The S-Classes That I Raised

Han Yujin's mana engraving was specially and meticulously crafted by Medsang, who possessed the most advanced engraving technique. Muu, a hybrid spirit and the world's greatest mana user, personally charted the engraving path and spared no expense on using top-grade tools and materials.

The size of the engraving was unprecedented. It extended down to his waist, a path that could only be engraved by risking a single life.

Its effect should have far exceeded what Han Yujin had imagined, but the problem was his frail F-rank body.

Han Yujin's mana and magical power were far too insufficient for the engraving to function fully. It was like trying to run the latest software on a computer over ten years old. Although the installation was forcibly done through a workaround, it didn't operate properly.

However, Han Yujin's current body was S-rank. He was a true S-rank awakener newly formed as the incarnation of the Crescent Moon, not merely borrowing stats from other S-rank hunters through changeling power.

"This feels quite..."

Han Yujin slightly narrowed his eyes as his senses, acutely spread throughout the entire third floor of the department store, awakened like a beast slowly rousing from deep hibernation. The mana engraving was activating in tune with its host's body, though still not at 100 percent.

Even as S-rank, mastering it completely seemed difficult. Such a thought crossed his mind.

"..."

Song Taewon also sensed Han Yujin's change. Although Han Yujin mostly fought in close combat, appearing distant from mana manipulation, Song Taewon's mana sensing ability was excellent. His skill to nullify others' abilities required delicate control of magical power.

In the urgent heat of battle, by disrupting the opponent's skill and mana structure and prolonging time, he could infiltrate their magical ability and reduce skill ranks. The former was difficult; the latter was extremely challenging.

Han Yujin's mana bombarded Song Taewon's sensitive senses like a downpour. The word "monster" flashed in his mind instantly.

"Oh, Director Song."

Han Yujin smiled faintly upon noticing Song Taewon's hardened expression.

"What were you just thinking?"

Potions spilled out all around, their contained power seeping into Han Yujin. His body recovered, and the potions turned into ordinary water, trembling in the air.

"Am I now on your monster list to be caught and killed?"

"...No."

"Why not? Even I look like a monster."

"But Han Yujin..."

Boom! A loud explosion sounded downstairs. The floor beyond the third floor collapsed with a rumble. Chains rattled faintly.

Even at this distance, Han Yujin perfectly controlled the moonlight and his mana.

"He came out to protect me."

If Han Yujin had given up on Song Taewon, none of this would have happened. Shallow water flowed beneath Song Taewon's feet. The quantity was too much to be just potions. Except for potions, all liquids on the third floor had been cleared, yet water was somehow being drawn in.

The rising water submerged his shoe heels.

"And he even calls himself a victim—"

"You're naive."

Splash!

The water pooling on the floor surged upward. Dozens of sharp ice spears flew toward Song Taewon.

"My true feelings mix with lies, you know? People are like that from the start."

Song Taewon swung his foot widely. The ice shattered crisply, sparkling fragments decorated the darkness. Splash, splash—the water splashed every time he moved.

Now, the water reached his shoe tops.

Sliding along the fishing lines, Han Yujin chased Song Taewon. Droplets hanging on the silver threads scattered beneath his feet.

"As long as I'm okay, others won't be harmed~ Director Song, you have plenty of people around who'd worry if you said you weren't okay."

Thud! Blocking Han Yujin's attack, Song Taewon recalled those he had killed—people safe outside the dungeon.

What they said after Song Taewon's death. How they usually worried. He recalled the paper cup he once tightly held—the warmth conveyed and the familiar scent of mixed coffee.

Water grabbed Song Taewon's ankle. Ice wrapped around his wrist. Sharp silver threads scratched his skin.

"If becoming S-rank to protect others makes you a monster, then what am I, Director Song?"

Splash! Han Yujin's foot struck high with the water. The crescent-shaped water surged and froze instantly, slicing sharply across Song Taewon's chest like a blade. Clothes tore as if cut with scissors, red lines drawn on his skin.

"My brother died saving me."

Han Yujin's voice briefly deepened. The ice spear grazed Song Taewon's ear, and the flame sword narrowly scraped under his chin.

Boom! Song Taewon crashed against a pillar. As he bent, the pillar cut off the part where his head had been in one strike. Fragments fell, rolling on the wet floor as Song Taewon dodged.

The water now nearly reached his ankles.

"But so what? He's my brother."

"But I—!"

Silver threads wrapped tighter around Song Taewon with every step. Each strand's strength was easy to break, but together they severely restricted movement.

Seizing the moment, Han Yujin spun fully and delivered a powerful kick pressing against Song Taewon's chest. Splashing greatly, Song Taewon collapsed. The water partially frozen instantly. Even an S-rank hunter could not escape easily, trapped half-buried in dozens of special fishing lines and tons of ice.

Han Yujin's foot pressed quietly against Song Taewon's neck.

"Want to leave a last word?"

"...I will, I will be cautious of myself."

Until the end. That was why Song Taewon struggled to apply force with his fingertips. He knew escape was impossible. He was an S-rank awakener, a being capable of stopping Seong Hyunje. Even if that fact never changed, he did not stop despite his skin [N O V E L I G H T] being scratched and the muscles in his fingers and wrists twisting.

Silver eyes met Song Taewon's gaze.

"Were you like this before the regression? Surely the same."

Dark red flames gathered at Han Yujin's fingertips, forming a long blade gripped tightly. From the third floor, Seong Hyunje's gaze was felt. For some reason, he no longer advanced.

"So definitely..."

Han Yujin clenched his teeth and continued.

"Song Taewon saved Seong Hyunje."

The sword swung. Blood surged. Han Yujin swallowed a groan and stepped back. Song Taewon stared wide-eyed. Seong Hyunje's hand picked up Han Yujin's hand thrown far away.

"...Ha, I didn't try to kill him! Damn!"

Han Yujin shouted loudly.

"I won't kill him! And, damn it! Why do I have to suffer this?"

Frowning deeply, he complained to himself, even swearing.

"You bastard, Crescent Moon! Making me just S-rank and trying to exploit me this far! How many items have I used? And, just because my stats are lacking doesn't mean I'm inferior! Damn, I was subdued long ago with only what you gave me!"

Inefficient, no reward. Then why should I kill Song Taewon? Han Yujin raged loudly.

"What's the big deal about S-rank stats! ...Well, it is nice. But I'm better! So why do you wield me like this? I can't stand it anymore out of frustration! It's pointless, totally!"

Song Taewon wouldn't kill Seong Hyunje. Even if he was the leader of monsters to be fought, he would protect even monsters from himself. That was the kind of person he was.

"It's pointless. It really is! Yes, it is!"

No need to kill. Must kill. A being threatening the small moon. No. Han Yujin wiped his face with his one remaining hand. His still silver eyes looked at Seong Hyunje.

"And I swallowed that, too."

Maybe still possible now. Han Yujin turned and walked toward Seong Hyunje. Sounds of ice breaking came from behind. But only one arm slipped free.

"Seong Hyunje."

Han Yujin smiled, raising his lip corner. He was now threatening enough to that person.

"Please kill me."

It was time to finish this.

At that word, as if a signal, Seong Hyunje, who had been standing quietly, began to move. Han Yujin also didn't remain still. Sliding on the frozen floor, their bodies collided. Han Yujin's claws pierced Seong Hyunje's shoulder. Unfazed, Seong Hyunje grabbed Han Yujin's last remaining wrist.

Crack, the sound of bones twisting echoed, and poison seeped into Seong Hyunje's wound. Han Yujin's tail stabbed sharply like an ice spear. Supporting himself on the slippery floor with his tail, he quickly pulled free his caught arm.

The sharp movement severely injured Seong Hyunje's shoulder. Blood ran down his coat to his feet, but without hesitation, he drove his knee into Han Yujin's waist. The wings wrapped around the waist were torn by a sharp knee strike, and the staggering arm was grabbed again by Seong Hyunje.

Clang—the last silver chain shot toward Seong Hyunje. He gave up his arm instead of the seeker's chain. Silver pierced the arm, golden wrapped and crushed Han Yujin's leg.

Seong Hyunje looked closely at the limp Han Yujin held in his hand.

"What are you looking at like that?"

"Han Yujin."

"To be honest, if I didn't have the Crescent Moon's power, he wouldn't have reacted like this."

"Maybe."

How long had it been since he felt excitement from fighting and killing someone? The violent instinct long forgotten blossomed across his handsome face.

There was no bad hobby of crushing the weak for no reason. Pure enjoyment of violence was only felt against a worthy opponent. Not Han Yujin, but the Crescent Moon. That had to be the case.

"I enjoy even F-rank Han Yujin enough."

Seong Hyunje's hand touched Han Yujin's nape. His mana pressed down on the engraving. The resisting force was unpleasantly sharp.

"This belongs to Han Yujin."

And to everything else. Approaching wounded from ice and fishing lines, Song Taewon came forward. Seong Hyunje gave a dark smile toward his hardened face.

"I'll help you disable electrical resistance."

Song Taewon tightened his mouth, then placed his hand on Han Yujin's back. A black shadow flickered and, after a moment, Song Taewon stepped back. A faint breath escaped from between Han Yujin's lips. Then—

Crackle!

"...!!"

Blinding light spread. The already torn clothes burned away as strong electric currents shot across Han Yujin's back. The mana engraving flickered faintly, then went out in resistance to the hostile magical power.

As the engraving faded, strands of electric current left dark marks across his back. Han Yujin's head dropped.

Seong Hyunje held his limp body, watching the scene as if entranced. The engraving reappeared, intertwining oddly beautiful. His golden eyes curved with satisfaction. Song Taewon frowned, noticing.

"...Is that alright?"

"I minimized physical damage, just in case."

Seong Hyunje stroked Han Yujin's back. Not a single tiny movement could be felt. His heart had completely stopped. Then the scars on his back slowly began to vanish. The severed wrist also disappeared and recovered to its original state. Song Taewon exhaled in relief.

"It seems there's truly no problem with Han Yujin's body."

No answer came to Song Taewon's agreement. Instead, Seong Hyunje's brow furrowed. He touched the burned back again.

"...Han Yujin."

Still no movement. The pulse that should have been felt at fingertips was silent.

"What─"

"Damn."

Seong Hyunje hurriedly laid Han Yujin down, taking off his coat first and placing it on the melting ice.

"He's not breathing."

"Huh?"

Song Taewon's expression stiffened. Seong Hyunje placed his hand over Han Yujin's chest. Electric currents spread finely from his hand. Song Taewon quickly took position beside him and started emergency care.

Fortunately, after a short while,

Cough, gag!

A choked breath burst from Han Yujin's mouth.