Chapter 37

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“What a terrifying force. I understand you’re strong, but stop exuding your strength. There are not one or two lives here that the lift of your finger will destroy.”

“Oh? Oops, I forgot because I didn’t think I did that much. I’m sorry about this.”

Jarim scratched her head and lost her momentum. The sound of employees breathing out of relief was heard everywhere.

“Honestly, I’m a bit confused about other people, but I recognize the cold big sister there. You’re the number one person in Korea, right? Oh, my…”

Jarim, who looked around at Song Hanna, uttered an exclamation.

“The older sister named Jung Hoyoung over there is also a monster, but you are a real monster. Why are you so strong? Oh, my. The number one ranking is extraordinary.”

“Not now. The world has changed a bit while you were gone, Miss Jarim.”

“Huh, did you just mention my name?”

“I saw it on the list of missing Awakeneds. It’s been five years since you left.”

For the first time, the atmosphere of Jarim, who had been smiling like a large dog, subsided enough to suit Yoo Soo-eun’s expression of “puppy”. A bitter smile appeared on her lips.

“Five years… I see.”

“I’d like to hear more, so let’s move place. Director Do and guild leaders should follow. We never know when we will meet the missing Awakeneds again, so it would be better to hear from one of them in advance.”

Seora stroked her chest and poked her head out when everyone left the office.

Fortunately, it’s done.Unlike Kang Sejun, the woman didn’t see this side, so at least I won’t get involved soon.

[Activates ‘Title—System Administrator’s Contractor’. Check the other person’s information…]

However, as soon as the message appeared, Seora bowed her head again.

‘I’m not going to do it! I’m not going to see it!’

Do you want me to be shocked by seeing something strange again, like when I saw the returnee? I absolutely hated it.

There is a saying that ignorance is bliss. It is best to flow like water without knowing anything.

***

“I am a saint who restores stamina with holy power and leads everyone to salvation.”

The president’s office. At the introduction of Jarim, who raised her head proudly, the atmosphere became colder.

“… So, what’s your name?”

When asked back by Do Joon-young, who had been silent for a long time, Jarim shrugged.

“Sung Jarim.”

[T/N: It’s a play on words. The word ‘sung’ (성) can also mean ‘saint.’ So it’s like she’s saying her name is “Saint Jarim”]

The atmosphere became even colder. This time, Yoo Soo-eun looked like she wanted to tear that mouth open. Song Hanna comforted the angry Chihuahua.

“Then are you a Healer? But you were registered as a combat field in the association.”

“The healer trait developed. Otherwise, I would have died already.”

“It’s just that developing a healer trait when you’re in the combat field is a very rare case. Plus, you were confirmed as an L-class without measurement… Have you signed a contract with the highest Entity?”

L-class was special, and when confirmed, all of Awakeneds would be notified. Like when Kang Sejun was measured with the official measuring instrument in the association.

However, Jarim had not been measured. That meant that she was with an Entity that was strong enough to raise her to L-class just by signing contacts, like Song Hanna and Joo Eun.

Surprisingly, however, Sung Jarim flatly denied it.

“The existence of Entity is not the only thing that determines the rating. The achievements that I have accumulated alone are also recognized.”

“What? Does that mean…”

Jarim smiled as she looked at Yoo Soo-eun, whose eyes were wide open.

“You can become strong enough without making a contract with Entity. Of course, you will need both talent and time.”

“Are you saying that you haven’t made a contract?!”

Reaching L-class with one’s power. It was ridiculous. As everyone knew, there was not a single person like that in the world.

Yoo Soo-eun said she couldn’t believe it and smashed the table, but unlike her, Song Hanna was not agitated.

“Dungeon is different from the reality we live in. It would be no wonder if talent were forced to bloom if they had repeated the battle of death every day there.”

“She must have some basic talent. As registered in the Awakened system, she was originally an A-class Hunter.”

“The A-classes these days are scary. Even the previous L-class Awakened was originally an A-class.”

Jarim’s eyes widened at Song Hanna’s words.

“Oh? Is there anyone else besides me? Hey, I think the world has changed significantly in 5 years.”

“I am now in third place. With so many young strong players coming out, the first generation like me will soon become old people in the back room.”

“If the tiger goes to the back room, are the rest of us going to go to the closet?”

Yoo Soo-eun murmured.

“There is a slight chance that the missing Awakeneds who were swept into the dungeon are still alive. We should report this to the Dungeon Organization.”

The World Dungeon Management Organization (WDO) was intensively investigating dungeons. They would surely be delighted when this fact became known.

However, contrary to Do Junyoung’s expectations, Jarim was reluctant.

“Well. Of course, the probability cannot be said to be completely 0%, but it is extremely close to 0. Honestly, I never thought I would return to Earth.”

“What?”

“I wasn’t sure at first, but now that I hear what you’re saying, I know for sure.”

The dog-like smile disappeared in an instant. Her appearance of acting like someone with a missing screw in the head disappeared, and the atmosphere froze at once.

The five S-classes who were present were able to realize this once again. The fact that this person was an L-class above them.

“Earth still doesn’t know where the dungeon and gate are connected, does it?”

“Are you saying you know?”

Everyone’s faces hardened.

WDO was created to find out where the gates and dungeons came from and to eliminate the source. However, even though it had been decades since its establishment, it was still unknown…

Does Sung Jarim know?

“Because I’ve been in the dungeon for a long time. Even if I didn’t want to know, I had no choice but to know.”

Jarim pointed to the people facing each other with a sullen face. Each time the short, cracked nails, the sign of her miserable life, turned towards them, the Awakeneds flinched.

“I’m telling you, you can’t close it. Don’t think about closing it. You, you, you, no power in the world can close the gate forever. The only thing that will eventually come to this land is destruction.”

The first missing person who had survived the dungeon concluded so.

With a heavy atmosphere that could not be compared to earlier before they entered the president’s office.

***

Although she had become an S-class, Seora’s hopes were still simple.

Please let me go home on time.

It was a natural wish for Seora, who was more familiar with her status as a low-wage public official than an S-class.

That was it. She wished to leave work on time and to be completely free from work.

So why is this ordeal here?

“I’m sorry, Seora. For the time being, please take care of this puppy, I mean, Awakened.”

5:50 p.m. With only 10 minutes left of work, Seora had to face Song Hanna.

Song Hanna, who was holding onto Sung Jarim’s back…

“…”

Auntie, how could you do this to me? Song Hanna avoided her gaze when she gave a resentful look.

“I need someone to watch over whether this burden, or the Awakened, is dangerous, but it can’t be a strong person. So right now, the person with the weakest energy in the association is you…”

“It’s a pity I’m weak, but how can I carry such a burden…”

Yes, sure, I will be leaving work on time, but I have to take my overtime work home. Isn’t this like overtime work?

When Seora looked up at her face, the damn lump of luggage laughed.

“I mean. I’ve been rolling in a rough place for a long time, so if there’s a strong person next to me, my hands will react first. But it’s okay for a kid like you who is no different from a normal person!”

It was the first time Seora wanted to hit a brightly smiling face.

Have you ever been hit with an EX-class weapon?

Seora, who had her eyes open and looked like she was working overtime, gave a cold look. Sung Jarim quietly lowered the corners of her lips.

“Think of me as a bodyguard. No one will ignore you as long as you’re with me, huh? I’ll take care of everything!”

There was no reason to listen to this nonsense anymore.

“I will resign.”

I can’t stand it any longer. Seora finally brought out the words she had swallowed several times in her heart with the resignation letter she always carried with her.

Jarim, who had been shouting Trust me, covered her mouth at the sudden sight of the resignation letter. The mysterious golden eyes rolled towards Song Hanna.

Song Hanna looked down silently at the white envelope, where the words “Resignation Letter” was written neatly.

“I didn’t expect your resignation letter to come out as if you have been waiting.”

Seora gulped. This was a judge’s trial. But she didn’t want to take a risk because of that L-class. It was much better to be dragged to Song Hanna’s house and caught.

At least Song Hanna could be trusted.

“Sigh, that’s right. It’s not easy to take in one person. I guess it’s worth a resignation letter. I’m sorry.”

Seora, who had been squeezing the resignation envelope to the point where it was crumpled, smiled. The response was much better than she had thought. Perhaps Song Hanna felt sorry for trying to make her work overtime.

The moment she was excited because she seemed to be able to leave the company more easily than expected, Song Hanna nodded as if she had made a big decision.

“Alright. Let’s do this. I’ll give you one more S-class weapon for overtime pay.”

“…”

Seora was choked up. Instead of accepting the resignation letter, she wanted to add an S-class weapon for the extra money? Was she trying to appease her with that?

Seora couldn’t stand it any longer.She just waved her hand.

To where?

In front of Jarim.

“My name is Yoon Seora from the Dungeon Management team. It’s a pleasure! A great pleasure! Please, if you ever need anything, just tell me!”

I will be your errand girl.

Seora, who asked for a handshake, had a beautiful smile on her face like a bud of a spring flower. The letter of resignation she proudly held out was thrown into the trash can next to it.

Nothing mattered in front of money, whether it was overtime or resignation.

It was a free S-class weapon that was too great to refuse.

***

The S-classes, who had come to the association together, expressed concern at the news that Seora had decided to take charge of Sung Jarim for the time being.

“Isn’t that the same civil servant who suffered because of Suwon-cchi

? This time, the puppy is the problem. Boy, the baby’s having a hard time.”

Yoo Soo-eun, the youngest S-class in Korea and a similar age to Seora, spoke first.

“Why don’t you stay at Clear Blue Guild dormitory? That will be convenient in many ways.”

Han Suwon proposed again but received Song Hanna’s cold gaze.

“Please feel free to contact me if anything happens.”

Do Junyoung objected to this and glared at Sung Jarim with sullen eyes.

“I am looking for a shaman. I’ll check to see if they’re really good before letting you know. Please wait for me.”

The most helpful among them was none other than Jung Hoyoung. Seora bowed her head and said Please toward Jung Hoyoung, who tapped her on the shoulder. I will certainly do the blade dance myself.

How can I be so miserable… I’ve definitely vowed to avoid S-classed, but why do I encounter L-classed most often?

The only comfort is…

‘This person doesn’t seem to know who I am.’

Jarim, smiling brightly at her like a sun, showed no signs of doubt.

Come to think of it, the administrator’s protection also worked for Kang Sejun. He caught me only because he saw me killing that Level 2 Beast. If it weren’t for that, he wouldn’t have noticed.

So, if I’m a little careful, I will be able to deceive Sung Jarim sufficiently.

‘Let’s look at S-class weapons and hold it in.’

Seora regained her peace of mind as she recalled Song Hanna’s promise to take her to the association president’s arsenal soon.

***

Sung Jarim’s statement that she had escaped the dungeon after five years was not a lie, as she was busy looking around with an excited face all the way to the hotel that the association had prepared.

‘Thanks to you, I am enjoying a hotel life too.’

The place where the two of them would be staying together for the time being was none other than a hotel suite. As expected, she was treated very well because she was the second L-class Awakened in Korea.

A pretty extra allowance in the form of hotel life, plus one S-class weapon. Being a nanny isn’t that bad, is it?

“You’re back after five years. Is there anything you want to eat?”

If she used it with Jarim, she could use it happily without worrying about money because all expenses were taken care of.

Let’s make it luxurious since we’re working overtime.

“Chicken and beer!”

Sung Jarim shouted without thinking twice. She was already drooling.

‘If you know the taste of chicken and beer, you must be Korean.’

Seora, who has to report Jarim’s every move to Song Hanna, thought she should also tell her.

“If you need anything else, please tell me.”

Even though she had returned, none of those who disappeared after being swept away into the dungeon could return, so she was virtually socially dead. As a result, her house and all of her furniture were disposed of and had to be rebuilt one by one in the future.

The house was supposed to be provided by the association as a courtesy to the missing person who had returned for the first time and to the L-class Awakened.

‘As expected, the association’s president handles this very well.’

What a perfect job. It’s not for nothing that her approval rating is overwhelming at the top spot.

“What do I need? That’s right. I think there is one.”

Jarim, who was lying on the sofa and flipping through the TV channels, jumped up.

“Did you say your name’s Yoon Seora?”

“Yes. I am a Hunter belonging to the Dungeon Management team.”

“When did you sign a contract with the system administrator?”

… Yes?

Hold on. How could the conversation leap like this?