The S-Classes That I Raised-Chapter 775: Looking for My Little Brother (3)

“Yuhyun.”

I swallowed hard and spoke.

“How could you kill the ancestor of my nephew?”

“Why—huh...?”

Yuhyun froze. Seizing the moment, I continued at once.

“The snake you just killed is the ancestor of your nephew.”

That would be the case. Its scales didn’t shine the same, but when bloodlines mix, looks can change. Anyway, if you trace the lineage of such a large, intelligent serpent upward, you’d end up at Lehanahi. Yuhyun stared at me blankly. My tone was too serious for a joke—it was pretty much the truth.

“What...?”

“Yuhyun, you probably didn’t know, but you’ve got several nephews and nieces now. They’re adorable.”

I should go see them sometime. I swung down from the bike. I could hear the crackle of lingering flames burning the snake’s scales.

“I’m not married or anything. Actually, they’re not human—at least, not human from our world. Somehow it just happened.”

It sounded irresponsible, but it really was just how things turned out.

“On the way here, so many things happened. My house is always bustling. I’m sure there are photos somewhere around here.”

They weren’t easy to find immediately. I considered searching on my phone, then remembered the drawings in my inventory. I pulled out the picture Myeong-woo had drawn for me.

“You don’t know Mr. Noah, right? Back then Noah and Riette fought. They’re family too—siblings. Riette is a born S-rank like you.”

They were all laughing together. It was only a few months ago, but it felt like ages. I took out other drawings as well. Unfortunately, Myeong-woo’s pictures didn’t include any children—they weren’t born yet. But there were drawings the kids had made.

“These are drawings your nephews and nieces did. This one’s me, and there’s Yerim. And there’s you now.”

Even Peace’s paw print was there. Seeing it made me smile.

“Despite everything that happened, I’ve been living well.”

Honestly, I felt almost guilty at how well I’d been doing.

“Well, my body isn’t in great shape. But I’ve been happy. I’ve been living well enough that you don’t have to worry.”

I looked up at my brother. His pale face, revealed between the flutter of those butterflies, was expressionless.

“There is only one thing.”

One thing.

“If it weren’t for losing you.”

No matter how many joyful things filled my life, a dark knot remained in the corner of my heart.

“Yuhyun, I’ve been searching for you all along. Even before I Reset—since the moment you left home.”

I had been looking for him. From then until now, consistently. It was a goal I’d carried and held onto long before I traveled back in time and met new people.

“So I’m going to bring you back. No matter what happens, I’ll make sure of it.”

That was something I wouldn’t yield to anyone. Not even Yuhyun. I would find my brother and take him home. Any obstacle in my way—Transcendent or Core—would be crushed, one way or another.

“I worried about myself—”

“I’m sorry.”

My brother, who had been silent, spoke. His voice sounded faint, as if cooling.

“I couldn’t fully give up on you.”

“What? No—why are you apologizing for that!”

“Even though there was a way to keep you safe, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

Yuhyun continued. His gaze toward me felt unusually dark.

“You protected me. You kept watching over me secretly!”

“No. I was holding you back. I was only watching you cling to me, unable to give up on me.”

“Hey, how could I ever give up on you!”

Family—my own child in all but name.

“Yes. And that made me happy.”

A faint smile touched his cold lips.

“Seeing you constantly trying to hold me back—even while pretending not to notice—it gave me an unshakable sense of relief.”

“Yuhyun...”

“Hyung, you still have all sorts of items and skills, but you know you’ll have even more in a few years.”

“Well, yes, but—”

What was he talking about? Even as I thought it, a sense of dread rose.

“Because of that, it would’ve been entirely possible. I actually had it all prepared.”

“...Prepared what?”

“A way to protect you even more safely. It was simple, really.”

To protect me safely...

“Since the reason you risk yourself is me, you just needed to erase your memory of me.”

“...Han Yuhyun! What are you—”

To erase memories of Yuhyun!

“There were items and skills that could erase part of someone’s memory without side effects. Erase your memory of me, change your appearance appropriately... you couldn’t change your name because of the status window, but that would’ve been enough. Then send you to some moderately quiet city with strict dungeon management.”

Then... Yuhyun smiled softly.

“You definitely would’ve been safe. You could’ve easily fit in with others if it weren’t for me. Everyone would’ve liked you.”

...He was right. Though you’d feel uneasy missing your memories, I probably would’ve been fine. No more dangerous stunts—just an ordinary life.

“Even knowing that, I couldn’t do it.”

Part of me wanted to shout “Thank goodness!” but no words came out. His gaze was sad and pained, squeezing my throat.

“If you forget me... then it really would be over.”

“...Yuhyun.”

“It was my mistake.”

His tone suddenly hardened.

“I shouldn’t have let you search for me this far.”

A chill ran down my spine. He’d just said he had it all prepared—items and skills. The skill-user might have been someone else, but the items... He always carried them. I quietly stepped back. The bike bumped against me.

“Wait, Yuhyun.”

“...There was a reason I had to come this far. But it’s okay now.”

What? What reason? I swallowed dryly. Yuhyun’s eyes softened. A red warning light flashed in my mind. Though it might not affect an SS-rank like him, I activated Stealth Skill—and simultaneously threw a smoke bomb.

Bang!

A small blast of noise and a plume of smoke. Instead of running down the road, I dashed toward the building. The path below was too straightforward. Climbing the wall, I knew his gaze followed me exactly. Damn it.

“Monsters using Stealth Skill are common.”

And someone like Yuhyun must’ve faced SS-rank stealth monsters. I reached the rooftop railing. Yuhyun looked up at me—completely still. But the moment I moved, he’d catch me. The tension rose like a Fear Resistance window opening.

“I was actually going to keep this from you.”

“...You.”

“But you said you were living happily. So I’ll give you a choice.”

There was no way to escape. I’d come here knowing I’d be caught. I just hadn’t known Yuhyun harbored such thoughts.

“Give up now and go back.”

“I already said I can’t give up.”

“But I’m here too. Take me with you.”

“Han Yuhyun. I was searching for you too. I’ve been looking for you.”

“If it’s hard, I’ll erase only part of your memory. Even the Sesung Guildmaster’s memory. If you forget, you won’t suffer.”

Forgetting would ease the pain, true. Forget the pre-Reset Yuhyun and Seong Hyunjae, go back—life would be peaceful. Not knowing anything once felt fine. When I first Reset, I didn’t know and it was okay. I thought I’d fully regained you, so I planned to live well this time. But this—this wasn’t it.

“You think you can just end it like that? Don’t be ridiculous!”

“Hyung.”

“I’ve come this far. I’ve crushed that lizard brat who killed you, I’ve stomped on your lizard-master—yet you—”

I drew a deep breath and exhaled.

“Han Yuhyun. You don’t deserve that.”

Even if you’re my goal. Even if I came all this way for you. Yuhyun’s form vanished. Before I could even look around, he dashed straight at me. I took a single step—

Thunk—

My arm was seized. He twisted me around in an instant.

“Don’t worry, Hyung. It’s over now.”

“Over? Nothing is over!”

“Your brother’s right here with you. Go back and you can live in peace. No more problems.”

“No part of this is over!”

“No. It’s the end. Once Sigma and the Sesung Guildmaster are in the Gardener’s hands, you’ll be safe. The world won’t be in danger anymore.”

His tone was soothing.

“Hyung. Go back and rest now.”

“...No.”

I heard a soft sigh. I twisted, but the hand holding me didn’t budge. What could I do? Even if I set off bombs now, it wouldn’t help. He wouldn’t let me go like before. No other ideas came. I rifled through my items and skills—nothing would work on this Yuhyun.

“Erasing memory isn’t easy. Without the target’s consent, precise control is impossible. If I forced an item, your entire memory would be wiped. Even so, this current me would take good care of you.”

I wasn’t sure that would work, but I tried.

“So Hyung. Please cooperate.”

“...Yuhyun, it hurts.”

He stopped twisting me, and I exhaled.

“Let me go for a bit. Either way, there’s no escaping you.”

His grip released. I feigned pain and looked at my brother. I let out a long breath.

“I want to take you with me too.”

“I’m sorry, Hyung.”

“We’ve only just met again. Only like this.”

Unbidden, heat welled in my chest. I spread my arms wide.

“But you keep fighting me. Just once—let me hug you.”

Yuhyun’s shoulders twitched, trembling slightly. But he didn’t refuse. I threw my arms around my much-grown brother.

“My Yuhyun.”

I ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) patted his back gently. I felt his tension ease. It worked—he responded. Following my Pat-Down Skill (B), which calms the other party.

“...Hyung.”

“Shh, shh.”

Lullaby Skill (A), which puts the target to sleep based on their trust and affection—totally effective on the old Yuhyun.

Creak. Yuhyun’s body collapsed. His eyes closed completely, and the butterflies dispersed. My heart skipped a beat at the sight, but there was no time to hesitate.

“...I’m sorry.”

I carefully laid him down and turned away. As soon as I jumped onto the bike Park Hayul had brought, I heard Yuhyun stir—it didn’t last long. He’d be on guard now, so I wouldn’t get caught again.

“Hyung!”

I quickly started the engine. Yuhyun’s call faded into the distance. Now was the time to run.

“Hayul! Are the subordinates around?”

“Yes, Hyung! There are many!”

I was doomed. I shouldn’t have come—but if I hadn’t known Yuhyun’s plan, it would’ve been even worse. I grabbed the megaphone and shouted.

“Ah, I’m heading right into captivity on my own feet! I’m already caught! I’m an F-rank!”

“I’m taken already! If you want to change ownership, contact Han Yuhyun! This F-rank is already claimed!”

It worked—no subordinate tried to snatch me. I’d expected at least a few to make a grab, but surprisingly none did. Maybe they were too intimidated by Yuhyun’s power. As I kept shouting and checked my route, I decided to pass Seoul Station and cross to the other side—maybe follow the subway line. It wouldn’t be running now anyway.

“Yujin-hyung, watch out!”

Park Hayul’s message blinked. At the same moment, a shadow fell over me. A winged humanoid subordinate looked down.

“I’m already caught!”

“I heard otherwise.”

The winged person laughed. Wait—did he already get word from Yuhyun? Considering flying speed, certainly—and whoosh! A gust blew my hair. I twisted sharply. The hooked boot slashed beside me, then surged upward again.

“How obedient.”

He toyed with me. The subway entrance loomed ahead. Fortunately, the other subordinates seemed unaware. I heard the flutter of wings. I drew my dagger and used Stab Skill precisely at the boot poised to seize my shoulder. It was only a D-rank skill, but with double power—

“Ouch!”

Yeah, it stung. The blade tore through the boot and scraped tough skin. That was all. I had no choice—while held, I’d have to feed him a bomb. I refused to resist the pulling force, about to drop the bike, when—

Crack!

The dragon’s head burst forth from the ground and bit the winged subordinate. The subordinate flailed and released me. The black dragon threw him aside, then turned to look at me. This is—

“...Riette?”

“Hi, Honey! Where are you going?”

“Uh, the subway!”

I grabbed the bike and dashed into the station. Riette resumed human form and chased after me. What was happening? Once inside the subway tunnel, I boarded the bike again. Riette climbed on behind me.

“Explain everything to me. What’s going on?”

“Well~”

“Hyung!”

Hayul messaged again.

“The person you’re with looks like a subordinate?”

...What?