-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: A Special Delivery
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“What’s the status on the guild support?”
“Considering the dungeon’s grade, we’ve requested support from the Yeongwon and Suhoryeong Guilds. The guild masters and vice masters from both guilds are scheduled to participate.”
Do Junyeong’s announcement eased some of the fear that had filled the office.
Yeongwon was the undisputed top guild in the country, and Suhoryeong was composed mainly of healers and mages. The combination of the two guilds was arguably the best the nation could offer.
‘…So, the guild with the vice master who’s always screaming about quitting and the one with the guild master who loves to sightsee.’
Having seen their true colors on the S-rank exclusive community forum, Seora couldn't hide her skepticism.
Damn it. If I didn't know any better, I’d be impressed too.
Seora smacked her lips and watched with a tense expression as the dispatched teams were sent off.
“A Grade 2 dungeon… This is the first time I’ve seen one on the job.”
Gong Haeyeon muttered in a terrified voice. Seora, understanding her feelings completely, patted her on the back.
To date, a Grade 2 dungeon had appeared in Korea only twice, and each time, it had resulted in catastrophic damage.
The second time was somewhat manageable, as both the Association and the guilds were more established…
But the first time a Grade 2 dungeon appeared, it had been nothing short of hell.
Even though it was twelve years ago, many still remembered it. The civil servants anxiously biting their lips looked pale.
And when the dispatch team arrived on site and the scene of Seoul Forest appeared on the situation room screen, everyone gasped in horror.
“…What is that.”
The gate filling the screen was abnormally, monstrously huge. Just looking at it through the monitor was suffocating. How could anyone possibly conquer something so overwhelming?
Fear once again crept onto people’s faces. If the raid team were to fail, Seoul might very well face its end.
“…What do we do?”
Gong Haeyeon unconsciously mumbled, grabbing Seora’s arm. Seora, equally startled, tried to comfort her by recalling the Administrator’s relaxed emoticon.
“It’s okay. They said Yeongwon and Suhoryeong are going together. They’re strong people, so let’s trust them.”
After her reawakening, she had seen five S-rank hunters up close. Having witnessed their skills, she had faith.
She believed they were more than capable of conquering that dungeon.
“A Grade 2 dungeon. It brings back unpleasant memories.”
Just then, a captivating voice laced with a hint of anger echoed through the room. The gazes of everyone, who had been staring blankly at the screen, snapped in its direction.
As if she had appeared out of nowhere, President Song Hanna, dressed in a flawless suit, was looking at the screen.
“President…!”
“Is the President going to join the raid too?”
The unofficial number one ranker in Korea, Song Hanna.
However, she rarely went to conquer dungeons herself. As the President of the Association, her role was always to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
In other words, her direct involvement meant the worst-case scenario had arrived. It was only natural that people were instantly terrified.
“Hm? No, no.”
But Song Hanna waved her hand dismissively, telling them not to worry.
“I just came for a closer look. This screen is the biggest one in the Association, after all.”
After reassuring the staff, she stroked her chin and meticulously examined the gate on the screen.
“I can’t be certain just by looking at it from here, but I don’t think there’s much to be afraid of. The gate is large, but it doesn’t seem to be on the same scale as the first or second Grade 2 dungeons.”
Song Hanna’s declaration immediately eased the tension in the office. Her words, coming from the longest-surviving S-rank in Korea, were trustworthy.
“Of course, it’s still a Grade 2, so it’s dangerous all the same. Which brings us to a problem… Hmm, right. Hunter Yoon Seora?”
Seora’s eyes widened as Song Hanna’s gaze fell upon her. Hanna pointed at the screen with an ambiguous expression.
“Sorry, but you’ll have to go over there.”
“…Pardon?”
Go where?
“I’m not asking you to enter the dungeon. Just go and deliver something to Director Do.”
Well, I didn’t see this coming.
Somehow, it looked like I’ve gotten the chance to see a Grade 2 dungeon up close.
* * *
After checking the item Song Hanna had asked her to deliver, Seora immediately understood why she had been singled out. It was none other than the S-rank weapon that Do Junyeong used exclusively for dungeon raids.
‘Seriously, how could he go into a dungeon without his weapon? A Grade 2 dungeon, at that!’
When Seora received the sword, she was aghast. Song Hanna wore a troubled expression.
‘He’s been masquerading as an A-rank, so he usually makes do with a weapon of the same grade. They say a true master doesn’t blame his tools, right? Of course, he always kept his S-rank weapon in his inventory, but he happened to have left it for reinforcement recently.’
Seora pressed her forehead. So he’d gone into the dungeon practically empty-handed. She couldn't understand why he was so reckless, no matter how urgent the situation.
‘I’m the only one left at the Association who knows Director Do is an S-rank, right? I understand. I’ll go.’
Since Song Hanna couldn’t leave the Association just in case, Seora readily agreed.
“Why did he have to pretend to be an A-rank anyway?”
Seora, an S-rank masquerading as an F-rank, grumbled as she took off her sneakers and switched to combat boots. They were a gift from Song Hanna, an equipment item that significantly increased her speed.
“My feet definitely feel lighter. And since I’m wearing A-rank items, I should get to Seoul Forest in no time.”
Standing on the building’s rooftop, she looked in the direction of Seoul Forest. From the distance, she could feel faint waves of magical energy. To be able to feel it from this far away…
This was the magic of a Grade 2 dungeon.
It was quite chilling. If she were in her F-rank body instead of her S-rank one, her legs would have given out instantly. I should probably pretend to be scared when I get there.
“Well then, shall we go?”
Tapping the floor with the toe of her boot, Seora launched herself off the rooftop.
The Haste ability of the enchanted anklet, which granted instant acceleration, combined with the combat boots that increased her base speed, sending Seora’s body hurtling forward at a terrifying pace.
A joyful laugh escaped Seora’s lips at the feeling of flying through the sky.
“Ah, this is amazing!”
The ground below looked as small as a toy set. If she hadn't become an S-rank, she would never have experienced such an exhilarating feeling.
Her heart swelled with the feeling that her life had truly been turned upside down.
【Administrator: ε=ε=(⊃≧□≦)⊃】
Along with the Administrator’s emoticon, Seora lightly kicked off another rooftop and soared into the air. Even as she neared the dungeon, she was simply as excited as a child.
She wasn’t afraid anymore. Not one bit.
* * *
It took exactly ten minutes to get from City Hall Station, where the Association was located, to Seoul Forest. The journey would have taken nearly an hour by car, but the power of an S-rank equipped with items was truly incredible.
After quickly fixing her hair and clothes, which had been messed up from flying like a madwoman, Seora ran toward the gate without delay.
“Director Do!”
“Yoon Seora?!”
Jeong Taeseok and Shin Jaemin were horrified. But Seora had no time to explain properly.
“Where is Director Do? The President said I need to deliver his weapon quickly!”
Seora made her lips tremble as if she were terrified. Yet, she looked at the two men with a determined gaze, as if trying to endure it somehow.
Fortunately, her acting seemed to work, as they both looked worried sick.
“Give it here. I’ll take it to him right away. You shouldn’t get any closer, Ms. Yoon Seora. Please head back now.”
‘Oh, no. I want to watch a little longer.’
Since she was already here, she wanted to see more, but Taeseok’s protectiveness was firm. Seora inwardly clicked her tongue in disappointment.
“Excuse me. I apologize for unintentionally overhearing your conversation, but I believe I may be of some assistance.”
The three of them turned in surprise at the polite and calm voice.
A man with light brown hair and even more transparent-colored eyes stood there.
He was a handsome man who looked very young, but he had a subtle aura that made it difficult to guess his age. They all knew who he was.
“The… the Yeongwon Guild Master.”
It was Ju-eun, the master of Yeongwon, the nation’s top guild.
“That seems to be Director Do’s weapon. Is that correct?”
Ju-eun pointed to the weapon, and Seora nodded her head frantically.
“Ah, yes! The President asked me to deliver it.”
“I see…”
A strange realization flickered in his eyes for a moment. Ju-eun soon nodded and extended his hand.
“You’ve done well. If you don’t mind, I will deliver it. It’s dangerous to get any closer, so please leave it to us from here.”
Seora was moved by the Yeongwon Guild Master’s utmost politeness. The reason she liked the Yeongwon Guild the most was because of Ju-eun’s elegant aura.
…So why on earth is the vice master like that?
Seora discreetly glanced behind him, but the vice master, Kang Hanseo, was nowhere to be seen. She felt a sense of relief.
“H-Here it is. Then, I’ll be counting on you, Yeongwon Guild Master.”
Seora handed Ju-eun the sword, which was carefully wrapped in cloth. As if he understood what it meant to entrust such a weapon to someone else, Ju-eun accepted it carefully.
“For the safety of everyone, we will be sure to conquer this Grade 2 dungeon. Please do not worry.”
Ju-eun gave a polite bow and headed straight for the gate.
As Seora watched his retreating back, her eyes were completely glazed over.
‘How can someone be so cool? Such a handsome man, overflowing with the dignity befitting the leader of the nation’s top guild.’
【Administrator: (๑و • ̀Δ ́•)و!!!】
What’s with this Administrator now?
【Administrator: (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻】
‘Why are you so angry?’
I don’t think I thought anything weird, so why is he suddenly so mad? Trying to communicate only through emoticons made it so difficult to understand what he was thinking.
“You should head back now, Ms. Seora.”
“Yes, I’ll leave it in your hands then.”
Since being greedy wouldn’t get her inside a Grade 2 gate anyway, Seora obediently backed away. Of course, she didn’t forget to put on a stellar performance until the very end, stumbling as if her legs were about to give out.
Hearing Jeong Taeseok and Shin Jaemin’s concerned voices from behind her, Seora grew more and more confident in her acting.
Maybe I have a talent for this?
