The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 564: Awards Ceremony (2)

“Dear participants.”

A white mask, a black tailcoat. The sound of heels clicking on the stage was crisp. Hands gloved in white clapped at a moderately slow pace. Clap, clap, clap. The sound of applause spread steadily from the stage to the closed doors at the end of the awards venue.

“As the host of this party, I would first like to express my gratitude. I cannot help but exclaim in admiration at the passion with which you actively participated in the game.”

Chatterbox spoke as if he were truly an ordinary host. Or perhaps like the president of a broadcasting station. At his hand signal, a large screen descended, filling the stage wall. The screen displayed the plaza. A message window announcing the end of the game appeared in front of the soaking wet Hunters. Since it was broadcast footage, everyone was shown in their original forms.

Then the screen changed, showing me hugging Yuhyun and jumping into the circle. …It’s embarrassing to see my face on such a big screen.

“Final results: 37 Joint Winners, 1 Individual Winner! Congratulations.”

Because the announcer was Chatterbox, I was listening indifferently until—

“The winner will receive 20 Gold Coins and, as an extra prize, an S-Rank Item Ticket.”

My ears perked up. Wow, the extra prize is an S-Rank item! And there are nearly forty winners! As expected of a transcendent being, he spends big! Damn it, should I have made Yuhyun and Peace winners too? Yerim and Chief Song as well! It was a shame for Seong Hyunjae and Gyeol too. Well, Seong Hyunjae probably has plenty of S-Rank items.

The other Hunters couldn’t hide their joy either. The items received immediately weren’t bad, but the individual game prize was S-Rank. They couldn’t help but look forward to the prize for 1st place in the final standings.

“Congratulations.”

Awards ceremony assistants handed the gold coins and tickets to the winners. If it had been a sole victory, would he have given a bigger prize? 300 gold coins and 30 S-Rank items… If that were the case, it might have been impossible to get everyone to cooperate no matter what I did.

Receiving the prize and returning to my seat, I glanced at the kids for no reason. I still felt a bit sorry.

“I told you it’s fine.”

Yuhyun whispered softly from the seat next to me.

“Still. You didn’t even get twenty gold coins.”

Thanks to Yuhyun and Peace diligently killing the police, the remaining police force was only about half of its original size.

“Next, we will announce the special awards.”

Chatterbox stepped aside a couple of paces and pointed to the screen. Yuhyun appeared on the screen. The Ruler’s Sword swung, and a Hunter in a police uniform barely blocked it. But with a ka-gak sound, the spear shaft split instantly under the blade, and the black sword struck down on the Hunter’s shoulder.

The scene shifted abruptly.

[Kuek!]

A Hunter smashed through a stall and barely landed on the ground. Yuhyun descended from the top of a building, stepping on willow leaves, and in the next scene, a Hunter’s head was cut off and rolled away.

“Most Battle Wins Award: Hunter Han Yuhyun, who eliminated thirteen police officers!”

“That’s my brother!”

I inadvertently slapped my thigh and shouted. Wow, our Yuhyun caught a lot. Peace must have dealt with three or four too? There might have been thieves, capitalists, or even police who fought other police. Anyway, it was certain that Yuhyun was unrivaled.

‘Thieves were mostly support types, so the police were in the best position to fight participants.’

There was no witness penalty, and except for the Police Commissioner, they had a role where they could attack anyone first. It was also a position where they naturally had to fight to catch thieves.

“If I knew there was an award like that, I would have gone around fighting too!”

Liette expressed her regret. If Kang Soyeong had been a police officer too, Liette would have had a high chance of winning. Anyway, I felt a speck of gratitude toward Chatterbox.

“Many people could not help but admire Hunter Han Yuhyun’s unstoppable strides. Let’s watch the highlight scene that received the most recommendations.”

[Is it here?]

A Hunter looked around and entered a gas station. The camera angle rose rapidly, showing Yuhyun standing on the edge of a building looking down at the gas station. A red lizard crawled up his extended hand in a spin, and dark blue flames transformed into a long spear. At the same time the spear imbued with Iryn was thrown, the unsuspecting Hunter was shown. The spear flew in, splitting the air as if burning it. The Hunter, realizing it too late, hurriedly raised a shield, but the spear pierced the gas station floor, not the Hunter.

And then.

Kwa-aang!!

Flames overflowed, filling the screen. It was so bright it stung the eyes. Viewer comments scrolled over the flames that swallowed everything.

└ At this moment my eyes went blind and my monitor exploded

└ Sell the VOD pls T_T

└ HYH battle scene #1 is the gas station explosion incident. Overall #1 is ‘With Giant Cat Hyung’, fr?

└ Haeyeon Guild Leader was the hottest, as expected of fire attribute.

└ Reminds me of the Cologne 3U incident. When three zombie dungeons burst at once. Should’ve called Haeyeon back then. The fire doesn’t even spread to the surroundings.

└ Fire attribute S-Rank belongs in Europe.

└ Show Alice battle too! A whole 5 mins, the longest battle!

└ Han Yuhyun told the woman, the rabbit, and the hat to come to the front of the statue lol. Does he really not know Alice? Answer pls.

└ Mad Hatter’s hat melted 😀

Hmm, I don’t think Alice in Wonderland was among the fairy tales I read to him. Yuhyun went up onto the stage. Even though the opponent was Chatterbox, an award is an award, so I felt choked up for no reason. He received many awards in elementary, middle, and high school, but I’m like this every time. If I knew this would happen, I would have prepared a bouquet.

“Ten gold coins and a special prize are awarded.”

Ten! With this, Yuhyun has more gold coins than the winners. The special prize was handed over in a small box.

“Next is the Popularity Award, 1st in votes, Hunter Park Yerim and Hunter Song Taewon Team!”

“Yerim, Chief Song, congratulations!”

I quickly applauded. After clapping, I felt sorry for Chief Song. Yerim, just what did you do to win a Popularity Award?

“Thank you, thank you~!”

Yerim hopped onto the back of her chair and bowed repeatedly.

“Yerim, go easy on Chief Song!”

“Yerim, you’re cool! You’re the best!”

Yerim teleported in front of Song Taewon and pulled on his arm, which was more than twice as thick as hers. The stage lighting was definitely shining on both of them equally, but Yerim seemed dazzlingly bright while Chief Song looked gloomy.

‘Chief Song, I apologize.’

I should try to cause less trouble myself. …Though I don’t think that will happen.

“The Yesong Team has been a hot topic since the practice game.”

Yerim flying while carrying Song Taewon appeared on the screen.

└ Love the Yesong Team so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

└ Been a fan since Princess Song Crazy Song. Love you.

└ Collab with Diney. Christmas is around the corner. Let’s build a super-sized ice castle in Times Square.

└ And Princess Song needs to sing.

The screen changed, and an ice crown landed gently on Song Taewon’s head. Song Taewon, who looked tired and slightly resigned, was surrounded by splendid ice decorations. Isn’t that Times Square? Yerim twirled around and extended her hand toward Song Taewon as if asking for a dance.

[Everyone! Please play your own BGM! Special effects are going in full blast!]

[…Hunter Park Yerim?]

Noah, who had come to check on the Outlaws, spoke in bewilderment from the air.

[Oh? Is that Noah Oppa? Noah Oppa too—!]

[Excuse me.]

Noah disappeared quickly, and Park Yerim, looking disappointed, made an ice flower and tried to put it behind Song Taewon’s ear. Chief Song declined with all his heart. Yerim…

“The highlight scene of the Popularity Award!”

With Chatterbox’s words, Song Taewon running on the sea appeared. Then soaring ice, bursting ice fireworks, and a familiar song playing with the subtitle ‘Copyright negotiated’.

└ Park Yerim! Park Yerim! Park Yerim!!!!!!!!!!!!!

└ Civil servant’s splendid deviation.

└ Chief Song, please contact us. We’ll sponsor dresses. We’ll treat you to the best.

└ Yesong team so good, everything was good. Yerim unni, I’m happy T_T Chief Song cheer up T_T

“Thank you, everyone! I love you too! Chief Song, heart!”

Yerim made half a heart with her hand and held it out. Song Taewon silently, but with an attitude that seemed quite accustomed to it, attached the remaining half heart.

“Ye!”

“…Song.”

“Please continue to support us!”

Should I have let Yerim enter the entertainment industry? Should I look into it even now? It seems to suit her aptitude well. Ten gold coins and a special prize were given to each of them. What appeared on the screen next was—

[Kki-ang!]

“Peace!”

It was Peace wearing a police uniform and even a cap! Oh my god, so cute. Is it the Cute Award this time? A scene of Peace trotting along the road was shown briefly.

[Kkeu-woo-eu!]

A scene of the silver Faerie Dragon pulling Seong Hyunjae’s hair appeared. It was tear-jerkingly cute how he tapped his tail in full dissatisfaction.

“This is an award created due to the many requests from viewers. The Lovely Monster Mount Award, Peace and Hangyeol!”

“Our Peace, let’s go get the award!”

– Kya-ung!

I picked up Peace and quickly went up to the stage. My kids are indeed lovely. Ah, look at those videos. Seong Hyunjae also came up with Gyeol.

└ Peace T_T Love you T_T

└ Director Han is lucky, can belly rub Peace and Hangyeol at the same time.

└ Dodam baby monsters are fcking cute. Look at our Chirp and Belare combo. Chirp and Belare raided the kitchen again! Video [Link]. Love ChirpBel.

└ Is it true the Faerie Dragon spoke???

A subtitle appeared on the screen saying, ‘Hangyeol’s dialogue during the game was arbitrarily translated under Hunter Seong Hyunjae’s advice.’ It’s not entirely wrong. Seong Hyunjae did advise Gyeol.

“The Lovely Monster Mount Award is S-Rank Monster Mount Equipment.”

Gyeol flew towards Seong Hyunjae, looking secretly proud. The awards assistant gave a very tiny ring to Gyeol. It was a transparent anklet that looked like it was carved from diamond. Then, a similarly shaped anklet of a different size was given to Peace. I received it instead and checked the item.

[Spring Water Otter’s Ripple – S-Rank

A ring containing the blessing of an ancient faerie species. Grants the blessing of healing and quenching to four-legged species.]

Healing likely increases recovery rate, and quenching? Does it mean they won’t get thirsty? Since it’s an equipment item, it should basically increase stats too.

“Thank you~ Peace, paw!”

High-ranking equipment for Monster Mounts is incredibly rare, so I’m grateful. I put the ring on Peace’s front paw. It flashed once, and then, being transparent already, it became completely invisible, hidden by his fur. Peace didn’t seem uncomfortable either.

Next, a meal ticket to a famous Manhattan restaurant was given to the Hunter eliminated fastest as a consolation prize. No matter how expensive the place was, it was pocket change to an S-Rank, so it was practically teasing. A few other minor awards were given.

“Finally—”

Chatterbox stopped speaking and paused for effect.

“Channel Chatterbox is, as the name suggests, a broadcast. So, the most important thing would be the viewership ratings.”

He did say there were rewards based on viewership ratings—wait a minute. Don’t tell me.

“The Individual Viewership Award, which can be considered the true grand prize of this game! Hunter Seong Hyunjae, who recorded the highest number of viewers!”

Seong Hyunjae stood up from his seat. I stared blankly at him as he walked up to the stage. Come to think of it, that was true. The Slave Chatroom where information wasn’t blocked. People blocked by filters would have flocked there to relieve their frustration. There were actually posts telling people to come to the slave room.

‘Even until the mid-game, the blocked information was used importantly.’

I tricked quite a few people, but Yuhyun, the Police Commissioner, and likely Moon Hyunah and Liette when they met, probably caused a scene. Every time that happened, the Slave Chatroom must have been on fire.

‘…I felt sorry for him for nothing!’

I feel wronged. He’s someone who lives well on his own, so why did I worry again! If it’s Seong Hyunjae, he probably fully guessed that his broadcast ratings would be the highest. Damn it, I feel like asking for the gold coins back! No, give them all to Gyeol! I should have just looked out for Gyeol!

“Countless people visited Hunter Seong Hyunjae’s broadcast to obtain information about the game.”

Seong Hyunjae appeared on the large screen. Since his role was a slave, he was sitting leisurely inside a prison in simple clothes that one wouldn’t usually see him wear.

└ Would’ve died of frustration without the slave room.

└ His face alone is pure entertainment.

└ Explanations were kind. Answered hunter questions too.

└ Sweet playing with baby dragon.

└ Most mature, calm, and kind among S-Ranks except civil servant.

…Wow, look at him acting innocent. I wanted to protest in the comments. Then, the scene where I came to save him… appeared. Aaaaaah! I raised my hands to cover my eyes, and Yuhyun patted my shoulder, wondering what was wrong. Yuhyun, Hyung is dying of embarrassment. I looked at the screen through the gaps in my fingers. Ugh, Han Yujin! Hey! That’s Seong Hyunjae! Hey, you idiot, don’t pity him!

└ Acting is god-tier lmaoooooo

└ Loved Sesung Guild Leader’s new side.

└ Cool how he gave up winning to help joint win at the end…

└ Honestly, he looked super close with Director Han.

└ Gotta treat him well to entrust a mount. Heard Faerie Dragon becomes SS-Rank when grown.

└ Look how he follows quietly, going easy on Han Yujin cause he’s F-Rank, so kind.

Fortunately, it didn’t show anything more after escaping the basement. Delete all the footage…

“Thirty gold coins and a special prize are awarded for the Individual Viewership Award.”

‘To Seong Hyunjae!!’

I shouted, at least inwardly. He’s taking the most! Seriously, why did I feel sorry for him? He’s a human who takes care of his share and then some!

“Viewers, thank you.”

Seong Hyunjae, holding the award, greeted with a gentle and soft smile. Everyone, you are all being deceived. Do you know how much that human torments Chief Song! That’s all fake! If I could, I wanted to jump onto the stage. It’s a scam, a scam. Don’t fall for that shameless face!

“The awards are all finished, but there is someone I would like to thank personally.”

Chatterbox’s gaze turned to me. Other Hunters also looked this way. Yuhyun and Yerim frowned simultaneously.

“Hunter Han Yujin!”

Chatterbox extended his hand as if inviting me to the stage. I went up with a bright smile.

“Not only in this game, but throughout the party, the performance Hunter Han Yujin showed was incredible. As the host, it was an attitude that couldn’t be more satisfying.”

“Thank you!”

Then hand over more gold coins. Chatterbox stood next to me and affectionately wrapped his arm around my shoulder. Yuhyun, you can’t attack. Hold Peace so he doesn’t jump out.

“Regardless of the game results, I feel like giving you a separate gift.”

“If you give it, I’ll accept it gratefully!”

The eyes behind the mask smiled. I smiled back.

“I will prepare a gift that Hunter Han Yujin will be satisfied with. I look forward to your continued outstanding performance!”

A gift. I won’t refuse, but more than that.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

I tilted my head toward Chatterbox and spoke quietly so that those around us couldn’t hear, barely moving my lips. Of course, I turned off the audio too. Chatterbox looked down at me. There was no answer, but he would probably contact me.

“Then, dear participants, it is break time until tomorrow. However, personal broadcasting is possible, so please use it freely!”

The awards ceremony ended.