The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 120

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

◈ The S-Classes That I Raised ◈

Chapter 120: Top-Grade Bait (3)

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The first place I went after making the kidnapping plan was none other than Happy Hamster House. A shabby pet shop specializing in hamsters that looked like it had no intention of doing business. Do Hamin was there.

Apparently, the detective agency was a side job, while the pet shop was the real business. Though the money earned from the side job was all being swallowed up by the main one. I found Do Hamin in the surprisingly neat, hamster-themed shop.

‘I only helped find people a little!’

It wasn't difficult to persuade the shouting shop owner. Perhaps because they had suffered less, Do Hamin was much softer and more timid than I remembered.

‘You already know too much. At this rate, you'll be worrying about your life before long.’

When I mentioned several people who would target them, based on the hardships Do Hamin had told me about before my regression, their face quickly turned pale. I promised protection if they came to work for me, along with a satisfactory salary, and Do Hamin nodded without much hesitation.

‘If you let me open a pet shop in the building.’

They said ordinary people would have trouble coming and going, but it didn't matter since most of their business was online. Apparently, they sold hamster supplies at practically no profit. After that, I had to endure a long speech from the completely reassured Do Hamin about the various charms of hamsters, but I got them on my side without much difficulty.

“Would you like some?”

Do Hamin was probably still checking my location regularly. Song Taewon answered impassively when I pointed at the lunchbox Myeongu had brought during his visit.

“I'll decline.”

“It’s good, though.”

I'd already had dinner, and only snacks remained. I had even eaten half of those. Everything Myeongu made was delicious, but the yakgwa was especially incredible. If I fed one to Song Taewon, wouldn't that stone-cold face melt a little?

“You appear excessively at ease. Even if they have no reason to directly harm you because Han Yujin himself is their objective, do not lower your guard.”

“Are you worried about me? You must have quite a few grievances against me, but you're being kind.”

“I have no grievances. It is only natural for me to be concerned for your safety, given my position.”

What a wooden answer. Since our conversation in the interrogation room, he seemed to be treating me even more stiffly. Song Taewon left after formally and professionally telling me to be careful.

As I ate the last yakgwa and worked on a crossword puzzle, the closed door opened again. There was a barb in their words, what was that phrase again?

“Hunter Han Yujin, due to external circumstances, you will be transferred to another detention center.”

The man entering the cell wore a Hunter detention center uniform.

“I was just starting to grow attached to this room, so that's a shame. But are you working this late at night?”

“Incidents don't distinguish between day and night.”

“That sounds exhausting.”

I put down my pen and stood. The man held out handcuffs. As I obediently offered both hands, I spoke.

“My younger brother, Han Yoohyun, the Haeyeon Guild Master. He's type AB. I'm type B. What blood type are you?”

The man gave me a look as if wondering what nonsense I was saying, then I felt Curse Resistance activate. Do not reveal Han Yoohyun's blood type to others. That had been the condition of the first contract document I wrote.

Breaking Contract Document No. 1 meant, ‘The kidnappers have come.’

I had used contract documents as a method of communication based on Curse Resistance. Even in situations where I couldn't use a phone, I could always let Yoohyun know my condition. In case I forgot, I had also put a note listing the contracts in my inventory. Inventory sealing didn't work on me because of Curse Resistance.

‘It felt like I'd used up all the contracts I'd need for the rest of my life...’

Since the costs couldn't overlap, I had staked all sorts of things.

“Let's go.”

I encountered other Hunters on the way out, but none of them showed any particular reaction. There were few guards due to the nature of the Hunter detention center, but every one of them being unresponsive was suspicious. Had they been falsely told that I was being transferred, or were they all in on it?

Please let it be the former. Even rot needed moderation.

* * *

Noah Ruhir crossed the night sky without a sound. His splendid golden scales did not lose their shine even in the darkness, but he had a Stealth skill. Dragon in the Mist, one of the skills from the title Dio Valshecis’s Twin, blurred the caster’s form enough to deceive even the senses of an A-Class Hunter.

[He just left the detention center.]

Do Hamin's voice came through the thin headset over Noah's ear. The dragon shrouded in thin mist slowly circled above the detention center. A car entering the road came into view.

- I've found him.

The car began to accelerate, but Noah caught up at once with a light flap of his wings. After confirming and reporting the license plate number, he continued following it. The car stopped along a quiet roadside, and Han Yujin switched to another waiting vehicle.

When Han Yujin appeared, Noah unconsciously moved his head slightly. He could snatch him away whenever he wanted, yet having to endure while he was right before his eyes made anxiety prickle beneath his scales.

- He's switched to another car. License plate number: ○○u ○○○○. They're leaving again.

The car drove for quite some time before arriving at an airport. A foreign woman approached the car after it stopped in a secluded area. The moment she grabbed Han Yujin's arm, both of them disappeared.

- It seems she used a teleportation skill!

[Wait. About three hundred meters northeast, then again...]

Noah moved according to Do Hamin's directions. Han Yujin was no longer visible from the air, likely because they had entered indoors. Noah found the two again beside a private jet. Noah quickly reported the aircraft's markings.

- It looks like they're preparing to depart. I'll keep following them.

[I'm counting on you.]

It was Han Yoohyun's voice. The golden dragon lightly landed atop the plane.

* * *

It's a good world for committing crimes.

Get a good rank when you awaken, and you become strong. You get useful skills too. There were plenty of ordinary people to wield those powers against, so it made sense that many people would develop warped urges.

If only Awakened people had appeared without dungeons, serious social problems might have arisen. Of course, just because dungeons satisfied the desires of Awakened people didn't mean crimes committed by Awakened people never occurred.

‘Teleportation really is a great skill for doing shady things.’

Spatial movement was the best, but I had never seen anyone besides Goblin possess it. Teleportation alone was enough to do bad things without leaving evidence.

Just like bringing me onto a plane.

‘I didn't expect to leave the country this quickly.’

Even if they took me out of Korea, I thought they'd use the sea. A private jet? They'd prepared quite thoroughly. I looked at the female Hunter seated across from me in a seat so spacious it was hard to believe it was inside a plane.

“Excuse me, may I ask where we're going?”

“Hong Kong.”

That wasn't too far. Was Hong Kong close enough to reach in one trip through Yun Yun's long-distance gate? Noah was following us, so I could get help from him in an emergency.

‘And there’s Eunhye, plus the earrings’ barrier skill.’

When they tried to take my earrings, I stopped them by saying I needed some way to protect myself in an emergency. I kept Eunhye in my inventory, then brought it out after the body search, fastened it around my ankle, and hid it beneath my clothes.

As I sat quietly, pretending to be intimidated, the plane slowly began to move.

‘My first trip abroad is a kidnapping.’

Illegal entry and exit without even a passport. I didn't have a cent, either. I was supposed to be kidnapped for about three days, so if I got the chance, I wanted to buy souvenirs. Should I ask to borrow money?

While I struggled to stay awake, the plane landed.

Hong Kong was one of the places heavily damaged by dungeon breaks. Above all, many of its high-grade Hunters had been forcibly taken by mainland China. With high-grade dungeons improperly managed, several had broken, and because the territory was so small, the city center suffered uncontrollable destruction every time.

That instability had caused the economic level to fall rapidly as well. I had heard anti-China sentiment had grown far worse than before dungeons appeared. Understandably so.

“Welcome, Hunter Han Yujin.”

When I got off the plane, a pleasant-looking middle-aged man greeted me with a broad smile. What was this? I wasn't sure how to react as a kidnapping victim. He even removed my handcuffs immediately. Though he did put an inventory sealing bracelet on me.

“I'm Henry Gregson.”

Mr. Gregson, who appeared East Asian, offered me a handshake. What the hell?

“Since you've come this far, please make yourself comfortable.”

“...Ah, yes.”

Make myself comfortable... What nonsense was this kidnapper talking about? Was he trying to give me Stockholm syndrome? Once we left the airport without inspection, a limousine was waiting. The driver opened the door with a service-ready smile.

...If I said I wanted to sightsee, it felt like they would not only take me on a full course but even give me travel expenses. What was this? Should I buy souvenirs for the kids?

“Honestly, I'm quite confused. I was kidnapped, and Mr. Gregson is the kidnapper... am I right?”

Mr. Gregson, who had ridden in the limousine with me, gave a hearty laugh. Of course, he wasn't alone. A Hunter who appeared to be a bodyguard was riding with us as well.

“If Hunter Han Yujin were even C-Class in stats, the atmosphere would not be so mild. But there is no need to deliberately mistreat someone little different from an ordinary person.”

Gregson then introduced himself as an Awakened manager. He said he mostly found useful Awakened people in impoverished developing countries and found them jobs.

“Isn't that just human trafficking?”

“The brokerage fee is merely a little expensive. I have high expectations, since Hunter Han Yujin's fee will likely be the highest ever.”

I had plenty to say, yet nothing to say. You really are incredibly shameless. Suppressing the urge to call Noah immediately, I asked him.

“Then are you, Mr. Gregson, the mastermind behind my kidnapping?”

“Of course not. Unfortunately, this time I really am only a broker. Someone else acquired and delivered the merchandise.”

So it wasn't him. As expected, it seemed to be a Korean connected to the Association. Haeyeon and Sesung were probably following the trail step by step by now.

After passing through streets still scarred by destruction here and there, the limousine stopped in front of a magnificent hotel. I was even more dumbfounded upon entering the lobby, with its gleaming ceiling and floors. This wasn't what I had imagined. Well, a five-star hotel was better than a terrifying prison.

“You must be tired after your long journey, so please rest well.”

The slave trader smiled and told me to ask for anything I needed. I tried asking for a smartphone capable of communication, but he refused.

The place I was then shown to was a top-class suite with a killer view. My first five-star hotel suite was a place of kidnapping and confinement. Life really was impossible to predict. Yoohyun, it looks like your brother will be living comfortably, so don't worry too much.

“To ensure that you are not inconvenienced during your stay, guards will be stationed outside the door. Please make full use of the hotel's services. Naturally, you may also use facilities such as the swimming pool, fitness club, and lounge.”

“Y... yes.”

Fuck, I almost said thank you. The slave trader told me once more to rest comfortably, then left the room. No, was he really leaving me alone? Of course, I couldn't escape on my own, but still, what was this?

I went to the terrace to see whether Noah was nearby, but the door was firmly locked. After pushing and pulling it a few times, I gave up. Then a sheet of paper slapped against the glass door from the other side.

[Are you okay?]

The letters were crooked, like a child just beginning to learn to write Korean. I couldn't see anyone, but it was Noah.

‘I'm okay. OK.’

There was probably a surveillance camera, so I merely mouthed the words and nodded.

[Careful. I'm here.]

Here? Hmm, was he planning to stand guard on the terrace? He should just go sleep. I couldn't say anything, so I smiled at least.

I went to the sofa, hid my hand with a cushion, took out the Tilira Branch from my inventory, and snapped it in two.

Do not break the Tilira Branch given to you by Yoohyun. That was the condition of the fifth contract document.

Curse Resistance activated. The meaning of the contract document was that I was doing well and safe.

* * *

The next morning, after sleeping soundly because the expensive room was comfortable, I received a visitor.

A familiar face I had never expected to see here.