Chapter 77

Baek Huiwon had informed Seora that Kang Sejun was investigating the system administrator. However, she hadn’t anticipated that he would bring up the topic immediately, causing her heart to race.

【Your poker face is shaking. Activates ‘Title—A Thousand Masks’ to the extreme.】

Impressive. Keep it up, A Thousand Masks!

“System administrator… Could it be someone who manages the system we use?” Seora pondered, her expression serious. “If that information gets out, it could have serious consequences.”

It was a very casual performance. Thanks to that, Kang Sejun shook his head, not noticing her strangeness at all. “I’m not sure. I’ve only heard of them in my fifth life. I don’t even know if they really exist.”

Despite her calm demeanor, her heart was pounding. Baek Huiwon had warned her not to discuss system administrators casually, but what about Kang Sejun? Unlike her, he was still uncertain about their existence. Was it safe to talk about it?

“Still, you must have heard something… How did you come to know about it?” she asked.

“During my battle in the Labyrinth. I can’t disclose any further details,” Kang Sejun replied.

“Considering the unusual nature of this situation, I think you should report it to the association or WDO.”

“No. Nothing is certain yet. Reporting it now would only add to the confusion.”

“Is it dangerous?”

“Well, maybe it is, or maybe it isn’t.”

Seora couldn’t probe further for fear of raising suspicion.

She couldn’t believe Kang Sejun had discovered this while fighting in the Labyrinth. How had he managed to live through his fifth life?

“Well, should I ask Seong Jarim?”

“…”

Seora nearly hiccuped in shock. “Why Seong Jarim?” she finally asked.

“Baek Huiwon mentioned that she’s as unique as me. I thought maybe she possessed a special ability like a regressor. Since she actually lived in a dungeon and made it out alive, she might have some knowledge.”

It’ll be dangerous to act like I know something, right?

Seora knew that Seong Jarim wouldn’t disclose her role as the contractee for the system administrator, so she decided to let the matter go.

‘Until I understand why Kang Sejun is searching for the system administrator, I should keep my identity as the contractee a secret.’

It would be problematic if Kang Sejun tried to harm or manipulate the administrator by using her life as leverage. Thus, until he revealed the full story, Seora had no intention of revealing the truth.

“Talking to you always complicates things, including my brother, the association’s president, and now the system administrator you mentioned.”

“Don’t worry too much about it. I’ll inform you once I find out more,” Kang Sejun reassured her.

When Kang Sejun spoke awkwardly, Seora responded lightheartedly, saying, “That’s enough.” All she really wanted to know was how he came to know about the system administrator and what he intended to do with that information.

“I apologize for adding complexity to your thoughts, but it helped clear my own mind, and the conversation was worthwhile.”

“You weren’t the only one who gained something from it.”

“Well, that’s true. Thanks to you being alive, three people can live without any problems. If you’re okay, they’ll be okay too.”

As Seora nodded silently, a sudden frown appeared on her face. “Wait, three people? Are you including me? Or is it referring to my god?”

Kang Sejun chuckled and replied, “What are you talking about? I’m referring to Director Do. I always wondered why he was so clumsy, but it seems he was like this even when you were alive.”

Seora remained puzzled despite Kang Sejun’s laughter. “Director Do? Why is he included?”

“Why? Don’t tell me you don’t know?”

“What?”

“Director Do and Yun Jaeheon are childhood friends. Director Do also mentioned that he knew Yun Jaeheon’s sister.”

What? Who is friends with whom? Who knows me?

“He blamed himself when Yun Jaeheon’s sister he promised to protect died. Didn’t you know?”

“…”

Seora’s face turned blank as the realization sank in. Do Junyeong and Yun Jaeheon were childhood friends? She knew he was caring for her, but she never expected it to be connected to their past friendship.

‘Wait. If he’s a close childhood friend of my brother, then could he be…?’

The shy friend of Jaeheon who could barely say hello and always averted his gaze.

As far as Seora knew, he was the only friend who had kept in touch with Jaeheon even after he entered Athena.

‘Oh, dear.’

Could it be that the shy person was Director Do? Seora’s head spun with the revelation. What on earth is happening? What is going on!?

***

After completing their work in the Cheorwon Dungeon, Jarim’s new house was finally ready. Seora also found herself liberated.

“As of today, your assistant duties for Seong Jarim come to an end. Thank you for your hard work,” Do Junyeong stated.

However, despite hearing the words she longed for, Seora couldn’t meet Do Junyeong’s gaze properly. It was driving her crazy. She couldn’t believe that the shy boy she remembered from her childhood was none other than Do Junyeong. The realization had hit her like a whirlwind.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Why hadn’t Do Junyeong made it obvious? How could she have completely forgotten?

“Seong Jarim’s new house is ready. We’ve furnished it with all the essentials, including a bed, so you can move in today.”

“I actually enjoyed the hotel life. Too bad,” Jarim remarked, taking the paper with the address and leaning on Seora’s shoulder. Seora couldn’t help but think, “No wonder you think it’s too bad.” She had taken care of all the cleaning for Jarim at the hotel.

‘Finally, I’m free!’

Seora clenched her fists tightly. She didn’t feel any disappointment at all. She was thrilled because she could now enjoy the luxurious hotel life with her own money. The compensation she received for the successful raid of the Cheorwon Dungeon, which had been deposited into her bank account earlier, was substantial.

This was the kind of luxury that high-level Hunters got to experience. Oh, how delightful it was!

【Administrator: (((o(*>▽<*)o)))】

Haha. It seemed even the administrator was in a good mood.

“By the way, Seora, why are you acting so awkward around the director?” Jarim asked as soon as they left the director’s office after completing their business. Seora quickly covered Jarim’s cheeky mouth with her hand.

“What if he hears you?” Seora whispered.

“Do you really think he didn’t notice when you made it so obvious? He was quite upset.”

Seora hadn’t noticed his reaction. The awkwardness made it difficult for her to maintain eye contact.

“There’s something,” Seora finally managed to say, her voice strained. She cleared her throat and turned her head, coughing slightly.

Oh, to think that her brother’s friend, who had witnessed her childhood antics, turned out to be her boss. She would have preferred someone else to take her place if she had a choice.

Oh, really. She should have resigned. Seora felt tears welling up.

***

Jarim’s new house was an apartment located in Songpa.

As they explored the new place, Seora accompanied Jarim, who didn’t own a car.

“Wow, an apartment in Songpa. Is the association’s financial power that strong? Or does the association’s president have exceptional influence? Or maybe the L-class position is just that high? That would be amazing.” The apartment, furnished with all the essentials, was 100 square meters in size and located on a high floor, providing a view of the Han River. Seora couldn’t help but feel envious.

“Now that you’ve announced your rating to the association, you can easily buy a house like this with a little effort, right? What’s 100 square meters? You could even get a penthouse.”

“A-a penthouse?” Seora’s mind was blown. The idea of owning a penthouse seemed like a fantasy from another world. Despite her rise from S-class to L-class, she still had remnants of her humble mindset from her days as an F-class Hunter.

“You can buy a penthouse with a view of the Han River if you clear a few more dungeons.”

“Han River view…!” Seora’s eyes widened in excitement. That sounded amazing! She stood in the living room, gazing at the Han River through the window. It’s incredible. I love it. I will work hard to achieve that goal in the future.

“Ah, it’s a shame. I wanted to spend more time with you,” Jarim lamented, stretching on the sofa. Seora laughed.

“I don’t want to be your personal cleaner anymore.”

“Oh, you’re so mean! What did you even do!?”

“I gave you rides, ordered food for you, helped you adapt to the modern world, took you wherever you wanted to go, and kept you out of the media and the U.S…,” Seora listed, folding her fingers one by one. With each item, Jarim’s protests quieted down. Despite the term “surveillance” being attached, Seora’s presence had undeniably made Jarim’s life more comfortable.

“Th-thank you… I’m really grateful.”

“Keep being grateful, then.”

Jarim hugged the cushion tightly, sobbing uncontrollably. In the past, Seora found this side of her a bit awkward and unfamiliar, like a sudden switch had been flipped. But as time went on, Seora realized that this was the true personality of someone who had lived under immense pressure for a hundred years. Gradually, Jarim’s original self emerged and solidified.

Although Jarim herself seemed unaware of the change, Seora found it quite reassuring.

“Well, I’m not officially responsible for you anymore, so there’s no obligation for me to help. But if you want to go somewhere for fun, I can accompany you.”

Jarim, who had her face buried in the cushion, quickly raised her head at the proposal, her eyes sparkling. “Really!?”

“Of course. Because I’m nice.”

“Nice Yun Seora!” Behind Jarim, who enthusiastically stretched out her arms, a large dog’s tail wagged happily. How could such a fantastical sight be so vivid?

Seora couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Headbang!”

“Shut up!”

Of course, it was only a fleeting moment. In the end, Seora smacked Jarim on the back again.

***

On their first day in the new apartment, Seora and Jarim decided to indulge in some delicious jjajangmyeon, sweet and sour pork, and fried dumplings from a nearby restaurant.

This place served the best jajangmyeon.

“Oh, did Kang Sejun inquire about the real system administrator?”

“As Baek Huiwon mentioned, he didn’t appear convinced of the administrator’s existence.”

Seong Jarim, who had just finished munching on two pickled radishes, nodded in understanding. “Even though Baek Huiwon didn’t mention you, he still asked you. It’s like catching a mouse by walking backward.”

“I don’t want to be seen as a mouse. I think he asked because of my unique circumstances.”

“Besides being the administrator’s contractee, is there anything else remarkable about you?”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you? You’re aware that Kang Sejun is currently on his sixth life, right?”

“Yeah. I saw his information.”

“Well, he mentioned that I died in all five of his previous lives except for this one.”

The chopsticks slipped from Seong Jarim’s hand, making a sudden noise. He stammered, “Wh-wh-what?”

“Oh, I forgot to mention this as well. You weren’t present in any of those lives either. This is your first appearance, just like me.”

“You and I weren’t there all five times, and we appeared only this time…?”

Seong Jarim’s jaw dropped in disbelief. Seora lifted her chin slightly and continued, “So I’ve been contemplating it, and it appears that this is the first time I formed a contract with the administrator.”