The S-Classes That I Raised – Chapter 113

[ Ruler of Water (2) ]

“By the way, is this safe for the people around her?”

A single-use, mythic-grade skill item. With a grandiose name like “Ruler of Water,” the power it could unleash would be no joke. Yerim, as the user, would be fine, but the rest of us were another matter. If we got caught in it, we might not even have bones left to pick up. At best, Seonghan might last a few minutes.

[That depends on the user’s will. There is a risk they may get momentarily drunk on its power, so it’s best not to hand it to anyone harboring resentment towards you, Honey.]

Have I done anything wrong to Yerim? Nothing that I can think of. As for Yuhyun, just in case, I’ll shield him with my own body if need be, and Seong Hyunjae… he can probably survive on his own.

“How much can I say about the two factions and the dungeon? Surely it’s alright to mention that the dungeon difficulty might increase.”

After all, the number of high-ranking dungeons has already gone up in recent years.

[It’s better not to discuss us and the Filial Duty Addicts. If you have no choice but to mention us, use indirect language. The more people learn, the more the resistance of Honey’s world weakens, which makes outside interference easier. It’s like a stranger who would never be let into someone’s home but is welcomed in if they’re a celebrity from TV, even if they’re still a stranger.]

“So why did that Lizard tell me to keep things under wraps? It’d be better if people knew, wouldn’t it?”

[Simple. They are weaker than us. If we weren’t trapped, we would’ve taken care of them already. When our powers to intervene grow stronger, we could even capture and eliminate someone like Diarma while confined. But doing so would mean destroying Honey’s world. The Filial Duty Addicts hold back to protect themselves, while we refrain to protect the world.]

So, if either side’s influence grows in our world, both would be destroyed, hence they’re cautious with each other.

But with the regression and what Diarma has done, the power to intervene has grown, as the Mermaid Queen mentioned. That’s likely why they were able to create a dungeon for my sake. Even the zombie left behind quite a hefty “gift.”

After confirming that it was okay to share general information about the dungeon and the situation, the Mermaid Queen’s voice faded.

[Since she’s given you a skill, Droplet will be out of touch for a while as she pays the price. Anything else you’d like to know?]

Newbie bounced up and down as he spoke. Anything else?

“Earlier, you recognized Seong Hyunjae, that man over there. Was that from before regression?”

The face on the volleyball nodded.

“Could you tell me a little more?”

[I don’t know too much. The one who made contact with Chain was Crescent Moon, but she’s asleep.]

So Seong Hyunjae is Chain, huh? Then why am I Honey? What does honey have to do with me?

“Does Droplet or anyone else know?”

[No. At that time, it was still difficult to interact directly with people in Honey’s world. I don’t know why Crescent Moon did what she did, but it’s certain that Chain helped cut off that Lizard’s contract. There may have been other deals as well, but Chain was caught up in Honey’s regression, and Crescent Moon is sleeping, so no one knows.]

What on earth was that man up to before regression? Cutting ties with that lizard guy… Did he try to save the world somehow? … No, that doesn’t suit him. It was probably something else—maybe he just got bored of it or something.

“Not very helpful. You should offer something in exchange.”

[What?]

“Something useful. A skill or an item. Don’t you have any fire attributes? Or healing would be good too. Just hand something over.”

I shook the volleyball up and down. Forget easing guilt, just give me something for the kids.

[H-Honey, you’ve already received a skill.]

“You didn’t give me that, did you? Now hand something over and get some sleep.”

If only one of these “people” actually understood me—guess I should start shaking down Deer and Wolf next, not to mention Tree.

[If I go to sleep, system maintenance becomes difficult!]

“… I forgot about that. Fine, but find some other way to help.”

[I gave you a customized item when you caught that frog, didn’t I? I’ll keep tailoring items and skills to Honey’s needs from now on. That much I can do.]

“Only when I’m around?”

[You’re the only one connected, Honey. Normally, the system functions on autopilot, and we just monitor for issues. But since your dungeons are easier to access, we can select reward items in those cases.]

So I should tag along for each S-class dungeon raid from now on, huh? But I’m busy raising the kids; I’ll stick to the occasional S-class dungeon. No, maybe we could try a high-level S-class dungeon. If I brought the whole team, each of them might receive S-class or higher items or skills.

After reminding him not to forget the customized skills and items, I let go of the volleyball, and Newbie bounced away with a whimper.

[Returning to the original dungeon in ten minutes!]

Yerim, who’d been chasing the fleeing volleyball, turned to me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“What is that thing? And where are we now? It doesn’t look like a regular dungeon, and there aren’t any monsters.”

“I’m curious myself.”

“Didn’t Yuhyun explain it to you?”

At my question, Yuhyun shrugged.

“I told her it won’t harm you, so don’t worry about it.”

That’s a bit bare-bones. I explained to the two of them that this place was for contacting the system manager and that the runaway volleyball was said system manager. Seong Hyunjae, who knew about the Filial Duty Addicts, seemed to understand, while Yerim’s jaw dropped in surprise.

“Wow, the system’s being run by a volleyball!”

“Keep this a secret.”

“Guess the world really is round!”

… Where’d that come from? Anyway, I’d have to limit knowledge of the system manager and this place to the bare minimum of people. Seong Hyunjae was already involved, and Yerim needed an explanation since she’d received a skill, but the others… Noah and Liette might need to know since they’d already heard about the Filial Duty Addicts. I’ll keep an eye on things for now.

“Yerim, this is an item with a single-use skill.”

I held out the jewel Droplet had given me to Yerim. She took it, noticing it looked similar to the gem in her earring, and gasped again.

“This… this! Look at the grade!”

“Don’t use it just yet. Listen to me first.”

“Oh, but the Mermaid Queen! Does that mean she’s the system manager? Is that how she has such incredible skills?”

“Yes, yes. Now calm down and listen—”

“Mermaid Queen! I’m using the earring well! But wow, you’re amazing! I’ll be a fan from now on!”

Keep it down; we have less than ten minutes. Just as I thought Yerim was calming down, she started pressing the gem into the decorative recess on the shaft of her spear.

“Hey, that might break!”

“My spear is sturdy. It fits perfectly right here. Done!”

The gem nestled snugly into the slot, just as she said. But couldn’t she at least ask Myungwoo to help with this instead of jamming it in herself?

“…Now listen up.”

“Yes!”

Good, at least she’s responsive. I lowered myself to meet her eyes and explained.

“Yerim, skills can be learned from others, like cooking or playing an instrument.”

“Isn’t that different? You can try cooking or playing an instrument even if you don’t know how. It’ll just taste awful, or it’ll sound weird. But no one can just fly on their first try.”

“Well, you need an instrument to play it, right? And you need fire or utensils to cook.”

Skills require magic as a basic tool to be used properly. Plus, the nature of your magic has to match the skill for it to work. It’s like trying to play a flute with a drum or cut meat with a pot lid.

“You have a talent well-suited for this skill. Of course, that alone isn’t enough to learn it right away. But Yerim, you already have a similar skill, don’t you? Feel the flow of the Mermaid Queen’s magic as you learn her ability and apply it to your own skill.”

“…They’re entirely different skills. Can that really work?”

“It can. Don’t be tied down by the skill or the system description. This is your own power. If they’re entirely different, so what? You can use a pot to make noise and a drumstick to tenderize meat, can’t you? It’s no different than playing a piano piece on a violin.”

Yerim’s expression was thoughtful, though it was hard to tell if she fully understood. Honestly, I’m not sure if I’m explaining it right either. I’m just improvising based on Diarma’s memories…

“For now, forget about the system. Just focus on your own power.”

“I don’t totally get it, but I’ll try!”

Yerim responded energetically. A shame we only had one chance to try, but at least she wouldn’t come away empty-handed.

I looked up to see Yuhyun and Seong Hyunjae, both deep in thought. To properly handle his spirit, Yuhyun would also have to go beyond the confines of his skills. Wonder if he’s given it a name yet.

As for Seong Hyunjae… leaving him out feels like a waste, damn it. Do I have to help him too? He can handle himself. When Yuhyun’s twice as strong, then I’ll think about it.

“We’ll be back in the original dungeon soon. Get ready.”

I reactivated the bracelet I’d paused and set it to S-class level. No sooner had I finished speaking than Yuhyun and Yerim each took hold of one of my arms.

“Be careful, hyung.”

“When the water floods in, you might get swept away.”

“Where am I supposed to grab, then? Around your neck?”

Just stay put, please.

After about three minutes, the snow-covered forest melted away, replaced by an endless expanse of pure white.

Clear water rippled up to ankle height, and variously sized water droplets floated through the air. It was an alien landscape, unlike any typical dungeon.

“Mister, let’s tie you up!”

“…What?”

“Your wrists. Does anyone have a rope?”

I’d joked about tying myself up, but she’s really doing it? At Yerim’s words, Seong Hyunjae immediately produced the Seeker’s Chain. Unbelievable.

“I can guarantee its durability.”

Then, Yuhyun pulled out a leather strap.

“It’s Peace’s reins, but the size is adjustable.”

“Which one do you want, Mister?”

“Neither. It’s not like I’ll get far before you catch me anyway, so there’s no need to tie me up.”

At my words, Yerim gave a disappointed pout and floated up into the air. Why are you disappointed?

“What are these water droplets?”

“Don’t touch them.”

But just as I spoke, Yerim’s hand reached out and touched an apple-sized droplet. It popped, and her eyes widened.

“Oh, this is…!”

“Are you okay?!”

“It’s the memory of winning an ice cream bet…”

What? Memories? Seong Hyunjae touched a nearby soccer ball-sized droplet and raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Fourteen, maybe? Childhood memories.”

Childhood? Hard to picture. So touching the droplets brings back past memories?

“Oh! This one’s from the first time I met you! And this one’s a spring picnic!”

“Stop touching them, Yerim! What if… you stumble on a bad memory?”

I hope this doesn’t bring up memories from before the regression. As I tried to avoid the droplets floating my way, I noticed Yuhyun reaching out to one as well. Why is everyone like this? Still, since he’s smiling, it doesn’t seem like it’s a bad memory.

‘That zombie really does seem to have mental abilities.’

And something with water, clearly. Since the Mermaid Queen handed over the Ruler of Water skill, this water must be real, not an illusion.

“Mister, you try it!”

“No, thanks.”

But dodging all the drifting droplets was tricky. Since I didn’t have eyes on my back, one eventually brushed against my elbow and burst.

The scene that appeared before my eyes was a bus stop. Yuhyun, bundled up tightly in his coat, his ears and cheeks slightly red, looked up and smiled at me.

‘Why are you out here in the cold?’

‘Because it’s your birthday.’

It was a short memory. But now I understood perfectly why Yerim kept touching the droplets.

“It’s Christmas! The tree is so pretty!”

… Maybe just one more. That zombie really knows how to draw people in. It seems fine, so I’ll just try one more.

I reached out and popped a nearby droplet.

A modest living room appeared. I stood in the center, checking the date. December 25th, Christmas—Yuhyun’s birthday. But the house was cold and quiet, with no one else there but me.

Just as I shut my eyes to block out the memory, Yerim’s voice rang out.

“That’s a lie!”

“Yerim!”

A wave of cold air spread out, freezing all the floating droplets mid-air and sending them tumbling to the ground. Yerim slowly descended onto the ice she had created. Thankfully, it hadn’t frozen over entirely, so I rushed over, pulling her into a hug.

“It’s alright, Yerim. It’s just an old memory. It’s in the past. Don’t dwell on it.”

She looked like she was about to cry, but no tears came. Instead, she bit her lip, pressing her face into my chest as if to hide.

That damned zombie. What a filthy trick, to lure us in only to strike like this.

“Yerim, with the skill you’ve received, we’re going to crush every last one of them. Wipe them all out.”

“…Yes.”

I gently patted Yerim’s back as I ground my teeth. First the lizard, now this damn zombie. They’re really testing me.

–TL Notes–
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