The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 448

446. Still Working After Returning (2)

The photoshoot took place inside the Haeyeon building, so there was no need to go far. Since we were photographing Piece in its adult form, using a regular studio would have been difficult anyway. It was easier to just do it at Haeyeon rather than go through all the procedures.

“Piyak and Bellare are in production, and Sorok was next in line.”

Team Leader Kim Haeyeon said, looking at Mare, who came with Yerim.

“You said Mare, right? How about we proceed with it simultaneously?”

“I’m good with that! Right, Mare?”

– Kyureuk!

So, Yerim and Hyun-ah will also take photos with their ride-type monsters. Since it’s uncertain whether Mare and Sorok will be able to learn the juvenile transformation, we decided to photograph them as babies first and then separately when they are adults.

“Is Soyoung not doing it?”

“She suggested making a life-size doll!”

Haeyeon said. Life-size.

“Including Comet and Riet Hunter, of course.”

“Ah…….”

Riet is a bit too big, isn’t it? Where would you even put it?

“She also wanted to promote the production of 1/10 scale figures of Riet Hunter and Noah Hunter.”

“That, um… She’s passionate.”

“Her ultimate goal was to open an exhibition hall. She said that the real thing is the best, but love should be expressed in every possible way.”

…Is it something like wanting to leave various records? Well, they say photos are what’s left. Maybe I should take more photos and videos of the kids. Though I don’t plan on making an exhibition hall.

“Han Soyoung’s concept will be a daily life feel.”

One of the photography team members approached and said.

“A warm and ordinary day with a lovely companion monster. One indoor shot, one outdoor shot.”

“Ah, okay.”

“Just love Piece as naturally as possible!”

That wouldn’t be difficult. I was worried about having to pose or act, but thankfully, the photo set had sofas and benches, so I wouldn’t have to stand for long. I got my makeup and hair done, and the clothes…….

“Um, this is.”

“It’s Piyak’s pajamas. A set with Piece’s pajamas.”

…Am I not only going to be in front of people in my pajamas but also have photos taken?

“Piece, come here.”

– Kkiang!

“Don’t mind us and be natural! Just like usual!”

How can I not mind you? Still, I tried my best to pretend I didn’t see them and threw a toy ball to Piece. Hugging, petting, brushing, giving snacks, changing clothes and taking more photos, changing the background to pretend we were taking a walk, taking out the wings.

It took quite a while longer than I thought. Fortunately, I was a bit tired, but Piece seemed fine. Piece has to take photos with Yoohyun too.

“Good job, Piece.”

– Keureureung.

I was petting Piece when Yoohyun came out. Unlike me, he was wearing a monochrome suit and a long, flowing coat. His hair was straightened and swept back. He had a slightly cool and heavy atmosphere. S-Class and F stats, so I understand the intention, but still, I’m the older brother.

“Ugh… I feel disgusted and annoyed.”

Yerim said quietly, looking at Yoohyun. Isn’t he handsome?

“He’s good-looking.”

“That’s the problem. Ugh, annoying.”

Maybe Yerim doesn’t like handsome people very much. She was a bit blunt with Sung Hyunjae too. But she seemed to get along well with Noah. And she’s very close to Hyun-ah.

“Hyung [older brother].”

Yoohyun smiled at me. Whose brother is he, so flawless. Then Piece went to Yoohyun and transformed into its adult form. Golden-mixed red fur filled my vision. Some of the photography staff were non-awakened, so some of them were frightened and stepped back.

He really is handsome. But.

“…Haeyeon Guild Master, please look this way. Piece needs to turn its head too.”

They were both just looking at me.

“Yoohyun, you have to look over there. Why are you looking at me? Piece too.”

“But how can I not look at Hyung when Hyung is here.”

– Geureureung.

These kids, really. Yerim muttered, “two sly foxes.” They said that the atmosphere of the two changes when I’m there, so they asked me to leave for a while. Yerim also said she didn’t want to see that sight and followed me out.

“Mare, you saw Piece transform, right? You can do it too! Juvenile transformation! Or miniaturization!”

– Kyuuk.

“Even if Mare can’t learn it, Unnie [older sister] will definitely get you the skill!”

The baby water dragon flapped its chest fins as if clapping, as if it understood. Well, if it doesn’t work out, I’ll have to get a flight skill for it to learn. Piece learned it too.

Outside the studio, people were checking and choosing photos of me and Piece. Seeing that made me want to go back inside.

“Does my photo really have to be included in the promotion? I think it would be fine to just take photos of Piece. Or just Yoohyun. He’s Yoohyun’s ride-type monster.”

“The story is also important for character merchandise.”

Team Leader Kim Haeyeon said, placing the Piece doll on my lap.

“Especially since ride-type monster merchandise is also for image improvement. Han Soyoung needs to be more prominent than the Guild Master.”

It’s like a certificate of safety for the F-stat [lowest hunter rank].

“In addition, the photo cards are limited edition.”

“…Excuse me? Limited edition?”

Wait a minute, photo cards, what are those?

“W-What do you mean, that?”

“It’s a card with a photo on it. Something like this.”

Yerim explained. No, I know what that is.

“You’re including that with the doll?”

“Yes. It’s a limited-edition event for the first edition.”

“But why? Why on the doll……? Besides, there probably aren’t many people who would want mine!”

Yoohyun is popular, so it’s okay, but isn’t it weird for me to be included? Is it okay because Piece is there? More than that, why is a photo included with the Piece doll in the first place? Wasn’t it just for advertising?

“Why, you have many fans, Director Han.”

One of the Haeyeon employees heard our conversation and approached. Another person agreed.

“The only Awakened who can grow monsters. The person who takes care of the Haeyeon Guild Master instead of his parents, discovers Hunter Park Yerim, an S-Class Awakened, and is the only one who recognizes the golden hands of the artisan, that’s Director Han. That alone is enough to make her famous.”

“Plus, her kidnapping experience!”

…Why is my kidnapping experience coming up?

“Director Han is also popular with middle-aged and older people. They feel sorry for her.”

“It’s even more so because she’s among S-Class Hunters. It’s uneasy.”

That… what is it. It’s not like I’ve ever intentionally tried to look pitiful, but what’s my image like?

“I’m… grateful to those who like me.”

“You even have a fan club.”

Oh, uh, that……. The back of my neck was hot. Well, if you become famous, that might happen.

“Um, I didn’t know at all. Then, a meal─”

“No, Director. Don’t do it.”

“The Haeyeon PR team is in charge of it with the Guild Master and Hunter Park Yerim, so you don’t have to worry at all~.”

“Just please update your SNS often.”

I couldn’t upload because I was in China. I should introduce the new faces when the registration of the baby monsters is finished at Sesung.

After a while, I heard that the photoshoot was over and went back inside. Yoohyun had changed his clothes and was wearing formal attire. His hair was disheveled in a post-battle concept, and there was fake blood on his cheeks. Yoohyun took a cleansing tissue, wiped his cheeks, and approached me. Piece also reduced its size and jumped over.

“They said we’ll take one last photo together in the adolescent form.”

“Really? How many photos are going in? Isn’t there about four photos per doll?”

“They’re not giving them all away, are they?”

What? It turned out that the juvenile transformation version, the juvenile transformation wing version, the adult version, and the adult wing version were all given away separately. Even the last adolescent photo was random. Wasn’t this supposed to be for promotion and image improvement rather than profit? It’s just a photo, though.

After the photoshoot was over, it was time for dinner. On the way home after eating out, I sent the kids and Piece ahead and stopped by the breeding ground. The baby horned fox was still huddled in the corner.

“I’ll keep it with me until it stabilizes.”

It seemed better to keep it with me than to leave it here, even if Piece was wary. I also brought the unidentified egg with me. When I went up to the house, Piece ran out as if it had been waiting. Then it tilted its head and looked up at the fox in my arms.

– Kkeueung.

“Piece, be good. It’s a shy sibling, so don’t startle it. Okay?”

I headed to the living room with the fox perking up its ears. Piece, who had been following me, went up to the sofa first.

“Yoohyun, stop it if it seems dangerous.”

I asked my brother and put the horned fox on the sofa. The fluffy fox tail curled up and stuck to its body.

– Areureureureu.

Piece narrowed its eyes and looked at the wary baby fox. It still didn’t seem to like it.

– Keureureu.

Piece growled softly and raised its front paw. Then it tapped the fox’s nose. Just a little bit of intimidation─

– Kyaeng! Kyaeng!

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“What’s going on?”

Yerim, who had gone up to her room with Mare, also came out to the living room in surprise.

– Kkaeaeeng! Kyang! Kyang!

The baby fox made a dying sound and clung to me. Piece widened its eyes and perked up its ears.

“Are you hurt? It didn’t seem like it hit you hard…….”

– Kkaeaeeng! Kkeueung, Kyang!

Is it because the difference in rank is so big? But there were no wounds. As I was panicking and comforting the baby fox, Yoohyun, who had been watching, opened his mouth.

“It’s just acting.”

“Huh?”

“Leave it alone.”

– Kkaeng, Kyaeng!

The baby fox looked up at me with its ears and tail drooping. It didn’t seem to be in pain. For sure.

– Kkiuung.

Piece looked at me and whimpered softly. I hesitated but stepped away from the baby fox with the firmest attitude possible.

“Piece didn’t hit you hard, did it?”

– Kkiang.

“It’s good to be nice to your sibling, but you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s okay.”

It’s not like they’re the same species that can communicate; they’re just monsters. And Piece was the first monster in this house.

– Kiing.

The baby fox rubbed its body against my leg as if asking to be hugged. I avoided it and stepped back again.

“Piece.”

Piece jumped and came to me. When I petted Piece instead of the baby fox, the fox stiffened as if embarrassed.

“You come here too.”

– Areureung.

The baby fox hesitated and approached, looking at Piece. I petted the fox with my other hand as well. It accepted my touch but whined as if it was wronged.

“If Piece really attacked you, I’ll take your side too. But no acting.”

– Keueung, Kyang.

“Piece is the first and the boss here.”

It probably didn’t understand the words, but it seemed to have grasped the atmosphere, and the baby fox lowered its head towards Piece. Then it rolled over and showed its belly.

– Kyareureureu.

Piece looked down at the baby fox wagging its tail while lying down with a slightly disgusted look, then raised one front paw. Then it casually tapped the fox’s nose.

“This one doesn’t seem ordinary. Piece seems dumbfounded.”

“Maybe it’s because it’s eaten a lot of humble pie [experienced humiliation].”

Piece turned around and went up to the sofa, and the baby fox jumped up and looked at me and Piece alternately. It seemed to hesitate for a moment, then approached Piece and whined. Oh my? I’m glad they seem to be getting along, but it’s a unique one.

The procedures for the new monsters were completed in just one day. They’re really good at handling things. The next day, people from the Hunter Association came to check the monsters and take pictures.

However, the hunters who came from China arrived safely in Korea, but the procedures were taking a little longer. Unlike Noah, illegal immigration and the situation in China were getting in the way. It was impossible to change nationality normally, so it seemed like there were many places to go. Still, Teacher Hoyeon, as an A-Class healer, was scheduled to be registered as a Korean hunter quickly.

“This is the little one.”

Evelyn said, looking down at the baby Pegasus. She didn’t seem very impressed. I’m a little worried about whether she’ll take good care of her ride-type monster.

“Yes. I thought it would be a good match for Evelyn.”

“Pegasus can also be said to be Medusa’s.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll be able to hear interesting sounds.”

Evelyn smiled faintly. And she reached out and stroked the Pegasus’s head. That touch was quite gentle.

“Shall we go then, Director Han.”

Evelyn visited to check on the Pegasus and to guard me. For a while, an S-Class Hunter would be following me when I went out. I nodded and picked up the baby sheep.

“Let’s go see Dad, Song.”

– Meaeae.

At Sesung, they also took charge of registering the ride-type monsters belonging to the Awakened Management Office along with the new baby monsters. Thanks to that, Director Song and Sung Hyunjae are waiting for me at the Hunter Association right now. Ugh, it took so long. But now that it’s successful, maybe handcuffs and wires are possible too.