The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 530

528. Before the Party (1)

[The SS-class longbow, Flowing Afterimage, revealed today is the second official SS-class weapon after the Chain of the Distinguished Seeker owned by the Guild Master of Sesung.]

One of Chatterbox’s party rewards was announced today. It was none other than an SS-class weapon. Officially, Sung Hyunjae’s Chain of the Distinguished Seeker was known as the only SS-class weapon. In reality, Yoo Hyun’s Sovereign’s Sword and Yerim’s Ice Tree Spear were also SS-class weapons. There might be more hidden weapons as well. Sung Hyunjae was so outstanding that he openly flaunted his SS-class weapon from the start, but it was generally more advantageous to keep them hidden. If someone were to obtain an A-class weapon by luck, it could be taken away.

[Items comparable to the Flowing Afterimage are scheduled to be revealed in sequence.]

A voice from my phone, placed in my hand, conveyed the reactions to Chatterbox’s party. Although there are few S-class Hunters who use bows, the statement that there would be items comparable to it meant that an SS-class sword or spear might appear later.

‘S-class Hunters who didn’t get an invitation must be anxious.’

Also, Evelyn might change her mind after initially postponing her participation. As befitting an S-class Hunter, she seemed to have a great desire for weapons. I wonder about Guild Master Han Shin, who refused yesterday. He might contact me again.

The party schedule has not yet been released. I wish it would start soon, but it probably won’t drag on for too long. I wanted to finish it before Yoo Hyun’s birthday and return home. The watch I ordered is said to be completed soon, so should I give it to him as a birthday present? No, I’ll give him the watch as soon as it arrives and think of something else for his birthday.

“It would be best to pay more attention to security.”

Song Taewon said.

“An overseas S-class Hunter might try to approach you to steal the invitation.”

“I shouldn’t be alone for a while, even at the Breeding Center. That way, something like what happened with Park Hayul won’t happen again.”

It would be a disgrace if I were kidnapped again before even attending the party. I might have to issue a public apology, saying I’ll just stay quietly at home.

I put my phone down on the table attached to the wall and stood in front of Song Taewon. Both Song Chief and I were wearing light workout clothes.

“Then, I’ll leave it in your capable hands.”

I bowed to Song Chief. Although I have F-class stats, training is better than doing nothing. I don’t know how much time is left until the party, but I decided to receive training from S-class Hunters until then. I’ll also visit the Elder as often as possible.

Since I would be away again due to the party, everyone, including the Guild Masters and Yerim, became busy trying to finish their work beforehand. Nevertheless, they took turns making time for me. Song Chief also offered to help with training while dropping off Songi. I was grateful.

Of course, it was difficult to suddenly increase my physical abilities by doing this. Rather, it would be more accurate to say that I was learning tricks to survive against S-class Hunters. S-class Hunters are still human, so they must have weaknesses, and I was trying to figure out how to exploit them.

“Is it definitely safe?”

Song Taewon asked, pressing the slightly cushioned floor with his toe.

“Don’t worry. It’s a training room that even F-class baby monsters can use. They say it’s made with dungeon byproducts, so it’s sturdy and has excellent shock absorption.”

“Then, Han Yoojin.”

Song Taewon looked straight at me and continued.

“Try to subdue me in any way possible.”

“Oh, does it matter what I do?”

“Yes. You can use items.”

Song Taewon’s voice was calm, but that made his confidence feel even more certain. He was confident that he could respond no matter what I did. In reality, I would be subdued before I could even do anything properly at this distance. I wouldn’t even be able to keep up with his movements.

“Song Chief.”

I looked back at Song Taewon and continued.

“I’ve planted a bomb in the Hunter Association.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Step back. There are item and distance restrictions, but I can detonate it here at any time. The Association is nearby, after all.”

“Han Yoojin, is this…”

While confused about whether to believe me or not, Song Taewon took a step back.

“The Association hasn’t messed up just once or twice. They’ve made some changes, but it’s only a part of it, so I hid a bomb just in case.”

“…Is that true?”

“Yes. It’s an area mainly used by Hunters, so even if it explodes, there won’t be more than minor injuries. But it will still cause a commotion. That’s what I’m aiming for. So don’t move.”

My serious words made Song Chief’s expression stiff. I smiled as I watched him.

“How is it? Did I win?”

“Where is the exact location?”

“There’s no bomb. I wouldn’t go as far as a bomb threat. I have some common sense too.”

“……”

Suspicion flickered across Song Chief’s face.

“The new Association building and the Awakening Center are—”

“That was because the dungeon exploded and collapsed.”

Liete and I have no idea about that. Song Taewon sighed briefly and said he would conduct an unscheduled safety inspection. He doesn’t trust me very much. Or perhaps he trusts me too much.

“Han Yoojin… gather as much information as possible about the S-class Hunters attending. Sesung will also cooperate.”

“I’ve already handed over the list of those involved that I found at the gathering to Sesung.”

I was wondering whether to ask Hwangrim as well. He’s a Chinese millionaire, deals in cigarettes targeting Hunters, seems to be based in the US, and even has a Transcendental backer, so he probably knows a lot.

“And it would be better to ask the Guild Master of Sesung for improvisation practice against S-class Hunters. I will focus on physical training and martial arts.”

“The Guild Master of Sesung would be the best at responding.”

Honestly, I was confident that I could persuade Yoo Hyun, Yerim, and Noah with words. On the other hand, even if I threatened to destroy Sesung Guild like I did a while ago, Sung Hyunjae wouldn’t even blink. Hyunah would also be difficult to deal with in a different sense.

“Try attacking me physically.”

Song Taewon said. Even though he told me to attack… my mouth watered involuntarily as I took in his broad shoulders and chest. I wouldn’t be able to win even if Song Chief just stood still and did nothing. Even if I charged at him with all my might, I would just bounce off and end up with bruises all over my body.

Even though I was unawakened back then, how could I have recklessly charged at him? I didn’t even have fear resistance. I must have been slightly out of my mind back then. I had no sense of what was going on.

“Then…”

I slowly approached Song Chief. No, what can I really do with my bare hands? Grab his arm and twist… no way. Pull him and throw him… hmm. First, I sharply bent my elbow and tried to stab Song Chief’s solar plexus.

“Ouch.”

My arm. My shoulder is tingling. It felt like I was hitting a concrete wall instead of a person’s body.

“Be careful. Didn’t you say that using potions is prohibited?”

“But I really can’t think of anything to do. I might if I had a weapon.”

“You can use weapons.”

If that’s the case, I won’t refuse. The moment I took out a weapon, my vision spun. Before I knew it, I saw the ceiling and my back hit the floor. The dagger I had taken out flew far away, and Song Chief’s arm pressed down on my upper body. Wow.

“Close combat just doesn’t seem possible.”

“That’s the obvious result. So try to induce carelessness as much as possible. Usually, they would subdue you moderately like I am now. A high-level Hunter would at least break two of your limbs, but there’s no need to do that to Han Yoojin.”

They would think that pressing down like this is enough.

“Of course, there are those who deliberately torment the weak. You must assess the opponent as much as possible and respond accordingly. Can you escape from me now?”

I tried to grab Song Taewon’s arm and push it away. Of course, it didn’t budge. I also tried kicking him, but it had no effect.

“I could use a flashbang or eat a Mini Mini Cookie after making him careless, but it would be impossible with my own strength without items, right?”

“Technique can somewhat make up for the difference in strength, but it’s difficult between F-class and S-class. Still, strengthening your muscles will make it easier to use items.”

– Maeang.

Songi, who had approached at some point, answered instead of me. Then, she pressed her head against Song Chief’s arm, which was pressing me down. Song Chief was a little embarrassed and withdrew his arm.

“We’re not fighting.”

“Why did you come without playing with Sorok?”

Sorok, who had grown even bigger, was standing behind the baby sheep. Songi had also grown a bit, but Sorok’s growth rate was faster, so the difference in size, which was already significant, had more than doubled. Even as adults, the Volcanic Black Sheep is still a bit smaller.

“Playing, playing. Like this.”

– Maae.

I hugged Songi and rolled around on the mat. The baby sheep’s tail wagged quickly, as if she was having fun.

“Han Yoojin’s physical fitness itself is good.”

“Really? The kids always treat me like an old man in his seventies.”

“That’s because he mainly associates with high-level Hunters who are S-class. Even to me, Han Yoojin looks weak. But just taking care of and dealing with baby monsters is a considerable amount of basic exercise.”

That was true. When you think about it, aren’t I really exercising hard? I felt wronged by the scolding I had received.

“Of course, simply moving a lot is different from formally training. You need to do both appropriately.”

In the end, he was telling me to exercise separately. I rolled on the floor again with Songi. Song Taewon stood me up as I was about to collapse completely. And then I thought I was going to die. I chanted that Song Chief wouldn’t die. It was too much.

“Hello, Captain Kim! I see you on TV a lot these days!”

Yoon Yoon visited the Breeding Center. Behind Yoon Yoon, who was still wearing a goblin mask and colorful clothes, stood three people in suits. Their faces were somewhat ambiguous in terms of gender, but they appeared to be human.

“Hello, Director Dodam. I am Yoonshin.”

“Wow, you really look like humans!”

Yerim exclaimed in amazement, her eyes wide.

“You don’t call me Captain Kim either.”

Yoonshin, probably a rubber shoe or leather shoe goblin, smiled brightly.

“I found a great method!”

Yoon Yoon explained proudly.

“Captain Kim says it in his mind. He says, ‘Director Dodam,’ and then says, ‘Captain Kim!’ in his mind!”

Is it impossible not to say Captain Kim at all? Anyway, it really wasn’t obvious like that. And you could just apply a transformation skill to change your appearance.

“I am Yoonseul.”

“I’m Yoongi.”

Bead and porcelain? These three were excellent students from the Goblin Human Society School. Still, I was worried about sending them out, so I decided to hire them as Breeding Center staff. We were short on staff here, and all three were high-level goblins, so just considering their ability to protect unawakened staff members, it was a welcome thing.

“I’m glad to have all three of you. I look forward to working with you.”

“Yes, Director Kim, Director!”

“This cookie is an item that reduces the size of the person who eats it. The one we used in China.”

I gave each of the three goblins two Mini Mini Cookies.

“Don’t eat it yourselves!”

The goblins, who were about to gobble up the cookies, stopped at once. The sparkling eyes they sent me made me realize that their insides were still the same.

“Keep them safe in your inventory and give them to unawakened or mid- to low-level Hunters in case of an emergency, and then evacuate them. You must only use them in dangerous situations.”

Yoon Yoon can teleport adults, but even high-level ordinary goblins have a hard time.

“Yes!”

“Can’t we just eat one? We have two.”

“That’s right, we have two.”

“No. Instead, there are snacks in the pantry over there, so eat as much as you want—no, three per person.”

The goblins disappeared with excited shouts. It doesn’t matter if they eat them all, but if they did, they might try to eat only snacks every day.

“I liked the usual goblins better. Won’t it be stifling?”

Yerim said, watching the goblins who had rushed to the pantry. Yoon Yoon nodded vigorously.

“Yeah, a lot of goblins don’t like following the rules of human society. They have a hard time pretending to be human. But if they really can’t do it, they can just keep living in the village! But they can’t do that outside.”

“Someday, when goblins are completely revealed and there are more of them, we’ll have to make some concessions.”

Right now, goblins have no choice but to hide their true nature and come in. Still, since goblins have excellent abilities, I thought they could blend in relatively easily. At the same time, they’re not aggressive, so it’s easier. Conversely, if they were focused on combat abilities and personality, many people would be wary. Even I wouldn’t have been able to bring them into the Breeding Center so easily.

I was a little worried about security, but this could be covered by Yoon Yoon being the guarantor. Yoon Yoon, good luck. It’s not easy being the leader of a group.

“Captain Kim, please take good care of the kids. Tell me anytime if you need my help!”

Yoon Yoon said with a rather mature expression.

“Okay. It’s okay to cause some trouble in the Breeding Center and the building, so don’t worry.”

“But is the party really a feast? Will there be a lot to eat? I’m an S-class too!”

“Uh… I don’t think it’s the kind of party you’re thinking of. There’s a high possibility that S-classes will fight each other.”

“Ew, then I don’t want to go. Are you okay, Captain Kim? You’re really weak, and the humans keep saying it’s dangerous. But you looked strong on TV! I couldn’t see properly because of the injured Captain Kims.”

“Well… I was always strong. Don’t you remember? I caught the dungeon boss back then.”

“That’s right! You did! That’s right, Captain Kim is weak but strong!”

Yoon Yoon clapped her hands while laughing.

“Have a good trip, Captain Kim! Win them all!”

“Yeah, I’ll win them all.”

Since I had already informed them about the goblins, I left the new recruits to Hyung Kyung-hoon and went to Haeyeon Guild with Yerim. There were still reporters loitering around the building, so I just climbed over the wall. I used stealth skills, and Yerim flew up. She usually flies to work anyway, so it wouldn’t look suspicious.

At Haeyeon Guild, not only Kim Hayeon, the head of the legal team, but also people involved in Hunter-related legal circles were waiting for me. It was for drafting a contract with Chatterbox.