The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 565: The Objective Behind (1)

“Yes! Ruler of Water!”

A Hunter they ran into in the spacious lobby shouted toward Yerim. Yerim smiled back and acknowledged them. It seemed quite a few Hunters had taken a liking to Yerim after watching the highlight reel of the award ceremony and the rebroadcast on Channel Chatterbox. That made sense. I even wondered if Yerim might become the most popular person at this party.

She was young, cute, cheerful, and lively. She was an S-Rank Hunter, yet unlike the guild leaders who carried themselves with heavy authority, she didn’t feel distant and was overflowing with friendliness. She was someone anyone, regardless of age or gender, could easily like. After watching Yerim high-five a Hunter she didn’t know well, I walked over to Song Taewon, who was walking while maintaining as much distance as possible from her.

“Excuse me, Yerim definitely isn’t trying to bully you on purpose, Chief Song.”

“I know.”

Song Taewon answered quietly.

“Rather… it is the opposite. She is trying to help me…”

Chief Song’s voice trailed off. His complexion darkened slightly. R–Right. Yerim was probably thinking, ‘Chief Song is so bad at broadcasting! So I have to work even harder to help him!’ That must have made it even harder for Chief Song to refuse.

“If it’s too difficult for you, should I talk to her for you?”

“…It is fine.”

Song Taewon refused, albeit with a bit of hesitation.

“It is true that I am inexperienced in these kinds of matters. So, I think getting a little used to it through this opportunity… isn’t bad.”

I inadvertently looked at Chief Song with pity. No, well… people have their own aptitudes, you know. He didn’t need to force himself to adapt, but he was just too diligent.

“Still, if you feel like you really can’t do it, just give me a nudge.”

“Thank you.”

Chief Song bowed his head slightly toward me. He really didn’t treat a single thing lightly and was always so serious. That was why he was trustworthy.

“Mister, are you really not going out?”

After the Hunter she greeted left, Yerim flew over to me and asked. I nodded my head weakly.

“I’ll go tomorrow, tomorrow.”

I’m closed for today. Mister’s stamina is on the verge of hitting rock bottom. It was a relief that Ms. Hyunah and Ms. Soyeong agreed to go with Yerim. Gyeol, who had climbed onto Yerim’s shoulder at some point, spoke to me quietly.

– I’ll buy you a gift, Dad.

Gyeol’s eyes were sparkling as he whispered that. Even if he often acted mature, he was still a kid who hadn’t been born that long ago. There must be a lot of things he wanted to see. Should I send him to kindergarten after all?

“Okay. Ah, for pocket money…”

“Mister Sesung gave me a card!”

Yerim said, pulling out a card that looked expensive.

“He said since we’re team members, it’s only natural for him to take care of us, and told us to spend as much as we want.”

– It’s just to save Dad’s money.

“Our Gyeol, you already have a great sense of frugality.”

I wondered what the limit on that card was. Could I swipe a Manhattan building in Gyeol’s name? Honestly, even legally speaking, I felt like about 10% of Sesung’s shares should belong to Gyeol.

“No, wait, Hunter Moon Hyunah.”

“Noona. Just call me Noona comfortably.”

“I should have been born just a little earlier too!”

Over there, Noah was stuck between Moon Hyunah and Kang Soyeong, looking troubled. Was it because she was around Liette’s age and was a strong older–sister type? Noah seemed to find it surprisingly difficult to deal with Ms. Hyunah. Even though they had seen each other quite often and were even on the same team this time, it felt like there was still a wall between them.

“Should we help him?”

“If he really hated it, he would escape. Noah oppa is strong too.”

When I asked quietly, Yerim answered quietly as expected. That was true. Even if that wasn’t the case, if Noah seriously put his foot down, Ms. Hyunah would let him go immediately. Eventually, Noah was dragged out by both arms, pulled along to tour Manhattan. Yerim and Gyeol said they would be back and followed behind them.

“Will Chief Song be okay?”

They went out in a swarm like that.

“Hunter Moon Hyunah is accompanying them, so it will be fine.”

“You trust Ms. Hyunah more than I thought.”

“Given Hunter Moon Hyunah’s current position, she wouldn’t cause any trouble that would require compensation for damages.”

Oh, how realistic. Though it was true that Ms. Hyunah didn’t exactly not cause trouble.

“Yuhyun, why don’t you go hang out with them too?”

I said to my brother as I walked toward the building directory.

“I’ll go with you tomorrow, Hyung.”

As always, the answer that returned was that he would go with me. Even if I told him not to mind me, Yuhyun probably wouldn’t have any interest in sightseeing in the city in the first place. If I wasn’t here and he had nothing else to do, how would he have spent his time? …Would he have just sat there blankly? Like a tree, or a rock?

Thinking of that as lonely and pitiful was just a human perspective, but I couldn’t help feeling bad about it.

“They say there’s an Eastern–style tea house on the 3rd floor. Shall we have some tea? We should drink something that helps with sleep and rest well. If you’re going to be dragged out tomorrow, that is. You’ll definitely be held captive for half the day.”

“If you’re tired, we don’t have to go.”

“No. I like going sightseeing with you guys too. We’ll eat delicious things and buy gifts.”

Yuhyun looked at me and smiled.

“Yeah. I like that too.”

It definitely wasn’t a lie made up for my sake. Seeing that, I thought that demanding my brother share my position a little bit wasn’t entirely bad. I couldn’t change my brother completely, and I shouldn’t, but creating parts we could share and enjoy together was okay.

…Though it did make me wonder if I’d have to give up a finger or two. Should I at least try growing my hair out for now?

While we were having simple refreshments, several Hunters struck up conversations with us. The atmosphere was definitely better than before the game. Not just toward me, but overall. The fact that more than half received rewards probably played a big part. Whatever the case, receiving something felt good. There was the satisfaction of cooperation, and since they pooled their strength, some goodwill must have formed.

However, among those eliminated from the game, there seemed to be some who harbored dissatisfaction. Satisfying everyone was truly a difficult task. If you looked at the world as a whole, it was practically impossible. Maybe it would be possible in heaven.

“It’s too smooth.”

I said quietly to my brother sitting across from me.

“Chatterbox definitely has a scheme, so we shouldn’t relax our guard.”

But it kept feeling like a real party. I won and achieved results, so it was enjoyable too.

“We should be careful, but don’t worry too deeply about it, Hyung. It’s bad for your health.”

– That’s right, Hyung. They say stress is the root of all diseases for humans.

Iryn, who had climbed onto my shoulder at some point, whispered quietly. Where did you hear something like that?

– To live long, you have to keep a relaxed mind, exercise, live a regular lifestyle, and get health checkups every year. And also…

I let Iryn’s chattering flow in one ear and out the other. Yeah, yeah, I know it all. I know, but…

“Since we don’t know the exact objective yet, there’s nothing we can do but worry. Peace, do you want to try some tea? They say this tea was brewed with drinking water from a preserved dungeon area.”

– Kkiang.

They said dungeon water was treated as top grade only if the environment inside the dungeon, as well as the environment outside, was good or something like that. Peace licked the tea I poured separately for him, then shook his head vigorously. Then he rubbed his snout with his front paw. Guess it doesn’t taste good.

“I don’t like that Chatterbox has a good image either. Look at this magazine. They’re practically praising him.”

Mysticism, immense wealth, all sorts of dungeon items, and a flashy party that even utilized a dungeon. The best figure to decorate the end of this year. Phantom, who is he? An unawakened person who holds even S-Rank Hunters in his hand and wields them.

“Hoooonestly, if I didn’t know anything, I might have liked him, too.”

I would have been an avid viewer of Channel Chatterbox. I might have even sent in viewer mail or something. …It’s entertaining, after all. Lots of S-Ranks appear.

“Everyone is too—”

“Hyung.”

Calling me, Yuhyun turned his head toward the entrance first. I followed his gaze to the same spot. It was Chatterbox. And, Seong Hyunjae was there too. My brow furrowed inadvertently. What were those two doing? As if they had just met by chance on the way, the two soon moved apart. Seong Hyunjae accepted the words of another Hunter who approached him, and Chatterbox was also soon surrounded.

Feeling unsettled, I quickly accessed the Chatterbox channel on my phone. I checked the integrated broadcast and the chat of the personal channel currently airing. As I scrolled up, there was talk about Chatterbox.

└ Phantom is so nice and his voice is great

└ Oh it’s the Sesung Guild Leader

└ The vibe between the two is insane

└ He’s not saying much but he’s got that heavy presence lol

└ How tall was the Sesung Guild Leader again? Chatterbox is huge too

└ I wanna rip that mask off I bet he’s hot

└ Naw tbh if he was hot he would’ve walked around without it

└ I can tell just by his jaw that he’s handsome???

└ Pressed 3rd floor where are they going?

It looked like Chatterbox had been going around exchanging light greetings with the Hunters in the building. Then he ran into Seong Hyunjae. While conversing with other Hunters, Chatterbox approached our table.

“You two, or should I say three. Are you having a comfortable time?”

“Yes, the tea here tastes decent. Though it seems it doesn’t suit Peace’s palate.”

Chatterbox’s exposed lips drew a soft line.

“A brotherly bond that looks good no matter when I see it. It’s to the point of envy.”

“…Thank you.”

Saying to tell him anytime if there were any inconveniences, Chatterbox turned away. He sure was good at pretending to be normal. While stroking Peace on my lap, I looked at Seong Hyunjae, and then at my brother. Envy my ass. I felt an impulse to just send everyone home and remain alone.

[Before leaving Manhattan, we will set up a super–sized ice Christmas tree for you!]

Waaaaah! Cheers erupted. Yerim on the TV smiled while spreading both arms wide. It was Times Square. The sky was dark, but the surroundings were flashing with all sorts of colors. The Channel Chatterbox logo spun around on the large electronic display board.

Sitting on the bed hugging a large cushion, I looked at the lively night streets. Yerim and the gathered citizens, as well as Ms. Hyunah and Ms. Soyeong, looked happy. Noah was also smiling, albeit awkwardly. Someone shouted, ‘Angel!’ A voice asking him to spread his wings just once could also be heard.

‘Looks good.’

It felt like the end–of–year atmosphere already. Even though it was still November, Christmas decorations caught my eye. Well, it would be December soon. In a month, would I be turning thirty–one, no, twenty–six? Though the Lunar New Year wouldn’t have passed yet. I felt strange.

Half a year since regressing. Everyone would age one year. And then 1 year, 2 years, 3 years. Time would continue to flow. Seong Hyunjae really didn’t have much time left until forty. As soon as it hits January 1st, I should send him a congratulatory message for turning forty soon.

Knock knock.

The sound of knocking was heard. It wasn’t the door. Without even turning around, still resting my chin on the cushion, I answered.

“Come in.”

Someone’s toes touched the carpet. Naturally, there was no sound of a door opening or closing. Frowning, I grumbled.

“I don’t know why people in this neighborhood don’t take off their shoes.”

They say some even climb onto the bed wearing shoes. Culture is relative, but I felt like I could never accept this one thing for the rest of my life.

“It’s nothing special. I just want to ask. The party and the game seem to be proceeding too normally. What is your scheme?”

I was curious, so I had to ask. It wasn’t like the person involved wasn’t nearby, so was there a need to suffer in silence? Yerim hugged a Bunny Bunny Bear Christmas Edition. The corners of my mouth trembled as I suppressed a smile that leaked out on its own.

“It shouldn’t be hard to guess.”

An unluckily elegant voice was heard. Suddenly, I felt sorry for Seong Hyunjae. If I knew I’d meet a human, no, a transcendent being about five times more annoying than you, I would have found you a little less annoying.

“I have absolutely no idea, though.”

“It is for my lovely mist.”

Chatterbox approached the side of the bed. I turned my head to look up at the bastard.

“Think of it as preparing someone to replace…”

My hand gripping the edge of the cushion tightened.

“…that brother you cherish so much.”

“There is no such thing as a replacement.”

“Naturally, effort must be put in. She was a King. She was overflowing with curiosity, full of confidence, strong, and beautiful. She was willful and selfish, yet she cherished what she liked.”

“I think you’ve got the wrong address.”

Chatterbox’s voice continued, pretending not to hear me.

“Therefore, Han Yujin needs to be polished a bit more.”

“You’re being transcendentally full of shit.”

“Thanks to that, it has deviated from the original purpose of the party, but as of now, it is quite satisfactory. Since you are proceeding excellently even without my particular intervention.”

Chatterbox reached out his hand toward me. He didn’t touch my body, but I felt incredibly filthy. The eyes behind the mask curved into slits. Because the bastard was genuinely pleased, my stomach felt blocked as if I had indigestion.

“Of course, you are very, extremely lacking.”

“Ah, yes. I admit it. I am a common, ordinary Citizen A, so please look for someone else. Okay?”

“But you are the last trace of my love.”

“Hey, you crazy bastard.”

“Please continue to work hard like this.”

Chatterbox smiled after saying only what he wanted to say. Then, leaving behind words that I could enjoy the game with peace of mind, he disappeared. I contacted the desk and asked for digestive medicine.