“Is it really an S-Rank?”

I asked, tearing open the key box of a motorcycle parked on the street. Good adults should not follow this example. Though this method wouldn’t work on a decent bike anyway.

“Yes.”

“Can I check?”

I asked with a slightly pounding heart. Young Chaos gave a rough nod. As soon as I got permission, I used the Promising Talent skill.

[※System Security Target

Current Stat Grade S

Potential Awakening Stat Grade F~E

Optimized Initial Skills

※System Security Target]

My jaw dropped for a different reason. I stopped pulling out the key box jack and stared blankly at Young Chaos.

“Uh, I think my skill has an error.”

“Why.”

“Your potential awakening stat grade is showing as F to E. That doesn’t make sense.”

“That’s correct.”

“What?”

That, uh, that… he was at best an E-Rank? Originally? Not even an A-Rank, let alone an S-Rank?

“Oh, come on, you’re joking.”

“That’s why I had a hard time in my youth.”

“That’s an interesting old story. Well, you’ve lived for so long, so your memory might be a bit hazy, ouch!”

I oppose violence. Was that a pine needle you just threw? It poked so hard, but it didn’t even bend. How am I supposed to believe this? It was a statement that was incomprehensible to my common sense. Let’s pretend I didn’t see it. It’s all a security target, so I didn’t see anything properly anyway. It must be an error.

“But why did you come as an S-Rank? You took a whopping ten million points!”

“It was ten thousand points. What’s a young thing to do when he’s already going senile?”

“The original price, the original price. Ten million for an S-Rank is a rip-off. Isn’t this a tactic where you pretend to give a discount but sell at the original price?”

The tip of Chaos’s eyebrow twitched up. I quickly raised my arm into a defensive posture. I oppose violence.

“Do you think my original self can be calculated in points?”

“Well, that’s true, but an SS-Rank should be possible, right? Can’t you pay an additional fee and raise the grade even now? I can give you ten times more. No, a hundred times. A million points, call?”

Up to ten million is possible, but to negotiate, I have to stop around here. Young Chaos looked at me as if I were pathetic.

“100 million.”

What…

“I don’t have it! Even if I empty everything, it’s not even 80 million! Isn’t 100 million to raise the grade by one a complete rip-off? You have no business ethics! Ah, right. You gave me a discount from ten million to ten thousand, so this time you’ll give me one hundred thousand, right? Yes?”

“100 million with a discount.”

It’s a scam. In fact, since the difference of one grade is large, it might not be a scam, but it’s still a scam.

“Fifty million. I really can’t go any higher than this. I need emergency points. And this is limited to this dungeon, isn’t it?”

If we could continue to travel together, I would pay 100 million even if I had to take out a loan, but it’s over once we leave here.

“No.”

“Ah, why!”

“Since the dungeon grade is SS, it’s not that difficult to insert an S-Rank body. But an SS-Rank is on the same level as the dungeon, so it requires much more adjustment. Or so they say.”

I didn’t know for sure, but the conclusion was that it was not possible. Disappointed, I started the motorcycle. The distance from Haeyeon to Sesung was quite far. It wasn’t just one or two subway stops, so there was no need to waste energy by running. Even more so if his stats were S-Rank. He’s old, so I have to manage his stamina well.

“Get on.”

Young Chaos sat on the back of the motorcycle. I put on a cardigan so it wasn’t very cold, but it would be better to wear gloves. Since I was arming myself anyway, I also put on a hat. My hands get cold when I ride a motorcycle, but my ears are just as cold. As for a helmet, well, you should always wear one.

“But didn’t you just easily take an SS-Rank attack? I couldn’t see it properly, but it didn’t seem like there was a stat difference. Was it a skill?”

I asked, speeding along the empty road. Since it’s not blocked, we’ll arrive soon.

“It’s a difference in skill.”

“Is that possible with just skill?”

“Even if the stat grade is high, there’s no one who can perfectly handle their own body and magic. And the higher the grade, the lower the efficiency usually is.”

It was the first time I had heard such a thing. Is there a recorder? I feel like the kids should hear this too.

“Even if you have 100 magic and physical strength, when you convert it into a force that acts on the outside, the result often drops below 50. So even if an SS-Rank and an S-Rank clash, if it’s a person who produces a result of 30 out of 100 and a person who produces a result of 40 out of 50, the S-Rank would be more advantageous.”

“And you’re the latter?”

“I’d be around 48 to 49 out of 50.”

No matter how high the efficiency, it’s close to impossible to deliver all the energy to the target without any loss, so I guess that’s the maximum. Anyway, it meant that the S-Rank Young Chaos was on par with or stronger than most SS-Ranks. That’s insane.

“Then it could be dangerous if you encounter a skilled SS-Rank.”

“Handling your own body is more about experience than talent. Even those with so-called genius qualities have a hard time exceeding 50 out of 100 in just one or two hundred years.”

The Hunters in this dungeon have all been awakened for less than 10 years. In terms of age, there are almost no one over 40. So most of them I don’t have to worry about, but.

‘Seong Hyunjae is the problem.’

In terms of memory itself, Seong Hyunjae wasn’t that old either, but you never know. The experiences of his past lives might have been unconsciously accumulated. Like how he feels bored with life.

“Maybe a stronger SS-Rank than you think will pop out. I hope not, but that man always stands out on his own.”

“I did want to see his face once.”

“What? You know who he is?”

“It’s obvious he’s a Vein-Bearer, and if it’s a Vein-Bearer you pretend to dislike but still highly evaluate besides your little brother, then it’s obvious it’s that guy you mentioned before. Was it the Sesung Guild Leader?”

“It’s not pretending to dislike, it’s that he’s so damn good that it’s annoying.”

Why is that man good at everything?

“That thing about handling your abilities efficiently, sir, would it be possible to learn it faster if I learned from you?”

“It would be better than struggling on your own. Most people don’t even realize it in the first place.”

“Then you’ll teach my little brother, right? That too?”

“I’ll see how he does.”

“My youngest too!”

“Why don’t you ask me to teach your pet dog too?”

“I do have a pet monster. Is that possible?”

Young Chaos clicked his tongue. No, just, if you have time, I’m asking for your help.

I drove straight and got on the Olympic-daero. Thinking that there was really not much time left made my stomach churn. Is he really there? If so, isn’t he a semi-boss? I asked for Young Chaos’s understanding and used the Teacher skill. I have to avoid being taken down without even seeing my opponent.

“Grace, want to move to my arm? Under my clothes, with the decoration reduced so it’s not noticeable.”

– Chirp.

“I’ll do whatever you want when we get out. You have to be quiet.”

– Chirp!

I stopped the motorcycle for a moment and untied Grace, moving her to my arm. The Seong Hyunjae before the regression doesn’t know about Grace. But he’s a very sharp person, and the message I had glimpsed about the raiders influencing the fragment information bothered me.

If the Seong Hyunjae here has even a part of the memories of the Seong Hyunjae after the regression.

‘Then could I try to persuade him through conversation?’

It would be nice if it ended peacefully, but the chances of that… were honestly low. Ominous premonitions flashed through my mind and became tangled. The motorcycle started running again.

“The river is quite large.”

Young Chaos made an idle comment. I like the Han River too. But right now, no matter what I saw, worry came first. Is Yerim okay? I think the Yerim from before the regression will be there too, and I was so glad I had confessed about the regression. If we had met without her knowing anything, the shock would have been great.

No, before that, the problem was that we had to catch the monsters to clear the dungeon. Yerim was A-Rank at this time, so she probably wouldn’t be a boss. Then I wouldn’t have to kill… anyway, I wouldn’t have to, but most of the familiar faces are there. Ah, really, why did they make the dungeon like this?

“Rookie, really!”

[Warning!]

Suddenly, a red message window appeared in front of my eyes. It surprised me—if I didn’t have fear resistance, the motorcycle would have fallen over.

[It is recommended that you form a raid team of at least 4 people in this area!]

“What?”

[Monster information is unclear! Please refrain from approaching until the system error is fixed!]

[Monster information is very unclear!]

It’s Seong Hyunjae. I stopped the motorcycle first. Young Chaos, who had been looking at the Han River, turned his head towards me.

“They’re telling me to go back because it’s dangerous.”

“Are you going back?”

“It’s best to avoid dangerous things… but I want to check it out.”

A system error and unclear information. It was a danger signal, but also an opportunity. An opportunity to find out something more about the Seong Hyunjae from before the regression.

“Then go.”

“Are you sure?”

“Can’t I get you out?”

“Then I’ll trust you and go.”

I drove the motorcycle again. ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) The warning message appeared a few more times and then disappeared. I feel less sorry for the rookie, but if Myungwoo is watching… I’m sorry. I’m really, truly sorry.

The sunset-tinged sky was unchanging, as if time had stopped. It was a location where the edge of the Sesung Guild building would soon come into view. But nothing was reflected in my eyes. The two tall buildings, one of which had collapsed in reality, were not visible.

Instead, I could smell the scent of blood.

The air seemed to have a reddish, bloody tinge. It was an air that was not difficult to encounter when clearing dungeons. Usually, when monsters are gathered together and a large number are killed at once. Then, such a bloody smell could be felt from quite a distance.

I turned the corner. And stopped.

Both buildings had collapsed. The relatively low building in the middle, where the sky garden had been, hadn’t collapsed, but it couldn’t be said to be intact either. Unlike the Hunter Association, there were no monsters or Hunters coming and going. Only the smell of blood was thick.

The others might have cleared it first. I hope it wasn’t Yuhyun, Song Taewon, Noah, Peace, or Yerim. Yun Yun would of course not, and then Seong Hyunjae.

Young Chaos got off the motorcycle. His black eyebrows furrowed slightly on his white face.

“Firstborn, you… what have you gotten yourself involved with?”

“A born S-Rank, a Vein-Bearer.”

“That one is different from your little brother. Your little brother was also a rare species among Vein-Bearers, but that one… I don’t even know what to call it.”

I unconsciously swallowed dryly. I also got off the motorcycle and leaned on my cane. Did he notice what Crescent Moon had done to Seong Hyunjae? How many worlds he had been through. What he held within him.

“The rookie didn’t say anything special.”

“What would a child know?”

Young Chaos strode forward. I quickly followed him.

“Wait a minute!”

“You stay outside.”

“No, I came here because I have something to check?”

“I have to check too. Whether to leave that thing alone or not.”

That, what does that mean? If you feel like you shouldn’t leave it alone, what are you going to do? The Seong Hyunjae here might be a monster, but there is also an intact human Seong Hyunjae here.

“He’s not a bad person! Seong Hyunjae didn’t become like that because he wanted to!”

“I said stay outside.”

Young Chaos quickened his pace. Still, his stride was narrow, so I could keep up. Chaos glanced at me as if to blame me for stubbornly following.

“Seong Hyunjae is kinder than you think… well, he’s a decent person! He surprisingly keeps his boundaries well! He was also good to me, one way or another. He even came to rescue me when I was kidnapped. He gave me candy so the kids wouldn’t find out I smoked.”

Perhaps due to Park Hayul’s influence, memories of when I was treated roughly also came to mind, but that’s not the problem right now. People have to be saved first.

“Recently, he’s been really kind, kind, kind, Seong Hyunjae!”

My conscience took a sick leave. The central building of the Sesung Guild looked like it was about to collapse at any moment. The glass doors had been shattered long ago, and the interior was not in good shape either.

“You’re trying hard.”

“I’m telling you, he’s really kind! He even bought me sweets when I said I wanted them. He also made jeon as I told him to during the last Chuseok. He even gave me a bicycle as a gift when I failed my driver’s license test. Wow, he’s a real angel, Seong Hyunjae.”

Since I’ve already thrown away my conscience.

“And he’s too handsome to get rid of. Honestly, it’s a waste. His reputation within the guild is also good. They say he pays well. The bonuses are great and the welfare is good. And he even gets off work on time! Right, he even planned this for me. The cardigan, the gloves, the hat! I have a scarf too. He donates a lot too. His public image is so good that I thought he was a decent person at first, but when I got to know him… he was even better! Kind, gentle, affectionate, competent, from head to toe, so, so perfect!”

What is life? All sorts of things happen in life. When I get out safely, I should buy Chief Song a drink.

Just then.

“Thank you.”

In the empty lobby, a low voice echoed. The sound of footsteps descending, stepping on the collapsed ceiling debris as if on stairs, was heard.

“Although I suspect it might be a different person with the same name.”

With each step he took, a red mark appeared. The hem of his long coat was also soaked with blood. The monsters, the living creatures here, were all. The inside of my chest grew cold.

“You seem pretty damn kind.”

At Young Chaos’s grumble, the one remaining golden eye curved into a smile.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep