The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 36

36. Beast Tamer (1)

“Peace out~”

After the Goblin delivered the patch I bought, I sent him on his way and headed to the living room. Peace, in his pen, was jumping up and down, greeting me. He’s so cute, no matter how many times I see him.

As always, I picked Peace up and stroked his neck. His purring is so soothing.

I won’t be able to hold him like this for much longer. Once he starts growing, he’ll be bigger than me in no time. It’s a little sad.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know your dad when you’re all grown up.”

Do monsters even go through adolescence? If he hates his dad and starts swinging those front paws, I’ll end up in the hospital for sure. But our Peace is a good boy, so that won’t happen.

I put Peace down on the floor and activated my Darling skill. A message window popped up in front of me.

[My Darling is the Best (L) Growth effect applied to Peace for 3 days!

2nd Class Unicorn Subspecies – Flame Horned Lion Peace’s adult form transformation time (365:00) Effect duration (72:00)

Dun, the caretaker trains the target to transform into an adult form

Reduce the total time required

You can grow it without

Long

Waiting.]

…Normally, it would have just ended with the effect duration (72:00), but there was an extra explanation attached. And a typo. Actually, it didn’t seem like a normal typo.

‘They deliberately made a typo.’

It’s obviously a vertical reading [reading the first letter of each line downwards], isn’t it? It was supposed to be “But,” but they pretended to make a typo with “Dun.” If you read it vertically:

Go to the dungeon.

They’re even giving instructions through the explanation window. Wow, amazing. I’m genuinely curious about who these people are.

‘Why are they telling me to go to the dungeon again?’

Seeing them go to this extent, it seems like displaying the chat window, like when I entered the D-class dungeon, is only possible inside the dungeon. Maybe there are some restrictions outside the dungeon. That’s why they used the vertical reading in the explanation window.

‘It seems like sending direct messages even within the dungeon causes bugs, like that new bird popping out.’

Whoever they are, they’re not all-powerful after all.

‘Judging by the fact that they couldn’t find me before I entered the dungeon, there’s not much they can do outside the dungeon, in this world. So, they’re telling me to come to the dungeon.’

But why should I believe them and go? What if I make another mistake and an S-class boss monster pops out this time?

I’m sorry, but my trust in the system you created, or you all, has hit rock bottom a long time ago. If it weren’t for Yoohyun, and it was just an ordinary A-class instructor, I might have already crossed the river Styx [a reference to Greek mythology, the river separating the world of the living from the underworld].

So, let’s pretend I didn’t see it. Surely, nothing bad will happen just because I ignored the message.

‘…That’s the problem, isn’t it?’

Damn it, what are the chances that someone is idly writing vertical readings for no reason, or that it’s a god? Why me, out of all the S-classes out there? Is it because I regressed? Should I have wished to get rid of the dungeons and awakeners with the wish stone?

– Kkiang?

Peace whimpered softly, as if asking what was wrong, as I stood there blankly, lost in thought.

“It’s nothing. Just……”

It seems like this dad has been caught by some strange and crazy people. I hugged Peace again and swallowed a sigh.

Why can’t people just let me live comfortably? I just wanted to play and eat. That’s not such a big ask, is it?

“Sigh, what’s the point of worrying about it for too long.”

Either way, there were only two options. Ignore it, or obediently enter the dungeon. It’s not like I have someone to consult with about the system sending me these messages. I didn’t even understand the ‘S’ of the system 5 years later, so it’ll be even worse now.

What can I do if a high school graduate with an F grade knows the most about awakeners and the dungeon system in the world? Seriously, what can I do?

‘Let’s focus on growing Peace first.’

It was good news that training would speed up growth. Let’s think about entering the dungeon after Peace becomes an adult. If it’s urgent, they’ll contact me somehow.

“But do I have to train him myself?”

It seems so, since it says the caretaker should do it. How should I do it? Fetch the ball? Frisbee? First, I need to rent a training room.

I was going to reveal the beast taming anyway, so I should tell Yoohyun first. Since I just reached level 10, it would be natural to say I got the taming skill while playing with Peace.

I can get help from Haeyeon and pass the negotiation with the giant guilds to Seok Simyeong. You used me for free, so I’ll use you a bit too.

[Are you free tonight?]

I sent a text to Yoohyun. He must be busy cleaning up at the association because the reply was a bit late.

[Yeah]

[I have something to tell you. Let’s meet at home.]

I wrote “at your house” and then corrected it. This guy seems to think his house is our house.

The second reply was even later.

After putting on the patch and taking it off because Peace was acting up, and after hearing Yoomyeongwoo, who had returned after returning the equipment, talk about sharpening ten thousand knives [a Chinese idiom meaning to prepare thoroughly], I threw a ball to Peace to test the training effect when the text came.

[I believe in hyung.]

How cute, he’s saying cute things. He must have been worried about what I said in the dungeon, that I had become strange. He must have thought I was meeting him to explain my suspicious behavior.

[I’ll buy you alcohol.]

Your fridge is too healthy. Come to think of it, I haven’t drunk with my brother yet. By the time Yoohyun got rid of his “minor” status, we were already estranged. I had staggered home drunk a few times, though.

Surely he’s not still inexperienced, is he? Even if it’s his first time, he has S-class stats, so he won’t get drunk easily. I can’t get drunk either. What’s with this?

The day will come when I can use my skills without worry.

* * *

Holding Peace in one hand and a bag filled with liquor bottles and snacks in the other, I headed to my brother’s house. I didn’t buy the alcohol; I asked the management office, and they prepared it. They were fancy things I didn’t even know the names of.

I just wanted some expensive beer.

The liquor staff called by the management office smiled brightly and lined up things with alcohol levels that would make even B-class stats not get drunk. They even mixed in some wine for refreshment. It was called Grand Cru something, but I didn’t know, and it was clear that it was at a level that would be sinful to put in a bag and carry around.

It’s okay since it’s charged to Yoohyun.

The house was quiet, just like the first time I came. It’s still too big to live alone. He’s not ready for marriage yet, but he should at least date.

“You’re here?”

I put the liquor bottles and snacks on the table and sat on the sofa. Soon, Yoohyun appeared. His hair was wet, as if he had just taken a shower. The blood of the new bird had splattered quite a bit.

“The association kept you for quite a while.”

“It’s a rare situation. I also took care of other business.”

Yoohyun, who brought the glasses, sat on a separate single sofa. He frowned slightly as he looked at the liquor bottles on the table.

“Isn’t it too strong?”

He recognizes it. It’s not his first time. I was a little disappointed. Or did he see the small print of the alcohol content?

“You were carried in just a few days ago.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll drink moderately today. And it’s home anyway.”

What does it matter if I act like a dog at home? I won’t get drunk, though.

“Come to think of it, it would be difficult for Goblins to enter here, right?”

Portal movement requires a key, and the location is hidden, so space movement would be difficult too.

“It wouldn’t be impossible.”

Yoohyun said, opening the liquor bottle.

“Because there’s a window. If they search one by one with space movement from the outside, they’ll eventually find it.”

But he didn’t seem like the type to do such a bothersome thing. To avoid Goblins, I would need a cleverly hidden secret room in addition to portal movement.

“You don’t have to worry about Goblins. They’ll definitely keep the secret for their own safety. If you forget the unsettling points, they’re also very useful.”

“When making secret contacts?”

“That too, but when making promises with someone you can’t trust, you can confirm their safety through Goblins. Thanks to that, they’re popular with non-awakened high-ranking officials. They’re more often sought after by them than by awakeners.”

They provided such a service too. For the sake of the Goblins and for my sake, it seemed better to keep our contract a secret. Even if the contract had a clause that I wouldn’t reveal other people’s secrets, the higher-ups would definitely be uneasy.

“By the way, doesn’t the Goblin seem young when you look at what they do?”

“Huh? He has a bit of a unique personality. But he handles work accurately and meticulously. Rather than young, maybe it’s a concept. There are some hunters who create characters and act according to their abilities.”

Is that so? Well, even when writing the contract, he was too thorough in considering various conditions to be a child.

Is it because he’s not really young, as Yoohyun said, but over-immersed in the character of a Goblin? His actions are just like the Goblins in fairy tales. He likes to play pranks and tease people, and he’s versatile but also has a clumsy side.

If I lend him money, will he keep paying me back every day?

I stroked Peace, who wanted to touch the sparkling glass bottle, and picked up the glass that my brother poured. Hmm… maybe about 20ml? Hey, brother. The liquor is only wetting the bottom of the glass.

“This is a bit much. It’s not even a sip.”

“I told you it’s strong. Just drink one sip at a time.”

Then he fills his glass more than halfway.

“I’m not that weak at drinking, you know?”

Even if I drink, I’ve drunk five years, no, ten years more than you. I grumbled and emptied my glass and picked up another liquor bottle. What, what are you going to do if you glare at me? Are you going to take it away?

“It’s only strong in words; it doesn’t even reach my liver.”

It really doesn’t reach my liver. I just know that the scent is good and it’s quite palatable. Is it because it’s expensive? It’s okay even without the intoxication.

“Don’t make a sulky face and take a glass too. It’s your first time.”

Yoohyun hesitated for a moment, then emptied his glass in one gulp and held it out. Seeing that, I felt strange.

Before the regression, I never even thought about doing something like this. No, until the world changed, I never thought there would be a day when I would drink with my brother.

I thought it was natural that I would pour him a drink after the college entrance exam; of course, it would have been cheap soju [a Korean distilled beverage].

“You were a good brother.”

He was lacking in many ways, but he didn’t complain like a child. He was really kind. It was hard to believe that he suddenly left home.

“Of course, you’re a good brother now too.”

I smiled, filling his empty glass. He’s a bit annoying, but it’s because of the skill. Even if it’s not the skill, he’s worried about me.

“…You said I was a good brother.”

Yoohyun muttered bitterly. He was kind, wasn’t he? He was a model student. His expression was so awkward that I was about to ask if he had ever caused an accident without my knowledge, but Yoohyun spoke first.

“What did you mean by saying you had something to tell me?”

“Oh, that.”

I stroked Peace, who was purring on my lap, and continued.

“Because of the level 10 skill.”

“Skill? Well, you were next to me when I defeated the boss monster, so you must have received experience points. You said it was an A-class dungeon level, so you must have leveled up. What skill is it?”

“Beast Tamer.”

Beast sounds more impressive than monster. If it were the system, it would have named it like this.

“…Beast, Tamer?”

Yoohyun’s gaze went down towards Peace. Feeling the gaze, Peace slightly bared his teeth as if he didn’t like it. He’s going to be your partner in the future, so don’t do that.

“Yeah. Maybe taking care of Peace has influenced the skill. The skill grade is S-class, and—”

“S-class?!”

My brother’s expression became serious.

“Your stats are F, but your skill is… and it’s a special skill that’s S……”

“Hey, don’t think strange things.”

If you try to lock me up again, I’m leaving home.

“But, hyung—”

“Buts and ifs aside, just listen. The skill effect is, as the name suggests, a skill to raise beasts, monsters. More precisely, it’s to grow them. Peace, you said the Flame Horned Lion cub wasn’t growing, right? Flame Horned Lion cubs can’t grow without the help of an adult. But if I use my skill, they can grow. While tamed.”

A tamed Flame Horned Lion adult.

Yoohyun, that guy, would know its value better than anyone else.

Silence fell. Peace wagged his tail.

Yoohyun, with a complicated face, opened his mouth after a long time.

“But, then hyung is.”

“Another but? Think about it. How many S-classes need high-level mounts right now?”

“…All of them. Mid- to low-level mounts can’t be used in S-class dungeons. Even for giant guilds, it’s burdensome to use them as disposable items, so they only take them on the first raid or occasionally. The probability of mid- to low-level mounts surviving in S-class dungeons is extremely low.”

The slightly dazed voice gradually became calm and continued the explanation.

“So, there’s demand not only from S-classes but also from the entire team. Even if it’s not a top-level mount like the Flame Horned Lion, but just something that can survive in an S-class dungeon, people will flock from all over the world, not just domestically.”

Yoohyun, who finished speaking, covered his face with his hands and let out a long sigh. Seeing that, I smiled.

“With that level of demand, it wouldn’t be difficult to coordinate, right?”

“…Of course, really… the skill advice during the day too……”

Yoohyun lowered the hand that had covered his face. His expression, which seemed a bit dazed, was funny. He was also a bit cute. It reminds me of when he was young. He was cute when he was a kid. Really.

“Hyung is really the best.”

You’re welcome.