The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 467

465. Even Good People (1)

The entire hotel had been rented out, complete with an orchestra. The real purpose, however, was a banquet for the Von Cave Guild, who had traveled from afar. Of course, everyone present knew that Director Ki Seung-soo of the Breeding Center had arranged all this fuss to impress Chloe Alger… How embarrassing.

At least it didn’t become a scandal splashed across the news. Before the regression, Guild Leader Han of Haeyeon would have undoubtedly made a comment about a clueless foreign high-ranking Hunter causing national disgrace. But now, the gossip was confined to those in the know, and things were quiet on the surface. The high-ranking Hunter image management system was working effectively. Though I’m not high-ranking.

“Kyeol, you absolutely must not speak. Pretend to be an ordinary baby monster.”

The fairy dragon perched on my shoulder nodded. I had already told Sung Hyun-jae and Moon Hyun-ah about Chloe, so they would be prepared for any emergencies. But even so, being alone with Chloe, even for a moment, made me uneasy.

‘Park Ha-yul might have noticed something about Grace to some extent.’

I had taken off Grace [a special artifact or item] in front of him. He didn’t seem to notice anything at the time, but you never know. Besides, even with Grace, it wouldn’t prevent kidnapping or suffocation.

‘But if I have a changeling [a magical item or skill that allows temporary stat boosts], I can buy some time.’

To temporarily boost my stats, the fairy dragon had to appear harmless. It was registered as an F-grade monster, just like Bbyak, so I just had to hide the fact that it could understand and speak.

I joined Myung-woo and Noah, who had arrived in another car, and entered the hotel. Only hotel staff were waiting in the quiet lobby. Before heading to the banquet hall, we went up to the suite. Seok Si-myung, who had arrived earlier, handed me the prepared clothes.

“Director Han seems to be deeply in love, which worries me.”

Seok Si-myung said quietly as he personally helped me with my clothes. His pleasant voice even whispered, making the tip of my ear feel ticklish.

“There are people who don’t care about the consequences once they fall in love.”

“I know it’s not the time for me to be dating. Even if I were to fall in love, Yoo-hyun and Ye-rim would come first. So I have no intention of doing so. It’s not right.”

“That’s why I’m even more worried. You’re not the type to date casually.”

Seok Si-myung’s hand reached out and wrapped a tie around my neck. I have hands too.

“Ideally, I would like Director Han to continue prioritizing Guild Leader above all else.”

Unlike his sweetly soft voice, his eyes behind his glasses were cool and collected. If I ever became a threat to Yoo-hyun or Haeyeon, Seok Si-myung would try to deal with me as coldly as possible. That’s why I trust him, in a way.

“People will curse you if you say that to others.”

Isn’t that just telling me to take care of my younger brother for the rest of my life?

“It’s a worthwhile deal if I can hold on to you even if I get cursed. But Director Han cares so much about his younger brother, so I can just ask you like this, right?”

The corners of Seok Si-myung’s lips lifted into a gentle smile. The tie was tightened just enough. Would he only endure curses? He could commit crimes too. Well, if I were in Seok Si-myung’s position, I wouldn’t let go either. Look at how much he’s gained so far. If he were to lose it to someone else…

‘It would be better to destroy it.’

If I were to do for another guild, another Hunter, what I’ve done for Yoo-hyun and Haeyeon, it would inevitably be threatening.

‘Thinking about it that way, the environment is really well set up.’

Originally, other large guilds should have been dissatisfied with my relationship with Haeyeon to the point of trying to break us apart. Even in the early days, the Ki Seung-soo Breeding Center said they were neutral, but now they openly take my brother’s side. Yet, there’s not much talk about it because Seseong was planning to advance overseas from the start, and Breaker was more trouble as an independent entity. Han Shin had a strong tendency to protect his position even before the regression, and he seems to be the same now, so he’s quiet. The most aggressive MKC and Sudam went bankrupt early on. The Association occasionally expresses dissatisfaction, but it’s negligible.

“As long as Team Leader Seok is loyal to Haeyeon, to Guild Leader Haeyeon, you don’t even need to ask.”

Seok Si-myung finished adjusting my collar and took a step back.

“My end may not be Haeyeon’s end, but Haeyeon’s end is my end.”

Even if something happens to Seok Si-myung, the Haeyeon Guild would remain, but if the Haeyeon Guild collapses, Seok Si-myung would share its fate. When you think about it, it’s just a company he works for, but it’s grand. But it’s not wrong. If Haeyeon can’t hold on, it’s the same as the world collapsing. Seok Si-myung probably doesn’t know that far.

“Then I look forward to working with you in the future.”

When I went to the living room, Yoo-hyun and Ye-rim were already there.

“Hyung, this.”

Yoo-hyun personally folded a handkerchief and put it in my chest pocket. Ye-rim also fluttered a handkerchief.

“Use it to wipe away your tears. Should I give you another one?”

Was that what it meant? Why would I cry?

“Waterproof? There’s makeup too. It won’t smudge even if you cry.”

“…Hyung won’t cry.”

“It’s okay. Tell me anytime if it’s hard. Even if Hyung rejects you, it’s still a heartbreak. I heard people go on heartbreak trips, should I take a few days off? I’ve finished all the work that was delayed because of the trip to China.”

“Shall we go to Jeju Island? Or Busan, you should go to the beach when you’re heartbroken.”

What happened while I was changing that they’re preparing for my heartbreak? Yoo-hyun still doesn’t seem to think I’ll be rejected. Kyeol also spun around on the table, wanting to say something.

“You can eat whatever you want for a while, Hyung.”

“Let’s go cafe hopping together. I heard you feel better when you eat a lot of sweets.”

I really appreciate them caring, but it’s not like that, guys. But I can’t tell them now, so I nodded awkwardly.

“It goes into the inventory.”

Myung-woo handed me a small glass bottle. It contained something like golden candy.

“It’s similar to honey taffy, but it’s made with honey from that dungeon that burst open a while ago. The one with the bees.”

It was recently cleared, and fresh honey is being sold on the market. He must be busy, but he even made this for me.

“Thank you.”

“Good luck.”

I haven’t even confessed yet, why are they looking at me with those eyes?

“Ha-min said he’ll let you see Geum-dong in person if Hyung gets rejected.”

Noah said, also looking at me with pity. I don’t need that.

“Min’s hyung also said he’d set up a blind date for you.”

He’s barely managing himself, what’s he doing? As we went down to the floor where the banquet hall was, Moon Hyun-ah and Song Tae-won were talking in the hallway. Moon Hyun-ah greeted me first.

“Why are you empty-handed? You should have brought a bouquet of flowers.”

She knew everything and was acting so natural. Director Song looked at me and the people around me and opened his mouth with a stiff expression.

“If Han Yoo-jin becomes involved with Chloe Hunter, and if something happens to Chloe Hunter’s safety, the Haeyeon Guild will be investigated first.”

“…Excuse me? That’s a bit unfair! I’m already a suspect; there’s also the presumption of innocence.”

“Preventing disputes between high-ranking Hunters is the best course of action. Especially in this case, it could become an international issue, so please refrain from causing trouble.”

“…That’s too much. I’m not going to date her anyway. Don’t worry and enjoy your meal, Director Song.”

“It’s not an unnecessary worry.”

Director Song said seriously. He said that in the car before, but he really seems to think there’s a high possibility that I’ll date Chloe. Why?

“Think about it. Sung Hyun-jae, Yoo-hyun, and Director Song were all there during our first meeting, you know? How could she even notice me? Right?”

Director Song’s brow furrowed slightly at my words.

“If compared to those three, Han Yoo-jin is definitely the best option.”

Well, of course… Huh?

“Huh? Uh… Huh? No, me?”

“Yes.”

Hyun-ah, who was listening next to me, burst out laughing, saying, “Oh, that’s right?”

“That’s right, Hyung. Sung Hyun-jae is only good to watch from afar, but if you put him next to you, everyone will cringe. Doryeon-nim [young master] is too young, and even if you take away the age, would a normal relationship be possible? If he has time to date, he’ll make Hyung exercise. Director Song is similar. He’s the best of the three, but isn’t he someone who will meet with S-Class Hunters more often than his lover? It’ll be frustrating.”

“Th, that’s…….”

“On the other hand, our Director Han is the type who will date the most faithfully. If he doesn’t get kidnapped, he’ll even pack you a lunch every morning.”

Ye-rim nodded, saying, “That’s right.”

“Even if they’re all the same age. Han Yoo-hyun is obviously the worst, and the civil servant ajusshi [middle-aged man] is stuffy~ I think Seseong ajusshi [another term for middle-aged man] is a little better. But with added loyalty, ajusshi is number one!”

“It’s obvious that Hyung is the best, right?”

Yoo-hyun made a face as if to say, “Why say so much?” That’s, that’s. It was hard to argue.

“But, what about Noah!”

“Yes? Me?”

“He’s handsome, young, kind, and caring, and he has a lot of time to date! And there’s Myung-woo too. He’s at the right age, his body is amazing, and his abilities go without saying, and lunch boxes? He’s incomparable to me. He’s a bit busy, but he’s caring and takes good care of people.”

“I’m not that caring.”

“Me neither, Yoo-jin ssi.”

They’re both talking nonsense.

“Anyway, there are so many good people in the world. It won’t be my turn.”

And well, you could say there’s a racial barrier with Yoo-hyun, and Sung Hyun-jae is too dangerous, but Director Song seems okay. There are plenty of modern people who are busy with work. Even if he’s busy, he clearly makes time for Song, so he’ll definitely make time for his lover. So it would be nice if he dated.

I left Kyeol with Ye-rim and went to find Sung Hyun-jae. Sung Hyun-jae, dressed in a classic suit that looked like it came out of a black and white movie, had a middle-aged man standing next to him.

“This must be the first time Director Han is meeting him.”

Sung Hyun-jae introduced the man next to him.

“Idel Bantes. He doesn’t have a specific title, but you can think of him as my aide.”

I’ve heard the name a few times. He’s a D-class Awakened and rarely comes forward.

“He’s quite shy, so even Seseong Guild members rarely encounter him directly. Among outsiders, maybe only Director Song Tae-won has met him.”

“It’s just that my grade is low, so I’m careful. The Hunter world is especially harsh, isn’t it?”

For someone like that, he was very calm even next to Sung Hyun-jae. As an aide, he would also command high-ranking Hunters. Maybe he has a mental resistance skill like me. It would be essential to stay next to the Seseong Guild Leader with a low stat grade. Among Hunters, it’s hard to keep your mouth shut with just willpower.

“Nice to meet you, Director Han Yoo-jin. I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time.”

Bantes offered a handshake with a gentle smile.

“Please take good care of Guild Leader in the future.”

“Ah, yes. I should be the one saying that.”

I was about to bow in return, but Bantes stopped me.

“Don’t bow your head so easily.”

“…Yes?”

“Isn’t Director Han Yoo-jin standing next to Guild Leader? On the other hand, I am Guild Leader’s subordinate.”

“That’s, but still.”

“Being humble is fine. But you must not back down in front of beasts.”

“…Beasts?”

“Yes. Most high-ranking Hunters follow strength. The current hierarchy of the Hunter world is only strength. The strong can clear more dangerous dungeons faster and take more. That’s why when many gather, they naturally size each other up. Naturally, fights break out.”

Bantes chuckled, using Sung Hyun-jae’s birthday party as an example.

“If the person hosting such a gathering of high-ranking Hunters is looked down upon, the party will inevitably turn into a mess.”

“…Seseong Guild Leader also wrecked the cruise ship, though.”

“The reason there was still a trace of order until then was because Guild Leader is strong.”

Indeed, the Hunters who gathered at the birthday party followed the rules to some extent. It was just that the party host wrecked the ship.

“Our side doesn’t have much data because the history of Awakened is still short. But in addition to Guild Leader’s hosted banquets, there have been several gatherings of high-ranking Awakened overseas. I will send you the related data.”

“Yes, thank you.”

When I asked Sung Hyun-jae how to host a gathering of S-Class Awakened, he said he would introduce me to an expert. It seems that was Idel Bantes.

“Think of today’s banquet as a rehearsal.”

Sung Hyun-jae looked me up and down slowly.

“Forget about the Chloe Hunter matter for a while.”

“Wouldn’t it be suspicious if I looked too calm?”

“A large gap might look more plausible.”

I see.

“Stand in front of me. Keep a moderate distance, as if you are leading me. Today, I will be Director Han Yoo-jin’s accessory.”

“I’m sorry. I’m worried I’ll look like a servant guiding the way.”

“Don’t worry about what’s behind you. Look straight ahead, only forward. A servant always watches the master’s movements. On the other hand, the strongest doesn’t need to watch anyone.”

“Not even guests?”

“That’s the servant’s role. To find, identify, and quietly inform the master of problems. The master only needs to nod or shake their head lightly.”

What is he, an emperor from some country? Sung Hyun-jae can act as usual without worrying about such things, but not me. It felt grand, but I decided to follow his advice.

“Today is just a simple dinner, so be careful only when entering. After sitting down, it will be better to look like you’re enjoying the meal comfortably.”

A staff member knocked and informed us that all the guests were seated. I glanced back at Sung Hyun-jae and moved my feet. I really don’t fit in with this kind of thing.

As I entered the banquet hall, all eyes focused on me at once. I casually accepted it with a light smile, as if it were a common occurrence, and headed to my seat. Don’t worry about Sung Hyun-jae in the back. Pretend he doesn’t exist. Having the Seseong Guild Leader behind me and acting nonchalant would definitely make me look plausible. He’s a really good accessory.

I gave Chloe a glance as calmly as possible and greeted the gathered people before sitting down. Good, I think it went well. …Maybe?