The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 542

540. Lightly (3)

“There are no ranking changes as Sung Hyunjae Hunter and Evelyn Hunter exchanged help!”

Bang, pop! Fireworks went off. Flower petals even began to scatter in the empty air. Was Chatterbox really just trying to put on an entertainment show? Like those athletic meets they used to have with celebrities. I was genuinely curious about what kind of spectacle this funeral was turning into.

Brushing off the dirt and dust from my body, I looked around. The finish line was about 3 meters behind where I had fallen. I wondered if they could really aim that well, but as expected, they were an S-Class archer.

Yoohyun, Noah, and even Riette were still nowhere to be seen. Usually, arrows are slower than bullets, but Evelyn was S-Class, using an S-Class bow, and even used a skill, so the speed must have been incredible. I roughly smoothed down my disheveled hair and looked up at the cameras spinning around in the air. Should I say something?

“Han Yoojin Hunter.”

At that moment, the staff member approached and whispered.

“The part where you eat the cookie has been edited out~”

“Pardon?”

“As per the contract, the use of unknown dungeon items and skills will be automatically edited out as much as possible. However, skills that are actively revealed, like in Evelyn Hunter’s case, will be broadcast as is.”

Ah… so only the part where I ate the cookie was cut, and the part where I shrank and was shot out went on air as is. It was according to the contract, but it was more considerate than I thought. Still, it was revealed that I could shrink.

“2nd place! Noah Ruhir Hunter, 3rd place Moon Hyuna Hunter!”

Shortly after, the staff member shouted in succession. A golden dragon flapped its wings greatly and approached above my head.

“I thought we’d be first, of course!”

– Yoojin-ssi, congratulations.

“Noah-ssi too.”

Following that, Yoohyun and Peace arrived, and Yerim teleported across the finish line carrying Song Taewon. Almost immediately, Riette slammed on the ground, screeching to a halt. Hunters tumbled down from the back of the black dragon.

“Ugh, my back.”

“The ride was the worst.”

“I have scale marks on my body.”

The S-Class Hunters were still okay, but one A-Class Hunter collapsed on the ground, groaning. Still, they managed to avoid elimination thanks to Riette.

Most of the invitations were used by two S-Classes, but there were also some who accompanied A-Class Hunters instead because they didn’t have S-Class Hunters who were close enough to form a team. A well-coordinated A-Class might be more advantageous in a team battle than mismatched S-Classes.

‘Well, they could have just carried them and ran.’

In reality, Yoohyun and Moon Hyuna had only Peace and Noah flying hard.

“I was surprised, hyung [older brother/term of endearment]. You’re not hurt, are you?”

– Kkiang!

Yoohyun checked my body, and the shrunken Peace hovered around my feet. Yerim created a large water droplet and sent it over, telling me to wash my face.

“Your face is a mess too.”

“Thanks.”

– I thought I would be next after Noah!

“Unni [older sister/term of endearment], in times like this, you should say congratulations, well done, amazing! That’s our Noah!”

Kang Soyoung egged on, and Noah, who had returned to human form, wore a bewildered expression. Did Soyoung-ssi’s older brothers praise her like that? The giant dragon tilted its head.

– Isn’t it obvious? Noah is the fastest among us. Hyuna also has skills.

“I was praised a lot even when I was taking my first steps! There’s even a video left.”

“No, you don’t have to do that.”

Noah took a step back, looking very awkward.

“We decided to live our own lives, didn’t we? I know that Nuna [older sister/term of endearment] is different from ordinary people…”

– That’s right, I’m still like that. But Noah, you’ve changed.

Riette said cheerfully.

– You were my obedient, kind, pretty, and weak little brother. When you were young, you were like a flower.

“…Pardon?”

– Pretty but useless, weak, and easily dies.

I wondered if that was a compliment or an insult, but for Riette, it was neither, just a pure impression. To be exact, it was closer to affection… because if it were someone other than Noah, she wouldn’t have cared and would have abandoned them.

– But you’ve become prettier and quite strong! So, after much consideration, I thought I’d try to imitate you.

Not just because of Kang Soyoung’s advice, but because Noah had changed. The inherently unsociable S-Class wanted to match Noah a little. The metallic dragon’s eyes narrowed as if smiling.

– Good job!

“…Ah, yes……”

Noah nodded awkwardly and turned his gaze away. I couldn’t fully know what he was thinking, but he didn’t seem to dislike it. After all, she was family who had taken care of him since he was young. People’s hearts can’t be cut off sharply like cutting a radish.

Besides, Noah seemed to think highly of his sister, no matter what. Riette’s praise would probably mean the most to him.

With a slight difference in timing, the jeep also arrived. Evelyn, who had been sitting on the roof of the car, lightly jumped off, stepping on the front of the car just before crossing the finish line, and landed inside the line first. Her elegant appearance, which was too out of place against the wasteland background, looked like she was filming an advertisement. The car stopped, and Sung Hyunjae, Gyeol, and Vanessa got out.

“Han Yoojin Hunter-nim [formal title]! Please come up here!”

A stage had appeared out of nowhere, and the staff member pulled me up. I felt a slight chill at the atmosphere of having to smile brightly and give an acceptance speech. No, I don’t like this kind of thing very much……. Yoohyun, Yerim, Noah, and the rest all took out their phones at once. Except for Peace. Song Department Head was… filming the jeep. Hey, you’re not going to get a ticket when you go back to Korea, are you? Or are you going to confiscate it?

“The 1st place Han Yoojin Hunter will be awarded ten gold coins and a special prize!”

“…Thank you.”

It was nice to receive, but my mood became very dirty when I thought that the object of my gratitude was Chatterbox.

“Some say it’s stingy, but the viewers’ reactions are quite good~”

I followed the rules perfectly, so what, why.

“Evelyn Hunter was also impressive, but Sung Hyunjae Hunter and her surprisingly worked well together! Is the rumor that they had a falling out false?”

“Didn’t you see them exchanging gold coins? It’s business. And it’s common for people from the same country to help each other when they come abroad.”

Even if it’s like this and that. Even if they are enemies in Korea, they are compatriots outside. More than that, what is this really?

‘…It’s unnecessarily friendly.’

Are you planning to make a wholesome program that the whole family can enjoy? Although I committed unlicensed drunk driving and illegal dumping, the atmosphere was too bright. At this rate, they’ll really have cooking contests or singing contests.

Was Chatterbox really planning to purely enjoy the funeral, the festival itself, and then detonate it at the end? Or did he have other intentions? I would have been more comfortable with a heavy, blood-splattered atmosphere.

“Finally, a word of acceptance!”

“…I look forward to working with you in the future.”

I forced a bright smile. The staff member approached Noah, Moon Hyuna, Yoohyun, and Peace’s team, and Sung Hyunjae came towards me.

“Here’s your coat and car keys.”

“Thank you.”

Put the car back in… Song Department Head was staring at me silently. I hesitated and obediently handed over the car keys.

“Han Yoojin-ssi.”

“There’s only one of these. I would have gotten my license right away if I had a regular license, I really would have.”

“…Please be careful even if you don’t get drunk. It’s a broadcast.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll drink cola next time.”

“And the car… keep it. External laws do not apply to dungeon exploration methods. However, you must never take it out outside, and we will confiscate it immediately after returning to Korea.”

Song Department Head sighed and said. Oh, thank you. I quickly put the car back in the drawer.

The Moon Hyuna and Noah team, who came in 2nd and 3rd place, received five gold coins each and a prize, and Peace and Yoohyun received three gold coins each. The next 20 people received one gold coin each.

Then, the place changed in an instant. It wasn’t the original hall, but a wide banquet hall. A buffet of food and drinks was laid out. An orchestra was playing music on one side. It was changing too quickly.

“Combat is prohibited during breaks. Please refrain from using skills as well.”

“Many lounges are prepared. Please tell the staff if you need anything.”

“The banquet hall will be filmed and broadcast live in 5 minutes. If you do not wish to participate, please move to the lounge.”

It seemed to mean to eat and rest after running around. Moving was only possible randomly, and I was scattered from the kids again, so I was about to look for them when a hunter spoke to me.

“I saw it, Han Yoojin-ssi.”

“…Yes?”

“I could see it there too.”

The hunter held up his phone. Ah… he was running while watching the broadcast. The hunter laughed, saying that he barely avoided elimination. He lightly patted my shoulder, telling me to work hard in the future, and passed by. I thought he was quite friendly to me, but Evelyn’s voice was heard quietly.

“S-Class is S-Class.”

“Yes?”

“There are upper-level hunters who dislike Han Yoojin-ssi, but the proportion of those who don’t care is probably higher. Because you are not a threat.”

Evelyn said calmly.

“Even if you are eliminated here, S-Class is still S-Class.”

Evelyn turned away, leaving the words not to give your heart easily. Yes, even if I’m embarrassed here, S-Class doesn’t become F-Class. It’s just a little embarrassing, but they’ll still eat well and live well. Even if the guild is damaged by bad luck, they are still S-Class.

‘…I’m not particularly drawing a big picture or anything.’

From beginning to end, I have only run for my personal wishes. So, even a slight change was a sweet bonus. I felt a little dirty.

– Kkeung!

“Hyung [older brother/term of endearment]!”

Peace found me first, and Yoohyun approached with him.

“That way!”

Yerim, instead of using a skill, grabbed Song Taewon’s shoulder and jumped up, pointing at us with her finger.

“Let’s go to the lounge and change our clothes first, and then eat.”

The kids were okay, but I had to change. I glanced up at the still-running camera and moved my steps. I have to show a friendly appearance. No matter what anyone says, it’s better for me to be here than not. That was certain.

After the meal, the eliminated people left the banquet hall. Some were just disappointed, but of course, there were also those who protested.

“Let me explore the dungeon instead! My skill is not suitable for long-distance travel!”

There was also talk that he would have been in first place if it had been underwater travel. Yerim is here, though. One of the hunters who heard that said to himself, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Even the F-Class stat is quiet, aren’t you ashamed.”

People’s gazes turned to me. Well, if we’re talking about unfairness with stats, I’m the most wronged. I shrugged my shoulders. This is probably being broadcast now too. It was a scene I had seen a lot. For example, various competitive reality shows……. There were always people protesting.

“You may be given another chance depending on the party’s progress!”

The staff member said. The fact that they didn’t confirm it was probably because of me. If I’m eliminated, Chatterbox will definitely bring me back with something like a loser’s revival match.

After all the eliminated people left, a large monitor appeared on one wall of the banquet hall. Then, the staff pushed a cart with thin bracelets lined up.

[This is a filming item with editing functions.]

Chatterbox’s voice flowed from the speakers throughout the banquet hall. A staff member picked up a bracelet and put it on his arm.

[It can be automatically adjusted to fit any part of the body.]

The monitor screen turned on, and the staff member wearing the bracelet appeared. The surrounding scenery was shown around the staff member. Suddenly, I wondered if my stock had failed again… Stamina potions are the focus, but Chatterbox……. Surely the Transcendentalist would bring out the filming item first. No, I won’t use it commercially anyway, but still! He took all the topicality [being of current interest].

[You can change the video and audio in real-time when using the item.]

It was said that you could simply register a keyword or action. The staff member registered the voice and then said video. Then, the staff member’s appearance on the monitor disappeared as if he had become an invisible man. Then, the video itself turned completely black.

[You can make only the wearer disappear, or you can stop the entire video. However, the videos of others filming in the same location will be broadcast as is.]

Another staff member put on a bracelet. The monitor split in half, and another video appeared.

[However, the person who stopped the broadcast still does not appear.]

The staff member who completely turned off the video did not appear in the other staff member’s video. Only the background was shown. …Good technology.

[The audio is the same as well.]

When only the audio was turned off, the staff member spoke, but no voice came out on the broadcast. He even stopped the movement of his mouth so that his lips could not be read. After explaining more manipulation functions, such as hiding skills or items, the staff handed out bracelets to the hunters.

Now the real broadcast is starting.

[From 10 a.m. tomorrow.]

The monitor screen changed. The Channel Chatterbox logo appeared, and a list of numerous channels appeared in a row.

[Apart from the integrated broadcast, hunters with bracelets will each have their own personal channel. There are no disadvantages if you do not broadcast. But.]

The channel list disappeared, and Chatterbox’s appearance appeared. The white mask held a soft smile.

[The more guests at the party, the more enjoyable it is.]

The more viewers, the more advantageous it would be. Leaving those words, the screen turned black. Leaving only the broadcast logo.

In the small murmur, the gazes towards me gradually increased. In that, I slowly fiddled with the bracelet. S-Classes are amazing. There’s only one in thousands or tens of thousands. But here, I’m the most unique.

‘Of course, I’ll be abandoned the fastest if I’m boring.’

I took a short breath and looked up at the Chatterbox logo. Even though it looks like this, I was popular on the internet even before the regression. It’s not a good memory, but anyway, I’m an experienced person.