Chapter 109
Chapter 109
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 109
* * *
"Huff... huff."
Se-ra panted raggedly as she flopped down onto the floor. Her whole body was soaked in sweat, but she still felt invigorated.
Thanks to holing up in the association's training room for personal sessions these past few days, she'd gotten a taste of real progress. The thrill made her clench her fist tight. This was why she couldn't quit training.
"Getting ready for the labyrinth?"
Noticing the noise had died down, Song Han-na stepped into the training room. She clicked her tongue at the sight of the reinforced interior, which was half demolished.
"Eh, sort of. I plan to bulldoze the eighth floor with overwhelming force."
Se-ra gulped down the cold water Song Han-na handed her and let out a satisfied ahh.
"Because of that creep?"
The day she'd run into him, Se-ra had spilled every detail to Song Han-na.
"So don't worry, Association President. Just sit tight. You've worked hard all this timenow it's my turn."
"Can't wait to see that. Got it. I've gotten on in years and I'm beat anyway. Sitting it out sounds easy enough."
"You're still spry as ever."
And she wasn't wrongnearing fifty, Song Han-na still looked like she was in her thirties. Prime of her life, no question.
"Auntie."
"What's up? Feeling nervous about heading into the labyrinth soon?"
"Nah, not at all. Doesn't seem like it'll be that tough."
Thanks to the detailed rundown from Kang Se-jun ahead of time, she wasn't worried. With her abilities and the Administrator, it should be manageable.
"Then?"
It wasn't the dungeon bothering her. What Kang Se-jun had told her that day went beyond just labyrinth strategies.
"You said you became S-rank thanks to your patron, right?"
Ranks were determined by two conditions.
One was the Awakener's own power. The other was a patron granting a blessing.
Of course, you needed the talent to withstand that blessing, so it still hinged on innate ability. Song Han-na's case was a perfect synergy of patron power and her own talent.
"Yeah, that's right. Not the Earth's god, though."
That damn X who'd been eyeing Song Han-na. Se-ra's gaze sharpened a bit.
"So if you cut the contract, your rank drops?"
"Bold move. You know saying that where a patron can hear risks their wrath? Mine's the vicious type."
Vicious or not, it wasn't Se-ra's problem. Let it throw a fitwhat could it do with the Administrator behind her?
"It's fine. My god's got a temper too."
"Huh, yeah. And my patron's not even reacting. Weird for that guy."
Guess even Auntie doesn't like the creep.
"Come to think of it, there was that one time. When you came back alive from the werewolf dungeon, I asked my patron to keep an eye on you. It swore you were totally safe. Wouldn't explain how, though."
"......"
Se-ra, who'd been cursing inwardly, quietly shut her mouth. When was that again? Had Song Han-na suspected something even then?
"You're really loved by some top-tier patron, huh?"
"If your patron's top-class, mine's gotta be ultra-ultra-ultra top-class, right?"
Touchy. Even three ultras weren't enough, apparently.
"Then we can talk freely, no holding back. Your rank won't drop, but you'd slide to the bottom of S-rank."
"Whoa, really?"
"One of my biggest attacks comes from my patron."
Song Han-na flicked her hand, and a brilliant golden rune shimmered at her fingertips. The water bottle in Se-ra's grip floated into the air via telekinesis.
"Probably one of my two titles vanishes. You know how tricky 'Ruler' titles are to acquireand how fast they go if you lose the conditions."
Song Han-na had two titles.
One was 'Gravity Ruler,' letting her wield gravity freely. The title that made her Korea's number oneand it was tied to her patron.
"Aw, then no can do."
She'd have to drop it. Even if that bastard patron was dangerous, weakening Song Han-na defeated the purpose. She had too many enemies.
"Why the sudden beef with my patron?"
"......I just don't like it."
"What don't you like? I never badmouthed it to you. Where'd you hear this?"
"I-I-I just... I just don't like it! It feels like it'll rip you away from me for no reason...!"
She bit back the urge to yell, 'Auntie got screwed over by that guy so many times!'
She didn't want to reveal that horror. Explaining it meant dragging up her own death and Yoon Jae-hun's suicide. No way.
"Okay? So if it's really trying to steal me from you, just ask your god to beat the crap out of it."
"Huh?"
Se-ra's head snapped up at Song Han-na's teasing words.
"If your god's stronger than my patron's kid, it can handle it, right? You protect me, done."
Was that... uh, could that actually... work?
It's possible. Gonna give it a proper thrashingcomplete with clenched fist.
She could practically hear the pow! echoing in her ears. Imagination?
"Oh, looks like it is possible. Wow, this could really happen."
Her mind eased right up.
"Anyway, Auntie. What I'm saying is, watch out for your patron. No risky businessand always think of me and bro."
"Says the girl heading into the labyrinth in a few days."
Se-ra averted her eyes at the pointed joke. Can't argue with that...
"Don't worry about me. You come back safeno injuries. I'd love to head to Labyrinth Island with you."
"Korea's Association President doesn't need to risk a place like that."
"Now that you and Jae-hun can fend for yourselves, I should dump this gig on someone else soon enough."
That someone was probably Do Jun-young. And he'd lead just as well as she had.
"Nah, Korea's president has to be you."
Despite her true feelings, Se-ra laid on the flattery shamelessly. Song Han-na burst out laughing.
And so, another day slipped away.
Five days until the labyrinth.
* * *
Labyrinth Island sat in the middle of the Pacific. So close to Hawaii that its residents had all relocated to the U.S. mainland after the initial Breakout devastation.
Afterward, Hawaii shifted to supporting labyrinth investigations and raid teams.
This time, the raid team would meet in Hawaii for two days of briefings before heading to the island together.
"No wayyou're really Headbang?"
From the moment they landed in Hawaii, Se-ra was at the raid team's center. Word that the F-rank civil servant from WDO was actually Headbang had spread worldwide. Even the L-ranks were floored.
"It felt like straight F-rank energy. How? Fooling all our senses like thatnot just one, but everyone there?"
French healer Monique Libry circled Se-ra in disbelief.
"Thanks to my god's blessing."
"You must've had a good laugh watching us get totally duped."
"Wasn't trying to fool you on purpose. Sorry about that."
Se-ra gave an awkward smile, rubbing her neck. She looked genuinely embarrassed and apologetic. From behind, Kang Se-jun and Seong Ja-rim whispered about her improving acting skills.
"Show us what you can do. Let's see Headbang's powerthe one that soloed the Phantom Lord."
"......Just call me Yoon Se-ra, please. That nickname's super embarrassing."
"Why? Headbang's got a nice ringintense and cool."
U.S. rep Garcia chimed in.
"I wanna see your real skills, but you're hiding your aura so tight, can't even guess. Not planning to stay cloaked in the labyrinth, are you?"
"I get why you don't trust me yet. I'll shatter that doubt in the labyrinth."
"Big talk. Looking forward to it."
Garcia patted her shoulder.
"Oh yeah, some guyChamomile or whateverwants to meet you."
Chamomile? Who was that?
"What was it? Hey, Julian, who's that guy?"
"Christopher Campbell. You use that hair for decoration?"
Whether Se-ra was Headbang or not, Julianwho'd trailed Seong Ja-rim like a chickeyed Garcia pitifully.
She'd half-doubted it before, but seeing how he treated Garcia confirmed Julian was a jerk too.
"Why not just shave off that hideous mess?"
Garcia wasn't ugly, but coming from beauty-icon Julian, it made sense. Everyone nodded quietly, and Garcia scowled.
"Oh ho. Wanna throw down before the labyrinth? Sounds fun. I'll warm up proper."
"Warm up? You'll just die. How many beatdowns before you know your place? Such a pain."
"Then let's go again. This time, I'll kill you for real!"
Excuse me. We're heading into the labyrinth soonwhy leak stamina now? Se-ra pinched her brow.
They really were as reckless and arrogant as rumored. She hadn't expected them to brawl even here.
"Shouldn't someone stop them?"
As they geared up to fight, Se-ra asked. Oliver shrugged it offThey're always like this.
But Monique bailed with a weary sigh, so it didn't seem that fine.
Don't wanna get caught in the crossfire.
No point sticking around for flying sparks. Se-ra decided to track down Christopherformerly Chamomilewho'd kept her secret until the reveal. Time to thank him.