Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant

Chapter 108

Suho looked at the ringing phone for a moment.

Why was he calling?

Did he have something to say?

With those thoughts, he answered the call.

“Yes, senior.”

– “Oh, junior. Are you busy?”

“No, I was resting at home. What’s going on?”

– What do you mean, ‘what’s going on’? You’re starting your Special Department training tomorrow, aren’t you? That’s why I called.

“Oh, thank you. I should have called you first….”

– Haha, why would a trainee call first? Were you going to say, ‘I’m starting training, so please take care of me’?

“Haha, you’re right.”

An exchange of small talk.

Meaningless banter, really.

Why did he call?

It wasn’t just to ask about his wellbeing, was it?

Sure enough, as the small talk ended, Pi Seongyeol began to get to the point.

– I heard you scored full marks in the Gate Department evaluation?

“Yes, that’s right.”

– If you get full marks in the Special Department as well, you’ll be the first and youngest in the association’s history to do so, you know?

“Yes, I’ve heard something like that.”

– Look at you. This is a big deal, but your reaction is quite flat.

“Haha… sorry about that.”

– No need to apologize. Anyway, the thing is… I’ll be in charge of your evaluation this time.

“Oh, really?”

Pi Seongyeol himself?

Why?

Even if he cared about a junior, there was no reason for the great Pi Seongyeol to go this far, was there?

But his curiosity was quickly satisfied.

– Yeah, so here’s the deal. We’re combining the Special Department and Investigation Department evaluations.

The Special Department has two departments.

The Investigation Department, which was created to investigate player-related crimes.

And the Special Department, which handles all other tasks.

Naturally, the Special Department held more power.

Although the term “all tasks” sounded like it included mundane duties, in reality, it handled the dangerous and unusual jobs that other departments couldn’t take on.

Thus, the Special Department could not only perform Investigation Department tasks, but also manage work from any other department.

‘And now, they’re combining the Special Department and Investigation Department evaluations?’

As far as Suho could remember, there was no precedent for this.

But it wasn’t surprising, given that it was Pi Seongyeol, who wielded considerable power within the association.

If he decided something, it would happen.

‘It’s not like the president would object, either.’

Curious about what he had in mind and how the evaluation would be combined, Suho decided to listen.

“In one go?”

– Yep, all in one go. No need to report to Team Leader Jung anymore. I’ll be taking care of everything.

Since the Special Department was the final training department, they seemed ready to start managing things thoroughly.

With this setup, maybe it was time for some news articles.

Pi Seongyeol continued.

– Anyway, just remember that.

“Got it. So, will you let me know the assignment tomorrow?”

– Why? Are you curious?

“Yes, honestly, it would be a lie if I said I wasn’t.”

– True. But it’s late now, so let’s meet at work tomorrow. I’ll explain everything then.

“Yes, understood.”

– Alright, rest up, and see you tomorrow.

“Yes, you too, senior.”

With that, the call ended.

As soon as it ended, Suho placed his phone on the side table by the sofa and thought.

‘What’s he planning to make me do that he’s being so secretive?’

Whatever it was, it piqued his curiosity.

After thinking for a moment, Suho called Jo Jin-hwi.

***

The next day.

Suho headed to the Special Department, timing his arrival with Pi Seongyeol’s working hours.

He had already talked to Jung Chulmin, but surprisingly, Jung Chulmin wasn’t aware that he had been relieved from being Suho’s handler.

‘He didn’t even tell Chulmin-hyung before going ahead with this?’

What a bulldozer of a man.

Still, Jung Chulmin understood the situation, and Suho, waiting nearby, went straight to the Special Department Chief’s office.

“Oh, you’re here?”

As Suho opened the door and entered, Pi Seongyeol greeted him with a bright face.

“Take a seat.”

“Yes.”

After Suho sat down, Pi Seongyeol removed his jacket and took the top seat.

Pi Seongyeol continued speaking.

“I heard you did a good job in the Detection Department, too?”

“It was nothing special.”

“Haha, sure. If you say it was nothing, then I guess it was. But you know the world doesn’t see it that way, right? You did well again.”

“Thank you.”

“To honor that, here.”

Pi Seongyeol handed Suho a file.

As Suho checked it, he noticed a familiar name in the documents.

It was Kim Goong-won.

Pi Seongyeol spoke.

“That guy, Kim Goong-won, is rotting away in Cheong-ok right now.”

Of course.

Most of the worst player criminals end up being sent to Cheong-ok.

To them, Cheong-ok is like hell on earth.

Even those known for their temper outside become meek lambs once inside.

But why Kim Goong-won all of a sudden?

Suho asked.

“Is this evaluation I’ll be doing related to Kim Goong-won?”

“In a way, yes. Do you remember the time you went after Kim Goong-won?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“At that time, who was with him?”

“Son Baek-geum was there.”

“Look at the back page of the file.”

As he said, Suho turned to the next page and found a document with a photo of Son Baek-geum.

Taking out a cigarette, Pi Seongyeol spoke.

“Back then, why did you say you left Son Baek-geum behind?”

“I said I left him because I couldn’t handle him.”

“That’s right. But what if you could handle him?”

He lit the cigarette and took a deep drag, exhaling the smoke into the air, where it dissipated like faint blossoms.

Only then did Suho realize what he was being asked to do.

‘This is all to counter Park Gyu-min.’

Calling him out suddenly, using the evaluation as an excuse, and now even bringing up Son Baek-geum.

Along with the talk of handling size.

Even an idiot could tell this was a setup to counter Park Gyu-min.

***

‘It’s a plan to gauge my abilities while using the Park Gyu-min case to ensure he binds me to his side.’

Yes.

This is exactly who you are.

Making people dirty their hands with either grime or blood to make them yours.

Calling it a shared stain, treating it like a badge of belonging.

Suho nodded and smiled.

“If it’s something I can handle, I should take it on, shouldn’t I?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Suho answered, and the corner of Pi Seongyeol’s mouth lifted.

A glimpse of his gold tooth flashed, revealing his hidden greed.

“I like it. Then go deal with Son Baek-geum for me. If you wrap this up well, I’ll give you full marks for both evaluations.”

“Is just dealing with him enough?”

“Of course not. Go deal with him and gather receipts from his connections whom he’s been supplying drugs to.”

“Understood.”

“You’re not even asking who those connections are?”

“If I couldn’t figure out that much, I wouldn’t be able to do this. I’ll handle it neatly.”

“Good, I like your straightforwardness. How much time do you need?”

“I’ll complete it within whatever timeframe you set.”

“Then take a week, handle it leisurely. Think of it as your last break before I assign you as deputy team leader in the Special Department once training ends.”

“Yes, sir.”

Without a hint of hesitation, Suho answered respectfully.

Was it because of that?

Pi Seongyeol chuckled, blowing smoke, seemingly pleased with Suho’s attitude.

“Ahn Suho.”

“Yes, senior.”

“Want to hear an interesting story?”

“What kind of story?”

“Aren’t you curious how I know all about Son Baek-geum’s relationship with the Association Vice President?”

Suho’s eyes widened slightly at Pi Seongyeol’s words.

Why bring this up now?

But he was indeed curious.

How did Pi Seongyeol know?

Suho asked.

“If I may, I would cautiously like to ask.”

“There’s no need to be cautious. It’s simple. Son Baek-geum came to me first before going to Park Gyu-min.”

“…?”

Hmm.

That was something Suho hadn’t anticipated.

But his curiosity was satisfied all at once.

Pi Seongyeol continued.

“Son Baek-geum might have grown because of Kim Goong-won’s drugs, but he’s not a big shot just because he trafficked drugs. He’s got a good business sense and a knack for trade. So at first, he came to me. He knew who to look for, realizing I was better than the Association Vice President.”

“Then why did you refuse? Was it for ethical reasons?”

“Ethics? What ethics do we have?”

“Then why?”

“It’s about class.”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t take dirty money. If I accept it, I become dirty too. Do you know where I used to work?”

Ah.

At that, Suho recalled where Pi Seongyeol originally worked and who he was.

Pi Seongyeol said.

“I was a prosecutor. At the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office, no less. Then, suddenly, I awakened, and here I am.”

Exactly as he said.

He had been one of the prominent prosecutors at the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office.

But no matter how high-ranking a prosecutor, the system treated everyone equally, and he had become an awakened being, thus unable to continue his position as a prosecutor.

Currently, in South Korea, certain professions like sports players, as seen with Park Goong, were prohibited from continuing their careers after awakening.

‘Judges and prosecutors are among them.’

The reason awakened individuals couldn’t serve as judges or prosecutors?

No one knew.

It was a decision made by those at the top.

Anyway, the once-successful prosecutor Pi Seongyeol had been abruptly stripped of his power and had since become almost obsessively attached to authority.

Power was like a drug; once you tasted it, you could never give it up.

‘And the Korean Hunter Association became the foundation for that.’

It was the best choice for him.

The Korean Hunter Association was one of the few government institutions that allowed awakened beings to serve while wielding power, and Pi Seongyeol, with his former prosecutorial skills, had managed to enter.

Thus, even though he was awakened, he hadn’t leveled up at all and had solely relied on his skills as a prosecutor to reach his current position as the head of the Special Department.

Because of that, he harbored a sense of elitism.

Even before, he’d considered himself a noble, yet had lost everything in a single day merely because he was awakened.

Exhaling smoke, he spoke.

“So, here’s the thing. Though it would never happen, as my subordinate, I won’t tolerate anyone sneaking money on the side.”

“Of course.”

“Good. Keep it in mind. Just because we look the same on the outside doesn’t mean we’re the same on the inside. You and I, we’re different from others from the very start. So never take money from lowlifes who deal drugs. Money comes naturally when power gathers.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Yes.

This was who you are.

A man truly obsessed with power, untouched by material greed.

If Park Gyu-min was a classic glutton, hungry for both power and wealth, Pi Seongyeol was a pure fanatic for power.

‘This type is scarier. He knows exactly what he wants.’

That’s why he didn’t even blink after causing a major incident like the Redevelopment Gate.

Pi Seongyeol spoke.

“Anything else you need or want to ask?”

At his question, Suho paused as if considering before pulling out his prepared request.

“If you’ll allow it, may I ask a personal favor?”

“A personal favor?”

Surprised by Suho’s unexpected answer, Pi Seongyeol tilted his head.