Chapter 74
Chapter 74
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 74
Huh? No, no. I love hearing your voice. If I couldve, Id have done it way sooner.
Oh. Im the first contractor? It made her feel inexplicably pleased.
You know, your real voice doesnt match your emoticons at all, Administrator.
Ugh. Rejected.
As she rubbed her arms, the administrator burst into laughter. Her ears itched again, but Se-ra held back this time.
Ah, come on. Laughing like that with such a great voice is gonna drive me crazy.
But its weird. That laugh feels so familiar somehow.
Where had she heard it before?
Getting closer little by little is nice, but... this must be because of the synchronization, right?
There was no reply. So it really was that.
When did this even start? I had no idea until it hit 30%.
The synchronization rate that appeared with the L-rank awakening had started at 16%, not 1%. Meaning it had been progressing before that.
Elizabeth surely knew about it.
Its cute. Sounds like a princess or a young lady. Want me to call you miss instead?
Ack! Dont call me that in that voice!
Se-ra clutched her head with her pillow. What now? Goosebumps from her toes upshe was losing it.
And dont change the subject. When did the synchronization start?
I see. If the voice was due to synchronization, then all the changes were connected to it.
So as our contract deepens, synchronization progresses. That phrasing sounds kinda profoundwhat exactly is it?
Then whats this about not doing it too often? Does something happen?
Se-ras eyes widened at the firm tone.
Ah, seriously. Keep hitting me with these out-of-nowhere sweet lines? Se-ra buried her flushed face in the pillow.
Im not sulking or blaming you. I was just curious. Dont try to burst my heart and kill me.
Didnt know he could be such a brat. Se-ra shot a sullen glare at the empty air.
Youre not gonna let me hear it much anyway. You hate the synchronization progressing.
Our Elizabeth has some sharp words, huh.
Oh? Thats great news.
As Se-ra brightened, she could feel the administrator sigh.
Nope.
His quick surrender made Se-ra burst out laughing. Once shed had her fill, fatigue started to creep in.
What a day. So much had happened.
A golden light, like a gentle hand, brushed her eyelids. Through her drowsy vision, Se-ra reached out to it. A warm energy enveloped her hand.
Hey, Administrator.
Truth is, I wasnt that curious about you before. Sure, I had the basics, but you helped me, cared for methat was enough. Didnt matter who you were.
But after hearing your voice, Im super curious for the first time. A guy, huh. Something like a person. So whats your real name? Where are you now? ......Will I ever meet you in person someday?
Se-ra gripped the light tightly, as if to keep it from escaping. Not that it would, but she was sure it wouldnt.
Sure enough, the light stayed meekly in her grasp.
Can you answer at least one?
Half-hoping, shed asked, but got an emoticon instead of a voice. Geez. Se-ra let out a hollow chuckle.
It stayed in her hand only by his will.
Hed shown her right there that he could slip away anytime.
You know so much about me, but I know nothing about you.
See? Thats what you say when it suits you. You always help me so muchI want to help you too if I can......
Her eyes grew heavy. She tried to keep them open, but the day had been too much. The light in her hand closed her eyes for her.
She couldnt fight it anymore.
Not enough for me. I wanna join in now too......
Sleep swept over her as her eyes shut. Se-ra couldnt finish her words and drifted off.
The light that had closed her eyes now stroked her hair.
......Thanks for staying with me today.
With that, her consciousness sank deep. The administrator hadnt left her side even as she slept completely.
But sleeping Se-ra couldnt hear it.
The hand lingered a while longer before quietly fading into the air.
Only her steady breathing filled the room.
* * *
The autumn sky was exceptionally clear and dazzling.
She lowered her head against the blinding sunlight, and two small mounds came into view.
National Cemetery for National Merit, patriots section.
The names of S-rank hunter Hyun Jae-hee and A-rank hunter Yoon Seo-woo were side by side.
Her parents graves.
Good thing its fall. So many pretty flowers.
She set down the bouquet Jae-hun had brought in front of the grave. It contrasted sharply with the two bottles of beer Se-ra had broughther parents favorites.
Hear anything? Like Mom and Dad smacking your back?
How frustrated they mustve been with their sons reckless revenge. Yoon Jae-hun clamped his mouth shut, saying he had nothing to say.
Well, theyd probably end up smiling and saying good job.
Se-ra popped the beer caps with her bare hands and placed one bottle at each grave.
Ah, shouldve grabbed some fried chicken too. Chimaek is the best for a happy day like this.
Or not. Mom might be praying for all the remaining dungeons to vanish quick.
Hyun Jae-hee had been too kind, too selfless. Even as her daughter, Se-ra wondered how she could live like that.
She could never live that way herself. Nor did she want to.
Do you resent them?
When I was little, yeah, sometimes. Hero this, monster thatsuddenly Mom and Dad were gone like bubbles.
The fragile family peace theyd maintained shattered that day. Too harsh for a ten-year-old to bear.
Honestly, I still dont get it. I dont wanna live like that.
Mom wouldnt want that for you.
Yeah. She never forced her beliefs on others.
And they were her kids. No parent wants their child sacrificing themselves like that.
So why didnt she think her kids felt the same?
Se-ra sighed and plopped down beside the grave. She stared coldly at it, then snatched Moms beer with an Ei!
Guess I still resent Mom and Dad a bit.
National merit cemetery or not, Se-ra drank without hesitation. Heroes to others, parents to her. No one was watching anyway.
Its okay. I resent them sometimes too.
Yoon Jae-hun grinned mischievously and grabbed Dads beer to drink.
Shed always come and gone quietly alone before, but today wasnt lonely. Good.
When are you heading back to Athena?
Once Im fully healed. If I go like this, the pissed-off captains punch might finish me.
Athenas asset messing up his body? Risking your life on your own?
Jae-hun slyly turned his head.
Parents, brotherwhat is it with our family picking the most dangerous crap? Family trait? House rule?
Sorry......
My heart cant take it.
Never again. I swear.
Better not. That damn enemy bastards dead now.
So now, everything could go back to normal. Even without her parents, at least a peaceful daily life.
Twelve years. Too long for just chasing peace.
If all the dungeons vanish, itll really be peaceful.
Would the day come when this upheaval flipped back as suddenly as it started?
Se-ra cast a curious gaze into the sky.
No one in the world dared guess its end. But only she might find the answer someday.
She was the one and only contractor of the worlds sole System Administrator.