Chapter 87
Chapter 87
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 87
"You're really late. I was about to keel over from the wait. Couldn't you hustle a bit when you're dragging someone else's kid along?"
Without so much as a greeting, he started barking orders, and Jae-hun dashed forward to salute at once.
"Asia Branch Chief Jae-hun, reporting back after completing the mission."
"Good work, my right-hand man. They said you'd been through hell, and look at youskin and bones. Your team back at the branch'll be bawling their eyes out."
"Even skinny, he's still handsome, right?"
"Mouth's working fine, so you're in one piece."
Ali's eyes softened quite a bit as he watched Jae-hun crack jokes.
Se-ra, who'd been secretly worried about this notoriously tough guy, felt relieved. She could see why he'd wanted to head back to Athena even after clearing the Cheorwon Dungeon.
"Alright, that's enough. Step aside."
No sooner had she thought that than Ali shoved Jae-hun roughly to the side.
Never mind. Guess she had to keep worrying.
"The famous Korean hunters making waves. I rushed here to see you all before anyone else. Be impressed."
Ali strode forward confidently, towering even over Jae-hun and Kang Se-jun. Built like a tank, he was intimidating as hell.
Se-ra slipped quietly behind Ja-rim. But that little move only drew more attention.
"L-rank and Song H... Huh? Huh? Huuuuh?"
Ali scanned the three of them, then locked eyes on Se-ra the moment he spotted her, staring her down. It was so intense she couldn't look away, worried he'd force her chin up if she tried. All she could do was stand there meekly.
"You... Jae-hun's little sister?"
No way. How'd he know? She didn't look anything like Jae-hunfirst-timers never guessed.
She wondered if Jae-hun had spilled it, but he waved his hands frantically, denying it.
"Don't play dumb. You reek of the exact same scent as him."
"......"
Scent? Se-ra subtly lifted her arm and sniffed. She showered regularlywhat the hell? Her pride took a hit.
"Aw, sniffing yourself won't hide it. You take after your brogot that quirky side."
Ali chuckled and flicked her forehead with his massive hand. It didn't hurt, but it left her stunned.
"Heard you turned down Athena's recruitment. Ballsy move."
"Ahem. Captain."
How'd he even hear about that? Se-ra shot Jae-hun a side-eye.
"You think I hand out invites to F-ranks every day? This ain't some casual offer. You sure you wanna pass?"
Oh. Asking twice meant Jae-hun had really won him over.
That was great for her brother, but Se-ra was getting plenty of love right where she was.
"I know full well it's a rare opportunity. But I'm sorry. I'm getting so much affection here that I don't want to leave my spot."
"Kid's young and naive. Thinks that affection puts food on the table?"
Se-ra flashed a bright smile at the grumpy look he shot Song Han-na.
"I know full well that affection is what keeps Korea's Awakeners safe and sound. Especially as an Association civil servant."
It wasn't just personal ties with Song Han-na. She stayed out of respect for the Korean Association President.
"Se-ra..."
Deeply touched, Song Han-na covered her mouth with both hands, eyes misty. Se-ra felt pretty touched herself.
'Ha. Damn, that was cool.'
"Jae-hun hypes you up so much, I figured you were just some kid."
She kinda wanted to ask what Jae-hun had been up to at Athena for the captain to openly call him overprotective.
"Turns out Yoon Jae-hun's just a siscon. You treat a grown woman like a child?"
"I'm seriously proud right now."
Even getting scolded, Yoon Jae-hun beamed with pride.
Hahaha. The atmosphere stayed warm and friendly, nothing like she'd feared. She ignored Kang Se-jun and Ja-rim whispering that Yoon Se-ra was a total scammer.
"Watching you, I want you even more. But a civil servant? Can't poach you. Must be nice, huh? Song Han-na."
But the moment Ali's gaze turned to Song Han-na, the easy vibe shattered like broken glass.
"You couldn't handle it yourself, so you drag in my officer? If you screw up, you fix it. Sitting pretty while sending others to die? Nice gig, being Association President."
Heavy silence fell at his sneering jab.
'Come to think of it, the President met with Russo Captain over Jae-hun's thing.'
And that meeting spot collapsing? Eight years later, it was still legendary.
"No words on that. You're right. My fault."
Song Han-na didn't flinch at Ali's insult.
"But the blame for that goes to those sent into the fire. No reason for your jeers, Captain Ali Russo. Let your officer chew me outyou just keep walking."
Oh. She was pissed.
"Well, well, Song Han-na. Stiffening up in front of your underlings?"
"My neck's always stiff. You're the one getting creaky with age."
The hotel lobby froze as the world's top powerhouses clashed. Even low-rank hunters held their breathno one dared make a sound.
There was no way the supposed F-rank Se-ra could step in, so she shot Jae-hun desperate eyes: Do something!
"Captain, that's enough. If you get mad, this place'll come down."
"You siding with Song Han-na 'cause you're Korean? In front of me?"
"No. My little sister's scared."
Ali whipped around to look at Se-ra.
She'd already switched her expression, trembling between Jung Tae-seok and Gong Hae-yeon. Her pale face and beads of sweat screamed sheer terror.
"You're sturdy enough. Why's your sister so fragile?"
Even Kang Se-jun and Ja-rim, who'd seen it all, were sometimes thrown by Se-ra's acting chops. Ali was defenseless against it. Those in the know couldn't hide their awe.
"Tsk tsk. Can't touch my officer's precious little sister he's risking his life for."
"......Sorry."
"Forget it. Not your apology to make."
The real reason Yoon Jae-hun was apologizing was worlds apart from what Ali thought.
Everyone but Ali knew it, but no one was dumb enough to say it out loud.
Thanks to that, they avoided any real trouble and moved on quietly.
Of course, that effort went to waste when Ali announcedclearly to piss off Song Han-nathat he'd booked a room here on purpose. Crisis loomed again, but they muddled through.
Somehow, day one in America felt like bad omens everywhere.
"No way more crap happens from here, right...?"
And as she muttered that...
The encouraging emoticon only soured her mood further.
Whenever the Administrator sent stuff like that, something bad always went downwhen she really needed the cheer.
Come to think of it, the Administrator's emotes had more guts than Baek Hee-won.
* * *
World Dungeon Organization .
Founded after the first Labyrinth Breakout nearly wiped out the planet, pulling the world back from the brink.
Centered around first-gen L-rank Awakener Alexander Roderick, the WDO earned the support of the powerhouses who'd saved humanity from monsters and solidified its place.
Roderick, the founder and first Director-General, was American, but the WDO's mission was global peace above all.
Not representing any one nation, it investigated Gates and Dungeons to restore the world to its pre-cataclysm tranquility.
So it was only natural for the WDO to lead the Labyrinth Dungeon raids.
WDO Headquarters, Manhattan, New York.
A massive conference hall filled with just a handful of peoplebut it felt more packed than if it were crowded.
Today's Labyrinth strategy meeting included six nations: the US, China, Russia, UK, France, and Korea.
Add the multinational Athena, and that made seven.
Politically and economically entangled as they were, they set aside grudges for this WDO-hosted meeting on the Labyrinth assault.
Stopping the Labyrinth that could doom the world.
That was their sole goal.
Of course, that didn't make things cozy.
These were L-ranks too unruly to control even under normal circumstancesexpecting laughs and chatter would've been weirder.
"New faces tripled just a year after the last gathering. Quite the nostalgia."
Russia's Viktor Ivanovich Chekhov opened the floor. All eyes turned to the Korean delegation.