Chapter 40

The news that the two L-class Awakeneds had met put the association into a state of tension.

Especially because it was a meeting between Kang Sejun, who broke the reporters’ cameras without hesitation, and Sung Jarim, who came back alive from the dungeon and climbed to L-class with her own strength.

But it was such a useless worry.

“Well, the elasticity of the rubber band is not bad.”

In the corner of the office where no one cares, F-class Yoon Seo-ra was flicking the rubber band of the EX-class slingshot.

Just try making an accident and deny me from getting off work on time, I will never forgive you.

The two L-classes, who were the only ones who understood the silent threat, did not show any sudden action and quietly extended their hands to each other.

“I’m Kang Sejun.”

“This is Sung Jarim.”

The moment they held hands, the eyes of the two quickly moved back and forth.

‘Hey, you too?’

‘Hey, me too!’

The two L-classes, threatened for finding out Yoon Seora’s identity, felt a deep affinity for each other.

The office staff, who did not know about it, were relieved that the atmosphere was good. After all, life is a comedy when viewed from afar, and a tragedy when viewed from close up.

“Oh, you’re both here?”

Do Junyoung greeted the two of them.

“The dungeon has been dealt with. There was nothing special, and there was no major damage.”

“Thank you. But the fact that you came to report something you could’ve done on the phone…”

“I want to see what kind of person she is.”

Kang Sejun’s gaze, scanning Sung Jarim for a moment, turned to Seora behind her for a moment.

“… Fortunately, she seems like a good person.”

In more ways than one.

Jarim, the only one who understood his veiled words, nodded her head with a serious face.

“Sung Jarim, I’d like to talk to you at the order of the president of the association. Is that okay?”

“Isn’t the president that strong older sister?”

“She’s currently out of office because the Blue House requested an interview with you.”

“The Blue House! That’s cool. Am I going too?”

“No.”

Jarim became sullen at once.

“Can I listen to your conversation? Unless you’re having a private one.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Then let’s say Kang Sejun is going with us, and…”

Do Junyoung’s face was slightly distorted. After hesitating several times, he soon turned his head. Seora, who was secretly glancing at their side, met his eyes.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

‘Ugh. I have an ominous foreboding.’

The acute sense of an office worker brushed her spine. Seora immediately bowed her head, but it was already too late.

“Yoon Seora will also go with us.”

“M-me? Is it okay for someone like me to join you…?”

Seora looked scared and burdened. Do Junyoung, who did not know that Kang Sejun and Sung Jarim were watching strangely from behind, shook his head.

“This is an order from the president of the association. She said it would be better for you to know the situation in advance as you will be with Sung Jarim for a while.”

The president…!

I didn’t expect Song Hanna to betray me!

As if having two returnees were not enough, now there was an S-class disguised as an A-class before her.

***

The face-to-face meeting has begun.

‘I think I’ve been through a similar situation before or is it just me?’

The moment when she was with three S-classes and Park Jinyong immediately came to mind. It was better then. She had been at the center of the case.

But right now, I’m just an F-class. Why am I here?

“The association would like to announce some information about Sung Jarim, would it be okay?”

That’s what I meant. It really has nothing to do with Seora. So why was she there?

“Well, what else aside from missing five years ago, and now she’s back alive?”

“We’re going to go over that a little bit more. We need to check in many ways how far we should tell them and what the repercussions will be when we do.”

“Then?”

“The public will be relieved if we say that we have contacted the association and are securing their status.”

There was only a handful of L-class Awakened in the world. The people’s relief depends on whether the state has clearly identified their identity or not.

“And we will reveal the characteristic of Healer. Do you agree with that?”

“Huh? Ummm… Umm…”

Sung Jarim glanced at Seora. After hearing about Sung Jarim’s power last night, Seora realized the meaning of those eyes. It was true that she was a Healer in that she could recover her own health…

‘Can we call that a complete healer?’

The exact characteristic of Sung Jarim was a Combat Healer. She wasn’t originally a Healer, and there were conditions.

‘What should I do? Am I a Healer?’

Seong Jarim asked Seora with her eyes.

I mean, even if you ask me, how am I supposed to answer?

But for an elderly person who only gets older and doesn’t know the world, Seora eventually spoke.

“I think it would be better not to reveal that Sung Jarim has a Healer trait.”

Do Junyoung and Kang Sejun were puzzled.

“Among the top rankers in Korea, there is only one Healer, Guild Leader Yoo Soo-eun, so if Sung Jarim’s existence becomes known, people will be more than happy.”

“Sung Jarim is closer to a combatant, so…”

When Seora glanced at Jarim, she nodded, telling her to speak at ease.

“Since she’s not a Healer from the get-go, I don’t think she can heal as completely as Guild Leader Yoo Soo-eun.”

“Yeah, that’s right! That’s it! This older sister is good at organizing things!”

Sung Jarim, who was watching, clapped her hands. It’s very difficult to live with the elderly.

“Then it would be better not to disclose in the first place that she’s capable of healing. We’ll just tell them that she’s a combatant. You’re sure you have combat skills, right?”

“Yeah, definitely. Don’t just bring the wounded to me. I have to meet certain conditions to heal, but that is not always possible.”

“All right. Then we move on to the next issue.”

“What? There’s more? Are you going to ask about what I was talking about yesterday?”

About gates and dungeons.

However, Do Junyoung shook his head.

“That is what the president of the association will ask. Rather, there’s a bigger problem than that.”

“What happened?” Seora asked cautiously. But strangely, Do Junyoung looked at Seora rather than Sung Jarim very sadly.

“Sir?”

It was very ominous. When Seora, who became anxious, looked at him with trembling eyes, Do Junyoung carefully opened his mouth as if he was sorry.

“A high ranker from the US has informed me of his intention to visit.”

“…”

“…”

Seora and Kang Sejun were both silent. Meanwhile, Jarim, oblivious to all, just smiled like a puppy.

“Wh-why?”

“It is for the sake of close relations between Korea and the US, but…”

“That’s bullshit.”

Do Junyoung rubbed his forehead as if he was tired of Kang Sejun’s harsh words.

“It’s obvious. Two L-classes appeared in Korea, so they’ll keep an eye on it. The US has three L-classes, and so far remains the most powerful country.”

Even if one more appeared, Korea would be equal to them. They must be very concerned.

Then what would you do?

“It’s not just about monitoring, is it?”

“Yes. The US could keep its prestige even in the Hunter era thanks to their relentless recruitment of hunters from other countries.”

Taking an A-class or lower Hunter was not a problem. Rather, each country tended to respect the individual’s will, whether it was immigration or naturalization.

But S-class and higher were different as each one was directly linked to the state’s power, it must not be taken away by other countries.

“Until now, Korea has not lost a Hunter to the United States or China thanks to the huge umbrella of Song Hanna. All S-classes in Korea wanted to be under her umbrella.”

“But you two are different. You are stronger than the president of the association.”

Do Junyoung, who wiped his face once, looked at Sung Jarim and Kang Sejun with serious eyes.

“The president left a message for both of you. In the name of an individual, Song Hanna, not the association’s president.”

“What is it?”

“I won’t be able to stop you anyway, so I won’t force you. But at least choose a place that treats you as human beings, not tools. That is your country.”

Kang Sejun and Sung Jarim widened their eyes as if a single blow had hit them.

Yoon Seora covered her mouth.

‘How cool…!’

The association for the Awakened. And Song Hanna, who led the place.

Even in this situation, her heart did not fade at all but rather was shining brightly.

There were many places for the country and its people. So shouldn’t there be at least one place for the Awakened?

‘This is why all the Awakeneds want to be under Song Hanna.’

Foreigners, you guys don’t have a leader like this, do you?

“I’m under Song Hanna, so even if it’s a personal request, not a request as the president, I will follow her will.”

“…”

“Someone will come from the US within the next week, so I think you have to decide by then. And…”

Do Junyoung’s eyes turned to Seora again. Seora, who was cheering for Song Hanna inside, was anxious again because of the look in his eyes.

Why do you keep looking at me like that? Is this time for me to resign?

“Sir?”

“Yoon Seora, if you need anything, please let me know.”

“Yes?”

“… You’ll have some trouble for a while as you stay around Sung Jarim.”

I’m sorry. I couldn’t even hear Do Junyoung’s later words.

In a bolt from the blue, Seora stiffened up as if she had been struck by it.

Right. Since I’m Sung Jarim’s watchman, naturally, I will have to keep running into American rankers…

“S-Sorry.”

At that moment, Jarim understood the whole situation and immediately fled behind Kang Sejun with a frightened face. But Seora no longer had the energy to stare at her.

Resignation letter… I have to rewrite my resignation letter!

“Sir, I’ll just quit. I don’t need any extra pay or S-class weapons!”

“I apologize. The president threatened me not to accept any resignation letter…”

She was shocked to hear that she had been betrayed by Song Hanna. Her strong will to prevent my resignation will be the death of me.

[Administrator: (ᗒᗨᗕ)و ̑̑]

Even the administrator who I believed was on my side was shouting “Fighting”.

I can’t. I can’t postpone it any longer.

‘I need to contact Guild Leader Jung Hoyoung. We need to get a good shaman right now!’

I wanted to meet them right away and ask what kind of magic was involved in my life.

Seora vowed to call Jung Hoyoung as soon as she got out here.