The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 52

52. Peep (1)

It wasn’t easy to resist the urge to turn around immediately. I felt like a character in a horror movie who had to pretend not to hear the creaking footsteps approaching from behind until the very end.

‘I’ve been using the Lizard Stuck to the Wall skill continuously.’

I had been using it weakly since before arriving at the Sesung Guild, just in case. Even Yoohyun, who knows me well, only felt it faintly, so there’s no way Sung Hyunjae would notice it easily, no matter how great he is. He wouldn’t sniff my body like my brother, would he?

“Ah, Guild Leader!”

Only after Kang Soyoung finally noticed and turned around was I able to look back. A man who looked much younger than his age, nearing forty, came into view. He was dressed casually, with his shirt sleeves unbuttoned and rolled up halfway, and no tie. He looked so relaxed that I couldn’t bring myself to say, ‘You came all the way here despite being so busy.’

“I’m glad to see you look healthy. I was very worried.”

Wow, what a creepily kind expression and tone. If I were a little more naive, I might have believed him and been moved.

“I’m almost sorry that you had to come out and check on me in person.”

I softened my true feelings, which were, ‘I’d appreciate it if you’d just disappear.’ Sung Hyunjae smiled at my words. S-Class Hunters are all like that, but he really is handsome. They have it all.

“I couldn’t not come out when I came all the way here. More than anything, Han Yoojin is my child—”

“Thank you so much for your concern!”

Damn it, Moon Hyuna, really, really! Do I have to live hearing this kind of thing! She’s getting her revenge. Damn it, just you wait. I’m not a human if I don’t pay you back for this.

Just then, Peace, hearing me shout, rushed over. Then, he stared intently at the newly appeared person.

– Kkeuung.

Perhaps sensing something uneasy, Peace pressed his body close to my leg. Seeing this, Kang Soyoung tried to reassure him, pointing at Sung Hyunjae.

“Don’t worry, Peace. He’s our Guild Leader. He’s not danger… uh, scary, um, so… kind… not really……”

…This lady can’t lie.

“Anyway, he’s a good person!”

He must be a good person as a Guild Leader. If Peace could fully understand human words, he might have backed away a lot. But since he couldn’t understand, he just tilted his head, wondering what she was saying.

“It’s okay. We’re on the same side right now. So you can go play.”

“And will be in the future, I hope.”

Sung Hyunjae said with a smile in response to my words. What do you mean, ‘will be in the future’? Of course, I shouldn’t be on bad terms with the Sesung Guild. Yes, please remain a good customer for a long time.

“Your words alone are reassuring.”

“You don’t seem to believe me.”

“I’ve lived a pretty tough life.”

Even excluding the five years before my regression, my life wasn’t peaceful. There were more than a few people trying to take the little bit of wealth left to the kids. The world is a tough place.

“The Haeyeon Guild Leader is good at protecting you, but he should give you proper information.”

Sung Hyunjae clicked his tongue and shook his head. I was a little annoyed, thinking this guy was going to badmouth Yoohyun, but I held back at the word ‘information.’

It’s true that Yoohyun wasn’t telling me anything. Even though I was the one who was kidnapped, I didn’t know how things were being handled afterward. When I asked, he just brushed it off, saying, ‘Hyung [older brother or a term of endearment] doesn’t need to worry about it, it’s being taken care of.’

If I hadn’t regressed and had only gained the Monster Nurturing skill, my brother would have taken care of everything, and I would have been trapped without knowing anything about the situation. Thinking about it like that gives me the creeps.

“My brother can be a little frustrating.”

“He wasn’t originally.”

…Should I have another drink with my brother? I’m constantly getting nagged. Both he and I need a heart-to-heart conversation.

“Would you like to sit down for a moment and talk if you’re okay with it?”

Sung Hyunjae said, seeing my reluctant expression.

What should I do?

I wasn’t planning on pretending not to know anything forever. My goal is to be a peaceful landlord, but I need to make a minimum effort to protect what I have.

However, right now, I’m staying in the Haeyeon Guild, where my brother’s eyes and ears are everywhere, so I can’t do anything rash. My brother already seems to be slightly suspicious of me. Luring the future information broker Do Hamin isn’t difficult, but that’s something to do after I build my nest.

I haven’t even started building yet, let alone demolishing, so should I hear a little from the Sesung Guild Leader?

“Yes, that would be nice.”

I nodded, giving a ‘I don’t know anything’ smile.

* * *

We moved to a table in a pergola [an open structure usually covered with climbing plants] on one side of the park. Kang Soyoung left to bring refreshments. Peace still didn’t trust Sung Hyunjae and didn’t play anymore, instead climbing onto my lap. Still, he didn’t seem to be clinging to me as much as before. It seemed like the walk had an effect.

“Han Yoohyun’s recent actions have been hard to understand in many ways.”

Sung Hyunjae said in his usual relaxed tone. The keyword effect has made him a little crazy, but is it that bad? Still, he let me go outside today, so it seems like he’s gotten a little better.

“Before acquiring the Monster Nurturing skill, it might have been different, but Han Yoojin now has the power to build and grow his own forces. If he establishes himself properly, I think he could become bigger than most large guilds. He even laid the foundation through the last negotiation.”

Whoa, you’re overestimating me. It’s not impossible if I set my mind to it, though.

“But I don’t have such great ambitions. As I mentioned before, the demand for ride-type monsters will gradually decrease.”

Sung Hyunjae chuckled at my words.

“Do you really think so?”

“…Wouldn’t it naturally happen? Unless someone does the crazy thing of using high-grade ride-type monsters as disposable items.”

“Of course, no one would do that. But high-grade and top-grade ride-type monsters are as powerful as A-Class and S-Class Hunters. They can be used not as ride-type monsters, but as team members or even as a monster army.”

Well, that’s true.

“Monster breeding will only be allowed within a controllable range. Even Sesung would have difficulty owning more than four or five top-grade ride-type monsters.”

Taming isn’t a skill that perfectly controls monsters like puppets or robots. Even Peace, despite me having the Proof of the Owner, throws tantrums and acts impulsively.

Tamed monsters don’t harm their owners and follow them as the leader of the pack. That’s about it. If I could perfectly control and command them, the tamer would be considered a hunter who leads a monster army to conquer dungeons, not a special profession that tames and sells monsters like now.

So, whether they are ordinary monsters or tamed monsters, they can only be possessed to the extent that the guild or organization can control them in case of an emergency.

“That’s true now. But what about in the future?”

Sung Hyunjae smiled meaningfully and continued.

“Han Yoojin, laws can only exist if there is a country and a society.”

“Well, I guess so.”

“Since the first dungeon appeared until today, the number and difficulty of dungeons have been increasing. We can still manage all the dungeons sufficiently and have plenty of room to spare. When the Awakening Center is established, it will become easier. But how long will this 余裕 [yoyuu – Japanese word meaning ‘leeway’ or ‘margin’] last? Personally, I think it will be five years at most. Around that time, a lot will change.”

…That was an accurate prediction. Of course, even five years later, as I know it, the Monster Breeding Restriction Act was still in place. But when I think about it, there was no reason for the law to change at that time. That’s because top-grade ride-type monsters didn’t exist.

The highest-grade tamer skill was A-Class, so even high-grade ride-type monsters were rare. You had to tame monsters with B-Class or lower stats and then grow them to make them high-grade ride-type monsters. Not all monsters can grow beyond their grade, so it was half luck.

“…Then, are you saying that in the future, we may try to conquer dungeons with monsters alone?”

“Not to that extent, but they will be mixed in. Not as ride-type monsters, but as a kind of heteromorphic hunter. And you will be the only person who can continuously and stably nurture S-Class and A-Class Hunters.”

I had an ominous feeling that I might never be able to retire. Why didn’t I think that the law might change? No, but isn’t it unsettling to have monsters swarming even outside the dungeons? Of course, it’s better than high-grade dungeons exploding…….

“I feel burdened.”

“There’s still time, so you can take your time to settle down. More than anything, your value is higher than S-Class Hunters as long as similar skill holders don’t appear. You don’t need to crouch down like you do now. You can act even more recklessly.”

“I can act recklessly?”

“Yes. Who cares if you act a little tyrannical? It’s an irreplaceable ability.”

Sung Hyunjae creased his eyes with mischief.

“You can do whatever you want. If it’s a guild that can afford to have high-grade ride-type monsters, you can contact them and demand this and that, and they won’t be able to say a word. Not only domestically but also overseas. There are already overseas guilds lining up to talk to you. Should I give you a contact? Would you like to call them?”

“…No, that’s a bit…”

Contact any guild and demand anything? What is that? That’s a level of power harassment I couldn’t have imagined. I guess those who have done it before are good at it. I’m satisfied enough with just one building.

“That’s how high your position is right now. If you get a top-grade monster baby and even hint, ‘Ah, I’m too tired to grow it,’ the guild leader will contact you right away and ask if you need anything.”

No, that’s a bit unethical…… This guy, his personality isn’t good after all. Why is he sitting people down and encouraging them to do all sorts of power harassment? Is it because the negotiation included the mention of faithful breeding, so it’s not his problem?

“Han Yoohyun definitely knows this, but he’s still trying to wrap you up like a mother bird protecting her chicks. It’s an unlike attitude for him.”

Sung Hyunjae said in a tone that he himself didn’t understand. That’s because the keyword… the caregiver is the same person, so it seems to be applied doubly.

“It’s probably because my stat grade is so low. Even if I’m in a position to do power harassment on a large scale, any crazy person could rush in and cut my throat at any time.”

“That can be solved by keeping just one top-grade monster by your side. By the way, there’s an opinion that Haeyeon’s second top-grade monster baby should be used for your protection.”

“Is that so?”

“Didn’t he tell you this either? MKC, which is responsible for the kidnapping, will bear the cost.”

It’s a good condition for me, but that kid Yoohyun is completely leaving out the person involved. He would have told me if it was confirmed, but he could have at least given me a heads up.

“I wonder if I’m doing something similar to what Moon Hyuna did.”

Sung Hyunjae shrugged, seeing my expression. I had blocked the sound with my skill, but Sung Hyunjae knew, so Moon Hyuna must have told him directly.

“No, it’s a bit different from that. I also feel that my brother’s actions are excessive. But it’s because he’s worried about me, and he won’t be able to interfere if I leave Haeyeon, so I’ve been turning a blind eye.”

“I recommend talking to him properly.”

“Yes. I will definitely do that.”

While various other stories were exchanged, Kang Soyoung returned with refreshments. The snacks looked luxurious and tasted excellent, but they were slightly inferior to what Myungwoo made. Thinking about how busy he’ll be after getting the blacksmith skill makes me feel depressed again.

“This is a small token of my sincerity.”

Sung Hyunjae handed over a small accessory box with a warranty.

“I heard from Soyoung that I’ll be in your care soon, so please think of it as a way of asking for your favor.”

Is this a bribe? Looking at the warranty, it was an S-Class item. It had an increase in magic power essence and a B-Class barrier skill effect. Wow, a skill effect item. Especially with this kind of barrier skill, it was so popular that it was hard to buy even with money.

Opening the accessory box revealed earrings similar in shape to the Stolen Black Fairy’s Earrings. Only the jewel color was different, being red.

“I feel a bit burdened.”

“It has to be burdensome to have an effect. And this is…”

Then, what he took out of his inventory was a large wing bone. Peace perked up his ears at the appearance of the well-dried wing bone with some flesh still attached.

“Most high-grade carnivorous monsters like dragon bones.”

That was the first time I had heard that. Peace bit the dragon wing bone without hesitation as it was handed over. He seemed to like it very much, hugging it with his front paws.

…This Sung Hyunjae might be a better person than I thought.

“Thank you.”

Sung Hyunjae smiled with interest when I was honestly grateful.

“Han Yoojin.”

“Yes?”

“I hope we can be close for a long time in the future.”

I have to raise monsters, so I have to see you often whether I like it or not. I look forward to working with you too.

* * *

Early in the morning, I received a message that I had successfully purchased the exclusive entry permit for the F-Class dungeon located 20 minutes away from the Haeyeon Guild building by taxi.

It was a dungeon that I had applied for the night before two days ago. It was rare for people to bid exclusively for a low-value F-Class dungeon, even with extra money, so there were no competitors.

As soon as I received the exclusive entry permit purchase completion message, I contacted Yoohyun and told him that I wouldn’t be going out today and would be resting at home. I had a bit of a cold, so I said I would take medicine and sleep, and I had a hard time stopping him from coming over. I also asked him to keep it a secret so that it wouldn’t be a hassle if other people found out.

“When did I buy something like this?”

I rummaged through the half-unpacked luggage, wondering if there was anything to cover my face, and a UV protection hat came out. It covered everything with cloth except for the eyes, so it seemed impossible to have my face exposed. Why did I buy it? …Ah, I used to wear it when I was doing a one-person protest. This was still left. I pushed away the bitter memories and took the hat.

It was a bit early, but it was the beginning of summer, so it wouldn’t look too strange to wear it.

The gate stone was well stored in the inventory, and the equipment was sufficient. Although it only increased essence. There were plenty of potions, so I didn’t need to bring emergency food. Even if I didn’t come out in the middle and conquered it, it would be over in an hour or so with my current grade.

‘It was a forest environment.’

According to the description on the dungeon bidding page, the inside of the dungeon was a small forest, and the monsters that appeared were moss monkeys. It would be a bit difficult if you didn’t have a long-range attack skill, but I had a 4-meter tentacle, so I could deal with them in an instant. The boss monster was a giant turtle in a pond at the end of the forest.

Both the nimble monkeys that climbed trees and the turtles with excellent defense made it a high difficulty for an F-Class. That’s why there was also a note recommending conquest to teams including E-Class or higher.

Should I conquer it and come out if I have time? If I monopolize it, I’ll have more than enough money to cover the exclusive entry permit.

– Geureureureung.

When I took the hat and came out to the living room, Peace, who was gnawing on the dragon wing bone I received yesterday, came running with a rumble in his throat. I stroked around his single horn and said soothingly.

“Daddy’s going out for a bit, so take good care of the house. I won’t be long.”

– Kkiung.

“Break the furniture moderately.”

Myungwoo wouldn’t be back until evening, but just in case, I told Peace that I would be letting him out in the living room and taking a nap. Even though Peace is kind, it’s uneasy to leave him with a stat F-Class.

“I’ll be back.”

I was worried that he would try to follow me, but fortunately, Peace didn’t cross the middle door and sat quietly, looking at me. He’s so kind.

Okay, now all I have to do is get out safely.