The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 756: Different (2)

In the building were Moon Hyunah, Kang Soyeong, Mari, and Emily. Hyunah approached me and studied my face.

“I think you’re looking a bit better. What happens now, brother?”

“Well… Yun-yun and Park Hayul, toss them into a room in this building. Hand Hayul a Peace doll and wake up first.”

“Got it!”

Yun-yun dragged Park Hayul off toward the souvenir shop. How was I supposed to explain this? I glanced at Seong Hyunjae.

“First, whatever you hear now, do not ever mention it to anyone.”

“Should I have them sign an NDA?”

Hyunah hesitated at her own joke, then shook her head. If the Transcendents got involved, everyone would know sooner or later. Better to confess now than be found out later.

“In one or two days, the Transcendents’ underlings will appear. Their target is Guildmaster Seong Hyunjae.”

“Only Seong Hyunjae? What about our world?”

“Well… we’ve sealed it off with a dream barrier, so it should be safe. Even Transcendents can’t pass through here. People who are dreaming won’t be harmed.”

“So we just have to dump that guy and it’s over.”

Hyunah said lightly, but…

“If Seong Hyunjae falls into the Crescent Moon’s hands, it could be dangerous.”

“What’s so dangerous about it? What does the Crescent Moon Transcendent intend?”

“…It seems she wants to destroy the current Origin and create a new one.”

Hyunah tilted her head.

“Origin is what swallows worlds, right? It sends monsters, sets up the system and dungeons to help us fight easily.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then the Origin itself is the problem. The Crescent Moon wants to eliminate it. But what is this new Origin?”

“…I’m not entirely sure, but I think she hopes for an Origin that doesn’t consume worlds.”

“Is that even possible? With just Seong Hyunjae?”

“It’s theoretically possible.”

The Puppeteer spoke, looking between Hyunah and me.

“He’s traversed countless worlds and accumulated their power. Once that power fills him completely, he becomes a Full Moon. In other words, he can contain every world and more.”

“…But isn’t that different from Origin? Origin actually creates worlds.”

“Then it swallows the Origin as well. That’s why she calls it the Full Moon. Though it’s the Crescent Moon’s child, once it’s full, it reflects the Sun’s light—so it shines.”

The Puppeteer glanced at Hyunjae.

“A Full Moon that has devoured the Origin, absorbing its creative power and unleashing it. A new Origin.”

“But if it’s just a copy, won’t the new Origin also consume worlds?”

“The Crescent Moon can control it. If she doesn’t let it, it won’t. There’s a theory that only by Origin consuming worlds can it replenish its spent creative power. There are five Origins. The Full Moon would eat them all. Powers of this sort, when combined, multiply rather than add. We might see an Origin that uses almost no creative power.”

…A safe, perfect god.

“This is just my hypothesis, though. The Crescent Moon must be certain of something to act like this. One thing’s for sure: that being is a pseudo-Origin.”

“…Having absorbed multiple worlds, that much seems true.”

“Then here’s what I think.”

Hyunah frowned slightly.

“Isn’t it better for the Crescent Moon to take Seong Hyunjae herself?”

The words I’d tried to avoid came out. Soyeong shot a glance at her guildmaster. Emily fell silent, lost in thought.

“She said it’s to save the world, too.”

Mari spoke hesitantly.

“But I think the Guildmaster’s opinion matters. I wanted to go to sleep to protect the world. But even if I’d refused then, it wouldn’t have been wrong… right?”

“Of course it wasn’t your fault.”

Hyunah nodded. Her heavy gaze turned to Mari.

“But if there’s no other way, Mari, I would have grabbed you and jumped into the dream with you, even knowing it was wrong.”

“Because there are people we need to protect?”

“Right. I’m not that moral. I can’t say I’ve never done something dirty.”

Hyunah looked at me briefly.

“I tried splitting you and Brother apart and stealing Yerim.”

I remembered that time. Hyunah had reason to distrust me.

“If something needs doing, I do it. Then I don’t dodge responsibility afterward. No matter how long I talk, it’s just excuses.”

“I understand.”

Mari answered. Emily sighed softly.

“I don’t like sacrificing a few for the many. But this is difficult.”

It’s just one person. Yerim watched me anxiously. Gyuri’s expression was hard. Only Seolyi, caring only about her sister and the star in my arms, munched on snacks without a care. Yuhyun never paid attention unless it was her business.

“I guarantee our world’s safety. And we don’t know if the Crescent Moon will succeed. She might make things worse.”

I started to defend myself, then glared at Hyunjae. Why was he silent?

“This is your fight. Say something.”

“It’s not my concern.”

Hyunjae tilted his head faintly. What?

“What conclusion could we reach here? Neither the Crescent Moon nor I can be stopped.”

“…Wow, what a jerk.”

Hyunah muttered. Concerned Soyeong’s face hardened—she was clearly opting out.

“…Hyunjae’s not wrong, but he’s really a jerk.”

“Right, right. Brother, just dump him. He said he can handle it himself.”

For a moment, I was tempted. But Hyunjae, who’d spent a long time with me, was still waiting. He’d promised to win back my trust before returning—what bad luck.

And one more thing:

‘A Transcendent who might directly intervene alongside their underlings.’

That would be quite the feat. I still held System Admin privileges: Diarma, Ruga the Pest, the Devourer King. Even the chatterbox. The powers I’d gained by capturing them.

Transcendents targeting Hyunjae looked like opportunities. If I could take down even one, I might gain the strength to bring my sister back. It wouldn’t be easy, but maybe.

“Problem is, the Crescent Moon is interested in me, too. Other Transcendents will go after Hyunjae, but she won’t let me go easily.”

“So we have to fight?”

“Yerim, Peace, Yuh…yun, you.”

“I’m not going.”

“…Right. I want to send two of you back first.”

“Sir! I’m not going either!”

“Yerim, even if you go home, the dream barrier will bring you back. It’ll actually be safer—”

“With the System applied, we can use our full power here. But Hyunah wouldn’t be able to. Right?”

That… Gyuri and Mari looked at me together. I looked to the Puppeteer. He shrugged.

“It’s a dream. Sensations are a bit dulled compared to reality.”

“See?”

Yerim crossed her arms, refusing to go. If she didn’t agree, we couldn’t send her… Would Peace agree? My head spun.

“First… let’s wait for the new recruit’s contact and gather more information before deciding. We can’t answer now. We only know the Transcendents are attacking.”

I felt helpless. Hyunjae might suggest death again. Should we find a way to escape the dream world once the System is active? Could I use my Admin rights somehow? If we could just run to our world, it would still solve everything… except for Yuhyun.

“Yes. We have «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» time. We’ll go out and come back, too. If we keep sleeping, we’ll drain our strength.”

Hyunah nodded, saying they’d return in ten hours. Soyeong, Mari, and Emily also woke from the dream and vanished. In the silence, I heard the crunch of snacks. Gyuri eyed Hyunjae.

“Let’s rest while we can. Hyunjae, head to the Sesung Guild.”

Facing him was still awkward. Hyunjae looked hurt at my words.

“So you’re abandoning me.”

“…What did he say?”

“After all I’ve done, caring for Han Yujin’s kids… does fairy form suit you?”

“What are you talking about? You—”

I met his composed golden gaze. Hyunjae smiled. …His memories were intact. In other words, he could imitate me perfectly. Director Song, knowing Hyunjae’s state, gave him a stern look before speaking to me.

“To exchange information, I think it’s better to keep them nearby for now.”

“…Understood. Gyuri, prepare rooms on the first floor of the nursery for those two. Include a dining area.”

“Okay, Dad.”

“And put up a high screen display so Noah and Riet can see.”

I wish they’d come to the nursery if they were still in Seoul. Maybe we could ask the broadcaster for airtime.

“As for Hwangrim….”

“Don’t worry about that guy.”

The Puppeteer said.

“Do you know where he is?”

“Roughly. It’s safer he’s not here.”

“Really?”

“It’s something like that.”

I didn’t understand, but since Hwangrim had contracted with the Puppeteer, he’d handle himself. I also asked Gyuri to set up the Puppeteer’s room— as far as possible from Hyunjae.

– 키잉! 컁! 컁!

As soon as we entered the nursery, we heard crying sounds. A tiger cub bounded over and clung to Peace. Peace looked down at the fox winding around his legs with mild annoyance.

“Tiger cub? Were you dreaming too—”

“Ah, Mar! Mar!”

Yerim ran out with arms wide open. A baby sea dragon, which had been flying through the air as if swimming, wagged its tail in greeting.

“Gyuri brought him because he thought it’d cheer you up.”

They said everyone was sleeping at just the right time. I smiled back at those shining golden eyes.

“Thanks, Gyuri. And Bellaer’s here too!”

– 시익!

“Wasn’t Ppiyak with you?”

“Well, Ppiyak was strangely impossible to bring.”

Gyuri tilted his head. Ppiyak… must be related to that white bird. A precognitive species never yet seen in reality.

– 매앵.

A black lamb hopped over and head-butted Director Song’s leg. Startled, she bent over.

“L-long time no see.”

– 메~

Director Song stammered, “Recently I was short on time and it was naptime….”

Songie kept poking her head at Director Song, who then knelt to pet her. Soon Sorok the young stag approached and tapped Director Song with a raised foreleg, as if complaining. Director Song looked flustered.

“Director Song, play with Songie again—it’s been ages.”

“I… I’m fine.”

“It’s okay. You’ll go home soon anyway.”

She would. Not just Songie—countless people awaited her back in her office. Instead of answering, Director Song petted Songie one more time, greeted the other young monsters, and headed home. Even in a dream, it felt just like reality and put my mind at ease.

“Mar, let’s wash up together.”

Yerim led Mar to her own bathroom. Peace stretched out in the living room, and the tiger cub mirrored him. Byul bounded in, burrowed into Peace’s mane, while Seolyi and Gyuri held her steady, and I walked into the bedroom.

“We should still send Yerim and Peace back first, though.”

Seeing the familiar bed made me want to jump in immediately. Home really is the best.

“And you, brother?”

“I’ll go too, of course.”

I heard the door click shut. Yuhyun approached from behind me as I searched for pajamas.

“If there’s a way to escape, you’ll go straight away?”

“Straight away. Why would I stay here?”

“Can you prove it?”

I turned around, pajamas in hand. Her dark eyes stared at me.

“Prove what?”

“Like a contract. It could double as a lie detector.”

“Come on, that’s—”

“Hyung.”

“…….”

I swallowed hard. I have to go, I know I have to.

“Yuhyun. Why would I stay? If we could all go together, of course I would.”

“I’ll ask Hangyeol to draw up the contract.”

“No, hey!”

I grabbed Yuhyun as she tried to leave. She looked back at me, then slowly spoke.

“Is it because of me?”

“…What?”

“The you before regression.”

…My ears rang as though underwater. Her voice echoed in my mind.

“…What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Such a desperate reason.”

Her voice continued.

“The reason you hesitated to give Park Hayul power.”

“That’s because, if we wanted a safe return—”

“You said once the System normalized, your power alone could get us home. Yet you went to find Park Hayul. You insisted on including a wish in that contract. That means you had a wish beyond our safety.”

“…….”

I drew in a deep breath. How she learned about pre-regression me, I didn’t know. But many knew that fact: the new recruit, the Elder, the Crescent Moon, other Transcendents. Probably not the Elder, though. Maybe the Crescent Moon whispered it.

“…The you before regression was still you.”

My voice trembled. I hadn’t wanted to explain it like this.

“That you died protecting me. So I wanted to at least bring you home—even if as a corpse.”

“A corpse?”

“…Yes.”

I exhaled slowly.

“I heard from Diarma that you stayed behind. I wanted to bring you home and give you a proper funeral. That would ease my heart. But if there truly was no choice… then I had no choice…”

I would prioritize my living sister. I will. Even if I can’t give up, I’ll leave that for another time and return now.

“I planned to leave you behind and go home.”

“Okay.”

Yuhyun said. She lifted her previously bowed head. A faint smile appeared.

“Because the me before regression died.”

“…….”

“If that’s what you say, fine. Let’s rest. Should I draw a bath?”

Yuhyun turned away as if nothing had happened. I stared at her back in a daze, then let out a relieved breath.

‘I didn’t expect her to agree so easily.’

I was surprised, but glad it worked out.

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