The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 479

“…Younger than I thought?”

She was a young woman who looked like she couldn’t even be thirty. Her bright blonde hair cascaded down to her waist, and her eyes were a bright green. She didn’t seem like the ‘older sister’ Park Hayul had described. Of course, that was just the image I had arbitrarily imagined based on what he said…

“If she’s a born S-Class, she might be in her forties, though.”

Because next to me, there’s also a born S-Class who’s nearing forty and has to pretend to be old. If he just changed his style, even Seong Hyeonjae could rival someone in their twenties.

Still, it was unexpected. I thought she would be someone more seasoned and mature. I shouldn’t judge people by their appearance, but the born S-Classes I know—besides Seong Hyeonjae, there’s Yoo Hyeon and Riet—even if I can’t objectively judge Yoo Hyeon because he’s my brother, Riet and Seong Hyeonjae gave off a distinct feeling right away.

Is it because it’s just an illusion? Or maybe she’s a different type of born S-Class.

[I am pleased to meet you, even if it’s just an illusion.]

She said cheerfully.

[I have seen Mr. Yoojin from afar and knew immediately. We are special, even among S-Class Hunters.]

Judging by her words, she seems like a born S-Class, but at the same time, she doesn’t. She emphasizes ‘special’ again, even though it’s supposed to be just a fact. I alternated my gaze between Seong Hyeonjae and the woman. Hmm.

“You’re saying Seong Hyeonjae and that person are the same.”

“That’s a disappointing thing to say. And I have never seen that woman before.”

Never met… wait a minute. That person said she felt he was special when she saw Seong Hyeonjae. But could she accurately discern that from afar? So carefully that even Seong Hyeonjae wouldn’t notice.

“When and how did you realize that Yoo Hyeon and Riet are born S-Classes, different from regular S-Class Hunters?”

“I couldn’t be sure until I met them in person. Han Yoo Hyeon was at the first and last gathering of domestic S-Class Hunters, and Riet was hired as a mercenary by a guild in Spain and attacked us.”

“You felt it immediately?”

“Riet was full of hostility, so I noticed her before she even came into view. On the other hand, Han Yoo Hyeon was in a relatively peaceful setting, so I only felt it after he approached within two or three meters. Everyone was being quiet at first.”

So, it’s hard to sense a born S-Class from afar if they hide their aura.

“Then, if Seong Hyeonjae was in combat, would a one-sided confirmation have been possible?”

Instead of answering, his golden eyes narrowed slightly. That was a stupid question.

“Yes, yes. It’s not like you would leave an S-Class Hunter as a spectator, especially not you. Unless they were specialized in stealth.”

“To add to that, neither I, nor Han Yoo Hyeon, nor Riet are of the spectator type.”

Seong Hyeonjae said a bit coldly. He seemed displeased with the woman, rather than angry at me. To be precise, he was annoyed by the suggestion that she was similar to him.

“It is strange for a born S-Class to just secretly watch.”

I looked at the self-proclaimed born S-Class, who was waiting for a designated reaction with a bright smile. People have different personalities, but she was still suspicious. But if she isn’t a born S-Class…

“Is there someone who told her about born S-Classes?”

Hyunah and the other S-Classes weren’t sure about born S-Classes. They just felt a bit stronger and more threatening. Chief Song treated Seong Hyeonjae specially, but that was probably related to Chief Song’s nature…

‘A Transcender [beings from beyond the world, often associated with immense power and influence]?’

It would be troublesome if, on top of being a cultist, Park Hayul also sided with Chatterbox.

“Special my ass, no, being special. That’s delusional. Of course, it’s true that I am exceptionally talented.”

He said, stroking under my chin as if to show off. He can’t see it anyway because it’s an illusion. I’m doing this because he can’t see it; otherwise, I’d be too embarrassed and would have run away already.

[I didn’t think you would easily acknowledge it.]

The illusion smiled and said. She’s definitely not a born S-Class. Yoo Hyeon or Riet trying to get recognition from Seong Hyeonjae? That’s obviously fake. Both of them don’t care what others think, except for me, in Yoo Hyeon’s case.

[That’s why I prepared a gift.]

Finally, we’re getting to the point. What kind of offer did she make to Seong Hyeonjae? It certainly wouldn’t be an ordinary gift. The woman’s illusion scattered and turned back into fireflies. Then, the surrounding scenery changed.

“That’s……!”

It was a huge cylindrical tank. The tank was located in the center of a wide hall decorated in black and purple. Something was swaying gracefully inside the water-filled tank. Long, snow-white hair that occasionally shimmered with silver, fins, and fluttering tentacles.

“…The King Without Harm.”

It was her. She was spinning around as if dancing, dressed in a splendid and voluminous outfit like a wedding dress. It was a face that was now familiar enough to be welcome to me.

“Something’s… strange.”

I whispered softly to Seong Hyeonjae. The King Without Harm was smiling faintly. Her two eyes were half-closed, and the remaining one was closed and not easily visible. Her expression was gentle and peaceful, but that’s why it didn’t seem like her.

I don’t know the King Without Harm that well. But she didn’t suit the image of a decorative bird peacefully singing while content in a cage.

“I don’t know much about that Transcender either, but.”

Seong Hyeonjae also leaned his head towards me and said softly.

“She felt like a decoration.”

“If the King Without Harm created a fake…….”

I reflexively looked around. Chatterbox. It must be him. But all I could see were a group of Hunters. Come to think of it, I don’t really know what Chatterbox looks like.

“It seems like we’re inside a dungeon.”

The Hunters’ appearances were blurry compared to the tank. It seemed like they had pulled out the memories of someone in that group to create the illusion. It was definitely a dungeon with a Transcender involved. I unconsciously craned my neck, wondering if there was any useful information—

[I give you an invitation.]

“……!!”

Something cold touched my shoulder. As soon as I turned around in surprise, a fear resistance message popped up.

“Ah, shit…….”

It was a skeleton with dry leather clinging to it. Red flowers in its eyes, ferns dangling from its mouth, and a long black veil adorned with white roses—a face like an old corpse was standing right behind me. Its stick-like body was dressed in a black suit like formal wear.

It was bizarre, but also.

‘…Was this influenced by the memories of the person who saw it?’

Even though it was an illusion, I felt a sense of oppression. The fact that this dry corpse touched me, and that I was experiencing the illusion from the perspective of the Hunter who owned the memory, seemed intentional. The black veil swayed, and it retreated as if sliding backward. I felt a chill all over my body. I glanced sideways at Seong Hyeonjae, who was standing next to me.

“You could have given me a warning. Were you surprised too?”

“I was very surprised.”

Seong Hyeonjae lied without batting an eye.

[You are frightened.]

Unlike its bizarre appearance, its voice was quite pleasant to hear. The group of Hunters who had come in with us had already distanced themselves and were standing in a circle.

‘Is the owner of the memory some kind of spy?’

It seemed like someone Park Hayul had infiltrated. So, at least up to this point, the two forces weren’t on the same side.

[It is merely a doll created for the dungeon.]

Like a rookie’s volleyball, it seemed to be a kind of avatar, not its real form. If it could freely create its form, its taste wasn’t very good.

‘It’s probably Chatterbox.’

Thinking that made me feel even dirtier. If that outfit was mourning clothes, it would be better, but if it was a wedding suit… and it was wearing a veil that was several meters long. Seeing that, the King Without Harm’s words about revenge for self-satisfaction became even clearer.

He’s doing his own wedding and funeral all by himself.

Chatterbox stretched out his long arm. Dry, twig-like fingers spread open, and purple jewels fell and stopped in the air.

[Please ask your master.]

Four jewels, slightly larger than a thumbnail, rotated slowly in the air, sparkling. A thin smile formed on the lipless, parched mouth.

Then, the surroundings went black. The fireflies that had disappeared reappeared, and the blonde woman also revealed herself among them. The purple jewels we had just seen were sparkling on her palm.

[As you saw, it is an invitation.]

“An invitation, is there a party or something?”

I asked, unable to take my eyes off the jewels. Chatterbox seemed to be trying to attract Park Hayul’s Awakened ones to his side as well. He’s quite diligent.

[An existence from beyond the world has made us an offer. You could call it a party.]

One of the jewels floated towards me. I reflexively reached out, but the jewel passed right through my hand without being caught. It’s not real after all.

[If you want to grow, if you want to obtain precious things, if you want to achieve your desires.]

It sounded like typical cultist behavior, but the opponent was a Transcender. Rookie had already opened a similar dungeon for us once. Chatterbox had interfered and ruined it, but we got a lot of good things from it.

Is he offering to provide such a dungeon? I was naturally tempted. We gained a lot, so it would be fair for them to gain something too. But I wanted to take it away.

“Can anyone go if they have an invitation? What about safety?”

[Nothing will harm Mr. Yoojin. The safety of all guests is guaranteed. You can take whatever you obtain at the party without restrictions. However, the final reward can only be obtained by making a contract with the Transcender.]

So, he spread the invitations to spies too. The invitations were probably already quite widespread among famous Hunters in America or Europe. With those conditions, there would be no reason to refuse.

[So, Mr. Yoojin, I would like to request your attendance as my partner.]

“…Partner?”

[Because it’s a party. One invitation allows the invitee and a partner to participate.]

There were definitely four jewels. That meant eight people could attend. Yoo Hyeon, Yerim, Noah, and Seong Hyeonjae… Could Hyunah go? Chief Song would definitely say he couldn’t, but he might use world peace as an excuse. And Riet, what about Evelyn? Is attendance limited to S-Class and above?

[According to our investigation, for some reason, Hunters in East Asia have not received invitations.]

Because it’s an exception area where the filial piety addict [referring to Han Yoohyun, known for his extreme devotion to his brother] can’t interfere.

[We believe there is a special reason, but Mr. Yoojin probably has an idea.]

“Not really. I want to hear more details.”

I asked casually, but the illusion only said what it wanted to say.

[I don’t think you would miss the Transcender’s invitation. I look forward to a positive response.]

She smiled brightly, and her figure disappeared. The fireflies also went out one by one, and only the jewel floating in front of me remained, emitting light as if tempting me.

“It was an invitation to replace my partner?”

I turned to look at Seong Hyeonjae, who was still holding my wrist.

“I won’t stop you if you’re just going to enjoy it and come back without taking the final reward. Were you thinking of going?”

“We’ll see.”

Seong Hyeonjae wore an ambiguous smile. He seemed to be thinking about something else.

“It would be good to attend. If safety is definitely guaranteed, we can identify the Hunters who will side with Chatterbox in advance… I don’t know how good the final reward will be, but even so…….”

Suddenly, the Wish Stone came to mind. My mouth reflexively closed, and my tongue felt dry. Surely, they wouldn’t give a reward like that. But, if I could hold it in my hands once again.

‘…Even so, saving the world.’

That should come first. I sighed briefly. The Transcenders can’t just give out rewards as they please, so would that even come out again? It was a reward for an F-Class catching a Cursed Poison Dragon species alone. Maybe there was even an initial bonus attached.

“Anyway, it seems Chatterbox is actively recruiting Awakened ones. I understand why he didn’t tell me about the invitation, since he would regret breaking the contract.”

It’s better to keep the secret than to break the contract and lose the invitation. Instead of answering, Seong Hyeonjae looked down at my face.

“Let’s assume that’s the case.”

What do you mean, assume that’s the case? The illusion slowly disappeared. The familiar guest room appeared before my eyes.

“But it’s still surprising. She claims to be a born S-Class, but she doesn’t seem like one. What should I say… an agent? It doesn’t seem like she has properly contacted the Transcender yet. Could there be a real born S-Class behind her?”

“A proxy is usually put forward to protect oneself.”

“Ah, that’s right, then.”

If that woman was a proxy, the person behind her is likely not an S-Class. Of course, there are cases where a proxy is put forward to deceive others. But it was hard to imagine a born S-Class who would stay behind and move quietly.

Above all, it’s a waste. It would be much more efficient to step forward directly, with those abilities.

“Considering Park Hayul’s case, it would be an Awakened one with special abilities. Like me, their stats might be low, but their skill rank might be high. Then it would be safer to have a proxy.”

“I think it would have been better for Han Yoojin-gun [formal way of addressing someone] to set up a proxy as well.”

“…….”

I closed my mouth without answering Seong Hyeonjae’s words. Of course, that was true. There was no need for me to publicly step forward to raise monster cubs. It would have been safer to put forward a high-ranking Hunter and work from behind, hiding my identity, but…….

“I’m too greedy.”

How could I endure being hidden behind the scenes, only seeing the backs of other people? My brother would be among those backs, and I couldn’t do that twice. And well, I gained a lot thanks to my meddling.

“It’s not like I only have the skill to raise monsters. Anyway, we should keep in mind that Park Hayul’s older sister might be someone else.”

“If they really have low stats.”

“…It might be even more dangerous.”

To be commanding high-ranking Hunters even with low stats. I looked down at the letter in my hand. Did that person write this letter, or is it also a proxy?

In any case, what’s important now is Chatterbox’s invitation.