The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 529: Before the Party (2)

“I’ll be outside.”

As if she didn’t like the indoor atmosphere at all, Yerim subtly pulled back. With a horrified expression, she quickly opened the door and left. Honestly, I wanted to back away too. The table was piled high with books and stacks of files. Through the gaps in thick books, I could see over a hundred strips of marking tape stuck densely together. There weren’t just one or two books like that.

If only the table was full it would’ve been better, but files, books, and stacks of documents were piled around it as well. Don’t people do everything on computers these days? Physical copies were more readable and easier to take in at a glance, though. That laptop was probably crammed full of all sorts of materials too.

“Um… hello. There’s quite a lot here.”

“We gathered as many case studies as possible, especially American ones.”

Team Leader Kim Hayun said.

“Since it’s only been about four years since dungeons appeared, there weren’t that many related materials.”

So this isn’t much. For American cases, there would be far more in that laptop than printed materials. And they’d be in English. Yuhyun, save me. Myungwoo, Rookie, make translation items too.

“Since you said you wanted to prevent any parts that could reflect poorly on Director Han Yujin, we paid special attention to that.”

The lawyer from the Hunter Association said with a smile.

“Managing the image of Korean Hunters is one of the Hunter Association’s main duties.”

They talked well for something limited to high-rank Hunters. Wasn’t the Hunter Association the one that readily threw out scapegoats? Thinking of pre-regression events, I didn’t view that lawyer favorably either, but I needed them right now, so I smiled back. Well, they might be one of the people from the cleanup.

“Even if you prepare the basic contract in advance, it would be better to request each Guild Leader’s attendance at the actual negotiation. What’s on paper inevitably differs from reality.”

The lawyer from Sesung said. The Hunter Association had helped gather American materials, but Sesung’s assistance had been substantial.

“Especially our Guild Leader—he’s as skilled as any legal professional.”

That seemed likely.

“Sesung’s legal team is also experienced.”

Sesung’s lawyer smiled with a half-enlightened expression. They’d said Seong Hyunjae had caused plenty of trouble abroad. They must have handled the aftermath… truly reliable. They must get paid well, right?

“You agreed on the unauthorized video broadcast, but it was only regarding simple portrait rights violation, correct?”

“Yes. That, publicity rights.”

“The value of the world’s only Monster Mount Breeding Facility Director is naturally great. The same goes for other S-rank Hunters.”

“So I made that clear.”

“However, compensation for mental and material damages from the video broadcast remains. This part must be calculated separately.”

“If it’s acceptable, may we include this part?”

I nodded. I had to use everything I could.

“In particular, showing circumstances indicating that Director Han Yujin obtained an invitation can be viewed as a serious problem.”

“Essentially, it made S-rank Hunters target an F-rank stats person, practically a civilian.”

They said it could be judged as intentional since it was an easily foreseeable situation, even without a confidentiality clause.

“Broadly speaking, it could also be viewed as violating the phrase ‘guarantee participants’ safety.'”

“Did they specify the timeframe and location for guaranteeing safety?”

“…Pardon? No, well, they called it a party. The location and date haven’t been decided yet. It’s before attendance.”

“Director Han Yujin suffered harm from Chatterbox’s party video—essentially an advertisement. In other words, that video was filmed with the purpose of party advertising, targeting party participants. So if they didn’t specify the exact scope, Chatterbox must guarantee Director Han Yujin’s safety. Furthermore, you could demand costs for protecting Director Han Yujin’s safety.”

I-is that so? However, they said that because the scope of safety guarantee was narrow, the simple video broadcast wouldn’t quite constitute a violation. But if someone attacked me targeting the invitation, Chatterbox would have to provide compensation.

“Not leaving physical aftereffects is one thing, but maintaining self is too vague. This part should be supplemented further.”

The safety guarantee clause was analyzed at the level of tearing apart each letter. Even Chatterbox would probably be appalled if they were here now. Well, they’d send lawyers too. To think a fight with Transcendents would start with lawyers.

A considerable amount of time passed, and Team Leader Kim Hayun turned off the recorder. Sesung’s lawyer held out a USB drive to me.

“We’ll send the main materials and related books to Dodam.”

“Do… I have to read them all?”

“If possible. They’re saved as files, but text on paper still helps concentration better than monitors.”

“We recommend you rest thoroughly the day before the negotiation.”

Team Leader Kim Hayun said with a smile.

“It’s surprisingly a battle of stamina.”

“That’s right. And have something easily digestible for breakfast.”

…Not the brain? Well, they do say stamina is important for studying too. I was quite tired even now. When I exited first, Yerim, who’d brought a chair and was sitting down, looked at me with drowsy eyes.

“The soundproofing is good so I didn’t catch the content, but just from the sounds leaking out, it felt like a school class.”

“Let’s go home and take a nap. My head is throbbing too. Do you have anything going on this evening?”

“No. I’m much more free than a Guild Leader. Han Yuhyun is a bit pitiful. He left early without eating breakfast together today too.”

It hadn’t even been long since he’d been away for a few days going to Japan, and now he didn’t know how long he’d have to leave the guild again. Fortunately, given the nature of Hunter guilds, Guild Leaders were originally often away conquering dungeons, so there was a system in place for that. It would’ve been a headache if it were a regular company.

“It’s fortunate Kim Seonghan is there. Seonghan’s team is complete too.”

The biggest task was transferring dungeons likely to overlap with the party date and conquest period so Kim Seonghan’s team could handle them. Especially for S-rank dungeons, Yuhyun had to personally teach detailed conquest methods and provide guidance. Since Yuhyun often led the charge and swept through alone, even teammates on the same conquest team had S-rank monsters they’d never actually faced.

There would be other tasks to handle too. Anyway, he couldn’t help but be busy. My poor brother. He’s only just turned twenty.

“But it seems like he’s thinking of dumping dungeon conquests entirely at this rate. If conquest frequency decreases, he can spend more time with you.”

“Honestly, neither Yuhyun nor you are at an age to be going into dungeons. If the world becomes safer, you should be going to school, not dungeons.”

If they could pass it on, passing it to adults would be right.

I used my Stealth skill and jumped over the wall again. Landing on the Breeding Facility flowerbed attached to the wall, I released my Stealth skill. A wide track for baby monsters’ exercise wrapped around the circular Breeding Facility building. The kids would run and I’d follow on a bicycle. Though even with a bicycle, it was hard to keep up. Especially the unicorns who’d left now—they were no joke.

“Want to try racing with me?”

Yerim said, hopping lightly on the track. Just a few light steps instantly widened the distance.

“I couldn’t keep up with you even before you awakened, Yerim.”

“I didn’t even know you were following me back then.”

“You were incredibly fast.”

“I heard a lot of people telling me to do sports. Uncle naturally said no, though.”

“If there’s something you want to do, you can do it starting now. You never know what the future holds.”

If the world became safe and dungeons disappeared, Hunters would naturally disappear too. Yerim spun toward me and smiled.

“Don’t worry, I’ll do what I want. I have money to live on for life, you know.”

“…Did you pay off all your debts?”

“No. But Myungwoo said if I don’t need to use my weapon anymore, he’ll return the production cost. Just to me.”

That Myungwoo kid, how grateful. He’d said that too. With that money, even if she suddenly became unawakened, there’d be no worries. Money is important no matter what. I’d also earned more than what I spent at the Japan gathering, and worries about making a living—

“Mister!”

Suddenly Yerim shouted and teleported toward me. Simultaneously, clang—a sharp metallic sound rang in my ears. From the impact of weapon clashing against weapon, my body staggered backward. When I reflexively used my Teacher skill on Yerim, I saw a masked assailant with only their eyes exposed. They pushed against the long staff blocking Yerim’s spear and delivered a kick. As Yerim dodged backward, the assailant’s hand grabbed my throat.

“Hey, you!”

“Yerim, ah. Wait!”

Yerim, who’d been releasing cold mist, stopped moving.

“Do you… want the invitation?”

“Yeah. It’s not like it’s much use to you anyway.”

At the assailant’s words, Yerim’s eyes flashed fiercely.

“I can catch them!”

“Yeah, but just wait a moment.”

If Yerim started attacking, there’d be no way to avoid revealing Grace. I could catch this bastard and silence them, but there were other reasons too.

“There are several S-rank Hunters here, yet you’re quite bold.”

“Right now there’s only one kid. They don’t seem to have noticed yet. Make a fuss and I’ll take this guy and run.”

Not wanting to cause a big commotion, the assailant told me to just hand over the invitation. From their confidence, they probably had flight and teleportation skills like Yerim. They must have been watching from afar and attacked when they saw an opening.

“My invitation is for one person. And it’s a bit special.”

I removed my mana that had been overlaid with Chatterbox’s mark. The assailant’s brow furrowed slightly.

“This is what you just felt. As I said at the press conference, I obtained it specially. You must have heard the rumors from the Japan gathering.”

Still, even if I said it couldn’t be transferred, they wouldn’t believe me. That was also why I hadn’t said at the press conference that it was an invitation only I could use. It would’ve just sounded like an excuse.

“So I don’t know if they’ll accept it if someone other than me takes it.”

“You become F-rank, though?”

“Rank doesn’t matter for connections. Instead, I can ask Chatterbox for one spare invitation.”

“Good, then—”

“Put me down first.”

The assailant glanced at Yerim. I told Yerim to step further back. Though dissatisfied, when Yerim widened the distance, the assailant released me. There’d be marks on my neck. There should be.

“How much will you pay?”

“…What?”

“Let’s settle this cleanly with money. Does it seem easy to kidnap me like this, threaten me, and make me contact Chatterbox? It’ll be hell.”

The assailant was flustered. Yerim ground her teeth, saying she’d chase them to death. This bastard probably took it easy thinking I was F-rank stats. An S-rank threatens and I’d readily hand over the invitation, so they covered their face figuring they’d just run immediately. The low-to-mid-rank Hunters they’d met were probably—most likely all—like that.

“How much…”

“First, hand over the items you have as down payment. What do you have? Just spread them out here. Ah, I can’t grab them faster than you can block anyway. Don’t be nervous in front of F-rank stats.”

I urged them, saying even if they were S-rank, if it was miscellaneous items, they wouldn’t lose out. If an SS-rank weapon was one of the rewards, maybe an S-rank weapon would come out as a participation prize.

“People wanting to buy invitations are everywhere. Since you came all this way, I’m giving you a special opportunity.”

While feeling something was off, the S-rank Hunter started emptying their inventory. At the same time, I took out a contract and filled in the contents.

“I’ll receive a down payment and request a spare invitation from Chatterbox. If it fails, I’ll return the down payment. This should be enough, right?”

“Fails?”

“Ah, just in case. Then I’ll compensate double the down payment.”

“Mister, can’t we just fight?”

Yerim grumbled. Just wait a moment. Then something red fell onto the assailant’s mask. A fire lizard that felt weightless landed silently and then—

Whoosh!

“Urk!”

It ignited flames and blocked the assailant’s vision. Right after, Yuhyun kicked the assailant while extending his arm to snatch me.

“Han Yuhyun, they’re mine!”

Yerim pounced on the assailant while Yuhyun wrapped his arms around me.

“What’s that about?”

“Uh, a customer? Yuhyun, take a picture of my neck. With the phone. Both photos and video.”

“…Your neck?”

“There are marks, right? The longer they last, the better. And I scraped my palm a bit when I fell earlier. Are there any other injuries? This is all money.”

Though wondering what I was talking about, Yuhyun took the phone. Meanwhile, Yerim was fiercely cornering the assailant. Whether the assailant was an experienced Hunter, their hand-to-hand combat skills still outmatched Yerim’s. But the cold air trying to freeze various parts of their body and the sharply swirling water streams more than bridged that gap.

Even when they tried to attack Yerim—

Splash!

A water droplet blocked in front of her. The surface tension and buoyancy of water reduced force while simultaneously freezing and holding them, so no matter how excellent their combat skills, they couldn’t land a proper hit on Yerim.

Eventually, the assailant shot into the sky. Since it was an open area, if they were determined to flee, catching them even with teleportation wouldn’t be easy. Then, as they looked for a chance to escape, a golden shadow appeared above their head. It was Noah. The golden dragon spun and precisely struck the assailant with its tail.

Wham!

The heavily struck assailant fell and crashed into the ground. Ah, we’ll need construction work again. I should bill Chatterbox for this too.

“Nice, Noah! Where do you think you’re going!”

Meanwhile, Yerim had created a huge mass of water, moved it over the crashed assailant, and froze it solid. Then just like that—crash! She added the force of gravity and struck down like a hammer. Cracks spread across the already broken floor. That must hurt.

—I reported to Chief Song too!

Noah shouted. Noah must have informed Yuhyun too.

“Send what you took to the legal team.”

I didn’t know who they were, but they were definitely a foreign Hunter, and then I should thank them for attacking me. An S-rank or F-rank, a foreign Hunter tried to steal a Korean Hunter’s invitation? If they were Korean, they’d be on my side no matter what.

I quickly gathered the items scattered on the ground too. Thank you in many ways, Mister Assailant. It seemed like a few more could come and it’d be fine.

With the appearance of an S-rank Hunter targeting the invitation, there was another uproar. As expected, most reactions this time were on my side. Though there were some saying, “That’s why an F-rank shouldn’t have an invitation.”

And two days later, Chatterbox’s representatives flew in from America. It was a truly terrible day.