The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 490

488. Welcome (3)

“What’s with the red light? If it’s a warning, it should be bright red from the start.”

I grumbled, looking at my phone. An article on the portal site’s main page about the subtle tensions between the Sesung Guild and the Riseongsu Breeding Center caught my eye, and I couldn’t resist reading it. The article speculated that relations between the two weren’t good these days. Well, it was bound to come out since we were acting that way.

“Who’s being abandoned?”

The implication of some related articles was annoying. The Breeding Center is doing fine without Sesung. It would be more of a crisis to split with Haeyeon. But as long as Yoohyun is the head of the Haeyeon Guild, that will never happen.

“That’s right, so Dad should publish an article too!”

Gyeol said, taking out the dried clothes and unfolding them. Look at those tiny hands. Kids are so cute. It reminds me of Yoohyun when he was little.

“Dad abandoned the Sesung Guild first! And they’re going to be separated forever from now on.”

How about that? Her golden eyes sparkled. No, she’s just acting.

“There’s no need to pay attention to such rumors. And Sesung Guild is too good to abandon.”

I put down my phone and put the clothes in the basket. In the meantime, the upper dryer made a sound indicating the towels were all dry. The world has become so convenient. Now, all I need is a machine that folds laundry. A machine that perfectly folds socks and underwear.

– Kkeung.

As I carried the laundry basket out of the laundry room, Peace came up wagging his tail as if he wanted to help too. He seemed envious that Gyeol was helping with housework in human form. But Peace, you shed fur. That’s why the laundry room was off-limits. Still, red fur often sticks to the laundry. Recently, black or gray fur has been added too.

“Gyeol seems to think he’s not needed.”

“Why? He’s very useful.”

And even if he wasn’t useful, I couldn’t just ignore him now. Like it or not, I wanted that human being, Seong Hyunjae, to live the life he wanted. He’s been dragged around enough. It’s not like I have a clear solution.

Gyeol sighed deeply at my words.

“Why do you dislike Seong Hyunjae so much?”

“Because he’s dangerous to Dad.”

“He’s okay these days.”

“No. He’s not okay.”

Well, Seong Hyunjae has threatened me several times. It will get better over time. I finished putting away the laundry and was about to feed the kids when the phone rang. It was Seo Gyeonghun.

[The final list is out. Shall I send it to your home?]

“No, I’ll be out soon. Send it to the director’s office.”

Invitations were sent out, prioritizing those S-Class Hunters who wished to attend. As a result, only about twenty invitations were issued at first, excluding Korea. Ten of them were given to Chloe, so in reality, less than ten S-Class Hunters had contacted us first.

It was the result of arrogance, thinking that successful S-Class Hunters would send invitations on their own. Most of them have only been treated well for years. Special people who can’t be compared to ordinary people, not even mid-level or A-Class Hunters.

It’s only been about four years since dungeons and hunters appeared, but special treatment has already taken root. It’s true that they are great, but still.

[As you requested, I have organized them in order of contact. Those who contacted us first have been classified separately.]

In other words, among the S-Class Hunters, these are the ones who are particularly friendly to me, less tainted by elitism, or quick-witted. It was necessary to remember the personal details of these people separately. It wouldn’t hurt to get close to them.

Conversely, those who contacted us late and reluctantly had to be remembered in a bad way. They were also a group that could easily be provoked. If I were Seong Hyunjae, I wouldn’t need to remember them all, I could just crush them all. I’m envious.

“Were there any suspicious people?”

Sesung, the Investigation Department, the Hunter Association, and even Amaterasu. They gave us all the information they had on overseas high-level hunters. The secretary team worked hard to compare and organize the attendance list with that information. Haeyeon also came to help by adding their information.

[In some overseas countries, it is easier to hide personal information than in Korea, so there were some high-level hunters who had erased their pasts. There were many such cases in Korea before the regression [time travel].]

[On the other hand, about one-third of the A-Class and lower hunters accompanying them have unclear information.]

“That’s a lot. It seems like there are quite a few people with other ideas.”

It could simply be unknown mid- to low-level hunters, but it was more likely that they were hunters with special skills like Do Hamin or Park Hayul. It’s going to be a fun party.

I ended the call and left the house. Since the guests are coming from afar, I have to work hard to treat them well.

* * *

Since the island where the meeting was held was not far away, most of the S-Class Hunters from Korea attended. Even Chief Song decided to accompany me this time. He had gone on overseas business trips because of Seong Hyunjae before, but most of the time he left quietly. As the only national S-Class Hunter, it was easy to talk about just leaving his position. He was even told to reduce the number of dungeons he could attack.

But now Korea has become relatively safe, and the college entrance exam has ended safely, so it seems like he has some leeway. Of course, the biggest reason is the protection of the country’s S-Class Hunters.

“Honestly, I wish Yerim would stay this time.”

“I wanted to fly across the East Sea [Sea of Japan] at least once.”

Yerim said as if to tell me to try to leave her behind if I could.

“I’m worried. Yerim, you’re strong, but adults are adults for a reason. You might get hurt in other ways.”

I would worry less if it was just a clean power struggle. It’s an island in the middle of the sea. But there are dirty and mean people in the world. Besides, fighting the same humans, not monsters, was too early for Yerim. It’s not a good thing even for adults.

“I also have teleportation skills. I’ll try to avoid causing trouble this time. Or I’ll stick with Hyunah unnie [older sister].”

“Well, you have Hyunah. Riet seems to be attending too. If they’re not nearby, stick to Chief Song.”

“Yes!”

The three of them were reliable in their own ways.

“Then I’ll have to ask Seonghan for help again this time.”

Kim Seonghan smiled as if it was okay when I looked at him with a slightly apologetic expression.

“I’m more comfortable guarding the house. I don’t really like being noticed. So please leave it to me.”

Is that what defensive types are usually like? Hanshin Guild Leader Park Mingyu also sent a reply that he would not attend. I heard that Park Mingyu doesn’t like leaving Korea in the first place. Was that why Seong Hyunjae said before that Hanshin could be trusted? If he tries to protect his house, he won’t be taken over by the filial piety addicts [people excessively devoted to their parents].

“Then only Kim Seonghan Hunter and Park Mingyu Hunter will be left in Korea. Evelyn Hunter is not confirmed yet, but there is a higher probability that she will attend. It would be nice if she came. She’s on our side for now.”

“I heard a little while ago that you don’t have a good relationship with the Hanshin Guild Leader, how is it these days?”

I asked Kim Seonghan. Surely he wouldn’t pick a fight with Seonghan just because he’s alone and there are no other S-Classes.

“Ah, that’s…”

Kim Seonghan continued, a little embarrassed.

“We used to be co-workers.”

“Yes? Really?”

“Yes. And I might have become the Hanshin Guild Leader. There weren’t that many A-Class Hunters.”

Besides, Kim Seonghan was an A-Class Hunter with top-notch stats who had the qualities of an S-Class. If Park Mingyu hadn’t been there, Hanshin’s chairman would have tried to bring Kim Seonghan, a defensive type and A-Class Hunter, into the family. Seonghan was an early Awakened, so he might have awakened before Park Mingyu? Then Park Mingyu awakened, and Seonghan was pushed out?

“Then shouldn’t Seonghan be wary of the Hanshin Guild Leader? Of course, I’m not saying you would.”

“I don’t know very well, but it seems that the fact that I was almost the Hanshin Guild Leader bothered him. He also wanted me to hide my former job. But it seems to be better now.”

Not long after Kim Seonghan became an S-Class Hunter, he contacted me to reconcile. Seonghan accepted because he had no regrets. I thought he would be more wary if he became an S-Class, but that’s unexpected.

“I want to meet the Hanshin Guild Leader properly.”

If he’s someone who supports me like Seonghan, I should take care of him.

As the host of the meeting, I decided to leave first. Of course, Yoohyun and Yerim followed. Peace also accompanied me, but the rest of the kids were left at the Breeding Center because it was a dangerous place full of S-Classes. I wanted to leave Gyeol behind too.

– Gyeol will fly and follow too!

“Gyeol, it’s dangerous.”

– It’s not dangerous! S-Class Hunters can’t hurt me! They can’t hurt me!

“They can catch you.”

– I still don’t like it! I’m going to follow Dad!

She insisted that she would run away and follow me even if I left her behind. I had no choice but to promise that she would have to pretend to be a normal F-Class monster no matter what happened, and decided to take her with me. Rang cried because she was separated from Peace, but I couldn’t help it. She doesn’t have immunity to external attacks like Gyeol. I don’t know how she knew I was leaving home for a few days, but she’s quick-witted.

“Peace, tell Rang to wait nicely.”

– Keuheung

Peace approached the baby fox with a nonchalant expression.

– Kiiing, kyaeng! Kiang!

– Keureureung.

Peace’s forepaw pressed down on the head of the baby fox lying flat on the floor. No, not that.

“How about rubbing your body or licking it like you do to Dad? Huh? Affectionately.”

– Kkiang.

Peace turned his body and came to me, rubbing his head affectionately. Then he barked briefly at the tiger. I don’t know what he said, but the baby fox wagged its tail quietly. Anyway… it seemed to be soothed.

I told Bbyak and Bellare to stay still and left the Breeding Center. The plane that departed from Gimpo Airport soon reached Japan.

“Amagi Guild is doing that again.”

Yerim said, looking out the plane window.

“They’re gathered in uniforms.”

“Uniforms are nothing…”

Yeah, what does it matter what clothes they wear? We’re about to land, but I don’t want to get off the plane.

‘He said it would be when we’re alone…’

Surely he wouldn’t say nonsense in front of other people. Yeah, Shishio is a guild leader who knows what face is… If he knew, he wouldn’t say that. No, Seong Hyunjae said something similar. Still, Seong Hyunjae was better than Shishio. Oh, my fate.

“Hyung [older brother], what’s wrong?”

Yoohyun asked when I frowned unconsciously.

“Are you feeling pressured?”

“Huh? I am feeling pressured.”

Shishio’s one word is heavier than a bunch of S-Classes rushing in.

“Don’t worry too much, Hyung.”

My brother continued kindly.

“It’s an island. If it doesn’t work out, we can just wipe them all out.”

“No, Yoohyun. Our goal is the invitation.”

“If there are many vacancies, won’t they give them to us?”

…I think so.

“If we’re going to side with Chatterbox, we have to get rid of them anyway.”

In a way, it was a clean and sure way. That’s right, if there are no S-Class Hunters left to contract with, it will be difficult for the filial piety addicts to touch our world.

“Still, if we’re not careful, it could cause national problems, and even S-Class Hunters who weren’t interested in us could become hostile to us, so let’s be patient for now. And even if Chatterbox steps down, the dungeon will remain.”

“Of course, I’ll be careful.”

Of course, I’m sure you’ll take care of it, but Yoohyun, you look happy. Riet also contacted me saying that I could step on them all there? It’s not a fight. At least not yet.

“Do you like fighting hunters that much?”

“More than that, you’re there. You’re the host, Hyung.”

Yoohyun smiled brightly. It seemed that he liked the fact that he was trampling on those who were picking a fight for me, not just fighting. I guess I have to give up the mansion… and maybe the island too.

“Yerim, if the island flies away, please rescue us.”

“Don’t worry~ I’ll pack plenty of potions.”

“Peace, I’m counting on you too.”

– Kkiang!

– Me too, Dad! I can fly with Dad.”

No, that’s abuse. In the meantime, the plane landed. Shishio stood in the middle of the hunters lined up on both sides, with a face as bright as the sun. His golden, spiky lion’s mane hairstyle made him even more dazzling.

“Director Han Yoojin!”

His voice was loud. Yoohyun stopped Shishio, who was striding up and trying to hug me. Shishio looked at Yoohyun with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“How have you been?”

Shishio spoke to Yoohyun with an unusually polite and affectionate tone. Yoohyun and Yerim looked at Shishio suspiciously, and I…

‘If I’m that… that, then Yoohyun is to Shishio…’

I had to try to stop the spreading thoughts. No, this is not true. My brother doesn’t have a big, old… like that!