The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 444: Return (3)

Camera flashes popped from all sides. Surrounded by reporters, Yuhyun—who’d just finished a raid—and Yerim—who’d just returned from Japan—came up to me with bright smiles. Yuhyun spread his arms and pulled me into a tight hug.

“I’m glad you’re back safe, Hyung.”

Yerim slipped around behind me and hugged me too. She tried her best to avoid it, but we ended up half–embracing Yuhyun as well.

“We worried a lot, Mister.”

Chief Song Taewon, freshly discharged, watched us from a slight distance with a stony face. After a moment of warm clinginess, Yerim was first to yank back the arm that had brushed Yuhyun. I caught a small grumble about wanting to wash her hands. Yuhyun let go and stood at my side.

Then the Sesung Guild Leader appeared a beat late. Evelyn was with him.

“I’m truly delighted our Director Han is safe.”

With a full–face smile, Seong Hyunjae held out a bouquet. Pink roses, and layers of some big frilly pink flowers I didn’t know, and small pink flowers, and pink hydrangeas with a pink ribbon… A gorgeous bouquet put together so it matched even being all one color—but this guy was clearly teasing me.

I forced down the urge to smash the shameless face with the bouquet and matched him with a beaming smile.

“I heard you were even put on discipline because of me. I’m sorry to have caused concern, Sesung Guild Leader.”

“Not at all. Your business is mine as well, Director Han.”

I took the bouquet, shook his hand, and thanked him for the ride. The reporters fired away again. “Monster Mounts Breeding Facility and Sesung Guild on very good terms”—that’s how it would run. Thinking a giant photo of me holding a pink bouquet would go up made me a little sad. I hope people don’t get the wrong idea that the breeding facility director loves pink. I didn’t ask for it; Seong Hyunjae brought it on his own.

As if we’d set the order, the next to step up was none other than Moon Hyunah. Striding up, Ms. Hyunah gave my shoulder a light pat.

“You look well, Director Han. I was worried.”

“Thank you, Breaker Guild Leader.”

“Oh my, I should’ve brought a bouquet too.”

“Just coming is more than enough.”

“It suits you very well. Bright and lovely. Looks great.”

I just smiled back. Is that a compliment, or are you teaming up with Seong Hyunjae to tease me. Likely the latter.

Last to arrive were Myungwoo and Noah, and the monsters. The highlight of a scene like this is animals, right.

– Kki–ang!

Peace sprinted for me like we’d been apart three months and ten days.

“Peace!”

– Kyaa–ung!

I handed the bouquet to Yerim and caught Peace as he sprang up. His fluffy tail whipped wildly, and his damp nose poked my cheek. He pressed his head into my shoulder, the soft fur at the tips of his ears tickling my nape.

– Ppiyak!

Chirp bobbed over and fluttered down onto my head. He felt a bit heavier.

“Chirp, have you been well?”

– Ppiya!

“Everyone’s been well–behaved.”

Mr. Noah approached with Belare. Belare lifted her head with a hiss.

“Welcome back, Yujin. We were all very worried about you.”

Myungwoo patted my arm gently. It really did make it feel like we were meeting after ages. This is where I should get a little teary.

“It’s really good to be home.”

I set Peace down and hugged Myungwoo and Mr. Noah in turn. I glanced at Chief Song as well and was ignored.

We stood side by side for a bit for some good shots, then dismissed the reporters. Chief Song, who’d been silent the whole time, stepped up with a businesslike tone.

“Please return straight home today.”

“Don’t worry. I want to get home quickly too.”

We were taking the lamb with us, but how was I going to hand over the wire.

“About the SS–rank handcuffs—”

“Ah, so tired! Let’s discuss that later at leisure! Of course, until then, feel free to use them~”

Chief Song took the cuffs out, and I darted behind Yuhyun.

“Don’t take it, don’t take it.”

“Mr. Han Yujin.”

“Ah, Ms. Hyunah is staring at Ms. Evelyn! Shouldn’t someone break that up!”

“Staring? That’s a fond look.”

How on earth?

“If no one draws a weapon, that means we’re getting along.”

Evelyn agreed. Then the two traded smiles.

“I’ll get going first, Hyung–nim.”

“Ah, I have something important to discuss, so please drop by soon!”

“If you’re calling it important, I’m quite looking forward to it.”

You won’t be disappointed. Moon Hyunah gave a little wave and left. Chief Song also let out a short sigh and stepped back.

“If they’re not retrieved within a week, I’ll report and nationalize them.”

“That’s harsh!”

Looks like the only way is to make them a bound item. How do I trick Chief Song. SS–rank close–combat gear could go to Yuhyun, Ms. Hyunah, or other Hunters, but Chief Song really is the perfect match. The options are great for barehandedly facing edged weapons.

“I’m a poor kidnapping victim who just got home. A week is too short. How about a month. No, I’ve got tons of backlogged work—give me a generous year!”

“A week.”

The answer was firm. Tch, not even willing to haggle. Chief Song once more urged everyone to head home immediately, then turned and left. He looked busy. He’d been out for days—it’d be piled up.

“Let’s go, Hyung.”

Supporting me where I was peeking from behind his back, Yuhyun spoke.

“Are your legs okay?”

“I can manage.”

The acupuncture had worn off, but to look fine I went on camera without a cane. No need to broadcast what people don’t need to know.

“Prep for surgery is complete.”

Evelyn looked at us.

“But Director Han Yujin’s poison resistance is a problem.”

I can shut my resistance off, but normally it’s impossible. And it’s not good for it to get around that I can disable poison resistance. Imagine if Park Hayul knew—he could coax me into turning it off, then use drugs. Even without mind–type skills, he could threaten me.

So I had to avoid anesthesia and surgery as much as possible. Even if it was a Sesung–owned hospital, I couldn’t trust every staff member completely. Word leaks everywhere.

“The healer arriving soon can paralyze the body with acupuncture. Even with poison resistance.”

“Then we’ll arrange the treatment around him. Publicly, it will be announced as Director Han Yujin’s comprehensive health check–up.”

“Yes, please.”

Evelyn gave a small nod, then looked to Yerim. Yerim flinched and pulled a bow from her inventory.

“It got the tiniest little scratch… I’m really sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

With a gentle smile, Evelyn took the bow.

“Hunter Yu Myungwoo will repair it.”

“Please visit anytime. Thank you for your cooperation, Evelyn Hunter.”

“My pleasure.”

She smiled warmly at Myungwoo too, then stored the bow. Even after being told it was fine, Yerim still looked a bit uneasy.

“Don’t forget you’re not to go far for a while, Mr. Seong Hyunjae. Even if it’s nearby, do let us know, preferably.”

“I’ll report dutifully. If my partner would do the same, that is.”

“I have no plans to go out at all.”

Unless he made me come from overseas.

“And how about at least changing the wallpaper on the plane interior. Surely the new house isn’t like that too.”

“The room for Mister Han Yujin is specially—”

“I said no. I like normal. Calm neutrals are welcome.”

Is it fun to tease me. One wrong gift and he’ll dine out on it for ten years. Leaving a word to take care of his health, Seong Hyunjae and Evelyn also left.

“Soyoung unni says she holds grudges like crazy too.”

Once Evelyn was completely out of sight, Yerim murmured.

“It’s repairable anyway. She didn’t look upset.”

“If she shows she hates it right away, that’s the end of it. Otherwise, it’s fifty–fifty—either truly fine or added to the ledger.”

“She’ll be fine.”

Myungwoo’s around, and come on, what would she do to a kid. Still, I’ll remember it. Ms. Evelyn also holds grudges. She looks like no pushover as it is.

We got in the waiting car and headed straight home. The streets of Seoul sliding past the window felt familiar and strangely foreign. So many people. With the sun nearly set, the neon signs looked extra flashy.

I wonder if me and my little brother are doing well. If I could send a message, I’d tell them to raid a zoo. There’ll be sheep and goats, and horses too. Well, if it’s me, I’ll figure that much out.

“We’re home!”

The moment the door opened, Yerim zipped inside. Shoes off. The tossed bouquet landed squarely on the table. The shoes whipped off in midair also flew toward the entryway. As Yerim headed up to her room, Yuhyun called to her.

“We have to head back out.”

“Aww why! You go by yourself, Guild Leader.”

“You just returned from Japan—you have to report to the Hunter Association, Hunter Park Yerim.”

“Anyone else wanna smash an Association building?”

My heart’s right there, but if we did that, only Chief Song would suffer. I didn’t need to go out, so, sorry to the two of them, I headed straight for the bedroom.

“…Too tired to shower.”

Now that I was home, I just wanted to flop down. Still, I should wash, I muttered, sitting on the bed. Should’ve just bathed on the plane. Then I could sleep right away.

“Very tired?”

Following me in, Yuhyun took out pajamas.

“Want me to wet a towel and wipe you down?”

“Do I look like a kid with a cold. I’ll rest a bit, then wash and sleep.”

When he was little, I’d wring a towel in warm water and wipe him instead of a face wash. The last time I washed him was in middle school. On a class trip, he hadn’t slept well because the bed was unfamiliar, and the moment he got home, he nodded off. I couldn’t wake him, so I wiped him with a wet towel and tucked him in.

“I’ll sit a moment, then wash and sleep. Don’t worry—go to the guild.”

“I’ll handle the urgent stuff and come right back.”

He said it without hiding that he didn’t want to leave. Even as an S–rank, he’s like everyone else—doesn’t want to go to work. Except he’s the boss, not an employee.

“Have a good trip.”

“Mm.”

He answered, then didn’t leave—just looked at me. His eyes curved round.

“What’s got you so happy.”

“Because this is our home. It needs Hyung. That’s what makes it my home.”

“Suddenly?”

“Anywhere else is uncomfortable. I can’t relax.”

“Right, go quickly and come back so you can rest too.”

Yuhyun looked over the bedroom with me in it a bit longer with satisfaction, then said he’d be back and headed out. I shouldn’t get hospitalized for long. With a top–tier healer, I won’t need to stay down anyway.

“I’m off! Don’t go anywhere!”

Yerim shouted and left with Yuhyun. I stretched and stood.

“Peace, bath time.”

– Kkeu–ung.

“You only had your paws wiped. If you don’t wash your body, you can’t get on the bed. Be good—Dad’s tired, so let’s bathe nicely today.”

I coaxed Peace into the bathroom; Chirp and Belare followed. After washing myself and the kids and drying us all, I was completely wiped. Lying on the bed, I felt like I’d sink straight through.

“You two got along, right?”

– Ppiyak.

– Siiit.

“We’ve got more friends now. I’ll introduce you tomorrow.”

The baby monsters that arrived first had been moved to the first–floor facility. The one that needs to be raised fastest is the water dragonkin, of course. Ms. Hyunah’s in a hurry too—has Sorok grown some. And also—

‘I need to name the kids, and the Changeling, too.’

What should I name the Changeling. “Chain” overlaps with Seong Hyunjae. Hm, Pinky? Pink, Pinky, Pinkping, Yonyong…

“…Peace, have you ever not liked your name or anything like that.”

– Kki–ang.

Peace, settled beside me, wagged his tail. Didn’t seem unhappy.

“Chirp is cute at least.”

– Ppiyakppi.

Half–buried in Peace’s fur, Chirp cuddled up, and Belare curled nearby. Belare, hmm. A bit hard to compare. Pink fairy–drake, golden eyes—Gold Dust… no, that’s not it. “Pinky” is the least bad so far. There’s silver too. Silver or Gold, Eundong… Let’s get off colors.

But without colors, what do you call her. Honestly, colors are the most intuitive. Pink—Azalea? “Dallae” was sweet and cute. Cherry blossom, cherry, or peach? Cherry’s not bad.

‘After I sleep… I’ll ask Yerim.’

I didn’t think I should name her alone. I closed my eyes, and sleep rolled in.