Chapter 93
Chapter 93
Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log – Chapter 93
At last, we meet face to face. I'm so thrilled by these circumstances that words can't even express it. Greetings once more, Headbang. I am Christopher Campbell of Guardian.
Damn, just as I thought. she figured it out from the cube. Yoon Se-ra let out a sigh.
What a shame. I thought I'd be able to keep it hidden a bit longer.
I didn't just figure it out now.
Huh? Pardon?
That was unexpected. Then when? Back when she was in Korea, he hadn't shown any sign of knowing at all.
There were three people on the rooftop during the S Hotel Dungeon incident. If Saint Forest isn't Headbang but an L-rank Awakener, then the only one left is you, Yoon Se-ra.
Right, that had happened. As memories of fooling Christopher came flooding back, she couldn't bear to meet his eyes anymore.
Se-ra scratched her head and averted her gaze.
S-Sorry for deceiving you. There were circumstances.
No need to apologize at all! I completely understand. Besides, you didn't lieyou just hid it. I'm the one who jumped to conclusions.
Christopher beamed. A bright, radiant smile that stung at Se-ra's conscience, which she hadn't even known existed.
So this is what it feels like to deceive an angel.
You already knew, so why didn't you tell anyone? The Guardian Guild Master is closely tied to the U.S. government, isn't he?
That doesn't make me part of the government. I have no obligation to report everything I know to the Association or the White House.
I'm not even American, and I have no plans to naturalize. Why go so far to protect me?
I have no right to arbitrarily disregard someone else's wish to hide their identity.
A halo. A halo was emanating from him.
Good heavens. A person this kind and upright.
No wonder there were rumors that an angel had chosen him because of his pure nature. It might actually be true.
And I want to build a good relationship with Yoon Se-ra as an individual, not just Headbang. I respect your efforts for peace.
His bright smile made the halo shine even brighter. It felt almost sacred, like she should drop to her knees in prayer right then and there.
Ahh. That shining halo of kindness, paired with his perfectly matching handsome features. Faith she never had was budding in her heart.
Of course, the jealous one immediately threw a tantrum.
You didn't kill the BlackJack leader.
No, she hadn't. Se-ra, who had been cooing to the Administrator that he was the best, turned to look behind her. The guild master trapped in the cube was glaring at them with bloodshot eyes.
As a Korean civil servant, I couldn't just casually kill the leader of an under guild. Naturally, I'll hand him over to the U.S. government.
Se-ra cast her eyes down mournfully, as if truly ashamed.
Of course, a small mishap occurred in the process, and those who orchestrated my kidnapping ended up dead. They tried to run, so I got a bit hasty.
Christopher, still completely susceptible to her acting, jumped up in protest.
No! Those scum deserved to die! Even in your anger, you showed us consideration. We're the ones who are ashamed.
A-Ah. If you say it like that
Well, thank you very much.
Sorry for the deception, but this whole mess was their fault to begin with.
Se-ra lightly trampled the flower of conscience that had bloomed from Christopher's kindness.
We'll take all of BlackJack into custody. Thank you for your great help in capturing them.
If you're grateful, please keep quiet that I was the one who resolved this. As I said, I don't want my identity revealed yet.
Of course. We'll do that.
Say that it was Association President Song Han-na who took down BlackJack while coming to rescue me. It won't stay hidden forever. The truth will come out when we leave for the Labyrinth raid.
We'll gladly follow your wishes.
Christopher bowed politely and swiftly handled the aftermath.
Guardian guild members who arrived after his call took all the captured BlackJack members into custody. Of course, Se-ra had made sure to threaten them first that revealing her identity would ruin their fun.
It wouldn't take long. They just needed to stay silent until the U.S. government negotiations were done.
After leaving the wrecked BlackJack headquarters, Se-ra returned not to the hospital but to the hotel, thanks to Song Han-na's firm insistence.
She had laid down the law, saying hospitals couldn't be trusted, that they would protect her here, and that the Americans shouldn't even think of touching her.
Now, all she had to do was wait.
Ah, what should I wring out of them?
Just try coming empty-handed. She wouldn't let them off easy.
* * *
Failure?
He couldn't believe it, asking several times, but the answer remained the same.
The kidnapping had succeeded, but the assassination had failed.
He had deliberately outsourced to the American unders to avoid any tails, so how could this happen? And not only did that placewhich had evaded Guardian for yearsfail the kidnapping, but it collapsed entirely? How?
For some reason, our headquarters location got exposed.
The man ground his teeth at his subordinate's report. He wanted more details, but the mouths that could tell the truth were already dead.
The U.S. side claims Association President Song stepped in personally. Guardian's Guild Master was with her
How is that even possible?! The kidnapping site was far from headquarters!
This was maddening. He had meant to tarnish Korea's reputation, but instead, he'd handed them a PR win.
Damn it. What do we do now
As the man anxiously bit his nails, his phone on the table buzzed shrilly, making his body flinch involuntarily.
The name on the screen belonged to someone he couldn't defy.
We're screwed.
Wei Hu. The one who had assigned him the mission and sent him to America.
The man squeezed his eyes shut and answered the call.
For failing the mission, he would die today.
* * *
It's been a while, Association President Song.
Song Han-na was quite surprised to see the visitor at the hotel.
Jo Milan. None other than the U.S. Association President himself.
I didn't expect the Association President Milan to come all the way here personally.
It was an incident involving our American Awakeners, after all.
Jo Milan was no pushover. No country puts just anyone in charge of representing their national Awakeners. Se-ra wondered if she could negotiate well with such a heavyweight.
Please, come in. The victim, Hunter Yoon Se-ra, is currently unable to move due to her condition, so I appreciate your understanding.
No, that's to be expected.
Se-ra had moved to the top-floor luxury suite where Song Han-na was staying and was lounging around.
Unable to move? Naturally, she was pretending. The bandages and adhesive strips on her face and body were all fake. But with her energy still at F-rank levels, Milan was completely fooled.
U.S. Association President Jo Milan has arrived.
Ah, hello. Sorry, I can't stand up from my seat right now
Se-ra, sitting with a weary expression, panicked and fidgeted dramatically. Even Song Han-na, who knew the truth, was momentarily taken aback by the flawless acting.
Good grief, Jae-hee. Your daughter was a pro actress. Who knew? Should've sent her to Hollywood instead of Hunter life.
No worries. I'm sorry to visit while you're unwell. Association President Song, if her condition is this bad, returning home might be difficult. Shall we send a Healer?
Thank you, but we're fine. We'll head back tomorrow as planned.
Tomorrow?
Hunter Yoon agreed as well. She seems more uneasy staying here.
What more could be said when the kidnapping victim felt that way? Milan nodded in acceptance.
On behalf of the Association, I apologize for this incident. Our oversight was lacking. We'll ensure compensation for the damages from our side.
As the main topic arose, Se-ra signaled Song Han-na. As rehearsed, she spoke up.
That includes proper compensation to me for taking down BlackJack, right, Association President Milan? I know full well that those who deal with under guilds get rewarded.
Of course. No need to worry.
And one more thing. I believe appropriate amends are needed for Headbang, who acts as Yoon Hunter's agent.
This was Se-ra's goal. A legal way to snag two great items right now without revealing her identity!
You've already contacted them?
They contacted us. Yoon Hunter's kidnapping was broadcast live in vivid detail. They're furious right now.
Blackmail?
No, advice. Unlike me, Headbang is quite lenient. Since the agent returned safely, they have no intention of making a big fuss.
But if you handle this lightly, they'll make it a huge deal.
Milan couldn't have missed the implication.
Money means nothing to an L-rank Hunter. What do they want?
Yoon Hunter here can tell you. She knows Headbang better than I do.
Visit the Association before you leave tomorrow morning. Can you manage?
Ah, yes! Of course.
That wrapped things up.
Jo Milan exchanged a few more words with Song Han-na before leaving the hotel.
Only then did Se-ra's expression return to normal. The fatigue and fear vanished, leaving Song Han-na genuinely impressed.
Should've made you an actress instead of a civil servant. Fooling an S-rank? You could've conquered Hollywood.
Honestly, even I was surprised. Maybe it's from pretending not to be Mom's daughter for over ten years?
It was a joke, don't make that face.
Sadness rapidly filled Song Han-na's features. A joke meant to lighten the mood nearly brought tears.
Part talent, but I actually earned the Title 'Thousand Faces Mask'.
You got that? The one infamous for its tough acquisition conditions?
The requirement was fooling ten S-ranks with acting alone.
No wonder even top-tier actors can't get it. You have to risk your life for that.
Song Han-na clicked her tongue, wondering how it could be only A-rank with such insane difficulty.
More importantly, you're going alone tomorrow? You okay with that?
It's not like the U.S. Association's going to kill me. No need to raise suspicions unnecessarily.
They could underestimate and ignore her for all she cared. Her goal was items anyway. Being dismissed was momentary, but high-end gear lasted forever.
America's got tons of good stuff, right?
You bet. Can't even compare to my arsenal.
Looking forward to it.
Avarice gleamed in Se-ra's eyes.
Hahaha. Just thinking about free gear made her blissfully happy already.
* * *
Se-ra entered the U.S. Association headquarters with bloodstained bandages on her face and limbs wrapped in gauze.
As expected, the scale was incomparable to Korea's. Even the entrance was dazzlingly opulent.
Isn't this gap too big?
Did all major powers' Associations look like this? No good. She should sell the Labyrinth loot and build them a new building. Couldn't have the Korean Association President losing face like this.
Feeling a bit better?
Instead of sending a subordinate as expected, Jo Milan was personally guiding her today. Staring at him blankly, Se-ra replied with a strained smile.
Much better, thanks to your concern.
No one would think she looked better.
You should head home soon to put your mind at ease. Let's go right away.
Ahem. She rode the elevator down with Milan, who cleared his throat awkwardly.