The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 450: Name (1)

“The person believed to be the same individual as the terrorist had concealed their face and also altered their voice.”

“What about tracking their movements?”

“They’re at least a mid-level, and most likely a high-level Awakened.”

Director Song replied. Then it would be nearly impossible to find them.

Seoul is covered by CCTV and vehicle black boxes, so avoiding blind spots is difficult—but that only applies to someone traveling on foot in a normal manner. Just by using a flight skill, they could easily slip past cameras and even bound over buildings—something any high-level combat Awakened could do. Even I could scale walls in my Wildcat Boots.

“In practical terms, it’s impossible to identify the terrorist.”

Director Song said in a slightly weary tone.

“Korea is almost like an island, but smuggling a high-level Awakened across the border isn’t difficult.”

Three sides are sea, and to the north lies North Korea. Although there’s a ceasefire and the atmosphere isn’t bad, still.

“Even without a flight skill, they could simply cross by land, or even swim over from China or Japan.”

It would take considerable time, but wouldn’t leave a trace.

“That’s why, at present, we have no way to respond.”

At best, we could ask people to report any suspicious high-level Hunters they see. But there’s no information to issue a proper manhunt.

“I heard you’re a fan of Director Song—anyone come to mind?”

At my question, Director Song frowned, and Seong Hyunjae tapped his fingertips on the desk.

“There are quite a few.”

“That many?”

“They’re the kind of adversary who spurs one’s spirit of challenge.”

I agreed. The higher and thicker the wall, the more people want to climb it—especially high-level Hunters who think highly of themselves.

“If we narrow it down, it’s likely an S-Rank Hunter.”

“Director Song, I’d recommend Mr. Seong Hyunjae as a prime suspect. Especially since that bouquet seems suspicious.”

“He has a clear alibi, so he’s out of the question.”

“If he hadn’t been next to me, I’d be a hundred percent sure. Then, which S-Rank Hunters are fans of Director Song?”

“There are none. Mr. Seong Hyunjae’s suggestion is entirely one-sided, and this whole thing is probably meant to throw us off.”

Director Song said firmly. He’s reliable, but I couldn’t fully believe that.

“Either way, the chance that any S-Rank Hunter we know would move so blatantly is slim. Whoever did this most likely used a face we don’t recognize.”

“The sniper, too? You still haven’t found any trace of them, right?”

Yoo Hyun, who’d been listening silently, stiffened his expression. He didn’t like that they’d let slip the Hunter who attacked him.

“Even if it hit directly, it wouldn’t have been enough to kill Han Yujin instantly. That made it harder to notice.”

“Yes. Because it wasn’t overtly lethal, detection was delayed. I apologize.”

“No need to apologize.”

He said that if the attack had been powerful enough to inflict severe wounds at even a graze, we would have noticed immediately.

“They must’ve used a normal bullet enhanced with a perception-reduction skill, rather than a skill or item. That’s why it could only be detected directly, by sight.”

…How did they see that in such a brief moment?

“There were two ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ shots, fired with almost no interval. It wasn’t so much rapid fire as two weapons being fired in succession.”

“To the head and the arm—and their power differed.”

“Wait a moment!”

“Brother?”

Yoo Hyun shot me a look, as if realizing the cardigan wasn’t just for show.

“Show me.”

“I used a potion; I’m fine.”

My sister rose from her seat and approached to inspect my arm. Finding no trace of a wound, she frowned.

“I told you potions aren’t good for your body.”

“Well, it’s my arm. In this situation, I have to be able to use it. And I left my face untreated on purpose.”

My cheek wound had been cleaned, ointment applied, and bandaged as usual. Yoo Hyun sighed and sat back down. As if nothing had happened, Seong Hyunjae resumed his cut-off explanation.

“Both shots grazed him, but the arm wound was comparatively larger. So it’s hard to assume they were fired from the same gun.”

Then they must have held one in each hand. Either it wasn’t a sniper rifle, or a high-level Hunter can fire a rifle accurately one-handed. Or it could have been two people.

“There’s a strong possibility the Awakened can control the bullet’s trajectory. How did it feel?”

At Director Song’s question, Seong Hyunjae nodded lightly.

“It was a strange angle to have been fired from behind the wall. Considering Han Yujin’s height, the wall’s height, and the distance, it’d be impossible to target his arm in that direction.”

“I see. No wonder we couldn’t locate the sniper’s position.”

In summary: an Awakened capable of long-range combat, able to adjust their shots in mid-flight and apply a perception-reduction effect.

“Han Yujin, you must use damage-protection items whenever you’re outdoors for the time being.”

“You wouldn’t be able to kill me anyway.”

At that, displeased looks rained down.

“…Even if Enyehwa’s mana-recovery effect means I barely need potions, constantly using them isn’t ideal. Mana isn’t infinite.”

And if I can’t use them properly when I actually need them, that’s a problem.

“A D-Grade should suffice—assuming you’re accompanied by an A-Rank or, better yet, an S-Rank Hunter.”

Director Song said that if the attack were powerful enough to breech D-Grade protection, an S-Rank Hunter would intercept it. D-Grade can be used for a long time without harm.

“Never go out alone.”

“Don’t worry. Thanks to Park Ha-yul, I can’t go outside by myself anyway.”

You never know when they’ll strike again. And right now I’ve turned off my Fear Resistance skill. The presence of Seong Hyunjae and Song Taewon felt strong, sending a chill across my skin—and at the same time, all my worries about Park Ha-yul vanished.

“If you find Park Ha-yul, deal with whoever killed him so I can’t identify them.”

“So I won’t know, right?”

“Yes. If Park Ha-yul dies, there’s a chance the skill won’t release. Then I’d harbor ill feelings toward whoever harmed him.”

But if I don’t know who did it, it won’t matter. I want to trust Park Ha-yul and follow his wishes, but I’m not going to avenge him. If I were, I’d still be searching for him now that he’s missing.

“Are you okay with the skill not being lifted?”

“For now, yes. I don’t feel any urge to escape—maybe because there’s no longer any residue of Noah’s Island. And his other manipulations have weakened.”

Park Ha-yul’s skill increases one’s affection for him and strongly influences behavior. If you’re out of sight and away from him, the effect naturally weakens. Plus, people’re influenced by others over time.

To truly indoctrinate someone, you’d have to isolate them and keep feeding the influence continuously.

“Better to eliminate him even if a few side effects remain. Unless Chatterbox intervenes, I can’t guarantee my safety now.”

In the past, since I was so useful, I never had to worry about staying alive—at worst, I’d get decent treatment in China. But these filial obsessionists had no use for my abilities.

“If I locate him, I’ll neutralize him immediately.”

Director Song said calmly.

“Not immediately—quietly, without my knowledge.”

“I have no objection.”

…What an odd thing to say.

“I have many objections. I don’t want people to avoid you because of me.”

“Han Yujin’s safety is more important.”

“Is physical injury all that matters? Emotional wounds count too. And what about Song?”

Mentioning the little lamb made Director Song flinch and fall silent. After a moment’s thought, he relented.

“Understood. But in emergencies, I will step in. It’s better for you to keep your distance from other S-Rank Hunters than from me.”

“Distance from you isn’t better.”

I sighed at his unyielding stubbornness and changed the subject. I reactivated my Fear Resistance skill.

“Let’s call in the overseas S-Rank Hunters.”

I had publicly suggested that before returning from China. Seong Hyunjae’s curiosity was piqued.

“You mentioned a gathering related to Keeseung-soo. Planning a Christmas party?”

“Christmas is still far off. And that day is already reserved for Yoo Hyun. It’s literally a Keeseung-soo meeting—we’ll be sharing information about him.”

I stroked Peace, who was draped across my lap, as I spoke.

“How to raise a young monster. Of course, knowing it doesn’t mean you can do it. For Peace or the Flame-Horned Lion, you need help from an adult.”

“In practice, only Han Yujin could raise them.”

“Yes. Solok is ambiguous—he grows under the protection of the pack leader. If the leader needn’t be the same species, it might be surprisingly easy.”

Anyone recognized as leader by the young snow deer might be able to raise it.

“And Blue the Griffin grow by consuming certain monsters—specifically by eating a Mana-Beast of a certain rank or higher.”

With the Mana-Beasts Hyunah brought, we tested it. Feeding S-Rank Mana-Beast meat allowed growth without training. A-Rank Mana-Beast had no effect.

“How many S-Rank Mana-Beasts do you think we need?”

“Considering my skill’s influence… at least five hundred?”

“Even a Golden Griffin would be hard to grow without you, then.”

Indeed. Even if three or four S-Rank Mana-Beasts appear in a dungeon boss room, you’d need to clear an S-Rank dungeon over a hundred times. At once per month, that’s nearly a decade. Buying meat from around the world would accelerate it, but competition would be fierce.

“Still, it’s better than no chance. A-Rank monsters are relatively easier to meet the conditions for.”

“So Han Yujin will become the only S-Rank Beastmaster?”

“My burden will be slightly lighter.”

Only slightly. A-Rank conditions aren’t easy either. But it’s attractive information for an S-Rank guild.

“I’d like to discuss this with Mr. Seong Hyunjae.”

“You’re always welcome.”

Seong Hyunjae brightened, while a shadow crossed Director Song’s face.

“…Will it be held domestically?”

“We can’t go abroad. Hmm—shall we secure a cruise liner?”

“I’d appreciate anything.”

We can’t avoid S-Rank Hunters entering the country, but at least over water it’s safer. A cruise… I wonder how much that costs. We’d need to brace for damage.

Although it’d be futile, we decided to continue searching for the terrorist and stood up.

“Yerim should still be at school. Yoo Hyun, you and Peace go home first.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll collect Pegasus’ fee and then head home.”

“You can wait for that.”

“I know you’re busy. Go to the office and leave early, Guild Leader Haeyeon.”

With Hunters from China, monsters, items, and piled-up work while I was away, she must be just as busy. After sending my sister off with a pat, Seong Hyunjae and I climbed to the roof. The Hunter Association’s parking lot—and the surrounding area—were still cordoned off.

“Guild Leader Sesung, shouldn’t you bring in a Beast at some point? Our Yoo Hyun had Peace, so he left right away.”

Evelyn’s car, which had dropped me off earlier, was intact, but the Sesung Guild Leader’s car was, of course, wrecked. What number would that be?

“Your cars never last long.”

“My insurance premiums will go up again.”

“You care about that?”

“I’m surprisingly frugal.”

Even among the nonsense I’ve heard this year, that ranks high. A helicopter was already waiting on the roof. He really is frugal.

“For frugal Seong Hyunjae, shall we take a taxi down? How about bus or subway—do those take cards?”

“…A card works everywhere, doesn’t it?”

Wow, he really hasn’t used it.

“You’ve never ridden them? Really? Never once?”

“I’ve taken taxis, but I once rode on top of a bus roof.”

Fare evasion, then. I couldn’t imagine Seong Hyunjae tapping a card and boarding a bus. Though I was tempted to let him try, it would put us in every portal search query—so we boarded the helicopter instead. Sesung Guild isn’t far by air, after all.

“The name we mentioned earlier.”

I spoke over the roar of the helicopter.

“Don’t tailor it to me—help me find a good one.”

I feel sorry for the Changeling in many ways, so I want to give it a fitting name. My sense isn’t as bad as I claim.

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