Chapter 88
Chapter 88
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 88
In the span of just two or three monthsand from a single country, no lessL-ranks had appeared one after another. It was the first time ever.
With these sudden powerhouses joining the ranks of great nations, it would have been strange not to feel curious about their attendance at the WDO labyrinth strategy meeting.
"And even the elusive Korean Association President shows up in person. This is gonna be one hell of a show."
"Yeah. I never thought I'd end up as the sideshow when I came here. Aren't they renowned L-rank Awakeners? I figured they'd at least know basic etiquette."
Song Han-na was Song Han-na through and through. Even surrounded by L-ranks, she didn't cower. As the representative of her nation's Awakeners, she couldn't bend to mere ranks.
"All reputation, no substance. But your rumors seem overhyped too. Bringing along weaklings who can't even handle being here? Is this their first time? Do I need to explain everything?"
As Victor said, the attendants who came with the other L-ranks were at least A-rank Hunters. It was to better handle any issues that might arise with foreign parties.
But since Song Han-na had come personally for Korea, no additional personnel were needed, so she'd only brought Jung Tae-seok and Gong Hae-yeon as support.
The two lower ranks were barely holding on behind her. Even the casual auras they exuded in this battle of presences were overwhelming for them.
"Hey, Athena exec. They're your fellow citizensshouldn't you have given them a heads-up?"
Victor's gaze turned to Athena's two attendees, Captain Ali Russo and Yoon Jae-hun.
"Or did you decide to go stateless? Traitor?"
"You're the one boring everyone at this meeting we all bothered to attend."
Ali propped her legs up on the round table and lounged back sloppily. She didn't even glance at Victor.
"Who the hell invited that guy anyway? He's not even qualified for raidsshould've just sent a proxy."
"Not qualified? That'd be the rattle by your side. An S-rank who's barely support material. Wait, noyour little rattle's not even support. Just a meat shield, right?"
"Don't worry. I already told them to use you as a meat shield if shit hits the fan. Oh, waitprobably won't need to. You'll just run away anyway."
Se-ra, who had been pretending to be intimidated amid the top-tier banter, clapped inwardly.
It was well-known that Russia's L-rank Victor, five years awakened, had never once joined a labyrinth raid. He'd given interviews claiming he had reasons, but clearly, he was just not up to par.
"Wasting time on petty squabbles after coming all this way? Dungeons are breaking out somewhere right nowwhy are we squandering time? Our time is valuable. When's the Chairman arriving?"
Britain's representative, Oliver Ross, slammed the round table to shatter the tension.
Blessed by the Archangel of Justice, he was the type to lay down his life for world peace.
Fighting him would just earn a righteous lecture, so Victor and Ali shut their mouths.
"Was looking forward to watching a fight after so long, and you butt in? Ugh, no fun. Angels are always so rigid."
Of course, there were those who vented their full annoyance regardless of lectures.
America's Garcia picked at his ear and eyed Oliver with displeasure. The verbal sparring that started with Victor and Song Han-na shifted to the two of them.
'Wherever people are, it's all the same.'
In the conference room filled with pointing fingers and raised voices, Se-ra thought indifferently. She hadn't expected anything special, but it was disappointingly clichd.
"Se-ra, Se-ra."
As a proxy stand-in, Se-ra was standing when Seong Ja-rim, seated in front of her, tugged at her sleeve. Se-ra leaned down. Ja-rim asked with an innocent smile.
"What're they all saying? Languages are all different, but they sure communicate well."
"...?"
For a moment, Se-ra wondered if the girl was spouting nonsense. But apparently, she wasn't the only one who thought so.
Kang Se-jun and Song Han-na, along with everyone else who'd heard, stared at Seong Ja-rim in bewilderment.
"Huh?"
The culprit herself looked clueless, sporting a blank puppy expression. Se-ra rubbed her forehead.
"Seong Ja-rim-ssi, no translation skill?"
"Nope!"
Don't say it so brightly...
Translation was a basic skill easily bought from the item shop, so Se-ra hadn't imagined anyone lacking it. She'd been active as an A-rank before getting trapped in Vascohow did she not have it?
"That one's really L-rank? No basic translation skill?"
"Can we trust Korea's L-ranks? Sideline her for this raid. Can't rely on that."
The outright tongue-clicks were almost cute by comparison.
As Se-ra sighed deeply, about to explain she could buy it from the shop
"Puhahaha! Something fun just walked in!"
A booming laugh erupted from the American side.
Boyish face, cheeks you wanted to pinch, sparkling golden eyesa strikingly lovable appearance.
None other than Julian Martinez, America's ranking number one.
'Wow. Felt it from pics online, but that cute face with that savage rank...'
Who'd believe that guy was America's top? Hard to imagine him grilling Garcia, who was twice his size.
"Plus, same golden eyes as mefeels like kinship. Whaddya think? Want me to teach you?"
Those twinkling golden pupils nearly made Se-ra nod despite it not being about her.
Wow. Even she, who'd built some resistance thanks to the dream jewel beauty, was charmed by this cuteness.
Se-ra wiped her chin happily. Good. No drool this time.
'It's just cute, not that I love him. Look at thattotally smitten with Ja-rim.'
Well, he probably just found her amusing.
"Se-ra Se-ra, what's that one saying? Sounds all chirpy like a chick 'cause he looks like one."
"......"
"......"
"......"
And Seong Ja-rim dropped her innocent bomb, plunging the room into silence.
Se-ra bit her lip hard.
Ja-rim unnie. There are times I feel like I'll go mad because of you, and this is the peak.
Don't laugh. Hold it in. Hold it! I'm just an F-rank scrub right now! Burst out and I'm screwed!
Look at that chickno, Julian's face! He's murderously glaring!
'Blond hair, golden eyes, all yellowyeah, looks like a chick.'
Come to think of it, his outfit today was a yellow hoodie too.
Se-ra clung to Kang Se-jun's shoulderunlike her, he was openly sneeringclenching to stifle her laughter. Seeing him writhe in pain calmed her a bit.
"For now, Seong Ja-rim-ssi, let's buy the translation skill before the meeting starts."
"You can buy skills?!"
"......"
"You're glaring way too obviously, y'know?"
"Oh my. As if I'd glare at you, Seong Ja-rim-ssi. Haha. Now open the item shop."
She knew it was a lie. Pouting, Ja-rim opened the shop and followed Se-ra's instructions.
Ali, who'd been staring blankly in shock, belatedly slammed the table and roared with laughter.
"Chick! She called him a chick! Bwahaha! I love that girl! Hey, Julie. From now on, you're Chick. Uhahaha!"
"America's rep is a chick. Cute."
"Fans would love that nickname."
Even Victor and Oliver chuckled. Garcia, who'd been walloped by Julian before for showing off, was practically sobbing.
America's ranking one, suddenly demoted to chick, looked utterly dumbfounded.
"Ah, done! I can hear everything now! Yeah, Chickwhat'd you say earlier?"
Having safely bought the skill, Seong Ja-rim landed another punch. Now everyone pounded the table laughing. Perfect icebreaker.
"Was worried, but the mood's better than expected. It's been a year, everyone."
1:00 PM sharp.
WDO Chairman Alexander Roderick arrived without a second's delay.
With his neat beard and salt-and-pepper hair, he looked quite surprised at the laughter-filled room. Table flying? Noflowers of laughter blooming?
"Chairman Roderick, why so late? Came early, you could've enjoyed the show. Be happyyour ranking one's a chick now."
"You don't mean Julian Hunter, do you, Captain Russo?"
"Yup."
"...?"
Chick? Who? Julian Martinez?
That uncontrollable monster who outdid everyone in eccentricity?
"Korea's first-timers are causing all kinds of headaches. Haha. I like it. Especially wanna team up with that Seong Ja-rim girl for this raid."
"She seems nice. Pure-hearted."
"If you're pairing, stick her with Julian."
Roderick glanced between dazed Julian and grinning Ja-rim like a retriever. Korea had clearly pulled off something big.
Composing himself quickly, he took the empty central seat at the round table.
"First, congratulations to Korea's three new L-rank Awakeners. This makes conquering the labyrinth dungeon far easierI'm thrilled as WDO Chairman. And thanks to Korea's Association President Song Han-na for gracing us."
Song Han-na bowed politely.
"Before forming teams, I'd like your opinions first. Do the three of you intend to participate in this raid?"
No one could force an L-rank's actions. Their power lay beyond national controlbacklash might come, but the choice was personal.
"I am."
"Uh, me too."
And Kang Se-jun and Seong Ja-rim weren't the types to back out from something like this.
The only one left was Yoon Se-ra, disguised as their proxy.