Chapter 122
Chapter 122
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 122
"What the hell was that at the end?"
Once the situation had settled, everyone gathered around Oliver and Yoon Se-ra. Julian stared intently at Yoon Se-ra, who was sleeping soundly in her arms.
"That was definitely Headbang's skill. She didn't push herself to use it again and pass out with that body of hers, did she?"
"No. Ms. Yoon Se-ra never lost consciousness even once."
"Then what was it? She didn't reach some realm where she can use skills even while passed out, right?"
"It's the summon's ability."
Kang Se-jun gave a brief explanation. When he mentioned that it had the power to copy one of the contractor's skills, allowing this nine-tailed fox to use Red Cube too, Julian's mouth fell open.
"Not only does she have a freely transformable weapon, but her summon has abilities too? That's luck better than winning the Super Bowl."
It was similar, in a way. After all, the System AdministratorSe-ra's contractorhad bestowed all of it. Seong Ja-rim, the only one who knew this fact, nodded subtly to herself.
"Whoa, whoa! Don't come any closer!"
Just then, as Julian took a step toward the nine-tailed fox holding Se-ra, she hurriedly blocked his path.
"Don't come anywhere near until Se-ra wakes up. That one... Fox... uh, no, the fox doesn't forgive anything that threatens Se-ra's safety. If you don't want to get attacked, just stay put quietly!"
Her tongue got tangled in her panic. Of course it did. She knew who was nestled inside that cute, utterly lovable fox!
'To think the Administrator became a fox just to stay by Se-ra's side.'
Ja-rim, who had heard about it from Se-ra beforehand, shuddered.
His care for his contractor was on a whole different level from Baskar's administrator. Pissing him off would make life truly miserable. To Seong Ja-rim, who had endured decades of torment until she finally lost her mind, nothing was scarier.
"Attack? What could a fox even do?"
But Garcia, oblivious to Ja-rim's efforts, shoved his face right up to the fox anyway. Ignorance really was bliss.
Tap, tap, tap. Then an ominous sound came from behind. Glancing back, she saw one of the nine-tailed fox's tails tapping the ground while cradling Se-ra. It looked extremely displeased. Ja-rim jumped back.
"If you don't want to die, listen to me!"
"Yeah, you brainless idiot. While you were blissfully knocking out Julian and Ali in your illusions, do you have any idea how hard this fox worked to protect you? If that head of yours isn't just for show, reflect on it!"
Monic snapped, smacking Garcia on the back of his head. This healer must have focused solely on building strengthhis hefty frame hit the ground with a thud! easily.
They said healers without mana had to draw on their stamina for healing, making them tougher than most tanks, and Monic, at the pinnacle of healers, was exceptionally so.
Of course, Garcia wasn't ordinary either. He sprang up with a perfectly fine face, brushing off the dirt and pebbles casually.
"Tch. Can't argue with that."
"Exactly. Better to behave."
Kang Se-jun stepped in to back Ja-rim. He eyed the fox with extreme wariness.
"As someone who's been hit twice, let me tell you: be careful. That fox can pierce L-rank skin easily."
Cheek with the soft paw, head with the sharp teeth. One body slam and it'd be a triple combo. It was clear that forcing his way to the unconscious Se-ra would trigger that third attack.
"That's it? What kind of summon is this?"
"Right? Way smarter than this moron and actually helpful. Next raid, let's bring the fox instead. With Yoon Se-ra, it's like one plus one equals more anyway."
"Sounds good. I'm in."
Julian shot his hand up. They exchanged words about pitching it to the WDO Director right away. Surprisingly, Monic and Julian clicked well.
"Let's wrap up and head out. Luckily, we've got two days this time."
At Ali's words, everyone looked up at the sky. With the death of the Labyrinth 8th Floor's master, the Muksi Dragon, the countdown had begun.
"Last time, we didn't even have time to retrieve bodies, but this is good. Two days should be enough for Yoon Se-ra to wake up."
It had taken ages to come due to fighting snakes, so they'd get back faster on the way out.
Ali sighed at the sight of Se-ra sleeping peacefully. She needed to wake up before Yoon Jae-hun flipped out seeing her like this. The branch chief, usually rational, turned blind with rage when his little sister was involvedwho knew how much grief that caused the captain.
"Let's move out."
At Ali's command, Kang Se-jun slyly approached the fox. Ja-rim hurriedly grabbed him and yanked him back just as he seemed about to support Se-ra. A split second later, and the fox's claws would've raked his face.
"Hey, you told me not to touch her, so how can you? Se-ra's got the fothe fox to handle it. Leave her be."
As Ja-rim said, the nine-tailed fox carefully lifted Se-ra onto its back, wrapping its tails around her securely. It clearly had no intention of entrusting her to anyone.
"The fox will protect Se-ra better than we could. Don't worry, let's go."
The fox trotted ahead, and everyone followed. Kang Se-jun looked deeply regretful, but every time he tried to close in, Ja-rim hissed and held him back, leaving him to trail at the rear.
Thus, he couldn't even approach Se-ra properly until she woke.
* * *
Se-ra woke about a day later. Seong Ja-rim, who had been by her side, rushed straight to her, buried between plush fox tails.
"Se-ra! Are you okay?!"
"Yeah, Ja-rim... I'm fine. Where...?"
Her stomach felt heavy like she'd swallowed a rock, but her mind was clear, as if she'd slept sweetly. Looking around, she saw a vast, empty plain.
"Is the raid over?"
Ja-rim nodded vigorously at the peaceful scene devoid of dragons or snakes.
"It's done. You did great. You're the top contributor."
With those words, system messages she'd missed while unconscious chimed in rapid succession.
'Dragon Slayer?'
The name alone was extraordinary. It seemed similar in effect to Ja-rim's title 'Massacre of the Great Battlefield.'
No telling when she'd face dragonkin again, but more titles were always better.
On top of that, items from killing the dragon filled her inventory. My god. This was a fortune. She could fund a new Association building soon.
"But that's weird. I only killed Wrath and Lustwhy does it say Greed too? The system doesn't glitch."
She'd blacked out midway, but her memory of destroying the Lust head was crystal clear.
The movement within the dominated cube. She'd burned all remaining mana, but she'd done it. With more training, she could make it fully her own.
"Ja-rim, what happened?"
When Se-ra asked, Ja-rim averted her gaze instead of answering. Why was she sweating bullets? And what was under her that felt so soft...?
Gasp. Turning her head, Se-ra swallowed. A fox with bloodshot red eyes was sniffling and whining right in front of her nose.
The emoticon above its head was teary-eyed too.
How could she have forgotten? The Administrator had watched her collapse with his own eyes.
"Administrator."
Realizing belatedly that its nine tails cradled her protectively, Se-ra smiled wryly. Sorry about that.
"You must've been so worried. I'm sorry you had to see that. And thank you. For protecting me."
The Administrator reached out as if demanding a hug. Se-ra wrapped her arms tight around the fox's neck, stroking its soft fur. Before she knew it, the nine tails had buried her completely from outside view.
"Yoon Se-ra!"
"Oh, you're up? Whew, thank goodness. Your bro won't lose it now."
"Seriously, who is this oppa anyway? Tell me."
"Why can only Ja-rim get near the fox? I can't even stay by her side because of it!"
"Isn't that a relief? Ja-rim clearly hates you."
"Glad you woke up safely. Truly fortunate."
The raid members, hearing the commotion, all rushed over. It was the moment Se-ra, listening to the heartbeat thumping through the ticklish soft fur against her skin, tried to sit up.
Kyaaang! The fox let out an adorable cry, hoisted Se-ra onto its back, and bolted upright.
"Eliza..., huh?"
And then it started running. Shouts of "What?!" and "Where are you going?!" trailed behind, but the fox ignored them completely.
"What's this? Where are we headed?"
Se-ra was startled but didn't stop itshe trusted the Administrator completely. She just stroked his neck gently from her perch.
Instead of words, it showed exhaustion from lying down. Having spent nearly half a year with him, Se-ra understood immediately.
"We need to get out quick and rest?"
Correct. Se-ra hugged his neck tighter with a smile. If it eased his mind even a little, she could do that much and more.
But one thing puzzled her.
'Why only emoticons since earlier? No voice?'
She wanted to hear his kind voice, but he raced silently toward the Gate to the end.
* * *
Labyrinth Island. In front of the red Gate.
The Gate, still for days, began to stir just as more people gathered, staring blankly.
"Th-the raid team's returning!"
"Stretchers! Bring the stretchers now! Healers on standby? Treat any injured immediately!"
"Yes! All eight stretchers ready!"
As everyone swallowed nervously, watching anxiously
Cheers erupted at the long-awaited message. They'd really done it. Really! Tears flowed as they awaited their saviors once more.
A few minutes later.
Along with the brilliant message, the first to emerge was Yoon Se-ra, with a pure white nine-tailed fox at her side.