The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 65

“I’m only going to Awaken some high-ranking Hunters or people with skills that are really hard to come by. I’ll just be confirming the rest.”

Once you figure out their aptitude, you can then create an environment to induce Awakening. Unlike optimized Awakening, the success rate will be lower, but there’s nothing I can do about that.

“If I give you the data, other people will have to take care of the rest. How can I take care of everything one by one? I can’t do it.”

“You’re pretty stubborn for an old man.”

“Stubborn or whatever, who wants to suffer unnecessarily?”

Yerim widened her eyes exaggeratedly.

“Right in front of you. That’s why the Guild Leader is giving you the cold shoulder.”

“…When is that kid going to get over it? Is she still like that? Not at all?”

“She’s completely down. Honestly, Guild Leader, I know you’re worried about Ahjussi [a respectful Korean term for an older man], but it seems excessive to others. What difference does it make if you add one or two more skills? It’s like a gold nugget that everyone wants becoming twice as big—everyone still wants it just the same.”

That was absolutely right. Whether I add the fact that I can figure out the expected Awakening rank and skills or not, the guys who are trying to mess with me will stay the same.

“It’s true that she’s being excessive, but I still have to appease her. We even agreed to go into a dungeon together.”

Should I buy her flowers?

“Nah, instead, make it clear this time. Tell her to interfere less. And then come to me!”

…What’s with the ‘come to me’? You’re already under Haeyeon.

“You can go to the dungeon with me! I can now clear low-level dungeons by myself quickly.”

Yerim said confidently. Come to think of it, she said she’d be level 30 soon. If it doesn’t work out, should I go with Yerim?

“Do you have time?”

“I’m an S-Rank Hunter, you know. I make my own schedule! Just say the word.”

“Hey, you have to consider the other Hunters who are moving with you. You can’t act like that just because you’re an S-Rank.”

“I can let them know in advance. When are you going?”

“Hmm… hold on. I’ll check with Yoohyun.”

I sent a text to Yoohyun, saying that if he was busy, I’d go to the dungeon with Yerim. I got a reply right away.

[No need. I’ve made time.]

“He says he’ll go.”

“Ah— I knew it!”

Yerim looked deflated.

“Go with me too!”

“Alright, next time.”

“If possible, to a scenic place, with a packed lunch!”

Is this a picnic? Well, a low-level dungeon is pretty much picnic-level.

* * *

After being soaked in mana potions and spending the entire afternoon, I found two B-Rank special skill holders.

I couldn’t attempt Awakening right away, so I passed the list to the Association. Considering the failure rate, I want to find at least ten people, so I hope tomorrow is as productive as today.

If not, I’ll have to try with people of lower ranks. Right now, I just need to show solid proof.

‘Tomorrow is Garosu-gil [a trendy street in Seoul], right.’

Renting a good first-floor location was a task. With money, almost anything is possible.

“Peace, Bbyak, were you two good?”

I wanted to take them both, but the law doesn’t allow it unless it’s a Hunter-related facility. It’s not like I’m going alone, and I have A-Ranks or higher with me, so why not? I need to poke the Association to do some work.

“You’re here?”

As I was feeding the kids, Myungwoo popped out of thin air. Like yesterday, his face looked terrible.

He’s going to kill himself at this rate.

“It’s not urgent, so why don’t you take it easy?”

At my words, Myungwoo gave a weary smile.

“I’ll create at least A-Rank Hunters before the construction is finished. The goal is S-Rank.”

“Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?”

“It’s rewarding suffering, so it’s okay. It’s much better than when the future was bleak. That wasn’t living. This is real living.”

Real living, huh. Hearing that, I couldn’t stop him anymore. I should get him the tonic Kim Sunghan sent.

* * *

After using the Sprout Skill until it was worn out, I found three more B-Rank special skill holders. There was also a combat Hunter with B-Rank stats. If it hadn’t rained, I might have found more. I didn’t think about the weather as a variable.

‘Busy streets aren’t bad, but going around companies or schools would reduce duplicate confirmations.’

Or maybe hospitals would be good. It’s always good to have more Healers, even if they’re low-ranked, so a nationwide tour… No, no.

Once the special Awakening center is built, there will be plenty of people coming, so there’s no need to create more work here. Let the Association and Guilds take care of it.

I’m going to play.

“Peace, we’re going to a dungeon today.”

– Grrr.

I said, stroking Peace’s neck.

“It’s where you used to live, do you remember? …It’s probably not a good memory.”

From Peace’s perspective, humans killed his family and kidnapped him. …Can he even get along with Yoohyun?

“But I can’t just not clear the dungeon. Eventually, there will be groups that advocate for the survival rights of monsters.”

They argued that dungeon outbreaks are natural phenomena and wanted to create monster protection zones outside the dungeons. It’s ridiculous. Would the monsters stay quietly within the protection zones? You need to be able to communicate to even attempt coexistence. Monsters attack people on sight.

“But my brother isn’t a bad guy. …He might be the ultimate villain to you. I’ll tell him to treat you well.”

Hugging Peace, I patted him. I wish he didn’t have any memories of the dungeon. He doesn’t seem to be hostile to Yoohyun, so maybe he doesn’t remember.

– Bbyak!

Only hugging Peace, Bbyak circled around my feet as if asking to be picked up too.

“I can’t take you. D-Rank dungeons are dangerous.”

– Bbyak?

“No.”

Saying it again, he looks dejected as if he understood. He’s been showing a lot of different expressions lately. He’s interested in more than just food.

“Wait here quietly.”

– Bbi bbi.

I put Bbyak in the basket and picked up what I had prepared. Peace followed me down.

[I’ll be down in the parking lot.]

After texting Yoohyun, I moved my feet. The Hunter next to the elevator sends me a smiling greeting.

“Are you going down now?”

“Yes. I’m going to the parking lot.”

He caught the elevator and pressed the button without me lifting a finger. I shouldn’t get too used to this; everyone is overly kind.

Arriving at the parking lot, I saw Yoohyun, who had arrived earlier. His expression is very stiff. He also looks a little sulky.

“Be careful.”

The Hunter who came with me retreated, watching carefully. Yoohyun turned his head towards me a little late, even though he must have noticed me a while ago. Then he made a slightly puzzled expression.

“…What’s that?”

The guy who was trying to maintain a ‘I’m angry’ atmosphere couldn’t stand it and spoke first.

“A gift.”

“…For who?”

I walked up with large strides and held out the bouquet to my brother.

“Who else would it be for, when you’re the only one here?”

Peace is here too, though.

“I bought it because it seems to be popular these days. Why don’t you lighten up? Are you going to advertise to everyone that you’re mad at me?”

“I’m not mad.”

“Then?”

“…Do I even have the right to be mad at you?”

With that, he turned away abruptly but then accepted the bouquet. What’s with him? Is he going through a late adolescence? He was too quiet as a child, except for running away from home.

“If you’re upset, talk about it properly.”

“You wouldn’t tell me properly anyway.”

Ugh, that’s… I have nothing to say. But it doesn’t seem like he’d believe me even if I did tell him.

“You’re not telling me everything either. There’s not much difference from unilaterally shutting your mouth under the guise of protecting me, you know?”

“That’s why I said I’m not mad. I’m just upset on my own, so don’t worry about it. And, thanks for the flowers.”

As if I wouldn’t worry. Yoohyun opened the back door of the car for me. He was about to put the bouquet on the passenger seat but then made a call somewhere. Soon, a secretary came down and took the bouquet.

According to my plan, he was supposed to receive the bouquet and laugh in disbelief, like, ‘What is this?’ Wasn’t the bouquet out of the blue?

“How long are you going to be upset?”

“I’m thinking about it. What I should do with hyung [older brother – a Korean term of endearment and respect]. Honestly, I don’t have the ability to handle it. I admit that. I also know that constantly interfering with hyung is presumptuous.”

Yoohyun said as he sat in the driver’s seat. It feels strange to hear him say such things. Compared to my brother, I really wasn’t anything.

“…Why are you saying all that? We’re brothers, so we can worry about each other no matter the circumstances.”

“It’s the truth. I have to admit that you’ve left my hands, but I hate that, so don’t worry about it.”

He said firmly and started the car.

Umm, I don’t know what to say. I can’t say it’s okay to keep interfering. But I don’t like concluding that there’s nothing I can do about it either. More than anything, the ‘not having the ability’ part…

…What’s presumptuous about a younger brother worrying about his older brother? The opposite is the same. Well, in my case, it’s like a cat worrying about a tiger, but still, it’s not impossible.

The dungeon wasn’t far, so we arrived quickly. It was a complex environment of beach and forest under the management of Haeyeon. Normal monsters appeared in the forest, and boss monsters appeared on the beach.

– Keuheung!

As soon as he saw the monsters, Peace jumped out of my arms. A monster that looked like a mix of a monkey and a cat, an Olgo, bared its teeth fiercely at Peace.

“The teeth moles were like that too; it seems monsters are never friendly with each other… huh?”

“If they’re different species, they often try to kill and eat each other. That’s why in high-level dungeons where several similar-level species appear together, they deliberately pit monster groups against each other to deal with them.”

“I see. You know a lot.”

I nodded, pretending it was the first time I’d heard that, and subtly watched my brother’s expression. I should take this opportunity to have an open conversation.

[Ready to talk!]

Okay, a conversation. Huh? No, wait a minute—

Right after the message window popped up, the surroundings went dark as if someone had turned off the lights. Then, one by one, small lights like fireflies began to float up.

“…Yoohyun?”

Yoohyun and Peace were nowhere to be seen. What is this? Calming my bewildered mind, I looked around. I couldn’t feel any presence at all; is this a completely different space?

‘I can’t see anything.’

The lights were floating around, but that was it. It was just black without anything being visible.

“Hello?”

If you dragged me here, at least say something.

As if answering, the cluster of lights gathered in front of me. A square window was created, and a Korean keyboard appeared. It looked like a giant smartphone screen.

Deer: Hello, darling!

Tree: Nice to meet you! How have you been?

Newbie: Hello!!

Wolf: Hi, sweetie!

Waterdrop: Can you see well? You can see, right? I don’t know if it’s showing up properly.

Then, letters appeared one after another on the screen. Is this… a chat? Is this a chat room?

‘There are five people for now.’

After hesitating for a moment, I placed my hand on the keyboard.

Honey: Hello.

…What’s with the nickname? Change it for me. Is there no chat setting?

Deer: Oooooh, our pretty! You’ve connected safely! Give me a welcome kiss~

Wolf: Do you have a lot of questions? Ask anything!

Waterdrop: Not just anything! I’m sorry, Honey. Ignore those two. They’re butting in unnecessarily. Newbie will block them soon. First, I’ll tell you the precautions.

I’m glad that at least one person is normal.

Waterdrop: There’s a limit to the information we can convey. The connection between your side and this side is narrow. Originally, it’s completely closed. Right now, we’ve forcibly opened the passage, so if the amount of information exceeds a certain level, it will be cut off.

Honey: Does small talk count as information? Can’t I just use my name as the nickname?

Waterdrop: Small talk is okay. Names are also information, so no. More than anything, we still need to hide Honey.

Honey: From what?

Deer: That is the one whose name must not be spoken! ^▽^

Like Vol○emort [Voldemort from Harry Potter].

Waterdrop: It hasn’t been blocked yet. But it’s not wrong. Names have a lot of information. If we mention it in detail now, they’ll notice it on your side too.

Honey: Is it someone related to the dungeon?

Waterdrop: That’s right! The fact that dungeons are increasing and becoming more powerful is a kind of act of expanding influence. But there’s no need to worry. Honey just needs to do one thing.

Honey: You mean raising the S-ranks, right?

That’s the only thing those people directly asked for.

Tree: Correct again! To be exact, you just need to gather exactly 50 people with the keyword applied.

Waterdrop: More than that is fine too.

Newbie: If you do that, you can leave the rest to us!

Waterdrop: I can’t explain it in detail, though. Please trust us. Just fill the skill window with 50 people. That’s all you have to do.

Can it really be done with just 50 people? Well, if you apply the keyword and keep giving them growth buffs, they’ll become much stronger than the original S-ranks. Depending on how they grow, maybe even SS-ranks will appear.

Honey: Then can’t you change the keyword to something easier?

Like the old ‘Cheer Up’.

Waterdrop: We don’t set the keywords. We just check Honey’s skills and write the name and description accordingly.

Deer: I came up with all the skill names for the ‘Perfect Nurturer’ title! They’re perfect, right?

So you were the culprit.

Honey: No, not at all. Then can’t you at least write the description in detail?

Waterdrop: Well, Honey. There are two reasons. First, we don’t know exactly what people’s skills, their abilities, are. It’s like discovering a new species of rabbit and examining it to say that it has long ears, hops around, eats grass, and its name is rabbit. We don’t have the ability or time to investigate every detail.

Tree: Fortunately, we already have accumulated data, so we’re managing the skill window somehow, but Honey’s case is really an exception.

Waterdrop: Yes, the ‘Perfect Nurturer’ title is the first one to appear.

Deer: You’re really a □□□□□!

Wolf: □□□□□□□□□!!

Waterdrop: Drag those two out right now!

[We apologize for the unstable chat situation.]

Mr. Waterdrop, you’re going through a lot.