Chapter 60

Chapter 60

“It was only a while ago that two L-class Awakened appeared, improving our position. And now we fell into the abyss right away.”

The association’s meeting room where the Cheorwon Dungeon raid team gathered.

Song Hanna snorted and threw the newspaper onto the table. It was not domestic paper. All of these, with provocative headlines, were overseas’s.

“Many places slander Korea. Aside from Korea, all the places with Locked Dungeons are on lockdown.”

Dungeons that were so terrible that if you hadn’t been lucky enough to get the special item called Lock, they’d swallow not only the country but also its neighboring area. As such, criticism of South Korea for not properly managing key items increased daily.

「Korea failed in managing their Key! Is this allowed?」

「Korea’s ability to manage crises is poor. They need help from other countries.」

「The thing that this incident should destroy is Korea!」

「Korea only cares about their country’s Locked Dungeon. A selfish country!」

Yoo Soo-eun clicked her tongue. “But most of them are just checking Korea, which has L-classes, right?”

“That doesn’t mean we didn’t do anything wrong. It is exactly our fault that this happened.”

Yoo Soo-eun grumbled at Hanna’s calm answer and shut her mouth.

“I apologize for pushing you into a dangerous place because of my mistakes. If there’s anyone who should go, it should be me.”

“That’s not true.”

“No, no.”

“Absolutely not.”

Everyone in the seat denied Song Hanna’s words.

“The association’s president moving in an uncertain situation where Cheorwon may or may not be breached? How absurd.” Joo Eun shook his head resolutely. “You must keep your position. Remember that the association’s president is the spiritual pillar of Korea right now.”

After the outbreak of the first Level 2 dungeon 12 years ago, it was Song Hanna who reestablished Korea, which had been severely reeling. She pushed all the S-classes into Cheorwon, dragged down all the high-ranking government officials who were trying to get them out of the country, and set up an inviolable association to save everyone regardless of whether they were Awakened or non-Awakened. Even though she was not the strongest Awakened in Korea now, people instinctively sought her out when they were in danger.

So Song Hanna had to stay in place.

“And this is not your fault. Even the association’s president doesn’t have the ability to discern lies.”

“Right, right. The problem is the ones who tried to fill their own pockets even while betraying humanity. People should keep their humanity to the end.” Eun Injae, the leader of the Sunset Guild, also agreed.

“Thank you. However, as long as I am the association’s president, such excuses will not work. So I’ll do what I can. The association will support you in whatever you need, so don’t worry about your back and just look forward.” While you are in Cheorwon, I will protect this place.

Only then did everyone’s faces become comfortable at the reassuring yet exciting remarks. As expected, Song Hanna was someone who could manage the situation well.

“I don’t know whether Cheorwon will open or not, but let’s set our way of fighting in advance just in case.”

Everyone nodded their heads at Joo Eun’s words.

“Then let’s start with the combat position first. First of all, Hunter Kand Sejun and Hunter Yoon Jaehun. I often collaborate with others to know their abilities, but we don’t know much about the two of you. Can you tell us what kind of ability you have?”

“I am a combat swordsman. I can make wide-area attacks, but I deal the most effective offense toward a single target,” Yoon Jaehun was the first to reveal his abilities openly.

“You are similar to Director Do.”

“I am stronger in defense, and Yoon Jaehun is stronger in the offense. The single main dealer will be Yoon Jaehun.” Do Junyoung’s words were reliable. Joo Eun nodded gently and placed Yoon Jaehun in front. “What is your detection range, Kang Sejun?”

The longer the meeting, the more meticulously the layout was completed, and the attack methods became more diverse.

“It’s amazing. Yoo Soo-eun is caring for someone she doesn’t know very well.”

“She’s someone suffering from Suwon-cchi and the puppy.” In short, she felt sorry for someone suffering from people she hated.

Sung Jarim secretly avoided her gaze.

“Did you guys enjoy the conversation? I’m glad that Seora gave everyone a laugh before leaving.” At that time, Song Hanna intervened and clapped her hands, but the corners of her lips were trembling, too.

Seora recognized Song Hanna’s expression this time as well. Like Jaehun, she had a face that seemed to be holding back from wanting to burst into laughter immediately.

“I know everyone wants to play more, but do the rest when you come back. We’ll maintain this place until you return.”

Everyone kept quiet in the heavy words that followed. It was a situation where the people who just laughed and chatted together had to walk on their own feet toward the land that might turn into hell.

“Your presence will soon bring great relief to the people. I pray for everyone’s safety.”

At Song Hanna’s request, everyone said don’t worry and smiled broadly.

While looking at them individually, Seora finally fixed her eyes on Jaehun. His clear brown eyes, sparkling as pretty as glass, smiled at her. Like saying don’t worry, nothing will happen.

It was the same face as when he smiled at her the day he went abroad.

“Have a safe trip.”

Seora politely bowed her head toward the S-classes who had become close to Jaehun.

Even if things go wrong and the Cheorwon Dungeon opens, I hope that everyone will be able to return here without exception. Seora prayed to the gods who would be watching over everyone.

***

With the news that the raiding party had settled in Cheorwon, war clouds hung over. Hopeless words flowed out from everywhere that if the frontline collapsed, Korea would eventually end.

The association’s headquarters was a little more firm, but there were still sighs of concern from time to time.

“I think everyone is rather nervous because nothing is happening.”

Seora sympathized with Gong Haeyeon’s words.

“I don’t want it to appear, but... Oh, I hope it just fizzles out at this rate.”

“What kind of person stole the Key and created this mess?”

After the massacre of Castle Tower, they’d searched everything, including item shops and auctions, but the Key was never found. As the disappearance of the Key became known and the world went wild, nobody could tell if the culprit was hiding to save themselves or if they had any other plans. Seora had tried asking the administrator, but they didn’t answer.

“That person should just try not to get caught, or else I won’t leave them alone.” Because what had happened to the whole world thanks to them? Castle Tower was at fault first, but so was that person.

“Seora, you got a text message.”

Seora looked at the cell phone on the desk at Jarim’s words. The contact name of the sender was ‘Avoid At All Cost’. It was the returnee who was building an offensive line in Cheorwon.

‘His name is Damage, but I’ve never avoided him.’

How to ignore the contact of someone on the front line? Eventually, Seora sighed and looked at the screen.

[Sorry, but can you go to Mount Taebek?]

Mount Taebek? Why there?

[A Rift Dungeon will appear there soon. Please take care of it.]

Wait, what the hell is this?!