The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 62

62. Preparation Complete (2)

“You finally contacted me. Should I get my hopes up?”

Seok Hayan’s eyes sparkled as she sat in the chair across from me. Today, she was wearing a flamboyant long dress that looked like it belonged at a resort. Large pineapple-shaped earrings dangled from her ears.

“Let’s start by looking at this.”

I handed her the tablet containing data from the Japanese dungeon. Her white fingers swiped across the tablet a couple of times, and her eyes widened.

“This is…”

Seok Hayan’s fingers moved faster. Her gaze darted up and down, busy with the information. After a short while, she placed the tablet on the table. She took a deep breath and opened her mouth.

“This is definitely thoroughly researched data, right?”

“Yes, it is. I guarantee it.”

“So much data in such a short amount of time… And it’s systematically organized and summarized so well.”

“Are there any areas that need supplementation?”

“Don’t ask me that. I haven’t even investigated many domestic dungeons yet. The Hunter Association isn’t very cooperative. Of course, it’s strange to give permission to someone who isn’t prepared, but that’s why I was trying to set up a research lab.”

“By the way, has the Haeyeon Guild contacted you about the research lab issue?”

Seok Hayan nodded.

“My uncle said he’s willing to help, but I don’t want to be affiliated with any one guild. I don’t want the research results on dungeons to be used too commercially. Of course, I’m not saying the Haeyeon Guild would do that, but I hope dungeon information can be freely available to anyone who pays an equal cost.”

“That’s a truly admirable mindset. I agree with you. But if you come up with something useful, it will be difficult for you to protect it on your own.”

At my words, Seok Hayan’s brow furrowed slightly.

“That’s true, isn’t it? Should I cooperate with the Haeyeon Guild after all?”

“That wouldn’t be bad, but I’d like to make you a proposal.”

“From Han Yoojin?”

“Yes. You know I’m building a monster breeding facility, right?”

“Of course. I saw it under construction on my way here. Ah, could it be!”

*Thump.* Seok Hayan’s hand slammed on the table.

“I saw it on the news! The monster breeding facility being built now and the building next to it will be protected by five guilds for the next five years, right? Are you offering me space for my research lab?”

‘She’s quick on the uptake. I won’t need to explain much.’

“Yes, that’s right. You’ll be guaranteed safety for at least five years. An A-rank Hunter will be stationed there, and you can receive support from the Haeyeon Guild right next door in case of an emergency.”

Of course, this won’t be enough once research results start coming out.

‘I’ll need an S-rank Hunter after all.’

The Riet siblings would be perfect. Or even just the younger sibling. They’re not affiliated with a guild, and they’re highly skilled. I’ve already followed them [on social media]. I was planning to build up some public rapport by commenting on each other’s posts before contacting them in earnest.

‘The best thing would be a top-tier monster, though.’

Demonic beasts are much less likely to be swayed or betray you compared to people. And they won’t be away on dungeon raids. The problem is that, currently, it’s even harder to find a top-tier monster cub than an S-rank Hunter. There are only two right now: Peace, and one that’s coming by ship.

Guilds capable of raiding S-rank dungeons wouldn’t want to give up their monster cubs. If all else fails, should I just have the one they were planning to give me for protection assigned to her? Well, I’ll have plenty of them around me soon enough.

Although it’s only Haeyeon for now, once monster cubs start coming in from various places, the guilds will take it upon themselves to protect them even more thoroughly, thinking of the cubs. It’s a bit much to say this about the kids, but it’s a kind of hostage situation. Or should I say, a monster-hostage situation?

“Most importantly, it’s a place that leading guilds from both domestic and international will seek out on their own. Especially Hunters who mainly raid high-level dungeons with relatively little data. And they’ll be visiting as subordinates, so it won’t be difficult to obtain information. Of course, I’m willing to cooperate in this area as well. Furthermore, since high-level Hunters will be the ones who need the dungeon research results the most, you can build connections with them separately. Depending on what you do, the research lab can grow as much as you want without my help.”

It could become not just a research lab, but a completely independent, massive institution.

“Ah…”

Seok Hayan froze.

“Oh, really? I guess so?”

“At least all the S-rank Hunters will visit at least once. Especially if they need to entrust a top-tier monster, they’ll have no choice but to come in person, even if they’re anxious.”

Or at least send several A-rank Hunters along.

“Um, I’m, honestly, not very good at that kind of thing.”

Seok Hayan said hesitantly.

“My grandfather has a lot of connections, so I didn’t have to ask for favors much while getting my degree. So, I’m not very good at negotiating or bargaining with results, rather than just presenting at research conferences… I’m good at holing myself up in the lab for three months straight, though.”

“You made a good proposal to me, though, didn’t you?”

“Oh, that was more of a head-on collision than a proposal. And I thought of Han Yoojin as a fellow researcher.”

True, she just shouted, “Let’s research together! Let’s cooperate!”

“Don’t worry. You can’t handle everything alone in the first place, and you shouldn’t.”

It would be a waste of Seok Hayan to do all the trivial tasks. And experts should handle related negotiations.

“You’re not going to run the research lab alone, are you?”

“No, no! Of course not. Oh, would you like to see this?”

Seok Hayan held out her phone. On the screen was a photo of Seok Hayan and five men and women who appeared to be foreigners. They were of various ages and races, from her age to middle-aged and elderly.

“It’s D-Mate. It’s a research group for dungeons and Awakened people that’s been around for two years.”

“A research group?”

“Yes. Of course, I haven’t told them about the data Han Yoojin is going to provide yet. If it’s okay with you, can I bring my friends? They’ll all love it.”

At her words, I looked at the photo more closely. The gray-haired old man and middle-aged woman looked familiar. They were researchers who belonged to Dungeon Persons with Seok Hayan. They had appeared on TV a few times with Seok Hayan as representatives, so I vaguely remembered them.

“If they’re people you can trust, I welcome them.”

“That’s a bit of a burden to hear.”

“A burden? It’s your research lab in the first place.”

“Still, you’re helping me so much, so I can’t just do whatever I want. Oh, this is Jayden. He’s more interested in Awakened people than dungeons, so if it’s a place where high-level Hunters visit often, he’ll try to stick around even if he has to pay. If he hears the story, he won’t be able to sleep for three days and two nights and will be looking for Jesus [be extremely excited].”

Seok Hayan’s face, as she introduced the other members of the group, seemed to shine brightly. Her voice was also cheerful, like singing. They seemed to be a very close-knit team.

‘If I just give them adequate support, they seem like they’ll do well on their own.’

She had a research group. Well, there’s no way someone who’s passionately interested in dungeons and capable hasn’t been doing anything all this time.

“Take the tablet with you for now.”

“Is that okay? Aren’t you worried about data leaks?”

“It’s just some dungeons in Japan anyway. And I’d like you to research something other than the dungeon generation rules first. Like mana saturation.”

“But wouldn’t the generation rules be the most urgent?”

“That’s true, but just for a while. There’s something else I need to check separately.”

There’s the Riet issue, and the dungeon generation rules may have changed from the original future. I’ll have to check with the system people in a few days.

I hope they tell me everything this time, clearly and thoroughly.

* * *

When I returned home, Myungwoo was pacing anxiously in the living room. He was circling the table like he was doing a pagoda procession [walking around a sacred object as a form of worship].

[Sharpening 10,000 Blades (Progress 9,839/10,000)]

There were less than two hundred left. It’s ending today.

“Are you that nervous?”

Myungwoo stopped walking abruptly. His eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn’t slept well last night.

“…I think I did it too fast. What if I rushed it too much and something weird comes out that’s D-rank or lower?”

“That won’t happen.”

I said firmly, took out Peace, and went to my room to bring Piyo. I put Piyo on my head and held Peace in my arms. It’s troublesome because they both want to stick to me. At least Piyo stays quietly away for an hour or two if I give him a mana stone bottle, but Peace doesn’t have anything like that. I hope he doesn’t keep asking me to hold him even when he’s all grown up.

“But… if something useless comes out, you’ll be disappointed, right…?”

“Even if that’s the case, don’t be too disappointed.”

Of course, an SS-rank skill will come out, but even if there’s a system error and it fails, the fact that Yoo Myungwoo is amazing doesn’t change. He has the ability to succeed and live well right away if he just chooses the right direction.

“No, I mean you…”

Myungwoo said with a gloomy expression. Huh? Me?

“Me? No, I have no reason to be disappointed.”

At my words, his gloomy face evolved into a deathly one.

“You don’t have any expectations at all…?”

“No, no. It’s not that I don’t have expectations. Of course I do. If I didn’t have any expectations, I wouldn’t have waited for the last day like this to go with you, right? It’s just that you’re already amazing enough to me as you are, so even if you don’t get any skills at all, I have no reason to be disappointed. Not just me, but Yerim comes to raid the fridge all the time, too.”

One day, she grabbed me and said, ‘You absolutely can’t spread the rumor that Myungwoo oppa [older brother, term of endearment] is a good cook. We won’t have enough to eat,’ and then went on for over an hour with food reviews. I don’t know why she’s giving me the reviews instead of Myungwoo.

“Honestly, you could be a huge success if you went into the food service industry instead of being a Hunter. A full-fledged restaurant would be busy and difficult, so something like a cafe would be good. You could hire someone for the drinks and just make and sell some cookies or cakes, and there would be a line so long you could open a franchise. I can give you a place anytime you want.”

I’d be sad if Myungwoo got too busy, so I’m against opening a proper restaurant. It would definitely be packed.

“…Thanks for the thought, but I don’t really want to do that.”

“Really?”

That’s unexpected. …Could it be that he doesn’t like cooking? There was no sign of that at all.

“Calm down and let’s go downstairs. We have to see it through to the end.”

“Okay.”

Myungwoo, who was walking towards the entrance, suddenly stopped and turned to look at me.

“Whatever the result, thank you so much. I mean it. So, if you’re not disappointed, I’ll be okay too.”

“I told you I won’t be disappointed.”

After I said it again, Myungwoo’s expression brightened.

* * *

I went down to the equipment management team with Myungwoo. Of course, an A-rank Hunter accompanied us, and somehow I ended up holding Piyo and Peace as well. He wouldn’t get out of my arms. Maybe it’s because I’ve been busy going through dungeons and haven’t been able to pay attention to him lately, so he’s being stubborn for once, so I just brought him along.

Thanks to that, the gazes of the equipment management team people became strange, but whatever. Maybe I should have put Piyo on my shoulder instead of my head. But he can’t balance well on my shoulder.

The workshop Myungwoo had been using had changed a lot compared to when I first came. Two new large shelves had been added, the organization was neat, and the lighting had been replaced with brighter ones. The chair in front of the grinder also looked more comfortable and better than the previous one.

“Looks like people have been paying attention to you?”

Myungwoo scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed face.

“Yeah. They said I’m working hard. One day, Mr. Minseok watched me sharpen a knife and told me to join the management team if I was interested. He said I could make up for my lack of strength with equipment.”

That’s a natural reaction after seeing that. It was so cool that it captivated anyone who saw it.

“You’re amazing, after all.”

He was smiling awkwardly, and it seemed like he had definitely thrown away his nervousness.

Yoo Myungwoo took his place in front of the grinder with a familiar attitude. I brought the original chair that had been pushed to the corner and sat down. When the power was turned on and the machine started running,

– Piyo!

Piyo was startled and fluttered, falling onto my lap, onto Peace. He flipped over for a moment, then got up and tried to run towards the machine, so I quickly grabbed him. Was he surprised, or was he just curious about the grinder?

“Stay still.”

In the meantime, Myungwoo was skillfully sharpening the knife. Still accurate, fast, and the uninterrupted movements were fluid.

[Sharpening 10,000 Blades (Progress 9,843/10,000)]

The numbers on the status window that was turned on also went up without stopping. Peace didn’t seem very interested, but Piyo was watching the knife sharpening with his beak wide open. Does he know what he’s watching? Even if you don’t know, it’s a sight that captivates the eyes.

Before I could feel bored, the number surpassed 9,900. Ninety-one, twenty, thirty.

He usually rests after sharpening about forty or fifty knives, but today he doesn’t stop his hands for a moment. I was worried that he would get sick again, but it’s the last time, so it’ll be okay.

And finally,

Clang.

The ten thousandth knife fell onto the pile of knives on the floor.

(Progress 10,000/10,000)

The condition in the status window disappeared faintly. I looked at Yoo Myungwoo, who had stopped moving. There was no change in his appearance. But his gaze was fixed on the air. He was looking at a message window that I couldn’t see.

Did he succeed? Did it come out properly?

I felt a sense of anxiety that I hadn’t felt before.

“…Myungwoo?”

Say something. Then I heard a rough intake of breath. Thick tears streamed down his cheeks and fell to the ground. The machine had completely stopped, and the scattered blades were quietly reflecting the light.

I waited quietly. I didn’t have to wait long.

The chair slid back, and Yoo Myungwoo got up from his seat. The face that turned to look at me was bright without a trace of tears.

He was confident.

“Yoojin.”

“Yeah.”

His voice was calm. My voice was shaking more.

“I got an SS-rank skill.”

As soon as I heard those words, a smile naturally spread across my face. Even though I knew it would happen, I laughed as if I didn’t know at all. I didn’t need to pretend to be happy, I was really happy.

“Congratulations.”

I didn’t say much. As if that was enough, he smiled too.