The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 736: Attack (2)

“…Who is it?”

“I’m not sure, but it’s not a dream. They’re at the door.”

The culprit who attacked Seong Hyunjae and Director Song? I wondered who it might be.

“Gyeol.”

“Right now, I’m the strongest here.”

Gyeol, anticipating my question, spoke first. My child was so clever it was almost a problem. After confirming Gyeol could handle any guest, we decided to go down together. I told Yerim to call if anything happened and headed for the elevator. Yuhyun followed as naturally as breathing.

We took the external elevator straight to the front gate. Confident though Gyeol was, I still had him stay behind us as we stepped off. In the middle of the wide path through the lawn stood a familiar face: me. My hoodie was pulled low, hiding most of the face, but it was undeniably mine—only bulked out by looser sleeves and a taller frame. …And taller, too.

It seemed someone had dreamed of me. Whoever they were, they thought highly of me. Even at a glance, he looked easily over six feet tall. …More to the point, handsomer than me. I had to admit I was a little jealous. Why choose such a dream to appear in? Were they teasing me? From our first meeting, they chose to pick a fight.

“Um, hello.”

The imposter in my skin said. He didn’t seem hostile. He glanced briefly at Yuhyun beside me, then ignored him entirely—surely proof he was only wearing my visage.

“Were you the one who attacked the Sesung Guildmaster and Director Song Taewon?”

“No. Transcendents still can’t directly interfere in this world. All I can do is pass on this message. I just happened to get the chance.”

He spoke with both hands in his hoodie pocket. Clearly another Transcendent. I ran through the ones I’d met in my head—none bore his attitude or presence. We were strangers.

“Then—?”

“There’s only one being with that much influence here, right?”

The center of this dream world… Marisa, perhaps. If it were her, she might have tried to kill Hyunjae and Director Song. If both disappeared, our world would be perfectly safe.

“Do you happen to know how to meet the being who upholds this world?”

“No idea. It’s already too late, anyway.”

“Too late?”

He tilted his head skyward. I followed his gaze. The darkening sky was thick with clouds.

“The Filial Obsessives won their wager, yet received no reward. The proxies on both sides responsible vanished. So the Crescent Moon stepped in.”

“The Crescent Moon…?”

When I pretended ignorance, he snorted. He knew our situation well. Who on earth was he?

“The Crescent Moon offered to shed her moonlight so Transcendents could more easily meddle in this world without the system’s application. She claimed, as the Paragon of Filial Impiety, she’d sacrifice herself to make amends. But the truth is different. As you know, this world is essentially built by the Crescent Moon’s own kin.”

“…Meaning she never had to expend her own power in the first place—she could just use her kin?”

The seeds of Transcendents the Crescent Moon sowed in our world—its destined doom to be devoured someday. This dream world was created by those seeds, letting the Crescent Moon secure an advantageous position. Her kin formed the very pillars of this reality.

“Yes. And the other Transcendents are blissfully unaware. Her reputation soars because of it.”

Even if someone behind the scenes sowed doubt, no one would suspect her. And by pretending to have spent much power, she could move entirely off the other Transcendents’ radars. But…

“Why would the Crescent Moon try to draw the other Transcendents in? It makes no sense for her.”

I asked, careful not to tip my hand. The Crescent Moon’s small moon and Hyunjae’s hidden identity—if she truly wanted to hide him, why facilitate easier interference? It should put her at a disadvantage.

“I don’t know.”

He answered lightly.

“I’m sure she has a plan, though.”

A brief silence followed. I racked my brain but came up empty. I’d thought she’d try to block interference, not encourage it. What was she aiming for? He sighed quietly and locked eyes with me.

“Who are you, exactly? What do you want here?”

“I’m here for you—and…”

His gaze flicked to Yuhyun.

“I have no interest in your brother. If I had to say, I just hope the two of you live well.”

Hm, a Transcendent with no interest in us—we hadn’t seen one of those in a while.

“I only need Seong Hyunjae to remain himself.”

“Oh, so he’s your concern.”

“No.”

That didn’t match what he just said.

“I don’t care how that man lives, only that he continue to exist. As you know, he mustn’t die here.”

“What?”

I thought he couldn’t die anyway. He cocked his head at my surprise.

“You didn’t know?”

“…Know what?”

“Seong Hyunjae is well hidden. But the instant he dies, that protection weakens. If he dies where a Transcendent’s gaze reaches him, it becomes dangerous in many ways. You should’ve realized that by now.”

He said Hyunjae must’ve already sensed it. I unconsciously glanced toward the rooftop. …Had he withheld that info intentionally? It was possible. In any case, I was still weaker than Hyunjae, and I too had secrets.

I understood his logic, but I was still a bit angry—and a bit hurt. Something that important shouldn’t have been kept from me. What if I’d blundered into danger, unaware? He’d risked grievous injury back then. Why hadn’t he told me? Because so many were listening? Maybe he’d explain once treatment was over. It wasn’t a calm moment for such a talk.

“I didn’t have time to explain. Someone’s ship was breached. You, though—you know the details?”

“If I explained, I’d have to start at the beginning. Soon the Crescent Moon will move. When her moon rises and her light falls, Transcendents interested in this incident will begin to interfere.”

The sky was still overcast—no moon or stars. I swallowed dryly.

“With the system offline, they’ll use monsters primarily. Protect Seong Hyunjae until this world stabilizes. I won’t let him die.”

“That.”

“Why should I?”

Yuhyun, silent until now, spoke, his voice cold and low.

“Yuhyun.”

“I know hyung wants to protect those around him. But until when? For how long?”

My brother’s eyes fixed on me.

“You’re all I have.”

“…!”

“Now we could go back. To safety.”

All it would take was sacrificing one person. For Yuhyun, it must be unbearably frustrating—my recklessness had put him in danger for someone who wasn’t him. My chest tightened, too. Wanting to help Hyunjae was my own selfish desire. So I could bear risk alone, but not drag others into it…

“Yuhyun, that’s…”

“Fine. If that’s what you want.”

Yuhyun fell silent. His sudden acquiescence left me shocked—until one thought sparked.

“Hey, you—”

Could it be…

“You intend to kill Seong Hyunjae right in front of the Transcendents, don’t you?”

“No.”

My brother’s steady reply held no hesitation. But he would. Unable to use skills, stat-drained, he’d just shoot Hyunjae once the Transcendents turned their gaze away. Dropping his body would free us completely.

Why wouldn’t Yuhyun use such a perfect solution? Not only Yuhyun—Rin and even Noah would go for it if given the chance.

“Wait, Yuhyun! Hold on! You can’t—no matter what you do, you can’t kill Seong Hyunjae—”

“I have no feelings for the Sesung Guildmaster.”

Yuhyun cut me off cleanly.

“He’s just an object you treasure. Nothing more, nothing less. If he weren’t you, he’d be no different from a rock on the roadside. If harmless, I’d leave him alone—because he’s important to you. But you keep getting hurt and in danger—how long must I endure it?”

“…That’s…”

“What would you do if roles were reversed?”

I had no answer. If I’d been in Yuhyun’s place, I’d’ve long since eliminated Hyunjae. If the other party was too strong, I’d’ve hidden my brother any way I could.

…Yuhyun had held back so much.

“If you can’t bear the idea of the Sesung Guildmaster dying, then let’s leave him.”

Yuhyun’s voice softened as he spoke to my stunned silence.

“Take just Peace and Park Yerim and go. You could even link up with Hunter Noah and Hunter Rin. Wait for the system to apply, then return home.”

“…!”

Yuhyun’s answer felt impossible to trust. And yet, I—

“Hey, look at this.”

A voice behind me. I turned to see him holding a piece of paper fluttering in his hand. What the—?

“You!”

Reflexively, I lunged—but he sidestepped easily. The paper vanished, and he grabbed my wrist, twisting me and pinning me against the wall.

“Dad!”

Gyeol cried out. In a flash, Yuhyun’s blade was at the imposter’s throat. The gun could’ve hit me, so Gyeol must’ve swapped me for a sword. Holding me with one arm, he faced Yuhyun. Damn, he was far stronger than me. I twisted, but I couldn’t break free.

“Han Yujin belongs to me.”

“What are you, really?!”

He chuckled at my shout. Yuhyun ground his teeth.

“If Seong Hyunjae doesn’t die before the system applies, I’ll return him.”

“Is that why you showed up?!”

“The odds were high he’d be abandoned or killed. Nobody but you or the Lunar Eclipse cared enough to hold onto him. Even if they don’t know about death.”

“We’re targets too—if you hadn’t wasted words—”

“No. My aim is only Seong Hyunjae.”

“…What?”

“The Child of Chaos declared him the prime culprit for breaking the system.”

The Elder. My mind spun. The Child of Chaos wouldn’t decide to use Hyunjae as bait alone—he hated manipulating others. Then it must’ve been Hyunjae himself. He’d asked this.

“…Has it really come time to die?”

Why would a man who cherishes himself do that? There had to be another reason. He wouldn’t make a move purely to harm himself—yet my gut coiled.

“Yuhyun.”

My brother’s brow furrowed.

“There’s no help for it now. You saw for yourself.”

With a grinding of teeth, Yuhyun sheathed his sword and stepped back.

“Fine. I won’t hurt him until the system applies. That’s the deal.”

“For just that?”

“What good is it if protecting him means our kids get hurt? You’re an adult—take care of yourself. I can’t afford to guard everyone else. I do want him safe, but my children matter more.”

I couldn’t shift the burden onto them. The imposter shrugged and released me. Yuhyun hurried me away.

“Good. Keep him by your side. Above all…”

His gaze turned to the fairy dragon. I moved to shield her. Don’t you dare touch my child.

“It benefits you more.”

“If she hides here—”

“Don’t. Don’t make the Crescent Moon target her.”

My heart dropped. If Gyeol protected us, the Crescent Moon would surely try to eliminate her.

“Return her.”

“Dad! Gyeol’s fine!”

“That’s the key.”

Returning Gyeol…Oh. Could it be? I spun around.

“Gyeol!”

“Uh, yes?”

“You have to go home. Listen to Daddy and wake up straight away.”

“But—”

I explained what she must do. Gyeol nodded vigorously.

“Okay, Dad. I’ll change the nursery. Even after I wake, the building and weapons will hold. We won’t have items or skills, but—”

The colorful fortress began to transform. Its smooth vertical walls solidified into dense alloy, the rooftop sealed with thick reinforced glass.

“Gyeol, make the walls slightly sloped. Curve the edges like this. Add gun ports in the rooftop wall.”

I added a few more specifications.

“Then I’ll go.”

The mysterious Transcendent vanished. …Well, I thought I knew who it was, but then again, maybe not. What on earth happened? They can’t be the same being, yet who were they? Gyeol opened the door for us. We entered, and the door itself disappeared.

“Dad, you /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ have to be careful.”

Gyeol’s form blurred, then vanished as if waking from sleep. Star and Seol probably returned with her.

“Let’s head up. We should have Hunter Noah and Hunter Rin take cover.”

They’d help if present, but they couldn’t lift us now. Yuhyun followed me to the elevator.

“You’re my priority above all. Don’t forget.”

“I know… I’m sorry.”

I wanted to grant every wish of my brother. And yet I couldn’t let go of my own. I’d been far too greedy.

“Uncle!”

Reaching the rooftop, Yerim rushed up, alarmed. I quickly filled her in. Seong Hyunjae sat on the bed—miraculously healed. The hole in his abdomen bore no scar. His ear remained missing; advanced potions couldn’t regenerate that. I circled to the head of the bed.

Snap!

“Ah!”

I struck Hyunjae’s back with all my strength. Softer than when he was an S-rank, but my palm stung loudly. Seeing the red handprint across his back lifted my spirits.

“The moon will rise soon.”

The clouds shifted. Faint light filtered between the dark gray masses. I gripped my weapon. Moonlight descended.

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