The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 524: My Portrait Rights (3)

“What happened?” I asked, and Yerim, who had been watching, answered.

“You should have seen it, sir. The Elder saw Mr. Seong Hyunjae and yelled, ‘You crazy bastard!’ then kicked him in the shin and dragged him off.”

“Really? He got kicked and dragged away?”

“Yes. The Elder was incredible. I could barely keep up with my eyes. I didn’t even see the car properly. Mr. Seong Hyunjae tried to dodge, but he couldn’t.”

Predictions mean nothing if the body can’t follow. And if Seong Hyunjae’s precognition comes from experience, the Elder’s must be formidable too.

“So what did he say?”

“I don’t know. After he dragged him over there, I couldn’t hear a thing.”

Though it sounded like he was speaking, the Elder’s mouth didn’t move at all. Seong Hyunjae’s lips trembled, but not enough to understand. Whatever he did to earn that?

Young Chaos, still glaring at Seong Hyunjae in displeasure, raised a hand and tapped his forehead with one finger.

“That must’ve hurt.”

Yerim murmured. The tap looked light but surely stung; Seong Hyunjae’s forehead reddened, and one ear was pink too—he’d grabbed that.

“Rookie, do you know what’s going on?”

[“I don’t really know either.”] Volleyball wobbled as he spoke. My curiosity peaked.

“Yuhyun, sit and watch.”

Han Yuhyun pulled out a chair for me and poured tea. “It’s healthy tea—by Honey-world human standards!” the rookie chirped. Maybe some worlds treat poison as medicine. Even our world’s tonics aren’t exactly mild.

“We’ll be compensated by Chatterbox—for our publicity rights. And we’ll be allowed to edit our own footage.”

I straightened my head, glanced at Chaos, then watched Seong Hyunjae blink as I spoke. I should’ve shown this to Director Song too—Seong Hyunjae looked almost pitiable. I hoped his forehead wouldn’t swell too much; they’d spared his face.

“So all the real party footage will air?”

“If you want, they’ll mosaic-censor you.”

“I don’t mind, but sir…”

“Will you attend?”

Yuhyun asked. I sipped tea and looked at Seong Hyunjae, enjoying the pleasant day and scenery. Then, shock— the Elder lifted a long, rod-like branch that looked like a cane. Surely not to strike my calf—maybe a palm? Thankfully, he only tapped my shoulder.

“If I back out now, it’s worse. I’ll become an F-rank forever, protected by S-ranks.”

“But you decided to maintain that image publicly.”

“If Chatterbox hadn’t stepped into the public eye… I didn’t need public exposure before.”

I had preferred secrecy; now I must step forward. Yuhyun exhaled softly.

“I know you hate it, but you can be protected. Your low stats are just a fact, not shameful.”

“…True.”

I know it’s not my fault. Anyone blaming me for F-rank stats would be wrong.

“But the world isn’t so fair. In peaceful times, people help the weak. But if everyone must flee and someone limps, even if it’s not their fault, it becomes their fault.”

Some people always protect the weak, but if sacrificing one saves many—reality is harsh.

“If I don’t want to be protected from start to finish, I must step up. If I’m not hiding, I should trigger it now. I must show I’m not a burden but an asset. People don’t always need approval, but I do.”

Being at peace with oneself is ideal, but I—

“I still have things to do. Things I want to do.”

I could give up and remain the protected F-rank with a special skill. That wouldn’t erase my value. I could even leverage that position. But—

I gently patted my sister’s arm.

“They said it’s not dangerous. And even if you can’t do much, if you struggle until the end, they’ll respect it. Then you say, ‘My stats are /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ what they are, but I tried.’”

Though I planned to down at least one S-rank by the end—but one or two was feasible. Even if not overwhelming, I’d go down fighting.

“Sometimes I want to burn it all down.”

Yuhyun said, pouting.

“Society’s stability makes things easier for you, though.”

I shouldn’t tell her I’d like to retire to the countryside—though that fantasy lingers. Even rural areas now have modern utilities. Modern life is convenient.

“If society collapses, no heating, no hot water. You’d have to fetch firewood and carry cold water.”

“But we have me and Park Yerim.”

“And I’d be fine on a desert island, sir.”

They were dependable. Yet—

“Yerim, no chicken, pizza, burgers, or cola. No TV or new dolls.”

“Then I’ll protect the world.”

[“Exactly! Chicken is vital!”]

Yerim nodded vigorously; the rookie agreed. Yuhyun remained unconvinced—she might actually prefer without those luxuries. Still, we’d keep them, little sister. Running water is handy.

“Youngest.”

At that, the Elder’s voice rang out. I jumped up; Chaos gestured for me. …Should I kneel too? Yuhyun, more startled than me, offered the cushion from the chair.

“Sorry, hyung.”

“The Elder only means well.”

Right. I took the cushion, knelt beside Seong Hyunjae. Young Chaos and Seong Hyunjae stared at me together.

“What are you doing?”

“Voluntarily surrendering. Move the cushion?”

Would that look shameless?

“Remove your earring too? Easier to grasp.”

He preferred grabbing upper ear, though. Chaos sighed, then patted my head gently.

“Seeing you beside him, I have no desire to punish you.”

“It’s relative—I’m an ordinary adult now. But why is Mr. Seong Hyunjae being scolded?”

Seong Hyunjae remained silent; the Elder clicked his tongue, eyes icy.

“If you’re going to die, do it gracefully.”

“Sir? Why? Elder, did you watch a strange drama?”

His words were harsh. Seong Hyunjae, unfazed, spoke calmly.

“It wasn’t what I intended.”

“So end it with words.”

Though words left his forehead still red. I asked again, but both refused to answer.

“It’s his affair; I cannot speak on it.”

“Mr. Seong Hyunjae?”

“Everyone has a personal secret.”

His gaze seemed to ask if I had secrets. I wanted to grab him by the collar, but I too had my burdens—so I stayed silent. At least the Elder knew; he’d guide him well.

…I didn’t know if Seong Hyunjae would listen.

“I saw it too.”

Young Chaos said, pity in his eyes. Referring to the footage Chatterbox aired? To the Elder’s eyes, Seong Hyunjae’s struggles might have looked like a cripple’s frantic flailing.

“You were non-awakened.”

“Yes.”

“Yet you fought so fiercely.”

“I used a gun.”

“Kids these days… Still, you did well. Excluding your shackles.”

Did that include Director Song? After all, their age difference was small—he was about thirty like me.

“Seong Hyunjae, with memory wiped, you’d have less than forty years to live—young compared to the Elder.”

Still not childlike, but the Elder looked exasperated.

“Firstborn, why do you support such a fellow?”

“Well, we know each other. We communicate, do business, and sometimes dine together. We’re friends. But Elder—”

I whispered so rookie and kids wouldn’t hear.

“Do you know the Puppeteer?”

“There are many by that name.”

“The one Director Song saw in the nightmare dungeon—he’s well built.”

“You mean the annoyingly uptight one?”

“He’s a transcendent who helped create the eclipse.”

“What?”

Young Chaos shook his head. Even the Elder didn’t know?

“He sowed seeds. When Director Song brought the soil they lay in, he was powerless. Any guesses?”

“If he sows seeds, only a gardener comes to mind.”

“A gardener?”

“A strange fellow—but no gardener’s been called the Puppeteer in my memory.”

‘Gardener’ fit seeds and soil.

“He may be someone you don’t know. He’s never left the First Source world… anyway—what kind of transcendent is the gardener?”

“He rarely leaves my realm; I know little.”

“Really?”

“He once tried to crawl into the First Source, and I expelled him.”

“…Do you dislike him?”

“I bear no feelings.”

One typically only feels when wronged. Whether Puppeteer equals gardener remained unclear—I’d remain ignorant before the Elder. When I next contact the Marionettist, I’d inquire about the gardener.

“Firstborn, rise. You continue kneeling.”

“Shall I lend you a cushion?”

“Firstborn.”

“I worry for your fine garments—your knees won’t wear, but your clothes will.”

“Thanks, but I’ll endure. If it softens the Elder’s heart, I’ll accept.”

“Bow your head too.”

What grave offense did Seong Hyunjae commit? I quickly intervened. Young Chaos signaled rookie and kids; the rookie bounced in first, creating a new table and chairs. Everyone sat—except Seong Hyunjae, on the floor. Yuhyun was unfazed; Yerim glanced at him with concern.

“Mr. Seong Hyunjae, tea?”

“My, what a polite little lady.”

Yerim was truly kind. Among those around Seong Hyunjae, she was one of his greatest supporters. Kneeling, he accepted tea; Yerim even offered him a cookie—an angel.

I told Chaos and Seong Hyunjae about Chatterbox:

“Our goal is to catch at least one person.”

“But you know…”

Young Chaos set down his cup.

“Maybe it won’t be a battle.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve seen all kinds of competitions—singing, cooking, and more.”

The Elder only watched one drama, but… Yerim nodded.

“True—a cooking contest or a dance-off since it’s a party.”

“…With S-ranks?”

It’d be hilarious. Whatever, Seong Hyunjae would excel. Does he sing well?

“Even if cooking’s assigned, you’d need skills. Or you fight for ingredients. It’d be a real variety show. Rookie, can you help monitor Chatterbox?”

[“It’s not easy for us to interfere in Honey’s world. Ah, rookie—no, call the blacksmith, please?”]

Why call Myeong-woo rookie? Free him.

[“Like last time, he can enter any dungeon’s forge. Since we’re linked, even a Korean dungeon works.”]

“Don’t bother Myeong-woo.”

[“I’ve been good to him! Taught him my best!”]

“But no tentacles.”

[“Honey, tentacles are great! With them, you could play ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’!”]

What on earth—what’s he do with that?

[“Myeong-woo’s from Honey’s world, so he’s freer. Teach him a bit more, he could help. Learning never hurts.”]

“I’ll mention it to him, but no overwork, ever. No tentacles.”

[“Don’t worry! He’s precious to me!”]

I didn’t trust that. Myeong-woo pulled all-nighters too…

“If there’s time before the boss party, firstborn, you drop by with the kids too.”

“Me too?”

“Yes. I’ll teach you some—though you may not change much…”

Young Chaos eyed me like wilted parsley under scorching sun.

“And bring him and that kid if you have time.”

“Yes. I’ll tell Director Song.”

“And remember what I said before.”

Yuhyun flinched; I reached out and embraced her lightly. They offered to take me—they meant it. I rose with a mini cookie—best stay hidden on the way back amid this chaos. Though I’d stocked many, they’d vanish soon.

The rookie escorted us out; the dungeon reappeared.

—Grrrr!

A monster bared its teeth; flames spewed, ice spears flew at me from the opposite side. Light flickered, and I drew my gun, firing at the confused creature.

Bang! The monster collapsed. I recharged mana and said,

“Sorry, Yuhyun, I’ll go alone.”

“Hyung?”

Yuhyun, then Yerim and Seong Hyunjae all turned to me in surprise. I smiled at their concern.

“Without a team—alone.”

There’s no rule requiring pairs. So this time, I must go alone.

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