Chapter 58
Chapter 58
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 58
Korea, now in full emergency mode, immediately decided to select hunters and dispatch them urgently to Cheorwon.
The nation's sole S-rank healer, Yoo Su-eun, was naturally included. Do Jun-young was added to the dispatch list to relay the situation to the Association quickly. In addition, Joo Eun and Han Su-eon, specialized in wide-area attacks, along with the tanker Eun In-jae, were selected.
It was a massive raiding party comprising half of Korea's S-ranks, but even this fell short of dispelling the citizens' fears.
The first level 2 dungeon to ever appear in Korea. Many still remembered the terror of that day, when it claimed the lives of countless hunters and citizens.
But there was one key difference from back then.
The existence of two savior-like figures even stronger than S-rank.
People desperately called their names, loud enough for Song Han-na to hear.
"Kang Se-jun, Ja-rim. One of you has to go."
Song Han-na, who had summoned the two saviors to the Association, examined them carefully one by one.
Kang Se-jun, who had already showcased tremendous power in places like Sangam and Daegwallyeong. And Ja-rim, the enigmatic figure who hadn't stepped forward even once despite revealing herself weeks ago.
It was painfully obvious which one the people craved as their savior.
"Kang Se-jun, you're going."
A magician far superior to Han Su-eon, the so-called top of the magic world. It was the right call for him to go.
"Got it. If I join, our odds of success will definitely shoot up."
Videos of Korea's first level 2 dungeon incident twelve years ago were still circulating everywhere. Sure, it had been insanely dangerousbut that was back when L-ranks didn't exist.
Now that they knew exactly what monsters lurked inside, conquering it was well within reach.
"That said, there's one issue. It's been sealed for twelve years, so the monsters might have grown stronger."
Time doesn't just age things. For geniuses, it's a chance to ascend to greater heights. The same applied to high-level monsters capable of shredding dozens of A-rank hunters or lower.
"They probably won't hit level 1, but if they edge toward 1.5, it'll get dicey. We're really okay sending just five S-ranks?"
Kang Se-jun's point was valid, but Song Han-na shook her head firmly.
"We can't pour everything into that one spot. Deploy too many S-ranks, and domestic security takes a hit."
There was no guarantee the Cheorwon dungeon would even open, yet they were committing this many resources because the public's fear of it was beyond imagination. They had to stay vigilant until everyone could breathe easy.
Other countries were gearing up with their own ironclad precautions too.
"The S-ranks not on the dispatch list will guard their respective regions. I'll brief them on that later... For now, Ja-rim."
"I'll handle Seoul?"
The capital city, packed with people. It made sense for Ja-rim to cover it, but that wasn't why Song Han-na had called her here.
"Yoon Se-ra, the civil servant assigned to monitor you, filed her final report."
Song Han-na handed over a binder. Ja-rim's eyes widened as she read it.
"Her observation: no risk factors, no plans to defect abroad. She insists you're vital to us and we need to keep you close."
The report delved into even more detail than Song Han-na's summary.
Awakener Ja-rim fully embodies the qualities of a true hunter. She poses no danger to others, and her presence alone will bolster everyone around her. I affirm this in the name of Yoon Se-ra, from the Korean Awakener Management Association's Management Office.
The neat handwriting made Ja-rim's chest swell with emotion.
"Effective immediately, I officially recognize Awakener Ja-rimwho has returned after five long yearsas an L-rank hunter of Korea."
She'd grumbled about not trusting me just moments ago, and now thisspilling such an adorably sincere truth behind my back.
It was so quintessentially Yoon Se-ra that Ja-rim burst out laughing.
"Guess the free ride's over. You'll be piling work on me officially now, huh?"
"Can't waste talent. Speaking of which, I've got one for you right now."
"Defending Seoul? Cool. It's what I'd do anyway."
"That's part of it, but... this is a personal request from Song Han-na, not the Association President."
Not just Ja-rimeven Kang Se-jun shot Song Han-na a puzzled look. What job could possibly need an L-rank's power?
"What is it?"
"...How's Se-ra been lately?"
Ja-rim's eyes went wide at the curveball.
While living with Se-ra, she'd picked up on how close Song Han-na and she really were. She'd assumed it was hush-hush, thoughnever expected her to spell it out like this.
"Se-ra? Nothing out of the ordinary."
"...Really?"
"Yup. She zoned out for a split second once, but that was it. She was totally fine by morning."
In other words, no cause for alarm. But Song Han-na's expression only grew graver. She raked a hand through her hair irritably.
"Zoned out, huh... Can't just brush that off."
"She's seriously okay? We joke around, she devours her mealswhat's to worry about?"
"For real?"
Ja-rim nodded. Se-ra had only acted off that one daythe key theft bombshell.
Next morning, she was back to her usual mix of scary and cute, so Ja-rim chalked it up to a bad day.
"What's up? Something happen with Se-ra?"
"It did, a while back. Stick close to her for now. No telling when she might flipkeep an eye on her. ...And try not to bring up the Cheorwon dungeon."
Ja-rim clamped her mouth shut, no further questions. Kang Se-junwho'd been eavesdropping subtly, privy to Se-ra's secretturned away with a grimace.
No elaboration needed; they got the picture.
'I see. Se-ra was a survivor of the Cheorwon dungeon.'
Explained why he'd never seen the twenty-two-year-old on the phone with family. Thank goodness he'd never pried.
'She mentioned getting in via the S-rank family preference on the civil service exam. So that's ither lost family were S-ranks.'
No wonder the trauma hit harder. Ja-rim vowed inwardly to watch her words going forward.
Yet while the three in the conference room fretted and sighed, Se-ra was perfectly fine. Eerily so, like the nightmares and visions that left her dazed had never happened.
'It started when the Administrator said I was okay.'
Se-ra tousled her hair. She couldn't see it, but something had definitely stroked her head. The Administrator's touch, no doubt.
'Yeah. Thanks, Elizabeth.'
Besides Lizaliza, another ally had helped. The stunning beauty from her dream. Meeting him had finally calmed her completely. Swimming through jewel waves, bantering with Beautyit had been pure bliss.
If he hadn't shoved her away at the end, perfection.
'Three coincidences make fate, they say. Wonder if we'll cross paths again.'
Chin in hand, Se-ra grinned at thin air over and over.
"Whoa, no way. For real?!"
Gong Hae-yeonwho'd grown desensitized to Se-ra's oddball momentsslapped her shoulders with hype.
Se-ra, mid mental blues-dance with that soul-snatchingly gorgeous smile, shot her a glare.
"Ow! What the hell?!"
"Not the time to zone out. Check the communitynow!"
No way, what's going on, epic, blah blah.
Intrigued by Hae-yeon's frenzy, Se-ra fired up the communityand froze. Something huge had dropped; the whole site was exploding.
She scanned the top post's title first.
"...Huh?"
What in the world? Who? Where'd they spot who? Who's who?
Se-ra stared blankly at the fangirl-riddled post and attached pic.
A face not much like hers, deep brown hair, sharp features.
Three years without a glimpse, yet never faded from memorythat face, smack in the shot.
'Why's Oppa there?'
No heads-up? Life-size statue? Yeah, that tracks more.
"Why no warning?"
Gong Hae-yeon, in the know about Jae-hun and Se-ra, whispered while thwacking her back.
"Beats meI just saw it too. But is this legit? Not some dummy?"
"If it was a statue, it'd be him all cool with a weapon. Lock dungeon mess, right? He vowed to fly home if Korea had trouble."
Rightthat promise. How'd she blank on it?
Yoon Jae-hun?? That Yoon Jae-hun's in Korea???? Fly high, this ain't fake right?
Dude, ancient meme. Kids these days don't know.
What? Back in my day, 'fly high' had 'em cheering!
Latte boomer, step out pls.
Holy crap. Finally meeting Asia's elite exec IRL?? Epic.
No one else at the airport??? Spill more deets plz.
|OP|: Total chaos out here, can't even think straight. Fans losing it over autographs, no time to post.
Thanks for sharing anyway. Insane. What do I do? Guy here but Yoon Jae-hun's got me fluttering. Am I okay?
Beep. You're painfully normal. Cuz same rn. Gaspthis arrhythmia?
Crazy, what arrhythmia? His face cures it.
Lol true! Doc! My chronic illnessgone! Yoon Jae-hun's the miracle drug!
Fangirl meltdown confirmed
'Since when's Oppa the cure-all?'
No such skill, yet the community's a fangirl swamp. Never guessed he had this many stans. Real sis hereno searching, zero interest...
'Whoa. If our sibling reveal drops, I'm collateral. Gotta ghost.'
Nothing scarier than rabid fans. Especially Yoon Jae-hun: global-stage hunter, Korea's sole labyrinth dungeon raider. Loyalty off the charts.
The thought of facing that mob? Shudder.