Chapter 95:
While my other initial novels have their share, none has contributed as much as this; I'm very grateful for you loyal readers. I haven't updated the adv chapters for some time, and I'm sure everyone's itching to know what other madness Seora will take part in. I'm now focusing on finishing shorter novels I'd been delaying since 2020 so I can focus better on finishing the longer ones when I'm free, and I promise you: I will finish Seora's adventures before the end of 2024. Once again thank you so much, and I'd hope you continue to enjoy our administrator's pettiness~!
“Finally, Korea! Ahhh!”
The long journey was reaching its conclusion. Upon learning that there were approximately two hours remaining until arrival, Seora stretched her body and let out a yawn.
“You look radiant. Did you steal something valuable?” Kang Sejun, with a smooth face resembling a boiled egg, displayed curiosity.
“Steal? It’s merely a well-deserved reward.”
“We’ll see once we enter the Labyrinth.”
“Before we depart, I should test it in a dungeon somewhere. I need to become acquainted with it first.”
“Oh? In that case, if a decent Level 3 Dungeon emerges, I’ll assign it to you.”
Seora responded to the association president’s enthusiastic remarks by clapping her hands in excitement. Monopolizing a Level 3 Dungeon. If she were to sell the loot obtained from it, she would earn a substantial sum of money…!
“As an F-class, you cannot venture alone. Let’s see… Alright, from now on, Seong Jarim will serve as Seora’s assistant.”
Seong Jarim, still groggy from just waking up, suddenly widened her eyes upon being given this significant responsibility. “Huh? What did you say?”
“We should support each other. How well has Seora taken care of you? Now it’s your turn.”
“Oh my. Please take good care of me in the future, Seong Jarim-ssi.”
“What a perfect match.”
“Stay strong, Hunter Seong.”
“Cheer up!”
Everyone stood united. As soon as Seong Jarim opened her eyes, she felt like fainting all over again.
“You’ll soon be entering the Labyrinth together, so it’s important to maintain coordination in your actions. Oh, by the way, how about Kang Sejun joining you in that regard?”
“I’ll pass.” Yun Seora alone was already challenging enough. Adding Seong Jarim to the mix?
Kang Sejun waved his hand in disgust. However, as they say, one person’s suffering is often another’s joy, so everyone chuckled and pushed Kang Sejun into the depths of despair.
Creak!
Suddenly, the airplane began to shake violently. Just when everyone thought it was mere turbulence and was returning to their seats, laughing and chatting…
【Gate is created. Please be prepared for danger.】
An absurd message blinked before their eyes. The Awakened on the plane widened their eyes in surprise.
“A gate? Could it be inside the airplane?”
That couldn’t be true. There had never been a case where a gate appeared in a moving and unstable location. So, where could it be?
【Administrator: ?( ???????︿??????? )?】
Seora urgently looked out the window, following the emoticon pointing outside. It was a clear and sunny day with no clouds, and the plane was flying at a low altitude, providing a wide field of view.
A vast expanse of blue sea. And at one point on the surface, a gate, emitting a more vivid blue color than the sea itself, was lazily materializing.
【Gate creation is complete.】
“On the sea, huh?”
Had there ever been a case where a dungeon appeared in the open sea? Even though they were affiliated with the association, it wasn’t like they knew the location of every dungeon in the world, so it was perplexing.
“It’s fortunate that it’s not inside the airplane.”
Suddenly, everyone turned their attention to the window. Song Hanna verified the coordinates of the newly formed gate.
“Thankfully, it’s not within our territorial waters. We don’t need to worry about it.”
Nevertheless, since the gate appeared on the sea, there remained a possibility of unknown factors. Song Hanna promptly contacted someone in Japan to gather information. Fortunately, it seemed there wasn’t much cause for alarm, and everyone returned to their seats, relieved.
The plane was approaching its landing time. It was important to prepare for the awaiting reporters.
“…But we weren’t prepared for a situation like this.”
As soon as they disembarked from the plane, Seora sensed a strange atmosphere among the reporters. Since there had been no communication during the flight, she wondered what could be amiss.
“President Song! It has been reported that a Level 1 Dungeon gate has appeared in Japan. Have you heard about this news?”
Unable to make phone calls during landing, she hadn’t been informed.
The news was truly distressing, and even just hearing about it caused a headache.
***
“The situation in the United States is already giving me a headache, and now this. What’s happening?” In the association office, Song Hanna slumped in her chair, expressing her frustration.
Do Junyeong asked with a tense voice, “Is Yun Seora safe?”
“She’s fine, no injuries, no issues. I advised her not to worry about the dungeon in Japanese waters and to get some rest. By now, she’s probably asleep.”
“I’m relieved to hear that you’re not sending her there. That’s a relief,” Do Junyeong’s gaze shifted to the documents on the desk. It was an official letter from the Japan Association, requesting assistance in dealing with the newly emerged Level 1 Dungeon.
“Of course. How can I send those kids who are scheduled to enter the Labyrinth in just three weeks? Besides, I’m not pleased with the nature of their request.”
The expressions of Song Hanna and Do Junyeong turned cold simultaneously.
Currently, there wasn’t a single L-class Awakened in Japan. However, tackling a Level 1 Dungeon required a minimum of three or more L-class Awakened. Hence, they urgently sought assistance from neighboring countries.
Korea was naturally included, but the problem was…
“Why are they specifically targeting Seora and asking for her help? It’s absurd to seek assistance while making such ridiculous statements.”
Officially, they expressed their desire for the participation of Headbang, who had made the greatest contribution in eliminating the Cheorwon Dungeon. However, their true intentions were too transparent, making it simply laughable.
“They probably want to see the face of that famous Headbang first.”
They would conduct background checks and try to persuade them to come to Japan if they seemed like a suitable candidate.
Korea, which had initially lagged behind due to the limited number of S-classes, suddenly surpassed them and took the lead. It was enough to breed jealousy.
“There’s no need to consult with those three. Send them a reply declining the request.” She had no intention of subjecting the children, who would have to face the dreadful dungeon in just three weeks, to further torment.
“Yes, understood,” Do Junyeong agreed, sharing the same sentiment.
It was only a few days ago that Yun Seora had narrowly escaped being kidnapped in the United States. She returned unharmed, but that didn’t diminish the concern.
‘I promised to protect her…’
Do Junyeong wiped his face. It seemed that Seora had completely forgotten about that incident from their childhood. But it was fine. Do Junyeong himself remembered it vividly.
‘What an absurd promise. I’ve never been able to fulfill it properly.’
As the child grew up and reached great heights through her own efforts, what had he done?
He smiled bitterly.
Amidst it all, he couldn’t help but feel relieved that she hadn’t followed in her brother’s footsteps and joined Athena. He found himself pitiful for even thinking that way.
***
While everyone was sighing with concern for Seora, she found herself alone with the troublesome regressor. If Song Hanna and Do Junyeong had known, they would have strangled Kang Sejun on the spot.
“So, we have to participate in the Japan Dungeon raid?”
Their firm determination not to send anyone was completely overshadowed by Kang Sejun’s insistence that they had to address this issue.
“Do you remember that we’re entering the Labyrinth in three weeks?”
“It’s fine. The 8th floor isn’t as challenging as you think.”
“Not challenging? It’s the Labyrinth!”
“Well, it’s true that the overall difficulty is high, but compared to other floors, the 8th floor is relatively easier. Even after multiple regressions, the interior of the Labyrinth hasn’t changed, so you can trust me.”
“Well, if that’s the case. But why the Japan Dungeon?”
“Hey, don’t you have the mental barrier skill?”
Mental barrier. Just hearing that, she grasped the idea. “Don’t tell me the monsters in the Japan Dungeon are incorporeal?”
“And the boss is a phantom. Being a Level 1, it can’t be easily repelled by ordinary mental barriers. But since you were able to handle the Hunting Guild Rift Dungeon, you should be fine.”
At that time, Jeong Hoyeong had defeated the boss, but it was Seora who saved the guild members. It seemed that Kang Sejun had also heard the story of them getting shot in the head and surviving.
“It’s not a problem even if it’s Level 1.” Seora’s mental barrier was not just a skill, but the protection of the administrator, so no phantom could penetrate it.
“Then please help me. Ghost-type creatures don’t care about seas or borders. It will be dangerous if a Dungeon Break occurs.”
I see. That’s the issue. Japan and Korea were very close, and that distance was not significant for incorporeal beings floating in the air.
“But your expression isn’t a joke. Could it be that someone might die because of that dungeon?” At that moment, Kang Sejun swallowed. A sigh escaped him involuntarily. “With your pathetic acting skills, you can’t even fool a five-year-old.”
“Not everyone is as skilled at acting as you are.”
“I have natural talent. So who’s going to die?”
She felt uneasy. She had heard that Song Hanna and Yun Jaeheon had almost lost their minds after her death. Could it be that those two…?
“Guild Master Joo Eun.”
However, the name that came out of his mouth was something she had never expected.
“Joo Eun? That Joo Eun? He can kill phantoms, can’t he?”
“While trying to protect his daughter from the phantom that came to Korea…”
I see. That kind-hearted person, in the end…
“I’ve tried to prevent it from happening several times, but it’s been difficult for me alone. There have been times when I couldn’t protect him, and there were even times when I died trying.”
Now she understood why Kang Sejun would often bite his lip whenever he encountered Joo Eun. How many deaths had he endured alone in his five previous lives? His incredible mental strength allowed him to withstand such agony.
“I can’t let someone I care about die. Alright, I’ll assist you.”
Finding it difficult to stop it on his own? Then why not gather the power of two or three people and fight together?
“…I always seem to make these kinds of requests to you. I apologize for not maintaining my dignity.”
As with all novels, it’s a well-known flaw of regressors, you know.” Seora chuckled and patted Kang Sejun on the back, causing him to feel embarrassed and lower his head.
Despite her occasional complaints, the truth was that she didn’t despise Kang Sejun. He wasn’t a regressor who only pursued his own desires, and his request wasn’t driven by personal motives. So how could she hate him?
He had repeated his life six times to eliminate the dungeons and restore peace. If anything, he deserved to have some desires.
“Kang Sejun, don’t regress anymore. Sacrifices that go unnoticed are nothing more than futile deaths.” Of course, sacrifices that are remembered are equally meaningless deaths. Seora still hadn’t completely overcome the death of her parents. “Think about the people who cherish you. Instead of seeing you sacrifice yourself alone, they would rather die alongside you.”
Mom is no longer here.
But Kang Sejun is still here.
That’s why Seora couldn’t bear to see him walking the same path as her mother, all alone. She knew too well the loneliness and pain that awaited at the end of that path.
“I told you before. I will decide where I’ll fight. And I’ll give it my all. Fortunately, unlike in the past, you haven’t lost anything in this life, right? That’s great. If you don’t want to regress again, give it your all in this moment. I’ll make an effort together with you.” She had no memory of Kang Sejun’s previous lives. Since she only remembered this one life, it was only natural to do her best in this moment.
“…”
That’s why she was unaware of how deeply those words had affected Kang Sejun.
‘Nothing…’
That statement was true. Song Hanna, Yun Jaeheon, Do Junyeong, and Joo Eun, they hadn’t lost anything. Despite not facing it alone, the world was flowing peacefully more than ever before.
Only one thing had changed: the existence of Yun Seora.
Because of that, Kang Sejun couldn’t take his eyes off her face for a long time.
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