The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 319

Two years ago, Belgium.

Long rays of sunlight seeped through the wood grain on the floor. A picture of a spotted dog hung on the dark, imperfect brick wall. It was a small cafe with a long bar and only two mahogany tables.

Even then, there was only one person to be seen. The owner was away, and only the guest was pretending to drink coffee. The sliced baguette in a small, paper-lined basket hadn’t even been touched.

Then, the door opened and a woman with long, golden-brown braided hair entered. Evelyn Miller’s eyes crinkled slightly behind her glasses as she looked at the man at the table.

“You look bored, Mister.”

“I took the time to come, but it was all for nothing.”

Sung Hyunjae said, leaning back in his chair. His long legs didn’t quite fit the space between the table and the chair, so they were awkwardly angled, but even that gave the impression that it was deliberately posed.

“It seems like false information is even more rampant these days. Even you are wasting your time.”

“It means I’m getting used to it. To the changed world.”

It had already been well over a year since dungeons and Awakened [individuals with supernatural abilities] appeared.

“After going to London, should I return to Korea?”

“Are you just going to leave like this?”

“I was deceived after a long time, so consider it a reward for my trouble.”

He said, taking another sip of the remaining coffee.

“It’s been a while since you’ve returned to Korea. Has it been about a month?”

“I heard complaints about when I would return. It’s a blessed grumble.”

They were grumbling that an S-Rank Hunter [the highest rank of Awakened] shouldn’t be wandering abroad for too long. Even while grumbling like that, the Association was diligently hiding the fact that the Sesung Guild Leader was not in the country. This was because having even one more S-Rank Hunter in Korea would make things seem more stable.

Of course, only the general public was unaware, but the fact that Sung Hyunjae often went abroad was well known among high-ranking Hunters.

“To be anxious even with Song Taewon.”

“Ah, you mean that unique S-Rank Hunter?”

“Thanks to him, I don’t need to stay in Korea for long.”

Originally, he had planned to establish a base in Korea for at least a year after creating the Sesung Guild. However, Song Taewon’s existence reduced that period to half a year. As long as he stood firm as a neutral public official, the guild would not be subjected to forceful attacks even if the S-Rank Guild Leader was away.

Other matters could be sufficiently handled from abroad. Unlike inside dungeons, communication was possible, and even from far away, he could return to Korea in a day. Therefore, going abroad was much less risky than entering a dungeon in Korea.

Also, since most of the dungeons were still low-grade, there was even less need to stay in Korea. It was better to find useful Hunters and items abroad during that time and establish connections here and there. This was also because it would become more difficult to poach Hunters and items after the guilds in each country had firmly established themselves. To easily extend influence, he had to move quickly.

“Looking back, I’m sorry for making you come all the way overseas last year.”

“You don’t look sorry at all.”

Sung Hyunjae wore a smile as if it were painted on. The baguette remained untouched, but the coffee cup was almost empty. Evelyn picked up a piece of baguette and bit the end.

“Is the Haeyeon Guild Leader still in Korea?”

“Officially or unofficially, she has never left. You’re wrong about this too, Mister. You said she would leave Korea within three months at most.”

The chair lightly slid back as Sung Hyunjae stood up.

“I’ve only seen her twice at most, so my understanding may be lacking. Still, it’s unexpected. Korea isn’t an environment where she can run wild because of Director Song Taewon, so I didn’t think she could last long.”

“You said she was similar to you and Riet. That youngest S-Rank.”

“Yes. In terms of temperament, Riet and I are closer.”

“But you don’t think of either of them as your equal, do you? They’re all below you.”

Sung Hyunjae lightly smiled and moved away. A bill was placed on the bar.

Even though they were both naturally born S-Ranks, even though they were called the same kind, Hanyuheon and Riet were never on the same level as Sung Hyunjae, as Evelyn said. The unbridgeable gap between them felt too clear.

To him, even if they were naturally born S-Ranks, they were essentially the same as other S-Rank Hunters or even non-Awakened. They were objects to be appraised to see if they were worth reaching out and nurturing. If he wasn’t interested, a naturally born S-Rank was worse than a low-level Awakened. In a way, it was an extremely fair perspective.

“I’m planning to send invitations to overseas S-Rank Hunters for my birthday this year. S-Rank Hunter Evelyn Miller will also be introduced then.”

Evelyn had already Awakened as an S-Rank, but she was still hiding that fact. By lightly applying a skill to conceal her presence, it was possible to appear as an ordinary non-Awakened even to S-Rank Hunters.

“And to Sesung─”

“I decline.”

Evelyn said firmly.

“I want to remain a free Hunter for a while.”

“That’s disappointing.”

“I’ll consider it if you get married.”

The door opened, revealing an open field of grass. A few sheep huddled together beyond the fence.

“I’m hearing about marriage even here.”

“To be precise, it means we need someone who can handle you. Right now, I can just run away if things go wrong, but it’ll be harder to escape after being affiliated with a guild.”

The road lined with dark brown, reddish-brown, and grayish-brown brick houses was empty. It seemed peaceful at first glance, but soon a wrecked car appeared. Traces of bodily fluids remained near the broken windows and shattered walls. One side of the road was also soaked with something that was drying in the sunlight.

Then, a loud noise was heard from above.

A helicopter approached the two of them and began firing machine guns without any warning. The pouring bullets shattered the surface of the road, like muddy water splashing on a rainy day. At the same time, a golden chain blocked their path with a clatter.

The firepower was enough to easily turn a human body into rags, but not a single bullet passed through the chain. The chain, unharmed, was fired at the helicopter as if it were its turn.

Clang! The Seeker’s Chain pierced through the bottom of the helicopter and shattered the rotating blades as it crossed the ceiling. The helicopter, having lost its blades, tilted and fell to the ground. Just before the loud noise of the crash rang out, five people jumped out of the helicopter.

“In this respect, Korea is relatively peaceful.”

“Machine guns wouldn’t work anyway. Unless you can put magic power into the bullets.”

“My clothes get damaged.”

“That’s annoying. I can’t just wear dungeon items every day.”

While they were chatting, the people who jumped out of the helicopter approached them. The man at the very front was an S-Rank Hunter.

“I am─”

“Introductions should be made through the secretary’s office.”

The S-Rank Hunter’s brow furrowed at being treated like a peddler. It was the first time he had been treated like this, not only since he had Awakened as an S-Rank, but even before.

Evelyn quietly stepped back, pretending to be a non-Awakened.

“I know you have an S-Rank weapon.”

“It’s more popular than me, you know.”

Sung Hyunjae shrugged and lightly stroked the golden chain that was circling around him.

The elegant Seeker’s Chain was currently known as the only S-Rank or higher weapon in the world. Because the number of S-Rank dungeons was extremely small, there were a few other S-Rank equipment, but no weapons had appeared. Thanks to this, there were some S-Rank Hunters who coveted the Seeker’s Chain.

“That chain─”

Thud, a shoe kicked the ground. Sung Hyunjae’s body instantly rushed to the S-Rank Hunter’s immediate front. It was a sudden attack that was difficult to even follow with the eyes, but the opponent was also an S-Rank. Just as he quickly raised his posture and tried to counterattack.

Bang! An unexpected gunshot rang out. Sung Hyunjae, who had already snatched a gun from one of the group with his chain, shot it at the S-Rank Hunter’s forehead.

“Ugh!”

Like monsters, mid-level or higher Hunters naturally protect their bodies with their own magic power, so they are not easily injured by ordinary weapons. However, even an S-Rank Hunter, in an unguarded state, would suffer a blow to the forehead from a bullet fired right in front of them. Moreover, since it was the head, the shaking transmitted to the inside of the skull was bound to be somewhat dizzying.

Before the S-Rank Hunter, who had not expected Sung Hyunjae to use an ordinary gun, could panic, a kick with force strongly struck his abdomen.

Bang!

The S-Rank Hunter’s body flew away as it was, broke through the wall of the building, and crashed into it. At the same time, the golden chain made a sharp metallic sound and lashed out at the remaining four like a whip. With screams, the four burly men collapsed and tumbled like bundles of straw. No blood splattered, but one or two bones must have been broken.

“Is he a fledgling who hasn’t been Awakened for long?”

“Probably. Judging by the way he’s rushing in recklessly.”

“There’s no need to deliberately reduce the number of S-Rank Hunters. No matter how foolish they are.”

The S-Rank Hunter, who crawled out of the hole in the wall, glared at him, but Sung Hyunjae didn’t even glance at him and turned around.

Having arrived in London, Sung Hyunjae met with the leader of the British Hunter Guild, who was under his influence. The man had some shortcomings, but he still seemed 괜찮아 [gyeonchanha – okay/acceptable]. After taking care of a few other things, he headed to the airport.

Evelyn, who had briefly parted ways after arriving in England, also came to the airport to see him off.

“I hope you stay a little longer this time. Or don’t come here at all.”

“I’m planning to go to India. There’s a lot to gain since the system is still a mess.”

“There will be even more fools rushing in. There’s a high probability that some civil servant will have to suffer again.”

“I should get him a good birthday present.”

Someone entered the luxurious waiting room where there was no one but the two of them. She was a woman who appeared to be around forty years old. Nevertheless, her hair was as white as if snow had fallen.

Sung Hyunjae looked at her with a slightly surprised expression. Evelyn also looked surprised and puzzled at his reaction.

“Hello, Sesung Guild Leader. I am Marissa Moore, affiliated with the British Hunter Association.”

She spoke in fluent Korean.

“It seems like we’re meeting for the first time.”

“Yes. I recently Awakened. I am a mid-level Hunter with B-Rank stats and B-Rank grade.”

Marissa revealed her grade first. Sung Hyunjae, who was examining her, opened his mouth.

“If you don’t mind, may I ask your age?”

“I am 64 years old this year.”

“You look very young.”

“Thank you.”

Marissa handed Sung Hyunjae a letter stamped with the British Hunter Association seal.

“In addition, we will provide you with as much convenience as possible when you come to England.”

“Thank you for your words, but I will decline.”

Having finished her business, Marissa did not delay and left immediately. Evelyn, who had been looking at her with an incomprehensible gaze, asked as soon as the door closed.

“She’s unusually polite, Mister.”

“I said that Riet’s temperament is closer to mine than the Haeyeon Guild Leader’s.”

“Yes. You did.”

“I feel even closer to her.”

Sung Hyunjae said, looking down at the letter in his hand. Evelyn slightly frowned.

“She clearly said she was B-Rank. Even I felt that her stats were around B-Rank. Did she perhaps hide her stats?”

“No. She looks like a B-Rank to me too. But.”

Sung Hyunjae, who had been lost in thought for a moment, opened his mouth again.

“Most of the currently Awakened S-Rank Hunters are in their 20s. At most, they are in their mid-30s, and there is not a single person over 40.”

“That’s certainly true.”

“If someone who could have Awakened as an S-Rank missed the opportunity and became 50 or 60 years old. Wouldn’t they Awaken with a lower grade than their natural abilities?”

Evelyn tilted her head.

“Nothing has been revealed about that yet, but it is true that the Awakening grade of young people is generally higher. Then, was Mrs. Moore originally an S-Rank Awakened?”

“I also don’t know.”

“If you’re concerned, you should try to recruit her. She’s also good at Korean.”

“I don’t think she’ll accept. Instead, I’ll try to check on her regularly.”

Sung Hyunjae’s gaze briefly touched the closed door before being withdrawn.

* * *

“Guild Leader! Do you want to see this?”

Kang Soyoung held out her phone in front of Sung Hyunjae. The phone screen was full of captured photos. It was Sung Hyunjae with pinkish silver hair.

“It’s still a hot topic. The Sesung Guild Leader’s new style!”

She took back her phone and opened another photo this time. It was also Sung Hyunjae, a photo of Changeling [a shapeshifting ability].

“I couldn’t take a picture of the dragon form because you refused. It was really cute. Ah, I envy Director Han~”

“There are also comments saying I’m being meddlesome and already senile, but the reaction is generally good. It suits you, after all.”

Evelyn asked if he would respond. Sung Hyunjae briefly shook his head and asked about what had happened while he was away. Evelyn briefly told him what had happened in the meantime.

“And there seem to be some changes happening overseas. Unlike Korea, there are many places where the damage from the monster appearances has been severe.”

“I wish there was no need to go out yet.”

“It reminds me of the old days. You didn’t stay in Korea for long.”

“There was also a time when Miller Hunter didn’t want to join the Sesung Guild.”

“Now, if things go wrong, I can just throw Director Han and run away. If that’s not enough, there’s also Director Song.”

“That’s right,” Kang Soyoung chimed in.

“Director Han is so convenient. But you can’t hurt him. We don’t know what kind of dragon he’ll raise in the future! Huh? What’s on your hand?”

Kang Soyoung pointed with her finger, unable to grab it and check it herself. Sung Hyunjae looked at his palm. Faint traces of pen marks remained that had not been completely erased.

“My name.”

“…Wow, really ol… um. Ahem.”

Kang Soyoung stuttered and took a step back.

“Call Vantes. There will be an important announcement tomorrow.”

It was a story that would cause considerable repercussions both domestically and internationally.