The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 870

Epilogue (12)

I decided to visit the Awakening Center and the market while I was here. I also went to the association building in case there was anyone I knew, especially Director Song, but F-Ranks who had just registered as Hunters weren’t even allowed to set foot in the entrance. I knew it was a secure area, but I was still a little disappointed.

The Hunter Market building was much larger than before. Unlike before the Regression, there was also a Monster Item Shop. At the entrance of the store, there was a large sign with a picture of a peace sign that said, “World’s First Monster Item Specialty Mall, in cooperation with Dodam Ranch.” They’ve been doing this too. Kyunghoon’s been working hard. He’s reliable.

“They even sell baby Monster toys?”

Should I buy one for Ppyak? With growth information on Griffins and Unicorns becoming known, Monster-related items were the most popular, even for mid-level Hunters. Monster meat for food, dungeon grass, and fruits were also available for purchase. They even had a Dragon snack recommended by Hunter Kang Soyoung, which made me trust it even more. On one side, there was a section for dungeon-grown plants and fish with permission for cultivation.

‘Did they really do a proper safety inspection?’

Another Snow Butterfly incident might happen. Dungeon fruits, which were rich in mana, were not only good for Ppyak, but also for Bin as baby food, so I bought a few…of the cheaper ones. This wave apple can be easily found in dungeon rivers, but it costs 50,000 won each. The shipping costs must be expensive, but still. When I was in the dungeon before the Regression, even I, an ordinary F-Rank, used to pick them up and eat them as snacks.

‘I should go into the dungeon again.’

There were quite a few customers on the lower floor, which sold low-level equipment and items. Like me, new recruits who had just registered as Hunters were looking around in wonder. Then, an announcement came over the loudspeaker.

[The Golden Anvil’s Apprentice-made practice equipment has arrived. Raffle tickets will be distributed for D-Rank to F-Rank equipment on the 2nd floor in one hour.]

“Wow!”

Someone shouted. People who had been looking at the products started to run up to the 2nd floor. The new recruits followed them without thinking. I also followed, curious.

“What’s going on?”

One of the new recruits asked a Hunter who was waiting on the 2nd floor.

“You know the Golden Anvil? Sometimes, the equipment that the blacksmiths there make as practice comes out to the market. They’re mostly low-level, but their stats are good for their rank, and they’re cheap.”

They said it was exciting because it was sold without notice, so you had to be lucky to even get a chance to buy it. They’re selling equipment made by Myungwoo’s disciples. It seemed like it would be a big help to low-level Hunters. The department store employee said that only E-Rank and lower Hunters could participate in the raffle. I was an F-Rank, but I hung back.

‘Myungwoo should be able to easily send messages to his disciples now.’

Before, the system connection wasn’t working properly, so he said that it was really difficult to send weapons to Hyunah. I guess it was both a reward and a bribe for taking care of me afterwards. He had also promised to make it for me.

I looked around and headed towards a separate building.

‘Awakening Welfare Center?’

I thought it was a place for Awakener welfare, but it was too empty for that. Maybe it wasn’t officially open yet because there was no one there. Anyway, welfare? Why did the Hunter Association make a place like this? It’s good to change things up.

I went inside, hoping to meet a staff member. I hadn’t walked far down the hall when I came face to face with a familiar face.

‘Min Jisoo?’

She was a Hunter I had met through the Sunghyunjae. She was a visually impaired person who could read the memories of dead creatures. She was still holding her black cane that helped her sense her surroundings. Min Jisoo turned her head when she noticed me.

“Hello, I’m Han Yoojin, an F-Rank Hunter who registered as an Awakener today.”

I greeted her politely, trying to appear harmless.

“I was looking around the Awakening Center. Is this not a place where I’m allowed to enter? If so, I’ll leave right away, so please just look the other wa……”

Oops. Did I make a mistake? I stopped talking, but Min Jisoo laughed softly.

“No, it’s a place that anyone can visit.”

“Is that so! If you don’t mind, could you tell me what this place does?”

“Oh, okay! If you don’t mind, could you tell me what goes on here?”

However, the changed world must have approached Min Jisoo in a completely different way. A new path and hope that could cross a line similar to a cliff.

Min Jisoo didn’t seem to notice my identity at all. She nodded her head and approached me.

“As the name suggests, this place is in charge of welfare related to Awakeners. It was established with the support of the Sesung Guild.”

“The Sesung Guild?”

“Yes. I actually led the effort to promote it. Deputy Guild Master Kang So-young said that if she were the Guild Master, she would definitely accept it, so she actively helped.”

If it was Seong Hyun-jae, it would definitely be the case. He was the type of person who would support anything that his people wanted to do with all their heart.

“We plan to expand the field in the future, but for now, we are focusing on the disabled.”

“Ah… Do you help with skills or items?”

As Min Jisoo said, you can receive various kinds of support.

“You could say that. But beyond that, Han Yoo-jin-ssi has just awakened, so you may not know yet, but there is a difference in rank in the Hunter world.”

I can say with confidence that I know better than anyone. I’ve been through it for 5 years.

“With the emergence of Awakeners, a new class has emerged. However, at the same time, Awakeners also played a role in breaking the existing class. Even if it’s not explicitly labeled with numbers or alphabets, I’m an F-Rank in society. Hmm, maybe even a rank below F-Rank?”

“No, that’s…”

“Everyone says that all people are equal, but honestly, reality is different, right? Just like an F-Rank and an S-Rank can’t be treated the same.”

“…That’s.”

“I’m not saying that it’s wrong, but it’s just different, but it’s not mainstream. If humans were creatures that lived underground without light, I would have been the mainstream. It’s a shame.”

Min Jisoo said lightly, as if joking.

“However, Awakening is a possibility that can break free from all existing ranks. If you awaken to a higher rank, all the past positions that person held will be completely broken. Most of the things that define a person, such as race, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, and wealth.”

A confident voice continued.

“The existing ranks will gradually weaken. It is extremely rare for someone to awaken as a high-ranking Hunter. However, it is a fair opportunity for everyone. A poor man who was ignored could suddenly become an S-Rank one day. An immigrant who was tossed around, a child who suffered from domestic violence, a commoner who was robbed by corrupt power. Even if you are not the person in question, your family or acquaintances may awaken.”

“…That unlikely possibility will act as a brake.”

Of course, it’s rare. However, if cases arise and increase, people will be a little more careful. There will be no eternal underdogs in the world. Even if someone has already awakened as a lower rank, their family or future children may not know what will happen. Once the system is implemented, even F-Ranks can grow. Even before that, you can always acquire special skills.

The world has become a place where anyone can suddenly jump to the top.

“Instead, the new rank called the Awakened Rank will still remain, but General Han Yoo-jin.”

“…Yes?”

I was surprised. Of course, he wasn’t talking about me. So, the me right now.

“We now have a good case of what could happen to an F-Rank, so the discrimination between Awakened Ranks will be reduced a little bit. It is impossible for the ranks themselves to disappear completely unless everyone is liberated.”

“That’s true.”

It will only be possible if everyone gives up their greed and doesn’t judge others. Min Jisoo bowed her head slightly towards me.

“Thank you for listening to my strange story so seriously. Maybe it’s because you have the same name as General Han Yoo-jin. I said all sorts of things without thinking.”

“No, no. I found it interesting.”

She doesn’t even realize that her name is the same. So, to others, I look like I have the same name as Han Yoo-jin and dress similarly… Hmm. Should I change my style a bit?

“It’s still a story that’s closer to wishful thinking. Even Guild Master Breaker hears nonsense in reality.”

“I think it will gradually change. As long as dungeons and Awakeners exist, someday.”

I, too, have been ignored because my parents passed away early and I couldn’t even graduate from high school. Still, it wasn’t to the point of being difficult. I used to think that I would have lived better if there were no Awakenings or dungeons.

However, to Min Jisoo, the changed world must have approached in a completely different way. A new path and hope that could cross the cliff-like line.

“As you mentioned earlier, we are providing customized awakening and item provision. Especially, if awakening and skill acquisition are well-matched, life will become much more comfortable. Even if you only have a low-level wealth skill, you can go anywhere without a wheelchair.”

She said that even if it wasn’t perfect flight, if you could just lift your body slightly, you could easily move around with just prosthetics or a cane.

“In addition, we are also helping the guardians of the disabled to awaken.”

“Guardians?”

“In the case of intellectual disability, it is impossible to awaken the person concerned. Rather, it is more dangerous for them to awaken.”

Min Jisoo said in a regretful voice.

“When a child awakens, the parents often have a hard time. It’s similar. In the case of an awakening caused by a dungeon break, we provide items or contracts that can weaken their stats.”

Ah… there could be such a case. Min Jisoo added that she was glad that an educational facility for minor awakeners was being built. She said that since the relevant bill was passed, it had become much easier to obtain a permit to establish an awakening welfare center.

“Even if you awaken as an F-rank, your stats will increase a little. In addition, we have created a Strategysupport team to help you level up to 10-20. Then, the work of the guardians will become much easier.”

Your strength and stamina will increase, and you will gain additional skills. She said that they were providing support in cases where it was difficult for guardians to awaken and level up on their own.

“Manager!”

At that moment, someone’s angry voice was heard. A young man ran over, bowed briefly to me, and glared at Min Jisoo.

“I was worried because you suddenly disappeared! You didn’t even answer your phone!”

“Oh, I left my cell phone. I was just going to get the documents.”

“It must be inconvenient for you to do that. Leave it to me.”

Thud, and the end of Min Jisoo’s cane hit the man’s instep.

“However, it is something I can do, Mr. Hasoon.”

Min Jisoo said firmly, and Hasoon apologized immediately. However, his expression remained dissatisfied. Is he an employee here? It doesn’t seem like it, since he doesn’t call her by her title.

“Han Yoojin-ssi, shall I give you a detailed tour of the awakening welfare center?”

“No, it’s okay.”

The person next to you is growling like a watchdog. If I asked for a tour, he would seem to be watering. After thanking her for the explanation, I turned and left. I went out the door of the welfare center and sat on the bench in front of it.

‘Things have changed a lot.’

This and that, many things. Fortunately, most of them seemed to have changed for the better. There may be some negative effects, but even if you subtract the negatives from the positives, it won’t be a plus, will it? That’s enough.

‘I should decide what to do soon.’

Should I really do a personal broadcast? I had experience with the Chatterbox party, but back then, they took care of everything related to the broadcast. Do I need to buy a camera first? Can’t I just shoot with my phone? How do I shoot? Chatterbox took care of my appearance, but… Do I need to hire someone to carry the camera around? Where and how do I upload the videos I shoot?

‘…I don’t know anything.’

What should I do? Should I ask Park Harul for help or just look for another job… There’s nothing easy. It might be faster to just blow up my statue and get on the news. While I was contemplating what to do, a car quietly entered the road below the stairs. It was a black van.

‘Are you here to recruit new hunters?’

Lower guilds often visit the awakening center periodically to see if there are any good kids. The car stopped and a big man got out as the door opened. Let’s see, E-class combatant. The man who looked around waved at me and told me to come down. I am a newbie for the time being.

‘Anyway, I have to go to the dungeon, so why don’t I just listen?’

I don’t have the money to monopolize the dungeon pass bid like before. I got up from the bench and went down the stairs. The man smiled as I approached.

“That’s right, you’re good.”

Huh? What are you talking about?

“……?!”

In an instant, my mouth was covered, and a hand reached out from inside the car and pulled me in. With the skilled movements of someone who had captured people many times, they held me down, and soon the car door closed and we set off. What the hell is this? What is going on in broad daylight?

‘Could these guys have recognized me?’

There’s no reason for me to be kidnapped now? I’m an ordinary F-Ranker? Are they the type to capture newbies and force them into contracts and use them? But they wouldn’t just grab people like this. My strength was failing and I couldn’t understand, so I froze, and one of them patted my head.

“Don’t make a sound. If you stay still, you won’t get hurt. Got it? Shhh.”

… Why are you talking like that from the beginning? Another guy looked at me and muttered.

“This guy looks normal.”

Normal……. No way. The place I was sitting was the Rehabilitation Center for the Awakened. It was mainly for people with disabilities now. People who came there would most likely have intellectual disabilities if they didn’t have any other visible disabilities. Of course, there could be staff or guardians, but they weren’t dressed like staff, and they didn’t act like guardians. They obediently came down when they gestured.

‘No, but still. This is crazy.’

There were cases of even normal people being captured and used, so it would be worse if they were disabled. Similar things had happened before the dungeon appeared. But even so.

Curses were about to come out of my mouth, but I stayed still for now. Even so, the car headed to a more deserted place in the outskirts. It entered a large warehouse and stopped.

“There was no kid, but I brought something else instead.”

The E-Rank Hunter said as he opened the car door and got out. It seemed like they were also involved in ripping off new Hunters. I also got out of the car as I was led. Maybe because the warehouse door was closed, there was no one to tie me up or hold me.

“He’s a little strong for an F-Ranker, but a little lacking for an E-Ranker.”

“That’s good. We’re short on miners anyway. Innocent kids listen well and work hard.”

“They’ll be fine if they just get food.”

I thought I understood why Mr. Hasun was so wary. These little shits were quite habitual.

“…Why the hell are you doing this?”

“Huh?”

The Hunter next to me gasped. The others all looked back at me at once.

“What, isn’t that guy normal?”

“But why didn’t he say anything and just get caught so easily?”

The guys were taken aback. But they didn’t seem too flustered. Rather, they seemed to think it was nothing.

“He’s an F-Ranker? Don’t worry, we’ll just write up a contract and send you back.”

“I’m thinking of reporting this to the police station.”

The guys laughed at my words.

“What are you going to report? We just accidentally put you in the car.”

“Yeah, we thought you were a friend. We pretended to kidnap you roughly as a joke, and we’ll let you go.”

“If anything breaks, we’ll just use a potion.”

“Potions are expensive, so let’s be nice, okay?”

If I reported it now, these guys would just get rid of all the evidence and run away. So I couldn’t help it.

“I was really thinking of living quietly because I have a kid.”

Clank, the white and black spear that appeared at my fingertips was driven into the cement floor. The D-Ranker reacted first to the weapon that suddenly appeared. But before that.

Flash-!

Crimson flames swirled as if to protect me. Amidst the flames that no one else could touch, I grabbed the handle of the spear. Cha-reuk, the shape of the spear changed to that of a blunt sword. However, there was no blade.

“What should we do with the trash that showed up in the neighborhood where our kids live?”

If you see it, you have to clean it up. The blunt sword bent greatly according to my will. The guys quickly pulled out their weapons. Ting! An arrow flew in. It was a good try, but.

Cheeeek!

The low-grade arrow melted without piercing the flames. It was a dark flame that was much weaker than Yoohyun’s. Even so, there was no way it couldn’t swallow a mere low-grade weapon.

“It’s just burning trash that can’t even be separated.”

“Tsk!”

Aflame shot up along the sword, instantly melting the horizontally extended window, and the blunt lump of metal struck the Hunter’s chest. Thud, thud, it rolled on the floor and collapsed, unable to stand. It wasn’t dead, though.

“I really did try to wash my hands of it and live quietly.”

Swish—A heavy blunt sword cut through the air and struck down on the head of the bastard running up behind me. I swiftly turned my body and strongly kicked the staggering bastard. Please let them all survive safely.

“Eeeek!”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Clank—I stabbed the shrinking and then expanding spear hard into the ground. I flicked the spear shaft like a lever, and a chunk of cement that was sent flying accurately struck the back of the head of the escaping bastard. Thud, it fell face first with a sound. The escape route of the remaining two was blocked by a long, extended black flame. The bastards screamed in the midst of the blazing fire.

“How noisy. Look closely, isn’t it a pretty fire? It’s kind and handsome.”

The black flame flickered at my command. The bastards looked at me like I was crazy. It’s all because of circumstances, circumstances. But since there was no reason to explain, I knocked out the bastards trapped in the flames by hitting them with the spear shaft. The black flames obediently subsided according to my will.

I searched the bodies of the unconscious bastards and found their cell phones. Of course, I didn’t forget to put on gloves beforehand.

“Fingerprint recognition is really good for times like these.”

It would’ve been annoying if they had passwords. I unlocked a cell phone with fingerprint recognition and used the owner bastard’s finger to call… hmm.

‘I don’t think the regular police station will be able to handle it properly.’

Their operation seemed fairly large, and there might be intermediate or higher Hunters mixed in. I took out my phone for the time being. I checked the recording file that I had turned on when I got out of the car. The part about being stingy with potions was faintly recorded, but it was clear. The content was vague, but it would be enough to begin an investigation. I transferred the file to the bastards’ cell phones and pressed the number I remembered. A call came not long after I sent the file. A welcome voice came from the other end of the phone.

[This is Song Tae-won, Director of the Awakened Management Office.]

I barely swallowed the words, ‘Hello, Director Song.’

“They’re kidnappers who target Awakened. They seem to mostly target the disabled, and it seems like there’s someone backing them, so please come as quietly as possible. The address is… You can track my location, right?”

[I will depart immediately. Please wait in a safe place.]

“Ah, I’m sorry. I have to go first. It’s time to feed the baby.”

[…Yes?]

It’s a magic stone, to be exact. I have to go home before dinner. It’s nice to hear your voice after a long time, though. I thought about calling Yu-hyun, too, but he probably wouldn’t answer an unknown number. The same goes for Ye-rim, and even if I do get through, I’ll probably be stopped by the secretary’s office.

“There’s nothing I need to pack.”

I should still take some travel expenses, though, so I emptied their wallets. Since everyone uses cards these days, they didn’t have much cash. I quickly left the factory, thinking I would run into Director Song.

“The subway station is….”

It’ll take over 30 minutes to walk. I need to quickly get my license and a car… but I don’t have the money. I don’t know when I’ll get caught and kicked out of the house, either. The magic stones I have are also like a meal for a beggar, so I can’t just sell them.

‘But kids, Daddy will somehow earn a lot of money.’

I’ll buy you expensive fruits, too. Even if I have to hold Park Ha-yul’s hand. While I was thinking about that, I wondered if Ha-yul had any kind of emergency fund hidden somewhere. I slowly walked while searching for dungeon information sites on my phone. I miss my kids and my fortune.