The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 577: Show (2)

“Hyunah–ssi, you’ll stay with us till the end, right? And.”

A young man with bright blond hair appeared, standing up on the terrace railing. It was Noah, who had been using a Stealth skill. I’d texted him to come out.

“You too, Noah–ssi.”

Yuhyun can’t be without me. Yerim is still way too young. Seong Hyunjae is deeply tangled up with the Transcendents, and Song Taewon is tied to him as well. Moon Hyunah shrugged.

“Guess that’s how it ended up. I’ve been going my own way from the start, and I still am.”

Whether or not Han Yujin regressed, Moon Hyunah had held her position and would keep holding it. Transcendents, the Source, oncoming disaster, the end of the world – she’d walked her own path and would keep walking it.

“…I don’t know.”

Noah dropped his gaze slightly as he spoke.

“I still haven’t even decided what I want to do.”

“I don’t want to put pressure on you, Noah–ssi. But if you’re okay with it… I’d like you to stay with the people in the Breeding Facility building.”

“I would even if you didn’t ask, Yujin–ssi. But if I ever find something else I want to do…”

“Then that’s more than enough. That’s actually why I trust you, Noah–ssi.”

Noah, too, could walk the path he wanted, just like Moon Hyunah. Free from Liette, starting over. I took a step back and looked at the two of them.

“See, the thing is… I can’t avoid thinking about what happens after anymore. Even if something happens to me, the world will keep turning.”

Last time, I regressed. The world got turned back too. But this time, it won’t. Whatever ending I get, the people who live on will keep living.

“Well, we might all go down together, but maybe we won’t.”

“So that’s what this is? Asking us to handle things after you’re gone?”

“More like… I think your worlds are going to keep going.”

Moon Hyunah scrubbed at her hair roughly this time.

“I am worried about you, Hyungnim. Same with Seong Hyunjae and Chief Song. It wouldn’t even be that weird if something went wrong right now. Even I can feel that much, and I don’t even know the details. And the Young Master is going wherever you go.”

“Yes.”

“…Leaving Yerim behind would be cruel.”

I nodded heavily.

“I’ll try to survive to the very end too. But whether I make it or not, I think you two are the right ones. Noah–ssi.”

“Yes, Yujin–ssi.”

I looked up into those pale gray eyes with their soft light.

“You know Seok Hayan–ssi’s team is also involved in the Special Awakening Center, right?”

“Yes. I’m a support–type and special–type too, so I’ve been getting help studying for it.”

“Before I came to the party, I organized as much material as I could and sent it over. Myungwoo can meet with Rookie on his own now, so he should be able to get help too.”

Even if I can’t touch it myself, the things that need to move forward still have to move.

“Of course, if you ever want to head in a different direction, Hayan–ssi’s team can take over, so don’t feel like you have to shoulder everything.”

“For now, I’m the one who asked to study first. I still haven’t forgotten Mu.”

Maybe she’d become a sort of ideal in Noah’s mind. I turned my head and met Moon Hyunah’s eyes. She let out a short sigh.

“I’ve heard the basics, and I’ll help out.”

“You don’t need a long speech, Hyunah–ssi. It’ll help you too.”

Moon Hyunah’s lips parted. She looked like she was about to say something, then didn’t, and instead smacked my shoulder a little too hard. I pulled a business card out of my inventory – the one Hwang Rim had given me.

“Noah–ssi, can I ask you for one more favor?”

“As many as you want.”

“I might not be able to participate in the rest of the party.”

“I don’t have any prizes I’m specifically aiming for anyway.”

Hyunah–ssi also nodded, saying it was fine. Even if there’s no clear answer, we should at least prepare a little.

“Hunter Han Yujin.”

Even after dinner, Chatterbox stayed quiet. I was starting to think we were just going to rest today and call it, when a staff member approached us.

“You’re currently in first place in the overall rankings, so we’ll need you to move first.”

“Ah, there’s something scheduled?”

“Yes, a simple event.”

The phrase “simple event” made my face scrunch up. Last time he called it a “little event” too.

“Can’t I go with him?”

Yuhyun pressed right up against my side as he asked. The staff member answered apologetically.

“You’ll be transported in order. It’s inside New York, not a dungeon, and there are no monsters, so please don’t worry.”

Hearing it wasn’t a dungeon made me feel a bit better.

“Sounds like some award ceremony with all that talk about rankings. Don’t worry too much.”

I soothed my brother, said okay, and then my vision suddenly went dark as my body was moved somewhere else. I blinked, closed my eyes and opened them again, and—

“Uh…”

A dozen or so people were staring at me. Before I could even ask what was going on, they started moving.

“When did you last shower?”

“Huh? Last night. I washed up this morning too–”

“Let’s start with brushing your teeth.”

“No need to shave.”

“Should we trim your eyebrows a bit?”

Someone shoved a toothbrush with toothpaste into my hand. Still stunned, I brushed like they told me to. The whole time I was brushing, dozens of eyes stayed fixed on me – it was borderline scary. If I didn’t have Fear Resistance, I’d have been terrified for sure.

“Open your mouth wide, please.”

“They look clean, but we should make sure. Please lie down here.”

“Wait, no, hold on!”

What, what are you trying to do! Something that looked like a dentist’s chair came into view. Don’t tell me this is a dental clinic! Chatterbox, you bastard! I tried to wriggle free, but the hands holding me were firm.

“It’s just basic cosmetic care, it’s fine.”

“Look, I’m not allowed to use potions, and I have Poison Resistance!”

“Yes, we’ve received the details of your health restrictions from Korea.”

“Say ‘ah–’ please.”

I started missing my little brother like crazy, and we’d only been apart five minutes. Thankfully my teeth were healthy, so nothing happened there – but that was just the beginning.

“Please don’t get up.”

“…Huh? We’re not done?”

“Since it’s a suit, there’s no need for body hair removal, but if you’d like–”

“I would not!”

What kind of creepy suggestion was that! Two people each grabbed one of my hands. They wrapped them in warm towels, wiped them down, then dipped them in what felt like pleasantly scented warm water. At the same time, my face was wiped with a hot towel. I’d had treatments a few times before, but never like this.

“I–”

“Please keep your mouth closed.”

I can at least wash my own face, you know! I shut my eyes because I had no choice, and it made everything feel even weirder. They massaged my hands, then started filing my nails. Above my eyes, I heard a scratch–scratch as they trimmed my brows. Then came the facial massage–

‘Ack!’

What the hell, that hurts! Then they started doing this and that again. Not just my face but my ears and the back of my neck got the full treatment. After a long while, I finally managed to get out of the chair.

“Your clothes–”

“I can dress myself!”

They were clearly about to start changing my clothes for me. Did they think I was five years old? When I shouted for a changing room, they reluctantly handed me clothes instead. A white tailcoat.

“…This.”

Looks a lot like that bastard Chatterbox’s outfit.

“Uh, do you not have anything else?”

“We do not.”

A row of professionally bright smiles turned my way. I wanted to complain so badly, but I couldn’t say it out loud. The people here were probably just normal civilians, hired for the job. I could snap back and curse at Hunters in the field, but… the one at fault here was their employer, that bastard Chatterbox, not them.

“So there really isn’t… any way, huh…?”

“We’re sorry, Hunter Han.”

“No, you don’t have anything to be sorry for…”

They were just people doing their jobs for a paycheck. I’d worked under other people before I regressed, which made it even harder to blame them. Of course, unlike the old me, everyone here was a top pro in their field… Whoa, that person’s got an A–rank special skill. I quietly used my Promising Talent skill for the first time in a while, and saw mid–rank or higher skills shining all over the place. Everyone except one was C–rank or below, but still, that’s something.

‘When this party’s over, people with special skills but low stats should get more attention too.’

If only the organizer weren’t Chatterbox, this would be a really great opportunity. I’d go home with the win and then bam, announce the Special Awakening Center. The one that had collapsed is almost rebuilt now, and the opening isn’t far off.

…If I can get back to Korea in one piece, everything’ll fall into place.

“It’s fine! Don’t follow me in!”

I firmly refused all offers of help and slipped into the changing room to get dressed. The suit fit me like it had been tailored just for me. Well, custom beats department–store designer labels, right? And it’s not even my first time in one of these, so I win… Why do I keep thinking like this? I’m surrounded by rich people, but it’s not like any of them are trying to brag about their designer stuff to me.

“Please sit here!”

“How much time do we have left?”

They sat me back down the second I stepped out in the suit. Several sets of hands went for my hair and face, and when they checked my shoes, they said they didn’t match and pulled off my socks. Wait, Yerim bought those! I hurriedly yelled at them to keep the socks safe.

‘…Ugh, white dress shoes.’

I was already dying of embarrassment.

“What about earrings?”

“Hunter Han, do you by any chance–”

“Just leave them alone… please.”

They were at least simple – what were they planning to switch them out with? The person inspecting my ears looked disappointed and instead clipped a decoration onto the breast pocket of my tailcoat. Finally, the grooming was done, and I stood in front of the mirror.

I looked like a swallow. Nice to meet you, I’m Han Yujin, and who the hell are you. I didn’t look like me at all.

‘…What the hell is he trying to pull.’

They’d even slicked my bangs back. When my hand unconsciously went up to my hair, someone next to me quickly grabbed it.

“Please bear with it for a little while. If your hair gets messy, you’ll look too young.”

“That’s just what someone my age looks like.”

Nobody agreed with me. No, that’s just because we’re in America! In Korea I pass for mid–twenties.

“Preparation is complete!”

Everyone stepped away from me at once. Then my body was transported somewhere again, with that slight floaty feeling.

“Hunter Han Yujin!”

With a deafening blast of music—

“Wooooo–!”

A massive roar of cheers crashed over me. Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me, Chatterbox, hey! Fireworks exploded in the darkened night sky, jets of flame shot up from all over the wide stage, and beyond that…

‘…Holy crap.’

People. The place was packed with people. I could feel curses clawing their way up my throat. It was… what do you call it, a dome stadium? An enormous circular arena, with the stands jammed full. Panicking, I turned my body to look behind me.

‘Geh!’

A giant screen filled my vision. A larger–than–life shot of me in the white suit was plastered across it. I wanted to go home.

“Tonight’s star has arrived!”

Chatterbox’s voice boomed through the speakers. Flames of all colors shot up from the stage again. Then, right in front of my feet, a path of light whooshed into existence, stretching all the way to the center stage like it was telling me to follow.

Send me home. Yuhyun, come rescue your Hyung. Save me. Dear God.

“Haha, hahaha…”

I let out a clumsy laugh and started walking down the path. I wanted to bolt, but I struggled to look casual. This crazy bastard Chatterbox. So this is what he was quietly plotting all day. When did he even gather this many people? Where did they all come from?

As I neared the center stage where Chatterbox stood, a swarm of drones rose into the air. Against the night sky, they started sparkling out S–F… Don’t. Don’t shout SF… don’t write my name… I was wrong, I’m sorry, just this once, please…

Half out of my mind, I finally reached Chatterbox. The bastard was wearing a black tailcoat identical in design to mine, just a different color. The chest pin was the same too. I poured a bucketful – no, five bucketfuls – of curses at him in my head.

“Just what–”

I lowered my voice, about to ask what the hell he thought he was doing, when the floor shook under my feet.

“What now!”

“You should watch your step.”

Chatterbox grabbed my arm as I staggered, and the floor surged upward. The stage spun around, then the floor screeched as parts of it rose up in a star shape. Fireworks burst again. I’d heard those were expensive; he was basically making it rain money.

The whole time, music was playing – no, not a track, a live orchestra. A real band was playing. Chatterbox grabbed the mic stand again. With all the modern tech around, he still insisted on doing it the old–fashioned way. So annoying.

“Channel Chatterbox! A dazzling party of the world’s top Hunters!”

Every word out of Chatterbox’s mouth drew another wave of excited screams. The back of my neck tingled from sheer disbelief, but if I’d been a regular person who didn’t know the inside story, I probably would’ve been jumping up and down out there too. It was spectacular. With the money he’d splurged and the dungeon filming tech, it was a step above the ranking matches.

“Surprisingly, our current overall number one is an F–stat Hunter! Hunter Han Yujin!”

“…Haha, thank you~”

My name and “SF!” were mixed into the cheers. Hurry up and bring the other Hunters out. Once you’ve got Yuhyun and Seong Hyunjae, plus adorable Peace and Gyeol, and fan–favorite Yerim and Chief Song’s team on stage, I can quietly fade into the background. If Noah would just transform into a dragon once, I could say “I’ll just hit the bathroom” and bolt, and no one would even notice.

“This party was originally planned around S–rank Hunters. Most of our invited guests were S–rank as well.”

The lips visible under his mask curved in a smile. It was warm, human, and friendly. Chatterbox reached out and patted my shoulder like we were close.

“But look!”

Bang, bang! More fireworks exploded.

“The Hunter who’s racked up victory after victory among S–ranks – the one drawing the most attention of all!”

I did my best to plaster a confident smile all over my face. Yeah, if he’s spoon–feeding me this, I should take it. It’s to my advantage. And it was my own hard work that got me here in the first place. Even if it’s embarrassing, I’m allowed to stand tall. …Still embarrassing, though.

Chatterbox took his hand off my shoulder and stepped back gracefully. At some point, a bouquet had appeared in his hand. His tall frame bent in a smooth bow as he held the flowers out to me.

“Thank you.”

I smiled and accepted the bouquet. Hurry up and bring out the next person already. Who would it be if we’re going by ranking? Hyunah–ssi? She finished the first race and the island quickly, was among the joint winners, and placed high in the one–on–one match too. Whoever it is, anyone, just hurry up and get out here, I begged inwardly.

Rat–tat–tat–tat–

The sound of a helicopter reached us.

Boom, bang!

Amid the explosions, a machine gun opened fire. As bullets poured down like rain, Chatterbox’s body moved to shield mine.