The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 496: So Hand It Over, Then (3)

“Yes, Sesung Guildmaster. Please enjoy your time~”

I flashed a bright smile and cleanly turned away. I’m not a dog— I don’t have to trot over just because someone calls. Passing by like this would be better on several levels—

“Looks like you’re sulking.”

Seong Hyunjae said it with a hint of laughter. That damned man. If he puts it like that, what does that make me! If I really ignored him and walked off now, it would read as oh, he’s mad about being dumped. I’d worked hard to set the mood— can’t let that go to waste.

‘What’s he unhappy about this time, that he has to throw a wrench in it.’

Or maybe he called to help— but he could also just sit quietly. I don’t need him today.

“What a thing to say.”

Still smiling pleasantly, I turned back toward him. People who’d only been listening now also sent their eyes. Just peeking would be polite, but some even used flight skills. A few climbed the stairs; one or two even hopped up on tables.

Is it fun, huh? …If it weren’t my business, I’d be over there too, crunching popcorn and thinking there he goes again, Seong Hyunjae.

“I still like the Sesung Guildmaster, you know. You’re a precious source of income to me— that is, a customer.”

If I lose my temper here, I lose— best to look relaxed and unaffected.

“Isn’t it you who still has lingering feelings, Guildmaster?”

I cocked my head as if genuinely curious.

“We even signed a contract for me to supply as much information as you wanted— I never imagined you’d trouble yourself to come all the way here.”

I’m fine, and yet you seem the one preoccupied— that was the gist. Gazes flitted busily between me and Seong Hyunjae. Amazing— a hall full of lofty S–ranks acting like they’ve found a juicy back–alley spectacle. Granted, the other party being Seong Hyunjae is doing most of the work.

“If you need anything else, feel free to contact me at any time. Other than Haeyeon, you’re my biggest client— I can accommodate most things.”

“In that case.”

Still wearing a faint smile, he opened his mouth— and instead of speaking, brought the glass to his lips. The last smear of dark red dwindled; his Adam’s apple rose and fell. Watching it, I suddenly understood why Hyun–ah wanted to use him as a walking billboard. Annoyingly persuasive.

The empty glass settled onto the table without a sound.

“Pour me some.”

…Pouring a drink isn’t a big deal. But Seong Hyunjae isn’t my boss, my teacher, or even my senior. He’s just a counterpart— a company president I deal with— and it should be equal. He’s older, sure, but today I’m ignoring that.

“Sorry, I’m abstaining right now.”

If I pour for you, then naturally you’ll pour one for me, and our relationship is not one–way— but I can’t drink, so. I answered indirectly. We could go tit–for–tat, yes— but me pouring first wouldn’t look great. And who knows if he’d return the glass anyway.

“Then I must have misunderstood.”

He continued in a gentle, coaxing tone.

“I’m requesting a service from Director Han. Didn’t you say you’d accommodate most things.”

I was tempted to just hold up a middle finger and turn on my heel. Excuse me, dear neighborhood S–ranks— your pampered puppy is barking. A real dog would at least be cute.

Anyway, it was a tricky spot. He kept trying to put me under him, and to most eyes that would look natural. So that bastard could move as he pleased, but I had to be careful not to get shaved down. Annoying—

Pop, a cork sounded. Wine rose to fill his empty glass. Chief Song Taewon.

“Keep it in line.”

With perfect precision, he’d poured— and set the bottle down with military neatness. His heavy, black gaze fixed on Seong Hyunjae, who looked back up at him.

“For Chief Song to pour for me personally— I’m honored.”

Seong Hyunjae ran his fingertips slowly around the rim. A full circle, then a touch more pressure— the glass tilted, just shy of spilling. He spun it again, balancing it neatly— then,

“Oops, my mistake.”

Tuk— the glass toppled. Red bloomed quickly across the white cloth. The corners of his mouth rose, slow and smooth.

“What a pity.”

He caught the wandering glass by the stem with a light tap and set it upright, then looked back at me. Empty, his eyes said. I barely kept a snort from slipping out.

‘…What a temper.’

Memories surfaced, unbidden— lovely. Not even that long ago. Is this a who can be more of a bastard contest? I lifted my right hand to the side. A rush of gazes tracked the motion.

He’d flipped the board, sure— but not really, either. The Han Yujin holding the S–ranks’ attention right now was the bare me. Not Chatterbox’s power, not another skill— just Han Yujin, and how he’d handle the Sesung Guildmaster.

That’s what they were watching. So—

“Wine.”

My near–imperative made nearby S–ranks falter for a heartbeat. Since awakening, how often had they heard orders— from an F–rank, no less? Ever? The hesitation lasted only a moment; then, obediently, wine was handed over.

“If that’s what you want.”

I walked toward the table, drawing a slim knife from my inventory. I plunged it into the cork and— with a twist— circled the round table. Every eye followed— his and everyone else’s.

“As you wish.”

Pop— the cork came free. I lifted the bottle high and tipped it. Rosé— pink beads poured out. Over his faded hair.

“My mistake.”

I said it airily, not stopping the flow. He looked up at me without a twitch of his brows. Even those brows— and his lashes— caught droplets. An ordinary person would blink— it’d sting— but he didn’t move, statue–still.

Through hair, then along his cheek, down under his jaw. It slid across his nape; wine soaked into shirt and tie. When the bottle ran dry, I tossed it back over my shoulder. It was grabbing a collar and throwing a slap, straight up— picking a full–on fight.

Maybe I went too far— and yet my chest thudded with a little thrill. My face probably showed a trace of excitement. Around us, the air cooled. I looked crazy. Reckless.

“Come to think of it.”

I held his gaze steadily.

“It wasn’t a mistake, was it. You only said to pour.”

I poured. He curled a finger, swept the wine from his chin— and flicked out his tongue to taste it.

“Sweet.”

“I’m honored you’re satisfied.”

If only it ended here. Thunk— my arm was seized in a motion even Noah’s eyes barely tracked. Maybe that micro–delay from the camera. I was drawn in; as I tilted, he caught me by the shoulder and steadied me. Now my eye level sat just below his. Gyeol fluttered up in alarm before I fell, then, seeing I was caught, neatly perched on the table’s edge. Good girl. She held herself back.

“We should repay our Director Han.”

He stretched a hand toward the table. Someone threw a bottle without even needing him to ask. I had to ask.

“At the neck.”

So quiet even nearby S–ranks wouldn’t hear— almost a whisper, breath–soft.

“Do you know what it means.”

“…What?”

The hand on my shoulder shifted; fingertips brushed the spot where the sigil lay.

“When the foul aura swelled, I understood. I… Seong Hyunjae doesn’t know that sigil.”

My brow knit at what that implied. “Seong Hyunjae” doesn’t— which means, somewhere not this world, another him had contact with Chatterbox? Not strange. This can’t be the only world where Chatterbox meddled as a Filial Duty Addict.

But—

“…Are you okay?”

I matched his near–whisper. If what’s stacked up spills out— bad news. You said you couldn’t hold it.

Instead of answering— Tink!— the bottleneck in his hand sheared off. He’d only tapped it with his thumb, but it cut cleanly as if with scissors. He poured into the empty glass.

“…No glass shards? Planning to kill me over a splash of wine.”

“You think I can’t control that much.”

I hate red. It’s astringent. Knowing full well I don’t like it, he filled the glass to the brim. As he tipped the bottle, red droplets flicked up and dotted my face and collar. One hundred percent on purpose. With deft aim, too— a good half–glass’s worth slapped me. My white shirt bloomed red.

“Drink.”

Smiling kindly, he let me go. Splashing me— that’s a 4.5 out of 5. I raised the glass and drank… it. Nasty. Which idiot tossed him red. There’s white, you know. White.

I quashed the urge to pour it over his head in return, drained the glass, and set it down.

“Truly sweet.”

Sickeningly sweeeet. Maybe that was enough— he didn’t push further. Was he trying to sabotage me, help me, or play some third game? Even tangled for fifty years, I doubt I’d map his head out.

‘I’ll need to talk to him separately about Chatterbox’s mark.’

And check if he’s stable. I’d rather not meet another Seong Hyunjae I don’t know.

As I turned, Chief Song approached; Gyeol hopped back to my shoulder. Thankfully, Yuhyun and Yerim held back. I’d praise them later for their restraint. Gyeol too, of course.

“Wipe.”

Chief Song took a large towel from his inventory and held it out.

“Why do you have a towel?”

A towel made from dungeon by–product, no less— a luxury item— coming out of Song Taewon’s inventory. Well I’ll be.

“…It’s Song’s.”

He hesitated a beat.

“Song likes to gnaw on cloth made from dungeon by–products… It’s a Bureau–issued item, and it’s been boiled and washed.”

“Ah— right. Normal cloth works, but he prefers dungeon material.”

It’s for Song to chew— can I wipe wine with it? It’ll be fine if I wash it.

“I’ll launder it and return it.”

“No. Keep it.”

His eyes, as he took the towel back to fold it, were fixed on my neck. He looked like he had a thousand questions— but turned away in silence. Then, since it was big enough to cover Song, and half still clean, he handed the towel to Seong Hyunjae. How very kind.

“Hyung–nim, the footage.”

Moon Hyunah sidled up and whispered.

“Get consent from the subject.”

“Wouldn’t ‘Rosé Poured on Sesung Guildmaster’s Head’ sell like crazy?”

Mm— I’d buy a bottle. Probably outsell the wine he drank by double.

“It’ll sell fine without tricks. Though, for future lines, a novelty label like that isn’t bad. You’re surprisingly invested, Ms. Hyun–ah?”

“I didn’t care at all at first— but I got strapped down and brainwashed.”

A guildmaster should know the basics, she said, sounding like she’d really suffered.

“Those weren’t basics. Not my aptitude.”

“Same.”

When I said you’ll be suffering from now on too, she pulled an exaggerated pout. Me, having that whole scene and then chatting like it was any ordinary day— that left an impression on the gathered Hunters. Some warmed to me; others grew pricklier. Either way, the consensus seemed to be the same: the Dodam Breeding Facility Director is no pushover.

Now would be perfect to move to the next phase. No sooner had I thought so—

“Monster!”

A shout came from outside. Here we go.

“Guildmaster Haeyeon.”

At my call, Yuhyun sprinted to the outer wall, drawing a wire and sweeping it in a long half–arc. Fwiiip— with a sound like ripping air, the long decorative curtains along the wall fell in a rush. The wire’s tip tapped the control.

Screee— the wall began to open. It had been designed to open so the garden and hall could be used as one space. The sky outside was dimming with dusk, and below it I saw wet monsters prowling. Most of the Hunters outside were mid–to high–rank— some monsters were already dead. Their ranks didn’t look high, either.

“…What is that.”

Someone, looking toward the sea, muttered.

“Be careful, Hyung.”

“Whatever it is, it looks dangerous.”

Yuhyun and Yerim moved to my side at once. Far out where there hadn’t been anything before, a small knoll had risen.

Hm. This isn’t quite what I ordered. Liette, what did you do.