The S-Classes That I Raised

Chapter 670: The Third Team Again

A blacked–out vehicle pulled into New York’s JFK International Airport. The car took a smooth turn toward the area where Sesung Guild’s private jet was waiting. In front of the stairs connected to the boarding door stood Kang Soyeong. Spotting the approaching car, she waggled her eyebrows, making a strange face.

Before long, the car rolled to a stop. Kang Soyeong quickly scanned the sky. No drones, no helicopters. As an A–rank Hunter with the Dragon Rider skill, her eyesight was as sharp as an S–rank’s. She didn’t catch any cameras filming from a distance either. Unless an S–rank stealth specialist had decided to go out of their way to hide, it was safe.

Kang Soyeong went up to the car and opened the back door. A boy with light pink hair stepped out, backpack on his shoulders.

“Hello.”

Han Gyeol bowed politely. A smile naturally spread across Kang Soyeong’s face – but it didn’t last long.

“Hi, au–”

Thunk! A curved blade sliced through the air and stabbed down into the roof of the car – more precisely, into the edge above the driver’s seat, right in front of Hwang Rim, who had just gotten out. Kang Soyeong narrowed her eyes and glared at him.

“If Chief Han were here, there’d be a bullet in that head of yours. Where exactly have you been dragging around someone else’s kid?”

“The Boss is our young master, you know.”

Hwang Rim lifted both hands slightly in a mock surrender and grinned.

“I’m the one who took him around.”

“That’s right, Aunt Soyeong.”

Han Gyeol nodded firmly.

“He’s just the driver, so don’t mind him.”

“See? Driver, bodyguard, and guide, all in one. And I even worked for free!”

Joking that his spirit of service was truly exemplary, Hwang Rim laughed. Still eyeing him suspiciously, Kang Soyeong yanked the blade out of the car and stored it in her inventory. Watching her, the corners of Hwang Rim’s mouth curled up.

“I don’t plan on messing with Sesung guild members, but you’re pretty bold. I’ll have you know I’m S–rank.”

“Exactly, you’re Sesung guild, that’s why. We don’t count S–ranks weaker than the Guild Leader. Manager Song’s the only exception. And this year the penalty cut–off is lower than last year, so I’ve gotta watch myself.”

On top of that, he was one of the two people who had agreed to shoulder the role of Guild Leader. As a Sesung employee, he was someone she should obviously be bowing her head to in gratitude. And the other one, Han Yujin, was, even aside from that, for Kang Soyeong the revered father of the dragons she worshipped.

At her words, Hwang Rim wiggled his fingers instead of nodding.

“Sesung’s Guild Leader does look after his own people. There’s nothing good about giving him an excuse to go off. Was it about two years ago? A big guild in Russia messed with a Sesung guild member and got wrecked and gobbled up. People were even saying he used them as deliberate bait.”

“Excuse you, no. Why would our Guild Leader use bait? They weren’t civilians, they were Hunters. If they bother him, he can just stomp them. And it wasn’t even in Korea. As long as he stayed clear of Manager Song’s eyes, it was fine. …He got caught, though.”

“Knew it, you’re guild so you’re on the Guild Leader’s side.”

“I wouldn’t say ‘side,’ I’m just stating facts. Our Guild Leader’s got a trash personality but he doesn’t pull petty crap.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“Ack!”

At the suddenly familiar voice, Kang Soyeong jolted and literally jumped back. She looked around, face gone pale as if she’d seen a ghost – and then something strange caught her eye.

“Aaaaah!”

A second scream rang out. She slapped both hands over her eyes like she’d seen something she never should have.

“I didn’t see anything! I’m erasing this from reality!”

“All the fines you’ve paid are finally paying off.”

“That wasn’t even that much! Seeing you be so petty, I’m sure you’re not the Guild Leader!”

“Why, of course, a few tens of millions of dollars is nothing when it’s for our Miss Kang Soyeong.”

“…That’s not that little.”

She talked back, but her voice had shrunk to a mumble. The piled–up fines alone came to that much, and the compensation payments were separate. The latter was, of course, much higher.

“I thought all this security was just for Han Gyeol…”

Kang Soyeong slowly lowered her hands and opened her eyes. The tiny Guild Leader sitting on Han Gyeol’s shoulder came into clear view. She rubbed her eyes, but he was still there. Shrunk down was one thing, but…

“…If Evelyn unni saw you, she’d shoot you on sight.”

What was with those fairy wings? The fact that they weirdly suited him just made it worse. Kang Soyeong rubbed away the goosebumps on her arms. Seong Hyunjae fluttered his wings ostentatiously.

“A flight skill is quite convenient, I must admit.”

“…You’re not planning on going around like that even when you’re big again, right? I’m seriously going to start considering quitting.”

“Don’t worry, Auntie, Gyeol’s the one who stuck them on.”

Han Gyeol looked down at Seong Hyunjae. Right away, the wings on his back faded away. Kang Soyeong let out a sigh of relief. That was at least somewhat better.

“So what happened, Gyeol? Suddenly asking for a private jet from the States?”

Originally, Han Gyeol and Park Yerim were supposed to take Haeyeon’s private jet back to Korea from France. But Park Yerim said Han Yujin was calling her and vanished, and Han Gyeol said he wanted to sightsee a bit more in France – and then dropped off the grid.

“I was running an errand for Dad.”

“Dad? Chief Han? Where is Chief Han? Liette unni also said Chief Han called her and disappeared.”

“Somewhere similar to the Chatterbox party.”

Kang Soyeong blinked. Han Yujin, of course, had vanished along with the Hunters he’d gathered. He’d said he was going to quietly deal with the terrorist group, so it wasn’t strange not hearing from him for a few days, but this was too quiet.

“So they went into some dungeon–like place to fight? That would be safer, but still.”

“It’s similar. The terrorists are all there too.”

“Then shouldn’t we at least pass it along unofficially? To the French Hunter Association, at least?”

“That’s why we’ve invited a guest.”

Seong Hyunjae tapped Han Gyeol’s shoulder. Reluctantly, Han Gyeol gave him wings again. When the winged Guild Leader fluttered toward her, Kang Soyeong flailed her arms in horror.

“Don’t come near me! This is freaking me out!”

“Harsh. Usually people think it’s cu–”

“Kyaa! That’s exactly why I hate it!”

Kang Soyeong yelled, clapping her hands over her ears and squeezing her eyes shut. Having a handsome boss was unavoidable, but the last thing she wanted was to find him cute.

“And right now you don’t even have any of that oppressive aura and you feel just like Gyeol! Aaagh! Once was enough, I am not doing round two!”

“You’re the one who came running to me with sparkling eyes yelling, You’re a dragon, right, and tr–”

“Kyaaaaa!”

“Calm down, Aunt Soyeong.”

“Sesung Guild is a lot more entertaining than I expected.”

“Think happy thoughts, happy thoughts. Our pretty Comet, cool Liette unni, lovely Mister Noah, cute Mar…”

While Kang Soyeong took big, steadying breaths, Han Gyeol grabbed Seong Hyunjae, removed the wings, and set him back on his shoulder.

“S–so, where are we taking you?”

Now that she’d calmed down, Kang Soyeong forced her tone into something as businesslike as she could manage.

“To England.”

“Oh, then I can swing by home for a bit.”

“We’ll be greeting our guest on the plane, then departing for Korea. We’ll let Han Gyeol rest a little first since he must be tired.”

“I’m fine.”

Han Gyeol said firmly, then headed up the stairs. Kang Soyeong and Hwang Rim followed behind.

“…I hope Dad’s okay.”

After the plane took off, Han Gyeol sat on a plush sofa, pulled a cushion into his arms, and muttered.

“Maybe Gyeol really did become independent too fast.”

“Thanks to that, you were able to deliver the equipment to Han Yujin.”

Seong Hyunjae said, perching on the rim of the flower vase fixed to the table. Han Gyeol’s lips jutted out in a pout.

“But still.”

“It was something only you could do.”

His round golden eyes blinked a little faster. He was trying not to show it, but he clearly liked the praise.

“Got any non–alcoholic stuff? Want something to drink, young master of Sesung?”

Asked Hwang Rim, walking over to the bar set in one corner.

“Gyeol lives at Dodam.”

“Sure. But if it were me, I wouldn’t let go of the Sesung connection. Bit early to say that to a kid, though.”

“I’m not a kid.”

“Adults don’t talk about themselves in third person.”

“Idiot, Gyeol only separated and got his own name not long ago. I keep saying it to reinforce that I’m an independent being. Also because I really like the name Dad gave me.”

“That makes you even more of a kid. Milk? Hot chocolate?”

“He’s annoying.”

Han Gyeol puffed his cheeks out to the max. And then added,

“Hot chocolate.”

“Yeees, as you command, young master.”

“He does listen well, though.”

Arms crossed in mock solemnity, Han Gyeol looked at Seong Hyunjae.

“You really can’t tell what happened to Dad?”

“As I said, there’s very little information I can obtain. We’re the same being and also strangers at the same time. All I can pick up is a bit of information because that body was originally mine.”

Conversely, the pre–regression Seong Hyunjae couldn’t extract any information beyond what the current Seong Hyunjae directly told him. Seong Hyunjae briefly closed his eyes, then opened them again.

“Time flows faster there than here. The sun is setting.”

“When I met Dad, it was still before dawn.”

“I don’t know the precise details, but before sunrise he was in the castle with the sub–team, preparing for battle. It should be over soon.”

“At sunset?”

“Most likely.”

Han Gyeol squeezed the cushion tightly.

“And this time, barring interference, it will be Han Yujin’s victory.”

“Should we toast in advance, then?”

Hwang Rim said as he set the hot chocolate down in front of Han Gyeol. Seong Hyunjae gave a small shake of his head.

The plane flew across the Atlantic toward England. Han Gyeol tried to stay awake, nodding off over and over, and finally fell asleep. Hwang Rim also went off to catch some sleep, while Seong Hyunjae leaned against the cushion and closed his eyes.

The body that had once been his felt so distant it was almost faint. It had been taken from him, so he should have felt resentment – but it wasn’t as bad as he’d expected. He’d become a tiny shard with less than one–hundredth of his original power, but it felt a bit like a short vacation.

At least this fragment of him was free from the contracts wound round and round him over such a long, long time.

Of course, vacations always end, and you have to go back.

“…”

At that moment, Seong Hyunjae’s closed eyes opened. His brow furrowed slightly. A short sigh slipped out, then faded into silence.

“I’ll be back then!”

Kang Soyeong leaped out of the plane in one bound. Han Gyeol had washed up, brushed his teeth, and changed clothes. Holding a hairbrush a bit big for his hand, he’d brushed his hair neatly as well.

“They’re here.”

Seong Hyunjae, who’d been looking out the window, spoke. Three cars were approaching the plane. Hwang Rim peered out a nearby window too. The cars stopped and people got out.

“Oh, two S–ranks, even. As expected.”

A high–rank Hunter respectfully opened a car door. An elderly woman in a white hat stepped out. One of the two S–rank Hunters came up the plane’s boarding stairs first.

“Mister Hwang. I’ll have to ask you to disembark.”

“It’s Richard.”

“The same goes for all other mid–level or higher Hunters.”

“Gyeol’s stats are F.”

Han Gyeol raised his hand and said. The S–rank Hunter’s gaze swept sharply up and down the boy. But he didn’t notice the presence of Seong Hyunjae fused with Han Gyeol.

“The engines have to be completely powered down.”

“That’s all? There are still traditional weapons. With F–rank stats, he’s not much different from a normal person.”

“You’re underestimating him.”

The S–rank Hunter snorted at Hwang Rim’s words.

“Small arms can be blocked even with a mid–level shield–type skill item.”

“Fair enough. Then, young master, I’ll wait outside.”

Hwang Rim and the rest of the Sesung Hunters all exited the plane. Left alone on the plane, Han Gyeol swallowed dryly, a little nervous. Soon, footsteps came up the stairs. When the elderly woman stepped inside, Han Gyeol jumped to his feet and bowed.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Han Gyeol, adopted son of Han Yujin, director of the Dodam Monster Mounts Breeding Facility.”

“Hello.”

The old woman smiled gently.

“I’m A–rank Hunter Emily Spence.”

She was the Hunter known by the title ‘Saintess,’ possessing an SS–rank healing skill. Emily walked over at an unhurried pace and sat down on the sofa. When she removed her hat, light green–dyed hair was revealed. Tied up in a round bun, it deepened to a darker green toward the back.

“It’s an item. Ta–da.”

When she lightly tapped one of her earrings, Emily’s hair color shifted blue. Then it turned red, then back to light green. Han Gyeol stared at her, a bit taken aback.

“It’s been a while.”

At that moment, Seong Hyunjae appeared on Han Gyeol’s shoulder. Emily’s eyes went round.

“Goodness. You’ve gotten incredibly cute since I last saw you.”

When Seong Hyunjae had Han Gyeol add the wings again, Emily clapped her hands – clap clap clap – and laughed.

“If you weren’t the Sesung Guild Leader, I’d just slip you into my pocket and take you home.”

“My, I didn’t realize your opinion of me was that low.”

“They say you get bolder as you get older, but when you have a lot to carry, it doesn’t really work like that. At the very least, I have to be careful not to let what I’ve been given scatter away in vain.”

Emily looked at Han Gyeol with gentle eyes.

“So, what is this about?”

“Um, Hunter Emily.”

“You can call me Grandma, you know.”

“…Grandma, do you remember what happened with my dad, Director Han Yujin?”

The wrinkled corners of her eyes curved slightly.

“A little. It seems only high–rank Hunters retained their memories, but perhaps it’s thanks to my SS–rank skill.”

“If you had awakened when you were young, you’d have had at least mid–level stats.”

“If only we could turn back time…”

Emily trailed off mid–sentence. It had already been turned back once. If Han Yujin’s memories were true. Han Gyeol spoke on to her.

“There’s something I need your help with.”