WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The S-Classes That I Raised ◈

Chapter 45: I Wish You'd Leave Me Alone

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[Why don't you come see me soon?]

After returning home, I texted the contact information for Goblin that Seok Simyeong had given me. Apparently, Goblin could only receive texts, not calls.

There was no reply, but before long, Goblin appeared out of thin air.

I knew that mask. I had seen it in Korean-language textbooks. It was definitely Malttugi's mask. Malttugi was... the role that mocked and ridiculed the nobleman he served. I remembered because my Korean teacher's Malttugi impression had been so vivid.

...Was this on purpose? Yeah?

“Oh, Captain Kim, sir, you've summoned me! You went so long without a word that I thought you, a captain so frail you might be at death's door if this Goblin so much as grabbed your ankle, had already taken that long road to the underworld! I was in the middle of putting a dried pollack head on the memorial table, sticking a spoon into a heaping bowl of rice, and bowing twice!”

“...That's enough.”

“Why won't you play along?!”

What, should I go get a janggu drum and beat along? I needed to send them far away quickly. I was too tired to play with a three-year-old.

“Whatever. I've got something for you to do.”

“I'm a busy person! I don't do trivial jobs!”

Pretty high and mighty for a subordinate. I picked up the tablet I had prepared.

“You'll change your mind once you hear it.”

“You sound confident. Go on!”

Goblin folded their arms and tilted their head. Were they my boss or something?

“Shouldn't a subordinate be more polite?”

“Please tell me!”

“It's simple. Investigate dungeons in other countries for me.”

“Dungeons?”

“Yeah. I've put the details of what needs investigating on this tablet.”

I had organized the items to investigate and the methods as best as I could remember. First, Goblin would investigate every dungeon in nearby Japan. Then I could give that material to Seok Hayan, have her point out what was missing, and fill in the gaps.

“Normally, foreigners aren't allowed near dungeons. But you can use Stealth and spatial movement, so it should be easy for you.”

“Of course I can do it! But why should I?”

“If we discover the dungeon generation laws, we can reduce the damage from dungeon breaks. Put simply, we can save countless people. The great Goblin will be doing something heroic.”

“I like that kind of thing!”

Goblin shouted, snatching the tablet. They knew how to use it, right? Thankfully, Goblin skillfully flipped through the tablet's screen.

“But do I really have to go all the way to another country? It's so far.”

“Japan's close if you sneak onto a plane. Please, my beloved Yun Yun.”

I needed the Keyword to take effect soon so Goblin could get an ultra-long-distance portal skill. At the word beloved, Goblin recoiled in disgust.

“Not that again! I won't do it?!”

“Why would a Goblin hate hearing ‘I love you’? Goblins are naturally a species full of love.”

Goblins transformed into beautiful women to seduce men, or coveted women themselves. According to the encyclopedia.

“...Really?”

“Of course. A true Goblin needs to get used to love. I love you, Yun Yun. Now you try.”

After hesitating, Goblin shouted loudly.

“I love you, Mr. Kim!”

“Good, that's it. I love you too, Yun Yun.”

I returned the declaration of love and checked my skill window just in case, but Goblin's name still was not there. Maybe because I knew so little about Goblin personally, three or four times had not been enough. Should I count how many more it would take?

“Uuugh, I'm going to Japan...”

“Have a safe trip. Take care of yourself. Your safety comes first. If you need anything, tell me anytime. I love you.”

Goblin vanished without a trace.

I stared at the empty spot, then let out a sigh without thinking.

‘This should do it.’

I sat on the edge of the bed, then lay down completely.

Now all I had to do was hand the material over to Seok Hayan. If I moved her research institute into my building, its safety would be guaranteed, and it would not face interference from the government or any particular guild.

Unlike five years from now, information would not be concealed or monopolized.

‘There are mounts and Yu Myeongu, too. I'll turn the two original A-Classes into S-Classes. Isn't that enough?’

Other than raising the kids, there was not much else I could do now. Maybe I could occasionally go out, find promising non-Awakened people, and awaken them. As for the Awakening Center, I could just offer advice from the sidelines.

Knowing future information did not mean I knew everything in the world, and now that so much would change, it would not be very useful before long anyway.

I had laid enough groundwork. Things would surely run along better on their own.

Honestly, I felt like I had done too much for someone like me. They said it was hard to stop once you started rolling, and that was exactly what had happened.

Still, this was really the end now. My safety was guaranteed, I would have plenty of money, and my already successful little brother would become even more successful.

If I raised Kim Seonghan too and safely brought in Moon Hyuna, there would be four S-Class combat Hunters. And I would keep finding promising combat types and healers to send over, so becoming number one in the country would only be a matter of time... Hmm. Would I really have to join Haeyeon then? That would be a hassle too.

I wanted to cancel the younger-brother discount and make being number one in the world the condition instead.

‘Still, my little brother won't work me to the bone, right?’

I could just put my name down and be done with it.

Anyway, it was really over. Everything was over!

Except for one thing.

‘...Whoever made the system still bothers me.’

Still, I’d been told the checks were finished, right? Maybe it really was over. I should have tried spatial movement while I had Goblin here.

It left a bad feeling.

...Damn it, whatever. I had done enough. I could just fill up the waiting slots now and then.

Just let me live peacefully while raising monsters.

* * *

“Uncle, the commercials are almost over!”

Yerim, sitting on the sofa with a cushion hugged to her chest, made a huge fuss. For the record, this was our fifth sofa. Peace had seen fit to destroy the first four while rolling around on the table. It was a true king of destruction.

“I don't really want to watch it.”

“Why not? I'm even going to buy the VOD. I'll download it and save it.”

Why go that far? ...Though I was going to buy it too. Peace was in it, after all. It was embarrassing to see myself, but I had to save Peace's parts.

When I went over and sat on the sofa, Peace jumped into my lap as though it had been waiting.

Take it easy when you jump. Think about your size.

Grrr.

When I patted his head as he rubbed against me, Yerim's eyes narrowed into slits.

“You know Peace is completely putting on an act, right?”

“Putting on an act?”

“When you're not around, Uncle, it doesn't even wag its tail. It completely ignores people. It doesn't acknowledge them at all.”

“You bullied him from the moment you met him. He has every reason to ignore you.”

Yerim made an aggrieved face at my words.

“It's not like that. Oh, it's starting.”

A short narration played, and Yerim was introduced first. A caption calling her the youngest S-Class combat Hunter bounced onto the screen.

“It already started?”

Yu Myeongu came out carrying snacks. The rich, nutty smell hit my nose and made me sit up straight.

“What is that?”

Yerim showed interest too, tightly squeezing the cushion she had been hugging. Yu Myeongu set the plate in their hands on the table.

“Fried scorched-rice crisps and butter potatoes.”

They sounded delicious just by name. Yerim and I moved almost at the same time. Each of us picked up a piece of fried scorched rice and brought it to our mouths.

Crunch.

Wow... How was it this perfectly crisp? The amount of sugar sprinkled over it was exquisite too. The sweetness did not overwhelm the nutty flavor at all. It brought it out just right.

“Whoa, what is this? What is this? You didn't make this yourself, did you?”

Yerim's eyes went wide as she speared a butter potato with her fork. It was not even too hot for her to pop it into her mouth at once. She chewed, then made a deeply moved expression.

“Myeongu-oppa...!”

...She had started calling him oppa. Yerim, you brat, when did you used to look down on Myeongu? How could you fall head over heels for one fried scorched-rice crisp and a potato?

Though it was worth falling for... Ugh, this potato was so good. It was almost a shame Peace had no interest in anything but mana stones and monster meat.

Yip!

Then Peace cried at the TV. When I looked up, I saw myself sitting in a chair with Peace in my arms. Seeing my own face on screen was a little embarrassing... Wait, what was that caption?

“Uncle, look at your introduction! It says Monster Dad!”

Yerim laughed with fists full of fried scorched rice. Just as she said, the caption at the bottom of the screen read, “Monster Dad Han Yujin.”

Damn it, I clearly said it was a magical beast rearing skill, that I was a magical beast breeder. Why was I Monster Dad? It was the kind of caption that made it seem like this was an animal show or one of those strange human-interest programs where it ended with, “Peace, be good and listen to Daddy~.”

Was that what this program was? What was with them?

“It was on TV too. That's amazing, as expected.”

Unlike Yerim, who was cackling, Myeongu was purely impressed. Amazing, my ass. You would be able to appear on shows like that as much as you wanted soon enough.

Then my phone rang. An unknown number was calling. Who was it?

“Hello?”

[Yujin! I just saw you on TV. Do you remember me? We worked at the factory together!]

Hmm, who was this? I did not remember them at all. It had been four years since I worked at the factory, but it felt like a full nine years ago. If it had been someone I was close to, I should have remembered, but I had no idea.

“I'm sorry, but I don't remember you.”

[Really? That's a little hurtful. Want to meet up? I've been working on a business venture lately, and it's an incredible idea!]

Ah, one of those calls. The broadcast had barely aired. That was fast.

“Really? What kind of idea?”

Once I showed interest, they started rambling on. Hmm, not very creative. It was not persuasive, and they were bad at explaining it too.

“I'm not interested. I decline.”

I hung up and blocked the number. Yerim, who had watched me take the call, shook her head.

“Why did you even answer? You should've hung up right away. I changed my number completely. I got calls from relatives of the in-laws of parents from the next class over. You should change yours too, Uncle.”

“I don't plan to change it for a while. It's fun.”

“...Fun?”

“Yeah. I like taking spam calls. Especially creative ones.”

It was one of my few hobbies. They paid the call charges, worked hard at telling their stories, and their service was polite. It was cheap, enjoyable leisure I could enjoy while lying down. The only drawback was that their routines were too similar.

“Oh, another one.”

“...Uncle.”

Yerim looked dumbfounded. Myeongu looked flustered too. Was it really that strange?

“No, I mean... if there was a truly good product, I could invest.”

“You'll get scammed. Why don't you find another hobby?”

“Yeah, you could get seriously burned if they tempt you.”

These brats. It was not as if I had only been doing this for a year or two. I knew far more about it than they did. Still, I read the room and did not answer, turning my phone to silent instead. With talk about the value of mounts, giant guild investments, and money practically reeking from the air, all sorts of people would contact me.

This would be fun for a while.

* * *

“Yaaawn.”

I came into the living room with a long yawn. There had been someone with such a gift for storytelling that I stayed up too late responding and listening. With a story and speaking skills like that, why try to scam people instead of aiming for TV or writing a book? What a waste of talent.

‘After optimized Awakening, they'll probably get one or two related skills.’

Something like, Even If I Fell into Water, My Tongue Would Float.

“Sorry I'm late. Were you really bored?”

When I opened the door, Peace, who had been waiting, rushed out and rubbed its cheek against my leg.

Grrrr.

“Okay, okay. Let's eat and head out right away.”

After an awkwardly timed breakfast-lunch, I went outside. Peace slipped from my arms and toddled ahead. Its tail swayed gently along with its lively steps.

Unlike before, there was a guard standing near the elevators and stairs on the dormitory floor. Not an ordinary security guard, but a Hunter.

“Hello.”

I greeted them and took a look. B-Class, close-combat type. Judging by the visitor badge around their neck, they had been sent by MKC.

One condition of the mount rearing negotiations had been shared protection for me. So the major guilds had agreed to take turns sending guards.

Yoohyun had complained that I did not need it while I was still at Haeyeon, but a contract was a contract.

Yesterday, Breaker had sent an A-Class, but MKC was stingy. Of course, B-Class was not low-ranked either. Unlike Breaker's guildmaster, their A-Class had a good personality. Despite being high-ranked, they were not arrogant, but kind and gentle. They had also shown a lot of interest in mounts.

They were probably nice because of the last part, but so what? Kindness with an ulterior motive was better than unkindness without one.

Hanshin had been no less impressive in that regard.

Two days ago, Hanshin sent not just an A-Class, but its vice guildmaster. When I said it seemed a bit much to come all this way just to protect me, the vice guildmaster gave me a genial smile and said they had wanted to meet and greet me. Then, as expected, they showed enormous interest in mounts. I had heard “I look forward to working with you” several times too.

‘Compared to that, this MKC guild member barely reacts.’

Maybe it was because, as a B-Class, they would not be receiving a mount directly. Still, they should have been interested.

“Are you heading down to the training room?”

“Yes.”

The B-Class Hunter pressed the elevator button for us. Before my regression, I could never have dreamed of such treatment. But now I was B-Class too.

When the elevator arrived, Peace hopped on as if accustomed to it and pressed the button for the basement floor. Whose child was this? It was so smart.

‘...Aren't they impressed?’

I discreetly checked the MKC Hunter's face, but it remained completely stoic. The Hunters from Hanshin and Breaker had all praised Peace, saying it was amazing, smart, and well raised.

Of course, there was no rule saying everyone had to praise our Peace, but it still made me a little sad.

When we reached the basement floor with its cluster of training rooms, I went to the management office and received the key to the training room Peace used alone. Even so, it was not enough of a special privilege to call it favoritism.

No matter how sturdily they were built, training rooms and buildings had limits to their durability. Even B-Class Hunters found it difficult to use their strength freely, let alone high-ranked Hunters. As a result, there were more than enough training rooms, and they never filled up. B-Class Hunters and above normally used training facilities in Gyeonggi Province.

That was why Haeyeon's basement training rooms were used more by affiliate guild members than by Haeyeon Guild members, who mostly consisted of high-ranked Hunters.

Most major guilds had several small and mid-sized guilds beneath them. They had to manage not only high-ranked dungeons but also a certain proportion of low and mid-ranked dungeons.

Sending high-ranked Hunters from the guild to conquer low and mid-ranked dungeons was a waste of manpower. So the small and mid-sized affiliate guilds handled those dungeons instead. In return, the major guilds served as solid backers and let them use facilities like training rooms and equipment management teams.

Haeyeon had several affiliate guilds too.

‘None of them caused any problems until five years later.’

I did not remember every little thing involving small and mid-sized guilds, but I thought that was right. Just looking at how well-behaved the affiliate guilds were, did that not mean Yoohyun was fairly moderate for a guildmaster? I could guarantee it. For five years, I could not find a single fault with my little brother, which only made him more irritating.

He was the best among guildmasters.

Footnotes:

“Even if you fall into water, your tongue will float” is a Korean expression for someone exceptionally glib or eloquent.

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