The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 521

The helicopter took off with a deafening roar. Most of the S-Rank Hunters turned away, satisfied. Some had been fleeced more than others, but on average, the gains outweighed the losses. They got information on Giseungsu’s breeding, priority rights to stamina potions, and information on firearms.

Besides that, it was a gathering of S-Rank Hunters from various countries. There must have been quite a bit of behind-the-scenes dealing. Perhaps that’s why quite a few Hunters lingered on the island instead of leaving right away.

“I’ll treat you well when you come to Korea, think about it!”

Yerim waved her hand, calling out to an A-Rank Hunter from Iceland. He was a seventeen-year-old Hunter, two years older than Yerim. There weren’t many teenage Hunters, so they naturally started talking, and it turned out he had skills specialized in defense and cold resistance. He could protect teammates from Yerim’s skills, making him a valuable asset.

The two seemed to get along quite well. There were language barriers, but Yerim now had a translation item, and some of her teammates were good at English. Unlike mid- to low-level Hunters, high-level Hunters often interacted with foreign Hunters to acquire rare high-level items and find teams that suited their abilities. English was still the universal language. Yerim really needed to make Korean the universal language. Items didn’t work on writing.

Besides Yerim, there were other Hunters discussing recruitment. The most talked-about topic was the merger between two S-Rank Guilds. Two S-Rank Hunters had temporarily teamed up during the SS-Rank Giant Turtle battle and got along better than expected. After spending time together during the gathering, they decided to merge their Guilds.

‘There were quite a few Guilds like that right before my regression.’

But at this point, it was probably the first. S-Rank monsters were the highest that appeared, so there was no need for S-Ranks to join forces to fight. S-Rank Hunters were nothing more than rivals to each other.

But the change came a little faster.

‘Besides that… many things will change after this gathering.’

It would be nice if their perception of mid- to low-level Hunters and support types changed as well. Even if only a few thought differently. Especially those who got shot, bombed, cursed, and rolled around after getting hit by me. Those guys who grind their teeth might not have a good influence right away, but it’s better than ignoring and dismissing Hunters altogether.

– Kkyaaoong.

Peace, who had been lying under my seat, stretched out languidly. Then, he rolled over and rested his head on my foot like a pillow. I took out a peanut-shaped toy and gave it to Peace, who was nudging my pants leg with his front paws. Peace didn’t really like toys, but he chewed on them occasionally when he was bored.

“If I can stay by Hyung’s side until the end, that’s good enough for me.”

Yoohyun, who was sitting with me at the outdoor table, suddenly said quietly. I was momentarily stunned, then forced a smile.

“Hey, don’t say things like that. Nothing will happen.”

“Yeah. But Hyung, even if things go wrong, at least for me, it won’t be wrong.”

“Hmm, you shouldn’t unconditionally defend family.”

“It’s just the truth. If it weren’t for Hyung, I wouldn’t care about this world or anything beyond it. So, I’m okay.”

I stared at my brother. It was a late morning with good sunlight, and rays of light sparkled through the trees. Shadows and sunlight dotted Yoohyun’s cheeks and shirt, moving slowly with the breeze.

It was late autumn, not far from winter, so the air itself was chilly, but that made the sunlight feel even warmer.

“…Everything will be fine. Thanks for caring. Was it that obvious?”

“No, not really. But Hyung, you didn’t sleep well last night. You were up almost until dawn, weren’t you?”

“I had a lot on my mind.”

“Hyung, you don’t have to take responsibility for everyone.”

“Yeah. You’re right.”

But I still didn’t want to lose anything. I had only lost things before my regression, so this time, I could be a little more stubborn.

“I wish there was some benevolent god who could solve everything and say, ‘Now you can live in peace and be happy.'”

And they lived happily ever after. Well, even if there really was a god, there’s no guarantee they’d be on our side. What if they were a god who loved chickens instead of humans? They might wipe out humanity. Confined to a small space, unable to live even two months, and made into all sorts of dishes.

Suddenly, my situation didn’t seem so bad.

At that moment, Yoohyun squinted slightly. Following my brother’s gaze, I saw someone approaching us. It was Chloe Alger.

‘…I released Park Hayul’s skill, so the immediate fire is out.’

I still didn’t know much about their side.

“May I approach?”

Chloe asked politely. Not to Yoohyun, but to me. She seemed to acknowledge that I had the upper hand. I nodded to show it was okay.

“All the Hunters who were not apprehended by Director Han Yoojin were released on the same day the skill was解除 [released].”

“Yes, I heard. Thank you.”

The Hunters Chloe’s side had been holding captive were released. It wasn’t a completely satisfactory result, but I received an invitation and the skill was解除, so the minimum was met. Chloe hesitated slightly before continuing.

“Some of the Hunters who were not apprehended by Director Han Yoojin have gone missing. Do you happen to know anything about it?”

“We haven’t done anything since then. We’ve been too busy preparing for the gathering.”

However, Sung Hyunjae came to mind. He must have been annoyed that I touched him and sent a strange invitation. So, he might have crushed the bugs that crawled into his house.

Chloe took a short breath.

“I will be returning to the United States soon.”

“Is the Guild Leader of Sesung treating you coldly?”

“To be honest, I’m scared.”

“But he’s just a person.”

“It feels more dangerous when Director Han Yoojin says that. In the end, you can’t say you’ve fallen out with the Guild Leader of Sesung.”

“Did it feel that way?”

“If you really fell out, you wouldn’t even be able to argue.”

Chloe said with a weary expression. What on earth did Sung Hyunjae do to make Chloe react like this?

“No, in the first place, falling out itself… is an action that only comes about when you acknowledge the other person’s existence.”

When you think about it, that’s true.

“I definitely misjudged Director Han Yoojin. I couldn’t escape the prejudice that comes with the F-Rank.”

I swallowed the words, ‘That’s usually the case.’ Instead, I smiled. Chloe looked at me for a moment before turning away. There was no apology. Her belief that it was right to save more people even at the expense of someone else hadn’t changed.

“More of an ally than an enemy, but someone you can’t trust.”

I said, turning to Yoohyun.

“There are more cases like that in the world than things that are clearly divided.”

It would be easier if things were just divided into my side and your side.

As Chloe left after talking to us, other Hunters cautiously glanced our way. But they couldn’t easily approach. I wondered if it would have been like this if I had been alone. Maybe they wouldn’t be able to treat me as casually as before.

“Uncle~ I’m going to take a lap with Soyoung and Riet!”

Yerim said that there were still quite a few monsters gathered in the water besides the SS-Rank monster, and she would go clean them up. I waved goodbye, telling her to have a good time.

As the guests left, Sung Hyunjae appeared. Seeing his face, as if his rank hadn’t dropped, reminded me that I hadn’t been able to squeeze much out of him. I should have shoveled out the sand on the beach, what a waste. I should have charged a protection fee.

The sunlight, nearing noon, was still good, making Sung Hyunjae’s head shine. Shining and sparkling, Sung Hyunjae approached. The Hunters’ gazes also flocked to him. Song Taewon, who had been watching the Hunters leave in front of the helipad, also turned his head towards us.

“Director Han Yoojin, it was a pleasant gathering.”

“You have such unique tastes. Anyway, thank you for enjoying it.”

Sung Hyunjae, didn’t you have wine poured on your head, a knife graze your cheek, a kidnapping attempt, a gunshot to the head, and were tied up in a guest room at this gathering? What if rumors spread that the Guild Leader of Sesung liked wine showers? Filling a bathtub with the finest wine seemed fitting, though.

“I will be returning first. I’ll see you in Korea.”

Sung Hyunjae turned around, leaving ordinary greetings. This was normal, but Sung Hyunjae being normal made me feel awkward. I had gotten used to him doing strange things.

As almost all the guests left the island, we also prepared to leave the island and return home.

“Chief Song, please turn a blind eye just once. Huh?”

“It’s not possible. Hunter Yoo Myungwoo must be accompanied by a Hunter from the Awakened Management Office or the Hunter Association when traveling abroad in the future.”

At those words, Myungwoo made a slightly sullen expression.

“Is this the only weapon you brought into the Golden Blacksmith [Myungwoo’s skill]?”

“There’s nothing else. Right, Myungwoo?”

“There are a couple of lumps of scrap iron that Ismualt melted.”

The weapons received from Sishio were the problem. They might be useful later, and disassembling them might help with making dungeon weapons. But it was a serious legal issue.

“Weapon smuggling is not allowed. Smuggling other items is also not allowed.”

“I won’t do it again. Never! I wasn’t planning on using them in Korea.”

“It could lead to serious international problems. Especially since Hunter Yoo Myungwoo’s blacksmith, unlike the inventory, can handle ordinary items…….”

In the middle of speaking, Song Taewon looked at me seriously.

“Han Yoojin.”

“Yes.”

“Han Yoojin.”

“…The number of times I can go in and out of the drawer [my inventory skill] is limited.”

I had no choice but to go into the drawer and bring out a small jeep. The jeep was full of luggage. Most of it was various state-of-the-art weapons. Song Taewon sighed deeply.

“…You can even bring cars in?”

“It’s hard to bring in anything bigger, this is all. Really.”

Chief Song sent me a suspicious look at my words of swearing, but what else could he do? It’s a waste; it’s hard to get military supplies elsewhere.

“Smuggling is not allowed. Military supplies are even more forbidden. Please refrain from taking out items brought in from Korea abroad. I beg you.”

“I’ll be careful. Don’t worry.”

“If there are any other illegal activities, please report them voluntarily.”

“There’s nothing else now.”

Probably. Let’s assume there isn’t. After questioning me on a few more items, Song Taewon approached Moon Hyuna this time. Hyuna tried to avoid him, but Chief Song persistently followed her, demanding detailed information about the wine transaction.

“There’s nothing! Really! I only traded as much as I reported!”

“Hunter Moon Hyuna.”

“Oh, please give me a break!”

Watching that scene, I realized that Chief Song had no choice but to overwork. Who else but Chief Song could interrogate an S-Rank Hunter like that? That’s why there are so many S-Rank Hunter crimes that go unnoticed overseas.

“I’m someone who can live without the law, but this part needs to be hidden a little. I’ll report everything later and pay the fine! Really!”

“You shouldn’t commit crimes with the intention of paying a fine.”

He said that, but Chief Song wasn’t completely inflexible. In the first place, the law itself was a special law, giving as much convenience as possible to S-Rank Hunters. In the end, they agreed to submit the exact details to Chief Song first.

That was only possible because Chief Song was such a trustworthy person. He’s really amazing.

“Mr. Sishio, I’m really indebted to you.”

I smiled back at Sishio, who was looking at me with warm eyes. He was really helpful. I hope the keyword effect wears off soon so he doesn’t say strange things.

“I knew it, you are Director Han… You didn’t shrink back from those many S-Rank Hunters, and even handled them lightly.”

“What are you talking about? Thanks to you, I’m taking a lot with me.”

“I won’t be able to see you for a while now.”

Sishio had a wistful look in his eyes. No, well… um.

“I’ll call you.”

I just wanted us to be close friends soon. A relationship where we can trust each other and have good deals like this time. Sishio also benefited quite a bit. Above all, he cleaned up the monsters swarming in the sea.

I should continue to be friendly with him. …Not in a strange relationship, but in a normal relationship.

* * *

“Home!”

Yerim shouted loudly.

“Home is the best! Ah, I have to go pick up Mare. Should I bring Bbyak, Bellare, and Tiger with me too?”

“I’d appreciate it if you would.”

As soon as I stepped into the entrance, I felt relaxed. I guess I really like home too. I wanted to rest for a few days. But there was a lot to take care of… Let’s just rest tomorrow.

“I’ll unpack. Hyung, you rest.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

I went to the living room with Peace and collapsed on the sofa. I need to shower. I need to wash Peace too.

“Peace.”

– Kkiang.

“Let’s go wash up.”

– Kkiuung.

After taking Peace to the bathroom and washing up, Bbyak flew over to greet me. Bellare nodded his head as if to say hello, and Tiger spun around, barking.

“Bbyak, you didn’t sneak out again, did you?”

– Bbyak!

“Tiger, don’t stick to Peace too much. You’ll get wet too. Peace, let’s dry your fur.”

“I can dry myself.”

Yoohyun, who had taken out the laundry from the luggage and put it in the laundry room, picked up Peace. Peace growled softly.

“Hyung is tired today.”

– Kkeuheung.

Yoohyun put Peace down as if throwing him, and Peace shook his body, raising heat. Then, he quickly became fluffy.

“Good job, Peace.”

– Kkyaang!

It was already quite late, so everyone quickly finished tidying up and went to bed.

And the next day, all three of us took a day off. We woke up late, ate a late breakfast, and leisurely watched TV while refreshing our mouths with fruit.

“…Huh?”

The TV screen suddenly went dark. Then, it brightened again.

“What is that!”

My figure appeared. The me on TV was pointing a gun at Yoohyun.