The S-Classes That I Raised

Beneath the rippling light, every window shattered outward. Glass shards glittered under the morning sun and scattered down. Shouts of "What's going on?" echoed, but it seemed no one could easily get outside due to the strong currents flowing along the building's perimeter.

It's safer inside when lightning strikes.

Crash, bang!

The building's walls crumbled and blackened from burning. Since the power weakened as it spread, simply flooding the building with electricity wasn't enough to destroy a special structure. The Hunter Association building had been reinforced as a dungeon byproduct, and by now likely strengthened further with various items and skills.

Still, parts of the outer walls kept collapsing with a rumble. Why didn't it stop? I glanced back at Seong Hyunjae, who was recklessly wielding mana and magic.

"...At this rate, you'll run out of mana."

"Even for me, doing this twice is tough."

Hmm, can he really not do it again? In reality, Director Song would rush in to stop him. But now, Song Taewon was just watching Seong Hyunjae's rampage. It was surreal—even if inside a dungeon. I wanted to take a picture, no, a video. Hasn't the filming item been developed yet?

'Luckily, Director Song barely knows anyone in the Hunter Association now.'

Because everyone had been replaced. Even if the people were the same, there was a big difference between knowing faces and not. Even acquaintances felt different—hearing about the death of a familiar neighborhood person versus a stranger halfway around the world doesn't feel the same.

Same with Ye-rim, but it was awkward enough that she had to fight monsters barely different from humans. I understood that she shouldn't be treated as a mere fifteen-year-old. Even if not an Awakened, a minor wielding power beyond an adult and strong weapons like guns must be fought with one's life regardless of age.

But the heart is different.

"Ye-rim, fall back now!"

It was about time for an S-rank, or rather SS-rank hunter, to appear here. Ye-rim, who already knew SS-ranks were melee, reluctantly retreated. At the same time, the raging currents calmed. Seong Hyunjae also stepped back.

"From here, I'll leave it to Director Song Taewon. It'll break easily."

Had he weakened every corner of the building? I wanted to see Director Song demolish the association, but that was something I wouldn't dream of.

Pre-regression me and Yunyun waited outside the area with Young Chaos. Ye-rim and Seong Hyunjae retreated to where Noah and I were. Only Yuhyun and Director Song stood forward. Numerically and qualitatively, we were at a disadvantage—SS-ranks stood against us.

Yet, I didn't feel much tension.

"Noah, support skill, please. Especially the forced one."

"Yes, don't worry."

Noah nodded confidently, spread his wings, and soared into the sky. He glittered brilliantly before using invisibility and disappearing. The glowing nest skill had a long cooldown and wasn't used—this wasn't the last Hunter Association anyway. Supporting the teacher's skill a bit was enough. Of course.

"...Could it be that person!"

Lightning ceased, and the hunters who had come outside the building showed shocked faces. Their gaze pierced toward Song Taewon. Someone presumed dead had come back alive.

"Does that make sense? A monster... Haeyeon Guild Leader, and Seong Hyunjae?"

"Guess we can't call him Sesung Guild Leader anymore."

Seong Hyunjae feigned regret. Officially, until just before regression, he was still Sesung Guild Leader, and Soyeong was the deputy.

"Could it be that lightning just now...?"

"No, but!"

"Doesn't Haeyeon Guild Leader look young too?"

"Looks like someone's up there too... They're young but seem like hunters."

"...Why is Haeyeon Guild Leader here?"

Could be.

Amid murmurs, the current SS-rank hunter, Choi Iram, stepped forward. Raising his eyebrows slightly, he looked at Yuhyun.

"You're Haeyeon Guild Leader, right?"

"Yes."

"Then should we interpret this situation as Haeyeon Guild antagonizing the Hunter Association and other guilds?"

Choi Iram spoke with a confused expression. The current Hunter Association was basically an alliance of large guilds including Haeyeon. Choi Iram was also an S-rank hunter with joint membership. Suddenly attacking was strange.

"Think whatever you want."

Yuhyun responded as if tired of explaining, lowering the Ruler's Sword. His gesture to fight without more words made Choi Iram's face contort.

"...So it was like this! Seong Hyunjae and Song Taewon conspired, faked Song Taewon's death, and destroyed the Hunter Association!"

No, that's not it. Director Song's face darkened slightly at the word "conspired." Even if fake, he hated such misunderstandings.

"Trying to reduce Sesung's influence in Korea and then swallow Haeyeon completely, huh!"

Though Seong Hyunjae's disappearance couldn't be called voluntary, he had intended to hand Korea over to either Haeyeon or Breaker. Catching a rat by backing up.

"Seong Hyunjae, Song Taewon, and Han Yuhyun working together!"

"We never worked together."

"We never worked together."

"Right now, we're working with Han Yujin."

"I caught that man's hand."

I held it so he could teleport away if needed. Our S-rank hunters looked so friendly, haha.

"Haeyeon Guild Leader! Though young, I respected you as a fellow hunter!"

"Oh, really? I feel a little sorry now. Well, considering how he talked to me, he seemed favorable toward Yuhyun and Haeyeon. Didn't know he respected them though."

"You're popular, young master."

"Honestly, he's cool. He's currently the strongest in Korea, practically first worldwide, with cool skills. Not just red, but black flames, and the weapon is a sword. Even the willow leaves look stylish."

"Have some conscience, sir."

"That's the truth. Ye-rim, place your hand on your conscience."

Ye-rim's expression scrunched as she shut her mouth. Even people Yuhyun hates would admit he's cool, unless their taste is out of this world.

"I will definitely crush Han Yuhyun."

"Busy, little lady."

"Sesung uncle is second on the list."

"As expected, our Ye-rim. She has good taste."

Of course second.

Choi Iram clenched his teeth and pointed his spear at Yuhyun. Other Hunter Association hunters readied for battle, stunned.

"I'll take this."

Yuhyun told Director Song, and the dark blue flames soared up. At the same moment, Song Taewon was flung back. SS-rank handcuffed fists shattered blades and struck upward at his jaw. Crack! Bone-breaking sounds echoed repeatedly.

A melee hunter who could nullify all skills. Combined with high-grade armor, he was unstoppable. Even without Choi Iram, the association hunters were A- to B-rank—that is, S- to A-rank. Still, Director Song stormed through them like a tiger attacking a herd of deer.

Bang!

A hunter hit by a spinning kick flew into the building's wall. A huge hole formed in the already weakened wall, and part of it collapsed with a crash. Debris rolled to Choi Iram's feet. He gritted his teeth and glared at Yuhyun.

"I wanted to fight at least once, but like this─"

Yuhyun started moving, as if unwilling to listen more. Closing the distance instantly, the Ruler's Sword's blade was blocked by the spear. I remembered it as an S-rank weapon, and it wasn't hard to withstand the blade's heat, likely buffed by the dungeon.

But—

"...!"

The blocked Ruler's Sword flickered into a chain blade and bent wildly. Drawing a curve like a beast's claw, crack! It pierced straight through Choi Iram's shoulder. Though wearing a shoulder guard, the sword's blood-red flame melted the blade as it flowed. Choi Iram retreated hastily but Han Yuhyun gave no opening. Using the acceleration skill of the spear, Yuhyun chased him faster than Choi Iram could retreat.

"Hidden─!"

I bought that! I bought it! What hidden thing!

"It's the weapon the useless Haeyeon Guild Leader bought! Why! I gave him those clothes too!"

Both were SS-rank, you bastard! It was childish, but shouting made me feel better. Before I finished, Yuhyun's knee hit Choi Iram's abdomen hard. The Ruler's Sword swung in a half circle toward his airborne body.

Clang!

The spear barely blocked the sword, but Choi Iram flew like a ball hit by a bat, crashing into the wall. Crack-crash! The Hunter Association building, already half-destroyed thanks to Director Song, shook as if ready to collapse.

"Damn!"

Choi Iram sprang up. Despite the SS-rank level, the damage wasn't severe. His face hardened and light glowed at the spear's tip. Taat, pushing off the ground, he charged at Yuhyun with alarming speed and fierce momentum.

"...Ugh?!"

Suddenly accelerating, he slipped past Yuhyun's side. It was Noah's skill. Momentarily off balance, Choi Iram was struck by Yuhyun's sword. Thanks to SS-rank stats, it wasn't fatal, but his arm was half-slit.

Noah's skill is indeed deadly in fights with other upper-tier hunters.

"What the hell, that bird!"

What bird? Not a Phoenix but only wings were out. Though invisible, Choi Iram's eyes caught Noah. But he couldn't attack Noah. He had no flying skill, and Ye-rim and Seong Hyunjae stood between them.

In the end, Choi Iram didn't last long, surrendering his neck beneath the jet-black blade.

Other nearby hunters were in similar states. The last association hunter fell under Director Song's kick.

Crack-crash, rumble!

The Hunter Association building completely collapsed. Dust rose high, revealing the previously hidden landscape behind.

Ah, beautiful.

"Good job, Yuhyun. Thank you, Director Song! And thank you, Noah! That was precise!"

With this, the Hunter Association was cleared. Though it would be hard to leave now, at least with lighter hearts.

[Haeyeon Guild Territory Unlocked!]

A message popped up, visible to others too. Ye-rim looked at me worried.

"This time, stay outside, mister."

"It's fine. It's the last boss—how could I sit out?"

Teacher skills and double skills were there. We had many, and Haeyeon Guild members also numerous. If needed, we could use our kid's skills.

Looks like I can't skip this one. It's the boss. Usually stronger... or maybe not. The demon lord who created the dungeon might be waiting.

...Hope so.

"Let's replenish mana, rest briefly, then go. It's a bit early for lunch. Fighting with a full stomach isn't good."

Of course, starving was out of the question, but lightness was better with an ambiguous time. ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) After looking around the collapsed association building, we moved on.

Haeyeon Guild wasn't far. Even taking it slow after rest, we arrived before noon. Seeing the familiar building, my mouth dried up.

"How about Duset goes first to scout?"

Seong Hyunjae suggested. Scouting wouldn't be bad. We could prepare mentally too.

"Then Ye-rim and Yunyun will go!"

Ye-rim stepped forward. Yunyun gladly accepted exploration rather than combat.

"Be careful, both of you. Yunyun, teleportation is different from spatial movement; it can't be blocked, so take care of Ye-rim."

"Don't worry!"

Yunyun seemed less reliable, but her spatial movement was very trustworthy. They stepped forward together. Please be the demon lord, please...

"Huh?"

Ye-rim, flying quickly, bumped hard into an invisible wall. Yunyun the same. What? It was supposed to be open.

"Sir, we can't get in!"

"Right, Chief Kim! It's blocked here!"

Hearing them, Director Song and Noah approached. Their hands were also stopped in midair. Seong Hyunjae tapped his hand on empty space.

"Did the rookie mess up again?"

No, we said it was open...

"Ugh!"

My own hand, which I thought would be blocked, cut through the air. Yuhyun quickly grabbed me before I wobbled.

"You can get in?"

"Y-yeah?"

What is this? What the hell is going on?