The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 525: Statement of Intent (1)

“What are you saying! You promised to go with me!”

Yuhyun grabbed my shoulder and turned me toward him.

“Mister, what do you mean alone! Everyone in the party except you will be S-rank or A-rank!”

Yerim cried out in dismay. Seong Hyunjae didn’t interfere, but instead, nearby monsters instantly turned into dry ash with a tremendous sound.

“It’s for my sake.”

I looked up at my brother, whose eyes were now sharp with intensity, and spoke calmly.

“If I go with you, Yuhyun, or with the other S-ranks, I’ll just end up being dead weight in the end. No matter how much I accomplish, people will look at the S-ranks first. Yuhyun, stars and the moon can’t shine next to the sun.”

“But to me, you’re the only one who shines.”

“Thank you.”

Yuhyun was at a loss, his lips twitching repeatedly. He seemed to be desperately trying to think of some solution. Eventually, his shoulders drooped.

“There’s no way I can go with you… is there…”

“Yeah. I’m afraid not.”

Even if Yuhyun turned off his broadcast and pretended not to be there, people would talk if my brother wasn’t visible. Some would notice from the reactions of others. And even if he obtained a stealth skill to completely hide himself, if I were ever in danger, how long could Yuhyun hold himself back?

“We don’t know what format the party will take yet, so if things work out well, you might be able to join partway through.”

“I hope it’s like a cooking competition, like grandfather said.”

Yerim said glumly. Liette would be the first to get eliminated then.

“Don’t worry too much, either of you. At worst, I’ll just get eliminated in the first round and watch the broadcast cheering you two on.”

“But we can’t trust Chatterbox. He’ll definitely try to harm you, Mister!”

“That’s why I’m planning to draw up a thorough contract. I’ve also arranged for them to send a proxy.”

Even with that, it wouldn’t be perfect preparation, but it should provide some peace of mind. While pacifying the disgruntled kids, I turned to look at Seong Hyunjae.

“How unusually quiet of you.”

“I’m reflecting on the fact that respecting others is more difficult than I thought.”

“You’re showing admirable restraint. I’ll be counting on you to continue.”

The people around me could protect me at any time if they wanted to. Even if we ultimately lost and failed to save the world, I would spend my days until the world’s end in blissful ignorance, unaware of anything.

If I had stayed as I was before, that’s exactly what would have happened. But I need to change. This time, we need to reach a different ending. No, we don’t need an ending at all. We just need to keep living well.

“Just in case, Yerim, maybe you should learn some cooking too?”

“I’ll just pack a few ramen seasoning packets.”

Genius.

“If they say you can only use the ingredients provided, just insist that means you can’t even breathe. When you’re cooking, ambient air and moisture or dust from the air gets in too, right? The dust you bring in is no different from the ramen seasoning packet you brought.”

“Yes, Mister.”

“Every rule has loopholes.”

“Should I learn some dancing? You don’t know party dancing either, right, Mister?”

“I did folk dancing at field day once.”

“I was a puppet. I was so young I barely remember it though.”

You’re still young now. Was it kindergarten? First grade? That must have been adorable. Yerim’s mood had lifted, but the other two still seemed unhappy with my decision. Yuhyun especially looked quite gloomy.

“We should leave quickly. I’ll go ahead and clear things out.”

Yerim said as she soared into the air. Then she immediately teleported and disappeared into the distance. As soon as Yerim left, Yuhyun opened his mouth, which he’d been keeping firmly shut.

“Promise me.”

“Hm?”

“That you won’t be stubborn.”

“…What are you talking about.”

“You don’t give up easily, hyung. You said there would be no lasting physical aftereffects and you could leave whenever you wanted, but that ‘whenever you wanted’ is the problem.”

“Well…”

“It means that even if you’re tortured, you could just endure it. And you’ll try to hold out until the very end.”

Yuhyun was right. According to the rules, I could escape as soon as things seemed even slightly dangerous. But at the same time, it was a rule that allowed me to take on as much risk as I wanted.

“Han Yujin is stubborn.”

Seong Hyunjae added his input. Unlike Yerim, the two of them had been radiating dissatisfaction the whole time—that seemed to be why. If they left me alone, they wouldn’t be able to stop me.

“I’m not planning to stubbornly hold out though…”

“Hyung.”

“Alright, alright. But you don’t needlessly hold out either, Yuhyun.”

“If you prioritize safety, I will too. If you want, I can even follow right after you leave.”

“That’s not necessary, but be careful.”

Though I’d promised, Yuhyun’s eyes showed he didn’t believe me. Seong Hyunjae looked the same.

“Have a little faith in me. Didn’t you say you trusted me before?”

“I trust what you do, hyung. But I don’t think you’ll take proper care of yourself. That’s the same as always.”

Well, that was true. Still, I’d gotten a lot better lately.

“Uh… anyway, if we end up going separately, you’d still prefer Noah, right, Yuhyun?”

“I’ll go alone and join up with you, hyung.”

“No, the invitation would be wasted. We did get plenty, but we don’t know when we’ll be able to meet up. Take Peace at least. Chief Song, have you talked with him, Seong Hyunjae?”

“Doesn’t he have a prior commitment? I’m waiting for a response.”

“What? When… don’t tell me it’s Gyeol? I told you not to bully the kid!”

Besides, if it’s a broadcast, Gyeol won’t even be able to speak properly. Though we could just remove the audio.

Thanks to Yerim quickly sweeping away the monsters, we got outside soon. All three of us ate cookies again.

“I’m billing you for the coat.”

I put Seong Hyunjae in the intact pocket and held Yuhyun up with both hands.

“Cheer up, okay?”

He looks even cuter when he’s sulking in that small form. It reminded me of when he was little and made me want to give his cheek a kiss. Though that’s a bit much at this age.

“I think Han Yuhyun is doing that on purpose.”

“I did break my promise. Be good, Yuhyun. Look at your brother.”

“…Mister.”

“Well, since they’re small, they seem younger.”

“Look properly. The proportions are the same!”

“You too, Yerim.”

“…Don’t look at me like that, it’s embarrassing! I’m fifteen!”

Yerim spun around and shouted. Right, right. All grown up.

We got in the waiting car and headed to the Breeding Facility. Though reporters approached, once they confirmed no one was in the back seat, they obediently withdrew.

“Guild Leader Seok Gimyeong of Breaker Guild gave an interview just a moment ago.”

Seok Gimyeong, who had been waiting for us, said.

“The content was that the host of this party contacted Director Han Yujin first, and through Director Han Yujin’s arrangements, most of Korea’s S-rank Hunters obtained invitations.”

“What was the response?”

“Not bad.”

“Also, Sesung Guild has contacted the Breeding Facility multiple times.”

Gyeonghun hyung, who had been standing slightly behind Seok Gimyeong like an apprentice, said. Seok Gimyeong looked at Seong Hyunjae with an expression that said, “Why aren’t you going?”

Seong Hyunjae reached out and lightly patted my shoulder.

“Well then, Director Han Yujin, I hope you won’t overdo it, and I’ll be waiting for your contact.”

“Yes, please go in safely. If you hear any important news, I’d be grateful if you’d pass it along to me as well.”

“Of course I will.”

Seong Hyunjae turned and left with a courteous smile. Yerim muttered quietly that it was awkward when old men acted like that. Why? It’s perfectly normal.

“Currently, broadcasting stations from various countries are trying to make contact with Channel Chatterbox. It’s because of the broadcasting rights.”

“The viewership is guaranteed. What about ABC in the US? Didn’t they receive footage from there?”

“They’re keeping quiet, saying they only received video footage. There’s also talk that they might do an internet broadcast.”

“Is there any new news from Chatterbox or the prophets?”

“No. And it seems you’ll need to make an appearance at both Haeyeon and Dodam.”

Seok Gimyeong handed over materials he’d compiled to both Yuhyun and me. Yerim subtly avoided Seok Gimyeong’s gaze and stepped back.

“Do you have barley tea here too?”

“There’s brown rice tea too. Yuhyun, you don’t mind doing an interview right away, right?”

“Yeah. Since Breaker’s Guild Leader stepped up first, it’s better to firmly establish that you didn’t steal the invitation.”

“Sesung will probably cooperate too.”

“Since it’s known that the Guild Leader is at the Breeding Facility… we’ll arrange a location at the Breeding Facility building. I’ve already contacted friendly reporters first.”

Seok Gimyeong looked at me while picking up his phone to make a call.

“What will you do, Director Han?”

“I’ll… hold a press conference tomorrow.”

Not just a simple interview. At my words, Yuhyun, Seok Gimyeong, and Seo Gyeonghun all simultaneously made worried expressions.

“If you don’t filter the reporters, there will be a lot of aggressive questions.”

“But if you do filter them, they’ll find fault with that too.”

“Are you really… planning to attend the party?”

Seok Gimyeong asked with a “surely not” expression on his face. Gyeonghun hyung also looked bewildered.

“Yes. Safety is guaranteed.”

Both Seo Gyeonghun and Seok Gimyeong seemed at a loss for words. To these two who didn’t know the full situation, this must sound absurd. Let’s hold off on mentioning that I’m participating separately for now. They’ll think I’m crazy.

“That doesn’t seem… like a good choice.”

“That’s right. You’re not combat-oriented, Director.”

“Since it’s a party, there’s no rule saying we have to fight.”

“…I recall you also participated in the preliminaries.”

Seok Gimyeong had politely rephrased what amounted to: “What nonsense is this when you rolled around in that state and it even got broadcast today?” Though to be fair, that fight was something I’d suggested.

“First, let’s see how tomorrow goes, and if the response to the press conference is really bad, I can just say I’ll stay quiet~ and that’ll be that.”

Anyway, if this whole thing failed, it would become difficult for me to appear publicly. I’d have to become the docile F-rank who gets looked after quietly, just like I’d been pretending until now. Sending precious people to Chatterbox’s party while I sat there sucking my thumb and watching from behind a TV screen.

I felt a bit stifled. Yuhyun reached out and took my hand. Yerim also quickly approached and grabbed my other hand. Though worried, Seok Gimyeong and Seo Gyeonghun answered that they’d prepare things as I wanted.

“I should go to bed early today.”

“Should I do a face pack for you?”

“I don’t like the ones you apply. Especially that black one last time—Little Rang was so startled.”

“Peace didn’t like it either because of the smell.”

Yuhyun left to do his interview. While I was looking through the materials I’d received and waiting, Yerim went home and brought back Peace, Gyeol, and Chirp.

— Kyuuung.

“Sleep, Mister. Hold Peace, hold Gyeol, and put Chirp on your head.”

— Cheep.

Gyeol pressed against my cheek and whispered softly, “Dad.” Peace on my lap licked my fingers. Chirp tumbled down onto Peace as if rolling, then rolled around again. So cute. Come to think of it, I haven’t updated my SNS recently. It’d look strange if I posted now.

“Peace, be fluffy~”

— Kyang!

Even if things went wrong—which they shouldn’t—even in the absolute worst case, I thought it might not be the worst after all. This time, there were many people who would stay by my side. I could get back up again. As many times as it took.

I tried to relax and not think about anything as much as possible. Still, the day was long, and the night was even longer. For once, even the food Myungwoo had carefully prepared didn’t go down well. I didn’t want to worry him, but my body was completely uncooperative.

“Any dungeon?”

“Yeah. But you don’t have to go.”

When I couldn’t eat properly, Myungwoo said he’d make porridge for me.

“I am quite interested in creating worlds within dungeons.”

“But you said it was incredibly difficult?”

“That was work far beyond my current level. Still, when someone offers to teach me, I’m not going to refuse.”

Something like anticipation flickered across Myungwoo’s face.

“I like things that work. Things that produce various movements. The more diverse the results of those movements, the better.”

Could that be one reason why Myungwoo preferred making items other than weapons? Weapons were primarily used to kill opponents. It was simple, if you put it that way.

“I’m glad if you like it, but don’t overdo it.”

“You’re the one who shouldn’t. I’m actually healthier than before.”

Myungwoo frowned slightly and my shoulders instinctively hunched. We both overwork ourselves, so why am I the only one like this? It felt unfair.

The press conference venue was arranged at the Hunter Association, neither the Breeding Facility nor Haeyeon. It was to create a neutral atmosphere. Noah and Seo Gyeonghun accompanied me on the way to the Association. The others had gone to the Association first, and I got out at the parking lot with the two of them at the appointed time. Fortunately, there were no approaching people thanks to Association staff blocking them in advance. However, cameras from all over were eagerly capturing me.

I smiled toward the lenses and walked into the building. I could see Chief Song Taewon waiting in the lobby.

“Hello, Chief Song.”

He bowed his head slightly toward me in greeting. Chief Song also had eyes faintly tinged with worry.

“Did you get permission from above?”

“We haven’t received an answer yet, but it seems I’ll be able to attend.”

There were already complaints about keeping such precious S-rank Hunters too restricted. With Korea being stable now, it would be difficult to prevent attendance at a party with substantial rewards. Before the regression, there had been a lot of dissatisfaction about not participating in the ranking battles too. Back then, Korea wasn’t as safe as now, so it could be smoothed over.

“Han Yujin…”

“I’m fine.”

Telling him not to worry, I entered the waiting room. It was full of welcoming faces. And not long after, I opened the door and went out alone.