Chapter 85

Translators Note:

Hello, Lovely Patrons!

It’s with mixed emotions that I announce this will be the final chapter here…

Because guess what?

We’re moving site…

Yet again, Wook!?

Absolutely, indeed!

I can’t emphasize enough how crucial your continued support, both financially and emotionally, has been for the progress of my projects. Today’s update wouldn’t have seen the light without the collective efforts—thank you all so much! kowtows

After countless nights of limited sleep, the moment to share this thrilling news has finally arrived!

I’m giving you a sneak peek for now, but starting next week, Wook’s Teahouse will find its new home at . The site is fresh and still under construction. While it may not be as polished as some other well-organized sites, all essential features will be readily accessible (including the head-inducing Coins system! So say bye to buying individual chapters via Ko-fi!). We’re in the process of moving some ongoing projects, and we’re also welcoming a new translator, unveiling a fresh project!

Additionally, we’re actively seeking new and experienced translators to join our group. If you’re interested or know someone struggling to manage their own site, feel free to recommend us to them! Winks

Cheaper Ko-fi tiers system is still available for Wook’s project only.

Seora returned to her hotel room, looking forward to enjoying the remaining days of her reward vacation without Seong Jarim’s presence. She wanted to relax and heal before heading to America.

“…But why?” Seora stared at her phone screen with annoyance. The name displayed on the screen was none other than “Avoid At All Cost.”

What an ominous name.

“Can’t I just ignore it?”

After what she had heard from Seong Jarim, it was clear that he wanted to discuss the Labyrinth with her. However, it hadn’t been decided whether she would participate in the war. Couldn’t they discuss it later?

But as she contemplated, the phone call from “Avoid At All Cost” rang again. This was the fourth time.

“The name may be ‘Avoid At All Cost,’ but I haven’t really avoided him.”

This was why she shouldn’t have gotten involved with a regressor.

Eventually, Seora reluctantly answered the call.

Following his request, she invited him to her hotel room for a brief meeting. She provided him with the room number because, of course, she didn’t want to face Elsa in public. With no one else present, they could discuss the matter in private.

【Administrator: (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻ㅁ┻】

However, just when the others wouldn’t cause any trouble, Administrator Beth decided to stir things up.

“What’s the matter?”

As soon as Kang Sejun entered the room, the atmosphere became tense.

“No, Liza- I mean, my Entity keeps flipping tables.”

“…What does that mean?”

“He’s angry. But I don’t know why.” Seora had often witnessed the administrator flipping tables, but she rarely understood why. This time was no different.

“So, your Entity expresses its anger by flipping tables?”

“Why are you looking at my Liza with such wide eyes?” Seora glared at him, as if asking why he was belittling Liza.

【Administrator: (╯°□°)╯】

“No, I’m not belittling Liza, so don’t give me that look.”

“Be careful. I won’t let you off the hook if you act carelessly toward my Liza.”

“I understand. I’ll be careful.” Kang Sejun nodded hurriedly, sensing the imminent threat that Seora might unleash. Since becoming an L-class Awakened, Seora’s power had increased even further.

As they both sat on the sofa, another message from the administrator popped up.

【The system administrator expresses concern about how you could be in a hotel room with an unfamiliar man.】

“…Eh?” The message was more direct than an emoticon. Seora’s eyes widened. So that was why the table was overturned?

“What is it?”

“My Liza is jealous that I’m alone with you.”

【Administrator: (╬و•̀Δ•́)و】

“Does your Entity show that much personal concern? You two seem to be on good terms.”

“Yes, I am loved by my Liza.”

“…” This is the taste of favoritism, Kang Sejun, who was unaware of Seora’s Entity, thought.

“Did you come here to discuss the Labyrinth?”

“That, among other things.”

“Do you have more information? Seong Jarim was supposed to inform you about the system administrators.”

Seora had heard about the meeting between Seong Jarim and Kang Sejun. Fortunately, the man didn’t seem to harbor any ill feelings toward the administrator. However, she never expected to hear about the 11th floor of the Labyrinth.

Seora still had no intention of revealing that she was a contractee. She needed more information. She didn’t want to be locked up somewhere before meeting the administrator.

“Oh, it’s not about that. Besides, you probably know less than Seong Jarim anyway.”

“That’s true.”

“I’ll inform you if I find out more later. It seems like whatever Seong Jarim knows ends up reaching you anyway.” Seora shrugged nonchalantly. “Do you remember that you owe me a favor?”

“A favor?”

“Yes. In exchange for making a deal with the Guardian Spirit without receiving any payment, you agreed to listen to my request at least once.”

“Oh, now that you mention it, there was something like that. Are you going to ask for it now?”

“That was my original intention,” Kang Sejun replied with a bitter smile, tilting his head.

“Considering the timing, it seems like a request related to the Labyrinth. Does your previous statement mean you’ve changed your mind?”

“I was worried that you might think I’m trying to deceive you.”

“Deceive?”

“…I can’t ask you to consider participating in the Labyrinth raid after telling you to prioritize your own life.”

Ah. Seora immediately understood what he meant.

At the beginning of their meeting, they had made a deal. However, Kang Sejun had recently discovered that Seora was Yun Jaeheon’s younger sister. It would be quite ironic to ask her to go into the most dangerous situation while urging her to prioritize her own safety.

But, well, what about it?

“You didn’t know anything back then, and besides, you’re not forcing me to join the war unconditionally now, right?”

“Of course not. All I want is for you to consider it. How could I ask you to risk your life for just one deal? I’m not that heartless.”

“Then there’s no deception involved. The choice still lies with me.” Kang Sejun looked at her, surprised. “Even if I’m selfish enough to hide my identity for my own safety, it doesn’t mean that I expect everyone else to protect me. Only my family and I will protect myself. I have no intention of hiding behind others and asking them to protect me.”

“…”

“It’s up to me to decide whether I want to go to that hell. Isn’t it more deceptive to try to protect me as you please?” Seora’s pitying gaze left Kang Sejun speechless.

Yun Seora was not a helpless civilian. She was not someone who needed to be protected. She was an Awakened, a Hunter who had stepped onto the battlefield of her own accord. The true deception was his disregard for her determination.

“…You’re right. I made a mistake. I’m sorry.”

“It’s good that you apologize quickly. I’ll forgive you this time.” Seora grinned proudly, while Kang Sejun sincerely reflected on his actions.

“Please, tell me the details. I will listen and make my decision.”

“The reason I made that deal with you in the first place is because I have a long-held wish that must come true. The Labyrinth must be attacked without fail, or else the world will perish.”

Seora’s mouth trembled greatly. She did ask him to explain, but she hadn’t expected such a heavy revelation right from the start.

“I died in the Labyrinth Breakout due to a failure raid in my first life.”

“Wait. No matter how long ago it was, hearing someone talk about their first death would fluster anyone.” I’m going to die of suffocation at this rate.

When Seora raised her hand with a very uncomfortable face, Kang Sejun smiled awkwardly. “I’m sorry. It’s all in the past, so don’t take it too seriously. Besides, back then, I was an A or S-class.”

“When did you become an L-class?”

“In my fifth life. It’s extremely difficult to reach L-class unless you’re born with it. Seong Jarim was originally an A-class, right? She must have lived a very difficult life.”

That was true. In addition to living for 100 years, she had even destroyed a planet.

‘How can you guys be so pitiful…’

Kang Sejun and Seong Jarim had achieved their L-class status through immense struggle. They must be the strongest in the world because they had fought alone for such a long time, something no one else had experienced.

Even with the assistance of system administrators, Seora was far from reaching their level.

“The world was destroyed all five times?”

“There were times when I died halfway through, but most of my deaths were in the Labyrinth on the 11th floor. That monster is truly…” Kang Sejun’s eyes showed clear anger. Seora had seen that anger when she first met him.

“So you died from that monster in your previous lives too?”

“Yes.”

“No wonder. When I first saw you in the Seoul Forest Dungeon, I wondered why you were so angry. So that’s why.”

“Ah, I had just returned at that time. Oh, and I remembered, the original breakout of that dungeon was supposed to kill hundreds of people.”

Seora pleaded silently, asking him to stop dropping these bombshells suddenly. “H-hundreds?”

“Since I first experienced it in my first life, I have gone back each time to prevent such damage from occurring. But this time, something completely different happened.” The appearance of an unknown S-class who could instantly defeat a Level 2 Boss Monster. Seora’s existence. “That’s why I kept an eye on you. Because I thought there must be a reason why fate changed.”

And there was a reason indeed. Seora had the blessing of a system administrator. She had been weak, but the administrator possessed enough power to twist fate.

“Perhaps it is the influence of your Entity. Are you still willing to tell me who it is now?”

“No.”

“Alright, then I won’t ask until you tell me. Ultimately, what matters is your will, not your Entity.” Kang Sejun slowly lowered his head toward Seora. “There’s only one thing I want to ask. Please seriously consider targeting the Labyrinth Dungeon.”

He stayed true to the terms of their agreement, called ‘consideration’. The 8th floor was about to open, so he must be eager, but he maintained his composure.

‘He clearly knows that this attitude shakes people’s hearts more.’

Seora, observing Kang Sejun’s bowed head, didn’t feel upset because they had made such a deal in the first place.

“What did you do in the past?”

“I asked Joo Eun and Song Hanna. I thought the two of them would be able to reach L-class, but that was just my wishful thinking.”

“Really? So my aunt wasn’t able to?”

“As I mentioned before, she was furious since your death… Mmm.”

He must have known that I wanted him to stop talking without me having to say it.

“How many floors does the Labyrinth Dungeon have?”

“I’m not certain since I’ve never gone past the 11th floor, but considering the strength of the monsters, it’s likely that the 11th floor is the final floor.”

The 11th floor. With four more floors remaining after reaching the 7th floor, would they be able to survive without dying until then?

【Administrator: (ง •̀_•́)ง✧】

The administrator clenched his fists as if to say, “Why are you worried?”, as if he would protect her from anything. Did the administrator know she was worried?

‘If I die, the administrator will be shocked too.’

Not only Song Hanna and Yun Jaeheon, but now the administrator would also be concerned. She didn’t want to subject him to the shock of losing a loved one.

【Administrator: ( •⌓• )】

It seemed he hadn’t even considered that possibility.

〖“I’m truly happy. I never expected you to think of me like that.”〗

“Ah!” Seora covered her ears and let out a loud scream. Whether Kang Sejun was surprised or not, Seora stared into empty space.

Administrator Beth! Didn’t I tell you not to suddenly talk to me like that…!

〖“But Seora, I don’t want my presence to hinder your decision-making.”〗

“…Aish.”

The administrator was even better at unsettling people’s hearts than Kang Sejun.