Chapter 90
Chapter 90
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 90
"Really that bad?"
The adorable young man tilted his head. His fluffy golden curls cascaded down with the motion.
Ha, yeah. With a face like that, it's no wonder he might fall for my looks!
"It varies from person to person, doesn't it? Of course, to me, you look plenty adorable."
"So Korean eyes aren't weird after all? Then why's she acting like that? Why does she hate me?"
"As I said, it varies from person to person."
"Then tell me what her type is."
"."
How am I supposed to know that?
"W-Well. Do you like being called 'chick' or something?"
I asked, figuring it couldn't possibly be that, but Julian's cute smile returned with his answer.
"Because it means I'm that adorable, so I let it slide. Plus, no matter how I look at it, you're a bit different from your average L-rank."
Huh? Huh? How did he figure that out? Could he see other people's info like with the saintess?
He showed no interest in me at all, so maybe he could only see L-rank stuff, or perhaps he sensed my returner trait. Perverted as it sounds, America's rank one isn't just anyone.
"Not like you'd understand even if I told you."
"."
Screw it. Maybe I should just activate Manager Protection.
Julian, blissfully unaware that his life had nearly been in danger twice, huffed and headed back to Seong Ja-rim.
I quietly stomped on Kang Se-jun's foot as he trembled with laughter beside me.
This guy's L-ranks were cuter than S-ranks, which was why they rubbed me the wrong way.
* * *
A man with his face hidden by a hat slipped quietly into a dim basement. Two othersa man and a womanwere already waiting amid the dust and moldy stench.
"Definitely F-rank."
The two snorted at the hatted man's firm declaration.
"Even if not F-rank, it'd be E-rank at best. I checked when she brushed past after the meeting ended."
"A proxy like that in such an important spot, and an F-rank? Sure works in our favor, but she's got no brains."
"An F-rank as proxy. Maybe some big shot's pulling strings to put her in a key position?"
The man shook his head hastily at the chilling question.
"No way. Our investigation shows she's just a lowly civil servant with no parents. Ordinary family, only notable thing is she assisted Seong Ja-rim for a while recently. Probably got the Headbang proxy gig thanks to that."
"Unusual resume for an F-rank. But that'll be why she dies."
No one batted an eye at the casual mention of death. The woman even toyed with her gun, looking amused.
"Make sure it's done cleanly."
"All this talk for offing some lowly F-rank. Hand over the advance. If even one diamond's short, your life fills the gap."
The hatted man handed over the bag without hesitation. Clink clink. The woman grinned satisfactorily as a dozen diamonds spilled out.
"Diamonds for the deposit, as expected. Perfect count."
"It'll be quick, so leave the rest at the drop spot ahead of time. I'll fill the empty space with proof of death. Now scram."
"Got it."
The bloody secret deal in the basement soon faded away. All that remained was the greedy clink of counting gems.
Perhaps a life would vanish just like that.
* * *
Unlike my worries, the three-day conference wrapped up peacefully.
"Now, announcing the participants."
Criteria: personal willingness to join, no injuries, and compatible abilities.
Thus, the selected members were as follows.
"Healer Monic Liberty, tank Oliver Roth, Ethan J. Garcia, Ali Russo, dealer Julian Martinez, Kang Se-jun, Seong Ja-rim, and Headbang. Total of eight."
"First-time Maze Koreans sending all three, while China and Russia sit out again."
Oliver grumbled as if he'd expected it.
China's Wei Hu skipped even the meeting due to the state chairman's opposition, and Luo Enwei had only joined one Maze raid before. Russia's Victor flat-out refused.
"Jealous? If you're that pissed, don't go yourself."
Victor sneered without shame. Oliver scowled.
"No sense of decency. That's why all L-ranks get trashed for lacking personality."
"What'd you say?"
"Why get mad, Victor? You skipping out and your shitty personality are both facts."
Ali cackled. True to his awful personality, Victor kicked the round table and fumed like he might lunge.
But as every L-rank in the room turned to him, he just turned beet red and shut up. He knew better than anyone he was the weakest and couldn't win a single fight.
"Team's set, no need for me anymore? I'll head out."
"Bye."
He left the conference room. No one saw him off.
"Man, this lineup's stacked with fun folks. New faces, even the captain. Chick toocan't wait."
"You execs not joining this time?"
Monic asked, and Jae-hun glanced briefly at Se-ra.
"Got injured in the Cheolwon Dungeon, so sitting this one out."
To be precise, his little sister threatened to kill him if he joined while not fully healed, but few knew that.
"Only L-ranks going... Hope nothing like floor 6 happens."
Those who'd joined the sixth-floor raid griped about jinxes.
Ten L-ranks had gone then; three died. And right after clearing, the dungeon collapsed, so they couldn't even recover one body.
"This time's different. We've got someone with the fancy title of Omniscient Mage."
All eyes turned to Kang Se-jun at Ali's words.
On day one, he'd revealed his trait: a combat mage who could wield every elementunique worldwide.
Raid success rose with top healers and mages, so he'd be key this time.
Se-ra knew his utility firsthandcough, his greatness.
With the raid soon, she'd share the eighth-floor layout from his past life intel soon.
Couldn't tell everyone, but briefing her and Ja-rim would boost win chances plenty.
"Plus two L-rank sub-healers? Easiest ever. Way better than tossing in a weak-attack S-rank healer. Main healer's me, after all."
Monic jabbed at Seong Ja-rim and Oliver Roth, who could restore party HP. Garcia sniped back.
"Right. L-rank sub-heals for a perfect zombie horde? Hey, Zombie Queen, why not start a zombie guild with your trio?"
"Shut that yapping trap before I zombify you?"
Didn't know she had such a sharp tongue. Watching her swing a fist, Se-ra wondered if all healers were like that.
"With the raid team set, see you all on the Maze Island in two weeks."
President Lordric's words ended the three-day conference.
Pacific island with the Maze Gate.
21 days until it opened.
Unlike other dungeons, Maze clears could take days, so 21 days prep wasn't long.
Se-ra had to steel herself and prepare thoroughly.
* * *
Breaking: Maze Floor 8 Raid Team Set
Korea Sends All Three L-ranks
Headbang's Veil Lifts at Last?
Athena Captain Joins Shockingly!
News of the team spread like wildfire.
Headlines flooded the net; reporters swarmed WDO HQ.
"They said reveal after returning home? Cameras are scary."
Their eyes gleamed so fiercely, even exiting terrified her. Could kill with a mic at this rate?
"To reassure the public. Gotta smile, right?"
Song Han-na had a point.
'Spotlight'll be on Kang Se-jun and Seong Ja-rim anyway?'
Proxy spot was the best. Shame she'd have to reveal herself soon.
"Koreans here! All L-ranks!"
"President Song! One interview please! How do you feel with your country's L-ranks all joining?"
"True Seong Ja-rim the combat-type can sub-heal?"
"Hunter Kang Se-jun! More details on your abilities?"
"What's Headbang doing now?!"
Cameras and mics thrust from all sides as they exited. Other countries' L-ranks exited together too, but reporters mobbed this side especially.
Se-ra slipped to the car first amid the trio's distraction.
Splash.
"A puddle?"
No rain, yet water pooled on the ground. Too much for a spill.
"Everything alright?"
A WDO guard approached. As Se-ra shook her head saying it was nothing
'Liza?'
The Admin's shocked emoticon signaled trouble. Maybe a sudden dungeon? Se-ra scanned around.
Like the S Hotel incident, it'd probably countdown 10 minutes. Plenty of strong folks here, so even crowds wouldn't be risky.
"Yoon Se-ra? Something wrong?"
Waiting for the message, Se-ra sensed oddity.
How'd a WDO staffer know a lowly civil servant's name? Not even at the conference?
"Good instincts for an F-rank. Too bad it's too late."
His black eyes widened in sneer.
Laughing? She reached to grab his collarthen suddenly plummeted into the shallow water on the ground.
Sploosh! Water surged over her head instantly. Bubbles from her open mouth blurred vision. Holding breath, she kicked to surface
"Huh?"
Somehow out of the water, she was slumped in a totally different place.
No cameras, reporters, or noise.
Not the open WDO HQ, but some dank, filthy basement.