Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 53
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What's this, phantom thief Lupin? "I'll steal the monster's heart and vanish." Phantom Bangbang
Bangbang Loving the nicknames piling up day by day Saw someone calling her Bang Gildong like "Hong Gildong who?"
Why steal the heart you lunatic She just destroys the head...
Exactly. Lady Bang doesn't steal puny monster hearts. She just delivers headshots. Bangmen.
If you wanna drink, hit up a barwhy a hotel??
|OP|: It was my birthday. Wanted to make it special. Got a problem?
Happy birthday! Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday...
Best. Birthday. Ever.
But didn't the Association say they had no clue who Headbang was? Bet they know now. Someone spotted her near Do Section Chief yesterday, right?
For real? Does that mean we get to see Headbang's face now?? Plsplsplsplspls!!!
'Hmm. Doubt it.'
The community had been on fire since last night's dungeon break. Posts were flying up so fast it was impossible to keep up.
Do Jun-young scrolled through the still-simmering forum before switching off his screen. There sat Headbang herselfthe very one everyone was begging to unmask.
An adult now, but her bright, youthful face still clashed hilariously with the nickname. He couldn't even guess how long she'd been shouldering that massive secret alone.
He swallowed a wry smile and spoke up.
"Come to think of it, every Headbang sighting spot had Yoon Se-ra nearby. Never even crossed my mind until now."
"Section Chief, pleasefor the love of god, don't call me Hea-Hea-Hea-Head-whatever...!"
Se-ra's agonized wail looked genuine. Do Jun-young paused before replying.
"How about Bangkaksi then? We've got sister nicknames like Bang Gildong and Bangbang too."
"Aaaahhh!"
Se-ra slammed her head straight onto the desk.
Do Jun-young's lips twitched into a faint smile at her shuddering formone that looked utterly amused. By the time she lifted her head, it was gone.
"Aren't you being a bit mean?!"
"Call it payback for playing dumb while the Association was hunting high and low."
"N-no, it wasn't on purpose! You hid your rank too, Section Chief..."
Se-ra mumbled and averted her gaze.
Do Jun-young's eyes shifted to Seong Ja-rim beside her. The woman, who'd been idly scratching the desk, jolted and whipped her head away when their eyes met.
I see. Seong Ja-rim knew all along.
Maybe that's why she'd insisted on sticking with Yoon Se-ra. L-rank senses far outstripped S-rank ones, after all.
"You planning to tell the Association President...?"
Do Jun-young drummed the table at Se-ra's question.
They were in his office. He could notify Song Han-na right now if he wanted.
"You really don't plan to tell anyone about reawakening?"
"Yeah. Honestly, that's how I want it. The reason... well, it's just..."
She bit her lip like she didn't want to say. Do Jun-young shook his head.
"No need to explain. If that's what Yoon Se-ra wants, I'll keep quiet."
Se-ra's eyes went wide.
"Huh? F-for real?"
"Public servants and all Awakeners are supposed to report this stuff to the state, but as you know, S-rank status trumps that."
L-ranks were untouchable anyway, so nations scrambled to secure every S-rank. Naturally, that put them above the law.
Korea's case was a bit different with Song Han-na's iron grip, but S-ranks still got perks by default.
Now Se-ra had them too.
"Especially since you've saved citizens multiple times already and show no signs of leaving Korea. A little leeway seems fine."
"You can count on that. No plans to go anywhere else."
"Then I'll honor your wishes. No more questionsabout the reawakening cause or why you're hiding it."
"......"
Se-ra looked utterly flustered. She knew this went beyond a boss cutting slack for a subordinate.
There's a reason, of course...
But he wouldn't say it. Just as she had her secrets, so did he.
"That said, if you keep quiet from the President too, you'll stay a lowly public servant. No S-rank privileges. That okay?"
"Totally fine. I like it this way."
Her casual shrug looked so at ease that Do Jun-young dropped it.
"Alright. I'll keep your identity secret from now on. You have my word on it."
"I'm super grateful, but... I don't get it. You could force anything on mewhy keep my secret like this?"
Do Jun-young scanned the puzzled Se-ra from head to toe.
Youthful innocent face, stubborn eyes, firm lips that wouldn't yield.
A childhood memory flickered by. Really, his silence was just petty spite. Resentment that she didn't remember a memory precious to him.
A clear, warm smile bloomed on Do Jun-young's faceone Se-ra could plainly see.
Her eyes widened.
"If I ever need help, I'll call on you without hesitation. Can't waste an S-rank."
But his blunt tongue dashed any hopes of an answer, soft lips aside.
In the end, Se-ra left the meeting room without one.
"He's always been kind and sweet, but today was next-level."
Se-ra muttered at the closed door. Ja-rim, who'd sighed in relief at escaping, shot her a glare.
"Kind? Swee-eet? Se-ra honey, you need glasses or what?"
"Huh? Why?"
"The way he looked at you versus me? Night and day. Felt like his stare was gonna stab me dead."
Sob sob, back on Earth after 100 years and the welcome's an icy knife-glare...
Ja-rim hugged herself and fake-sobbed.
Really?
Se-ra replayed Do Jun-young's gaze but drew a blank. Never gotten a sharp look from him since working under him.
Even as a newbie making mistakes, he'd brushed it off with gruff kindness: "Bound to happen." Later ones too: "You can handle cleanup yourself now..."
"Hm. Now that I think about it, he has been extra nice to me."
Every memory was a good one. Feeling oddly warm, Se-ra scratched her cheek.
Was this what being favored felt like?
"Must be nice. Boss's pet."
Ja-rim grinned at her. Embarrassed, Se-ra playfully kicked her crouched foot.
But the fun ended there.
Thud thud thud. Urgent footsteps echoed toward them. Both women whipped around. Jung Tae-seok was sprinting from down the hall, face ashen.
"Team Leader? What's wrong? You look awful."
"S-Section Chief? Where's the Section Chief..."
"What is it?"
Do Jun-young emerged at the commotion. Jung Tae-seok beelined for him.
"B-big trouble! Just got wordit's, uh..."
"Jung Tae-seok Team Leader! Calm down. Deep breaths first."
Jung Tae-seok flinched at the shout, snapping to. After several breaths, he spoke steadily.
"News from Seongtap Guild."
Seongtap Guildthe ones who'd tried stealing a rare item from that joint raid with Hunting Guild before.
Why them? Weren't they still cleaning up that mess?
"Every member of Seongtap Guild was found dead."
...What?
The three gaped in disbelief.
"Looks like they were murdered."
An entire guild wiped out. Chills ran down Se-ra's spine; she rubbed her foot against the floor.
For some reason, it felt like something dark was creeping up from below...