The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 682: Han-gyeol.

“Currently, officially, the country with the largest number of high-rank hunters—S-Rank hunters—in the world is the United States. The country itself is large and populous, but much credit goes to its active recruitment of high-rank hunters. From neighboring Mexico and South America to Africa across the Atlantic, countless Awakened have come to America hoping for better treatment and conditions.

Of course, America is not all sweetness for the Awakened. In fact, lobbying and lawsuits to curb this new energy source and industry have burned hotter than in other countries. Behind the scenes all manner of intrigue swirled, yet hunters remained heroes who protected the nation and its people.

A ticket to an advanced country where one’s entire family could emigrate. A positively established image of Awakened. The largest hunter market in the world. Relatively well-managed dungeons. Full resettlement support according to Awakened rank. For hunters from regions where guild disputes ran rampant or where the management system was so poor that they could barely protect their families or guilds, these conditions were irresistible.

Thanks to this, in America the [N O V E L I G H T] number of high-rank guilds easily exceeded one hundred. And since no S-Rank hunter would subordinate themselves under another S-Rank anywhere, there were dozens of S-Rank guilds. Those guilds naturally formed rankings through cycles of cooperation and competition. Not precise rankings, but in Florida the A Guild stood out, in Chicago the C Guild, in Texas the F Guild, and each state or city’s representative guild grew in prestige accordingly.

At the same time, each state and city hoped their own representative guild would outshine those of other regions. There were safety concerns, but regional pride and rivalry were equally intense. Many guilds on bad terms regionally—and layered racial and origin issues—meant they hardly ever assembled in the same place.

“I never thought I’d see New York and Los Angeles in the same room,” Han Gyeol said, reciting what Seong Hyunjae had told him. The guild master of the Los Angeles representative guild scowled at once.

“It’s Los Angeles and New York. Even alphabetically it’s that way. L-M-N!”

“Guild Leader of Sesung’s insight remains sharp,” the New York guild master said, and a chill fell. Yet, unlike usual, no harsher words or weapons followed. Because of the guest in the main seat.

Emily Spencer. No matter the S-Rank hunter, if she valued her own life, she would bow and comply. The only healer who could perfectly restore poison, curse, or nearly any injury as long as the patient remained alive. That even the most fractious S-Rank hunters across America gathered calmly here could only mean none dared decline her invitation.

Emily sank into a plush armchair, wearing a gentle smile.

“How far have we progressed with the discussions?”

Han Gyeol asked as he stepped forward.

“The rough explanation is complete,” Isabella answered. Approaching the long table where people sat, Han Gyeol drew from his inventory a stack of contracts and placed them on the table.

“Then please sign.”

A nearby hunter quickly leafed through the contract and furrowed his brow.

“What is this all of a sudden?”

“I trust those gathered here, and at the same time I do not. You all must feel the same.”

Han Gyeol—and Seong Hyunjae—continued.

“As you’ve heard, something akin to Japan’s monster incident will occur again before long.”

He made no mention of Han Yujin’s wager. If they lost and a nation disappeared, it was easy to imagine where the arrows of resentment and anger would be aimed.

The true culprit would be a Transcendent. Yet people often attacked the fence they could reach easily rather than the distant, high wall they could not surmount. They would vent on a convenient target and feel satisfied, while stealthily averting their gaze from the real, formidable foe.

“Humans can be wiser and more just than expected, but also more foolish and base,” Seong Hyunjae advised Han Gyeol, suggesting prudence and secrecy.

“Last time, Korean hunters cooperated with Japanese hunters to stop the monsters. This time, we may have to abandon a country or region.”

“All the S-Rank hunters here know that nothing would surprise them no matter what happens.”

Emily added to Han Gyeol’s words.

“Our time has already been turned back once.”

Hunters fell silent. There was no definitive proof of rebirth. What they had witnessed was only a memory fragment Seong Hyunjae had extracted via Chatterbox from Han Yujin. Yet even the incident of that memory streaming into minds worldwide and then being withdrawn had been enough to set alarms ringing.

There exists an entity whose power even S-Rank Awakened dare not challenge.

Dungeons, too, were created by that same entity.

“It could be this American continent next.”

Han Gyeol flicked one contract off the table with his fingertip. The paper slid and came to rest.

“These are specially prepared SS-Rank contracts.”

He had taken them from Chatterbox’s vault.

“A contract can be granted only when the grantor has a higher rank, so even I cannot break these contracts.”

Emily produced a signed contract from her inventory and narrowed her eyes.

“In Europe, it’s already done.”

At Emily’s word, Marisa Moore had also readily cooperated. The influence those two wielded in European hunter circles had been enough to secure S-Rank signatures.

“Has East Asia also agreed to cooperate?”

“Ignore them,” Seong Hyunjae whispered to Han Gyeol. Han Gyeol treated the questioning hunter as if he did not exist, then spoke.

“I have also contacted Russia.”

“Guild Leader of Sesung! Are you deaf?”

Han Gyeol calmly turned his gaze to the complaining hunter.

“I lack the talent to persuade those who see with their eyes yet cannot understand.”

“What…?”

“You’re the Guild Leader of Sesung, you fool.”

Another hunter retorted with a mocking tone. His mere presence here spoke volumes. A third hunter clicked his tongue.

“You must have been dozing earlier. The Director of Dodam Breeding first noticed and sought cooperation, and Guild Leader of Sesung joined. East Asia is almost done.”

“He’s head over heels for the Japanese representative guild master, SF. And there’s the Martial Alliance, too.”

These were well-known rumors behind closed doors. Cooperation from other regions was proceeding gradually.

“Even so, signing contracts feels uneasy.”

“Frankly, we could handle it ourselves. If the world is flooded with monsters, the last bastion is the USA.”

“It’ll look like we’re just lending a hand.”

America will never fall. American hunters would solve it before any external aid arrived. Hunters silently eyeing Emily wore similar expressions.

“There are only penalties, not rewards, in the contract.”

“In any other country, maybe. But we should receive compensation.”

“That concludes the extras’ babble~”

Clap-clap, Hwang Rim applauded with a wide grin. Hearing ‘extras,’ the S-Rank hunters glared at him fiercely.

“You remember and even participated in the Chatterbox Party, so why this attitude? Don’t you recall playing background roles 1, 2, 3, being dragged about? Hey, Mister! Weren’t you the first to get kicked out by the National Police Chief? How many seconds did you get on air?”

“That’s—!”

“S-Ranks weren’t erased much. You know it well. The shadowy Chatterbox, those fellows.”

Folding the papers crisply, Hwang Rim continued.

“They created Manhattan. They summoned monsters. They moved S-Ranks around. They invalidated deaths during battles.”

Hunters who had participated or watched the broadcast unconsciously clenched fists or swallowed dryly. The broadcast cast a shadow; items blinded their eyes. Yet that party had certainly been strange.

“But didn’t they lose and not even snag a Chatterbox coat? Aren’t the supporting characters too cocky? If it were our Jin, maybe.”

Before anyone could respond, a paper airplane flew from Hwang Rim’s hand.

“Anything can happen. The entire United States could vanish. We’re not expecting miracles by signing a contract. What can we do? But the more people, the more paths open.”

The paper airplane dropped to the floor with a soft thud.

“This contract is also Chatterbox’s legacy.”

Han Gyeol said.

“There are even higher ranks.”

Not only SS-Rank but SSS-Rank. Items even S-Rank hunters found hard to obtain. Despite memories of the party remaining, many hunters still hesitated, unwilling to believe.

As S-Rank hunters of a great power, they had lived unchallenged. They were confident they could withstand or even stop any dungeon outbreak. But suddenly, entities beyond S-Rank approached.

They might be weak and perhaps helpless—just like they had looked down on mid-rank, low-rank, and non-Awakened. Standing at the highest peak, accepting this reality before their eyes proved difficult.

Silence reigned.

“…That’s odd.”

One hunter fixed his gaze on Han Gyeol.

“Your presence feels strangely weak, yet your mana seems the same. It confused me.”

He stepped closer. Han Gyeol tried not to show surprise.

“Oh dear, have we been found out?”

From his breast pocket, Seong Hyunjae muttered idly. Han Gyeol resisted the urge to press the handkerchief down more firmly and forced a gentle curve to his lips.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“In times like this, it’s better to ignore.”

Tell me first, then! Han Gyeol grumbled inwardly. Seong Hyunjae fiddled with the handkerchief and continued.

“Even so, you won’t hold out long. They’re perceptive. Better to wait for Hwang Rim or Isabella to handle this. Or…”

Han Gyeol glanced as if asking what Hwang Rim would do. Isabella slid her chair back slightly.

“Perhaps Han Gyeol can resolve this himself.”

Her golden eyes flickered. If protected, suspicion would dissolve, but with a suitable excuse he could retreat unnoticed. What would Dad have done? Han Gyeol raised a hand to signal Hwang Rim and Isabella not to intervene.

The hunter approached until he was right in front of Han Gyeol. Hardly threatening for the Guild Leader of Sesung, he suddenly grabbed Han Gyeol by the collar.

“What are you?”

Han Gyeol laughed. His body shrank in an instant. His pale gray hair faded to pink and dazzling wings unfurled. His round golden eyes gazed straight at the hunter holding him.

“You’re abusing a child!”

“No, I—”

Lifted by the collar like a child, the hunter panicked and released him. Han Gyeol fluttered lightly and landed on the table.

“I am Han Gyeol.”

People stared, bewildered at the polite boy.

“Wait, so you weren’t the Guild Leader of Sesung?”

“What does a child think he’s doing!”

“You shouldn’t barge in here!”

Amid shouts to eject him, Han Gyeol called out loudly.

“I created this place!”

Not alone—but with Seong Hyunjae and Hwang Rim’s help, he had aided Han Yujin. He had drawn in Emily using information from Han Yujin. Isabella had been summoned in person.

“My stats are low, and without Father I can’t do much! But this is the place Han Gyeol made, where Han Gyeol belongs! If anyone should leave, it’s the adults!”

“Indeed, Han Gyeol summoned us here.”

Emily smiled as she spoke.

“I, too, was asked by Han Gyeol. To help.”

“But…”

He was just a child. A boy around ten years old at most. Han Gyeol pressed both hands to his hips and raised his eyebrows.

“Give me any reason besides being young! Go on.”

“Um…”

“Er…”

“There’s nothing but age. Or that I’m weak? But Gyeol’s Father, Han Yujin, Director of Dodam Breeding, has F-rank stats. F-rank, yet he won the party, and Han Gyeol stands here because of Father. If Father is SF, then Gyeol is SK.”

F-rank and a child. It was absurd, yet the hunters’ tension eased. Weak and young—yet determined to act. Facing opponents who even S-Ranks found unnerving.

With a crisp fold, one hunter drew a pen and signed the contract. He shrugged.

“The Guild Leader of Sesung sucks, but Han Gyeol’s cute.”

“Actually, I’m a fan too. Will you take a photo with me?”

“Anytime!”

“No adult wants to back down when a kid’s this earnest.”

“But kids shouldn’t do dangerous things. I’ll sign too.”

One by one they stepped forward. A few still hesitant watched the others.

“…I still feel like we’re at a loss here. Should we ask Dodam to move us up the next rotation?”

“I just want to meet Hunter Yoo Myung-woo sometime.”

The remaining hunters began to sign, albeit slowly. A couple slipped away quietly. Hwang Rim and Isabella observed them.

“Thank you!”

“That’s your special skill? Transforming into someone else?”

“Like a goblin.”

“You can only transform into very close kin who resemble you.”

“See, Guild Leader of Sesung—”

“We’re relatives! We just happen to look alike!”

Truly relatives, yet otherwise unrelated, Han Gyeol insisted vigorously.

Tring-trang-trong—!

An alarm clock rang. Han Gyeol snapped his eyes open and found an unfamiliar ceiling filling his view.

“Are you really going to go out?”

Yu-hyun, sleeping beside him, turned off the alarm and asked. Outside the window it was still dim.

“I have to. Besides, it’s a great opportunity. Know your enemy and yourself, and you’ll never be defeated!”

If I watch what they buy at the market, I’ll know their business. Telling Yu-hyun and Noah to stay in bed, he rose.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by readnovel.co