, be careful."

This was a man who held high position in a military crawling with S-Ranks. It couldn't be just family connections. His skills had to be outstanding too. Otherwise, no matter how military it was, S-Rank Hunters would never accept such an ill-tempered superior.

The doubled attack skill would be of little use to Noah.

There were over a hundred people below, but I hesitated to use My Kid's skill. Still, if push came to shove, it would be better than just taking a beating.

"Mr. Noah, can you keep dodging? Doesn't look like he has a flight skill."

– Yes! No problem. But I'm worried about you, Mr. Yujin.

"I'm fine. I'm not that fragile. Fighter jets break the sound barrier all the time, you know."

Of course, being strapped in was different from hanging on with bare hands, but Noah didn't have flight assistance skills, so he wasn't fast enough to be unbearable. Even small birds could dive at over 300 km/h.

Still, I could pass out from shock, so to dull my senses, I pulled out another cigarette and stuck it in my mouth. I couldn't light it, so I chewed on it instead. The disgustingly bitter taste filled my mouth. Noah deactivated his now-unhelpful Stealth Skill to concentrate better.

Cho Hwawoon glared up at us coldly and ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don't copy, read here) materialized something like a long spear. Then he hurled it with terrifying force. The weapon cut through the night sky at a speed I wouldn't have even perceived without sharing Noah's enhanced vision. Golden wings flapped wide as we dodged with swift, acrobatic flight.

Just as I breathed a sigh of relief, second and third attacks followed. But they weren't enough to match Noah's aerial skills. Noah had originally been awkward at flying as a dragon, but with Blue's help—an excellent flight-type monster—plus actual combat experience with Liette and constant practice since, his flying skills now rivaled any decent wyvern. The latest chapters are uploaded first on M|V|LE3MPYR.

Simple spear throws, even from an S-Rank Hunter, couldn't even graze his wingtips.

But then—

Fweee—

The thrown spear, unlike the others, suddenly split into dozens of pieces. A change-up thrown after lulling us into a false sense of security. Alarm signals flashed from Noah. The split fragments had less individual power—for Noah, getting hit by one or two meant only minor injuries. But not for me. Even with barrier skills, it was dangerous.

Instead of evasive maneuvers, Noah spread his wings wide—a gesture to protect me as much as possible, even if it meant taking the hit himself. I couldn't think of any other solution, so I gritted my teeth.

KANG! KLANG!

A golden chain shot out in front of us. Coiling wide while crackling with electricity, it blocked most of the incoming fragments. And immediately after—

BOOM!

The building where Cho Hwawoon had been standing exploded in blazing fire. A jet-black chain-sword, scattering dull light, swung down as if to cleave Cho Hwawoon in half. The Sword of the Corrupting Sovereign completely shattered what remained of the building in place of the swiftly dodging target, then transformed into a longsword with a metallic clatter.

Wreathed in flames and smoke, Han Yuhyun stared down coldly at Cho Hwawoon. Blue Willow Leaves scattered as Cho Hwawoon drew his own sword.

– I'm glad we're safe. But what about this?

Noah held up the Seeker's Chain he'd reflexively caught as it fell. Right—had it lost power due to distance? It showed no sign of returning to its owner.

Thanks for the help, but what was he thinking, throwing away his weapon?

Did he have another one? I'd never seen him use a main weapon other than the chain. A ball of yarn, maybe?

"Uh, let's be careful and go return it."

I had something to retrieve too.

"Keok!"

The chain that had pierced the Chinese S-Rank Hunter's leg was yanked out instantly. As he prepared for the next attack, he was bewildered by the sight of the golden chain soaring into empty air. The other S-Rank Hunters shared his confusion.

"What... what is he doing?"

Throwing away his weapon mid-battle? Everyone knew the Sesung Guild Leader's golden chain was SS-Rank. The S-Rank Hunters couldn't comprehend the incomprehensible act of discarding his only SS-Rank weapon. But they wouldn't miss the opportunity.

"Reform the line!"

He'd been a difficult opponent to face alone. Even weaponless, his intimidating presence remained. As Seong Hyunjae ignored the S-Rank Hunters reforming their ranks and looked up at the sky, the corners of his lips lifted slightly.

The spear cutting through the night sky had stopped. Instead, dark blue flames soared upward. The golden dragon was turning back toward him, bathed in moonlight from above and firelight from below, sparkling faintly.

The S-Rank Hunters charged toward the seemingly off-guard and distracted Seong Hyunjae. A Defense-type Hunter took point, throwing his whole body forward to block any counterattack. His massive, dented shield, enhanced with skills, charged like a rhinoceros. No matter how strong a Hunter, it would be difficult to receive such force barehanded unless they were also Defense-type.

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM.

Three stomps left deep marks in the ground as the Defense-type Hunter closed the distance instantly. Seong Hyunjae, who had been standing motionless, spread the palm of one hand without even lowering his gaze. A weapon materialized in that hand.

Taking a step forward, Seong Hyunjae's arm drew a large semicircle. His coat's hem swayed at the uncharacteristically grand motion, muscles tensing beneath his clothes. Then—

CRASH!

Hammer met shield. The shockwave rippled throughout the shield, and the Defense-type Hunter staggered backward. No—he only held on for a moment. Like a baseball struck by a bat, he was sent flying.

"Keok!"

The Defense-type Hunter's feet scraped against the ground as he tried to stop, but he was pushed back nearly three meters. The other S-Rank Hunters following closely behind got caught up in the chaos and faltered.

"Wha-what is that!"

No one had ever heard of Seong Hyunjae using such a blunt weapon. Seong Hyunjae let the hammer hang loosely, furrowing his brow slightly.

"I also think it doesn't suit me, but a certain public official on vacation stubbornly refused my usual approach."

Electricity crackled along the war hammer, which was made entirely of metal from head to handle.

"I wonder if I'll get sued by the U.S. for this. Please keep it a secret."

Assuming you have mouths left to talk with, that is.

The shaken S-Rank Hunters gritted their teeth and began moving again.

"It must be a weapon he's not used to!"

"A blunt weapon like that has large openings after attacks—aim for those!"

This was much better than facing his high-rank, unpredictable chain. And with their numbers, exploiting openings would be easier. While the pushed-back Defense-type Hunter healed from the shock he'd received, the remaining Hunters swung their weapons and activated skills.

A Hunter with a sturdy, thick staff stepped forward first. He'd witnessed the hammer's terrifying power moments before. This S-Rank Hunter, who had invested all his combat support skills into raw strength, gripped his staff with both hands and swung it down at Seong Hyunjae.

The hand holding the hammer bent sideways and swung upward to meet the descending staff. Though downward attacks usually had advantage over upward ones, and despite it being two hands against one, staff and hammer met head-on with neither giving ground.

While surprised by this development, another S-Rank Hunter thrust his sword forward. Seong Hyunjae raised his other hand. A transparent glass sword materialized, lightly parrying the thrusting blade.

– Chirp!

"Wait just a little longer."

As Seong Hyunjae kicked away the staff-wielding Hunter amid the bluebird's urging, he poured full charges of electricity into both weapons. With a deafening thunderclap, blinding light exploded across the battlefield.


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