The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 167

167. Only S-Class in Name (1)

“I think I should just start a new life this time around.”

Kim Min-ui muttered, utterly dejected, after staring at her phone for a long time. It wasn’t like they broke up while dating, or she confessed and got rejected, or even a failed *ssum* [a Korean term for the ambiguous stage before a relationship is defined] that was mutual or one-sided; it was just a failed *ssum*, but she’s being so extreme.

“Did you like them a lot?”

“I really thought I had a sure feeling this time…….”

Looks like it was a one-sided crush after all. Anyway, I patted her on the back to cheer her up.

“They say you become popular if you become a Hunter and join a large guild, so why am I getting rejected even after being called an S-Class?”

Seriously, it’s a condition that anyone would be tempted by, but to not even glance her way… could it be that they didn’t feel even a hint of *ssum* on their end?

“Don’t be too disappointed. You might meet someone better in the future.”

“No. I don’t think it’ll be easy. When you think about it, even that great Guild Leader hasn’t dated once, so even having *ssum* is good enough…….”

“Our Yoohyun didn’t do it, but.”

Compare things that can be compared. He suffered because of us, so I’ll let it slide just this once. Kim Min-ui quickly covered her mouth, realizing she had misspoke.

“Ugh, eo eo.”

“It’s okay. Sometimes words can slip out. Just once, though.”

Of course, not twice. I’m already *sin gyeong sseuyeo* [worried/bothered], and I don’t want to hear it from others. The kid is a bit slow… which is true. These days, kids start dating so early. There’s no reason why he couldn’t date a high-ranking Hunter due to safety issues. …Could it be that he gave up on someone he liked because they were a non-Awakened, without showing it?

Should I ask him casually when I get the chance?

I told Kim Min-ui to calmly think about it until tomorrow. Whatever choice she makes, or if she suggests another method, I plan to compensate her as satisfactorily as possible. Still, it would be convenient if she remained an S-Class so I could continue to use her status.

“Several MKC Hunters have already contacted us.”

Seok Simyeong said as we left the private room and walked down the hallway.

“As soon as the words ‘Hunter Park Yerim successfully attacked an S-Class Dungeon under her leadership and plans to purchase the rights to an S-Class Dungeon that matches her attribute’ were out, they pounced.”

“They wouldn’t want to drop from playing in S-Class to an A-Class raid team.”

There’s a difference in the amount of money earned, but for high-ranking Hunters who have a desire to become stronger, raiding S-Class Dungeons is essential. The chances of obtaining high-grade items and skills are much higher than in A-Class Dungeons.

“Please carefully screen the interviewees so that no strange Hunters get into Yerim’s team.”

“Don’t worry. We will thoroughly investigate their backgrounds.”

“Oh, I heard you’re building a new building for convenience facilities soon.”

Seok Simyeong nodded at my words.

“Yes. We plan to include dormitories. We have already entered negotiations to purchase nearby buildings.”

“Can we use those facilities as well?”

There are many delicate and precious people, so I can’t send them just anywhere. Therefore, I can’t miss the opportunity to use convenience facilities where safety is guaranteed. Seok Simyeong smiled gently at my question.

“Of course, you can. Aren’t we practically one family anyway?”

“Don’t try to subtly pull us in. We will pay the usage fees properly.”

“Usage fees? That’s a disappointing thing to say. We’ll even try to find a location close to the breeding facility.”

“That’s appreciated.”

At that moment, my phone rang. The name ‘Seong Hyunjae’ was on the screen. Wondering what was going on, I answered the phone; it was about the Japanese Dungeon matter.

“You looked into it already, even though I mentioned it during the day? You’re diligent.”

[I just said a word diligently.]

Well, he’s in a position where reports come up as soon as he says ‘Look into it.’ The guild that won the bid for the Dungeon with the stamina potion ingredients was said to be of medium size. It was a manageable opponent, but he said that if they were contacted from Korea, there was a high possibility that a large guild would get involved.

[Trading Dungeons with foreign countries is, in principle, prohibited, so they won’t accept it under ordinary conditions.]

“We need to dangle a tempting bait that they’ll be tempted by.”

[I’m very curious to know what Han Yoojin-gun is so enthusiastically aiming for.]

I drew a line in advance, telling him not to covet it, to his words mixed with laughter and expectation.

“As I mentioned, the Seseong stake is 30%. This includes the connection to the deal, as well as all future protection fees for the Dungeon.”

Since it was overseas, it was difficult to allocate personnel separately to protect the Dungeon in addition to the raid team. However, if the value of the Dungeon was revealed, there would definitely be Japanese guilds that would secretly invade and try to raid it. So, we decided to receive help from Seseong for the protection of the Dungeon as well.

After exchanging a few more words about the related content, I turned to Seok Simyeong as I ended the call.

“We might have to put the Slime Dungeon on the line as collateral. I guarantee it’s worth it.”

Of course, he would naturally be uneasy with just my words, so I thought I would have to persuade him, but Seok Simyeong answered lightly.

“I’ll prepare it.”

“…Excuse me?”

“The procedures for Dungeon transactions are complicated. Especially international transactions, there are documents to prepare—”

“No, that’s not it. Aren’t you accepting it too easily?”

The Slime Dungeon is like a gold mine. There are many places where we need to spend money, so if we lose it, the impact will be significant, but he’s unusually willing to give it up. Seok Simyeong smiled briefly at my suspicious gaze, wondering what his ulterior motive was.

“Because Han Yoojin-ssi would never do anything that would harm the Guild Leader.”

“How long have you known me to be so sure? It hasn’t even been a few months. Don’t you have any suspicions?”

“I gave up suspecting after doing a few background checks in the past. It’s suspicious in many ways, but not a speck of dust comes out, so what can I do? The incompetent side just has to believe it.”

The suspicious actions like the Hunter contract and Dungeon information are thanks to my regression, so naturally, there’s nothing to find even if you dig. Even so, I didn’t expect him to give up completely; it’s unexpected.

“And if, by any chance, things go wrong, I’ll use that as an excuse for a lifetime contract—”

“I won’t do it. Please give up.”

He’s so persistent. I should be used to Seok Simyeong’s attitude, but I felt a strange and unfamiliar feeling again. It felt like just yesterday that he was treating me like a worthless obstacle, but now he’s sending me warm gazes that sometimes make me feel as cold as if I had an ice shard in my heart.

I thought it was understandable back then. Would he turn away mercilessly if I lost all my abilities now? Since my relationship with Yoohyun is good unlike before, he might not treat me coldly.

“Then please prepare it for now. Oh, and could you look into Dungeon byproduct manufacturers?”

Because I think I should slowly prepare someone’s birthday present.

* * *

I went out to dinner with Yoohyun and Yerim, who had returned from the Hunter Association. Peace accompanied us since we left Haeyeon Guild directly. It was a conspicuous combination in many ways, so we headed to a restaurant with private rooms that high-ranking Hunters frequented.

They were silently fighting over who would take the seat next to me, so I made them sit side by side across from me. Peace took the seat next to me instead. Peace, who had his chin on the table, wagged his tail.

Yerim ordered champagne, saying that celebrations call for alcohol, but instead of drinking it, she cut the bottle neck with her hand and made it shoot up like a fountain. All the soaring champagne flew towards Yoohyun, but it cleanly evaporated in mid-air.

“Don’t use skills outside the Dungeon.”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

They answer well. Yerim ordered a lot of things and ate well, while my younger brother was picky. I offered him food, telling him not to worry because my poison resistance is high, and then suddenly asked.

“Do you guys happen to have someone you like? These days, people start dating early.”

“Wow, that’s such an old man question~ I don’t have anything like that. People my age or younger are all kids. But I don’t like older people either.”

You’re a kid too.

“I don’t have one either.”

“Not now, but in the past? Never had one?”

“Never had one.”

My heart ached at my brother’s indifferent answer. Really never? Yerim also looked a little surprised.

“You look decent, so you must have been popular. That’s unexpected. Of course, I’ve received confessions several times.”

“I’m all booked up,” she said, laughing.

“Let’s go to the arcade. There’s a good one nearby!”

After dinner, Yerim suggested we go play since it was still early. It was a place where even if Awakened people broke some facilities while playing, it was okay as long as they compensated for it. Perhaps because of that, there were other Hunters besides us. However, as soon as they met Yoohyun’s eyes, they all quietly moved away.

Yerim, who had taken a seat in the shooting range, skillfully picked up a gun, saying she often did it for dessert bets. Yoohyun, who seemed far from firearms, also had a proper stance. I was the only one among them who had completed military service.

‘How can I beat S-Classes?’

Those guys could thread a needle. Hitting the center of the target was basic, so they even brought out a ruler to determine who shot the center more accurately. The difference was almost nonexistent, but since we came out to celebrate Yerim, I sided with Yerim.

“Han Yoohyun has become dull~ Because he’s been playing with Ahjussi… Ah, I’m jealous!”

Yerim, who was boasting, got angry and glared at Yoohyun, who was looking at her with disdain, and then challenged him to a fight. I stopped them, telling them to settle it with a game if they really wanted to fight, but they couldn’t decide the winner and ended up breaking three machines, which were paid for with Seong Hyunjae’s card.

That wasn’t enough, and they broke another machine while playing the claw machine.

“Hyuna unnie [older sister] also isn’t good at claw machines, so she often breaks them.”

Yerim said as an excuse, holding the broken lever in her hand. On the other hand, Kang Soyoung was said to be good at it. Next to her, Yoohyun picked up a blue bear or cat doll in one try and threw it to Yerim.

“Hyung [older brother], is there anything you want?”

“I don’t really… that one looks a bit like Bbyak.”

“Pick up the rabbit next to it too.”

As expected, the doll fell out of the exit in one try. He said it was his first time, but he’s really good. It seems like there’s nothing my brother can’t do.

We played various games until late at night, and then the two of them took me home before returning to Haeyeon Guild. As soon as I entered the house with Peace, I heard Bbyak’s voice as if he had been waiting. He came trotting over and looked up at Peace, who was in my arms, chirping.

“It’s been a while, right? Peace, it seems like Bbyak missed you a lot.”

I put Peace down on the floor, and he looked at the fluttering baby bird before raising his front paw and tapping Bbyak’s head.

– Bbyak!

“There’s also a new monster named Bellare.”

I said, heading towards the living room where we were. Bellare, who was in the cage, raised his head and hissed at me.

“Have you been behaving? Bellare, this is Peace. Don’t fight—”

– Grrr.

Peace growled softly at the sight of the jewel snake. Bellare, who was just coming out of the cage, stiffened at the sound. Then, sss.

– Bbyak.

– Shh, shh.

He hid behind Bbyak. No, Bellare, you’re much stronger. Does he think Bbyak is superior to him because he lost once? Peace narrowed his eyes and glared at Bellare, who was peeking out from behind the white fluffball. Then, Bbyak chirped something and flapped his wings.

– Bbyak Bbyak!

– Keu-heung.

Peace shook his head once, dissatisfied, and then showed his teeth to Bellare again before approaching me. He didn’t seem to have any intention of attacking, just showing that he didn’t like the jewel snake.

“Bbyak, did you explain it well?”

– Bbyak!

“You’re so admirable. Peace is also kind.”

Our kids are smart, kind, and of course, cute; anyway, they’re great. I stroked Peace and Bbyak with a pleased heart.

* * *

The next day, Kim Min-ui, whose face was even more haggard, said.

“I’ve been *gomin* [agonizing/worrying] all night, and I’ve decided that disappearing is not a good idea, so I’ve decided to choose between being an S-Class or staying as a B-Class.”

“You still haven’t chosen between the two.”

“I don’t think I’ll get an answer even if I think about it more, so I’m just going to flip a coin.”

Is it okay to decide your life with that? Kim Min-ui put a 100 won coin on her finger.

“Heads is S-Class, tails is B-Class!”

With a loud shout, the coin spun around in the air. And thud, it fell to the floor. Admiral Yi Sun-sin looked pitifully at the helpless being.