The S-Classes That I Raised

James Gunn opens up about his Batman Problem and What's Wrong with the MCU

Building debris, earth, and stones—unable to withstand the tremendous force, they shot upward in chaotic sprays. Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of lightning streaks spread in all directions, crushing everything they touched. Though elemental powers weaken significantly when scattered instead of focused, the electrical storm was so fierce that even S-Rank Hunters had to retreat and shield themselves.

CLANG—

The battle hammer, crackling with lightning energy, came down on an S-Rank Hunter who'd failed to dodge the blinding flash. Due to the weapon's nature, the movement was telegraphed and the attack trajectory simple. He'd blocked it without much difficulty, but—

CRUNCH!

"Keok!"

The hammer's heavy head shattered his weapon and bit deep into his shoulder. At the same time, the battle hammer also cracked.

"Oops."

As expected, the weapon couldn't hold up. The Hunter, his shoulder crushed like clay, staggered backward. Seong Hyunjae turned the hammer sideways and spun it half a turn as if it were a lightweight baton. WHACK! The spinning hammer sent the Hunter crashing down, and Seong Hyunjae, now holding the weapon upside down, stored it directly in his inventory.

The reason he rarely used weapons other than the Seeker's Chain wasn't just preference—it was durability. Even S-Rank weapons couldn't contain his powerful magical current without taking damage.

He could use them as simple weapons without infusing elemental power, but why bother when he had the Seeker's Chain?

However, the translucent longsword in Seong Hyunjae's hand didn't show a single crack. On the contrary, it glowed white-hot with electricity. Since he wasn't the owner, he couldn't access the weapon's imbued skills. But it was more solid than any item in the world.

"They said it was unscathed even by Plunder."

In a way, it was quite... like its owner. A sword that could withstand any skill from any S-Rank Hunter. Its appearance suggested glass that might shatter at a touch, but in reality, it was the heart of an incredibly powerful dragon.

As the light's halo faded, Seong Hyunjae's gaze briefly turned skyward again. They wouldn't come down until the cleanup was finished.

His billowing coat settled calmly. The barely-recovered S-Rank Hunters focused their attention on the sword tip extended gracefully, as if requesting a formal duel. Most wore weary expressions, but none backed down.

His golden eyes curved slightly, and Seong Hyunjae's body shot forward.

It looked like a simple, straight charge. But the hooked iron chains that flew to bind him were deflected with just a slight body tilt. The thrusting spear tip brushed past only his hair by a paper-thin margin.

Having dodged all attacks with minimal movement, Seong Hyunjae instantly cut through the offensive-type Hunters. The recovered Defense-type Hunter raised his center-dented shield. Simultaneously, Seong Hyunjae's body dropped sharply.

Precisely predicting the shield's defensive height, his lowered body spun around. His outstretched arm and the sword at its end swept powerfully at the Defense-type Hunter's legs.

CRACK!

Since its function as a sword—beyond hardness—was F-Rank level, it couldn't slice through flesh and bone. The effect was even less against a Defense-type. Instead, it crushed everything it touched and instantly discharged its stored electricity, searing the impact zone.

A gloved hand snatched the shield dropped with a scream, then sent it flying toward the support-type Hunter behind the Defense-type. The shield, caught and thrown with a wide half-turn while his body's rotation hadn't finished, CRACK! embedded itself in the support-type Hunter's leg.

Almost simultaneously, two men fell.

In the same lowered posture, Seong Hyunjae held the glass sword behind his back. With a THUD! a poison-laced dagger was deflected.

"It's been a while since I've had to move like this, one by one."

When combat foresight combined with the Seeker's Chain, he never needed to lift a finger against boring opponents. Even facing proper adversaries, about half the offense and defense was just manipulating the golden chain.

Seong Hyunjae leisurely straightened up, even brushing off his coat's hem that had touched the ground. Only two S-Rank Hunters remained standing on their own feet. Though there had been six total—including the Defense and support-types who'd joined mid-battle—they couldn't last long, and more than half had fallen.

The remaining two watched Seong Hyunjae with tense expressions. Despite the distance, they were frozen as if in a standoff right before him. Toward them, gritting their teeth but not daring to attack first, Seong Hyunjae wore a faint smile. The S-Rank Hunters gripped their weapons even tighter. Their attention was so completely stolen they couldn't perceive anything beyond the monster before them.

And right after—

A strong wind blew from behind.

"Behind—!"

The urgent shout came too late. Sharp claws dug into the S-Rank Hunter's back, and his head was CRUNCH, bitten clean off. The remaining one, as soon as he turned around—

THWACK!

A golden chain pierced his chest. Thick venomous energy spread immediately after. Han Yujin landed on the ground, gripping the bloody chain for support.

"I'm gonna die, for real. Noah, hurry up and spit it out."

Han Yujin's voice trembled at the end. His body visibly shivered as if from cold. Though the night was long past sunset and the wet lake wind was chilly, with fires still burning here and there, it couldn't be called truly cold.

This was fear. The terror of jumping into an S-Rank Hunter battlefield. And he'd been subjected to violence all this time. No matter how strong his spirit, it was only natural for his body—his instincts—to react more sensitively to danger and recoil.

– Chirp! Chirp!

Even amid Grace's urgent chirping, Seong Hyunjae didn't move. Instead, the chain pulled free from the S-Rank Hunter's body and stretched long, parallel to the ground—so Han Yujin could lean on it like a crutch.

Han Yujin raised his gaze and looked at him. Seong Hyunjae didn't bother suppressing the ominous pressure that naturally flowed after battle. It would be simple to erase a presence that even fellow S-Rank Hunters found repulsive. He controlled it skillfully depending on his opponent, as if he'd been doing it since the moment he awakened.

For non-Awakened or low-rank but useful opponents, he could even make them feel comfortable. Kindly, gently, and affectionately. It wasn't difficult to melt away the fear they instinctively sensed and completely envelop them, making them utterly unaware of his true nature.

It was the same now. He could have approached first, soothing with a gentle voice and asking if he was okay. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but he waited. Cloaked in an aura that would make the current Han Yujin feel like he was facing a terrifying monster.

Han Yujin's hand grabbed the chain again. He slowly slid forward. Noah, having discarded the corpse, lowered his body and asked if he could help, but Han Yujin declined. It wasn't a long distance—a gap an S-Rank Hunter could close instantly without effort—but his steps were painfully slow.

Not only because of his injured leg, but he was visibly struggling, his body's trembling growing stronger with each step.

"For now."

Thud. Taking the final step, Han Yujin spoke. His mouth seemed dry as he gathered saliva, swallowed, then looked up at Seong Hyunjae. "I'm scared to death," he grumbled softly, but contrary to his words, he didn't avert his eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"I didn't expect to hear an apology."

"That, well. I believed you to be a bit of a heartless person. To be honest, I still feel that way a little, but adding to that... Anyway, Mr. Seong Hyunjae."

Han Yujin's brow furrowed slightly.

"Are you okay?"

"I think that's my line."

"Well, me—"

– Chirp!

The bluebird chirped irritably and landed on Han Yujin's shoulder.

"I'm really sorry to you too, Grace."

– Chirp!

The painfully murderous atmosphere loosened. Han Yujin let out a long breath as if he could finally live again, and held out his hand.

"I have to go to Yuhyun, so please give it back."

"Pining for your little brother as soon as we're reunited. What a heartless partner."

"We had dinner together, what are you talking about? Stop playing the victim. But where's Chief Song?" F+ir$s+t s@e@e*n@ on M#V4#L&E^MP|YR^.#

"He's hunting helicopters."

"Helicopters?"

"If it's not over yet, a necklace would be better than a bracelet."

Seong Hyunjae raised his sword. The bluebird flicked its tail, and the sword's form shifted. At the brilliant, sparkling light, Han Yujin's expression crumpled.

"Grace!"

– Chirp! Chirp!

At the clearly angry chirping, Han Yujin flinched slightly. Since he'd committed the sin, he couldn't just refuse.

"No, still, this is... too flashy. It looks like it's studded with hundreds of diamonds. Can't you make it less conspicuous for now? Huh? I was really wrong."

"Or how about a glass slipper?"

Han Yujin stared at Seong Hyunjae as if he were insane.

"Wow... really... Did Cinderella get covered in soot from blowing up bombs? As soon as the clock struck twelve, the castle was blown away and only the prince who chased after her survived? Is searching for the glass slipper a wanted notice for a terrorist?"

"There are no dreams or hopes, but it's the version I like most."

"Let's stop with the nonsense. Grace, no! Don't listen to that man! Slippers come off easily."

– Cheep.

Grace tilted its head. Though its anger from being abandoned hadn't subsided, the necklace's jewels were reduced by about half, and the color changed to deep blue. Seong Hyunjae handed the necklace to Han Yujin.

"I don't think he's here anymore, but just in case, please find Park Hayul for me. What are you doing?"

With a rustling sound, candy appeared from his coat pocket.

"You can just say the smell on your body is someone else's fault."

"Ah..."

Han Yujin popped the candy in his mouth and rolled it around. A strong mint flavor.

"It's been a while since I've had mint candy. Thank you. And when we get back, please give me some time. I still have something to say. Mr. Noah!"

The golden dragon strode over. The chain wrapped around Han Yujin's body and lifted him onto Noah's back. Wings spread, and soon they soared upward. Seong Hyunjae watched the receding figure for a moment, then ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) began walking.

Hwang Rim wasn't here.

And the other Hunter who'd been stationed here, Gwan Cheonhwon, was also nowhere to be seen. Hwang Rim's words—to stop digging into the American side—came to mind. The place he'd reached while tracing Park Hayul's whereabouts, as Han Yujin had requested, was none other than the United States. But simultaneously, Hwang Rim had said it was none of his business.

That meant while there was a connection, it wasn't direct.

While he'd had his eyes turned away for a few months...

Had some major change he didn't know about occurred while he was focused solely on domestic affairs? Seong Hyunjae, about to search for those who hadn't shown themselves despite all this chaos, suddenly stopped.

Rumble—

Faintly, a tremor was felt in the ground.

KAANG!

The roughly clashing swords sparked and flew apart. Han Yuhyun's brow furrowed slightly at the hair that swayed with his movements, interfering with his vision. He really didn't like long hair. It wasn't enough to be a hindrance, but it was annoying.

Amid rising flames and smoke, the two swords clashed again. The jet-black blade seemed pushed back slightly, then slid off. After several fierce exchanges, both retreated simultaneously. Cho Hwawoon bared his teeth fiercely.

"You're pretty good, even without a support-type."

Cho Hwawoon's combat support skill: Self-Righteousness on the Tower. It greatly increased all stats when fighting opponents of the same or lower rank. He was already an S-Rank Hunter with high base stats. With Self-Righteousness added, it was safe to say no Hunter had higher stats than Cho Hwawoon when fighting alone without support.

Since the skill only worked on opponents of his rank or lower—a clear limitation—the stat increase was significant.

Instead of answering, Han Yuhyun readjusted his grip on the Sword of the Corrupting Sovereign. He had to deal with the man before him as quickly as possible to go after his brother, but he was being held up for unexpectedly long.

Should he use the Last Door?

The Melted Last Door had a set domain, and like special support-type skills often did, it had a cooldown period after use. Han Yujin had warned that the Chinese military had something they were relying on. That's why he hadn't used the Last Door yet, but his opponent's stats were higher than expected.

It wasn't that he couldn't catch him given time. But he didn't want to waste that time.

"I heard your brotherly love is strong."

Cho Hwawoon narrowed his eyes at the hesitant Han Yuhyun. Han Yuhyun's gaze, which had seemed lost in thought, looked straight at him. There was a clear reaction. Cho Hwawoon, displeased with Han Yuhyun's dismissive attitude, spat out an even more provocative taunt.

"Your brother—he's quite stubborn."

Han Yuhyun's brow furrowed slightly.

"Even with his leg crushed, he was so stiff—"

THUD! With a heavy stomp, Han Yuhyun's body instantly rushed before Cho Hwawoon. Their weapons clashed again, and Han Yuhyun gritted his teeth before speaking softly.

"You're an opponent worth taking my time with."