The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 527

525. Declaration of Departure (1)

“What are you saying! You were going to come with me!”

Yoohyun grabbed my shoulders and turned me to face him.

“Uncle, alone! Everyone at the party will be S-rank or A-rank except for you!”

Yerim also shouted in dismay. Sung Hyunjae didn’t interfere, but instead, with a loud noise, the monsters nearby instantly turned into dry ashes.

“It’s for my sake.”

I said calmly, looking up at my brother, whose eyes were sharp.

“If I go with you, Yoohyun, or with the other S-ranks, I’ll just be a tagalong. No matter how much I do, people will see the S-ranks first. Yoohyun, stars and moons can’t shine next to the sun.”

“But to me, only hyung shines.”

“Thank you.”

Yoohyun fidgeted, moving his lips several times. He seemed to be trying to think of a solution. Eventually, he slumped his shoulders.

“There’s no way I can go with you… is there…….”

“Yeah. I guess not.”

Even if Yoohyun turned off the broadcast and pretended to be absent, there would still be talk if my brother wasn’t seen. Some people would notice from the reactions of others. Or even if he used a stealth skill to completely hide himself, how long could Yoohyun endure if I were in danger?

“Since we don’t know what the party will be like yet, we might be able to join in the middle if things go well.”

“I wish it was something like a cooking contest, like Grandpa said.”

Yerim said glumly. Liete would be the first to be eliminated.

“Don’t worry too much, both of you. The worst that could happen is that I get eliminated in the first round and watch the broadcast, cheering you on.”

“You can’t trust Chatterbox. They’ll definitely try to harm you!”

“That’s why I’m planning to draw up a thorough contract. They’ve also agreed to send an agent.”

Even with that, it wouldn’t be a perfect preparation, but I could feel somewhat relieved. While appeasing the dissatisfied kids, I turned to look at Sung Hyunjae.

“What’s with you being so quiet?”

“I’m reflecting on the fact that respecting the other person is more difficult than I thought.”

“You’re holding back well. I’ll ask for your continued cooperation.”

My people can protect me whenever they want. Even if we fail and don’t save the world, I’ll be able to live my life without knowing anything until the last day of the end.

If I were the same as before, that’s exactly what would happen. I have to change. This time, I have to face a different ending. No, I don’t need an ending. I just need to keep living well.

“Just in case, Yerim, why don’t you learn how to cook a little?”

“I’ll just take a few packs of ramen seasoning.”

Genius.

“If they say you can only use the ingredients provided, then insist that you can’t even breathe. When you’re cooking, air, moisture, and dust in the air will get in anyway. It’s the same whether the dust you bring gets in or the ramen seasoning you bring gets in.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“There’s always a loophole in every rule.”

“Should I learn to dance? You don’t know anything about party dances, do you, Uncle?”

“I’ve done folk dances at sports day.”

“I was a puppet. I don’t remember it well because I was little.”

You’re still young now. Was it kindergarten? First grade? You must have been cute. Yerim’s mood improved, but the other two still didn’t seem to like my decision. Yoohyun, in particular, had a very dark expression.

“It would be better to leave quickly. I’ll go ahead and sweep them away.”

Yerim said, soaring up. Then, she teleported far away. As soon as Yerim left, Yoohyun opened his tightly closed mouth.

“Promise me.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t be stubborn.”

“…What are you talking about.”

“Hyung [older brother – a term of endearment and respect] doesn’t give up easily. You said that there won’t be any aftereffects on your body and that you can leave whenever you want, but the problem is ‘whenever you want’.”

“That’s…….”

“That means you’ll just endure even if you’re tortured. And hyung will try to hold out until the end.”

Yoohyun was right. It’s a rule that allows me to get out right away if it’s even a little dangerous. But at the same time, it was a rule that allowed me to take any risk.

“Hanyujin-gun [formal address suffix] is stubborn, after all.”

Sung Hyunjae also chimed in. It seemed that the reason why the two of them continued to show dissatisfaction, unlike Yerim, was because of that. If I were alone, they wouldn’t be able to stop me.

“I’m not planning to be foolishly stubborn either…….”

“Hyung.”

“Okay, okay. But Yoohyun, don’t be stubborn either.”

“If hyung prioritizes safety, I will too. If you want, I can follow you as soon as you leave.”

“There’s no need for that, but I’ll be careful.”

I said I’d promise, but Yoohyun didn’t look convinced. Sung Hyunjae was the same.

“Trust me a little. You always said you trusted me.”

“I trust what hyung does. But I don’t think hyung will take care of himself properly. That’s always the case.”

Well, that’s true. But I’ve gotten a lot better lately.

“Um… anyway, if we go separately, Yoohyun, you’d prefer Noah, right?”

“I’m going alone to join hyung.”

“No, it’s a waste of an invitation. I got plenty, but I don’t know when we’ll be able to meet. Take Peace with you. Sung Hyunjae-ssi [formal address suffix], have you talked to Chief Song?”

“Don’t I have a prior engagement? I’m waiting for an answer.”

“Huh? When… don’t tell me it’s Gyeol? Don’t bother the kid!”

Besides, if it’s a broadcast, Gyeol won’t be able to speak properly. We could remove the audio, though.

Thanks to Yerim quickly sweeping away the monsters, we were soon outside. All three of us ate cookies again.

“I’ll be billing you for the coat.”

I put Sung Hyunjae in the undamaged pocket and held Yoohyun in both hands.

“Let’s cheer up, huh?”

He’s even cuter when he’s sulking while small. It reminded me of when he was little, and I wanted to give him a kiss on the cheek. But that’s a bit much at this age.

“Hanyuhyun seems to be doing that on purpose.”

“I did break my promise. Be good, Yoohyun. Look at hyung.”

“…Uncle.”

“Well, because you’re small, it feels like you’ve gotten younger.”

“Look properly. The proportions are the same!”

“Yerim too.”

“…Don’t look at me like that, it’s embarrassing! I’m fifteen!”

Yerim shouted, turning her body away. Yeah, yeah. You’ve grown up.

We got into the waiting car and headed to the Breeding Ground. Reporters approached, but after confirming that there was no one in the back seat, they obediently retreated.

“Breaker Guild Leader gave an interview a little while ago.”

Seok Simyeong, who was waiting for us, said.

“The organizer of this party contacted Hanyujin Director first, and thanks to Hanyujin Director’s arrangement, most of the Korean S-rank Hunters obtained invitations.”

“What’s the reaction?”

“It’s not bad.”

“And Sesung Guild has contacted the Breeding Ground several times.”

Kyung-hoon hyung [older brother – a term of endearment and respect], who was standing slightly behind Seok Simyeong like an apprentice, said. Seok Simyeong looked at Sung Hyunjae with an expression that said, ‘Why aren’t you leaving?’ Sung Hyunjae reached out and lightly patted my shoulder.

“Then, Hanyujin Director, I hope you don’t overdo it, and I’ll be waiting for your call.”

“Yes, please go in carefully. If you hear any important news, I would appreciate it if you would let me know.”

“Of course, I will.”

Sung Hyunjae turned around and left with a polite smile. Yerim muttered that it was awkward to call them ‘uncles’. Why, it’s normal.

“Currently, several broadcasting companies from various countries are trying to contact Channel Chatterbox. It’s because of the broadcasting rights.”

“Because viewership is guaranteed. What about ABC in the US? I heard they received the video.”

“They are being careful, saying they only received the video. There’s also talk that they might do an internet broadcast.”

“Any new news from Chatterbox, the prophet?”

“No. And it seems like we need to show our faces at Haeyeon and Dodam as well.”

Seok Simyeong organized the data and handed it to Yoohyun and me. Yerim subtly avoided Seok Simyeong’s gaze and stepped back.

“Do you have barley tea here?”

“We also have brown rice tea. Yoohyun, you can do an interview right away, right?”

“Yeah. Since Breaker Guild Leader took the lead, it would be good to nail down the fact that hyung didn’t steal the invitation.”

“Sesung will probably cooperate too.”

“Since it’s known that the Guild Leader is at the Breeding Ground… I’ll prepare a place in the Breeding Ground building. I’ve already contacted the friendly reporters in advance.”

Seok Simyeong looked at me as he picked up his phone and made a call.

“What will you do, Director Han?”

“I… I’ll hold a press conference tomorrow.”

Yoohyun, Seok Simyeong, and Seo Kyung-hoon all gave me worried looks at the same time.

“If you don’t filter the reporters, there will be a lot of aggressive questions.”

“But if you filter them, they’ll find fault with that.”

“Are you really… thinking of attending the party?”

Seok Simyeong asked with a ‘no way’ face. Kyung-hoon hyung also looked embarrassed.

“Yes. Safety is guaranteed.”

Seo Kyung-hoon and Seok Simyeong both seemed speechless. It must sound absurd to the two of them, who don’t know the situation well. Let’s put off the fact that I’m participating alone for now. I’ll be treated like a madman.

“That’s not… a good choice, I think.”

“That’s right. You’re not a combat type, Director.”

“It’s a party, so you don’t necessarily have to fight.”

“…I remember you participating in the preliminaries.”

Seok Simyeong politely wrapped up the words that meant, ‘You rolled around in that state, and it was broadcasted today, so what nonsense are you talking about?’ That was actually a fight I proposed.

“First, let’s watch for a day, and if the reaction from the press conference isn’t good, I’ll just say I’ll refrain from activities~ and that’s it.”

If this fails, it will be difficult for me to step out publicly anyway. I’ll have to become a quietly cared-for F-rank, like I’ve been pretending to be until now. Sending precious people to the Chatterbox party and watching them from across the TV, sucking my fingers.

I felt a little stuffy. Yoohyun reached out and took my hand. Yerim quickly came over and grabbed my other hand. While worried, Seok Simyeong and Seo Kyung-hoon answered that they would prepare as I wanted.

“I should go to bed early today.”

“Shall I put on a face pack for you?”

“I don’t like applying them. Especially that black one last time, Rangi was startled.”

“Peace didn’t like it because of the smell either.”

Yoohyun left to do the interview. While I was looking through the received data and waiting, Yerim went home and brought Peace, Gyeol, and Ppiyak.

– Kkiuung.

“Here, Uncle. Hug Peace, hug Gyeol, and put Ppiyak on your head.”

– Ppiyak.

Gyeol stuck to my cheek and whispered softly, ‘Dad.’ Peace on my lap licked my finger. Ppiyak rolled down from Peace as if falling and rolled around again. Cute. Come to think of it, I haven’t updated my SNS recently. It would look strange if I posted it now.

“Peace, you’re fluffy~”

– Kkiang!

I shouldn’t, but even if things go wrong, just in case. I had a feeling that it wouldn’t be the worst. Because there are many people who will stay by my side this time. I’ll be able to get back on my feet. As much as I want.

I tried to relax and not think about anything as much as possible. Nevertheless, the day was long, and the night was even longer. Even the food that Myungwoo carefully prepared didn’t go down well this time. I didn’t want to worry them, but my body wasn’t cooperating.

“Any dungeon?”

“Yeah. But you don’t necessarily have to go.”

Myungwoo said, saying he would make porridge because I couldn’t eat properly.

“I’m quite interested in creating a world inside a dungeon.”

“But it was really hard, right?”

“Because it was far beyond my current level. But I’m not going to refuse since he said he’d teach me.”

A slight expectation flickered across Myungwoo’s face.

“I like things that work. Things that show various movements. The more diverse the results of those movements, the better.”

Is that why Myungwoo likes making items other than weapons more? Because weapons are mainly used to kill opponents. It’s simple if it’s simple.

“I’m glad if you like it, but don’t overdo it.”

“You’re the one who shouldn’t overdo it, Yujin. I’m healthier than before.”

Myungwoo frowned slightly, and my shoulders shrank on their own. We’re both overworking, so why is it just me? I felt wronged.

The press conference was held at the Hunter Association, not the Breeding Ground or Haeyeon. It was to create a neutral atmosphere. Noah and Seo Kyung-hoon accompanied me on the way to the association. The others had gone to the association first, and I got out of the parking lot with the two of them at the appointed time. Fortunately, the association staff blocked them in advance, so no one approached. But the cameras were diligently capturing me from all directions.

I smiled at the lens and moved into the building. I saw Song Taewon in the lobby.

“Hello, Chief Song.”

He bowed slightly to me. Chief Song also had a faint look of worry in his eyes.

“Has permission been granted upstairs?”

“I haven’t received an answer yet, but it seems like I’ll be able to attend.”

There’s already talk that we’re tying up too many precious S-rank Hunters. Now that Korea is stable, it would be difficult to block participation in a party with great rewards. There were many complaints about not participating in the ranking match before the regression. At that time, Korea wasn’t as safe as it is now, so I was able to smooth things over.

“Hanyujin-ssi [formal address suffix] is…….”

“I’m okay.”

I entered the waiting room, telling him not to worry. It was full of welcoming faces. And soon after, I opened the door and stepped out alone.