Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 31
With a heavy heart, Se-ra returned to work after four days, but soon enough, she had no time left for such thoughts.
Familiar duties awaited her after so long.
"There was a clash between small guilds over the weekend. No casualties, but the problem was they put off conquering the dungeon to fight among themselves, nearly causing a breakout."
"Were they all idiots or something?"
Se-ra clicked her tongue at Jung Tae-seok's words. Fighting during a conquest, not even after it was over? Did they have brains at all?
"Exactly. So now we're stepping in for sanctions. Sorry to dump these idiots on you, but could you handle it? Hunter Management Team's Kim Sang-hyun will be going with you, so it should be fine."
"This is the kind of work I used to do anyway. No problem."
Tae-seok was just worried about her after that near-disaster, but there was no real need to apologize.
Se-ra had originally been F-rank, so even in the Dungeon Management Team, she'd mostly handled cleanup and miscellaneous tasks like this rather than dangerous field work. Plus, the accompanying hunter was B-rank, so no real danger.
'Looks like I'll get to take it easy for once.'
Se-ra let out a deep sigh of relief as she began reviewing the materials Tae-seok handed her.
* * *
"We're the victims here! Those bastards snuck off with the item first!"
Se-ra arrived at the small guild, Hunting Guild, alongside Kim Sang-hyun from the Hunter Management Team in the same office. Guild Master Baek Geon-tae spat as he vehemently claimed his innocence.
"The contract clearly specified the split, but they stole it behind our backs! How can you allow this? Ignoring the agreement like that!"
It was understandable to be angry.
Unlike large guilds, small ones lacked manpower and conquered dungeons by helping each other out.
Since they relied on mutual aid, they rarely caused trouble between themselves. No one wanted to team up with a problematic guild.
Yet they'd tried to snatch the item anywayit must have been something really good. It wasn't specified in the reports, so she'd have to ask Kim Sang-hyun later.
"The Association has completed its investigation. It was confirmed that the other guild was at fault. But that doesn't make delaying the dungeon conquest the right call."
Kim Sang-hyun's scolding made the guild master's face fall instantly.
"Well, seeing them steal the item like that... I just got so mad..."
"Does getting mad justify postponing the conquest? We nearly had a breakout. In a rural village with hardly any people around. A little more delay, and the villagers would've been massacred without any aid."
"Ahem. Hm."
At a loss for words, the guild master cleared his throat awkwardly and averted his gaze. His flushed face showed he still felt wronged.
Kim Sang-hyun showed no mercy.
"Per regulations, Hunting Guild is banned from dungeon conquests for two months. Everyone from the guild master down to the members. Plus, a fine of 50 million won due within one month."
The guild master jumped up as Kim Sang-hyun placed the documents in front of him. Awakeners had special powers and earned more than average, so their punishments were harsher too.
"W-what? Two months? And 50 million?! Isn't that too much? What are small guilds like us supposed to do without conquering for two months? We're the victims here!"
"As I said, this fine is for prioritizing personal squabbles over the conquest. And it's aggravated since a breakout nearly happened."
"Aggr..."
He started to shout something but shut his mouth, having nothing to say.
If monsters had poured out of the dungeon, that rural village without a single hunter would've been utterly devastated. As a guild master, he knew that much.
In the end, he clutched his face and took the documents.
"For some consolation, the offending guild got a six-month conquest ban and a 100 million won fine. Your situation is much better."
"......"
The guild master's face, swirling with anger, anguish, sorrow, and more, suddenly calmed. Rightcompared to six months and 100 million, two months and 50 million was lighter.
He buried his face in his hands, making strange sniffling sounds.
"The conquest ban takes effect immediately. Don't forget the fine due date and check carefully."
"Sniff, yes...... Ah, um, that item in question..."
"The Association has already confiscated it. Don't get any ideas."
"I won't! I don't want it! Good thing the Association took it."
Baek Geon-tae mumbled something, then slammed his head on the desk as sorrow overwhelmed him again, tears streaming down.
With no reason left to stay, the two left the guild master's office.
Today she'd get off on time after all! The mission wrapped up easily and quickly, putting her in a great mood.
Grinning brightly, Se-ra glanced back at the muffled sobs echoing through the closed doorsniff sniff, heave sob, wail groan.
"Wouldn't be surprised if they end up fighting that guild later."
"If casualties happen, we'll have to come back. Here's hoping it doesn't."
"Well said."
The Association didn't micromanage guild clashes, but casualties changed everything.
Se-ra fervently hoped they'd just fight without killing each other.
"By the way, what the heck was that item..."
It was right before leaving the Hunting Guild headquarters that Se-ra turned to ask Kim Sang-hyun.
Se-ra's steps froze at the ominous message from the Administrator.
What? Why's he raising his fists like that, eyes gleaming? Why? Why?!
"Yoon Se-ra-ssi?"
Kim Sang-hyun called puzzled from beside her, but she couldn't hear him.
Another popped up, looking ready for battleextremely foreboding.
"We need to get out of here right!"
Her face paling, Se-ra tried to shout urgently, but it was too late. A chill swept in as a message appeared before her eyes.
The ground shook, and her vision flipped in an instant. The brightly lit building interior turned pitch dark, emitting a faint glow.
Amid it, the glimpsed structure no longer looked ordinary. Dim glowing ores everywhere, unknown stones filling the surroundings.
Se-ra now stood in a rift dungeonone of the dangerous types where the space itself transformed into a dungeon. She tore at her hair and screamed.
"My early dismissal!"
Of all things, a rift dungeon, not even a regular one!
This damn dungeon was stealing her precious early leave!
Her silent scream echoed as her prized on-time exit sprouted wings and flew far away.
* * *
Chasa Guild's vice guild master Yeon-hee visited the guild master right after the rift dungeon erupted.
"Call from the Association President."
Guild Master Jeong Ho-young took the proffered phone without hesitation.
"Yes, Association President. Jeong Ho-young speaking."
Hey, yeah. Ho-young. Heard you were training. Sorry to interrupt.
"No problem. What's up?"
Rift dungeon broke out at Hunting Guild near your HQ.
Jeong Ho-young glanced at Yeon-hee at Association President Song Han-na's words. She mouthed that it had just happened.
"Shall I handle it?"
That's part of it, but there's a snag. Our little Se-ra Se-ra's in there.
Jeong Ho-young's face hardened instantly. Now she understood why Song Han-na called personally instead of a standard aid request. she was one of the few who knew her connection to Yoon Se-ra.
"The vice guild master and I will head there immediately. We'll rescue her right away, so don't worry."
Thanks, Ho-young. Sigh. Why does that girl only run into stuff like this? Too many weird things lately. Maybe an exorcism. Poor baby.
"I'll find a good shaman and report back. Please wait a bit."
Song Han-na perked up at Jeong Ho-young's serious reply.
Oh, perfect! Handle that too. Rift dungeonbe careful, you guys.
"Yes. I'll call as soon as we rescue her."
Ending the call reverently, Jeong Ho-young stood up. Fresh from training, no need to warm up.
"The team's ready?"
"Four A-rank hunters on standby. We can depart immediately."
"Let's go."
Without a moment to waste, Jeong Ho-young left the training room. It'd take less than 10 minutes on foot to Hunting Guild HQthey'd arrive soon.
The issue was Yoon Se-ra being F-rank.
Jeong Ho-young prayed Song Han-na's precious niece would hold out until then.
* * *
But Jeong Ho-young, leader of the nation's No. 2 Chasa Guild, had no idea.
The pitiful ones weren't Yoon Se-ra, but the monsters suddenly facing an S-rank.
"You filthy things ruining my early dismissal. Come out already, won't you? The sooner I kill you all, the sooner I can clock out."
The guild headquarters, lit only by faint glowstones, was shrouded in darkness.
Se-ra's left eye glowed crimson red as she activated her skill. The fierce glare piercing the dark was utterly ferocious.
Monsters that had come to devour humans instead fled in panic.
"Running won't get you outgive up already! Hahaha! I'll shoot you all down one by one!"
Hieeeek!
The office worker's rage at losing early leave right before it was monstrous, bordering on madness. Facing no escape or hiding spots, the monsters trembled at her ravings.
A monster had descended upon the dungeon.
Se-ra had started rampaging without care for onlookers about 10 minutes earlier.
Se-ra barely registered the message, mumbling "early dismissal, early dismissal" in a daze. But Kim Sang-hyun did.
His face stiffened.
"Ghost Town... No way...!"
Ghostmeaning spirits. The monsters dominating this place were ghost-types that eroded the mind.
"Aaagh! Agh! N-no! Get out! Die! Die!"
"Huaagh! N-no, hate it! Hate it! Aah!"
"Save me! Save me!"
Screams erupted everywhere the moment he realized. All from Hunting Guild members, no doubt.
Kim Sang-hyun whirled to Yoon Se-ra, face ashen.
"Dangerous! We need to get out!"
But too late.
A sudden translucent white monster sucked into Kim Sang-hyun's body. He reached desperately toward Se-ra.
"Se, Se-ra-ssi! Leave me and run, quick!"
Before finishing, he collapsed like a puppet with cut strings. Se-ra snapped out of her shock.
"Worrying about me even while getting eroded. What a good guy."
Quite touching. She had to save him no matter what.
"Problem is, I don't have mental barriers either. Hmm."
Se-ra scratched her head casually, checking the fallen Kim Sang-hyun for injuries. She missed the White Ghost descending from the ceiling.
The all-white ghost-type lunged at the crouching her...
...only to bounce off with pingsthunk, tick, tang.
"......Huh?"
Se-ra and the flung White Ghost stared blankly at each other.
A chilling silence descended.