The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 541

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The massive dragon shook the earth as it surged past the Hunters in an instant.

“Ugh!”

“Watch where you’re going!”

Several Hunters, caught off guard by Riete’s reckless charge, protested. Everyone except me was a high-ranking Hunter, so no one was hurt, but she was really going wild.

“Everyone, dragons! Dragons are the best! I love Comet! Are you watching, sis?!”

Kang Soyoung flashed a V-sign at the camera following her. The camera was disguised as a drone, but it probably had Chattering Box’s power embedded in it. From the start, I couldn’t even tell if this was a dungeon or some wasteland on Earth.

I also stepped on the gas to pick up speed, but Riete was still in the lead on the ground. The terrain wasn’t ideal for accelerating, and Riete was probably receiving stat buffs from Kang Soyoung. She could probably run faster, but she was likely pacing herself, considering the unknown distance.

[Straight ahead! Keep going straight!]

The proctor’s voice echoed through the drones. Some Hunters had flight skills, but most were running. Even with flight skills, it was sometimes better to just run, depending on efficiency. Using skills consumed stamina and mana.

‘Good thing I didn’t sell the stamina potions yet.’

I only distributed samples at the Japanese gathering and postponed sales. If there were more competitions like this, stamina potions would be crucial. Maybe I should advertise them now.

About ten minutes after the start, gaps began to form between the Hunters who had been clustered together. Riete was in the lead, with my jeep following slightly behind. The average Hunters were observing the surroundings and gradually adjusting their pace. They were conserving their strength, planning to make their move when the finish line came into sight. They judged that it would be more advantageous.

Of course.

“That person is running incredibly fast!”

Yerim said, holding Song Taewon, with a slightly resigned expression. Some Hunters were sprinting without conserving their energy. It was a kind of gamble. The finish line might be closer than they thought.

“Yerim, you can sit in the front of the car for a bit if you’re tired.”

“I’m okay! And Director Song is light!”

He must have adjusted his weight. Yerim lifted Song Taewon high above her head like a scene from a Disney animal movie.

“Even if you lift me like this—”

“…Hunter Park Yerim.”

“It’s a breeze!”

“…Hunter Park Yerim, please.”

Song Taewon asked in a small voice to be held normally, not wanting to hinder Yerim, his teammate, unlike before the start. At this rate, Yerim might end up on Director Song’s blacklist, following Sung Hyunjae.

And Sung Hyunjae was diligently filming the scene with his phone. Seeing that filming equipment, cars, and even phones were working perfectly, this was definitely not a normal dungeon.

Flap, flap—a light flapping sound, and a shadow fell over the car. It was Noah.

“Noah could definitely win first place!”

Even if Yoohyun and Peace weren’t by my side, Noah was likely faster. It was a natural flying species versus a flying skill. Plus, he could buff himself, and I heard Hyuna had mount-related support skills. Like when she used to ride a bike.

So, that team had the biggest advantage.

“Being with Hyungnim will be the most talked about!”

Moon Hyuna replied.

– It’s enough to speed up near the finish line.

Noah said confidently. Well, the distance between him and Riete wasn’t that great. The more he was on TV, the better, Moon Hyuna thought, as she continued to film Song Taewon with her phone. …Honestly, I wanted to take a picture too, but I felt bad. I should ask her to send me the photos later.

Evelyn, in the passenger seat, took out a small book from her handbag. Then, she started reading as if she were in another world. Moon Hyuna frowned slightly at the sight and told Noah to fly higher.

“They really get along well.”

Evelyn’s teammate, who was sitting in the back seat, spoke to me.

“I’m Vanessa Bailey.”

“I’m Han Yoojin.”

I wondered what kind of person Evelyn’s teammate would be, but she seemed like a very nice Hunter. The smiling expression reflected in the mirror felt a bit similar to Hyuna.

“Actually, most people are still suspicious about the relationship between Director Han and the S-Rank Hunters.”

“I guess so. I wouldn’t believe it either if I were them.”

Was all this conversation being broadcast? They said they’d let me edit it, but there hadn’t been any mention of it yet. I had to be careful what I said, just in case.

“The difference in power is like that. It’s hard to have a horizontal relationship. Even between a company boss and a subordinate, there’s a clear hierarchy of power.”

Of course. Especially between an S-Rank and an F-Rank, it was like the chairman of a large corporation and a contract worker for a subcontractor. If Yoohyun and Yerim weren’t family living together, they would have received even more suspicious looks.

‘But now.’

Those preconceptions were slowly changing. I looked up at the drones diligently chasing the car. I lowered my sunglasses and smiled. What can I say? More than half of the S-Ranks who attended the party are following behind me. As Hyuna said, I’m the most interesting, right?

So, please enjoy it. I’ll try to enjoy it as much as possible.

Since I opened the car roof to prepare for any situation, I couldn’t turn on the air conditioner. I also wanted to save gas. After driving like that for a while, my neck became damp. Everyone else except Yoohyun and Peace must be a little hot too. Even S-Ranks get thirsty.

“Sung Hyunjae, please take out the bag from under the back seat!”

Sung Hyunjae took out a large sports bag. Then I shouted,

“Yerim, freeze that bag a little. Make it nice and cool!”

“OK!”

Yerim lightly released a white mist, and Sung Hyunjae lifted the bag up. A chill passed through, and the bag’s zipper was opened wide. Inside, it was full of drinks.

“Sesung Ahjussi [Uncle], cola for me!”

Yerim smiled brightly, happy that it was just what she wanted since she was hot. Sung Hyunjae threw two cans of cola to Song Taewon.

“Please let me down and drink comfortably.”

“Just open the can for me~ I can drink well even without hands!”

Director Song’s escape attempt failed. I also held out one hand behind me.

“Water and beer, please.”

“Here you go.”

“Juice for Gyeol, please.”

“He seems to want cola, though.”

“Too much carbonation isn’t good for him. Yoohyun, here!”

I threw a cold water bottle to Yoohyun.

“Thanks, Hyung [Older brother].”

“Yerim, some water for Peace, please.”

Hyuna shouted that she wanted beer too! And Noah asked for orange juice. Evelyn and Vanessa each took a can of beer. They held up their beer cans towards the camera.

“△△△ is the best beer! That was a commercial~ For inquiries about Korean Hunter advertisements, please contact the Dodam Care Center Integrated Advertising Department! Yoohyun.”

Yoohyun, unable to use both hands, took out a long piece of paper from his inventory and held it up to the camera. Then he said bluntly.

“This is the contact information.”

It was a temporary office created for the S-Rank Hunters who participated in the party, to avoid the hassle of dealing with each one individually. Sung Hyunjae quickly opened the can of beer I was holding. A postpaid contract where they would pay advertising fees if it was broadcast. The leader was Seok Simyeong. Of course, they had also completed legal consultations with the Chattering Box representatives.

Song Taewon looked at me with a sigh as I raised the beer can high again. Oops.

“Unlicensed drunk driving, never imitate it outside!”

I wondered if I would get a broadcast suspension for this. But the beer company offered a larger contract fee than other drinks.

At that moment, I saw the backs of some of the Hunters who had recklessly run ahead. They weren’t slow now, but they definitely looked tired. Among them, I noticed the Hunter who had caused trouble for me on my first day in New York. Oh, how nice to see him. I turned the steering wheel and approached him.

“Having a hard time in this hot weather~”

“…You!”

Amidst the glaring eyes, I cleanly emptied the beer can and threw it away. Littering is not allowed. Then I held up a new can of beer. His expression twisted nicely.

“A drink, call [Want a drink]?”

“Get lost!”

“If you don’t want it, fine. Everyone, taking orders! Beer? Cola? Juice? All cold! With a touch of frost!”

A Hunter running ahead shouted as he slowed down and approached. Even if they had water in their inventory, it wouldn’t be cold. Plus, it was carbonated. Even if they couldn’t get drunk, cold beer in the heat was welcome. The alcohol content was low anyway. I received a beer from Sung Hyunjae and threw it with all my might. The Hunter opened the can, and white foam gushed out coolly.

“Hunter Han Yoojin, I’m actually a fan!”

Another Hunter shouted and waved his hand. I appreciated the empty words. Again, I threw two cans of beer to the Hunter who wanted it, as a sign of gratitude. This much wasn’t really help. The proctor didn’t say anything either.

“Wow, this is awesome! It was like this when I was a non-awakened person!”

One of the Hunters who received the beer exclaimed. How many times would an S-Rank have the chance to run like this? There probably wasn’t a Hunter who brought cold beer into the dungeon.

I continued to drive for a while, quenching my thirst. Just as I was wondering if it would be boring to keep broadcasting like this, I heard a rumbling sound.

Kugugugung—

Along with the earth-shaking sound, a giant snake-like creature wriggled out from the distance. Then the proctor’s voice flowed from the drone.

[It’s just a normal earthworm that appears from time to time! It’s not dangerous, so keep running!]

Okay, it’s safe even though it’s about 5 meters in diameter. Is that proctor even from our world? Riete lightly jumped over the snake. The snake, on the contrary, was startled by the black dragon and struggled, trying to dig into the ground. Yoohyun and Noah approached the car.

“Hyung [Older brother], should I carry you?”

– Yoojin, should I help you?

If it wasn’t dangerous, I could ask them to carry me over. But it wouldn’t look good.

“It’s okay. It’s okay.”

I refused and took out a gold coin. It was better to use a different method now. Even if I received help, it would be under my initiative, and in a spectacular way!

Kureureung!

The earthworm twisted its body. The giant body split the ground and burrowed inside. The ground cracked as if there was an earthquake, and large pits formed everywhere. It became a mess, making it impossible to pass by car.

“Sung Hyunjae!”

I threw the gold coin back to Sung Hyunjae. The golden coin flew spinning, and Sung Hyunjae’s hand caught it just before it reached the cracked ground.

Chareureuk!

The chain stretched out. At the same time, I cast Teacher Skill on Sung Hyunjae. Sung Hyunjae jumped out of the car and stood bracing himself with the chains wrapped around both arms. Two streams of golden chains stretched out to the intact ground and burrowed into the ground. Imbued with the owner’s magic power, they were taut enough to easily support the weight of a car.

I stepped on the accelerator hard and rode onto the chains. I never thought I’d be tightrope walking in a car. And without a license. Relying on the senses through the Teacher Skill and the sensitivity of the mana imprints, I drove on the two chains.

The car quickly passed over the cracked ground and landed on flat ground. Sung Hyunjae relied on the recoil of retracting the chains and flew through the air, landing accurately in the back seat.

“I would have applauded if I weren’t driving.”

“Your praise is too much.”

How much further did we drive after safely passing the snake? Noah, who was flying high, shouted.

– I can see the finish line!

Noah had the best eyesight among us. He looked down at me and flapped his wings greatly.

– I’ll go ahead!

Following Noah, Yoohyun also said.

“Hyung [Older brother], is it okay if I go ahead?”

“Of course. But it’ll be hard for you to win.”

Yoohyun laughed at my words and patted Peace’s neck. Peace used the sprint skill he had been saving and quickly disappeared.

“Ahjussi [Mister], me too!”

Yerim, who had been clinging to Song Taewon’s shoulder, lifted him up again and used the teleport skill. Yerim and Song Taewon reappeared far away. Then me too.

“The car must be safe!”

I let go of the steering wheel and jumped over the car window. Sung Hyunjae moved to the front seat and grabbed the steering wheel as if he had been waiting for it. After confirming that, I took out a gold coin and threw it to Evelyn. It was a zero-sum exchange. Evelyn brushed back her hair, which had been disheveled by the wind, and stood up. She held a large bow in her hand. Evelyn also moved to the front of the car, and Sung Hyunjae closed the open roof.

“I’m counting on you.”

I went up to the car roof and ate Mini Mini Cookie. It was a bit of a waste to reveal it on the broadcast, but it was an item that would inevitably be revealed soon anyway. Evelyn tied the shrunken me to an arrow. I trembled slightly despite having fear resistance.

“My arrows are protected by skills.”

Evelyn explained to the camera in advance. It was also to hide the grace and to prevent viewers from misunderstanding. It was something that could turn people into rice cakes. In fact, Evelyn’s skill had such an effect. If the target was a strong opponent, it would break, but for ordinary walls, it could be used to connect lines or deliver small objects.

Evelyn took off her glasses and looked at the distant finish line. An arrow was placed on the bow, and Evelyn’s shoulders and arms were tensed. The sleeves, which had been slightly loose, tightened as the arms hidden under the clothes swelled up. I must be incredibly dizzy. Right after gritting my teeth and closing my eyes,

Ping—!

My ears were ringing. Surprisingly, there was little shaking.

Bang!

The arrow, which had crossed the long distance in the blink of an eye, was embedded in the ground. In the midst of the swirling and dizzying vision, the sparkling finish line marker came into view. The proctor shouted.

“1st place! Hunter Han Yoojin!”