The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 447: Still Working After Returning (3)

With no other Hunters, Evelyn herself drove the car out of the building’s garage. I really am the only one without a license. Reporters waiting outside fired their shutters at the car.

“It’s not even the first kidnapping, but they’re tailing us too hard.”

Why camp out in front of someone else’s building. At my words, Evelyn glanced back at me.

“I heard you don’t read internet articles much.”

“Ah, yes. Not that I never look.”

Since I disliked them, the kids and everyone else around me tended not to bring them up.

“It’s less the kidnapping and more another issue.”

Stopped at a light, Evelyn pulled out her phone, searched, and showed me an article. The big photo at the top made me wince on sight.

‘They really used that picture…’

I locked eyes with myself hugging a pink bouquet. What are you smiling about.

“‘Monster Mounts Breeding Facility, close ties with Sesung Guild’… Hang on. Why are they writing fiction. I said clearly from the start I wouldn’t belong to any guild, but they’re speculating I’ll go to Sesung.”

There was talk about overseas breeding requests, too. Since Haeyeon lacked international clout, I’d naturally end up more deeply linked to Sesung, and so on.

“There’s a bit about you as well, Evelyn. ‘Sesung Guild’s outstanding ability to recruit overseas Hunters’…”

So that’s why Seok Gimyeong told me to act closer with Yuhyun. He’d know I’d never go to Sesung, but this kind of article would have grated.

“‘Aggressive love call from Korea’s top guild leader’—give me a break. Whoa, there’s even a piece saying I’ll get a health check at the Sesung hospital already. Do you have spies inside Sesung?”

“We leaked it on purpose.”

“What’s this about having had several private meals. I’ll eat with anyone.”

“The only person the Guild Leader has personally treated to a private meal is Director Han. Excluding Chief Song Taewon—he declined over the expense.”

“…You’ve never eaten with him? He’s a guildmate.”

Evelyn only smiled. Even S–rank Hunters don’t like eating with the boss, it seems. I can imagine Soyoung bolting too.

“As a dining companion, he’s not that bad.”

Anyway, I did plan to act chummy with Sesung, but talk of a merger was over the line. Should I put a little distance. Or look closer with Yuhyun and Ms. Hyunah. Like a combined training trip. Facility, Haeyeon, Breaker.

…Feels a bit off to exclude only Sesung, though.

“At this rate, even giving a Pegasus will cause a stir. ‘Haeyeon gets an S–rank mount.’”

I handed her phone back, grumbling. Articles are whatever the writer wants. Shrink and stretch craftily and you get something far from the truth.

“You’ll name her, right, Evelyn? Got anything in mind?”

“No, but…”

Evelyn thought a moment, then spoke.

“Vare. Let’s go with that.”

“What does it mean?”

“No meaning.”

Just slapped on, huh. She didn’t seem particularly attached to the Pegasus, which worried me a little. Still, Yuhyun got on fine with Peace.

“By the way—about that cult, did you hear from Mr. Seong Hyunjae?”

“Best not to get involved.”

“They said you know that side quite well.”

“Well. What I know and what you want to know are probably a bit different.”

Even so, she said she’d organize info and send it.

“If it’s as the Guild Leader said, there’ve been many changes in a short time. I’ve never killed an S–rank Awakener.”

“…Pardon?”

“I mean I’ve had no friction with them.”

Mm. That sounded like there had been quite a bit of bloodshed with A–rank and below.

By then the car pulled into the Hunter Association garage. Reporters were waiting here as well. More speculative pieces incoming about showing up with a Sesung guild member. At least they were kept back far enough not to throw dumb questions…

They were kept back because of that man.

The door opened and Seong Hyunjae offered a hand.

“You didn’t have to come out this far.”

“Hunter Miller is a touch short on consideration. For Mister Han as he is now, isn’t that lamb a bit heavy.”

The lamb did have some size and weight. The horned fox was small and thin, and if Peace etherealized to his youngest, he wasn’t a burden. I could still carry the lamb, though.

“Song–i can walk on her own. Right?”

– Baa–ng.

“Outdoors calls for care.”

True enough. Seong Hyunjae scooped the lamb up with one arm and helped me up with the other. They’re shooting all this, right now. Well, smile anyway. With modern cameras, they’ll catch my expression crystal–clear from this distance.

“Let’s act less close for a while.”

“Discarded the moment you get what you want. My partner is cold.”

“I’m not discarding you. I’m saying there are stupid rumors. I need to look closer with Haeyeon—with Yuhyun.”

As we walked into the building, Seong Hyunjae tilted his head.

“Closer with the young master than now. Is that possible.”

“Media exposure, exposure. There’s an event for the Peace plush launch—stick together and show how well we get along.”

“It may look more like an insincere event stunt.”

Maybe. Then naturally… naturally… There’s nothing. Sibling closeness usually shows at home. Outside, it’s mostly a business relationship. The facility’s watched too closely for paparazzi, so they can’t stick to us. And while working I can’t blatantly go, ‘Ah, my little brother is doing great,’ either.

“Welcome, Director Han.”

The moment the door opened, Choi Youngjun, the Association’s PR head, greeted me with a bright face. I’m not going to the Association side, but we’ll be tied anyway. Chief Song Taewon also rose and gave me a small nod. We exchanged bows and sat.

Seong Hyunjae set the lamb on the table. Tap tap, tiny hooves clicked on the glass.

“You said the Volcano Black Lamb’s keeping costs would be borne by the breeding facility—we can take them.”

“Song–i is, first and last, Chief Song’s personal mount. A public institution must not pay for a personal mount.”

The Volcano Black Lamb’s contract was arranged differently. Song–i would remain affiliated with the Monster Mounts Breeding Facility. But her partner was Song Taewon.

Roughly like—an A–company entertainer on a lifetime contract to B–program. Or an agent firm versus a sports team.

“Of course, for accidents during dungeon raids, dungeon–break responses, Awakener Management Office duties, and Association PR, the Association will cover them.”

Basic keeping costs, the facility—me—would pay. But on–duty costs were different. The Association should cover those—including compensation if they overworked her, heaven forbid.

“You’ve checked all the conditions, right? Keep the working hours strictly. Don’t put her against monsters too dangerous for her rank. If the Association acquires any mount gear, the Volcano Black Lamb has absolute priority. And remember clearly that Chief Song has no re–homing rights.”

In my heart, I wanted to give Chief Song all the rights. But he found it burdensome, and he couldn’t protect the lamb alone. Not that he lacked the ability. If Chief Song stood firm, who would dare touch Song–i.

The problem was—that’s not who he is. He’s still someone who lets go of what’s in his hands too easily. Say it’s “for more people, for the country,” and he’d give it up.

So for now, she would be under the facility’s protection.

“Chief Song’s residence is a general apartment building. Pets aren’t banned, but getting residency clearance for the Volcano Black Lamb won’t be quick.”

“What problem is there with an S–rank Hunter present. She’s still a baby—well–behaved. For anything after hours, the facility will take responsibility. And anyway…”

I stole a glance at the quietly seated Chief.

“He won’t be home long, will he.”

“That… yes.”

Choi Youngjun agreed, regretful. Likely just a place to sleep. Fortunately, Song–i fell asleep early and was quiet until dawn. Maybe because she’s a baby, she slept a lot.

“The Association has already prepared a space for mounts. While etherealized, she can roam freely. The Awakener Management Office also allows free movement within the department.”

“Thank you for the consideration.”

“It’s only proper.”

Still, people who’d changed were easier to talk to. As we ironed out the remaining additions, Chief Song stayed quiet. His gaze remained on the lamb perched on the table. It was hard to read what he was thinking—heavy and calm.

Choi slipped out to handle paperwork, and the lamb bleated softly.

“Would you like to hold her.”

At my words, Chief Song’s lips tightened faintly. Seated like a spectator at leisure, Seong Hyunjae watched and smiled.

“Afraid, perhaps.”

“What nonsense.”

“Chief Song is not like Mister Han, for whom love comes easy.”

“…It doesn’t come that easy for me either.”

Do they think I love just anyone. Even with Seok Gimyeong—he’s very kind to me now, but I still feel awkward.

“Well, Mister Han is just good at giving. Chief Song, on the other hand, can’t receive—and when he gives, he excludes his heart. The rest, he gives all of, and that’s a problem too.”

On giving all of himself—I agreed. Take care of yourself a little. With no rebuttal, only a short sigh, Chief Song reached for the lamb. The lamb stared at the slowly approaching big hand, then sprang up and—

Thunk,

rammed it with her head.

– Baa–aa!

Managing to keep her footing on the slick glass, she butted his hand again. Chief Song was a touch flustered; Seong Hyunjae chuckled low.

“Looks like she’s still pouting.”

“Pouting?”

“Or whining that it’s been so long.”

What are you on about. Chief Song offered his hand again. This time, instead of butting, the lamb set her head—tok—on his palm.

“…I’m sorry.”

– Baa.

“For now, please take care of me. But I won’t be satisfied.”

– Baa–aaah.

“If you’re uncomfortable, you can return anytime.”

…Um, Chief. She won’t understand even if you say that. Maybe those earnest words were also for himself. Song–i just wagged her short tail and mouthed his thumb. Chief Song looked at me.

“Is she hungry?”

“Oh—no. She does that when she plays with Sorok too. Bites or sucks an ear, and Sorok gets annoyed.”

“I see. Tell me the rest of the cautions.”

“I’ve organized a file—I’ll email it. She’s not fussy.”

For growth, we decided she’d stay at the facility three days a week. Somewhat awkwardly, Chief Song picked her up. Song–i, for her part, nestled in like she’d done it a thousand times and started chewing his tie.

I should gift him a few ties. Those he’ll accept if I mark them as expenses.

“Ah, and this is Song–i’s dedicated collar.”

I set an S–rank wire on the table.

“Since she’s an A–rank mount, we prepared something especially sturdy. Go on, take it.”

“…Doesn’t look like a collar.”

“It’s a line—see, with a collar here.”

A C–rank necklace I’d begged from Myungwoo on short notice.

“She doesn’t like wearing a collar much, so you can wear it yourself when not in use.”

“I have a sturdy line of my own. I’ll take only the necklace.”

“For an A–rank mount, it has to be an S–rank line. Really.”

Not entirely a lie.

“Imagine Song–i full grown. With my raising, she might be a quasi–S–rank mount. Then A–rank or lower lines would be too risky! It’s a necessity, a necessity! What kind of pet owner uses an ill–fitting leash. For safety—S–rank is a must!”

“…I’ll accept it for now.”

At last, the S–rank wire ended up in Chief Song’s hand. Song–i, thank you! You’re a filial child!

“And to hold the line properly, sturdy gloves—”

“No.”

Tch. That one was a reach.