The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 454

452. Name (3)

Seok Si-myung openly displayed his displeasure at Seong Hyeon-je’s visit. Though his words were outwardly polite.

“For someone as busy as you are, Guild Leader Seong, to personally escort Director Han Yu-jin… I am grateful, but I hope you’ll leave things to us from now on, to avoid any further inconvenience.”

Polite… well, sort of. I knew he didn’t mean ‘busy’ in a complimentary way, and the emphasis felt pointed. Essentially, Seok Si-myung was telling him to back off from interfering with the Breeding Center. Seong Hyeon-je responded with a gentle smile.

“I assumed Team Leader Seok Si-myung would remain at Haeyeon indefinitely.”

Uh… what was with the Haeyeon meddling? Was he implying that Seok Si-myung had transferred to the Breeding Center in the interim?

“Of course, that’s my intention. Ah, this is Seo Gyeong-hun, a new employee at the Seungsu Breeding Center. He’s assisting with the handover from Haeyeon.”

“Nice to meet you, Guild Leader Seong.”

Gyeong-hun hyung [older brother/friend] bowed awkwardly. So, he was asserting that Haeyeon and the Breeding Center were so closely aligned that Haeyeon was handling the Breeding Center’s new recruits. Seong Hyeon-je offered Seo Gyeong-hun a handshake.

“I hope you settle in quickly. If any problems arise related to Director Han, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”

Seong Hyeon-je was subtly suggesting he quickly distance himself from Haeyeon and align with Seseong. Seok Si-myung twisted his words, emphasizing his existing close ties with Haeyeon. Then, Seong Hyeon-je brushed past Seok Si-myung, feigning concern for Seo Gyeong-hun. Gyeong-hun hyung, caught in the middle, just kept smiling.

Such is social life.

Anyway, Seong Hyeon-je departed, and Kang So-young headed toward the breeding grounds.

“For the Guild Leader of Seseong, he’s certainly running around quite a bit. Director Han, please decline his offers appropriately. It doesn’t look good.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Of course, Haeyeon is like family, so it doesn’t really matter. In fact, it’s a good thing.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Is that dragon a new monster?”

Seok Si-myung asked, looking at Gyeol, who was perched on my shoulder.

“Yes. Seseong has agreed to handle the registration.”

“Again, Seseong—”

“You know, because of the Pegasus incident. They agreed to manage the registration for the new monster we’re introducing this time.”

For the time being, we’d decided to register the changeling, Han Gyeol, as a standard monster. We also planned to keep his ability to speak a secret for a while. Imagine the uproar if a monster capable of human communication appeared. Not only would he attract unwanted attention, but many people would want to observe and study him.

That’s why the goblin race was also in hiding. We’ll reveal them eventually, but for now, they’re gathered in a rural area near Yun Yun’s hometown, undergoing social education. The goal is for them to blend in as humans, like Yun Yun. They already look human, but most of them are too naive.

“Gyeol, say hello.”

The pink baby dragon raised his drooping body and bowed politely to Seok Si-myung and Seo Gyeong-hun. So well-behaved.

“Isn’t he heavy? You’re not feeling well, either.”

“He’s much lighter than he looks.”

His weight was comparable to Bbyak’s. Bbyak is also lighter than he appears due to his fur.

“But what brings you here?”

I guessed it was partly due to the Breeding Center’s name, but he probably came in person because he had other business as well. We could have exchanged the name over the phone.

“It’s for the naming of the Seungsu Breeding Center and to inspect the building’s facilities. Seo Gyeong-hun.”

“Yes. Let’s go upstairs first, Director.”

Gyeong-hun hyung’s use of the title ‘Director’ still felt strange. We left the underground parking lot and headed upstairs.

“Gyeong-hun, your position hasn’t been decided yet, right? How about Vice Director?”

Seo Gyeong-hun looked flustered at my suggestion.

“For now, we’re planning on a secretarial team that also handles planning and auditing.”

“Yes. Besides, considering the nature of the Breeding Center, it would be better for someone who can control monsters to take on the position of Vice Director. Of course, it’s okay to leave it vacant.”

Gyeong-hun hyung and Seok Si-myung stopped me simultaneously. It was half a joke, but it wasn’t impossible, was it? More than anything, I didn’t want to leave it vacant. You never know what might happen. I wanted to ensure the kids were safe and sound even when I wasn’t around, just in case.

Even if the Breeding Center loses its monster breeding function, having a chief in charge would be better than not having one.

“The interior of the cafe is almost finished.”

Seo Gyeong-hun said as we crossed the building’s first-floor lobby. That was fast. Well, money can expedite things.

“Do Ha-min has agreed to take charge of business management, but he wants to co-manage it with you, Director.”

“Because the customers will mainly be hunters.”

There’s no way Hamin would try to take on that responsibility alone. He hates taking on work that exceeds his abilities. Even before the regression, he often grumbled that he wanted to be an informant targeting ordinary people, not hunters.

“Master, long time no see!”

As we entered the cafe, Do Ha-min greeted us with open arms. Kim Min-ui and Noah were also there. Min-ui had said from the start that he would work here.

“Noah, are you here to help with work too?”

“Only when I’m free sometimes. My hyungs [older brothers/friends] keep saying they’re worried.”

Noah, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and an apron, said as he came out from the kitchen area. Kim Min-ui was originally a B-rank hunter, so they were probably worried about Noah’s safety. If Noah, a definite S-rank, worked even occasionally, there would be far fewer people causing trouble. Still, an S-rank working as a cafe part-timer.

“I heard our Geumdong is coming soon?”

“Yeah. Are you really going with Geumdong?”

“Why, got a problem with that?”

I didn’t particularly have a problem with it. I took the changeling off my shoulder, held him in my arms, and introduced him to the people.

“He’s a new kid. His name is Han Gyeol. I named him.”

This time too, Gyeol greeted them quietly. When Noah reached out his hand, saying, ‘Please take care of me,’ he even shook it.

“Another doll to add to the collection. The doll exhibition hall is right next door, but we’ll put some in the cafe too. We’re planning to sell related drinks and desserts. We need to make a sign, but what should we name the cafe? Should I name it?”

I quickly shook my head. I’m better than Do Ha-min at naming things.

“Um, since we’re doing monster merchandise together… Love and Peace.”

“That’s good. We can put it in English.”

“Right, it’s good, isn’t it?”

“Should we just use the same name as the Breeding Center?”

Seok Si-myung gestured strongly at me, even shaking his hands.

“We’re holding a contest for it.”

I think that was on the list too.

“This is a regular open-hall cafe, and that side is the room area.”

The hall was very spacious, but the partitioned room area was also quite large.

“You can only enter the room area from the building lobby. Of course, the soundproofing is perfect too. We even used dungeon byproducts, so B-ranks can’t eavesdrop.”

“So, we can’t stop A-ranks and above?”

“A-ranks can barely hear if they don’t go right next to the adjacent room, wall, or door. There are only a few S-ranks in the first place. If you speak quietly, even S-ranks will have a hard time hearing in the hall. We’ll also have music playing in the hall.”

That should make it difficult to guarantee secrecy. There are cameras outside, and we just need to arrange the rooms well.

“In the first place, high-level people should have their own conference rooms, right? This place is for mid- and low-level people. Especially low-level hunters who don’t even have guilds.”

A soundproof conference room for the price of a cup of coffee. It was cheap.

“Let’s operate it for a while, and if it’s good, we’ll break through to the second floor too. The shopping district is completely empty. It’s okay, right, Master?”

“Do as you please.”

It’s very convenient for low-level hunters to have a safe gathering place guaranteed.

“Master, come to work sometimes too.”

“What? Me too?”

“Bring the baby monsters. Service, service.”

It seems like Noah alone would be enough for service. I looked around the rooms and returned to the hall, sitting at a table. Noah brought out tomato juice, saying that the kitchen preparations were finished.

“You’re not going to make Noah serve, are you?”

“Of course, it’s takeout. We’ll minimize the work as much as possible. If it’s slow, he might even bring it to the hall.”

It didn’t seem like it would be slow no matter how I looked at it. With Noah standing there, it felt like a cafe in France or something.

“Have you decided on the name of the Breeding Center?”

Seok Si-myung asked. He said he would narrow it down and send it, but he really didn’t pick many. Thanks to that, I didn’t have to think about it for long.

“This one.”

Dodam.

I especially liked the meaning of Dodamdodam [meaning to grow up healthily and happily]. The image of a child playing and growing up without any trouble was a perfect fit. But Dodamdodam is a bit long, so Dodam would be appropriate.

“I also thought that name was good.”

Seok Si-myung nodded in satisfaction.

“The English spelling is easy too. Then we’ll proceed with that.”

Seok Si-myung reminded me not to forget the Peace doll launch event on the weekend and got up from his seat with Seo Gyeong-hun.

“I won’t forget. Don’t worry.”

“You may not forget it in your head, but there’s a possibility that Director Han’s body won’t be here.”

…Did I look like I wanted to abandon my responsibilities? I’ll stay put, yes, yes. After the two left, I talked to Do Ha-min about the cafe menu, and the glass door with the ‘Closed’ sign on it burst open.

“It was you, Uncle. I’m back from school!”

Yerim came into the store energetically. Did she see me from outside? She had to pass by here to get to the parking lot, but she managed to see me.

“Oh? That dragon woke up?”

“Yeah. He’s Gyeol.”

“Seseong Uncle?”

“No, I named him.”

Her disbelieving gaze pierced my heart. I really named him. I did get a little advice, though.

“Is the cafe opening soon? Should I work here part-time too?”

“What? Why are you suddenly trying to get a part-time job? You said you were sick of it.”

“That was a meat restaurant part-time job where I didn’t even get paid. I’ve always wanted to try a cafe part-time job.”

Yerim said it would be fun. I didn’t think it would be particularly fun.

“How about serving like this!”

A thin stream of water stretched out, swirling around and lifting the empty juice glass in front of me. The juice glass floated in the air towards the kitchen.

“I can control the temperature for both heating and cooling!”

“That’s really convenient.”

It was a waste of talent to use in a cafe. She could also make ice right away in the summer.

“I can do this too.”

This time, the water transformed into a glass bowl shape. Then, it froze instantly.

“Tada, shaved ice bowl! The shape is a bit… not great, though. I’ll practice.”

“A perfect part-timer!”

Do Ha-min clapped his hands in admiration.

“In the summer, Hunter Park Yerim! In the winter, Hunter Han Yu-hyun!”

“Don’t try to subtly exploit someone else’s younger sibling.”

“If I may give you a tip, Uncle Hamin. If you have Uncle, the Guild Leader will come along automatically. One plus one.”

“We can expand the store to the third floor! If we have Master, we might be able to bring in Myungwoo too. A famous restaurant cafe! A national chain!”

What is he even saying? The efficiency is terrible, terrible. It might be possible for an event once in a while.

“So, for a while, it’s a secret that Gyeol can talk.”

I reminded Yerim as I returned home.

– Please take care of Gyeol, Aunt Yerim.

“Am I an aunt? Already?”

She grumbled that she was still a middle school student, but she didn’t seem to dislike it. Rather, Yerim’s face was beaming. Yerim was fine, so Yu-hyun should be okay too, right? The problem was Peace. As I entered the house, Peace, who had been waiting in front of the entrance, wagged his tail. Next to him, the Horned Fox, keeping a slight distance, was also wagging its tail.

The Horned Fox wanted to stick to Peace, but Peace was very annoyed. Was the Horned Fox a pack animal? It seemed to have accepted Peace as its leader.

“Peace, this kid is Gyeol.”

– Hello, Peace.

Peace’s ears perked up.

– Keuheung.

He was a monster, but he seemed flustered that he could speak human language and call his name. The changeling flew down to match Peace’s eye level. Peace twitched his nose, smelling Gyeol.

– Kkeueung.

– Doesn’t he smell similar to Dad?

“Really?”

– Because he’s been with Dad all the time. And he didn’t have a name yet. So, he probably still feels similar to Dad.

Maybe that’s why Peace was suspicious but didn’t show much animosity. The Horned Fox was the same.

– Bbyak!

And Bbyak pretended to know him. He saw him once, huh? When Bbyak greeted him, Bellare also greeted him back with a smile.

I thought the changeling would be accepted without any problems like this.

– Hello, Uncle.

“I told you not to call me Uncle.”

Yu-hyun said coldly.

“Is that thing going to keep being out?”

“He’s Gyeol.”

“Aren’t you being too cold to your nephew, Han Yu-hyun?”

“Why is that my nephew?”

My younger brother, loosening his tie, said firmly. He didn’t like it before, but he still didn’t seem to like the changeling.

– Because he’s Dad’s younger sibling.

Gyeol said very politely. His scales had a calm silver sheen, and his golden eyes looked up at Yu-hyun earnestly.

– Dad’s favorite person. Gyeol likes Dad very much. So, I want to get along with Uncle, who Dad loves the most.

“…….”

“That’s what he’s saying, Han Yu-hyun!”

“I don’t particularly intend to get close.”

His voice was still blunt, but the rejection seemed to have lessened a bit.

“Come wash up quickly for dinner. You’ve worked hard.”

“Yeah. Has anything happened to hyung [older brother/friend] since then? Is your body okay?”

“I’m fine.”

I was a little worried about using the potion, but there didn’t seem to be any problems. I need to take good care of my body until I get my leg treated.