Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 40
The news that two L-rank Awakeners had come face-to-face sent the Association into a state of high alert.
Especially since it was Kang Se-junwho smashed reporters' cameras without hesitationmeeting Seong Ja-rim, who had survived the dungeon and risen to L-rank through her own power.
But that worry was utterly pointless.
"Hmm, this rubber band's elasticity isn't bad."
In the corner of the office that no one paid any mind to, Yoon Se-raF-rank in name onlywas plucking at the rubber band of her EX-rank slingshot.
If you cause any trouble and ruin my early dismissal, I won't forgive you.
The two L-ranks, the only ones who grasped this silent threat, showed no sudden outbursts and quietly extended their hands to each other.
"Kang Se-jun."
"Seong Ja-rim."
The moment their hands clasped, their eyes rapidly exchanged glances.
'Hey, you too?'
'Hey, me too!'
The two L-ranks, threatened for uncovering Yoon Se-ra's true identity, felt a profound sense of kinship toward each other.
The oblivious office staff breathed a sigh of relief, relieved that the atmosphere seemed amicable. As the saying goes, life is a comedy from afar and a tragedy up close.
"Welcome, Mr. Kang Se-jun, Ms. Seong Ja-rim."
Do Jun-young exchanged greetings with the pair.
"We've cleared the Daegwallyeong Dungeon. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, and the damage wasn't severe."
"Thank you. But you came in person for a report that could have been done over the phone..."
"I wanted to see what kind of person you are."
Kang Se-jun's gaze briefly swept over Seong Ja-rim before flicking toward Se-ra in the back for a split second.
"...Looks like you're a good person."
In more ways than one.
Ja-rim, the only one who caught the implication, nodded solemnly.
"Ms. Seong Ja-rim, the Association President has requested a brief conversation. Is that alright?"
"That strong noona isn't here?"
"She's away at the Blue House for a meeting regarding your situation."
"The Blue House! That's so cool. Can I go too?"
"No."
Ja-rim's face fell immediately.
"Mind if I join? As long as it's not a private talk."
"I don't mind."
"Then Mr. Kang Se-jun can come along as well. And..."
Do Jun-young's expression twisted ever so slightly. After hesitating several times, he turned his head. His eyes met Se-ra's, who had been sneakily glancing his way.
'Gasp. Bad vibes.'
A office worker's instincts prickled down her spine. Se-ra ducked her head right away, but it was too late.
"Yoon Se-ra, you come too."
"M-Me? Is a lowly employee like me really needed there...?"
Se-ra put on a frightened, intimidated expression. Unaware of the bizarre stares from Kang Se-jun and Seong Ja-rim behind him, Do Jun-young shook his head.
"It's the Association President's orders. She said it'll be good for you to familiarize yourself since you'll be staying with Ms. Seong Ja-rim for the time being."
The Association President...!
To think she'd betray me like this!
A left-side returnee and a right-side regressor weren't enoughnow she was getting an S-rank masquerading as an A-rank right in front of her.
* * *
The lion's den confrontation began.
'Feels like I've been in a situation like this before... Am I imagining it?'
She couldn't help recalling the meeting with three S-ranks and Park Jin-yong. That had been better, at least. She had been at the center of it all back then.
But now she was just an F-rank peon fetching tea for the L-ranksso why was she here?
"We're considering releasing some information about Ms. Seong Ja-rim to the public. Is that okay?"
Exactly that kind of talk. Something that had absolutely nothing to do with Se-ra. So why was she needed?
"What, like how I went missing five years ago, returned, and came back alive?"
"We'll review that part more carefully. We need to consider how much to disclose and what ripples it might cause."
"Then?"
"At minimum, we should say that she's made contact with the Association and that we've secured her. That'll reassure the public."
An L-rank Awakenerone of the rare few even on a global scale. Whether the nation had firmly identified her would greatly affect public peace of mind.
"We're also thinking of disclosing that she's a Healer. Do you consent to that?"
"Huh? Uh, um..."
Seong Ja-rim glanced at Se-ra. Having heard about her abilities the night before, Se-ra understood the look. She was a Healer in the sense that she could restore her own stamina...
'But does that really qualify as a full Healer?'
Seong Ja-rim's exact trait was combat Healer. Since she hadn't started as one, there were conditions attached.
'What do I do? Should I say I'm a Healer?'
Seong Ja-rim asked with her eyes.
No, asking me won't magically produce an answer.
But for the sake of this naive elder who knew nothing of the world despite her age, Se-ra ultimately stepped up.
"It might be better not to disclose that Ms. Seong Ja-rim has a Healer trait."
Do Jun-young and Kang Se-jun looked puzzled.
"Among Korea's top rankers, there's only Guild Master Yoo Su-eun as a Healer. People would be thrilled if her existence became known."
"Ms. Seong Ja-rim is closer to a combat type. So..."
Se-ra glanced at Ja-rim, who nodded as if to say go ahead.
"She's not a natural-born Healer like Guild Master Yoo Su-eun, so she can't perform complete heals on that level."
"Right, that's it! This noona explains it perfectly!"
Seong Ja-rim, who had been gauging reactions, clapped her hands. Babysitting elders was no joke.
"Then we shouldn't mention healing at all from the start. We'll just announce her as a combat Awakener. She does have combat skills, correct?"
"Yeah, definitely. Just don't bring injured people to me. Healing requires specific conditions that aren't always possible."
"Understood. Let's move on to the next matter."
"What, there's more? Is it about that stuff you asked yesterday?"
Gates and dungeons.
But Do Jun-young shook his head.
"The President will ask about that. This is the real issue."
"What happened?"
Se-ra asked cautiously. Strangely, Do Jun-young looked at hernot Seong Ja-rimwith deep pity.
"Director?"
It felt very ominous. As Se-ra gazed at him with trembling eyes, Do Jun-young opened his mouth carefully, as if truly apologetic.
"A high-rank from the U.S. side has expressed interest in visiting."
"......"
"......"
Both Se-ra and Kang Se-jun fell silent. Only Ja-rim, not understanding, grinned like a puppy with a clueless "Huh?"
"Why, why?"
"They say it's to strengthen ties between Korea and the U.S., but..."
"What nonsense."
Do Jun-young rubbed his furrowed brow tiredly at Kang Se-jun's blunt words. Now that she noticed, his face looked much more worn than it had just a day ago.
"Obvious, isn't it? With two L-ranks showing up, they want to keep tabs. The U.S. holds three L-ranks and remains the strongest nation."
One more, and Korea would match them. They had no choice but to take notice.
So what would they do?
"It's not just surveillance, is it?"
"No. The U.S. maintained its dominance in the Hunter era by aggressively recruiting foreign Hunters."
Snatching A-rank and below was no issue. They even respected personal choices like immigration or naturalization.
But S-rank and above were different. Each one directly tied to national powerthey absolutely could not be lost to other countries.
"Until now, Korea hasn't lost any Hunters to the U.S. or China thanks to the massive umbrella that is Song Han-na. All of Korea's S-ranks wanted to stay under her protection."
"But you two are different. You're stronger than the President."
Do Jun-young swept a hand over his face and looked at Seong Ja-rim and Kang Se-jun with serious eyes.
"The President left a message for you two. Not as the Association President, but as Song Han-na the individual."
"What is it?"
"I won't stop you if I can't anyway. But at least choose a place that treats you not as tools, but as human beings. That place will be your nation."
Kang Se-jun and Seong Ja-rim's eyes widened as if they'd been slapped.
Yoon Se-ra clamped her mouth shut.
'She's so cool...!'
An Association for Awakeners. And leading it, Song Han-na.
Her heart shone just as brightly in moments like this, undimmed.
There were plenty of places for nations and citizens. Shouldn't there be at least one for Awakeners?
'No wonder all the other S-ranks want to serve under her.'
Foreign scum, you don't have a leader like this, do you?
"Even if it's her personal wish as Song Han-na, not the President, I'm under her, so I'll follow her will too."
"......"
"Someone from the U.S. will arrive within the next week, so decide by then. And..."
Do Jun-young's gaze shifted back to Se-ra. She, inwardly chanting praises for Han-na, felt unease creep in again at that look.
What was it? Why did he keep eyeing her like that? Was this finally her resignation chance?
"Director?"
"Yoon Se-ra, report anything you need anytime."
"Pardon?"
"......You'll have a rough time sticking by Ms. Seong Ja-rim for a while."
I'm sorry. Do Jun-young's trailing words didn't even register.
Struck by a bolt-from-the-blue realization, Se-ra froze like she'd been electrocuted.
Right. She was Seong Ja-rim's minder, wasn't she? That meant she'd have to keep facing off against U.S. rankers too...?
"S-Sorry."
Ja-rim, finally grasping the situation, fled behind Kang Se-jun with a terrified face. But Se-ra no longer had the energy to glare at her.
Resignation letter... I need to write another resignation letter!
"Director, I'll just quit. I don't need extra pay or S-rank gear anymore!"
"I'm sorry. The President threatened not to accept any resignation letters..."
Betrayed by Song Han-na, Se-ra reeled in shock. The fierce resolve to block her quit was enough to make her want to faint with eyes wide open.
Even the Administrator, whom she'd trusted as an ally, was cheering her on.
This won't do. She couldn't put it off anymore.
'I need to contact Guild Master Jeong Ho-young. Time for an exorcism!'
She had to ask what curse had befallen her life. Se-ra vowed to call Jeong Ho-young the moment she left this room.