The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 438

“So, you’re saying you’re going to find people in our world, Awakened ones, who will side with the Filial Piety Addict? Aren’t they trying to destroy the world? Why would anyone in their right mind… Oh, I guess they might.”

There were plenty of people who only cared about their own well-being. ‘Hey, wanna help destroy the world? In return, you’ll survive, become stronger, and live longer.’ There would be tons of people who’d jump at that offer. Even if not, there would be many blinded by immediate gains.

And maybe some who just wanted to do it.

“Are the Transcendentals making us fight each other as pawns? The Transcendentals were always annoying, but now I feel like even humanity is disappearing.”

“…Annoying?”

The newbie drooped his ears, looking dejected.

“I’ll make an exception for you and the Old Man. Considering what I’ve been through, it’s understandable to be annoyed. And it feels like the hardships will never end.”

The newbie grinned at the word ‘exception.’ Yeah, he still seemed innocent. Even though he was probably ancient, he was still unique.

“So, what, should the Chatterbox’s Hunters and our Hunters have some kind of ranking match? If the winner of a fair fight gets their wish granted, that wouldn’t be bad.”

I’d welcome that. Seong Hyeon-je already had the power of the number one ranked. With the experience he’d accumulated from traveling through multiple worlds, it would be impossible to beat him without being a Transcendental.

Excluding the special case of Seong Hyeon-je, Yoo-hyeon was practically the number one Hunter in our world. And he was growing even faster than before the regression. Plus, if Yerim was in a place with enough water, even Yoo-hyeon, let alone Seong Hyeon-je, would have a hard time dealing with her.

If I said, ‘Chief Song, it’s for saving the world!’ he’d readily lend his strength, and Hyeon-ah would definitely pitch in. Riet, being a born S-Rank, didn’t seem like she’d side with the Filial Piety Addict. Their relationship was already strained because of Diarma.

If it came to team battles, Noah would be a great asset. And Myeong-woo would back him up.

It looked like we had too much of an advantage.

“Nothing’s been decided in detail yet! The Filial Piety group needs time to prepare. Chatterbox has been influencing Honey’s world, following in the footsteps of the Master of the Cursed Poison Dragon Species and the King of Innocence.”

“Could the events in China have been related to Chatterbox?”

“I don’t know about that. But the Demon King is definitely a subordinate of the King of Innocence!”

Park Ha-yul’s sister was still suspicious.

“You said there are five born S-Ranks in our world. So they’ll probably try to take the remaining two.”

“Probably. Honey, would you like some coffee?”

“Oh, yeah. Iced, since my stomach feels upset.”

I went to sit at the table. The view outside the window was the sea. Nothing but the vast, blue sea stretched out. With no coastline in sight, I wondered if we were on a cliff and leaned closer to the window.

…Were we floating on the sea?

“Iced Americano, coming up~”

The newbie extended a tentacle and placed a glass on the table. Why was there a mini umbrella in my iced Americano? And it was bitter.

“Honestly, I don’t know why people drink Americano. It just looks cool.”

“It’s the most popular drink in Honey’s world, though.”

“You still can’t tell me who the remaining born S-Ranks are?”

The newbie, making a strawberry latte across from me, nodded.

“There’s no information, and there are restrictions now. For a while, interference other than with Honeys will be truly! Minimal! Only system automation is possible.”

“That’s a shame. I should have looked for them sooner. Or should I look now? Maybe I can persuade them.”

“You can’t.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Honeys, well, here.”

A globe appeared in the middle of the table. The newbie spun it with a tentacle and pointed to Korea.

“Around here. Like this.”

The tip of the tentacle drew a circle around Korea. Parts of Russia, China, Mongolia, Japan, Taiwan, and the upper Philippines were inside the circle.

“You can’t go outside this area.”

“What? Are we trapped?”

“Until the Filial Piety group finishes preparing. Especially since Chein has extended its reach overseas. We can’t do anything about what’s already been done, but no more.”

“What about dungeons?”

“Yes. Don’t attack any new dungeons outside this area for the time being.”

What was this? Of course, I was planning to stay in Korea, but still.

“Then what about simple transactions? People from overseas come to ask me to raise Giseungsu [a type of monster], and what about Myeong-woo’s equipment?”

“It’s okay as long as the Honeys don’t go out or ask them to come first.”

“Then what if I hold an auction? Does that count as me calling them?”

“Um, just don’t specifically invite anyone!”

So, saying ‘anyone who wants to come, come’ is okay.

“If a born S-Rank comes to Korea on their own, then it’s okay to try to win them over, right?”

“Yes. It doesn’t matter within the zone. It’s going outside the zone, or inviting a specific person from outside the zone, that’s not allowed.”

“What about transactions? Like overseas auctions.”

“Transactions of SS-Rank or higher are impossible. It’s been said that Honeys already have too much equipment and skills.”

“Honestly, that’s all from the Transcendentals messing around. We suffered for it, you know.”

If they had left our world alone, we wouldn’t have had to get them.

“You still don’t know the exact period, right?”

“Yes. There’s too much difference, so that part is still under discussion. We can’t just give things away for free, either. Honeys all had to pay a fair price.”

“It’s cheating if they get it without suffering.”

I hope they suffer too. Wait, then the experience would increase. But I can’t tell them to receive it without suffering. If they suffer and don’t get much… I hope they waste their efforts.

“Still, I don’t have to worry about the Transcendentals for a while, right? Oh, is the Old Man teaching okay?”

“Yes. Chaos was kicked out halfway through and is now a non-related party. Everyone was tired of it, so they agreed to it.”

“…Kicked out?”

“He overturned the meeting. Instead, Chaos can’t use power above a certain level in Honey’s world. And since he doesn’t know how to handle systems or other technologies, we’ve decided to overlook minor interference.”

The Old Man, really. He’s amazing. Then, since the Korean dungeons are safe anyway, I should focus on the kids’ lessons. I should also prepare for team battles in case I can’t participate, even though I have the Teacher skill.

And.

“Should I throw a party?”

“A party?”

“For high-level Hunters.”

If I’m lucky, I might find a born S-Rank. Even if not, I’ll apply keywords to all the Hunters I think are decent. I just have to be careful not to get the keyword exposed, damn it. Anyway, I have a son who’s twice my size.

Moms, dads, siblings, aunts, uncles, everyone come.

“You said you’d solve everything if I gathered fifty S-Ranks. Is that still valid?”

“…I wouldn’t recommend it.”

The newbie rolled his eyes, avoiding my gaze. Huh?

“What, why suddenly?”

“Honey, you want to be with the people around you, right?”

“Well, yeah. Why, am I going to die or something?”

“It’s not that, but still. And Chaos said that Crescent Moon won’t give up easily. He didn’t tell me the details, though.”

True, saving our world doesn’t mean Seong Hyeon-je will be free. Gathering 50 people might only solve the problem of the Source trying to swallow our neighborhood. That was the only purpose at first. Now, not only Crescent Moon but also Chatterbox’s grudge will remain.

“Can you tell me exactly what you were planning to do with the fifty people? I might be able to use it in an emergency.”

“I can’t. But Honey won’t be able to stay in this world.”

Then where would I go? Can I take my brother with me? He wouldn’t want to stay without me.

“Are there any other news or information? What about Crescent Moon?”

“That’s about it for now. Crescent Moon seems to have awakened, but they’ve only sent messages and haven’t moved. They’re sharing some system privileges with Chatterbox. Of course, information about Honeys is top secret. And……”

The newbie made a crying face.

“Other Source Transcendentals seem to be showing interest, too. This is the first time something this big has happened.”

“Isn’t that because you’re a newbie?”

“Even Transcendentals who have lived longer than me are saying that. Chaos also said, ‘What a mess.’”

If the Old Man is saying that, it must be serious. I hope we don’t get caught in a whale fight and have our backs broken. Please, leave us alone.

“If they’re gathering anyway, make all the Transcendentals sign a contract. Once it’s settled, they all have to cleanly step away.”

“Yes, I’ll try!”

Then the newbie leaned in. I wondered what was up and reached out to stroke his fluffy hair.

“Thanks for your hard work, thank you. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

“Yes!”

The smiling face blurred. My vision darkened for a moment, then red light spread. When I opened my eyelids, I saw sunlight seeping through the curtains and reaching the bed. The sun had risen. It seemed like it had been up for a while.

“You’re awake?”

Yoo-hyeon’s voice came. When I raised my upper body from the bed, a sandwich and fruit and vegetable juice were offered. I flinched at the dark green color filling the glass, but the taste wasn’t bad. Anything that wasn’t medicine was good.

– Kkiang.

Peace jumped onto the bed and rubbed his cheek against my hand.

“What time is it?”

“A little before ten.”

I had slept longer than I thought. My brother supported me as I got out of bed and handed me a cane.

“It goes into the inventory and has a weight reduction effect.”

“I don’t really need a cane.”

It was better than nothing. The others seemed to be already awake. When I went down to the living room, I saw them gathered. They must have already eaten breakfast.

“First, there are some things I need to tell you. Are there any non-related people nearby?”

The S-Ranks confirmed that there weren’t.

“I received a message from the newbie. The Transcendentals will not directly interfere for a while. Instead, they plan to seek cooperation from overseas Hunters.”

I explained what I had heard from the newbie. Yerim’s eyes lit up first at the mention of Hunters competing. Yoo-hyeon also seemed a little interested.

“If it’s not against Transcendentals, it won’t be difficult to protect hyung [older brother].”

“Han Yoo-hyeon, you don’t need to step up! Korea is surrounded by the sea on three sides. We can sweep them away before they even approach!”

Chief Song’s expression darkened. Yerim, calm down.

“Preparation for that is necessary, so for the time being, you must not leave a certain area. All of you here.”

“Does that mean I can’t go out either?”

“Yes.”

Chief Song’s expression brightened a little. He was spared from being dragged to the other side of the world for the time being.

I explained the exact area and precautions.

“Please think of it as staying quietly under house arrest for a while.”

Of course, we’re free to make them come in even if we don’t go out. I’ll have to discuss this when I get to Korea.

“Have you heard from the Murim Alliance [a martial arts association]?”

Seong Hyeon-je nodded at my words.

“A helicopter has arrived. The transport is ready, so I recommend sending the goblins and baby monsters back home first.”

“Okay. Yoon Yoon, go back with the kids first.”

“Okay! Going home!”

“Hyung, go with them.”

Yoo-hyeon said that it would be better for me to go first. That’s true, but.

“The leader of the Murim Alliance is a woman, right?”

I wanted to confirm. In case it was the sister related to Park Ha-yul. If it was that kind of skill, it was likely optimized, so I could tell if I used the Sprout skill.

“I know she’s not someone to be suspicious of, but it wouldn’t hurt to meet her.”

Seong Hyeon-je said, getting up from his seat.

“I’m curious too, can I come along?”

Yerim raised her hand. There was no reason not to. On the other hand, Yoo-hyeon frowned slightly. Chief Song also looked displeased.

“I think it would be better for Han Yoo-jin to return to Korea as soon as possible.”

“I’ll just quietly look at her face. And I want to build connections if possible. It would be troublesome if the Murim Alliance sided with the Filial Piety group.”

From what they’ve been doing, it doesn’t seem like they’ll side with them, but still.

“I must return first, though.”

Chief Song looked at Seong Hyeon-je with worried eyes. Seong Hyeon-je’s lips formed a smooth smile.

“Don’t worry. I’ll let you rest comfortably in a special hospital room.”

“Please take care of the kids, Chief Song.”

Chief Song swallowed a sigh. I really don’t cause accidents. Do you not trust me that much?

“What will you do, Noah?”

“Isn’t Chief Song Tae-won enough for the safety of the return trip?”

“It’s enough.”

Chief Song said as if he wanted to keep even one more person by my side. In the end, only Chief Song and Yoon Yoon decided to return to Korea first with the kids.

The remaining people boarded the helicopter sent by the Murim Alliance.