The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 304

302. This is Your Lobby

I know Seok Si-myung, yet at the same time, I don’t really know him. In my memories, he remains someone close to an enemy. My first impression of him was that of a typical, nasty adult trying to burden a child with the heavy responsibility of a guild and then manipulate them. When Haeyeon was first established, it was easy to hear that Seok Si-myung was the real power behind it. The prevailing theory was that he was controlling the young S-Class Hunter from behind the scenes.

Later, I thought he was loyal to Haeyeon Guild, but even so, he was still an obstacle standing between Yoohyun and me. I even believed that Yoohyun’s cold behavior was due to Seok Si-myung’s advice. Hearing the cold yet persuasive voice telling me that I was only hindering Yoohyun, I couldn’t help but think Yoohyun would easily fall for those words.

But now, we’re on the same side. Even though we’re on the same side, the memories from before the regression keep stirring things up inside me.

“I want to know about Team Leader Seok.”

That’s why I asked Kim Ha-yeon. If I went directly to Seok Si-myung, whatever I heard would inevitably be filtered through my memories. On the other hand, Team Leader Kim Ha-yeon is trustworthy and has a favorable image as a teacher who taught children, so hearing from her would make it easier to avoid bias. She’s also been working with Seok Si-myung for a long time as an early member of Haeyeon Guild.

“Director Han cares deeply for his younger brother, the Guild Leader.”

Kim Ha-yeon opened her mouth after a moment of silence.

“Yes, of course.”

“Then, the most trustworthy person in Haeyeon Guild is none other than Seok Si-myung, the Head of Human Resources.”

Her voice was calm, as if stating a truth that didn’t need emphasizing.

“For Team Leader Seok, Haeyeon Guild and Guild Leader Han Yoohyun are his pride and joy, irreplaceable by anything else. Team Leader Seok has a wide network and exceptional abilities. Any guild would have welcomed him. But Team Leader Seok personally chose and selected the Guild Leader among many S-Class Awakened. He trusted his own judgment and took on the challenge.”

Kim Ha-yeon said that when the young S-Class Awakened was trying to gather people to create a guild, Seok Si-myung was the only one who went to Han Yoohyun first and was directly chosen. It was a story I had also heard from Seok Si-myung himself.

“He always says when he’s drunk, ‘I chose my own path, and it was the perfect choice.'”

“A perfect choice… But wasn’t Team Leader Seok a B-Class? Does he get drunk easily?”

“His stamina stats are quite low for a B-Class.”

So, is that why he only takes on office work? He was humble when talking to me, but in reality, he had great pride in choosing Yoohyun.

“Moreover, in the beginning, everyone thought Haeyeon Guild wouldn’t last long. It was treated as a childish game of a reckless young S-Class Hunter. Naturally, there was no one to help.”

“I heard the Sesung Guild Leader helped.”

“That was after it had somewhat stabilized. Initially, he was negative. He openly said that Han Yoohyun Hunter would soon leave Korea.”

Indeed, Sung Hyun-jae said he had noticed Yoohyun’s true nature. He probably guessed that building a guild wouldn’t last long and that he would wander around like Riet. But seeing him continue to maintain it, he became interested.

“If I were to pick someone who helped, it would be the Breaker Guild Leader. She had asked me if I had any thoughts of investing in the young master. She said there was no harm in a young Guild Leader succeeding on his own. She said it was for experience, so it seems she didn’t have high expectations.”

Was Hyun-ah also wanting to create an independent guild? If even one more success case was added, it would be advantageous.

“Still, because no one predicted success, there was less interference. It was more difficult after establishing the foundation. In the early days, they didn’t openly try to antagonize him, thinking he was a valuable S-Class Hunter who they should try to recruit if the guild disbanded. There were cases where they directly attacked the Guild Leader, though.”

“Yoohyun? …I heard he was poisoned once.”

“There were quite a few humans who looked down on him for being young and did foolish things. Typically, a few A~B-Class Hunters weakened the Guild Leader with poison and then tried to fight him to earn the title of defeating an S-Class Hunter. At the time, strong poisons hadn’t appeared yet, so there wasn’t much damage.”

“…Those damn bastards.”

Their necks must have been cut off, right? If they weren’t, I’ll cut them off now.

“But Haeyeon Guild has successfully established itself. The success of Haeyeon Guild, of Guild Leader Han Yoohyun, is also the success and achievement of Team Leader Seok himself. Betraying Haeyeon Guild is no different from betraying himself. He would rather give up his life than do anything that would harm Haeyeon Guild and the Guild Leader.”

I thought Seok Si-myung was loyal to Haeyeon Guild. But I didn’t know it was to this extent. Is it like a work or a child that he has meticulously raised from beginning to end?

“And you shouldn’t say things like the Sesung Guild Leader helped in front of Team Leader Seok.”

Kim Ha-yeon said with a playful voice.

“Even if he pretends to be calm on the outside, he grinds his teeth on the inside.”

“Yes? Why?”

“He thinks of unilateral help as damaging Haeyeon Guild. He believes that only standing on one’s own strength is perfect. So, he paid everything back, but it seems the Sesung Guild Leader found it amusing. Initially, he showed goodwill and helped the Guild Leader, but after a couple of months, it turned into a game with Team Leader Seok. The Sesung Guild Leader secretly helped, and Team Leader Seok desperately found it and paid it back.”

Sung Hyun-jae, who said he noticed when I mentioned helping Yoohyun, came to mind. No wonder he vaguely answered my question about whether anything was left unknown! It’s true that Yoohyun didn’t know because Seok Si-myung noticed and resolved it. If he heard the arrogant declaration that he would hand over Korea to Haeyeon, Seok Si-myung’s insides would be completely turned upside down. Has he already heard it?

Thanks to that, I felt a sliver of camaraderie and goodwill towards Seok Si-myung. The image of Sung Hyun-jae subtly scratching at him every time they met is vivid in my mind, so vivid. He really has a bad personality. Was the advice I gave him when I went to meet Sung Hyun-jae as a partner born from experience?

“If he had just ignored it, it would have ended quickly, but he kept touching on parts that Team Leader Seok could never tolerate. Moreover, because he accurately pointed out the shortcomings, even if he paid it back, he couldn’t deny that it was helpful, so his pride was greatly hurt. Thanks to that, even if he doesn’t show it on the outside, he’s very sick of the Sesung Guild Leader on the inside.”

“Still, he’s dealing with the Sesung Guild Leader, so he’s quite brave.”

“Brave? He’s very scared. He’s just good at bluffing. So… it’s not really for me to say. Anyway, that incident has left Team Leader Seok with trauma, so please don’t mention it in front of him if possible.”

He was one of Sung Hyun-jae’s victims. Hearing that he had been severely hurt made me feel sorry for him, but it also relieved me. …Honestly, I want to scratch at Seok Si-myung’s insides at least once, but I shouldn’t. Especially since it’s about Haeyeon’s affairs.

“No matter what anyone says, Team Leader Seok’s contribution is the greatest in bringing Haeyeon, the Guild Leader, to where they are today. Han Yoohyun Hunter can be said to be a complete S-Class Hunter from the moment of his awakening. But Guild Leader Han Yoohyun could not have been created without Team Leader Seok. Considering the situation at the time, even more so.”

Even if Yoohyun was a born hunter, he was still young and had never properly experienced social life. Seok Si-myung’s guidance would have been necessary for the overall guild management, as well as the attitude to have as a guild leader.

“Team Leader Kim Ha-yeon, I heard that you also taught my brother many things. And Yerim, too. I am grateful.”

“It’s my duty. The Guild Leader was a good student. He learned quickly. Hunter Park Yerim still has more to learn, but fortunately, she’s very interested in causing accidents with minimal punishment. She’s more diligent than I thought.”

…Yerim. Please try to obey the law as much as possible.

“Although Team Leader Seok is loyal, he’s a sly fox who hides his true feelings well, so Director Han should be a little cautious. He’s grateful that you care so much for the Guild Leader, but he’s also someone who will turn his back without hesitation if things go wrong. He wouldn’t hesitate to sell you out if it benefits Haeyeon. Even if you’re the Guild Leader’s older brother. He can use anything as a pawn except for the Guild Leader.”

I know that very well.

“If Director Han had established a guild instead of a breeding center, he would have been suspicious and wary beneath a smiling face. He would have wondered if you were trying to devour Haeyeon Guild. He probably hasn’t completely let his guard down even now. If he ever suggests a merger, refuse.”

“A merger?”

“Yes. He also hates mergers. Sudam Guild was disliked for making such a proposal. He would welcome them if they came under him, though. He’s someone who is only satisfied when Haeyeon is purely Haeyeon.”

I agree with that. My brother built and nurtured this guild with all his heart, so it shouldn’t be tarnished. …Until the very end, Haeyeon was Haeyeon. It shouldn’t disappear or change, absolutely. I also want to protect those two letters completely.

“He’s trustworthy.”

“He is.”

I felt sorry for disliking such a person. Considering my brother, I should be grateful to him instead. But I…….

“…Can I ask you one more thing?”

“Yes, please do.”

“Someone tormented me in a dream. So severely that I can never forget it. But in reality, I don’t really know that person. They’ve never done anything bad to me. So, I shouldn’t dislike them… but the dream is so vivid, it remains so clearly like reality, that I keep feeling repulsed.”

The current Seok Si-myung has never done anything wrong to me. He’s actually kind.

“This… I’m doing something wrong, right?”

“No.”

Kim Ha-yeon replied lightly.

“It would be nice if you didn’t feel repulsed, but people’s hearts aren’t that easy. Besides, if it’s because of a vivid dream, that’s actually mild. There are countless people in the world who hate others for all sorts of trivial reasons. Simply walking down the street can cause someone to hate that person. There are probably many people who hate Director Han, too. Without ever having met you in person.”

…Well, that’s probably true. Because my brother is an S-Class Hunter, because he was lucky enough to get high-grade skills, because he became famous, etc. There must be at least one person who criticizes me for being expensive for constantly rejecting advertising offers. There will also be people who don’t like my appearance.

“What can you do about such feelings? Whether it’s negative or positive, emotions are something you can’t control at will. You just try to endure it. Unless you’ve reached enlightenment.”

“That’s, right.”

“However, it’s wrong from the moment you express it outwardly.”

Kim Ha-yeon said firmly.

“Taking action means directly harming others. Then, we’ll meet in court. Director Han, please contact me immediately if you spot them. I’ll take care of it quickly.”

A clear smile felt slightly murderous.

“And the person who appeared in Director Han’s dream, give them a good smack on the back of the head.”

“…Yes? You just said it was wrong.”

“That much won’t be a problem, and if a problem arises, we can settle it. It’s ethically wrong, but Haeyeon Guild considers Director Han’s mental health more important.”

“Ah… Th-thank you.”

I unconsciously chuckled. I guess Seok Si-myung would also tell me to just beat him up to feel better rather than suffering in silence. It would definitely be more helpful to Haeyeon Guild.

‘I’m glad I talked to Team Leader Kim.’

Yeah, what can I do about disliking him? It’s something that happened to me. It’s not Seok Si-myung’s fault, but it’s not my fault either. But it will get better in the future. My heart has already eased a little. I think I’ll feel more goodwill if I hear the details of what happened to Seok Si-myung. At least sympathy.

At that moment, my phone rang. I suspected it, but it was indeed him. It’s my brother.

“Oh, Yoohyun.”

[Are you in the breeding center’s reception room? I’m coming now.]

“I told you I can take care of myself.”

[No.]

Seriously, these kids. I made an awkward expression as I ended the call.

“My brother is coming to give me medicine.”

“Yes? Medicine?”

“Herbal medicine. I’m not at that age yet, but he’s been so insistent…….”

He said he asked Kim Sung-han Hunter, who’s good at this, and had it made. Yoohyun and Yerim decided to make sure I take it on time because it’s more effective that way. If both of them are away, Myungwoo and Noah are scheduled to come.

“The night before last, the two of them were huddled together, looking for nutritional supplements. I really told them there was no need to go that far. Still, it makes me think this is why people raise kids. They’re both so kind,” I said, feeling pleased. Team Leader Kim looked at me with a strange look.

“…Director Han, you’re twenty-five years old, right? Definitely.”

“Ah, do I seem older? Like in my 30s?”

“Honestly, I thought you were my age just now.”

…The forties are too much. I do hang out with people in their forties and fifties often, but still.

Team Leader Kim Ha-yeon left, and soon Yoohyun appeared with a bowl of medicine. Pis wrinkled his nose at the bitter-smelling bowl of medicine. The smell does feel dangerous. But is he being docile because he trusts Yoohyun? When I took the herbal medicine sent by Sung-han before, he rushed at me at first.

“Did you exercise this morning? I didn’t see you in the rooftop garden.”

“No, taking care of the kids is exercise…….”

“I guess it would be better to hire a trainer. Is your leg okay? It didn’t seem like you were limping since last night.”

“It wasn’t noticeable? Then I think it’s okay. I’m not conscious of it.”

Maybe it’s because I feel more comfortable after sharing some of my worries. Last night was also enjoyable. Feeding the kids well is the best.

“When was the last time you went to the dentist? Do you remember?”

…Why the sudden mention of the dentist? Of course, I couldn’t remember. It was five years ago.

“I didn’t have any cavities. …Probably.”

“The Deputy Guild Leader should take good care of his teeth as he gets older. Should we switch to multigrain rice? Your blood sugar levels─”

“Hyung is twenty-five years old.”

Does Sung-han still think of me as an old man? Kids, I think you chose the wrong person to consult. I know diabetes is increasing among young people these days, but… Multigrain rice is good for the body… I should take care of my health… But I don’t want to hire a trainer. I must remember to exercise tomorrow.

“He’s a vibrant twenty-something and perfectly fine from head to toe. His leg isn’t really injured, so don’t worry. You’ll be telling me to walk with crutches soon.”

“We can make them from dungeon byproducts and store them in the inventory.”

“…Did you already buy them?”

“No, I just ordered them. He said it was a good idea.”

“In the future, everything will be made from dungeon byproducts. Especially umbrellas were convenient.”

Even though I’m an FF-Class who can’t be recognized as a hunter, I have an inventory, so many things have changed accordingly. Dungeon byproduct items are expensive, so wealth inequality has also arisen. A post was uploaded on the internet saying, ‘Isn’t it bad manners to carry a wet umbrella? Put it in your inventory,’ and a big fight broke out.

Then the alarm rang. I habitually sent a text message.

[3 hours remaining.]

“Are you really going?”

Yoohyun said disapprovingly, seeing me send the text message.

“I can’t keep waiting. And if he really doesn’t want me to come, he’ll tell me not to come.”

“He said his condition isn’t good. It might be dangerous. I’ll go with you, but still. I can’t be relieved with just Eunhye.”

“That’s why I’m preparing.”

I released Eunhye and rolled up my left pants leg above the knee. Then I strapped Eunhye to my knee.

“He won’t be able to find it easily here. And I have a bomb, too.”

I took out a B-Class bomb I had bought in advance. It was a small, flat bomb like a fan remote control, and it was said to have a power close to S-Class, but with a narrow range.

“Eunhye.”

– Beep!

A bluebird fluttered out and sat on the floor.

“Transform so that I can attach this bomb. And you see this red button on the side? If I can’t call you or speak, press it to detonate it. Can you do it?”

– Beep, red button!

“Yes, let’s practice. The safety is locked, so you can press it.”

Eunhye doesn’t have much strength, but she can press a button. I put a bomb on my leg and call Eunhye, and she quickly presses the button with her beak.

“Good job! With this bomb, even the Sesung Guild Leader will back down for a moment.”

Yoohyun reluctantly nodded at my words.

“Contact Director Song, too.”

“…I have to. I’m really sorry.”

It would be better to know and prepare than to be caught off guard. I contacted Director Song with an apologetic heart. He sighed and replied that he would accompany me, saying that I must meet Sung Hyun-jae.

[I will go to Sesung Guild by 3 PM.]

I had lunch with Yerim, who took time off to come home, and left on time. Even then, there was no contact from Sung Hyun-jae.

[I’m in the car.]

[10 minutes before arriving at Sesung Guild.]

[Sesung Guild parking lot.]

When I went upstairs, I saw Kang Soyoung with a slightly troubled expression and Song Taewon with a tired face.

[This is Your Lobby.]

If there’s no contact, I’m really going to break in.