The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 24

24. My People (4)

As Park Yerim confidently stepped inside, I was about to nag her about knocking before entering someone’s home, but.

‘That’s a scam!’

I was left speechless by Yerim’s appearance.

To think that the somewhat shabby tracksuit-wearing middle schooler had transformed into a teenage model who looked like she could be in a sports drink commercial. Was she transformed rather than just styled?

Her face, with makeup that seemed natural yet enhanced her charm, was complemented by active short shorts and a T-shirt that showed off her arms. Her short, curled hair added a touch of androgyny, reminding me of a cheerful young god from Greek mythology.

It seemed she had been styled with an emphasis on the Hermes’s Shoes skill. She certainly looked like a handsome boy ready to fly away at any moment. It suited her well, and she was really pretty, but.

‘…The Ice Witch has completely disappeared.’

The cold and haughty beauty was nowhere to be seen. She’s still young… she’ll change as she grows up, but. Well, it doesn’t really matter to me how she changes, but seeing the future I knew change so drastically made me feel a bit strange.

“Who is this…?”

Yumyungwoo asked, seeing Yerim suddenly appear. Yerim’s face, which had been full of smiles, instantly hardened.

The girl strode over, lightly jumped over the table, grabbed Yumyungwoo by the scruff of his neck, and shoved him into the corner of the sofa as if throwing him away. Then, she sat down next to me.

“What is it? Sticking to our Mister like that is disgusting.”

Park Yerim glared at Yumyungwoo, her eyes narrowed.

You’re clinging to me right now, though.

“Ah, no, I…”

Yumyungwoo, pierced by her fierce gaze, stammered and shrank back. He looked pathetic, but I didn’t feel sorry for him. He should take this opportunity to fix his habit of clinging.

“You sit further away too. And knock before entering someone’s house.”

“I was so eager to show you my changed clothes that I forgot.”

With that, she jumped up and spread her arms wide.

“How do I look?”

“Pretty.”

“Don’t I look a bit like a boy?”

“Cute.”

“Aren’t you being too perfunctory?”

Then what should I say? I gave her another compliment, full of service spirit.

“You’re really pretty and cute. I was so surprised by your transformation.”

Only then did she smile in satisfaction. Oh dear, I’m your guardian, not your dad. But I can’t say anything to a kid who really doesn’t have a dad, so I have to bear it.

“But who is that Mister?”

Yerim looked back at Yumyungwoo, who was watching her cautiously, and asked.

“A friend.”

“Oh, really? Hello.”

Yumyungwoo was relieved by Yerim’s unexpectedly polite greeting. Everyone living here except me is A-class, so he must have been scared by the attitude of the girl who suddenly appeared and glared at him.

Moreover, if she’s an S-class Hunter, even a non-awakened person would instinctively feel intimidated. Yerim was less intimidating, perhaps because she had just awakened, was level 1, and specialized in magic.

“O-oh, hello? I’m Yumyungwoo.”

“I’m Park Yerim. Hanyujin Mister is my guardian. Are you here to play?”

Yumyungwoo’s stiff body completely relaxed at her affable voice. He smiled and replied.

“No. I’m planning to stay for a few days due to circumstances.”

“Stay? Don’t you have a house, Mister?”

“What? No, it’s not that I don’t have one.”

“Then why?”

The tone of Yerim’s voice rose slightly, and a red light turned on in my head. If I left it like this, that little tongue would mercilessly tear Yumyungwoo to shreds. Look, her eyes are getting fierce again.

“Yerim, no.”

“But! I live separately too!”

“Stop it and sit down.”

“…Yes.”

I’m glad she listens to me, at least. It’s a bit strange how well she follows me, though. If I were only a dozen years older, I might look like her dad.

…She doesn’t really think I’m her dad, does she? Even though my perceived age is thirty, it’s not like I’m old enough to have a daughter.

“You two get along. You’ll be taking the rookie Hunter training together.”

“Wasn’t I doing it alone with Mister?”

“I have to do it with this girl?”

The two shouted at the same time. Then, they looked at each other, and Yumyungwoo looked down first.

“Yerim, I told you not to.”

You might regret it later. How important is high-grade equipment to a Hunter, and you’re glaring at the future crafter?

“I’ll say it again, get along. You’re both precious friends and wards to me.”

If possible, I wish they would become friends and play well on their own, leaving me alone. It seems impossible, though.

“Who is more precious to Mister?”

“You’re both the same.”

Yerim frowned at my casual answer.

“Still, there must be a little difference. Even just a little.”

“That’s…”

Yerim is like that, but why are you looking expectant, Yumyungwoo?

“I like people who are diligent and work hard.”

So, work hard while I play. Then I might really like you twice as much as I do now.

“I’m going to the training room to work out!”

Yerim said, jumping up. Yumyungwoo also got up.

“T-then, I’ll… prepare dinner!”

Seeing them both leave in a hurry made me feel relieved. I should have done this sooner.

‘Well… this won’t last long, though.’

They’re trying to stick to me now, but how long will that last?

Yerim is an S-class combat Hunter. She’ll soon become famous, make a lot of money, and be busy living her glamorous life.

Yumyungwoo is the same. Once he gets the SS-class crafting skill, people from all over the world will come to him asking him to make equipment. A-class, and even S-class Hunters will bow down and ask him for favors.

He’ll be praised and loved by countless people, so will I even be in his eyes then?

Even though I complain about it being a hassle, I felt a little lonely about the confirmed future.

‘Still, it’s best if they live well on their own.’

If they stick to me even after they become famous, then I’ll be the one who has the hardest time. I got all sorts of flak just for Yuhyun, and if there are three of them, ugh.

I was about to go see Peace when my phone rang. It was Seok Simyeong.

‘Why is this old man calling again?’

I saw him this morning, why is he calling again? He should go home early and rest since it’s Sunday. I’m against working on weekends.

[I heard the story from Hunter Kim Seonghan.]

A gentle voice said. That was fast. Judging by his attitude, he wasn’t calling to blame me for problems with the work.

[To think you would use the Hunter contract in that way. You continue to surprise me.]

“…Pardon?”

Ah… is it not that common yet?

[It’s a method that can be easily thought of with a little shift in perspective, but I’m also ashamed that I didn’t think of it. I guess this is what they call Columbus’s egg [a discovery that seems obvious in retrospect].]

“No, it’s nothing special.”

It’s not like I came up with it, everyone uses it. I can’t explain it.

“Anyway, the number of people you can use it on is limited. They have to sign the contract themselves and agree to it.”

You can’t use it if the other person refuses to the end. Also, they have to properly understand the contents of the contract, so it’s impossible to trick them into signing it.

“Besides, it doesn’t work if they believe it’s not a lie. So, it’s even been used against them, it could be.”

It was an incident that happened overseas. A large guild went bankrupt.

[Indeed. That could happen.]

“No matter how effective it is, you shouldn’t blindly trust a single piece of parchment. As long as skills exist, there can be loopholes anywhere.”

Skills come in many types, and their range of application is diverse. If they break the laws that have been followed so far, you won’t be able to respond if you’re trapped in common sense.

It’s only been three years since dungeons and Awakened people appeared. Once the chaos is settled and adaptation begins, the changes will accelerate even more.

[I understand. I want to have a longer conversation with you.]

“There’s not much helpful information…”

Actually, I could give him a lot. If I used the information I remember for myself, I’d just buy some stocks. But if the Haeyeon Guild had it, they could change a lot.

‘…I decided not to be nosy.’

Is it okay to release those things? I was honestly anxious. Especially since the future I knew has changed, and the things I know are no longer true.

If I act like I know everything, people’s expectations of me will naturally rise. But if many things in the future are changed by my words, from that moment on, I’ll go from being a wise man who sees the future to a babbler.

So, it’s best to keep my place. I definitely don’t want to end up being ostracized by everyone again after acting recklessly without knowing my place like before.

…But maybe one or two things would be okay.

I just happened to think of something.

“If you’re really willing to listen to my words, may I say one thing?”

[Please speak.]

I checked on Yumyungwoo in the kitchen and moved to the window before opening my mouth. At this distance, Stat F wouldn’t be able to hear me. It’s nice to have a big house.

“I know that there will be a new A-class dungeon bidding soon.”

If the discovery of a new dungeon is delayed and exploration is urgent, the Hunter Association will gather support. But when there is enough time until the dungeon break, it goes to public auction.

The rewards for the first exploration are the best, and the guild that explores the dungeon first has priority in managing the dungeon, so the higher the dungeon level, the higher the bid price and the competition rate.

[You mean the dungeon near Icheon, Gyeonggi?]

“Yes. That dungeon will… probably be a slime or coastal environment.”

To be exact, it was a slime dungeon. Slime is an expensive monster whose magic stones and entire body are used as materials for all kinds of products. It was said that one A-class slime dungeon would eliminate the guild’s financial worries.

In my memory, the A-class slime dungeon in Icheon was occupied by MKC Guild, one of the three major guilds. They held the production materials and acted tyrannically.

Coastal environments, which have similar expectations to slime dungeons, are slightly lower in grade but are dungeons with many valuable resources.

[…Is it possible to know that in advance?]

After a brief silence, Seok Simyeong asked in a lower voice. It must be hard to believe.

“It’s not certain yet, but there is a kind of law in dungeon creation.”

It wasn’t an excuse, it was the truth. It’s impossible with the lack of related data now, but in about three years, it will be possible to predict the environment and monsters of new dungeons to some extent.

[A law?]

“Yes. It depends on the order, location, and surrounding environment. Of course, it’s not accurate, so please just use it as a reference. With the current capabilities of the Haeyeon Guild, bidding on this A-class dungeon is not too difficult, is it? Even if you don’t believe me, there’s no harm in bidding.”

The other side of the phone went silent again. This time, the silence was longer.

It must be complicated to think about. If you can really grasp the state of the dungeon before exploring it, you’ll have a huge advantage over other guilds.

[…The dungeon bidding is not under my jurisdiction, but I will strongly recommend it.]

Seok Simyeong replied after a long time. Even if it’s not under his jurisdiction, he should be able to pass it easily given his position.

[After the new A-class dungeon exploration is over, can I get your opinion on other dungeons?]

“If possible. It’s not easy to calculate yet.”

The calculation method is quite complicated, so I don’t know how to do it. I’m just relying on my memory.

“Please keep the secret.”

I could trust Seok Simyeong. He was still a strong pillar of the Haeyeon Guild even five years later. Yuhyun had a lot of luck with people. Except for me.

[Don’t worry. I will protect it more securely than the Guild Leader’s personal information. Then I will contact you again soon.]

Seok Simyeong ended the call in a very cautious manner, unlike when he first called. It felt like his attitude had changed from treating me like a promising prospective employee to treating me as an equal.

‘It’s okay to tell him this much, right?’

It’s about time the pressure from the three major guilds starts to intensify. Yuhyun, and Yerim and Yumyungwoo too. They’re going to be the Guild Leader and the backbone of the guild, so they can’t help but get caught up in it.

Even though I grumble about them living well on their own, they’re still my people who I raised and brought here.

‘Let’s not touch the share of the small and medium-sized guilds, and just take away the things from the three major guilds.’

It’s better for Korea if Haeyeon takes the lead anyway. Of course, I don’t know everything about the Haeyeon Guild, but the guy who’s willing to throw away his life to save his useless brother is the Guild Leader. It’ll be better than the giant guilds allied with the conglomerates.

So, let’s help a little.