Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 42
Gripping her firm resolve and having finished her preparations, Se-ra stepped out of the hotel alongside Ja-rim, who was throwing a fit about wanting to tag along.
And the two of them were left speechless.
"Ah, you made it?"
Because of the massive vehicle parked imposingly behind Jeong Ho-young, who had come to pick them up.
Onlookers were whispering about its tires, which boasted such a fearsome presence it seemed like they might have been ripped straight off a military truck. Jeong Ho-young's outfita black turtleneck and leather jacketonly made it scarier.
Was this a trip to meet a shaman, or were they heading off to fight a war somewhere?
"Um, Guild Master... just where exactly are we going...?"
"To the mountains. Up to the mid-slope."
The mountains? She wasn't seriously planning to bulldoze their way up with this beast of a truck, was she?
"Seong Ja-rim, you coming along too?"
"Yeah! Me too!"
While Se-ra agonized over whether to report this as environmental destruction in her capacity as a civil servant, Ja-rim had already clambered into the back seat and sprawled out flat.
Fine, what could go wrong? Jeong Ho-young was a sensible person, after allno big deal.
Se-ra set aside her needless worries and climbed into the passenger seat. The truck was so tall it was a struggle just to get up there.
"Where to? How long's the drive?"
"We can make it back today."
"Like Namhansanseong or Chiaksan?"
"Taebaeksan."
"...Pardon?"
"Handy that there's a good restaurant nearby. We'll grab lunch there."
Se-ra's face drained of color in an instant. It was only 10 a.m.planning lunch near Taebaeksan meant flooring it the whole way.
She hurriedly opened her mouth to plead for safe driving, but it was too late.
The sudden backward yank of acceleration made Se-ra desperately grab the handle. In the back, Ja-rimwho had been loungingmissed the timing and went tumbling head over heels.
It had been so long she'd forgotten. Jeong Ho-young had once been called the Ghost Driver, boasting a flashy record of exploits.
This was turning into a trip to the afterlife before even receiving any blessings.
* * *
"I... I survived..."
The door flew open, and Se-ra crawled out on all fours before collapsing flat on the ground.
'The kind of force that even makes S-ranks seasick.'
Her stomach was so queasy she couldn't even manage lunch.
"So fragile. No wonder the Association President worries about you so much."
Se-ra, mid-dry heave, felt a surge of injustice at Jeong Ho-young's words. She wasn't the problem. It was that reckless driving that sent even Seong Ja-rim rolling!
"Doesn't the Guild Master feel anything watching that?"
Se-ra jabbed a finger at Seong Ja-rim, sprawled beside her on the ground. With a look of enlightenment on her face, she was murmuring her last words: a good life it was...
Even the Administrator was feeling dizzy.
"Why? Isn't it great to get there fast?"
"That's not the issue...!"
"I'll go easy on the way back. Honestly, so delicate. I should prescribe some tonics."
No point arguing with someone who wouldn't listen.
"Time to head up. Seong Ja-rim, quit playing weak and give Se-ra a piggyback. Matching her pace would take forever."
"Huh? You didn't bring this thing to drive up the mountain?"
"What are you talking about? You think I'd drive up Taebaeksan?"
"..."
Why did she feel so aggrieved from earlier?
Se-ra gave up talking and quietly let Seong Ja-rim hoist her onto her back. She ignored Ja-rim's mumbling about there being no need for this.
As they climbed, Se-ra voiced her curiosity.
"Is this person that powerful?"
The path they were on wasn't a proper hiking trail. No signs or maps, yet Jeong Ho-young pressed on without a care.
"You know how the emergence of Hunters brought big changes even among the shamans?"
Those special people who served gods and divined fortune to share with the world.
But with new stars appearing in the heavens and Awakeners making direct contact with gods, their world inevitably had to change too.
"Many shamans vanished, but a few survived amid it all. The one we're meeting is the most special among them. I've met her myself."
Ah, Se-rawho knew quite a bit about Jeong Ho-younggrasped the meaning immediately.
The reason her guild was named 'Chasa'.
It wasn't just because she followed Song Han-na, as others thought.
"We're here. Over there."
Just as Se-ra thought it was taking quite a while, Jeong Ho-young pointed somewhere. Amid the dense forest with no trace of human presence, an elegantly built hanok stood.
"Whoa, a palace smack in the middle of the mountain slope."
Beyond the stone-and-mud wall lay a luxurious tiled-roof house that made her gasp like some noble lord. Red lanterns hung at the gate, adding perfect atmosphere.
"Let's go in. Lights are on, so she's homelucky."
"You didn't make a reservation?"
"She doesn't do those."
It was the moment Jeong Ho-young flung open the gate.
Bang! Someone burst out from the hanok.
"No, you bastard came barging in again! I told you never to set foot here, and you ignore me like it's nothing?!"
A woman in neat hanbok pointed at them with eyes sharp as icicles. Her ferocity was so intense that startled Se-ra hid behind Ja-rim, who in turn hid behind Ho-young.
"How many times do I have to tell you your visits turn this place ominous before it sinks into that thick skull? Just try stepping inside! I'll smash your legs to bits!"
Good lord. Se-ra's jaw dropped. She'd never seen anyone talk like that to Jeong Ho-young, the nation's top assassin.
'Not your average person! She'll shake off my bad luck for sure!'
Se-ra's face lit up.
"I just opened the gate. Haven't gone in yet."
As the woman charged barefoot, Jeong Ho-young pointed at Se-ra, hiding behind Ja-rim behind her.
"I've got business with this kid today. I won't come in, so relax and take good care of her."
"Just your presence makes it ominous already! For heaven's sake, parading around with grim reaper vibesunbelievable!"
Oh! Se-ra's eyes sparkled brighter.
The reason Jeong Ho-young's guild was called Chasa: her contracted deity was none other than a psychopomp. A perfect match for an assassin.
"Huh? Wait, that sister's an Awakener too?"
Then Ja-rim, who had been eyeing the woman, spoke up. Only then did the woman's gaze shift from Jeong Ho-young.
"My bedding felt off today, and here you come dangling all sorts. Goodness."
The woman strode right up and stared at Ja-rim. Her fierce eyes made Ja-rim flinch again.
"You really brought someone like you. No, this one's fate is savagely incomparable. Kid, what hellish life have you lived to wear your face down like this?"
"..."
Was this physiognomy reading or just mocking her worn face?
Ja-rim deflated instantly.
"I'm only twenty-six, though..."
"Bullshit, you're a good liar too. Save it for someone who'll buy it."
The woman flicked Ja-rim's nose with her finger. It looked light, but Ja-rim clutched her nose and toppled backward.
"Ow! My nose! It hurts! What kinda brute strength is that?!"
"Now, let's see this one..."
Ignoring her, the woman bent lower to peer at Se-ra, inspecting her from every angle.
"You, you're... Hm, hmm?"
The woman tilted her head, then stared into space. Wow, oh my, huh? Goodness. Exclamations poured from her crimson lips.
"I see. So you're the source of my nightmares? Though now that I look, not quite a nightmare."
A while later, she grinned and turned to Jeong Ho-young.
"I fussed about not letting a grim reaper lackey in, but you insisted someone I absolutely had to see was coming. Now I get why."
"Looks like there's something there after all. Good call bringing her."
"Something? It's a big something. You two, stay out here and wait. You, come here."
The woman reached out and grabbed Se-ra by the scruff, hoisting her up like a puppy. True to being an Awakener, her strength was inhuman.
Se-ra was dragged alone into the hanok, leaving Jeong Ho-young waving from the gate and Ja-rim still rolling on the ground clutching her nose.
"Wow, nice house."
The wooden furniture gave off a pleasant wood scent, and it was like a museum with all sorts of decorations. Even precious coral and silkplenty to admire.
"Like it?"
"Super cool."
"Of course, I picked each one with care. Sit."
The room she led her to had a few altars. A folding screen filling one wall felt mystical, painted with a black bird spreading wings amid script neither Chinese nor Korean. All identical, so probably a specific bird, but Se-ra couldn't place it.
"Couldn't they draw it prettier? Can't even tell what it is."
"Must be your lack of taste. No eye for art."
"Not my eyesit's the painting that's off."
Se-ra lifted her chin defiantly, and the woman let out a disbelieving chuckle.
"Fits the one that idiot brought. Eat up."
Despite the gruff words, the tray she set down brimmed with tempting tea and snacks. Perfect timing after skipping lunch from motion sicknessSe-ra's mouth watered.
"Whoa, super, um..."
"What? Not as scary-looking, so you're surprised by the kindness?"
"You really are a shaman. How'd you read my mind so well?"
Thank you, I'll dig in. Se-ra bowed and snatched a soft rice cake first. Mmm, delicious.
"Have to be kind. You brought someone terrifying beyond compare to that fool outside."
"Pardon?"
"The moment you stepped onto this land, my deity threw a fit like never before. Couldn't miss the warning to watch my words."
The woman grinned and slid a teacup toward the dazed Se-ra.
"I'm Baek Hee-won. Honored to meet you. The one and only contractor of the System Administrator."