Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant - Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Lee Wan-ik spoke with a smile.

“The national superstar is joining our department first. Oh, by the way, I’ll be your evaluator, Suho, so I look forward to working with you.”

As Lee Wan-ik extended his hand with a smile, Suho also extended his hand with a smile.

“Yes, I look forward to working with you as well.”

“Team Leader Jung, you may go now. You’ve heard the President’s instructions, and if you need anything, feel free to contact me separately.”

“Yes, understood. I’ll be on my way then.”

Jung Chulmin exited.

However, that did not mean Suho would be left without supervision.

Jung Chulmin was only in charge of overall management, and each department had its own specific supervisors who would oversee Suho’s training.

After Jung Chulmin left, Lee Wan-ik made a call, and soon, the door to the manager’s office opened.

“Oh, Officer Um.”

“Yes, Chief. I heard Suho was here, so I came by.”

Officer Um Joon-sung.

He was the person in charge of Suho in the Awakening Division.

Introducing Officer Um Joon-sung, Lee Wan-ik said.

“Say hello. This is Officer Um Joon-sung, who will be supervising you in the Awakening Division while you’re here.”

“I’m Ahn Suho.”

“I’m Um Joon-sung.”

Following Lee Wan-ik’s introduction, the two exchanged greetings, and then Lee Wan-ik said.

“Well then, I’ll leave the details to Officer Um and see you around later.”

A cool farewell.

Indeed.

Although Lee Wan-ik was Suho’s evaluator, he wouldn’t be involved in his day-to-day care.

Given the nature of civil service, the role of evaluator itself would require a high rank, so a department head would take the title, while all detailed tasks would be managed by someone beneath them.

Um Joon-sung led Suho to another location.

It was a small meeting room, where Um Joon-sung took a seat and spoke.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. It feels a bit surreal working with such a prominent figure.”

“Haha, not at all.”

Officer Um Joon-sung.

In the Korean Hunter Association, everyone below the rank of team leader, section chief, or manager was uniformly addressed as “Officer.”

In that sense, Um Joon-sung was below the rank of team leader.

Maybe that’s why?

Suho didn’t have any particular memories of Um Joon-sung.

‘Our departments were different, and we had no overlap, so I guess that’s why.’

At Suho’s modest response, Um Joon-sung smiled and said.

“No, seriously. For someone like you, Suho, you’re definitely a topic of interest. But you don’t need to overthink it; just remember that the Awakening Division handles tasks like this and that. After all, you already have a place lined up, don’t you?”

“I do?”

“Haha, you don’t have to pretend you don’t know. The word is out.”

Hmm.

If even a low-level official knew this much, Pi Seong-yeol must have really been flaunting it.

Well, it didn’t matter.

In fact, it was probably for the best.

With Pi Seong-yeol, the third most powerful person in the association after the Chairman and Vice Chairman, spreading such rumors, things would undoubtedly go more smoothly.

‘I never thought I’d be treated like royalty.’

People with strong connections were often referred to as “royal.”

In this case, Suho was that royal figure.

Receiving a treatment he had never experienced before, Suho smiled and nodded.

“Yes, well, I’ll be counting on you.”

“Haha, I’ll be counting on you too. First, here are some condensed manuals of our Awakening Division’s protocols. Normally, it’s a few volumes, but we’ve shortened it just for you.”

It was true.

Usually, the department’s protocols would consist of several volumes, but they had compiled a concise version for Suho, the “royal.”

Looking at it, Suho nodded in thought.

‘This connection sure is useful.’

Memories of his past flashed in his mind.

Back when he had no connections or support, he had studied manuals for work and home life, blindly throwing himself into it.

As Suho reviewed the condensed manual, Um Joon-sung continued his explanation.

“You know that the Awakening Division is divided into the Awakening Department and the Non-Awakening Department, right? Each Department is then further broken down into teams, and you’ll undergo one theory test based on the manual I just gave you, followed by on-site training in both the Awakening and Non-Awakening Departments. Those are the only evaluation criteria, so no need to be too nervous… here.”

Um Joon-sung handed out another set of printed materials, one for each department.

“The teams you’ll work with in both the Awakening and Non-Awakening Departments have already been assigned, so please review these before you arrive. You can take the theory test whenever you’re ready. In the meantime, take a look at the printouts and decide which Department you’d like to start with.”

A thorough explanation.

As Suho looked over the printouts, he asked.

“Will the theory test really be based entirely on this condensed manual?”

“Yes, so if you memorize just this, you’ll be fine. And don’t be too worried; the test is graded on a pass-fail basis, so as long as you meet the cutoff score, you’ll be fine. By the way, the passing score is 70.”

“Then could I take it in 30 minutes?”

“Excuse me? Right away?”

“Yes, I think I can go through it all once in about 30 minutes.”

“……?”

At Suho’s response, Um Joon-sung seemed a bit surprised, glancing at his watch before nodding.

“Understood. Let’s do it that way. It’s still morning, so we can wrap up the theory test before lunch. Shall I come back here in about 40 minutes, giving you some time to go to the restroom as well?”

“Yes, sounds good.”

“Here’s a pen and some paper, so use these if you need to, and I’ll see you soon. Also, this is my number, so contact me if anything unusual comes up.”

After handing Suho his business card, Um Joon-sung left the room.

Once he left, Suho looked at the card and thought.

‘It’s good he trusts me right off the bat.’

A test in 30 minutes.

He wasn’t just bluffing.

For Suho, who possessed the Library of Memories, a theory test based on memorization was almost meaningless.

‘It’s practically like taking the test with the answer key.’

Moreover, these were topics he was already generally familiar with.

But given the condensed format of the manual, which was already concise, it was even easier.

Forty minutes later, true to his word, Um Joon-sung returned with the test papers, and Suho completed the 50 questions in less than ten minutes.

As Suho submitted his test quickly, Um Joon-sung marveled.

“Wow… You really tackled it effortlessly. I’ll let you know the test results either today or tomorrow. In the meantime, rest until lunch, and in the afternoon, you can start your field training in either the Awakening or Non-Awakening Department. Take your time choosing where you’d like to start.”

“Understood.”

“Oh, do you know where the cafeteria is?”

“Yes, I know. And there’s no need to make special arrangements for me. I already have lunch plans.”

“Ah, I see.”

Um Joon-sung was neither surprised nor thought Suho arrogant for this remark.

After all, someone like Suho would likely already have lunch plans.

With a smile, Um Joon-sung stood up.

“Then see you in the afternoon. Enjoy your lunch.”

“Yes, enjoy your meal as well.”

After Um Joon-sung left, Suho waited a moment before picking up his phone to call Jung Chulmin.

The call was quickly answered.

– Yes, Suho.

“Are you busy?”

– Oh, not particularly. What’s going on?

“I just took the theory test, and I thought if you’re free, you might want to join me for lunch.”

– Oh, I’d love to. Wait, the theory test?

“Yes, I need to take one theory test per department, right?”

– Yes, but… you’ve already taken it?

“Yes.”

– But even though it’s graded on a pass-fail basis, it’s not exactly easy. There are 50 questions, and the manual is extensive…?

“Yes, I went through it. But they gave me a condensed manual, so it wasn’t too hard. Shall we meet at the cafeteria? I’ll eat whatever you recommend.”

– Ah, I see. Well, if you like Korean set meals, shall we go to a place nearby called Mijeong? They change their side dishes daily.

“Sounds good. I’ll get there around noon and save us a table.”

– Thanks, see you then.

The call ended.

However, unlike the seemingly nonchalant Suho, Jung Chulmin seemed a bit stunned after the call ended.

“He took the theory test… today… right after being assigned to his department?”

Even with the condensed manual, could that be possible?

Unless he had an exceptional memory, it would be almost impossible.

At that moment, Officer Um Joon-sung came to find him.

“Team Leader Jung?”

“Oh, yes, Officer Um.”

“Well… I brought Suho’s theory test for you to grade and compile?”

“Oh, I see.”

“It may sound strange, but Suho took our department’s theory test just a moment ago, so I came to ask you to grade it.”

“…Ah, yes.”

Jung Chulmin knew that Um Joon-sung was Suho’s supervisor in the Awakening Department.

He had also heard from Suho that he took the test earlier.

But actually seeing Officer Um arrive with the test paper was still surprising.

Even though he knew, he still felt bewildered.

Seeing the look on his face, Officer Um smiled awkwardly and said.

“I was surprised too, but it didn’t seem like he was showing off. Look, he answered everything.”

Officer Um raised his eyebrows as he spoke.

Right.

If it was anyone else, he might have doubted it, but this was Ahn Suho.

Jung Chulmin nodded, accepting the OMR card, and began scoring the test with the grading machine.

Officer Um stayed nearby.

While it was protocol to prevent any cheating, he mainly stayed out of curiosity.

The grading was completed, and when they saw the results, both men’s eyes widened.

“……?”

“Huh…?”

The reason for their surprise.

Suho had scored a perfect score.

Thinking it might be a mistake, they ran it through the machine once more.

The result was the same.

Just to be sure, they checked the answers by hand, and again, the result was identical.

After the third check, Officer Um spoke with genuine admiration.

“Wow… this is possible?”

“Haha….”

Jung Chulmin let out a laugh.

Even with a condensed manual, a perfect score was unimaginable.

With a thumbs-up, Officer Um said.

“As expected, royals are different. I can see why Director Pi personally chose him.”

“Haha… true.”

Unlike Officer Um’s genuine admiration, Jung Chulmin’s smile was tinged with a bit of regret.

Understandably so.

Once… no, initially, it was Jung Chulmin who wanted to bring Suho on board.

“But in the end, some things are just inevitable.”

Anyone would covet him.

Compared to Pi Seong-yeol, Jung Chulmin lacked both rank and authority, so there was nothing he could do to prevent Suho from being claimed.

Resolving to let go, he moved on.

When lunchtime arrived, Jung Chulmin headed to the set meal restaurant where Suho awaited him.

With the intent of sharing this news immediately.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, he was greeted warmly by Suho, who had arrived first.