The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 544: Delrose (2)

“Did he go look for uncle? How did uncle disappear again? Oh, maybe he hid in a drawer?”

Park Yerim whispered so no one would hear. At that, Han Yuhyun shook his head briefly.

“If it were him, he’d head for the island alone rather than hide. There’s a high chance of a reward if he arrives safely.”

“I want to help! You don’t distrust us, do you?”

Han Yuhyun ignored her as if unworthy of an answer. Han Yujin would never distrust his brother. Precisely because of that, he must have slipped away to avoid needing help. Park Yerim lowered her voice even more.

“Even with the Invisibility skill buff, it would’ve been hard to fool us completely. What happened?”

Han Yujin’s Invisibility is A-rank, but with the Wildcat Jacket’s buff, even S-ranks can’t easily detect him. Yet among S-ranks, both Han Yuhyun, who has excellent mana-sensing ability, and Park Yerim, a mage-type with strong magical aptitude, would be difficult to evade perfectly. Han Yuhyun sensed this keenly.

Hunters who received the message began glancing this way. Park Yerim reduced her voice until only Han Yuhyun right in front of her could hear.

“I think Peace followed him. Could we summon him with the Master’s Token effect?”

“He’s not here. You know as well as I do.”

The Master’s Token merely causes followers to obey, not with absolute compulsion.

“And Peace knows what I want.”

Protecting Han Yujin. For both Han Yuhyun and Peace, that was the highest priority. Since they shared the same goal, Peace often acted with greater freedom.

Bang!

At that moment, the door to the stairs was flung open violently. Song Taewon hurried over to the two of them, eyes scanning the area.

“Where is Han Yujin?”

“He’s gone.”

Park Yerim answered quietly. Song Taewon’s face grew dark.

“Don’t worry too much. He’s Uncle. It would’ve been better had he gone with us, but…”

“If he’d moved with us, all the Hunters at the party would have swarmed him. That’s why he vanished alone. In a live broadcast, there’s nothing to gain from showing a high-rank Hunter destroying the city for personal gain.”

Even if the organizer takes responsibility, people will see S-rank Hunters running amok. If things go wrong, it would reflect poorly on Han Yujin at the center.

“In that case, Uncle—uh, I heard Hyunah unnie and Noah-oppa have arrived on the island. They departed as soon as the message popped up, and once you enter, you can’t leave. They each received one gold coin for first place.”

Park Yerim checked her phone and reported.

“Soyeong unnie and Riet unnie also rode off on a bike together right away. They asked if there’s anything they can do to help.”

“It would be best if Hunter Riet stayed on the island. As for Hunter Seong Hyunjae—”

Mid-sentence, Song Taewon turned his head. Seong Hyunjae was walking from the direction of the elevator, a silver fairy dragon perched on his shoulder, surveying the gathering with a leisurely gaze, then heading toward the hotel entrance. At the same moment—

Ka-ga-kak!

The Conqueror’s Sword swung in a long arc. The floor split blackly in a line as if drawn by the blade; sparks and fragments flew from his shoe’s tip. Seong Hyunjae glanced at the shattered floor, then casually stepped over the line. Immediately—

Jja-ja-jarak, a chill mist scattered, and the revolving door froze solid.

“Where are you rushing off to?”

“I appreciate your enthusiastic invitation, but the two of you are not my type. Even so, I generally maintain social boundaries.”

At “Children are politely declined,” Park Yerim’s eyebrows shot up.

“I’m not your type either! If we’re talking looks, Han Yuhyun is better—cancel that! There’s Noah-oppa too! Anyway, let’s just talk.”

“My date with Han Yujin takes priority, so please understand.”

“But on my ID I have no morals with you, uncle! You did promise, right?”

“There’s an aquarium in New York too.”

As he turned to leave again, Song Taewon caught him this time.

“Please wait.”

“Try a more polite enticement. I might yield to someone like you.”

As he said that, light flickered from Seong Hyunjae’s fingertips. Electricity surged along the lengthy frozen floor, and kablam! The glass revolving door shattered into pieces. As Seong Hyunjae moved to step out, Han Gyeol grabbed his ear.

—Don’t go catch Dad!

He whispered so close to that ear that his head nearly buried against it, but Seong Hyunjae did not stop. Outside, reporters crowded, firing flashbulbs.

“Hunter Han Yujin!”

“SF!”

Perhaps the message to capture first place had spread, for questions poured in: Where is Han Yujin? Then a startled cry rang out among the crowd.

“Get away now!”

“Move!”

“Shield up!”

Several Hunters waiting among the reporters used defensive skills. People—used to Hunters—took cover behind shields, and vroom! A roar followed as a motorcycle burst through the hotel entrance.

“Korean Hunters! Where are you hiding the F-ranks?”

A Hunter leapt off the bike, running with momentum, as if kicking the bike forward. The massive bike hurtled at Seong Hyunjae at terrifying speed. But Seong Hyunjae did not budge. Instead, it was Song Taewon who blocked the way.

Song Taewon lifted his leg high and brought it down on the bike like a colossal guillotine. The bike split in two cleanly and crashed to the floor. Simultaneously, Park Yerim froze the bike instantly to prevent any fire.

“Perfect timing! Yes!”

“……”

“You promised ‘Song,’ after all. There are so many reporters!”

This is American style, she grumbled, saying she’d studied it well, but Song Taewon ignored her. Meanwhile, Han Yuhyun, having leapt up via the power of the Willow Leaves, swung his sword at the attacking Hunter. The Hunter dodged swiftly but took a long slash across the chest. Han Yuhyun stood tall in place and flicked his wrist.

Screech—The black blade turned into a spirit blade, arched, and struck down just in front of the Hunter’s feet. Though capable of cleaving the opponent in two, he showed mercy. The spirit blade retracted, and Han Yuhyun turned away silently and coldly.

“Since my brother doesn’t want things to escalate, I will cooperate.”

“So will I. Shall we freeze Sesung uncle first?”

“I thought the little miss was on my side.”

“Thank you, Hunter Han Yuhyun, Hunter Park Yerim. And Hunter Seong Hyunjae, please cooperate. For now.”

Song Taewon lowered his voice.

“It would be best if Han Yujin appeared to still be in the hotel.”

“I’ll slip away then, carrying a fake doll. We lure them to the park’s lake up ahead, freeze them all, and head to the island.”

At Park Yerim’s suggestion that even if the fight grew larger there it would be okay, Song Taewon nodded. Park Yerim glanced back at the reporters busy filming behind their shields, then turned her body back into the hotel.

“I’ll block the entrance!”

Han Yuhyun’s sword flew toward the spot Park Yerim pointed at. Water burst forth, and a massive ice wall rose around the hotel.

The Wildcat set. Gathering all set items cost quite a few points, so I’d kept the last two in my inventory untouched. Since only I could use them, I’d been reluctant to spend the points—then, attending Chatterbox’s party alone, I asked the newbie if they were worth using.

The newbie said they’d check and took the gun, jacket, and shoes—and soon answered.

[They’re items related to a Transcendent!]

White-Tail Delouses. An ordinary cat who ate a dragon and grew into a Transcendent. The Wildcat series was, in fact, items from a Japanese dungeon where Seong Hyunjae entered as a Transcendent. …Called a wildcat, but ultimately a cat. I’d been suspicious because the jacket skill’s name was “cat.” No wonder the remaining Wildcat set items appeared in my inventory unexpectedly—they were rewards for Seong Hyunjae capturing Delouses.

[I can’t confirm the exact performance of the gloves and belt yet. They weren’t originally there—Honey took the items I gave, entered Delouses-related world, they changed to match that realm, and emerged based on beings with names like Transcendents…]

The newbie rambled, but the conclusion was that, not yet registered properly in the System, they couldn’t confirm. Yet as Transcendent items, they seemed worthy of spending points, and being bound on loan, their required points were low for their rank.

Thus I completed the two remaining Wildcat set items.

[Spotted Wildcat Gloves — S-rank

Fingerless gloves with the white tips cut off. Infused with the strength of a fierce creature.

Sharp Claws (A) — Fingernails sharpen and attack speed increases

※Bound on loan to Han Yujin]

The black fingerless gloves with faint white smears had a combat skill attached. But since it was only A-rank with an attack-speed buff, the claws’ damage wasn’t high even doubled. Better to swing an A-rank dagger than use claws—more of an attack-speed support skill, really.

I thought it might be useless for me, but the attack-speed buff applied to weapons too: mana gun charging sped up. And not only that—applicable to weapons I held meant:

‘I can hold other people’s weapons too.’

Doubling attack skill effects while also increasing weapon speed.

[Spotted Wildcat Belt — S-rank

A smooth, slender belt. Infused with the agility of a nimble creature.

Supple (A) — Body becomes more flexible; jump and landing abilities increase

※Bound on loan to Han Yujin]

The skill on the black belt with only the buckle white was a physical enhancement. Support skills of this sort usually scale to the wearer, so A-rank implies modest boosts—yet for me, an S-rank would feel like a lumbering log even with this.

I was satisfied with each item’s performance. Finally, wearing all five series items triggered the set effect.

[All equipment of the Young White-Tail Delouses has been equipped.]

[“The Cat That Swallowed a Dragon” reacts to the “Dragon Slayer” title!]

[Set Skill ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) — White-Tail Delouses (A), Dragon Specialist (F)]

[“Dragon Specialist” detects the wearer’s allied dragons!]

[Dragon Specialist skill rank increases to C!]

Perhaps because they hunted the same dragon, a new set skill appeared in response to the Dragon Slayer title. Moreover, the Dragon Specialist skill rank rose. “Allied dragons” likely referred to Noah, Comet, and Mar registered as keywords. Maybe even Erin and Han Gyeol.

[Dragon Specialist (C) — Gain information on dragon species monsters, whether hunting, eating, or raising them!]

[White-Tail Delouses (A) — Perfect transformation into Delouses from young to Transcendent. No stat changes; Delouses’ skills usable according to skill rank.]

Both felt vague. The Dragon Specialist might help when fighting dragon-type monsters, but I rarely join dungeon clears. And the Delouses transformation skill…

‘…What use is it if stats stay the same?’

Even transformed into a Transcendent, an F-rank is a paper tiger. And the young Delouses is…

‘Just a cat.’

I recalled before leaving for America and looked upward at the tall buildings, bits of blue sky visible between. Lowering my gaze, I saw my small forepaws. Though called spotted gloves, only my paws were white. My body was black in the jacket, the tail tip was the white gun, and my “shoes”…

I stared at my cat paw pads. Normally pink, but with the agile suction skill…

‘…….’

They glimmered gold. Opposite of boots. The Spotted Belt’s black background hid its effect, but the buckle portion and my belly had white fur like spots. When I transformed at home before, I panicked and reverted quickly, so I couldn’t examine closely then.

‘Seong Hyunjae’s tail was totally white—would the Transcendent become a giant white cat?’

Anyway, thanks to this I safely slipped out of the hotel. Yerim nearly caught me, but the perfect transformation meant even S-ranks didn’t recognize me.

‘I haven’t told the kids about this.’

Thus… revealing the set-skill effect felt embarrassing. Especially worrying Yerim would discover—she might insist I stay cat form at home, adorably. She’d put a ribbon on me, dresses too, and in no time I’d have more cat clothes than people clothes. In every color, all lace and frills guaranteed.

So I must hide it as long as possible. No one must find out.

Recalling the pre-checked Manhattan map, I entered an alley. Transformed into Delouses, I couldn’t properly use my active skills. Though called a perfect transformation, the mana flow changed. Fortunately, passive skills like Poison Resistance and Fear Resistance, plus item skills, worked fine.

‘I wish I could still use Invisibility.’

But it’s just a cat. What harm could come? Eunhae still exists. The Wildcat set feels like part of my body; other clothes or my phone… I’m not sure exactly, but they seem stored safely. At home, I returned with my clothes intact. And Eunhae became a collar. Other items were unequippable and went to inventory.

In other words:

‘…Don’t think about it.’

Animals usually don’t wear clothes; fur is their clothing. Right, no detailed imaginations.

I just need to get far from the hotel, revert to human form, hide my face, catch a taxi, and… Then sneak onto a boat near the island. Not sure if I can arrive in time, but they didn’t say not to be late.

Anyway, as long as I’m not caught—

—Mrrrow, mrow.

A quiet cat sound came. There must be feral cats in New York too, of course. But why was it angry?

—Mrowww, nyah!

A dark shape sprang before me with a flick. It was a fairly large tabby cat. Its ears were flattened, tail puffed… Not exactly a friendly hello. Wait.

‘Is this… territory invasion?’

Now that I think about it, I was a stranger cat. The tabby glared at me, showing clear displeasure. An intruder appears suddenly, and even when warned, it stares blankly. How are my ears and tail positioned? Uh, excuse me, I don’t speak cat very well…

—Nyah, mrr?

When I made a hesitant sound, the tabby’s ears twitched. Then it opened its mouth—

—Hiss!

It snarled. I hadn’t anticipated this. Upon hearing the noise, another cat peeked its head from a crack in the building. No—hey. I don’t want to fight. I’m just passing through, I thought, and instinctively lifted one paw.

—?! Mrow!

The tabby jerked its head back and swiped its paw. Oh no, no, wait. I surrender, I surrender! Quickly I flipped over, exposing my belly, and averted my gaze. See, I’m not fighting. Please spare me, I offered my belly. See?

But the tabby still growled fiercely and approached. Should I fight a cat? That feels wrong… As I wondered whether to flee, suddenly—

…!

The tabby—and the observing cats—bolted away in terror. Surprised, I leapt to rise, when a red-furred paw pressed down on my belly.

—Yelp!

What—Peace?

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