The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 681: The Seong Guild Leader (1)

“Mari, I’ve never cooked before! What are you going to sell?”

Mari asked excitedly.

“We’ll have to see starting now. Since we’re in a busy district, let’s check out the nearby restaurants.”

“Do I have to serve? I want to try cooking.”

“Just being S-Rank is enough to get you into the kitchen. At least you can handle a chef’s knife perfectly.”

“I’ve only ever cooked simple meals to fill my stomach.”

“Perfect.”

Seong Hyunjae said pleasantly. Moon Hyunah watched him with complicated eyes. He had claimed he’d abandoned his pre-rebirth life, yet he was still tender with children.

‘He’s interested in Mari, and Samir is just a bonus,’ she thought.

Even if his mind flipped again, he wouldn’t meddle with those who showed potential. Even if his interest faded, the boundaries would remain intact. Even now, with no future expectations. Moon Hyunah scratched the back of her head and spoke.

“I’ll take the third floor? And I’ll borrow Director Song as {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} well.”

“You’re proactive.”

“Losing consecutively is dangerous. We have to do our best.”

If Seong Hyunjae’s team kept losing, those scheming behind the scenes would become more aggressive. We need to look either evenly matched or overwhelmingly dominant.

“I’ll hand over the interior rights to the third floor.”

“Okay. Have fun on your date with the kids, boss.”

“There’s a huge restaurant across the street! Let’s go there!”

Mari grabbed at Seong Hyunjae’s arm, then changed her mind and tugged Samir outside instead. Moon Hyunah and Song Taewon boarded the elevator.

“We should install a couple more elevators. Director Song, is there anything you want to do?”

“Nothing in particular.”

“Try something you’ve never done before. You must have had childhood dreams.”

The elevator stopped. Song Taewon shook his head briefly and stepped off.

“I didn’t.”

“You didn’t want to be a cop?”

“…I had to. That’s all.”

Their footsteps echoed through the empty third floor. Moon Hyunah manipulated the interface Seong Hyunjae had handed her, turning one wall into floor-to-ceiling glass. She tilted her head, then pulled the glass inward to create an outdoor space.

“A restaurant needs alcohol above it. We need a separate entrance. Place the bar over there. This neighborhood must have booze or something similar. Mr. Song Taewon, you’ll handle customers at the bar.”

“…Yes?”

Moon Hyunah gave Samir a mischievous grin as she turned to the flustered Song Taewon.

“We don’t know if our looks will work on balloon people. But Song Taewon inspires trust, right? Just be yourself. That’ll be enough. People will flock quickly, and if we raise prices, valuable information will flow. Business is about connections and information.”

“…I’m not confident.”

“Even Seong Hyunjae trusts you. Even the stodgy old men will trust Director Song. At least they’ll believe you’re not lining your own pockets. Appearance aside, trust shines in any culture, even across species.”

Even if honesty and promises are treated like scraps of paper, if you survive betrayals consistently and steadfastly, you become an exception. And Song Taewon is that kind of person.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Just as usual. And…”

A bar materialized. Moon Hyunah perched on it lightly and propped her chin on her hand.

“Doesn’t Seong Hyunjae bother you?”

“You always have to be mindful of S-Rank hunters.”

“You like Seong Hyunjae, Director Song.”

“I don’t.”

“In the whole universe, if I had to pick three people who like Seong Hyunjae, it’d be: 1. Han Yujin, 2. Song Taewon, and 3. Seong Hyunjae himself. I don’t like that man much. As a hunter and guild leader, I trust his skills, though.”

He was just a harmless companion to associate with. In reality, there were more advantages.

“He’s too perfect. No matter what happens, he’ll live fine and won’t die. He’s someone who’d never need my help. Being too good just turns me off. But that guy… a moment ago he seemed more human. Not as cute as Dari, but…”

Dari was cute~ Moon Hyunah chuckled.

“Someone who’ll one day face an end, someone who knows loss. Well, the current Seong Hyunjae acts pretty human these days. Softer than before.”

“…I still don’t like Seong Hyunjae, though.”

Song Taewon sighed softly.

“I’m just cooperating out of necessity.”

“Stubborn. Shall we grab a drink in broad daylight? The place probably isn’t open yet; let’s hit a convenience store.”

Moon Hyunah jumped off the bar and strolled toward the elevator. Song Taewon watched her retreating figure, then exhaled lightly again.

[The era of second-generation hunters has arrived.]

[Four years since dungeons appeared, children are changing.]

[Global mana surge hitting younger ages more.]

[What if your child is an Awakened?]

In the video appeared a boy with pale pink hair and large, clear golden eyes—utterly adorable. His round, soft cheeks had a healthy flush, and his lips were pressed together, as if trying to look mature, making him even cuter.

└ Just by looks, he’s S-Rank, right?

└ S-Rank is all about proportions; innate stats are 80%.

└ There are low-ranks in the entertainment world.

└ I heard only his skill is unique; his stats are F, so that’s a lie.

└ Didn’t you see Yongdeok struggling to control him yesterday? He couldn’t escape, lol—probably B at best.

└ Our Gyeol’s cute stat is SSS, so total is S.

└ Even with an F in stats, SF becomes B; online consensus is S.

└ Skill’s weird, but “ㅍ” catches “ㅅ” in sequence lol.

└ Ah… he’s really drool-worthy, sob sob sob sob.

└ Kangso follows him like that—seriously, isn’t he a little bastard?

└ I heard his unique skill is “Pingryong.”

└ He’s worth ditching SS for and following around, I admit.

└ Is he bronze-black-pink? Let’s transform into the Water Lord Blue! You can do it!

└ Even without being Yongdeok, his face is a dead ringer.

└ If his parents are normal, they’d lose it and send him away—how do you raise an Awakened child? If he’s mid-rank, maybe, but an S-Rank kid would surpass parents.

└ If a kid has a good skill, kidnapping risk is high. I saw news of minor Awakened child trafficking overseas.

└ Even if parents accept it, what did the neighbors do wrong? If he stomps, the ceiling’s gone! lol

└ Honestly, it’s dangerous—could pop up anywhere, anytime. S-Rank, wtf.

└ Can a child control that? Better to isolate him.

└ Gyeol’s cute, so I’d be fine having him as my neighbor; he’s well-behaved.

└ Gyeol, I love you!!!111111

There have been some child Awakened, but most lacked special skills and were low-rank; mid and above were hidden for safety. In contrast, Han Gyeol’s background was sensational enough.

His guardian is Han Yujin, the only S-Rank Beast Tamer and Chatterbox Party champion. Publicly a relative, but suspected to be closer kin. His protector is S-Rank hunter Seong Hyunjae. On top of that, he’s known to possess a rare special skill—and he’s adorable.

And that tiny Awakened.

[The Sesung Guild’s private jet has just landed at the airport!]

[First to emerge is Richard Hwang, known as an S-Rank hunter and Han Gyeol’s bodyguard.]

[Princess Isabella bint Rashid is also here. Also an S-Rank hunter, said to have joined for Gyeol’s protection. She’s been very close to him.]

[Emily Spencer, famed as the Saint, has never left Europe for safety—until now, arriving in America! I hear Hunter Isabella also joined for the Saint’s protection, and she’s been very friendly with Gyeol.]

[Oh! The plane’s lower door has opened, and a black dragon is coming out! Hunter Kang Soyeong and S-Rank Beast Tamer Comet!]

Alongside the S- and A-Rank hunters and the Saint came a small boy carrying a neat little bag. He narrowed his eyebrows, then beamed at the camera and waved leisurely.

“You’re getting the hang of it.”

Seong Hyunjae spoke softly from Han Gyeol’s vest pocket. Gyeol lowered his voice in reply, still smiling.

“For Gyeol, this is nothing.”

“The image of you hitting a reporter’s head with your bag during the interview still feels vivid, like it happened yesterday.”

“Because it was yesterday! That guy kept asking what relationship I had with the Sesung Guild Leader. So annoying.”

“Kicking the reporter and flipping them off reminded me of Han Yujin.”

“Gyeol’s my dad’s son! …It’s a secret from Dad.”

Hwang Rim, waiting by the car, opened the door. He moved naturally, as if ten years of bodyguard experience.

“Please, young master.”

Gyeol nodded like a gentleman and got in. Isabella took the driver’s seat, and Hwang Rim sat beside Gyeol. Emily boarded another vehicle with her S-Rank guards, and Kang Soyeong flew alongside with Comet protecting the car.

“Take it easy, Princess.”

“Don’t worry. He’s just a kitten.”

Before the words finished, Isabella slammed the accelerator. The car took off, and Hwang Rim checked for bugs.

“All clear.”

“So Samir is with Dad Cat?”

Isabella asked quietly. Gyeol nodded.

“In the same space. They said he’s not in danger.”

“I still don’t fully grasp the outside world, but as long as he’s alive, that’s fine.”

The car headed straight to the U.S. Hunter Association headquarters. Officially, this was the Saint’s visit to strengthen ties between the European and American associations.

“Children aren’t allowed in.”

Before the meeting began, the U.S. Hunter Association vice president announced it. Gyeol’s face scrunched up in protest, but the answer never changed.

“Be good; it’s not a place for children.”

“Even though Gyeol isn’t less capable than I am, they still treat him like a child!”

“Adults are adults. Most hunters here are S-Rank.”

“And they all lost to my F-Rank dad.”

Gyeol’s cheeks puffed out. He spun and stormed into the restroom off the waiting area.

“This is child discrimination. America’s supposed to be an equal country!”

“Children need protection. Wait about twenty more years.”

“Gyeol is different from ordinary kids. But there’s nothing we can do.”

Gyeol grabbed the small Seong Hyunjae and lifted him before his eyes.

“The Sesung Guild Leader can go in. Right?”

“I wouldn’t recommend it. Entrusting it to Ms. Spencer is fine too.”

“I don’t want that. Dad asked me to.”

“Han Yujin asked me to.”

“Gyeol can do it. And if the Sesung Guild Leader helps, they’ll listen even better.”

Seong Hyunjae, caught in Gyeol’s grip, tilted his head as if resigned.

“I recommend gray hair. Makes you look older.”

“Got it, got it. Ahem.”

Gyeol’s form shifted rapidly. Soon he stood before the mirror as an adult. The reflection showed Seong Hyunjae with pale gray hair. Gyeol tested strict expressions.

“No need to force it. Keep it natural. Posture matters more than expression. Relaxed and casual. As for the suit… wear this.”

Seong Hyunjae found a suit image on his phone and showed it to Gyeol. Gyeol’s outfit changed.

“Magic power should match mine. Like when we were in the vault.”

“…It’s not working.”

“Just get the vibe. Slip a handkerchief in your breast pocket so I can hide.”

“But…”

Gyeol looked at his Seong Hyunjae double in the mirror and spoke.

“Is this really reliable? That trace from before the rebirth.”

The future-turned-past Seong Hyunjae who now stood in Seong Hyunjae’s place. Gyeol frowned slightly.

“It’s you. What if you act on your own?”

“As myself, I have to help.”

Seong Hyunjae smiled and slipped inside the handkerchief.

“It was an offer you couldn’t refuse. Many S-Ranks are here, so use an in-ear.”

From the moment Seong Hyunjae confronted Seong Hyunjae, escape was impossible. Gyeol wore a dubious expression but followed Seong Hyunjae’s instructions. After all, listening to him couldn’t hurt.

“Shall we go?”

Standing tall, Gyeol left the restroom and headed for the conference room.

“…Sesung Guild Leader?”

“I wasn’t informed of a visit, but please come in.”

Children and S-Rank guild leaders receive starkly different treatment. No one blocked the way; instead, they welcomed him.

“Don’t even make eye contact with the hunter on the right. You had a history. They get annoying if you pay attention.”

“She with black hair is friendly, but you don’t need to greet her. Just nod slightly first.”

“You can ignore the one next to her too. And that fool over there—completely ignore them. If they try anything, Hwang Rim will step in.”

“What on earth have you been doing?”

Gyeol covered his mouth with his hand and whispered. The Seong Hyunjae in his pocket shrugged.

“I mostly just stayed still; they came to me first.”

“It’s a mess. And why ignore the friendly hunters?”

About two-thirds of the senior hunters expressed goodwill; the rest emanated hostility.

“That’s socializing. It’s bothersome.”

“I miss Dad.”

“Same here. I even miss Han Yujin and Director Song Taewon.”

Armed with Seong Hyunjae’s bold advice, Gyeol swaggered into the conference room. All eyes turned to Gyeol and Seong Hyunjae. Gyeol smiled softly.

“Sorry I’m late.”

He wore Seong Hyunjae’s expression perfectly.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by readnovel.co