The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 526

524. My Portrait Rights (3)

“What happened?”

Yerim, who was watching, answered my question.

“You should have seen it, Uncle. As soon as Grandpa saw Seseong Uncle, he shouted, ‘You crazy bastard!’ and kicked him in the shin, dragging him away.”

“Really? He got hit and dragged away?”

“Yes. Grandpa was amazing. I couldn’t even keep up with my eyes. I didn’t even see him kick properly. Seseong Uncle tried to avoid it, but he couldn’t.”

Foresight is useless if the body can’t keep up. Besides, if Seong Hyeonje’s combat foresight comes from accumulated experience, the Elder must have plenty of it too.

“So, what did he say?”

“I don’t know. I couldn’t hear anything after he dragged him over there.”

Even now, he seems to be talking, but the Elder’s mouth isn’t moving at all. Seong Hyeonje looked like he was talking, but the movements were so small that I couldn’t understand. What did Seong Hyeonje really do to make the Elder act like that?

The young Chaos, with a very displeased expression, raised his hand. Then, he flicked Seong Hyeonje’s forehead with his finger.

“That must hurt.”

Yerim muttered. The motion looked light, but it must hurt. Seong Hyeonje’s forehead turned red. Come to think of it, one of his ears was also flushed. He got his ear grabbed too.

“Newbie, do you happen to know what’s going on?”

[I don’t know either.]

The volleyball wobbled and said. I’m dying of curiosity.

“Hyung [term for older brother or male friend], sit down and watch.”

Yoohyeon pulled out a chair and poured tea for me. Newbie says it’s tea that’s good for your health! Well, according to the standards of the human world, he bounced. I wonder if there’s a world where poison is a tonic. Well, the tonics in our world aren’t exactly mild either.

“I’ve decided to get compensation from Chatterbox regarding our portrait rights. He said he’d let the person involved edit the video afterwards.”

I said, watching Seong Hyeonje, who stiffly raised his head to face Chaos and then lowered his eyes again. I should have shown that to Chief Song. Seong Hyeonje looked more than ordinary, even a little pathetic. Isn’t his forehead swelling? He shouldn’t hit his face.

“Then is the party really going to be broadcasted?”

“They said they’ll put a mosaic on it if you want.”

“I don’t mind, but Uncle…….”

“Are you going to attend?”

Yoohyeon asked. I took a sip of tea and looked at Seong Hyeonje again. The weather is nice, and the scenery is good. Oh, the Elder has a long twig like a switch in his hand. He’s not going to hit his calves, is he? Or his palms. Fortunately, he just tapped his shoulder.

“If I back out here, it’ll be worse. I’ll be an F-ranker forever protected by S-ranks.”

“We agreed to maintain that image externally.”

“If Chatterbox hadn’t come out in public like this, that is. Before, I didn’t need to step out publicly either.”

Rather, it was advantageous for the external image to be different because I had to hide. But now I have to go out too. At my words, Yoohyeon let out a short breath.

“I know you don’t like it, but Hyung, actually, it’s okay to be protected. Hyung’s stats are just a simple fact. It’s not wrong, and it’s not something to be ashamed of.”

“…That’s right.”

I know that it’s not my fault. If someone blames me for my F-rank stats, then that person is wrong.

“But the world isn’t like that. It’s okay when it’s peaceful. There’s room to take care of the weak. But if there’s someone limping when everyone has to run away, it can’t help but be their fault, even though it’s not.”

Of course, there are good people who try to take care of the weak until the end. But if the majority can live by abandoning that one person who is not helpful. Reality was not so easy.

“If you don’t want to be protected from beginning to end, you have to step out. If you’re not going to keep hiding, it’s better to burst out now. You have to show everyone that I’m not a hindrance and that I’m helpful. People don’t necessarily need the recognition of others, but I do.”

It’s best to be honest with yourself, but I am.

“I still have things to do. And things I want to do.”

I could give up and remain a special skill holder protected by S-ranks. Even if I did that, my value wouldn’t disappear. Rather, it was a good way to establish myself by promoting such a position.

I lightly patted my brother’s arm, who was worried about me.

“It’s not dangerous, they say. And even if I don’t do much, if I struggle well until the end, they’ll look kindly on me, right? Then, I can decorate it well by saying that my innate stats can’t be helped, but I tried.”

Of course, in reality, I’ll end up grabbing at least one S-rank and finishing it. I think I can do one or two. Even if they’re not as overwhelming as the S-ranks around me, I’ll do it even if it means dying together.

“Sometimes I want to burn it all down.”

Yoohyeon said a little sullenly.

“It’s more convenient for Hyung if society is maintained, though.”

I should never say in front of Yoohyeon that I want to go to the countryside or the mountains to live when I get old. I had a little bit of that romance too. Well, these days, even if you go to the mountains, you can get water, electricity, and communication. Still, modern civilization is convenient.

“If modern society collapses, there’s no heating or hot water. You have to chop wood and fetch cold water.”

“I have me and Park Yerim.”

“We’ll be fine even if we’re stranded on a desert island, Uncle.”

How reliable. But still.

“Yerim, there’s no chicken, pizza, hamburgers, or cola. You can’t watch TV, and no new dolls come out.”

“That’s why I’m protecting the world.”

[That’s right, chicken is important!]

Yerim nodded greatly, and Newbie agreed. On the other hand, Yoohyeon made an unpleasant expression. From Yoohyeon’s point of view, it might be better without those things. Still, let’s protect it for now, brother. It’s convenient to just turn the faucet and get water, isn’t it?

“Maknae [youngest one].”

Then the Elder’s voice was heard. When I jumped up from my seat, Chaos beckoned me. …Do I have to go there and kneel too? Yoohyeon was more embarrassed than I was and handed me the cushion from the chair.

“Sorry, Hyung.”

“Oh, Grandpa is doing that for Uncle’s own good.”

Yes, that’s right. I took the cushion and knelt next to Seong Hyeonje. The young Chaos and Seong Hyeonje looked at me at the same time.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m turning myself in. Should I take the cushion out?”

It would look a little shameless like this, right?

“Should I take out my earrings too? So it’s easy for you to grab.”

Although you usually like to grab the upper part of the earlobe. Chaos sighed and patted my head with his small hand as if stroking it.

“I don’t even feel like touching you next to that guy.”

“It’s relative, and I’m just an ordinary adult male. But why is Seong Hyeonje being scolded?”

Seong Hyeonje was silent, and the Elder clicked his tongue. Then he looked at Seong Hyeonje coldly.

“If you’re going to die, die quietly.”

“Yes? Why? But Elder, did you watch a strange drama or something?”

Your words are too harsh. Seong Hyeonje opened his mouth with his usual attitude, not like someone who was being scolded.

“It’s not what I wanted.”

“That’s why I’m ending it with words.”

Seong Hyeonje’s forehead is red, though. I asked again what was going on, but neither of them answered.

“I can’t talk about that guy’s business.”

“Seong Hyeonje?”

“Everyone has one personal secret.”

Seong Hyeonje’s gaze seemed to say, ‘Don’t you?’ No, but still. I wanted to grab him by the collar and ask what was going on, but I had a lot of things piled up, so I quietly closed my mouth. At least the Elder knows, so he must have reasoned with him well.

…I don’t know if Seong Hyeonje will listen.

“I saw it too.”

The young Chaos said to me with a pitiful look. Are you talking about the video that Chatterbox broadcasted? In the Elder’s eyes, it might have really looked like a child who can’t even walk properly is floundering.

“You were in a non-awakened state.”

“Yes.”

“Still, the difference is clear, but you’re struggling.”

“I used a gun, I did.”

“Those young ones are really……. Still, you tried hard. Except for you, Chain Master.”

Does that include Chief Song? Well, originally, there’s not much age difference between me and Chief Song. My insides are thirty.

“Seong Hyeonje hasn’t even lived for forty years if you only count his memories. He’s young compared to the Elder.”

But even so, he’s definitely not at an age to be treated like a child. The Elder made a frustrated expression.

“First, what’s wrong with you that you’re trying to embrace a guy like that?”

“Well, anyway, we know each other. We contact each other, do business, and sometimes eat together. We’re just kind of close. More than that, Elder.”

I asked Newbie and Yerim to not listen and continued.

“Do you know an Illusionist?”

“There are many with that name.”

“Chief Song, the person I saw in the nightmare dungeon last time. Good body.”

“Are you talking about the frustrating kid who’s no less than you, First?”

“That… he’s a Transcendental who helped create the Lunar Eclipse.”

“What?”

The young Chaos tilted his head as if asking what I was talking about. Does the Elder not know either?

“He planted a seed. When I brought the soil that the seed was in, Chief Song couldn’t move. Do you have any idea who it is?”

“If he’s planting seeds, I only know the Gardener.”

“The Gardener?”

“There’s a strange guy. But the Gardener has never been called an Illusionist, as far as I remember.”

The Gardener. Seeds and soil, so the title fits perfectly.

“The Elder might not know. You haven’t even come out of the First Source, ouch. Anyway, what kind of Transcendental is the Gardener?”

“That guy hardly ever comes out of his domain, so I don’t know him well.”

“Really?”

“I kicked him out because he was trying to crawl into the First Source, though.”

“…Do you have a bad relationship?”

“I have no feelings.”

Because feelings usually arise in the person who gets hit. I wasn’t sure if the Illusionist was the Gardener, but I thought I should be careful. For now, I should pretend I don’t know the Elder. When Hwangrim can contact the Illusionist again, I can mention the Gardener.

“First, get up, and you keep kneeling.”

“Should I lend you a cushion?”

“First.”

“It’s because your clothes are expensive. Seseong Guild Leader’s knees don’t wear out, but his clothes do.”

“Thank you, but I’ll decline. I have to endure it if the Elder’s heart is relieved to this extent.”

“Bow your head too.”

What a big mistake he made. I quickly stopped the Elder. The young Chaos gestured to Newbie and the kids. Newbie, who bounced over first, created a new table and chairs. Everyone sat down, but only Seong Hyeonje was on the floor. Yoohyeon didn’t care, but Yerim glanced at Seong Hyeonje as if she was concerned.

“Seseong Uncle, would you like some tea?”

“The little lady is so kind.”

Yerim was really kind. Among the people around Seong Hyeonje, she might be one of the best to him. Seong Hyeonje accepted the teacup while kneeling. Yerim even handed him some snacks. She’s an angel.

I told Seong Hyeonje and the young Chaos about Chatterbox.

“The goal is to catch at least one person.”

“But you know.”

The young Chaos said, putting down the teacup.

“Wouldn’t it be a battle?”

“Yes?”

“Looking at it, they compete in all sorts of things. With things like singing and cooking.”

The Elder said he only watched one drama. Yerim nodded, saying, “Ah.”

“That’s right, they could hold a cooking contest. It could be a dance contest because it’s a party.”

“…Gathering S-ranks and doing that?”

It would be funny. Whatever they do, Seong Hyeonje would be the most advantageous. Is he good at singing too?

“Even if they make you cook, you’ll have to use skills or something. Or fight to get ingredients in order of arrival. It’s like a real entertainment program. Newbie, can’t you help with anything? Like monitoring Chatterbox.”

[It’s not easy for us to interfere with Honey World itself. Ah, Newbie, can you ask the Blacksmith to come?]

Why are you trying to call Myeongwoo Newbie? Leave Myeongwoo alone.

[You can go to the smithy in any dungeon like last time. It’s okay even if it’s a Korean dungeon since it’s connected once.]

“Don’t bully Myeongwoo.”

[How well am I treating him! I taught him to the best of my ability!]

“Especially no tentacles.”

[Honey, how convenient are tentacles? If you have tentacles, you can play Spanish Rhapsody too!]

What is that? What are you going to do with it?

[The Blacksmith is a person from Honey World, so he’s much freer. So if I teach him just a little bit more, he might be able to do something. Maybe. Anyway, it’s never bad to learn.]

“I’ll tell Myeongwoo, but you can’t overwork him. Absolutely not. No tentacles.”

[Don’t worry! He’s a precious junior!]

I really couldn’t trust him. Myeongwoo is the type to stay up all night at the drop of a hat…….

“If there’s time until the box party, you, First, should stop by with the kids.”

“Me too?”

“Yes. I’ll teach you a little bit. It won’t change much…….”

The young Chaos scanned me with his eyes as if looking at a wilting water parsley in the hot sun.

“And bring that guy and that kid with you too when you have time.”

“Yes. I’ll talk to Chief Song.”

“Keep in mind what I said before.”

Yoohyeon’s shoulders stiffened. I reached out and hugged my brother lightly. You’re talking about that offer to take only me, right? I took out Mini Mini Cookies and got up from my seat. I had to hide my appearance when I returned because I could be caught for going into a dungeon in this mess. I bought a lot, but it’ll run out quickly like this.

Newbie let us out, and the original dungeon appeared.

– Growl!

As soon as the monster bared its teeth, flames shot out, and without falling behind, an ice spear flew towards the opposite side. Then light bounced up, and I also took out my gun and pulled the trigger towards the confused monster.

Bang! The monster falls with a sound. I said, charging mana.

“Sorry, but Yoohyeon, I’m going alone.”

“Hyung?”

Following Yoohyeon, Yerim and Seong Hyeonje also turned to me as if asking what I meant. I smiled at the three of them.

“Without a team, alone.”

It doesn’t have to be a team of two. So this time, it was right to go alone.