Chapter 89
Chapter 89
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 89
Everyone who knew her secret was zeroed in on Se-ra. Especially the gaze of Yoon Jae-hun standing behind Ali Russoit burned the hottest.
"I'm Yoon Se-ra, proxy for Korea's L-rank Awakener, Headbang."
She could pull off any act with perfect composure, but calling herself that ridiculous name was pure agony.
"Of course, he said he's participating as well."
"First meeting, and he sends a proxy? I was hoping to catch a glimpse of his face."
"Is Headbang planning to keep his identity hidden forever?"
Se-ra shook her head at Roderick's question.
"He said he'll reveal himself once he's confirmed for the raid team."
"Good. I'm curious, so let's slot him onto the team for now."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than France's Monique Libera jumped in.
She was the sole healer among the roughly ten L-rank Awakeners in the world and had joined every raid without fail since awakening.
'Rumors say she can reattach a severed head and save you within a minute. Is that for real?'
She was practically immortal herself, earning nicknames like Zombie Nick or Zombie Queen. Of course, she hated being called that.
"Has he permitted sharing his abilities?"
"Of course. His trait is a unique ability type: sniper. He utilizes space. I'm not entirely sure to what extent."
It wasn't a lie.
Her upgraded skill upon reaching L-rank, 'Space Domination.' She hadn't fully tested it yet, so even Se-ra didn't know its full applications.
"Space utilization as a unique ability type? That's a pretty rare trait. Not bad."
"Exactly, so let's add him to the team. The ranger scouts up front, sniper attacks from range."
"What's the explosive power like?"
"Back when he was S-rank, he took down a Grade 2 beast in one shot."
"Oh, I remember. When Headbang first showed himself, right? Man, I was floored watching it on YouTube."
It was China's rep, Lu Yuanwei.
Even Se-ra had to admit the footage from back then was shocking. Who the hell had the presence of mind to film without flinching amid all that? Must have had like six lives. Would've been nice if he'd spared one for me.
"Lucky it was just S-rank back then. Otherwise..."
Lu Yuanwei smiled meaningfully and glanced behind him. A proxy standing there for another Chinese L-rank.
'Public Security uniform.'
One of China's two L-ranks was from Public Security. Wei Hu, the loyal dog of the Chinese President, commander of all Awakeners in China.
The fact that nothing was known about him despite his position spoke volumes of his skill. He was the most dangerous among all the world's L-ranks.
"Well, he made it to L-rank anyway. Must be living large?"
It had to chafe China pretty bad. They'd been the undisputed powerhouse with two L-ranks, only for neighboring Korea to crank out three in a row and edge them out.
Rumors had been swirling that things weren't great in China lately. Looked like they were true.
Why were they so obsessed with other countries?
"Living large, thanks to you all. We can finally settle a long-standing grudge."
Kang Se-jun spoke up for the first time.
No one missed that his "long-standing grudge" meant the Cheorwon Lock Dungeon.
"Feels like pulling a rotten toothpure relief. Hope China gets to feel this soon too."
China had its own unsolved Lock Dungeon.
Lu Yuanwei chuckled like it was amusing, subtly ribbing them about when they'd clear theirs. His proxy, on the other hand, wore his displeasure openly.
"Let's continue the meeting."
Chairman Roderick's mediation quieted the room again. It was the smooth handling of someone who'd dealt with L-rank egos multiple times.
Thanks to that, the first day's meeting wrapped without further disruptions.
* * *
The meeting was set for three days.
No one knew what lay in Labyrinth Floor 8 or what monsters awaited, so caution was key.
Of course, that was for the brains at the WDO. The Hunters spent non-meeting time enjoying themselves however they pleased.
So the Koreans could relax too...
Unfortunately, Seong Ja-rim, who'd tagged along excitedly to sightsee America, was suffering now.
"Argh, seriously! Get lost, you chick!"
Chased by a golden chick, no less.
"Why? You kept calling me chick, so I'm acting like one. What's the problem? And why keep running? Who's bullying you? Let's just play!"
"No way!"
The skill to make Seong Ja-rim flee after she'd trash-talked chicks herself. What a formidable foe. Ranking 1st wasn't for just anyone.
"This is why you watch your mouth. Screw up and run into pervs, and boomlife ruined."
Se-ra deeply agreed with Kang Se-jun. Who knew that cute-faced Julian was a perv? So tragic.
She ignored the Administrator's point.
"Julian Marty doesn't even get mad at being called chick. Guess he actually likes Seong Ja-rim."
The trio ran into Julian when they entered the hotel lounge. There he was, waving innocently at them.
For a second, she thought he was there for revenge over the meeting, but noperevenge in the most unexpected way.
Weird. She'd heard Julian was brutally cruel despite his lovable looks, so why act like a real chick?
Everyone else in the lounge bolted in horror at the sight of him, so the rumors checked out.
"He must really like the nickname."
"A full-grown man as a chick. So pervy."
"Totally pervy."
Oblivious to Se-ra and Kang Se-jun's chat, Julian kept chasing Seong Ja-rim.
"Still, if you don't see him as a threat, he must not be bad."
"Nah, he's one of the most aggressive in Labyrinth raids, but no need to guard against him."
"Huh. Unexpected."
"He says it's great because he can unleash his cruelty without holding back."
"Pervy."
"Totally."
Not just for fun fights, but to flaunt his viciousness. What a dangerous guy.
"We just gonna let that go? Seong Ja-rim won't lose, sure."
"She'll handle it. Worry about yourself instead."
"Me? Why?"
Se-ra, popping a plump sausage in her mouth, went wide-eyed.
"What's to gain from messing with an F-rank scrub?"
"Exactly why it's riskier. Nothing to gain from you, nothing to lose either. Perfect warning shot at Headbang, right?"
"Warning?"
"More like at Korea. Plenty out there who don't love you having three L-ranks."
China and Russia popped into her head instantlytheir less-than-warm vibes. Especially that Public Security proxy's glare...
"Raid together, and watch your back too. Never know when they'll swing."
"Isn't that too paranoid? Fail the Labyrinth, we all die anyway."
"Not like it'll only happen there. Borders mean we raid together anytime."
"You know this firsthand?"
His reply was a cryptic smile. Se-ra sighed.
"Can't warn 'em off ahead. Just gotta handle it."
"I'll be with you, or Seong Ja-rim. Don't sweat it."
"That's not the worry."
Se-ra gazed into empty spacesomewhere the Administrator might be watching.
'Liza, does the Guardian blessing work in dungeons too?'
'It does.'
And seeing how excited it was, the Administrator wanted to use it.
The Administrator's blessing 'Guardian'triple payback on enemy attacks temporarily.
With that, any ambush on her would boomerang back, likely fatally.
"Hey."
Se-ra startled at the face suddenly shoved in hers.
Peach-soft cheeks, cherry lips.
Good lord. A face straight out of a novel. Her expression melted at Julian up close.
'No, stop!'
Se-ra schooled her face and backed away from Julian. She'd nearly turned this darling young man to mush.
"Hey. Am I ugly or something?"
The youth, clueless he'd almost been repelled, pouted.
"Uh, what?"
"It's weird. I'm this cute and lovable, so why's she dodging me? Huh? Do Koreans not like my looks? No way, but just checking."
"..."
What was this fresh weirdo?
She kinda wanted to ask if he was an adult Narcissus.