The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 453: Congratulations on the opening

“Peace, you’re such a good boy.”

I gently soothed Peace, who was full of discontent.

“This is just a doll, and people who like Peace will take it home.”

I had half-expected it, and sure enough, Peace didn’t seem to like a doll modeled after him. Judging by how Yerim ignored the doll, he seemed to recognize it as his doll. Smart little guy.

“You don’t like it because they made it without a likeness contract?”

“Sir, even if Peace is clever, he wouldn’t know that. He’s just jealous, like a puppy.”

Yerim gave me a teasing look.

“Is that so? Our Peace can’t even be compared to a doll.”

“Peace is way cuter. Soft fur, warm, smart, kind. Why is our Peace perfect in every way? There isn’t a single flaw!”

“The doll’s just a doll! Peace is the best!”

Peace rolled over on my lap and wagged his tail gently. I roughly petted his exposed belly, and he parted his lips slightly in a purr, as if laughing. So cute. His soft front paws twitched in the air. His toes were adorable, his paw pads pretty, and even his little claws popping out were charming.

After being showered with compliments for a while, he seemed satisfied and stopped trying to bite his own doll. Still, I had to give up on putting a Peace doll at home. I had planned to display them by type, which was a shame.

“They’ve been lining up since yesterday, did you know?”

Minsuhan spoke as she walked in. Lining up?

“You mean for the dolls?”

“What else would it be?”

“…Why are they lining up? There are so many.”

The dolls would continue to be sold, and although the photocards were limited to the first edition, even the first edition had plenty. Online purchases were possible too.

“S-Rank Hunters are insanely popular, like celebrities. But they rarely appear on broadcasts. At least Park Yerim is easier to see now that she’s back in school, but not the other S-Ranks.”

“Oh, so they came to see Yuhyun.”

That explains the line. How often would people get to see Guildmaster Haeyeon in person? Even now, commuting makes it easier, but before moving, she lived in the guild, so it would have been nearly impossible. Since her commute is right next door, she often comes straight from the guild building, and the parking lot is private.

“She looks even better in person than on TV. Same goes for Yerim.”

“Many people probably came for Peace too.”

“Right, Peace is worth lining up for. Isn’t that right, Peace?”

Well, I guess he’s rare, so that makes sense. Nothing else to see though.

“Because commuting hours get busy, we distributed number tickets at 6 a.m. and dispersed the crowd. Park Yerim Hunter, please keep the non-awakened calm. It’ll be tiring, but thank you for helping.”

“Don’t worry, unnie. I go to school, so this is basic~”

Minsuhan checked all the details carefully. She hadn’t been in the Hunter world long, but she was already skilled.

“We held a contest for the pet nursery name. Showing the page from the contest gives a 10% discount coupon and a chance to enter a giveaway.”

“You have a giveaway too?”

“Once per doll purchase. Prizes include the giant Peace doll, complete photocard set, regular Peace dolls, Peace and Ppiyak pajamas, Ppiyak print umbrellas, Peace print wet wipes.”

What? Even an umbrella?

“The first prize is a golden model of Peace’s paw.”

“Gold’s always the best,” Minsuhan said. Gold is still expensive. After the dungeon came, currency stability dropped, so its price went up sharply. Even if the country collapses, gold is better than paper. Unlike other dungeon minerals that replaced rare gems, gold still maintains its value.

I felt a little tempted too.

With little time before the store opened, I headed toward the shop. The original store wasn’t small, but they had temporarily opened the side for extra exhibition space. A massive Peace doll, big enough for adults, unreleased Ppiyak dolls, and…

“Ugh, what’s that….”

A large poster was hanging. It had photos of Peace and Yuhyun from before—and me too. Embarrassing, couldn’t lift my head.

“It’s so huge… it’s not like an idol ad…”

“Pretty similar, isn’t it? Don’t be embarrassed, sir! You were even on TV!”

Yerim stood in front of the poster with the life-size Peace, taking selfies. I think I saw this before… ah, Japan. Well, at least it’s better than having life-size photos outside.

“We’ll limit the number of people entering this area. Phototime is from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., twice daily.”

As monsters, people couldn’t take photos with Peace.

“The official event is only phototime; outside of that, you can move freely. Still, please stay in the store as much as possible.”

“Just for today!” someone from Haeyeon said. Kim Hayun approached with an unmistakable pleased smile. On her head were ears and horns. Ah, those.

“They’re Peace headbands.”

“Oh…”

“For staff only.”

Not for sale then. Kim Hayun handed Yerim and me headbands with Peace ears and horns. Yerim put hers on, saying it was cute. I felt thirty in age, but… I couldn’t complain in front of Team Leader Kim, so I just wore it.

When she wore the red ears and golden horns, Peace looked up at me and jumped excitedly.

“Daddy, do you like having ears like Peace?”

He circled around me, clearly happy to resemble himself. Maybe I should hug him. Just a moment.

‘…Would looking like a monster help with keyword application or growth?’

Like dyeing the same fur color or adding ears, tails, wings. Horned fox is easy, Pegasus wings? Dragon’s… harder.

Meanwhile, the store opened. Seeing the crowd pour in, my lips reflexively curled. Embarrassed inside, but my body reacted to the customers.

“…I feel like I should be working, not sitting here.”

Yerim seemed to feel the same.

“I think it’s a group of customers. We need to take orders and deliver food.”

“Not needed now.”

But this is my store too. I heard voices all around saying “Peace is so cute!” Staff were busy checking the event page, explaining, and processing payments. They seemed a little short-handed.

“Peace, stay calm here.”

With many fans, he couldn’t go outside. I set him on a soft pet bed and «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» headed to the sales counter. People who had been glancing this way followed my movements. So embarrassing.

“Hello~ what are you looking for?”

“I’m buying all the types of Peace dolls. Can I take a photo with him too?”

“You have such big hands! Sorry, photos are only allowed during phototime. The store is crowded, so please understand~ But I’ll help you find the cutest doll. How about this one? It looks really similar to Peace.”

Especially the round cheeks matched young Peace perfectly.

“Line for the giveaway is here! Stand behind the giant Ppiyak doll! Don’t forget to get your phototime ticket.”

Even though I repeated that photos weren’t allowed yet, a few people in the exhibition area raised their phones toward Peace. Yerim, who had been signing for fans, created a large water barrier, swiping it in front of the cameras. The wall froze white, blocking the view.

“No photography!”

People clapped. “Unnie, you’re amazing!” could be heard. Kids around elementary age swarmed Yerim with sparkling eyes, while older fans got autographs.

“Peaceee!”

Many cheered for Peace too. Since it was a Peace doll event, of course. From outside the restricted area, voices almost sobbing with “Peace is so cute!” could be heard. Every time Peace rolled, twitched, wagged his tail, or perked his ears, the exclamations of “Look! How cute!” kept coming.

“Please exit in order!”

Peace didn’t budge from his spot, so I guided people toward the exit. Peace jumped up and yipped. Immediately, cheers erupted. Cute as he is, if you keep doing that, other people can’t enter.

I gestured for people to move, and the murmuring in the store suddenly quieted. Those gathered in front of Peace looked back, gasping, and stepped aside.

“Why are you standing when you should be sitting?”

It was Yuhyun, late because of work. She smiled at me, and small whispers spread. Totally different from when she was with Yerim or Peace.

“This is my store too. You arrived earlier than I expected?”

“Yeah. Finished quickly.”

She led me inside, saying we only needed a few photos. She pulled out a chair for me, whispering not to stand too long.

“Ho-yeon Hunter’s paperwork is complete, so surgery can start tomorrow.”

“Really? What about the others?”

“It’ll take a few more days, but there’s no problem. Ho-yeon Hunter’s family has been approved for entry together.”

It would’ve gone faster if it were just Ho-yeon, but the family wanted to come together, causing a slight delay.

“We’ll disguise the A-Rank healer as Korean so that no one knows we extracted them from another country.”

Whatever the circumstances, they were Hunters affiliated with the Chinese military. Hiding them was safer. We’d treat the leg, keep it hidden for a while, and later announce them as a newly awakened Korean A-Rank healer. Personal info concealed under the guise of protection.

“The treatment needs to go well… You can’t even freely use potions or healing skills.”

Yuhyun, sitting next to me, said worriedly. The surroundings remained quiet. Not completely silent, but it was like a classroom compared to before.

“Don’t worry. It’s just the leg.”

At worst, they’d amputate it. Life isn’t in danger.

After a while, the previously subdued atmosphere grew lively again. A lucky winner of the giant Peace doll was allowed a photo with him, and about half the dolls at the counter were gone.

“Unnie! I love you!”

“I’ve been a fan since the national team days!”

Suddenly, the outside of the store became noisy. Among the crowd, bright red hair stood out. It was Moon Hyun-ah. She strode over, setting down a congratulatory plant.

“Hello, hyung-nim.”

“Welcome, Hyun-ah!”

“Unnie Hyun-ah! Hello!”

“Yes, Yerim. The headband is cute. Isn’t doryeon-nim wearing one?”

I had thought to put one on him, but the guildmaster said no, to maintain image.

“Shouldn’t the nursery have a proper opening event too? The name’s been decided, right?”

“Hasn’t it been open for a while? Suddenly…”

“I heard.”

Moon Hyun-ah leaned slightly toward me and whispered.

“You mean good news about Haeyeon’s healer?”

“Quick to notice. Yes, exactly. If nothing goes wrong, MKC’s healer will be released from Haeyeon.”

Moon Hyun-ah’s lips curved into a small smile.

“That’s enough.”

“You won’t help?”

“No problem. You’ve done your part this time too, right?”

“Hmm, yes. Something like that.”

Her face was too close. I reflexively leaned back; Hyun-ah smiled brightly. I absentmindedly stared. She tapped my shoulder and straightened.

“Your cheeks are red.”

“No, it’s…”

“Just joking.”

What?

“Hyung-nim, do you like me?”

“Of course I like you. Well, I mean, you’re really… attractive. So, yeah. Honestly.”

Truly. Moon Hyun-ah laughed heartily, and Yuhyun and Yerim asked “Hyung, what about me? Sir, what about me?” Of course, same answer.

And someone truly exceptional arrived. I wondered why they hadn’t come sooner.

“Congratulations on the opening, Director Han.”

The VIP room was perfectly prepared, whispered Seong Hyunjae.