The S-Classes That I Raised – Chapter 72

[ Blacksmith’s Debut (2) ]

“Hmm, it’s not like I tried to deceive you. Turns out we hadn’t met before running into each other at the Hunter’s Association. I guess that makes it a lie, but it wasn’t intentional.”

I fiddled with the spear, my words stumbling over themselves. I thought it would be easy to brush off if I framed it as a misunderstanding, but his lack of reaction was unexpected. Shouldn’t he at least be a little surprised?

“Even if you did lie, it wouldn’t matter.”

“…Huh?”

“If it turns out you lied, I’d thank you for doing so.”

Myungwoo smiled as he said this. Thank me? For what?

“Why are you so flustered? Look at me—Yu Myungwoo, with an SS-rank crafting skill.”

He spread his arms wide and continued.

“You created this. You took a run-of-the-mill F-rank hunter and turned him into this.”

…Well, it’s not technically wrong, but accepting that without feeling a bit guilty doesn’t sit right with me.

“It’s true I helped you, but getting the SS-rank skill is because of your effort and talent.”

“What good is a gem if it’s stuck in gravel? I was rolling around in the mud, about to sink.”

“Well, even so…”

“Don’t downplay it. You’re being unfair. No matter what anyone says, I’m here because of you. Talent and effort mean nothing without the right opportunities. And I’m living proof of that.”

As he spoke, Myungwoo gave my shoulder a friendly pat. Except, the force behind it was a little more than I expected.

“Ugh, that hurt—”

-Grrrrr

I staggered back, clutching my shoulder, when suddenly I heard a low growl. Glancing around in alarm, I saw Peace baring his fangs. Blue had half-spread his wings, and even Chirp was staring intently at Myungwoo.

I had a gut feeling things could go very wrong if I didn’t intervene.

“No, no! It didn’t hurt! Just a joke, a joke. Peace, hide those fangs, and Blue, put your wings down. Chirp, what are you going to do? Everyone, calm down.”

Especially you, Peace. You’ve known Myungwoo for how long now? And you bare your teeth over something this minor?

“Myungwoo is my friend, friend.”

Thankfully, the creatures returned to their usual calm selves. I let out a sigh of relief and looked back at Myungwoo.

“Sorry, I think they misunderstood.”

“No, it’s my fault. I didn’t control my strength properly.”

“That’s because you’ve been hammering metal all day. You should take breaks.”

“It’s not that. My stats went up.”

“…What?”

His stats went up again? Does this guy have a different system or something? Why are they increasing? Myungwoo nodded toward the spear I was holding.

“It happened as a reward for crafting my first S-rank item. It also happened after I made an A-rank item, but back then, it wasn’t enough to make it hard to control my strength. This time, it went up quite a lot, so I’m still adjusting.”

Is that really a thing? Is this part of the original system, or is this some special consideration? Either way, it’s a cheat.

“Let’s calculate your stats.”

After adding up the numbers Myungwoo gave me, I divided them to get the average… and…

“…You’re at C-rank.”

He must’ve reached D-rank after making that A-rank item. So, at this rate, when he makes an SS-rank item, he’ll reach B-rank, and when he makes an SSS-rank item, A-rank? Maybe when he crafts an L-rank item, he’ll hit S-rank?

So, Myungwoo is the protagonist, and I’m just the sidekick, huh? He’s going to go around using the gear he makes to do everything.

‘Isn’t there something that’ll increase my stats?’

And not something awful like grinding down other people’s lives and my mental health for a week of temporary power boosts.

“At this rate, you’re going to go from F-rank to S-rank.”

“I mean, I doubt that, but who knows.”

Myungwoo looked down at his hands. When I first met him, they had been pale and weak-looking, just like the rest of him. His hands were probably only toughened by a few calluses from holding a pen.

But now they were strong.

His hands were covered in thick calluses, and his fingers were noticeably more muscular, with faint scars from minor injuries that hadn’t fully healed. His hands now looked like they belonged to a seasoned blacksmith who’d been working for over a year.

“Who would’ve guessed I’d turn out like this? So, an F-rank turning into an S-rank isn’t impossible. Who knows, right?”

Myungwoo had talent to begin with, I thought, but then the system manager’s words echoed in my mind. They had said that without the system’s limitations, even ordinary people could grow to become the strongest in the world.

The system was expected to disappear within the next ten years or so. Once that happened, it wouldn’t be surprising if people without any inherent talent managed to reach A-rank or even S-rank.

“Yeah, you never know.”

That’s true. I never expected my life to turn out like this, either.

“Now let’s show others how much they don’t know.”

I pulled out my phone and opened my contacts, which were brimming with names. As I scrolled through, a smile crept onto my face.

The Hunter’s Association president reacted with disbelief when I contacted him, saying he’d come here immediately. His excitement was even greater than when I had called him about my own skill.

It made sense. The Hunter’s Association’s main source of revenue came from the production and sale of various items, including potions and gear. While the Association was responsible for cursed-related items, Myungwoo’s specialty was crafting gear.

And that wasn’t even the real prize—the Hunter Market was.

The auction fees from S-rank or higher items would be lucrative, but the ability to regularly supply high-grade gear was an even bigger advantage. Hunters from all over the world would flock here, and just the reputation boost would raise the market’s value significantly.

Of course, whether things would go exactly the way the Association president hoped was anyone’s guess.

Before long, my phone started ringing and buzzing with texts. Somehow, word had already gotten out, and Myungwoo’s phone was buzzing just as much.

“That number is from the Breaker Guild Leader.”

I checked the number on Myungwoo’s phone, which kept receiving calls.

“Guild Leader?”

“Yeah. Looks like they’ve heard that you made a spear. There’s an S-rank hunter in their guild who uses a spear.”

The Icewood Spear wasn’t designed for charging into battle. It was a perfect fit for Yerim, though. The magic stat boost was high too.

“If you think it’s a hassle, now’s a good time to change your number. Even if you don’t change the number, at least get a new phone.”

His phone looked at least three years old.

“For now, only the Association and guilds are contacting you, but once the news hits the media, even your distant relatives will be blowing up your phone.”

Myungwoo still looked like he didn’t quite grasp what was happening. It wouldn’t be long before he realized.

“Mister! And our Myungwoo-oppa!”

Yerim burst into the makeup room, where she was getting ready, with her arms wide open. Before either of us could respond, Myungwoo was whisked away by the staff. His old clothes had become too small, so he was getting a full makeover from head to toe.

While Yerim and I hung out for about an hour, Myungwoo returned, looking awkward.

“Oh, wow. You look like a completely different person. Don’t you think?”

“Yeah, like I’m seeing someone new for the first time.”

I was only half-joking, but if I compared him to when we first met, he really did seem like a different person. His face was mostly the same under the sleek new haircut, but his expression had completely changed. And, of course, his body was different. He had lost that frail, sickly appearance entirely. Not only had he grown taller, but his arms were clearly more muscular under the snug summer dress shirt he was wearing.

His back was straight, his shoulders broad. If I only saw him from behind, even his own parents might not recognize him.

“They even did my makeup… Is it obvious? Does it look weird?”

“No, it looks natural. You look great.”

“Yeah! You’re the best, total heartthrob!”

Yerim, who was about to bankrupt herself, was being overly enthusiastic. The S-rank weapon was going to auction with no set price, and as a fledgling hunter who had never even entered an S-rank dungeon, there was no way she could afford it on her own.

My poor Yerim. She had just started earning well, and now she was already about to drown in debt. Though she’d pay it off soon enough.

“Looks like you’re ready.”

Yuhyun entered the room, exchanging a brief greeting with Myungwoo before gesturing for me to come over. When I approached, he asked in a low voice,

“Did you tell him?”

“I did. He said it’s fine. Even if it was a lie, he said it doesn’t matter.”

“That’s a relief.”

Yuhyun nodded, then glanced at Myungwoo with a slightly softer expression.

“Now make sure to treat him well. Be a good friend.”

“I’ll try.”

It was 100% an insincere answer.

The Hunter Association press conference hall was already packed with reporters. While the specifics of the announcement hadn’t been disclosed yet, it seemed rumors had already started circulating.

In the waiting room connected to the hall, familiar faces had already arrived.

“Hey, we meet again!”

It was Moon Hyunah, the Breaker Guild Leader.

“Hello, Han Yujin. How have you been?”

Kang Soyeong, the A-rank hunter with the Dragon Rider skill from the Sesung Guild, also greeted me with a bright smile as she approached.

“Our Guild Leader is currently in a dungeon raid. He should be out in a day or two, but it’s a shame. He’s going to be so surprised when he hears about this.”

“I see. So the dragon hasn’t hatched yet.”

At my quiet inquiry, she sighed and gave me a concerned look.

“Judging by how long it’s taking, I think the nest is coming along properly, but I just hope everyone comes back safely.”

“I’m sure they’ll be fine.”

The dungeon they were tackling had long been fully mapped, so there shouldn’t be any unexpected problems.

As I chatted briefly with Soyeong, Myungwoo was immediately swarmed by people. I thought about going over, but decided to let him handle it on his own. This wouldn’t be the last time something like this happened, and since he had already resolved to stand on his own, he needed to get used to it.

‘Not like he seems too uncomfortable anyway.’

From what I could see, he was handling it better than I’d expected. Our Myungwoo had grown a lot, both inside and out, in such a short time. I always knew he could get an SS-rank skill, but I never imagined he’d change this much.

Watching him made me smile with pride.

“Aren’t you going to join them?”

I asked Yuhyun, who was standing next to me. Even Soyeong had gone over to talk to him.

“What’s the point now?”

“What do you mean? You should be working, Guild Leader.”

“It’d be quicker to ask you to convince him for me than trying to charm him myself.”

What the hell was he talking about?

“Hey, your job is your job. Don’t drag me into it.”

“You’re not going to help?”

…Well, no, but still. He’s being pretty shameless. But at least that’s better than just standing around doing nothing.

Not long after, Myungwoo and the Association members stepped out into the press conference hall. I couldn’t follow, so I watched from the monitor. Myungwoo was surprisingly photogenic.

After a short introduction and greetings, Myungwoo, without any tension, smiled as he began speaking.

[The skill I’ve gained is an SS-rank crafting skill, Master of the Golden Forge.]

[Does this forge skill only allow you to craft metal items?]

[If it contains metal, I can make it.]

His answers were calm and composed. I felt proud.

[What’s the highest rank item you can craft? Since it’s an SS-rank skill, are you able to craft SS-rank items?]

Instead of answering, Myungwoo pulled out Farmine’s Icewood Spear. The chilling blue aura that surrounded the spear immediately quieted the room. The association’s appraiser stepped up to the mic.

[The Farmine’s Icewood Spear is an S-rank weapon, imbued with the S-rank skill, Ice Attribute Enhancement. The Korean Hunter’s Association guarantees its authenticity.]

An S-rank weapon with an S-rank skill. Cameras flashed as they captured the moment the nation’s sixteenth S-rank weapon was unveiled. After a brief pause, Myungwoo spoke again.

[There is no limit to the grade of items I can craft.]

This time, the silence lasted longer.

“Whoa, that’s crazy.”

Moon Hyunah muttered, watching the monitor with me. The fact that there was no crafting limit wasn’t something we had disclosed to the Association. We had only told them that Myungwoo could make S-rank weapons with an SS-rank crafting skill.

Now I was a bit disappointed that Seong Hyunjae wasn’t here. I would’ve loved to see the look on that guy’s face.

[So, are you saying you could craft items above S-rank, even SS-rank items?]

[Yes, since there’s no limit according to my skill. However, crafting SS-rank and above items would require more experience. But I’ve already crafted an S-rank weapon in a short amount of time, so SS-rank items aren’t far off. Someday, I’ll be able to supply them regularly.]

I could hear someone gulp audibly. Every hunter listening to Myungwoo, especially the high-ranking ones, must have had their hearts racing.

How could they not? This was exciting news.

SS-rank weapons. Possibly even beyond that. Even I, with my F-rank stats, felt a thrill, so I couldn’t imagine what it was like for those who would directly benefit from such gear.

As the stream of questions continued, the waiting room remained in heavy silence. Even Moon Hyunah had fallen quiet, deep in thought.

Everyone was serious and somber, and here I was, trying to keep from grinning like an idiot. But I couldn’t help it. I might’ve hesitated to make this announcement if Myungwoo’s stats were still F-rank, but now he was at C-rank. At C-rank, with the right equipment, there was nothing to worry about. And he could just make his own S-rank gear to wear. If worst came to worst, he could always retreat into the forge.

Ah, really, I had nothing to worry about. Our Myungwoo is truly amazing.

As I sat there smiling at the monitor, Yerim showed up. She was the new owner of the Icewood Spear. Since Haeyeon Guild had helped out quite a bit, we had agreed to sell the first S-rank weapon to her for a mere 100 billion won. (TL Note: About 75 million USD)

It really was a bargain. Even a basic S-rank weapon without any special skills would start at 100 billion at auction.

Yerim’s face shone with joy as she held the Icewood Spear in her arms.

[Thank you, Hunter Yu Myungwoo. And thank you, too, Hunter Han Yujin!]

…Why am I getting mentioned? And that wasn’t the end.

[While Haeyeon Guild’s cooperation was crucial in helping me acquire an SS-rank skill, my greatest benefactor is Hunter Han Yujin. To call him simply a benefactor wouldn’t be enough—]

Myungwoo! This is a live broadcast! Aaaaah, someone turn off the monitor! Or at least the sound! Stop talking!

I could feel the sharp gazes from all around me. I wanted to crawl into a hole and die from embarrassment.

–TL Notes–
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