The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 440: Thank you for your hard work (4)

“An ambush!”

Someone shouted, and momentarily a blaring siren echoed. Numerous Hunters surged toward the blasted building. Fifteen Hunters remained inside the detention facility, including both Top- and Mid-Tier.

Flames rose beneath Han Yuhyeon’s feet. The rooftop floor silently melted, and his body sank through into the building. He had already surveyed the interior. Swiftly dashing down the corridor, Han Yuhyeon flung a wire at the Hunter guarding the stairwell entrance.

“…!”

The steel cord tightened around the Hunter’s neck and with a crack instantly broke it. Han Yuhyeon’s toe gently caught the collapsing body mid-fall and set it quietly on the floor.

“Blue Willow Leaf.”

In a low voice, leaves scattered. Treading upon leaves instead of metal steps, he slid down to the lower floor. There, unlike above, a thick iron door barred his path.

A black-bladed sword was drawn and slashed across the door in one stroke. The panel sliced squarely fell away, and the Hunter guarding inside whirled around in alarm.

“Who—!”

Before his cry could swell, a small flame flared across his face. As the fire spirit swallowed his voice, the scabbard was hurled. Clang! Its tip struck the nape with such force that it gouged more than a finger’s width deep. Such an injury could not leave him unscathed.

The Hunter’s body collapsed forward, and Han Yuhyeon lightly stepped over the corpse and advanced.

Many were imprisoned on this floor. But instead of freeing them, Han Yuhyeon pressed onward. Releasing noncombat Awakened too soon would only hamper his progress.

Outside, explosions and the groan of collapsing structures intermittently sounded. Noah was performing admirably, but if he did not move swiftly, the occupants here would begin to evacuate. Turning into a branching corridor, he spotted a Hunter guarding a barred window.

Han Yuhyeon’s right foot twisted, a thin crack fanned across the floor. Heard by the Hunter, he instantly turned—but that was his last movement. The Sovereign’s Sword whipped through, scything the Hunter’s neck even through the scabbard. He had deliberately not used the blade: even a severed throat’s bleeding scent would instantly fill the corridor.

With the lower floors swiftly cleared, Han Yuhyeon returned to the top-level detention room. Doors lined both sides of the long hallway. Rather than open each in turn, he manipulated his mana.

The fragmented fire spirits reconvened, and delicate tendrils of flame extended along his hand into the corridor. Sparks flicked precisely at every door lock.

Sssiiik! Dozens of doorknobs melted simultaneously. Faint murmurs rose from within.

“Push with your foot to open.”

Han Yuhyeon advised, having already diminished the aura befitting an S-Rank. No one dared touch the doors by hand. He reached for the central door. Unfazed, he grasped the molten keyhole full of heat and swung it open.

“Are you Hunter Ho-yeon?”

“Hoho, where’s the cart to toss in fruit?”

The seated woman rose. Though over sixty, her posture was straight and her hair only lightly grayed—far from elderly.

“I’m no Hunter. Call me Teacher.”

Ho-yeon lifted her sparse belongings and fixed Han Yuhyeon with a steady gaze.

“I am Han Yuhyeon, Guild Master of Haeyeon in Korea. With the Martial Alliance’s cooperation, I’ve come to rescue you, Hunter Ho-yeon. Please follow me.”

“You’re a stiff one.”

As the two exited, the others waiting in the corridor watched. One stepped forward, gauging Han Yuhyeon.

“Teacher!”

“We’ve come to save you. Let’s go.”

At Ho-yeon’s wave, they began moving. After unlocking every door down to the ground floor, Han Yuhyeon instructed them:

“Follow the east corridor. Allied Hunters will be waiting to escort you.”

He could not bring all fifteen. Han Yuhyeon handed Ho-yeon a mini cookie pouch.

“You’ll come with me, Hunter Ho-yeon.”

“I thought to go to Europe.”

“Presently, Korea is safest.”

No country could rival the dungeon’s security. Han Yuhyeon stowed the petite Ho-yeon in a belt pouch he’d prepared; the others streamed out the rear exit, where Han Yuhyeon had already neutralized the guarding Hunters.

Having seen their safe departure, Han Yuhyeon advanced to the front building. Its partial ruins were thick with poison gas. Mid-Tier Hunters lay paralyzed long since; even the Top-Tiers struggled to stand.

Only one Top-Tier, resistant to poison and armed with items, lunged at him—but—

“Ugh!”

Struck by a whip-like tail, he crumpled. From the rubble stood Noah, reptilian eyes fixed on the distant Top-Tier. Golden scales cloaked his hand; sharp claws glistened with blood.

Though Noah leaned toward support magic, his raw combat strength was limited. Yet the Top-Tier could not close in—his forced support skill arbitrarily altered others’ bodies.

“I told you not to kill.”

Noah said suddenly. In that instant, the Top-Tier writhed. A slashing blow grazed his arm, gouging the floor. Teeth clenched audibly, the Top-Tier prepared to counter, but again his stats skewed uncontrollably.

Immediately, Han Yuhyeon’s foot struck the Top-Tier’s solar plexus like a dagger. KRAH-CRACK! The Hunter’s body flew into the building, dust erupting skyward.

“I feel dizzy!”

Peeking from the pouch’s slit, Ho-yeon grumbled.

“Is that them?”

“It is. Let’s return. With the Hunters poisoned, they won’t pursue us for a while.”

“My, this youth is formidable. Flanked by the Kings of Nanling, life’s grand indeed.”

Ho-yeon admired Noah and even applauded. Noah hesitated, then bowed politely.

“Greetings. I am Noah Luhir of the Giseungsu Breeding Grounds.”

“Ho-yeon.”

The Top-Tier rose, debris collapsing behind him. Noah swiftly shifted into dragon form and carried Han Yuhyeon and Ho-yeon aloft.

“You’re back already?”

I’d thought they’d take longer, but Yuhyeon and Noah returned before sunset. Hurrying outside, I saw the golden dragon settled on the courtyard lawn. A few bystanders discreetly pointed phone cameras at Noah. Awkward.

“Yuhyeon! Are you hurt? Noah, safe too?”

Yuhyeon approached with a smile.

“I’m fine.”

The woman dismounting Noah appeared to be Healer Ho-yeon—far younger-looking than her years.

“The Bonfire of Fosa? You look even more handsome when you smile.”

Ho-yeon said to Yuhyeon. I recognized the reference—true, the Chinese do enjoy such remarks. More importantly, Ho-yeon seemed a worthy ally.

“I’m Han Yujin, Guild Master of the Giseungsu Breeding Grounds.”

“You two share a deep bond, even at first glance.”

“You could say that. I look forward to working with you.”

Extending my hand, Ho-yeon appraised me silently, then clasped my hand firmly with both of hers.

“…Your qi is peculiar, truly.”

“Pardon?”

“People call it mana nowadays. I’d describe it as blocked channels—few openings after long stagnation.”

…She meant my mana circuits. From behind me, Eun Sesun quietly explained.

“It’s not a real illness—more a wuxia trope. But with mana’s existence, a similar condition might manifest.”

“Is that so? What ailment is it?”

“…It’s generally fatal.”

Ah. At “fatal,” Yuhyeon, Yerim, and Noah’s expressions hardened.

“No, it’s only an example—just hypothetical.”

“Is it serious, Teacher?”

Yuhyeon asked Ho-yeon. Her wrinkled finger checked my pulse. A faint mana presence pulsed at her fingertip.

“Has anyone treated it?”

“Something akin did occur.”

Thanks to the Crescent Moon.

“It seemed to improve… ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) but there’s no cure. Just manage your body.”

Returning to Korea would be tougher than before.

“And your leg?”

“It’s injured; it needs surgical care.”

“Let me see. Lift it.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll bend it for you.”

She couldn’t. Even so, expecting a table and chair, I was surprised when Yuhyeon scooped me up. Mortifying.

“She broke the bone, then simply poured a potion. Healed only the exterior. Who was the ignorant brute?”

“Chohwa-woon.”

“That stubborn one.”

“So my brother had to amputate it.”

“Good call. What a character.”

Huh—praising Yuhyeon’s character. Indeed, kind souls exist in this world. There is hope.

“My brother is nicer than expected.”

“You’ll slip back into bean-pod goggles again. Twice over.”

Yerim murmured. No, Yerim—older folks often have keener judgment from experience. Something like that.

“Even Hua Tuo couldn’t treat it without a scalpel. You must feel pain—let me at least do first aid.”

“Thank you. Now, about the contract: we offer you the best terms. Haeyeon is one of Korea’s premier guilds, led by the handsome, good-natured, and capable Han Yuhyeon. We also have the excellent Park Yerim, an S-Rank with talent and even more promise.”

“Hello~ Please take care of my sir from now on. Though he causes trouble, neglects health, and hates exercise, he’s handsome—right, Healer Teacher?”

Well, that’s true, but still.

“We’ll finalize terms and draft the contract in Korea, but we can meet nearly all your requests. I promise.”

Seok Simon would not object—so long as they don’t uproot Haeyeon’s pillars.

“Of course, your family— uh.”

Ho-yeon withdrew a bamboo cylinder from her pack and opened it. Inside lay rolled-up cloths concealing needles—acupuncture needles.

“Aren’t you using a skill?”

“Of course I use skills.”

Oh dear. Wait—wait—

—GRRR—

At the sight of her sharp needle, Peace bared his teeth.

“Prepare to catch a cat.”

“P-Peace, it’s fine. Daddy’s okay.”

“Sir, your tone is anything but reassuring. Peace, come here. It’s not dangerous.”

“Trust me—it’s healing. Less painful than a stab, you’ll see.”

“Indeed, Miss Yujin. They’re so thin.”

Noah, who’d been filming, returned to human form and added, “They’ll ease the pain.”

True enough. And ouch—but it really didn’t hurt. Yet each prick reflexively drew a frown.

“…I feel no pain, but sensation seems half-numb.”

“That’s why you feel nothing.”

“Pardon?”

“Your nerves dull but remain functional. No pain is more comfortable.”

Yuhyeon set me down. Sure enough, I could walk unaided. Skilled indeed. A better contract partner than the MKC Healer.

We then revisited future relations with the Martial Alliance Master, dined, and contacted Korea.

[So I’m officially discharged tomorrow.]

“Thank you for your efforts. We’ll depart early tomorrow. Everything is fine—truly.”

[Yes. I’m relieved.]

The baby monsters are safe, and Yoonyoon and the Imps have arrived. Haeyeon and Sesung will provide temporary quarters for the Imps. After the call, we returned to the hot spring, and there were Samokwŏl and Martial Alliance members who had stripped items from the Military Command’s base. But Seong Hyunjae was nowhere to be seen.

“They freed five, but only two trusted and followed me. The other three doubted Aid.”

“After all, there weren’t many items. But where is the Sesung Guild Master?”

“He went elsewhere…”

Samokwŏl gestured awkwardly. A pale-faced Hunter stepped forward.

“He said to tell you he would return before dawn.”

“Pardon? It’ll take that long? It’s not dangerous, is it?”

The Hunter shook his head urgently.

“It doesn’t seem dangerous… Please rest easy.”

Is it truly safe? No Transcendent could threaten Seong Hyunjae’s life, but I nodded with lingering unease.

In any case, we gathered everything we could. Tomorrow, we return to Korea.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by readnovel.co