The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 637: Anti–Terror Meeting (2)

Combat types had to be S–rank or higher, special support types A–rank or higher. Even with those strict conditions, more than twenty Hunters had gathered here. Maybe because most of them had been in Chatterbox’s party, they were surprisingly cooperative for high–rank Hunters. There’s a big difference between having experience following rules and teaming up with others, and not. Chatterbox really did leave behind a lot of good things.

“The terrorists, the Prophets, are believed to be an anti–Hunter group that’s been active continuously in Europe and the United States.”

I mixed in the intel we’d received from the French Hunter Association.

“We also suspect that the Prophets’ cooperation with Mr. Chatterbox was part of a scheme to wipe out all the high–rank Hunters gathered for the party in one blow.”

That wasn’t what really happened, but whatever. Because Chatterbox’s existence itself had been blurred out, even S–rank Hunters couldn’t properly remember his end. Other than the S–ranks close to me who were directly involved, everyone else’s impression had just settled at, “Well, I guess he died.”

“The reason they’re obsessively targeting me now is probably because I’m in a position to be a big help to high–rank Hunters. In addition to the Monster Mounts Breeding Facility, I’m planning to distribute the items Mr. Chatterbox left behind.”

I spun it around to say, they’re out to hinder you, not to protect my personal safety.

“They really are a pain.”

One Hunter muttered,

“They turn up in front of your house to protest, or throw cans of paint at your car and walls.”

Stuff like that didn’t happen much in Korea, but over in Europe and the U.S., anti–Hunter groups apparently pulled off small–scale terror attacks now and then. Sometimes they showed up armed with guns and attacked Hunter Associations and other related facilities.

“They mix non–awakened people into their ranks so cleverly that it’s hard to respond.”

“You can’t lay a hand on a non–awakened person, even if they come at you with a knife. They stab you, it doesn’t even leave a scratch, and everyone knows that, so they go, ‘I never meant to hurt them.’ Meanwhile, I clearly block them without doing any damage, and they try to charge me with attempted murder! If you’re S–rank, moving a finger is treated like firing a gun!”

To be fair, we were about as dangerous as guns, but still. In the land of lawsuits, America, they were apparently suffering a lot from stuff like that.

“There are people who deliberately slam their car into yours.”

“Never get out. They’ll start swinging first, then sue you for breaking their arm.”

“That’s why we have to hire non–awakened bodyguards. It’s ridiculous.”

“Guilds basically have to employ non–awakened or low–rank awakened security now.”

“Most of them are just after a payout, and it’s not even that much money, but it’s annoying.”

Once they started talking, complaints burst out from all over. Maybe because there were tons of vested interests tied up in it, awakened people seemed to be at more of a legal disadvantage here than in Korea. With so much land and so many resources, the importance of awakened people was probably relatively lower too.

“At the moment, Hunters under the European Union are tracking and monitoring the terror group’s locations.”

I’d left the actual tailing of the Prophets to them. At the end of the day, this was their turf, so they’d be better at it than us outsiders.

“The terror group is spread widely, so we can’t give you detailed information yet. There’s also a chance they’ve infiltrated this area. After sunset, we’ll provide each team with coordinates, and we’d like you to move directly to those locations. Teams are up to you, and solo action is also allowed.”

Even if the contract terms were harsh, I didn’t want S–rank Hunters in danger if I could help it, for the sake of the future. The ones who came all the way here were socially capable, cooperative types; I wanted to avoid any deaths all the more. So the plan was to let them work as safely as possible and still get results.

‘Gotta take good care of them and keep a good relationship going forward.’

Thinking about starting a school made that feel even more necessary. If it were just me, I could tell anyone who didn’t like me to get lost and live however I wanted, but if I wanted to give the kids a good environment, I had to pay attention. If we handled this terror group well, my image would improve too.

“Any questions?”

At my words, one Hunter shot their hand up. They’d been subtly catching my eye for a while. For good reason.

‘…Why is she in a suit?’

Unlike the other Hunters, she was dressed to the nines, in clothes that looked about a hundred million light–years away from combat. And she was someone I knew. Valerie Roussel. She stepped forward, a broad smile on her face. And then—

‘…Huh?’

“Hunter Han Yujin.”

A bouquet popped out of Valerie’s inventory. Flowers from a dungeon, wrapped in dungeon byproducts, from the look of it. Wait, hang on? Valerie lifted the bouquet toward me.

“Would you go out with me, officially?”

“…Excuse me?”

…Sorry? I mean, uh.

‘Is this because I’m a cat?!’

B–Because I’m a cat? At the end of Chatterbox’s party, I’d used Delroux and attacked Valerie. When I turned back human and shot the gun, she became one of the few people who knew about my skill. I do know she really, really likes cats… but still, this is…

“That’s a bit… sudden.”

“I apologize. I got impatient when I heard it was difficult to get permission to visit the Dodam Breeding Facility.”

“On top of that, I’m… as you’ve probably seen, I’m taking care of a child. He’s basically my son.”

And there were two more on the way. Valerie’s eyes curved as she smiled.

“I like children. I’m also open to adoption.”

Her polite voice continued,

“So I’d appreciate it if you could think it over and answer me in your own time. I can’t say there are no other motives, but I do genuinely find you, Mr. Han, very likable as a person.”

Since she was at least asking me to accept the bouquet, I reached out my hand. It’s the cat. It’s because of the cat. I tried to tell myself that, but my heart was still pounding. I tried hard not to show it and spoke again.

“If there are no more questions, please take a break in the building to the right. Once you’ve formed teams, please report them to the information desk.”

The Hunters began to move off. Valerie glanced my way once, then turned and left as well. After everyone dispersed, I climbed down from Peace’s back. A little late, I could feel heat rushing up my neck and face. Huh. It was kind of hot.

“Hyung, your face?”

“Ah, no, it’s just!”

I fanned myself with my hand and looked down at the bouquet. Big, layered red blossoms filled the center, and as it went outward the color gradually lightened to pale pink, the edges ringed with small flowers that were almost white. There were lots of plant types in dungeons, but safe, pretty flowers had to be hard to find. Did she pick these herself?

“I’ve, uh, never been confessed to directly like this… in my life…”

No ulterior motive, no playful attitude like Ms. Hyunah’s, just a serious confession – a proposal, really – and it was the first time. Sure, Valerie’s goal was probably the cat, but still. People fall for someone’s abilities or looks; why couldn’t you fall for someone’s “turns into a cat” skill.

“It’s just because it’s my first, that’s all, my first! Thing is, Valerie knows about my Delroux, my cat skill. The odds are pretty high she’s doing this because she likes cats. But it’s still the first time someone’s asked me out like this and even given me flowers.”

And to be honest, she was quite a catch. On the surface she gave off a vibe similar to Ms. Hyunah’s. Plus she was someone who cared for and loved animals. There are always exceptions, but the odds that she was a good person were high. The reports I’d gotten on her had been positive too.

“…Hyung, I think it’s dangerous if the other person is S–rank.”

“Why are you being all serious. No, no. It’s not like that. I barely even know her. Still, I probably should give her an answer. What would you do, Yuhyun?”

“I’m sorry.”

Yuhyun answered flatly.

“To be more honest, I’d say, ‘I can’t like anyone but my Hyung, and I feel nothing for you.’”

“…Being too honest is not a good way to live in this world.”

He better not have actually answered someone like that. He’d gotten gifts since he was a kid, but as far as I knew, he’d never actually dated anyone.

“If you don’t have feelings, it’s best to turn her down quickly.”

Noah chimed in with the air of someone extremely experienced. He really did look like he would be.

“Noah, you’ve gotten a lot of confessions, right?”

“Yes. People are easily swayed by appearances.”

His tone had not even a hint of modesty – just stating a fact – which really made it sound like he’d gotten a lot.

“I never had a proper relationship, though. Especially when I was younger, my sister would butt in and torment people constantly…”

I didn’t need details; I could see it in my head already. Knowing Liette, it probably wasn’t on purpose – she’d just jumped in like, “Let’s all play together!” But the results would not have been good. I fiddled with the bouquet and stared right at Chief Song.

“Chief Song.”

“I’ve had a reasonable amount of experience.”

Before I could even ask, Chief Song cut in, shutting it down.

“Right, I figured you’d be really popular too, Chief Song. You’ve dated before, right?”

No answer. Was he dodging, or did he really not have any experience? Gasp – if I started dating, would I be the first out of all of us? Yuhyun and Noah were popular too, but both said they’d never had a proper relationship. Same for Yerim, and it seemed that way for Soyeong too. Liette hadn’t dated anyone, but she’d… done everything else… I think. Mm. As for Seong Hyunjae and Ms. Hyunah, who knew.

“Anyway, I’m really not in a position to be dating. I’m grateful, but I should turn her down. It’s a shame since it’s my first but… who knows when I’ll ever get a confession like that again…”

“You’re the best to me, Hyung.”

“Mr. Han, you’re a really good person. I think you’re more than attractive enough and very cool.”

“Thanks, Yuhyun. Thank you too, Noah.”

Chief Song avoided my, “Got anything to add?” look. Yeah, okay. If I ever did start dating, he’d be one of the people whose life got the most complicated. He’d be even more nervous if the other party was S–rank.

I put the bouquet into my inventory. My pounding heart finally settled down. I was thankful, and it had been exciting, but given my situation, no matter who it was, the right thing was to say no.

‘All the more if they genuinely like me.‘

If it were a political marriage, that’d be one thing, but I didn’t want to make someone who truly liked me suffer. I couldn’t even put them first. If you’re going to date, get married, and build a family, that family should be your top priority. In all kinds of ways, I was lacking when it came to doing romance.

‘…Still, honestly, it feels good.’

I’d turn her down politely later. Maybe I should prepare some kind of return gift. Or maybe invite her to the Breeding Facility just once. Valerie would be interested in Monster Mounts too. As for cat–type monsters… most of them were large species. The Flame Horned Lion was unusual; Peace was the odd one. Normally they didn’t have phasing skills.

“Let’s head in too, Hyung. If you think it’s going to be uncomfortable, I can go ask that Hunter to keep her distance.”

“No! Don’t do that. I’ll turn her down properly myself.”

It was just a little incident, and he was taking it way too seriously. The absence of Yerim and Ms. Hyunah felt painfully clear. If those two were here, they’d be… teasing me to death. Especially if Ms. Hyunah heard about it, she’d clap me on the shoulder and go, “Wow, you’re really popular, huh~” and then toss out another half–serious, “Want to date me instead?” on top.

“Liette said she’ll be arriving soon, right?”

“Yes. My sister plans to charge in first.”

For some reason, Cho Hwawoon’s group was staying put at their base. Considering Rookie’s words that a new Filial Duty Addicts would be showing up, that behavior was worrying, but we couldn’t just sit around and wait for them to make a move. The best thing would be to finish them off before they made contact with another Transcendent.

The moment we started walking to leave the airfield—

[Would you like to inherit part of Chatterbox’s system admin authority?]

A message window popped up. I stopped dead and stared at it. Chatterbox’s system admin authority?

“Hyung?”

“…I got a message.”

I swallowed dryly without thinking. What the hell was this? I wasn’t a Transcendent. And it was asking if I wanted to inherit admin authority?

‘…Is it because I’m Chatterbox’s heir?’

Chatterbox had given up on his own existence, but the inheritance he’d left me included everything from before that, from when he was still Chatterbox. So was the system admin authority getting passed down too? Was that even possible?

“It says it wants to give me some of the system admin authority…”

The others’ expressions grew serious.

“I think we should go ask Rookie.”

“I agree. Don’t do anything rash.”

Yuhyun and Chief Song both spoke. Well, obviously.

[Time remaining to inherit: 10 minutes]

“W–Wait! It says I only have ten minutes!”

Ten minutes?! It takes longer than that just to get permission to enter a dungeon, never mind traveling to the nearest one! And of course we just had to be in the middle of an empty mountain! Was this deliberate? To force me to accept?

“It’s down to nine minutes!”

“Hyung, it could be a trap!”

“But it’s the system…!”

System admin authority. The ability to get at least a little closer to the Transcendents. Right now, this was exactly the kind of power I desperately needed. I’d rejected Crescent Moon’s offer and was now wandering without any real plan to deal with the Transcendents, with the source of it all.

“Rookie or somebody, explain this properly! At least tell me what happens if I accept it!”

Who just drops something like this out of nowhere?! The time ticked down again. Seven minutes, six, then five. As I hesitated, my hand started to move toward the message window. Yuhyun grabbed my wrist. I looked at my little brother.

“If this were something I absolutely must not accept, Rookie would have warned me. But Rookie and Senior Tree both told me that nothing I hear is going to change anything for me.”

Even if I turned down this offer now, I was going to get dragged into this mess anyway. Four minutes.

“If I can’t avoid it, I might as well jump in with something in my hand.”

“…Why is it always you, Hyung.”

“Right? Good question.”

A bitter laugh slipped out. Still, this might end up working in my favor. Maybe that was exactly why they made the timing so tight – to make me hesitate even more. Two minutes. I accepted the message.

[You are inheriting part of the system admin authority.

Recipient: Han Yujin]