The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 183

183. Seong Mo’s Birthday (1)

“Wasn’t that blue dress cute? I thought Yerim, you would like it.”

“My taste in viewing and wearing are different. It was a dress I wanted to put on my doll.”

Yerim was wearing a tailcoat. It was custom-made, so when I asked when she had it prepared, she said she wanted to wear one herself when she was in Hong Kong, so she ordered it. Instead of a bow tie, she wore a blue brooch that matched her earrings, which suited her very well.

“Or do you not like this outfit?”

“No, it’s cool. Cute.”

She was lovely enough to catch anyone’s eye. And so were the others.

‘…It’s embarrassing to be with them, now that I think about it.’

It goes without saying for Yoohyun, Noah was still sparkling, and Myeongwoo had long been closer to them than to me. With different types of handsome men in suits lined up, it felt like I was at a movie awards ceremony.

Moon Hyuna next to them was in an evening dress. With her half-shaved hairstyle and a dress, it seemed like it wouldn’t suit her at all, but surprisingly, it not only suited her but made her look cool. It was definitely a dress, but she had an energetic and powerful vibe.

‘Am I the only one standing out too much?’

When I looked in the mirror, I thought I looked different after dressing up, but there was no way to overcome the different starting point. Anyway, the six of us stood at the helicopter landing pad.

Seong Hyunjae’s birthday party was on a cruise ship. The reason for choosing a ship over many hotels was closer to being kicked out for safety reasons. Even if domestic S-Class Hunters gathered in one place, they were worried about accidents, and if hunters from overseas came, it would be a terrifying thought.

Even last year, they held it at a hotel with relatively few houses nearby, but eventually, some disputes arose among the S-Class Hunters. They covered it up as a gas explosion to the public. Since then, it was recommended that when a large number of S-Class Hunters have a formal gathering for business reasons, it should be held inside a dungeon or in a place where there are no houses within a 1km radius.

Especially when overseas hunters were involved, it was policy that it wouldn’t end with a simple recommendation, so they had to go out to sea. There were no decent hotels nearby that were deserted and far from houses.

Ta-da-da-da, the helicopter arrived with a loud noise. In the blowing wind, Yerim readjusted the gift she was holding. It was wrapped in shiny wrapping paper and had a ribbon on it.

“I bought the books as you hinted.”

Yerim said, noticing my gaze.

“Easy Knitting for Beginners, Various Nordic-style Decorative Knitting, Beautiful Knitting Pattern Designs. It ended up being well over 10,000 won [approximately $8 USD].”

“You did well. He’ll like it.”

It was truly a customized gift that he needed right now. If he were to use all the yarn I gave him, he wouldn’t be bored until next year. I turned my head to look at Yoohyun.

“Yoohyun, what did you prepare?”

“I don’t know. The secretary’s office probably sent something appropriate.”

He really didn’t seem interested. Still, it’s his birthday. It seemed like Moon Hyuna didn’t prepare anything separately either. Myeongwoo made a simple item and prepared one for Noah, who was invited late. They were disposable capture and flight items.

“What was it like last year? I’m a little nervous since it’s my first time at something like this.”

While the helicopter was being prepared, I asked Yoohyun. He’s been the main character of hotel auction parties, but birthday parties, especially luxurious ones with many people… it’s been a while.

“I didn’t go, Hunter Kim Sunghan went instead.”

“You didn’t go? You said it was a good opportunity to exchange information.”

“Officially, I was said to be 攻略ing [conquering] an A-Class dungeon…….”

Yoohyun leaned towards me and continued in a small voice. The helicopter noise made it so that others couldn’t hear.

“Back then, you were hurt.”

Was I? It was a year ago from now, but it didn’t feel like it to me, since it was six years ago in my senses.

“…Back then, there were still guys hanging around, hoping to get something from me, related to you.”

Something came to mind in his slightly dejected voice. They were just common scammers. They approached me with their own delusions, and when they decided I wasn’t worth anything, they couldn’t control their anger and resorted to violence.

“It’s a common occurrence. Did you step in directly? They were just insignificant small fries, go to the birthday party.”

“If I had gone with that mood, there would have been more harm than good. …I’m sorry.”

“Don’t say that. You did as much as you could to protect me. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

“Why are you?”

Yoohyun said in a tone that he couldn’t understand. Of course, the reason I was hurt back then was because my brother was too outstanding. But still.

“Just, well…….”

I looked up at my brother. Irin was somewhere else, and his black eyes met mine.

“…Are you okay these days?”

“Huh?”

“I was wondering if you were having a hard time. Or if there’s something frustrating.”

Yoohyun hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.

“I’m okay for now.”

So there was something after all. I had the thought of wanting to talk about it properly and the feeling of wanting to avoid it at the same time. If I didn’t have fear resistance, even asking indirectly like this would have been difficult.

If Yoohyun was enduring it because of me. No, probably definitely. Certainly.

“What are you whispering about?”

At that moment, Yerim came close and asked. I brushed it off, saying it was nothing, and she gave me a suspicious look. Let’s not think too deeply today, and just bury it for now. But I’ll have to bring it up again soon.

“It’s really amazing no matter how many times I see it.”

Moon Hyuna shook her head, looking at us.

“I never imagined I’d see the young master clinging to someone like a puppy.”

A puppy. Of course, our Yoohyun is cute, but still.

“He’s been friendly since he was young.”

“Do you know how your friendly brother’s darling crushed the dead Yoon Kyungsoo? That guy acted like an old geezer first. He must have been trying to take control since the young master was young, so he suddenly stroked his head at their first meeting.”

“It was because I was careless.”

Yoohyun said sullenly. While watching Yerim. Yerim, don’t laugh. Please don’t say anything. We’ll crash before we even get on the helicopter.

“There hasn’t been anything similar before or since. Except for hyung, of course.”

“The young master was stunned for a moment and then immediately swung his sword at that bastard’s head. He was about to kill him, but Yoon Kyungsoo was still an S-Class, so he blocked it well~ He was crushed but still alive.”

Moon Hyuna cackled, saying it was really something to see.

“Showing him being trampled by someone much younger than him, and the young master kept acting like he was going to kill him, so Yoon Kyungsoo avoided him, and Yoon Kyungsoo lost a lot of face. That’s why Sudam [Yoon Kyungsoo’s Guild] couldn’t grow relatively large. It’s funny that he was beaten by a kid, and it’s scary to go to Sudam when the young master is baring his teeth.”

So that’s why Yoon Kyungsoo was especially angry at Yoohyun. It was the same as before, but even after hearing the details, it was still his own fault. At that time, Yerim couldn’t hold back and laughed.

“Let me stroke your head once, Guild Leader!”

“Yerim!”

I quickly hugged Yoohyun. Don’t get caught up in a child’s provocation, okay? Fortunately, my brother just gave Yerim a cold stare and ignored her.

In the meantime, the preparations for takeoff were finished, and the helicopter carrying us took off. After a while, a large ship brightly lit up on the sea came into view. Seeing it in person made me think it was even more of a waste of money. Even if it was rented, it wouldn’t be cheap. It would be much more expensive than a hotel.

Just before the helicopter landed on the ship following the signal, Yoohyun, who was sitting next to me, said.

“You haven’t had to use my Grace for a few days, so it’s fully charged, right? Use it.”

“Grace?”

“Yeah. Use Teacher’s Skill too, if possible.”

…Wasn’t this Seong Hyunjae’s birthday party? Was it a beta version of the S-Class ranking battle or something? I used it as he told me to. I turned on Grace and used Teacher’s Skill on Yoohyun.

Moon Hyuna, who had attended the birthday party last time, was about to explain it instead of Yoohyun, but the helicopter landed faster. As soon as we got off at the landing site, I saw a familiar face. It was Song Taewon.

He wasn’t wearing anything that looked expensive, but he was neatly dressed in a plain suit. Even so, he looked good because he had the physique for it. However, his expression looked like he was there for overtime rather than attending a banquet. It was practically overtime.

‘He could have just rested at home.’

It was on the sea, not land. Even if there was a riot, there was almost no possibility of civilian damage. But knowing Song Taewon’s personality, he wouldn’t be able to lie down and stretch his legs knowing that S-Classes were swarming nearby. He really made himself tired.

‘So that’s why Seong Hyunjae is interested.’

It wasn’t that there were no S-Class Hunters affiliated with the state in other countries. But as far as I knew, Song Taewon was the only one like Song Taewon.

The state-affiliated S-Class Hunters in other countries were a kind of hero. A hero who protected and served the country with their own will, not following someone’s orders. Especially in the United States, where hero worship was already strong, this tendency was even greater. The S-Class Hunters in other countries, who were only nominally affiliated with the state and acted as completely independent power holders, were completely different from Song Taewon, who was trying to act as a real public official.

But if Seong Hyunjae had been seeing similar behavior for three years, he would have been getting tired of it, but recently, there was my influence too.

‘Above all… Song Taewon was a dead person to Seong Hyunjae before the regression.’

He even gave him his skill and died. In circumstances where he was watching. So if Seong Hyunjae, who felt a sense of déjà vu about the events before the regression, would have no choice but to feel that Song Taewon was particularly out of place. The person who died in front of him was alive and well, and was even trying to change little by little.

It couldn’t help but feel really strange and new.

“To come all the way here, you’ve worked hard.”

At my words, Song Taewon sent me that complicated gaze. When Song Taewon looked at me like that, I felt like I had become an ignorant bumpkin. Maybe that’s how he treated me.

“Han Yoojin-ssi, you’ve come too.”

“I’m really innocent this time.”

I’m just planning to attend the birthday party and give a gift. To be exact, it’s closer to a bribe. Anyway, I’m not dressing up this time and just came lightly.

“Han Yoojin-ssi needs to know better how he appears to others.”

I know that I’m useful in many ways, but the party attendees seem to be more interested in Myeongwoo. My abilities other than 기승수 [Gi Seungsu – likely refers to a specific skill or ability related to breeding] breeding and awakening grade confirmation aren’t known yet. Myeongwoo, who created the S-Class weapon, would be the most coveted.

“Don’t worry, Chief Song.”

Moon Hyuna intervened with a bright smile.

“If anyone picks a fight, I’ll neatly fold them in half and throw them into the sea!”

“You mustn’t do that.”

Song Taewon sighed and continued.

“Please report violence instead of using it whenever possible. Please report the detailed circumstances even after using violence. Overseas S-Class Hunters who are deemed to be a high risk will be banned from entering the country or will be subject to caution.”

Then, he took out a list of party attendees from his inventory. Song Taewon slowly moved his gaze and checked the faces of me, Yoohyun, Moon Hyuna, Yerim, Myeongwoo, and Noah one by one, then checked the list with a pen. He looked at me one last time.

“Be careful.”

“Yes. I’ll take good care of myself so you don’t have to worry.”

I passed Song Taewon and went inside. As we walked down the hallway, Moon Hyuna said.

“Yerim, take out your weapon.”

“Yes, unni [term of endearment for older sister or female friend]!”

Wait a minute, why the weapons? Moon Hyuna held a slender spear in her hand that was easily taller than her, though not too extravagant. Yerim also took out her Ice Tree Spear and wrapped her shawl around one arm. Even Yoohyun took out a sword.

“Are you going to fight here?”

At my question, Yoohyun shrugged.

“I don’t know well since I didn’t come last year, but since they’ve set up a place like this, there’s almost no chance it’ll pass quietly.”

“That’s right, hyungnim [term of endearment for older brother or male friend]. Once a dog gets a habit, it doesn’t give it up. Do you think crazy bastards will become gentle sheep overnight just because they came to someone else’s party? It’ll be a little less, but they won’t not do it.”

That seems right, but it’s really something to grab the back of my neck [cause anxiety].

“What if the ship sinks?”

“If there’s a guy who can’t even control that much and is wearing an S-Class badge, we should drown him!”

Don’t laugh. I looked back at Myeongwoo and Noah, flustered.

“It might be dangerous for Myeongwoo, even if it’s okay for me.”

“I’ll protect him well, so don’t worry. Myeongwoo-hyung’s [term of endearment for older brother or male friend] stats aren’t that low, and he brought defensive items too.”

“It’s okay, Yoojin. I have damage nullification items left, and I can escape to the smithy if necessary. And if there’s anyone who picks a fight with you or me, we should remember them clearly this time.”

Myeongwoo said that it would be good to check their true intentions because they would be hiding their true nature and acting politely when they came to the smithy directly or sent a representative. But safety is the most important thing.

“Don’t worry too much, hyung [term of endearment for older brother or male friend]. If it was really dangerous, I wouldn’t have let hyung come.”

“That’s right, hyungnim [term of endearment for older brother or male friend]. It’s a light party~ Just watch.”

…Yoohyun, you seem to be enjoying it too, though not as openly as Moon Hyuna, who’s excited. Yerim seems like she’s about to fly.

Right, it’s a party. An S-Class party. Please don’t sink the ship.