Chapter 60
Chapter 60
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 60
"It hasn't even been that long since two L-rank Awakeners emerged and strengthened our position, and now we're plummeting into the abyss."
The Cheorwon Dungeon assault team had gathered in the Association's conference room.
Song Han-na scoffed and tossed a newspaper onto the table. It wasn't a domestic one. These were all foreign papers, their sensational headlines jumping out.
"Articles badmouthing Korea are popping up everywhere. Excluding Korea, every locked dungeon left is a Rank 1."
If they hadn't been lucky enough to obtain that special item called the Lock, those dungeons would have devoured not just the countries they were in, but the surrounding areas too, in a truly horrific manner.
Which was why the criticism aimed at Korea for failing to manage the Key item properly was growing harsher by the day.
Korea's Key Management Fails! Is This Okay?
Korea's Crisis Management is Pathetic. They Need Help from Other Countries.
What Deserves to Perish This Time is Korea!
Korea Only Cares About Its Own Lock Dungeons. Selfish Nation!
Yoo Su-eun clicked her tongue.
"But most of it is just other countries trying to keep Korea in check now that we have L-ranks, right?"
"That doesn't mean we didn't screw up. To be precise, I screwed up."
Yoo Su-eun grumbled into silence at Song Han-na's calm response.
"I apologize for putting you all in danger due to my mistake. If anyone should go, it should be me."
"No, that's not right."
"Absolutely not."
"No way."
Everyone in the room tried to dissuade Song Han-na.
"You're saying the Association President should move when we don't even know if Cheorwon will break? That's absurd."
Joo Eun shook his head firmly.
"The President needs to stay put. Remember, you're Korea's spiritual pillar right now."
Twelve years ago, after the first Rank 2 dungeon outbreak, it was Song Han-na who had steadied a Korea on the brink of collapse.
She had dragged out all the high-ranking government officials who tried to stuff every S-rank into Cheorwon and flee overseas, then established the inviolable Association zone, saving Awakeners and non-Awakeners alike.
Even if she wasn't the strongest Awakener in Korea anymore, people instinctively sought her out first in times of danger.
That was why Song Han-na had to stay right where she was.
"And this wasn't your fault, President. Not even you can discern lies."
"Exactly. The problem is those bastards who betrayed trust to line their own pockets. If they were gonna do it, they should've guarded it to the end."
Noeul Guild Master Eun In-jae voiced her agreement too.
"Thank you. But as Association President, excuses like that don't fly. So I have to do what I can. The Association will support whatever you need, so don't worry about the rearjust focus ahead."
While you're in Cheorwon, I'll guard this place.
Her bold, reassuring words finally eased everyone's expressions. This was the Song Han-na that suited her.
"We don't know if Cheorwon will open or not, but let's plan our combat formation just in case."
Everyone nodded at Joo Eun's suggestion.
"Then let's start with positions. First, Hunter Kang Se-jun and Hunter Yoon Jae-hun. We've teamed up often with the others and know their abilities, but we're less familiar with you two. Could you tell us about your skills?"
"I'm a combat swordsman. I can do area attacks, but I'm most effective as a single-target dealer, landing the highest damage."
Yoon Jae-hun stated his abilities flatly first.
"Similar to Director Do."
"I'll handle defense, Jae-hun handles offense. Jae-hun as main single-target dealer."
Coming from Do Jun-young, it was trustworthy. Joo Eun nodded readily and placed Yoon Jae-hun up front.
"What's your detection range, Se-jun?"
As the meeting dragged on, the formation map grew more detailed, and attack strategies diversified.
With this, they could finally end that damned dungeonthe cancer that's plagued Korea for so long.
It was different from twelve years ago, when they'd faced it with no preparations whatsoever.
* * *
The day the assault team departed for Cheorwon.
Se-ra saw them off not as Jae-hun's family, but as an Association civil servant. Which meant she had to face the other S-ranks too.
"It's the fragile civil servant! Doing okay? No headaches from that mutt?"
Yoo Su-eun, who utterly despised Ja-rim, rushed over first and inspected Se-ra all over. Se-ra glanced at Ja-rim with a face full of things she wanted to say but wouldn't, and Yoo Su-eun nodded in understanding.
"Ah, you're that civil servant who suffered because of Su-eon last time?"
This time, Eun In-jae butted in. Technically it was because of Han Su-eon's guild member, but Eun In-jae acted like she'd forgotten all about that.
"Poor thing. You went through so much back then, and now you've taken on an L-rank too? You've really been through it, kid."
Eun In-jae patted her other shoulder. It was hard to be grateful with Han Su-eon watching.
As Se-ra gave an awkward smile, Han Su-eon shoved Eun In-jae aside and cut in.
"How have you been?"
"Ah, yes. Fine."
"Why didn't you call during the S Hotel Dungeon Break? If I'd known sooner, I'd have rushed right over."
Ah. Realizing it too late, Se-ra stared blankly.
Yeah, right. Instead of waiting for Do Jun-young, she should've just contacted Han Su-eon. Then she wouldn't have had to use her ability and risk exposure.
And she wouldn't have had to lie to Christopher, who joined late!
"...Next time, please don't forget to call."
Reading a lot from Se-ra's face, Han Su-eon said nothing more, just spoke quietly. Feeling wronged, Se-ra nodded with a glum look.
"And my guild is always open, so if you change your mind, contact me anytime..."
"Cheongrang Guild Master."
Do Jun-young glared, and Han Su-eon clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction before backing off.
With four S-ranks suddenly crowding around, naturally the others' gazes turned their way too.
Next came Joo Eun.
"You're the one I briefly met in Seoul Forest last time, right?"
"Yes. Thank you for then. Yoon Se-ra from the Association Management Office."
"I had no idea you were connected to so many people. Nice to meet you."
Tell me about it. How did I end up acquainted with all these S-ranks here...?
And they weren't even the only onesthat was the crazy part.
"...You look healthy."
Kang Se-jun, who had been stealthily observing, finally joined in. But Se-ra knew what his eyes meant.
'Acquainted with this many S-ranks? You really planning to keep your identity hidden?'
Damn, nothing to say to that.
"You seem to get along with a lot of people."
Se-ra nearly bit her tongue at the interrupting voice. Yoon Jae-hun had slyly inserted himself into the situation.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Yoon Jae-hun."
He greeted them brazenly, on the verge of bursting into laughter.
Oh my god. Her brother was pulling this kind of stunt?
"N-Nice... to meet you... I'm Yoon Se-ra..."
But right now, she wasn't Jae-hun's sistershe was a lowly F-rank civil servant who had to bow if told to. So she just trembled and bowed her head, speechless.
Damn brother. Hope I run into you without your rank insignia someday.
"Why's everyone crowding the kid like she's scared? Hey? Back off. Look, she's shaking!"
Misinterpreting Se-ra's trembling from betrayal by her brother, Yoo Su-eun hugged her with one arm and shooed them away.
Kang Se-jun and Ja-rim, the only ones here who knew Se-ra's secret, looked at Yoo Su-eun like she was innocently naive.
"Weird. Yoo Su-eun, since when do you fuss over some kid you barely know?"
"She's suffering because of Su-eon and that mutt's spawn."
Meaning she pitied the girl struggling because of guys she already hated.
Ja-rim averted his gaze slyly.
"Had your fun chatting? Good thing our Se-ra gave everyone a laugh before heading out."
Song Han-na clapped to intervene. But her lips were trembling too.
Se-ra recognized that look on Song Han-na as welllike Jae-hun, barely holding back a belly laugh.
"As much as you'd like to keep playing, save it for after you return. We'll hold down the fort until you get back."
Everyone fell silent at her heavy words. These people who'd been laughing and chatting moments ago were heading into unknown peril of their own accord.
"Your presence alone will reassure the public. I pray for all your safe returns."
At Song Han-na's request, they all smiled brightly, saying not to worry.
Se-ra watched them one by one, her gaze finally settling on Jae-hun.
His clear brown eyes sparkled beautifully like glass, smiling at her. As if saying not to worry, everything would be fine.
It was the exact same face he'd made smiling at her the day he left overseas.
"Please return safely."
Se-ra bowed politely to Jae-hun and the S-ranks he'd grown close to somehow.
Even if things went wrong and the Cheorwon Dungeon opened, she prayed they'd all return here without a single one missing.
Se-ra prayed to the gods guarding everyone's backs.
* * *
News that the assault team had set up in Cheorwon brought a heavy air of tension. Whispers spread that if the front line collapsed, Korea was finishedhope lost.
The Association HQ was relatively composed, but worried sighs still slipped out now and then.
"Nothing happening is making me more anxious."
Se-ra agreed with Gong Hae-yeon's words.
"Not that I want it to break... but man, I hope it just fizzles out."
"Just who the hell stole that Key and caused this mess?"
They'd scoured item shops and auctions after the Magic Tower massacre, but the Key never turned up.
With the Key's disappearance causing a global uproar, was the thief laying low? Or did they have some other scheme? No way to know.
She'd even asked the Administrator, but got no reply.
"If we catch 'em, they are done."
The whole world was in chaos because of it. The Magic Tower was bad enough, but that thief was a problem too.
"Se-ra, text came."
At Ja-rim's words, Se-ra checked her phone on the desk. Sender: 'Avoid At All Costs.' The regressor building lines in Cheorwon.
'Says avoid, but never does.'
How could she ignore a message from someone on the front lines? Se-ra sighed deeply and looked at the screen.
[Sorry, but could you head to Taebaek Mountains for me?]
Taebaek Mountains? Why?
[A Rift Dungeon's about to break there soon. Handle it, please.]
Wait, what the hell is this?!