The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 577: Show (2)

“Ms. Hyunah, you’ll stay with us until the end. And…”

A bright blond youth climbed onto the terrace railing. It was Noah, cloaking himself with Stealth Skill. He had sent a message asking me to come out.

“You too, Mr. Noah.”

Yuhyun needs me here. Yerim is still too young. Seong Hyunjae is deeply entwined with the Transcendent, and Song Taewon is bound to him as well. Moon Hyunah shrugged her shoulders.

“It just happened this way. I’ve been walking my own path from the start, and I’m still walking it.”

Regardless of Han Yujin’s regression, Moon Hyunah has held her position and will continue to do so. Whether it’s Transcendents, Origins, or the Apocalypse approaching, she walks her own path and always will.

“…I don’t know.”

Noah lowered his gaze slightly.

“I still haven’t decided what I want to do.”

“I don’t want to burden you, Mr. Noah. But if you’re willing, I’d like you to stay with us and the people of the Breeding Center building.”

“You wouldn’t need to ask, Mr. Yujin. But if I ever find something else I want to do…”

“That will be enough. I trust you all the more for that.”

Like Moon Hyunah, Noah could choose his own path. Freed from Riet, starting anew. I stepped back to watch the two of them.

“The thing is, I can’t help but think about what comes after. Even if I fail, the world will keep turning.”

Last time I regressed. The world was reset. But this time it won’t be. No matter how my story ends, those who survive will keep living.

“Well, we might all perish together, but we might not.”

“Is that what you’re saying? Leave the aftermath to us?”

“More like, your world will continue.”

Moon Hyunah scratched her head roughly this time.

“I’m worried about you, hyungnim. And Seong Hyunjae and Director Song too. It wouldn’t be strange if something went wrong at any moment. Even I, without knowing details, can feel it. And the young master will follow you.”

“Yes.”

“…Leaving Yerim behind would be unforgivable.”

She nodded heavily.

“I will do my best to survive to the end. But whether I make it or not, I think the two of you are the right people for this, Mr. Noah.”

“Yes, Mr. Yujin.”

He looked up with his pale gray eyes that shone softly.

“You know that Mr. Seok’s team is participating in the Special Awakening Center, right?”

“Yes. I’m an assistant in the special division. I’m getting help in related studies.”

“I sent all the materials I could organize before the party. Now that Myeong-woo can meet newcomers on his own, he might get some help too.”

Even if I can’t handle it, things that need to proceed should proceed.

“Of course, if you want to go in another direction, Ms. Hayan’s team will take over, so don’t overburden yourself.”

“I said I want to study first. I still can’t forget Myu.”

Perhaps Noah has found an ideal type. I turned to meet Moon Hyunah’s gaze. She let out a short sigh.

“I heard the gist, and I’ll pitch in.”

“No need for long speeches. It’ll help you too, Ms. Hyunah.”

Moon Hyunah parted her lips, seemed about to speak, then lightly thumped my shoulder in farewell. She pulled a business card from her inventory and held it out. It was from Hwang Lim.

“Mr. Noah, may I ask one favor?”

“Anything.”

“You might find it difficult to participate in the remaining party.”

“I wasn’t aiming for any rewards anyway.”

Moon Hyunah nodded in agreement. Even if there’s no answer, we should prepare a little.

“Hunter Han Yujin.”

After dinner, Chatterbox remained silent. I wondered if today would end with rest, when a staff member approached us.

“It’s time for the current top overall performer to move first.”

“Oh, there’s a schedule?”

“Yes, it’s a simple event.”

The words “simple event” made me frown. They’d said that before.

“Can’t someone accompany me?”

Yuhyun leaned close and asked. The staff looked troubled.

“You’ll move in order. Don’t worry, it’s New York without any monsters, not a dungeon.”

A little relief at it not being a dungeon.

“Another awards ceremony, I guess. Don’t worry too much.”

I patted my brother. As he said okay, darkness swirled before my eyes and my body was transported elsewhere. I blinked.

“Uh…”

A dozen people stared at me. Before I could ask what was happening, they began to move.

“When did you shower?”

“Huh? Last night. I washed this morning too but—”

“First, let’s brush your teeth.”

“No need for shaving, right?”

“Shall we trim your eyebrows slightly?”

A toothbrush smeared with toothpaste was pressed into my hand. I brushed my teeth as instructed. The dozens of eyes fixed on me as I cleaned made me shiver. Without some resistance to fear, I’d have been terrified.

“Open wide.”

“Your teeth are relatively clean but we should check properly. Lie down here.”

“No, wait, wait!”

What are you doing?! I saw a chair resembling a dentist’s chair. No way—this is a dental office? Chatterbox! I tried to escape but the hands holding me were firm.

“It’s purely cosmetic care, it’s okay.”

“I can’t use potions, I have poison resistance!”

“Yes, Mr. Han Yujin’s health management details were sent from Korea.”

“Oh—go ahead.”

I missed my brother terribly after just five minutes apart. Luckily my teeth were fine, but this was just the beginning.

“Don’t get up.”

“…Huh? Isn’t it done?”

“There’s no need for hair removal since you’re in a suit, but if you wish—”

“No!”

What a chilling suggestion! Two people took each of my hands. They wrapped them in warm towels, wiped them down, then soaked them in fragrant warm water. At the same time, my face was wiped with a warm towel. I’d had care like this before, but never to this extent.

“Um—”

“Keep your mouth closed.”

I can wash my face myself! Resigned, I closed my eyes and felt even more uneasy. They massaged my hands and began filing my nails. I heard the scratch of blades over my {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} eyebrows. Then a facial massage—

“Ow!”

Ouch! And they did various other treatments. My face, ears, and neck all received their care. After a long while, I finally stepped down from the chair.

“Let me help you with your clothes—”

“I can dress myself!”

They tried to dress me but I shouted for a changing room. Reluctantly, they handed me clothes: a white tailcoat.

“…This.”

Looks similar to Chatterbox’s outfit.

“Do you have other clothes?”

“No.”

Their businesslike smiles watched me. I wanted to protest, but they were just ordinary employees, hired for this. It’d be different if I was sparring with Hunters in the field. It’s the employer Chatterbox who’s the problem, not them.

“Is it really impossible—?”

“I’m sorry, Hunter Han Yujin.”

“No need to apologize…”

As someone paid to do this, what could they do? I’d worked under others before regression, so it was hard to blame them. Besides, these were experts in their fields—save one, everyone else had at least mid-tier skills. That’s not nothing.

“When this party ends, even those with low stats who have special skills will get more attention.”

If only the host weren’t Chatterbox, this would be a great opportunity. I win and return home, announce the Special Awakening Center opening immediately. After all the rebuilding, the center’s launch was near.

…If I can return to Korea safely, things will go smoothly.

“Please don’t follow me in!”

I refused help vigorously and entered the changing room to dress. The clothes fit me perfectly. Sure, bespoke clothes are more luxurious than department store brands. And this wasn’t the first time, so I must be the winner… why do I keep thinking that? There are plenty of wealthy people around, but none who’d flaunt luxury goods at me.

“Please have a seat!”

“How much time remains?”

As soon as I emerged, I was seated again. More hands touched my hair and face, they tried on shoes and said they didn’t suit, pulling off my socks. Wait, those were Yerim’s gift! I shouted to have my socks returned.

“…Ugh, white dress shoes.”

Already embarrassing.

“What about earrings?”

“Hunter Han Yujin, perhaps—”

“Please leave them be… please.”

They pinned a decoration to the breast pocket of the tailcoat with regret. At last my grooming was complete, and I stood before a mirror.

I looked like a swallow. Hello, I’m Han Yujin, who might you be. Surely not me.

“…What is this even for, really.”

Someone grabbed my hand as I reflexively reached to fix my hair.

“Please hold still. If your hair gets messy, you’ll look too young.”

“I already look my age.”

No one agreed. It’s because this is America! In Korea I look mid-twenties.

“All set!”

They stepped back in unison. Then my body was transported again. After a floating sensation—

“Hunter Han Yujin!”

Kabang kaboom! Loud music blared.

“Waaaah!”

A roar of cheers. Holy shit, wait, Chatterbox, hey! Fireworks exploded into the dark sky, flames shot up around the massive stage, and beyond…

“…This is insane.”

Thousands filled the stadium. I felt like swearing. It was a gigantic round arena, packed with spectators. Panicking, I turned back and gasped.

A giant screen came into view. Me, in my white suit, filled the display. I wanted to go home.

“The star of the day has appeared!”

Chatterbox’s voice boomed through the speakers. The stage’s flames burst into color again. Before my feet a path of light appeared, stretching to the center stage as if beckoning.

Please send me home. Yuhyun, save me. Help me. Oh god.

“Haha, hahaha…”

I forced a laugh and walked along the path. I wanted to sprint, but I struggled to look composed. That madman Chatterbox. All day he stayed quiet to do this? Where did he gather all these people? Where did they come from?

As I neared the center stage where Chatterbox stood, a swarm of drones rose into the sky. Against the night sky they glittered, drawing SF… Please don’t shout SF… Don’t write my name… I’m sorry, please forgive me…

With a crazed, troubled heart, I reached Chatterbox. That bastard wore the exact same tailcoat in black, with the same decoration on his chest. I cursed him a dozen times internally.

“What the—”

Just as I whispered to ask what was going on, the ground trembled beneath my feet.

“What is this!”

“Be careful, sir.”

Chatterbox caught my arm as I staggered, and the stage floor lifted. The platform spun while the floor groaned and protruded into a star shape. Fireworks exploded. Fireworks cost a fortune yet they rained freely.

All the while music played—no, an orchestra performed live. Chatterbox grabbed the microphone again. These days there are simpler machines, yet he insisted on the classical way. How obnoxious.

“Channel Chatterbox! The dazzling party of the world’s top Hunters!”

With every word he spoke, the crowd’s excitement roared. My neck ached with incredulity, but if I were an ordinary viewer unaware of the truth, I’d be jumping along too. It was spectacular. Considering the money spent and dungeon filming tech, it surpassed ranking matches.

“Currently, the top overall score is shockingly Stat F! Hunter Han Yujin!”

“…Haha, thank you~”

Between the cheers, my name and SF were chanted in a mix. Hurry and introduce the other Hunters—Yuhyun and Seong Hyunjae, of course, and cute Peace and Gyeol, popular Yerim and Director Song. Then I can slip away unnoticed. If Noah transforms into a dragon once, I can say I’m going to the restroom and no one will notice.

“This party was originally planned around S-Rank Hunters. Most of the invited guests are S-Rank Hunters.”

His lips beneath the mask curved into a humanly kind smile. Chatterbox reached out and tapped my shoulder affectionately.

“But look!”

Bang, pang! Fireworks burst again.

“To the Hunter who has achieved consecutive victories among S-Rank Hunters, the most remarkable Hunter!”

I tried to fill my face with a confident smile. Yes, I’ll gladly accept what’s served. It benefits me. And after all, it is the result of my efforts. Though embarrassing, I can hold my head high. …Still embarrassing.

Chatterbox withdrew his hand from my shoulder, taking a graceful step back. A bouquet appeared in his hand. His tall frame bent smoothly as he offered it to me.

“Thank you.”

I smiled and accepted the bouquet. Please, next in line quickly. Who is it by score? Ms. Hyunah? She arrived quickly in the initial run and the island, was part of a tie, and ranked in one-on-one duels. Anyway, whoever it is, I prayed silently for them to come soon.

Tatata— I heard a helicopter.

Boom, kaang!

Amid the deafening noise, machine-gun fire erupted. Through the hail of bullets, Chatterbox’s body shielded me.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by readnovel.co