The S-Classes That I Raised – Chapter 262

Chapter 262: Water Spirit (1)

By the time everything was settled, my possession points were nearing ten million. About a third of it was thanks to picking up after Yerim, and the rest was thanks to Sigma. If even a scratch from the bomb landed on the monsters Sigma defeated, I could claim the points in full.

“I obviously went over a hundred million!”

Yerim said proudly. With the double point bonus, she’d get over a million points for each SS-rank monster, so hitting a hundred million wouldn’t have been difficult. S-rank monsters gave around a hundred thousand points, but if you defeated a hundred of them, that was ten million, and hundreds more had shown up one after another.

I hadn’t known there were so many monsters underwater. Starting to get a little worried for our neighborhood too.

There didn’t seem to be any major issues on land either. More than anything, having Noah holding the line in the back—replenishing mana, supporting, healing, even using teleportation skills—made a huge difference. Because I went deep into the sea, Teacher’s skill had gone out of range and deactivated, but since only monsters under SS-rank were left, solo combat was more than enough. It would’ve been smoother if cooperation was possible, though.

“So, what happened?”

At Yerim’s question, I reflexively turned to Sigma. I had just started thinking that it would be hard to explain everything in front of him when Moon Hyunah jumped in.

“I’ll go check around with Dali. That bait range was wide, right? There might still be monsters that haven’t arrived.”

You’re coming with me, right, Dali?

Moon Hyunah hooked an arm around Sigma’s neck. He could’ve dodged, but maybe he didn’t mind being dragged along. Well, when would he ever get treated like that again? He might even think it’s kind of fun.

“Yerim, I’m really here in my own body.”

“…What?”

Yerim looked me over in surprise.

“Your rank definitely seems higher though? You’re saying that’s really your original body?”

“Yeah, I couldn’t bring Grace here, but in exchange my rank—”

“Mister!”

I flinched without thinking at the sudden shout, as if she were angry.

“My Fear Resistance is S-rank now, Yerim.”

“So you came into this dangerous place, really, in your real body, and without Grace!”

“I’ve got five lives though. And being right beside you guys, even in a warzone, is way safer than being far away.”

At my words, Yerim furrowed her brows but nodded.

“Well, obviously that’s true. But I’m glad Han Yuhyun is here. He wouldn’t have let you do anything dangerous.”

“Uh, yeah. That’s right.”

Better not talk about what happened in Achates City. Yuhyun already went through a lot, and there’s no reason to bring it up again. Yerim might end up worrying for no reason too.

…How do I explain only having three lives left? Should’ve just said I had three instead of five.

“Sigma’s from another world, but when I, who came in with my real body, acknowledged him as real, it looks like it caused some kind of system error.”

I explained what I could, saying I didn’t know the details. I also mentioned that Seong Hyunjae was looking into the system side of things.

“There are two discs left to install, and Mister has five lives left, right?”

“Well—”

“It’s three.”

Yuhyun cut in suddenly.

“What do you mean, three?”

“Yuhyun.”

“Park Yerim deserves to know.”

With that, Yuhyun turned to face Yerim.

“He died once… trying to save me.”

“Mister did?”

“No, honestly, it was my fault for letting my guard down and—”

“Mister always blames himself when it comes to us.”

“This time it’s really true!”

I tried to explain, but Yerim didn’t believe me. She pressed Yuhyun to explain, saying that even if she didn’t know everything else, she couldn’t believe this part. Yuhyun briefly summarized what happened in Achates to Yerim.

That he lost control and was imprisoned due to Alpha’s memories, and that I came to save him. And while saving him, I got shot.

“I couldn’t protect him.”

Yuhyun was calm, and I found myself watching Yerim’s reaction instead. Hopefully she wouldn’t blame Yuhyun. But since both of them were kind of competitive about protecting me… a few sharp words were probably coming. Yerim stared intently at Yuhyun, then let out a deep sigh.

“Ah, seriously.”

Her voice was clearly annoyed.

“Hey, Yerim.”

“This time it’s for real.”

“…Huh?”

“Mister really was in the wrong.”

“Y-Yeah… right?”

“Yuhyun didn’t do anything wrong.”

“What do you mean he didn’t! Why’d you go there alone? Isn’t the city right next to Hyunah unnie’s? If you’d contacted Noah oppa, he would’ve helped! Right?”

“Of course.”

Noah nodded. Yerim pointed to herself too, like, me too! Yeah, I really had nothing to say about that.

“…Sorry.”

“You should be apologizing to Han Yuhyun, not me.”

“Sorry, Yuhyun.”

“It’s okay, hyung. You already apologized to me, Park Yerim.”

“Hey, Han Yuhyun.”

Yerim continued, her face completely serious.

“That must’ve been hard.”

“…”

“Bet it hurt a lot too.”

“…Yeah, it… did.”

“I kind of know how that feels too. Like you can’t breathe.”

After a brief pause, Yuhyun spoke.

“I also…”

“Mister, should I cover your ears?”

“…I couldn’t breathe. I thought I was going to die.”

“I didn’t even know where it hurt, but everything hurt, and my head felt foggy. You know what I mean.”

Yuhyun nodded, and Yerim smiled.

“You went through a lot, Han Yuhyun. Come here, I’ll give you a hug.”

Wow, our Yerim actually said that to Yuhyun…

“What are you doing, Mister? Aren’t you going to hug your little brother?”

“Huh? Me?”

“Of course. If I hug him, is that comforting? It’d be a punishment game. For both of us.”

That bad, huh. Even Noah looked like he agreed, not just Yuhyun. The mood had been so nice just now. It was the perfect moment for just the two of them to hug.

“Alright, Yuhyun. Come here.”

Not like I was going to say no anyway. I pulled my little brother into a hug and patted him on the back, then beckoned to Yerim.

“You too, Yerim. Come here.”

Yerim walked over like she’d been waiting for it. She’s not really grown yet, but she’s gotten so big. In a few years, she really would grow this much for real.

“Our Yerim went through a lot too.”

“I’ve been doing great, actually.”

She smiled, saying she wanted to show me around the city. Then I turned to look at Noah, who was standing a bit apart. When our eyes met, he quickly looked away.

“Mister Noah.”

“Yes.”

“Hurry up and get over here.”

You can’t just stand off on your own. Our Noah worked hard too. Did so much. Just then, Moon Hyunah and Sigma returned. Judging by the monster blood splattered on their hems, there must’ve been another battle.

“Should I give you a hug too, Hyunah?”

“Huh? Is this a free hug event or something? Come on, Director Han!”

Moon Hyunah spread her arms wide open. She really is tall, I noticed again.

“You worked hard too, Hyunah.”

“I plan to keep working hard. I like being someone who can do a lot.”

She smiled, saying it wasn’t even a big deal. Then we both looked at Sigma. Moon Hyunah and I reached out our arms with matching smiles.

“Our Dali.”

“Dali, come here.”

“…I don’t know why you’re doing this all of a sudden.”

“You worked hard too, Sigma.”

“You’re cuter than any old snake! Compared to Seong Hyunjae, you’re absolutely adorable.”

It’s true, compared to Seong Hyunjae, he really did seem young. I pulled the unimpressed-looking Sigma into a hug.

“Come to think of it, Mister, since you came in your original body, you’d be twenty-five right now, right?”

Yerim turned to Yuhyun with a curious look.

“Han Yuhyun, how old are you?”

“What about you, Park Yerim?”

“Me? I’m a whole year older than Mister!”

So she’s twenty-six. Yerim raised the corners of her mouth, clearly smug.

“That means I’m older than Mister, and I’m older than you too, Han Yuhyun!”

“I’m twenty-six too.”

“What? Ugh, why are we the same age! Still, my birthday’s earlier than yours. Mine’s April 11th, yours is December 25th, so it’s more than half a year difference—I’m your noona!”

Yerim shouted at Han Yuhyun to call her noona, but he completely ignored her. So then, the arrow turned toward me.

“Mister, right now I’m older than you.”

“Yerim, I’m Yuhyun’s older brother. So technically I’m five years older than my little brother, which makes me thirty-one—”

“No way, you’re twenty-five. Right now, you’re younger than Han Yuhyun.”

“She’s right, Director Han’s math is weird. Your body’s still the same, so obviously you’re twenty-five.”

“Hyunah, last time you took my side!”

“That’s because it was funny, so I kept my mouth shut. Doesn’t mean I took your side.”

Moon Hyunah laughed and said, “Director Han’s the youngest!”

Beyond her, Sigma gave me a long look.

“So you were lying, C-rank.”

“No, I mean—more importantly, why am I the youngest when Noah is here too!”

Noah looks young too! Maybe not like a teenager like his original body, but probably not much different in age from me. As everyone turned to look at him, Noah blinked in surprise, then spoke.

“I, Myu, am thirty-five years old, Yujin.”

…My goodness. That’s youth on par with Seong Hyunjae.

---

I was worried that if Sigma entered the city, something like what happened in Achates might happen again, but Yerim confidently said it would be fine. Most importantly, the mana hole of Drosia was located underwater. According to Yerim, if monsters were going to appear anyway, it would be easier to deal with them if they emerged from the sea, so we headed toward the city of Drosia.

“It’s warm inside the city. The spirits help regulate the temperature.”

Just like she said, once we crossed the barrier, the air changed immediately. The temperature and humidity were perfectly comfortable. So if you have a lot of spirits, you can even do things like this.

-Iryn can do it too when he gets bigger!

Iryn said this while half-hiding beneath the hem of Yuhyun’s sleeve.

“But you’re a fire spirit, so doesn’t that only let you raise the temperature?”

-Hyung, once Iryn grows up, he’ll be able to control heat itself. He can even make things cold by absorbing the surrounding warmth!

That’s how that works? Well, the water and ice spirits here also raise the internal temperature by absorbing the cold from outside, apparently.

-It’s really a fire spirit!

-Bring it out, bring it out.

-I saw it turn big earlier!

-I want to see it too!

As the water and ice spirits fluttered around, shouting, Iryn ducked into Yuhyun’s clothes and hid. Yerim waved her hand toward the gathering spirits.

“Don’t bother him. Go on, shoo.”

-We’re not bothering him!

-It’s just so cool.

-We want a contract too!

Now they were all chatting noisily, saying they were jealous of the fire spirit. It’d be nice if Yerim could make a contract and take them outside, but who knows if that’ll be possible.

I took off my hat, scarf, gloves, and cardigan and put them all into my inventory. The others also removed their outerwear. Yuhyun might not feel the heat, but wearing winter clothes among people dressed for spring would’ve been awkward.

The scenery of Drosia City resembled that of a southern resort. Outside was a frozen land ravaged by a cold wave, yet the city was vibrant and colorful. On both sides of a large river stood rows of charming houses with vivid blue roofs and blooming flowers.

“There are fewer monsters here.”

Because more tend to appear from the sea, they said the city focused more on landscaping compared to others. It’d be hard to feel like decorating your home and surroundings with care if you were being attacked night after night.

After driving a while down the main road, the Drosia Defense Bureau finally came into view.

“…It’s a lake.”

“That’s one impressive waterfall.”

Can you even call that a waterfall? Water was pouring down in the middle of a large lake. From the sky. Spirits were sliding down the waterfall that fell from midair, and behind it stood the Defense Bureau building. Unlike other places, it had many windows and an open, nature-friendly design.

-Bridge!

-Bridge!

The spirits shouted, and an ice bridge formed across the lake, leading to the entrance of the Defense Bureau. There was a regular bridge over there too, though. As we crossed the ice bridge, the guards of Drosia, along with those from Medsang and Lanchea who had arrived earlier, came to greet us.

We ate well, rested thoroughly, and then, the next morning—

“Peace!”

-Kkyaang!

Peace came flying in from across the sky. Oh my baby, I was wondering how I’d find him, and he just came on his own like this. What a smart boy! Flapping his wings and tail vigorously, Peace dove into my arms.

“Our Peace, you’ve got wings now! Did you end up inside a winged monster? You’re not hurt, are you?”

-Kkwaaung! Kkyaang!

“There, there. You did great. Sorry Daddy couldn’t come find you.”

With this, we’d found all our companions—well, almost. One was still missing. We knew where he was, but hadn’t actually met him. Not even once so far.

‘Does the Sesung Guild Leader have to stay in the system side the whole time?’

And starting yesterday, no new quests had come in either. I hoped everything was okay. Stroking Peace, I looked around at the group.

“Let’s go finish installing the remaining discs.”

Two were left. Once we finished installing them, maybe we’d be able to hear more detailed information—whether from Newbie or Seong Hyunjae. At that moment, Yerim raised her hand with a hesitant look on her face.

“Mister, I don’t think I can go with you this time.”

–TL Notes–
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