The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 541: Preparing for the Broadcast (1)

I sat on the edge of the bed and turned on the TV. Then I activated the bracelet. Soon, footage of the city center shot from the air appeared on the TV screen.

[New York Manhattan]

Subtitles appeared automatically too. They said the basic filming mode would automatically edit everything, and it really does. After briefly showing Manhattan’s splendid night view, it quickly approached the hotel, and then—whoosh—the screen switched.

“…Ugh.”

My appearance showed up.

[Han Yujin – Korean Hunter]

The broadcast wasn’t until tomorrow, but they’d connected each team’s accommodation TV with the video bracelet for practice. The quality’s really good. The screen spun around, showing me.

“Um, hello.”

As I spoke, subtitles appeared on the TV along with my voice. They even said those subtitles would be translated into each country’s language in real-time. Isn’t this a bit too much overtech? Could I just insist it’s an item and get away with it? …Well, considering we’re in a world where severed limbs can be reattached, people fly around, and there’s instant teleportation and spatial movement.

Being a latecomer in dungeon filming items, I wonder if people won’t criticize it for being shabby. …I should probably change it from ‘original’ to ‘standard model.’

“So…”

Each word I spoke felt awkward. Just look at that expression, completely at a loss. What experience? I’m a total beginner here. I spent about five minutes blankly sitting there, staring at myself on the TV.

‘…This is driving me crazy.’

How do people who do personal broadcasts on the internet even do this? Sorry for being confident even for a moment. This is a disaster, a complete disaster! Who’s even going to watch this? Maybe my little brother will. If it were Yuhyun, it’d be worth watching even if he just sat there quietly. Same with Yerim and Noah, and of course Seong Hyunjae and Chief Song. Moon Hyunah and Evelyn too, and Peace and Gyeol as well.

But I’m just Regular Person A!

“…It’d be fun if I went up against S-ranks, but normally… people who are easy on the eyes just by sitting still would be nice…”

For the highlight parts, I might have the highest viewership. But overall, surprisingly, Yuhyun seemed to have the advantage. He has Peace. A handsome guy and a cute monster. Even I would leave it on all day. Same with Seong Hyunjae. If Chief Song had Song with him, you could watch it over and over without getting bored.

Should I show Grace too? But it’d be better if Grace had less exposure.

‘This isn’t easy.’

They didn’t even tell me how or how advantageous the viewership ratings would be applied. Of course, I didn’t need to be this anxious. The original purpose was just for everyone to interfere with Chatterbox finding a contractor together.

But Chatterbox, who had been quietly gathering participants, changed their approach for some reason. That much was one thing, but.

[Chatterbox is also using the system.]

I recalled what Rookie had told me. As the SS-rank weapon was revealed, Chatterbox’s party became even more talked about. Seeing that, I’d asked Rookie how much of a reward Chatterbox could give.

[So it’s impossible to give rewards that excessively exceed the ratio designated by the system! When you hunt monsters or achieve specific accomplishments, rewards are given according to their value—that’s the system’s law. You can’t just hand out rewards without any reason.]

Whether Unfilial Children or Filial Duty Addicts, to interfere with a protected world without paying a price, they had to follow the system. It was possible to pay special attention and match slightly better rewards, but catching an F-rank monster and receiving an S-rank item was impossible.

[Plus, with the safety guarantee! attached, it’ll be hard to give S-rank Hunters anything beyond an SS-rank weapon. Even if they achieve the feat of winning among fellow S-rank Hunters and Chatterbox pays a small price, SSS-rank would be the limit, right? And even then, only low-tier.]

So I’d thought there’d be no big loss no matter who took first place.

[However…]

Rookie had hesitantly added.

[Honey’s case is different. Because Honey has F-rank stats.]

The system’s reward grade is most influenced by the enemy’s grade. But at the same time, the grade of the reward recipient also has an influence.

[That… Honey, you did it before. You hunted monsters of much higher grades with F-rank stats. And without receiving help from other high-grade Hunters.]

The Lautitars’… Wish Stone. And the King of Harmless’s drawer also wasn’t an ordinary reward. The titles received from clearing dungeons alone were also rewards of much higher grade compared to the dungeon grade.

[Currently, Honey’s system reward application grade is about D-rank. Stats F, one D-rank combat skill, the rest are support even if they’re high grade, so the total is D.]

D-rank was still a grade that, even if it wasn’t rock bottom like E or F, was still hard to reach mid-tier.

[To be precise, D-minus? Just barely scraping into D-rank! The system reward structure also tends to favor combat. Excluding non-combat skills, it’d be E-minus maybe. So if Honey achieves the highest performance among S-rank Hunters through your own power alone…]

Rookie said the reward grade could be much higher.

[…At minimum, L-rank. But it won’t apply if you party in Honey’s world! It’s only for what happens inside dungeons. I don’t know how Chatterbox will come out, but yeah.]

Wondering if Chatterbox knew this fact, Rookie had watched my expression and worried, telling me not to overdo it. They’d even asked if I wouldn’t rather team up with another S-rank even now.

‘It must have been a dungeon.’

The place where we ran. Monsters appeared too, after all. And if they continue to use dungeons from now on.

I had no intention of taking Chatterbox’s party reward. I’d thought one of the S-ranks who came with me would take it, and for me, it’d be good to place high, and even mid-range would be enough.

But if it was L-rank, or higher than that.

‘…Myth-grade, Wish Stone.’

I couldn’t help but think of it. I sprawled out lengthwise on the bed. The splendid ceiling pattern came into view. As if it were some palace, there were even paintings. Sky and clouds and angels, dragon sculptures set in gold borders.

This is a party for Chatterbox’s funeral. But if what Rookie said is true, at the same time, my…

“…Let’s just do what I can.”

Don’t overdo it. Don’t expect anything. I rubbed my forehead as if pressing down on it with my palm. Don’t think unnecessary thoughts, I should forget about it. Pretend to forget.

This isn’t a situation to be greedy, is it? Let’s just think about what’s in front of me. Besides, will Chatterbox even give me a proper reward? There might be a trap. I took a deep breath and sat up abruptly.

“Should I give a hotel tour? The night view here is killer, at night it’s definitely all about the city view. Wow—it’s all sparkling. It’s dazzling.”

I spoke as I approached the window. It sounded like I was reading from a book. Good thing it’s before the broadcast… During rest time outside of party schedule, it’d be better to just turn off the video.

I stopped fooling around and practiced turning the video and audio on and off. They told me to designate keywords or actions, but I controlled it with mana instead. That way, even in situations where I couldn’t move, editing would be possible. Since it was an item, operation could be designated with mana signals too.

The TV screen showed various things like zoom in, zoom out depending on the situation. As if to show off, when I picked up a cup, it automatically zoomed in to show it. There’s no way all of that is an item function, so maybe there’s one remote filming staff member assigned to each person.

They said recorded broadcasts were possible instead of live, but then the viewership would drop significantly. In the end, the editing range was bound to be narrow, only at the level of information protection. After testing various things, I checked my phone.

[Yerim—So I gave them some ㅊㅊ as reference]

[Hyunah—Give up it’s not working]

[Yerim—It’s sooooooo awkward!!!!]

[Hyunah—ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I can already see it]

In the group chat, Yerim was lamenting that Chief Song was terrible at broadcasting. Apparently he freezes up the moment he becomes aware of the camera.

[I was awkward too.]

[Yerim—I think mister will do well though?]

[My little brother—Right, hyung will do well.]

[Yerim—ㅎㅇㅎ Did you only turn on notifications for mister!]

[Hyunah—Is that even possible?]

[Yerim—Soyeong unnie wants to come, pros and cons?]

[Yerim—I’m in favor]

[Being alone, I don’t know what to say.]

[Hyunah—Business group chat absolutely hate it]

[Hyunah—Not the guild one]

[My little brother—Should I secretly come to hyung’s room?]

[Yerim—Excuse me there are people here!]

[Hyunah—Really hate that]

[Soyeong still doesn’t know a lot, would it be okay.]

[No]

[My little brother—You didn’t say it wasn’t allowed.]

[My little brother—Aren’t you lonely?]

[Yerim—Only mister is visible]

[I’m fine.]

[Hyunah—We have a separate one]

[Hyunah—Even if she comes here the three of us will probably talk among ourselves]

[Yerim—ㅁㅈㅇ but it’s because of Noah oppa]

Do Yerim, Hyunah, and Soyeong have a separate group chat? Well, the three of them hung out together often, so it made sense.

Rather than having a conversation, I mostly just watched before taking out a business card. Then I called the Paparazzo. Instead of a name, the card had P.P. written on it. Paparazzo’s PP, maybe.

[Hey, I enjoyed the broadcast! But the beer wasn’t tasty.]

My conscience pricked slightly. Well, it’s canned beer, you know.

“You know my phone number too?”

[It’s an unknown number, so SF.]

“…Pardon?”

[Super F.]

…A curse almost burst from my mouth. How embarrassing! According to the Paparazzo, after watching the broadcast during the day, that’s how, in America, they’re calling me… I wanted to break the window and jump out. What the hell is that? Why was I criticized for being bad at naming things? Just call me Monster Papa instead… Korea is better, really.

“Can we, can we change it to a different, different nickname…?”

[It’s the public’s pick.]

“My official grade is B though…”

[People don’t care about that. In the back, they’re still using Honeypot and Candybox too.]

The Paparazzo giggled, saying it also means an F-rank that rivals S-ranks and doesn’t it stick in your mouth nicely? Americans really like ‘Super’… But do they really call me that? If they use the abbreviation it’s somewhat better, but really? Just like how they shouted Phantom at Chatterbox, like that… I want to go home.

“Any…way, I wanted to do an interview.”

[I’ll be right there, SF-nim!]

Before long, the Paparazzo appeared. I explained the filming bracelet to them and showed a demonstration. The bracelet had already been in the news enough.

“I’ll reveal the first-place prize~”

“Oh, really? This is huge for me, but is that okay?”

“Of course.”

Smiling, I took out a small box I’d prepared beforehand from my inventory. The Paparazzo filmed the box.

“This is a poison pill.”

I lightly tapped the box with my fingertip as I spoke.

“It’s actually S-rank, and unlike regular poison, it’s a special item that doesn’t harm the user.”

“Wow, that sounds really useful!”

Ordinary poison also poisons the user. It was the same for other attributes. That’s why, like Yuhyun or Yerim who had attribute attack skills, they also needed to have same-attribute resistance skills. Or they had to obtain attribute resistance items.

“Wouldn’t hiding it be more advantageous?”

“Because there’s only one. It’s better to reveal it and let them know that if they mess with me, their side won’t come out unscathed either.”

The information that I had poison resistance had spread through word of mouth, but not the grade. I’d let the hospital know a much lower grade.

“If you’re an S-rank Hunter, you probably won’t be rendered unable to fight by S-rank poison, but it’ll still be annoying.”

Saying it should reduce the people who’d pick fights with me, I ended the interview with ~Please continue to show your support!~ By tomorrow morning, most people would know. Including the S-ranks participating in the party. The Paparazzo left, thanking me for the information. Having one reporter I know is certainly useful.

‘I don’t know what they’ll make us do tomorrow though.’

I should use every card I can. I was sad about getting a weird nickname, but I was glad to hear the response was very good. Advertising proposals were also pouring into Dodam. I’ll achieve a sellout legend, yes. Just make the beer a bit tastier though.

The Flame Horned Lion in ethereal form was crouched in front of a phone. After staring quietly like that, it pressed buttons with the tip of its nose, making a call to a number saved in speed dial.

—Kiwoong.

[Peace?]

—Kyaang!

[Why, are you bored? Did you eat?]

—Kiang, oong?

[Where’s Yuhyun? You can’t keep calling by yourself.]

At the word ‘Yuhyun,’ Peace turned its head. After looking at Han Yuhyun who was on a call with Haeyeon Guild, it bit the phone’s strap and flew up. Han Yuhyun smiled seeing his hyung on the phone screen.

“Peace called again.”

[It must be bored. You—]

As if that was enough, the phone spun around. Peace, who had climbed onto the bed, placed the phone in front of itself again and whined. Han Yuhyun watched the scene for a moment before continuing his call.

“Centered around Peace, you mean.”

[Yes. An S-rank ethereal monster. And in a familiar and cute form too, so basic viewership is guaranteed. Especially the transformation and wings could get good reactions from children.]

Seok Gimyeong on the other end of the phone said that teaming up with Peace was an excellent choice. His voice was quite excited. He’d heard it was a party that wasn’t favorable toward Han Yujin and had ulterior motives, but if they used this broadcast well, Haeyeon Guild’s recognition would rise globally. For Seok Gimyeong, who had been regretting that their power overseas was still weak compared to other large guilds, this was a golden opportunity.

[Hunter Park Yerim doesn’t have much to worry about. Of course, I trust you too, Guild Leader.]

Seok Gimyeong laughed hahaha. Anyway, he was an S-rank Hunter and outstanding in appearance, so he’d probably do the basics. Han Yuhyun silently listened to the advice. The call ended with the promise that he’d send related materials.

“…I want to go to hyung.”

Han Yuhyun muttered quietly. He didn’t care what people around him chattered about, but he couldn’t help thinking it was a bit annoying.