The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 445: Still Working After Returning (1)

“Will you be okay, Hyung?”

Yuhyun looked at me with worry. I kept my eyes on the papers on the living room table and nodded.

“A lot piled up, but… well.”

Honestly, it made me a little sad. The papers were a to–do list kindly sent by none other than Seok Gimyeong—things I had to handle.

“The extra homecoming interviews were skipped for health reasons. For the Peace plush promo, I should at least show my face once. Since we didn’t formally bring the baby monsters in, I have to go to the Association and deal with the paperwork… The Chinese Hunters are under Haeyeon, right?”

“Yeah. You don’t have to worry about that. They’re already waiting at the port.”

“We have to set the surgery schedule too… Huh, they caught the Gold Hamster already.”

It said it was arriving soon. Then we’d be taking on overseas monster mounts too… First foreign client—so I’d have to go stick my face around again here and there, wouldn’t I.

“Looks like the Association’s nudging us on the Awakening Center issue too. Korea’s safe now, so can’t that wait a bit. Dungeon–inside camera rigs are much further along too. Besides that, there’s Chief Song’s issue. We also have to round up foreign Hunters to check in.”

What the. Why is there so much. The most urgent was registering the monsters.

“Guild Leader of Haeyeon, I’ll grant you a special, siblings–only priority.”

Yuhyun blinked, then smiled.

“Thank you, Director Han.”

He answered naturally, sat in the single–seater, and let his long legs relax. Maybe because I’d told him a few times in the past that crossing your legs is bad for you, my little brother’s posture was generally good. Loose yet at ease.

…If I sit casually like that, I look like a mess.

“Any high–grade mount is precious, but among them, a water dragonkin is indispensable for Haeyeon’s Hunter Park Yerim.”

“An S–rank necessity on top of that—this’ll cost a pretty penny.”

“At the same time, as for top–rank Hunters in Korea who need a water–type mount, she’s currently the only one.”

In other words, there was no big guild besides Haeyeon that could pay proper price. Trading overseas would slap on massive taxes under the Special Hunter Law.

“Of course, we won’t devalue it for that reason. We’ll pay enough to satisfy you, Director Han.”

“Confident, aren’t you. I don’t think satisfying me is that easy. What will you do if I refuse.”

The Haeyeon Guild Leader rose. He slowly came around the table, stood beside me, and bent at the waist. My little brother’s hand reached to grip my shoulder. If it were anyone else, it’d feel pretty threatening. But his face was smiling softly.

“Will you refuse?”

His voice asked, “really?” with a sly hint of aegyo. Look at this brat. I tugged his arm and he plopped obediently down at my side.

“Congratulations on becoming a guild leader, but where’d you learn that.”

“From you, obviously.”

“What? When did I ever!”

…There are a few times that come to mind—like when I was working part–time. But that was customer service, at most. Especially because adults are kind when a young kid’s working hard.

“And why would you copy that, as an S–rank Hunter.”

“I’ve never done it to anyone but you, and won’t.”

I scrubbed his head roughly as he leaned in a little.

“What would you do if not for me?”

“Since there’s no proper trading partner outside Haeyeon, if you refuse first, that’s great. With the justification set, I can walk away and tighten the screws slowly.”

Good answer.

“What do you want, Hyung?”

“Since you’re a good little brother, I’ll give you the special old S–rank baby–monster pricing. It’ll end up Yerim’s debt anyway.”

The guild would help with related processing, but they had no obligation to pay for a personal mount, not shared gear. I’d have loved to just give it, but it’s not good to run public business too privately. It could become a blemish for Yerim later.

“Then it really won’t cost much.”

“As a bonus, maybe I’ll accept a bit of service from the Haeyeon Guild Leader. My shoulders ache from bathing the kids yesterday.”

Quick as anything, Yuhyun started kneading my shoulders.

“Ahh, that hits the spot. The black–back water ox would be good for an A–rank team. It can accompany an S–rank dungeon team just fine, too.”

“Mm, we’ll take the water ox in properly.”

“Do. As for Lifnil and the horned fox—let’s put them on hold. Both are iffy.”

Both were small—no good as mounts, and their abilities were finicky to use as fighters. Looks like we’d nabbed them thoughtlessly just because they were high–grade babies. I’m the Monster Mounts Director. Mounts.

“Pegasus is—uuugh, ow.”

“You’ve got some knots. Around the scapula too. Straighten your back.”

“Ack, hey. Easy… The grassland Pegasus is A–rank, but even S–rank Hunters can use it as a mount. For Defense types—urk—not great. For melee less than ranged—aaagh! Wait, wait!”

– Grrrr.

Peace, lying under the sofa, perked his ears at my groan and even bared his teeth.

“Peace, it’s fine— Yuhyuuun!”

“Once we fix your leg, let’s really start working out.”

“Hey, I still—ugh—took down mid–rank Hunters in the dungeon!”

“Which is why you’re like this. I think you picked up a habit of overusing your body in combat. Not Mana or skills—your body itself. You’ve got pre–regression memories, sometimes your stats rise, and you share sense with the S–rankers around you.”

Mm, that’s plausible. Hard environment to feel your own limit.

“And you don’t spare your body even normally.”

I have no defense.

“Anyway, the Pegasus—I think it’d suit Hunter Evelyn. Didn’t seem to have any element skills, but I’ll ask.”

Ms. Hyunah could use it too, but she’s got Sorok. Even if Sorok grew too slowly, a unicorn would be better to loan than a Pegasus. There’s Blue too.

“Haeyeon doesn’t need it much, right?”

“Not right now. We’re plentiful on A–rank mounts.”

Two unicorns, plus two wolves, a lizard, and even an ostrich. More than enough to cover one top team.

Of course, if Yerim and Seonghan were to form their own teams including personal mounts, we’d need a lot more monsters. But we had one team for now, so it was better for Haeyeon to show a bit of give. Hog too much and you get hated.

I sprawled across my brother’s knees and picked up my phone. Maybe the knots had loosened a bit; it hurt less than before.

“Hello, Sesung Guild Leader.”

[Did you rest well last night, Mister Han Yujin.]

“Slept like a log. Anyway—what do you think about a Pegasus for Ms. Evelyn?”

[We’d welcome it.]

“That answer came fast. So you already spoke with Ms. Evelyn.”

We were on the same wavelength. He moved ahead and conversation clicked, so things didn’t drag—convenient.

“Then cutting to the chase, for this batch—ow!”

[…Mister Han?]

“I’m getting a massage. That spot hurts a lot. Please have Sesung handle registering the new baby monsters.”

I’m tired. I needed to shave the workload.

[The Breeding Facility’s Director must do that personally.]

“Don’t play coy. Surely the Sesung Guild Leader can manage a little workaround.”

[Chief Song Taewon will have words.]

“Don’t make Chief Song suffer—do it clean. Please. We’ll talk detailed terms after the kids are registered.”

I hung up and immediately called Haeyeon. The Peace plush was still managed under PR, but they said they’d spin up a separate unit soon.

“It’s gotten pretty delayed, for sure.”

[Yes. Aside from the concept shoot, prep is done—if Director Han can spare a little time.]

“Weekend would be best, right?”

People have work and school on weekdays. I got a progress report and synced schedules. Photos were most urgent, so we decided to shoot this afternoon.

“I don’t know why I have to be in them.”

It’s a Peace plush—shouldn’t Peace alone look cute. Ethereal Peace would shoot with me, the adult form with Yuhyun.

I then asked Seok Gimyeong about the new hires at the facility. Handover was ongoing, but with few experienced people, it would take time.

[For specialized tasks, Haeyeon will continue to support, but the facility should have one or two standbys of its own. Once things settle, you’ll need to hire more, too.]

Recruitment wouldn’t be difficult, they said. Especially for keepers—despite the high requirements, plenty of Hunters wanted the job. Maybe they just loved animals.

[Also—the Guild Leader should be right beside you.]

“Yeah. He is.”

[There are reporters waiting by the building. When the Guild Leader heads to Haeyeon, we’d appreciate it if Director Han would see him off.]

“See him off?”

[Yes. To completely smother the nonsense about this kidnapping case, it’d help to show a harmonious front for a while.]

That’s easy enough, but what nonsense. Did rumors spring up that we were on bad terms because he went into a dungeon after I was kidnapped?

[Additionally, we’ve shortlisted names for the Monster Mounts Breeding Facility—please review.]

Hmm, my confidence in naming has dropped lately. But if I’m picking from preselected options, I can throw a dart with my eyes closed.

I saw Yuhyun off with Peace and headed to the pens. Yerim, who’d gone to the Hunter Association, returned in the meantime.

“I think our guild’s biggest perk is being close to the Association.”

Yerim grumbled that it was a hassle. Yesterday was reporting her return from Japan; today was registering and reporting new gear. With Shishio’s help, her items were processed as acquired in Japan. Truly a dependable son… I mean it.

“If they register every little thing like that and the Association gets hacked, won’t it be chaos?”

“Obviously it would. But for gear they only take appearance info. If it’s nonlethal, a simple report’s enough. And our country’s always been strict about firearms.”

So at first there was talk that Hunters shouldn’t personally own weapons either. But for mid–rank and above Awakeners, they’re stronger than guns, so it fizzled.

“We’ve installed a temporary large pool.”

A facility Hunter led us toward the yard. On the lawn sat a huge portable pool at least ten meters across.

“But it’s not sturdy, so we can’t let the other monsters onto the field.”

Right—a structure like that would be shredded if a wolf pup chewed on it. We did have a pond on the rooftop garden, but it was too small for an aquatic water dragonkin. For now, we were arranging a long–term lease of a nearby indoor pool.

– Gyuuruk!

A baby water dragon poked its head over the pool’s blue wall. Yerim floated over and reached toward it. The water dragon nuzzled the tip of its nose into her palm.

“Can I make a water bubble and carry her around? She seemed to like it.”

“Of course.”

Barely had I given permission when the water dragon floated up with a blob of water. Spinning in place—it did seem happy, just like she said.

“Do you have a name yet?”

“Yes! But there’s also the water spirit, so I picked two. Sanho and Mar. ‘Mar’ can mean sea, but margarita also means pearl. Coral and Pearl.”

Yerim scrunched her brow, saying she hadn’t decided which to give the water dragon yet. Coral and Pearl. Honestly, that’s a lot better than me. Still, for water–attribute I might manage something decent…

“I think I can decide after we see the water spirit! Is it far from being born?”

“The color deepened.”

While I was stuck in China, I couldn’t take the egg out of my inventory.

“The water dragon suits ‘Mar’ more, right? Blue scales with fins that even have a pearly tint. What do you think, Mar?”

– Kkuuu!

“You like it? Hm?”

Yerim clasped the fin that had stretched out past the water bubble and shook it like a handshake.

“When she’s grown, Mar will move to the Gyeonggi facility, right? They said they were making an artificial lake.”

“Most likely. Unless she learns etherealization like Peace.”

“Mar, you can do it! Live with me, okay!”

– Grrrrng.

If they get close enough, maybe it’s possible.

Lifnil was asleep—probably nocturnal. He really did get active at night. The Pegasus had apparently gotten friendly with the lamb. Sorok was awake for once.

“Sorok, have you been working out?”

– Bbeeeehng.

When Sorok stood up, the water ox lay down. Ostrich was fine; the pond lizard was doing well too.

“The horned fox is very skittish.”

He ate, but wouldn’t go on walks and was curled up in the corner of his pen. When I went in, his ears pricked and he rushed over.

– Kiing, king!

“Yeah, yeah. It’s okay. Not a scary place.”

Should I bring him home. But Peace won’t like that. For now, I picked the horned fox up and stepped outside. Now then—

“Mister isn’t going to name them, right?”

Yerim narrowed her eyes.

“…I’ll leave the water ox and Pegasus to their owners. The others, well, I don’t have to name them either.”

The problem was— I asked the facility Hunter to give us a moment, then took out my worry.

“Someone asked me to name her.”

She’d probably hate it if someone else did.

“The fairy dragonkin that turned into the Sesung Guild Leader in the dungeon—remember?”

“Oh, the pink one?”

“Yeah. So, uh, Pink, or Cherry…”

I snuck a look at Yerim. Thankfully, she didn’t look too grim.

“For you, that’s a lot of effort.”

“Is it okay?”

“If she were just a dragon, fine. But you said she talks and can turn into a human. She called you Dad, too. ‘Han Pink’ is cute, but when she grows up, it’s a bit much. It’s Mister Seong Hyunjae’s face.”

…Imagining calling Seong Hyunjae “Pinkie” gave me chills.

“She usually looks like a kid when she transforms.”

“Try getting off colors first. You were doing okay so far! You can do it if you try, Mister!”

Yerim praised me for progress.

“Or ask Mister Seong Hyunjae, how about that? You said they’re related.”

“The Changeling doesn’t really like the Sesung Guild Leader.”

Still, maybe I should ask for advice. He’ll be better than me, at least.