Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log

We kindly ask for your understanding regarding the inconsistency of character pronouns, particularly for the Entities (ex. The Greedy Predator). In Korean, pronouns are rarely used, making it challenging to ascertain a character's gender or identity until later narratives unfold. Update twice a week [SUN] & [THURS] starting August 2024! Also please check out our new Hunter series!

“… Yun Seora.”

Do Junyeong, who had been silently observing the situation, interjected. Perhaps due to hearing the news that his closest friend was in danger, his eyes were tinged with red.

“If you head towards India to save him, Yun Jaeheon will blame himself. It might become a lifelong trauma for him. Can you handle that?”

“If I were in a dangerous situation, wouldn’t he have rushed to help? Since we share the same sentiments, in the end, he will understand.”

Do Junyeong bit his lip. He was the closest friend who had promised to protect. Just like Song Hanna, he couldn’t choose one over the other. However, Yun Seora, who shared blood with Yun Jaeheon, would suffer more than them, so it could no longer be stopped.

“Support…”

Finally, he uttered the words that Song Hanna couldn’t. But Seora shook her head. “I won’t accept support since I’m going against the will of the association. I’ll go alone. Anyway, all the necessary personnel are already there. Seong Jarim, you stay with Kang Sejun here.”

“No. At least take one of us with you.”

“No. You inform WDO about the changed dungeon situation. You know about it the best.”

Seora refused Seong Jarim’s company, as she deemed herself enough to take on the danger for Yun Jaeheon.

“Auntie, don’t worry. I’ll come back safely.” Seora tightly embraced Song Hanna, who still couldn’t find her words, and held onto Do Junyeong’s hand. Between his tightly bitten lips, blood droplets had formed. “I’ll come back safely. Just as you kept the promise to protect for a long time, I will also keep the promise to come back for sure.”

“… Please come back safely with Jaeheon.”

After giving a faint smile, Seora stood. The hands that had been holding each other let go.

“I’ll be on my way then.”

Seora bid farewell to them—Song Hanna, Do Junyeong, and Seong Jarim—who couldn’t hold onto her and couldn’t easily let her go.

It’s uncomfortable, I know, but I hope they understand. She didn’t want to lose her family again, not for the second time.

***

Combat gear, jacket, weapons, and more–Seora always kept everything she needed in her inventory for unexpected situations. Therefore, she headed to the airport without the need to pack separately.

The call from Kang Sejun came around that time.

—I heard from Baek Huiwon.

“…Of course.”

—Let’s go together. It’s dangerous alone.

Kang Sejun requested to accompany her without saying anything else. Somehow, Seora felt strange. When did their relationship become close enough for them to agree to go together to a dangerous place? Seong Jarim was like that too.

Honestly, it felt reassuring, and she liked it.

“It’s okay, Mr. Kang Sejun. Besides, it’s not a good thing for two L-classes to go to overseas dungeons simultaneously.”

—Is it time to worry about such things?

“I’m worried about the people who stay behind. Please stay here for my aunt.”

—Instead of worrying about family, think about your own safety.

Seora laughed. There was nothing more to say.

“Moreover, you have things to do here. Seong Jarim and I found something in the Gangneung dungeon.”

—Actually, I just talked to Seong Jarim a moment ago. She mentioned that the god Hephaestus appeared. I never imagined that the gods’ manifestation in dungeons is due to the influence of the 9th floor.

Kang Sejun sighed. He complained that due to his haste to survive, he hadn’t had the chance to think about such causality.

“I don’t know about the 9th floor, but you must report this to WDO. So, you take care of that with Seong Jarim.”

—…Talking more here won’t change your stubbornness, I guess. Alright. Don’t worry about things here.

“About the India dungeon, have you heard anything?”

Kang Sejun fell silent in response to Seora’s question. If it was something he remembered or if it never happened, he would have answered immediately. Since that wasn’t the case, Seora harbored hope. She hoped for even a little information.

“It’s okay, just tell me. Is it a very dangerous place?”

—There was a dungeon in India where several S-classes went missing. But I didn’t mention it because I didn’t know that Athena joined the expedition. Especially Yun Jaeheon…

Yes, because Yun Jaeheon had not survived until this time in his previous life. Driven mad by Seora’s death, he killed Park Jinyong and then took his own life.

“…”

The horrific scene from Do Junyeong’s nightmares flashed before her again. Feeling a sudden tightness in her throat, she loosened her tie and stuffed it haphazardly into her pocket.

—As far as I remember, it seemed to be a Maze Dungeon.

A Maze.

Seora realized why Yun Jaeheon hadn’t returned yet and why no one who had gone there had returned.

—It was revealed by a survivor who barely made it back. However, I heard there were no monsters there. I remember the Maze was so wicked that it received a Level 2 classification. Later, it was eventually sealed with a Lock, and there hasn’t been any further information. I’m sorry.

“It’s okay. Just knowing it’s a Maze Dungeon is enough. Thank you.”

—Are you sure I don’t need to come with you? I don’t know if detection magic will work in a Maze Dungeon, but as a Mage, it might be better if I accompany you.

“It’s okay. Anyway, in a Maze Dungeon, we’ll end up separated upon entry.”

Besides, even without detection magic, she had the administrator. Even in the dungeon, she believed she could find Yun Jaeheon with that.

【Administrator: ٩(*•̀ᴗ•́*)و】

As expected. With the assurance from the administrator that it could be done, Seora felt relieved.

“I’ll come back safely, so please take care of things behind.”

With that, Seora ended the call.

A Maze Dungeon. It had already been over a month since Yun Jaeheon entered there. He must return safely.

Looking at the airport that had appeared without her realizing it, Seora fervently prayed.

***

Seora boarded the fastest flight to India. People who recognized her couldn’t stop whispering.

It was unusual for an L-class Awakened, especially one like her, to take a train to Busan and then board a flight to India. Particularly because she had departed directly from the association, she was dressed in formal attire. Not appearing like she was on a casual trip, more attention was inevitably drawn to her.

This fact quickly spread through the internet, including various communities, thanks to people’s discussions. Even Lee Gilsang, who was paying more attention to Seora than anyone else, heard about it.

“So, Yun Seora took a flight? To India?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The secretary showed him witness accounts that had surfaced online. It wasn’t just one or two; there were even a few pictures. She had indeed headed to India.

“Hasn’t the association said anything about it?”

“There has been no official announcement so far. However, it has been confirmed that Yun Seora returned to the association right before heading to the airport, completing her mission in Gangneung.”

Lee Gilsang was already aware of the Gangneung mission. She and Seong Jarim had successfully tackled the gate that had emerged underwater. With this information becoming public, her credibility had risen, making him angry.

However, this sudden trip to India was unexpected, especially right after returning.

“Is it not a personal trip?”

“It doesn’t seem that way. Eyewitness accounts are stating that she didn’t pre-book the flight but arranged it on the spot.”

“To depart so urgently… Could it be that a dungeon appeared in India? And they requested support from Yun Seora on that side?”

“However, even if that’s the case, is there a reason for India to urgently request support from Yun Seora? It seems more reasonable to request from another L-class instead of someone who only recently became one… and there’s Athena as well.”

“That’s why we need to find out now! Why are you standing there stupidly! Find out right away!”

“Yes, yes!” The secretary, bowing to Lee Gilsang’s command, hastily left the room. With a click of his tongue, Lee Gilsang tapped on his desk.

“Indeed, even in urgent situations, it doesn’t make sense for India to urgently call for Yun Seora.”

India is the country with the most S-classes globally. In the past, they confidently claimed the title of the world’s strongest nation with one L-class. However, after the death of that individual during the raid on the 6th floor of the Labyrinth, they experienced a slight decline.

Nevertheless, they remained strong. With a large population, they had a significant number of powerful Hunters. Moreover, the Brahmin class, positioned in an absolute position, supported the Hunters in exchange for their safety. For them, handling most dungeons with their strength was more than possible.

So, there was no reason for India to request support from an L-class in Korea. Even if they did, it would be Athena, who is stateless. Furthermore, if it were a formal request, Yun Seora would have likely taken the association’s exclusive aircraft due to the urgency.

“Something’s fishy.”

It was clear that something unusual had happened.

A smile of anticipation crossed Lee Gilsang’s face. Yun Seora leaving in haste, the association remaining silent. Perhaps this could be a significant opportunity for him.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that might not come again.