The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 528: Before the Party (1)

[Today’s revealed SS-rank longbow, Flowing Afterimage, is the second official SS-rank weapon after the chain owned by Sesung’s Guild Leader.]

One of Chatterbox’s party rewards was announced today—an SS-rank weapon, no less. Officially, Seong Hyunjae’s Noble Seeker’s Chain was still known as the only SS-rank weapon. In reality, Yuhyun’s Ruler’s Sword and Yerim’s Icewood Spear were also SS-rank weapons, but those weren’t public knowledge. There might even be more hidden weapons out there. Seong Hyunjae, being the show-off he was, had flaunted his SS-rank weapon from the start, but it was generally more advantageous to keep such things concealed. If an A-rank happened to obtain one through sheer luck, they could easily have it stolen from them.

[Products no less impressive than Flowing Afterimage will be revealed in sequence.]

A voice flowed from the phone in my hand, relaying reactions to Chatterbox’s party. There weren’t many S-rank Hunters who used bows, but saying the rewards were “no less impressive” meant SS-rank swords or spears might appear later.

‘S-rank Hunters who didn’t get invitations must be going crazy.’

Evelyn, who had initially postponed her participation, might also change her mind. She seemed quite eager for weapons, as befitting an S-rank Hunter. Hanshin’s Guild Leader had also declined yesterday—I wondered what he’d think now. He might contact me again.

The party schedule hadn’t been released yet. I wished they’d start soon, though it probably wouldn’t drag on too long. I wanted to finish up and return home before Yuhyun’s birthday. The watch I’d ordered was nearly complete, so maybe I’d give it to him as a birthday present. No, I should give him the watch as soon as it arrived and think of something else for his actual birthday.

“It would be wise to pay even more attention to security.”

Song Taewon said.

“Foreign S-rank Hunters might approach you to obtain an invitation.”

“For a while, you absolutely shouldn’t be alone. Not even at the Breeding Facility. That way, something like what happened with Park Hayul won’t occur again.”

If I got kidnapped again before even attending the party, it would be utterly humiliating. I might have to make a public apology, saying I’d just stay quietly locked up at home.

I set my phone down on the table against the wall and stepped in front of Song Taewon. Both Chief Song and I were dressed in light workout clothes.

“Then I’ll be in your care.”

I bowed my head to Chief Song. Even with F-rank stats, training was better than doing nothing. I didn’t know how much time remained until the party, but until then, I’d decided to receive training from S-ranks. I’d also visit the Elder as often as possible.

Since I’d be away again for the party, I needed to handle as much work as possible beforehand, which made everyone busy—not just the Guild Leaders but even Yerim. Even so, they’d all agreed to take turns making time for me. Chief Song had also offered to help with my training when he stopped by to drop off Little Song. I was grateful.

Of course, this wouldn’t suddenly dramatically improve my physical abilities. It was more accurate to say I’d be learning tricks for surviving against S-rank Hunters. Even S-ranks were human, so they had to have some weaknesses—I’d learn how to exploit those, somehow.

“Is it definitely safe?”

Song Taewon pressed the slightly cushioned floor with his toes.

“Don’t worry. This is a training room that even F-rank baby monsters can use. They say it’s made with dungeon byproducts, so it’s sturdy while also having excellent shock absorption.”

“Then, Han Yujin.”

Song Taewon looked straight at me and continued.

“Try to subdue me by any means necessary.”

“Uh, I can do anything?”

“Yes. You may use items as well.”

Song Taewon’s voice was calm, but that very calmness conveyed even stronger confidence. The certainty that he could respond no matter what I tried. In reality, at this distance, I’d be subdued before I could do anything properly. I wouldn’t even be able to follow his movements with my eyes.

“Chief Song.”

I met Song Taewon’s gaze and continued.

“I’ve planted a bomb at the Hunter Association.”

“…Pardon?”

“Step back. It’s an item with a distance limit, but from here, I can detonate it anytime. The Association is close by.”

“Han Yujin, what is this…”

Though confused about whether to believe me or not, Song Taewon stepped back once.

“The Association has pulled plenty of stunts. They say they’ve cleaned house, but that was only partial, so I hid a bomb just in case.”

“…Is this true?”

“Yes. Since it’s an area mainly frequented by Hunters, even if it explodes, there won’t be more than minor injuries at worst. Still, it would cause chaos. That’s part of what I’m aiming for. So don’t move.”

Song Taewon’s expression hardened at my serious words. Looking at him, I grinned.

“So, did I win?”

“What’s the exact location?”

“There is no bomb. Even so, I wouldn’t go as far as bomb terrorism. I do have some common sense.”

“…”

Suspicion flickered across Chief Song’s face.

“The new Association building and the Awakening Center—”

“Those collapsed because dungeons broke out.”

Liette and I had absolutely nothing to do with that. Song Taewon let out a short sigh and said he’d conduct an unscheduled safety inspection. He really didn’t trust me. Though in a way, maybe he trusted me too much.

“Han Yujin… gather as much information as possible about the S-rank Hunters attending. Sesung will cooperate as well.”

“I’ve already passed the list of related individuals we found from the gathering to Sesung.”

I was debating whether to ask Hwang Rim for help too. As a Chinese tycoon who dealt in cigarettes for Hunters, had established himself in America, and even had a Transcendent sponsor, he’d know plenty.

“And for improvisation training against S-rank Hunters, it would be better to ask Sesung’s Guild Leader. I’ll focus on physical conditioning and hand-to-hand combat.”

“Sesung’s Guild Leader would be best at responding.”

I was honestly confident I could restrain Yuhyun, Yerim, and Noah with words. On the other hand, even if I threatened to blow up Sesung Guild like I just did, Seong Hyunjae wouldn’t bat an eye. Hyunah would also be difficult to deal with in a different sense.

“Come at me physically.”

Song Taewon said. Even if he told me to come at him… My gaze fell on his broad shoulders and chest, and I swallowed reflexively. I felt like I couldn’t win even if Chief Song just stood there doing nothing. If I charged with all my might, I’d just bounce off and get bruises all over my body.

How had I been able to recklessly charge at him back then, even in my unawakened state and without Fear Resistance? I must have really lost my mind back then. I’d been blind with rage.

“Then…”

I slowly approached Chief Song. But seriously, what could I do barehanded? Grab his arm and twist it… yeah, right. Pull and throw him… hmm. For now, I bent my elbow into a point and jabbed at Chief Song’s solar plexus.

“Ow.”

My arm. Even my shoulder tingled. It felt like I’d knocked on a concrete wall instead of a human body.

“Be careful. Didn’t you say potion use was forbidden?”

“But really, I have no idea what to even try. Maybe if I used a weapon.”

“You may use a weapon.”

In that case, I wouldn’t decline—but the moment I drew my weapon, my vision spun. Before I knew it, the ceiling filled my sight and my back touched the floor. The dagger I’d drawn flew away, and Chief Song’s arm pressed down on my upper body. Wow.

“Close combat just doesn’t seem possible.”

“That’s the natural result. So induce as much complacency as possible. Normally, they’ll subdue you moderately like I’m doing now. A higher-rank Hunter would break at least two of your four limbs, but against Han Yujin, there’s no need to go that far.”

They’d think pressing down like this was sufficient.

“Of course, there are also those who deliberately torment the weak. You must assess your opponent as much as possible and respond accordingly. Can you escape from me right now?”

I tried grabbing Song Taewon’s arm and pushing it away. Of course, it didn’t budge. I tried kicking with my feet, but that had no effect either.

“After making them let their guard down, I could use a flashbang or something and eat a Minimini Cookie, but without items, it’s impossible with just my own strength, right?”

“While technique can make up for differences in strength to some degree, it’s difficult between F-rank and S-rank. Still, strengthening your muscles will make using items easier.”

—Baaah.

Little Song, who had approached at some point, answered in my place. Then she pressed her head firmly against Chief Song’s arm that was pinning me down. Chief Song looked somewhat flustered and withdrew his arm.

“This isn’t a fight.”

“Why aren’t you playing with Sorok?”

The much larger Sorok was also standing behind the baby sheep. Little Song had grown somewhat, but Sorok’s growth rate was faster, so their already different builds now differed by more than double. As adults, the Fire Mountain Black Sheep would still be slightly smaller, though.

“We’re playing, we’re playing. Like this.”

—Baaah.

I hugged Song and rolled across the mat. The baby sheep’s tail flapped rapidly as if she found it fun.

“Han Yujin’s stamina itself is on the good side.”

“Really? The kids always treat me like I’m past seventy.”

“You’re an S-rank Hunter who mainly associates with higher-rank Hunters. Even to my eyes, Han Yujin looks fragile. However, just caring for and dealing with baby monsters means your basic exercise level is considerable.”

That was true. Come to think of it, wasn’t I really working out diligently? All the abuse I’d received felt unfair.

“Of course, simply moving around a lot is different from formal training. You’ll need to do both appropriately.”

In the end, he was saying I needed to exercise separately too. I rolled across the floor again with Song. Song Taewon lifted me up as I tried to sprawl out completely. After that, I thought I was going to die. Chief Song chanted that I wouldn’t die. How mean.

“Hey there, Boss Kim! I’ve been seeing you on TV a lot lately!”

Yun Yun visited the Breeding Facility. Behind Yun Yun, still wearing the goblin mask and colorful clothes, stood three people in suits. Their faces were somewhat ambiguous in terms of gender, but they appeared to be human.

“Hello, Director Dodam. I’m Yun Shin.”

“Wow, you really seem human!”

Yerim exclaimed in amazement, her eyes wide.

“You didn’t even add Kim!”

Yun Shin—probably a rubber shoe or leather shoe goblin—smiled cheerfully.

“I found an amazing method!”

Yun Yun explained proudly.

“Kim says it inside! I say ‘Director Dodam’ and then inside I go ‘Kim!'”

Was it impossible to not say Kim at all? Anyway, that’s why it really wasn’t noticeable. With the transformation skill, changing their appearance was easy too.

“I’m Yun Seul.”

“I’m Yun Gi.”

A bead and… pottery? These three were honor students from the goblin human society school. Still, I was worried about sending them out into the world yet, so I’d decided to hire them as Breeding Facility staff. We were short on personnel here, and all three were high-rank goblins, so just thinking about their ability to protect unawakened staff made them welcome.

“I’m glad to meet all three of you. I look forward to working with you.”

“Yes, Director Kim—Director!”

“This cookie is an item that shrinks whoever eats it. Like the one we used in China.”

I gave each of the three goblins two Minimini Cookies.

“Don’t eat them yourselves!”

The goblins who’d been about to munch on the cookies all froze simultaneously. The sparkling gazes they sent my way made me realize they were still the same inside.

“Keep them safely in your inventories, and in case of emergency, feed them to unawakened people or low-to-mid-rank Hunters before evacuating them. You must only use them in dangerous situations.”

While Yun Yun could teleport with adults, ordinary goblins couldn’t, even high-rank ones.

“Yes!”

“Can’t we try just one? There are two.”

“Right, there are two.”

“No. Instead, there are snacks in the break room over there, so have as many—no, three each.”

The goblins whooped and vanished in a flash. It would be fine if they ate them all, but then they might try to eat only snacks every day.

“I liked the goblins better in their usual form. Won’t this be stifling?”

Yerim said, watching the goblins swarm toward the break room. Yun Yun nodded vigorously.

“Yeah, lots of goblins hate following human society rules. They find pretending to be human hard too. But if they really can’t do it, they can just keep living in the village! But outside, they can’t.”

“Once goblins are fully revealed and their numbers increase, we’ll probably make some concessions too.”

Right now, goblins had no choice but to hide their true nature when entering society. Still, I thought they’d be able to mix in relatively easily, given their abilities. At the same time, they weren’t aggressive, which made it easier. Conversely, if they’d been combat-oriented in ability and temperament, many people would have been wary. Just speaking for myself, I couldn’t have brought them into the Breeding Facility so easily.

I was somewhat worried about security, but having Yun Yun as their guarantor covered that. Yun Yun, hang in there. Being a pack leader isn’t easy.

“Boss Kim, please take care of the kids. If you need my help, tell me anytime!”

Yun Yun said with a rather mature expression.

“Yeah. It’s okay if they cause some trouble at the Breeding Facility and the building, so don’t worry.”

“But is the party really a feast? Will there be lots of food? I’m S-rank too!”

“Uh… I don’t think it’s the kind of party you’re imagining. There’s a high chance of S-ranks fighting each other.”

“Aw, then I won’t go. Are you okay, Boss Kim? You’re super weak, and the humans were all saying it’s dangerous. But you looked strong on TV! Though I couldn’t watch properly because of the injured Kims.”

“Well… I was originally strong, you know? Don’t you remember? I killed the dungeon boss back then.”

“Right! You did! That’s right, Boss Kim is weak but strong!”

Yun Yun laughed and clapped her hands.

“Have a good trip, Boss Kim! Win everything!”

“Yeah, I’ll win it all.”

Since I’d already informed them about the goblins, I left the newcomers with Gyeonghun and headed to Haeyeon Guild with Yerim. Reporters were still lurking around the building, so we just jumped over the wall. I used my Stealth skill and Yerim flew up. Since she normally commuted by flying anyway, it wouldn’t look suspicious.

At Haeyeon Guild, not only Legal Team Leader Kim Hayun but also people from the legal field dealing with Hunters were waiting for me. It was for drafting the contract with Chatterbox.