The S-Classes That I Raised

Clang! Metal struck metal, sparks flying in the darkness. Han Yujin's sword was pushed back by Song Taewon's strength, bouncing high and scraping a nearby pillar lengthwise. As Han Yujin staggered widely, Song Taewon's hand grabbed his collar roughly. Just before he could be pulled and thrown, Han Yujin spun his sword swiftly and cut off a strip of his own clothing in one strike.

The relatively small body, already half-lifted, shot upward in the direction it was being dragged. Like a squirrel, he landed nimbly behind Song Taewon, placing a hand on his shoulder and rolling over him. At the same moment, he threw a bomb toward Song Taewon's front.

Bang!

The powerful explosion struck Song Taewon's chest. Han Yujin, who had already passed behind him, pushed off Song Taewon's broad back and quickly put distance between them.

"You should consider your weight class. That's really cheap, oops!"

Crack! The end of the golden chain pierced through the very spot Han Yujin had just stood. As Han Yujin dodged swiftly, Seong Hyunje reeled in the chain and closed in fast. The heels of his shoes slid across the floor aiming low for Han Yujin's ankle, while a shimmering golden tail blocked ahead just slightly faster.

Thunk! The tail whipped away a kick and rippled like a wave. Crimson flames rose, veiling Han Yujin's form as it disappeared from Seong Hyunje's sight. Instant teleportation. Even with battle foresight predicting his path, completely blocking such terrifying speed was impossible.

Right now, Han Yujin was attacking Song Taewon, not Seong Hyunje. Because it was mere battle foresight, it didn't work well on an opponent avoiding attacks instead of recklessly charging.

Sizzle─

As the heat of the explosion faded, Song Taewon's one leg froze solid. Instead of shattering the ice, he wrapped his hand in plunder and thrust it before his head. At the same time, a blade of black flame darted at his head, ready to split it in two.

Crack!

A large hand caught the blade. Han Yujin, unable to overpower by strength, let go without hesitation and retreated. His mouth curled slightly upward toward Song Taewon.

"Why struggle so much?"

The blade in Song Taewon's grip flared, scattering into dozens of sparks. Shadows flickered across his hard face.

"The opponent is a pitiful victim bound by moonlight."

Spreading wings, Han Yujin flew toward the open central area of the department store.

"Aren't you worried about me? As the incarnation, the one who hurts is me. Look here, my neck."

He deliberately tilted his neck to one side, showing a deep blue bruise despite his S-rank stats.

"Even a glancing blow leaves me like this. Planning to break my neck completely this time?"

Instead of answering, Song Taewon put strength into his frozen leg. Crack—his foot stuck to the floor lifted up and slammed down hard. The ice wrapped white around his leg shattered in shards on the impact.

"Be honest. I annoy you."

Han Yujin crossed his legs midair as if sitting, continuing in a pose similar to his usual one, seemingly mimicking Seong Hyunje.

"There must have been enemies you wanted to get rid of."

"No."

"Don't answer."

Seong Hyunje lightly climbed the railing, smiling broadly with silver eyes.

"Oh yes. I'm just an F-rank you can ignore anyway."

Seong Hyunje and Song Taewon both frowned simultaneously.

"Dragged around, choked, unable to utter a proper complaint. You'd normally tremble before an S-rank, silently obeying orders. Sorry for not knowing my place. What? No answer? I take it you both agree—"

"Han Yujin."

"What, S-rank? Ah, you shouldn't treat the great Director Song like any other S-rank. A man who serves his country and lives simply like an ordinary commoner. Though still S-rank."

Han Yujin tilted his head as if truly puzzled.

"If you hate being S-rank, why choke your own neck instead of touching others'? Whether non-awakened, awakened, F-rank, S-rank, wolf or human—when you die, it's all the same! Isn't that what you want?"

So I'll kill you then. Moonlight flickered around Han Yujin. Seong Hyunje immediately spread chains wide. Clink! Several silver chains shot out, and Han Yujin atop them shrank sharply.

The chains of moonlight wildly tangled inside the building. Holding the web of silver threads, Han Yujin shot out like a high-speed train. Some chains were blocked and entangled by golden ones, but the chain Han Yujin hung on brushed Seong Hyunje's outstretched hand and reached Song Taewon in an instant.

"The thing about snacks is, once you start, you can't stop!"

Bang!

The chain's end stabbed into Song Taewon's arm wrapped in plunder like a bullet. At the same time, Han Yujin stomped on the chain and leapt, returning to original size. Spinning sharply like a top midair, his claws targeted Song Taewon's neck and his tail whipped like a fierce whip. The attack was soaked in black blood flame and poison.

He couldn't use plunder on both arms simultaneously. The handcuffed hand blocked the dragon's claw, but black flames wrapped around Song Taewon's wrist. Clothes burned, and the heat weakened his hardened, skill-enhanced skin.

Pulled close and held by Song Taewon's hand, Han Yujin opened his mouth wide. His fangs, not human, gleamed and snapped down, biting the weakened arm. Immediately, Song Taewon raised his arm and struck Han Yujin's back of the head with his forehead.

"Ugh!"

Han Yujin flinched and flapped his wings to pull back. The dizziness shaking the whole bone structure made healing skills almost useless. Since it wasn't direct damage, pain transfer was impossible. Song Taewon's hand grabbed the staggering wings roughly.

Through the bitten wound, poison and stat reduction skills seeped in but had no immediate effect. Because there was a poison resistance item, treatment was secondary to attack.

Gripping Han Yujin's wings and nape firmly, Song Taewon stamped hard on the floor with one foot. With weight behind it, he swung Han Yujin's body in a wide circle.

Boom!

The huge sound shook the entire second floor of the department store. Han Yujin's back smashed through the floor and fell downward. Bang! A large hole opened on the first floor too. Piercing two floors, Han Yujin tumbled down to basement level one, crashing through display cases and fixtures.

"Ah... crazy."

His whole body ached.

"...Sticky."

One arm was buried in cake. A decorative cherry rolled by his ear. Without a shield skill on his back, his spine would have been crushed. Han Yujin jumped up and looked at the hole in the ceiling.

"They must've healed."

Clicking his tongue, he soared up. Instead «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» of going straight to the second floor, he circled the wide central area on the first floor and flew back up. Song Taewon's wrist was healed. Han Yujin threw the cake he brought to the two. Plop—the white whipped cream spread and splattered at Seong Hyunje and Song Taewon's feet.

"Rejecting gifts, huh? You don't want to eat what I give?"

"When it comes to Han Yujin, I prefer feeding him."

"You're fine with others?"

"Not at all. I'm picky."

Seong Hyunje slowly pressed his shoe into the whipped cream and rubbed it.

"Food turns into blood and flesh inside. For everyday meals, sure, but as gifts, I don't easily give or accept."

"Oh really?"

Han Yujin raised one eyebrow. Seong Hyunje smiled soothingly.

"Only two people have I personally cooked for at home. Dear Han Yujin and our Director Song."

"You never gave any to Soyeong?"

"She'd freak out, saying it upset her stomach, and run off."

Not a common F-rank, special to him—that was the careful but clear emphasis. Han Yujin shrugged.

"Well, Yu-hyun's picky too. Likes what I make best."

"Of course the young master only wants what Han Yujin gives. The only one he can trust."

"Smooth talker."

Han Yujin's lips twisted slightly, and his silver young eyes strangely sharpened.

"It means I calm him down with words, for now."

"Want me to be honest?"

Seong Hyunje brushed back his disheveled hair with a gloved hand, his shadowed eyes briefly narrowing.

"I want to crush and grind him."

Han Yujin laughed widely.

"You said you'd protect me!"

"Which is why I'm holding back."

"If you're holding back, just back off already!"

Chuckling, Han Yujin spread his wings wide. With a single flap, he soared up fast. Passing the third and fourth floors, he quickly reached the seventh floor, then vanished over the railing. Seong Hyunje and Song Taewon both furrowed their brows.

"...What's he planning?"

"I'm no prophet."

At first, it seemed he wanted to break through the ceiling on the top floor to let in moonlight, but he stopped at the seventh floor.

"Better not go up, just in case."

Since the building had more than ten floors, even if a hole formed in the ceiling, the light probably wouldn't reach below floors. Soon, Han Yujin reappeared. A faint humming was heard, and a bomb was thrown toward the ceiling.

Kaboom─!

Debris rained down like heavy rain, and a huge hole opened in the ceiling. Moonlight crept in slowly but only reached about the sixth floor. Han Yujin, dodging debris, flicked dust from his hair and glanced downward.

"I know this time better than anyone."

Han Yujin's arms spread wide like wings. Thin strands spread from his fingertips—dozens of fishing lines.

"Dungeon byproducts are damn expensive. So more than everyday items."

Hobbies. Among them, sports where equipment greatly impacts results naturally developed first. Unlike the second floor with pure dungeon items and luxury goods, the seventh floor housed high-end sports shops. The fishing lines were top-grade, almost dungeon items themselves. They were meant to catch monster-level fish inside the dungeon.

"Even the Sesung Guild leader enjoys this pricey hobby!"

Moonlight adorned the widely spread fishing lines like a spiderweb. The finest dungeon fishing lines had strength comparable to mid-tier combat wire and could carry elemental attributes. Though the attribute absorption was like a low-grade item, the Crescent Moon's moonlight penetrated more easily than other elemental forces.

Also, the translucent fishing lines were an item well-suited to moonlight.

Silver threads shimmered softly, flowing strand by strand. Han Yujin bent his body downward. His golden wings folded sharply and dropped to the second floor.

"Retreat!"

Amidst the rippling silver light, Seong Hyunje told Song Taewon. Song Taewon immediately moved out of the way as the golden chains tore through the spiderweb-like threads.

Rumble!

Golden light burst forth. Brilliant light, almost blinding, swallowed the softer silver glow as it wildly raged. The entire second floor railing shattered, and the ceiling and parts of the third floor's floor scorched black. The stench-soaked first floor was swept by powerful electric currents.

In that air, drying and shriveling,

Clink!

A faint bell sounded. Dozens of silver threads burned under the golden storm but many remained. Silver and gold intertwined, scattering light in a cross pattern as Han Yujin smiled. His black hair floated like submerged water.

Seong Hyunje gazed up, as if memorizing the sight.

For him, all beings around were merely subjects to breed. Whether non-awakened, high-level awakened, or born S-rank, all were beneath him and interested only briefly.

The only exception directly related to Seong Hyunje's survival was Song Taewon, but he suppressed and wanted to kill himself, not Seong Hyunje.

Therefore, a satisfying fight for Seong Hyunje was impossible. Only the world outside held someone who could kill him. All the countless worlds he passed through were the same. Fighting an opponent who posed no threat was as boring as perfectly equipped, rule-bound sports.

At best, a few bruises and brawling were barely entertainment.

Compared to his repetitive daily life, that was the only slight excitement.

"If Han Yujin tries to kill me—"

Then I would be delighted.

"Too bad. Today isn't your turn."

The Crescent Moon wouldn't harm Seong Hyunje. His expression darkened slightly, and the fishing lines wavering on the seventh floor, soaked in moonlight, fell.

As golden light pushed him back clearly, Seong Hyunje retracted the Seeker's chains. Some chains, once golden with electric current, now shone silver. After wrapping himself in chains for protection,

Clang! Clang!

The silver chains violently struck Seong Hyunje's whole body and the chains binding him. Then sparkling silver threads lit the interior of the second floor and spread strand by strand. Han Yujin, caught by the chains, stepped on the silver threads and ran to find Song Taewon.

"There isn't much time left."

Chain lightning power and Crescent Moon's power were excessively poured in. The urge stirring in his mind grew stronger, as if aware.

Eliminate the shadow that will soon swallow the rising moon.

Han Yujin licked his cracked lips in the wave of electric current.

"Director Song must not run away. Leaving me behind."

Had he gone to the first floor? Or basement one? Or the connected subway? That would be troublesome. But the place where Song Taewon's presence was found was the third floor. Silver threads quickly occupied the third floor. Crack! Piercing a showcase, they wrapped around a mannequin.

Sliding over the silver threads spread everywhere, Han Yujin charged at Song Taewon standing tall in the moonlit darkness. Song Taewon met the fierce silver gaze.

He seemed calm outwardly but was already tired and exhausted. As always, but now it felt like sinking deeper into a swamp. Burying himself to the top of his head, suffocating would be easier, but Song Taewon lacked the cunning to seek an easy path.

So he moved.

Though death was a sweet temptation, he raised his arms and bent his legs to resist the overwhelming force.

Using the taut silver threads like a bowstring, Han Yujin's body was violently shot forward.

Crash─!

The black flame sword roughly struck the handcuffs. The charged auxiliary skill and the resilience of the silver threads pushed Song Taewon's toes back a little. Fishing lines wrapped sharply around his back, piercing his clothes and skin.

If he managed to wound and delay healing, Song Taewon's stats would drop. If his stats and strength weakened, the next results were obvious.

"Stop resting now."

Instead of answering, Song Taewon pulled the sword in his hand and punched with his other fist. Han Yujin immediately raised an arm to block. The power difference was clear, but just before the fist landed, ice wrapped Han Yujin's forearm like armor.

Not simple ice. It was smoothed and soaked as much as possible.

Crack!

Song Taewon's fist slid slightly and struck Han Yujin's arm. Though a slight slip, it was enough to reduce the power. Han Yujin blocked the punch, spun his body, and kicked. But Song Taewon quickly raised his knee to block.

At the same time,

Sizzle─

The floor beneath Song Taewon's foot froze smoothly. He was already supporting himself on one leg. Though he blocked the attack, his body was pushed helplessly backward. Silver threads wrapped sharply around his back and nape, and a few drops of blood splattered.

There were many wounds. Seong Hyunje hadn't arrived yet. Even if he did, all he had to do was restrain with chains and prevent Song Taewon from using potions.

"It's really only a matter of time now."

Using a potion from his inventory to heal a wound on his back, not his front, was difficult during battle. Han Yujin ruthlessly charged Song Taewon. Tap-tap-tap, Song Taewon cut through the silver threads with his whole body and stepped back. Countless minor wounds appeared across his body as he endured Han Yujin's continuous attacks. He slammed his foot hard into the floor.

Crack! Floor tiles shattered and fragments flew upward. The fragments struck the ceiling hard, not Han Yujin.

"What now─"

Just as Han Yujin looked confused by the odd attack—

Drip—

Liquid poured down from the broken ceiling above Song Taewon's head.

"...Potion?!"

From a large container, potions spilled out. Low-grade potions, but enough to heal the many minor wounds all over. Han Yujin chuckled shortly.

"Smart move."

He had swept up all the second-floor potions, put them in a big container, and hidden them around to break and use as needed.

"But what can I do?"

Han Yujin smiled fiercely. His magic spread more precisely, sensing all liquids on the third floor.

"Normally, it'd be hard to use potions steeped with another's mana, but I have mana engraving."

Rumble!

Parts of the third floor exploded and hidden potions shot up.