Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 65
"......You're saying you're going to Athena with your little sister?"
The sudden interruption threw off the timing. Do Jun-young, who rarely showed his emotions, had a rigidly stiff expression, making it awkward to just ignore him and ask.
"Ah, Director Do. Yes. I'm a bit worried about leaving her alone."
"......"
Do Jun-young furrowed his brow at Yoon Jae-hun's response. The subtle tension between the two made Kang Se-jun feel frustrated, unable to break it.
I want to clear up this curiosity already. Unfortunately, the interruptions didn't end there.
"Excuse me."
With the phone ringing and Baek Hee-won's name on the screen, Kang Se-jun finally gave up asking and stepped away. This took priority for now.
"It's me. Baek Hee-won, did you check the divination again?"
Watch out! A dungeon's about to break there soon!
His face hardened instantly at the words pouring out the moment he answered.
"What?"
The divination didn't show it before, but it finally came through. I don't know why. Oh, maybe because Se-ra's nearby?
"What? Could that be the reason?"
He moved farther away from the puzzled onlookers. He had to relay the dungeon break warning, but keep anything about Se-ra hidden.
I told you, that girl's way more special than you think. Anyway! The dungeon's breaking soon. Be careful. That thing's incomparably stronger than before.
"That strong? In just 12 years?"
It's 12 years for us. Time in the dungeon might flow differently. Could be centuries in there!
Kang Se-jun's eyes widened as he urgently looked at the gate. The lock was still firmly in place, but...
That's why I sent Se-ra and Ja-rim. Ja-rim's great, but Se-ra will be the biggest help.
"Are you insane? She's only S-rank! What if she gets hurt?"
If Se-ra doesn't go, you're all dead?
"What do you"
But he couldn't finish.
A sudden roar shook the ground. He leaped into the air and flew straight toward the gate.
If Baek Hee-won was right and this gate was opening, the thief who stole the item key would surely appear.
He had to catch that bastard at least.
"The key thief might show up! The gate could openevacuate everyone and gather the S-ranks!"
Kang Se-jun barked the order at the panicking crowd amid the earthquake, then cast his next spell.
"Detection Expansion."
Mana burst from the red magic circle at his feet. Red threads scattered everywhere, like spiderwebsall extensions of Kang Se-jun's eyes.
He absolutely wouldn't let the gate open.
"Blaze Bloom."
Just as he reached the gate, he ignited flames. Beautifully blazing fire completely enveloped the eerie green door.
"All S-ranks are here."
By then, the S-ranks had evacuated the civil servants and support team. Determination etched their faces.
"Is the gate opening?"
"I don't know."
"Pardon?"
"But the possibility is very high."
"Who could insert the key in a situation like this?"
Yoo Su-eun shuddered at the flames' immense heat, too intense even to approach.
"We have to consider someone throwing the key from range. Easy for any sniper."
"Nothing's caught in the detection spell right now. At least within 5km."
Still, no one relaxed.
As S-ranks fighting frontline monsters, they knew this well. These were the times to watch even closer. Non-human enemies often attacked in ways beyond imagination.
Just like now.
"......What the hell?"
"A bug? System error correction impossible...?"
The shocking message didn't end there.
"......Fuck. What is this?"
Yoo Su-eun's face drained of color.
Virus? Key appears via virus? Lock released...?
"What bullshit is this...!"
"Everyone, get back!"
As Eun In-jae hoisted Yoo Su-eun and leaped away, everyone distanced from the gate.
At that moment, intense light erupted beyond Kang Se-jun's flames, canceling his magic. Fire scattered into the air, stunning them all.
This was impossible. They'd expected the castle tower guild killer to approach and unlock itnot a system error.
How? How could a flawless system glitch with bugs and viruses?
What trick was this?
Thump, thump. Kang Se-jun's heart pounded fiercely.
System bug and virus.
The moment he saw it, his fifth life's end flashed back.
The most wretched, horrific one, repeating the same death.
He'd learned of the System Administrator just before dying to the 11th-floor monster. Ever since this life restarted, he'd questioned its existence.
Baek Hee-won's reaction confirmed it existed, but...
What the hell was that?
A bug here? Error, virus?
The Administrator should fix it. That's why it exists. So why just watch this unfold?
"Kang Se-jun, look!"
But no time for more thought.
A gleaming golden key materialized in the air where Yoo Su-eun pointed. The moment it slotted into the gate's lock, the seal they'd guarded for 12 years unlocked.
Rooooar!
Immense mana surged. Even having conquered Grade 2 dungeons before, every S-rank felt chills now.
Different. Far too different from what they'd handled.
As messages chimed before their eyes, despair filled their faces.
"Grade 1...?"
The highest Korean dungeon so far was Grade 2.
Even those strained them, and the first one remained unsolved.
The grade rising now? Too much, right?
"Snap out of it! It's not over yet!"
Yoon Jae-hun's shout jolted the dazed group. He was right.
The ground cracked, lava erupting. Scorching heat incinerated cool autumn air instantly. Fall leaves vanished, plants melted. Even enhanced S-rank bodies struggled against the blistering wave.
As lava flowed from the gate center, Kang Se-jun extended his hand.
Thanks to the title from mastering fire magic, the heat eased somewhat.
Yoon Jae-hun wiped sudden sweat, muttering.
"Terraforming after all."
One reason to clear dungeons fast: this terraforming.
Overdue dungeons claim the area as territory, reshaping it to match inside.
WDO named it terraforming.
Dungeon environments never suit humans, making it the worst phenomenon.
And Cheorwon's was a lava zone.
Even with Kang Se-jun's help, it remained a disadvantageous battlefield.
"Boss incoming."
A clawed beast foot emerged from the gate. Beyond the massively widened door, a building-sized magical beast appeared.
Grrrrr. The monster growled. Drool from its maw melted the ground on contact. Behind its bulk, a snake-headed tail writhed, glaring at them.
One head, evoking a hellish Cerberus.
"Grade 1 dungeonyou can't handle it alone. Need one more, right?"
Locking eyes with its crimson gaze, Yoo Su-eun instinctively grabbed Kang Se-jun's hem. Others silently agreed.
Kang Se-jun squeezed his eyes shut at their stares.
Bug, virus, 11th-floor monster, System Administrator...
His mind raced, but set it aside. Their lives depended on him. Think later.
"Already on the way. Just left, so no guarantee on time. Hold out till then."