The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 702: The Third Bet (1)

“Sunlight streamed in long through the large window. As she spun, the hem of her skirt flared in a perfect circle. Though nothing should dirty her clothes, she donned an apron and, despite handling anything hot with ease, put on kitchen gloves. Mari peered into the boiling pot with a thoughtful expression.

““The ingredients are very different.””

Though she had grown fond of cooking in the Game of Life world, the ingredients in Seong Hyunjae’s space, in this mansion, differed from those in that world. Salt and sugar were almost identical, but the vegetables looked and tasted entirely different.

““Flour, eggs, milk, butter, and so on are similar, so I will try making bread~. Assistant!””

Mari tilted her head toward Samir, perched on the protruding windowsill. With a resigned sigh, Samir rose and came over to accept the apron. Moon Hyunah, sunk into the plush chair back, watched them.

‘A princess out of a fairy tale.’

Before Seong Hyunjae summoned her, Moon Hyunah had met Marisa. Marisa Moore, saying her lifespan was nearly exhausted, had urged Hyunah to take her legacy—her network within the European Hunter world and those under her wing.

Mari had deliberately endangered Han Yujin. At the same time, she strove for many people’s sake. Harming innocent others for the sake of one’s goal was undeniably wrong. Yet she had also reached out with help through proper means.

‘Though one cannot erase what was done to Director Han by helping others…’

In the end, Mari bore no responsibility herself, so Hyunah still felt resentment toward her. And yet she genuinely admired Mari’s deeds. The relative peace of the European Hunter world was outwardly due to Saint Emily Spencer’s efforts and inwardly backed by Mari.

Mari moved in the shadows. As a result, few outsiders knew her true identity—only rumors that a teacher-like figure quietly spread across Europe’s Hunter world. Thanks to her ability to train Awakened and raise skill and stat grades, no Hunter under Marisa could betray her—breaking the contract would instantly lower one’s grade.

‘I recall there was also a slight mental dependency effect.’

Mari had frankly disclosed her ability and promised not to use skills on Hyunah. She said Hyunah could exclude any Hunters she contracted with if she felt uncomfortable.

It felt unsettling to accept. Yet refusal was not easy. Mari monitored and resolved Hunter-related crimes that were legally difficult to touch and chose Hyunah—based on her pre-return memories—as the successor best suited to inherit that work.

‘My pre-return self isn’t identical to who I am now, I don’t think.’

Moon Hyunah gazed at the floating flour and murmured that she must be living alright, after all.

Moon Hyunah bore no grand cause. Since her sudden Awakening, she had lived day by day as challenges arose. She had no luxury to set a distant destination. She braced her legs against the rushing rapids and took one step at a time.

““This flour is so much lighter! Look, it’s like snow!””

She deliberately scattered flour all over, though she could have dodged it. Mari’s laughter mingled with the sunshine and spread. A faint smile formed on Moon Hyunah’s lips simply because the sight pleased her. Seeing her fellow Awakened and later juniors like Park Yerim laughing brightly in a safe haven warmed her heart. Clutching those personal feelings, not some lofty vision, she walked—and in doing so, found herself moving forward.

That sentiment remained unchanged. Hence her dilemma.

‘It’s been four years, so Breaker should already be independent. I have thought of overseas expansion but…….’

If someone had told her to accept help immediately, she would have refused. Yet Mari spoke not of instant aid but of a slow investment, saying there was much yet to learn.

Moon Hyunah’s gaze returned to Mari. If she had to learn, she’d asked whether Mari could do it too. Though immature, Mari was an S-Rank Awakened with exceptional raw talent.

‘Besides, she said she’d marry Seong Hyunjae.’

Recalling that time, Moon Hyunah chuckled. Even with Mari’s help, who but she would dare kidnap that man and plan a wedding? Yet, after all that chaos, Mari and Seong Hyunjae had departed together. She was far bolder and kinder than she appeared.

A legacy need not be passed to one’s child. For a social organization, passing it to the most fitting person made more sense. But Mari did not seem unworthy. So when Hyunah again asked her reason:

““Mari.””

““Yes?””

Mari, debating the difference between whipped cream and milk, turned toward Moon Hyunah.

““I’d like to ask you something. About your mother, Marisa-ssi.””

Mari blinked, looked to Samir, then, with an elegant gesture, lowered her eyes and spoke.

““Would you join me for a walk?””

““Very well. It seems milk is best for the dough, after all.””

Samir left, and Mari hopped over to face Moon Hyunah. She pulled a stool close, sat, and looked directly at her.

““Why ask about my mother?””

““Well, before Seong Hyunjae summoned me, I met Marisa-ssi.””

Moon Hyunah briefly explained Marisa’s proposal to her.

““She said that Mari is a fairy-tale princess, so impossible. It sounded like she meant you were an innocent child naïve about the world… but her attitude toward you was different. One wouldn’t have some ancient king cobra prince kidnap a princess who needed protection.””

Even though Mari had obediently followed Seong Hyunjae, Marisa took no further measures beyond sending Samir. At Hyunah’s words, Mari twirled a strand of her hair with her finger. After a moment’s thought, she spoke.

““Literally so. Mari is an illusion, a dream from a fairy tale.””

““…Hm?””

““Once upon a time, there was a gentle and beautiful princess. Mari was created by cutting out and crafting the story that began that way.””

Flustered, Moon Hyunah lost her voice. Mari nodded slightly, saying it was a secret but she felt Hyunah would understand.

““To marry Seong Hyunjae, one needed an illusionary princess.””

An illusionary princess. Moon Hyunah recalled the crescent moon—the moonlight pouring into the wedding hall and Han Yujin bathed in silver light. Though she didn’t know all the details, perhaps they needed a bride tied to the crescent moon.

““…Then you, Mari?””

““My presence here is reality. Yet at the same time, I am a dream. I don’t fully understand, but that’s what I was told. Thus I helped draw the pre-return Seong Hyunjae—who existed only as a trace—into reality. Because Mari is a dream and an illusion.””

A princess destined to wed the prince and reach the ending. Moon Hyunah hesitated, then reached out to wipe flour from Mari’s cheek.

““Mari, you certainly are here.””

Mari smiled, her eyes unusually mature.

““Current Seong Hyunjae is a different one, yet similar to me. A protagonist from a story already concluded who stepped outside the tale. That’s why I continue to help.””

She wanted to watch until the ending approached. Mari, too, was a princess who escaped the wedding’s ending.

““It’s also quite fun. I know it’s important to you and others.””

““…I see.””

Moon Hyunah struggled to speak. She could hardly grasp Mari’s existence or what to do next. Should she consult the new recruits or Han Yujin? Yet she could not broach the matter without Mari’s consent.

So she smiled.

““After this is all over, come visit Korea. You don’t know seaweed soup, do you? Our guild’s cafeteria food is amazing.””

““Yes. Since I’ve run away from home, I can go anywhere.””

Mari returned her smile. Then, wooong, a distant tremor was felt. Moon Hyunah clicked her tongue and looked toward the noise.

““It’s started again.””

It was not the first time. Though the trembling continued, they soon turned their attention away.

Clink—With a clear sound, chains coiled around a collapsed pillar. Behind it, Seong Hyunjae lightly brushed stone dust from his clothes. Song Taewon stood half-crouched a little distance away. A long crack ran beneath his feet.

““Still as stubborn as ever.””

Seong Hyunjae stepped forward. Song Taewon’s body tensed at once. In Seong Hyunjae’s gloved hand, a dark shadow flickered—predation.

““I have had this gift and begun to wield it for less than half the time you have, Song Taewon. Yet compared to you…””

Crack! Seong Hyunjae’s hand seized Song Taewon’s raised forearm with lightning speed. Shadow and shadow intertwined.

““I am more adept.””

The same skill clashed. The power to devour the opponent’s skill swelled, baring its teeth. They were nearly equal, strained against each other—when crack, the marble floor split under Seong Hyunjae’s boot as his other leg shot into Song Taewon’s waist. Song Taewon did not stand by idly; he increased his body’s weight to pull hard on the captured arm.

Seong Hyunjae’s toes wavered under the force. A broken attack would have been easily countered—so it should have been. Yet…

““…!””

Song Taewon staggered violently at the diagonal strike to his waist. The black shadow that had crept into Seong Hyunjae’s leg had disrupted Song Taewon’s protective magic. Drawing the captured arm back toward himself, Seong Hyunjae spun, the added rotation yanking Song Taewon’s body into the air.

Twisting his falling frame, Song Taewon drove a knee into the marble with a thud! He bounced up and retreated. Seong Hyunjae drew a faint shadow up with his fingertip, darkness still swirling in his other hand.

““You couldn’t separate from it before, despite it being your innate ability.””

““…””

““It’s not that you lack talent. If anything, the opposite is likely true.””

Could that simple shadow truly be all of Song Taewon’s ability? Seong Hyunjae did not think so. Having received and wielded predation, he was convinced that Song Taewon possessed far stronger and more instinctive mastery than he showed. He repressed it with all his might.

That seemed most probable—suppressing one’s innate power.

““Then.””

Seong Hyunjae’s fingertip moved as if conducting. Simultaneously, Song Taewon hurled himself aside.

Bang!

A golden chain, now close, pierced the spot where Song Taewon had stood. Light burst. Like golden hounds, lightning gave chase, tearing up floor and wall, leaving charred footprints.

““I could not try this before returning, but I wanted to carve you open, Song Taewon.””

Walking lightly along the second-floor railing overlooking the first floor, Seong Hyunjae sang softly:

““I wondered what lay within, what would happen if I stripped it all away. I was very curious.””

Song Taewon was sturdy, but not unbreakable, so Seong Hyunjae had only watched. Rumble—part of the second floor’s protruding section collapsed to the first floor. Song Taewon slid down the debris. Seong Hyunjae leapt lightly into the air. Beneath his feet appeared a book—a thick hardback from the study. Using the books as steps, he walked in midair. This space was his, and he could rearrange it at will.

““I thought you’d be somewhat different.””

Tap, Seong Hyunjae dropped onto Song Taewon’s head. Crossed arms, charged with current, blocked Seong Hyunjae’s boot. Seong Hyunjae rose again, and, as if on cue, golden chains reared toward Song Taewon’s legs, teeth bared. Crack, crack! The narrowly missed chain ends pierced the floor repeatedly.

““Your essence remains unchanged.””

Still you wear your own leash ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ and clutch its end. Though one change was that you now looked beyond the box. The seed of new desire was too frail to sprout. No, the shadow cast above was too thick, blocking sun and rain alike.

““What is it you desire?””

Song Taewon blocked chains with a kicked marble slab and spoke. Amid flying debris and electricity, Seong Hyunjae smiled.

““You know. That when I wish it, you could kill me.””

Sizzle! Hundreds of fragments pulsed with light simultaneously, then flew toward Song Taewon. He took a sharp breath. His arm bore weight—heavier than his entire body. The fist, clenched tight, plunged toward the floor.

Boom! The entire mansion shook as flooring and the depths beneath surged upward like waves of cement and stone, forming a solid shield before Song Taewon. Immediately after:

Crack!

A chain pierced Song Taewon’s chest. Seong Hyunjae appeared behind him, shrugging.

““This space is a foul play, isn’t it?””

Song Taewon felt the world spin. His back touched the floor, though he had not fallen—he was forcibly relocated. The chest-piercing chain bound his arms, restraining him. The scent of stacked paper filled his nose. Pristine carpet brushed his hand. He was in the study.

““This time.””

With a gentle smile, Seong Hyunjae gazed down at Song Taewon, whose face was slightly pale as he met that gaze.

““I haven’t figured out how to draw you out yet. But, as I said…””

Seong Hyunjae bent at the waist. In a whisper that drifted over Song Taewon’s eyes:

““Only you, Song Taewon, can gift me the end.””

Still, as ever. The ending in Seong Hyunjae’s eyes had not changed. So he had to prepare.

““…You really are different.””

Song Taewon, who had been silently exhaling, spoke.

““Because you have already seen the ending?””

““It would be closer to saying it ended.””

““Then why are you here?””

He had asked many times.

““Did I not tell you? For love.””

Perched sideways on the study’s ladder chair, Seong Hyunjae laughed playfully.

““If not a physical issue, then certainly a mental one. Song Taewon, what do you think of yourself?””

““Hunters in the Consummation Division must have regular counseling.””

““A dull answer.””

Song Taewon’s brow furrowed. The counseling content, naturally, was private.

““Don’t worry; I only checked yours. When you were young─.””

[Incoming call.]

The system message window appeared. Seong Hyunjae closed the book he had been holding.

““It seems Han Yujin’s short vacation has ended. Regrettable, but I must go.””

The chains binding Song Taewon unraveled roughly. A potion sprayed over his wounds. Seong Hyunjae’s clothes became clean, and then he vanished. Song Taewon sat up and silently watched the shadow coil around his hand.

Death.

That was what Seong Hyunjae had called him long ago.

““Did you rest well?””

Facing Seong Hyunjae’s greeting, Song Taewon furrowed his brow. Thinking that the third wager would begin, his chest tightened. One draw, one loss. This time, he must win.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by readnovel.co