The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 471

469. Selfish

Anyway, that made it clear. I turned my back on Seong Hyeonjae and pushed open the glass door. I need to tell Chief Song about Chloe’s rank and keep her here. There was no reason to just let her go. If we keep Chloe, they’ll contact us. Regardless of good intentions, they at least need to undo the skill of Park Hayul that’s on me. They can’t just use someone like that and pretend nothing happened.

I walked down the quiet hallway. Seong Hyeonjae didn’t follow. My stomach churned, and I stopped walking.

“…Gyeol, can you go ahead?”

– No.

I couldn’t smoke in front of the kid. Instead, I leaned against the wall and stood still for a moment.

‘The current me is much, much better.’

But what if I were the me from before the regression? Just an F-rank Han Yoojin? I wouldn’t have been told ‘no’ by Chloe. On the contrary, she might have looked at the F-rank Hunter who struggled to survive instead of listening to the circulating rumors.

‘…It’s just been pointless nonsense and hearing things I’d have been better off not knowing.’

I was going to tell her everything. No, since I said I’d tell her before leaving the country, it would have been hard to respond if I’d heard it then. But why did she reveal it now? Ah, did she realize I was aware of her identity from the conversation with Seong Hyeonjae? Since I grilled her about whether she’d joined hands with them.

‘Then I need to move quickly now.’

You said you’d resist, didn’t you? Isn’t that the same as saying you’d run away? The skill, what was Chloe’s skill again? It was mostly broadcasting in low to mid-level dungeons, so it was hardly revealed. The content was about surviving or 攻略ing [conquering] without using the abilities of high-level Hunters as much as possible.

I started walking again. I wasn’t even close to the lounge yet, but someone was standing in the hallway.

“…Chief Song.”

It was Song Taewon. Did he come out because he was worried? Because I’m an F-rank and he’s a high-level Hunter? It suddenly occurred to me what Seong Hyeonjae had said about trusting me. Didn’t he trust Chief Song instead of me?

“Han Yoojin-ssi.”

“I was dumped as planned.”

Chief Song’s expression wavered at my words. No, he seemed flustered looking at my face.

“…First of all, I’m sorry. I’m not good at this kind of安慰 [consolation].”

“No, I’m okay.”

He didn’t look like he believed me.

“More than that, did Chloe go back to the lounge?”

“She didn’t come this way.”

“Yes?”

“She went out to the other hallway in front of here. I didn’t stop her since she was alone, but was there something wrong?”

I was momentarily stunned, then ran my hand over my face. Of course. She’s not affiliated with the Beon Cave Guild, so there’s no reason for her to be dawdling around. She’ll try to hide as soon as she’s exposed. Why was I just staring as she turned away? Damn it, I’m really…….

“I’ll call the others.”

I grabbed the hem of Chief Song’s clothes as he hurriedly turned around, unsure of how he perceived my appearance.

“That’s not it. It’s not that. I think I was being too stupid. This isn’t the time to be doing this.”

“…I think it’s okay to have a relationship.”

“…Yes?”

“You should have that much 余裕 [leeway/room to spare].”

Chief Song said seriously.

“I don’t think you’re the one who should be saying that, Chief Song.”

“I’m a public official.”

“People say civil servants have job security, but they don’t say their bodies are made of iron, do they?”

“I’m also an S-rank.”

“No, still. I never dreamed I’d hear you tell me to have time for romance.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. I leaned against the wall and plopped down on the spot. There was almost no chance of catching Chloe even if I chased after her now. It’s better to wait for her to come back to get a reply from Seong Hyeonjae. If Seong Hyeonjae cooperates, that is.

“You never liked me much, did you, Chief Song?”

“I was just worried.”

“Then sit here. My neck is going to break.”

I tapped the carpeted floor with my hand. Song Taewon hesitated, then sat next to me. 여유 [leeway/room to spare], huh? 여유 [leeway/room to spare] is good. But this isn’t the time to be 여유 [have leeway/room to spare].

“I don’t know what Seong Hyeonjae is thinking.”

“I’ve been watching him for almost four years, but I don’t know either.”

“If I were an S-rank, I would have grabbed him by the collar and shaken him a hundred times.”

“If I may offer some advice, think of it as a natural disaster. That you were unlucky enough to be struck by lightning.”

“…If that’s the case, you’re a complete lightning rod, Chief Song.”

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t properly serve as a lightning rod for you, Han Yoojin-ssi.”

It was a polite and still serious answer. Why is he sorry about that?

“When you think about it, it’s like I jumped in with my umbrella held high.”

“So I wish you wouldn’t. And don’t worry too much about it.”

“How can I not worry?”

Chief Song was silent. The wrinkles between his eyebrows deepened.

“Still, I don’t think you need to worry about the SeSeong Guild Leader’s mood. Ignore him like you did at the banquet.”

“…Yes?”

Ignore him, even though. Seong Hyeonjae was the one who started it then…….

“But it’s a little difficult for me to do that…….”

“He’s an opponent you can’t avoid even if you try to distance yourself. I have to be 신경 [mindful/aware] because of my position, but you can abandon him.”

“What if he loses interest and leaves completely?”

“It will become peaceful.”

That’s not wrong, um.

“The SeSeong Guild Leader is necessary because he’s good at what he does.”

“You’re just as capable.”

“Yes? No, I. Uh, if we include the Haeyeon Guild, it might be possible in terms of force. There’s also overseas…….”

“There’s the Amaterasu Guild and the Murim Alliance. Also, with the Training Center and Hunter Yoo Myungwoo, it won’t be difficult to expand your power. Of course, it’s easier to rely on the already established SeSeong Guild, but it can’t be said to be lacking compared to SeSeong.”

That’s a generous assessment. …Or am I underestimating those around me too much? I shouldn’t be.

“Hey, Chief Song.”

“Yes.”

“Chloe is related to the people who kidnapped me, no, wait a minute! She already left. It’s too late!”

I quickly grabbed Chief Song, who was about to get up right away. His stiff face looked down at me.

“Did you meet knowing that, by any chance?”

“No, I just had a little suspicion. I’m sorry. But I told Seong Hyeonjae and Hyeonah-ssi. Also, the people who kidnapped me said it wasn’t with bad intentions. They said it was to prevent the Goblin King from completely falling into the hands of the military.”

“Regardless of the reason, a crime is a crime.”

Chief Song said firmly.

“But what if sacrificing one or two people could save many people?”

“I’ll step forward first.”

“…Are you saying it’s okay for you to sacrifice yourself? Because it’s your life?”

“You may think my words and actions don’t match, but I don’t think it’s right to sacrifice oneself.”

That was unexpected. Then Chief Song must not like himself very much. Maybe he thinks he can sacrifice himself for others because he feels like an 异质적인 존재 [alien/heterogeneous being].

“I like you, Chief Song.”

“…….”

“I really think you’re a good person.”

“…However, I can’t unconditionally stop a conclusion reached through personal 고민 [agonizing/deliberation]. 설득 [persuasion] is possible. But it is absolutely unacceptable to sacrifice others instead of one’s own will.”

“Um, you can turn a blind eye, right?”

“At least I can’t. Also, in my position, I can’t leave a high-level Hunter who is related to a serious criminal alone. So I’m sorry, but I’ll issue an arrest warrant for Hunter Chloe.”

“Please wait a moment for that. I said I’d come to get a reply from the SeSeong Guild Leader. So if we can get cooperation, it’ll be better than just searching aimlessly. If you issue an arrest warrant, she’ll be even more careful.”

Chief Song agreed, and then there was another moment of silence. Gyeol rubbed his head against my neck as if to comfort me. The confusion in my head calmed down a lot. But I still didn’t understand Seong Hyeonjae. Be selfish? Is he really going to betray me? What does he mean by saying he knew I’d catch him? Does he mean he won’t leave if I cling to him? This is even more annoying.

“…I want to grab Seong Hyeonjae by the collar.”

“He’ll let you grab him if it’s you.”

“Because I’m an F-rank, so I’m not a threat.”

“Rank doesn’t matter. If they don’t want it, they won’t let even a non-awakened person touch them, let alone an F-rank.”

“That’s…….”

“The same goes for Hunter Han Yoohyun, Hunter Park Yerim, Hunter Noah, and Hunter Moon Hyunah.”

It was a calm voice. As if he was just telling the facts. …It is true. Yeah, I knew it too.

“Sigh…….”

“…Perhaps.”

Chief Song hesitated and continued.

“Hunter Chloe has feelings for the SeSeong Guild Leader─”

“No.”

“It was an occasional occurrence, so I apologize.”

Did he think Chloe dumped me and went to Seong Hyeonjae? I did suddenly say I wanted to grab him by the collar.

“Seong Hyeonjae told me to be selfish. What do you think that means?”

“I think that’s the right thing to say.”

“헐… [Huh/What] But I want to tell you to be selfish with me too, Chief Song.”

But I’m not as bad as Chief Song, am I? I take care of everything I need to take care of and protest everything I need to protest. If I’m even more selfish than this, what, does that mean I should take over SeSeong? Could it be a signal that he’s going to Park Hayul or Chatterbox, so I should take care of the rest and swallow it up? Seong Hyeonjae without SeSeong is more useful than SeSeong without Seong Hyeonjae. If you’re going to give it, give both.

“What is it about me that Seong Hyeonjae doesn’t like so much?”

“…Yes?”

“Ah, just when I’m about to get attached, he waits for it and─”

I quickly covered Hangyeol’s ears.

“He’s being a jerk. If he’s going to treat me well, he should treat me well, or just treat me badly. There’s no consistency. He’s having a bumper crop of jerks, he’ll be singing a 풍년가 [harvest song] all year round. Chuseok [Korean Thanksgiving] was a long time ago, is he going to be like that even in the middle of winter? Is he going to plant 밀 [wheat] and 보리 [barley]? Well, he has a greenhouse set up at home, so it’ll be green all year round. If that’s the case, why plant flowers and not grow rice.”

“…I see.”

“My birthday present next year is a 경운기 [cultivator]. If he comes out in another car, I’m going to push it all away. If I get sick from 화병 [stress-induced illness] and get hospitalized, the culprit is Seong Hyeonjae. Arrest him.”

“That’s a little difficult. It’s also not okay to damage a car for no reason. And I think the SeSeong Guild Leader likes Han Yoojin-ssi too much. If that weren’t the case, he wouldn’t show any interest at all.”

…I know, but. No, but, really. I left Gyeol with Chief Song and 벌떡 [abruptly] stood up from my seat.

– Dad!

“I’m just going to grab him by the collar.”

I’m going to yell at him to speak understandably. And, I don’t know, I’ll have to see his face first.

* * *

A thin blue plate emitted a subtle light. The writing engraved on the plate was not of this world. But its owner could understand the meaning it held. The plate floating on his palm disappeared in an instant. Immediately after, a cool energy brushed against Seong Hyeonjae’s neck. A few drops of blood formed along the faintly drawn red line.

“Looks like you feel sorry, huh? Not even dodging.”

Moon Hyunah, who was standing on the terrace railing, sheathed her 창 [spear]. Then she removed the remaining spiderweb-like things from her body.

“I thought it was strange that you let me go so easily, you set up something weird. This is an item I’ve never seen before.”

“It was a birthday present.”

“Huh? Ah, Hunter Yoo Myungwoo? The effect is good. It’ll take half a day to get out of even a mid-level one. So, 형님 [older brother/term of respect] is…….”

The terrace garden was already empty. Moon Hyunah sat on the railing, glaring at the back of Seong Hyeonjae’s head.

“It’s quiet, so it seems like nothing happened, but what’s your scheme? Huh?”

“I’d like you to 화해 [reconcile] with Hunter Miller. We may run into each other often in the future.”

“Run into each other? Originally, Guild Leaders only see each other once a month.”

Once a month is frequent. Guild Leaders, S-rank Hunters, had almost no private exchanges. Once they entered an S-rank dungeon, they would stay for weeks, and if a dispute arose outside the dungeon, it would be unmanageable. Moon Hyunah was the one who 교류ed [interacted/associated] widely, but other S-rank Hunters usually stayed within their guilds.

Recently, they had been seeing each other often in relation to Han Yoojin.

“If you’re the acting Guild Leader of SeSeong Guild, you’ll have to see me often, won’t you?”

“…What?”

Moon Hyunah raised the end of her eyebrow.

“You said you were going overseas, are you leaving for good?”

“Sooyoung is still young, so I’ll have to leave her with Hunter Miller for a while.”

“Director Han will be disappointed. You didn’t drag me out here just to tell me that, did you? I’ll avoid you even if you tell me with words.”

Seong Hyeonjae slightly raised the corners of his lips at her suspicious gaze.

“I introduced Bantes to Han Yoojin-gun.”

“…What are you plotting?”

“Team Leader Seok is capable, but he’s someone who can use Han Yoojin as much as possible for the Haeyeon Guild.”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but.”

Moon Hyunah continued, narrowing her brow.

“The reason I refused to help you before, besides other reasons, was because you acted like that? Seong Hyeonjae, you’re not just helping, you’re pushing people around.”

It didn’t end with giving scholarships or supplementing living expenses. He laid out a long path for the school to attend, the major, and the job after graduation. But he didn’t directly lead or force them. He subtly touched the surrounding environment to make the person 착각 [mistake/delusion] that they were naturally going down that path.

“Doryeonnim [young master] didn’t know it well, but Seok Simyeong noticed and hated it. Do you think he hates you for no reason? It’s a relief that your interest doesn’t last long, it’s not like you’re a god playing with people’s destinies, it’s really disgusting.”

“It was pure goodwill. And I’m holding back a lot now.”

“You’re doing suspicious things at a glance. Hey, if you keep shaking the candy jar, everything inside will break.”

“I know, but. If they’re rolling off a cliff, shouldn’t I change their direction even if it breaks a little?”

Moon Hyunah scratched the back of her head at Seong Hyeonjae’s words.

“That’s not wrong, so are you trying to make 형님 [older brother/term of respect] stand on his own? 형님 [older brother/term of respect] relies a lot on the SeSeong Guild Leader, but I don’t think anything will change drastically without you.”

At best, he’ll just be a little disappointed.

“Don’t 괴롭히 [bully/torment] 엄한 [innocent] people because you’re bored because Han Yoojin isn’t here and Song Taewon isn’t here. I think Chief Song will have more business trips.”

“It must be lonely. So I waited.”

“Why, didn’t 형님 [older brother/term of respect] hold you back and say goodbye?”

Seong Hyeonjae smiled silently instead of answering. There were still a few days left. Given Han Yoojin’s personality, he wouldn’t be able to tell everything to others and would 고민 [worry/agonize] alone. He might try to hold on or he might give up. He might try to 설득 [persuade] clumsily and fail, and then point a knife at me.

Either way, he would inevitably feel a sense of betrayal as the word ‘partner’ had a deep meaning.

“I’m not used to being hated.”

“What nonsense, I can bring you a truckload.”

“Those are people who are 아무래도 좋을 [insignificant/doesn’t matter]. What does it matter to me what the 돌멩이 [stones] in the 화단 [flower bed] think?”

“…You’re really disgusting. I miss 달이 [Dal-i, likely a pet’s name]. He was cute unlike the crazy 능구렁이 [sly fox]. And if you don’t want to be hated, you can just stay still.”

“I could.”

Perhaps in just a year or two, let alone five years, his interest in Han Yoojin would disappear. Then it wouldn’t matter, but it wasn’t in Seong Hyeonjae’s nature to stay put and think about an uncertain future.

“But it will be fun to have me angry at me.”

“Chief Song is an S-rank, but Director Han is 적당히 [moderately]…….”

Moon Hyunah’s voice stopped abruptly. Not long after, the glass door 벌컥 [abruptly] opened. Han Yoojin entered the terrace garden with big steps.

“…Hyunah-ssi?”

“You were dumped safely, 형님 [older brother/term of respect]?”

“…Yes.”

Han Yoojin, who nodded, approached Seong Hyeonjae. Song Taewon followed him with a 요정용 [fairy dragon], standing in front of the glass door.

“Seong Hyeonjae-ssi.”

Seong Hyeonjae looked down at Han Yoojin. I thought he wouldn’t contact me for a day or so. His furrowed eyes were full of 울분 [resentment/indignation]. He was frustrated, angry, and annoyed.

“I didn’t expect you to come back right away.”

“Shut up. Come to think of it, you said you’d make my 장신구 [ornaments/accessories] today. Ornaments don’t have mouths.”

“That’s, true.”

Seong Hyeonjae tilted his head slightly and smiled.

“Yes, Master.”

A long index finger lightly touched his lips and fell away. Han Yoojin took a deep breath. His shoulders shook a little.

“I was really going to swear or something, but, but.”

He exhaled again.

“Be selfish? That’s what, doesn’t that mean I can do whatever I want? Since you told me to, I will. I don’t care what you do.”

Han Yoojin said, looking him straight in the eye.

“I, damn it. I hope Seong Hyeonjae is the last. I’m just going to live in this world. Doing whatever crazy things I want. I hope that and I’m going to make it happen. I don’t care what your scheme is. That’s what I want.”

He gritted his teeth, saying he wouldn’t 신경 [mind/care about] him.

“Chief Song too!”

Song Taewon, who was standing behind him, 반사적으로 움찔거렸다 [flinched reflexively].

“Live a long life, just. I want to see you live well, Chief Song. I just want to see it. Hyunah-ssi, I think you’ll take care of yourself, but I hope you’re happy anyway.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Han Yoojin smiled at Moon Hyunah’s words. And then he glared at Seong Hyeonjae again with fierce eyes.

“I’m going to do what I want to do. You started it first. So cooperate if you’re going to cooperate, or get lost. Of course, if you disappear on your own, I’ll find you somehow and drag you back by the collar.”

By any means.

“I’ll give you a day too. Time to run away.”

After spitting that out, Han Yoojin’s neck turned slightly red as if he was embarrassed.

“Ah, damn it. Anyway, that’s it. Hyunah-ssi, can I drink more 술 [alcohol]?”

“Of course. You can take everything that’s left inside the lounge open kitchen.”

“Thank you.”

Han Yoojin took out his cell phone, avoiding Seong Hyeonjae’s gaze.

“Oh, Yoohyun. There’s more wine inside the open kitchen there. The one Hyunah-ssi brought. Take everything that’s left. 형 [older brother] is going to get a little 취 [drunk] today. What? You were dumped, of course! I’m okay, but what about your car?”

Han Yoojin, who was talking to his younger brother, turned to Song Taewon.

“Chief Song, is it okay for an S-rank Hunter to drive drunk?”

“…There are no regulations yet, but it’s not okay.”

“Then there’s only Yerim. She has a license, but.”

“If possible, please sleep at the hotel and go.”

“Right, this is a hotel. Yoohyun, let’s go up to the room. Bring the wine and come to the elevator. Yeah, you 위로 [console] me, 형 [older brother].”

Han Yoojin left. Song Taewon also followed him. Moon Hyunah shrugged her shoulders and looked at Seong Hyeonjae.

“That’s what he says? I don’t know well, but I don’t think things are going the way you think?”

“…I’m going crazy.”

Seong Hyeonjae’s hand covered his face as if to hide it.