Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 16
"How's the guild support coming along?"
"We've requested aid from Yeongwon Guild and Suhorang Guild, taking the dungeon's grade into account. Both guild masters and vice guild masters plan to deploy."
Do Jun-young's words eased the fear hanging over the office.
Yeongwon was the undisputed top guild in the country, and Suhorang specialized in healers and mages, making their combination the absolute best Korea had to offer.
...Which is why one has a vice guild master screaming to quit, and the other has a guild master who loves sightseeing.
Se-ra, who had seen their true colors on the S-rank exclusive community forum, couldn't hide her awkwardness.
Damn it. If I didn't know any better, I'd be swooning along with everyone else.
Se-ra smacked her lips and saw off the dispatched team with a tense expression.
"A Grade 2 dungeon... This is my first time seeing one up close on the job."
Gong Hae-yeon muttered in a voice thick with terror. Se-ra fully understood her feelings and patted her back reassuringly.
So far, Korea had only seen two Grade 2 dungeon breaks, both causing massive casualties.
The second one was manageable since the Association and guilds had steadied themselves by then, but...
The first Grade 2 dungeon outbreak had been pure hell.
Even after twelve years, plenty of people remembered it vividly. The civil servants bit their lips anxiously, their faces pale.
Then, as the dispatch team arrived on site and the situation room screen showed the view of Seoul Forest, everyone gasped in shock.
"......What the hell is that?"
The gate filling the screen was abnormally enormous. Even watching from afar, it was suffocating. How could anyone raid something that overwhelming?
Fear crept back onto everyone's faces. If the raid team failed, Seoul could face total annihilation.
"......What do we do?"
Gong Hae-yeon whispered unconsciously, clutching Se-ra's arm. Se-ra, equally startled, recalled the Administrator's nonchalant emoticon and mustered a comforting smile.
"It's okay. Yeongwon and Suhorang are handling it together. They're the strongest, so let's trust them."
After reawakening, she'd seen five S-rank hunters up close and confirmed their skills firsthand. She had faith in them.
They could definitely clear that dungeon.
"A Grade 2 dungeon. Brings back some unpleasant memories."
A seductive voice laced with anger echoed through the room. Everyone staring blankly at the screen whipped their heads around.
Song Han-na, impeccably dressed in a suit, stood watching the screen. No one knew when she'd arrived.
"President...!"
"Are you joining the raid too, Madam President?"
Song Han-na, Korea's unofficial number one.
But she rarely led raids herself. As Association President, her role was always to prepare for the worst.
In other words, her stepping up meant the worst had arrived. Their instant panic was natural.
"Huh? No, no."
Song Han-na waved it off dismissively.
"Just came to get a better look. This screen's the biggest in the Association."
Reassuring her staff, she rubbed her chin and scrutinized the gate on screen.
"Hard to tell just from watching here, but it doesn't seem too scary. The gate's big, sure, but not as bad as the first or second Grade 2s."
The office atmosphere lightened instantly at her firm words. If anyone knew, it was herthe longest-surviving S-rank in Korea.
"Of course, it's still Grade 2, so plenty dangerous. Which brings me to our little problem... Yeah, Yoon Se-ra Hunter?"
Se-ra's eyes widened at Song Han-na's gaze. Han-na pointed at the screen with an ambiguous expression.
"Sorry, but I need you to run over there real quick."
"......Pardon?"
Where?
"Not to go insidejust deliver something to Director Do for me."
This twist was unexpected.
Looks like she got a chance to spectate a Grade 2 dungeon up close after all.
* * *
After checking the item Song Han-na had asked her to deliver, Se-ra immediately understood why she'd been chosen. It was none other than Do Jun-young's S-rank sword, which he only used for raids.
No wayhow do you forget your weapon for a dungeon? An S-rank one, at that!
Se-ra gaped at the sword, and Song Han-na looked sheepish.
He's disguised as A-rank, so he usually dulls his edge with equivalent gear. A poor workman blames his tools, right? Of course, he always kept his S-rank sword in inventory, but he left it for reinforcement recently, of all times.
Se-ra pinched her forehead. So he'd gone in practically naked. Sure, the situation was urgent, but this level of recklessness was beyond her.
I'm the only one here who knows Director Do's S-rank, right? Got it. I'll take care of it.
Song Han-na couldn't leave the Association unprepared, so Se-ra nodded readily.
"Why bother disguising as A-rank anyway?"
The S-rank Se-ra, disguised as F-rank, grumbled as she swapped her sneakers for combat boots. Song Han-na had provided themgear that boosted speed dramatically.
"Feels lighter already. With these A-rank items equipped, Seoul Forest won't take long."
Standing on the rooftop, she gazed toward Seoul Forest. Even from afar, waves of mana pulsed toward her. Impressive that it reached this far.
This was Grade 2 dungeon mana.
A chill ran down her spine. If she were truly F-rank, her legs would've given out instantly. She'd have to fake some fear on arrival.
"Alright, let's go."
Se-ra tapped the rooftop with her boot toe and leaped off.
The haste anklet granting instant acceleration combined with the boots' base speed boost propelled her body forward at terrifying velocity.
Laughing with glee at the sensation of flight, Se-ra's grin widened.
"Ah, this is amazing!"
The ground looked like a toy below. She never could've felt this exhilaration without becoming S-rank.
Her life truly had flippedher chest swelled with emotion.
With the Administrator's emoticon, Se-ra lightly kicked off another rooftop, soaring into the air. Even as the dungeon neared, she buzzed like a kid.
She wasn't scared at all anymore.
* * *
It took exactly ten minutes from City Hall Stationwhere the Association wasto reach Seoul Forest. A car would need nearly an hour, but an geared-up S-rank's power was something else.
Quickly fixing her wind-tossed hair and clothes from the mad flight, Se-ra dashed straight for the gate.
"Director Do!"
"Yoon Se-ra-ssi?!"
Jung Tae-seok and Shin Jae-min stared in shock. But Se-ra had no time for full explanations.
"Where's Director Do? The President said to deliver this weapon ASAP!"
Se-ra let her lips quiver as if terrified, yet fixed them with resolute eyes, as if pushing through her fear.
Her acting workedthe two looked mortified for her.
"Hand it over. I'll take it to him right now, so you stay back and head home."
Oh no, can't do that. I want to watch a bit longer.
She wanted to linger, but Tae-seok was insistent on protecting her. Se-ra inwardly clicked her tongue in regret.
"Pardon the interruption. I couldn't help overhearing, but I believe I can assist."
The three turned in surprise at the polite, calm voice.
A man with light brown hair and even clearer eyes stood there, striking and memorable.
He looked young and handsome, but his aura made his age hard to pin down. They all knew him.
"Yeongwon Guild Master...!"
It was Joo Eun, leader of Korea's top guild, Yeongwon.
"Is that Director Do's weapon?"
Se-ra nodded frantically as he pointed to it.
"Ah, yes! The President asked me to deliver it."
"I see..."
A flicker of realization crossed his eyes. Joo Eun nodded and extended his hand.
"You've done well. If you're alright with it, I'll handle the delivery. It's dangerous to get closerleave the rest to us."
Se-ra was touched by the Yeongwon Guild Master's impeccable manners. It was exactly why she'd always liked Yeongwon besthis elegant aura.
...So why's the vice guild master such a mess?
She glanced behind him, but Kang Han-seo was nowhere in sight. Relief washed over her.
"H-here you go. Please take care of it, Yeongwon Guild Master."
Se-ra handed over Do Jun-young's cloth-wrapped sword. Joo Eun accepted it carefully, as if fully aware of entrusting such a weapon to another.
"We'll clear this Grade 2 dungeon for everyone's safety. Don't worry."
He bowed politely and headed for the gate.
Se-ra watched his retreating figure with dreamy eyes.
How can he be so cool? The epitome of grace, leading Korea's top guild.
Why was the Administrator acting up now?
Why are you so mad?
She hadn't meant anything by itwhy the sudden rage? Chatting only via emoticons made it so hard to read him.
"Se-ra-ssi, head back now."
"Yes. I'll leave the rest to you."
No point pushing to enter the Grade 2 gate anyway, so Se-ra retreated gracefully. Of course, she kept up the wobbly-legged act until the end.
Hearing Jung Tae-seok and Shin Jae-min's worried voices behind her, Se-ra grew even more confident in her skills.
Do I have a talent for this?