The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 305

303. That’s Your Household

“Hello, Chief Song~”

I approached Song Tae-won with the brightest smile I could muster. Surely he wouldn’t spit on a smiling face. Well, Chief Song *could* spit on me a good four or five times, and I’d just have to accept it. I feel even more sorry knowing he’s not the type to do that.

“…I recommend you return home, even now.”

Song Tae-won said quietly. Yoo-hyun also wore an agreeing expression.

“Yeah, hyung [older brother or close male friend]. Let’s go home. Should we stop by the dentist on the way?”

I suddenly don’t want to go home, just to avoid the dentist. I don’t have to worry about money anymore, but I still hate that whirring sound of the dental drill. The feeling of them scraping my teeth gives me the creeps. It’s good to go regularly, but still.

“If things look really bad when we see him, I’ll turn right back around.”

More than that, I feel like I’m causing trouble just standing here. People can’t even come near us and are sticking to the corners, like a school of sardines meeting a whale.

“So-young-ssi [a polite title, similar to ‘Ms.’], should we move our location?”

“Yes. This way, please.”

Kang So-young led the way towards the elevator.

“Director Han is fine, but the two of you are a bit problematic.”

As soon as the elevator doors closed, Kang So-young grumbled.

“Especially when the Haeyeon Guild Leader comes and goes so easily, it doesn’t look good. We need at least three or four days’ notice to prepare. If we just accept a same-day notice and let you barge in, our guild will look too weak. You used to only send a representative. If it weren’t for Director Han, I would have refused the visit.”

I guess it is a bit much. He usually doesn’t step out himself like this. It’s extremely rare for S-Class Guild Leaders to gather at the Haeyeon Guild because of the Ki Seung-soo case.

“I’ll be careful in the future. But So-young-ssi, I didn’t realize you cared so much about guild affairs.”

“It’s okay if I mess up, but I can’t stand the guild being looked down upon. The guild needs to be strong to clean up after me.”

Kang So-young answered confidently. I can see why Sung Hyun-jae cherishes her… I hope he cherishes her, anyway?

“Director Han, you can go straight into the Guild Leader’s residence if you wish.”

Kang So-young said as she led us to the reception room.

“The Guild Leader said you can freely access all areas except for a few security zones. But the Haeyeon Guild Leader and Chief Song are not allowed.”

Well, I’m just an F-Class with no threat, so it makes sense. But of course, Yoo-hyun and Chief Song wouldn’t be allowed.

“I can’t send hyung in alone.”

Yoo-hyun said firmly, and Song Tae-won agreed.

“The Seseong Guild Leader warned me that Han Yoo-jin-ssi might be harmed. Having heard that, I must protect Han Yoo-jin-ssi.”

“…He said that?”

“It may have been a provocation, but I believe we should be cautious.”

“Let’s just go back, hyung.”

Should we just leave? But we came all this way. I hesitated, then looked at Kang So-young.

“So-young-ssi, what do you think? Did the Seseong Guild Leader seem very upset?”

“Ummm, just a moment. He’s weighing Comet against Director Han.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s not that I think the Guild Leader would harm Director Han, but Comet can’t grow without Director Han. Just in case, I’m against Director Han meeting the Guild Leader alone! I’ll contact Evelyn Hunter.”

“Evelyn-ssi?”

“I don’t have that kind of authority. An S-Class Hunter should be handled by an S-Class Hunter. Originally, greeting guests isn’t my role either, but I volunteered because these people are so burdensome.”

Kang So-young said that everyone avoids Chief Song and, of course, the Haeyeon Guild Leader.

“They’re also disappointed that they can’t approach Director Han. Please wait here. Oh, should I bring you something to drink?”

“It’s fine.”

I told So-young-ssi to stay here and not go anywhere else, and then she went outside. I sat on the sofa and looked at Song Tae-won, who was sitting across from me. The fatigue of modern life was etched into his face, which was sharply defined by light and shadow. He might be the most tired S-Class Hunter in the world.

“Chief Song.”

“Yes.”

“Please name the baby.”

“…Excuse me?”

A rare look of deep bewilderment appeared in his eyes.

“The baby lamb. Everything is ready, you just need to accept it.”

“…That won’t do.”

“I’ll handle it so quietly that no one will know. Who would complain if we donate to the country? More than that, it would be so convenient to have Ki Seung-soo. Dungeon clearing times would be greatly reduced. It’s a national loss for someone as busy as you to be stuck in a dungeon for over a week.”

As a close-combat fighter, Song Tae-won needed Ki Seung-soo even more. Yoo-hyun, Yerim, and even Sung Hyun-jae could attack a wide area all at once. But Song Tae-won had clear limitations, even with tools. I bet the travel time during dungeon raids takes much longer than the monster hunting time.

“Honestly, I want to contract Ki Seung-soo as Chief Song’s personal subordinate, but I’m giving that up with a heavy heart! It will be under state control, so don’t worry. Just give him a name.”

Of course, the contract will be practically the same as Chief Song owning him. I looked at Song Tae-won with a pleading expression.

“The poor little thing doesn’t even have a name yet. You even came to the breeding center to see him. How was he? Cute, right? He’s cute, isn’t he? Say he’s cute.”

“…I visited to check the situation at the breeding center.”

“That little baby lamb is only looking at Chief Song!”

After persistently prodding him for just a name, Song Tae-won finally answered.

“I don’t have the confidence to give a good name.”

“It’s okay! The thought is what counts. Besides… you’ll be better than me. I’m banned from naming monsters.”

“I think the names hyung gives are good, too.”

“Thanks, Yoo-hyun. You’re the only one for me.”

Well, yeah. The unicorn names felt a bit uninspired. But Blue definitely felt like a Blue. If not Blue… he’s always cheerful, so Happy. He’s golden, so Cheese. Ah, I should have made the unicorns Coffee and Milk. That would have been more sensible.

At that moment, Song Tae-won, who had been seriously contemplating, opened his mouth.

“Tae-san, how is that?”

“…Excuse me?”

That… could he be talking about the baby lamb’s name? Yerim-ah, I think I’m better than Chief Song. Tae-san, seriously, it’s so old-fashioned. And Chief Song is still in his 30s.

“Wouldn’t a cuter name be better? He’s cute. He’s a baby lamb.”

“Adult Volcanic Black Sheep are not particularly cute.”

“Still, Song Tae-san is a bit……”

“…Does it need a surname?”

“There are many cases where they’re called with surnames. Like Kim Cherry, Choi Pudding, or Park Poppy.”

Usually, it’s Cherry, but when they cause trouble, it’s mostly Kim Cherry!

“Then, how about Seorak?”

“That sounds too stiff. His fur is fluffy, so how about Bok-sil or Cloud? Please keep it a secret that I named him.”

Song Cloud, it sounds like a good name, but just in case.

“Since he’s black, would it become Heuk-un [Black Cloud in Korean using Chinese characters]?”

“Why is it changing to Chinese characters? He is black, but.”

“What’s black?”

Kang So-young entered as the door opened. I told her that we were naming the baby lamb in response to her curious question. Kang So-young, who had been smiling and saying that the baby lamb was cute and that she had touched it too, stiffened after hearing the name candidates.

“…Just give up on the name and call him Song instead.”

“That’s cute too. Black Song, Dark Song, Mushroom Song.”

“Just Song.”

Mushroom Song sounds pretty good. Kang So-young led the way. Evelyn was standing at the entrance to the hallway leading to Sung Hyun-jae’s residence. Her eyes behind her glasses narrowed into a smile.

“Hello, Director Han. And Chief Song Tae-won and the Haeyeon Guild Leader.”

With a light greeting, she continued.

“First of all, I cannot allow two S-Class Hunters to enter the Guild Leader’s residence at the same time. Please, only one person should accompany Director Han. If possible, I would prefer Chief Song Tae-won. He would be relatively fair.”

“It’s not easy to protect someone with only F-Class stats alone.”

Yoo-hyun said, facing Evelyn.

“I believe Director Han is not an easy person, even with only F-Class stats. Instead, if the Guild Leader poses a threat beyond a certain level, I will also help you. I’m making a big concession. Originally, an expulsion order would be appropriate.”

“Are you really going in?”

Yoo-hyun asked with dissatisfaction. Instead of answering, I took out my phone and sent a final text.

[I’m right in front. If you don’t want me to go in, send me even just a dot.]

The phone remained silent.

“…Is the Seseong Guild Leader even alive?”

“Yes. I spoke to him this morning.”

Then he definitely saw the text.

“Since you’re in contact with Evelyn-ssi, I don’t think we need to be too wary. What do you want to do, Yoo-hyun? Do you want to go with me?”

“No. Go in with Chief Song.”

I stared at my brother, wondering what was going on. I thought he would definitely go.

“Are you really okay with that?”

“Hyung won’t leave me behind. If it seems dangerous, use Chief Song as a shield and come right back out.”

…That’s a valid reason. If I went with Chief Song, he would think I was hindering him and would leave right away, but he wouldn’t be able to leave Yoo-hyun behind. Then, Yoo-hyun asked me to undo the inventory sealing bracelet and took out his weapons. An S-Class sword and dagger, and a wire he brought from Japan.

“I’m asking you to protect hyung, so I won’t hold you responsible even if they’re damaged.”

Song Tae-won hesitated for a moment, then obediently received the weapons. I can’t talk about regression in front of Chief Song, but Sung Hyun-jae has a sound-blocking item, so it should be fine.

I followed Chief Song down the hallway and through the mini-portal. The house was quiet. It’s been a while since I’ve been here.

[That’s Your Household]

Shouldn’t you at least show your face now? I started walking inside, but Song Tae-won stopped.

“…I smell bread.”

“Yes?”

“It seems to be coming from the auxiliary kitchen on the second floor.”

“The one with the view of the garden, right?”

Song Tae-won led the way, and I followed behind him. As we climbed the stairs, the smell of bread reached my nose. If the smell is this strong, it must have been baked recently.

Turning the corner of the hallway, a large glass wall appeared, letting in sunlight. There was also a round table and chairs. It was more like a stylish little cafe than an auxiliary kitchen.

“I’m very pleased that my two favorite people have come together.”

A familiar voice was heard. Sung Hyun-jae was standing beyond the long island bar. He was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and an apron. It was an unexpected sight. There was no sense of him being on edge or displeased at all.

“…If I had known you would be so welcoming, I would have bought a bouquet of flowers.”

I do have a bomb, though.

“Han Yoo-jin-gun [a polite suffix, similar to ‘Mr.’ but more intimate] is enough, so don’t feel bad.”

Seriously, what should I say? I inadvertently looked up at Song Tae-won. He also just narrowed his brow and didn’t react.

“Don’t just stand there, sit down.”

What is this, really? Did he accidentally hit his head while fighting with Chief Song and lose some of his memory? Why is he acting like nothing happened? Song Tae-won and I sat at the table with awkward expressions. Part of the garden could be seen beyond the glass wall. I heard that it looks like an ordinary building wall from the outside, not glass.

“Green grape juice.”

A glass of juice appeared and was placed in front of each of us and Chief Song. He even kindly asked if we wanted something to eat. Chief Song declined, and I received an egg tart. The freshly baked tart was unnecessarily delicious. So I ate another one.

“I have no idea what you’re thinking.”

“I’m treating my beloved Han Yoo-jin-gun with great care.”

“You must really like things that require a lot of effort. I heard there were more than one or two people besides me and Chief Song. Don’t play with people too much.”

“I feel a little wronged.”

Sung Hyun-jae said, slightly arching his eyebrows. He slowly untied the apron strings and shifted his gaze to Song Tae-won, who was staring at the juice glass.

“I have never cherished and cared for anyone so directly. Isn’t that right, Song Tae-won-ssi?”

Why is he suddenly dropping the title? Is it because this is a private space? Song Tae-won sighed and answered.

“Yes. It’s excessive.”

“So it seems.”

Sung Hyun-jae’s gaze towards Song Tae-won was quite affectionate. But at the same time, he was clearly looking down on him. Not that anyone wouldn’t be, but that fact felt even more pronounced today.

“I have been interested in several people. But they were just short-lived pleasures that had no impact on me.”

Many of those people would have changed. But Sung Hyun-jae remains the same. No one could have changed him. As he just said himself.

He calls himself human, and he remained human, but.

‘…Even if he doesn’t remember, did those accumulated times really have no impact?’

He’s a born S-Class like Yoo-hyun and Riet, but does he think of himself as the same type as those two? Could it be that Sung Hyun-jae looks down on even those two? Recalling his attitude towards Yoo-hyun, what I’ve heard and seen, it’s hard to think he considers them equals.

I felt anew that he was distant.

“Why did you ignore all my calls?”

I need to get to the bottom of this. He seems perfectly fine, so why didn’t he reply even once? He has time to bake bread but no time to touch his phone?

“Did you even see them?”

“Of course, I checked them.”

“So you ignored me until the end? Give me an excuse.”

Sung Hyun-jae smiled. The untied apron was draped over the back of the chair.

“Because I haven’t made a decision yet.”

“A decision?”

“Whether to leave Han Yoo-jin-gun as is, or to eliminate him.”

My eyes reflexively narrowed.