Chapter 136:

Chapter 136:

We kindly ask for your understanding regarding the inconsistency of character pronouns, particularly for the Entities (ex. The Greedy Predator). In Korean, pronouns are rarely used, making it challenging to ascertain a character's gender or identity until later narratives unfold. Update twice a week [SUN] & [THURS] starting August 2024!

“Shin Dowon? I’ve heard that name before.”

It wasn’t a completely unfamiliar name like some others on the list, but she couldn’t quite recall where she had heard it before. Not to mention, this person was in his prime years at thirty-nine years old.

Seora was certain he wasn’t a popular item creator among Hunters these days. However, the fact that the administrator had included him in the list likely meant he wasn’t just an ordinary person.

“He was active for seven years after the cataclysm and then almost retired. It’s normal that I don’t know about him.”

She had just entered high school in the seventh year of the cataclysm. She hadn’t awakened or paid much attention to Awakened individuals then. Still, if the administrator had put someone who had been retired for six years on the list, there must be a reason to remember him.

***

“...”

On the first day back to work in the New Year...

Seora, who had been trying to smile at the people yelling “Headbang” in front of the association’s headquarters, finally lost it when she arrived at the office. Her difficult-to-maintain smile gave way to the cold look in her eyes.

“Yun Seora-ssi! Hurry, come over! We’ve been waiting!”

“Look at this! Can you believe it? Even on the first day of the New Year, we came early and prepared this!”

“Do you like it? Haha, I feel so proud. It looks amazing, doesn’t it?”

Behind their bright smile was...

“Congratulations to Headbang Yun Seora for achieving first place domestically!”

...a large placard with a design that was overly loud and content that she found somewhat objectionable. Seora sighed and held her forehead. She always wanted to leave work as soon as she arrived, but that feeling was stronger today than ever.

“Why are you all doing this to me...”

“Oh my! Yun Seora-ssi, are you so moved? I could hear your trembling voice!”

“Hehe, no matter how touched you are, it’s not worth crying over, right? Don’t cry, don’t cry. Of course, we understand your joy, but still!”

“Pulling tears from the eyes of Headbang Yun Seora. I’m so proud!”

That’s right! Yes! Amidst the cheerful cries of her colleagues, Seora genuinely wanted to shed tears.

【Administrator: (*≧∀≦*)!!!!!】

However, there was no one on her side here. The administrator’s emoji suddenly floated above people’s heads, showing even more excitement.

“Heh. I told you Seora would be thrilled. Fortunately, you listened to me.” The person who confidently made this statement was none other than Gong Haeyeon. Ah, it was you! You were the culprit!

“Indeed, Gong Haeyeon knows Yun Seora very well! She’s the biggest contributor of the Labyrinth Dungeon, so it’s only natural she’s ranked first!”

“Let’s quickly take a selfie and post it on our Bang’s fan cafe!”

“Oh, that sounds great! Everyone will love it!”

Click, click. Seora was taken aback by her colleagues pulling out their phones simultaneously. A fan cafe? Why are you all joining my fan cafe...?

“Has Yun Seora arrived at work?”

At that moment, the savior’s voice, Do Junyeong, reached Seora’s ears, causing her to snap her head up. Right, if it’s Director Do, he’ll sort out this situation right away. He will...!

“...”

But during the time she hadn’t seen him, something seemed to have changed. In Do Junyeong’s approaching, large hand, there was a neatly wrapped gift.

“Um, sir, that’s...”

“Ah, it’s late, but happy birthday.”

Seora accepted the gift wrapped in Christmas-themed wrapping paper without a word. It did bring back some old memories...

“Shin Dowon. He was the best among the first-generation item craftsmen. He even made weapons for your mother and me.”

“Wow, really? But why did he retire so early? He should have been in his prime in his mid-thirties.”

“I don’t know the reason. It was a sudden withdrawal. But you can still hear the hammering from his place, so it seems like he hasn’t completely quit. That’s why I included him on the list.”

“Weapons for Mom and Auntie...”

“Are you interested in him?”

What should she say? With the administrator’s recommendation, Seora chose him without hesitation.

“I’ll write a letter of recommendation. If you show it to him, even though he’s retired, he won’t chase you away.”

“Where does he live? I’d like to visit him this weekend if possible.”

“Mount Gwanak.”

“... What did you say?”

“Mount Gwanak.”

After visiting Mount Taebaek, it seemed that it was Mount Gwanak this time. Perhaps this person, like Baek Huiwon, had also built an illegal structure. Unlike Baek Huiwon, he had a relationship with the association’s president, Song Hanna, so it was unlikely.

“Why there, of all places?” Seora asked.

“It’s a mountain with a lot of minerals. A great place for a blacksmith who handles fire.”

In that case, the likelihood of illegal construction was very low. It was fortunate.

“Would you like me to come with you?”

“No, it’s okay. Just send me the address via text.”

After finishing the conversation and obtaining the recommendation letter, Seora left the flashy president’s office. Seeing her excited niece’s departure, Song Hanna chuckled. “Shin Do-won, huh? It’s been a long time since I heard that name. It would be nice if he could meet Seora.”

“Seora is strong; Shin Dowon-ssi will probably be interested.”

The response came as a mumble that was almost a soliloquy. From seemingly nowhere, a figure appeared. Sitting across from Song Hanna as if she had been there all along was the guildmaster of the Emissary Guild, Jeong Hoyeong.

“You’re still excellent at concealing yourself. Even Seora didn’t realize.”

“Could it be that she was pretending not to know?”

“She really didn’t know. Your concealment is so effective that even magical detection wouldn’t catch you, making it nearly impossible for anyone to know.”

Jeong Hoyeong’s concealment technique was exceptional, even within the world of assassins. In terms of concealment alone, she might surpass China’s Wei Hu, who was considered the world’s best assassin. It was all thanks to her unique constitution; nobody was like her in the world.

“You don’t know how much your ability helps me. Thank you, Hoyeong.”

“You’re my benefactor, so this level of assistance is natural. Please tell me anything you want. I’ll make it happen.”

“You’re already doing more than enough. What about the task I assigned you?”

Anger had replaced the hint of a smile on Song Hanna’s face.

“As you mentioned, ma’am. There has been an increase in the recent influx of foreign Awakened individuals into the country. It includes those who enter through legal routes as well as a considerable number using illegal means.”

“Their specialties?”

“Assassination.”

“Their nationalities?”

“While it’s not definite based solely on appearance, more than half are from East Asian countries.”

How predictable. Song Hanna sneered.