The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 501: Surface Layer (1)

“Then I’ll entrust it to Hunter Han Yujin.”

Chatterbox’s invitation was extended toward me. Yesterday, after revealing Chatterbox’s mark and mentioning my close relationship with him, I quietly spread the word. Rumors that I was deeply involved in Chatterbox’s party and that it wasn’t particularly safe. Also that the championship prize would be claimed by Han Yujin’s S-rank Hunters, and the rest would be fortunate if they didn’t get fleeced of everything else.

Once I let those stories circulate, several Hunters came looking for me. They were people who doubted the party’s safety.

“I don’t think I can handle it.”

The invitation alone was suspicious enough, and the amplified power of the mark made even S-rank Hunters shrink back. Not all S-ranks were completely fearless. Even if they didn’t care about their own lives, there were cases where people they needed to protect were at stake.

Those people came to me wanting to safely dispose of the troublesome invitations. But honestly, how could they trust me even if I said I’d return them safely? It wasn’t like I knew the inside story, nor had another Transcendent guaranteed anything.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to return them to their owner properly.”

With a warm smile spreading across my face, I carefully accepted and stored the invitation. This made three. Including the one I already had, that was four total. With two people registrable per invitation, that was eight people in total.

‘I’d like to get one or two more to be safe.’

The fewer party attendees, the more advantageous it would be. Especially, I hoped competent Hunters wouldn’t go. After seeing off the guest, I handed one invitation each to Yuhyun and Yerim.

“Don’t register yet, just hold onto them. You can each bring one more person.”

“If you’re not going, I don’t care who it is.”

He didn’t say the rest, but his eyes clearly showed that if I went, he would naturally accompany me. Meanwhile, Yerim fell into contemplation.

“I’d like to go with you too, Mister, but it’s true that I’m weaker than Han Yuhyun. Though I’d be confident if there’s a lot of water around.”

“I’d like to recommend Seong Hyunjae for you.”

His attribute matched well, and more importantly, Yerim would be safe.

“Or Noah. Didn’t you say you worked well together in the Chinese dungeon?”

“Yes. Both Noah and I can fly. I can stack buffs and attack from a distance, or mix poison into water. Though my poison resistance item grade is low.”

“Oh right, here’s the A-rank antidote I got this time. Combined with a poison resistance item, this should be enough to block it. Or Moon Hyunah would be fine too.”

Actually, Yerim had good chemistry with most Hunters. Except for Yuhyun. These two had completely opposing attributes.

“If Gyeol and Peace count as one person, maybe it’d be better if those two don’t go.”

The moment my words came out, Gyeol spread his wings wide before drooping them limply. What’s gotten into him?

— Yeah, Dad.

“…Hangyeol? Are you feeling sick somewhere?”

The Fairy Dragonkin shook his head.

— No. But if two people enter together, Uncle would be better than Gyeol. If Gyeol can also go…

Gyeol trembled all over and opened his mouth.

— I want to go with that guy.

“Uh… with Seong Hyunjae?”

— Yeah. Because then I can find Dad right after entering.

That seemed like a decent method too. If Seong Hyunjae accepted, that is. Gyeol wouldn’t be any help at all, so for Seong Hyunjae it would be like entering alone, putting him at a disadvantage. I rather hoped he’d refuse so Gyeol could stay safely behind.

I went downstairs and headed toward the dining hall. After catching the turtle, about half the Hunters had gone to the mainland. Since they were all Guild Leaders, they had matters requiring quiet communication away from the crowded small island. The mansion here couldn’t accommodate everyone anyway, so I’d sent them off asking them to return by 5 PM.

Still, quite a few Hunters remained. There was still no news of Park Hayul. Did he even come?

Several Hunters in the dining hall acknowledged me when they saw me. Their attitude had definitely changed a lot from before. After being kidnapped and kidnapped and kidnapped… well, anyway, until now most high-rank Hunters and even mid-rank Hunters had treated me lightly. But now they regarded me as a fellow person.

Not that they saw me as S-rank level, but perhaps around raid team member level.

“Should I make something? Is there anything you want to eat?”

I shook my head at Yuhyun’s words.

“I told you, just eating what’s available is fine. I asked capable chefs to handle it.”

The labor costs weren’t insignificant either. Still, my brother seemed completely dissatisfied. In the incredibly spacious dining hall, various people were eating lunch, each having brought food to their taste. Among them.

‘Seong Hyunjae is here too.’

He occupied a window seat all to himself. Even among the teeming mass of distinguished S-ranks, he stood out uniquely. …sitting alone seemed somewhat pitiful too. To my eyes, that is. In reality, they probably couldn’t dare approach him easily. Still, doesn’t food taste worse when you eat alone?

And Chief Song Taewon was standing by the wall near the entrance.

“Aren’t you eating?”

“I already ate.”

“At least sit down.”

“I’m fine.”

As the gathering’s host, my heart ached. He could rest, you know.

“Sit here, Hyung. What do you want to eat?”

Yuhyun pulled out a chair for me and Yerim raised her hand high.

“How about grilling some steak, Guild Leader?”

Yuhyun didn’t even pretend to hear her. Yerim grumbled about what good was having fire if you didn’t use it. Then she crouched in front of Peace and grabbed his front paws.

“Peace, can’t you at least grill some meat?”

— Huff.

“We could appear on TV together! Cat—no, lion-grilled premium Korean beef steak!”

Peace yanked his front paw away with a thud and lay down beside where I sat.

“Should I grill it for you?”

“No way, I grill better than you, Mister. I’ve got years of experience! But skill fire and regular fire taste different.”

“Really?”

“I didn’t know before either, but food using mana and with mana infused tastes better. That’s why these days I use skills even when pouring water to drink. For practice too.”

I suppose so. The more sensitive you become to mana, you might perceive something different. Or maybe Yerim’s taste buds are just special. Right after Yuhyun entered the kitchen area saying he’d bring food, the dining hall atmosphere suddenly sank. Thinking maybe, I turned toward Seong Hyunjae and sure enough.

“Sesung Guild Leader.”

An S-rank Hunter approached and stood beside the table where Seong Hyunjae sat. Instead of answering, Seong Hyunjae was cutting off the bread crust in a long strip. With so many Westerners present, they’d prepared various breads, and that particular bread was especially delicious.

“Is there any popcorn? Or at least corn for popping?”

Yerim said with keen interest. When it was my problem I found it troublesome, but now that it’s someone else’s problem, it’s entertaining. Whether this was just some punk picking a fight or someone unilaterally cut off.

“We’re all S-rank Hunters anyway, so how special do you think you—”

Seong Hyunjae held out the bread crust. Golden eyes gazed up at the flustered Hunter. It was a look that seemed to ask why he wasn’t taking it. There was certainly no reason to take it, but the Hunter’s hand reached out unconsciously. Somehow, Seong Hyunjae’s gaze made you feel like you had to accept it.

And then another piece, then another. The cleanly separated bread crusts were held out one after another, and the Hunter hesitantly but obediently accepted them. Seong Hyunjae spread jam on the remaining soft center of the bread with his knife and took a bite.

Noon sunlight streamed through the window and his pale hair glittered. My, it looked like that side belonged to another world. Between the Hunter standing dazed holding bread crusts and Seong Hyunjae, it was as if a transparent wall had been erected. After taking another bite of bread, he lifted a cup of what was either coffee or tea. It was a sight worthy of inclusion in a best practices collection for exemplary attitudes of ignoring someone.

“I warmed up some soup too. Should I bring more side dishes?”

And our Yuhyun also had considerable skill in cleanly ignoring someone whether they were banging gongs or performing rituals beside him. Liette had that side to her too—was it a characteristic of natural-born S-ranks?

The rice was instant rice warmed and transferred to a bowl. Most of the food was vacuum-sealed for single servings. Otherwise, there could be cases of people tampering with the food. While Yuhyun set the table, the bread crust Hunter’s expression gradually twisted.

“Seong Hyunjae!”

Song Taewon, who had been standing near the dining hall entrance, tensed his body slightly. Was he going to fight? He’d be crushed immediately anyway. Since that Hunter picked the fight first, the damage claim should go to that side. I quickly pulled out my notebook and wrote down the Hunter’s name. But the Hunter couldn’t easily attack and just ground his teeth. He seemed well aware—or had even experienced—that he was weaker.

At the grinding sound, Seong Hyunjae lifted his head slightly and looked up at the Hunter. Then he spoke nonchalantly.

“Why are you just holding them?”

He spoke as if puzzled, then finished eating the remaining bread. Don’t tell me he gave them to be eaten? Bread crusts he wouldn’t eat himself? “Eat what I’m throwing away”? And with an attitude that made it seem natural, without a hint of sarcasm, it felt even more like looking down on the other person. Being openly cursed at would have been less offensive.

Song Taewon quietly walked toward the two men. Before that, the Hunter who’d been trembling with rage threw the bread crusts on the floor and picked up a knife from another table. That damn—who’s supposed to clean that up?

Still, he didn’t draw a weapon and threw the ordinary knife toward Seong Hyunjae. That much—

“…Huh?”

An involuntary confused sound escaped my mouth. Besides me, several others caught their breath. Clang! The knife embedded halfway into the wall and a long red line appeared on Seong Hyunjae’s cheek.

‘…Did he deliberately not dodge?’

That must be it, right? There’s no way he couldn’t dodge that. The Hunter who’d thrown the knife also stepped back in shock at his own action. Song Taewon grabbed his shoulder.

“Please withdraw with just this much.”

“But I—”

“If there’s an issue requiring protest, please contact the Korean Awakened Management Office or the Hunter Association officially.”

The Hunter, who glanced at Seong Hyunjae, shook off Song Taewon’s hand and withdrew. Seong Hyunjae continued drinking his tea as if nothing had happened.

“Why didn’t he dodge?”

Yerim said quietly. Was he trying to brush it off quietly like this? But deliberately taking an injury wasn’t like Seong Hyunjae. Eventually Song Taewon stood as if guarding Seong Hyunjae, and Seong Hyunjae emptied his teacup before rising from his seat.

We also finished our meal and left the dining hall.

“I’m going to visit Seong Hyunjae briefly, so keep watch for me.”

I told Yuhyun and Yerim, also leaving Gyeol with them. I needed to give him the invitation and also hear his answer about the mark. Why’d he have to break his phone? Fortunately, the floor with the guest room assigned to Seong Hyunjae was quiet. Even if someone attacked, it was positioned at the very end so the building would be less damaged. I knocked on the door.

“Seong Hyunjae.”

I called softly, but there was no answer. I was sure I’d seen him go up to his room. After knocking again, thinking I’d go in and wait, I opened the door. The door wasn’t even locked. I stepped inside…

“…!”

My mind went completely blank for a moment. Even though I saw the scene with my own eyes, I couldn’t accept it.

Seong Hyunjae had collapsed.

Well, he is human after all. But still. After standing there stupidly, I hurried over.

“Seong Hyunjae!”

He is alive, right? Aside from the wound on his cheek, there were no signs of injury. He was breathing too. Did someone poison his tea? First, I pulled and held his body. As I took out my phone to call a healer, Seong Hyunjae opened his eyes. Rather than appearing in pain, his gaze seemed extremely drowsy.

“What on earth happened?”

After blinking silently, he rolled his eyes to look down at his own arms and legs.

“…Slowly.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m remembering how to move.”

Wh-what are you talking about? How to move? Seong Hyunjae slowly sat up. Then he looked up at me.

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

“How can I not worry when someone’s collapsed?”

“I simply—”

Seong Hyunjae’s knees bent and he carefully raised his body, like a young child standing on two legs for the first time.

“I was merely testing the method the Elder taught me.”

“…Young Chaos? What exactly did he have you do?”

It’s a secret, said Seong Hyunjae with a smile after fully standing. Did the Elder teach him something that night at the Christmas dungeon? When teaching Yuhyun and Yerim, he’d also exhausted their mana completely and made them collapse, so this might be similar training. If so, collapsing would make sense, but—

“Do it at your Guild, it’s dangerous.”

“If it could be dangerous, that would be even better.”

It was a seemingly careless, light answer, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth. He cannot die. Still, there’s no need to do this here. Even if he won’t die, he can still get hurt.

“I’m the gathering’s host. I don’t guarantee safety, but please be careful anyway.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Pushing down the uncomfortable feeling, I pulled out Chatterbox’s invitation. Seong Hyunjae’s gaze landed on the jewel in my hand.