The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 127

Chiiiik!

An egg landed softly on the oiled frying pan.

“Sunny-side up? Well-done?”

“Sunny-side up, please.”

I answered, slightly dazed. I never dreamed I’d see the Guild Leader of Sesung making fried eggs for me. If a fortune teller had predicted this scene before my regression, I would have told them to keep their quackery to a reasonable level and gotten angry.

Then, the smell of bacon wafted into my nose.

“Coffee? Or fruit juice?”

Noah held up a basket filled with mangoes, bananas, and oranges. I asked for juice, and he skillfully peeled the fruit. The sound of the blender loudly echoed in the kitchen.

Noah, of course, and even Sung Hyunjae, looked excessively handsome, like I was watching some 4D kitchen commercial. If they opened a cafe together, it would probably be successful even if the food tasted terrible.

Contrary to my expectations, this place wasn’t a hotel but a villa. He said they moved to a privately owned villa to avoid being conspicuous after the Kraken incident.

“…What do you want?”

I couldn’t help but keep glancing at the burn scar visible through the collar of his shirt. I pierced the runny yolk with my fork, as ordered, and asked Sung Hyunjae. *Answer that you protected Yerim because you had some other purpose.*

“That’s a disappointing thing to say.”

“It’s not good for my mental health to conclude that you helped me, even risking injury, simply out of concern for me. I’d be too bothered and uneasy to sleep for a week.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m a virtuous person.”

“…I almost choked.”

Noah, sitting next to me, also had a dubious expression. Sung Hyunjae continued, a smile playing on his lips.

“I tend to be generous only with possessions that are worth enough. Besides, it’s embarrassing not to be able to protect what’s mine.”

“She’s not yours, Sung Hyunjae. It was just a joke to begin with.”

“I’m always sincere.”

“Don’t say scary things. If you’re serious, I’ll run away.”

“I’ll give you about a day to hide.”

*I have no intention of playing tag with you.* Of course, those words were exchanged jokingly, but I couldn’t help but feel uneasy when he said he was serious.

“Anyway, I appreciate you protecting Yerim, and I’ll compensate you for your injuries.”

“Let’s pretend I didn’t hear the latter. You’re welcome. It was the least I could do for Han Yoojin.”

“What do you want?”

“I’d like you to stay sane until I get tired of you. Mentally, I mean.”

“You don’t care about my body?”

“If it shrinks, it’ll be easier to carry around.”

For a moment, I wondered what he meant, then frowned. I admit my F-rank body isn’t very useful, but that’s still too much.

“That’s harsh.”

Noah bristled on my behalf. But Sung Hyunjae didn’t even glance at him. That guy really ignores Noah.

“When someone’s talking, you should at least look at them, right?”

“Is there any need to do that when the owner is right here?”

…What the hell is this nonsense again? I protested that Noah wasn’t a Seungsoo [a mythical creature or familiar] and didn’t have an owner, that he was a perfectly independent person, but it was no use. I was almost resentful that I had been even slightly moved by him taking care of Yerim while injured. His personality really sucks.

“Noah, could you excuse us for a moment?”

* * *

After a simple breakfast, I said to Noah.

“Yes, I’ll be in the support area.”

After Noah left, I brought up the events of last night.

“Did you take care of everything?”

“Thanks to you. A few high-ranking Hunters tried to escape, but no one got away. Since the hotel was completely submerged, it won’t seem strange that the bodies can’t be found.”

Sung Hyunjae said, sounding quite satisfied.

Most of the people in the hotel ended up in his hands. Alive or dead. Judging by the fact that he took even the corpses, Sesung must have a Hunter with a skill similar to Yerim’s White Corpse.

“Don’t forget to share any useful information.”

“Didn’t you say you weren’t interested in overseas matters and even forbade me from trying to get involved? If you’ve changed your mind, you’re welcome.”

“Of course, I won’t even glance at it. Just pass it on to Haeyeon.”

I’m already tired enough dealing with domestic matters, why would I care about overseas? I’ll just get stamina potions from Japan and Hunters from China, then ignore everything else.

“And send me all the items they were wearing.”

It’s hard to take items from someone’s inventory. And if they die, the inventory and all the items disappear. That’s why I deliberately made them put the items up for auction. It’s a waste to just let them disappear.

“You’re so meticulous. How admirable.”

“Please remove the possessive from your gaze.”

Your eyes are too blatantly saying I’m yours. If you’re going to claim my items, at least trade me a skill or something. You’re trying to get everything for free. Aren’t you a thief?

We were talking about the aftermath when,

“Ack! It’s Han Yoohyun! Eeak!”

Yerim screamed as if she had touched a cockroach. She used to call him a handsome and capable older brother; she’s changed a lot.

“Uncle! When did you wake up?”

Yerim burst out of the bedroom with loud footsteps.

“If you don’t notice an F-rank moving around next to you, there’s something wrong with you.”

“I was just too tired. Is there bread?”

I said, looking at my brother, who was entering the kitchen with a still-sleepy face.

“Don’t do things like going into S-rank dungeons together.”

“Yeah. But you’re the one who overdoes it the most, hyung [older brother].”

“That’s right. You faint all the time. Even though your stats are F.”

All the time? I don’t think it was that often. Maybe three times? That’s not much.

“Is me being cooped up at home the same as you guys going into dungeons?”

“How many dungeons have you been in recently? I wouldn’t worry if you really just stayed home.”

Well, somehow. I have nothing to say. I never intended to go in and out of dungeons this diligently. But things in life don’t always go as planned.

“I want an egg too! Completely cooked!”

Yerim shouted at Yoohyun, who was taking out an egg. Despite frowning unhappily, Yoohyun picked up another egg.

“I’ll make it for you. Sit down.”

“It’s okay.”

Irin appeared on Yoohyun’s shoulder as he held the pan. I waved, but there was no reaction. Is it not just that it can’t speak? Is its intelligence also limited, acting like an ordinary lizard?

“Thank you for the Sesung Guild Leader’s coat. But don’t forget what you promised to give me!”

“Of course.”

“…Promised to give you? What?”

Yerim tore off a long piece of bread and answered casually to my question.

“I helped move corpses and people yesterday. It’s the payment for that part-time job!”

“What? Why are you making a kid do something like that?!”

“It was just a simple transportation job.”

“Simple my foot—!”

Thunk, the blade of a kitchen knife was caught in Sung Hyunjae’s hand. Yoohyun placed the plate of fried eggs on the table. Both were sunny-side up.

“I said well-done!”

“We only serve sunny-side up in this house.”

Yerim grumbled and put the fried egg in her mouth at his cold words, telling her to not eat if she didn’t like it. Still, I felt like she had gotten a little closer than before. I guess kids get closer by fighting.

Sung Hyunjae lightly threw the kitchen knife that had flown towards him back at Yoohyun. A fork tapped the knife, and the blade spun in the air before plunging into the table. It’s a marble table, but it went in almost halfway.

“You’re old enough to know better than to play with knives at the table.”

“The young master started it first.”

“Yoohyun, I know it’s annoying, but you shouldn’t throw knives in the kitchen.”

“Okay, sorry.”

Then he hesitated for a moment and looked at me with eyes like a scolded puppy.

“…I was wrong yesterday. Hyung kept his promise, but I acted selfishly. I’m really sorry.”

My brother is so kind after all. Look at him apologizing right away.

“It’s okay. As long as no one got hurt.”

Sung Hyunjae quietly raised his hand. So what? Still, when I saw the burn scar, I felt a little sorry and my conscience pricked me, so I said again.

“It’s okay since no one died. What does it matter if they get a little hurt? We have potions and healers.”

“Wow, what is that? I’m sure Uncle would say it’s okay as long as Yoohyun apologizes, even if the world is destroyed because of him.”

No, even I wouldn’t go that far… If the world is destroyed, it will be uncomfortable for Yoohyun to live too, so I have to stop it before that happens.

“And it’s also because of the spirit. Fire spirits are originally like that. When they’re using their power, their self-control weakens and they become violent. It’s even more so because you’re not used to it yet.”

Uhm, and. Should I say it? Irin was staring at me intently, as if urging me. But maybe it’s just looking.

“Well, even if you cause some trouble, Yoohyun. I still love you. So don’t worry too much…”

…Rin, this is hard for hyung. If I’m embarrassed, I’m doomed. Calm down. Let’s act like it’s nothing, let’s be casual. Fortunately, Yoohyun smiled brightly without saying anything.

“Uncle, what about me!”

“Of course, I love Yerim too. But my brother is my number one.”

“Ah, that’s obvious. It would be more surprising if you said otherwise.”

It’s that obvious? At that moment, Sung Hyunjae looked at a message on his phone and got up from his seat.

“They’ve arrived. Would you come here for a moment, kids’ dad?”

He said, heading towards the front door. Wondering what was going on, I followed him, and the door opened to reveal Kang Soyoung and,

– Kkyaaang!

“Peace?”

Peace jumped into my arms.

– Kkeuwoong.

“Yes, yes. How did you get all the way here?”

“I brought him.”

Kang Soyoung said with a tired face.

“Peace… has been a little… prickly since Han Yoojin wasn’t there. But he seemed to understand that he was going to Han Yoojin, so he cooperated… I couldn’t bring Blue too.”

“Thank you. You’ve worked hard.”

She smiled weakly and said it was okay. I need to raise Comet quickly when I get back. I feel bad.

“I heard Noah is here too? Can I come in for a moment?”

“Ah, yes. He went to the support area earlier.”

“Thank you!”

Kang Soyoung, suddenly full of energy, ran towards the support area. Noah’s surprised shout could be heard faintly. Calm down, Soyoung. Peace in my arms was wagging its tail incessantly, as if happy to see me.

“I was planning to go back soon, but it took so long. I’m sorry, Peace.”

– Kkeang, Kkyang!

I comforted Peace and turned to Sung Hyunjae.

“Well, thank you for your concern.”

I was uneasy about his excessive kindness, but I was honestly grateful that he brought Peace.

“I suppose that’s worth about three stars now.”

“Let’s say it is.”

“I hope your seawater allergy is gone too. As you know, this area is an island. And this tour is definitely no-option, no-tip.”

“Are three kids and a pet allowed?”

“Of course.”

I couldn’t refuse if the conditions were that good. I would have been sad to just go back after coming all the way here with the kids. I was worried about being too conspicuous, but a ridiculously talented tour guide would take care of it.

“Really? I thought we were going back right away! Wait a minute, let me search something! I need to buy souvenirs too!”

Yerim jumped up and down excitedly when I went inside and told her we were going to Hong Kong. Yoohyun also looked happy. I woke up Ppiyaki, who was still sleeping, and went outside with Noah and Kang Soyoung.

We had a great time until the next day. There were a few minor accidents in between, but nothing major happened. It’s impossible to have no accidents with so many kids.

Then we boarded the plane back home.

The news that I had been rescued by the Haeyeon Guild Leader had spread in Korea, and the airport was filled with people. More than I expected.

‘I brought this on myself…’

Still, the attention is too much. I felt my face burning. I should avoid going outside without makeup for about a month, I’m so embarrassed.