The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 545: Broadcast Start (1)

How did he recognize me, oh my, our Peace is amazing!—but as soon as I had that thought.

– Grrr.

Peace bared his teeth at me. P-Peace. It’s Dad, Dad. Peace’s nose poked my neck. It was the part where Grace was. Then he let out another warning growl.

‘Don’t tell me… he thinks I’m a thief?’

Since it said I’d transform perfectly, my scent must have changed too. But Grace would still have my scent from when I was human. In other words, to Peace, I was currently a thieving cat who stole Dad’s belongings…

– Hyak!

Peace grabbed Grace and pulled. W-wait, Peace! I pushed Peace’s head away with my front paws while checking the surroundings. It was inside an alley, but close to the entrance. It was a position where people could easily spot me. As expected, I couldn’t return to normal here. It’d be too much of a waste to get caught already.

– Kruk!

– Myaok!

I kicked Peace with my hind legs too, but he didn’t budge an inch. At least it was fortunate that Peace’s mouth couldn’t easily release Grace. Didn’t he come with Yuhyun and Yerim? He probably followed after seeing me suddenly disappear and a cat running away with my belongings, looking suspicious. Our Peace is a genius too.

– Weaeng.

Dad! It’s Dad! I tried, but speaking human words with a cat’s vocal organs was difficult. Was it because my rank was low? I couldn’t create sounds like Noah or Liette could either. Peace, you shouldn’t bully weak animals.

I gave up trying to push Peace away and stuck my tongue out instead. Though I felt reluctant, I closed my eyes tight and licked Peace’s paw that was pressing down on me. Ugh, fur.

– Kheung.

Peace flinched. That’s right, Peace. I want to get along with you. I sent an earnest gaze that said, I like you very much. I slowly blinked my eyes and tried my best to show I was harmless. Could you let me go for a moment? Dad will go inside over there and return to his original form. Peace, who had been staring down at me.

– Nyat!

He gave my face a long lick for some reason. Then he firmly grabbed my scruff. Peace, don’t tell me! Peace just went whoosh!

– Myaok!

He tossed me. As I flew through the air, Blue and Comet’s figures flashed before my eyes. Yeah, Peace. You’re acknowledging Dad, aren’t you? You’re such a good boy…

The building wall rushed toward me. My body naturally spun around, kicked off the wall, and landed neatly on the ground. Wow, the item effect really is good. I was admiring my four paws that had landed lightly and perfectly when Peace came running. Huh, wait wait!

‘It wasn’t an initiation ceremony?’

I frantically ran deeper inside. Now that I think about it, maybe Blue had just misunderstood on her own. Anyway, Peace, Peace!

“Ah, it’s Dad!”

I quickly entered a secluded spot that couldn’t be seen from outside or above and released the skill. Peace, who had been chasing me, stopped abruptly.

– Kkeung.

“That’s right, it’s Dad, Dad.”

Peace tilted his head and rubbed his cheek against my leg. Since Peace can’t talk, it should be fine even if he sees. Peace, watch carefully, I said, then transformed into a young Delroux again, not a cat. Peace tilted his head again in confusion. Look, Dad transformed.

– Yaong.

An awkward cat sound came out. If I wanted to pretend to be a cat, it’d be better to keep my mouth shut. Peace tilted his head once more and gently swished his tail.

– Kkyang!

He leaped up, rolled on the ground, then flopped down flat in front of me. He seemed excited. That’s right, Peace. Dad, oh my.

– Kkuuung.

Stop, stop! Peace pounced on me and started licking me all over. Aaaah, Peace! My fur’s getting wet, it’s all damp! When I twisted my body free, he hopped after me as if wanting to play tag.

– Kkyaung!

– Nyaak!

Stop! I yelled with all my might, but Peace, who couldn’t understand, butted his head into me. It didn’t hurt, but I ended up tumbling over. His golden eyes sparkled and he bared his teeth in what looked like a smile, which was a sign he wanted to play, but Peace!

– Gyareung! Kkyang!

Peace licked me again. Ugh, urgh, Peace—

More importantly, I need to get to the island, the island! When I pressed down on Peace’s snout with my front paws, he finally pulled away. Then, as if reading my mind, he grew to about adolescent size.

– Geureureung.

To give me a ride? Being carried shouldn’t count as being caught, right? If it did, I’d protest. I climbed onto Peace’s body and hid deep inside his fluffy mane. Unless someone dug around, I wouldn’t be visible. Once I was settled, Peace spread his wings and soared into the air. I wonder if he knows the destination? I was worried he might go to Yuhyun instead, but fortunately he headed in the right direction and began crossing the sky.

I wonder how they send messages to Peace. I’m curious.

“Hey, Peace! Peace!”

Someone shouted. Judging by how close the voice was, it seemed to be a hunter with a flight skill. Peace didn’t even pretend to hear and flew past. Then suddenly—

Fwoooosh—!

The sound of water shooting up with an explosive boom echoed. Peace stopped flying. I also unconsciously poked my head out just a little.

‘…Wow.’

A massive ice pillar had risen in Central Park in the distance. An ice mass tall enough to rival any decent building glittered dazzlingly in the sunlight. Yerim… you’re the best.

‘She’s trying to help me, isn’t she?’

If she acts that conspicuously, people will think she’s trying to protect me and swarm over there. Since there’s a lake in the park, the damage should be minimal too. I wonder if Yuhyun and Chief Song are there too. It’d be nice if they could hold Seong Hyunjae back as well.

‘He might recognize me.’

Since he’s a sensitive person, he might notice that this cat is the Delroux he went inside. I absolutely mustn’t run into him.

– Iyaung.

Peace, I called. Peace turned his body back toward the island. Just in case, I carefully checked below, then tapped Peace just before we reached the island. Peace stopped in midair, spun around as if unsure what I wanted, then descended close to the water’s surface. Good, well done.

“Peace!”

Someone shouted again. Our Peace is so popular. I used a nimble adhesion skill to stick close to Peace’s body and descended. I carefully hid my body to stay as unseen as possible and dove below the water’s surface like sliding.

‘Ugh.’

Before my tiny body could drift away, I quickly returned to human form and pulled out my underwater movement item. What kind of hardship is this because of that Chatterbox bastard? I half-walked underwater and climbed up to the island.

“I… made it!”

And it’s even before ten! Thanks to Peace, I had plenty of time to spare. Peace, who had been circling above the island, approached me.

“Hyungnim!”

Moon Hyunah came running. I could see Noah behind her too.

“You made it safely?”

“Yes. Though I’m soaking wet.”

“We were first!”

Moon Hyunah wrapped her arm around Noah’s neck and pulled him in with a laugh. Noah smiled awkwardly, looking a bit flustered.

“We left right after we got the message.”

Then there wouldn’t be any hunters following Noah. As I wrung the water from my clothes and looked around, I noticed quite a few hunters. There seemed to be about ten in total.

“Quite a lot. I thought they’d be late trying to catch me.”

Whether they heard me or not, one hunter shrugged.

“I don’t have a hobby of bullying kids for a reward.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I’d love an SS-rank weapon, but I have my pride.”

Another hunter also said. No, wait. Pride? I shouldn’t feel that insignificant to them anymore. Fixed impressions can’t change in an instant, but still.

“It’s not just the F-rank stats—hyungnim is kind of small.”

Moon Hyunah spoke quietly to me as I involuntarily frowned.

“The average height around here is pretty tall, you know. So they feel like they’re bullying a kid. They said you look like the young master’s younger brother.”

What? No, why would I be Yuhyun’s younger brother?

“I’m the older brother. Plus, I’m…”

“Emma, you said you have a picture of your nephew? Show me!”

Moon Hyunah received a photo on her phone and showed it to me. A man with a mountain-like build was grinning broadly.

“He’s sixteen.”

“…”

“The young master is tall with a good build. Noah too. Plus, just like we get confused by Western faces, they do the same, so they judge by build.”

I-I see. Still, my age is… strictly speaking, I’m thirty… Feeling disgruntled, I pulled out a Dodam Breeding Facility commemorative towel and wiped off the moisture. I spotted a camera pointing this way and deliberately waved it so the breeding facility’s embroidery showed clearly.

‘Anyway, the people here are relatively moderate.’

As I walked further into the island, I memorized the faces of the hunters who had arrived first. In fact, the people here might be more dangerous to me. Unlike the hotheads, they’d respond coolly no matter how much I ran my mouth.

‘An island you have to cross the city and take a boat to reach.’

Without a flight skill or a mount, it was an environment that would take quite a while. Ferry service must have been suspended for safety too. Despite that, they’d quickly prepared transportation and arrived fast. It meant they were also resourceful.

“You must be cold—there’s a shop over there. I’ll get you some hot drinks.”

Noah also pulled out his towel and offered it as he spoke. The river wind was cold. If I catch a cold, I’ll bill Chatterbox.

“Noooah!”

Swoooosh—Kang Soyeong shouted from atop a black dragon’s head cutting through the water. Liette landed on the island with thunderous sounds. Water poured down like a waterfall beneath the black scales. I could see a boat behind them too. Whether news that I’d reached the island had been broadcast, other hunters began arriving one by one.

“Mister! Did you see?”

An excited Yerim flew in carrying a resigned Song Taewon, and Yuhyun crossed the river stepping on Blue Willow Leaves.

“If I’d opened a personal broadcast, it would’ve been a huge hit!”

Before that, please put Chief Song down.

“You’ll catch a cold, hyung.”

“Mister, don’t tell me you swam across the river?”

“I don’t have the strength for that. I saw it too. It was amazing.”

Following Yuhyun, Yerim and Song Taewon pulled out their breeding facility towels in turn. Everyone carries them around well. I wonder if Seong Hyunjae will come by boat.

I kept wiping off the moisture with the towels and walked further inside. The island, which had been attacked by monsters several times, was desolate. Aside from the dungeon building, the shop, and the half-destroyed dock, there was nothing. I heard it used to be a tourist spot.

“Recently, with dungeon breaks decreasing, Governors Island has regained its peace.”

A broadcaster was giving an explanation in front of the camera.

“The dungeon on Governors Island is A-rank—oh, I can see Korean hunters over there.”

An interview request came in, but I declined. I’m a mess right now. I need to dry my clothes before the ten o’clock broadcast. The shop was doing business even in this situation. They probably don’t sell clothes though.

“I heard they usually do illegal deals there too.”

Noah spoke to me quietly.

“The scale of New York’s hunter black market is pretty substantial.”

Korea did have quite a bit of black market dealing too, though on a smaller scale. I reflexively looked at Song Taewon. Did he hear that?

Before long, the last hunter arrived at the island. It seemed Seong Hyunjae and Gyeol had come by boat with Evelyn’s team. I quickly avoided the golden gaze looking my way. I hope I don’t have cat fur on me. He’s the type of person who would say “meow” and realize “so that’s what it was.”

Tak-tak-tak-tak—

A helicopter appeared again above the sky, which had briefly quieted after all the hunters arrived. That Chatterbox bastard descended from the landing helicopter, his coat fluttering as if he were a normal human, stirring up propeller wind. At the same time, the closed dungeon building’s door swung wide open.

“Hunter Han Yujin.”

Chatterbox called me cheerfully. His act of pretending to be excited was really natural.

“Congratulations on arriving safely at the island. You never fail to meet expectations.”

“…Thank you.”

Smile, smile. A hunter who descended with Chatterbox handed me three gold coins and a small box.

“Now then.”

Chatterbox checked his wristwatch and continued.

“It’s ten o’clock.”

With a click—

– lol

– it’s up

– whoa

– Peace!

– of course hyj appears on the broadcast lol

A small window appeared and text started scrolling up like chat. What, what is this? They didn’t say anything about this. Flustered, I examined the window. Fortunately, it had an on-off feature and a blocking function too. So then.

“H…ello.”

I greeted awkwardly. Where am I supposed to look? Why can’t I see my own video?

– Hello!

– 🙂

– Hello!

– Peace’s dad only looking at Peace lol

What do I do? What am I supposed to do? I could hear Yerim energetically shouting, “Hello, this is Park Yerim!” Chief Song also gave a stiff greeting: “Hello.” Yuhyun cleanly ignored it, and Hyunah just waved hello. Noah also said hello, and Seong Hyunjae was gazing at the chat window with a faint smile.

“As you may know, I’m Han Yujin, director of Dodam Monster Mounts Breeding Facility. Yuhyun, you should at least say hello.”

“Hello.”

– I love Han Yuhyun!111111111

– such a good listener to his hyung

– hellohellohellohellohello

…Should I turn off the chat? My eyes kept going to the constantly scrolling text, and I could barely open my mouth. Broadcasting isn’t easy, is it?