The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 536: New York (2)

Along with the desire to escape this place, I felt the impulse to run out and shout that this bastard was a monster—a monster wearing the skin of a human while pretending to be normal.

Individually, there were both good and bad people, but either way, Hunters were protecting the world. Yet here, in a place where people wanted to drive them out, Chatterbox was being welcomed. Of course, there were people who found Chatterbox distasteful too. But this bastard was undoubtedly an enemy to this world.

“Show us something amazing!”

“Party! Party!”

“Party!”

They shouted in unison, completely excited. To their eyes and ears, this was nothing more than an interesting spectacle. A variety show with an astronomical budget—that was the extent of their perception. I couldn’t blame people who didn’t know. I’d been the same. You couldn’t demand they understand more than what was visible. So.

I put down the luggage I’d been gathering. I pressed my stiff lips with my fingers. Then I got out of the car with a bright smile, straightened my shoulders and back, and stood beside Chatterbox as confidently as possible. People’s gazes poured down in an instant. A relaxed smile, with a touch of shyness added. But I gave a courteous greeting. I was grateful I’d learned how to conduct myself in situations like this.

An F-rank appearing alongside the S-rank party host. It was enough to draw attention, but if I ended it here, I’d just be Chatterbox’s accessory.

“Your popularity is incredible, Chatterbox-ssi.”

I spoke lightly with admiration as I stepped forward. Then I turned my body to look up at Chatterbox. Since he’d given me a special invitation and we’d even ridden here together in the car, it would look like we were very close.

It felt disgusting, but it was an advantageous appearance for me.

“With so many fans.”

While making eye contact with Chatterbox, I reached out my hand. My fingertips touched the edge of the white mask.

“Why don’t you show your face? Everyone’s curious!”

I said playfully while looking around. It was rude behavior. But people liked this sort of thing. Even now, like this.

“Show us!”

“Take it off!”

A few people shouted, and the rest followed excitedly. Because they were curious. And because it wasn’t their problem. They didn’t care about the reason for the mask. Only their own entertainment came first. Especially for the people gathered here, that tendency would be strong. Not a single person tried to stop it.

I smiled while looking at the audience. If Chatterbox was going to use people, so could I.

“Han Yujin-ssi.”

A gentle voice flowed from behind the mask. Chatterbox—despite that name, he’d presented a prophet and kept silent. That’s precisely why his image had been better. If he was called Chatterbox and actually chattered away, it would be obvious and boring.

As Chatterbox opened his mouth, the surroundings instantly quieted. Unlike in the car, his voice now sounded sweet. Even knowing his true identity, the voice and pronunciation were attractive. People easily developed goodwill based on a pleasant voice alone.

Chatterbox grabbed my wrist that was holding the edge of his mask. Gripping it somewhat roughly, he bowed his head and pressed the lips part of the mask to the back of my hand. Extremely courteously, to the point of being creepy.

“I’d like to show it only to you, my dear, for now.”

…Crazy bastard. His attitude and lines were exaggerated as if on stage. I somehow maintained my smile. I wanted to hit him.

‘It’s okay, it’s not bad.’

I could clearly see what kind of talk would spread. At minimum, this would eliminate the nonsense about my invitation. It was as if Chatterbox himself had declared he was giving me special treatment.

“I’m honored.”

I withdrew my hand as naturally as possible and turned around.

“Shall we go in?”

As I took the lead, I heard people calling out to me from here and there. I smiled until my mouth felt numb. Yes yes, appearances aside, I’m the lead actor. Following the male lead, I might even end up taking the female lead role at this rate. If I were the King of Harmless, I’d grab Chatterbox by the collar and protest.

As we entered the building and the door closed, the noisy sounds subsided. Unlike outside, inside had a calm, clammy atmosphere. The lobby ceiling was high and the staff were quiet as mannequins. Chatterbox, who’d produced an antique-looking cane at some point, walked past me. After hesitating briefly, I followed him.

“I can’t understand why you’re going this far.”

If it were me, I’d just grab a knife and attack. Coming in a car with the bastard who killed my sibling and walking side by side? Was he really crazy? I couldn’t stand it. The more I watched what Chatterbox did, the more I could only think I’d gotten entangled with a madman.

“Would the King of Harmless enjoy this kind of funeral—”

“Isn’t it enjoyable?”

A voice without a trace of mirth said.

“In your world too, the dead are lavishly adorned. The more noble, the more so. They build massive pyramids and even bury many people along with them.”

“That’s pretty outdated.”

You’re talking about hundreds of years ago.

“I am purely holding a funeral festival. Protecting the world, destroying the world—they sound like grand, enormous purposes. But even that.”

Chatterbox stopped walking in front of an ornate door.

“Is a personal matter. Some Unfilial Children or Filial Duty Addicts work halfheartedly out of habit, like tired salarymen.”

Phrased that way, it really sounded trivial. I imagined someone sitting in front of a computer called the System, clicking a mouse, then saying “This isn’t going well” and going out for a cigarette. In truth, I too had come all this way for the sake of one sibling.

“Then just invite acquaintances personally and have a small gathering where you shed a few tears and be done with it.”

“Isn’t it small? Just one world, one you.”

Creeeak—the door opened. Chatterbox whispered while backing away to keep his form hidden.

“The protagonist is Han Yujin.”

Chatterbox’s form vanished. The door opened wide, completely, and the scene inside came into my view. It was a place like a spacious banquet hall with tables, chairs, and simple foods. About a dozen people were there.

S-rank and A-rank Hunters. There were no familiar faces among them. Someone approached me and said:

“This place is currently being broadcast live. If you don’t wish to participate, please leave.”

It was presented as if there were choices, but in reality there weren’t. The moment the door opened, my appearance was already being shown. If I turned back right away, I’d only become a laughing stock. They’d say they knew it all along. Many people would be disappointed too. We’ve thrown the only stat F-rank among high-rank Hunters! Even I couldn’t look away. Channel locked. Just leaving would ruin the broadcast.

I stepped forward, recalling Chatterbox’s conditions in my head. Gazes rushed toward me.

“Hello.”

I casually greeted a Hunter whose eyes met mine. Where were the others? I’d put my phone in my bag while organizing my luggage. I’d just eat some of the prepared food, kill some time briefly, then leave. I could see cameras mounted here and there moving. Just me wandering among high-rank Hunters would be worth watching. Wondering what would happen.

I approached a table and picked up a long, small cookie. It was edible. As the sweet thing entered my mouth, my tension eased slightly. Was that pudding? It looked too sweet, but I picked up the small spoon placed with it. I was getting a bit hungry anyway.

“Fraud.”

Someone said. Phew, a line I’d heard plenty. I ignored it and put the pudding in my mouth. As expected, it was too sweet. Murmuring sounds were heard. It was hard to make out with my hearing. Yeah, go ahead and chatter.

“Shouldn’t we make him cough it up?”

A loud voice approached along with footsteps. Ah, people watching this must be having fun. I’d like to be sitting on a living room sofa popping popcorn too.

“Hey, F-rank.”

“Officially it’s B-rank. You’re behind on the news.”

I turned my head to look up at the man standing before me. I wished for a more refined and dignified high-rank Hunter, but someone like that wouldn’t pick a fight like this in the first place. Every bastard who approached so abruptly was predictably tactless. Makes me sigh.

“Hand over the invitation.”

The man said bluntly.

“And the gold coins too.”

“Gangster—is it mafia in this neighborhood? Sounds too elegant. Anyway, are you from the back alleys?”

Instead of words, the bastard reached out his hand. He suddenly grabbed my collar and then—

CRASH!

—threw me as if sweeping across the table. Jelly that had filled a large bowl spilled onto the floor. Chocolate was crushed and powdered sugar scattered. Glass cups and bowls shattered on the marble floor with loud clangs.

Aren’t you even sorry about the waste? Seriously, leaving a perfectly good mouth idle, how elegant of you. Still, he must have held back somewhat—even without using Grace, only my back ached a bit. Since Chatterbox personally guided me here, any injuries would be his responsibility anyway.

The man took a large step and approached where I’d fallen. I sat up from the table and looked up at the bastard.

“Stay qui—”

“Pfft.”

Unable to hold it in any longer, I covered my mouth and let out a laugh. Then I laughed outright. The man looked at me as if I were crazy.

“No, it’s just—it’s too funny. Hey, idiot. What exactly are you trying to threaten me with?”

“…What?”

“My family? They’re all S-rank. You wouldn’t last even a minute against them. Or my business? You’ll get assassinated by S-ranks if you do that. Do you know how many are lined up? Lastly, my body.”

I clicked my tongue and pointed at my own chest with my hand.

“You seem slow with news for a high-rank Hunter, so I’ll kindly tell you. Do you think I’ve lived all this time being beautifully protected without anything happening to me?”

He wouldn’t be unaware. Stories from within China had probably already spread through word of mouth. I’d said directly on broadcast that my leg was injured to the point potions or simple healing skills couldn’t fix it. I continued with a beaming smile.

“You can’t touch my life, so at most it’d be violence. But appearances aside, I’ve experienced everything that empty head of yours can imagine. You greenhouse flower bastard.”

The man let out a hollow laugh.

“Greenhouse flower? Do you know how much S-rank dungeons—!”

“Even so, you’ve never been prepared to die! S-ranks? Thanks to that grade, you grew up nicely even after the world turned upside down, didn’t you? If you have a brain, think about it—which side risked their life more, S-ranks raiding S-rank dungeons, or F-ranks raiding E-rank and D-rank dungeons!”

Simply thinking about it, S-rank dungeons were far more dangerous. But comparatively, it was like the difference between telling a fully armed, trained soldier in a tank to catch a tiger, versus telling a kid with at most a single knife to catch a wolf.

Tigers were far stronger and scarier. But so far, even S-rank dungeons hadn’t been dangerous to S-rank Hunters. Unless they encountered special situations like a giant toad jumping out, S-rank Hunters were literally in a flower garden.

Of course, they had their own hardships. They might have suffered before Awakening, or been looked down on and attacked like Yuhyun. However, the bastard before me showed no sign of having experienced such difficulties. A confident, imprudent, rookie S-rank who thought he was the best in the world.

“Ah, right. I remember now. A Hunter born into a good family, born sturdy, who played boss his whole life until becoming S-rank—raised so sheltered your brain doesn’t have a single wrinkle.”

You’re famous, you know. Well, you step up like this because you’re a comfortable idiot who’s lived an easy life. Smart villains? They just subtly instigate from behind, step back, and watch. Because bastards like you exist.

“…You little shit.”

The following action was so obvious I used Grace appropriately. Just enough to avoid serious injury without being noticed. The man grabbed me again and this time threw me with more force like a sack.

CRASH!

The table broke and slid back lengthily. The tablecloth spread widely over me. Wood fragments must have embedded in my skin—parts of my body stung here and there. But no major injuries.

“They said disputes between party participants are fine as long as you’re still breathing, so let’s see—”

BANG!

“Urk!”

I pulled the trigger from under the tablecloth. The man who’d been leisurely approaching in complete carelessness took a direct hit. Screeech—the sound of feet dragging across marble was heard, followed by—

THUD!

A loud impact sound as he hit the wall echoed. The power wasn’t strong, but it was enough to slam an unprepared S-rank into the wall. I put the gun in my inventory, got up, and roughly dusted off the wood fragments.

“Master of the Golden Forge brand firearm, taking official pre-orders starting next month~ Power that lets even stat F-rank, near-civilians, blow away S-ranks!”

I smiled brightly toward the camera in front. What I’d just used was the Lynx Gun. Still, the power itself was about B-rank, so maybe one day Myungwoo would make a B-rank gun too. Even if it’s B-rank, regular people couldn’t use it due to insufficient mana. Sorry for the false advertising.

“You—!”

“Further internal damage is dangerous.”

Two Hunters who seemed to be in charge of Chatterbox’s management blocked the furious man. It was dangerous inside an ordinary building. I shrugged and turned around. Ow, my whole body. As I exited, a hotel staff member handed me my luggage bag and room key.

“The elevator is this way.”

I headed to the elevator while taking out my phone from my bag. Seeing the incoming texts and calls, the smile on my lips smoothly faded. I was glad, but because of that, I felt like I might cry a little. It’s already getting tough.

I entered the group chat Yerim had made before we left Korea.

[Hyung!]

[Mister, are you okay?]

[Hyung-nim!]

[Daddy!]

[Yujin, are you okay?]

[Yujin-ssi!]

As expected, Yerim was the fastest. Despite such a difference in character count. On the other hand, Noah-ssi was clumsy with the Korean keyboard. A natural smile formed again.

[Yeah, I’m okay.]

I sent the reply as I got on the elevator.