Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 41
Why are you spying on me? I'm busy gulping down what's pouring into my mouth right now.
I couldn't believe my eyes. Even the non-awakened kids are going nuts.
They said it's a combat-type, right? Kyaa, don't know if it's a swordsman or mage, but another powerhouse has appeared!!! We're a superpower now!!!!!!
Saw the overseas forums? They're losing their shit. Stuff like "Korea was hiding them all this time and dropped them all at once," or "They're actually from other countries and Korea stole them"all kinds of crap.
America's the one who stole them, why come at us? Hypocrites to the max, total double standards.
Why hide it, idiots? Just one L-rank boosts our national power;;;
But America won't stay quiet. They're the kings of hypocrisy. Something's gonna happen soon. 100% they'll send someone to Korea.
So what if they come? We've got Tiger-nim. Honestly, between the new L-rank and our S-rank, who's more reliable? Thanks to Song Han-na, I'm not even scared if they come from America.
Yeah exactly
Yeah exactly22222
333333333
Yeah exactly bbbb4444444
* * *
Ever since the hunter era dawned, the center of national power had naturally shifted to the awakeners.
Only awakeners could conquer dungeons, slay monsters, and close gates.
That said, the government's top brass wasn't entirely made up of awakeners. Politicians were still mostly non-awakeners, and most awakeners were affiliated with the military or security services.
President Jang In-hu was a non-awakener as well.
"That's why I don't exactly welcome meetings with the Association President. Just facing you makes me scared, you know."
He said this with a gentle smile. He was the type who loved jokes.
"Oh dear. If the man who strengthened the Awakener Punishment Law says that, it only makes me more frightened."
Jang In-hu burst into hearty laughter at the pointed jest.
"Still, civilian casualties have decreased, haven't they? It's all thanks to the Association President. I still think about it gratefully."
"Nothing's as troublesome as a wild beast off its leash. Putting some restraints on all awakeners is only naturalfor their sake."
Jang In-hu had won the presidency largely due to his pledge to strengthen the Awakener Punishment Law. True to his word, he'd taken the lead after election and successfully institutionalized it.
With Song Han-na, who stood above all domestic awakeners, backing him.
"And you don't need to thank me. You were the only one who knew how to adjust the reins' tightness."
Their interests had simply aligned.
Even as a congressman, Jang In-hu had proposed many bills for awakeners. He was the only one considering both non-awakeners and awakeners.
"I'll have to keep earning the Association President's trust. On that note, what have you decided about those two recent L-rank awakeners? Putting leashes on them seems impossible, doesn't it?"
A hint of fatigue crept onto Jang In-hu's relaxed face for the first time.
"If word gets out that a hunter's coming from America, the public's anxiety will skyrocket. I want to prevent that. Not just the anxiety, but I'm worried the opposition might stir up trouble."
Song Han-na nodded in understanding.
"I get where you're coming from, Mr. President, but how could we dare leash them? I couldn't even beat them, so it's impossible. And yet..."
Her lips, marked by a dark freckle, twisted into a wry smile.
"Why does everyone keep yapping about leashing them, freaking outI mean, sorry. I wonder if they're just lashing out blindly."
Song Han-na smiled brightly, as if it were a mere slip. But Jang In-hu knew better. He shook his head slowly.
"Ignorance is bravery, as they say."
Jang In-hu's principle of not discriminating between awakeners and non-awakeners had drawn fierce opposition. Most congressmen, being non-awakeners, feared losing their rice bowls.
Especially after news of the American hunter's visit leakedthey'd been swarming the Blue House all day. Clamoring to secure the L-ranks at all costs, unbelievably noisy.
Some hotheads even called Song Han-na directly and waited on hold.
Only a rare few politicians who truly understood awakeners and the Association held back. Jang In-hu was one of them.
"Of course, having those two would elevate our national stature, so I get it."
"Hearing you say that makes me even scarier."
"I can't stop them. They're too strongway too strong. It'd be good for your approval ratings to keep them, but I can't force it."
Jang In-hu gave a bitter smile, as if he'd expected this.
Even so, he'd hoped to cling to Song Han-na as a lifeline, but if she said no, it was no. He had no desire to foolishly ignore her warning.
The nation's sole independent agency, unaffiliated with any government department despite being a state institution.
A truly terrifying person who'd built it in just 12 short years.
"But for our poor President, I can offer one bit of help."
"Help? What kind?"
Tap. The relaxed tapping on the sofa arm stopped abruptly. A chill ran up Jang In-hu's spine.
His face paled, and the security detail waiting outside rushed in. But even these awakeners looked uneasy.
Song Han-na's mana was already pressing down on the presidential office.
"Association President...!"
"Pass this on to those idiots who won't listen."
Golden patterns emerged on her pale face and the backs of her hands peeking from her suitlike tiger stripes.
"If you uselessly flap your mouths and make the L-ranks fed up enough to leave, the entire nation will turn on you."
I'll make sure of it.
Song Han-na declared it boldly in a place full of eyes. This was a warning. For those who only cared about themselves.
"Just tell them to shut up, stay quiet, and behave. I'll be the one begging them not to go by clinging to their legs."
Song Han-na tapped the sofa again, and the golden patterns vanished from her skin. As the air calmed, Jang In-hu loosened his choking tie halfway. In that short time, his back was soaked with cold sweat.
"The Association President is truly, truly terrifying."
"Please understand, Mr. President. There's nothing more fitting as a warning to idiots."
None, sadly. Jang In-hu sighed deeply and waved his hand. The security detail hesitated before withdrawing.
Soon, word of this would spread like wildfire. And as Song Han-na said, it'd help both him and everyone.
Please heed the warning and behave.
Jang In-hu shuddered, recalling her aura.
He always thought it, but allying with her was the best decision he'd ever made.
Unlike that other president who'd incurred her wrath and ended up imprisoned.
* * *
Se-ra rubbed her eyes and sat up.
It was the dead of night; the room was dark. She hesitated but thirst won out, so little Se-ra climbed out of bed and left the room.
Yet the house, which should have been pitch black, was faintly lit. Voices murmured from the living room along with light. Her small feet instinctively headed that way.
Before her toes even touched the light, a loud voice boomed. Startled, she froze with wide eyes.
"How long are you going to keep this up? You think anyone appreciates it? They're just shoving you into even more dangerous spots!"
That's Auntie's voice.
Recognizing Song Han-na, her mom's friend, Se-ra's tension eased. She was always kind, but lately, she'd been snapping at Mom more often.
Feeling down for no reason, Se-ra leaned against the wall and slid to the floor.
"Who said you shouldn't? Do it if you wantit's your freedom. But take care of your body while you're at it! Look at yourself right now!"
Even little Se-ra knew why Song Han-na was angry.
Her mom, the hero who beat monsters.
But because of that, Mom always came home with scratches. Sometimes bleeding, sometimes wrapped in thick bandages. Today too, she'd needed bandages all over.
Se-ra grieved over those wounds, and so did Song Han-na.
"What do you think the kids feel seeing that every time?!"
"I can't just not do what I can. It's not hundreds or thousandstens of thousands, millions of lives are at stake. Maybe even hundreds of millions."
Unlike Han-na, Mom's voice was calm.
"I'll protect my life, no matter whatfor my kids' sake, I'll survive somehow. Sure, I got a bit hurt... but I won't die, so don't worry."
Huddled on the floor, Se-ra hugged her knees tight. Mom, Dad, and Han-na were just around the corner, but she felt so alone.
"Hyeon Jae-hee, you think you're invincible? S-rank doesn't mean invincible. We're just ordinary humansone misstep and we're gone."
"I know. But what can I do? How can I turn my back on lives I can save?"
Song Han-na swore loudly, and Dad's soothing voice followed.
But Se-ra knew. Han-na would storm out angry again, and Mom would return battered from fighting monsters, as always.
I hate heroes.
Young Se-ra used to love the heroes on TV. Beating bad guys was always cool.
But now she hated it. Her hero mom was always hurt. No perfect victories like in cartoons.
Se-ra wished Mom would stop being a hero. Just be like other moms, staying by her side.
"Se-ra ya."
Se-ra, face buried in her knees, jerked her head up. Oppa was gazing at her quietly.
"Can't sleep?"
"...Just."
"Come here."
She obediently stood and followed Jae-hun. Suddenly exhausted, she'd even forgotten her thirst.
"Oppa, Mom and Auntie fought again."
"Mm. It's okay. Auntie still loves Mom."
True enough. Back in bed, Se-ra nodded and pulled up the covers.
"Tomorrow, your friend is coming. He said he'll bring snacks you like."
"That shy oppa?"
Jae-hun chuckled at her words. His closest friend always brought snacks, which was nice, but he hid behind Jae-hun every time, hard to see his face.
"Wish Mom and Dad could eat snacks with us. They'll be busy tomorrow too, right?"
"Yeah. Hope she comes back without getting hurt."
"Right. I hate when Mom's hurt."
"...Me too."
Jae-hun smiled, gently patting her covered body. Sleep rushed in; Se-ra closed her eyes and prayed briefly.
For Mom to return unhurt, to quit being a hero. She ended earnestly, hoping anyone would hear.
But until the day Mom never came back, Se-ra's prayers went unanswered.
* * *
"...What a bad omen of a dream."
This was the worst sleep since starting her hotel life.
Sitting up in the luxurious bed incomparable to home, Se-ra sighed. Sleeping in something this nice, yet dreaming something she wanted to forget.
"A prophetic dream foretelling hardships ahead?"
With the American hunter's arrival looming, this dream felt ominously perfect.
"Good thing I got my fortune read before the American hunter comes."
Today was the fateful day to meet that shaman Jeong Ho-young had recommended.
She didn't need anything else. Se-ra had just two questions.
Has my luck really all vanished?!
Can I quit my job?!
If not, she'd even hold a gut ritual to change her fate. Se-ra clenched her fists tight.
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