The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 487: Welcome (2)

“I’m not sure if there will be extra seats, but could you provide me with the list?”

I spoke as objectively as possible, looking up at Chloe. Her expression was so calm it was almost blank. I suddenly wondered what she was thinking.

“We have no intention of disclosing our attendees.”

“On average, one S-rank Hunter costs about 30 billion won. Even with just three, that’s a trillion won. In dollars, roughly eighty million.”

That figure came from the Awakened Management Office. It included damage costs—primarily the cruise ship we lost. They simply took the total cost of the cruise plus other expenses and divided by the number of S-rank Hunters, so the true number is likely much lower. After all, Seong Hyunjae would have to cover the cruise cost himself.

“I may seem stingy with a few hundred billion, but there’s no reason for unnecessary waste. I’m no philanthropist. Especially when dealing with people who probably have more money than they know what to do with.”

And I really do need to save money. The uninhabited island was cheap compared to a cruise ship, but the large mansion and facilities built there were quite expensive. Even if I borrowed it, I’d hardly escape unscathed. Shishio had cheerfully told me to spend as much as I liked, but I still paid fair compensation officially.

Then there were costs to outfit the rooms, restaurant, banquet hall, plus labor, transportation, and so on. There were more expenses than I’d expected. My bank account wouldn’t be emptied, but with continuing costs for the building and the breeding facility, I couldn’t simply throw money around.

“So I have no intention of scattering invitations to people whose faces and names I don’t even know.”

“You don’t want us to attend, then?”

I offered Chloe a gentle smile.

“Of course I want to invite you. I still care for you, Chloe.”

“You don’t have to say things you don’t mean.”

“I’m serious. I’m not so fickle that I’d change my mind overnight because of a refusal. Oh—unless it’d make you uncomfortable. In that case, I’ll just like you silently, without showing it.”

Chloe’s mouth tightened slightly as she watched me smile. If you asked whether I was sincere or lying, I still held some affection for her. I’d thought I’d completely given up these past few days, but seeing her again, talking to her, I felt a flutter. It may never be the pure, unencumbered love I felt before my return, but…

“I expect at least ten invitations will go to the U.S. side. What do you think?”

“That makes sense, since that’s where the most S-rank Hunters currently are.”

“Please send those invitations to me for delivery.”

So she intends to slip in among them. Even if ten invitations are sent, not all ten will come—S-ranks are almost all guild masters of large guilds, each with multiple companions. Even conservatively, thirty or so people.

Leaning back, I interlaced my fingers on the table.

“And what benefit would I gain from that?”

“I will解除Park Ha-yul’s skill.”

“You speak as if doing the obvious is a favor.”

“To解除the skill, you must have direct contact with Chief Han Yujin. So I want to ensure safety.”

If I disguised myself and approached at a gathering of many people, I could解除it without being detected.

‘Using a leaf on an S-rank is risky, but Ha-yul is only A-rank.’

No matter how she changed, unless she altered her status window, she’d be easy to find. Though reluctant, I nodded slightly.

“Considering how much trouble her skill has caused, I’d rather not accept, but she too has suffered—so I won’t prolong it.”

“Thank you.”

“But this doesn’t mean I’ll drop the matter here. We will remain uncomfortable until proper compensation and apology are made.”

In other words, if she bows and reconciles now, we could make peace. I might call her a sworn enemy given what happened, but given the circumstances, fighting among those trying to save the world benefits no one. Still, I can’t just say ‘it’s fine~’ when it’s not only about me.

I used her as bait once, but not twice. Until we sort this out clearly, joining hands is impossible.

“I will convey your firm stance to her.”

Chloe replied readily. Though I couldn’t know her true motives, her changed attitude left a bitter taste. It signaled I was no longer an easy target.

‘She’s split from Seong Hyunjae but still holding her ground.’

Perhaps she revised her assessment: I’m not a greenhorn entirely at the mercy of S-ranks. Indeed, I needed to reshape the image S-ranks had of me—so they see Chief Han Yujin, not the S-rank Hunter behind me.

“I hope you conceal your identity well.”

I resumed a light smile.

“For any unfortunate accidents that might occur among top Hunters gathered there, I will not take responsibility. I will specify that in the invitations: personal disputes handled personally.”

There was a small uninhabited island near the reefs and a low-tier dungeon just beyond. If they ended up fighting like at Seong Hyunjae’s birthday party, I’d simply say: take it outside, I’m not responsible. They’re not children; fully grown top Hunters can handle their own affairs.

“I understand. Precisely because there’s no guaranteed safety, I requested multiple invitations.”

Park Ha-yul—I don’t want to harm her. Objectively speaking… objectively. Let’s pretend it’s not about me. Even if she解除s the skill, she could be caught again. So I’m not planning to touch her—but… hm, let’s not overthink. I’ll just greet her if she’s there. If necessary, I’ll briefly disable fear resistance.

Anyway, I’m really curious how many will slip in.

“Then I will take my leave.”

Chloe gave a brief nod. It was only natural—this meeting was arranged between Seong Hyunjae and me. I instinctively glanced at Seong Hyunjae’s expression. A faint, cool smile, not at all pleased.

“You’re welcome to stay, if you like.”

I said to Chloe, feigning casualness so as not to seem anxious.

“I’m sorry, but this is not my place.”

“No, you don’t have to leave… as I said, I still care for you, Chloe.”

Chloe ignored my pleading gaze and turned to walk out. I heard the door close, then half-stood in awkward surprise before settling back into my seat.

Even if he was Seong Hyunjae, it would seem suspicious if I showed no reluctance at all. Alone together, I should at least show some resistance… and honestly, I didn’t want to stay.

“Chief Han.”

Seong Hyunjae called me.

“Do you prefer to remove it, or be removed?”

“You speak as if there are only two options. It’s gotten quite chilly; as a fragile F-rank, I’d sooner add layers than strip them off. Let’s talk business.”

I opened my briefcase and took out the documents. Though I have a tablet PC, paper still feels more formal.

“You should have received the proposal already. What I want is the records of top Hunter gatherings and information on S-rank Hunters. The Awakened Management Office and Hunter Association have already cooperated. But for overseas intelligence, Sesung Guild is likely the best, both qualitatively and quantitatively.”

I placed an invitation on Seong Hyunjae’s side of the table.

“An invitation for the Sesung Guild Master.”

He drew the invitation toward him and tapped it slowly with his fingertip.

“If the circumstance didn’t require consideration, I would have choked you.”

“I’ve met chatterboxes.”

With Chloe gone, there was no need to maintain pretenses. He scowled at my words.

“It’s not dangerous. I said it’s just an invitation. We’re simply joining the party you’re hosting. And we’ve secured safety guarantees.”

“By the sound of it, you were alone again.”

“You know me well.”

“If so, tell me everything in detail, from start to finish.”

“I already did.”

His golden eyes bore into me, oddly reproachful.

“…How about the second stamina potion ingredient dungeon? Australia—you can leave that to us. It’ll be all mine.”

“When?”

“In about two years?”

“Too long. I’ll tear your clothes.”

“Excuse me?”

“If you sent me off willingly after showing displeasure, wouldn’t that be suspicious?”

“Why didn’t you just behave nicely? As for priority on Ki Seung-soo’s breeding information—one year.”

“Sesung is not a nursery. I’ll still entrust it to you afterward.”

“I shared information hoping to avoid shouldering all world-class childcare alone. Just accept it.”

He was feigning difficulty but being genuinely picky. Having it helps, but lacking it wouldn’t ruin the gathering. I would slip some of that information to Haeyeon Guild later anyway.

“What am I supposed to do if I reject everything after receiving your proposal? We’re this close to final adjustments. The third—”

“We’ll do it this way: for Ki Seung-soo’s information, have the breeding facility head brief me in person whenever I want.”

Seong Hyunjae said nonchalantly. It felt like the emphasis was on the latter.

“A year gives us up to three visits.”

“Twelve.”

“Not a quarter, on a monthly basis? Four times. What are you looking at—should I flip the table?”

After brief negotiation, it became six. I already visit about that many times anyway; it wasn’t an excessive demand. We’d already met more than three times since my return.

“You seem to be getting along with Chloe better than expected. I didn’t think she’d trust you so easily.”

“When someone believes they’re special to another, they open their heart without difficulty.”

“Special?”

“In simple terms, showing sides of yourself you’d never reveal to others.”

What had he done? Cried? Sharing special secrets does bond people. Whispering ‘I’ll tell you only’ makes the other feel valued and trusted, raising affection.

One might also look down on the other, though that seems unlikely with Seong Hyunjae and Chloe. Above all, when someone in Seong Hyunjae’s position gives special treatment, you can’t help but accept it—especially if your own circumstances weren’t good. It feels all the more reassuring.

“…You’re a bad man.”

“I’ve never given kindness as a tactic. There was no need.”

“Then I’ll be the bad man.”

He’s only kind to those he fancies or finds pleasing. How superior.

After a while, Seong Hyunjae left first, and I put on my shirt. I applied a spare bandage from my bag to my neck and tossed the turtleneck into the trash. Such a waste.

Many were interested in the meeting hosted by Ki Seung-soo’s breeding facility head, but naturally not all S-ranks worldwide could attend. What if a dungeon broke out? Only Korea’s dungeon management was stable, and even within Korea not all attended.

Thirty invitations were initially sent, with about thirty more planned.

“You can expect two to three hundred top Hunters.”

I said to Shishio across the monitor. Since it’s a Japanese island, I’m footing the bill, but the Amaterasu Guild handled venue preparation. We decided the interior styling, of course—no golden lions everywhere, please.

“I think there’ll be more A-ranks. Is the preparation going well?”

[Of course it’s perfect!]

Shishio said confidently, then showed some photos and videos. Since the island once belonged to an S-rank guild, the central mansion was magnificent—more like an old European estate than Japanese. Plenty of rooms, power infrastructure, almost too good to waste. There was a separate pool and even a beach. It’s cold now, so they might not use it, but still.

They said room cleaning ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ and decoration were nearly complete. The photos looked like a finely outfitted hotel.

[Combined main and annex, there are one hundred fifty-six rooms.]

Though large, the mansion wasn’t hotel scale—it was meant as a villa for a single large guild. So they decided to rent the nearest hotel in its entirety. If many shared rooms, the mansion might suffice, but they wouldn’t.

“Thank you for your care.”

[This is nothing! But if you really want to thank me…]

Shishio suddenly lowered their voice.

[I have one request.]

“Go ahead.”

If it’s easy enough, I’d grant it. We’ll need to stay on good terms. Shishio cleared their throat.

[When we’re alone, could you… call me ‘Mom’?]

“……”

…Uh, hmm. Isn’t the keyword effect about to wear off? I stifled the curse bursting from my mouth and forced a smile. I must get closer before the effect ends. We need to bonding before the magic fades. But…

“Ah, that’s not possible… there’s no fallback here…”

My life. When I refused, Shishio shyly… aaah! In any case, that’s how it went. Life really isn’t easy…

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