Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 19
It was a man.
Young, toweringly tall, chiseled like a sculptureand for some inexplicable reason, he looked utterly furious.
Yoon Se-ra's face stiffened in an instant.
What the hell? Why did our eyes meet? Does he recognize me? No way, right?
They were quite a distance apart, and she was even cloaked in stealth. How could he be looking right at her? Could he be some powerhouse her stealth didn't work on?
No. That couldn't be. She had memorized the profiles of all the top powerhouses from her civil servant duties. She was certain she'd never seen this guy before in her life.
Oh, right. I'm still wearing the gas mask.
The situation had been so urgent that she hadn't had a chance to take it off even after exiting the dungeon. So even if he'd pierced her stealth, her face would still be hidden from view.
Still, just to be safe, Se-ra decided to get out of there immediately.
She activated Haste and leaped high into the air.
She had to get back before the S-ranks arrived at the Association.
* * *
By the time the raid team finished off the remaining snakes and eggs in the nest and emerged, their faces were grimly set.
But that was nothing compared to the sight that greeted them in front of the gate.
"What the hell is this...?"
Kang Han-seo trailed off, unable to continue. Yoo Su-eun, her eyes wide, clicked her tongue in disbelief.
"Monsters evolving into magical beasts was shocking enough, but to think they'd explode and die before we could even deal with them."
"H-How many people in the world could burst a boss magical beast's head like this?"
"Probably just the Association President or Joo Eun here. ...The problem is, neither of them did it."
Joo Eun had been with them the whole time, and Song Han-na had no reason to be here. So who the hell had sniped the boss magical beast's head?
"Looks like one person did itand in a single blow, too."
True to his Ranger traits, Joo Eun was adept at scouting and detection. He pieced it together with just one glance at the corpse.
Everyone's expressions darkened further.
Song Han-na and Joo Eun were among the top powerhouses in Korea, but even they couldn't take down a Grade 2 boss magical beast that quickly.
"You all saw the message when the boss died, right?"
An S-rank Hunter choosing anonymity? They all knew each otherwhat was the point of hiding now?
"There was one person. Someone we don't know well. The S-rank who went overseas almost immediately after awakening."
"No way that guy came back to Korea without an emergency. His mercenary group's leader isn't the type to let him go that easily."
"Isn't a Grade 2 dungeon emergency enough?"
"He couldn't get here that fast."
The conversation circled back to square one.
"Ah! Y-You've finally come out!"
Jung Tae-seok and Shin Jae-min came running toward the S-ranks, who were solemnly examining the corpse. They bore wounds all over, signs of their own battle with the magical beasts.
"What happened after we went in? Who killed this thing?"
"We're... not sure either."
Do Jun-young asked urgently, but both men shook their heads with troubled expressions.
"It was some skill I'd never seen before. A red cube enveloped the beast's head and just... blew it apart. Terrifying sight. Even scarier than the Association President's skills."
Song Han-na's ability was telekinesis. She had a penchant for crushing enemies outright, but this had been even more horrifying.
"Overwhelming is the only word for it. Might even shake up the S-rank standings."
Jung Tae-seok ventured his opinion while glancing at Joo Eun, who looked intrigued rather than offended.
"Secure every CCTV in the area. Registered or re-Awakener, we need to find them."
"Nah, give it up. No camera's gonna catch so much as a thread from their clothes."
At that moment, a voice like ice water doused them. The S-ranks examining the corpse went pale as ghosts.
"What the fuck."
"Huh...?"
Yoo Su-eun spat a curse, and Kang Han-seo blanched. Do Jun-young and Joo Eun's faces hardened too.
All four S-rank gazes converged on one spot.
A strikingly handsome man was approaching slowly.
Jet-black hair, irises so dark they blended with his pupilsnot burdensome, but enhancing his beauty even further.
Normally, Yoo Su-eun would have swooned over such a rare specimen, but now she glared at him with fire in her eyes.
An unnatural pressure emanated from the man.
It overwhelmed the area, blanketing even these battle-fresh S-ranks. Heightened as they were, they all sensed it immediately.
This man wielded power far beyond anyone they'd ever encountered.
Even beyond Song Han-na, who'd guarded Korea for so long.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Yoo Su-eun couldn't bear the oppressive force and bellowed.
"Guild Master Yoo Su-eun, calm down."
Joo Eun stepped forward to restrain her.
"...My apologies. We're a bit on edge right after battle, so please forgive us."
His tone was polite, belying his stiff expressionlike showing respect to a superior.
Joo Eun extended a hand toward him.
"I'm Joo Eun, leader of Yeongwon Guild. If I may, could I have your name?"
The man's gaze fell to that hand. Callused and rough from years of gripping a bow. For a moment, his eyes softened, as if with sadness... or nostalgia.
"Kang Se-jun. Since all you S-ranks already sense it, let's skip the bullshit and get to the point."
"Pardon?"
"A woman took out the magical beast. But she was stealthed with L-rank gear, so no CCTV caught her. Useless even if you check."
"Not you?"
Yoo Su-eun's eyes sharpened instantly. A man with skin-prickling power made sense for one-shotting the boss.
But some random woman? Suspicion was inevitable.
"You do it and then play innocent?"
"Why would I bother with that hassle? Especially against people who'd sense my power just facing me?"
Yoo Su-eun shut her mouth with a scowl. Joo Eun, who'd been listening quietly, interjected again.
"Didn't you see her face?"
"Gas mask. And I have a question toothat woman clearly exited the gate right after the boss. You guys really know nothing?"
The four S-ranks' faces hardened anew. Do Jun-young glanced urgently at Tae-seok.
"Did someone else approach the gate after we entered?"
"Pardon? N-No, we didn't see anyone..."
"L-rank stealth gear, remember? She was wearing the Jacket of Revival. No S-rank or below spots that."
Jacket of Revival.
Exorbitantly priced with stringent crafting conditions, owned by only a handful worldwide. And she'd worn it...?
"Figured you'd know since she came out of the gate, so I showed myself. Should've just tracked her solo."
Kang Se-jun clicked his tongue in annoyance. Do Jun-young stepped forward.
"I'm Do Jun-young, Director of the Korean Awakener Management Association's Management Office. Pardon the rudeness, but are you a formally registered Awakener?"
"See? This is why it's a pain."
Kang Se-jun grumbled, but a faint flicker of recognitiongladness?passed through his eyes, just like with Joo Eun.
"Yeah. A-rank back then."
"In that case, we'll need to re-measure your rank."
No one doubted he wasn't A-rank now. He nodded.
"Let's go."
"Section Chief Shin Jae-min, Team Leader Jung Tae-seok, handle cleanup. I'll report to the President. After you."
Do Jun-young led the way, Kang Se-jun following. Not just themthe other three S-ranks trailed as if it were natural.
Do Jun-young furrowed his brow.
"You three should head back. Or handle the waiting reporters' interviews."
"Handle it yourself, Kyung-do! I'm heading to the Association!"
But Yoo Su-eun brushed it off, dumping it on her vice-guild master.
"I'm dying to know what this guy's deal is, if he really sniped the boss behind our backs, what his real rank isI'm not leaving. Lead the way. I wanna see the re-measure with my own eyes."
"Honestly, I'm curious too and want to tag along."
Kang Han-seo sheepishly raised his hand after her. Do Jun-young shot Joo Eun a weary look, throat tight with a sigh. But he betrayed him too.
"Let's get going."
In the end, Do Jun-young had to escort three S-rank burdens and one mystery man back to the Association.
* * *
"Whew, that was close. Nearly got busted."
Only upon reaching the Association did Se-ra remove her gas mask. Tension had left her drenched in cold sweat.
"More importantly, Administrator, shouldn't you have warned me a Grade 2 boss goes down in one shot?"
Se-ra shot the empty air a plaintive glare. Good that no one else got hurt, but that kind of power was bound to spark endless talk!
"That's all the comfort I get?!"
She deflated. Now she was the one needing comfort.
"No, I'm not blaming you or anything. Just wish you'd mentioned it, that's all."
Her resolve softened quickly as she coaxed him.
Oh dear. Now he was grinning. Any fight left in her evaporated, and Se-ra let out a hollow laugh.
She stowed the jacket in her inventory, straightened her clothes, and headed to the office, where Song Han-na waited.
"You're back."
"Yeah. I delivered the weapon through Yeongwon Guild's master. Any word? What happened?"
Se-ra feigned ignorance with anxious eyes. Thankfully, Song Han-na shrugged without suspicion.
"Cleared it before you got back. The S-ranks should be returning soon."
"Pardon? What do you mean? I was just there. How's a Grade 2 dungeon already cleared...?"
Her acting skills seemed to level up by the day.
She ignored the Administrator's smug face.
"Dunno. Gotta hear from Director Do's report. Oh, rightheard he's coming with a surprise guest. Very curious who."
But even Se-ra had to blink at that.
A guest? She'd bolted right after the boss with no looking backno one guest-like had been there before.
"Didn't see anyone weird there?"
"No. I delivered the weapon to Yeongwon Guild's master and left right away."
Song Han-na's secretary nearby spoke up then.
"President, they're here."
"Measurement room clear?"
"Yes."
Measurement room? Where they test Awakener ranks?
Why clear it suddenly? Was the guest a new Awakener?
Se-ra's face subtly hardened at the emoticon.
Something was off. Not a comforting momentwhy now?
What's going on? Why comfort me? What happened?
Good lord. Even the Administrator was looking away. Se-ra grew truly anxious.
A guest. Who could be coming with Do Jun-young to make even the Administrator avert his gaze?
Should I bolt now?
Se-ra glanced around in panic, but it was too late. A ding echoed as the elevator door at the end of the office hallway slid open.
Thud. Thud. As the footsteps drew near, Se-ra's eyes turned that way.
Oh shit!
And she saw him. Sandwiched among the now-familiar S-ranksthat man's face!
The sculpted hunk from in front of the Grade 2 gatewhy the hell was he here?!