The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 496

494. So, Give it Up (1)

The main hall was quite spacious, with round tables for four scattered around. When many people gathered, fights were more likely to break out, and there were those who would snarl even if their sleeves brushed against each other. Therefore, each table was labeled with a relatively peaceful combination of names. It wasn’t mandatory to stick to your assigned seat, but being designated a spot made people unconsciously linger nearby.

“It’s obvious why Song is next to Sung Hyunjae, but why me too?”

Moon Hyuna grumbled. It was a table for four, but only the names Sung Hyunjae, Song Taewon, and Moon Hyuna were listed. Moon Hyuna pulled out a chair for Sung Hyunjae, bowing politely.

“Please, sit down, Princess.”

“How kind. Is the Breaker Guild Leader going to be my prince today?”

“The trend these days is for princesses to handle everything themselves. Well then, our hardworking second princess.”

Moon Hyuna pulled out a chair and spoke, but Song Taewon hesitated, unable to find a response. Despite having interacted with the two for years, it was still difficult to accept their strange jokes. Especially Moon Hyuna, who, unlike Sung Hyunjae, was hard to simply ignore, making it even more challenging.

“…Thank you, but it’s easier to survey the hall while standing.”

“It’s all because of the first one. Because the first one acts so wild, the second one becomes even more rigid.”

“That’s too much. I cherish and love the second princess so much.”

“You talk a good game. Song, want another drink?”

“No, thank you.”

“Why not have another? Honestly, Song, you need to get moderately drunk sometimes. You never reveal what’s inside you otherwise.”

Moon Hyuna filled his glass with wine, saying that while excessive drinking wasn’t good, people needed to loosen up their restraints once in a while. Keeping everything bottled up would turn even harmless things into a thick poison.

“…Not today.”

“I’m going to create something really potent and secure a spot.”

“So, where is the youngest princess?”

Sung Hyunjae flicked his nameplate with his fingertip as he spoke. Moon Hyuna lifted her glass, barely wetting her lips, and replied quietly.

“You shouldn’t concern yourself with the Sesung Guild Leader. No matter how adorably cute our youngest princess is. Stay out of it.”

“Isn’t it natural for the first to love the youngest?”

“…Don’t say things that ruin my appetite. Love my ass. If Han Soojung were my sister, she might seem cute. No, if she were really my sister, I’d be smacking her on the back every day.”

Moon Hyuna shuddered and narrowed her eyes. Then, she turned her head to survey the hall.

“Our Yerim is popular.”

As Moon Hyuna said, many hunters were showing interest in Park Yerim. It had been a long time since the video of the young hunter easily defeating a more experienced S-Rank hunter spread around the world. Moreover, Park Yerim was the first S-Rank hunter to belong to a personal guild rather than an organization with a specific purpose. As a result, some were subtly offering better conditions.

“Ah, I don’t know English very well.”

Of course, Park Yerim brushed off all those offers.

“We will naturally provide you with a translation item.”

“But it doesn’t translate writing. Please translate your country’s language into Korean and contact me. I can only write in Korean.”

She shook her head, saying she had no intention of learning English or French in the future. Many eyes followed Park Yerim as she soared away to avoid them. Some simply found her cute. Most high-ranking hunters, especially S-Rank hunters, were in their twenties, but teenagers were rare. Park Yerim was the youngest among the S-Rank hunters.

“Didn’t the blacksmith attend?”

“He’s a high-ranking hunter, but not combat-oriented. They probably wouldn’t send him here because it’s dangerous.”

“The livestock farm director also has low stats.”

Some people were also looking for Yoo Myungwoo. After he created an S-Rank weapon, many hunters contacted him, but he didn’t readily accept requests from overseas. Even domestic hunters only randomly made equipment when he felt like it, so there were many who wanted to build a relationship with him.

There were complaints about Yoo Myungwoo’s attitude, but the one in need was always at a disadvantage. Therefore, even if they were treated poorly, they would just say that’s how artisans are.

However, since the host of today’s gathering was Livestock Farm Director Ki Seungsoo, the person most people were waiting for was naturally Hanyujin. More than anything, rumors had spread among hunters that there was a way to raise high-ranking ride-type monsters without specific skills. Thanks to this, the price of baby monsters, which was already rising, doubled. Recently, hunter teams specializing in capturing high-ranking baby monsters had even emerged.

“Isn’t it about time he came out?”

“He might not come out. His stats are F-Rank.”

Some hunters whispered that he might just deliver the information through a video or broadcast. Even with many S-Rank hunters around, it wasn’t easy for an F-Rank to step in front of unfamiliar high-ranking awakeners. Even low-ranking awakeners or non-awakeners could overcome their fear of high-ranking hunters if they encountered them frequently and became accustomed to them. However, unfamiliar high-ranking hunters could still make them feel intimidated. Just because your own large dog is cute doesn’t mean you’ll find a growling, unfamiliar large dog cute. So, he might not come out at all rather than show such a timid appearance.

Amidst those words, dissatisfaction began to mix in. If they hadn’t been turned away once at the pier, shouts of waiting too long would have already erupted.

In the increasingly chaotic atmosphere, creak. The door opened. It was above the long, forked staircase in the center of the hall. The ornate door, perfect for attracting attention, swung open, and someone walked out.

Swish— A long veil rustled, dragging on the floor. The black veil, about three or four meters long, was decorated with white roses, and the face beneath it was hidden by a white mask. A black dress coat with a white frilled tie. A red flower was pinned in the chest pocket, and a fern branch dangled from the hand wearing white gloves.

Most people simply thought it was an unusual outfit. However, the reactions of a few were distinctly different.

“Hiding his expression is a good choice.”

“What’s with the veil?”

Hunters who didn’t understand the meaning of the attire whispered. It was an unexpected appearance, but most reacted as if it was possible. It was common for hunters to adopt specific concepts, and sometimes equipment stood out even if they wanted to live normally.

“Hyung [older brother/male friend] is really embarrassed?”

Moon Hyuna whispered. Song Taewon nodded in agreement to her comment about whether it didn’t suit him, but Sung Hyunjae remained silent with a stiff expression.

Chatterbox.

It was easy to guess why Hanyujin had appeared in Chatterbox’s disguise. It was to find those who knew that appearance. If someone dressed as Chatterbox suddenly appeared, they would unconsciously show a different reaction from those around them.

Even knowing that, he didn’t feel good.

“…Not at all in my eyes.”

“For once, you’re giving Hyung a harsh evaluation. Or is the Sesung Guild Leader’s taste really hot pink yarn?”

Sung Hyunjae, unlike usual, didn’t respond to Moon Hyuna’s words, who was laughing and saying it would be fun if that became known, and several people would appear in matching hot pink outfits. And his displeasure.

“Hello, everyone.”

Hanyujin took off the mask, revealing his face. From the fingertips gripping the edge of the white mask to the movement of taking it off and bowing, each action was imbued with an elegance unlike his usual self. A smile was drawn on his still pale face, revealed beyond the white mask.

“First of all, thank you for coming all the way to this remote place.”

Hanyujin slowly moved towards the railing, inserting his fingers into the frilled tie and pulling it. The large flower-like tie fell to his feet, and the buttons on the shirt collar were undone one by one. Tap, tap. He stood in front of the railing, timing it perfectly, and ran his gloved hand up his neck.

He lightly pressed below his ear and then moved his hand down again. At the same time, a red pattern began to appear. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on the mark that clearly took its place, long down to his neck.

High-ranking hunters, especially S-Rank hunters, momentarily forgot even to breathe and stared at Hanyujin. They all tasted a chilling sensation. It was similar to the feeling of encountering a strong monster, yet different. Their whole bodies tensed up, and goosebumps rose, but unlike a monster, this was something they couldn’t handle.

It was as if a mouse that had been running on a treadmill without knowing anything outside the cage had suddenly encountered a large eye looking at it.

And Sung Hyunjae’s displeasure.

“…….”

Reached its peak. Unlike the other hunters, it wasn’t just the energy felt from the mark that bothered him. That also felt unpleasant, but Sung Hyunjae was the only one who could understand the meaning of the red pattern.

It was knowledge that didn’t exist in his, Sung Hyunjae’s, memories. But for some reason, he understood. The pattern embedded in Hanyujin.

A mage’s sacrifice.

The moment he realized that, his insides burned. The unfamiliar displeasure and the displeasure of the current situation mixed together, and he raised his hand to cover his uncontrollably distorted mouth. His boiling heart felt unfamiliar, as if it belonged to someone else.

“…What is that?”

Moon Hyuna murmured, unable to take her eyes off Hanyujin. Her eyebrows were also deeply furrowed. Song Taewon was also focused on Hanyujin to the point of not noticing Sung Hyunjae’s condition. Song Taewon’s hand, which had been on the table, was now clenched into a tight fist. His lips were also tightly closed, and the sound of his teeth grinding together faintly leaked out.

Both of them had heard about it in advance. Even so, it was difficult to calm down.

In the heavy air, Sung Hyunjae let out a thin breath. Suddenly, Hwangrim’s words came to mind. Sung Hyunjae’s lips curled into a twisted smile.

‘I’m also quite…’

He had been complacent. The existence of Sung Hyunjae, who only lacked memories, had been constantly deprived in a way. Everything.

He had no memories. Skills and titles were duplicated, and he could only possess a few that were taken away. The chains that bound him were also given by a plunderer.

And even now. Even his current life and death had been lost once and returned.

The twisted smile softened into a gentle one. Sung Hyunjae looked up at Hanyujin with a gaze that was almost gentle.

* * *

‘Good effect.’

Although it’s incredibly embarrassing and shameful. Chatterbox, the dress coat is okay. The frilled tie is also, well, burdensome, but it’s a dress coat. The mask… I’ll let that slide, but what’s with the veil? A rose-decorated veil, too. I never dreamed I’d be putting a rose veil on my head with my own hands, ever. Damn Chatterbox, what’s with his taste?

At first, I wasn’t planning to disguise myself as Chatterbox directly. I was planning to use a stand-in or a doll. Well, I’m not the right height, and even though I tightened the corset, my body isn’t just bones. But since Chatterbox left a mark, it became most effective for me to disguise myself.

‘I’ll filter out almost everyone.’

With a smile, I looked down at the people beyond the railing. Cameras were installed in all directions throughout the hall. Analyzing that video would make it easy to find those who had contacted Chatterbox.

Those who reacted only to the Chatterbox disguise at first would have met them directly. And those who reacted to the mark would have received an invitation and signed a contract. Even from up here, it was easy to confirm that the reactions of some were different from those around them.

‘…Strengthening the power of Chatterbox’s mark was a bit too much, though.’

I suppressed my magic power around the mark as much as possible and, with Noah’s help, made Chatterbox’s traces feel even stronger. Noah also retreated from me with an expression that this didn’t seem right, and the reactions of the other hunters were also more than expected.

At this rate, it felt like some people would draw their weapons at me, so I quickly raised my magic power. The tense atmosphere dissipated as I covered Chatterbox’s mark and made it faint. Still, I took a breath while looking down at the hunters who were faintly wary… Ugh, my waist is tight. I took a breath and moved along the railing.

“I seem to have startled you a bit. Of course, this is nothing to the high-ranking awakeners.”

It’s not just Chatterbox. There are all sorts of transcendents swarming outside. From the perspective of someone who has met many, Chatterbox was the most unpleasant. There was an unpleasantness that touched my peripheral nerves.

Before stepping on the stairs, I took off the veil. At the same time, blue willow leaves fluttered, and Yoohyun lightly jumped over the railing and landed behind me. He received the flowing veil and skillfully cut the corset on my back, taking advantage of the gap hidden by the fabric. At the same time, the loosened corset disappeared without a trace. Irin came in and swallowed it.

Now I’m a little more comfortable. Now then. Who among these people has an invitation?