Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant

Chapter 88

Suho immediately checked its information.

[ Liberated Soul Gem ]

– Grade: A

# A prison for souls created by a necromancer.

# It was crafted to seal evil spirits, but part of the Soul Gem was destroyed, making it unable to fully imprison souls, turning it into a cursed item.

# The evil spirit within was purified by someone.

After reviewing the item’s details, Suho nodded in satisfaction.

“Just one more to go.”

After finishing up, Suho went straight home.

***

A few days later, Monday arrived after the weekend had passed.

However, Nam Haewon still hadn’t finished the work.

Before heading to work, Nam Haewon spoke with a dying voice.

“Team Leaaader….”

“What?”

“Please, save me….”

“Save you from what?”

“The synthesis isn’t complete….”

“It’s fine; people don’t die that easily.”

At Suho’s firm attitude, Nam Haewon’s eyes snapped open.

“How do you know that, Team Leader?”

“I went to the Sealed Gate. Everyone who went there died, but I didn’t.”

“…Is that the same thing?”

“Think positively. Isn’t it better than back in Yeongdeungpo?”

“Wow, using cheat codes, huh?”

“Hang in there, Haewon.”

“Sigh….”

With Suho’s encouragement, Nam Haewon pulled a long face and returned to the lab.

Suho found his retreating figure quite reassuring.

“As long as Haewon has time and materials, he’ll be fine.”

It was while Suho leisurely began his commute.

A call came from Park Gyu-min.

“Yes, Vice President.”

– I returned the money to everyone on the list and made sure they’re keeping quiet.

“Speak normally unless it’s just the two of us. That’ll seem less suspicious.”

– …Ahem, got it. Anyway, everything’s been handled, and I hinted that this case surfaced because someone tipped it off, so there won’t be any talk from the draft dodgers.

“What about Department Head Lee Wan-ik and Assistant Manager Lee Sehyun?”

– Those two will be summoned separately on Monday and dealt with right away.

“Understood. Handle my evaluation at the same time. Oh, and as for my next department, transfer me to the Resources Department.”

– The Resources Department? Why?

“Do I need to explain?”

– …Sorry.

“I’m hanging up.”

Why ask?

Just do as told.

Still, maybe because he felt a sword at his throat, Park Gyu-min managed the tasks surprisingly well.

Thanks to him, things were calmer than expected right after work, and none of the draft dodgers showed up, likely having been questioned over the weekend.

“So, now all that’s left is waiting for my evaluation.”

Just as it sounded.

He’d secured Park Gyu-min, and the draft-dodging issue was resolved in one go.

All that remained was completing the Awakening Department’s evaluation and awaiting transfer to the next department.

It was as he was in the basement library, waiting for lunchtime.

Vrr—

The phone rang.

The caller ID showed Park Gyu-min.

Seeing the caller, Suho smiled and answered.

“Yes, Vice President.”

– All evaluations from the Awakening Department have been processed, and the two people will be dismissed, held responsible for this case.

“Did you bring up Pi Seongyeol?”

– Tsk, once I mentioned Pi Seongyeol, both clammed up. There shouldn’t be any noise coming from them.

“Of course. Those two fear Pi Seongyeol more than they do you, Vice President.”

– …Who knows. In any case, the next training will be in the Management Department, then the Resources Department.

Interesting.

Seems he didn’t like hearing they feared Pi Seongyeol more.

Suho chuckled.

“I heard the Management Department only requires a theory test. I’ll finish it all today, so please handle it quickly.”

– All in one day? It’s not hard to process, but the theory test isn’t easy.

“It’s easy enough. Anyway, I’ll finish the Management Department evaluation today, so be prepared. Oh, also send me the number for the department head and their subordinate managers.”

– Why do you need the numbers?

“I said I need them, so send them. Call me if anything comes up.”

Again, Suho ended the call first.

Park Gyu-min stared blankly at the disconnected screen, left with nothing to do but grind his teeth.

A short while later, Um Joon-sung called.

– Mr. Suho, where are you?

“I’m at the basement library. Why?”

– Ah, I just wanted to inform you the Awakening Department evaluation is complete.

“They said it would take a while, but it was quick?”

– Yes, I didn’t expect it to be done so suddenly either… Anyway, you scored perfectly. Team Leader Jung will contact you shortly. Thank you for your hard work.

“It was nothing; you also worked hard, Officer Um.”

Having good backing really did make things smoother.

Um Joon-sung was busy conveying the unexpectedly quick results, while Suho, before Team Leader Jung contacted him, decided to call first.

– Ah, Mr. Suho.

“Team Leader, is it a good time for you to talk?”

– Ah, yes. I was about to call you, actually. Did you hear from Officer Um?

“Yes, I just got the call and reached out immediately. I’m ready; can I take the Management Department test now?”

“Already?”

“Thanks to the cheat sheet you provided, studying was easy. I’d like to take the tests all at once, like in school, if that’s possible?”

– If you’d like, I’ll try to arrange it. It won’t be right away, but after lunch, could you come to the Management Department’s Conference Room 2?

“Understood. By the way, do you know what department comes after Management?”

– It should be the Resources Department. Why do you ask?

“Just curious. See you after lunch.”

With this, the Awakening Department test and the Resources Department transfer were handled.

It seemed Park Gyu-min was performing better than expected.

Suho nodded, considering.

“Maybe I can find it in the Resources Department before the day is out?”

Thinking so, Suho began to calmly organize his next moves.

Just then, he received the contact list for the Management Department staff from Park Gyu-min.

“I know all these names.”

Suho forwarded the list to Seo Giwon, asking him to look into each individual.

Especially highlighting a few who needed extra scrutiny.

“At this rate, the training should wrap up within two weeks.”

If things went this way, he’d become the youngest and fastest to complete training in the Korean Hunter Association’s history.

And.

“Being a grade 5 means starting as a Deputy Team Leader, right?”

The Deputy Team Leader position, as implied, was the second-in-command within each team under each department.

Typically, one would spend at least a year or up to three years there before moving up to Team Leader, and at this rate, he would most likely begin his Deputy Team Leader period in the Special Department.

“That won’t do.”

Originally, that had been the plan, but after understanding the internal dynamics, he decided to revise his plans entirely.

For that reason, Suho intended to use Park Gyu-min to arrange his association life path to his liking.

As this thought crossed his mind, Suho found himself chuckling.

“To think corporate life could be this enjoyable.”

It was a moment he was reminded just how incredible it was to be a regressor.

***

For lunch, he had a bowl of soup and prepared to take the Management Department’s entire theory test as scheduled.

Naturally, it was easy.

For someone like Suho, who possessed the Library of Memories, this type of test was no different from copying from an answer sheet.

Maybe that was why?

With an unprecedented test format, department heads from various divisions participated as supervisors, and upon receiving Suho’s answer sheet, they were all left speechless.

“Wow….”

“This is incredible….”

“Is this even possible?”

“And a perfect score?”

“This is insane….”

The heads of departments with the most to memorize—like the Legal Affairs Department, which dealt with vast regulations; General Affairs, requiring extensive calculations; and Auditing, which demanded practical applications—were the most shocked.

And, as their astonishment grew, so did a common thought.

“At this pace, he might finish training soon….”

“Could we have him serve as Deputy Team Leader in our department?”

“It’ll probably be tough. They say he’s a protégé of Pi Seongyeol….”

“Royal….”

Ahn Suho.

The unprecedented genius and ace of the Korean Hunter Association.

Given his record in the Awakening Department, they couldn’t help but salivate.

However, they all knew not to even dream about it.

Rumor had it Suho was Pi Seongyeol’s protégé… in other words, a “Royal.”

“Guess the Special Department’s power will only grow.”

“Sigh.”

“The good things always go to the Special Department.”

Following Suho’s request, the Management Department test was processed immediately, and he was cleared for transfer to the Resources Department.

As he headed to the Resources floor with Team Leader Jung Chulmin, Jung congratulated him.

“Congratulations, Mr. Suho.”

“Thank you, Team Leader.”

“Now I’m even more curious. What trouble will you stir up in the Resources Department? Should I provide another cheat sheet?”

“Haha, that would be great, thanks.”

“But the Resources Department’s test shouldn’t be too hard. It’s more focused on field evaluations there. By the way, do you know what teams the Resources Department has?”

“Yes, I believe it has Resource Management and Research Analysis.”

“Do you know their specific roles?”

“Yes, the Resource Management Team stores and manages all items, while Research Analysis studies existing items or analyzes newly discovered ones.”

“Very knowledgeable. The field evaluation for Resource Management won’t be difficult. It’s similar to a logistics team; you’ll spend most of your time sorting and moving items.”

Resource Management.

He knew it well.

He’d worked there once before.

As Jung Chulmin said, it was where the association stored countless items in warehouses, spending the day moving and sorting items.

“But because of that, it’s also a place full of hidden treasures.”

Suho remembered clearly.

There were items stored as common but whose value was rediscovered later.

And it was the same for Research Analysis.

Moreover,

“The last item needed for Kim Geon’s partner item is also there.”

Suho smiled.

“It doesn’t matter where I go. I’ll give it my best.”

“That’s the spirit, Mr. Suho. So, here we are at the Resources floor….”

At that moment—

Vrr—

Suho’s phone vibrated.

Seeing the caller ID, he found it was Pi Seongyeol.

Suho smiled at the sight.

“I wondered when he’d call, and here it is.”

He must have had a lot to confirm.

After checking the caller, Suho spoke to Team Leader Jung.

“Chief, I need to take this call from Director Pi Seongyeol.”

“Ah… alright.”

Excusing himself, Suho answered the call.

“Yes, Senior.”

– Where are you?

“I just finished the Management Department’s theory test and was on my way to the Resources Department.”

– Really? Let’s push the Resources training to tomorrow and come see me now. It’s nearly quitting time anyway; there’s no point going to Resources today.

“Ah… understood.”

– Come right away. I’ll be waiting.

With that, Pi Seongyeol finished his words and hung up abruptly.

Seems he’s in quite a rush.

Suho stifled a chuckle before explaining the situation to Team Leader Jung with an apologetic expression.

“Ah… then there’s no helping it. We’ll save the Resources Department visit for tomorrow. I’ll inform the department head for you.”

“Thank you.”

Team Leader Jung’s consideration.

In truth, Pi Seongyeol’s behavior was quite rude in this case, but how many in the association would dare question him over it?

Moreover, the Resources Department was part of his faction.

After nodding politely to Team Leader Jung, Suho headed for the Special Department.