Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log

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“Seong Jarim, how many floors did the Labyrinth open on the planet you were on?”

“Ten. We managed to block up to the 9th floor, but due to the extensive damage, we couldn’t hold out any longer, and the world eventually collapsed on the 10th floor.”

“The structure inside the Labyrinth is said to be different on each planet, right?”

“Well, generally.”

“Generally? So, are there cases where it’s the same?”

“I can’t be sure, as I’ve only seen Baskar’s personally.”

Of course, it was a lie. However, she couldn’t talk about the ninth or tenth floors yet. It would only add confusion if others found out in advance.

“We need to report this to the WDO immediately. Just a few hours ago, we were celebrating the news about the Key, and now we have to deliver such sad news.”

“In the future, if dungeons with the appearance of gods emerge, Locks will be needed more than Keys. How disappointing.”

“But this is still better than it falling into someone else’s hands. Well done, Seora. WDO is preparing a reward, so just wait a bit.”

“Sure.”

“Since it’s late today, go back home now and take a day off tomorrow. Also, let Yu Jihyeok take a break.”

“Thank you.”

Seora’s face brightened as she got a day off with the privilege of the association’s president.

Seong Jarim and Seora left the president’s office. The president and the director would handle complicated matters. In a place like this, the higher the rank, the more responsibilities there were. If Seora was going to continue working at the association, she wanted to bury herself at the bottom.

“By the way, Seong Jarim. Why did you lie?” Seora asked as soon as they entered the elevator to go to the parking lot. Seong Jarim’s eyes widened.

“Huh?”

“Earlier, when the president asked if the Labyrinth’s form varies on each planet, you lied. Did you think I wouldn’t notice you lying?”

Song Hanna and Do Junyeong were oblivious, but Seora, who had been close to Seong Jarim, noticed. At that moment, she had definitely lied.

“It’s not different on each planet? Are there similarities?”

“Huh? Did I not tell you?” Seong Jarim wore a puzzled expression.

“About what?”

“Well, up to the 8th floor, they are all different, but only the 9th and 10th floors are the same on every planet… Didn’t I tell you this?”

“No, you didn’t!”

It was the first time Seora heard about it. She had only been told that the 9th and 10th floors were dreadful, but this information was entirely new.

“Did I only tell Kang Sejun? Sorry, I thought I had told you too.”

Seora thought she knew about the 9th floor only because she had heard it from Kang Sejun, but it turned out she had known about it all along.

Seeing Seora’s bewildered expression, Seong Jarim scratched her head with a sheepish look. “Since the labyrinth is ultimately a dungeon connected to different planets, what opens up is different for each. However, not for the 9th and 10th floors. There, it’s not a gateway opening to another dimension, but rather a passage where external things come through. That’s why it’s the same on every planet.”

To think that the 9th floor, which even frightened Kang Sejun and Seong Jarim, and the 10th floor that led the planet Baskar to the path of destruction were a passage for external entities to flow into this land. The unexpected truth left Seora’s mind in a daze.

“So, there might be a Labyrinth Break…?”

“It’s a bit different… Well, the monsters pouring out onto the land aspect is somewhat similar…”

“Why wouldn’t you share such important information?!”

“Didn’t Kang Sejun tell you? He said there might be individuals who see it as an opportunity. Even I think that’s likely. It would be more dangerous if widely known.”

“But how can people use monsters pouring out as an opportunity?!”

“Seora, in this world, there are those who willingly join hands with monsters. Just like the administrator of Baskar who tried to use the monsters from the breakout to kill me.”

“…!”

“Even an administrator did that, not to mention humans? Is there really that much difference?” Seong Jarim smiled strangely. She didn’t seem to be in pain because it was merely a thing in the past, but that made her seem more pitiful. It seemed as if she had become accustomed to such horrifying events.

“I understand your concerns, but forget about it. Anyway, once the news of the Labyrinth awakening spreads, Kang Sejun said he would reveal it. Besides, even if monsters appear, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Kang Sejun said the same. Why is that?”

“Well, because you have the system administrator with you. No one can mess with you recklessly.”

“…”

Since Seong Jarim, who knew about the existence of the system administrator, said that, Seora had no choice but to accept her words.

As Seora got into the car, she let out a deep sigh. She couldn’t grasp what exactly was going to happen in the Labyrinth.

“Oh well.”

Just as she was about to start driving, Seora’s smartwatch rang. It was a call from Baek Huiwon. What could be the reason for someone who had never contacted her before to contact her so suddenly? Seora took her hand off the steering wheel and answered the call.

“Yes, Baek Huiwon.”

—Yun Seora, where are you?

“At the association. Why? Is there a problem?”

Baek Huiwon’s tone was quite urgent. Given her special abilities, Seora’s heart skipped a beat.

—Where is your brother right now?

However, she didn’t expect to be asked something like this.

Seora’s face darkened. Seong Jarim, who was listening to the call together, also widened her eyes.

“My brother? Why are you asking about my brother?”

—To be precise, I can’t see his whereabouts. Did he happen to enter a dungeon?

Baek Huiwon’s words were accurate. Currently, Yun Jaeheon was on a mission from the WDO to investigate a special dungeon that had appeared in India.

“Yes, that’s right. But what do you mean by his whereabouts being unknown?”

—Entering the dungeon doesn’t make one’s presence disappear. Since the gate connecting that place and this land is open, he should faintly register. I may not know the details, but I can confirm his life or death. However, Yun Jaeheon’s energy suddenly vanished. It seems like something has happened.

Seora’s face stiffened. The hand gripping the steering wheel tensed firmly. Her energy, as if ready to explode at any moment, surged violently.

—But he’s not dead. It feels different from that. So don’t lose your composure and calm down.

As if she had predicted this, Baek Huiwon quickly added.

Seora tightly closed her eyes. For a moment, her heart raced like someone who had traversed hell and heaven.

“I’ll check right away. Thank you for letting me know, Baek Huiwon.”

—Don’t mention it. It’s only natural.

Seora anxiously bit her nails after ending the call.

“What are you going to do?” Seong Jarim’s face was also hardened. She knew how attached Seora was to her remaining family after losing her parents.

Unable to answer, Seora suddenly dialed a number. The name that appeared on the screen was ‘Brother from Across the Earth’.

“Didn’t Yun Jaeheon enter a dungeon?”

“He made preparations just in case something like this happens.”

Before entering a dungeon, Yun Jaeheon always entrusted his phone to someone trustworthy. It couldn’t be used inside anyway, and it was a precaution for times like this when Seora would worry.

If nothing happened, no one would answer the call. But if something did happen, at least one person would always receive that call.

Just like now.

—It’s me.

The voice that came through made her heart drop. The gruff and low voice belonged to Captain Ali Russo.

“Captain Ali?”

—Yeah. It’s been a while. It’s been a few months already.

Although a greeting was returned, she had no mind to acknowledge it. The fact that Ali answered the phone meant that…

“What happened to my brother?”

—I don’t know.

“What?”

—I said I don’t know. The raid team definitely went in with Gate Stones, but not a single person returned from the dungeon, including your brother.

Seora hastily let go of the steering wheel. Otherwise, she felt like she might break it.

—It’s a bit awkward to discuss the details over the phone. Besides, I was planning to contact you anyway, and the timing seems strangely fitting. Headbang, I formally request your cooperation. Help us out.

Seora’s eyes turned gloomy. If it was related to Yun Jaeheon, Ali wouldn’t ask for help unless absolutely necessary. Even if Song Hanna tried to stop her, she would go without a doubt.

***

Having parked the car in haste, Seora went straight back to the president’s office. Seong Jarim followed behind with a worried expression.

“President!”

As they opened the door, they were met with a serious atmosphere, where Song Hanna and Do Junyeong were present. Between the time she hung up the phone and came upstairs, it seemed that Ali had already contacted Song Hanna.

“WDO and Athena have formally requested your collaboration, not with Korea, but with you. However, Seora, even Athena couldn’t solve it, and if you go…”

Song Hanna stopped talking and touched her forehead. Yun Seora and Yun Jaeheon were both precious to her. Sending away one was already heartbreaking, but to send another to a place where danger awaited was too much.

It was an extremely cruel choice.

“The dungeon level was said to be Level 2, but considering the situation, it’s close to Level 1. Like the dungeon that occurred in Gangneung, there might be a god inside. It could be dangerous for you too!” Song Hanna clenched her fist and tried to dissuade her with an unwavering voice. But Seora remained resolute.

“I understand your concerns. But, ma’am, you know, even if you try to stop me, I’ll go.”

Seora had run from Mount Taebaek to Cheorwon when Jaeheon was in danger. Would it be any different in a more distant place like India?

On this matter, even if the administrator tried to intervene, she wouldn’t listen.

“I will go. I’ll head to the airport right away.”

The words of Baek Huiwon, who had contacted her before Ali, weighed on her mind. There was no time to delay any longer.

“In cases related to dungeon raids, when formally requested by the WDO, the decision to accept or decline the request is solely based on the individual’s consent, especially for L-class.”

“Seora!”

It was an international treaty established when the WDO was founded. It aimed to prevent nations from arbitrarily intervening in dungeon raids directly linked to global peace.

Due to this treaty, if Seora chose to accept the request, Song Hanna couldn’t stop her.

“President, that’s enough. You didn’t send me, I’m going on my own to save my brother. So please don’t feel guilty.”

For over 12 years, Song Hanna had raised Seora in place of her parents. This was Seora’s best decision for someone like her.

In the end, Song Hanna covered her eyes and let out a sigh.