The SSS Rank Babysitter chapter 30

“How have you been?”

“Salute. Cheongmyeong, greet her.”

Cheongmyeong, who remembered meeting Shin Misook for the first time, was hiding behind Do Hajun’s leg.

“Hello.”

Shin Misook spoke to Do Hajun, who was patting Cheongmyeong’s head after she peeked out to greet her.

“Have a seat.”

“Yes. Cheongmyeong, come here.”

Do Hajun, holding the frightened Cheongmyeong, sat on the sofa opposite Shin Misook.

While Do Hajun comforted Cheongmyeong, a simple tea set was prepared.

“Cheongmyeong, would you like some of this?”

Do Hajun held out a small piece of bread to Cheongmyeong.

Thinking Cheongmyeong might be hungry as they had to leave early without breakfast due to Shin Misook’s early morning car, Do Hajun offered the bread.

However, Cheongmyeong rubbed her face against his shoulder and refused.

“I don’t want it. I won’t eat.”

“Hmm. He must be shy because he’s young.”

“………”

Actually, it’s because his first impression of you was terrible. But he couldn’t say that as he was speaking to the President. Do Hajun simply patted Cheongmyeong’s back.

“I heard Cheongmyeong has grown a bit. Where has he grown?”

“I’m not sure.”

Although he had received exact measurements, to Do Hajun, Cheongmyeong still seemed like a small child. As Shin Misook started to talk about trivial matters, Do Hajun quickly spoke up.

“Could you please tell me why you called us?”

Shin Misook, who was holding a teacup, raised an eyebrow.

“Do you realize how significant it is to have a private conversation with me?”

“I have Delta Team training today.”

Clicking her tongue, Shin Misook put down her teacup.

“Hunters with Military background are impossible to talk to.”

“I only received military training. I’m not from the military.”

“Then why do you act like a soldier?”

Do Hajun stared at Shin Misook, who was saying unrelated things without getting to the point.

He couldn’t guess what she was leading up to. Under Do Hajun’s piercing gaze, Shin Misook waved her hand.

“…Alright. I’ll get to the point.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know about the Library Hunter?”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

Library Hunters could glimpse past information and, if highly ranked, even know about future events. They possessed a virtual library where they could access information about both the past and future. Depending on their rank, the information they could access was limited.

Their numbers were extremely rare, with perhaps only three existing in a country. Even a C-rank Library Hunter, who could only read past information, often held valuable information that many countries sought to acquire.

“There is an S-rank Library Hunter in the United States.”

Do Hajun thought of one person: Riley Wist, the world’s only S-rank Library Hunter. Before Riley Wist’s awakening, Library Hunters could only verify past events.

Riley Wist was the only one who could see future events due to her unique abilities.

Shin Misook took a sip of tea and continued.

“We can’t leave a powerful Hunter idle. I requested cooperation from the U.S. President to open Riley Wist’s library.”

The ability to open past, present, and future information came with a price.

The higher the rank, the more severe the cost. Riley Wist’s price was sleep.

After visiting the library, whether for the past, present, or future, she would fall into a deep sleep lasting from six months to two years.

“Did they refuse?”

Do Hajun asked anxiously. Living with Cheongmyeong was not difficult; he had grown fond of her.

However, he wanted Cheongmyeong to return to his original form as soon as possible, as staying in a child’s body could bring unforeseen changes.

“No, they proposed a condition.”

“A condition?”

Shin Misook’s expression turned serious.

While the U.S. was an economic powerhouse, South Korea was a Hunter powerhouse, producing many awakened Hunters. If the U.S. set a condition, it would likely involve a Hunter.

With a mischievous smile, Shin Misook asked, “Would you be willing to take on another child?”

“Are you out of your mind? Do you think I’m a babysitter because I take care of Cheongmyeong?”

Instead of saying what he wanted, Do Hajun kept his mouth shut. Shin Misook, seeing this, stifled a laugh and then spoke with a serious expression.

“Do you know that S-rank boss monsters can move between dungeons?”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

S-rank boss monsters could move between dungeons, though it was rare as they seldom abandoned their territory.

“Jun, open it.”

Cheongmyeong, who had been quietly held like a doll, whispered. He seemed to have overcome some of his fear.

Normally, Do Hajun wouldn’t allow snacking before meals, but as the conversation seemed likely to continue, he grabbed a handful of cookies from the table and handed them to Cheongmyeong.

“Here.”

“Hehe.”

Cheongmyeong smiled, happily taking the cookies and munching on them. Watching him, Shin Misook picked up her coffee cup.

“Since you already know, it makes things easier. There was a Hunter in the U.S. who turned into a child earlier than Cheongmyeong.”

“What?”

A Hunter in the U.S. turned into a child before Cheongmyeong? Why hadn’t this been known until now?

As if to answer Do Hajun’s question, Shin Misook explained, “As you know, the U.S. has fewer incidents involving underage Hunters. But if a high-rank Hunter suddenly turned into a 3-year-old, who would welcome that?”

“Having you here has been a relief. If it weren’t for you, I might have killed Lee Cheongmyeong myself.”

“President!”

Do Hajun frowned and covered Lee Cheongmyeong’s ears.

Talking about killing, especially in front of the child.

“What can I say, it’s the truth. The President of the United States had the same dilemma. But he had no choice because the child’s parents were too influential.”

The more he listened, the dirtier Do Hajun felt.

The idea that the sacrifice of a few is justified for the happiness of many, and that a child should die just because they lack influential parents—such were the thoughts of those in power.

“While they were debating what to do with the child, an incident occurred. You know, the Pentagon fire that made headlines six months ago.”

‘The Pentagon fire? They said it was a new weapon explosion…’

Pieces of information started to come together in Do Hajun’s mind.

A high-ranking hunter.

Influential parents.

Six months.

Fire.

The world’s only flame hunter and America’s second SS-ranked hunter.

“Aileen Spencer.”

A notorious party-goer with more gossip than hunting activities.

Aileen Spencer was the only daughter of the Spencer family and the most infamous hunter in America.

No wonder there had been no news about her, other than that she was on a break.

Shin Misook nodded and put down her coffee cup.

“That’s right. SS-ranked flame hunter Aileen Spencer. They couldn’t kill her, so now she’s wearing an SBC, but even that has faced strong opposition from her parents.”

Last time, they were lucky to contain the Pentagon fire, but any mistake could lead to a disaster with an SS-ranked hunter.

Controlling her with the SBC was the right move, but the Spencer family couldn’t be ignored.

The Spencer family was connected to American politics and business and were also British nobility, with ties to the royal family.

Hiding the fact that the child had transformed and not being able to reveal everything now, Do Hajun quickly understood the dilemma.

“In the midst of this, our country announced that Lee Cheongmyeong had transformed into a child, and they saw your press conference as a caregiving hunter.”

“So, you’re asking me to take care of Aileen Spencer?”

“Yes. Riley Wist is currently asleep, for four months. During that time, you’d take care of Aileen Spencer.”

“Sir.”

Do Hajun frowned, and Shin Misook shook her head.

“I’m not demanding an answer now. This is not a threat but a suggestion. Think it over carefully. Consider what is best for Lee Cheongmyeong.”

* * *

“So?”

Do Hajun frowned at Lee Moojin, who had barged into the office.

“What do you mean, ‘so’? You should have gone to the shower first. You stink.”

Lee Moojin, who had just returned from a D-ranked dungeon, had blue monster blood all over his clothes and face.

“Wow. You don’t love me anymore. I came straight here after finishing the dungeon.”

“What if that monster blood gets on Cheongmyeong? Go clean up, now!”

“You’re like an overprotective mom.”

Grumbling, Lee Moojin ran to the shower. He soon returned, still soaking wet, to the office.

“Is this better?”

Seeing the water dripping from his hair, Do Hajun sighed and extended his hand.

“Seriously, haven’t you changed at all since then?”

“People should stay consistent.”

Lee Moojin laughed as he handed over a towel.

When Do Hajun turned his chair, Lee Moojin plopped down in front of him.

As Do Hajun roughly dried his wet hair, he said,

“When will you ever grow up?”

“Um, maybe when I die? But where’s Cheongmyeong?”

“Ballet class.”

“Oh, he must’ve liked it then.”

Do Hajun nodded.

He had enrolled Cheongmyeong in ballet for flexibility training, but Cheongmyeong had really enjoyed the classes.

Since then, Cheongmyeong had been asking about ballet constantly, so Do Hajun had taken him to a ballet academy. Surprisingly, Cheongmyeong adapted very well.

He liked the ballet academy so much that even his separation anxiety seemed to have lessened.

Kang Wontae was anxious about going anywhere other than the center.

But the ballet classes were only about an hour long, and it was close enough to rush there if any problems arose.

Additionally, they had agreed that one guardian could accompany Cheongmyeong as a precaution, and other hunters would be on standby near the ballet academy.

“So, will you take the job?”

Do Hajun sighed.

He had taken on Cheongmyeong to save an innocent life, but raising a child was no easy task.

However, he couldn’t just abandon Aileen Spencer either.

Even disregarding the SBC, he couldn’t miss the opportunity to restore Cheongmyeong to his original state.

Taking care of Aileen Spencer would put America in their debt.

In return, he could ask the library hunter Riley Wist how to revert Cheongmyeong to his adult form.

Despite Alpha Team’s efforts, they still hadn’t found the monster that used the skill, leaving Riley Wist as the only option.

Lee Moojin, noticing Do Hajun’s troubled expression, poked his cheek.

“What are you thinking about so hard?”

“Just wondering if I can handle it.”

Do Hajun stopped drying Lee Moojin’s hair and leaned back in his chair.

“Is raising a kid that tough?”

“Hey, then you do it.”

Lee Moojin shook his head.

“Sorry, I’m not a caregiving hunter. And if it’s that tough, just say no.”

“I want to.”

But he couldn’t. That’s why he was struggling.

Lee Moojin threw the wet towel into the laundry basket and said,

“Then, do it.”

“It’s not that simple.”

Shin Misook seemed to have decided, giving him time to think it over, but taking on more responsibilities wasn’t easy.

Besides, Aileen Spencer was a girl.

He couldn’t bathe and dress her like he did Cheongmyeong.

“You’re making it too complicated.”

Lee Moojin threw out his arms and hugged Do Hajun’s leg.

“Why are you stressing alone? You know Delta Team and I would do anything for you.”

“Disgusting.”

When Do Hajun pushed Lee Moojin’s face away with his foot, he heard an exaggerated whine.

As he felt goosebumps all over and was about to push Lee Moojin away harder,

“Team Leader!”

The door burst open, and a breathless Ahn Eunseon entered.

“…Cheongmyeong?”

In Ahn Eunseon’s arms was a limp Lee Cheongmyeong.