The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 541: Preparing for Broadcast (1)

I sat on the edge of the bed and turned on the TV. Then I activated the bracelet. Soon the TV screen showed an aerial view of the city.

“[New York Manhattan]”

A caption appeared automatically. They said the basic shooting mode edits everything by itself—pretty neat. After briefly showing the dazzling Manhattan nightscape, it quickly zoomed toward the hotel, then whoosh, the picture switched.

“…Ugh.”

My own face appeared.

“[Han Yujin · Korean Hunter]”

The broadcast starts tomorrow, but they connected each team’s dorm TV to the video bracelet for practice. The picture quality is great. The image spun around and showed me.

“Um, hello.”

As I spoke, subtitles appeared on the TV along with my voice. They even translate those subtitles into each country’s language in real time. Isn’t this over-technology? If I insist it’s just an item, will that work? …Well, this is a world where severed limbs can be reattached, flying is normal, and instant travel and space teleportation exist.

I might get flak for being a latecomer to dungeon-filming items. …I should change the name from “First” to “Standard Issue.”

“So……”

Each word felt awkward. Look at that expression—like I have no idea what I’m doing. A veteran, my foot; I’m a total newbie. I sat staring blankly at the me on TV for about five minutes.

‘…This is driving me crazy.’

What on earth do people who do personal live streams on the internet do? Sorry for my momentary confidence. It’s ruined, ruined! Who on earth will watch this? Maybe my brother will. With Yuhyun, just sitting quietly is watchable. Same for Yerim and Noah, Sung Hyunjae and Director Song, Hyunah and Evelyn, and of course Peace and Gyeol.

But I’m just some civilian A!

“…It’d be fun to team up with S-Ranks, but normally… I wish I could just watch people who are visually entertaining even when they do nothing…”

The highlight parts might give me the highest ratings. But overall I thought Yuhyun might have the edge. Peace is there. A handsome man and a cute monster. If I were anyone, I’d leave it on all day. Same for Sung Hyunjae. And Director Song—if he had Song with him, he wouldn’t tire of watching either.

Maybe I should give him a favor. But Grace would prefer less exposure.

‘This isn’t easy.’

They won’t tell me how ratings are calculated or how advantageous the setup is. Of course I didn’t need to fret so much. The original goal was just to disrupt Chatterbox’s contestant search together.

But Chatterbox, which had been quietly gathering participants, suddenly changed its approach. I could accept that much.

“[Chatterbox is also using the System.]”

I remembered what the newbie told me. After the SS-Rank weapon was revealed, Chatterbox’s party became an even bigger topic. I had asked the newbie how big a reward Chatterbox could offer.

“[So it’s impossible to give rewards that excessively exceed the System’s designated ratio! You get rewards based on the value of the monster you defeat or the achievements you earn. That’s the System’s law. You can’t just hand out rewards for no reason.]”

To interfere in a protected world without cost, whether you’re a villain or a filial addict, you must follow the System. It is possible to tailor slightly better rewards with special care, but defeating an F-Rank monster and receiving an S-Rank item is impossible.

“[Moreover… with the Safety Guarantee attached, it’ll be hard to give SS-Rank weapons or higher to S-Rank Hunters. Even if Chatterbox pays a bit more for winning among S-Ranks, the limit is SSS at best—and probably lower-tier SSS.]”

So I thought nobody would lose much regardless of who came in first.

“But…”

The newbie hesitated and added.

“[Honey’s case is different. Honey’s stat is F-Rank.]”

The System’s reward grade is most influenced by the enemy’s rank. But at the same time, the recipient’s rank also matters.

“[Well… Honey once defeated a much higher-rank monster with F-Rank stats. Without any help from higher-rank Hunters.]”

The Rauchtas Wish Stone and the King of the Harmless’s Drawer weren’t ordinary rewards. The titles earned from solo dungeon clears also far exceeded the dungeon’s grade.

“[Right now the System assigns Honey roughly D-Rank for reward calculations. Stat F, one combat skill at D, the rest are supports even if high rank, so total is D.]”

D isn’t the absolute bottom like E or F, but it’s still hard to call it mid-rank.

“[To be precise, D-minus? Barely scraping D! Since the System is combat-oriented, without noncombat skills it’d be E-minus. So if Honey, on his own, gets the top result among S-Rank Hunters…]”

The newbie said the reward tier could skyrocket.

“[…At least L-Rank. But only for in-dungeon achievements, not for teaming up outside! I don’t know how Chatterbox will handle it, but that’s how it is.]”

I didn’t know if Chatterbox was aware of this. The newbie worried over my reaction and told me not to overdo it. He even suggested teaming up with another S-Rank.

‘A dungeon, then.’

That must be it. Since monsters appeared when I ran there. And if I keep using dungeons.

I had no intention of grabbing Chatterbox’s party rewards. One of the S-Ranks with me could take them; I was fine just placing high or mid-rank.

But if it could be L-Rank or higher.

‘…Legendary, Wish Stone.’

I couldn’t help but think of it. I flopped down on the bed. The ornate ceiling pattern caught my eye. Painted like a palace. Sky, clouds, angels, dragons in gold-trimmed relief.

This is a party for Chatterbox’s funeral. But if the newbie is right, it’s also for my…

“…Let’s just do whatever we can.”

Don’t push too far. Don’t expect too much. I rubbed my forehead with my palm. I need to forget useless thoughts. Pretend I forgot.

This isn’t the time to be greedy. Focus on what’s in front of me. And will Chatterbox even give me the proper rewards? There might be a trap. I took a deep breath and sprang up.

“Shall I introduce the hotel? The night view here is killer. At night, city view is everything. Wow—sparkling. It dazzles.”

I moved toward the window. Felt like reading from a script. Good thing it’s off-air… During downtime outside the party schedule I should turn the video off.

I practiced toggling video and audio on and off instead of doing nothing. They said you can assign keywords or actions, but I used magic to control it. That way even if I’m stuck and can’t move, they can edit it out. It’s an item, so you can designate with magical signals too.

The TV zooms in or out depending on the situation. As if to show me, when I lifted my cup it automatically zoomed in. Surely not all of that is item function. Maybe there’s a remote filming operator for each camera.

They said live broadcast and recorded broadcast are both possible, but recorded would have far fewer viewers. In the end, editing would be limited to a data-protection level. I tested a few more things, then checked my phone.

[Yerim—So I gave a recommendation, FYI]

[Hyunah—Give up it’s hopeless]

[Yerim—Reaaaaally awkward!!!!]

[Hyunah—lol obvious without seeing]

They were lamenting in the group chat that Director Song is terrible on broadcast. He freezes the moment he notices the camera.

[I felt awkward too.]

[Yerim—I think uncle-ssi would be good?]

[MyBrother—Yeah, you’ll do fine.]

[Yerim—Did only uncle-ssi turn on notifications!?]

[Hyunah—Can you do that?]

[Yerim—Soyeong-unnie wants to come, yay or nay?]

[Yerim—Yay]

[Being alone I don’t know what to say.]

[Hyunah—Hate work group chats]

[Hyunah—Other than guild stuff]

[MyBrother—Should I sneak into your room?]

[Yerim—Hello, there’s a lady here!]

[Hyunah—Seriously hate it]

[Soyeong-ssi still has a lot to learn, I wonder if it’s okay.]

[No.]

[MyBrother—You never said no.]

[MyBrother—Don’t you feel lonely?]

[Yerim—I only see uncle-ssi]

[I’m fine.]

[Hyunah—We’re separated anyway]

[Hyunah—If she came we three would still talk]

[Yerim—True but because of Noah oppa]

Does Yerim, Hyunah, and Soyeong have a separate group chat? Well, they hang out together often.

I mostly watched and then pulled out a business card. Then I called the °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° paparazzi. The card said “P.P.” instead of a name. Paparazzi’s PP, huh.

[Hey, enjoyed the broadcast! But the beer tasted awful.]

My conscience pricked me. Well, it was canned beer.

“Do you know my number?”

[It’s an unknown number so it’s SF.]

“…Huh?”

[Super F.]

…A curse almost slipped out. So embarrassing! According to the paparazzi, after seeing the broadcast in the States, they call me that… I felt like breaking a window and jumping out. What is this world? Why was I teased for not naming myself? I’d rather be called Monster Papa……. Korea is better, seriously.

“Can I change, change the nickname to something else…?”

[It’s the public pick.]

“My official rank is B, though…”

[People don’t care about that. Behind the scenes they still use HoneyPot and CandyBox.]

It also implies F-Rank with S-Rank power, and it sticks in the mouth, the paparazzi chuckled. Americans really love “super”… But do they really call me that? Using an abbreviation is better, but still? Like when they shouted Phantom at Chatterbox… I wanted to go home.

“Anyway… I’d like to do an interview.”

[Coming right now, SF-ssi!]

Soon enough the paparazzi appeared. I explained the filming bracelet and demonstrated its use. News of the bracelet had already made headlines.

“I’ll reveal the first-place prize~”

“Oh, really? That’d be amazing for me, is that okay?”

“Of course.”

Smiling, I took out a small box prepared in my inventory. The paparazzi filmed the box.

“This is a poison orb.”

I tapped the box lightly with my fingertip.

“It’s an S-Rank item, and unlike ordinary poison it doesn’t harm the user.”

“Wow, that’s really useful!”

Ordinary poisons also intoxicate the user. Other elements are the same. So those with elemental attack skills like Yuhyun or Yerim must also have corresponding resistance skills. Or acquire resistance items.

“Isn’t it better to keep it secret?”

“There’s only one. Better to reveal it so anyone who messes with me knows they won’t get away unscathed.”

Word that I had poison resistance spread by word of mouth, but the rank wasn’t public. Even at the hospital they listed it much lower.

“S-Rank Hunters wouldn’t be incapacitated by S-Rank poison, but it’d be bothersome.”

I ended the interview with thanks for the support, saying troublemakers would come out of the woodwork. By tomorrow morning, most people will know, including the S-Ranks attending the party. The paparazzi left, thanking me for the info—having a journalist acquaintance is useful.

‘I don’t know what they’ll have me do tomorrow.’

I’d use every card I have. I was sad about the weird nickname, but glad the reaction was great. Ad offers are pouring in for Dodam, too. I’ll make it a sell-out legend, yes. And please make the beer taste better.

The liquid-state Flame Horn Lion crouched in front of my phone. Watching quietly, then pressing the button on its nose to call the saved shortcut.

—Bzzzzt—

[Peace?]

—Squeeee!—

[What’s wrong, bored? Have you eaten?]

—Squeak, ?—

[What about Yuhyun? Don’t keep calling alone.]

At the sound of “Yuhyun,” Peace turned its head. It saw Han Yuhyun, on the phone with the Haeyeon Guild, bit the phone’s cord, and flew up. Han Yuhyun smiled at seeing his brother on the phone screen.

“Peace called again.”

[Bored, I guess. You—]

As if that was enough, the phone flipped away. Peace climbed onto the bed, placed the phone back in front of him, and whimpered. Han Yuhyun watched briefly, then continued the call.

“You want to focus on Peace?”

[Yes. An S-Rank fluid monster. And in a familiar, cute form, so basic ratings are guaranteed. Especially the wings in transformation will get a good response from kids.]

Seok Simyeong on the other end praised the choice of teaming with Peace. His voice sounded quite excited. I’d heard whispers that this party wasn’t entirely friendly to Han Yujin, but if used well, Haeyeon Guild’s global recognition would rise. To Seok Simyeong, who lamented the guild’s weaker overseas power compared to other major guilds, this was a golden opportunity.

[Park Yerim won’t have much to worry about. Of course, we trust the Guild Leader.]

Seok Simyeong laughed. After all, she’s an S-Rank Hunter with great looks—should be fine. Han Yuhyun quietly listened. The call ended after he said he’d send related materials.

“…I want to go to my brother.”

Han Yuhyun muttered softly. He doesn’t care about the chatter around him, but he couldn’t help feeling it was a nuisance.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by readnovel.co