The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 487: Come On In, Everyone (2)

“I’m not sure we’ll have spare seats, but could you give me the roster, please.”

I looked up at Chloe as neutrally as I could manage. Her face was calm to the point of blankness. Suddenly, I found myself wondering what exactly she was thinking.

“We don’t intend to disclose our attendees.”

“Average cost per S–rank Hunter runs about ₩30 billion. Three of them already makes it roughly ₩100 billion. In dollars, that’s around $80 million.”

That was the figure the Awakened Management Office had provided. Strictly speaking, it included damages, and the lost cruise was the biggest chunk. They’d simply divided the cruise ship’s full price plus sundries by the number of S–rank Hunters; in reality my share would be much smaller. The cruise ship tab would be shouldered by Seong Hyunjae.

“You might think I’m being stingy over a few billion here and there, but there’s no reason to burn money for nothing. I’m not a philanthropist. Especially not for people who, frankly, are flush with cash.”

And I really do need to save. The uninhabited island was peanuts compared to a cruise, but the huge manor and other facilities on it weren’t cheap. Even if you say ‘we’re borrowing it,’ keeping everything perfectly intact is practically impossible. Shishio told me to use it freely with a big, generous laugh, but we paid a reasonable official fee.

Add to that the costs of dressing up rooms, restaurants, and the ballroom, countless labor expenses, transport, and so on. There were more money sinks than you’d think. It wasn’t enough to drain my accounts dry, but the building and the Breeding Facility had ongoing costs too; I couldn’t just throw money around.

“So I won’t be scattering invitations to faces and names I don’t even know.”

“Don’t you want our side to visit?”

I gave Chloe a gentle, courteous smile.

“Of course I’d like to invite you. I still like you, Ms. Chloe.”

“…There’s no need to say what you don’t mean.”

“I mean it. I’m not that fickle. I’m not so small–minded I change my heart overnight just because I got turned down. Ah, unless that makes you uncomfortable. In that case, I’ll keep it to myself without a trace! And like you quietly, only on the inside.”

Chloe’s lips tightened a little as she looked at me, all smiles. If you asked whether it was sincere or not—well, I still had some fondness left for her. These last few days I’d thought I’d set my feelings aside completely after that day, but seeing her in person and talking like this made my heart flutter, just a little. I’ll never again like her as purely as I did before regression, but still…

“I expect at least ten invitations will go to the United States. What do you say?”

“They have the most S–rank Hunters at present, so that follows.”

“Please have those invitations delivered through me.”

So she’d slip in among them. Even if ten invitations went out, exactly ten people wouldn’t show up. Most S–ranks were guild leaders of large guilds. Naturally, they’d bring multiple companions. Playing it safe, it would come out to around thirty people.

Leaning back, I laced my fingers lazily atop the table.

“And what benefit would that give me?”

“I’ll lift Park Hayul’s skill.”

“You’re speaking as if you’re doing me a favor for something that should be a matter of course.”

“To lift the skill, I need to make direct contact with you, Director Han. So I’d like a safety guarantee.”

At a crowded event, she could approach in disguise and, without me noticing, remove the skill.

‘Promising Talent is risky to use on an S–rank, but Park Hayul is A–rank.’

Whatever he changed into, unless he also swapped out his status window, he’d be easy to find. I pulled a reluctant face and gave a small nod.

“Thinking about the trouble the skill caused, I don’t want to accept—yet because it caused that much trouble, I don’t want to drag it out, either.”

“Thank you.”

“But that doesn’t mean I’m letting it go here. Until I receive fair compensation and an apology as the victim, there’s no avoiding mutual discomfort.”

Said the other way around, it meant that if they bowed their heads even now, reconciliation wasn’t impossible. Considering what I suffered, I’d be justified to cut them off as mortal enemies, but the situation is what it is. At this point, it helps no one for people trying to save the world to fight each other. That said, I can’t just go, Ah, well, it’s fine~—I’m not alone in my skin.

I used them as bait once; what says I won’t do it twice? Until we settled things clearly, joining hands was impossible, if only because the uncertainty made me uneasy.

“I’ll convey Director Han’s position clearly.”

Chloe answered docilely. I couldn’t read her mind, of course, but the difference from before left a bitter taste in my mouth. I suppose it meant I was no longer an easy mark.

‘We’ve split from Seong Hyunjae, but we’re holding our own without being pushed around.’

Maybe they’d revised their evaluation: not a fledgling cradled in S–ranks’ hands. I did need to change my image among high–rank Hunters—so they’d see Han Yujin himself, not the S–ranks behind me.

“Please do keep your identity well hidden.”

I kept my smile light as I added:

“I won’t be responsible for any unfortunate accidents that might occur where high–rank Hunters gather. I’ll note it on the invitation as well: personal disputes are to be handled personally.”

There was a tiny uninhabited island nearby, practically a rock, and go a bit farther and a low–rank dungeon was ready. Fights were inevitable, so just like at Seong Hyunjae’s birthday party, the plan was: if you’re going to brawl, take it outside. And if something happened—well, not my problem. They’re not kids; they’re grown high–rank Hunters, so handle your own business.

“I understand. The lack of a safety guarantee is part of why I requested multiple invitations.”

As for Park Hayul—I don’t want to hurt the kid, but… Objectively, stripping out emotion… objectively, objectively. As if it had nothing to do with me. Even if they claimed they’d remove the skill, he could get caught up again. So, I have no intention of laying a hand on him but… mm, let’s not overthink it. If he’s there, I’ll say hello, that’s all. If it comes to it, I’ll toggle off Fear Resistance for a bit.

Anyway, I’m really curious how many will squeeze in.

“Then I’ll take my leave first.”

Chloe dipped her head slightly. Normally, this meeting was supposed to be a one–on–one deal with Seong Hyunjae, so it made sense. Reflexively, I checked Seong Hyunjae’s expression. Quiet, with a faint smile; he didn’t look pleased.

“You can stay, it’s fine.”

I said to Chloe, pretending not to show any nervousness.

“I’m afraid this isn’t my place.”

“No, you don’t have to… As I said, I still like you, Ms. Chloe.”

My eyes, saying Would you stay, please, were coolly ignored. She turned and walked out. I heard the door open and close, and I straightened from the half–rise, awkward posture I’d been in.

Still, the other party was Seong Hyunjae—if I acted too nonchalant right after a falling–out, it would look suspicious. With other people around it’s one thing, but if we were going to be alone, I needed to show at least a hint of reluctance. …And honestly, I wasn’t thrilled about it anyway.

“Director Han.”

Seong Hyunjae called me.

“Strip, or be stripped. Which do you prefer.”

“You say it like those are the only options. It’s gotten quite chilly these days, and as a frail F–rank, I’d sooner add layers than take any off. Let’s talk business.”

I opened my briefcase and pulled out the documents. I had a tablet PC, but for now paper still felt more formal.

“You’ve already received the proposal. What I want are records of high–rank Hunters’ gatherings and information on S–rank Hunters. The Awakened Management Office and the Hunter Association have already cooperated. But when it comes to overseas intel, Sesung is the best in both quality and quantity.”

Then I drew an invitation from my inventory and set it on his side of the table.

“This is an invitation for the Sesung Guild Leader.”

His hand drew the card in front of him. He tapped it—tok, tok—slowly with a fingertip.

“If I were matching a situation where I needn’t be considerate, I’d have pinned you by the neck.”

“I met Chatterbox.”

With Chloe gone, there was no need to keep up the barbs or hide things. At my words, his expression grew even more sour.

“It wasn’t dangerous. He said it was just an invitation. We only told him we’d attend the party he’s hosting. I also secured a solid safety guarantee.”

“Judging by how you talk, you went alone again.”

“You know me well.”

“I don’t. So tell me everything, from start to finish.”

“I already did.”

Golden eyes stared straight at me. Somehow, that gaze felt accusatory.

“…How about the second Stamina Potion ingredient dungeon? It’s in Australia, so we’ll bow out. You can have one hundred percent of it to yourself.”

“When.”

“About two years?”

“Too long. I’ll tear the clothes, then.”

“Pardon?”

“If I openly show displeasure and still let you go without checking, doesn’t that look suspicious.”

“You could try being nice for once. Priority access to Monster Mounts breeding data, then. For the next year.”

“Sesung isn’t a daycare. I’ll continue entrusting that to you, Director Han.”

“I’m trying to avoid solo childcare on a world scale by distributing intel. Just accept a reasonable amount.”

We’d agreed to make it look like that, but he was being genuinely finicky. Helpful, yes, but hardly make–or–break intel for the gathering. (I’d slip a bit to Haeyeon anyway.)

“You accept the proposal and then reject everything, what am I supposed to do. Once we sit down like this, isn’t this the stage where only fine–tuning remains? Third—”

“With the Monster Mounts intel, when I want it, the Breeding Facility Director will brief me in person.”

He said it offhandedly. I had the feeling the emphasis was on the latter half.

“It’s for one year, so at most three times.”

“Twelve.”

“Not quarterly—monthly? Four. What are you looking at, should I just flip the table?”

After a short back–and–forth, we settled on six. I dropped by at about that rate anyway, so it wasn’t excessive. After regression, I’d already been here more than three times.

“It seems you’re getting along surprisingly well with Ms. Chloe. I didn’t think she’d trust you easily.”

“When people feel they’re special to someone, they often open up without much difficulty.”

“Special?”

“To put it simply, you show them a side you don’t show others.”

What did you do. Did you cry or something. Sharing a special secret is, admittedly, a good way to build bonds between people. Whisper, I’m only telling you—and their favor rises, feeling that they matter that much to you.

Sometimes it leads to condescension, but with Seong Hyunjae and Chloe, that seemed unlikely. Above all, when someone in his position gives you special treatment, it’s hard not to be swayed. All the more if your own situation isn’t great—it’ll feel reassuring, doubly so.

“…You’re a bad guy.”

“I’ve never gone out of my way to be kind. I never needed to.”

“Then I’ll play the bad guy.”

So you’re only kind when you feel like it or the person catches your eye. Aren’t you grand.

After a while, Seong Hyunjae stepped out first, and I put on a shirt. I added an extra spare bandage from my bag to my neck and tossed the turtleneck in the trash. What a waste.

Plenty of people were interested in a gathering hosted by the Monster Mounts Breeding Facility Director, but obviously not every S–rank in the world could attend. What if a dungeon popped in the meantime. The only place with truly stable dungeon management was Korea, and even there not everyone would go.

The first batch of invitations totaled thirty. I planned to send about thirty more.

“I’m expecting somewhere around two hundred to at most three hundred high–rank Hunters.”

I told Shishio over the monitor. Since the island was in Japan, I was footing the bill, but the Amaterasu Guild was handling site prep. Of course, the interior style was our call. Otherwise, we might end up wallpapered with golden lions.

“There’ll be more A–ranks than S–ranks. Is everything coming along well?”

[Of course, perfectly!]

Shishio spoke with confidence. Then he showed a few photos and videos. Since it had belonged to an S–rank guild originally, the manor seated at the island’s center was grand. From the exterior alone, it looked less like Japan and more like an old European estate. Plenty of rooms, its own power facilities. It’d be a shame to blow it up. There was a separate pool and even a beach. It’s gotten chilly, so we probably won’t use them.

He said room cleaning and sprucing up were nearly done. From the photos, the rooms were done up as neatly as hotel suites.

[Counting the main house and the annex, there are seventy–five rooms in total.]

Even with a big house, it wasn’t at the level of a massive hotel. It was more like a villa a large guild would use. So we decided to rent out the nearest hotel in its entirety. If people bunked together, the manor would suffice, but these aren’t the type to share rooms.

“Thank you for taking such care.”

[This much is nothing! But if you really want to thank me…]

Shishio suddenly lowered his voice.

[I have one favor to ask.]

“Let’s hear it.”

If it wasn’t too much, I should grant it. We have to get along going forward. Shishio cleared his throat with an ahem.

[When no one’s around, c–could you let me call you… mom.]

“…”

…Uh, …mm. Isn’t the keyword effect about due to wear off? I barely kept a curse from jumping out of my mouth and forced a smile. We need to stay on good terms. Get close enough before the keyword effect fades. That’s the plan, that’s the plan.

“I, I suppose there’s… no reason to forbid it…”

My life. Once I granted permission, Shishio shyly—ahhh! Anyway, that happened. Life in this world really isn’t easy, is it…