The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 544

542. Preparing for the Broadcast (2)

“Our team is definitely at a disadvantage.”

Park Yerim said seriously. Song Taewon glanced down at his wristwatch, set to New York time. It was a watch sold at the Blue House souvenir shop, one of the items that had come into the Awakened Management Division [AMD, a government agency] during the last Chuseok [Korean harvest festival] holiday. At the AMD, wristwatches were frequently lost or broken, so they kept several spares. AMD hunters often carried other communication devices instead of expensive cell phones, increasing the demand.

“It’s late. Please go to bed.”

“Personal broadcasts are all about animals. Everyone else is an amateur. Their comments will all be the same; it’s all about the animals.”

Park Yerim ignored Song Taewon’s words and continued, “Looks are important, but we’re not behind in that area. But our team doesn’t have any animals!”

Park Yerim placed one foot on the round footstool and exclaimed, “Hahn Yoohyun has Peace! Just Kkiang alone would explode with subscriptions and likes! The Uncle’s SNS posts, rare as they are, are super popular. I don’t think Uncle even knows. Seseong Uncle has Gyeol! Reptiles aren’t as popular as cats, but they have a strong core following. Besides, Gyeol is cute. A squishy, tiny fairy dragon! I’d subscribe!”

“…….”

“And Noah oppa [term for older brother used by females] too, a golden dragon! A golden dragon! He even has feathered wings now. A complete angel dragon! Dragons are popular in both the East and West, but gold is game over. Who doesn’t like gold? Lastly, Riete unni [term for older sister used by females]! She’s not exactly a cute animal, but she’s a powerful black dragon! Black is also popular. Especially since she’s a giant dinosaur, kids go crazy for her. My friend with a four-year-old cousin says the spikier and rougher they look, the more popular they are!”

Song Taewon looked at his watch again. It was just past ten, so it wasn’t that late. What time do middle schoolers go to bed these days? Since it was a team strategy meeting, he couldn’t leave without a good reason, given his personality.

“So, we need something special too.”

“Like what…….”

“How about costumes? They do it a lot in America.”

“…….”

“I don’t really like dresses, but I’ll wear a sparkly sky-blue one as a special favor. I looked it up, and apparently, they don’t sue upper-level hunters if they just sign a simple contract saying they’ll manage their image.”

Song Taewon was silent. He had nothing to say, and he couldn’t even understand Park Yerim properly.

“Chief Song, you should wear a yellow dress.”

“…Excuse me?”

“It’s no fun if it’s ordinary. I think it would suit you well.”

“…I refuse.”

Song Taewon felt a dull ache in his usually sturdy stomach. He couldn’t easily discern how much of what she said was sincere and how much was a joke. It would be easier to deal with Seong Hyunjae… no, Park Yerim was just as formidable.

“Let’s spray water in Times Square and make an ice rink, then build an ice castle!”

“That’s not allowed.”

“I think they’d like it.”

“That’s not allowed.”

Park Yerim sent a sparkling gaze toward Song Taewon. At his refusal to even one request, Song Taewon sighed and repeated that it was not allowed. To Song Taewon, Park Yerim was like a combination of Hahn Yoojin and Seong Hyunjae. She caused far fewer accidents than those two, but she was difficult to handle.

Park Yerim was also someone he couldn’t easily touch, like Hahn Yoojin. A victim who lost her parents in a dungeon break at a young age, a minor who needed protection. She had all the points that would make Song Taewon weak. But at the same time, she was a powerful S-Class Hunter like Seong Hyunjae. A dangerous being who, in the ocean, would make any S-Class Hunter step back.

Therefore, Song Taewon still didn’t know how to deal with Park Yerim. He had also encountered Hahn Yoohyun when he was a minor, but he didn’t confront him with such personal emotions. He picked fights, but in other respects, he was mechanically detached. Because he had no personal feelings, he was easier to deal with. But Park Yerim…

“First, let’s decide on a team name!”

Seong Hyunjae and Hahn Yoojin overlapped on her radiant face. Still, at least.

“Yesong Controversy! I think I’ve heard of it somewhere.”

“…It’s a debate between the Seoin and Namin factions during the Joseon Dynasty [historical Korean kingdom] over etiquette.”

“Oh~ You’re such a civil servant!”

It was enough if Park Yerim was the only one suffering.

“Yes Song instead of Crazy Song!”

“Shouldn’t middle schoolers be going to bed soon?”

“Ten o’clock is dinnertime for me. I’ll lift Uncle Song with one hand, and Chief Song, you strike a pose. In an American style! Shall we practice?”

This too shall pass. Song Taewon desperately watched the agonizingly slow hands of the clock.

Noah landed on the decorative statue at the top of the hotel. His unfolded wings fluttered, folding back onto his back and disappearing.

[Are you still using the stealth skill? I can still see you.]

Moon Hyuna’s voice came through the earpiece.

[When you use the stealth skill, your appearance becomes blurry, and a caption appears saying ‘Stealth Applied.’ When I deleted the wearer at the same time as using stealth earlier, you disappeared completely without a caption.]

“It seems using stealth skills during the broadcast is treated as revealing the skill. I should let Yoojin know.”

Saying that, Noah turned his head. At the end of his gaze was a man climbing the wall. When Noah turned off the broadcast and released the stealth skill, he jumped up and approached.

“Hello, Arc Guild Leader.”

“Not anymore.”

Noah bowed slightly. The paparazzi known as P, he had known him since he was in France. To be exact, he had helped Noah when he created the guild as an auxiliary S-Class Hunter by publishing positive articles.

“You were the one who took Hahn Yoojin’s picture.”

“He’s the hottest topic these days! Is Ruhir going to end it like this? You’re the only one who created and established an S-Class auxiliary guild, it’s a waste. But thanks to you, several A and B-Class auxiliary guild leaders have emerged.”

Hunter guilds are centered around dungeon raids. Therefore, auxiliary types couldn’t become guild leaders of mid-level guilds or higher, let alone lower-level guilds. Not before Noah Ruhir. After the Arc Guild, new types of guilds began to appear, where auxiliary types created guilds and provided support to other guilds. As a result, the treatment of auxiliary hunters improved somewhat compared to the past. They could unite unlike before.

“It would be good to be active this time too. Besides the A-Class you brought on the team, they’re all combat types.”

“You’re still interested in that kind of thing. I told you back then, I only created the guild to survive.”

Because he wanted to escape from Riete. So, he had no particular attachment now. P grinned. Although it was hidden by the mask.

“I’m doing it as a side job. Hey, Angel. Relax your shoulders. The world is a mess, but it’s still going in a generally good direction. Compared to a few hundred years ago, the world these days is heaven.”

Saying that it would be okay to live moderately and things would work out, P lightly jumped and left. Noah watched him disappear over the building for a moment before returning to his room.

“Who was it?”

Moon Hyuna, who was standing in front of the TV, asked Noah.

“The paparazzi who was following Yoojin.”

“Ah, the one who took the magazine photos. Someone you know?”

“Yes. There’s no need to worry.”

Moon Hyuna slightly curved her eyes and looked at Noah.

“The way you say that, he must be a good person. It’s good to have as many people on Hyungnim’s [honorific term for older brother/male friend] side as possible. Here, I recorded the TV footage on my phone. But the quality turned out terrible.”

Moon Hyuna said that it seemed they had done something to only allow broadcasting through each channel.

“…Is this broadcast important to Moon Hyuna Hunter as well?”

Noah said, checking the recorded video. Moon Hyuna patted the back of her neck and nodded vaguely.

“Guild issues too, and you saw it. The imbalance in race and gender ratio. Even if hunter rank is the most important thing, it means that the people who can afford to attend these parties are ultimately limited.”

Korea, where the dungeons had become stable, was the only exception.

“So, I’m going to try to be in the top ranks. Something like that.”

Noah looked up from his phone and looked at Moon Hyuna. He had occasionally encountered her when Moon Hyuna frequently visited Seok Hayan’s lab. Both Moon Hyuna and Seok Hayan were always talking about something enthusiastically whenever he saw them. Both of them were full of life.

“I’ll try my best too.”

He didn’t have anything to call a clear goal yet, but it was still okay now. Suddenly, he thought of his sister. The giant dragon who was rampaging through the wasteland, repelling S-Class Hunters even today. The rough roar under the hot sun was vivid in his ears. …It was definitely okay.

– You can talk if there’s no one else around when we’re broadcasting!

The fairy dragon, transformed into a small size, fiddled with the filming bracelet wrapped around his neck.

– I’ll always keep the sound off.

That way, he didn’t have to keep silent even when the broadcast was on. Of course, he had to be careful in front of people who didn’t know about the changeling.

“It’s time to sleep.”

Seong Hyunjae said, looking at his custom-made wristwatch worth billions. Hangyeol spread his wings wide and hummed.

– I’ll take care of it myself.

“It’s something Hahn Yoojin asked me to do.”

– You don’t like me either. Don’t interfere.

Seong Hyunjae made a wronged expression.

“I like Seong Hangyeol─.”

– It doesn’t work on me, unless you’re Dad. Even if I’m mixed a lot, it’s still annoying, right? Isn’t it?

Seong Hyunjae reached out to the fairy dragon jumping on the bed. Hangyeol bit the tip of his finger.

“I’m an adult who knows how to endure that much. More than anything, it’s still quite fascinating.”

– Ugh, ugh, ooh, ooh.

Hangyeol mumbled with his finger in his mouth. Golden eyes stared intently at golden eyes. Seong Hyunjae smiled faintly.

“I don’t know why you hate me so much. I thought I treated you well. Is it genetic?”

– Because you’re dangerous to Dad!

“I admit that I treated Hahn Yoojin roughly once.”

Seong Hyunjae moved and sat back on the single sofa. The fairy dragon raised his ears and tail sharply and glared at him.

“If we’re talking about danger, isn’t it rather Hahn Yoohyun?”

– You more than Uncle!

Hangyeol shut his mouth tightly before he could shout. Seong Hyunjae’s eyes narrowed for a moment. It was certain that the fairy dragon was hiding something. Even a secret that Hahn Yoojin didn’t know yet.

Even if he was still young and immature, if that was part of himself, he wouldn’t be so hostile just because of past events. The current Seong Hyunjae should be friendly and try to protect Hahn Yoojin, as he was benevolent to him.

“If it’s because of what happened with Crescent Moon, I’m also a victim…….”

Pretending to be sad, Seong Hyunjae took out his phone. Hangyeol quickly flew over and grabbed Seong Hyunjae’s phone.

– Tattletale!

“Hahn Yoojin, our child is being fussy─.”

– Dad! Don’t listen! Don’t listen!”

“He bit my finger and hit me with his tail.”

– I didn’t! Dad, hang up! Good night!

[Uh… okay. Sleep well. Seong Hyunjae-ssi, don’t bother the kid.]

“I’m the one being bothered.”

Hahn Yoojin didn’t even pretend to listen, told Hangyeol to have good dreams, and hung up. The fairy dragon growled, went to the bed, curled up, and lay down.

– I’m going to sleep, get out.

“I can’t leave a child to sleep alone.”

– Then sleep on the sofa there.

The small body wriggled and turned away from Seong Hyunjae. Soon, only one night light remained, and the lights went out. Hangyeol closed his eyes and breathed softly. Seong Hyunjae’s presence was felt strongly enough to be unpleasant.

‘…That thing will swallow Dad whole.’

If he found out, he wouldn’t stand it. That thing would value himself more than anything else. Even if he pretended to care about Dad, unlike Uncle, he would ultimately prioritize himself. And Dad might accept that. An involuntary growl leaked out. So, he had to hide it until the end. He couldn’t tell anyone. He had to somehow keep that thing away before it noticed, with his own strength.

‘I don’t know what to do…….’

All he could do was warn that it was dangerous, shout like a child, and whine. The fairy dragon, sniffling and fidgeting, soon fell asleep.

Quietly, Seong Hyunjae watched the scene. In the darkness, the calmly sunken golden eyes blinked slowly. As Hangyeol said, the existence of that fairy dragon was like a small thorn that bothered him. But he tolerated it because his interest was greater than his discomfort. In addition, after receiving a name and being separated from Hahn Yoojin, he was gradually becoming a distinct individual.

At the latest, within a year or so, the sense that he was part of Seong Hyunjae would completely disappear.

‘…So, I wasn’t going to touch it.’

If he returned that thing to himself, would he be able to find out what he was hiding? At the chilling gaze, Hangyeol stirred in his sleep.

“Hahn Yoojin would be angry.”

– …Dad, don’t, act friendly……!

As if having a nightmare, Hangyeol got angry and lay on his back, exposing his belly. Seong Hyunjae took out a handkerchief and covered the fairy dragon’s belly.