The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 342

I sat atop a tall hotel building near COEX [Convention and Exhibition Center]. Peace yawned softly on my lap. Since no one could see me here, I deactivated my stealth skill and scooped up a spoonful of the bead ice cream I’d swiped from the aquarium. Of course, I left the money behind. It just looked like I dropped it.

“You shouldn’t eat too much.”

Noah scolded as I plunged the spoon back into the mound of round ice cream. I had to appease him with sweet talk to only bring one cup from the aquarium, where he also told me not to eat it.

“It’s not much. Here, have some.”

I offered Noah a spoonful. Everyone’s being so strict about what I eat these days. I know it’s better to cut down on snacks and eat three proper meals.

“Guild Leader Seong’s tank was impressive, but a large aquarium is something else.”

Come to think of it, where did Seong Hyeon-je move to? The apartment was temporary, and his original house was completely destroyed. He probably has a couple of spare mansions, though.

“There were so many fish,” Noah said with a smile. It was hectic avoiding the crowds, but there was still plenty to see. Dodging people was fun in its own way. When a crowd surged, Noah would grab me and fly up. Everyone was bewildered by the sudden gust of wind.

Just then, a text message arrived. It was from Min So-han.

[Do you take part-timers? While attending school.]

He acted like he wasn’t interested at all.

[Yes, we do. Changed your mind?]

[The conditions are good, but I keep getting concerned.]

Concerned, about Noah? Or maybe he thinks I’m going to get scammed. Either way, a part-timer is good. I sent a reply telling him to contact the Haeyeon Guild’s HR team and turned to Noah.

“Min So-han is also coming to the Breeding Center.”

“That person from earlier?”

“Yes. I think it’s more because of Noah than me.”

He grumbles about being a bother but secretly likes taking care of people. Min So-han replied that he understood and asked if part-timers get housing. Of course, we provide it, so he said he’d prefer a small place since cleaning is a hassle. I replied to just keep the floor clean and use a robot vacuum. There are plenty of good appliances. I should add a dishwasher and a food waste disposer as standard and tell him to move to a place where it’s easy to dispose of recyclables.

Our house is a bit inconvenient for taking out the trash, so when I grumbled about it, Yu-hyeon tried to burn it all. These days, the trash problem is mostly solved thanks to the dungeons, but we still need to recycle.

“He said he’ll continue going to school while working part-time. Come to think of it, Min So-han’s school has a hunter admissions program. Noah, do you have any plans to go to college next year?”

I couldn’t get an answer when the topic came up before because things got hectic.

“…I don’t know. I dropped out of school before.”

“You attended until you awakened, right?”

Noah nodded slightly.

“Then it’s fine. High-ranking hunters can substitute dungeon raid contributions. We can’t ask people on the front lines of chaos why they missed class. Yu-hyeon hardly went to school after awakening either. Protecting the country is more urgent.”

I wondered if he would still attend, so I peeked in a few times, but I couldn’t run into him. Unlike now, dungeons were frequently appearing back then, so there was no way they’d make an S-Rank Hunter sit in class. In the first year after dungeons appeared, schools were frequently closed, and there was controversy over whether to hold the college entrance exam that year. There were even kids who got flamed for posting online that they hoped a dungeon would appear near the test center the day before the exam.

“He still barely attends now. It would be nice if he went properly.”

“…What about you, Yu-jin?”

“Me?”

“The Breaker Guild Leader said it’s good to have a diploma. Are you going to college next year?”

“Uh… I’m thinking of at least enrolling.”

Even if I stay still, they’ll try to force me. Especially Seok Si-myeong.

“If I can go with Yu-jin, I’ll go.”

“But I’m only aiming for the diploma, so I’ll hardly ever go to school.”

I’m recommending it because I want Noah to enjoy a normal campus life. If Noah goes, Kang So-yeong will follow, and if possible, if he goes to So-han’s school, I can take care of him. I wonder where Min-ui goes.

“If Yu-jin attends school, the Haeyeon Guild Leader will probably show up too.”

“That’s…”

Would he? But if Yu-hyeon enters the school, I’ll be his junior. It’s not like Yu-hyeon would expect me to treat him like a senior… What would I do if I went to college? I don’t know anything about campus life. I know they have festivals. Or club activities.

“Since I’m going to go, I’ll put in a good word for Noah’s special admission.”

So-yeong will be happy. If those two go to school together, it’ll be like a painting. The ice cream was already gone after only a few bites. Noah checked the time and took out a thermos from his crossbody bag. I should have taken my medicine before eating the ice cream.

“This isn’t something you absolutely have to do, but I’m mentioning it because you seemed interested, Noah.”

I said, taking the medicine.

“How about meeting with Team Leader Seok Si-myeong?”

“Team Leader Seok Si-myeong, you mean the Haeyeon Guild member? Seok Ha-yan’s uncle.”

“Yes. I noticed he’s been concerned about support-type hunters. It’ll honestly be difficult for Noah to start working on support-type hunter issues alone. It’s bound to feel daunting.”

It’s a kind of social movement, so it can’t be easy. Many people have tried to resolve discrimination based on race, gender, status, religion, etc., for a long time, but there are still many problems. There are even places where the caste system still exists.

Besides, it’s a problem that’s inherently difficult to solve completely. Unless everyone is a mentally excellent saint, it’s easy to unintentionally discriminate as the difference in abilities becomes more apparent. So, we keep bringing up the issue and trying to make it better.

“So, rather than starting something right away, wouldn’t it be better to learn slowly? As So-han said, Noah has plenty of time. He’s still at an age where he needs to learn.”

“…I’ll think about it. I still don’t really know what I want to do. It feels like I’m just being greedy because I want to be a more important, great person. Like, if I do this, I’ll get praised. …It’s childish, but.”

“Hey, what are you talking about? That’s how everyone starts. No one dislikes being praised. Everyone likes hearing they did well and are amazing.”

If it’s Seok Si-myeong, he’ll treat Noah very well. I’m worried he might try to coax him into joining Haeyeon altogether, though.

“…If you’re thinking of meeting with Team Leader Seok, please tell me first. He’ll be kind, but he’s a bit sly. Don’t go alone if possible. Take Myeong-woo or Ha-min with you, or Seok Gyeong-hun, Lee Yu-sin, or Min So-han from the people you met today.”

I should warn him in advance. Don’t even think about tricking him into doing something unnecessary that would cause a rift between us. He’s not the type to do something that would easily break things off with me, but you never know.

As planned, Seok Si-myeong will be in charge of the new Breeding Center employees from the Haeyeon Guild’s HR team. After training there, they’ll be transferred to the Breeding Center, or rather, the building. We’ve already prepared spacious new offices in the building.

[I was quite worried, but the first impressions were all good.]

Seok Si-myeong said that everyone seemed to have a strong core, though how can you know someone’s heart after seeing them once? Well, they’ve endured by my side for a long time. Being steadfast is a given, and they’re not easily swayed or shaken by external words.

What else is needed in talent? These are the truly valuable people.

‘If I hadn’t experienced it myself, they would have only seemed like ordinary people.’

If I hadn’t gone through such difficult times together, if I hadn’t lost them, I would never have known. Memories that only remained as pain are coming back like this. It felt strange.

“Our Sorok has grown a bit, though.”

I stroked the white belly of the baby reindeer stretched out along the first-floor hallway of the Breeding Center. Sorok liked wandering around inside the building more than the forest-themed playground. He didn’t walk much, but he seemed to like the sound of his hooves hitting the floor.

– Baaa.

A black, fluffy baby sheep hopped around Sorok. It bounced around like a small ball. It was a monster, but perhaps because it was the same ungulate [hoofed mammal], the two were quite friendly. More precisely, the baby sheep was the one trying to play with Sorok.

“There’s no news from your dad. He must be very busy these days.”

– Baaaaa.

“Should we barge in?”

– Baaang.

The dungeon conditions suddenly changed, and there’s the research lab work, so he must be busy, but he’s not even contacting me. I’ve already finished talking to the Association. They even suggested doing a live broadcast of the spirit beast transfer ceremony, but Chief Song refused. He said he couldn’t receive it for personal use.

“If I don’t nail down ‘exclusive spirit beast’ with Chief Song’s personality, he’ll try to avoid it again. I should push forward firmly.”

Once he takes on the responsibility, he’s not the type to turn a blind eye. I should barge in when he’s a bit less busy.

As I was forcibly getting Sorok to stand up, I felt someone approaching. It wasn’t time for medicine yet, so it couldn’t be Yu-hyeon. Who is it?

“…Huh?”

The face that appeared was someone I really didn’t expect. A dazzlingly handsome face smiled at me.

“Hello, Yu-jin hyung [older brother/male friend]. Long time no see?”

“Ah, yeah, hi.”

“Please, speak comfortably.”

Park Ha-yul said with a smile. …I had completely forgotten about him. He went to China, so he’s back? The person who came with Park Ha-yul was an A-Rank Hunter from the Seseong Guild. He’s in charge of security at the Breeding Center this week, but why did he come in with Park Ha-yul?

“I came along because I heard he was close to Director Han, but it seems I was right.”

“Yes? Uh, let’s just say that for now.”

I looked at the A-Rank Hunter, a bit flustered. He brought him in just because he said he was close? That shouldn’t be allowed. Unless they live here, they’re usually stopped at the entrance connected to the building, and I’m contacted first.

“Thank you for your help~”

Park Ha-yul greeted the A-Rank Hunter. The A-Rank Hunter smiled brightly and shook his head, saying it was nothing. …Could he be a fan of Park Ha-yul? His reaction was, well, full of goodwill. Still, you shouldn’t mix personal feelings with public duties. I suspiciously watched the A-Rank Hunter as he turned around. I should contact Seseong and tell them he’s a bit problematic for security duty…….

“Hyung, I’ve heard a lot about you!”

“Uh…….”

Park Ha-yul said, stepping closer to me. Wow, he really is handsome. I don’t think he was this handsome before. Did he thrive in China? Besides, he really has a likable face.

“I was a bit sad that you didn’t contact me.”

“Ah, sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. Is anyone coming over?”

“Huh?”

“You have a lot of S-Rank Hunters around you, hyung. Is anyone supposed to come?”

Park Ha-yul looked straight into my eyes. His eyes are pretty too. They sparkle subtly as if there’s pearl in them. Is he wearing lenses? The ash-blue dyed hair also suits him well.

“My younger brother will come in about two hours.”

“Really? So you’re usually alone.”

“There are many people guarding me. There are several high-ranking hunters, Noah, and Peace, who isn’t here with me now.”

“Peace was an S-Rank monster, right? Do you always go around together?”

“Almost always. But when taking care of baby monsters, the kids are often scared, so I leave him at home.”

I tilted my head, stopping mid-sentence. Shouldn’t I be revealing all this? But there doesn’t seem to be anything problematic.

“Hyung.”

His voice is nice too. Park Ha-yul’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Can I come visit again?”

“Of course, you can.”

“But I hope you don’t tell other people that I came. It’s burdensome. There are a lot of scary people around you, hyung.”

Is that so? Well, S-Rank Hunters could feel scary to non-awakened people. I… guess I don’t have to tell them. He’s just an acquaintance who came to visit.

“Okay.”

“Thank you.”

Seeing him so happy made me feel good too. I also felt sorry for forgetting about him, and this much should be okay.

“Would you like some tea?”

“No. I can’t stay long today. I’ll come again.”

Park Ha-yul turned around, leaving a request to keep it a secret. I felt a bit sad that he was leaving. Anyway, it’s good to see him after a long time.

– Bbiang.

Standing blankly, I snapped back to my senses at Sorok’s cry. Sorok, who had already stood up, was chewing on my sleeve. The baby sheep also pulled on the opposite sleeve.

“…I feel like I’m possessed by a ghost.”

I felt strange. But I’ve been keeping my mouth shut until now, and he’s not a bad guy. Rather, the opposite, isn’t he? …Right? Just then, the phone rang. It was Yerim.

[Uncle! I’ve finished the raid!]

“Already?”

[Yes! Blue is safe too!]

[Kkyauwoo!]

I thought it would end quickly, but this is really fast. I praised her to the skies, saying she was amazing.

[I’ll be doing interviews and stuff, and I’ll go back tomorrow morning. Has anything happened? Is Han Yu-hyeon taking good care of you?]

“Of course. Nothing happened. I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”

[You don’t have to.]

She says it’s okay, but I can picture the smiling face. After a few more words, I hung up the phone. The air in the suddenly quiet hallway felt chilly.

I definitely feel something strange, but I can’t figure out why.