The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 538: Lightly (1)

As I entered the hall, everyone’s attention converged on me all at once. It was the kind of attention I should be getting used to by now, yet it still gave me the illusion of my skin tingling. Honestly, without Fear Resistance, I couldn’t wander around alone like this.

‘…And not a single bodyguard either.’

I’d decided to just hide and move past yesterday’s paparazzi incident. Still, I’d called to protest that the security was too lax. But all I got in response was the consultant’s assurance that they’d protect me perfectly, so not to worry.

Unlike yesterday, violence was prohibited in the hall to ensure smooth proceedings. So there was nothing to worry about danger-wise—though I shouldn’t let my guard down completely. Someone might just snap and go “If I don’t participate in the party, it’s fine!” and do something reckless.

The problem was that if you gathered a hundred people, you’d have a hundred different personalities. Too many variables. Especially people with strong power often had weak brakes or completely broken ones. Because even if they made mistakes or failed, they could easily recover. Unlike the weak who’d fall to rock bottom if they lost something.

“Mister!”

I heard Yerim’s voice. I turned my head to respond happily, but ended up biting my tongue a little.

‘Wh-what is that…’

Yerim was waving a magazine high in the air. With my photo plastered right on the cover… Calm down, stay composed, act like it’s nothing. It’s common. It’ll really become common from now on. …How embarrassing.

“The photo came out really well!”

Yerim said with a bright smile. Before I knew it, Yuhyun had also approached with the materialized Peace. My brother was holding the same magazine. It was a thin special edition that seemed to have been hastily printed overnight.

– Kyaang!

“Hyung, you really look cool.”

“…Thanks.”

It was the photo that paparazzo had taken yesterday. The one who’d handed me a business card that made me wonder if Di○ney would sue. Though it was just a spider-related nickname and he hadn’t gone as far as a costume. The photo… was well-taken, I’ll give him that. Still, Chief Song’s hands, standing slightly behind Yerim in the photo, were completely empty.

“That bastard is over there right now, but I can’t touch him at the moment.”

Yerim grumbled regretfully.

“Leave him be. I’ll handle it myself if possible.”

I reflexively turned my gaze toward where Yerim was pointing and made eye contact with the cowboy. …They said he was a popular Hunter despite how he looked. At least it’s better than a full-body suit. The cowboy grinned, flashing his pearly white teeth beneath his mustache. Ah, yes…

‘Still, Hunters like that are said to have good personalities.’

At least outwardly. They’re good at fan service too, supposedly.

“Yujin.”

Noah approached with Moon Hyunah, showing me the magazine. Moon Hyunah also waved her magazine. Both had magazines with my photo plastered large on them.

“I bought one too.”

“Yes…”

Why was everyone showing me the magazine like it was some kind of admission ticket? I laughed awkwardly and tried to avert my gaze, only to make eye contact with yet another unfamiliar Hunter. That Hunter grinned and held up their magazine too. What, what is this, a hidden camera prank? Was there maybe a newsstand in front of the hall selling magazines? Is that it? Some famous magazine like the New York Times that everyone buys a copy of?

“Director Han Yujin, your hand.”

Moon Hyunah said. When I unconsciously extended my hand, she took it as if to escort me and bowed at the waist. Her red-dyed hair flowed down smoothly and Moon Hyunah’s eyes looked up at me slightly. Then she kissed the back of my hand and curved her lips.

“Disinfection.”

What…

“…Hyung?”

“Unni, you made Mister space out! I told you to cut it out with the jokes! At this rate, Mister won’t ever get married.”

“Hyungnim’s reactions are too fun, sorry, sorry. But isn’t he cute?”

“Hyung, can you see me? Hyung?”

“Uh, yeah.”

My brother’s face came into view. He was handsome no matter when I looked at him.

“Right, mm.”

I moved behind my brother’s back. Let’s calm down first. It’s just a joke. …But on the back of my hand, on my hand, my hand!

“Hyungnim?”

“…I’ve calmed down. But really, Hyunah, you should do that kind of thing with someone you’re dating.”

“Should we date then?”

“That’s not how you really feel.”

Moon Hyunah hooked her arm around my grumbling shoulder and pulled me as if into an embrace. Then she whispered very quietly.

“That’s more true for you, Hyungnim.”

“…What?”

“Even if I really asked you to date, you’d refuse, Hyungnim.”

“No, I—”

“Because dating also means taking care of yourself.”

It tends to get pushed back behind family, work, and other priorities, Moon Hyunah said. That’s, that is… Of course, right now, even if there were someone who said they loved me and I loved them back… that would be the end of it. Right now, the situation is what it is.

“If you’re really interested, Hyungnim, tell me anytime!”

Moon Hyunah patted my back. Yerim muttered that if you wanted to date Mister, you’d have to deal with Han Yuhyun first. Though I don’t really have any thoughts of dating.

“A celebrity has graced us.”

At Moon Hyunah’s words, I turned my head and saw Seong Hyunjae approaching through the Hunters. Most of the Hunters gathered here were probably S-rank, but they were giving way without any particular fuss. If it weren’t for me, Seong Hyunjae would be the star of this gathering. He still looked like it. He would have taken the magazine cover too.

I’d thought things had gotten better recently, but I felt intimidated anew. Gyeol on Seong Hyunjae’s shoulder was a pale silver color, then turned pink when he saw me. He couldn’t speak, just pawed the air eagerly with his front legs. And Seong Hyunjae held up a magazine with a picture-perfect smile. Ta-da, huh? Should I send a copy to Myungwoo too?

“There are many.”

Suddenly, thunk, Chatterbox’s voice cut through the air like slicing it. The hall fell silent in an instant, as if cold water had been poured over us. Everyone turned their heads toward the platform in unison. Chatterbox, who had appeared at some point, continued speaking from behind their wide-smiling mask.

“So we’ll reduce them a bit before starting.”

What do you mean—before I could wonder, my vision blurred. I felt my body lift slightly.

“Ugh.”

Hot sunlight suddenly poured down. I reflexively opened my eyes that I’d closed. Spread before me was an endlessly vast wasteland. I could see a thick black line drawn in front of people. Don’t go past that line, I guess? Looking around, I could see Yuhyun and Peace in the distance. Were the positions randomized when we moved? Everyone was flustered, unable to move rashly.

“Hello, everyone~!”

A lively voice rang out. I could see someone standing atop a high pillar in short sleeves and shorts. Next to them, four cameras were whirring around in all directions. They seemed to be something like a coordinator.

“We’ll now begin with a simple warm-up! The rules are simple—when the signal sounds, run to the finish line! You can use anything—items, skills, whatever. However, intentionally interfering with others is prohibited!”

A race, huh. Several Hunters looked back at me. Some eyes held pity.

“You’ll receive small rewards in the order you reach the finish line, and the lower ranks will be eliminated! It’s a long-distance race, so please be careful about pacing yourselves~”

“Last place is already decided.”

A Hunter sneered at me. At the same time.

Thump!

A jeep appeared next to me. Off-road jeep with a top speed of over 250, applied with dungeon byproducts. The roof fully opens too. I looked back at the sneering Hunter and tilted my head.

“Hm? What did you just say?”

The Hunter’s face contorted. An S-rank Hunter could momentarily reach speeds faster than a car. But without related skills, it was hard to maintain that for a long time. For short distances maybe, but for long distances, a high-performance car was naturally more advantageous. I climbed into the car with the roof wide open and looked at the Hunter.

“Hey, want a ride?”

The esteemed S-rank ground their teeth. Normally I’d have to go into the drawer to retrieve it, but I’d painstakingly learned from Myungwoo the application of the method used to draw out Ismuar’s flames at the forge. Not everything, but with 71’s help I could directly pull out a few objects I’d designated. Though it consumed less mana than entering directly, I couldn’t use this much either.

“Team members can help each other! In the case of different teams, receiving help requires payment of one gold coin per team! Also, you’ll automatically rank behind the team that helped you!”

Unlike us, there were probably many Hunters who hadn’t obtained gold coins yet. Even if they had, they’d be reluctant to waste a bonus item when they didn’t know how it would be used yet. Who knows, maybe at the very end they’d let you exchange gold coins for SS-rank weapons.

Ting!

Just then, a gold coin came spinning toward me. As I caught it, Evelyn opened the passenger door and said,

“May I ask for your help?”

“You’re more than welcome, customer.”

Evelyn in her elegant party dress took her seat, followed by her teammate getting in the back. Right after, rumble rumble, the ground shook in the distance. I turned my head and saw a massive dragon rising up like a hill.

– Gold coins! Hand over the gold coins!

It was Liette. The jet-black dragon roared, and Kang Soyeong climbed atop her horned head, waving both arms excitedly.

“Unni, run!”

– First ten people! If you fall off, I’m leaving you behind!

She’s having fun. Every time Liette swung her tail, nearby Hunters grimaced and dodged. Four legs and a large body, outstanding stamina. There would be hardly any Hunters fast enough to catch up to Liette. Then Noah also transformed into a dragon. The relatively smaller golden dragon took off with Moon Hyunah.

One way or another, flying types are the best after all.

“It’s a race, isn’t it? Isn’t this cheating?”

Someone protested to the coordinator.

“Skills and items are a~ll fine! Please use them to your heart’s content!”

– Hmph.

Peace increased his size and Yuhyun climbed on. This combination really is good right now. However.

“Civil servant Mister! Just trust me!”

“I’m fine.”

“I told you I carried that mister easily too! Even if it’s S-rank, it’s not particularly heavy, so it’ll be no problem!”

“I’m fine.”

Yerim waved both hands, saying she’d fly while carrying Song Taewon. Song Taewon calmly declined. But Yerim didn’t give up.

“It’s long distance. I’ll fly carrying Chief Song, then from the middle, Mister Song will carry me and run! Then we can rank high!”

With S-rank strength, carrying one person wouldn’t make much difference in speed, so that would be more advantageous.

“I think Yerim’s right, Chief Song.”

“I’m…”

“See, look! If I hold you like this—don’t move!”

Yerim tried to scoop up Song Taewon. Song Taewon resisted.

“Just hold me from behind or grab my arm—”

“That would be uncomfortable.”

“It’s not uncomfortable.”

Chief Song looked at me with pleading eyes for help. He’s weaker with kids than I thought. Though I do want to see Chief Song being carried princess-style.

“Yerim, hold him from behind.”

“Aww.”

Yerim nodded reluctantly. That kid had some mischief mixed in too. Still, this scene would be broadcast too, so let’s let it be. Then a shadow fell over me.

“Is there a seat available?”

It was Seong Hyunjae. With a small fairy dragon perched on his head glittering in the sunlight, he held out a gold coin.

“There’s exactly one seat left.”

If it weren’t for Gyeol, I’d say run hard in this scorching sun, but I’m giving in because of Gyeol. Seong Hyunjae climbed into the remaining back seat and I pulled out sunglasses from the car door compartment and put them on. Then I gave a thumbs up to the Hunter glaring at me.

“It’s nice being S-rank and sturdy. Run till your feet sweat~”

I’m riding in a car. With air conditioning too. At my words, the Hunter pretended to step back, then—

“Oh no, my foot!”

He staggered greatly and stomped the ground with his foot. The ground under his foot caved in and earth rose up in front of it. Dirt and stones flew toward me—toward the car—with terrifying momentum. That bastard! What if the tires get punctured! At the same time.

Charrr—

Golden chains stretched out long and wrapped around the car. They sparked weak currents that wouldn’t affect the car while perfectly blocking the dirt and stones. Then.

Kwoom!

“Gack!”

– Grrrr.

The Flame Horned Lion dropped right onto the Hunter. Yuhyun, riding Peace, spoke in a flat voice.

“It was an accident. Peace hasn’t had his flight skill for long.”

“G-get off!”

Peace trampled the Hunter thoroughly then spread his wings and flew up again. The Hunter, with clothes scorched black here and there, gritted his teeth and stepped back, then—

“Eek!”

Slipped and fell. Before he knew it, an ice sheet had formed under the Hunter’s feet.

“Oops, sorry! It’s hot today. But it’s cool, right? One cup of ice for one gold coin!”

Moon Hyunah on Noah burst into laughter. Noah flapped his wings widely and looked down at the Hunter trying to get up.

– I can carry one more person.

Shall I help? He asked kindly while wiggling his venomous claws. The Hunter shook his head with a deeply furrowed face and fled far away as if escaping. I’d been trying to avoid receiving help as much as possible, but that felt satisfying. This much should be okay. Seong Hyunjae was riding in my car anyway.

“Get ready!”

The coordinator raised their arm high and shouted. I took off my coat, tossed it into the back seat, and started the car.

“Start!”

S-rank Hunters, dragons, Monster Mounts, and a car burst forward energetically.