The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 465

I felt eyes on me. Before I could sort out my complicated thoughts, I completely hid myself. The Seed Skill I hadn’t fully identified turned off, and I heard Moon Hyun-ah’s laughter.

“At this rate, we’ll lose Chief Han. Can’t even see him.”

“I’m just ordinary, me.”

I protested that they were too much and came out from behind Jason. Chloe was still looking at me, but she didn’t seem to know exactly what I had done. She tilted her head slightly and slowly turned her gaze away.

‘S-Class.’

Not A-Class. Chloe Elger. My mouth felt parched. No way, it can’t be. Let’s not jump to conclusions. It wasn’t uncommon for Hunters to hide their rank. Yoo-hyun himself had disguised himself as B-Class Kim Min-yi. So, it was possible that Chloe had been hiding her rank as well.

Not because she was related to the filial piety addict [someone excessively devoted to their parents] or Park Ha-yul’s sister, but she might have just been S-Class from the start. Both before and after the regression.

‘…But I can’t just ignore it.’

Just hiding her rank and entering the country was a crime. If it were someone else, I would have quietly reported it to Chief Song and been done with it, but damn it.

‘There might be an important reason why she needs to hide that she’s S-Class.’

Like a contract hanging over her, or being held hostage, or having someone to protect. Awakening as an S-Class wasn’t always a good thing. Because they were rare, they stood out, and naturally, there were more people targeting them. The S-Class Awakened themselves might be fine, but not the people around them.

If Yoo-hyun had been B-Class instead of S-Class, he wouldn’t have needed to distance himself from me. Even a young, mid-level Hunter was good prey, but it couldn’t compare to high-level, especially S-Class. …If he hadn’t been born S-Class, even the lizard bastard wouldn’t have approached him.

‘Chief Song is trustworthy, but…’

At the same time, his rigidity was a problem. Unless it was a really compelling reason, he would prioritize the law. Especially if an S-Class Hunter broke the law? There was almost no chance he would let it slide.

“Hyung, this way.”

Yoo-hyun, who had come to my side unnoticed, grabbed me and spoke. My feet were unconsciously following Chloe, the Burncave Guild party.

“We can’t ride in the same vehicle.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Mister, you must really like that Hunter noona [older sister figure].”

Yerim whispered softly. I do like her, still… The Burncave Guild party got into the limousine that was waiting. Since they were all so big, a regular car would be cramped. When I came to my senses, Yoo-hyun, Yerim, Moon Hyun-ah, as well as Sung Hyun-jae and Song Tae-won were all staring at me.

“Hyungnim, it seems more serious than I thought?”

They all seemed to think I was just a little dazed by simple fanboying. Chief Song didn’t seem to notice anything strange either, and Sung Hyun-jae…

‘…He seems to have noticed something strange.’

The look in his eyes, which had been full of casual amusement, calmed down. When our eyes met, he slightly raised the corner of his lips.

“Come to think of it, Chief Han had a date planned. At the aquarium.”

That was probably a question of whether we needed to talk separately. Did that aquarium mean his home? Moon Hyun-ah poked Sung Hyun-jae’s arm with her elbow.

“It looks like you won’t be able to date Hyungnim until Chloe leaves the country, what a shame.”

“It’s not like I’m going to chase after Chloe Hunter all day. But I still have to treat my guests, so not right now.”

“He means after she leaves the country, after she leaves.”

“Hyun-ah ssi, really! I’ll keep the promise within three days. I’ll contact you.”

I hope he understood that there was a problem, but I needed to investigate it a bit more.

“Thank you for taking the time. I’ll prepare thoroughly to welcome you.”

Sung Hyun-jae was going to investigate as well. He would do it without Chloe noticing. Moon Hyun-ah asked me if I liked aquariums. After Noah ssi, I’ve been there several times with Yoo-hyun, Yerim, and Sung Hyun-jae.

“Hyun-ah ssi, would you like to go with us next time?”

“Thanks for the date invitation, but I prefer fishing to watching trapped fish.”

“You like fishing?”

“I like harpooning. Big ones, not small ones. Sitting around doing nothing is a bit boring.”

It sounded more like hunting than fishing.

Since I didn’t need to go to the Association, I decided to go to the Breeding Center first. Sung Hyun-jae and Moon Hyun-ah returned to their respective guilds, and only Song Tae-won stayed with us.

‘…First, I need to talk to Chloe ssi a bit more.’

I couldn’t just suddenly say, ‘I think your rank is actually S-Class.’ If I did, she would probably just respond with, ‘I have a reason for hiding it.’ It would be good if that were the truth, but the problem was if she was related to the Transcendental or Ha-yul’s family.

‘Should I meet her alone?’

Throwing bait is the best way, but… Or is there another way…

“Hyung.”

Yoo-hyun, who was sitting next to me, said in a heavy voice.

“I’m against high-level Awakened.”

“…Huh?”

The expression on my brother’s face, when I turned to look at him, was dark. He also seemed sulky.

“If they’re stronger than hyung, it could be dangerous.”

“Uh… of course, but why all of a sudden?”

“If you date, there will inevitably be times when you’re alone together, and then I can’t guarantee hyung’s safety.”

…What? Yerim, who was sitting next to me, chimed in.

“That’s right, Mister. There’s dating violence and domestic violence. These days, you can easily erase the traces with potions, so it’s dangerous. And this is someone you just met for the first time.”

No, what’s with the dating violence? But she had a point. If they used violence when they were alone and then used a potion, you wouldn’t even know. It’s suddenly scary.

“Okay. You two should never date anyone who is S-Class or higher. Meet someone weaker than you.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be the strongest when I’m dating.”

“Okay. Not that you’ll ever date.”

Yerim answered confidently, and Yoo-hyun answered casually. I’ve given up on seeing you date too.

“So hyung should meet someone weak too.”

“…No, I can’t do that. I can barely take care of myself, what am I going to do with an F-Class?”

I’m already worried about the non-Awakened people around me, I can’t add another burden.

“Still, high-level Hunters are too dangerous.”

“Yoo-hyun, it doesn’t make much difference to hyung whether they’re mid-level or high-level. S-Class or C-Class, he’ll treat them all the same as a snack.”

Of course, it would be different if I was wearing equipment and using items, but in a defenseless everyday situation, it’s all the same. Yoo-hyun sighed deeply at my words.

“Do you like that Hunter that much?”

“You said you only saw her in videos. But still? Did you like her even more when you saw her in person? Are you going to confess?”

These guys, really. I’ve said countless times that it’s not that kind of feeling… Wait a minute.

“Confess…”

Yoo-hyun and Yerim’s eyes widened in surprise at my mumbling.

“Wow, wait a minute, Mister. I was just kidding!”

“Hyung, really? You don’t even know her well yet. If, if you get married, then she might come into our house, or tell us to move out!”

“Mister! These days, people date and get married in their thirties! I mean, based on their registered age!”

The kids each grabbed my arm. Chief Song, who was sitting in the passenger seat, turned to look at us.

“I’m telling you, whether it’s thirty or twenty-five, I’m not dating or getting married.”

“But you said you were going to confess!”

“Hyung… you’re not kicking me out, are you?”

“Han Yoo-hyun is an adult, but I’m still young!”

“Kicking you out? There’s no way that’s happening! I’m not dating either.”

“Really? I can do it after I grow up. I just think it’s a bit early now.”

“I don’t have the energy to date or anything.”

I really didn’t have the energy for that kind of thing. Besides, if I dated now, I’d be dumped for sure.

“I’m already overwhelmed taking care of you guys and the kids. I don’t have the strength to add one more person here.”

However.

“I just want to confess once.”

“Hyung!”

“Mister!”

“Just the words, just with words, only with words.”

I love you. Since I’m being misunderstood anyway, it’s a good opportunity, isn’t it? It was a situation where I could naturally and openly say I loved her. It was unlikely that the keyword would be applied with just that one time, but it would be good if it did, and even if it didn’t.

‘At least I can check if she’s related to Park Ha-yul’s sister.’

If Chloe had grown with the help of that sister’s skill. Then, just like with Park Ha-yul, a message would pop up saying that the keyword application was impossible. So, if I just confessed, I could definitely rule out one possibility.

‘Depending on the reaction, I can also find out if she’s related to the Transcendental.’

If she’s from Chatterbox or a cult, wouldn’t they accept my confession? I would never miss this kind of opportunity. If the application impossible message didn’t appear and my confession was rejected, then it was highly likely that Chloe was simply hiding her rank for personal reasons.

I hoped that was the case.

“Honestly, it’s not like I have no feelings, hmm, not at all. Don’t look at me like that.”

It’s like I’ve become a terrible guy who’s abandoning his kids to remarry.

“I’m just trying to get it off my chest and cut off any lingering feelings. And there’s no way Chloe ssi would accept my confession anyway.”

“Why not?”

“He’s hyung, of course she’ll accept.”

They both think too highly of me.

“Considering Han Yoo-jin ssi’s value, it’s highly likely she will accept.”

“…Pardon?”

That was an unexpected voice. I didn’t expect Chief Song to chime in.

“I would like to ask you to carefully consider dating a high-level Hunter from overseas, not from Korea.”

“No, I’m not even thinking about dating.”

“Chloe Hunter’s safety is also a concern.”

Song Tae-won’s gaze turned to Yoo-hyun and Yerim.

“Please act carefully.”

“…I’m just going to convey my feelings and end it. Really.”

This is something. I really don’t have any other intentions. I just want to check something.

Even though I said I wasn’t thinking about dating! Throughout the tour of the Breeding Center, Yoo-hyun and Yerim stayed right next to me, preventing Chloe from approaching. Even Chief Song didn’t stop their actions.

“I’ve heard some rumors, but you really have a good relationship.”

Jason couldn’t hide his embarrassment at the attitude of the two S-Class Hunters. Thanks to that, everyone seemed to be mistaken that I had feelings for Chloe Elger, to the point of falling in love at first sight. Chloe didn’t show any particular reaction, but the other Hunters looked back and forth between me and Chloe and whispered quietly.

I would feel sorry if there was nothing wrong with Chloe. I’ll have to compensate her handsomely… I’m really starting to feel sorry.

“Large monsters are transferred to the Gyeonggi Breeding Center once they grow beyond a certain size.”

“Can we see that too?”

“Of course. I’ll put in a call.”

Aside from the rumors with Chloe, the work proceeded without any problems. Since she came with Chloe, I wondered if Jason or the Burncave Guild were also involved, but they didn’t show any suspicious behavior. Jason was also quite polite for an S-Class.

The problem started after the Breeding Center tour was over.

[Hyung, are you really going to confess?]

Starting with a text from Hyun-ah ssi, who must have been informed by Yerim in the meantime.

“Master! You fell in love at first sight!”

“Yoo-jin ssi, is it true?”

Do Hamin and Noah also heard the rumors and rushed over.

“…Just a confession, just a confession. A confession to end my lingering feelings! You should go see your hamster that you love to death.”

“I’ve taken good care of our Geumdong-nim. It’s best not to approach him during the adaptation period. Look at this, isn’t he really pretty? Look at the shine in his fur. He must have had a hard time flying, but it’s still glistening─ amazing, isn’t it? And how small his hands and feet are. Look at his butt! Round butt! He eats well too. Look at his front paws, front paws. He’s holding it tightly and nibbling, pushing it into his cheek. Isn’t he really cute? Oh my, cheek pouches, oh my really, really. Filling them up is cute, but pushing them out with his front paws! Kkeueueue!”

I shouldn’t mention Geumdong’s Geum or hamster’s Ham in front of Do Hamin for a while. Seok Simyeong also rushed over with a worried expression and seriously asked if I was serious.

“I think it’s too early to be dating. You’re not thinking about marriage, are you?”

“…I’m not.”

“I don’t doubt Han Yoo-jin Director’s brotherly love, but dating and marriage can affect the relationship between family members─”

“I’m not doing it.”

Seok Simyeong was already rattling on about how it’s not good to date, dating is a hindrance when the Breeding Center hasn’t even settled down yet, marriage is something you do when the time comes, and these days it’s common to get married after forty, and repeatedly asked if I really wasn’t thinking about dating before finally leaving.

Seok Hayan’s team also contacted me to ask if it was true, the Breeding Center staff also cautiously asked, and even Myungwoo belatedly came out of the smithy to seriously talk to me.

“I don’t think a foreign high-level Hunter is a good match either. Above all, you just met her today.”

“…No, really.”

“Yoo-jin, there are so many good people in the world. So let’s make a careful decision.”

Facing his sincere worried eyes, I even felt guilty. I’m telling you, I’m not really dating.

And the next day.

“A hotel would be good, right?”

“That’s obvious. It’s chilly these days, and outdoors is the worst. Hyungnim, what kind of hotel do you like? I’ll rent it out entirely!”

Sung Hyun-jae and Moon Hyun-ah stepped up to help me with my proposal. Is it fun, huh? You really seem to be having fun!