The S-Classes That I Raised [EN]: Chapter 71

71. Blacksmith Debut (1)

“Uncle, Uncle, Uncle!!”

As soon as I turned the corner in the hallway, I bumped into Yerim, who had just gotten off the elevator. I thought she was going to tackle a B-grade dungeon, but it seemed she was already done. She was wearing light short-sleeved and shorts training clothes, and her hair was damp, as if she had just showered in the maintenance room.

“That must be the monster she brought back!”

“Yeah, Blue is a golden griffin.”

“Cute! Can I hold it?”

Peace would hate it, but Blue might be okay. He was already giving Yerim curious glances.

– Kkyaa!

I lifted Blue, who I was holding in my arms, and held him out. He fluttered towards Yerim on his own. Yerim opened her arms wide and hugged Blue.

“So ~ cute! The fur is so soft! Does he smell like ice cream?”

She had just finished eating a whole container of it.

– Kkyau Kkya!

“Peace had golden jelly [a magical food], but this one has pink jelly? Look at the paws, I want to bite them! Blue~”

As if he knew he was being loved, Blue’s tail swished around like a fan. He was an eagle plus a lion, but he was as friendly as a puppy.

“Honestly, Uncle, your naming sense is like an old man’s.”

“…What?”

“I can understand Peace, but Bbyak and Blue? Unicorns are White and Black, right? It’s like calling a country dog ‘Whitey’ and ‘Blacky,’ so old-fashioned.”

“W-Well, it’s intuitive and short and good.”

Easy to understand and convenient is the best… is that an old man’s way of thinking? No, even counting before the regression, I’m only thirty years old.

“But where were you going? Training room?”

“To meet someone from the Hunter Association.”

“Ah, then I’ll come with you! These days, I only go out with the Guild Leader! I’m the one who’s supposed to protect Uncle.”

“You were busy attacking dungeons.”

And she’ll be even busier in the future. She has to create her own S-class team. I guess I should help her a little.

After entrusting Blue to the hunter on duty today, I went downstairs. When I saw Yoohyun’s face, I realized that he hadn’t been working as much as Yerim these days. I mean, the most important dungeon attacks. Going with me was like a picnic for him, not a serious raid.

“You haven’t been going to dungeons lately, have you? Don’t you have to manage the S-class dungeons?”

If it was a lower S-class dungeon with perfect attack information, an A-class team alone could attack it, but otherwise, an S-class hunter was needed. Hyeyeon might not have that many S-class dungeons to manage yet, but he shouldn’t be able to slack off so much.

“I have to go in within ten days anyway.”

Yoohyun looked at me with worried eyes and said.

“Once you start attacking an S-class dungeon, you have to be away for at least a week, so I’ve been putting it off as much as possible. The reason I… avoided Hyung was also largely due to the S-class dungeon attack period. If I go into the dungeon, I obviously can’t take care of you.”

The S-class dungeon attack period was at least a week if there was attack information. If it was the first attack, it could take more than a month. If the compatibility was bad, it could take more than fifteen days even with sufficient information.

Having to leave regularly for such a long time was one of the biggest weaknesses of a guild with an S-class hunter as its leader. It was like not only the guild leader but also the elite high-ranking hunters were all away. Moreover, they couldn’t be contacted and couldn’t come out in the middle. Later, when large guilds had at least two S-class hunters, that weakness disappeared.

“Now that I’m here, hurry up and go in, Yoohyun Oppa [term for older brother used by females].”

Yerim said, clinging to my arm.

“I’ll take good care of Uncle. I’ve been working hard in dungeons, so I’ll take a ten-day vacation and stick by his side. I’ll have him look at my skills, and shall we go to a dungeon together? Or how about an escape room cafe? I’ve always wanted to go, but it’s too expensive.”

Escape room cafe. I’ve never been there either.

“Yoohyun, have you been there?”

“What’s that?”

…Seriously, is that something a twenty-year-old should say? I felt like crying. Isn’t that the time when you’re up-to-date with all the trends?

“Let’s all go together.”

“Ah, I wanted to go with Uncle alone!”

“He hasn’t been there either.”

“…Okay. It’s not like we’re only going once. Then shall we go today on the way out?”

“Let’s do that if there’s nothing else to do.”

I nodded lightly and got into the car.

* * *

The place we arrived at after driving for a while was not the Hunter Association but the Awakening Center, which was not yet open. Unlike the Association building, this place, located on the outskirts of Seoul, was designed to perform the Association’s functions in case of emergency.

The building next to the round hemispherical Awakening Center was the Second Hunter Association. To be exact, the Awakening Center joined later. It was only known to the public as the new Hunter Association building.

“I’ll look for a cafe with good reviews!”

Yerim waved her arms, telling us to have a good trip.

Looking at the new building, smoothly exposed under the sunlight, I felt a little uneasy. It’s not a place with good memories. Rather, the opposite. The stairs, which probably hadn’t been stepped on many times, were shiny. There was nothing around yet. No fluttering banners, no gathered reporters.

It’s quiet.

“What are you doing, not coming?”

Yoohyun looked back at me questioningly when I stopped.

“I was just looking around.”

I answered casually and moved my feet. It was a place I never wanted to come to again, but I didn’t feel so bad. It might be thanks to the fact that it didn’t happen, or it might be because of fear resistance.

“But I told you to be nice to Myungwoo, so why were you picking a fight with him?”

I asked as I climbed the stairs. What if he doesn’t make a weapon then?

“It wasn’t a fight, I was checking how he felt about Hyung [term for older brother used by males]. Because Hyung hid something. If he was going to resent you for that, I couldn’t just leave him alone.”

“You answered well when I told you not to touch him.”

“His skills are too good, so he’s dangerous.”

“Myungwoo wouldn’t do that, and I’ll tell him first.”

“If things go wrong, be sure to tell me. Don’t hide it.”

“…Okay.”

Even if our relationship becomes strained, I don’t think he’ll be hostile. But if things go completely wrong, he’s a dangerous opponent, as Yoohyun said.

It’ll be okay… but should I have been nicer to him?

I opened the glass door and went inside. The inside of the building was also empty. The long desk was still covered in vinyl. If that’s the case, was there a need to call us here? He could have just called us to the nearby Association headquarters. There was no one except the guide standing in front of the entrance to the hallway over there, no. Moon Hyuna is here too.

“Hello, Hyungnim [respectful term for older brother used by males]. Doryeonnim [term of respect].”

Moon Hyuna waved her hand at us happily.

“What brings you here?”

“What brings me here, of course, I came to see our Hyungnim. How’s Blue? Do you think he’ll grow up well?”

As expected, Blue was the purpose.

“He’s very healthy and active. He eats anything well, but I think Masuma meat is the best for a griffin.”

“Really? There shouldn’t be any places in Hyeyeon-managed dungeons where Masuma species come out.”

“How about Breaker [Moon Hyuna’s Guild]?”

Moon Hyuna smiled and put her arm on my shoulder.

“We should definitely provide that level of service. We’ll provide you with fresh meat.”

“Thank you very much.”

I need to compare the growth rate when eating Masuma species meat and when not.

“This is the Awakening Room, the core of the Awakening Center.”

The guide, who had passed through the long hallway, stopped in the round lobby. Except for the entrance we came through, there were five doors on all sides. When I came before the regression, it seemed narrow because there were many people, but now that it’s empty, it’s quite wide.

The inside of the Awakening Room was still unfinished. After looking around like that, we headed to the place where the Hunter Association President and other dignitaries were waiting.

“The A-class and B-class hunters that Hunter Han Yoojin sent have been successfully awakened.”

The Vice President, who looked a little younger than the Association President, said. The profile data of the two hunters was placed in front of me in turn.

The A-class and B-class combat aptitude non-awakened people, who were found as a bonus while looking for special skill holders, were sent directly to the Association.

Looking at the data, the A-class obtained two of the optimized skill sets, and the B-class obtained all three. As expected, combat aptitude is relatively easy to optimize and awaken.

“As you can see, five out of the six skills you told us in advance came out safely. As you advised, we predicted the abilities based on the skill names and created situations that matched them. It’s a pity about Hunter Kang Donghoon’s B-class skill, but I definitely felt the ability of Hunter Han Yoojin’s non-awakened status window confirmation skill.”

“Then I guess the confirmation work is over.”

“If Hunter Han Yoojin successfully awakens even the special skills, we won’t be able to help but cooperate.”

This time, the Association President said. What, you felt it? But why are you talking about awakening even the special skills?

“No, how about operating the Awakening Center itself in cooperation with Hunter Han Yoojin? Without having to create it separately, the Awakening Center would also be in charge of confirming the aptitude of non-awakened people. We would establish a system where they use the awakening facilities after receiving status window verification from Hunter Han Yoojin.”

“…I think that’s a bit too much.”

Are you planning to grind me to dust? Besides, the story is different from last time. I have no intention of working at the Awakening Center.

“First of all, I can’t handle a large number of people with my abilities. My skill grade is high, but my stat grade is low. In that situation, if you put a restriction that I have to confirm first, I’ll be the one who gets the most hate… You don’t mean that’s the purpose, do you.”

“Hahaha, there’s no way.”

The Association President waved his hand, but I couldn’t trust him. Only when there are options and it’s private can I receive less hate even if I only accept one or two hundred people a day.

“It’s because I feel sorry for the people who might awaken incorrectly in a hurry.”

“It’s their own choice, so there’s nothing we can do. I can’t take care of everyone one by one.”

I’ve done enough.

“Above all, I have no intention of joining the Hunter Association.”

The Association President narrowed his brow slightly at my firm words.

“A young person should pursue greater public interest─”

“You mean the Association President’s interest.”

“Isn’t that too rude!”

The Association’s hunter shouted. Then Yoohyun and Moon Hyuna looked at him at the same time. The hunter, who seemed to be around A-class, flinched and stepped back.

Moon Hyuna crossed her long legs and tapped the table with her fingertip. She only touched it lightly, but a round mark was dented.

“If you overeat, you’ll get indigestion. It’s even more dangerous because you’re old. It might get stuck in your throat and you’ll pass out.”

“No, Breaker Guild Leader!”

“Or maybe spontaneous combustion will occur in Korea. Doryeonnim, shall we have a drink together soon? Including Hyungnim. I don’t think I’ve ever drunk with other guild leaders, so let’s do it for the first time.”

“That’s right. Let’s do it.”

Yoohyun nodded briefly and looked at the Association President.

“Preferably late at night.”

“Of course, you have to drink alcohol at night. I won’t get drunk, so I can say that Doryeonnim and Hyungnim were with me until dawn with a clear mind~.”

She was speaking like a joke, but Yoohyun and Moon Hyuna’s eyes were cold. The Association President swallowed hard. The wrinkled hands on the table were unconsciously clenched tightly and trembled.

If the S-classes don’t hide their aura here, he’ll probably faint. He’s telling him that he’ll burn him to death and create an alibi, so he should be praised for enduring that much.

“Of course, I’m not forcing you. If Hunter Han Yoojin refuses, I will naturally consider it as if it never happened.”

The Vice President said quickly. This side is easier to talk to.

In the end, as in the previous agreement, I decided to work on my own and send the data to the Association. Ms. Hyuna is good at threatening people.

“Thank you for your help.”

Moon Hyuna winked at my words.

“What, it’s nothing. I can’t even do this much for the person who will raise my child.”

No, please don’t say that… Moon Hyuna said she would send Masuma species meat soon and left first.

At the escape room cafe after finishing the business, I think I said not to break things about a hundred times. Is it an illusion that Yerim and Blue overlap? Still, Yerim understands what I’m saying.

“Uncle, let’s come again next time! Just the two of us!”

Don’t make me laugh.

After returning to Hyeyeon, I went to the unicorns in the training room before going up to the dormitory floor. Yerim followed along, saying she wanted to see them too.

“Hayang [means white in Korean], Kkamang [means black in Korean], hello~ Which one is the girl?”

“The black one.”

“This one, she’s pretty. Come here.”

Yerim reached out to Kkamang, no, Black. Anyway, she reached out to the black baby unicorn. The unicorn perked up its ears and bit the outstretched hand.

“Ahaha. It tickles, Kkamang~”

“You have to tell her not to bite. She’ll develop a habit. It tickles you, but non-awakened people will have their fingers cut off.”

“Oops. No! Kkamang!”

– Puheung!

Kkamang was startled by Yerim’s light flick and stepped back. She looked around and scurried behind me. The white one followed.

“Guys! Where are you hiding? That uncle is weaker than my pinky!”

The pinky is too much. I might be that weak.

After feeding the unicorns, I took care of Blue too. The hunter who took care of him looked at me with pitiful eyes and said that I was having a hard time. Fortunately, I don’t have to worry about money, but if I were in a poor situation, I might have cried.

“Peace, Bbyak. Were you doing well.”

– Kkiang!

– Bbyak!

When Peace barked with a solemn posture, Blue fluttered out of my arms. Our Blue, the learning effect is not completely absent.

Yerim brought the side dishes she had asked for, took care of the kids, and even until dinner, Myungwoo didn’t show up for some reason. Even when Blue and Bbyak fell asleep and Peace started to doze off, there was still no news.

‘I can’t contact him.’

The Golden Blacksmith is a subspace [a pocket dimension], so the phone doesn’t work like when you enter a dungeon. There was no way to contact Myungwoo unless he came out first.

Is he really in the smithy? He sometimes stayed up all night, but he always came out to eat at meal times. You have to eat properly to do hard work. Why isn’t he coming out?

I tossed and turned with worry and morning came. Just as I was taking out Blue, who was crowing like a rooster on time, and wondering if I should find a way to contact the subspace, Myungwoo finally appeared.

“Hey! If you’re going to be in the smithy for this long, you should at least say something! I was worried something happened inside!”

“Sorry.”

He said sorry, but Myungwoo’s face was beaming. His eyes were dark because he had stayed up all night, but his expression was bright. I could tell right away that something good had happened.

“I couldn’t stop in the middle.”

Saying that, Myungwoo took something out of his inventory. It was a spear that looked about 2 meters long. From the blade to the shaft, it had a bluish chill; it was not an ordinary object.

“That, perhaps.”

“Here.”

When I received the spear that Myungwoo handed me, a simple item description window popped up.

[Parmini’s Ice Tree Spear – S-class

A spear made by a skilled craftsman from an old ice tree branch. It contains a powerful chill.]

S-class. It was also an S-class weapon.

The stat option was a percentage increase, so my stats didn’t increase much, but instead, a new skill was created.

[Ice Attribute Enhancement (S)]

Ice attribute enhancement. It was also S-class. When I used my baby’s skill concentration on Yerim, it was A-class ice attribute enhancement. S-class attribute enhancement.

…I wonder if our Yerim has saved a lot.

“You’ve finally made an S-class weapon!”

When I sent him admiring eyes with all my might, Myungwoo shrugged his shoulders.

“Fortunately, I succeeded on the first try. I had a hard time all night. It will be easier from the second time.”

“I didn’t know you would grow this fast. You’ll be making SS-class weapons soon.”

“That’ll be a little difficult. Ismuar can only assist up to S-class weapons. But I have one thing I’m preparing.”

As expected, SS-class equipment is difficult. Still, this is great. It’s a weapon, not an S-class armor or accessory.

“There’s no need to delay any longer. You should make your name known too.”

Originally, I was going to debut as a blacksmith hunter when he made an A-class weapon, but Myungwoo refused. He said he would come out after making an S-class.

“Okay. Now I can confidently step forward.”

Myungwoo smiled and nodded. I smiled back and recalled the work I had been putting off.

I have to voluntarily pay taxes before it’s too late.

“Myungwoo, there’s one thing I didn’t tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Actually, we’re not originally acquainted. I think I was mistaken.”

I added an excuse and confessed. My heart was beating slightly. What would Myungwoo say?

“Is that so?”

Myungwoo replied. And that was the end. I waited for a while, but there were no further words. Wait a minute. Why is the reaction like this?