Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant - Chapter 68

Chapter 68

“Wow…….”

Safe House, Cheongdam.

This place was a standalone residence in Cheongdam-dong, known for its high price, and everything here was as grand as one would expect from the highest-grade safe house owned by the Union.

The three-story building here might even surpass the grandeur and quality of Kaiser Cheongdam.

‘They even have personnel on standby outside, ready to arrive within minutes when summoned….’

Suho had only heard about this place, but he hadn’t expected it to be this impressive.

Everything was beyond his imagination.

Still, he couldn’t show his surprise in front of Nam Haewon, so he acted naturally.

“You can stay in any room that’s comfortable, and the lab is on the third floor. If you need materials for research, you can have them bought through a shopping service.”

“Thank you!”

Suho had already received information on the Cheongdam House via his phone, so he knew its setup well.

After sending Nam Haewon the guest guide for the Cheongdam House, Suho prepared to move to Nexus headquarters.

Now that he had secured Nam Haewon, it was time to coordinate a few things with Nexus.

Just then, he received a call.

It was Jo Jin-hwi.

Seeing Jo Jin-hwi’s name on his phone screen, Suho chuckled.

‘Great timing.’

He’d been planning to contact Jo Jin-hwi soon, and as expected, Jo Jin-hwi was right on schedule.

His sense of duty never failed.

Suho answered the call, feeling pleased.

“Hello.”

– Mr. Ahn, what are you up to?

“I was just about to head to Nexus.”

– Nexus? Why?

“I was actually going to talk to you about that, so this timing is perfect.”

– To me?

“Yes, something happened to me today, and…”

Suho briefly explained the situation with Nam Haewon and the Changshik gang.

Jo Jin-hwi, who was listening casually at first, adjusted his posture and started typing on his laptop with his phone tucked by his jaw.

“That’s the gist of it.”

– Wow…….

A simple expression of awe.

Of course, it was natural.

He’d stormed into a gang’s hideout alone, taken down the gangsters, and dismantled the entire organization—who wouldn’t be impressed?

Especially since it all took place in Yeongdeungpo, one of Seoul’s well-known slums.

After finishing his notes, Jo Jin-hwi leaned back in his chair and said,

– Judging by what you’ve told me, it sounds like you want to make this incident public. Is there a specific angle you’d like to focus on?

“The incompetence of the police and the Korean Hunter Association. Ms. Nam Haewon repeatedly asked for help, but both sides ignored him in the end.”

– The police, maybe, but the Korean Hunter Association as well?

Jo Jin-hwi sounded a bit surprised.

Understandably so.

Suho had no direct connection with the police, but the Korean Hunter Association was where he was about to join.

However, Suho responded nonchalantly.

“I don’t see any reason to protect an organization just because I’m about to join it. If something’s wrong, it deserves criticism. That way, it won’t happen again.”

– Haha, while government agencies won’t change just because they’re criticized, it does give us plenty to work with. In that case… how about we approach it this way?

“What do you mean?”

– A brief article on this incident won’t have much impact. So, let’s instead publish a special feature to draw more attention. We can start by exposing the harsh reality of the Yeongdeungpo slums, talk about the Changshik gang that was exploiting the area… and then reveal that Mr. Suho was behind their dismantling.

Suho laughed at that.

As expected of Jo Jin-hwi.

He could read between the lines.

This was exactly the kind of narrative Suho wanted, though he felt a bit embarrassed to ask for such praise directly.

But Jo Jin-hwi, perceptive as ever, hit the nail on the head.

This was why Suho liked him.

Suho spoke with feigned modesty.

“Hearing you say that makes it sound like I was fishing for compliments. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

– Oh, you find that embarrassing? You didn’t mind reaching out to me before tackling the Tower of Trials, though.

“Haha, that’s true.”

– I’ll start building up the story bit by bit. A series of three or four articles should get a strong reaction. I’ll reach out once I have a draft ready.

“That sounds good, thank you. Ah, there’s one more thing I forgot to mention—Nexus and I plan to support the victims of the Changshik gang’s drug crimes as part of this effort.”

– That’ll add even more substance to the article, and Nexus will benefit from a positive image as well. Did you plan that, too?

“Haha, I’m just working with Nexus because we’re on good terms.”

– Haha, got it. I was thinking of asking you out for a meal now that I have some free time, but it looks like I’ll be busy again.

“We can eat anytime. In fact, I think there’ll be an occasion for it soon.”

– Oh? What’s the occasion?

“Well, I recently found my own place. I’ll invite you over for a housewarming party.”

– Huh? All of a sudden? Wow, that’s a bit sad. I didn’t expect my housemate to move out just like that. It was nice having someone around to keep the place lively…

“Hardly ever saw you around; did you really notice anyone’s presence?”

– Haha, fair point. Got it. Where’s the new place?

“I found a place near your house. It’s close by, so feel free to drop by anytime.”

– Will do.

Feeling upbeat, Suho got into his car.

Vroom!

Suho’s car headed toward Nexus headquarters.

***

“…The Changshik gang?”

“Yes, their official name is Golden Maiden Hand, a gang operating in the Yeongdeungpo slums.”

Suho explained the situation with Nam Haewon and the Changshik gang to Bae Dong-hyuk.

There were two main reasons he shared this with Bae Dong-hyuk: first, to integrate Nam Haewon into the Nexus Guild, specifically as part of Banshee, so she could establish her roots here.

The second reason was, as he mentioned to Jo Jin-hwi earlier, to intentionally involve Nexus in the process of aiding the Changshik gang’s drug victims, thereby boosting Nexus’s public image.

‘Even if you have a good heart, it’s useless if no one recognizes it.’

That’s how the world works.

It’s fine to work like a bear, but it’s even better to work like a fox that knows how to showcase its efforts.

Suho hoped Nexus would become that kind of fox.

One that’s trusted and loved by everyone.

A fox isn’t inherently bad, after all.

While on the topic, Suho also mentioned the special feature article that Jo Jin-hwi had proposed.

After hearing about it, Bae Dong-hyuk laughed and said,

“Haha, Hunter Ahn, you’ve already thought everything through, haven’t you? With the groundwork you’ve laid, of course we’ll support you. Only a fool wouldn’t. Give me the list, and we’ll make sure to handle it thoroughly.”

“Thank you.”

“But are you really planning to make the antidote yourself? It won’t be an easy task.”

“It’s alright. Mr. Nam Haewon has already begun the development, so it shouldn’t be long before we have a decent antidote. So…”

“Yes, of course. If the antidote is effective, we’ll purchase the entire supply and use it to help people.”

“Thank you.”

Bae Dong-hyuk’s decisive approval.

Just as he said.

Suho knew that Nam Haewon would soon produce an excellent antidote.

Nam Haewon had already been detoxifying his own body by creating his own antidote.

So Suho had asked Nexus to purchase Nam Haewon’s antidote.

This way, Nam Haewon would also benefit significantly.

‘This way, I can avoid spending my own money and create a mutually beneficial structure.’

Bae Dong-hyuk commented,

“By the way, it sounds like Reporter Jo Jin-hwi has perfect timing. If you look at the timing, it seems the feature article’s latter half will be released just as Hunter Ahn joins the Korean Hunter Association. That’ll bring you into the spotlight at the right moment.”

“I didn’t do it for that reason, but… yes, it seems that’ll be the case.”

“Haha, that’ll put the Korean Hunter Association in your debt as soon as you join.”

It was true.

Once the feature article went live, the police and the Korean Hunter Association would face heavy criticism.

But at the same time, Suho’s achievements would be known, presenting the Korean Hunter Association with an opportunity for image improvement thanks to Suho’s presence.

After shaking hands with Bae Dong-hyuk, Suho left the headquarters building.

Then, before returning to the Cheongdam House, he activated a skill.

[ Entering Subspace House. ]

A personal, small fortress that only Suho could access.

But inside was a scene of pure chaos.

‘He’s gone wild.’

The place bore signs of destruction everywhere.

It was the work of Im Changshik, who couldn’t endure the withdrawal symptoms.

That wasn’t all.

Bloodstains, likely Im Changshik’s, were splattered across the floor and walls where he had clawed or rammed his head due to the unbearable symptoms.

Suho spotted Im Changshik crouched in a corner, clutching a broken syringe.

‘It’s effective.’

It was good timing.

If he’d appeared while Im Changshik was still raging, the man would have attacked him.

Suho took out a few pills from his inventory and placed them in front of Im Changshik.

Then, he used Recovery on him.

[ Recovery is activated. ]

A white light enveloped him.

Im Changshik’s body twitched, and he slowly raised his head.

“Uh… what…?”

“What’s with the ‘uh’? Pull yourself together.”

“…!!”

The moment he recognized Suho, Im Changshik’s eyes widened like saucers, and he lunged at him.

With the effects of Recovery neutralizing the drugs, his senses quickly returned.

But.

Crash!

Suho stopped Im Changshik’s charge with one foot, pinning him down.

Even as he was subdued, Im Changshik’s spirit remained unbroken.

“S-Son of a bitch! Let me out! Let me out! Get me out of here!”

“You still haven’t come to your senses. Maybe because it hasn’t been a full day? Anyway, your stamina’s impressive. I left enough for several days, but you used it all up already?”

“Bastard! N-No, sir! Please, just let me out! I’ll do whatever you want, just let me out!”

“No.”

Crack!

Suho stomped on him again, breaking his shoulder.

The intense pain made Im Changshik scream, and after Suho kicked him in the head once more, he fell to the floor, unconscious.

“The victims suffered for who knows how many years, and you want it to end after just one day? Not a chance.”

After confirming that Im Changshik’s life was still intact, Suho left the Subspace House and headed to the Cheongdam House.

Upon arriving at Cheongdam House,

“Hunter Ahn!”

the moment he entered, Nam Haewon came rushing down the stairs.

Suho asked,

“What’s going on?”

“I finally did it!”

“Did what?”

“The antidote!”

“What?”

“Want to see?”

He had been away for about two hours.

And he already made the antidote?

Suho looked at the antidote he held out with an astonished expression.