Chapter 88:
While my other initial novels have their share, none has contributed as much as this; I'm very grateful for you loyal readers. I haven't updated the adv chapters for some time, and I'm sure everyone's itching to know what other madness Seora will take part in. I'm now focusing on finishing shorter novels I'd been delaying since 2020 so I can focus better on finishing the longer ones when I'm free, and I promise you: I will finish Seora's adventures before the end of 2024. Once again thank you so much, and I'd hope you continue to enjoy our administrator's pettiness~!
This was the first time that consecutive L-classes appeared in one country within a span of two to three months. It would be strange if they weren’t curious about the sudden rise of this country as a powerhouse, attending the WDO meeting with the intention of targeting the Labyrinth.
“In addition, the rarely seen president of the Korea Association appeared in person. Now we have a chance to get a good look before we leave.”
“I didn’t expect this place to be a tourist attraction. I thought the renowned L-class Awakened would know how to conduct themselves.” Song Hanna remained true to herself. Even among a crowd of L-classes, she didn’t feel intimidated. She shouldn’t easily back down as a representative of the nation’s Awakened.
“You may be famous, but it seems your reputation is exaggerated. How could you bring such cowardly individuals to a place like this? Do I need to teach you everything since it’s your first time here?” Viktor pointed out that the attendants accompanying the other L-class Awakened were at least A-class Hunters, capable of handling any issues that may arise with other countries.
However, Korea didn’t require additional personnel, as Song Hanna personally attended the meeting with only Jeong Taeseok and Gong Haeyeon as her assistants. The two individuals of lower rank struggled to keep up with Song Hanna, overwhelmed by the immense energy swirling around them.
“Hey, Athena’s executive. Even though you’re from the same country as them, I feel obligated to give you some advice.” Viktor shifted his gaze toward Athena’s attendees, Captain Ali Russo and Yun Jaeheon. “Or perhaps you’ve decided to become stateless and betray your own country?”
“Meetings themselves have always been boring, at best.” Ali nonchalantly propped her legs up on the round table and lay partially stretched out. She didn’t even bother to look at Viktor. “Who the hell invited that guy? He can’t even participate in raids because he’s not up to par, and he’s only sent representatives so far. It’s ridiculous.”
“The one who’s not up to par is the nuisance beside you. An S-class representative? No, your companion isn’t even a representative. Perhaps just a meat shield?”
“Yeah, don’t worry. I already told him I’d use him as a meat shield if something happens. But let’s be real, I probably won’t even need it,” Ali remarked with a hint of amusement.
Secretly, Seora applauded her response.
It was widely known that Viktor, the L-class Awakened from Russia, had never participated in the Labyrinth raid, even after five years since his awakening. In interviews, he claimed to have a reason, but it seemed more likely that he simply didn’t meet the required standards.
“Coming here just for a fight is tiresome. A dangerous dungeon could have opened at any moment, so why are we wasting our time here? Time is a valuable asset. When is the president arriving?” Oliver Ross, the representative from Britain, broke the tension by banging the round table. Under the protection of a righteous archangel, he was willing to sacrifice his life for world peace.
Viktor and Ali fell silent, knowing that engaging in an argument with Oliver would only result in a lecture filled with righteous ideals.
Of course, when some people were disciplined, others grew annoyed.
“It’s been a while since I witnessed a good fight, and you interrupted it. How dull. As expected, the angel is straightforward.” Garcia from America cleaned his ears and glared disapprovingly at Oliver. The verbal clash that initially began between Viktor and Song Hanna now shifted to the two of them.
‘People are the same no matter where you go.’
Seora thought indifferently as she stood in the conference hall, amidst the chaos of pointing fingers and voices exchanging heated arguments. She hadn’t expected anything extraordinary, but the whole scene felt disappointingly cliché.
“Seora, Seora.”
Seora, standing as a representative, lowered her head as Seong Jarim, seated in front of her, tugged on her sleeve. With a composed expression, Seong Jarim asked, “What are they all saying? Despite speaking different languages, they seem to understand each other well.”
“…?” Seora was momentarily taken aback by Seong Jarim’s question. She wondered if Seong Jarim was speaking nonsense, but it quickly became evident that others had also heard the baffling question. Kang Sejun, Song Hanna, and everyone else who had heard it looked at Seong Jarim with absurd expressions on their faces.
“Huh?”
Seong Jarim, the culprit behind the question, appeared genuinely puzzled. She still had a bright and innocent expression, resembling a playful puppy. Seora rubbed her temples and asked, “Seong Jarim, don’t you have any translation skills?”
“Nope!”
Please don’t answer so cheerfully…
Translation was considered a fundamental skill that could easily be acquired at the item shop, so nobody had anticipated encountering someone who lacked it. Seong Jarim had been an active A-class Hunter before being trapped in Baskar, so it seemed unimaginable for her to be without such a basic skill.
“Isn’t she an L-class? She doesn’t even have the basic translation skill?”
“Can we really trust the Korean L-classes? Maybe we should exclude them from this raid. I don’t feel confident in relying on them.”
The gossiping voices were almost cute. Seora let out a deep sigh, about to explain to Seong Jarim that she could purchase the necessary skills from the shop when…
“Puhahaha! Something interesting has arrived!” Boisterous laughter erupted from the American side.
A youthful face with an endearing charm that made one want to pinch his rosy cheeks, paired with clear, sparkling golden eyes. It was none other than Julian Martinez, the top-ranked Hunter in the United States.
‘Wow. I’ve seen him on the internet before, but his ranking doesn’t match his appearance at all.’
It was difficult to believe that this person, Julian, was America’s top-ranked Hunter. He seemed far too petite compared to the imposing figure of Garcia, who was twice his size.
“I sense a certain familiarity because we have the same golden eyes. What do you think? Hmm? Would you like me to teach you?” With those sparkling golden eyes, anyone would have eagerly nodded the moment Julian stood up, even if it wasn’t his role to teach.
And that charm bewildered even Seora, who had developed some resistance to handsome individuals due to her experience with the Dream Jewel Beauty.
Seora wiped her chin with a satisfied expression. Thank goodness I didn’t drool this time.
【Administrator: (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻ㅁ┻】
‘Ah, I’m just saying he’s adorable, not that I love him. Look at him, he’s so focused on Seong Jarim.’
Well, he was simply showing interest.
“Seora, what is he saying? Maybe because he looks like a baby bird, it feels like he’s chirping.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
And silence followed Seong Jarim’s cheerful bombshell. Seora clenched her lip tightly. Big Sis Jarim, sometimes you drive me crazy, but this is the worst. I can’t laugh. I have to hold it in. I must! I’m just an F-class right now! If I burst out laughing, it will be a complete mess! Look at that guy—no, Julian’s face! He’ll kill me if I laugh!
‘He looks like a chick because of his blonde hair and golden eyes.’
To make matters worse, he was even wearing a yellow hoodie today.
Feeling the unbearable urge to laugh intensify, Seora grabbed Kang Sejun’s shoulder to stifle her laughter. Seeing Kang Sejun, who openly laughed at Julian unlike herself, struggling to endure her grip brought Seora a sense of calm.
“First of all, Seong Jarim-ssi, please purchase the translation skills before the meeting starts.”
“I can buy skills!?”
…
“You’re cursing me with your eyes so openly.”
“Oh, there’s no way I would do that to you. Haha. Hurry up and open the item shop,” Seora replied, but Seong Jarim could clearly tell she was being sarcastic. Seong Jarim sulkily opened the shop and followed Seora’s instructions.
Ali, who had been left speechless and dazed, suddenly slammed the round table and burst into laughter. “A chick! A chick! Uhahahaha! I really like this woman! Hey, Julie, you should embrace being a chick from now on. Hahaha!”
“America’s representative chick. That’s adorable.”
“It’s a nickname the fans will adore.”
Viktor and Oliver joined in the laughter. Garcia, who had a history of being defeated by Julian, was nearly in tears from laughing.
The sudden transformation of the top-ranked Hunter of the United States into a “chick” left Julian dumbfounded.
“Oh, there you go! Now I can hear you clearly! Yes, chick, what did you say just now?” Seong Jarim, having successfully acquired the translation skill, threw another playful punch. Now everyone was banging the table and laughing. The change in atmosphere was remarkable.
“I was worried, but the atmosphere is better than I expected. It’s been a year, everyone.”
At exactly 1 PM, Alexander Rodrick, the president of the WDO, entered without delay. With a neatly trimmed beard and half-white hair, he was quite taken aback to find the meeting hall filled with laughter. Instead of tables flying around in chaos, everyone was smiling around the conference table.
“President Rodrick, why are you so late? If you had arrived earlier, you could have witnessed something amusing. Be happy. Your number one has transformed into a chick.”
“Are you referring to Hunter Julian, Captain Russo?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“…?”
Chick? Who? Julian Martinez? That uncontrollable monster whose unruliness was unmatched?
“The Korean attendees are quite unique in many ways. Haha. I like it. I really want to see what Seong Jarim is capable of in this raid.”
“She seems like a nice person. Her pure heart is quite evident.”
“If she’s joining, make sure to pair her up with Julian.”
As the conversation continued, Rodrick alternated his gaze between the still-speechless Julian and Seong Jarim, who was smiling like an eager puppy. He wasn’t sure how, but South Korea seemed to have achieved something remarkable.
Quickly regaining his composure, Rodrick sat at the center of the vacant round table.
“First of all, congratulations to the three Koreans on their L-class awakening. As the president of the WDO, I cannot express enough how delighted I am that the Labyrinth Dungeon raid has become considerably easier. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Song Hanna, the president of the Korea Association, for bringing such energy to this event.”
Song Hanna gracefully nodded her head in acknowledgment.
“Now, before we proceed with team formation, I would like to hear the opinions of the three L-classes. Are you willing to participate in this raid?”
No one could compel an L-class to act against their will. Their power was beyond the control of any state, and although there might be murmurs of criticism behind the scenes, ultimately, it was the individual’s choice.
“Yes.”
“Yeah, count me in too.”
Kang Sejun and Seong Jarim were resolute in their decision. The only one left was Yun Seora, who was disguised as a representative.