Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 43
My goodness. She really knows it exactly.
Se-ra rolled her eyes round and round. Already for the second time, her identity had been discovered without her even saying a word. What if the whole world finds out...?
'Lizaliza-nim. Does that person really know Liza-nim's true identity?'
It seems like the real deal... But seeing her grinning like that, there's no need to worry.
"Do all shamans sense the Administrator's presence? You're the first person I've met who noticed the Administrator through their energy."
Sung Ja-rim was the exception, so Se-ra left her out.
"When someone with very strong divine power awakens, they naturally sense the Administrator's existence. No need to worry. There are fewer than five such people in the entire world."
"Five people? That's more than I thought. Then why hasn't the Administrator's existence been revealed until now?"
"The moment they become aware of it, a warning comes down. To keep it secret."
Baek Hee-won let out a tired sigh, her weary face etched with exhaustion. Her trembling hands held a hint of fear.
"It was scarier than divine punishment. That's why I hid in the mountains right after awakening. I didn't want to slip up around people and bring the world crashing down."
What on earth was this? Bring down what? The world? ...This world?
Se-ra stared blankly into space.
Hey, Liza-nim? If I tell people about the Administrator's existence, do I die? Does the world end?
The startled Administrator frantically shook their head. What was that? That intense reaction was so different from what Baek Hee-won was saying.
Se-ra glanced back and forth between her and the emoticons for a moment before changing her question.
'Is Baek Hee-won misunderstanding something?'
No answer came. That meant Baek Hee-won was right, but the situation was probably different for Se-ra.
"Did the Administrator tell you directly that revealing it would destroy the world?"
"It's known instinctively, just like becoming aware of their existence... Wait a second."
As she recalled that moment, her stomach churning, Baek Hee-won kept gulping down hot tea. But her hand suddenly stopped. Her eyelashes began to quiver.
"...You didn't know about this?"
"I had no idea. The Administrator never said anything like that."
"Shh! Ugh! No, this isn't the time for cursing."
Baek Hee-won immediately knelt and banged her head on the table. Startled by the thud and the spilling tea, Se-ra hurriedly lifted her teacup.
"Baek Hee-won? What's wrong?"
"Please tell the Administrator for me! I absolutely, absolutely have no intention of going against their will! I wouldn't even dream of it!"
"What are you talking about?"
"If the Administrator didn't tell you, there must be a good reason, and here I am blabbering away... This damn mouth! This damn mouth! This wretched mouth!"
Baek Hee-won slapped her own lips as if she had no words even in death. Se-ra was stunned as they swelled red in an instant.
What was this? Something felt off. Was the Administrator I knew different from the one Baek Hee-won knew? Were there two System Administrators on Earth?
No, apparently not.
'Come to think of it, my image of the Administrator wasn't like this until I started seeing the emoticons...'
I see. The root cause was the emoticons.
Se-ra looked at Baek Hee-won with a touch of envy. I used to be that pure once...
The Administrator wailed as if asking what was wrong with them, but Se-ra ignored it.
"Don't worry. The Administrator isn't bothered at all. More than that, I'd love to hear more details. When you say destroying the world, does that mean the Administrator themselves would be the one doing it?"
"... "
Baek Hee-won gazed into space with an anxious expression.
"I told you it's fine. They're not going to torment you, Baek Hee-won."
"I-if that's the case... Ahem. I don't know what they've said to you, but the Administrator doesn't want their identity revealed. If it ever leaks out by mistake, you'd better be prepared."
Baek Hee-won shuddered. The Administrator's threat must have been truly terrifying.
"You don't know the exact reason?"
"No. I've never actually conversed with them. I just felt that intent."
That confirmed it. The situations she and Se-ra were in were clearly different. Whether it was because of her position as the Contractor, she wasn't sure... But one thing was certain.
'If you hate having your identity revealed that much, then why did you appear before me first in the Werewolf Dungeon?'
Se-ra stared into space with uncharacteristically serious eyes.
But no answer came, as if it were a difficult question.
* * *
"Is it okay to let Se-ra go in alone? She doesn't seem like an ordinary person at all."
Ja-rim sniffled, squatting in front of the gate. Her nose was red and swollen.
"She figured out how special you are the moment she saw you, right?"
Jeong Ho-young looked shocked after hanging up with Song Han-na, to whom he'd just reported the situation.
"Did you know about me too?"
"You think these golden eyes are ordinary? That wizard oppa Han Su-eon has special eyes too. Same with me."
"Even the Guild Master Han Su-eon's... I see. You have the ability to see others' information."
"Yeah. I saw it all when we first met. Sorry about that. Living tough in Basgar, that dungeon, gave me some bad habits."
"It's natural to use your abilities. Did you tell Yoon Se-ra about it?"
"If it's about seeing info, yeah. Your exact identity? Nope. And I won't tell her in the future either, so don't worry."
"Good. Don't say anything. I don't know if she'd even believe it, but it's not good news anyway."
"I promise I won't say a word myself."
Ja-rim promised firmly but slyly averted her gaze.
Se-ra has way better eyes than me. If I told her without permission, she'd point a gun at me with a smile on her face, right?
'As long as I don't say it, it's fine? What Se-ra sees has nothing to do with me.'
Se-ra seemed to know Jeong Ho-young's contract form but not the most important secret. She probably hadn't read his info, so for now, play dumb.
Ja-rim gazed at the ornate tiled house visible beyond the gate. Baek Hee-won's info had been surprising too. Protected by the Guardian of the Sun, no less.
What kind of conversation was this top-tier shaman in Korea having with Se-ra?
Had she figured out that Se-ra was the System Administrator's Contractor?
'Would Se-ra point a gun at her too, then?'
The place might be a total mess by now. Having seen that gun barrel before, Ja-rim offered silent condolences.
Whoever crosses Se-ra is in for a world of hurt.
"...Huh."
At that moment, Jeong Ho-young straightened up and looked straight ahead. Ja-rim, already aware of the approaching presence, turned her head indifferently.
But even she widened her eyes at the unexpected figure.
* * *
Contrary to Ja-rim's expectations, the atmosphere inside the room was warm and friendly. Se-ra's face was blissfully relaxed as she enjoyed the snacks Baek Hee-won had laid out.
"So good. Really so good."
Honey cookies, fruit slices, sweets, and fragrant flower tea. This perfect spread. The person who gives delicious food is the nicest person.
"Eat lots and lots. I like seeing your chubby cheeks when you eat."
"I do eat well."
Baek Hee-won patted Se-ra's stuffed cheeks as she nom-nom-ed on the sweets.
"Yes, yes. Eat well, and please leave this land alone. Don't bring down my house."
That was why. Having sensed how lenient the Administrator was toward Se-ra, Baek Hee-won had quickly offered bribes, letting Se-ra indulge.
Yeah. It looked like Baek Hee-won wouldn't incur the Administrator's wrath, thankfully.
"Our Administrator is smiling happily."
"Really? Good, that's good. Tell me if you want more of anything."
"Sure."
She'd been a bit scared hearing Jeong Ho-young might get his legs broken, but Baek Hee-won was an even better person than expected.
'Feels nice having such solid backing.'
"Now, shall we hear why you came here? Jeong Ho-young said you've been carrying bad luck around lately."
"Yes. I've nearly died several times recently."
"Hm. But it doesn't seem like you've only had bad luck."
"Unnie, what exactly can you see?"
"This much is a piece of cake. If I couldn't do this, I'd have to fold up my mat and go home."
A tiled house, neat hanbokshe looked straight out of the Joseon era, but she talked like a total modern person.
"What I'm saying is, you don't need any shaman rituals at all. Compared to Jeong Ho-young's fussing, your condition is way better than expected."
"My condition is good?! Do you know how hard things have been for me lately? Don't lie!"
Se-ra shouted, crumbs on her cheeks from munching snacks.
She'd almost died because of Park Jin-yong, met some guy claiming to be a regressor, got caught in a rift dungeon, and now she was lugging around a returnee over 100 years old.
On top of that, every resignation letter she submitted got rejectedthat was clearly standing on the autobahn of misfortune!
"Sheesh. If you were really unlucky, do you think you'd receive that kind of affection?"
Se-ra fell suddenly silent at the reference to the System Administrator's full support. Hard to argue when put that way.
"It's not like an evil spirit is attached to you. If anything, your luck is pretty good right now."
"Are you mixing up good luck and bad luck by any chance?"
"Are you just talking back now? Goodness. With all your deceased parents' luck passed down to you, how could you possibly suffer misfortune?"
Se-ra swallowed hard at the sudden low blow.
"Isn't that too harsh for calling me out on talking back?! Bringing my, my parents' luck... Wait, does that mean all my parents' misfortune came to me...?"
The sweet she was eating dropped with a plop. Having had a bad dream last night of all times, her mood soured instantly.
As Se-ra rapidly grew gloomy, the Administrator flew into a rage. Perhaps sensing the aura, Baek Hee-won's face drained of color.