The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 452

450. Name (1)

“The suspect, believed to be the same person as the terrorist, concealed their face and disguised their voice.”

“What about tracking their movements?”

“They are at least a mid-grade Awakened, possibly high-grade.”

Chief Song replied, “So, it’s practically impossible to find them.”

Seoul is blanketed with CCTV cameras and car black boxes, making it hard to avoid surveillance, but that only applies to people walking around normally. Even using basic flight skills can easily evade cameras, and leaping between buildings is possible for high-grade combat-type Awakened. I, myself, can run up walls with the Wildcat Boots.

“Realistically, it’s impossible to uncover the terrorist’s identity.”

Chief Song said with a slightly weary voice.

“Although Korea is nearly an island, it’s not difficult for a high-grade Awakened to enter the country illegally.”

Three sides are sea, and the north borders North Korea. Currently, it’s a ceasefire state, and the atmosphere isn’t terrible, but still, the border remains a point of concern.

“Even without flight skills, they can simply cross over by land or even swim from China or Japan.”

It would take quite a while, but it would leave no trace at all.

“Therefore, as of now, there are no countermeasures.”

At best, we could ask people to report any suspicious high-grade Hunters they see. But even if we wanted to issue a wanted notice, we have no information.

“You’re Chief Song’s fan, right? Does anyone come to mind?”

At my question, Chief Song narrowed his brows, and Sung Hyunjae tapped the desk with his fingertip.

“There are quite a few.”

“Are there?”

“They are opponents who inspire a challenging spirit in many ways, you see.”

I agreed with that. The thicker and higher the wall, the more people are fired up, especially high-grade Hunters who think they’re so great.

“If we narrow it down, it’s likely to be an S-Rank Hunter.”

“Chief Song, I recommend Sung Hyunjae as a strong suspect. Especially the bouquet is suspicious.”

“…He has a clear alibi, so it’s not him.”

“If he wasn’t next to me, it would be 100 percent him. So, what’s the list of S-Rank Hunters who are fans of Chief Song?”

“There isn’t one. It’s Sung Hyunjae Hunter’s one-sided claim, and this incident is likely an attempt to confuse the investigation.”

Chief Song said firmly. He’s a trustworthy person, but I didn’t quite believe those words.

“The possibility of an S-Rank Hunter known to Song Taewon and me acting openly is extremely low. The person who acted directly is most likely someone we don’t know.”

“What about the sniper? You haven’t found any traces of them either?”

Yoohyun, who had been silently listening to my words, hardened his expression as if displeased. He didn’t seem happy about the fact that the Hunter who attacked me got away.

“Even if Han Yoojin was hit directly, it wouldn’t have been fatal. That’s why it was harder to notice.”

“Yes. Because it wasn’t threatening, the detection was delayed. I apologize.”

“No, what are you apologizing for?”

He said that if it had been an attack that would cause serious injury even with a graze, he would have noticed it quickly.

“It wasn’t a skill or item, but an ordinary bullet with a perception-reducing skill attached. Therefore, it could only be detected through direct visual observation.”

…He saw that in that short moment?

“There were two shots, and the interval was almost nonexistent. Rather than a rapid-fire, it was closer to shooting with two guns.”

“The head and the arm. The power of the two was also different. Both sides─.”

“Wait a minute!”

“Hyung?”

Yoohyun sent me a look that seemed to say, ‘So, that’s why you took out the cardigan.’

“Show me.”

“I healed it; I’m fine.”

My brother, who got up from his seat and approached me, insisted on checking my arm. Seeing that there were no traces of the injury, he frowned.

“I told you using potions isn’t good for your body.”

“Well, it’s my arm. Considering the situation, I need to be able to use my arm. That’s why I left the face alone.”

I disinfected the wound on my cheek, applied ointment, and put on a bandage. Yoohyun sighed and sat back down. As if nothing had happened, Sung Hyunjae continued where he left off.

“Both grazed, but the wound on the arm was relatively larger. So, it’s hard to see it as rapid-fire from the same gun.”

So, they shot holding one in each hand? Either it wasn’t a sniper rifle, or they can accurately shoot a rifle with one hand. If they’re a high-grade Hunter, it would be the latter. Or it could have been two people.

“There’s also a high possibility that they are an ability user who can control the trajectory of the bullets. What do you think?”

At Chief Song’s question, Sung Hyunjae nodded lightly.

“The angle was strange for shooting from behind the wall. Considering Han Yoojin’s height, the height of the wall, and the distance, it’s impossible to aim for the arm in that direction.”

“I see. No wonder I couldn’t find the sniper’s location.”

To summarize, it means they are an Awakened who can control the direction of the fired weapon and attach perception reduction. It seemed certain that they were a long-range combat type.

“Han Yoojin-ssi, for the time being, always use damage protection items when you’re outdoors.”

“It’s not like they can kill me anyway.”

As soon as I said that, disapproving gazes poured in.

“…Even though Eunhae [likely refers to a specific item or skill] hardly needs mana replenishment, continuing to use them is a bit much. It’s not like mana comes out infinitely.”

It would be a problem if I couldn’t use it properly when I really needed it.

“Even D-Rank would be sufficient. Of course, under the premise of being accompanied by an A-Rank or higher, if possible, an S-Rank or higher Hunter.”

Chief Song said that if it was an attack that a D-Rank couldn’t block the lethality of, an S-Rank Hunter would take care of it. If it’s D-Rank, it would be okay to use it for a long time.

“Never go out alone.”

“Don’t worry. I can’t leave the house alone because of Park Hayool anyway.”

You never know when they might reappear. Besides, right now, I turned off the fear resistance skill. Sung Hyunjae and Song Taewon’s presence felt strong, and my skin felt slightly chilly. At the same time, the worry about Park Hayool that had been lingering in my mind completely disappeared.

“If you find Park Hayool, please deal with him in a way that I can’t know who killed him.”

“You mean, so Han Yoojin-gun doesn’t know?”

“Yes. There’s a possibility that the skill won’t be released even if Park Hayool dies. Then I’ll have negative feelings about the person who harmed Park Hayool.”

But if I don’t know who killed him, it doesn’t matter. I want to trust Park Hayool and follow his words, but it seems I’m not willing to take revenge for him. If it was to that extent, I would be trying to find Park Hayool now that he’s missing.

“Are you okay even if the skill isn’t released?”

“It seems okay for now. He told me not to run away, but I have no intention of following that since there’s nothing left on Nosando [likely a location]. And the other nonsense has become less influential.”

Park Hayool’s ability is a skill that increases favorability with appearance and makes people strongly influenced by his actions. Perhaps that’s why it inevitably weakens when he’s not visible and far away. Besides, people are constantly influenced by other things around them.

To brainwash someone completely, you would have to keep them locked up without any external contact and continuously influence them.

“So, it’s better to deal with him even if some side effects remain. Unless Chatterbox [likely a specific individual or entity] intervenes, I can’t guarantee my safety now.”

In the past, I didn’t have to worry about saving my life because I was so useful. At worst, I would be treated like I was in China. But the filial piety addicts didn’t intend to use my abilities.

“If we find him, we will deal with him immediately.”

Chief Song said calmly.

“Not immediately. Do it without me knowing.”

“I don’t mind.”

…What are you talking about again?

“I mind a lot. I don’t want to become wary of Chief Song because of someone else.”

“Han Yoojin-ssi’s safety is more important.”

“Is it all right as long as I’m not physically hurt? Emotional wounds are also wounds. And what about Songyi? What if I become wary of Songyi too?”

When the story of the baby sheep came up, Chief Song paused. After hesitating for a moment, he said as if he couldn’t help it.

“I understand. But in an emergency, I will step in. It would be better to distance myself from me than from other S-Rank Hunters.”

“What’s better about it?”

Nothing is better. I swallowed a sigh at his unchanging stubbornness, even though he had softened a little compared to the beginning, and changed the subject. I turned the fear resistance skill back on.

“Let’s bring in the overseas S-Rank Hunters again.”

It was what I had said publicly in China before returning home. Sung Hyunjae showed curiosity at my words.

“You said it was a gathering related to Ki Seungsoo. Are you going to have a Christmas party or something?”

“Christmas is a long way off, and that day is reserved for Yoohyun. It’s literally related to Ki Seungsoo; I’m going to release information about Ki Seungsoo.”

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

“How to grow baby monsters. Of course, not everyone can do it just because they know how. In the case of Peace, the Flame Horned Lion, growth is only possible with the help of an adult.”

“Realistically, it would be impossible to grow them without Han Yoojin-gun.”

“Yes. Sorok’s case is ambiguous. It was said that they grow under the protection of the group’s leader. If the leader doesn’t have to be the same species, it might be surprisingly easy.”

Anyone might be able to raise a Snow White Reindeer cub if they are recognized as a leader.

“And Blue, the Griffin, grows when it consumes a specific monster, specifically, when it consumes a certain grade or higher of mana beast.”

I checked with the mana beast that Hyunah-ssi had caught. When I fed it S-Rank mana beast meat, it grew without training. On the other hand, A-Rank mana beasts had no effect.

“How many S-Rank mana beasts do you think you need?”

“Hmm, considering the influence of my skill… at least over five hundred?”

“It would be hard to grow the Golden Griffin without you, hyung.”

That was true. Even if three or four S-Rank mana beasts appeared as bosses, it would mean attacking an S-Rank dungeon over a hundred times. Even if you went once a month, it would take nearly ten years. It would be faster if you bought S-Rank mana beast meat from all over the world, but there was a high possibility that competition would arise.

“But it’s better than having no possibility at all. It’s relatively easy to meet the conditions for A-Rank monsters.”

“Then Han Yoojin-gun will become the only S-Rank ride beast breeder.”

“My burden will also be reduced a little.”

Just a little. The conditions for A-Ranks aren’t easy either. Still, it’s attractive information that a large S-Rank guild would be capable of.

“I would like to discuss this matter with Sung Hyunjae-ssi.”

“You’re welcome anytime.”

Sung Hyunjae was pleased, and a shadow fell over Chief Song’s face.

“…Are you planning to hold it domestically?”

“I can’t go overseas. Hmm, should I get a cruise ship?”

“I would appreciate it if you would do that.”

It can’t be helped that S-Rank Hunters will enter the country, but it would be better if they left the land. A cruise… how much does it cost? I have to be prepared for it to be destroyed.

We decided to continue the search for the terrorist, even though it wouldn’t be very helpful, and got up from our seats.

“Yerim will still be at school. Yoohyun, you go back first with Peace.”

“What about hyung?”

“I’m going to get the Pegasus price and go home.”

“I can wait that much.”

“I know you have a lot of work. Hurry up and go to the company and leave work early, Haeyeon Guild Leader.”

From the Hunter from China to the monster and the items, there was a mountain of work piled up while he was away. He was bound to be as busy as I was. I patted my brother and sent him away, then went up to the rooftop with Sung Hyunjae. This was because the Hunter Association parking lot and the surrounding area were still a mess and under control.

“Seong Guild Leader-nim, shouldn’t you get a ride beast soon? Our Yoohyun went back right away because he has Peace.”

Evelyn-ssi’s car, which took me home, was safe, but Seong Guild Leader-nim’s car was naturally smashed. How many is that now?

“Your car won’t be left in one piece.”

“The insurance premium will go up again.”

“Do you even care about that?”

“I’m quite frugal, you know.”

It was one of the most ridiculous things I’d heard this year. A helicopter was already waiting on the roof. He really is frugal.

“For the frugal Sung Hyunjae-ssi, should I go down and take a taxi? How about a bus or subway? I wonder if the transportation card will work.”

“…Doesn’t everything work with a card?”

Wow, he really hasn’t used it before.

“Have you never ridden it? Really? I wouldn’t think so, but really? Not even once?”

“I’ve taken a taxi, but the bus, I’ve climbed on the roof.”

Is that fare evasion? I couldn’t imagine Sung Hyunjae swiping a card and getting on a bus. I wanted to put him on a bus once, but it seemed like we would be on the search terms of portal sites side by side, so I just got on the helicopter. It’s a waste of money to go to Seseong Guild, which isn’t even that far.

“About the name you mentioned earlier.”

I said in the midst of the noisy helicopter sound.

“Don’t match it to me; please help me a little.”

I felt sorry for the Changeling in many ways, so I wanted to give it a good name if possible. Even if my sense isn’t actually that bad.