The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 314: It’s the Holiday (1)

Yuhyun and Yerim dropped me off at home and left again. Watching how busy the kids were made me feel a bit guilty for staying quietly at home.

“Well then, hmm-hmm.”

I cleared my throat for no reason and pulled out my phone and a business card. I had enough balance. Still, I felt a bit tense and guilty. With items, it never bothered me how much I spent since they were investments—but for mere luxury goods, my stomach still couldn’t handle it. It was only because it was for Yuhyun that I could spend this much; if it had been for me, I’d have called myself crazy.

“Hello, yes. This is Han Yujin, who visited earlier. I’d like to place a watch order. I heard I could do it through the Hunter Market.”

I had taken the business card of the sixth-floor market representative specifically for this. The official Hunter Markets of each country were in cooperation, so for non-auction item purchases overseas, contacting the market was the easiest and fastest route—or so Seok Gimyeong had told me. The commission fee was steep, though.

“Yes, that’s right. A hunter wristwatch that can be stored in the inventory.”

[Currently, there are five brands worldwide that custom-make watches for hunters. Among them, P○ Philippe and V○ron Constantin are the most renowned. Since these are mechanical watches that simply substitute parts with dungeon by-products, their prestige remains unchanged.]

Ah… I see. Not that I would’ve known. Before the regression, they were expensive but fairly common. Now, there are only a few places that take custom orders.

[Especially those two brands only accept S-Rank hunters as clients. The Sesung Guild Leader even purchased four V○ron watches. It’s well known that he personally uses two—one pocket watch and one wristwatch—and gifted one of the remaining two to Chief Song Taewon for his birthday.]

The market rep chuckled and said, “The 5 billion won one was smashed that day.” Is that really something to laugh about? I nearly got a fear resistance message from that. What kind of watch costs 5 billion won… The standard ones I knew were around 10 million won. Still expensive, but not on this level. Well, for someone who crashes cruise ships, 5 billion is probably snack money. I felt bad for Chief Song getting dragged into that. What the hell even happened?

[The last one was meant to be a gift for Director Han Yujin, but of course, it was declined.]

“…Excuse me? If that was a gift for me—was that also one of the 5 billion won ones?”

[No, it was 7.5 billion won. Since they started using dungeon by-products with better durability, the price also went up accordingly.]

S-So that thing back then… was worth 7.5 billion? Wow. Maybe I should ask for it back—no, I need to get Yuhyun’s first… Someday.

The market rep, clearly excited, went on about how Choi Seokwon’s V○ron Number 6 was lost forever, how the Breaker Guild Leader received a P○ Philippe wristwatch as a gift, how a certain S-Rank in France collects hunter watches, how the very first hunter watch was sold at auction for 15 billion won, and so on.

Aren’t you being a bit too loose-lipped?

“Can the order be kept confidential?”

[Of course! But due to the nature of the item, it’s hard to keep it secret forever. Since every watch is uniquely designed, it’s impossible not to notice once someone wears it even once.]

“That doesn’t matter. So, um, you’re saying the two most famous brands don’t accept orders unless you’re an S-Rank hunter?”

[Correct. However, if it’s certain that the watch will be used by an S-Rank hunter, it’s possible to order even as a non-awakened individual.]

Then it’d be best to order from the top-tier brand, right? Our Haeyeon Guild Leader can’t fall behind other S-Rank hunters. Plus, this is his first watch. Since his birthday is still far off, I’ll just say it’s a belated Coming-of-Age Day gift. I should get one for Yerim too when she becomes an adult.

“P○ Philippe, then. How do I place the order? How long will it take?”

[We’ll customize it based on the user’s details. If it’s a gift, would it be for the Haeyeon Guild Leader? Or perhaps Hunter Park Yerim or Sesung─]

“For the Haeyeon Guild Leader. A wristwatch, just one… no.”

I took a short breath and continued.

“Two of the same design. But please incorporate blue into one, and black into the other.”

The market rep said the details would be provided after placing the order. I emphasized confidentiality once more and ended the call. I put the phone down and stopped using the teacher skill I’d been applying to Belare.

In an instant, my vision darkened, and white specks—like snowflakes—floated across my eyes. …Maybe my sight is finally starting to recover. It seemed I could perceive light, at least slightly.

‘Someday, I’ll be able to give it.’

If there’s a first time, then there can be a second. I’ll definitely be able to go again. That guy Yuhyun probably never wore a watch all the way through, knowing his personality. He doesn’t like anything cumbersome.

“Oh, I should check in on Seong Hyunjae.”

The kids said they’d be back in the evening, so I had time. What time was it now?

“Hodu, what time is it!”

[The current time is 3:07 PM!]

A strange voice answered me. Something about an AI—when asked, it answered all kinds of things, played music, turned on the TV… a fascinating little thing. Yerim had bought it and even named it. After she set it up, she strutted around saying it was perfect for Mister, and Yuhyun nearly smashed poor Hodu for it.

Things like that are more amazing than dungeon items sometimes.

Anyway, I had to go. I lay sprawled on the sofa, petting Peace and listening to the TV until past 4 PM before finally getting up.

“Hodu, turn off the TV. Peace, keep an eye on Chirp.”

-Kkiang.

“If Yuhyun or Yerim comes by, tell them I’m asleep.”

-Kkyaang.

After reapplying the Teacher skill to Belare, I left Chirp, who tried to follow me, in Peace’s care, put on my black wildcat jacket, and activated my Stealth skill. Though Seong Hyunjae’s apartment was nearby, it still required a decent walk. This time, instead of walking up the apartment directly, I took the elevator in the adjacent line, exited through the hallway window, and entered his home through a window again.

The house was just as quiet as the first time I’d come. Even the kitchen I glimpsed seemed untouched. Had he been sleeping the entire time without waking once?

“Mr. Seong Hyunjae, are you asleep?”

Nothing’s wrong, right? I spoke out loud on purpose as I walked. Belare let out a small, uneasy hiss. I didn’t feel great about this either. I activated Grace and opened the bedroom door.

A man lay quietly asleep in the center of the bed. Low, even breathing could be heard. He looked exactly the same as when I last saw him. The dreamcatcher still hung there with its feathers crumpled. If he had woken up, knowing Seong Hyunjae’s personality, he would’ve fixed it—especially since he made it himself.

Anyway, since he was sleeping well, should I just head back now? Felt kind of anticlimactic. Should I wake him and tell him to eat something? Last time I checked, there wasn’t much food in the kitchen either, so maybe—

Bzzz—my ear vibrated faintly. And then—

“What, what the hell!”

-Sssit!

My body floated into the air. Telekinesis? Gravity control? Whatever it was, it was an unfamiliar power. At the same time, I caught movement through heat sensing.

“Hide!”

I grabbed Belare, who had been perched on my shoulder, and threw her into the corner of the bedroom. As long as she was attached to me, she couldn’t receive Grace’s protection, so it was better to get her away. Right after that, my arm was grabbed. A strong grip pulled me toward the bed.

As I was being dragged, I pulled out a gun with my free hand and aimed it. At the smooth forehead.

“Still half-asleep?”

Seong Hyunjae looked down at me. The arm he gripped was starting to hurt a bit. Belare’s gaze from the far corner of the room made me feel dizzy. It’s fine, calm down, stop shaking your head.

“Mr. Seong Hyunjae.”

Even though he was right in front of me, I couldn’t clearly see his expression because of the angle of Belare’s line of sight. Seong Hyunjae opened his mouth.

“Seong Hyunjae?”

…The bewildered tone in his question made my grip on the gun weaken. No way, did he have another memory issue—wait a second.

‘Unfamiliar skill.’

It was just me, Seong Hyunjae, and Belare in this room. And nine times out of ten, it was Seong Hyunjae who used that skill. But I’d never heard of Seong Hyunjae having a skill like gravity control or telekinesis that could lift others into the air.

It wasn’t the kind of skill someone would keep hidden just for daily use, either.

“I am—”

“No, no! Don’t say it!”

I hurriedly cut him off.

“You’re Seong Hyunjae. Yes, you. The Guild Leader of Sesung, Seong Hyunjae. Clear out all other thoughts—you’re Seong Hyunjae. The exceptional S-Rank Hunter, Guild Leader, and also my partner! Your birthday is August 30th, and this year on your birthday you wrecked a cruise ship.”

It seemed that Seong Hyunjae hadn’t lost his memories, but rather, memories—or perhaps a personality—from a different world had surfaced. That other version of him, from a different world, had a different name and even slightly different skills.

He likely had the same optimized core skills like Combat Foresight or Lightning Strike, but beyond those, the rest would be different. Even Yuhyun, who had only turned back time in the same world, had acquired new skills. Of course, the Seong Hyunjae from another world would have different skills. One of them was likely the telekinesis-like skill he’d just used.

While sorting out his internal pile of stuff, something completely unrelated had slipped out. Sure, the man in front of me was still Seong Hyunjae—but still.

“Seong. Hyun. Jae. Come on, repeat after me. I am Seong Hyunjae. I am the Guild Leader of Sesung. I will repay Han Yujin ten times what I owe him. I will eat all the crusts of the bread too—”

“I don’t like that.”

At the sudden response, I let out a sigh of relief and returned the gun to my inventory. So he hated crusts enough to jolt his memory back, huh? Maybe I should prepare an offering tray filled with fried crusts, dried crusts, toasted crusts, and even burnt crusts.

Belare crept cautiously toward the bed. When she got close enough, my view was momentarily blocked. Heat detection still worked, but of course, I couldn’t see his expression, which made me feel a bit intimidated.

After all, I was being held by a large figure whose face I couldn’t clearly make out. Without fear resistance, I might’ve actually been scared.

“Your eyes.”

Seong Hyunjae’s hand reached toward my eyes.

“Is it because of me?”

“In a way, yes. They’ll recover like before, so you don’t need to worry.”

“You can’t see at all, it seems.”

He muttered that he didn’t like being indebted in this way. But compared to Chief Song, who’d risked his life, it wasn’t so bad.

“Let me lend you my right eye.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ve already made a wager once, haven’t I?”

Wait—what’s he saying now? Belare poked her head up onto the bed. I could finally see Seong Hyunjae’s face. Calm as ever, his expression was exactly the same as usual.

“I’ll yield the left eye to the young master.”

“Wait, why is our Yuhyun suddenly being mentioned here?”

“If I keep it all to myself, he’d definitely get mad. But if it’s the young master, he’d gladly give it up.”

Th-That… yeah. That really sounded like something he’d do, which made it all the more maddening. I pushed Seong Hyunjae away and sat up. Belare quickly scurried back onto my shoulder.

“No need. I’m starting to sense light now, and even if I were to go blind permanently, I’m not… I’m not the type to do that kind of thing. I’d rather just find a monster to raise and use as my eyes.”

Even now, as long as I used the Teacher skill, it wasn’t that inconvenient.

“And besides, losing one eye would lower your combat ability, wouldn’t it? Why would you take that loss because of me?”

“If it’s for Han Yujin, then it’s worth the choice.”

“I appreciate the sentiment.”

“Objectively, gaining one of your skills would be a much better deal.”

Well, that’s true. But hey, just because someone gives me an eye doesn’t mean I’m throwing in my whole life, you know. Enough nonsense. I looked at Seong Hyunjae seriously.

“Are you okay? We’re not suddenly going to have some emperor from another country pop out, right?”

“For now, I seem to be fine.”

Yet again, he began showing signs of sleepiness. Did he still need more rest?

“Just in case, should I write your name on your palms? Hold out your hands.”

I took out a pen from my inventory and wrote “Sesung Guild Leader” on his right hand and “Seong Hyunjae” on his left in big letters.

“Chuseok is in three days, so if you wake up then, I’ll bring you some jeon. Or you can come over. We’re planning to play a wholesome game of yut for now.”

Though, when it comes to holidays, the real tradition is picture-matching games. I wonder if Combat Foresight would work for hwatu?

I’d already sent out Chuseok gifts, but the Breeding Facility had received a flood of them as well. Of course, the major guilds had sent them, but even some mid-size and smaller guilds I barely knew had sent gifts. There were also a lot sent personally, not through guilds. Kang Soyeong, of course, and even Liette sent one, saying she’d heard from Soyeong—a bouquet with a dagger stuck in it. I appreciated the A-Rank dagger, but a flower basket? Something must’ve been lost in translation.

Of course, the place with the biggest pile of gifts was Myungwoo’s forge. The warehouse under the building was overflowing with so many gifts that he had to hire extra help just to sort them.

“What’re you gonna do with all that?”

At my question, Myungwoo looked slightly troubled.

“First, check for any dangerous items, then maybe just make a list and donate the rest. There’s a lot of food stuff too.”

“Right, and you—what’re your plans for the holiday?”

Normally, people would go home, but Myungwoo had pretty much cut ties with his family. I asked casually. Originally, things hadn’t been that bad, but after he appeared on TV, there had been some arguments. He didn’t go into detail, but I could guess the gist. It’s the usual story—someone who made it on their own and the family that tries to leech off them.

“Me? Well…”

“If you’re not going anywhere, come hang out. We’re making songpyeon on the evening before Chuseok. I have to go to the broadcasting station tomorrow. To give holiday greetings. Want to come? I think they’ll welcome you.”

Yuhyun hadn’t been thrilled about it at first, but I managed to convince him. “I want to see my little brother dressed in hanbok on TV, giving holiday greetings!” That worked. Just once each for Chuseok and New Year’s. “I’ll record it and watch it over and over” really hit the mark.

“Me too?”

“If you’re not busy, sure.”

“I don’t think I’ll be busy.”

Myungwoo glanced at me—or rather, at the sunglasses I was wearing. He seemed curious about them.

He didn’t know about my eyes yet. And now that I was starting to see faintly again, I didn’t think there was a need to bring it up and worry him unnecessarily… and, well, I didn’t want to increase the number of times I’d get scolded. Still, I’d have to tell him about the Marking eventually and give him the general rundown.

I should show him the Marking before I shove a heart shard into his back, or else I’ll really get chewed out.

“I contacted Noah too, told him to come if he’s free, but he seemed hesitant.”

“Should we drag him out even if we have to? It’d be better than just leaving him alone.”

“Yeah, probably.”

Partly because of my eyes, but I hadn’t seen much of him lately either. With the Miniaturization skill and everything else, I really needed to sit down and talk with him properly.