Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant - Chapter 112

Chapter 112

“So… this gentleman here has the possession trait, and he’s currently using an item to alter his appearance, correct?”

“Not just an appearance change; this appearance itself is the item.”

“…This appearance itself?”

“Yes, that’s right. Mr. Kim Geon?”

“Yes.”

At Suho’s nod, Kim Geon changed his appearance from his real self to that of Kenji from the Ops game.

Seeing the transformation process, Nexus Administrator Kim Lee-gang looked momentarily startled but quickly regained his composure and began to admire it.

“Wow, this is….”

“Do you know Ops? The game called Over Strike, it used to be all the rage back then, and the assassin character Kenji….”

“Oh, of course, I know it! I was really into Ops myself. I heard it nearly died out after the Cataclysm because the player base dwindled, but to think I’d see Kenji here….”

“Then this should make it easier to explain. Mr. Kim Geon, while we’re on the topic, can you show us the Kenji combo?”

“Yes, I’ll go with the most famous combo, the Swift Wind Kill….”

“Swift Wind Kill!”

The mention of Swift Wind Kill left Kim Lee-gang in shock.

It was only natural; Swift Wind Kill was synonymous with Kenji, to the extent that Kenji himself was called “Swift Wind Kill.”

But more astonishing to Kim Lee-gang was the fact that the creator of the famous Swift Wind Kill combo was none other than Kim Geon.

Then, Kim Geon demonstrated the Swift Wind Kill combo in the vast training field.

The move involved him flying forward as if slicing through the wind while inserting four attacks in between—an impeccable execution of the Swift Wind Kill that one could only expect to see in the game.

Was it because of this?

Seeing Swift Wind Kill, Kim Lee-gang instinctively opened his mouth wide, trembling.

“A-amazing… a live-action Swift Wind Kill…!”

Kim Lee-gang was, in fact, a huge Kenji fan, with Kenji as his main character.

Seeing Kenji himself, the world’s number one Ops player, perform Swift Wind Kill right in front of him was enough to feel like he had ascended to paradise.

Suho also had Kim Geon demonstrate signature combos of other Ops characters like Leonhardt and Banjo, which led Kim Lee-gang to promptly present the contract without any further hesitation.

“With this level of skill, there’s no need to see more. Let’s proceed with the contract immediately.”

“And the rank?”

“You’re putting him in the same division?”

“Yes, he’ll be part of my personal raid team.”

“Then he’ll start at Rank B as well, and once he hits Level 100, we’ll raise him to Rank A.”

“Thank you.”

“By the way, have you decided on a name for the personal raid team?”

The name of the raid team.

Though he hadn’t planned it in advance, a name was now necessary.

So, he decided to use the one he already had in mind.

“Yes, we’ll call it Banshee.”

“Banshee… Got it, noted as Banshee. Also, would it be okay to make a personal request?”

“What sort of request?”

“I’m a huge Kenji fan, so could you transform into Kenji and let me take a picture…?”

“Of course, Mr. Kim Geon?”

“Yes!”

At Suho’s request, Kim Geon transformed into Kenji and posed for a picture.

Then, Suho turned to Kim Lee-gang.

“Also, could I ask you to arrange an access card for Mr. Kim Geon? And there’s something else I’d like to request….”

Suho conveyed an additional request to Kim Lee-gang, who listened attentively and nodded.

“That should be easy enough. We won’t cover the costs ourselves; you’ll be using the payment from the Earth Keeper Mine you received last time. Shall I prepare it right away?”

“Yes, please. Oh, by the way, do you know how Hunter Kang Dae-han has been doing recently?”

“He’s been diligently doing raids with his assigned team. Why do you ask?”

“We used to raid together, so I was just curious how he’s been. What level is he now?”

“If I remember correctly, he’s in the 80s or 90s. Why don’t you give him a call if you’re curious? I think he’s been waiting to hear from you.”

“Is something going on?”

“No, nothing like that; it’s just… it’s you, Suho. Of course, he’s waiting for your call. It’s like hearing from a superstar.”

“Hmm.”

He understood what he meant.

But now was not the time.

Hunter Kang Dae-han, who shone brightest as a tank, was best off gaining experience on the field.

Suho said, “Then please contact me once Hunter Kang Dae-han reaches Level 100. Since he’ll be getting love calls from multiple places once he becomes a One-Star Hunter, I’d like to meet him first.”

“Understood. Then, I’ll be in touch once we’ve arranged his guild card and other necessary items.”

“You can contact Mr. Kim Geon. That should be fine.”

“Got it. Then let’s proceed with the membership process immediately.”

Shortly after, Kim Geon’s formal Nexus membership procedure began, and soon, only his signature was left to finalize everything.

After Suho reviewed the additional clauses he’d requested, he nodded to Kim Lee-gang.

Following their prior agreement, Kim Lee-gang left the room, leaving only Suho and Kim Geon.

Suho spoke.

“Once you sign here, Mr. Kim Geon, you’ll officially be a B-Rank member of the Nexus Guild.”

“Thank you. I’ll work hard.”

“It’s a bit early to thank me. Because what I’m about to explain is the most important.”

Pointing to the additional clauses, Suho continued.

“I told you I was hiring you, right?”

“Yes, you did.”

“Once you’re hired, you’ll be assigned to my personal team, making me your direct supervisor. From now on, please call me ‘Team Leader.’”

“Oh, right. I’ll keep that in mind. And…?”

“This pertains to the partner item I gave you. As written here, you can only borrow the partner item for free when working with my personal team. Outside of that, I won’t be able to lend it to you.”

This was the most critical condition.

Nothing in the world is free.

But Kim Geon nodded as if it were no big deal.

“And?”

“Additionally, you must keep confidential your Nexus affiliation, the existence of my personal team, and everything about the partner item I gave you.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes, that’s everything.”

“That sounds easy enough. I’ll definitely uphold and remember it.”

Kim Geon answered without a moment’s hesitation.

It was inevitable.

To him, Suho was a savior.

How could he possibly refuse for such a trivial reason?

Suho smiled and said, “I like your quick answer. Also, this isn’t part of the special terms, but I have a personal suggestion.”

“A personal suggestion?”

“Yes, if there’s no particular reason against it, would you consider staying here?”

“By here, you mean… Nexus Academy?”

“Yes, with the training center and everything here. Oh, naturally, accommodations for you and your younger brother, as well as a caregiver to look after him when you’re working, will be provided. Consider it a benefit of my personal team.”

Staying in Paju wasn’t worth including as an official term, so he left it out.

But Suho personally hoped that the Kim brothers would stay here, as it would make everything from caregiving to commuting easier.

“With just three items, he’d be an exceptional player, but it wouldn’t be right to skip training entirely.”

Without hesitation, Kim Geon reflexively nodded at Suho’s suggestion.

“Of course, I’ll come. With all this care, I have no reason to refuse. In fact, I’m deeply grateful.”

“That’s great. Then let’s go ahead and sign.”

A contract that would conclude with just a signature.

And with Kim Geon’s signature, his entry into the guild was finally complete.

After putting away the contract, Suho offered a handshake.

“Congratulations on joining. I look forward to working together.”

At this, Kim Geon clasped Suho’s hand with both of his own and bowed his head.

“Thank you so much, Team Leader. And thank you once again for this opportunity.”

“It’s nothing. Shall we move on? I have people to introduce you to.”

“Yes, I understand. Ah, and you can speak casually with me now, since you’re my direct superior.”

“Shall I?”

Technically, Kim Geon was older.

But in society, did that really matter?

In a world where wealth and success decided who was respected as “hyung” (older brother), such distinctions became trivial.

Handing the contract to Kim Lee-gang outside, Suho then led Kim Geon to Banshee’s dedicated training center.

The entire team was immersed in rigorous training via Infinity.

Suho pointed at the screen broadcasting the team’s activities from the outside.

“See that?”

“Yes, I see it.”

“Our team’s routine is simple. We spend half the day in resurrection sparring and the other half in dungeons.”

It was as he described.

Without specific orders from Suho, Banshee’s members would spend half their day sparring against Suho’s avatar and the other half hunting virus monsters in Seo Giwon’s virus dungeon.

Watching the Banshee members engaged in fierce combat, Kim Geon’s mouth fell slightly open.

“But that person fighting there… that’s you, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s my avatar. Everyone trains in swordsmanship against me every day.”

“Wow… but do they always fight in a one-versus-many formation like that?”

“They have to. Even though it’s just an avatar, fighting it one-on-one would lead to quick defeat. That avatar is created from my battle data.”

“Wow….”

“Why are you so surprised? You’ll be joining them to fight soon enough.”

“…Me too?”

“Of course. This isn’t Ops. This is the cold, harsh reality. Plus, if you’re resuming Hunter activities, you’ll need that level of skill.”

“Well, that’s true, but….”

“It’s been a long time since you felt the wall as Railgun, right? You’ll feel it again soon.”

Suho operated Infinity to create an avatar for Kim Geon, precisely reflecting his special abilities.

Then, he placed Kim Geon into Infinity.

But—

“Huh?”

Kim Geon couldn’t connect to Infinity.

When he checked, it turned out the issue was that it was not the real Kim Geon but Kim Geon in suit mode who had entered the machine.

“Ah, right, Infinity connects to virtual reality based on biological data, and you’re in item form, so it doesn’t work.”

“Then what should we do?”

“Well, you’ll have to bring your real body here once you move. So first, we’ll need to handle the move.”

After thinking for a moment, Suho continued.

“Geon-ah, is there anything you’d want to leave behind at home? You won’t need to bring every little thing, like cooking pots.”

“I guess so? I don’t really have many clothes or items….”

“Then, if it’s okay with you, should I hire movers to handle everything? They’ll pack everything up, and you don’t even need to be there. You can inform the landlord over the phone.”

“Oh, that would be great. Should I wait here then?”

“Would you like to? Or maybe… though, you wouldn’t be hungry in that form.”

That was exactly it.

Since Kim Geon’s current body was an item, he wouldn’t feel hunger.

“That’s why those with possession abilities and suits are considered cheats.”

Not just hunger.

He probably wouldn’t feel fatigue or need sleep either.

Kim Geon nodded.

“That’s true. Then, if you don’t mind, could I watch the others’ sparring while I wait?”

“You won’t be bored?”

“Bored? This is all part of my studies. Analysis is so important.”

Ah.

That made sense.

Isn’t that why the concept of reflection even exists?

Just as Suho nodded, his phone vibrated.

It was a message—from Son Baek-geum.

– I’m departing now. I’ll contact you before I return.

Wow, he acts fast.

With a smirk, Suho immediately called Jo Jin-hwi.

“Yes, Team Leader Ahn.”

“Release the prepared article right away.”

“Yes, understood.”

The moment Son Baek-geum departed, Suho released the article on the unfair personnel assignment.

He had deliberately held it back.

This way, he could adjust the timing as he wished.

Just then, Seo Giwon called.

“Oh, Giwon-ah.”

“Yes, hyungnim. The search you requested on those individuals has been completed.”

“Really?”

Good timing.

A smirk played on Suho’s lips.