AHN VINA.
That was Navi's 'Civilian identity.'
There were times that she would need to leave the country in secret, hence using a private jet or a portal was out of the question.
Hence, the Hunters Association and the government provided a Civilian identity for her.
The other Elites members have it, too.
Anyway, since Navi went to the airport as 'Ahn Vina,' she had to wear a mask.
She wore a huge pair of dark sunglasses and a face mask— both were Items that gave the illusion that she had a face.
I'm really going to Paris, huh?
Navi was sitting on an uncomfortable chair in the departure lounge of the airport.
She had a ticket for a first-class seat, so she was entitled to use the First Class Lounge.
But she preferred "people-watching" to ease her boredom.
And the area that she chose wasn't so bad.
There were large windows there that offered views of the airfield. Hence, she could see airplanes taking off and landing. Even planes parked on the tarmac were visible.
I'm too early for my flight.
Navi left her penthouse early because she had nothing to do at home anyway.
"Hunter Won Yiwon and Hunter Cha Hyein have already departed for today's Expedition…"
Hmm?
Navi raised her head and watched the news being shown on the giant television screen.
Most passengers were also paying attention to the news.
"The support team will follow, but details remain undisclosed for the safety…"
Navi stopped listening when the news anchor started talking about the support team.
Eomma said they sent Won Yiwon and Cha Hyein first so that Won Yiwon won't realize that I'm not with the support team.
Should I send it now?
Navi had her personal phone in her hand— and it was the phone that only had Won Yiwon's personal phone number in the contact list.
Only Won Yiwon knows this number.
"Alright, let's do this," Navi whispered to herself while typing furiously on her phone. "It's now or never."
Hey, Won Yiwon. My mother and President Jung asked me not to join the Expedition. They didn't force me, but I kind of had the impulsive thought to quit because your passiveness pissed me off. I know, it's not your fault that I like you more than you like me. But it's still upsetting.
Oh, wait.
Navi realized that she was getting sidetracked.
So, she went straight to business.
Actually, at that moment, the kid sitting next to her glanced at her phone and was now reading the second part of her message.
She could feel it since she had sharp senses.
But she didn't have the luxury to care about that, even though she could have used a skill to hide her message from the kid.
I'm on my way to Paris, so I'm currently at the airport. Eomma said I should take a break. But I want to spend time with you, so come and follow me. Yes, I'm asking you to choose between me and the Expedition. And, yes, I'm being selfish. I've probably lost my mind. But I'm this crazy over you.
Navi knew that her message was full of greed, and that her obsession wasn't on the cute side, but she still pushed the 'send' button.
Done.
And after she turned off her phone…
"Damn, Unnie. You're desperate."
Navi turned to the kid next to her.
Well, the girl looked like she was in her early teens, so she wasn't really a kid.
But anyone younger than me is a child, so whatever.
"You look too young to curse," Navi said while leaning against the chair. "Does it make you feel cool when you curse?"
"Gosh. 'Damn' is hardly a curse, Unnie. Let me breathe."
"I only asked a question, and you're acting like I've interrogated you for hours."
The teenager pouted, and then she pointed at a couple sitting a few rows in front of them. "That's my older sister and her boyfriend. I got into trouble at school for a petty fight with my friends. Now they see me as a delinquent. They didn't want to leave me alone at home, so they're dragging me to their vacation. That's why I'm in a bad mood."
Navi glanced at the couple. "It seems like you and your sister have a big age gap."
"Fifteen years."
"I see."
"Enough about me, Unnie. Let's talk about you."
"Why do we need to talk about me?" Navi asked, confused. "We just met?"
"I saw that long message, Unnie. Did you send that to your boyfriend? I'm sorry to say this, but I felt second-hand embarrassment while reading it. You're acting like a clingy ex-girlfriend who can't move on from the guy who just dumped her."
Oh wow.
Kids these days are scary.
"I wasn't dumped," Navi denied strongly. "How can I be dumped when we're not even dating yet?"
The teenager gasped out loud. "Damn, Unnie. I feel sorry for you."
"Don't be, brat. We're childhood friends, and kind of rivals. Anyway, I'm sure he has feelings for me, too. He just hasn't realized yet how much he likes me, so I needed to give him a light push."
"That long-ass message was anything but a 'light push,' Unnie— you practically pushed that guy off a cliff."
"Yah…"
Navi wanted to scold the teenager, but she felt it.
The presence of a monster above S-Grade.
No, it was not a monster.
This feeling…
A Calamity was coming.
Navi gasped, and then she immediately turned to the large window where the airfield was visible.
The sky still looked normal.
But it wouldn't be in a few seconds.
"Unnie, where are you going?"
Navi got up from her seat and grabbed her backpack in a hurry without responding to the teenager.
I'm out of here.
Yeah, she planned to run away instead of fighting a Calamity again.
I'm so tired of carrying the world on my back.
But before Navi could dash, it had already happened.
A powerful thunderstorm roared in the now dark sky, causing even the ground to shake.
Then the gray sky got "torn" as if the sky was nothing but a picture.
And from the gap that opened up…
"A-A monster…!"
Tsk.
The "monster" that came out of the gap from the torn sky had the appearance of a man, but it was as huge as a mountain.
It was obviously not human.
Hence, the Civilians saw it right away.
As a result, everyone panicked.
The cries of the people around were accompanied by the loud sirens that went off instantly.
I'm sure the Hunters assigned in this area will be here in a minute.
Navi was about to leave quietly, but the teenager she was talking to a moment ago suddenly grabbed the hem of her jacket.
When she looked down at the kid, she wasn't surprised when she saw her shaking.
It's natural to be scared in this situation.
"Don't worry too much," Navi comforted the kid. "Hunters will be here soon."
"W-We're not going to die, are we?" the teenager asked in a trembling voice. "We can't die here. Oppa is supposed to propose to my sister today…"
What?
Navi froze in her tracks. "Your sister's boyfriend will propose to your sister?"
"Y-Yes, Unnie. That's one of the reasons he brought me with them," the teenager said, and then she looked up at Navi. "W-Why do you sound excited about that, Unnie?"
"Oh, I love marriage proposals," Navi said while removing her sunglasses and face mask. "Seeing couples getting engaged makes me feel like saving the world is worth it."
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