Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 37
"Such terrifying pressure. We get that you're strong, so rein it in a bit. There are more than one or two fragile lives here that would vanish if you so much as twitch a finger."
"Oh? Oops, I forgot since it doesn't happen often. Sorry about that."
Ja-rim scratched her head and dialed back her aura. Relieved sighs rose from the staff who hadn't even been able to breathe.
"Honestly, the others might be on the fence, but that cool lady over there? I can tell for sure. You're the number one in Korea, right? Wow..."
Ja-rim let out an exclamation as she looked Song Han-na up and down.
"That Jeong Ho-young over there is a monster too, but you're the real deal. How are you this strong? Whoa. Number one on the rankings really is different."
"Not anymore. The world changed while you were gone. Ms. Ja-rim."
"Huh? Did I mention my name?"
"I saw it on the missing Awakeners list. Five years have passed here since you disappeared."
Ja-rim's face, which had been grinning like a big dogperfectly matching Yoo Su-eun's 'dumb dog' descriptiondarkened for the first time. A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
"Five years... I see."
"Let's move somewhere to talk. Have Director Do and the guild masters join us. Who knows when we'll meet another missing Awakener? Better to hear her story now."
Once everyone left the office, Se-ra finally patted her chest and peeked out.
Good. Unlike with Kang Se-jun, she didn't spot me, so I should be safe from getting tangled up right away.
But the moment the message appeared, Se-ra ducked her head again.
'No! Don't look!'
Like with the regressor, she didn't want to see something weird and get shocked. Absolutely not.
Ignorance is bliss for a reason. Flowing along like water without knowing anything was best.
* * *
"I am the saint who restores health through holy damage and leads everyone to salvation."
The mood in the Association President's office chilled at Ja-rim's proud introduction, chin held high.
"...So, your name is?"
Do Jun-young's question came after a long silence. Ja-rim shrugged.
"Seong Ja-rim."
The atmosphere grew even colder. Yoo Su-eun looked ready to rip her mouth off this time. Song Han-na soothed the furious chihuahua.
"A healer, then? Though you're registered as combat-class with the Association."
"I awakened an extra healer trait. I'd be dead otherwise."
"A combat-class awakening a healer trait? Extremely rare. And L-rank confirmed without a measurement device... Did you contract with a top-tier entity?"
L-rank is special; confirmations notify all Awakeners, like when Kang Se-jun used the Association's official gauge.
But Seong Ja-rim was confirmed without one. Meaning she'd bonded with something as powerful as what Song Han-na or Joo Eun had, rising to L-rank through contract alone.
Surprisingly, though, Seong Ja-rim denied it firmly.
"Entities aren't the only way to confirm rank. Pure achievements count too."
"What? You mean..."
Ja-rim smiled lightly at Yoo Su-eun's wide-eyed stare.
"You can get strong without contracting an entity. Of course, it takes talent and time."
"No entity at all?!"
Absurd. No one worldwide had reached L-rank solo. Yoo Su-eun slammed the table in disbelief, but Song Han-na remained unfazed.
"Dungeons differ from our reality. Constant near-death battles there could force even talent to bloom."
"You need baseline talent, though. As my registration shows, I was originally an A-rank hunter."
"A-ranks these days are scary. The previous L-rank who appeared was A-rank too."
Ja-rim's eyes widened at Song Han-na's words.
"Oh? Another one besides me? Wow, the world really changed in five years."
"I'm third now. With all these young powerhouses, us first-gen folks will be backroom geezers soon."
"If the tiger heads to the back room, where do we dogs go? The shed?"
Yoo Su-eun grumbled about nonsense.
"This raises the odds that missing Awakeners swept into dungeons are alive. I'll report to the Dungeon Agency."
The World Dungeon Organization investigates dungeons intensely. They'd rejoice at this.
But contrary to Do Jun-young's expectations, Ja-rim seemed indifferent.
"Eh. The probability isn't zero, but it's damn close. I never imagined returning to Earth myself."
"Pardon?"
"I was skeptical at first, but your stories confirm it."
Her puppyish bright smile vanished. The eccentric vibe gone, the room froze instantly.
The five S-ranks present realized anew: she truly was L-rank, above them.
"Earth still doesn't know what dungeons and gates connect to, right?"
"You know?"
Faces stiffened.
The WDO's purpose: trace gates and dungeons' origins and eradicate them. Yet over a decade after the upheaval, no answers...
And Seong Ja-rim knew?
"I lived in the dungeon long enough. Impossible not to learn."
Ja-rim pointed at each with her ragged, cracked nails, tales of hardship etched in. Awakeners flinched each time.
"Let me tell you: you can't close them. Give up. You, you, youno powerhouse in this world can seal gates forever. Destruction is all that awaits this land."
The first dungeon returnee declared it definitively.
A heavier silence than before descended on the office.
* * *
Even as an S-rank, Se-ra's hopes remained modest.
Please let me clock out clean.
For Se-ra, more accustomed to low-paid civil servant life than S-rank status, it was natural.
But here's the thing. She wanted perfect freedom from work at clock-outnot to drag it home.
Why this trial?
"Sorry, Se-ra. Watch this muttno, Awakenerfor a while."
5:50 PM. Ten minutes to quitting time, Se-ra faced Song Han-na.
More precisely, Song Han-na dangling Ja-rim by the scruff.
"..."
Auntie, how could you do this to me? Se-ra shot a resentful glare. Song Han-na averted her eyes.
"We need someone to monitor if this baggageno, Awakeneris dangerous. Can't be a strong one. You're the weakest in the Association right now."
"It's bad enough being weak, but shoving this baggage on me..."
Clock-out, but with overtime at home? No different from staying late.
Se-ra stared blankly. The damn baggage grinned hee-hee.
"See, I've rolled in rough places too long. Strong folks nearby make my hands itch. But someone like you, barely civilian-level? Fine!"
First time she wanted to punch such a beaming face.
Ever been hit by an EX-rank weapon, you?
Se-ra's icy glare met eyes predicting all-nighters. Ja-rim's smile faded quietly.
"Think of it as me bodyguard-ing you. With me around, huh? No one'll mess with you. I'll handle it all!"
No reason to hear more nonsense.
"I quit."
She couldn't take it anymore. Se-ra finally voiced what she'd swallowed repeatedly, with her ever-ready resignation letter.
Gasp. At the sudden resignation, Ja-rimwho'd boasted 'trust only me'froze mid-sentence. Her mystical golden eyes rolled toward Song Han-na.
Song Han-na stared silently at the neatly labeled white envelope.
"Never expected a resignation waiting like this."
Se-ra swallowed hard. All or nothing. But she didn't want to risk it for some L-rank. Better dragged to Song Han-na's and exposed there.
At least she was trustworthy.
"Sigh, yeah. Babysitting isn't easy. Resigning over it? My fault."
Positive words. Se-ra, gripping the envelope tight, brightened. Better reaction than expected. Probably guilty over the ridiculous overtime.
Thrilled at easy resignation, Song Han-na nodded decisively, as if resolved.
"Alright. Overtime pay plus an S-rank weapon."
"..."
Se-ra seethed. Not accepting resignation, but bribing with extras and an S-rank weapon?
She couldn't endure more. She swung her arm.
Toward Ja-rim.
"Yoon Se-ra from Dungeon Management Team. Pleased to work with you! Very pleased! Anything you need, anytime, just say!"
I'll be your rattle. Rattle-rattle.
Offering a handshake, Se-ra beamed like a spring flower in bloom. Her bold resignation? Already trashed nearby.
Overtime or quit, money talks.
Too grand a freebie S-rank weapon to refuse.
* * *
News of Se-ra minding Seong Ja-rim drew concerns from accompanying S-ranks.
"That civil servant who suffered from Su-eon-ji before? Now a mutt pup. Poor kid."
Yoo Su-eun, Korea's youngest S-rank and Se-ra's peer, spoke first.
"How about staying at Cheongrang Guild dorms? More convenient all around."
Han Su-eon suggested again, earning Song Han-na's icy glare.
"Call if anything happens."
Do Jun-young, opposed but overruled, glared sharply at Seong Ja-rim.
"Looking into shamans. Confirm a good one and let you know."
Most helpful: Jeong Ho-young. Se-ra bowed to her shoulder-pat, pleading please. She'd ride the cutting board herself if needed.
How depressing. She'd sworn to avoid S-ranks, yet kept bumping into L-ranks.
Small comfort...
She doesn't know who I am.
No suspicion from the beaming Ja-rim.
The Administrator's blessing fooled even Kang Se-jun. He spotted her only catching a Grade 2 beast. Otherwise, unnoticed.
Just be careful; she could fool Seong Ja-rim too.
Endure for the S-rank weapon.
Se-ra recalled Song Han-na's promise of the president's exclusive armory, regaining peace.
* * *
Was Seong Ja-rim's five-year dungeon tale true? En route to the Association-provided hotel, she gawked excitedly everywhere.
Thanks to her, I get hotel life too.
Their temporary shared spot: hotel's top suite. Fitting Korea's second L-rank.
Hotel perks, fat overtime, S-rank weapon. Babysitting wasn't bad?
"Back after five yearswhat do you wanna eat?"
Even shared expenses processed, spend freely.
Might as well luxury it up.
"Chimaek!"
Seong Ja-rim yelled without hesitation, drooling already.
Knows chimaek? Definitely Korean.
Obligated to report to Song Han-na, Se-ra noted it.
"Anything else you need, just say."
Missing Awakeners were socially deadno returns. Her home, furniture sold. Rebuild from scratch.
But housing: Association-provided as courtesy for first returnee L-rank.
President handles this perfectly. No wonder top approval.
"Needs? Yeah, one thing."
Ja-rim, sprawled sideways flipping channels, bolted up.
"Yoon Se-ra, right?"
"Yes. Dungeon Management Team hunter."
"When did you contract with the System Administrator?"
...Pardon?
Wait. This sudden?