The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 540: Lightly (3)

“Since Hunter Seong Hyunjae and Hunter Evelyn helped each other by exchanging gold coins, there’s no change in rankings!”

Pop, bang! Fireworks went off out of nowhere. Flower petals even started scattering from thin air. Was that Chatterbox bastard really just trying to make a variety show? You know, like those things where they gathered celebrities for field days or whatever. I was genuinely curious which neighborhood’s funeral looked like this.

I brushed off the dust covering my body and looked around. The finish line was drawn about 3 meters behind where I’d landed. I’d wondered if she could aim properly, but she really was an S-rank archer.

Yuhyun and Noah weren’t visible yet, nor was Liette. Arrows were usually slower than bullets, but Evelyn was S-rank with an S-rank bow and had used a skill too, so the speed must have been no joke. I roughly tidied my disheveled hair and looked up at the cameras spinning around in the air. Should I say something?

“Hunter Han Yujin.”

Just then, the coordinator approached and whispered quietly.

“The part where you ate the cookie has been edited out~”

“What?”

“According to the contract, we automatically edit out as much as possible when unknown dungeon items and skills are used. However, skills that are actively and directly revealed like in Hunter Evelyn’s case will be broadcast as is.”

Ah… so only the part where I ate the cookie was cut, but the part where I shrank and got shot would have aired as is. They said it was according to the contract, but that’s more considerate than I expected. Still, the fact that I could shrink had been revealed.

“2nd place! Hunter Noah Luhir, 3rd place Hunter Moon Hyunah!”

The coordinator shouted in succession shortly after. The golden dragon beat his wings widely and approached above my head.

“I thought we’d definitely be first!”

– Yujin, congratulations.

“You too, Noah.”

Then Yuhyun and Peace arrived, and Yerim crossed the finish line carrying Song Taewon via teleportation. Almost immediately after, Liette came to a screeching halt, stomping the ground hard enough to break it. Hunters tumbled down in a heap from atop the black dragon’s back.

“Ugh, my back.”

“Worst riding experience ever.”

“I’ve got scale marks on my body.”

The S-rank Hunters were fine at least, but one A-rank Hunter flopped face-first on the ground, groaning. Still, thanks to Liette, they’d avoided elimination.

Most invitations had been used by two S-ranks, but there were a few who didn’t have S-rank Hunters they were close enough with to team up with, so they’d brought A-rank Hunters instead. A well-coordinated A-rank could be more advantageous in team battles than mismatched S-ranks.

‘Well, they could have just carried them and run.’

Yuhyun and Moon Hyunah had essentially just had Peace and Noah fly hard anyway.

“You startled me, hyung. You’re not hurt anywhere, right?”

– Kyaang!

Yuhyun examined my body and the shrunken Peace circled around my feet. Yerim created a large water droplet and sent it over, telling me to wash my face.

“Your face is a mess too.”

“Thanks.”

– I thought it would be Noah next!

“Unni, at times like this you’re supposed to say congratulations, well done, amazing! As expected of our Noah!”

Kang Soyeong egged her on, and Noah, who had returned to human form, made a flustered expression. I wonder if Soyeong’s older brothers praised her like that. The massive dragon tilted her head.

– Even though it’s the obvious result? Noah’s the fastest among these people. He has Hyunah’s skill too.

“I got tons of praise even when I was learning to walk! There’s video evidence!”

“No, you really, don’t have to.”

Noah backed away looking extremely awkward.

“We agreed to live, our own lives. I know that you’re different, from ordinary people… Nunim.”

– That’s right, I’m still like that. But Noah, you’ve changed.

Liette said cheerfully.

– You were my obedient, kind, pretty, and weak little brother. When you were young, Noah, you were just like a flower.

“…What?”

– Pretty but useless, weak, and died easily.

I wasn’t sure if that was praise or an insult, but for Liette it was probably a genuinely pure impression—neither one nor the other. More precisely, it was closer to… fondness. If it had been anyone other than Noah, she wouldn’t have cared and would have abandoned them.

– But you’ve gotten prettier and fairly strong! So after much thought, I figured I’d try imitating you.

Not simply because of Kang Soyeong’s advice, but because Noah had changed. The naturally born S-rank with little humanity had come to think she wanted to accommodate Noah a little. The metallic dragon’s eyes narrowed as if smiling.

– Well done!

“…Ah, yes…”

Noah nodded awkwardly and turned his gaze away. I couldn’t fully know what was in his heart, but it didn’t seem like he purely disliked it. After all, she was family who’d taken care of him since childhood. Human emotions weren’t something you could just cut away cleanly like slicing radish.

Besides, Noah seemed to think his older sister was impressive, one way or another. Liette’s praise probably resonated with him more than anyone else’s.

The jeep also arrived with a slight time difference. Evelyn, who had been sitting on the car roof, stepped lightly on the front of the car just before crossing the finish line and jumped down gracefully, landing inside the line first. Her elegant appearance, so mismatched with the wasteland backdrop, looked like she was filming a commercial. The car stopped and Seong Hyunjae, Gyeol, and Vanessa also got out.

“Hunter Han Yujin! Please come up here!”

A platform had appeared at some point, and the coordinator pulled me up. I got slight goosebumps at the atmosphere that expected me to smile brightly and give an acceptance speech. No, I really don’t like this kind of thing… Yuhyun, Yerim, Noah, and everyone else et cetera all pulled out their phones in unison. Except for Peace. Chief Song was… filming the jeep. Excuse me, you’re not planning to give me a ticket back in Korea, are you? Or are you trying to confiscate it?

“First place Hunter Han Yujin receives ten gold coins and a special prize!”

“…Thank you.”

It was nice to receive things, but thinking that the recipient of my gratitude was Chatterbox made me feel extremely dirty.

“Some say it’s underhanded, but viewer response is quite positive~”

I followed the rules perfectly, so why—

“Hunter Evelyn was impressive too, but especially the evaluation is that you surprisingly worked well with Hunter Seong Hyunjae! Were the rumors about your relationship being strained wrong?”

“Didn’t you see us exchange gold coins? It’s business. And originally when you go abroad, people from the same country help each other.”

One way or another, that is. In Korea they might be enemies, but outside they’re compatriots. More than that, what even is this?

‘…This has an unnecessarily friendly feel to it.’

Were they planning to make a wholesome program the whole family could enjoy together~ or something? Even though I’d committed unlicensed drunk driving and littering, the atmosphere was too bright. At this rate, we’d really end up having cooking competitions or singing contests.

Was Chatterbox really going to purely enjoy the funeral—the festival itself—and then drop the bomb at the end? Or did he have some other ulterior motive? A heavy, blood-splattering atmosphere would honestly feel more comfortable.

“Finally, please give us a word!”

“…I look forward to your continued support.”

I smiled as brightly as I could. The coordinator approached Noah and Moon Hyunah, and the Yuhyun and Peace team, while Seong Hyunjae came toward me.

“Here’s your coat and car keys.”

“Thank you.”

I should put the car back in… Chief Song was staring at me quietly. I hesitated, then meekly held out the car keys.

“Han Yujin.”

“I only have one of these. If it were a regular license, I would have gotten it right away. I really would have.”

“…Even if you don’t get drunk, please be careful. This is being broadcast.”

“I’m sorry. Next time I’ll drink cola.”

“And the car… keep it. External laws don’t apply to dungeon clearing methods. However, you absolutely must not take it out outside, and I’ll confiscate it immediately after returning home.”

Chief Song said while suppressing a sigh. Oh, thank you so much. I quickly put the car back in the drawer.

Moon Hyunah and Noah’s team, who took 2nd and 3rd place, received five gold coins each and prizes, while Peace and Yuhyun received three gold coins each. The next twenty people received one gold coin each.

Then the location changed instantly. It wasn’t the original hall but a spacious banquet hall. I could see food and beverages laid out buffet-style. An orchestra was playing music on one side. Things were changing way too quickly.

“Combat is prohibited during rest periods. Please also refrain from using skills.”

“Multiple lounges have been prepared. If you need any items, please speak to the staff.”

“The banquet hall will be filmed and broadcast live starting in 5 minutes. If you don’t want that, please move to a lounge.”

Since we’d run around, it seemed they meant for us to eat and rest. I wondered if they could only teleport randomly, as we’d scattered apart from the kids again, so I was about to go look for them when a Hunter spoke to me.

“That was great to watch, Han Yujin.”

“…What?”

“You could see it from there too.”

The Hunter showed me their phone. Ah… they ran while watching the broadcast. The Hunter laughed, saying they’d barely avoided elimination. They lightly patted my shoulder, telling me to keep working hard, then passed by. I was thinking they were pretty friendly toward me when Evelyn’s voice came quietly.

“An S-rank is still an S-rank.”

“What?”

“There are high-rank Hunters who are bothered by you, Han Yujin, but the percentage who don’t care is higher. Because you’re not a threat.”

Evelyn said calmly.

“Even if they’re eliminated here, an S-rank is still an S-rank.”

Leaving those words telling me not to give my heart easily, Evelyn also turned away. Right, even if they’re humiliated by me here, an S-rank doesn’t become F-rank. They’d just be a bit embarrassed but would still eat well and live well. Even if they were unlucky enough for their guild to take a hit, they’d still be S-rank.

‘…It’s not like I’m particularly drawing up some grand plan.’

From start to finish, I’d just been running for my personal wishes. So even slight changes were tasty bonuses. Though it did feel a bit dirty.

– Kwung!

“Hyung!”

Peace found me first and Yuhyun approached together.

“Over there!”

Yerim, who had hopped up with her hand on Song Taewon’s shoulder instead of using a skill, pointed at us with her finger.

“Let’s go to the lounge first, change clothes, then eat.”

The kids were fine, but I needed to change. I glanced up at the cameras that hadn’t left yet, then moved my feet. I should show them a harmonious appearance. Whatever anyone says, me being here was better than not being here. That much was certain.

After the meal ended, those who were eliminated left the banquet hall. Some were just disappointed, but of course there were those who protested.

“Just let us clear a dungeon! My skill isn’t suited for long-distance travel!”

Someone said that if it had been underwater movement, they would have been first. Yerim exists though. Hearing that, one Hunter spoke to themselves—but loudly enough for everyone to hear.

“Even the F-rank stats guy is quiet, aren’t you embarrassed?”

People’s gazes converged on me. Well, if we’re talking about unfairness regarding stats, I’d be the most wronged. I shrugged my shoulders. This was probably being broadcast now too. I’d seen this scene many times before. For example, in various competitive reality shows… there were always people protesting.

“Depending on how the party proceeds, opportunities may be given again!”

The coordinator said. The reason they weren’t making it definite was probably with me in mind. If I got eliminated, Chatterbox would definitely try to bring me back with something like a loser’s revival match.

After all the eliminated contestants left, a large monitor appeared on one wall of the banquet hall. Then staff members pushed in carts lined with thin bracelets.

[These are filming items with editing functions.]

Chatterbox’s voice flowed from speakers placed throughout the banquet hall. A staff member picked up a bracelet and demonstrated putting it on their arm.

[It automatically adjusts to fit any part of the body.]

The monitor screen turned on, showing the image of the staff member wearing the bracelet. The surrounding scenery centered on the staff member was displayed smoothly. I suddenly thought—didn’t my stocks crash again? Though stamina potions were the focus, that Chatterbox bastard… who would’ve thought a transcendent would come out with filming items first? No, it would only be used here and not commercially anyway, but still! He stole all the buzz.

[When using the item, you can change video and audio in real time.]

They said you just had to simply register keywords or gestures. After the staff member registered their voice and said “video,” the staff member’s image in the monitor disappeared as if they’d become invisible. Then the video itself turned completely black.

[You can make only the wearer disappear, or stop the entire video. However, videos from others filming in the same location will still be transmitted.]

Another staff member put on a bracelet. The monitor split in half and another video appeared.

[But the person who stopped their broadcast still doesn’t appear.]

The staff member who completely turned off their video didn’t appear in the other staff member’s video. Only the background was visible. …Good technology.

[Audio is the same.]

When they turned off only the audio, even when the staff member spoke, the voice didn’t come through the broadcast. They even stopped lip movement so lips couldn’t be read. After explaining additional manipulation functions like hiding skills or items, the staff distributed bracelets to the Hunters.

So now the real broadcasting would begin.

[Starting tomorrow at 10 AM.]

The monitor screen changed. The Channel Chatterbox logo appeared, and numerous channel listings scrolled down.

[Separate from the integrated broadcast, Hunters with bracelets will each have their own personal channel. There’s no penalty for not broadcasting. However.]

The channel list disappeared and Chatterbox’s image appeared. The white mask wore a gentle smile.

[The more guests at a party, the livelier it is.]

The more viewers, the more advantageous it would be. Leaving words with that meaning, the screen turned black. Leaving only the broadcast logo.

In the small murmuring, eyes directed toward me increased one by one. Among them, I slowly fiddled with the bracelet. S-ranks, they’re impressive. One in thousands, tens of thousands maybe. But here, I was the most unique.

‘Of course, if I’m boring, I’ll be abandoned the fastest.’

I swallowed shortly and looked up at the Chatterbox logo. I’ll have you know I was popular on the internet even before regression. Not good memories, but anyway, I’m experienced.