The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 446: Still Working After Returning (2)

The photo shoot was done right inside the Haeyeon building—no need to go far. Since we were shooting Peace in his adult form, a regular studio would’ve been tough anyway. Instead of wrangling a dozen procedures, just do it at Haeyeon.

“Chirp and Belare have gone into production, and next up was Sorok.”

Team Leader Kim Hayeon looked at Mar, who’d come with Yerim, and continued.

“You said her name is Mar. How about we proceed simultaneously.”

“I’m in! Right, Mar?”

– Gyureuk!

So Yerim and Ms. Hyunah would shoot with their own mounts too, huh. Since we didn’t know whether Mar and Sorok could learn etherealization, we’d do a baby–stage shoot now and shoot again separately for the adult stage.

“Is Ms. Soyoung not doing one?”

“She proposed full–scale, life–size plushes!”

Hayeon said. Life–size, huh.

“Comet, of course—and Hunter Liette as well.”

“Ah…”

Liette’s… a bit big, no? Where would you even put that.

“She also wanted 1/10–scale figures of Hunter Liette and Hunter Noah.”

“Th–that’s… enthusiastic.”

“The end goal was a gallery. ‘The real thing is best, but you should express love in every way you can,’ she said.”

…A desire to record everything in many forms, I guess. Well, they do say what remains are the photos. Maybe I should take more pictures and videos of the kids too. Not making a gallery, though.

“Director Han’s concept will be everyday vibes.”

One of the crew came over.

“A warm, ordinary day with a beloved pet. One indoor shot, one outdoor.”

“Ah, okay.”

“Just dote on Peace as naturally as possible.”

That’s easy. I’d worried I’d have to pose and emote, but thankfully not. My leg situation was a secret, but the set included a sofa and benches so I didn’t have to stand long. Makeup, hair—and wardrobe…

“Uh, this is…”

“Chirp pajamas. A set with Peace pajamas.”

…So I’d not only appear in front of people in pajamas—I’d leave photo evidence, too.

“Peace, come here.”

– Kki–ang!

“Please ignore us and be natural! Like you always are!”

How do I not notice. Still, I did my best to pretend no one was there—threw Peace a toy ball, hugged him, petted and brushed him, gave him treats; changed outfits, shot more, switched backgrounds to pretend we were out for a walk, pulled the wings out too.

It took quite a bit longer than I’d thought. I was a bit tired, but Peace looked fine. He still had to shoot with Yuhyun.

“Good work, Peace.”

– Grrrrng.

I was stroking him when Yuhyun came out—the total opposite of me, in a neutral–tone suit with a long coat flowing down. His hair was straightened and swept back. A slightly cool, weighty aura. Since he’s S–rank and I’m stat–F, I get the creative intent—but I’m the older brother here.

“Ugh… I feel gross. It’s making me pissy.”

Yerim muttered, looking at Yuhyun. Isn’t he handsome?

“He is.”

“That’s the problem. Ugh, annoying.”

Maybe Yerim doesn’t like very handsome faces? She can be curt with Seong Hyunjae too. But she gets along with Mr. Noah. And she’s very close with Ms. Hyunah.

“Hyung.”

Yuhyun smiled at me. Hard to fault anything with that guy—whose little brother is he, huh. Peace trotted to him and shifted to his adult form. Golden–tinged red fur filled our view. Some of the non–awakened staff actually backpedaled in fright.

He is really cool, though. Except—

“…Guild Leader of Haeyeon, please look this way. Peace needs to turn his head too.”

Both of them were just staring at me.

“Yuhyun, look over there. Don’t look at me. Peace, you too.”

“How am I supposed not to look when Hyung’s right there.”

– Grrrng.

Kids, honestly. Yerim muttered, “Two fire foxes.” Beyond the eyeline issue, they said my presence changed the mood between the two, and asked me to step out for a bit. Yerim followed, saying she didn’t want to look at that either.

“Mar, you saw Peace transform, right? You can do it too! Etherealization! Or mini–form!”

– Gyuuu.

“Even if Mar can’t learn it, unni will definitely get you a skill!”

The baby water dragon flapped her chest fins like clapping, as if she understood. Right—worst case, I’ll get her a flight skill to learn. Peace did it.

Outside the set, people were reviewing and choosing photos of me and Peace. Seeing that made me want to go back in.

“Do my photos have to be in the promo? Peace alone should be fine. Or just Yuhyun. He’s Peace’s rider.”

“Character merch needs story, too.”

Team Leader Kim Hayeon set a Peace plush on my knee.

“Especially for mount merch, it’s also about improving the image. Director Han should actually be featured more prominently than the Guild Leader.”

A stat–F “safe” certificate, basically.

“Also, photocards will be a limited bonus.”

“…Sorry? A bonus?”

Hold on, photocards—what?

“W–what do you mean, exactly.”

“Cards with photos. This big.”

Yerim explained. I mean, I do know what they are, but—

“You’re… tucking those in with the plush?”

“Yes. First–edition limited event.”

“Why? Why with the plush…? And mine—there won’t be many people who want that!”

Yuhyun’s always been popular, sure, but me barging in feels weird. Is it fine because Peace is in the shot, too? More to the point, why are photos a bonus with Peace plushes in the first place. Weren’t they just for ads?

“Why not—Director Han has lots of fans.”

A Haeyeon staffer, overhearing us, stepped over. Another chimed in.

“The only Awakener who can raise monsters. The one who took care of the Guild Leader of Haeyeon in place of parents, discovered S–rank Awakener Hunter Park Yerim, and was the only one to recognize the golden–handed craftsman—that’s Director Han. That alone is more than enough for fame.”

“And on top of that—a kidnapping résumé!”

…Why bring that up.

“Director Han is popular with the middle–aged too. They feel for you.”

“Especially since you’re surrounded by S–rankers. It feels precarious.”

Well… I did lean into the pitiable vibe a bit, but what on earth is my public image.

“I’m… grateful to the people who like me.”

“There’s even a fan club.”

Uh—ah—my nape burned. I mean, it can happen when you get famous, but still.

“Mm, had no idea. Then I should at least treat them to a meal—”

“No, Director. Please don’t.”

“Haeyeon PR is handling it together with the Guild Leader and Hunter Park Yerim, so absolutely no need to worry~”

“Just update SNS often.”

I hadn’t posted while I was in China. Once Sesung finishes registering the babies, I’ll introduce the new faces.

After a while, they said the set was clear, so I went back in. Yuhyun had changed again into formalwear. “Post–battle” concept—hair tousled, fake blood on his cheek. He took a cleansing wipe and came over as he rubbed his cheek. Peace bounded over, shrinking his body.

“The last shot is the two of us with the 아성체.”

“Yeah? How many are they cramming in here. Is it like one plush, half a dozen photocards.”

“They won’t give all of them.”

What? Turned out the etherealization version, etherealization–with–wings, adult version, adult–with–wings were all separate bonuses. And the last 아성체 photo was random. Weren’t we prioritizing PR and image improvement over profit… Well, they’re just photos.

By the time we wrapped, it was dinner. We ate out, then sent the kids and Peace home first and swung by the facility. The horned fox pup was still curled in a corner.

“I’ll keep him with me until he settles.”

Even if Peace would be prickly, it had to be better than leaving him here. I took the mystery egg along, too. Back home, Peace bounded out as if he’d been waiting. He cocked his head, looking up at the fox in my arms.

– Kkeuung.

“Peace, be good. He’s a timid little brother—don’t startle him, okay?”

I took the fox—with ears pricked—and headed for the living room. Peace trotted after me and hopped onto the sofa first.

“Yuhyun, if it looks dicey, stop them.”

I asked my brother, then set the horned fox on the sofa. His plush tail curled into a circle tight to his body.

– Arrrrr.

Peace stared at the tense pup with narrowed eyes. Clearly not a fan.

– Grrr.

With a low rumble, Peace lifted a forepaw and tapped the fox’s nose. Just a touch of dominance—

– Kyang! Kyeng!

“What—what’s wrong?”

“What happened?”

Yerim, who’d gone up to her room with Mar, rushed out, startled.

– Kkae–aeng! Kyeng! Kyeng!

The pup let out a dying–animal cry and plastered himself to me. Peace blinked wide and pricked his ears.

“Are you hurt? He didn’t hit hard…”

– Kyae–aeng! Kkeuung, kyeng!

Is it the rank gap. But there wasn’t a scratch. As I fussed over the pup, Yuhyun, watching, spoke.

“He’s faking.”

“Huh?”

“Leave him.”

– Kkaeng, kyeng!

Drooping ears and tail, the pup looked up at me. He didn’t look truly hurt.

– Kkiuuung.

Peace glanced at me and gave a small whine. I hesitated, then backed away from the fox with as firm a face as I could manage.

“You didn’t hit him to hurt, right, Peace?”

– Kki–ang.

“It’s good to treat your little brother kindly, but you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s okay.”

They aren’t the same species with language; they’re monsters, both. And Peace is this household’s first monster.

– Kiiing.

The pup rubbed against my leg like he wanted to be picked up. I avoided him and stepped back again.

“Peace.”

Peace hopped over to me. I stroked him instead of the fox; the fox froze, flustered.

“You too, come here.”

– Arrrng.

Watching Peace, the fox crept over. I reached out my other hand and petted him as well. He accepted the touch, but whimpered kkiiing, as if aggrieved.

“If Peace had actually attacked you, I’d take your side. But no playacting.”

– Kkeung, kyeng.

“Here, Peace is first, and he’s the boss.”

He wouldn’t understand the words, but he seemed to get the vibe. He dipped his head to Peace, then flopped—showing his belly.

– Kyarr–rr.

Wagging his tail while lying on his back, the pup earned a faintly disgusted look from Peace, who lifted a paw and lightly tapped the fox’s nose.

“This one’s not ordinary. Even Peace looks baffled.”

“Maybe he’s eaten a lot of humble pie.”

When Peace turned and climbed back onto the sofa, the pup sprang up and looked between me and Peace. After a moment’s debate, he approached Peace with a purr–rumble. Well, good—they might get along. Odd little guy, though.

The new monsters’ paperwork was finished in a single day. They really do handle things cleanly. The next day, people from the Hunter Association came to verify the monsters and take photos.

The Hunters from China had arrived safely in Korea, but their processing would take a bit longer. Unlike Mr. Noah’s case, there were issues like illegal entry and the Chinese situation snarling things. A normal nationality change wasn’t possible, so there were a lot of places to put hands on. Still, Teacher Hoyeon, being an A–rank healer, would be registered as a Korean Hunter quickly.

“So this is the little one.”

Evelyn looked down at the baby Pegasus—her expression not particularly moved. I worried a bit whether she’d care for a mount well.

“Yes. I thought she’d suit you.”

“A Pegasus could be said to be Medusa’s, as well.”

“Pardon?”

“I expect I’ll get to hear something interesting.”

Evelyn smiled faintly, then reached to stroke the Pegasus’ head. Her touch, at least, was gentle.

“Shall we go, Director Han.”

Evelyn had come both to check the Pegasus and to guard me. For a while, an S–rank Hunter would accompany me whenever I went out. I nodded and scooped up the lamb.

“Let’s go see Dad, Song–i.”

– Baa–aa.

Along with the new baby monsters, Sesung also handled registering the mounts under the Awakener Management Office. Thanks to that, Chief Song Taewon was waiting for me at the Hunter Association with Seong Hyunjae. Whew, took long enough. Still, since this worked, maybe the cuffs and the wire would go through too.