The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 195

195. Director(5)

“Two hours. Weren’t we supposed to be asking for their cooperation? Is that okay?”

“It depends on the value of the dungeon. Why do you need Japan’s dungeon? I’d like to know in advance.”

“Not ‘from’ the dungeon, but you’re subtly trying to extract information first.”

“We can’t proceed with negotiations without knowing anything, can we?”

He’s right, but whatever. I stopped walking abruptly. ‘Forgot’ my ass. Is he doing this on purpose? Creating an urgent situation so I can’t respond properly.

“Then let’s finish the discussion properly before we go.”

“Weren’t you complaining about being kept waiting?”

“Two hours or three hours. If you want to increase the ratio compared to the existing one, please explain in detail the investment and results of this negotiation. We’ll only give you more shares if it’s worth it.”

Sung Hyunjae turned to me. It’s still not great to face him standing. Even without the ranking, he’s an intimidating opponent. I’m okay now because of the fear resistance, but thinking about the day I can’t rely on it, I’m reminded of how far I still have to go.

“First of all, let me emphasize that officially transferring dungeon rights to a foreign individual is unprecedented.”

“It’s only been a little over three years, so it’s bound to be unprecedented. High-value dungeons are probably being traded illegally in countries with unstable systems. Even in our country, illegal dungeons have been discovered. It must be worse overseas. Illegal dungeon trading is a given, and official trading will happen soon enough.”

I spoke as if it was just something that was happening a little faster, telling him not to exaggerate too much. In reality, national dungeon trading will be common in two or three years. As the number increases, it becomes difficult to manage, and ordinary dungeons are sometimes sold off at rock-bottom prices.

“Japan isn’t unstable.”

“It’s not exactly stable either, though. The power of Hunters has become too great for a developed country.”

“Even so, starting negotiations was difficult. Above all, if you want a specific dungeon, you can’t help but be suspected of having a reason, so it took a lot of effort in many ways.”

He then explained in detail the hard work that went into setting up the negotiation table. Listening to him, it seemed like he had put a lot of thought into it. Of course, not Sung Hyunjae, but his subordinates.

“Future management won’t be easy either. Once they know the true value of the dungeon, they’ll definitely try to take it back.”

“Maybe it’s just an ordinary dungeon that Japan doesn’t care about.”

“I wouldn’t bother saying something that could be omitted.”

Ah, right. He means I wouldn’t try to get an ordinary dungeon. Thank you for trusting my judgment.

“Now it’s Han Yoojin’s turn.”

“6 to 4. Of course, we get 6. On the premise that you take care of all future management perfectly.”

“Even though Seseong will take on all the practical work? I would accept it if it were the other way around.”

“First of all, this dungeon is for me. It appeared at my request.”

To be exact, I just moved up the time for a dungeon that was originally scheduled to appear, but Sung Hyunjae doesn’t know that.

“In fact, you could say I own it. And what we can get from the dungeon is the material for Stamina Potions.”

“Stamina Potions, you say.”

“Simply put, it’s a fatigue recovery drink. It’s a potion that creates the best condition even with a short rest. One of the risk factors during long dungeon raids is the consumption of physical and mental strength. It’s hard to rest comfortably inside a dungeon.”

You have to fight your way through monsters everywhere. You might have to face the strongest boss monster while exhausted from clearing out ordinary monsters. Even high-ranking Hunters inevitably feel some fatigue after continuous long battles. Even if you take a break with sentries posted, a refreshing sleep is impossible given the situation.

The situation was even worse for mid- to low-level Hunters. The dungeon paths were relatively short, but at the same time, they tired more quickly and recovered more slowly than high-ranking Hunters. Even if they settled down to rest inside the dungeon, they were often unable to benefit from the rest due to anxiety. In particular, new low-level Hunters would often just look around and get up again. Even with experience, it was difficult to shake off the anxiety, unlike high-ranking Hunters.

“But using Stamina Potions greatly restores accumulated fatigue and maximizes the effect of rest. Just lightly closing your eyes for an hour or two has the same effect as sleeping for more than eight hours in comfortable bedding and a relaxing environment.”

Using Stamina Potions doesn’t mean you don’t have to sleep at all. Rest is essential. According to experimental results, the maximum time an F-class Hunter can use a high-content Stamina Potion to maintain their usual condition without rest is one week. If you don’t rest for a week, the potion’s effects won’t appear, and your physical condition will rapidly deteriorate.

It was recommended to rest for at least one or two hours a day and live as normally as possible outside the dungeon.

“Depending on the material content, you can also see the effects of a stimulant. Regardless of poison resistance. The effect is also much better than usual. It improves concentration in battle, so it will be an essential item just before fighting a boss monster. It will become the third potion that is always in the inventory, along with the other two potions.”

As I spoke, I felt like I was selling drugs. Is it because I get too many spam calls?

“Above all, you can monopolize it for at least six months to a year. There’s no need to explain at length the benefits of monopolizing useful Hunter consumables.”

Another Stamina Potion material dungeon will appear in about a year and a half. Even if the dungeon appearance rate speeds up, it will take half a year.

“It’s not exactly a monopoly.”

“It depends on what you do. Isn’t it just a matter of simple consultation with Haeyeon? A quasi-monopoly.”

I met Sung Hyunjae’s gaze as if asking what he thought. If the Stamina Potion is revealed, Japan will go wild. Seseong will have to stop that, so I specially increased it by 10% to 40%.

“In addition, the fact that I can make dungeons appear also means I can do the opposite. Don’t even think about snatching it.”

The dungeons that Noah and Riette raided, which were out of sync with the times, were also deleted by those filial sons. So, the Stamina Potion material dungeon is also possible.

“This is only possible because of me. I acknowledge that you’ve put in a lot of effort, but I refuse greed.”

Saying that, I took out the contract. It was a Hunter Association-certified contract, with two copies in a set so we could each have one.

“Honestly, even 30% would be appetizing, wouldn’t it? To the point where you wouldn’t mind the effort of picking it.”

Sung Hyunjae held out his hand.

“There will be more than one or two bugs to deal with, so it seems quite annoying.”

“If bugs don’t stick to it, it’s just a pretty poisonous fruit.”

He took the contract and took out a pen. He scanned the contents and smiled faintly. Without saying much, he signed it and returned one copy to me.

“As Han Yoojin said, even if I pushed it to 30% or less, I thought it was a value I couldn’t easily give up, but the contract was marked as 40% from the beginning. Were you intimidated by our last call?”

“I was being considerate. Because you’re a partner I’ll be working with for a long time.”

Honestly, I was scared. But it was true that Sung Hyunjae as a partner was worth giving up 10% more.

I looked up as if asking if he had any complaints, and he chuckled softly. Was he finding it ridiculous?

“By the way, there’s no way a non-awakened person came from Japan, and it’s not an S-class Hunter, right? Chief Song is already working a lot of overtime, so we can’t add more work.”

No matter how great the Seseong Guild Leader is, there’s no way an S-class Hunter would be ignored for two hours and put up with it.

“It’s an A-class.”

“That’s a relief. Still, please pay attention. You haven’t been answering Chief Song’s calls since someone’s birthday party.”

“Not answering?”

Sung Hyunjae stopped moving and stopped again.

“Yes. He seems very busy. I heard that overseas A-class Hunters have also caused accidents.”

“That can’t be.”

“What do you mean, ‘can’t be’? It’s not like Chief Song is busy for just a day or two. Mr. Sung is responsible for about half of the cause.”

“It’s been like this since that day.”

Sung Hyunjae, who had been lost in thought for a moment, slowly raised the corners of his lips.

“Chief Song Taewon is also subtly acting cute.”

…Chief Song, run away. I don’t know why, but it’s best to avoid him for now.

“Whatever you were thinking, stop it.”

“Looking at it, Yoojin cares quite a bit about Chief Song Taewon.”

“It’s thanks to having a normal conscience. Anyway, please leave the tired person alone.”

As far as Song Taewon is concerned, my conscience is already a hedgehog. It’s covered in pricks. Are tonics effective for S-class Hunters? Something good for the body… but the law is blocking it. Why is Chief Song Chief Song? Stamina Potions are bound to be expensive.

“You said you suspected the reason why Japan wanted the dungeon, right?”

I said, checking the time on my phone. I want to check with my wristwatch too.

“They suspect that they’re aiming for the dungeon to capture ride-type monsters.”

“Ride-type? Are there good monsters there?”

“The stats themselves are ordinary, but I heard the ratio of offspring is high.”

Offspring were often seen among ordinary monsters. A total of seven monster offspring were discovered during the dungeon raid. They were mostly B-class or lower because they were ordinary monsters, but A-class monsters occasionally appeared, so it was said that the offspring monsters had the potential to grow into A-class monsters.

“They think it’s a good dungeon for getting a large number of ordinary ride-type offspring for upper-level dungeons, as it has monsters similar in shape to cows.”

It’s not suitable for combat with an S-class Hunter. But it would be okay as a ride for A-class or lower team members. It’s difficult to get offspring of even A-class monsters, let alone S-class, so they were tempted by a place where so many appeared.

Of course, it becomes worthless without me. So it wouldn’t have attracted attention before the regression.

“Thanks for giving me a reason instead. So, what are the desired conditions?”

“An exchange with the Slime Dungeon. They seem to think it’s worth that much.”

“It’s just an ordinary dungeon without me, so what. I was planning to use the Slime Dungeon as bait, but I’m getting annoyed.”

The Stamina Potion material dungeon is more precious than the Slime Dungeon, but I still don’t like it. Still, I have to get it.

“Hmm, unlike my image so far, I need to show the image of the Seseong Guild Leader’s partner, right? Would you be disappointed if I came on too weak?”

“As I said before, I don’t intend to urge you to change overnight. Above all, even if Han Yoojin shows a changed appearance right now, the world won’t easily accept it. The image you’ve publicly built up is solid.”

My public image is that of an innocent and weak victim. It was good for exploiting in many ways. Unless I suddenly have S-class stats, it will be difficult to change it all at once, as Sung Hyunjae said.

“Then let’s use it one more time.”

I have to use it when I can.

“And Mr. Business Partner.”

I glared and said as resolutely as possible.

“The Japanese dungeon matter is supposed to be done under mutual cooperation, but you didn’t even inform me that a Japanese official had arrived, let alone report on the intermediate process. Isn’t that very rude? Please be careful not to let this happen again in the future.”

That’s right, we’re business partners. It’s absurd to only receive after-the-fact notifications.

“I have committed a discourtesy. I will keep that in mind, Mr. Partner.”

I don’t know if that smiling face is teasing me or if it’s just his usual appearance.

“Shall we go then, Director Han?”

“We’ve kept them waiting a long time, so let’s hurry, Seseong Guild Leader.”

I nodded and moved my steps side by side. That position was still very awkward.

Two hours and forty-one minutes. That was the time from when we were guided to the conference room until the closed door opened. The Japanese A-class Hunter Nakajima looked at the two people entering with an unkind gaze. But his expression was calm, and he stood up from his seat with courtesy. The fellow Hunter sitting next to him did the same.

Even though they had been kept waiting for a long time, the other party was an S-class Hunter. They prioritized rank over nationality, so it was not difficult to bow their heads.

“Nice to meet you, Seseong Guild Leader.”

“I kept you waiting.”

A low voice was heard. Thanks to the translation item, there were no problems with communication. Sung Hyunjae did not express any regret or apology beyond that one word. It was a rude attitude, but the two Hunters accepted it familiarly.

“This is Han Yoojin, the director of the Ride-type Monster Breeding Center. You must have heard of him.”

At Sung Hyunjae’s words, Nakajima raised his head. Next to the tall man, who was easily over 190 [centimeters], stood a young man who was small enough to be compared. In reality, he was probably above average, but the opponent next to him was bad.

Even his stats were F-class. In other words, he was an easy opponent for an A-class Hunter.

“Of course, I have heard of him.”

Nakajima looked at Han Yoojin, who was standing quietly without daring to interfere between the two, with a smile on his face.