Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 57
* * *
The news that the special item key, which required the utmost caution, had been stolen was immediately reported to the WDO.
All countries with locked dungeons entered a state of emergency, and the United Statesone of themrequested Christopher's return.
The day he finally had to leave had arrived.
"It's a shame I couldn't see the others until the end, but it was a great honor to meet an L-rank like you."
Before departing for the U.S., Christopher visited the Association. Despite being hounded by Song Han-na the entire time and finally being set free, his face was filled with regret instead of joy.
But then.
"Hunter Yoon Se-ra! I'm truly delighted to see you again before I go!"
Why was he directing that regretful look at her, a mere F-rank nobody? She'd clearly turned down that incomprehensible recruitment offer, hadn't she?
As Se-ra made no effort to hide her bewilderment, he hurriedly waved his hands.
"Ah! That's not what I meant. I fully understood your stance back then, Hunter Yoon Se-ra. And of course, the intention of the person behind you as well."
Christopher carefully pointed to Seong Ja-rim with both hands. Knowing her only by her nickname Headbang and unaware of her real name, he still referred to her as "that person."
"Well, that's a relief, then... But is it my imagination, or does the way you're looking at me seem full of regret?"
"No! Not at all. Haha. Was it that obvious? It's a bit embarrassing. I just regret having to leave right when I had a chance to build a friendship with such an upright person."
Christopher smiled shyly. Anyone would think he was some gentleman asking her out on a date, not just trying to make a friend.
As if sensing Se-ra's thoughts, the Administrator erupted in fury.
Ja-rim standing beside her muttered, "Upright person? His eyes must be glued shut..." It was all so chaotic.
"I didn't do anything special, so you're making me sound better than I amit's embarrassing. Any hunter would have done the same."
She wanted to downplay it as no big deal, but it backfired.
"That's exactly why it's respectableyou make the 'obvious' look effortless!"
There was no point arguing further. Se-ra just laughed it off with a hollow "hahaha" and shut her mouth.
"If I come back to Korea someday, would you meet me then? I'd love to see you again. We could talk more about all the things we didn't get to this time."
"......"
What was this? Was he really just after friendship, or was it a date? It was all so vague.
As the Administrator threw another tantrum, Se-ra cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Uh, well..."
"I don't mean to pressure you! I just want to get to know you better, Hunter Yoon Se-ra."
That's the biggest pressure of all. Walk around side-by-side with the famous Christopher, even in Korea? Oh, she was passing hard.
But a powerless F-rank couldn't very well yell "No way!" at the Guardian Guild Master.
She could only hope he wouldn't visit Korea that often and nodded.
"No problem at all...!"
Unlike Se-ra, whose smile was more grimace than grin, Christopher beamed as if ascending to heaven.
"Thank you! Then, uh, one more thingwould it be okay to ask if you'd ever visit the U.S.? Not necessarily this year, but next year or the year after!"
"No, never. I'm way too busy with work. I don't have a single travel plan, not even a little one. No intentions either."
No more openings could be given. Se-ra raised both hands emphatically and denied it.
"I... see. I was hoping to be your guide..."
Oh, hard pass for real. Se-ra put on a benevolent smile and linked arms with Seong Ja-rim beside her.
"I appreciate the offer, but I have a long-term mission I'm handling, so it won't be possible."
I have to back up Headbanger, manipulatednim, so no time for that.
At the silent emphasis, Christopher nodded as if gaining enlightenment. Still, he bid his final farewell with a face brimming with lingering regret.
"If you ever do come to the U.S., please, please! Definitely contact me. I'll come pick you up no matter where you are!"
Only after firmly pressing a rectangular business card into Se-ra's hand did he finally leave the Association. The Administrator spammed emojis demanding she toss it, but she couldn't just discard a Guild Master's card like trash, so she stashed it in her inventory.
Hmm... Following Cheongrang's Han Su-eon and now Guardian's Christopheroh, Jeong Ho-young gave her one too for "when needed."
Whoa. Three Guild Master business cards? At this rate, she'd earn a "Guild Master Card Collector" title. Haha.
She wasn't happy at all.
"Finally, these long ten days are over."
Se-ra stretched languidly. What a tumultuous time. Running into Christopher, a Dungeon Break, and now a headache from the key theft looming. A sigh escaped her.
"Yeah. You even got to play Headbang out of nowhere. You really went through it."
"......"
Se-ra was at a loss for words at Ja-rim's serious remark.
"Sorry, sorry. But it's better than your L-rank status getting exposed and causing headaches, right? Huh? Ja-rim unnie."
"Argh! Please don't call me unnie! It's scary when you do!"
"You complain even when I call you."
Se-ra playfully smacked Ja-rim's arm. Even though there was nothing left to worry about sneaking around, she still felt exhausted.
* * *
After seeing Guardian off at the airport, Do Jun-young headed to the Association President's office. Song Han-na's back, as she stared out the window puffing on a cigarette, seemed even more rigidly tense than usual, making it hard to speak up.
"Losing the key was our failure. You know that, right?"
"Yes."
"I heard Se-ra asked Kang Se-jun to track the murderer. Any results?"
"No good news. The trail vanished into thin air, so he's no ordinary guy."
Song Han-na clicked her tongue. If even Jeong Ho-young and Kang Se-jun couldn't do it, no one in Korea could catch that damn thief right now.
"I don't know what that thieving bastard wants, but our dungeons absolutely cannot break. If one does, we have to minimize the damage no matter what."
Cheolwon Dungeon was rank 2, but to Koreans, it was a nightmare beyond rank 1. It had claimed the most lives domestically.
They couldn't let the public relive that terror. No casualties could be allowed in Cheolwon because of some thiefthey had to prevent it at all costs.
"Once the key theft gets out, those who want me gone will start their smear campaigns. We have to block that too. Got it?"
"Yes."
The Association had many enemies. Those itching to dethrone Song Han-na after 12 years of unchallenged power wouldn't miss this chance.
She absolutely wouldn't allow it. To protect everyone from those self-serving scum, she had to hold this position.
So the Association needed to quickly devise ways to avert the worst-case scenario.
"Call Yoon Jae-hun."
Song Han-na decided to play a card she hadn't touched in eight years.
"Tell him to return home immediately."
Korea's unofficial ranking 3, after Song Han-na and Joo EunYoon Jae-hun.
With the highest potential in the country, it was time for him to come back.
* * *
Hard combat boots echoed down the hallway. Mercenaries in full gear saluted with faces full of respect as he passed.
"It's Yoon Jae-hun, Commander."
"Come in."
He knocked on the door at the deepest part of headquarters, and a heavy voice responded.
It was a voice that commanded instant tension just by hearing it, but the room beyond the open door was a cluttered mess that didn't match the intimidation.
At the center of the chaos sat Mercenary Guild Commander Ali.
She yanked her feet off the desk and tossed the papers she held with a bored flick. Sheets fluttered down onto the scattered books on the floor.
"It's a cooperation request from your country. Per the contract, they're asking to send you back due to an emergency in Korea."
Ridiculous. Ali let out a snort.
"It's in the contract, so no changing my mind now, but trying to cover their incompetence with my kid? That really rubs me the wrong way."
Ali tapped ash from her cigar onto the request. Even the official document from Korea's Association President Song Han-na was no more than an ashtray to her.
"Song Han-na, Song Han-na. It'll be fun watching all those loudmouths who praised her to the skies suddenly shut up. Right, Jae-hun?"
Jae-hun sighed at her cackling laugh but didn't argue.
Ali Russo was one of the world's top L-ranks. Even Song Han-na couldn't compare.
"Speaking of, two new L-ranks popped up in Korea, huh? Hilarious. Everywhere's in an uproargreat entertainment lately."
Especially the arrogant L-ranks throwing tantrumsit was comedy gold. If they'd stormed Korea, it would've been even better. Such a shame.
"Song Han-na's about due to step down."
"I don't think so. I hear neither of them has any interest in the Association President seat."
"What?! Ugh, boring. L-ranks should have the guts to aim for the top. Useless. Was gonna have you check 'em out while you're there."
"Any recruitment interest?"
"If they're worth it. Collecting strong ones is always fun. Like you."
"I'll keep an eye out."
Jae-hun bowed readily. Another guild might not risk it, but this was different.
The Mercenary Guild Athena wasn't tied to any nationit was a stateless guild. They followed only their spear-and-shield commander, Ali.
That uniqueness had allowed his conditional recruitment; L-ranks could join too. Better than being stuck in Korea.
"Korea's locked dungeon, huh. Lots to think about."
"......"
Jae-hun's face subtly hardened. His calm facade cracked, suppressed emotions surging.
That daythe horrific day that stole his parents and froze his little brother's heart.
Flaming visions flashed before his eyes, fists clenching tight.
"Jae-hun, you're not that sixteen-year-old kid anymore. It's different now. You can win."
"......Yes."
"You have the power to protect your little brother. Don't fear."
Se-ra. Thinking of his sister back home loosened his fists.
He couldn't save their parents, but he'd protect Se-ra no matter what. That's why he'd joined Athena, tackling the world's deadliest dungeons.
"Go reunite with your sister. Oh, if she wants to join here, just bring her. I can make room for desk work."
"Really?"
Jae-hun looked up sharply. He hadn't expected the offerhis sister was an exceptionally weak F-rank, and Ali's hobby was collecting powerhouses.
"Can't have your only family living far away, right?"
Stunned by her gruff kindness, he soon burst into laughter.
The monster with no blood or tears cared for her own like thisthat's why the unit's loyalty bordered on madness.
And Jae-hun, one of the executives, was no different.
Jae-hun saluted his commander solemnly.
"Athena Asia Branch Chief Yoon Jae-hun. Dispatched to Korea. I'll be back."
"Go."
Her curt reply sealed his first return in three years.