The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 51

“Supplementing the team just for me feels like too much of a burden. I don’t want to cause unnecessary trouble.”

More than that, though, I really didn’t want to run into Sung Hyunjae, the Guild Master of Sesung. The man himself was unsettling, but more than anything, my current condition was the problem. Even Yoohyun had said I was acting strange, so there was a high possibility Sung Hyunjae would notice something different.

I could use the Wall Gecko skill [a skill that allows the user to blend in and appear harmless] and play dumb, but there was no reason to walk right into a dangerous guy’s path.

“A burden? Not at all!”

Kang Soyoung looked straight at me, her eyes filled with sincerity. Her big eyes were really pretty. She had the kind of face that seemed to embody the word ‘lovely.’ She continued, her voice equally sincere.

“This is for the person who will raise my child!”

…I heard that nonsense just a while ago. I didn’t expect to hear it again.

“…Saying it like that isn’t really appropriate. Other people might misunderstand.”

“It’s okay. Everyone says that.”

Wow, seriously…….

“Everyone, you say……?”

Kang Soyoung nodded cutely.

“Yes. Hyunah unni [term for older sister or female friend], the Breaker Guild Master, said it a few times, and somehow it’s spread everywhere.”

Damn it, Moon Hyunah! It’s spread everywhere? What is this! I told you not to talk behind my brother’s back, and you’ve been talking about me! The fact that it wasn’t entirely wrong made my neck stiffen even more.

“Still, wouldn’t words like ‘summoned beast,’ ‘monster,’ or ‘magic beast’ be better than ‘child’?”

“That sounds too loveless. More than anything, a top-grade summoned beast is a partner you’ll be with for life, hard to find again. I’m really going to take good care of them like my own child, with all my love. My heart is already fluttering. How lovely will my little dragon be?”

She even blushed slightly. I understood the sentiment, but still… still…….

“So, you don’t need to feel burdened at all! You can even ask for more! Is there anything you need? Believe it or not, I’ve saved up quite a bit of money.”

As an A-Rank Hunter belonging to a large guild, she’d naturally have a lot, but if I actually asked for something, I’d feel like a bad guy ripping off a kid. A kid who’s eleven years younger, no, six years younger. Anyway, she’s not even twenty yet. I didn’t really need anything, though.

“No, it’s okay. I don’t need anything.”

“Then, I’ll start by helping you with a walk in the garden.”

“No, but I can’t bother you with something like this.”

“Don’t worry. Everyone will welcome it, not find it bothersome at all. If you’re still worried, I’ll get permission from the Guild Master for sure.”

With that, she immediately took out her phone. Ugh… well, it probably doesn’t matter since Yoohyun won’t allow it.

‘…I do want to go to the park with Peace, though.’

What to do? If Sung Hyunjae wasn’t at the guild, it might be okay.

“Yes, Guild Master! Yes, yes.”

In the meantime, Kang Soyoung was talking to Sung Hyunjae on the phone. The atmosphere was much more friendly than I expected.

“The Guild Master says you’re welcome to come anytime! He’ll send someone right away, too.”

“Um, you said the Sesung Guild Master is at the guild right now. Is there a high chance I’ll run into him?”

“He’s probably busy, but if you want, I can ask him to come out for a bit-!”

“No, no! Actually, the Sesung Guild Master is a little, how should I put it, scary.”

At my words, Kang Soyoung nodded, saying, “Ah.”

“That’s right. People usually avoid him. The Guild Master doesn’t come to the rooftop garden often.”

Is that so? Then should I go? Of course, the problem was that I had to get permission from Yoohyun. I smiled at Kang Soyoung and took out my phone.

“I’ll ask my brother for permission. I can’t just leave here as I please just because I want to go.”

“Yes, of course, you should.”

I wonder if my brother will allow it. I called, and Yoohyun answered soon after. I briefly explained the situation and asked.

“They say it’s safe, so wouldn’t it be okay?”

[No way.]

As expected, a firm answer came back. Well, there was no way he’d easily allow me to go out in this situation. It would be strange if he suddenly said it was okay.

“But Peace is really depressed. He’s your summoned beast. And I want to take a walk, too.”

A short silence flowed. Yoohyun’s voice came from beyond the phone.

[Are you feeling really stuffy?]

“Well, the house is a bit cramped for Peace, too.”

[Forget it, hyung [term for older brother or male friend].]

At least think about Peace, you brat.

“I want to get some fresh air. They say the rooftop garden is well-decorated. Right?”

“Yes! Haeyeon Guild Master, it’s really nice! I’ll guarantee the safety for sure. I swear!”

Kang Soyoung raised her voice loud enough to reach the phone.

“I, along with Sesung Guild’s A-Rank or higher Hunters, will absolutely! Keep an eye on you without fail. Please trust me just this once!”

[…Hyung, do you really want to go that badly?]

“It’s more that Peace is weighing on my mind. He’s so listless that I’m losing energy too, and I feel bad.”

[Still, Sesung would be better than other guilds.]

“Of course! Don’t worry.”

With Kang Soyoung’s encouragement, Yoohyun finally gave permission to go out.

[You absolutely can’t stray off the path. Our Hunters will accompany you on the way there and back. And you have to be back before sunset.]

“Okay. Thanks.”

It was easier to get permission than I thought. Could it be thanks to Soyoung? This guy, he doesn’t already have a crush on Kang Soyoung, does he?

“I’m so glad you got permission! I’ll prepare to leave right away.”

Seeing her purely happy appearance, I could see why my brother might fall for her. So, Soyoung’s influence probably had something to do with it, right?

They seem like they’d be a good match. He looked lonely living alone in that big house anyway. Now that it’s come to this, they should just date and get married quickly. Their child would be cute. There are a lot of cases where mixed-race second generations are cute and pretty. I hope they look like Yoohyun.

“Yes, please take care of me.”

And my brother, too.

* * *

“We’ve arrived~”

Kang Soyoung said cheerfully. Sesung’s rooftop garden was located on top of the 15-story New Annex 2 building, connected to the main building. When Kang Soyoung opened the glass door, a breeze mixed with the scent of grass flowed in.

How long has it been since I’ve been to a park like this?

‘…I can’t even remember.’

There were times when the dungeon environment was a forest or grassland, but it was different from this. A lighthearted stroll. I definitely didn’t have the leisure for that.

…No, that’s just an excuse. I could have done it if I wanted to. How much time would it take to go to a nearby park? Besides, even if I didn’t go to a park, I could take a walk just by stepping outside my house.

I could look around leisurely, tilting my head to look at the sky once in a while, see what shape the clouds are today, how lush the roadside trees have become in the summer, read the flyers on the wall, and even notice the ants crawling between the paving stones.

‘Well, I can’t do that even if I want to now.’

I can’t even dream of wandering around lightly by myself anymore. I should just build something like this in my own building.

The rooftop garden was large. It was open, but tall trees were densely planted along the edges to minimize the feeling of being on a rooftop. There were well-made walking paths, tidy flower beds, various sculptures, fountains, and even a small greenhouse, equipped with everything.

And there wasn’t a single person in sight.

“There’s no one here.”

“We’ve restricted access so you can use it comfortably. It’s not completely empty, though; there are a few people watching. Someone might invade from the air, you know?”

It’s not like I’m a target for concentrated fire, and who would do that in broad daylight, but they’re thorough.

“Peace, look here. It’s a lawn.”

– Kkeung.

I put Peace down on the grass, but the young Flame Horned Lion didn’t run around; instead, he immediately clung to my leg. The weather is nice, the sunlight is good, and the scenery is great, so why isn’t he showing any interest?

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”

– Kkiing.

“Look, there’s a butterfly flying over there.”

He didn’t even glance at the yellow butterfly dancing in the air. At this point, I was starting to worry. Is the trauma more serious than I thought? Are there animal psychologists?

“What should I do, our Peace?”

I squatted down and reached out to stroke his neck, and he grabbed my arm tightly with his front paws. He felt particularly clingy; did he not want to be separated from me?

‘Could it be that he’s acting like this not because he was kidnapped, but because he was suddenly separated from me?’

He was suddenly captured and locked in a cage alone for a long time. Since he’s sensitive enough to sense emotion skills, he might have been somewhat aware of the surrounding situation even when he was asleep.

“That won’t happen again.”

I don’t know how much of my words he understands, but I tried to soothe him for now.

“Look, you see the noona [term used by a younger male to address an older female] next to you? You can tell how strong she is, right? This noona is protecting you.”

“That’s right, Peace. It’s okay because I’m here.”

Kang Soyoung chimed in at the right moment. Then, she bent down and hugged me slightly. At the same time, Peace tensed up and raised his fur.

– Keuheung!

“It’s okay, Peace. This noona is a good person. She’s not trying to hurt you.”

“That’s right, we’re on good terms. Look at this.”

Then, she kissed me on the cheek. No, this is a bit awkward…… Is it because she’s a foreigner? Her skinship is excessive.

– Geureung?

Peace tilted his head, looking at us clinging to each other.

“This noona will protect you, so don’t worry and you can play. It’s okay.”

The tips of his red furred ears twitched, and Peace, who had finally moved away from me, slowly began to look around. The dungeon where Flame Horned Lions come from was said to be a volcanic zone, so this was probably the first time he’d seen such a green landscape.

Paak.

His still small front paw scratched the grass. Cut blades of grass scattered in all directions. He twitched his nose, smelling the grass, then turned around in a circle and looked up at me again.

“Do you like it?”

– Kkiang!

Peace jumped in place and began to explore his surroundings in earnest. He didn’t seem to want to go far yet, but at that rate, he’d probably be back to normal soon.

“I think it’s okay to let go now.”

I said to Kang Soyoung, who was still hugging me. There are guards watching, so I wish she’d maintain a reasonable distance.

“Shall I help you up?”

“I’m okay.”

It’s not like I can’t even support my own body. Relatively speaking, I might look like a chick on the verge of death, though.

I walked along the path, following the direction Peace wanted to go. The red body jumped into a flower bed full of hydrangeas, and soon the light purple petals began to scatter wildly. It was only a matter of moments before the flower bed was ruined.

“That is—”

“It’s okay!”

Kang Soyoung said with a bright smile as soon as I opened my mouth.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s no problem even if we tear everything up here. We can just redo the landscaping.”

As expected of a large guild, they’re generous. Peace is having so much fun, too. I should come and play often once the Boon skill effect ends.

“If it’s not too much to ask, may I ask how long it takes for a top-grade summoned beast to grow? I haven’t heard the details.”

Kang Soyoung asked cautiously.

“It depends on the monster, so I don’t know exactly. I think it depends on the species and grade. And there will be differences depending on how well they follow the training. If it’s a dragon group in an S-Rank dungeon, it would be around grade 2 or 3, right?”

If only one comes out, it would be grade 2, but if a nest appears, it’s most likely a group. At my words, Kang Soyoung nodded.

“Yes. To be exact, it’s a grade 3 flying dragon species. It’s a Thorn Winged Wyvern, which has good stamina and defense and excellent overall stats for a flying dragon species.”

Flying dragon species were relatively weak among dragon species. However, as they have excellent flying abilities, they would be more useful as summoned beasts.

“There are three really big thorns like this on its wings, and they’re really cute.”

“…Pardon?”

Did she just say they were cute? Thorns the size of both arms spread wide?

“There are also scale-like thorns at the end of its tail, and it can shoot them out! They’re a little smaller than my forearm, and they’re coated with paralyzing poison. It’s a flying dragon species, but it has four legs, both front and back, which makes it even cuter. It’s sturdy, and its scales are hard. The color of the scales is black and shiny, like a string of black jewels, it’s really pretty.”

Um, honestly, all I can think of is a terrifying, winged, giant lizard monster, not something cute. Even a grim, black dragon with thorns sticking out all over. Her tastes are a little unique.

“I wanted to tame it somehow from the first time I entered the dungeon, and I never thought I’d be able to fulfill my wish like this. Ever since I learned the magic beast taming skill, every day has felt like walking on clouds. Ah, really— can I hug you one more time?”

“No, you may not.”

I thought her atmosphere was lively from the first time I met her, but she was really excited. If she raises a summoned beast on top of that, the keyword would be applied as soon as I said something like ‘I love you.’

Still, I don’t know how the keyword effect will manifest, so it’s better not to do it. I can’t let a disaster happen where I’m treated like a dad or mom by my sister-in-law. I need to watch my mouth.

I was wondering if I should bring up Yoohyun, when,

[Weakness Detection sends a warning!]

The Premonition skill, which had popped up several times on the way here, activated again. Who is it this time… Shit, it’s an S-Rank. You must be busy, so why did you come all the way here? You said you don’t come out often.