The S-Classes That I Raised

"The hotel's main entrance was completely closed. Even the revolving door was firmly fixed and covered with a thick cloth. In front of it, two chairs were placed side by side with some distance between them in the quiet lobby.

"You don't have many skills, do you?"

Young Chaos said bluntly, sitting upright in a large armchair. Leaning fully against the chair's back, Seong Hyunjae nodded slightly.

"Quite few."

"They're probably the skills you originally had."

"I don't think I have Combat Prediction."

"That's a result of accumulated experience. It's not a skill, but I can do something similar."

A prediction based on vast information, which must have appeared as a skill under the system.

"You said it's something that's been built up over time."

"That seems to be the case."

Seong Hyunjae said casually as if talking about someone else.

"It's a kind of defense mechanism to prevent fragmented memories and life from mixing. Skills already acquired and used can't be obtained again. Or rather, they're not used."

The accumulated things were also Seong Hyunjae himself—skills he had already gained. He couldn't regain abilities he already possessed.

Seong Hyunjae loosely intertwined his fingers.

"Does that mean you can't use them?"

"It's like pulling stones from a tower one by one. If you're lucky, it will be fine, but if not, it will collapse in an instant."

Or rather, it should be said it would shatter. And if that moment comes, not only the surroundings but this world itself would be compromised. Young Chaos looked disapprovingly at the one dangerously treading the line of humanity.

"If we safely eliminate the nightmare, this dungeon will close. No information will leak out."

Regardless, this dungeon was abnormal in many ways and couldn't be left alone.

"Your information is a problem, but you're even worse. If the transcendants split into two factions learn about the beings the Crescent Moon created, they'll fragment even further. There will be those who covet you, those who try the same thing, those who want to eliminate you, those who suspect the Crescent Moon, and those who want to stop it from the root."

Suddenly, an overwhelmingly powerful force appeared. Moreover, the one who possessed this power was still human and couldn't control himself. In other words, if someone hijacked the Crescent Moon's contract, anyone could wield that power.

"So the Crescent Moon won't speak lightly either."

"What is your opinion, sir?"

"There's no reason to keep alive one who possesses power they cannot control."

Young Chaos said coldly.

"If you weren't forcibly built up by the Crescent Moon, and if you became like this by your own greed or will, I'd handle you no matter what the First says."

"Would you do it even if I don't agree to follow you?"

"This place will be destroyed anyway."

Chaos looked displeased as if reluctant ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) to go that far.

"What is the First's real problem? The Second was already a pain, but you have an even more troublesome one. Even the Third is suspicious. That deathly-looking one too."

"Han Yujin is just Han Yujin."

"...That's even stranger. I might understand if the First were uniquely born, but he's not even qualified to be an S-Rank like the Third. He's barely lived thirty years. Awakened about five years ago, I think."

Young Chaos had also reached transcendent from a low rank, but it was the result of a long time.

"Anyway, as long as you try to live as human, I have no intention to touch you. Outsiders should not go beyond mere assistants. Getting intoxicated with the mission of saving the world and turning the world's owners into tools is just reversing cause and effect."

It's one thing to help those weaker than oneself. That was good. But blindly dragging the weak to the strong's goals under the name of help is just arrogance and dictatorship.

"The problem is that many look down on the people in the world. They all grew up based on their own worlds. The new generation of transcendants who easily swallow their worlds are especially problematic. They grow fast and think they're great."

"That wasn't the case before."

"It wasn't in my time. Well, except for those who turned like the Crescent Moon. The system itself was meant to minimize interference and help those in the world protect themselves."

But now it's changed, Seong Hyunjae grumbled with a gentle smile, as if understanding well.

"Because I'm somewhat involved with the Crescent Moon and those who made the system, I do feel some responsibility, but I don't have a proper solution."

"Besides death?"

"You can't die as yourself. The accumulated things will break out completely, and the monster without mercy will be the last form."

"That sounds pretty miserable."

"Not someone else's story. The least troublesome way is if this world keeps existing. If you can keep yourself without being dragged out by the Crescent Moon, it might be possible to naturally digest what's accumulated."

But the Crescent Moon wouldn't let that happen. Even other transcendants were showing interest. Whether you could endure until the end in such a situation—no one could guarantee.

"It won't be easy, and failure must be considered. So."

A thin blue plate appeared before Young Chaos.

"It's a contract to transfer you to the First Origin World if you wish."

"An emergency exit just in case. I refused."

"You can return if you survive."

His golden eyes narrowed slightly.

"That sounds somewhat tempting."

"The chances are very low, but with your talents and accumulated things, it's not impossible."

The First Origin Manager. The long and difficult path of struggling to survive while pursued by the most powerful transcendant.

Seong Hyunjae took the contract but didn't sign it, placing it directly into his inventory.

"I'll review it and contact you."

"...Look at this guy."

Though frowning, Young Chaos made no further demands. It was his decision to make, and that was all the consideration Chaos could offer.

"I want to ask one thing."

"Speak."

"How much time does Han Yujin have left?"

Young Chaos's eyebrows twitched.

"What did the First say?"

"He thought he was going to die and left a will. It was a mistaken situation, but before that."

Han Yujin's attitude was—

"He acted like he expected it. Like someone given a terminal diagnosis. Instead of being shocked by death approaching, he seemed to accept it as inevitable."

His pre-regression life hadn't been smooth. Lower rank hunters often face life-or-death situations, so maybe he always kept thoughts of death in his head. Still, it was suspicious.

"I don't know either."

Young Chaos clicked his tongue.

"He might live about five more years, but given his condition, it wouldn't be strange if he died tomorrow."

"Five years at most?"

"That was reduced drastically before going back up. Thanks to the Crescent Moon, the mana imprint has stabilized compared to before. Don't tell him. If he feels fine, he'll push himself too hard."

The mana imprint had groaned unnaturally, forced to fit a body that was F-rank physically but too strong. But now, having temporarily acquired an S-rank body, it had somewhat settled. It wouldn't eat away at his body like before, though not perfect.

"That's short."

"Does it bother you?"

Seong Hyunjae tilted his head slightly. His gaze lingered on the high ceiling.

"It was boring for a long time."

There was nothing new in the world and no hardship either. Seong Hyunjae's temperament, unsuited to a battleborn S-rank, might have been due to boredom. If existing as one born naturally isn't new, one must create something.

"Death came for me, but it was hard to completely shake off boredom."

Song Taewon. For him, death was the last thing he'd receive. But Song Taewon didn't want to die; he wanted to suppress himself rather than be bound by Seong Hyunjae.

"If my death had been active, I might have played the villain."

If Song Taewon had wanted to protect the world actively without self-hatred, if he wanted to be a hero without shadows, Seong Hyunjae would have been a worthy villain. Or vice versa.

But Song Taewon wanted too much to be human.

"Han Yujin. Even if he could raise a beast, it didn't interest me much."

"There are many who raise beasts. You've probably experienced some of them."

"I found it somewhat amusing that an F-rank didn't shrink at all."

If it were only that, his interest would have faded within a month at most, or even within a week.

"Han Yuhyun, Park Yerim, and the Flame Horn Lion were worth watching. When I learned about the hidden abilities, I got jealous."

He became valuable enough to offer the SS-rank coat, Silekia's wings, without hesitation. But it was only a transaction—nothing more. No, he was confident he could take them without a deal if he wanted. And then.

Just today, the dark red coat was handed to Han Yujin without any cost.

Seong Hyunjae's lips curved softly.

"It was enjoyable."

Young Chaos understood that those few months contained everything: feelings, stimulation, and changes. The sensation of living.

"He probably didn't want to let go."

Golden eyes slowly turned toward Young Chaos, faintly sharp. Perhaps madness was seeping in.

"Until I finish."

"Don't think about catching the wrong person."

"I want you to live longer."

"Planning to put a leash on and lock him up? Look at that First's temper. No one can fix that."

Even if he rested, he'd never stop. Seong Hyunjae sighed exaggeratedly.

"Difficult."

"But if he changes, he'd say it's boring again."

"I thought his face didn't look unreliable."

"Leave him be. Don't give advice other than to take care of his body. Feed him well."

Seong Hyunjae shrugged instead of answering. Young Chaos, displeased, looked toward the main gate. It was still quiet. Only a faint sound like wind could be heard.

"The First will come."

"You mean Han Yujin?"

"And that frustrating one too. Since the Crescent Moon has vanished, they won't come."

Those who come at night are memories. The sun has set, and it's almost midnight.

"If there are others, tell me in advance. Those important to you."

"Other than those I know, there are only those two."

"I don't think this dungeon has memories it knows. At most, the First will come."

But others were different. Especially if Han Yujin and Han Yuhyun were here, enduring the visit of memories would be difficult. Park Yerim was also likely to falter easily, and Noah was at risk too. There was no need to make Song Taewon suffer unnecessarily.

Yunyun might be reckless out of curiosity.

After some time, a tapping sound came against the glass.

"Seong Hyunjae."

It was Han Yujin's voice. The presence felt exactly the same as the real one. If not warned, it would fool anyone. Seong Hyunjae looked at the cloth-covered door with an intrigued gaze.

"Should I not open the door?"

"For now, yes. What does he intend?"

Seong Hyunjae stood, and another voice was heard.

"Please open the door."

It was Song Taewon. They waited briefly to see if anyone else appeared, but it seemed to be just those two.

"Accurate."

"Of course. It's your memory."

"If Han Yujin were here, there would be many guests."

Han Yuhyun, of course, as well as Park Yerim, Yoo Myungwoo, Noah, monsters, and so on. Seong Hyunjae wondered if he himself would be there and how he might appear, stepping toward the door. His fingertips touched the hanging cloth.

"Han Yujin."

"Seong Hyunjae! Please let me in quickly!"