The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 539: Lightly (2)

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The massive dragon charged forward, shaking the earth as it overtook the Hunters in an instant.

“Aah!”

“Watch where you’re running!”

Several Hunters protested as they got swept up in Liette’s reckless charge that paid no attention to what was in front or behind. Since everyone except me was a high-rank Hunter, no one was injured, but she was really going all out.

“Everyone, dragons! Dragons are the best! I love Comet! Unni, are you watching?!”

Kang Soyeong shouted while making a V sign toward the camera following her. The cameras were pretending to be drones, but Chatterbox’s power was probably imbued in them. We couldn’t even tell if this place was a dungeon or some wasteland somewhere on Earth in the first place.

I also pressed the accelerator hard to increase speed, but the leader on the ground was still Liette. Not only was the terrain not ideal for building speed, but the current Liette was probably receiving stat buffs from Kang Soyeong too. She could probably run even faster, but she was likely moderating her pace considering the unknown distance ahead.

[Straight ahead! Keep going straight!]

The coordinator’s voice echoed through the drones. There were Hunters with flight skills too, but most were running. Even with flight skills, depending on efficiency, it was sometimes better to just run. Using skills consumed stamina and mana after all.

‘Good thing I haven’t sold the stamina potions yet.’

I’d only distributed a few samples at the Japan gathering and postponed sales. If they continued this kind of competition, stamina potions would be important. Maybe I should advertise them while I’m at it.

About ten minutes after the start, gaps began to form little by little among the Hunters who had been packed together. Liette was in the lead, with my jeep following a bit behind her. The Hunters running normally checked the surrounding atmosphere and gradually adjusted their pace. They’d maintain a moderate speed to conserve their strength, then make their move the moment the finish line came into view. They’d judged that approach to be more advantageous.

Of course.

“That person is running incredibly fast!”

Yerim said while carrying a somewhat resigned-looking Song Taewon. There were a few Hunters who weren’t conserving their strength and were sprinting ahead. It was a kind of gamble, I suppose. The destination might be closer than expected.

“Yerim, if you get tired, you can sit on the hood for a bit.”

“I’m fine! And Chief Song is light!”

He must have adjusted his weight. Yerim lifted Song Taewon high like a scene from a Di○ney animal movie.

“Even if I hold you like this—”

“…Hunter Park Yerim.”

“It’s easy!”

“…Hunter Park Yerim, please.”

Song Taewon requested in a small voice to be carried normally. Unlike before departure, he couldn’t properly resist for fear of interfering with Yerim, his teammate. At this rate, wouldn’t Yerim end up adding her name to Chief Song’s blacklist after Seong Hyunjae?

And Seong Hyunjae was enthusiastically filming that scene with his phone out. Seeing how the filming equipment, the car, and even phones were working fine, this definitely wasn’t an ordinary dungeon.

Flutter—a shadow fell over the car with the sound of light wingbeats. It was Noah.

“Noah, you could take first place!”

Even if Yuhyun and Peace weren’t sticking by my side, Noah was likely faster. It was a natural flying type versus a flight skill after all. On top of that, he could self-buff, and I’d heard Moon Hyunah had support skills related to Monster Mounts too. Like when she used to ride that bike.

So that team had the most advantage.

“It seems like sticking with Hyungnim will get the most attention!”

Moon Hyunah answered.

– Speeding up near the finish line will be more than enough.

Noah also spoke confidently. Well, the distance gap with Liette wasn’t that large. Moon Hyunah filmed Song Taewon with her phone too, saying the more they appeared on TV, the better. …Honestly, I wanted to take a picture too, but I felt bad. I should ask her to send me the photo later.

Evelyn in the seat next to me took out a small book from her handbag. Then she started reading as if she’d entered her own little world. At that sight, Moon Hyunah frowned slightly and told Noah to fly higher.

“You really do get along well.”

Evelyn’s teammate sitting in the back seat spoke to me.

“Vanessa Bailey.”

“Han Yujin.”

I’d wondered what kind of person would be on Evelyn’s team, but she was a Hunter who seemed to have a better personality than expected. The smiling impression reflected in the mirror felt somewhat similar to Hyunah.

“Actually, most people are still suspicious, you know. About Director Han’s relationship with the S-rank Hunters.”

“I suppose so. I wouldn’t believe it either if I were them.”

Would this conversation be broadcast too? They said they’d let us edit, but there hadn’t been any word about that yet. Just in case, I should watch what I say.

“That’s how power differences work. It’s hard to have an equal relationship. Even with just a company superior and subordinate, the hierarchical power is clear.”

Exactly right. If it was S-rank versus F-rank, it would be like a major corporation’s chairman versus a contract worker at a subcontractor. If Yuhyun and Yerim weren’t family living together, we would have received much more suspicious looks than now.

‘But now.’

Those preconceptions were probably changing little by little. I looked up at the drones diligently chasing the car. I lowered my sunglasses and smiled. What can I do—more than half the S-ranks who attended the party are following behind me. As Hyunah said, I’d be the most interesting.

So please enjoy. I’ll try to enjoy it to the fullest too.

I couldn’t turn on the air conditioning since I was driving with the roof open just in case. It was also a waste of gas. After driving like that for a while, the back of my neck became damp with sweat. The others would be a bit hot too, except for Yuhyun and Peace. Even S-ranks would get thirsty.

“Seong Hyunjae, please take out the bag under the back seat!”

Seong Hyunjae pulled out a large sports bag. Then I shouted.

“Yerim, freeze that bag a little. Make it nice and cold!”

“OK!”

Yerim lightly released white mist and Seong Hyunjae lifted the bag upward. A chill swept past and the bag’s zipper opened wide. What filled it was beverages.

“Mister Sesung, I want cola!”

Yerim smiled brightly, saying it worked out well since she was hot. Seong Hyunjae threw two cola cans to Song Taewon.

“Please put me down and drink comfortably.”

“Just open the can for me~ I can drink well even without hands!”

Chief Song’s escape attempt failed. I also reached one hand behind me.

“Water and beer, please.”

“Here you are.”

“Give Gyeol juice.”

“He seems to want cola though.”

“Too much carbonation isn’t good for him. Yuhyun, catch!”

I threw the cool water bottle to Yuhyun.

“Thanks, hyung.”

“Yerim, give Peace some water please.”

Hyunah shouted that she wanted beer too, and Noah requested orange juice. Evelyn and Vanessa each took a beer can. I held up the beer can toward the camera.

“Beer is definitely △△△! That was an advertisement~ For Korean Hunter advertising inquiries, please contact the Dodam Breeding Facility’s integrated advertising department! Yuhyun.”

In place of me who had difficulty using both hands, Yuhyun took out a long piece of paper from his inventory and held it toward the camera. Then he spoke bluntly.

“Contact information.”

It was an integrated office related to the S-rank Hunters participating in the party. We’d temporarily created one since it would be troublesome if everyone responded individually. Seong Hyunjae perceptively opened the beer can I was holding. It was a post-payment contract where advertising fees would be paid if it got broadcast. Seok Gimyeong was the organizer. Of course, we’d finished legal consultations with Chatterbox’s representatives too.

Song Taewon looked at me with sighing eyes as I raised the beer high again. Oh no.

“Unlicensed drunk driving—absolutely never imitate this outside!”

I wonder if we’ll get suspended from broadcasting at this rate. But the beer company had put up a bigger contract fee than the other beverage companies.

Just then, I saw the backs of a few of the Hunters who had rushed ahead recklessly. They weren’t moving slowly even now, but they definitely looked tired. Among them, one Hunter caught my eye—the one who’d picked a fight with me on my first day arriving in New York. Oh, how nice to see you. I turned the wheel and approached in that direction.

“You’re working hard in this hot weather~”

“…You, this!”

Under the glaring gaze, I cleanly emptied the beer can and tossed it away. You shouldn’t litter either. Then I held up a new beer can. The guy’s expression twisted beautifully.

“Want a drink?”

“Get lost!”

“Suit yourself. Everyone, I’m taking orders! Beer? Cola? Juice? All cold! Slightly frozen!”

“Beer!”

A Hunter running up ahead slowed down and approached while shouting. Even if they had water in their inventory, it wouldn’t be cold. Plus, carbonation. Even if they couldn’t get drunk, cold beer in the sweltering heat was welcome. The alcohol content was low anyway. I received the beer from Seong Hyunjae and threw it with all my might. When the Hunter opened the can, white foam rose up refreshingly.

“Hunter Han Yujin, I’m actually a fan of yours!”

Another Hunter shouted while waving their hand. I was grateful even if it was lip service. I threw two cans to the Hunter who also wanted beer as a token of gratitude. This much didn’t count as helping. The coordinator didn’t say anything either.

“Wow, this is killer! It was like this when I was unawakened!”

One Hunter who received and drank the beer exclaimed in admiration. How many chances would they have had to run like this after becoming S-rank? There probably hadn’t been any Hunters yet who’d brought cold beer into a dungeon.

We ran for a good while longer while quenching our thirst. It wasn’t even a marathon, and I was starting to think it would get boring if they kept broadcasting like this when—

Rumble rumble rumble—

With the sound of the earth shaking, something like a giant snake burst out wriggling in the distance. Then the coordinator’s voice flowed from the drone.

[These are ordinary land snakes that appear occasionally! They’re not dangerous, so keep running!]

Right, they’re about 5 meters in diameter but they’re safe. Is that coordinator even human from our world? Liette in the lead jumped lightly over the snake. The snake was rather startled seeing the black dragon and writhed while trying to burrow into the ground. Yuhyun and Noah approached the car.

“Hyung, should I lift you over?”

– Yujin, shall I help?

If it wasn’t dangerous, I could just ask them to lift me over. But it wouldn’t look good.

“I’m fine. I’m okay.”

I refused and took out a gold coin. Right now, it was better to use a different method. Even if I received help, it should be with me taking the lead—and in a way worth watching!

Rumble!

The land snake twisted its body. The massive body tore through the ground as it burrowed inward. The earth cracked open as if an earthquake had occurred, and large pits formed here and there. It became a complete mess, impossible for a car to pass through.

“Seong Hyunjae!”

I threw the gold coin back to Seong Hyunjae. Seong Hyunjae’s hand snatched the spinning golden coin, and just before reaching the cracked earth—

Charrr!

Chains extended. At the same time, I applied the teacher skill to Seong Hyunjae. Seong Hyunjae jumped out of the car and stood firm with chains wrapped around both arms. Two streams of golden chains extended to the intact ground and dug into the earth. Imbued with their master’s magic power, they were taut enough to easily support the weight of a car.

I pressed the accelerator hard and drove up onto the chains. I never thought I’d end up doing a tightrope walk while driving. Unlicensed at that. I drove over the two chains, relying on the sensation through the teacher skill and the sensitivity of the mana imprint.

The car instantly passed over the cracked ground and descended onto flat earth. Seong Hyunjae used the recoil from retracting the chains to fly gracefully through the air and land precisely in the back seat.

“If I weren’t driving, I would have applauded.”

“You flatter me.”

After safely passing the snake and driving for who knows how long, Noah, who had been flying high, shouted.

– I can see the finish line!

Noah had the best eyesight among us. He looked down at me and beat his wings widely.

– I’m going ahead!

Following Noah, Yuhyun also spoke.

“Hyung, is it okay if I go first?”

“Of course. But it’ll be hard for you to win.”

At my words, Yuhyun smiled and patted Peace’s neck. Peace used the charge skill he’d been saving and rapidly pulled away.

“Mister, me too!”

Yerim, who had been hanging on Song Taewon’s shoulder, lifted him up again and used her teleportation skill. Yerim and Song Taewon reappeared far in the distance. Then I should too.

“The car has to be safe!”

I let go of the steering wheel and jumped over the car window. Seong Hyunjae moved to the front seat as if he’d been waiting and grabbed the steering wheel instead. After confirming that, I took out a gold coin and threw it to Evelyn. We’re even with the giving and receiving. Evelyn swept back her hair disheveled by the wind and stood up. A large bow appeared in her hands. Evelyn also moved to the front of the car and Seong Hyunjae closed the open roof.

“I’m counting on you.”

I climbed onto the car roof and ate a Mini-Mini Cookie. It was a bit of a shame to be exposed on the broadcast, but it was an item that would be revealed before long anyway. Evelyn tied my shrunken form to an arrow. Even with Fear Resistance, I trembled slightly.

“My arrow is protected by a skill.”

Evelyn explained to the camera in advance. Both to hide Grace and to prevent viewers from misunderstanding. It was the kind of thing that would turn a person into mush. In fact, Evelyn’s skill did have that effect. If the target was a strong opponent it would shatter, but if it was something like an ordinary wall, it could be used to string along or deliver small objects.

Evelyn took off her glasses and looked at the distant finish line. The arrow was nocked on the bow and Evelyn’s shoulders and arms tensed up completely. The arm hidden under her clothes swelled up and the sleeve that had been slightly loose became taut. This was going to be really dizzying. Right after I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes—

Fwing—!

My ears went numb. Surprisingly, there was little shaking.

Thwack!

The arrow that had crossed the vast distance in the blink of an eye embedded itself in the ground. My vision spun round and round, and while dizzy, I cut the string binding my body and returned to my original size. Oof… Within my wildly shaking vision, I could see the glittering finish line marker. The coordinator shouted.

“First place! Hunter Han Yujin!”