The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 470: Letter (1)

My skull throbbed. I thought about turning on Poison Resistance, then left it off. When would I next get to feel a hangover? It’ll be hard to drink like last night again. Besides, I wanted to zone out a bit longer.

‘…How embarrassing.’

I hugged a big pillow and buried my face. Even with my head heavy, last night came back crystal clear. Not a single part of it isn’t mortifying.

‘Was I already drunk back in the lounge?’

Maybe. I did finish a glass. And last night, uh… I was aiming to get lightly tipsy so I wouldn’t start babbling nonsense. But the wine was pretty good, and the gentle buzz felt nice.

‘I mean—liking someone isn’t wrong, is it?’

I feel like I kept repeating that line. What’s so bad about it; it’s better than hating, right? Ugh, it’s all too vivid. Yuhyun kept going, “Hyung, you’re right about everything,” Myungwoo made sure I ate while drinking, and Mr. Noah said, “I like you too, Yujin.” At one point Yerim tried to sneak in with Gyeol. I kicked them right out.

Then Yuhyun said I seemed pretty drunk and took me to the bedroom, and… I think I said there was still booze left and we should finish it. At the end, I turned off Poison Resistance because I was getting antsy—and must’ve blacked out. I didn’t say anything weird, did I. Just in case, I checked the Keyword registry. Han Yuhyun—still there, intact.

‘…Let’s drink in moderation.’

I lifted my head with effort and saw my brother sleeping beside me. He’d taken off his jacket but only loosened his tie. For some reason, the sight made me fond. If he’d gone to college like normal, this would be his age to do this. College kids have a lot of drinking gatherings, right?

“How’d you drink this much—and you still made it home,” I’d grumble, then wash him up and put him to bed. I ended up drunk too last night, though. Still, Yuhyun seemed only lightly buzzed—did he drink more after my film cut out? …Don’t tell me I made him drink.

I turned on Poison Resistance and sat up. Maybe because the liquor was special, a faint hangover clung on anyway.

‘…Now that my head’s clearer, it’s even more embarrassing.’

How ridiculous did I look. A Stat–F shouting at an S–rank—the strongest man—that I’ll help as I please and if he runs I’ll drag him back… Damn it, how am I supposed to face Seong Hyunjae. Or Ms. Hyunah. Or Chief Song… Uuuugh. Still—mm—I didn’t regret it. If I went back to that exact moment, I’d say the same thing. I’d be calmer about it, though.

‘Yeah. It’s what I want to do, so what.’

Shoving “live well” at other people—without consent it can be a selfish act. The outcome won’t always be good. But he told me first to be selfish, didn’t he? I’m obliging your request—so shut it. Say whatever you want to me; come at me however you want!

Suddenly I remembered Seong Hyunjae’s line about my “foundations being firmly set.” That was at a hotel, too—though not this one. It’s true I never had much faith in myself. What I believed in were… the things my brother left me. Skills that were mine, but not truly mine. Things I gained with those skills.

‘Without those…’

I liked Chloe not only because I was a fan of her broadcast, but because she acknowledged effort regardless of rank. She said the info an F–rank Hunter scraped from a dungeon could be useful. Me—without comparisons, cut out by myself—me as an F–rank Hunter—I actually had decent skills. I sold quite a few tips to Do Hamin for a tidy sum. In a harsher environment I had to grind body and mind more, and naturally I’d stacked up a bit more experience than others.

So I thought—if I met Hunter Chloe and talked, maybe she’d recognize my value… Mm, thinking back now, that’s kinda embarrassing. With that mindset, I even applied to guest on her program.

‘But the current me got “I don’t like you” first.’

That might change once she knows the circumstances. But still—how to put it…

‘It’s not bad.’

At first it shocked me; now it feels a bit relieving. That the post–regression Han Yujin got the bad review. I am better now, objectively. A hundred out of a hundred would pick the current Han Yujin. Even so, the old me—me with nothing—worked hard.

‘And the me in the other world is probably living well too.’

Without a single special skill. He didn’t end up F–rank, but even so—still low–rank.

So maybe even the me with nothing is worth trusting a little. Don’t let myself get shaken every time Seong Hyunjae acts up. …Not getting shaken is hard. But I’m sure about what I want to do.

Even if Seong Hyunjae really does leave.

‘…That still pisses me off.’

He literally deleted his contact name and handed me the phone. He accepted the word “partner” and said he’d wait even if I fell short. Hey—it hasn’t even been a year! Not even half a year. It was August 30 then and it’s only November now! People judge results by quarter at least—can’t you give me three months! If you count time flowing differently in dungeons, it’s about three months, I guess—but still!

I should’ve grabbed his collar properly. Not that it wouldn’t just look like me clinging.

“…Hyung?”

I was thumping an innocent pillow when Yuhyun’s eyes opened.

“It’s fine—sleep more.”

He groggily sat up. He tugged the tie all the way off and pushed back his mussed hair.

“…I don’t like this.”

“What, the hangover? Right, it’s your first.”

Liquor that affects S–ranks only just came out, and in that dungeon we couldn’t drink at ease.

“It’s not a pleasant feeling.”

“Not now—the loss of control. I wasn’t that drunk, but I was a bit off.”

“Huh? Still seemed fine. Nothing got broken.”

It wasn’t that strong, so even for S–rank Yuhyun—and for me before I turned off Poison Resistance—it was just a mild lift.

“If I’m alone it’s fine, but I could hurt you.”

“Hey, I have Grace. If you’re worried, I’ll keep Grace on when I drink with you.”

“The sensation of being under a mind–type skill’s influence—didn’t like it. It was weak, but I won’t drink anymore.”

“Yeah? I wanted to share a drink with you sometimes.”

“Only with you, only at home. Somewhere definitely safe.”

Anywhere else, no way—he frowned slightly.

“You okay, Hyung?”

“Me? Yeah. I feel kind of… lighter.”

I went on, sheepish.

“I think I said this last night too, but—liking anything is fine, whatever the outcome.”

While you like it, it feels good; it can be comforting—anyway, it’s a positive feeling. Of course it can also hurt. It did for me. Even so, I don’t plan to regret it. Even if I lose everything again, if I go back again, I’ll love everyone again.

Even Seong Hyunjae—he’s not… mm… I went through all sorts of crap, but there were fun moments, and that was tasty, and yeah, that time was tasty too, and that place suited me… Of course Myungwoo is the best, but he fusses over my health so much. The fact that healthy food can taste great is amazing, though.

“Obviously I’m not going to fall head over heels and hand over my guts—but I’m going to do as I please.”

It’s not so different from before, but… how to put it. Maybe I’ve moved myself a bit closer to the center. At my words, Yuhyun’s face darkened.

“Okay, Hyung. He’s a foreigner anyway.”

“…What?”

“Park Yerim said since she’s a high–rank Hunter who works hard, she won’t be able to come to Korea often. I go into dungeons too, so a few days a month is fine with me.”

“Hey, no.”

“But never alone. Always take Peace at least. Put it in the contract—”

“I told you I got dumped!”

What is this kid even saying.

“And she doesn’t like me!”

“There’s no way a high–rank Hunter would dislike you. It was your first meeting and you did her no harm.”

The Unfilial Children did say high–rank Hunters like my type.

“But how could everyone like me. And Ms. Chloe is connected to Park Hayul.”

His mouth pressed shut. I felt the sudden surge of savagery and hurried to calm him.

“She’s already vanished! I told Chief Song.”

“…Since when did you notice.”

“I had my suspicions not long after we met—hold up!”

He hauled me and flattened me on the bed. Hey—hey!

“No, nothing dangerous happened—ack! Hey!”

“I thought the Sesung Guildmaster and the Breaker Guildmaster were going to spectate.”

“Yuhy—augh!”

It hurts!

“You said others shouldn’t butt in when you confess, so I held back.”

His hands dug into my shoulders. It hurt so much I screamed. It might be the best room with great size and soundproofing, but even that didn’t block a scream—the door banged open.

“Yujin?”

“Mr. Yujin!”

“It’s just a simple massage.”

My punk of a brother said, perfectly calm.

“I learned from a professional. Don’t worry.”

When? Don’t tell me his teacher was the elder Chaos.

“He seems to be in too much pain, though.”

At Mr. Noah’s words, Yuhyun replied firmly,

“Hyung did something dangerous again.”

“Ah…”

“It’s good for you. Yujin, you’ll tell us later, right?”

Myungwoo turned away first, and Noah closed the door, a bit apologetic.

“No—hff! Aaaagh, Yuhyun—agh! Gently—!”

Ow, Hyung’s going to die, you brat! It was tear–jerking painful—but also relieving. When I was limp as a noodle, my brother looked down at me, dissatisfied.

“Ugh—it was only suspicion, and I prepared properly. Honestly it was hard to be sure, so I just probed and planned to tell you right away. But Ms. Chloe started spilling first.”

She’d said she didn’t intend to hide it—but ordinarily she’d have told me and left immediately. Maybe she would’ve had a letter delivered at the airport before departure. “Read this after I’m gone,” or something. So I had to check. Thanks to that, we have a chance to catch her.

“Seong Hyunjae noticed before I spoke, and Ms. Hyunah was there too. And if you and Yerim knew, you’d show it. That’s all—never about hiding it on purpose.”

“Got it. Should I take acting lessons?”

“You don’t have to go that far… though it would help.”

It’d be good for social life. Yuhyun never needed to act and adjust for others, but there are other uses. Like back when I was arrested. Though that didn’t feel like acting.

I staggered off the bed, washed up, and went to the living room. Yerim, who had slept in another room, came with Gyeol when she heard. Room service had arrived and was laid out on the table.

“I really did like her. Since before regression.”

I briefly explained about Chloe. I liked her a lot, so the confession wasn’t a complete lie.

“She did feel sorry about using me.”

I passed on what Chloe said, leaving out the parts about Seong Hyunjae. As for him… I need to meet him again and get a clear read on his intent. And ask his help to catch Chloe. If he agrees. If he refuses—then I’ll have to get a hold of Seong Hyunjae too, one way or another.

“What is with her. Kidnapping is kidnapping. Mister went through so much.”

Yerim pouted.

“If she’s sorry, she shouldn’t have said she dislikes you!”

“Personal and public are different.”

“Yujin, you’re not hesitating, are you?”

Myungwoo frowned slightly.

“In any case, you were harmed. The letter alone makes her a definite accomplice.”

“He’s right. And just knowing Hwang Rim is unsettling.”

Mr. Noah backed him up. True enough. I took out the letter Hwang Rim supposedly sent from Inventory. I opened the envelope…

“…It’s in hanja.”

Does this guy think every Korean can obviously read classical Chinese? King Sejong created Hangul ages ago and you brazenly write a letter in classical script? Even the letter’s annoying.

“Do we call a translator? Someone who can read classical Chinese?”

Calling someone raised security worries. Should I ask Teacher Hoyeon.

“If we use a translator app, we can get the gist.”

Yerim lifted her phone.

“You’d have to input the characters one by one.”

“It recognizes text on paper.”

“Really?”

“Spread it on the table.”

I know translators exist—but a phone can translate a letter right away? Yerim held her phone over the letter. Then, roughly, the letter began to appear translated.