-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: A Mysterious Newcomer
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 19
It was a man.
Young, remarkably tall, and sculpted like a statue. And for some reason, he looked extremely angry.
Seora’s face froze for a moment.
‘What? Why did our eyes meet? Did he recognize me? No way.’
They were far apart, and she was even in stealth. How could he possibly be looking at her? Could he be a powerful individual whose abilities negated stealth?
No, that couldn't be right. Her civil service work required her to memorize the personal details of all the powerful Awakened. Seora was certain she had never seen this man before.
‘Ah, right. I’m still wearing the gas mask, aren’t I?’
Things had been so urgent that she hadn't had a chance to take it off after leaving the dungeon. Thanks to that, even if the man had seen through her stealth, he wouldn't have been able to see her face.
Still, just in case, Seora decided to leave immediately.
Activating her Haste skill, she leaped high into the air.
She had to get back before the S-ranks arrived at the Association.
* * *
When the raid team emerged after dealing with the remaining snakes and the eggs in the nest, their faces were grim.
But that was nothing compared to the sight that greeted them in front of the gate.
“What in the world…”
Kang Hanseo couldn't finish his sentence. Yoo Su-eun, her eyes wide with shock, clicked her tongue.
“It was shocking enough that a monster evolved into a magical beast, but to think its head would explode before we even had a chance to deal with it.”
“H-how many people are capable of making a boss magical beast’s head explode like this?”
“Only the Association President or maybe Ju-eun here could manage it. …The problem is, it was neither of them.”
Ju-eun had been with them the whole time, and there was no reason for Song Hanna to be here. So who in the world had blown the boss magical beast’s head off?
“It seems like one person did it, and in a single blow.”
As a Ranger, Ju-eun excelled at reconnaissance and scouting, and he was able to figure it out with just one look at the corpse.
Everyone’s expression darkened further.
Song Hanna and Ju-eun were among the most skilled in the country, but even for them, taking down a Grade 2 boss magical beast in such a short time was impossible.
“Everyone saw the message when the boss magical beast died, right?”
【The boss magical beast of the Grade 2 Dungeon, ‘Harpoon Snake’s Cradle,’ has been slain!】
【Top Contributor: Anonymous (S-rank)】
An S-rank Hunter who chose to remain anonymous. They all knew each other, so why would someone hide their identity now?
“There’s one person. Someone we don’t know very well. The S-rank who went abroad almost immediately after awakening.”
“There’s no way he would have come to Korea without an emergency. The leader of the mercenary group holding him is not an easy man to deal with.”
“Isn’t the appearance of a Grade 2 dungeon an emergency?”
“He couldn’t have arrived this quickly.”
The conversation went back to square one.
“Ah! Y-you’re finally out!”
Jeong Taeseok and Shin Jaemin ran toward the S-ranks, who were grimly examining the corpse. They, too, bore wounds from fighting magical beasts.
“What happened after we went in? Who killed this magical beast?”
“Well, we don't really know either.”
Do Junyeong asked urgently, but both men shook their heads with troubled expressions.
“It was a skill I’d never seen before. A red cube enveloped the magical beast’s head and just… blew it up. It was a terrifying sight. More so than the Association President’s skills.”
The Association President Song Hanna’s ability was telekinesis. She was known for her preference for crushing her enemies, and this was supposedly even scarier than that.
“All I can say is that it was overwhelming. To the point where it might even change the S-rank rankings.”
Jeong Taeseok stated his opinion, glancing at Ju-eun, who actually looked intrigued.
“Please secure all CCTV footage in the vicinity. Whether it’s an unregistered person or a reawakened one, we need to find them.”
“No, give it up. A mere camera won’t catch a single thread of their clothing.”
At that moment, a voice as cold as ice water washed over them. Simultaneously, the faces of the S-ranks examining the corpse turned deathly pale.
“What the hell.”
“Uh…?”
Yoo Su-eun cursed, and Kang Hanseo went white as a sheet. Do Junyeong and Ju-eun’s expressions also hardened.
The gazes of all four S-ranks converged on one spot.
An incredibly handsome man was slowly approaching them.
His jet-black hair and irises, so dark they were indistinguishable from his pupils, didn't feel burdensome but rather enhanced his beauty.
Normally, Yoo Su-eun would have been delighted by such a rare sight of a handsome man, but now, she was glaring daggers at him.
An unusual aura emanated from the man.
This overwhelming presence enveloped even the S-ranks who had just come out of battle. Being in a more heightened state than usual, they all quickly realized it.
Ah, this man possessed a power far greater than anyone they had ever seen.
Even greater than Song Hanna, who had protected Korea for so long.
“Who are you?!”
Unable to bear the strange sensation of being crushed by his power, Yoo Su-eun yelled.
“Guild Master Yoo Su-eun, please calm down.”
Ju-eun stepped forward to stop her.
“…My apologies. We’re a bit on edge after the battle, so I ask for your understanding.”
Contrary to his stiff expression, his tone was polite as he sought their understanding, as if showing respect to a powerful being.
Ju-eun extended his hand toward the man.
“I am Ju-eun, leader of the Yeongwon Guild. If I may, could I ask for your name?”
The man’s gaze fell upon the outstretched hand. It was a rough hand, calloused from holding a bow. For some reason, the man’s eyes seemed to soften as he looked at it. As if sad, or perhaps nostalgic.
“Kang Sejun. Since all the S-ranks seem to have sensed it anyway, let’s not waste time and get straight to the point.”
“Pardon?”
“A woman killed the magical beast. But she was in stealth using an L-grade item, so she wouldn’t have been caught on CCTV. It’s useless to look.”
“It wasn’t you who killed it?”
Yoo Su-eun’s eyes immediately turned hostile. If he was this powerful, to the point where just facing him made her skin tingle, it would have been understandable if he had killed the boss magical beast in one shot.
But for him to claim it was some woman, she couldn't help but be suspicious.
“Aren’t you just trying to deny it after doing it yourself?”
“Why would I do something so troublesome? Especially to people who would sense my power just by facing me?”
Yoo Su-eun shut her mouth with an annoyed expression. Ju-eun, who had been listening quietly, interjected again.
“Were you unable to see her face?”
“She was wearing a gas mask. And I’m the one who should be asking. That woman definitely came out of the gate right after the boss magical beast. And yet you all know nothing?”
At the man’s words, the four S-ranks’ faces stiffened once more. Do Junyeong quickly looked at Taeseok.
“Did anyone else approach the gate after we went in?”
“What? Ah, no. I didn’t see anyone at all…”
“I told you she was in stealth with an L-grade item. She was wearing a Jacket of Revival. How would someone who isn’t even S-rank be able to notice?”
The Jacket of Revival.
An item so expensive and difficult to craft that only a handful of people in the world possessed one. Someone wearing that…
“Since she came out of the gate, I thought you would naturally know, so I revealed myself. If I’d known this would happen, I would have just looked for her myself.”
The man clicked his tongue, annoyed. At that, Do Junyeong stepped forward.
“I am Do Junyeong, Director of the Management Office at the Korean Awakened Management Association. Excuse me, but are you an officially registered Awakened with the Association?”
“See, I knew it would get annoying like this.”
Kang Sejun grumbled, but just as when he looked at Ju-eun, a faint glimmer of recognition flickered in his eyes again.
“I am. Though I was A-rank at the time.”
“Then I must ask for a re-evaluation.”
It was a declaration that the current Kang Sejun could not possibly be A-rank. He nodded.
“Let’s go now.”
“Section Chief Shin Jaemin, Section Chief Jeong Taeseok, please take care of the cleanup. I will report to the Association President. Let’s go.”
Do Junyeong led the way, and Kang Sejun followed. They were not alone. The other three S-ranks followed behind them as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Do Junyeong frowned.
“The three of you should return. Or go do an interview with the waiting reporters.”
“Gyeongdo! You do the interview! I’m going to the Association!”
But Yoo Su-eun dismissed the idea as absurd and passed her duties onto her vice-guild master.
“I’m dying to know who this guy is, whether he really killed the boss behind our backs, and what his real rank is. You think I’d go back now? Lead the way. I need to see the re-evaluation results with my own two eyes.”
“To be honest, I’m curious too, so I’d like to follow.”
Following Yoo Su-eun, Kang Hanseo sheepishly raised his hand. Do Junyeong, looking as if a sigh was about to burst from his throat, turned his hollow eyes to Ju-eun. But he, too, betrayed Do Junyeong.
“Let’s get going.”
In the end, Do Junyeong had to head to the Association with three burdensome S-ranks and one man whose identity was a complete mystery.
* * *
“Ah, that was almost a disaster.”
Only after reaching the vicinity of the Association did Seora take off her gas mask. She was covered in a cold sweat, likely from the tension.
“By the way, Administrator, if it can one-shot a Grade 2 boss magical beast, don’t you think you should have told me?”
Seora shot a resentful look at the empty air. It was a relief that no one else got hurt, but still, a power of that magnitude was bound to be talked about for a long time!
【Administrator: ( ‘⌣’)/(´._.`)】
“Is comforting me going to solve anything!”
【Administrator: (´._.`)】
He looked dejected now. It seemed he wanted to be comforted himself.
“No, I’m not blaming you. I’m just saying it would have been nice if you had mentioned it, that’s all.”
Her heart softening in an instant, Seora gently placated him.
【Administrator: (*´∪`)】
Good grief. Now he was smiling happily. Feeling her fighting spirit drain away, Seora let out a hollow laugh.
She stored the jacket she was wearing in her inventory, tidied herself up, and went up to the office, where Song Hanna was waiting.
“You’re back?”
“Yes. I delivered the weapon successfully through Guild Master Ju-eun. What happened? Did you hear anything?”
Seora asked with an anxious face, pretending to know nothing. Fortunately, Song Hanna didn't seem to notice anything amiss and answered with a shrug.
“The raid finished before you got here. The S-ranks should be returning to the Association soon.”
“Pardon? What do you mean? It hasn’t been that long since I was there. How could a Grade 2 dungeon raid be over already…?”
It seemed her acting skills were becoming top-notch with each passing day.
【Administrator: ԅ( ิ ▽ ิ ԅ)】
She ignored the Administrator’s smug face.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to hear Director Do’s report. Speaking of which, he said he was with a surprising guest. I’m quite curious to see who it is.”
But at these words, even Seora couldn't help but feel puzzled.
A guest? She had bolted right after taking down the boss, but up until then, there hadn't been anyone who could be called a guest.
“Did you see anyone strange there?”
“No. I left right after delivering the weapon to Guild Master Ju-eun.”
Just then, Song Hanna’s secretary, who was standing nearby, informed her.
“Association President, they’ve arrived.”
“Is the evaluation room clear?”
“Yes.”
‘The evaluation room? That’s where they measure an Awakened’s rank.’
Why clear it out all of a sudden? Was this guest a newly Awakened person?
【Administrator: ( ‘⌣’)/(´._.`)】
The emoticon that appeared at that moment made Seora’s face subtly stiffen.
That’s weird. This wasn't the time for comfort, so why?
‘What is it? Why are you doing that? What’s going to happen that you’re suddenly comforting me? What’s going on?’
【Administrator: (;¬_¬)】
Oh, for crying out loud. The Administrator was actually avoiding her gaze. Seora started to feel truly anxious.
A guest. Just who was this guest coming with Do Junyeong that even the Administrator was avoiding her eyes?
‘Should I make a run for it now?’
Seora looked around in a panic, but it was already too late. With a *ding*, the doors of the elevator at the end of the office hallway opened.
*Step, step.* As the footsteps grew closer, Seora’s eyes turned in that direction.
‘Holy crap!’
And then she saw him. Wedged between the S-ranks, whose faces had become all too familiar, was the face of some man!
Why was that sculpted hunk from the Grade 2 gate here?
