Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant

Chapter 84

It was literal.

Because of the draft dodgers that Suho had captured, both the Non-Awakening Department and the entire Awakening Department were on high alert.

After grasping the situation, Suho started to say something but simply nodded instead.

“Understood. Then, where should I wait?”

“Waiting? Ah, right. Waiting… that’s the issue… Since you haven’t been assigned a desk yet… um… what should we do?”

How unprepared.

No matter how busy things got, it was unreasonable to make him wait without even providing a desk.

Suho took the lead, noticing Um Joon-sung’s hesitation.

“If it’s inconvenient, I’ll stay with the general administrator. The field training for the Awakening Department is already complete, after all.”

“Oh, would you? Then, I’ll contact you as soon as the evaluation is finished.”

“Yes, understood.”

It might take a few days.

Or, possibly, even longer.

The Awakening Department was in a severe state of emergency right now.

‘Actually, this is good.’

The longer he had to wait, the more free time he’d have.

Suho picked up his phone and called Jung Chulmin.

– Ah, Suho.

“Yes, sir. Are you in the office by any chance?”

– Yes, I’m in the Gate Department right now. Why do you ask?

“I completed the field training for the Awakening Department as of yesterday. But Officer Um mentioned that everyone who could handle the evaluations is too busy right now, so I was told to wait for a few days. The problem is there’s nowhere for me to wait. Would there be a place where I could stay?”

– Ah, I see! But you’ve already finished the Awakening Department’s training?

“Yes.”

– Hmm… I heard that something happened over there yesterday… Alright, I’ll come to you. Let’s meet by the elevator.

“Understood.”

What was this?

Was he… kind of out of the loop?

While Suho waited by the elevator, Jung Chulmin soon arrived.

“Coffee break?”

“Shall we go to the usual place?”

“Sounds good.”

As if on cue, the two of them headed out to the courtyard, each grabbing a cup of vending machine coffee.

As he handed Suho his coffee, Jung Chulmin spoke.

“But what kind of training ended so quickly? Sure, I can see you finishing the written exams early with your sharp mind, but field training shouldn’t be that easy, right?”

“Well, I just happened to complete everything.”

“Heh… Honestly, you’re probably the only person who’d describe field training like that, Suho. By the way, I heard something on the way over – that the Awakening Department’s current mess is all because of you… Is that true?”

“I don’t know if it’s because of me, but I did bring in over twenty draft dodgers yesterday, so yes, both the Non-Awakening and Awakening Departments are busy.”

“Draft dodgers?”

“Yes.”

Suho explained how he’d captured those who had used the Awakening Act to avoid military service, and as he listened, Jung Chulmin nearly dropped his cup of barley tea.

“What… So that’s why everyone was being so secretive.”

“They’re being secretive?”

“Well, yes. Even if we asked the Awakening Department directly, nobody would answer, so we were all just watching the situation unfold. I had no idea it was something like that.”

Ah.

So that’s why they were slow on the uptake?

Well, it wasn’t exactly good news to spread around, so there was no need to flaunt the Department’s embarrassment to other departments.

Besides, things like this were best kept under wraps for as long as possible to save a bit of face.

But putting that aside…

Suho nodded, then asked another question.

“Right. But by the way, sir.”

“Yes?”

“Are you familiar with office politics?”

“Office politics? Why… why do you ask?”

Hearing the words “office politics,” Jung Chulmin glanced at Suho with a somewhat wary expression.

Suho, however, shrugged it off nonchalantly.

“Well, it seems like it’s time for me to start learning. There are factions and lines wherever you go, right? Not that I’m thinking about aligning with anyone, but knowing in advance helps avoid trouble, don’t you think?”

“Oh, that’s true.”

Jung Chulmin’s expression relaxed, visibly relieved.

He was someone whose expressions often revealed his thoughts.

Which was exactly why Suho had asked him.

Even though it didn’t show, Jung Chulmin was quick-witted and cautious, someone who had survived by carefully navigating through tight situations.

‘Compared to him, I’ve just relied on Chulmin and swung my sword.’

Back then, he didn’t have the time to think about office politics or lines.

He was only a 9th-grade rank, busy just handling his own tasks.

He only started seriously concerning himself with office politics after joining the Special Department, but that was far in the future.

Right now, he needed information on the current factions.

Particularly regarding Pi Seongyeol and Park Gyu-min.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Jung Chulmin spoke.

“There are essentially two factions. The Vice President’s faction and the Special Department Director’s faction.”

Hm?

So those two were the faction leaders?

This was news to him.

After all, when Suho eventually became interested in politics, the two were aligned as allies, not as separate faction leaders.

‘So it wasn’t that they aligned – one side must’ve absorbed the other.’

In Suho’s view back then, Pi Seongyeol had more power than Park Gyu-min.

So it would make sense that Pi Seongyeol eventually overtook Park Gyu-min.

‘Given the Son Baek-geum incident, it’s clear that he was gradually gathering information and tightening his hold.’

Now, everything made sense.

As expected, Pi Seongyeol.

In the past and present alike, he never shared information unless with his closest confidants.

Not even with promising juniors from the Special Department he greatly valued.

Jung Chulmin continued.

“Dividing the factions isn’t too hard. Think of it as the heads of each department forming a single team. The Awakening Department and the Management Department are under the Vice President, while the Gate Department and Resource Department fall under Director Pi. Here’s a question, though: why doesn’t the Association President have a faction?”

“Because he’s the highest authority in the Association?”

“Right. As long as he completes his term, he doesn’t need a faction. He’s more focused on maintaining external relations than internal ones. Anything else you’re curious about?”

“No, that’s all. I asked just to be careful, so I’ll keep what you said in mind and watch my actions and words.”

“Good, good. So, what will you do about the lack of a desk? How about I arrange a temporary spot in the Gate Department?”

“I’d be very grateful, but if it’s alright with you, could I study for other department exams in a café or the basement library instead? I have a feeling that if I stay in the Gate Department, people will keep asking me about the Awakening Department.”

“Hm, you’re probably right. Alright, I’ll get the exam materials for you, so spend a few days in the café or library. If you need anything, just let me know. Should I bring the materials down to the basement library for you?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“You should probably start with the Management Department. They mostly handle paperwork, so there’s no field training – it’s all desk work. Expect a lot of exams.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Alright, then let’s head out.”

As he stood up, Suho smiled inwardly.

Thanks to the exams, he’d have a few days of freedom.

***

True to his word, Jung Chulmin provided a comprehensive set of materials for each department.

After skimming through them in the basement library, Suho stored the materials in his inventory and stood up.

“This should be enough for the theory exam prep…”

Now, it was time to prepare for what the Vice President had assigned him.

Suho stepped outside the Association building and made a call.

– Yes, sir?

“Yeonhwa, are you in Paju?”

– Yes, I’m in Paju. Why?

“I’ll be there in 30 minutes. Tell everyone to gather.”

– Alright.

Ending the call, Suho drove toward Nexus Academy in Paju.

Though he arrived earlier than expected due to light traffic, the Banshees were already there waiting for him.

The Banshees greeted him as he approached.

“Boss!”

“You’re here?”

“Yeah, sit down.”

“Are you on duty right now?”

“Taking a legitimate break. But it’s about time we get started.”

“Get started with what?”

“The promise I made to you all.”

“Oh.”

The promise to the Banshees.

It was about avenging the Korean Hunter Association.

With the heavy topic raised, Seo Gyowon focused with a serious expression.

By now, Seo Gyowon was aware of the Banshees’ history.

With a heavy look, Gu Yeonhwa spoke.

“But aren’t you still in your training period? Didn’t you say revenge would wait until after you joined the Special Department?”

“That was the plan, but I came across some interesting information during training. If it works out, I might be able to stir things up even before joining the Special Department.”

Suho shared the incidents from his training and the things he had learned from Jung Chulmin with the Banshees.

After he finished explaining, Gu Yeonhwa nodded.

“So, do you plan to use that information network the Vice President suggested to drive a wedge?”

“No, the opposite.”

“The opposite?”

“We’re going to take over the Vice President.”

“Take over…?”

Suho began to lay out his plan to the Banshees.

As they listened, the Banshees were astounded.

“…Will this really be okay?”

“Why not? You think stirring up discord is easy? Let’s keep it simple.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry; I’ll take full responsibility.”

Suho’s determined gaze.

At his sincere expression, they exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.

“Understood.”

“Alright, let’s get moving.”

“Yes.”

The Banshees immediately began working to implement Suho’s plan.

***

“He’ll meet with me?”

“Yes, sir. Please follow me.”

Suho timed his visit to the Vice President’s office to coincide with quitting time.

He then persuaded the Vice President that he’d arranged a meeting with an information broker, and drove the Vice President’s car to the meeting spot himself.

After a long drive, they arrived on the side of a highway on the outskirts of Seoul.

When they parked, Park Gyu-min spoke irritably.

“What’s so special about them that we had to meet here?”

“They’re very security-conscious, so the meeting location changes each time. I hope you understand, sir.”

“Tsk… So, where are they?”

At that moment, figures began to approach from the distance.

They all wore matching black suits and strange masks on their faces.

They were the Banshees.

Seeing them, Park Gyu-min tensed.

It was late, and there wasn’t a soul around.

Still, he had one reassurance.

He was with the Sword God, Ahn Suho.

But then.

Suho turned to look directly at Park Gyu-min.

“Vice President.”

“Wh-What?”

“Sorry for deceiving you.”

“What? What is that supposed to mean?”

“What else? You’re being kidnapped.”

“What?”

“Get some sleep.”

Thud!

With a swift punch, Suho knocked Park Gyu-min unconscious, his body slumping to the side.