Chapter 128
Chapter 128
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 128
After conquering the labyrinth, the image of that man with those beautifully green eyes lingered endlessly in Se-ra's mind. He didn't leave her thoughts for even a single moment.
Precisely, it was that scene from the dream where he was with her mom.
The room left alone after Kang Se-jun and Seong Ja-rim departed. Se-ra once again pictured that scene she had witnessed back then before her eyes.
"I don't resent you. It's not your fault that the world has become like this."
At first, she had been furious upon realizing the man in her dream had deceived her. But after a fierce argument and passing out, her mind had calmed, allowing her to view the situation more objectively.
Her mother's gaze toward the man had been gentle. If he were a bad person, she never would have looked at him that way. Her mom, who had been kind enough to make any sacrifice, was someone who despised those who harmed others. She absolutely would not smile brightly at a strange person.
So who exactly was he? Who could he be to have that kind of conversation with her mom and even appear in her dreams?
"The problem is that the words 'world's destruction' came out of Mom's mouth."
Her mom's face didn't seem like that of a bad person, but hearing her say she didn't care if the world ended made her suspicious again. Moreover, the fact that the Muksiryong was desperately searching for an "ally" made it even more bothersome.
If he appeared in her dream just one more time, she could threaten him to find out the truth, but unfortunately, meetings with him didn't happen just because she wanted them to.
"The bet... Mom said she won."
A man who didn't care whether the world ended or not.
Her mom had made a bet with him like that. That no matter what, his heart would eventually tilt to one side.
And the man had said her mom won. In other words, he had made a choice.
"...He didn't decide on the destruction side, did he?"
That's why he helped the labyrinth's master, stole the key, and opened the Cheorwon Dungeon?
Oh, the more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. The heart she had briefly wavered seeing her mom's smile settled down.
"Platinum blonde hair, green eyes, a beautiful man... And he even owns a mansion full of jewels. Wow. The more I think about it, the shadier he seems. To trust him just because of his face."
Kkiwoong. The fox next to her tilted its head, as if asking what she meant. Se-ra picked it up and advised it with a serious face.
"Listen well, Elizabeth. From now on, if you spot a very pretty man with platinum blonde hair and green eyes, bite him."
Kki, kkiang?!
"The fact that he met Mom means that guy definitely exists in reality, so we absolutely can't let him get away. It's okay if a leg or two gets hurt, got it? Bite him hard so he can't run!"
Kkiwoong...
"Don't worry. I'll handle the aftermath. Platinum blonde hair, green eyes... Suddenly, he seems really suspicious."
"What? Why are you crying all of a sudden?"
The sadly weeping Administrator soon ran off to the corner and buried its face, sobbing. Se-ra, flustered, approached and patted its back, but the fox wouldn't stop crying.
What on earth? The Administrator's actions were generally unpredictable, but this was the first time it had run off crying like this, so she couldn't even guess the reason. She comforted it diligently since it was crying, but the Administrator remained deeply depressed throughout the night.
She didn't know the reason, but it truly looked heartbroken.
* * *
U.S. Hunter Association President Jo Milan came looking for Se-ra around lunchtime.
"Hello, Hunter Yoon Se-ra."
Se-ra, who had been eating in the hotel lounge with the puffy-eyed fox, looked up. Jo Milan stood there with a somewhat tense expression.
"Hello, President Milan. It's been a while."
"I know it's rude during your meal, but I'd like to have a brief conversation. Could you spare me a moment?"
"Sure. Have a seat."
When Se-ra pointed to the seat across from her, Milan looked quite flustered. It seemed he had come without an appointment, prepared to be chased away.
"Would you like some coffee?"
"Ah, yes. A hot one here, please."
"I'll have black tea."
The hotel staff brought coffee and black tea and left. Se-ra savored the fragrant aroma and took a sip.
"Thank you for not kicking me out."
Se-ra smiled brightly at Milan's words.
"Why would I kick out the president? We have things to discuss."
Unlike her kindly smiling face, her words carried a subtle sting. Milan bowed his head first.
"I'm sorry. I was truly rude before. I should have apologized much sooner, but I couldn't reach you until now."
Jo Milan was the head of a national association. Like Song Han-na, he wasn't incompetent. How could she not understand that his previous mistake stemmed from a greedy desire to somehow connect with an L-rank?
"Yes, I accept your apology. Thank you for apologizing first. So please lift your head."
Milan's face was filled with bewilderment. Was it because of the arrogant attitudes of the two U.S. L-ranks? She could guess what that expression meant. Shock like, 'An L-rank gives in this easily?!' Suddenly, he seemed quite pitiful.
"This isn't a lie; it's sincere. I won't stab you in the back or retaliate after saying this, so rest assured. I promise on the name of a Korean Association civil servant."
Milan flinched, trembled, and quickly composed his expression. It was the face of someone embarrassed at being exposed in detail to Se-ra.
"It's also my fault for hiding the truth. I'm sorry for deceiving you."
"No. I fully understand your situation as a hunter."
"Well, thanks to that, I got this wonderful companion summon. As expected of the U.S. Association. To have such a precious item."
Se-ra lifted the fox eating on the chair beside her. Milan, whose eyes met the green ones, smiled awkwardly.
"Ah, this fox is..."
"A fantasy species gumiho. It's so convenient handling one of my skills with it. Thanks to it, my combat power has gotten even stronger. Thank you."
Milan's eyes wavered, lost. From now on, no one would dare look down on Se-ra as a soft-hearted F-rank.
"We both made mistakes, so let's call it even with mutual apologies. Okay?"
"Of course."
Naturally, it wasn't okay. The U.S. Association had lost two L-rank pieces of equipment. But since Milan had messed up first and promised to give two pieces of equipment, there was no room to argue. He swallowed his tears inwardly and nodded.
"I'm sorry for interrupting your meal. I'll take my leave now."
"Ah, could I ask one favor?"
"Please do."
"From now on, treat F-rank hunters a bit better."
At the unexpected words, Milan's eyes widened round.
"Who knows if something like this will happen again?"
As the barbed words continued, his expression grew subtle. He promised he definitely would and staggered out of the lounge.
"Yeah, F-ranks risk their lives fighting just like the higher ranks, so they deserve better treatment."
Left alone, Se-ra took her last sip of black tea.
She had become L-rank now, but that didn't mean she forgot her F-rank days. It was because of those times that she had ultimately grown this far.
She didn't expect all F-ranks to receive the same treatment as higher ranks. She just hoped there would be no one like her, ignored and carelessly thrown into dungeons to die meaningless deaths.
* * *
After much deliberation, Director Alexander Roderick decided not to reveal that Seong Ja-rim was a dungeon survivor.
If the dungeon truly was another planet, the chances of surviving and returning were extremely slim. To prevent families who had lost loved ones from holding onto false hope and rushing recklessly into dungeons, a gag order was placed on this matter.
The truth about gates and planets would be announced worldwide after WDO conducted further investigations and confirmed it. With this, the labyrinth 8th floor conquest case was completely wrapped up.
Now it was time to return to their respective positions. They wouldn't gather like this again until the labyrinth 9th floor bloomed.
Se-ra was also scheduled to return to Korea today on the association president's dedicated plane specially sent by Song Han-na.
"It'd be nice if we could go back together, but unfortunately, you'll have to go alone."
Yoon Jae-hun saw his sister off at the airport.
"I'm sorry I couldn't take care of the memorial day this time."
December 31st, three days later.
The last day of the year was the anniversary of when Se-ra and Jae-hun's parents passed away.
When he had no work, Jae-hun would come to Korea for the memorial, but in truth, there were more days he couldn't.
Dungeons didn't care about holidays.
"You took on a WDO commission, right?"
WDO had requested dungeon investigation collaboration from the Athena side. Since they knew the true nature of dungeons and gates and could move freely in any country, they would be a huge help in the investigation.
And Jae-hun, as the Asia branch director, had a duty to carry out the mission.
"Yeah. I was shocked when I heard. To think I'd been on a space trip without knowing it."
Jae-hun smiled brightly, saying it was amazing.
If the dungeon was another planet, it wasn't wrong technically... but did people usually call it a space trip?
"Don't push yourself too hard. Your body's fully recovered, right?"
"That's exactly what I want to say to you."
Somehow, the situation had reversed. Se-ra subtly rubbed her stomach.
"I have no plans to overdo it for a while either. If something comes up, I'll pass it to Kang Se-jun or Seong Ja-rim, and I'll stay quietly at the association."
"Good. Promise. I'll check with Jun-young and the president."
"As expected, Director Do was your spy. So thorough. Okay, okay, I got it."
Only after pinky swearing like when they were kids did Jae-hun look satisfied.
At that moment, the dedicated plane's captain announced that takeoff preparations were complete. Se-ra, who replied she'd be right there, exchanged goodbyes with her brother, whom she didn't know when she'd see next after parting.
"Will you attend the December 31st memorial ceremony?"
Before turning away, he asked that.
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