Please Cooperate In The Execution Of S-Class Official Duties - Chapter 65

A manual was a manual.

Despite thinking so, Hara wanted to help Kwon Wook. It wasn’t just because he’s her former Oppa.

Hara recently broke a mana stone. Despite being a mana stone management department, everyone was embarrassed by the accident of breaking the A-class mana stone stored in the warehouse.

Not too long ago, Hara had accidentally shattered an A-rank mana stone. Putting aside the fact that she was in the mana stone management division, everyone was bewildered by the fact that an A-rank mana stone that was stored in the warehouse was shattered.

“Hara-ssi, have you lost your mind? I mean, how did you manage to shatter an A-rank mana stone as an E-class?”

“What are we to do about this!”

It clearly was Hara’s fault. She wasn’t sure how things ended up like that, but she was hiding in the warehouse and resulted in that incident.

Hara was even called before the chief of the Mapo branch office and bowed in apology. It was fine to apologise. After all, she was the one that’s at fault.

But the one that’s most bewildered was Hara herself.

No one told Hara it was alright.

“Hey, with your pay grade, Kang Hara, it might take you more than 10 years to pay off an A-rank mana stone. A fine of 8 million won is considered a cheap lesson,” such mocking came from those entitled people. The Hunter Bulletin even labelled her as ‘just a loser.’

Hara knew the feeling of having no one on her side very well. That’s why she wanted to stand on Kwon Wook’s side.

However, standing on someone’s side and not suspecting them were different things.

“As an S-class, you must constantly doubt.”

“Why do you think the constellation approached you coincidentally? Is there a reason for the constellation to take a deliberate interest in you?”

The words from Director Lee Eunjoo, to constantly doubt, resounded in her mind.

Before entering the S-class dungeon, Hara thought about the situation. Kwon Wook seemed desperate, and time was running out. The usual Kang Hara would’ve panicked and been swept up in the rush.

But Hara wasn’t a fool.

Kwon Wook’s characteristic, ‘Heartless Prayer’.

A thought had brewed in a corner of her mind from the first time she’d sneakily peeked at Kwon Wook’s status.

For a man that always had a friendly smile on his face, which part of him was so heartless for it to appear in his characteristic?

Characteristics were a reflection of a person’s personality and upbringing. It was also the case for her, who liked idols and was stuck with the trait of being an ‘idol fan’.

In that case, Kwon Wook must be hiding his heartlessness somewhere.

If her favourite idol was heartless, why was he heartless? Because he witnessed two of his fellow members die in a dungeon? Because despite that, he continued to smile brightly as if nothing had happened?

Hara peeked at Kwon Wook’s condition. His status as an S-class hunter was still not very visible, but one thing was very visible.

‘That’s usually called overcoming though.’

Hara took a peak at Kwon Wook’s status. As he was an S-class hunter, his status still wasn’t fully visible, but one thing was very clear.

*Status abnormality: Rationalisation, Deception

If she looked at it positively, she could see it as him rationalising to hide his mistakes.

It made her frustrated. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t upset. The feelings she once had for him wouldn’t just disappear so easily.

But that said, she didn’t want to be deceived.

No matter what happened to Team K, Kwon Wook would take responsibility. But if she reversed those words, it also meant that, ‘No matter what happens, Kwon Wook will be fine.’

No matter what mistakes he made, an S-class hunter was valuable enough for those mistakes to be covered up.

As such, he had no reason to make a late-night call to her and ask her to enter the dungeon with him.

It wasn’t like he was asking her to save his team members; she was just there for avoidability’s sake.

Hara turned her back on Gertrude and asked Kwon Wook.

“Is Kwon Wook-ssi’s quest to throw me to the dragon? Or is there another reason?”

“Quest? What are you talking about”

“Kwon Wook-ssi.”

Hara scratched her cheek awkwardly. But she had to say what needed to be said.

“I’m not a fool.”

“……”

Kwon Wook’s expressionless face twitched slightly. His lips twitched for a moment and then forcibly straightened.

And then.

“Do you think it would have been better if you were a fool?”

“……”

Even if you’re half-a-step away, an S-class must be an S-class. Isn’t that right, Hara-ya?”

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ warns of danger]

The man smiled brightly.

The next moment, Hara leaped back two steps.

Swoosh. A compressed blade of air brushed past the tip of her nose. It was a dizzying moment.

“Kwon Wook-ssi!”

[The field boss, ‘Gertrude’ opens its eyes]

Shh. As the system warning popped up, Kwon Wook held up a finger before his lips. Cold sweat trickled down.

At the sight of the silenced Hara, Kwon Wook winked an eye.

“You can call me oppa, Hara-ya.”

“…Administrative Officer Kwon Wook-nim.”

Even if he was an S-class hunter, a civil servant was still a civil servant, and it was appropriate for them to address each other as such.

However, Kwon Wook frowned at the unfamiliar form of address.

“Our Hara is so formal.”

“……”

“I really don’t know what the quest thing is about.”

“……”

“It’s just, there’s something our Hara has to do.”

“What is it?”

“Well…”

Kwon Wook scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“Dungeon Break?”

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ asks if that punk has gone mad]

Hara felt that she should be the one questioning the constellation.

Heartless prayer? Instead of heartless prayer, isn’t he just a madman?

Dungeon Break. It referred to an unstable dungeon erupting. No one knew the reason this occurred. If the dungeon was left unchecked, the gate would expand towards the sky, and monsters from within the dungeon would pour out into the real world.

Dungeon Breaks were a rare occurrence, as most dungeons were quickly stabilised with mana stones or by defeating the boss monster.

However, sometimes even a normal dungeon would erupt. And without exception, places where Dungeon Breaks occurred would be razed to the ground. Considering that this would be the Dungeon Break of an S-class dungeon, it was clear that it’ll become a catastrophic event.

“Are you crazy? We’re right in the middle of Sangam-dong!”

Due to dungeons, all residents within a two-kilometre radius were withdrawn. But two kilometres is too far away from that dragon. If the Flame Dragon spreads its wings and flies and shoots out flames, everything in close range will be devastated.

Because of the dungeon, all residents within a 2 km radius were evacuated. However, 2 km was an extremely short distance to that dragon. If the flame dragon spread its wings and spewed flames while it flew, anything in close proximity would turn to ashes.

Nevertheless, Kwon Wook continued to smile like he had something in mind.

“Ah, don’t worry. It will be quelled soon.”

“Then why—”

Kwon Wook shrugged his shoulders.

“Hara-ya, do you really think I’d tell you that?”

[As the user’s Luck value is above 77, and the characteristic, ‘Luck’ is activated]

Ack, the next moment Hara sank to the ground. It was because a cramp suddenly shot through her leg. However, she quickly realised that it was indeed fortunate.

Swoosh!

It was because Kwon Wook’s wind brushed past her head as she dropped down.

“…Managed to dodge that?”

Kwon Wook tilted his head.

Of all times to get a cramp! Wait, shouldn’t she be thankful that she got a cramp then? Hara looked at Kwon Wook incredulously. If Kwon Wook made another move right now, she could only hand her neck over to him, unable to resist.

However, Kwon Wook took a step back.

“There’s no other choice then. Catch.”

With that, Kwon Wook pulled something out and tossed it to her.

Hara caught it reflexively, and in the next moment, her eyes widened.

[Hatchling’s carcass]

Gertrude’s hatchling. It was still warm, like it hadn’t been long since it died.

It was the body of a bloodied hatchling.

“Hic.”

Hara had dropped that item unintentionally, but Kwon Wook was faster. He flicked a finger.

Tak, with that sound, a strong gust of wind blew from somewhere. It wasn’t in the form of a blade, but it was something worse.

[The smell of blood spreads]

[The field boss, ‘Gertrude’ detects the scent of its hatchling’s blood]

A shiver ran down her spine.

In hindsight, they had been attacking this dungeon for nearly a year. There wasn’t any reason for them to accidentally intrude the dragon’s nest.

At that thought, Hara glared at Kwon Wook. With a slightly mocking smile on his face, Kwon Wook’s red hair Fluttered in the breeze.

“Do your best.”

“Kwon Wook-ssi!”

[The hatchling’s blood permeates the hand of the user, ‘Kang Hara’]

At the same time, Gertrude, who was perched on the rocky mountain, rose and spread huge wings.

Kyarghhh! The roar of the massive hell dragon caused the entire dungeon to tremble.

[Gertrude’s skill: Regional domination is triggered]

[Gertrude places you on the wanted list]

[The monsters of the dungeon informs Gertrude of your location]

It felt like a situation that Hara had encountered before. Hara tried her best to wipe the blood on her hands onto her pants, but it was too late.

[The entire dungeon goes berserk at Gertrude’s fury]

“Oh dear. I need to be careful.”

In the next moment, Kwon Wook vanished right before her eyes. It was as though he was completely erased from the air itself. Hara’s eyes widened at his disappearing act, but she soon realised what Kwon Wook had done.

She was familiar with this through Team K’s X-tube videos. It was Kwon Wook’s long-range skill. He disguised himself with an item created by Bokhee, and rode the wind to move instantaneously. And after manipulating the air to erase all traces of his presence, it made it impossible for even monsters to find him.

[Activating ‘#HAPPYYOURDAY(C)’]

Hara hurriedly tried casting her birthday skill, but Kwon Wook seemed to have vanished from the vicinity during that time, thus evading the skill’s detection. And even if she managed to catch him, there was no time.

[Your location has been specified to Gertrude]

[Gertrude has located you!]

It was because the enraged dragon was flying straight towards her.

Crash, crash, crash. As the dungeon shook, lava spewed up.

Without the chance to think, Hara flew up instantly.

[Activating ‘Flight’ (S)]

Bang!

The dragon swung its tail directly at the rock where Hara had been.

If that had hit her, she would have been done for. As she floated in midair, Hara urgently took out her sword.

[Gertrude detects you]

[Gertrude’s anger intensifies!]

[The dungeon shakes]

[Time remaining before Dungeon Break: 19:58]

Dungeon break. As soon as Hara spotted that term, sweat trickled down Hara’s forehead. Without further thought, she drew light from her sword.

Tsuzutsu. A beam of light extended from Hara’s hand, and with the maximum amount of light she could muster, she swung her sword.

“Kraaah!”

The dragon roared as the light hit its wings.

Hara was taken aback.

‘It didn’t work?’

The wing wasn’t severed into two. It just left a deep wound.

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ grumbles that it was obvious]

[An A-grade equipment is unable to deal fatal blows to an S-class monster]

[The constellation, ‘Cupid’ pretends to cry while lamenting that you should’ve prepared better equipment earlier] 

I’m about to die, and yet there you are, chattering away about equipment?