Civil Servant Hunter’s S-class Resignation Log

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! Also please check out our new Hunter series!

“Could it be, are you Hephaestus?”

The Greek god Hephaestus.

Is this really happening? Didn’t the myths describe him as an ugly man? But what’s this? He’s too good-looking, isn’t he?

Red hair, red eyes, and even a limp. Everything matched the myths except for that handsome face. So, even though it seemed impossible, Seora couldn’t dare to guess that he might be Hephaestus.

“I heard that Entities cannot manifest on earth unless summoned by a contract.”

〖”Is this your land?”〗

Well, she didn’t have much to say to that. If this were another planet, then the unwelcome guests were Seora and the others.

“But no dungeons under the control of Entities have ever been found.”

“Oh, right, about that, Seora.” Perhaps realizing they weren’t enemies, Seong Jarim relaxed and lowered her weapon. Unlike Seora, who was quite taken aback, she seemed calmer than expected.

“What is it?”

“Normally, Entities don’t appear in dungeons. But things have changed since conquering the 8th floor.”

“What? So you’re saying Entities can appear in dungeons after conquering the 8th floor? And now they want us to kill a god? How is that even possible? Are they insane?”

“The Entities that appear in dungeons aren’t complete gods. Think of them as alter egos with some of their divine power. It’s well within our capabilities to handle them.”

Alter egos? Seora looked at Hephaestus. He nodded.

〖”I’m not the complete god, but a projection. Though this land isn’t an illusion, my true form exists elsewhere. We still cannot manifest on your land.”〗

It was bewildering. Seora couldn’t grasp this situation. “Why did the situation change? Why would Entities start appearing from the 8th floor onwards?”

“It’s related to the 9th floor of the Labyrinth.”

“The 9th floor? What happens on the 9th floor?”

“Um, sorry. Kang Sejun told me not to talk about it yet. I also think it’s better for you not to know.” Seong Jarim drew a firm line.

The 9th floor of the Labyrinth. Kang Sejun and even Seong Jarim were afraid of what might happen on that floor. What on earth could be happening on that darn 9th floor?

“Okay, but can you at least tell us what changes occur in the dungeon?”

“Sorry, I forgot about that. It’s been a long time for me. It was decades ago when I conquered the 9th floor in Baskar.” Seong Jarim scratched her head, looking embarrassed. Seora sighed.

Well, remembering something from decades ago isn’t easy. Especially for Seong Jarim, who hasn’t led a happy life and has faced near-death situations multiple times since then.

Seora reassured her, patting her on the shoulder. “But then, why is Kang Sejun silent about this?”

“Oh, maybe he doesn’t know about this?”

“Why?”

Unlike Seong Jarim, it hadn’t happened to him decades ago, and he must’ve experienced it many times as a regressor. So why wouldn’t he know?

“He didn’t even know that dungeons are just planets of another dimension. He might just think that dungeons with Entities are special. Plus, not all dungeons have Entities appearing.”

“…”

It was reasonable, so Seora had nothing to say. Besides, if Kang Sejun knew this fact, he wouldn’t have stayed silent. He would’ve informed the WDO right after conquering the eighth floor. This was different from revealing information about the 9th floor in advance.

“So, do we have to kill you, the owner of this dungeon, to close it?”

〖”Yes.”〗

Seora tightened her grip on the gun at his response. Hephaestus’ following words made her drop it again, though.

〖”And we have to kill the monster beneath the volcano too. To close the door, all life forms must die.”〗

Seora glanced at the volcano wearily. If there was a monster entwined with Hephaestus under Mount Etna, there was only one—Typhon. To think they had to kill the entity that Zeus himself barely defeated.

〖”He seem afraid. You might be capable of it.”〗

The god’s gaze shifted towards the white nine-tailed fox next to Seora. There was a presence within it that even made gods retreat with a sense of caution.

〖”I don’t want to fight you. Since I’m just a projection, I’m willing to die if that’s what you want.”〗

He was a deity, an Entity, different from monsters or beasts that merely saw humans as prey. They interacted with humans, sometimes even formed contracts, and used systems.

Therefore, there were no gods who desired to confront the system administrators. Being excluded by the administrators from the system would render them unable to attach themselves to that planet forever.

Of course, there were gods who scorned and belittled the administrators, calling them puppets of the designer. However, Hephaestus desired a friendly relationship with the administrators. He feared a world where the wrath of the system administrators descended.

System administrators weren’t ordinary beings. They had gained the qualifications to be administrators by enduring dreadful conditions over many ages. Among them were transcendent beings capable of easily tearing apart even gods.

Though their actions were limited due to the contract with the designer governing the universe, it didn’t mean their powers had vanished entirely.

What if they unleashed their fury upon this world, daring to risk their contract? Hephaestus never wanted to witness that end, especially having witnessed a planet meet such a horrifying fate in reality.

〖”Don’t worry. That guy isn’t that strong. Defeated by Zeus thousands of years ago and trapped in the volcano, he’s only weakened over time. You can win against him now.”〗

Hephaestus had no intention of disturbing the contracted individual near the administrator.

“I agree. This place is different from the 8th floor of the Labyrinth,” Seong Jarim echoed his sentiments.

The 8th floor of the Labyrinth was a world where the Dragon of Revelation had triumphed in a war against the angels and ruled. But here, Typhon was the defeated one. That disparity was impossible to ignore.

“Are you and Typhon the only life forms on this land?”

〖”Yes.”〗

“Then I will kill you. Please don’t blame me; you granted permission.”

Hephaestus chuckled. With a compassionate smile, before Seora aimed the gun at him, she asked one thing, “O deity, may I ask something?”

〖”What is it?”〗

“Do you happen to remember someone named Shin Dowon?”

Hephaestus’ eyes widened. His eyes, resembling flames, trembled significantly. Yes, those eyes that had been giving her a sense of deja vu bore the exact same color as Shin Dowon’s.

“Your child. Do you remember him?”

Hephaestus sighed heavily. Shin Dowon was Hephaestus’ previous contractee. There was no way he wouldn’t remember. His face, once again, tinged with sorrow.

〖”I see. You are the child living in the same land as him.”〗

“Your child is dying. He asked me to take his final weapon, made from his own life.”

〖”My contracts inherently come with significant prices. I disclosed that fact beforehand, and yet the child chose to contract. Are you blaming me for that?”〗

“He made his own choice. I won’t point fingers for that. But why did you leave your dying contractee’s side? That’s what I’m questioning you about.”

Hephaestus was a revered god across the world.

However, even if he were to anger, Seora wanted to voice her thoughts. She knew Shin Dowon longed for the god, even if he didn’t show it. She understood his feelings due to her contract with the administrator. She herself would have been equally devastated in such a situation. Losing someone she considered a companion in life and being left to live out the remaining days alone—what could be sadder than that?

“Did you abandon him?”

〖”I didn’t abandon him.”〗

“Then why did you leave? You should have stayed by his side until the end. You accelerated his death. If so, at least you should not have let him depart this world alone and lonely.”

Though her tone remained composed, at least Seong Jarim and the administrator understood. They understood what emotions drove her to utter these words. Seora didn’t want her parents to save the world and leave; she’d have preferred to die alongside them. Knowing this well, her current words pained her.

“Do you have no intention of changing your mind now? You can re-contract.”

〖”If I re-contract now, it will only hasten his death.”〗

“If you won’t change your mind, then I have a request.” She held out her hand, asserting her demand.

〖”What?”〗

“A way to save Shin Dowon. At least a method to extend his lifespan further than it is now. If it’s the nectar of the gods, it might be possible?”

The source of immortality. While nectar might not immediately grant Shin Dowon eternal life, it could alleviate the imminent mortality caused by arsenic poisoning. After all, he was not just any god’s contractor but Hephaestus’.

“I’ll make sure it reaches him. Just give me that. Then at least I can say that you did your best for your contractee.”

There was no response from Hephaestus. Seora pointed to the clothes she was wearing.

“Look at this.”

It was a black combat suit fitted perfectly for her. Only then did Hephaestus realize the familiar flow of magic emanating from the garment.

〖”That’s…”〗

“He made this. Isn’t it amazing? Does it make sense for someone with such potential to leave the world early? He needs to live longer.”

The Labyrinth’s terrifying 9th floor, causing even Kang Sejun and Seong Jarim to tremble in fear, and the monster on the 11th floor that had killed Kang Sejun several times—all of these couldn’t be resolved with what they currently possessed. They would need stronger armor and more formidable weapons.

Shin Dowon is the person who can resolve this. He’s necessary. If he dies easily, she’ll be in trouble.

“So, please give me the nectar. I’ll assist Shin Dowon in creating more weapons and help spread his reputation throughout the world. I have enough power to make that happen.”

Earth’s sole system administrator’s contractee, and an L-class Awakened—one of the world’s strongest. Her words held truth. She was undoubtedly someone who could grant Shin Dowon’s unfulfilled wishes,

Hephaestus closed his eyes.

Shin Dowon. Had that child’s troubled finger chosen this one to burn his life? Despite knowing nothing, he truly chose the right person. He was still an upright and bright child.

〖”Very well. However, the divine nectar cannot be handed over to just anyone. There must be conditions.”〗

There was a reason he couldn’t give the nectar despite knowing Shin Dowon was dying.

Hephaestus pointed his finger towards the volcano. The massive volcano rumbled as lava bubbled and burst.

〖”Kill Typhon. Typhon is a monster feared by all the gods of Greece. If you slay him, I’ll acknowledge that feat and grant you the nectar.”〗