Farewell and the Serpent's Resolve
The eighth SS-rank hunter in history, and Korea's official second SS-rank hunter.
Everyone gathered there was thrown into confusion by Kwon Je-na's emergence, rushing to devise countermeasures on the spot. But I wasn't particularly urgent about it.
No matter what, they wouldn't think we could be found so easily.
Our first appearance had been in China, after all. Rather than my sudden emergence from the Seoul Great Labyrinth, they'd be far more interested in something else.
Like whether there was a passage inside the labyrinth leading to another labyrinth.
If such a thing existed, the changes it would bring to the hunter world would be incomparable to a mere SS-rank monster.
I could roughly predict how busy the hunters would be from now on.
Even though there was absolutely nothing like that.
While the hunters were distracted by other matters, we could return to the labyrinth and resume our peaceful lives.
And once enough time had passed for interest in us to die down...
'I'll come back and kill them all.'
As I'd said before, there were no set lines or limits to revenge.
It wasn't over until I was satisfied.
I didn't want to end my tribute to Arde with something this paltry.
'To do that, I need to grow stronger. Far stronger than I am now.'
This incident had driven it home to me, bone-deep.
I had grown strong, but I was still lacking.
I needed to become even stronger.
Strong enough not to yield to any interference or variable.
'I planned to take it slow, but the situation has changed.'
Conquering the Seoul Great Labyrinth.
I felt the need to turn that vague imagining into action.
'I wonder what lies at the end.'
Treasure, like in the other labyrinths?
If so, there would naturally be a labyrinth lord—a dungeon boss—guarding it.
How strong would that one be?
SS? SSS? Or beyond?
A faint smile tugged at my lips as I pictured that future.
Suli, nestled in my arms, tilted her head. 'Daddy, you feel good?'
I gently stroked her as I anticipated that not-so-distant future.
"So, is it my turn now?"
I turned at the sudden voice.
There stood White Rose, beaming just as she had at the start.
I stared at her for a moment, then glanced at Jeong Soo-ah.
"Why is that here?"
"Oh my. Even you, Master, calling a lady 'that.' Your words are a bit much..."
"A mere sword playing at being a lady... I can indulge you if you wish?"
White Rose smiled radiantly at my subtle gaze.
"I'm the sword that's always waited to be drawn by you, Master. Please do as you desire."
I turned away as she bowed her head slightly.
Jeong Soo-ah, who had received my question, scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"She came looking for me first. She already knew all about you, Chairman. I thought you'd sent her on purpose... I'm sorry."
I frowned slightly at Jeong Soo-ah's deep bow.
It was fortunate the intruder was White Rose. What if it had been someone else?
It was an inexcusable lapse in vigilance.
"Please don't scold her too much, Master. You're at fault too for not giving us a heads-up."
"...True. That's on me too."
I nodded slowly, looking at Jeong Soo-ah.
She gazed back with a tense expression as I spoke flatly.
"Be more careful next time."
"Yes. I will."
I turned away again as she bowed.
White Rose was still beaming at me.
"...So, why did you come here specifically?"
"Am I not allowed to visit now that I'm fully yours... no, your sword? Besides, getting acquainted early will make coordination smoother down the line."
"Coordination?"
"Yes. Manager Jeong Soo-ah is practically the organization's second-in-command, handling all major and minor affairs. I don't know what moves you'll make next, Master... but wouldn't it be wise to know who's friend and who's foe, just in case?"
I fell silent at White Rose's smiling words.
She had a point.
However.
"So you took it upon yourself to act without my permission?"
"...I apologize for that. I'll apologize to Manager Jeong Soo-ah as well for putting her in an awkward spot."
"N-no, Amy Hunter! You don't have to bow that deeply!"
Jeong Soo-ah glanced nervously at me as White Rose stood and bowed deeply.
I watched for a moment, then sighed and nodded.
From what I'd observed with my Magic Eye of Clairvoyance, there was no malice in her actions.
Just a touch of playfulness.
"I still don't trust you."
"I'd expect no less. The suggestions on me are limited to 'do not antagonize Master' and 'do not divulge Master's information.' Nothing more."
"...Exactly. That's why I'm curious. Why are you so loyal to me?"
White Rose met my piercing gaze with a suddenly calm expression.
"I told you once before. To me, you are like a 'father.'"
"Ho?"
"Cung?!"
"Shh~?"
"Kyung?!"
I ignored the four startled gazes and focused on White Rose's words.
She smiled faintly at Snow, Suli, and the family's reactions before continuing.
"You didn't directly shape my existence, but you were undoubtedly the catalyst for my birth."
"And for that alone, you'll follow me?"
"It was no small thing to me. Amy's original personality, the faint remnants of Charlotte's lingering thoughts, and my own as the sword White Rose. I was on the verge of ego collapse, and your suggestions became my guiding light."
Her words weren't easy to grasp, but she smiled brightly.
"You don't need to understand. I simply wanted to become your sword."
With that, White Rose knelt on the floor and bowed.
"Please allow me to become your sword."
She bowed like a knight from some movie or drama.
I gazed at her for a long moment before speaking.
"Raise your head."
"...Yes, Master."
Our eyes met as she lifted her head without hesitation.
Despite her words, I had no intention of taking them at face value.
I'd just prepare thoroughly to ensure she couldn't betray me.
'I learned something useful from Yoshida's boss before.'
So that if anyone peered into her mind, it could backfire on them.
She'd self-destruct before betraying me.
I layered even stronger suggestions atop the existing ones.
White Rose accepted the entire process silently, without resistance.
The lengthy procedure finally ended.
[Ugh... So tiring! My eyes hurt! Just kill her and be done with it!]
I quietly ignored the left head's usual grumbling and turned away.
The others, who had watched silently, kept their mouths shut.
They needed the same treatment.
There was, of course, no resistance.
* * *
Afterward, I gave Jeong Soo-ah and the others several instructions before departing.
I couldn't dictate every detail since the situation could evolve unpredictably, but I trusted them with it.
They were all capable; they'd handle any issues that arose.
If something beyond their capacity occurred, I'd told them to quietly withdraw—no worries there.
"So, we're heading back now?"
Snow asked suddenly on the way home.
"Yeah. It's about time."
"Hehe. I never imagined our brief outing would drag on like this. It was a delightful time."
Snow smiled faintly, gently stroking Suli in my arms.
"Did you have fun too, Suli?"
"Cung-cung~!"
It was human speech, not her usual thoughts, so she probably didn't understand—but Suli replied brightly anyway.
Seeing her smile so purely, she must have enjoyed it.
"Shh~"
"Kyu!"
Rue and To Soon-i seemed to have enjoyed it too.
I smiled quietly at the children's bright faces.
"I wonder if the lizardmen are doing well. We went pretty deep this time—did they not come to report?"
"If we're returning, I wanted us all to go together."
"Hehe. I see."
Snow smiled faintly and pulled out her smartphone from the pocket of her now-familiar pink tracksuit.
"Farewell to this as well. I'd only just gotten used to it... such a shame."
"...We can't use outside items in the labyrinth."
"That's truly regrettable. No more daily dramas... Hmm."
I grew a little fearful as Snow furrowed her brow slightly—would she refuse to go back over this?
As I hesitated on what to say, Snow grinned mischievously at me.
"Worry not, my lord. Do you think I, of all people, would refuse to return over something like this, unlike Suli?"
"...Was it obvious? Sorry."
"Hehe. We've spent quite some time together now. I can read you without words."
"Is that so? Same here."
"Oh? Truly? Then what am I thinking right now?"
I studied Snow's expression for a moment, then chuckled.
"You look just like Suli right before she pulls a naughty prank."
Snow smiled without denying it.
It was spot on, no doubt.
"Hwa-yeong must be heartbroken. After years apart, she has to part from her brother again."
"...Probably. But I can't take her with us."
The labyrinth was beyond harsh—brutal.
No place a human like her could adapt to.
Besides, as a human, she belonged among her kind on the surface.
"She hides it well, but she's quite worried. About the previous incident, and this one too."
"...I see."
"She acts cheerful, but you know there's anxiety beneath. You'll handle it well, but still—I'm asking you to."
I nodded at Snow's sidelong glance.
I'd planned to talk with my sister before leaving anyway.
Not lightly, nor cheerfully.
We walked leisurely—unlike usual—and arrived at my sister's home.
That night, my sister and I had a long talk.
She cried, laughed, and got angry.
So did I.
It wasn't something to resolve easily, but thankfully, we got through it smoothly.
Now I could return with peace of mind.
And the next day.
"Take care."
"...Yeah. Eat well. And the labyrinth... stay out if you can."
"As if. Didn't we settle that last night? You do your thing, and I'll do mine!"
"...Right. You'll do fine. Do whatever you want. I'll always support you."
"...Thanks. You too—be careful... no, go easy on killing hunters."
"They came hunting first. This is self-defense."
She grimaced briefly but straightened her expression soon after, unwilling to end on that note.
"Anyway, take care, bro. Look after sis-in-law and the nieces."
"No need to state the obvious."
"If something happens, I'll drop everything and rush over. Right, sis-in-law?"
Snow smiled faintly and nodded at her gaze.
"See? You better treat her right, bro."
"...I will, without you saying."
"Sure you will. Sure."
She sighed, lightly petting Suli in my arms.
"Our cute, pretty Suli. See you next time."
"Myaang~..."
"Rue and To Soon-i too. Stay healthy till we meet again? Auntie will visit soon!"
"An S-rank like you, saying you'll come anytime."
She glared at my smirk, then spoke energetically.
"Anyway, that's all! You can go now."
She stepped back a few paces.
Then waved gently from a distance.
Both of us knew this wasn't goodbye forever, so there was nothing more to say.
We'd said all that mattered last night.
"Take care."
"You too."
We parted, promising a reunion whose date was unknown.
And without hesitation, I entered the labyrinth.
Now, homeward.
* * *
Yu Hwa-yeong watched her departing brother and his family until they vanished from sight, then slowly lowered her waving hand.
A shadow fell over her once-bright smile.
It hadn't been long since they'd parted, but she already missed them.
Her brother, her new sister-in-law, the adorable nieces.
'If they go back like this, that big house will be empty again.'
The realization brought a bitter loneliness, and she smiled wryly.
She'd once taken an empty house for granted.
But she'd already grown accustomed to those short days with her brother's family.
'Maybe visit the raid team?'
Her raid members, constantly texting about scheduling the next expedition.
She'd refused due to time with her brother, but they'd persisted.
Now she could meet their expectations.
With her brother found, she could live purely as a hunter, free of other motives.
A life unbound by anyone, undisturbed.
'Gotta treat the team better.'
She'd always worn her mask, keeping them at arm's length—but now she felt the need to change.
Nothing held her back anymore.
She pulled out her phone to call raid member Yang Yu-i, her heart light—then scowled at the incoming call on the screen.
Her faint smile hardened.
Click.
After long hesitation, she answered. A familiar baritone voice came through.
Yu Hwa-yeong spoke in a trembling voice.
"Yes, Father."
She still needed a little more time for true freedom.