Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 51
I couldn't go into the details. Forget the contract with the Administratorit was hard enough to say it was because of Park Jin-yong. Our section chief, who looks after his subordinates so carefully, would be absolutely heartbroken.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes? Pardon?"
"When Sung Ja-rim threatened you, did you get hurt?"
Yoon Se-ra, drenched in cold sweat, whipped her head around in surprise at her question.
"The reason I assigned Sung Ja-rim Hunter to you, Yoon Se-ra-ssi, was because she's weak enough not to threaten you. But the Yoon Se-ra-ssi I just saw is anything but weak. Were you really ever in danger? Any injuries?"
She was at a loss for words. Of all things, his first question was about her safety. It was just too...
Se-ra bit her lip. She had been threatened, but it wasn't truly dangerous. How could she explain that...?
"I'm not pressing you. There must be a good reason you're hiding your true strength. We can talk about that later. I just want to know if you've been in any danger all this time, if you're hurt anywhere."
"......"
"Please, tell me."
Why was he asking so desperately? It felt like more than just a boss worrying about a subordinate.
Of course, she didn't mind at all. Honestly, it felt good that he cared so much.
'I need to reassure him properly.'
But just as Se-ra opened her mouth to speak
A flurry of messages popped up, followed by the Administrator's frantic emoticon. An immense power was surging toward them. With all the monsters gone, Seong Ja-rim had recognized the remaining two as enemies.
"Yoon Se-ra-ssi!"
Do Jun-young, greatly startled, tried to step in front of Se-ra, but she was faster.
"Field Domination, zone set."
A red cube tightly encased Seong Ja-rim. She'd recovered enough to use her skill, but it wouldn't hold the powerful Ja-rim for long.
Se-ra quickly pounded on the cube with her fists.
"Hey, ma'am! All the monsters are dead! Calm down!"
Her shout reverberated through the entire cube, making the half-mad Ja-rim shudder. A flicker of light began returning to her beautiful golden eyes.
"Ma'am, you back? Trying to kill twenty-two-year-old me. Nice try."
"Se... Se-ra?"
"Thanks to you, we took care of all the monsters. So snap out of it."
As Se-ra released the skill, Ja-rim dropped her weapon with a clang. Se-ra patted her back reassuringly, then shrugged at the stunned Do Jun-young.
"See? I've never been in danger, so no need to worry. This was just because of the monstersshe doesn't do this normally."
"Huh? Wha? Do Section Chief, why are you here...?"
Only now noticing him, Ja-rim grabbed Se-ra's sleeve in panic. She seemed to have no memory of threatening Do Jun-young.
This is dangerous. Losing her reason every time she fights monsters is a problem.
"......I have a lot I want to say, but you must be exhausted now, so rest up. We'll talk tomorrow when you come in."
Do Jun-young glanced sharply at Seong Ja-rim with clear displeasure, then spoke gently to Se-ra. She gave an awkward smile.
"Hey, Se-ra Se-ra."
"Yeah?"
"Did I get you found out...?"
Seong Ja-rim looked terrified, asking if Se-ra had been exposed while blocking her with the cube. Se-ra shook her head.
"No, it was my mistake. You're not involved at all, Unnie."
"Gasp! Whew! That's a relief. I won't get beaten to death by you! Anyway, Se-ra Se-ra, can I tell you one more thing?"
"What?"
"That American hunter guy seems to be coming."
Se-ra clamped her mouth shut at the words that his energy was felt nearby. Come to think of it, there was a presence beyond the door connected to the rooftop...
"Shoot."
A curse slipped out. She'd thought it was bad, but now it was total disaster. With her escape route cut off, Se-ra was truly about to cry tears of blood this time.
Looks like she'd have to go grab Baek Hee-won by the collar.
* * *
"The citizens are evacuating remarkably calmly."
The Dungeon Break that erupted from S Hotel.
Christopher, who had been suffering through another night stuck with Song Han-na, chugged a hangover remedy the moment he heard and rushed to the hotel.
It didn't matter that he was American and this was Korea. When it came to Awakeners saving civilians, borders meant nothing.
"Seems the news spread fast because an Association civil servant was nearby."
Christopher sighed in genuine relief at the report from his guild member who had arrived first and scouted the situation.
"An S-rank Hunter is holding them back, right? Support reinforcements are uncertain, so let's help out."
But just before he entered the hotel
"Guild Master, look...!"
At his guild member's shout, Christopher looked up at the sky and his eyes widened. A massive red cube-like object was blotting out the dark night sky. Its color was so intense it seized attention instantly.
"Red Cube! Headbang must be here!"
"The Hunter blocking the monsters is Headbang? Then we're good. Phew, what a relief. I was scared."
"What kind of modern Robin Hood is she, zipping east and west? Not Headbang, but Bang Robin Hood? Is she gonna kill the monsters and vanish again today?"
"I wanna see her face. She's cleared so many dungeons, how do we still not know? What's the Association doing? Have they made contact?"
Citizens who had been evacuating in fear now paused in groups, their faces relaxed as they gossiped. The atmosphere felt utterly foreign to Christopher.
He already knew about Headbang. He'd researched recent events before coming to Korea. But compared to the two successive L-rank Awakeners, her presence seemed lesser, so he'd downplayed her.
To think she wielded such influence that she could reassure the public like this.
"Headbang's identity hasn't been revealed yet, right?"
"Yes. From our investigation, even President Song doesn't know who it is."
Impressive. A figure even Song Han-na couldn't identify. What kind of person could that be?
"That means she's up there. Let's go."
Curiosity played a part, but not just that. The Guardian Guild's goal was solely to support the Hunter fighting alone.
If that person disliked revealing their identity, he'd gladly keep quiet. It was respect as fellow Awakeners.
As they neared the rooftop, the roars grew louder, accompanied by intensifying crackling energy. His trailing guild members paled and hesitated repeatedly.
"Guild Master, this... isn't it too strong even for S-rank?"
"You all wait here. I'll go alone."
Too many people might make Headbang feel threatened, so he headed up solo.
The roars suddenly ceased, as if a lull had set in. Christopher swallowed hard and cautiously peeked through the open rooftop door.
"Ex... excuse me..."
He raised both hands to signal no intent to fight and slowly opened his mouth, only to freeze at the completely unexpected sight.
There weren't one, but three people inside. One he knew, and the other two...
'Nice pajamas.'
Even in the dark night, they wore flashy rainbow-colored pajamas. A matching set, covered in cat characters. Eye-catching for sure.
"Guardian Guild Master?"
At the voice calling him, Christopher turned to the other side.
"Ah, Do Section Chief! You beat me here."
"Did you come because of the Dungeon too, Guild Master?"
"Yes, in case help was needed. But with you here, it looks fine. Really glad."
Knowing her S-rank secret, Christopher patted his chest in relief. Then his eyes met those of the still-youthful-looking one.
"Pleased to meet you, Guild Master. I'm Yoon Se-ra from the Association Management Office."
Ah, she must be that civil servant who helped evacuate citizens the moment the Dungeon broke.
"I'm Christopher Campbell, leading Guardian. You're the one who guided the citizens' escape, right? Your calm handling in that crisis was truly excellent."
"Coming from the Guardian Guild Master, who prioritizes citizen safety above all, it's embarrassing. I just did what an Awakener should."
Her upright words left Christopher in admiration. Yes, even in a flipped world, people like this exist everywhere. Delighted to meet someone who shared his views, color bloomed on Christopher's face.
"I saw on the way upno injured citizens at all. Thought you might be worried."
"Oh! Really? That's great. I was itching to wrap up here and check downstairs. Thanks to you, I can relax. Thank you."
As Se-ra sighed in relief, Christopher's eyes sparkled more.
That worried expression, her slightly trembling hands, and those eyes glancing beyond the rooftop, eager to check herself! A true citizen-lover! Truly outstanding.
Could he meet her again at the Association? Regrettable to learn of her now, but with time before returning to America, maybe more talks? Skip the unmeetable L-rank, focus on her...
"Guild Master."
"Ah, sorry."
Caught staring at Se-ra unwittingly, Christopher realized his rudeness at Do Jun-young's voice and apologized. Despite it, the civil servant smiled brightly. She seemed genuinely nice.
Turning to the other, Christopher was shocked.
An overwhelming aura poured out, one he'd somehow missed until now. Her luminous golden eyes, still radiating battle fervor, proved she was no ordinary person.
Ah, this is her. This is Headbang, the one who slew the monsters. Even L-rank Awakeners have unique eye colorsHeadbang too!
"Hello. I'm Christopher Campbell. If I may ask... are you Headbang-ssi, the S-rank of Korea?"
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