The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 192

Swish—

A knife sliced through the night. A-Rank Hunter Lucas expertly twisted his leg, deflecting the blade aimed at his ankle with his boot. The blade barely grazed him, but it still shaved off a chunk of the A-Rank boot’s heel. With a sharp crack, the knife embedded itself deeply into the wall, leaving a spiderweb of cracks around it.

“Damn it!”

He cursed and lunged forward. As soon as his hand met a transparent barrier, the man who had charged in instantly threw a punch at Lucas.

Kwaaaang!

A sound like an explosion echoed. The barrier shattered as if it had been pulverized. It was an S-Rank defense skill, capable of withstanding most attacks from S-Rank monsters, yet it was destroyed effortlessly.

Lucas gritted his teeth, watching the black shadow flicker on the fist that was now inches from his face. He ducked quickly, but as if anticipating the move, his opponent, Song Tae-won, raised his knee and slammed it into Lucas’s upper body.

“Ugh!”

Following the knee strike, the descending fist opened and grabbed the back of Lucas’s head. As he pulled him in, Song Tae-won’s other elbow crashed down on Lucas’s spine. The sickening sound of bones breaking echoed loudly. It was an attack that would have instantly killed an ordinary person, but the body of the A-Rank defense hunter was merely incapacitated.

Song Tae-won bound the hunter, who hadn’t even lost consciousness, with a wire and tossed him to the floor. Lucas spat out blood and glared fiercely at the man standing before him.

“Just for, ugh, touching some non-awakened! It was just a minor injury! There’s no problem in our country—”

“This is Korea.”

Song Tae-won stated flatly. His blunt voice continued calmly.

“In Korea, it is strictly forbidden for awakened beings to harm non-awakened beings. Furthermore, resisting arrest and attempting to escape by a high-ranking hunter is a serious crime.”

If it was just a minor injury, it could be resolved with a settlement. But a high-ranking hunter refusing to obey the law was a serious matter. In reality, the means to control them were insufficient, and once things spiraled out of control, the situation could escalate rapidly.

Despite Song Tae-won’s explanation, Lucas looked aggrieved.

“We’re the ones keeping you alive anyway! Damn, you’d all be dead if it weren’t for the hunters!”

Lucas, indignant, momentarily shut his mouth at the cold gaze that landed on him. But only for a moment. When Song Tae-won didn’t react, he boldly began to hurl insults.

“I’ve heard Korea’s Song is a crazy bastard, but seeing it in person is even worse! Only an idiot would make an S-Rank hunter bow to a non-awakened! If you have power, it’s natural to enjoy it! How can a high-ranking hunter be like a castrated dog—!”

Kwaaang!

At that moment, an explosion echoed not far away. Song Tae-won, who had been ignoring the insults, frowned slightly and turned his head toward the source of the blast. Fortunately, no further sounds followed. Instead, another A-Rank foreign hunter fell nearby with a thud, unconscious.

“He’s alive.”

A voice came from above. The figure of a young man lightly stepping down on the scattering leaves as if they were stairs came into view. Han Yu-hyun landed on the wall where the knife was embedded. His gaze briefly swept past Lucas, who had fallen silent. Even that fleeting glance made the A-Rank hunter shrink back.

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

Han Yu-hyun nodded slightly and took out his cell phone. He speed-dialed a number, and as the signal rang and the other party answered, the atmosphere around Han Yu-hyun shifted noticeably.

“Yeah, hyung [older brother/term of endearment]. I just finished.”

The sight of a beast that no one could touch suddenly turning into a cat rubbing its cheek against its owner’s hand was not lost on Song Tae-won.

“I’m going straight home. Is there anything you want me to get? No, if you’re sleepy, don’t wait up. It’s okay.”

Han Yu-hyun smiled brightly, as if his brother had said he would be waiting. He said it wouldn’t take long and hung up. Then he turned to look at Song Tae-won. The softly relaxed expression hardened into indifference once more.

“I can give you a ride if you need it.”

It was clear that Han Yu-jin had told him to offer. Song Tae-won briefly declined. As soon as he heard the answer, Han Yu-hyun immediately stepped down from the wall and walked away. There was no second offer. The fact that he had even made an offer in the first place was surprising.

Song Tae-won stared at Han Yu-hyun’s receding figure before taking out his cell phone. A text message had arrived.

[Thank you for your hard work, Chief Song. You don’t have to reply. If there was anything wrong with my brother, I would appreciate it if you could let me know. You must be tired, so please go in and rest.]

The events of that night flashed through Song Tae-won’s mind: Sung Hyun-jae handing Han Yu-jin his cell phone. He hadn’t believed that monster, uniquely outstanding even among beasts, would easily place Han Yu-jin by his side. It could be a simple prank, or he could throw him under the bus at any time on a whim.

But the fact that he had stepped back first and extended a hand was undeniable.

After hesitating, Song Tae-won turned off his cell phone without replying.

“Here, my business card.”

I handed Myung-woo the brand-new business card that had arrived this morning. Yu-hyun, Yerim, and Noah each took one as well. Peace and Bbyakkyak were curious, so I gave them one too. Peace quickly lost interest, but Bbyakkyak took it to its sleeping place. The contact number on the business card was a new one created for business use. With this, I now had three cell phones. I barely use the first one these days; should I get rid of it?

“It looks pretty decent, right? So it’s a bit *budeomseureopjiman* [burdensome/awkward], though.”

I never had to make a business card even before regression. Moreover, it felt awkward because there was a job title.

“Han Yu-jin, Director?”

“Well, for now. That’s how it turned out.”

Ah, awkward. Really. Don’t laugh.

“…Why don’t you reorganize the blacksmith system while you’re at it? Right now, you’re practically leaving it to people who are volunteering for scraps.”

“I don’t really have any inconveniences yet, but if it piles up, troublesome things might happen. Should I get a business card too?”

“Should I give you the contact information for the place that makes them?”

“Yeah.”

I sent Myung-woo the contact information I received from Seok Si-myung via text message. Seok Ha-yan’s team said they were already doing well on their own, so there were no problems.

“By the way, Myung-woo, about the Beads of Shalos. I heard you didn’t get them back?”

The damage nullification item I lent to Yu-hyun. He said his brother still had it.

“Yeah. I told him to use it when it’s dangerous. He goes into dungeons often.”

“But don’t you only have a few of those left now? You can’t make them again, can you…….”

It was an item made thanks to the L-Rank magic stone, and even an extraordinary material called Dragon Heart. At my words, Myung-woo took out one of the Beads of Shalos and tossed it to me.

“Keep it just in case.”

“…Huh?”

“As a spare. Grace might be taken away, or your magic power might be all used up, or people around you might be in danger.”

“But, then what about you, Myung-woo?”

“I still have one left. And I don’t really have to go to dangerous dungeons. If necessary, I can just run to the blacksmith.”

Still, it’s a world where you never know what might happen. An S-Rank dungeon could suddenly explode, or a high-ranking hunter could attack. It wouldn’t be easy to give away such a precious item, like a spare life, leaving only one for himself.

“…If you even take care of Yu-hyun, I’ll feel too sorry.”

“What’s there to be sorry about? And you can’t live without your brother. He’ll be less anxious now. That’s all that matters. I should have given it to you sooner.”

My neck felt hot at his smiling words. I don’t believe in gods, but if they exist, I wonder if meeting Myung-woo was a gift given to me for having so many hardships. I might not have met him. If I had gone to the Awakening Center right away on the day I regressed, I would never have known his face or name.

I’m really glad that I got to meet him like this.

“…You too, I can’t live without you. You’re also a precious person to me. Don’t give the last one to anyone and keep it with you.”

Not only Myung-woo, but everyone else too. I hoped not to lose them this time. It might be greed, but still.

“Don’t worry. Honestly, I’m the safest. You’re the director now, Yu-jin, so stay put in the breeding center.”

“I want to do that too, really.”

How comfortable would it be to take care of the baby monsters and wait for the kids to come back? It would have been better if Yu-hyun and Yerim weren’t hunters. Should I give the Beads of Shalos to Yerim? Her team is gradually being formed, and they’ll soon be entering an S-Rank dungeon.

“Would it be okay to lend the bead to Yerim? Even if it’s just when she goes to conquer the dungeon.”

“Do as you please. But take good care of Grace.”

“Thanks, really.”

I had been worried, but this relieved me. Of course, it would be best if there was no need to use the bead. If an S-Rank hunter had to use a damage nullification item, the other team members were likely to be in an irreversible situation.

It’s better not to experience such things. Sincerely.

“Nice to meet you, Director Han Yu-jin.”

A woman in her mid-forties, dressed in a sophisticated suit, extended her hand to me.

“Hello, Kim Ha-yeon, head of the legal team.”

I slightly lowered my head in response and shook her hand. It was a slightly stiff and large hand. She was also quite large in stature. I knew she wasn’t an Awakened, but if she did awaken, her stats wouldn’t be low.

Kim Ha-yeon, the head of Hae-yeon’s legal team, sat on the sofa and placed the doll she had brought on the table. It was a baby Flame-Horned Lion doll. What’s with the doll? Wasn’t she here about the legal contract issues between the breeding center and Hae-yeon?

“This is a fake that’s currently being sold on the market.”

“Ah, yes. I see.”

“Team Leader Seok said you’re thinking of making genuine character merchandise.”

“…Yes? It’s not that we’re not.”

“How about putting Peace’s paw print on the genuine tag?”

Kim Ha-yeon said seriously. Paw print… It would be cute. I guess.

“In gold, so it stands out. It would be good to have a special print that feels slightly squishy to the touch when you touch it.”

“That sounds good……. But you didn’t come here to talk about character merchandise, did you?”

“I did.”

She answered nonchalantly.

“The legal team is taking care of the other parts, so don’t worry. I personally like Peace. It’s an opportunity to combine work and hobbies, so I’m moving directly.”

Originally, she mainly took on much heavier tasks. In particular, she works on various things with other guild legal teams regarding hunter-related legislation, within the boundaries that don’t exceed the law.

In fact, the breeding center-related matters weren’t something that Kim Ha-yeon would directly get involved in. Then she started talking about implementing a way to put Bbyakkyak on a life-size Peace doll for decoration.

“Small figurines or snow globes would also be cute.”

“They would definitely be cute. Not just the juvenile form, but the adult form is also cool. I hope products based on the adult form will also come out.”

There were various stories about other monsters as well. There was also quite a bit of information worth noting other than character merchandise. More than half of the conversation was about the cuteness of Peace and Bbyakkyak, but our kids are really cute, so it can’t be helped.

“Team Leader Seok, that raccoon, seemed quite excited.”

Kim Ha-yeon said as she got up from her seat.

“It seems like he’s found good prey after a long time, so don’t get too caught up in it. He’s a human who likes to create images for people. But he’s skilled, so if you accept it appropriately, it will be helpful.”

“Ah, I see. Actually, I think it’s a bit much to be told to thoroughly manage my appearance…….”

“You should do that. Director Han will mainly be standing among S-Rank hunters. You must avoid looking shabby at the very least.”

That… that’s true. My confidence suddenly drops. …Maybe I should dress up a bit.

The next day, I was practically attached to Hae-yeon to reorganize the breeding center. Seok Si-myung’s nagging was a bonus. I was interfered with to the point where I thought that even if his voice was good, I would eventually get tired of it, and finally, the appointment time with the Sesung Guild Leader was approaching.