The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 519: Take good care of yourself (2)

The helicopter lifted off with a roar. Most of the S-Rank Hunters turned away satisfied. Many had lost quite a bit, but on average their gains outweighed their losses—Qìshōng breeding data, priority rights to trade stamina potions, and even information on firearm manufacture.

Even setting that aside, this was a gathering of S-Rank Hunters from every nation. There must have been considerable deal-making behind the scenes. Perhaps for that reason, many of the Hunters lingered on the island instead of leaving immediately.

“Come to Korea and I’ll treat you right—think about it!”

Yerim waved to an A-Rank Hunter from Iceland as she shouted. The Hunter was seventeen, two years older than Yerim. There aren’t many teenage Hunters, so they’d naturally struck up a conversation. She specialized in defense skills focused on cold resistance—an asset for protecting teammates from Yerim’s magic.

They seemed to get along well. There was a language barrier, but Yerim now had a translation item, and some of our team could speak English. Unlike mid- and low-rank Hunters, high-rank Hunters often collaborate internationally to secure rare top-tier items and build teams that suit their specialties. English remains the world’s lingua franca—though I wish someone would make Korean the global language. Text can’t be translated by an item, after all.

Other Hunters were also discussing potential recruits. The biggest buzz was about a merger between two S-Rank guilds. Two S-Rank Hunters had formed a temporary team to battle an SS-Rank giant tortoise, found they worked exceptionally well together, and by the end of the gathering decided to merge their guilds.

‘Before I reset, there were quite a few such guilds,’ I thought. But this was likely the first of its kind now—S-Rank monsters are still the top threat, so there’s been no real need for S-Ranks to join forces. They’re simply competitors.

Yet change was coming faster than expected.

‘And beyond that… many things will shift after this meeting.’

I hoped it would even change perceptions of mid-rank Hunters and support classes. A few might think differently now. Especially those who got shot, bombed, cursed at, shot again, and rolled around in the sand. The scowlers wouldn’t provide immediate good influence, but being ignored or treated like nothing is worse.

—Kyaaaang.

Peace, who’d been lying under my seat, stretched languidly. Then he rolled over and rested his head on my foot as a pillow. He tapped the hem of my pants with a paw, so I pulled out his peanut-shaped toy. Peace didn’t love toys, but he’d chew it sometimes to stave off boredom.

“If I can stay by your side until the end, that’s enough for me.”

Yuhyun, sitting with me at the outdoor table, /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ spoke softly all of a sudden. I froze for a moment, then forced a smile.

“Hey, don’t talk like that. Everything’s going to be fine.”

“Yeah. But hyung, if things go wrong, at least for me, it won’t have been a mistake.”

“Hm, I shouldn’t always shield you just because we’re family.”

“It’s just the truth. If you hadn’t been here, the world and everything outside it wouldn’t matter to me. So I’m okay.”

I gazed quietly at my brother. Late-autumn sunlight glittered through the leaves overhead. Dappled light and shadow speckled Yuhyun’s cheeks and shirt, drifting slowly in the breeze.

Though the air was chill—winter was near—the warmth of the sunlight felt even more comforting.

“…Everything will turn out fine. Thanks for caring. Was I obvious?”

“No, not too obvious. It’s just that you were up most of the night. Didn’t you barely sleep until dawn?”

“I had a lot on my mind.”

“You don’t have to bear responsibility for everyone.”

“Yeah. You’re right.”

But I still didn’t want to lose anything. Before the reset I kept losing everything. This time, I could at least be stubborn.

“I wish there were a benevolent god or something. One who’d fix everything so I could live peacefully and worry-free.”

And live happily ever after. Well, even if gods existed, there’s no guarantee they’d side with us. If a god adored chickens instead of humans, they might just wipe out humanity. Keep us in a cramped space for two months and turn us into dishes.

Suddenly my own situation didn’t seem so bad.

Just then Yuhyun furrowed his brow slightly. Following his gaze, I saw someone approaching us—Chloe Allger.

‘…I’ve already lifted Park Hayul’s skill, so the immediate crisis is over.’

But I still knew little about her side.

“May I approach?” Chloe asked politely—addressing me, not Yuhyun. She recognized I held the lead. I nodded in affirmation.

“I released everyone the same day I confirmed the skill removal.”

“Yes, I’ve heard. Thank you.”

Chloe’s Hunters who’d kept people captive had been freed. It wasn’t exactly the best outcome, but we’d secured an invitation and had the skill lifted—minimum requirements met. Chloe hesitated briefly, then spoke.

“Some of the Hunters who weren’t captured by Han Yujin have since gone missing. Do you know anything about that?”

“We haven’t done anything since then. We’ve been busy preparing for this meeting.”

Still, I thought of Seong Hyunjae. He’d meddled with me, sent strange invitations—it would have annoyed her. He probably crushed those intruding like bugs before they could spread word. Chloe exhaled softly.

“I’ll be returning to the U.S. immediately.”

“Did the Sesung Guild Leader treat you poorly?”

“To be honest, I’m afraid of him.”

“But he’s still human.”

“It feels more dangerous when Han Yujin says it.”

“Couldn’t say you and Leader Seong Hyunjae are on bad terms.”

“Does it come across that way?”

“If you were truly at odds, you wouldn’t even be able to argue.”

Chloe said, looking disgusted. What had Seong Hyunjae done to earn that reaction?

“Well, being at odds implies you acknowledge the other’s existence.”

Strictly speaking, that was true.

“I certainly misjudged Han Yujin. I fell prey to the bias that comes with an F-Rank.”

I withheld the response, “That’s common enough,” and instead offered a smile. Chloe looked at me for a moment, then turned away without any apology. She still believed that sacrificing some to save many was justified.

“She may lean more toward ally than enemy, but she’s still not one to trust fully,” I said, turning to Yuhyun.

“Life’s rarely that clear-cut,” he answered.

It’d be simpler if everyone neatly divided into “with us” or “against us.”

After Chloe left, other Hunters glanced our way but didn’t approach. I wondered if I’d been alone, would it have felt the same? I could move more freely, but not so casually.

“Uncle~ Yerim and Liete and I are going for another lap!”

Yerim said she’d clear out the remaining monsters gathering in the water, not just the SS-Rank—and off she sped. I waved her on.

When most guests had departed, Seong Hyunjae appeared. He looked as composed as ever, as if his rank had never fallen. I realized I hadn’t extracted nearly as much from him as I could have—should’ve let him dig out handfuls of sand. Such a missed opportunity for protection money.

The sun, nearing noon, still shone warmly, making Seong Hyunjae’s hair sparkle as he approached. Hunters clustered to watch. Song Taewon, who’d been observing departures from the helipad, turned toward us.

“Han Yujin, it’s been a delightful gathering.”

“You have unique tastes. In any case, thank you for enjoying it.”

Hadn’t Seong Hyunjae been doused in wine, had a blade graze his cheek, suffered a kidnapping attempt, been shot in the head, and then tied up in his suite? If word got around that the Sesung Guild Leader’s idea of fun was a wine shower… well, filling a bathtub with top-tier wine might actually suit him.

“I’ll be leaving first. See you in Korea.”

He offered a routine farewell, then turned away. His composed demeanor felt oddly awkward—I’d grown accustomed to odd behavior.

As nearly all guests left the island, we prepared to return home.

“Director Song, please turn a blind eye just this once, okay?”

“No. Hunter Myeongwoo, when traveling abroad in the future you must be accompanied by a Hunter affiliated with the Awakened Management Office or the Hunter Association.”

Myeongwoo’s expression soured at this.

“Is that all the weapons you smuggled into the Golden Forge?”

“Nothing more. Right, Myeongwoo?”

“There are a couple of chunks of scrap metal melted down by Ismuar.”

The weapons we’d received from Cissio were the issue. They could prove useful later or help forge dungeon weapons if dismantled—but legally it was serious.

“We cannot condone weapon smuggling. No smuggling of any goods.”

“I won’t do it again. Seriously! I never intended to use them in Korea.”

“Mishandling could spark an international incident. Especially at your forge—unlike inventory items, general goods….”

Song Taewon trailed off, staring at me gravely.

“Han Yujin.”

“Yes?”

“Han Yujin.”

“…My drawer visits are limited.”

Resigned, I fetched a small jeep from the drawer. It was loaded with gear—mostly the latest weaponry. Song Taewon let out a deep sigh.

“…You can smuggle vehicles in, too?”

“No larger ones, and that’s all. Really.”

I swore it. Director Song eyed me skeptically, but what could he do? It was a shame—military supplies are hard to acquire elsewhere.

“No smuggling, especially of military equipment. Also, avoid using Korea-imported goods abroad. Please.”

“I’ll be careful. Trust me.”

“And report any other illegal activities.”

“There’s nothing else.”

Probably. Director Song, satisfied, then turned to Moon Hyunah, who recoiled in protest. He doggedly demanded details of her wine trades.

“There’s none! Really! I only reported what I did!”

“Hunter Moon Hyunah.”

“Give me a break!”

Watching them, I realized Director Song had to overwork himself. Who else could interrogate an S-Rank Hunter like that? No wonder many S-Rank crimes abroad get overlooked.

“I live beyond the law, but this part needs covering up. I’ll report it all later and pay the fines—honestly!”

“You mustn’t commit crimes with the intent to pay fines later.”

He spoke sternly, but Song Taewon was flexible. The law itself had special provisions to accommodate S-Rank Hunters. In the end, we agreed she’d submit the full details only to Director Song first.

That was only possible because Director Song was so trustworthy. Truly remarkable.

“Cissio, thank you so much.”

I smiled at Cissio, who looked at me warmly. She’d been a great help. I hoped her keyword effect would wear off soon so she’d stop speaking oddly.

“I knew you were the real Director Han.”

“Not at all. Thank you—you’ve taken good care of us.”

“We won’t meet again for a while.”

Cissio’s eyes turned distant. Well… um.

“I’ll call.”

I just wanted to become friendly—someone I could trust for good deals like this. Cissio benefited too—she’d cleared the sea of monsters. We’d maintain a cordial relationship… in a normal way, not a weird one.

“Home!”

Yerim yelled.

“There’s nothing like home! Oh, I need to pick up Peep and Bellare and the tiger—should I bring them too?”

“I’d appreciate it.”

The instant we stepped through the front door, a wave of tiredness washed over me. Home really is nice. I wished I could rest for a few days. But so much still needed handling… maybe just tomorrow I’d take off.

“I’ll unpack. You rest.”

“Thanks—appreciate it.”

I flopped onto the sofa with Peace. I needed a shower. And Peace did too.

“Peace!”

—Kyaaang!

“Let’s get washed up.”

—Kyuung.

Yuhyun appeared with a pile of laundry, lifted Peace as I headed for the bathroom. Peace purred quietly.

“Today you rest, hyung.”

—Krrng.

Yuhyun gently set Peace down; Peace shook himself and steam rose from his fur, then he was fluffy again.

“You’re such a good boy, Peace.”

—Kyaaang!

It was late, so we quickly finished tidying and went to bed.

The next day, all three of us took the day off. We slept in, had a late breakfast, and idly watched TV with fruit.

“…Huh?”

The screen suddenly went dark, then brightened again.

“What’s that!”

My own image appeared on TV, aiming a rifle at Yuhyun.

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