The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 528: Before the Party (1)

[“The SS-rank longbow Flowing Afterimage unveiled today is the second officially recognized SS-rank weapon since Guildmaster Seong’s Chains.”]

One of Chatterbox’s party rewards was announced today—and it was an SS-rank weapon. Officially, Seong Hyunjae’s Noble Seeker’s Chains had been the only known SS-rank weapon. In reality, Yuhyun’s Sovereign’s Blade and Yerim’s Icewood Spear were also SS-rank weapons. There could be more hidden ones. Seong Hyunjae, being exceptional, had openly displayed his SS-rank weapon from the start, but keeping them concealed was generally more advantageous. If an A-rank had managed to obtain one by luck, it could have been stolen.

[“More items comparable to Flowing Afterimage will be revealed in due course.”]

A voice streamed from my phone, reporting the reaction to Chatterbox’s party. There were few S-rank archers, so if an SS-rank sword or spear emerged next, the S-ranks who missed invitations would be frantic. Perhaps Evelyn, who had initially declined, might change her mind—she certainly looked keen on weapons. And Guildmaster Hanshin, who refused yesterday—perhaps he’ll reconsider. He might get back in touch.

The party schedule hadn’t been released yet. I hoped it would start soon, though they wouldn’t drag it out indefinitely. I wanted it wrapped up before Yuhyun’s birthday and get home. The custom watch I’d ordered was nearly finished; maybe I’d give it as an early gift. Or give it when it arrived and find something else for his birthday.

“You should take extra security precautions,” Song Taewon said.

“An S-rank Hunter from abroad might try to steal your invitation.”

“And don’t ever be alone, even at the nursery. That way, nothing like the Park Hayul incident can happen again.”

If I were kidnapped before even attending, what humiliation that would be. I might have to issue a national apology and stay home quietly.

I set my phone on the table against the wall and stepped before Song Taewon. We were both in light training clothes.

“Thank you for your help.”

I bowed to Director Song. Though my stats were F-rank, training was better than not. I didn’t know how long until the party, so I’d receive training from S-ranks until then—visiting the elders as often as possible.

Because I’d be away again for the party, everyone—from the guildmasters to Yerim—became busy handling affairs in my absence. Yet they still made time for me in turns. Director Song even dropped by to pick up Song the monster and offered to help train me. I was grateful.

Of course, sudden leaps in physical ability were unlikely. Rather, I’d learn the tricks to survive among S-ranks. They’re human too, so they have gaps—finding ways to exploit those would be more feasible.

“Are you absolutely safe?” Song Taewon pressed the slightly cushioned floor with his toes.

“Don’t worry. It’s a training room usable even by F-rank baby monsters. They used dungeon byproducts to build it—strong yet shock-absorbing.”

“Then, Han Yujin.”

He looked me squarely in the eye.

“Try to overpower me by any means.”

“Uh, anything goes?”

“Yes. Feel free to use items.”

His voice was calm, but that only conveyed stronger confidence—that he could counter any move I made. At this distance, before I could do anything proper, I’d be subdued. I wouldn’t even track his movements with my eyes.

“Director Song.”

I met his gaze.

“I’ve planted a bomb in the Hunter Association.”

“…What?”

“Step back. I have items and range limits, but I can detonate it here. The Association building is close.”

“Han Yujin, this…”

Unsure whether to believe me, Song Taewon nonetheless took a step back.

“The Association has messed up more than once. They reshuffled leadership, but only partly. I hid a bomb just in case.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. Since it’s the Hunters’ area, casualties would be light—minor injuries at worst. But it would cause chaos, which is the intention. So don’t move.”

At my serious words, Director Song’s expression hardened too. I gave a small smile.

“How about it—did I win?”

“Where exactly is this bomb?”

“There isn’t one, Director. No one resorts to actual bomb terror. I have some standards.”

“……”

Suspicion flickered across his face.

“The new Association building and the Awakening Center—”

“That collapsed in a dungeon explosion.”

Neither Riette nor I knew about that. Song Taewon sighed and said he’d conduct an unscheduled safety inspection. He really didn’t trust me—though perhaps he trusted me too much in another sense.

“Han Yujin, gather as much intel as possible on the attending S-rank Hunters. Sesung will cooperate.”

“I already handed over a list of suspects we identified at the gathering.”

I wondered whether to ask Hwangrim—he’d networked with Chinese tycoons selling cigarettes to Hunters, had American connections, even backed Transcendents; he’d know much.

“And for S-rank Hunter improv practice, you should ask Guildmaster Sesung. I’ll focus on physical conditioning and martial skills.”

“Guildmaster Sesung is best suited to respond.”

I was confident I could stall Yuhyun, Yerim, and Noah with words. But Seong Hyunjae—threatening to blow up Sesung’s guild—wouldn’t even blink. Hyun-ah, too, would be difficult for different reasons.

“Test me physically,” Song Taewon said. Even hearing “test me,” seeing his broad shoulders and chest made me swallow dryly. If he just stood still, I couldn’t win. Charging him would only bounce me back with bruises everywhere.

Even when unawakened, how had I dared to charge like that? My courage must have been half-crazed. I’d been fearless, without any resistance to fear.

“Well….”

I crept closer to Director Song. How could I attempt anything bare-handed? Trying to twist his arm—impossible. A tug-and-throw—no. I bent my elbow sharply and jabbed at his solar plexus.

“Ouch.”

My arm—aching up to my shoulder. It felt like striking concrete, not flesh.

“Be careful. I told you not to use potions.”

“I really don’t know what to do. Unless I use a weapon.”

“You may use a weapon.”

At that, I drew a dagger—and the world spun. I saw the ceiling, felt the floor under my back. The dagger I’d drawn flew from my hand, and one of his arms pressed down on my torso. Wow.

“Close-quarters combat is impossible.”

“Of course. So induce complacency. Most would subdue with just enough force, like I just did. A veteran Hunter might break two limbs, but against you that’s unnecessary.”

He’d think pressing down was sufficient.

“Some take pleasure in tormenting the weak. You must assess and respond accordingly. Can you escape my grip now?”

I grasped his arm and tried to push—but it didn’t budge. I kicked at him—still no effect.

“You could blindside me with a flashbang and nibble a mini-cookie, but without items you can’t.”

“Skills can bridge some power gaps, but F-rank versus S-rank is tough. Still, strengthening your muscles will make item use easier.”

—“Meeeeh.”

Song, who’d approached, answered for me. Then, pressing his head against the arm pinning me, the Director’s arm lifted in surprise.

“We’re not fighting.”

“Why are you here if not to play with Sorok?”

A larger Sorok stood behind the lambling. Though Song had grown, Sorok’s growth rate far outpaced him—the adult volcano black sheep was only slightly larger.

“We’re playing. Like this.”

—“Baaa.”

He rolled across the mat hugging Song. The lamb’s tail wagged fast with excitement.

“Han Yujin’s stamina is actually quite good.”

“Really? The kids always treat me like a seventy-year-old.”

“You’re an S-rank Hunter mingling with elite Hunters. To me, you seem fragile, yet caring for and playing with young monsters gives you substantial baseline activity.”

True enough—considering it, I had exercised earnestly. Their past jeers suddenly felt unfair.

“Of course, casual movement isn’t the same as formal training. You’ll need to balance both.”

So I needed structured workouts too. I rolled on the floor again with Song. As I began to spread out completely, Song Taewon hauled me up—and I thought I’d die. I murmured prayers that he wouldn’t kill me. It was brutal.

“Hello, Captain Kim! You’ve been on TV a lot lately!”

Yun-yun visited the nursery, still wearing a goblin mask and colorful attire. Three suited figures stood behind them—faces a bit androgynous, but human.

“Hello, Director Dodam. I’m Yun-shin.”

“Wow, they look so human!”

Yerim’s eyes widened. Yun-shin—perhaps the rubber-shoe or leather-shoe goblin—grinned.

“I found a perfect method!”

Yun-yun declared proudly.

“Captain Kim is silent on the outside, but in his mind he says, ‘Director Dodam!’ then silently ‘Captain Kim!’”

Was it impossible to stop saying “Captain Kim”? Still, the disguise worked. A transformation skill sufficed.

“I’m Yun-seul.”

“And I’m Yun-gi.”

Bead and Porcelain? These three were top students from the Goblin Human Society School. Still, for safety, they’d been hired as nursery staff. The nursery was understaffed, and all three were senior goblins—their ability to protect non-awakened staff made them perfect hires.

“Nice to meet you all. Please take care of things from now on.”

“Yes, Director Kim!”

“These cookies shrink whoever eats them. The ones used in China.”

I gave each goblin two mini-cookies.

“Don’t eat them now!”

They froze, cookies halfway /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ to their mouths. Their sparkling eyes showed they were all too aware.

“Store them in your inventories. Only give them to non-awakened or lower-rank Hunters in emergencies. Use them only when absolutely necessary.”

Yun-yun could teleport adults too, but ordinary goblins—even senior ones—lacked the strength.

“Yes!”

“Can I try just one? There are two.”

“Exactly—two each.”

“No.”

“Instead, there are snacks in the break room. Each of you can have three.”

The goblins whooped and vanished. They could eat more, but then they’d live on snacks.

“I always liked goblins better. Isn’t this suffocating for them?”

Yerim watched the goblins flood the break room. Yun-yun nodded eagerly.

“Yeah, many goblins hate human rules. Pretending to be human is hard. If it was unbearable, they could just stay in the village! But they can’t go outside uncautiously.”

“Someday, when goblins are fully revealed and cities grow, people will relent.”

For now, goblins had to hide their true natures to enter human society. But their abilities made integration easier. They weren’t aggressive—had they been more warlike, people would’ve been more wary. I couldn’t have brought them in so easily myself.

Security concerns remained, but with Yun-yun vouching, it was manageable. Go, Yun-yun—you leadership isn’t easy.

“Captain Kim, please take good care of them. If you need help, just say so!”

Yun-yun wore a surprisingly mature expression.

“Yes. Don’t hesitate to deal with tasks in the nursery or building.”

“Is the party really a feast? Will there be lots of food? I’m S-rank too!”

“Uh… it’s not that kind of party. There’s a good chance S-ranks will compete.”

“Ah, then I won’t go. Captain Kim, are you okay? You’re so weak—I heard humans say it’s dangerous. But on TV you looked strong! I missed the return because you were hurt.”

“Well… I’ve always been strong, right? Don’t you remember? I took down that dungeon boss.”

“That’s right! You did! Though you’re weak, you’re strong!”

Yun-yun laughed and clapped.

“Do well, Captain Kim! Win them all!”

“Right—win them all.”

Since the goblins were already informed, I left them with Hyung-hoon hyung, then crossed to Haeyeon Guild with Yerim. Reporters still prowled the building side, so we scaled the wall. I used stealth and Yerim flew—she often flew to work, so it seemed normal.

At Haeyeon, not only Legal Chief Kim Ha-yeon but also Hunter-law professionals awaited me for drafting the contract with Chatterbox.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by readnovel.co