The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 204

“I’m off!”

– Kkyauuu!

Yerim raised one arm high, and Blue lifted one wing, mimicking her. After a spirited farewell, Yerim and Blue disappeared beyond the gate.

With a slight time difference, the defense-type Hunters went through first, followed by the rest of the team members entering the dungeon in order.

For the next few days, Yoohyun, Yerim, and Peace will be gone, so even if I go out to the garden, it’ll be quiet. The others are here, but I already feel a bit lonely.

“The final designs for the Peace and Bbyak-Bbyak dolls are expected to be out this evening. The PR team is currently handling it, but the legal team leader is aggressively pushing for the creation of an entirely new department,” Seok Simyeong said as he walked with me out of the dungeon building.

He mentioned that since Peace is an existing monster, it’s impossible to regulate knock-offs. They can’t use the name ‘Peace,’ but there’s no way to stop them from selling it as a ‘baby Flame Horned Lion.’ However, Bbyak-Bbyak is a kind of mutant species and will be registered as a unique monster, so it will be managed more thoroughly than Peace.

“So, they’re planning to focus on selling Peace and Bbyak-Bbyak as a set, and other character merchandise as well.”

“Other character merchandise?”

“Yes. Team Leader Kim Hayeon seems determined to make everything she wants… She said Sorok, which you posted yesterday, was cute, and requested Breaker to make a plushie of the spread-out Sorok. And there’s been a suggestion to open a character merchandise shop in the Breeding Center building, combined with a café.”

Seok Simyeong said it would be good to put it on the first floor of the commercial area where outsiders can come and go.

It’s empty, so it feels like something needs to be filled in. He told me to get the details from the PR team and Team Leader Kim directly.

Outside, HaeYeon’s A-Rank Hunters were waiting.

I got into the car with Seok Simyeong.

“By the way, Team Leader Seok, there are fan sites for Yoohyun, right?”

After talking about various things, I suddenly thought to ask. I couldn’t find them, but I figured there had to be some. It’s clear that Yoohyun is popular.

“Of course, there are.”

I knew it. There’s no way there wouldn’t be.

“Please give me the address. I can’t find them.”

At my words, Seok Simyeong made a somewhat ambiguous expression.

“Well, as far as I know, the largest one is membership-based.”

“Membership-based? How much is the membership fee? I guess they give you a membership card, too.”

I remember an old colleague telling me that his daughter was a fan of some celebrity and lost the membership card she paid for, causing a big fuss. Seok Simyeong’s expression became even more subtle at my words.

“Hunter Han cannot join.”

“Huh? Why? He is family.”

“It has a rather complicated history. The PR team is managing it.”

A complicated history—what on earth does that mean?

To my bewildered expression, Seok Simyeong advised me not to worry about such things and to forget about it.

“And… since you’ll be going to Japan soon, I should mention in advance that Guild Leader and Hunter Park Yerim are also very popular in Japan.”

“In Japan? Is it because they’re S-Rank Hunters? But Japanese Hunters don’t have much recognition in Korea, so that’s unexpected.”

Before the Ranking Battles, popularity was mostly limited to their own country. But after the Ranking Battles, top-ranked Hunters became famous worldwide, regardless of nationality.

“…We’re managing everything. So, please just let it pass.”

He repeatedly told me not to worry, saying they’re checking everything. Why?

“If they’re people who care about the kids, they’re good people, right? I want to get to know them online, but I can’t?”

“They are good people, but it’s a bit burdensome if family members act like they know them, that kind of thing.”

Is it burdensome? I don’t really know, but if that’s what they say… But I’m still disappointed. I wonder if I could at least say thank you and ask them to take care of our kids in the future. S-Rank Hunters’ public image is important, so expressing gratitude should be okay, but why are they telling me not to?

Amidst my confusion, I sent a text to Song Taewon.

[Director Song Taewon, Hunter Park Yerim just entered the dungeon. I’ll stay inside and behave myself until the kids come back, so don’t worry. It’ll be quiet for a while, so I hope you can leave work early and get some rest. Have a good afternoon.]

Yerim will be out soon, and Yoohyun won’t take long either, so I should just handle internal Breeding Center matters in the meantime. I was about to put my phone away when I sent another text.

[Do you happen to have a favorite animal?]

If you do, please let me know. Preferably two or three kinds. I added a message to Song Taewon. Since he’s a close-combat type who doesn’t particularly favor any attributes, it’ll be easy to match his preferences. If it’s around A-Rank, it shouldn’t be too hard to find.

I’d like to get him an S-Rank monster if I could, but that’s not easy. Even an A-Rank would help with the raid and make things easier.

“Information about the Japanese dungeon raid will start leaking out tonight. It’s a kind of Korea-Japan match, so it’ll catch fire quickly,” Seok Simyeong said, unable to hide the rising corners of his lips.

With not many sports events these days, it’s a Korea-Japan match between Hunters. It’ll ignite in an instant. Imagining it, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Our Yerim is going to become incredibly famous.”

I wish time would pass faster. I’m already looking forward to it.

* * *

The fire spread wide. Devouring the lush bushes and trees, scorching the rocks black, and even melting them, it raged fiercely. The forest and hills were quickly stripped bare, and the monsters lurking within were swept away by the crimson waves.

– Kiiit!

A giant lizard covered in damp moss leaped to escape the flames. Behind the fleeing creature, a red-furred lion appeared. The Flame Horned Lion, leisurely crossing the burning forest, pinned the lizard’s body down with its clawed forepaws.

Then, without giving it a chance to resist, a spear made of flames pierced the lizard’s head with a crunch. The monster’s body turned to ash in an instant, and the flames began to spread again.

The ordinary monsters on the first floor of the dungeon were swept away by the overwhelming firepower, too busy fleeing to even think about attacking. They didn’t even have a chance to bare their teeth at the intruders.

The air was filled with the smell of burning, and ash fluttered like snow. The rising heat made the entire sky shimmer.

At the end of what was essentially a rampage through the first floor of the dungeon, a pair of massive rock walls appeared. Facing each other at a distance, the rock walls had faint cracks.

Crack, crack. The wall split, and a head with scales similar in color to the rock walls popped out. Twin snakes with different eye colors completely emerged from the rock walls. They were the boss monsters of the first floor.

– Kreurr.

The Flame Horned Lion growled lowly, baring its fangs.

The twin snakes were tricky boss monsters that couldn’t regenerate unless they were killed simultaneously. Because they tried not to get too close to each other, it was difficult for even a skilled S-Rank Hunter to deal with them at once.

“Blue Willow Leaf.”

A leaf appeared, leaning towards the right snake. Without a word, Han Yoohyun kicked off Peace’s back and stepped on the blue leaf. Peace also began to move on its own without a separate command. Enveloping itself in flames, it rushed towards the left snake in an instant.

– Siiik!

The giant snake raised its head high, scattering poison. Its bright yellow eyes glared at the human standing in the air, stepping on a leaf. Just as it was about to strike the human, who was not even a mouthful, Han Yoohyun disappeared.

Acceleration skill. It simply increased speed, but to the snake’s eyes, it seemed as if he had vanished. Unable to keep up with the enemy’s movements, the bewildered snake felt a hand land on its snout. Only then did the human figure appear in the snake’s vision.

The one red eye was faintly smiling. The poison filling the surroundings couldn’t reach Han Yoohyun’s body and was consumed by the flames.

Crunch. Han Yoohyun squeezed with his hand, putting strength into it until the scales crumbled. In his other hand, flames gathered. The flames instantly turned into a long spear blade and pierced the snake’s head. It was smoothly driven all the way in, as easily as piercing cheese with a needle.

Whirr!

It raged fiercely, evaporating blood and melting flesh. The giant snake’s body collapsed. More than half of its body, from its head, was burned and melted away, leaving only the remaining part writhing. It tried to regenerate, but each time it was swallowed by the flames.

Han Yoohyun lightly landed on the ground and glanced to the left.

“Slow.”

As if hearing his murmur, Peace, who was fighting the left snake, roared loudly and grew in size. Then, biting the snake’s head, it trampled on its body and tore it off in one swift motion. With a cracking sound, the snake’s head was torn off.

At the same time, the right snake’s regeneration stopped. The remaining tail part was also burned and completely disappeared. When a fairly large magic stone was left behind, Irin popped out and quickly bit the magic stone. It glanced at its master, and when there was no sign of disapproval, it swallowed it whole.

When the boss monster died, a gate leading to the second floor appeared. Han Yoohyun didn’t go straight to the next floor but sat down on a rock.

Peace, who had reduced its size to its sub-adult form, approached and settled down next to him. Han Yoohyun took out a water bowl from his inventory and poured mana potion into it. Then, he also replenished his depleted mana.

After Peace finished drinking the mana potion, he took out a water bottle and poured water for it this time. Han Yoohyun also quenched his thirst with a few sips.

He wondered if he should eat some dried food, but instead, he took out a jar of dried fruit. A soft smile spread across Han Yoohyun’s face as he looked at the small glass jar. It was a completely different smile from when he was hunting monsters a moment ago.

“I already miss Hyung [older brother/term of endearment].”

– Kreung.

Peace growled as if agreeing. He was hesitant to eat the dried fruit, just looking at it. He’ll come out to greet me again this time, right? And we’ll go home together.

“Should I make a small wound again?”

– Kyareureu.

Peace perked up its ears and looked down at its forepaws. There was no chance of getting hurt, and it was clean as could be. It was easy for the Flame Horned Lion to wash away any dirt with its flames. But by the time it left the dungeon, its fine fur would surely be disheveled and dirty.

If it really hated being washed with water, even its owner, Han Yoohyun, wouldn’t be able to touch it easily. Not to mention its F-Rank stats. It’s just being spoiled and exaggerating.

The flames that had been spreading around slowly subsided. The heat that had been warming the air also subsided a lot.

Han Yoohyun hesitated, then took out just one dried fruit and put it in his mouth. It was slightly sour and sweet. He didn’t chew and swallow it but just held it in his mouth like a candy.

For him, the recent days had been comfortable and sweet. There weren’t *no* annoying things—no, there were quite a few. But it was satisfying enough to be able to endure them.

Of course, anxiety was lurking deep down. Sometimes his chest would feel cold for no reason, and he would become restless. Still, he hoped that days like these would continue for a little longer.

To continue like this. To have a real home, someone waiting for him, and someone who loved him without reservation.

“…I miss Hyung.”

– Kkeueung.

Peace seemed to feel the same way, whimpering slightly sadly. The gaze that sees the most lovable, cutest, prettiest, and best thing in the world. Han Yoohyun himself was amazed at how he could have given that up for three years. It may be because it had been distant once, that it had become even more precious.

He felt like he was wasting time even resting, so he chewed and swallowed what was in his mouth and got up. He wasn’t very tired yet. It was then, as he was about to cross over to the second floor gate…

“……!”

He felt a gaze. Han Yoohyun reflexively drew his weapon and looked around. Peace also seemed to sense something, pricking up its ears.

But there was nothing to be seen. There were no monsters, only a desolate land with not even a single blade of grass left.

*Did I imagine it?* Just as he was about to think that, there was something again that was subtly touching his sensitive senses. Han Yoohyun gritted his teeth. *It’s annoying.*

“…Irin.”

The fire spirit smoothly scattered its body into flames. Then, leaves spread out and began to burn red. The spirit’s flames probed every corner as if licking it.

The moment something was caught, it disappeared. Han Yoohyun’s brow furrowed slightly.

‘*…Is it related to the system?*’

Surely nothing has happened to Hyung. There was no way to know inside the dungeon. Han Yoohyun immediately withdrew his skill and crossed over to the second floor.