Chapter 137:

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!

Although it wasn’t confirmed, it was highly likely that the majority of them hailed from China. The power dynamics in Northeast Asia had undergone a sudden shift, creating understandable anxiety. However, Song Hanna had never anticipated their actions would sink so low. How dare they underestimate me.

“Why should we tolerate those who entered illegally, especially those with impure intentions?”

“Give me your command.”

“Annihilate them. Spare not a single one who dares to defile my territory.”

“I will comply.”

A dark blue aura glimmered in Jeong Hoyeong’s lowered eyes. Simultaneously, the room plunged into darkness, and blue apparitions materialized one by one behind her. Before long, the room echoed with the cries of spirits. Yet, none dared to approach Song Hanna and challenge Jeong Hoyeong’s resolve.

【Activates ‘Title—Soothing Poem for the Vengeful Spirits’.】

All vengeful spirits obediently followed Jeong Hoyeong’s lead.

“I will eliminate those who dare disturb your land.”

As Jeong Hoyeong, loyal to Song Hanna, knelt and swore, the spirits vanished into thin air along with her.

The president’s office brightened once more.

Knock, knock.

“Is something amiss, ma’am? The lights flickered suddenly,” Chief of Staff Eun Jiho inquired, his face displaying puzzlement as he entered.

Sitting alone at the table, sipping tea, Song Hanna tilted her head. “No, nothing is wrong.”

Not sensing anything unusual, Eun Jiho excused himself and departed.

Alone, Song Hanna savored her tea with a contented smile. Hmm, it tastes delicious.

***

“You appear so elated that I thought someone must have died.”

Jaeheon, seated at his desk and scrolling through international community forums, quickly stood at the familiar voice. Captain Ali Russo leaned against the doorframe, giving him a look of disgust.

“You’ve arrived, ma’am.”

Despite his polite greeting, Ali had already noticed Jaeheon’s unbridled enthusiasm.

“Is it that thrilling that your little sister claimed the top spot?”

As soon as she spoke, Jaeheon’s expression relaxed once more. In Korea, they might have referred to someone like him as having a ‘sister complex,’ but the dictionary should have just said ‘Yun Jaeheon.’ How could one be so devoted to their sister?

“She jumped to first place as soon as she entered. Isn’t that impressive? She even outperformed the two L-class individuals who came before her. Her brother is so proud that it might bring tears to his eyes.”

“Does your sister have as intense a brother complex as you?”

“My sister also cares deeply for me. If our parents had witnessed it, they would have been delighted by our close sibling bond.”

Talking won’t get through to him. Ali muttered something about Song Hanna and how she managed to raise her niece and nephew.

“Did you forget you also ranked fourth? Your subordinates celebrated the fact that one of their regional bosses reached the top of the S-class, but all you could talk about was your sister. Thanks to that, the kids were disappointed. Those annoying guys aren’t even cute when they cry, so go give them a good talking-to.”

“Well, I suppose that’s a reason to be happy too.”

“From the beginning, it never made sense for you to be overshadowed by Song Hanna and Joo Eun all this time. Why do you think I brought you here? What you’ve accomplished here surpasses what those two did in Korea!”

“I’ve had numerous covert missions. There’s nothing we can do since there are no records within the Korea Association.”

“But still!”

When Ali raised her voice, Jaeheon chuckled. Her anger was typical of her, considering all the officers’ achievements were attributed to her.

“I’m quite pleased as well. Finally, I can stand on equal footing with Mom.”

Jaeheon clenched his fists, aware of his inferiority compared to his mother, who had swiftly risen to the top upon awakening. It was evidence that he still couldn’t fully harness his power, despite eight years passing since his awakening. His mother’s power remained formidable.

‘I still don’t know what happened on that day.’

Who or what had passed down his mother’s legacy to them twelve years ago? Despite joining Athena, he had scoured countless documents, but he hadn’t found anyone who had experienced the same thing as them. Since Seora had forgotten that time, he had to discover it on his own, but he felt overwhelmed without knowing where to begin.

One thing was certain: whatever had passed down the inheritance was quite favorably inclined toward the siblings. That was the only certainty.

“By the way, can I step out for a moment?”

“Well, why?”

“Because a congratulatory placard for Seora’s first place is scheduled for delivery. I need to pick it up.”

“…”

Ali looked at him with a look that said, “What am I going to do with this guy?” But there was no use in saying anything to a guy who had lost his mind as soon as his younger sibling achieved first place. Yun Jaeheon was currently the happiest person in the world.

“I was actually planning to assign you a mission. How about wearing the placard like a cape while you do it?”

“Is that allowed?” Yun Jaeheon genuinely excitedly asked if wearing a cape over Athena’s black uniform would look cool. At this point, Ali was starting to feel like giving him a good talking-to.

“Pull yourself together and start packing!”

“Yes, ma’am! Where are we headed?”

“India.”

“India? Isn’t that the country with the most S-class Hunters in the world? Did they request something from Athena?”

“It’s not precisely the Indian government; it’s a request from WDO. I mentioned it earlier, didn’t I?”

Gates and dungeons were portals to different planets in the universe. Upon returning to Athena headquarters, Ali discreetly informed only the executives of this information. She also revealed their decision to collaborate with WDO to investigate. The objectives were twofold: to confirm whether the gate was truly connected to the universe and, if so, to find a way to halt it.

Jaeheon, who had learned of this in Hawaii shortly after the Labyrinth’s clearance, nodded promptly. “If WDO is involved, then it must be a problematic dungeon. What’s the issue?”

“It’s a Level 2 Dungeon, and several S-class Hunters from India entered, but none of them have returned. Not a single one.”

S-class Hunters being unable to escape from a Level 2 Dungeon was highly unusual, particularly in light of the information about gates being linked to the universe.

“Understood. I’ll investigate immediately.”

“The objective is to gather information, not to conquer. Once you have any data, don’t push it and return promptly. Bring only the fastest individuals with you and ensure you have high-quality Gate Stones.”

“Yes. Yun Jaeheon, the Asia Branch’s executive, will carry out the mission.”

“If you wear that placard over your uniform, I’ll kill you myself.”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

Yun Jaeheon, in the middle of a salute, lowered his head with a disappointed expression. In the end, he only felt a sense of relief after Ali gave him a hearty pat on the back.

***

“This is my first time hiking Mount Gwanak.”

On a sunny weekend, Seora ventured into hiking, an activity she was not accustomed to at all. Finding Shin Dowon’s house proved tricky because it was located off the main hiking trail.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“I hope he didn’t build a mansion in some remote place like Baek Huiwon.”

Maybe it was because she had encountered someone like that before, but she couldn’t help feeling suspicious. Mentally preparing herself, Seora ventured deeper into the mountain.

【Administrator: ☞(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)☞】

At that moment, the administrator sent an emoticon pointing in a specific direction, as typical of the administrator. Seora immediately headed in that direction.

“Oh. Fortunately, it’s not a mansion.”

Deep within the mountain, in a secluded area with few people around, there was a wide space containing a small traditional Korean house, a hearth, and various tools. To anyone who saw it, it resembled the residence of a blacksmith.

“Excuse me. Is someone here?”

Before entering the yard, Seora shouted loudly. The neatly maintained traditional Korean sliding door opened, and a tall man emerged. Seora involuntarily widened her eyes.

‘Oh my goodness.’

With rugged, copper-colored skin, he wore a sleeveless shirt in the dead of winter, revealing his muscular shoulders, and a glimpse of sturdy muscles. His black hair jutted out like spikes, exuding a wild charm, and his fiery eyes beneath were as intense as flames. He possessed an aura akin to encountering a tiger in the mountains, and he was undeniably a man so handsome that he could put Kang Sejun to shame.

‘I usually prefer a more refined beauty over a rugged handsome man, but seriously, this is beyond personal preference.’

He radiated charisma that could make any woman’s heart skip a beat. Seora quickly wiped her mouth, worried she might have drooled.

“I heard a guest was coming. An important one, by the looks of it.”

His voice was equally rough. He was a genuinely attractive person from head to toe, and for the first time in a while, Seora’s heart raced.

【Administrator: (へ°-°)へ ┳━┳】

【Administrator: (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻】

Upon seeing the upgraded emoticon of someone flipping a table, Seora finally snapped back to reality.

“Ahem. Hello, I’m Yun Seora. I apologize for coming without prior notice.”

“You’re a bit late. Come in.”

His words were gruff, but his gesture of offering her a seat on the main floor was elegant. It felt like she should be asking him to mend her heart rather than a weapon.

【Administrator: ٩(๑ `н´๑)۶】

‘Administrator, could you please step aside for a moment? Do you realize how difficult it is to encounter such a handsome man?’

【Administrator: (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻】

‘Oh, if you’re jealous, Administrator, feel free to appear in front of me. Whoever you are, I can love you.’

【Administrator: (._, )… … .】

The administrator vanished with tears in his eyes.

“Hmph.” Seora let out a snort and then entered the room.