The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 488: Come On In, Everyone (3)

“Red alert, my foot. If it’s meant as a warning, it should’ve been blazing scarlet from the start.”

I grumbled while peering at my phone. An article on the portal site front page caught my eye—something about a subtle chill between the Sesung Guild and the Monster Mounts Breeding Facility—and I couldn’t resist clicking. The content was pure conjecture: lately the two sides weren’t getting along~. Well, we acted like that on purpose, so of course people would say it.

“No one got ‘abandoned’ by anyone.”

The tone in some of the related pieces rubbed me the wrong way. That the Breeding Facility would be just fine without Sesung. Honestly, splitting from Haeyeon would be far more dangerous. Not that that would ever happen so long as Yuhyun is Haeyeon’s Guild Leader.

“Right, so Dad, let’s put out our own article too!”

Gyeol shook out the clothes from the dryer with his tiny hands, earnest as ever. Kids really are adorable. Reminds me of when Yuhyun was little.

“Say Daddy dumped the Sesung Guild first! And that we’ve parted ways forever and ever.”

What do you think? His golden eyes sparkled. It’s an act, okay.

“These silly rumors aren’t worth the worry. And Sesung’s too useful to toss aside, even if I wanted to.”

I set the phone down and put the laundry into the basket. The upper dryer chimed that the towels were done. The world really has gotten convenient. Now if only someone would invent a machine that folds laundry. One that can perfectly fold socks and underwear, too.

Kkeung.

I stepped out of the laundry room with the basket and Peace trotted over, tail swishing, eager to help. He seemed envious that Gyeol could pitch in with the housework in human form. But Peace, your fur sheds. Thus, the laundry room was off–limits. Even so, reddish hairs sometimes clung to the wash. Lately, black and gray ones had joined the mix.

“From Gyeol’s point of view, we could do without them.”

“They’re plenty useful.”

And even if they weren’t useful—at this point, I couldn’t just shrug and walk away. Like him or not, I wanted Seong Hyunjae the human being to live the life he wanted. He’s been dragged around more than enough. Not that I have a brilliant solution.

At my words, Gyeol let out a long, soft sigh.

“Why do you hate Seong Hyunjae so much?”

“Because he’s dangerous to Dad.”

“These days, he’s fine.”

“No. He’s not.”

Well, he has threatened me more than once. It’ll get better with time. I finished putting away the laundry and was prepping the kids’ meals when my phone rang. Seo Kyunghoon.

[We’ve finalized the list. Shall we send it to your home?]

“No, I’m heading out soon. Send it to the Director’s Office.”

We prioritized invitations for S–rank Hunters who expressed a wish to attend. As a result, excluding Korea, the first batch that actually went out abroad numbered not even twenty. Ten of those went to Chloe’s side; in practice, fewer than ten S–ranks reached out first.

The arrogance of “we’re big–shot S–ranks; they’ll send us invites on their own.” Most of them had been treated like royalty for years. People apart—not comparable to ordinary folks, or even to mid–ranks and A–rank Hunters.

It’s been barely four years since dungeons and Hunters appeared, yet the VIP treatment has already taken root. To be fair, they are truly extraordinary.

[As requested, we organized them by order of contact. Those who reached out first are flagged in a separate group.]

In other words, among S–ranks, these were the ones especially friendly to me, less steeped in elitism, or simply quick on the uptake. I needed to memorize these folks’ profiles. Making friends there could only help.

Conversely, the ones who hemmed and hawed and contacted us late, reluctantly, I should remember in a different light. The type who fall for provocations easily. If I were Seong Hyunjae, I wouldn’t bother remembering them one by one—I’d just flatten the whole lot. Enviable, really.

“No suspicious names?”

Sesung, the Awakened Management Office, the Hunter Association, and even Amaterasu had all shared their info on overseas high–rank Hunters. Our secretary team had worked hard matching and compiling that against the attendee list. Haeyeon pitched in with their intel too.

[Some S–rank Hunters have their past records wiped, but their current identities are all clear.]

In some countries it’s easier than in Korea to hide your past, so a few high–ranks had scrubbed their histories. Korea had cases like that before my regression as well.

[By contrast, roughly a third of accompanying Hunters at A–rank or below are unclear.]

“That’s a lot. Seems quite a few are thinking of… extras.”

It could simply be lesser–known mid– and low–ranks, but more likely they were Hunters with special skills, like Do Hamin or Park Hayul. This party was going to be… lively.

I ended the call and headed out. Guests had come from afar; I’d do my very best to treat them well.

Since the island hosting the gathering wasn’t far, the majority of Korea’s S–ranks would attend. Even Chief Song decided to come this time. He’d traveled overseas before because of Seong Hyunjae, but back then he mostly slipped out quietly. As the only state–affiliated S–rank, even leaving his post stirred talk. People had even told him to reduce dungeon raids if possible.

But now Korea was relatively safer, and perhaps because the CSAT finished without incident, he could spare the time. Of course, the main reason was to protect our own S–ranks.

“Honestly, I’d rather you stayed this time, Yerim.”

“I’ve always wanted to try flying across the East Sea at least once.”

Yerim said it as if daring me to try and stop her.

“It’s because I’m worried. You’re strong, but adults are adults for a reason. You could get hurt in other ways.”

If it were a clean test of strength, I’d worry less. It’s an island in the middle of the sea, after all. But the world is full of petty, dirty people. And fighting fellow humans instead of monsters—it’s still too early for Yerim. It isn’t a great idea even for adults.

“I’ve got a teleport skill too. I’ll avoid trouble as best I can. Or I’ll stick to Hyunah unnie.”

“True, Hyunah’s there. And it seems Liette’s attending. If neither is nearby, stick to Chief Song.”

“Okay!”

Those three were reassuring, each in a different way.

“Then I’ll ask Mr. Seonghan again this time.”

I looked at Kim Seonghan, a bit apologetically. He smiled as if it was nothing.

“I actually prefer guarding the house. I’m not fond of standing out, truth be told. So please leave it to me.”

Is that a defender thing? Hanshin’s Guild Leader, Park Mingyu, also sent word he’d skip. I’d heard he disliked leaving Korea to begin with. Maybe that’s why Seong Hyunjae once said Hanshin could be trusted. If you’re intent on protecting your own home, you won’t get swallowed by the Filial Duty Addicts.

“So that leaves only Hunter Kim Seonghan and Hunter Park Mingyu in Korea. Hunter Evelyn is still unconfirmed.”

Odds were she’d attend. I’d be glad if she did. For now, she’s on our side.

“I heard you and the Hanshin Guild Leader weren’t on great terms. How are things these days?”

I asked Seonghan. Surely no one would pick a fight just because he was the only S–rank left.

“Ah, well…”

Looking a touch sheepish, he continued.

“We were coworkers once.”

“Pardon? Really?”

“Yes. And, it’s possible I could have become Hanshin’s Guild Leader. There weren’t that many A–rank Hunters back then.”

On top of that, he was an A–rank with top–tier stats and the qualities of an S–rank. If Park Mingyu hadn’t existed, Hanshin’s chairman would’ve tried to bring in a defender–type A–rank like Seonghan as family. Since he was an early Awakened, did he awaken before Park Mingyu? Then Park Mingyu awakened, and Seonghan was pushed aside…?

“Then shouldn’t you be the one to avoid the Hanshin Guild Leader? Not that you’re that kind of person.”

“I don’t know the details, but it seems the very fact I almost became Hanshin’s Guild Leader bothered him. He wanted me to hide my previous job, too. But now, oddly enough, things seem better.”

Not long after he became S–rank, Seonghan even got a call suggesting reconciliation. He had no hard feelings, so he accepted. I expected more wariness once he turned S–rank—surprising.

“I’d like to meet the Hanshin Guild Leader properly sometime.”

If he’s solid support like Seonghan, I should make sure he’s looked after in various ways.

As host, I headed out first. Naturally, Yuhyun and Yerim came along. Peace joined us, but the other kids stayed at the Breeding Facility; an event swarming with S–ranks was too dangerous. I wanted to leave Gyeol too, but—

Gyeol is going to fly after you!

“Gyeol, I said it’s dangerous.”

Not dangerous! S–rank Hunters won’t hurt me! They can’t hurt me!

“They could still snatch you.”

I still don’t wanna! I’m going after Dad!

If I left him, he’d run away to chase me—he was that stubborn. I had no choice but to take him, with the strict promise that no matter what, he’d act like an ordinary F–rank monster. Rang cried a high, thin whine at being separated from Peace, but there was no helping it. He wasn’t immune to outside attacks like Gyeol. Somehow he sensed we’d be away for days, not hours; sharp little thing.

“Peace, go tell Rang to be good and wait, okay?”

Krheung.

Peace ambled over to the horned fox.

Kiiing, kyaeng! Kiyang!

Grrr.

Peace’s forepaw pressed down on the head of the little fox, flattened on the floor. Uh, that’s not what I meant.

“How about rubbing against him or giving him a lick, like you do to Dad? Hm? Gently.”

Kkiang.

Peace spun and came to me instead, nuzzling sweetly. Then he gave a short, curt bark toward the tiger. I don’t know what he said, but the fox kit wagged its tail meekly. Anyway… he seemed soothed.

I told Chirp and Belare to be good, too, and left the Breeding Facility. The plane left from Gimpo Airport and soon reached Japan.

“Amaterasu Guild’s at it again.”

Yerim stared out the plane window.

“They’re gathered in uniforms.”

“Uniforms are whatever…”

Sure, wear whatever you want. But with landing minutes away, I suddenly didn’t feel like getting off the plane.

‘He said only when no one’s around…’

He wouldn’t say that nonsense in front of others. Right? Shishio’s a guild leader; he knows what face–saving is. …Though if he knew, he wouldn’t have said it at all. Fine, Seong Hyunjae said something similar once. And he was still better than Shishio. Ah, my lot in life.

“Hyung, what’s wrong?”

I must’ve frowned without thinking; Yuhyun asked.

“Is it stressing you out?”

“Hm? It is, a little.”

More than a horde of S–ranks descending, Shishio’s one line weighed heavier.

“Don’t worry too much, hyung.”

My brother spoke gently.

“It’s an island, right. If it comes to it, just sweep them all away.”

“No, Yuhyun. Our goal is the invitations.”

“If a lot of seats suddenly open up, they’ll hand them to us anyway.”

…That does sound likely.

“If they’re going to side with Chatterbox, we’ll have to eliminate them regardless.”

In a way, it was clean and certain. Right—if not a single S–rank remained to contract with, even the Filial Duty Addicts would find it hard to meddle in our world.

“Still, that could cause national–level problems, and even the S–ranks who don’t care might turn hostile, so let’s hold it. And even if Chatterbox backs off, dungeons will still be here.”

“I’ll be careful, of course.”

I know you will, but—you look a little too pleased. Liette even said it’d be fine to crush them all there and messaged she’d attend. It’s not a brawl, I said. For now.

“Do you like fighting Hunters that much?”

“More than that, you’re here. You’re the host.”

He smiled brilliantly. It wasn’t just any fight—he’d be trampling people picking a fight with me, for my sake. No wonder he liked the idea. Perhaps we should give up the manor… maybe even the island.

“Yerim, if the island goes boom, please handle rescue.”

“Don’t worry~ I’ll stock plenty of potions.”

“Peace, I’m counting on you too.”

Kkiang!

Me too, Dad! I can carry Dad and fly!

That’s called abuse. Meanwhile the plane touched down. Between two lines of uniformed Hunters, Shishio stood beaming like the sun. His spiky golden lion–mane hairstyle made him even more dazzling.

“Director Han Yujin!”

What a set of lungs. He strode forward to hug me, but Yuhyun stepped between us. Looking a bit awkward, Shishio met his eyes.

“Have you been well.”

He spoke oddly polite—and warm—to Yuhyun. Yerim and Yuhyun eyed him with suspicion, and I…

‘If I’m… that… then, for Yuhyun, Shishio would be…’

I had to force my thoughts to stop branching. No. Absolutely not. My little brother does not have some huge, older nep— none of that!