The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 446: Back to Work (2)

The photo shoot took place inside the Haeyeon building—no need to go anywhere else. Since we were photographing adult Peace, using a normal studio was impractical. Better to just handle it here.

“Ppiyak and Bellare have gone into production, and next up was Sorok,” Team Leader Kim Hayeon said, looking at Mar, who had come with Yerim.

“You called her Mar, right? How about doing both at once?”

“I’m all for it! Right, Mar?”

– “Kyu-rrk!”

So Yerim and Guildmaster Hyunah would take photos with their own mounts too. Since we don’t know if Mar and Sorok can learn phase-shift, we’d photograph them as babies now and as adults later.

“Does Ms. Soyoung want to sit out?”

“She suggested making life-size dolls! Of Comet and Hunter Liet, too.”

“Ah…”

Liet’s pretty big, isn’t she? Where would we put it?

“She also wants to push for one-tenth scale figures of Liet and Hunter Noah.”

“Uh… enthusiastic.”

“The ultimate goal is to open an exhibition. The real thing is best, but love should be expressed in every way possible.”

…She means they want to leave records in various forms. Photos do last, after all. Maybe I should take more pictures and videos of the kids, too. No exhibition on my end, though.

“We’ll go for a casual, everyday look for Director Han’s concept,” one of the photo team members said.

“A warm, ordinary day with your beloved pet—one indoor shot, one outdoor.”

“Oh, sure.”

“Just show Peace some genuine affection.”

That’s easy. I worried I’d have to pose or act, but thankfully there were benches and sofas so I wouldn’t have to stand long. They did my makeup, styled my hair, picked out clothes, and then…

“Um, these are—”

“Ppiyak pajamas. A set with Peace’s pajamas.”

…So I’ll be in pajamas in front of everyone, and the photos will remain?

“Peace, come here.”

– “Kiyaang!”

“Don’t mind us, just naturally! As usual!”

How can I not mind? I pretended not to see it and threw Peace a toy ball. I held her, petted her, brushed her fur, fed her treats, changed clothes, changed the background to pretend we were on a walk, even had her spread her wings.

It took quite a while. I got tired, but Peace looked fine. She still had to take photos with Yuhyun.

“Good job, Peace.”

– “Grruu.”

I was stroking Peace when Yuhyun emerged. He wore a monochrome suit with a long coat, hair straightened and swept back—a cool, weighty vibe. I get the concept: S-Rank hunter meets F-Stat, but still—I’m his brother.

“Ugh… I feel gross and irritated.”

Yerim whispered to Yuhyun. Isn’t he handsome?

“He is.”

“That’s the problem. Ugh, annoying.”

Does Yerim not like handsome guys? She was curt with Seong Hyunjae too. Still, she seemed on good terms with Noah, and quite close to Hyunah.

“Hyung.”

Yuhyun smiled at me. Whoever his parents are, he turned out perfect. Peace then approached Yuhyun and phased to her adult form, the gold-tinged red fur filling the frame. Some of the crew, non-Awakened, backed away in fear.

It is impressive. Yet…

“Guildmaster Haeyeon, please look this way. Peace needs to turn her head too.”

They were both staring only at me.

“Yuhyun, look over there. How can she not look at you? Peace either.”

“But hyung’s here—how can I not look at hyung?”

– “Grrr.”

Kids, honestly. Yerim murmured “two foxes” to herself. They asked me to step aside briefly because the mood changed when I was present. Yerim, {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} disgusted at the sight, followed me out.

“Mar, did you see Peace change? You can do it too! Phase-shift! Or miniaturize!”

– “Kyu-uek.”

The baby water dragon fluttered its pectoral fins like applause, as if it understood. If all else fails, I’ll find a flight skill for you too. Peace learned one after all.

Outside the set, people were reviewing Peace’s photos and selecting them. Seeing that, I wanted to go back in.

“Does my photo really have to go in the promotion? It seems fine to just photograph Peace. Or just Yuhyun, since he’s the mount rider.”

“Character merchandise needs its story.”

Team Leader Kim placed the Peace doll on my lap.

“Riding mounts are also for improving image. Director Han should stand out more than the guildmaster.”

A certificate of safety for F-Stat, perhaps.

“And photo cards are a limited gift.”

“…Huh? A gift?”

Wait—photo cards? What’s that?

“W-what do you mean?”

“Cards with photos printed on them. This big.”

Yerim explained. I know what it is, but—

“You attach them to the doll?”

“Yes. First-edition limited event.”

“Why? Why on the doll…? And hardly anyone wants them!”

Yuhyun’s popular already, so fine, but for me it seems odd. And why does the Peace doll get a bonus photo? I thought they were just for promo.

“Director Han has fans too.”

One Haeyeon employee, overhearing us, walked over. Another agreed.

“You’re the only Awakened who can raise monsters. You took care of the Haeyeon guildmaster, discovered S-Rank Awakened Park Yerim, and recognized the craftsman with the golden hand. That alone has made you famous.”

“And there’s the kidnapping incident too!”

…Why bring that up?

“Middle-aged people like you too. They feel for you.”

“Especially among S-Rank hunters. They’re anxious around you.”

What… What image do I have?

“To those who like you… thank you.”

“There’s even a fan club.”

Wha—my neck warmed. Well, being famous can lead to that.

“I had no idea. Then let me treat you to a meal—”

“No, Director. Please don’t.”

“The Haeyeon promo team handles it with the guildmaster and Hunter Park, so no worries at all.”

“Just please update social media often.”

I couldn’t post while in China. Once Sesung finishes registering the baby monsters, we’ll introduce the new faces.

After some time, word came that the shoot was over, so I went back inside. Yuhyun must have changed too; he wore his parade outfit, hair disheveled, fake blood smeared on his cheek. Yuhyun accepted a cleansing wipe, wiped his cheek, and approached me. Peace shrank herself and hopped over.

“The final shot will be us together in adult form.”

“Really? How many photos will that be? One doll gets, what, four photo cards?”

“Not all of them.”

What? It turned out there’d be separate gifts for the phase-shift version, phase-shift with wings, adult version, adult with wings—and a random ultra-adult shot. Wasn’t this supposed to be for promo, not profit? They’re just photos, though.

When the shoot ended, it was dinner time. We ate out, then on the way home I dropped Peace off and stopped by the facility. The baby horned fox still cowered in the corner.

“I’ll keep her until she settles down.”

Better here than with Peace’s eyes on her. I brought the mysterious egg too. Back home, Peace burst out as if waiting, then cocked her head at the fox in my arms.

– “Knguung.”

“Peace, good girl. She’s a shy sibling—don’t startle her, okay?”

I carried the fox to the living room. Peace padded ahead and hopped onto the sofa.

“Yuhyun, if it seems dangerous, intervene.”

I asked my brother and set the fox down on the sofa. Its fluffy tail curled tightly to its body.

– “Arurrr.”

The wary fox eyed Peace warily.

– “Grrr.”

Peace gave a low growl and tapped the fox’s nose with a paw—a slight show of dominance.

– “Kyaang! Kyaang!”

“What, what is it?”

“What happened?”

Yerim, who’d gone upstairs with Mar, rushed down, startled.

– “Kaeaeaang! Kuung! Kuung!”

The fox squealed, bolting at me. Peace’s eyes went wide, ears perked.

“Is she hurt? That didn’t look painful….”

– “Kyaeaaang! Knguung, Kuung!”

Maybe because of the level gap? But no wounds. I tried calming the fox, and Yuhyun, watching, spoke.

“She’s just being dramatic.”

“Huh?”

“Leave her be.”

– “Kaang, Kyang!”

The fox looked up at me, ears and tail drooping. It didn’t seem hurt.

– “Kiuung.”

Peace looked to me with a small whine. I hesitated, then backed away firmly from the fox.

“Peace didn’t hurt her, right?”

– “Kiyaang.”

“You should treat your sibling well, but she did nothing wrong. It’s okay.”

They’re not human—they’re monsters, and Peace is the first monster of this home.

– “Kiing.”

The fox rubbed against my leg, as if asking to be held. I shied away and stepped back again.

“Peace.”

Peace hopped to me. When I petted Peace instead, the fox froze in confusion.

“Come here too.”

– “Arrrng.”

The fox inched toward Peace, watching her reactions. I petted her with my other hand. As my touch settled her, she let out a plaintive “kiing.”

“If Peace really did attack you, I’d side with you. But no theatrics.”

– “Knguung, Kuung.”

“Here, Peace is first and the boss.”

Though she didn’t understand words, the fox got the mood and lowered her head to Peace, then rolled over, showing her belly.

– “Kyarrrr.”

The fox wagged her tail softly. Peace looked down with mild displeasure, lifting a paw and lazily tapping the fox’s snout.

“She’s not ordinary. Peace looks surprised.”

“Maybe she’s just used to reading the atmosphere.”

Peace turned and climbed the sofa, the fox jumped up, glancing back and forth. She moved toward Peace, purring. Well, they seem to get along—it’s a relief. A unique one, though.

The new monsters’ paperwork finished in a day. They really know how to handle things. The next day people from the Hunter Association came to verify them and take photos.

The hunters from China arrived safely but needed more time for processing. Unlike Noah, their illegal-entry status and China’s regulations were tricky. Changing nationality normally is impossible, so there’s much to sort out. Still, Ho-yeon, being an A-Rank healer, will register quickly as a Korean hunter.

“This is the little one.”

Evelyn looked down at the baby Pegasus. She showed little emotion. I hope she’ll care for the mount well.

“Yes. I thought she’d suit you, Evelyn.”

“Pegasus could be called Medusa’s.”

“Pardon?”

“You’ll hear interesting stories.”

Evelyn smiled faintly, reached out, and petted the Pegasus’s head with a gentle touch.

“Shall we go, Director Han?”

Evelyn had come to check Pegasus and provide my escort. After nodding, I picked up the lamb.

“Let’s go see Daddy, Song.”

– “Meeeee.”

Sesung handled registering the new baby monsters and mount registrations under the Awakened Management Office. As a result, Director Song and Seong Hyunjae were waiting for me at the Hunter Association. Finally—it took a while. Now that it’s done, maybe they’ll allow the cuffs and wire too.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by readnovel.co