Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 86
Her face flushed red and her heart pounded wildly, leaving Yoon Se-ra unable to lift her head.
"If you say it like that, how can I stubbornly refuse?"
Yoon Se-ra?
Finally, she let out a deep sigh and revealed her true feelingsones she hadn't shared with anyone yet.
...Even before you got here, I was already planning to head to the labyrinth.
Kang Se-jun's eyes widened in surprise.
Really?
Yeah. After the Cheolwon Dungeon, I felt it deep in my bones just how precious and essential peace is.
Temporary peace was something she could pass on now. She was sick of watching her brother, who'd joined a mercenary band, throw himself into danger over and over.
If the dungeons vanished from this world, maybe they could finally wake from this horrific nightmare. She longed for everything to snap back to normal, as if the nightmare had been nothing more than a dream.
If we wipe the labyrinths from the world, can we reclaim our peace?
That's why I've kept regressing. It will happendefinitely.
Kang Se-jun replied.
And the System Administrator answered too.
That was enough. With that certainty, she could run forwardnot for others, but for herself. After all, she was selfish like that.
Alright, fine. Let's do this. Rejoice, Regressor. Your big sis here will take down that 11th-floor monster that killed you the most.
Kang Se-jun, who'd been staring blankly at her bold declaration, burst into loud laughter.
Thank you, Yoon Se-ra.
Yeah. And keep thanking me from now on.
It was utterly shameless, but she owned it completely.
Still, one thing nagged at her. She got that completely eradicating the labyrinths would restore the world's peace.
But then...
Will I get to meet the System Administrator in person when that happens?
Would she have the chance to finally meet face-to-face the benefactor who'd saved her life and showered her with gifts without holding back?
Yoon Se-ra gazed desperately into empty space.
But this time, no answer came.
* * *
The day of departure for America had arrived.
News that Song Han-na was attending a WDO conference had drawn hordes of reporters to the airport.
However, with the departing group's faces set in stern lines signaling the gravity of the situation, no one dared push for interviews.
Of course, they had no idea how the hunters loosened up the moment they boarded the plane and were out of sight.
This is my first time on a private jet.
Seong Ja-rim bounced excitedly on her seat's backrest, claiming she'd worn herself out trying to keep a straight face. Yoon Se-ra, who would normally scold her for that, was just as thrilled.
There's a bar too! The rumors were true!
A display case lined with cocktails and fine liquorswhat a sight!
As the lowest-ranking civil servant drone, she'd only ever handled domestic busywork and never gone abroad, so she'd only heard the juicy rumors. She never dreamed she'd actually ride the Association President's private jet and see it for herself!
This is delicious. So good!
Yoon Se-ra's face lit up with bliss as she popped chocolates from the stash into her mouth one after another.
I'll have one of those cocktails too, please. Doesn't matter if it's strongjust the tastiest one.
A bartender, no less, not a flight attendant, whipped it up for her. Association President status was the real MVP.
Team Leader, I feel like I'm suffocating.
It's fine, Gong Hae-yeon. Me too.
But they were the only relaxed ones. Gong Hae-yeon and Jung Tae-seok, tagging along as support staff, were dying inside. Being crammed in this tight space with all these powerhouses was bad enough, but...
Y-Yoon Se-ra is Headbang... and an L-rank! I didn't mess up anywhere, did I?
They'd only learned Se-ra's secret right before boarding, which had them too rattled to even make eye contact with her since.
I pinched Se-ra's cheek... multiple times!
Gasp! G-Gong Hae-yeon, are you okay?
No wonder Headbang kept showing up wherever she went! She said she never saw her face, but there's no way!
I should've figured it out sooner...! Ugh!
Calm down! It'll be fine! Se-rano, Yoon Se-ra is a good person...!
How long did she have to listen to this nonsense? The sealed cabin meant even their whispers carried.
LookSong Han-na, pretending to sleep with eyes closed, twitched her lips. Kang Se-jun smirked. Seong Ja-rim tilted her head at "good person...?" Yoon Jae-hun grinned openly while watching the show.
What a bunch of jerks.
I told you to act normal, so why are you freaking out? I'm just going as an F-rank agentif you two keep this up, it'll give everything away.
Ack! D-Did you hear that? Or did you, ma'am?
Se-ra! I'm sorry for everything up till now!
...
At this rate, her cover would blow before they even tried any acting.
If I'd wanted this, I'd have revealed myself ages ago.
W-We know that, but...
The two were still shaking. Time for drastic measures.
We've got tons of time till we land in the USwant to sit together and chat until you're comfortable? Team Leader, Hae-yeon.
Yoon Se-ra plopped down in front of them with a bright smile.
About fourteen hours until New York.
Hearing they'd have to face an L-rank without sleep turned Jung Tae-seok and Gong Hae-yeon's faces ghostly pale.
Ahem. Suddenly remembered some documents I need to review before we land! Sorry, Yoon Se-ra, gotta work!
I didn't sleep, so I'm crashing hard all of a sudden. Fourteen hours leftbetter nap.
Mission accomplished!
Back to their usual selves in an instant, they dove into their tasks. Classic civil servant survival skills, honed from dealing with every kind of mess and person.
Oh? All sorted already? Bummer. I was hoping to kill some boring flight time watching you squirm.
Song Han-na, who'd been faking sleep, opened her eyes with a sparkle. Jung Tae-seok and Gong Hae-yeon flinched and looked away, pretending not to hear.
I figured I'd get to see flustered Se-ra.
Same here.
Wait, they meant her? Yoon Se-ra shot a betrayed look as Song Han-na and Yoon Jae-hun chatted.
Heading back to Athena means splitting from my little bro again, so I wanted to soak up all your embarrassed faces. What a shame.
You like seeing me in a bind that much?
You rarely end up that way.
Man, family really is the best. They pull off what even we can't.
Jealous.
Kang Se-jun and Seong Ja-rim whispered as Yoon Jae-hun acted without a care. Yoon Se-ra glared daggers at them for suggesting she run to those two for help in the future. They pretended nothing happened.
In this cramped plane, she had no allies.
* * *
So many reporters.
New York, one p.m.
Yoon Se-ra was already half-traumatized before the plane even stopped. The press swarm here dwarfed Korea's.
What did you expect? With back-to-back L-ranks, an Athena exec, and meit's no surprise.
Of course, the last part carried the most weight.
Se-ra, stick close and quiet with Section Chief Jung and Gong Hae-yeon. Alright, let's go.
The door opened, and Song Han-na descended the stairs first. Camera flashes exploded with every flap of her tailored coat over her shoulders. Even facing that mob, her faint smile didn't waver.
Whoa, she's badass.
Seong Ja-rim's mutter had Yoon Se-ra nodding in agreement. Association President wasn't a job for just anyone.
Association President Song! Over here!
Kang Hunter! Seong Hunter!
It's Yoon Jae-hun! From Korea, no less. Has he fully left Athena?
Nah, no way that Captain lets go of an exec easy.
No third L-rank?
Sending a proxy. One of those three in back, probably.
The cameras ignored the proxy, focusing solely on the four. Good thing she hadn't come as HeadbangYoon Se-ra was relieved.
Skipping interviews, they piled straight into the waiting limo. Regretful murmurs followed, but they ignored them.
Conference is in three days, right?
Yeah. First time Korea attends the labyrinth dungeon strategy meeting.
No L-ranks had emerged in Korea before, and Yoon Jae-hunthe only one who'd raided onewas there as Athena staff, so no chance till now.
No welcome party for newbies? Bringing three L-ranks, no less.
They'd sooner have a hazing than a welcome.
Kang Se-jun joked at Song Han-na's words. To Yoon Se-ra, though, it didn't sound like a joke. No way she'd actually been through newbie hazing in the past, right?
Oh dear, that'd be trouble. Remember this, everyoneif it happens, hide behind Kang Se-jun. I'm just S-rank; can't protect you all. Have to leave it to him.
Why me? Yoon Se-ra's the proxy, fine, but there's Seong Ja-rim too.
Whoever brings it up has to deal. Sound good, everyone?
What could they say? Everyone but Kang Se-jun voted yes. Suddenly stuck herding six ducklings, Mother Duck Kang Se-jun sighed in lament.
Our teamwork shines at times like this?
We've always meshed well. Haha. Take good care of us, Kang Se-jun.
Yoon Se-ra, you're the worst.
Why? Don't like the name? Should I call you Elsa?
Shut it, Headbang.
Yoon Se-ra obediently zipped it. That topic only hurt them both.
Jae-hun, when's your Captain arriving?
Not sure. She doesn't broadcast her moves. She'll contact me when she gets here.
Hang with us till then?
Guess so. Gotta move when she arrivesnot the same hotel.
Countries booked their own hotels, but WDO arranged so no one overlapped. No sense fighting in the labyrinth if they clashed beforehand.
Right, that made sense...
Describe how it feels to run into another L-rank in your reserved hotel lobby.
Yoon Se-ra stared blankly at the woman sprawled across an entire wide sofa. Short white hair, brown skin, hefty build...
...Captain?
It was Athena's Captain, Ali Russo, whom she'd only seen online.
Why on earth was she here?