Chapter 136:

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!

“Shin Dowon? I’ve heard that name before.”

It wasn’t a completely unfamiliar name like some others on the list, but she couldn’t quite recall where she had heard it before. Not to mention, this person was in his prime years at thirty-nine years old.

Seora was certain he wasn’t a popular item creator among Hunters these days. However, the fact that the administrator had included him in the list likely meant he wasn’t just an ordinary person.

“He was active for seven years after the cataclysm and then almost retired. It’s normal that I don’t know about him.”

She had just entered high school in the seventh year of the cataclysm. She hadn’t awakened or paid much attention to Awakened individuals then. Still, if the administrator had put someone who had been retired for six years on the list, there must be a reason to remember him.

***

“…”

On the first day back to work in the New Year…

Seora, who had been trying to smile at the people yelling “Headbang” in front of the association’s headquarters, finally lost it when she arrived at the office. Her difficult-to-maintain smile gave way to the cold look in her eyes.

“Yun Seora-ssi! Hurry, come over! We’ve been waiting!”

“Look at this! Can you believe it? Even on the first day of the New Year, we came early and prepared this!”

“Do you like it? Haha, I feel so proud. It looks amazing, doesn’t it?”

Behind their bright smile was…

“Congratulations to Headbang Yun Seora for achieving first place domestically!”

…a large placard with a design that was overly loud and content that she found somewhat objectionable. Seora sighed and held her forehead. She always wanted to leave work as soon as she arrived, but that feeling was stronger today than ever.

“Why are you all doing this to me…”

“Oh my! Yun Seora-ssi, are you so moved? I could hear your trembling voice!”

“Hehe, no matter how touched you are, it’s not worth crying over, right? Don’t cry, don’t cry. Of course, we understand your joy, but still!”

“Pulling tears from the eyes of Headbang Yun Seora. I’m so proud!”

That’s right! Yes! Amidst the cheerful cries of her colleagues, Seora genuinely wanted to shed tears.

【Administrator: (*≧∀≦*)!!!!!】

However, there was no one on her side here. The administrator’s emoji suddenly floated above people’s heads, showing even more excitement.

“Heh. I told you Seora would be thrilled. Fortunately, you listened to me.” The person who confidently made this statement was none other than Gong Haeyeon. Ah, it was you! You were the culprit!

“Indeed, Gong Haeyeon knows Yun Seora very well! She’s the biggest contributor of the Labyrinth Dungeon, so it’s only natural she’s ranked first!”

“Let’s quickly take a selfie and post it on our Bang’s fan cafe!”

“Oh, that sounds great! Everyone will love it!”

Click, click. Seora was taken aback by her colleagues pulling out their phones simultaneously. A fan cafe? Why are you all joining my fan cafe…?

“Has Yun Seora arrived at work?”

At that moment, the savior’s voice, Do Junyeong, reached Seora’s ears, causing her to snap her head up. Right, if it’s Director Do, he’ll sort out this situation right away. He will…!

“…”

But during the time she hadn’t seen him, something seemed to have changed. In Do Junyeong’s approaching, large hand, there was a neatly wrapped gift.

“Um, sir, that’s…”

“Ah, it’s late, but happy birthday.”

Seora accepted the gift wrapped in Christmas-themed wrapping paper without a word. It did bring back some old memories…

‘Receiving a gift after my co-workers take pictures of me with placards and post them on the fan cafe. It feels quite touching.’

Had Do Junyeong been affected by the employees while she dealt with the Labyrinth? With a melancholic expression, Seora carefully unwrapped the gift that was inside the packaging.

“Oh, this…”

“Thanks to your excellent physique, you probably don’t need it anymore, but just in case.”

Although his tone was calm, when their eyes met, Do Junyeong seemed slightly embarrassed, avoiding eye contact.

The gift he gave was none other than an ivory-colored scarf. Similar to the one from that warm winter memory when she was eleven years old.

“It seems like I always receive scarves only after the seasons change.”

In a situation like twelve years ago, Seora burst into laughter and immediately wrapped the scarf around her neck. Thanks to her improved physique, winter was no longer cold, but the warmth against her cheek felt good. “Thank you. I’ll cherish it.”

“…Alright.”

As Seora pulled the scarf up to her nose and smiled brightly, Do Junyeong also smiled. It was a truly rare, affectionate, and warm smile.

【Administrator: ʘ_ʘ】

At that moment, the administrator appeared puzzled, as if asking, “What are you all up to?” Just a moment ago, he was happily praising the placards.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

【Administrator: (へ°-°)へ ┳━┳】

【Administrator: (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻】

“…?”

The table-flipping emoticon had been upgraded while she wasn’t looking. Seora had no idea where he had learned that.

Seora approached the association’s president’s office at Song Hanna’s call a little later. She sat down in shock when she saw the much more chaotic placards than in her workspace stuck on the office wall. Oh no, Aunt…

“Hoyeong gave them to me. Aren’t they pretty? I love it.”

She wanted to die even more when she knew Emissary’s Guildmaster gave it.

“I took a photo and sent it to Jaeheon; he said he was so jealous that he wanted to make something similar and send it here.”

“Auntie!”

“Oh, should we make one more and hang it between your parents’ tombs to let them know?”

Just imagining it sent shivers down Seora’s spine. Despite her cruelty, Song Hanna laughed heartily without batting an eye. “You haven’t taken an S-class weapon I promised you yet, have you? Take it today. I heard the Crimson Mace broke.”

It was the weapon she had agreed to give as compensation for babysitting Seong Jarim. She hadn’t forgotten about it, but with the WDO conference, Cheorwon Dungeon, and her efforts in conquering the Labyrinth, she had postponed it due to the many tasks on her plate. Besides, she didn’t immediately need it.

“I’m thinking of leaving the Crimson Mace for repairs. Of course, I’ll still take one S-class weapon with me.”

“Repairs? It’s not just slightly damaged; it’s completely wrecked, so just give up on it.”

“I have to get my Regeneration Jacket repaired anyway, so it’s just along the way.”

“Do you want to leave them to the one contracted with the association?”

“No, it’s fine. I recognize some people. Just show me the list.” She didn’t doubt Song Hanna’s judgment, but she still wanted to entrust it to someone recognized by the administrator.

Song Hanna quickly provided the list. Among them, there was only one person who matched the choice of the administrator.

‘This person is here too.’

The name at the very bottom of the list was Shin Dowon, a young item craftsman who retired five years ago at 39.

‘To think that the administrator and Auntie still have an eye on him even after retiring.’

By now, Seora was incredibly curious about who this person was. “Who is this person?” she asked.

“Shin Dowon. He was the best among the first-generation item craftsmen. He even made weapons for your mother and me.”

“Wow, really? But why did he retire so early? He should have been in his prime in his mid-thirties.”

“I don’t know the reason. It was a sudden withdrawal. But you can still hear the hammering from his place, so it seems like he hasn’t completely quit. That’s why I included him on the list.”

“Weapons for Mom and Auntie…”

“Are you interested in him?”

What should she say? With the administrator’s recommendation, Seora chose him without hesitation.

“I’ll write a letter of recommendation. If you show it to him, even though he’s retired, he won’t chase you away.”

“Where does he live? I’d like to visit him this weekend if possible.”

“Mount Gwanak.”

“… What did you say?”

“Mount Gwanak.”

After visiting Mount Taebaek, it seemed that it was Mount Gwanak this time. Perhaps this person, like Baek Huiwon, had also built an illegal structure. Unlike Baek Huiwon, he had a relationship with the association’s president, Song Hanna, so it was unlikely.

“Why there, of all places?” Seora asked.

“It’s a mountain with a lot of minerals. A great place for a blacksmith who handles fire.”

In that case, the likelihood of illegal construction was very low. It was fortunate.

“Would you like me to come with you?”

“No, it’s okay. Just send me the address via text.”

After finishing the conversation and obtaining the recommendation letter, Seora left the flashy president’s office. Seeing her excited niece’s departure, Song Hanna chuckled. “Shin Do-won, huh? It’s been a long time since I heard that name. It would be nice if he could meet Seora.”

“Seora is strong; Shin Dowon-ssi will probably be interested.”

The response came as a mumble that was almost a soliloquy. From seemingly nowhere, a figure appeared. Sitting across from Song Hanna as if she had been there all along was the guildmaster of the Emissary Guild, Jeong Hoyeong.

“You’re still excellent at concealing yourself. Even Seora didn’t realize.”

“Could it be that she was pretending not to know?”

“She really didn’t know. Your concealment is so effective that even magical detection wouldn’t catch you, making it nearly impossible for anyone to know.”

Jeong Hoyeong’s concealment technique was exceptional, even within the world of assassins. In terms of concealment alone, she might surpass China’s Wei Hu, who was considered the world’s best assassin. It was all thanks to her unique constitution; nobody was like her in the world.

“You don’t know how much your ability helps me. Thank you, Hoyeong.”

“You’re my benefactor, so this level of assistance is natural. Please tell me anything you want. I’ll make it happen.”

“You’re already doing more than enough. What about the task I assigned you?”

Anger had replaced the hint of a smile on Song Hanna’s face.

“As you mentioned, ma’am. There has been an increase in the recent influx of foreign Awakened individuals into the country. It includes those who enter through legal routes as well as a considerable number using illegal means.”

“Their specialties?”

“Assassination.”

“Their nationalities?”

“While it’s not definite based solely on appearance, more than half are from East Asian countries.”

How predictable. Song Hanna sneered.