Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log

“It was only a while ago that two L-class Awakened appeared, improving our position. And now we fell into the abyss right away.”

The association’s meeting room where the Cheorwon Dungeon raid team gathered.

Song Hanna snorted and threw the newspaper onto the table. It was not domestic paper. All of these, with provocative headlines, were overseas’s. 

“Many places slander Korea. Aside from  Korea, all the places with Locked Dungeons are on lockdown.”

Dungeons that were so terrible that if you hadn’t been lucky enough to get the special item called Lock, they’d swallow not only the country but also its neighboring area. As such, criticism of South Korea for not properly managing key items increased daily.

「Korea failed in managing their Key! Is this allowed?」

「Korea’s ability to manage crises is poor. They need help from other countries.」

「The thing that this incident should destroy is Korea!」

「Korea only cares about their country’s Locked Dungeon. A selfish country!」

Yoo Soo-eun clicked her tongue. “But most of them are just checking Korea, which has L-classes, right?”

“That doesn’t mean we didn’t do anything wrong. It is exactly our fault that this happened.”

Yoo Soo-eun grumbled at Hanna’s calm answer and shut her mouth.

“I apologize for pushing you into a dangerous place because of my mistakes. If there’s anyone who should go, it should be me.”

“That’s not true.”

“No, no.”

“Absolutely not.”

Everyone in the seat denied Song Hanna’s words.

“The association’s president moving in an uncertain situation where Cheorwon may or may not be breached? How absurd.” Joo Eun shook his head resolutely. “You must keep your position. Remember that the association’s president is the spiritual pillar of Korea right now.”

After the outbreak of the first Level 2 dungeon 12 years ago, it was Song Hanna who reestablished Korea, which had been severely reeling. She pushed all the S-classes into Cheorwon, dragged down all the high-ranking government officials who were trying to get them out of the country, and set up an inviolable association to save everyone regardless of whether they were Awakened or non-Awakened. Even though she was not the strongest Awakened in Korea now, people instinctively sought her out when they were in danger.

So Song Hanna had to stay in place.

“And this is not your fault. Even the association’s president doesn’t have the ability to discern lies.”

“Right, right. The problem is the ones who tried to fill their own pockets even while betraying humanity. People should keep their humanity to the end.” Eun Injae, the leader of the Sunset Guild, also agreed.

“Thank you. However, as long as I am the association’s president, such excuses will not work. So I’ll do what I can. The association will support you in whatever you need, so don’t worry about your back and just look forward.” While you are in Cheorwon, I will protect this place.

Only then did everyone’s faces become comfortable at the reassuring yet exciting remarks. As expected, Song Hanna was someone who could manage the situation well.

“I don’t know whether Cheorwon will open or not, but let’s set our way of fighting in advance just in case.”

Everyone nodded their heads at Joo Eun’s words.

“Then let’s start with the combat position first. First of all, Hunter Kand Sejun and Hunter Yoon Jaehun. I often collaborate with others to know their abilities, but we don’t know much about the two of you. Can you tell us what kind of ability you have?”

“I am a combat swordsman. I can make wide-area attacks, but I deal the most effective offense toward a single target,” Yoon Jaehun was the first to reveal his abilities openly.

“You are similar to Director Do.”

“I am stronger in defense, and Yoon Jaehun is stronger in the offense. The single main dealer will be Yoon Jaehun.” Do Junyoung’s words were reliable. Joo Eun nodded gently and placed Yoon Jaehun in front. “What is your detection range, Kang Sejun?”

The longer the meeting, the more meticulously the layout was completed, and the attack methods became more diverse.

With this, they could end the bloody cancer cells-like dungeon that had plagued Korea for a long time this time. It differed from 12 years ago when Korea faced the dungeon without preparation.

***

The day the raid team left for Cheorwon.

Seora saw them off as a public official belonging to the association, not Jaehun’s family. Thanks to this, she had to face other S-classes as well.

“Oh, the frail civil servant! How have you been? Do you have any problem with the puppy?” Yoo Soo-eun, who hated Sung Jarim so much, was the first to run and look around Seora. Seora looked at Jarim with an expression of having lots of things to say but would not say, and Yoo Soo-eun nodded as if saying, “I understand.”

“Ah, are you the civil servant who had a hard time because of Suwon-cchi last time?” This time, Eun Injae intervened. To be precise, it was because of Han Suwon’s guild members, but Eun Injae seemed to have completely forgotten about that.

“Ahh, after going through a lot then, you still had to take on the L-class after that? You must’ve truly suffered, little fellow.” Eun Injae also patted Seora’s other shoulder. As she smiled with an ambiguous face, Han Suwon quickly pushed Eun Injae and intervened.

“How have you been?”

“Ah, it’s alright.”

“Why didn’t you contact me at the S Hotel Dungeon Break? If I had known sooner, I would have run right away.”

Ah. Seora, who recalled the fact belatedly, looked blank. Right. I should’ve contacted Han Suwon instead of waiting for Do Junyoung. If I did, I wouldn’t have been caught using my abilities. Besides, there would have been no need to lie to Christopher, who had intervened too late!

“… Don’t forget to contact me next time,” Han Suwon, who had read many things from Seora’s face, said silently without asking anything more. Upset, Seora nodded with a sad face. “And my guild is always open, so if you change your mind, feel free to contact me…”

“Clear Blue Guild’s leader.” When Do Junyoung cut in, Han Suwon backed away, clicking his tongue in displeasure.

As four S-classes suddenly gathered, the gazes of the other characters naturally turned in this direction.

Joo Eun appeared next.

“I think I met you for a while in Seoul Forest. Is that correct?”

“Yes. I’m grateful for that time. I’m Yoon Seora from the association’s Management Office.”

“I didn’t know that you had so many connections. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

 I know, right? How did I get acquainted with all the S-rankers here…?

What’s even more fascinating was that they weren’t the only ones.

“… You look healthy.” Even Kang Sejun, who had only been sneaking around, eventually joined. But Seora knew the meaning in his eyes.

‘I can’t believe you’ve met so many S-classes. Do you really intend to hide your identity?’

Well damn, she had nothing to say.

“You seem to be on good terms with many people.”

Seora almost bit her tongue at the interrupting voice as even Yoon Jaehun stepped into this situation.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Yoon Jaehun.” He was on the verge of bursting into laughter as he shamelessly greeted Seora.

My gosh. I never thought my brother would do such a nasty thing.

“I-It’s our first time meeting… I’m Yoon Seora…” But now, she was not Yoon Jaehun’s younger sister but a low-level F-class civil servant who had to appear flustered, so she couldn’t say anything and bowed her head.

You damn brother. I hope we can meet later without caring about ranks.

“Why is everyone clinging to the little fellow, huh? Look, she’s shaking.” Yoo Soo-eun mistook Seora’s trembling from being betrayed by her own brother for a different meaning and hugged her with one arm.

Kang Sejun and Sung Jarim, the only ones who knew Seora’s secret, looked at the innocent Yoo Su-eun.

“It’s amazing. Yoo Soo-eun is caring for someone she doesn’t know very well.”

“She’s someone suffering from Suwon-cchi and the puppy.” In short, she felt sorry for someone suffering from people she hated. 

Sung Jarim secretly avoided her gaze.

“Did you guys enjoy the conversation? I’m glad that Seora gave everyone a laugh before leaving.” At that time, Song Hanna intervened and clapped her hands, but the corners of her lips were trembling, too.

Seora recognized Song Hanna’s expression this time as well. Like Jaehun, she had a face that seemed to be holding back from wanting to burst into laughter immediately.

“I know everyone wants to play more, but do the rest when you come back. We’ll maintain this place until you return.”

Everyone kept quiet in the heavy words that followed. It was a situation where the people who just laughed and chatted together had to walk on their own feet toward the land that might turn into hell.

“Your presence will soon bring great relief to the people. I pray for everyone’s safety.”

At Song Hanna’s request, everyone said don’t worry and smiled broadly.

While looking at them individually, Seora finally fixed her eyes on Jaehun. His clear brown eyes, sparkling as pretty as glass, smiled at her. Like saying don’t worry, nothing will happen.

It was the same face as when he smiled at her the day he went abroad.

“Have a safe trip.”

Seora politely bowed her head toward the S-classes who had become close to Jaehun.

Even if things go wrong and the Cheorwon Dungeon opens, I hope that everyone will be able to return here without exception. Seora prayed to the gods who would be watching over everyone.

***

With the news that the raiding party had settled in Cheorwon, war clouds hung over. Hopeless words flowed out from everywhere that if the frontline collapsed, Korea would eventually end.

The association’s headquarters was a little more firm, but there were still sighs of concern from time to time.

“I think everyone is rather nervous because nothing is happening.”

Seora sympathized with Gong Haeyeon’s words.

“I don’t want it to appear, but… Oh, I hope it just fizzles out at this rate.”

“What kind of person stole the Key and created this mess?”

After the massacre of Castle Tower, they’d searched everything, including item shops and auctions, but the Key was never found. As the disappearance of the Key became known and the world went wild, nobody could tell if the culprit was hiding to save themselves or if they had any other plans. Seora had tried asking the administrator, but they didn’t answer.

“That person should just try not to get caught, or else I won’t leave them alone.” Because what had happened to the whole world thanks to them? Castle Tower was at fault first, but so was that person.

“Seora, you got a text message.”

Seora looked at the cell phone on the desk at Jarim’s words. The contact name of the sender was ‘Avoid At All Cost’. It was the returnee who was building an offensive line in Cheorwon.

‘His name is Damage, but I’ve never avoided him.’

How to ignore the contact of someone on the front line? Eventually, Seora sighed and looked at the screen.

[Sorry, but can you go to Mount Taebek?]

Mount Taebek? Why there?

[A Rift Dungeon will appear there soon. Please take care of it.]

Wait, what the hell is this?!