Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant - Chapter 74
Chapter 74
“Did you arrive?”
Suho, who had arrived earlier, had already poured water and set up the seats in the corner of the small restaurant.
Jung Chulmin laughed as he saw this.
“You’re here early?”
“Well, after the test, I had plenty of free time. I ordered a bit ago, so the food should be out soon.”
He was right.
Just then, their meal arrived, and they began to enjoy a hot meal at the perfect time.
In the middle of the meal, Jung Chulmin asked,
“So, why did you suddenly suggest having a meal together?”
“No particular reason.”
“What?”
“There’s no one else I know here, and I didn’t want to eat alone, so I asked the team leader. You’re the only person I know here.”
“If Director Pi heard that, he’d be disappointed.”
“Haha, well, he’ll have to deal with it. I just want to enjoy my meal in peace.”
In peace.
Hearing that, Jung Chulmin couldn’t help but smile.
“Right, meals are best enjoyed peacefully. In that spirit, I’ll cover your first meal on your first day at work, Suho.”
“Oh, then I’ll take care of the coffee.”
“Haha, sounds good. In that case, I’ll take you to a café I know well afterward.”
“Sounds great.”
The two finished their meal in a comfortable atmosphere, and Jung Chulmin led Suho to a vending machine hidden behind the Korean Hunter Association building, calling it a “café he knew well.”
Seeing the place, Suho smiled to himself, reminded of old memories.
‘Of course.’
The name of this place was “The Backyard.”
Not its actual name; it was a nickname Suho and Jung Chulmin had come up with.
This spot had been a frequent hangout for the two of them.
‘Although, it was Chulmin who showed me this place.’
Sometimes, they’d use a real café, but most often, they chose The Backyard.
It was secluded enough that people rarely ventured here.
So, Suho feigned ignorance and asked,
“Is this the café you know well?”
“Haha, yes. I’m a little embarrassed, but yes. There’s no iced Americano or cake here, but it’s quiet and away from prying eyes. So, what would you like?”
“I’ll take black coffee.”
“Okay, I’ll go with a barley tea.”
“You like barley tea?”
“Yes, every time I come here, I only drink barley tea.”
Right.
Whenever he came here, he drank nothing but barley tea, believing the coffee at the office was enough.
Taking his paper cup, Suho naturally sat on the edge of the flower bed.
Seeing this, Jung Chulmin sat beside him with his own cup and said,
“Congratulations.”
“What?”
“The theory test you took this morning, you scored perfectly.”
“You’ve already graded it?”
“Yes, Joon-sung brought it to me right away, so I graded it before lunch. But how is this possible?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you’re young, great in a fight, managed to land a special 5th-grade appointment, and now, you’re even a genius. People would call you a broken character.”
“Haha, not at all. The test was just easy, and I had the quick-reference manual, so it was manageable. It’s all thanks to the people who helped me.”
“Come on. When someone so capable acts too humble, it comes off as insincere.”
“Haha, does it? Then, let’s just say I’m as good as they say.”
“Oh, when you say it like that, it sounds even worse.”
Suho laughed at Jung Chulmin’s joke.
Ah.
How long had it been since he laughed so freely since returning to the past?
Although he hadn’t exactly lived under pressure since returning, his life had felt more like a series of assignments than truly living.
But now, enjoying coffee in this nostalgic place with one of his closest friends, it felt as if he’d returned to the past.
‘When I got struck down by All Poison, I thought I’d never return to The Backyard.’
That was why Suho renewed his resolve.
This time, he would never let history repeat itself.
He would fight against all calamities and reclaim the peace of ordinary life.
Suho spoke.
“On another note, I’ll soon need to choose between the Awakening Department and the Non-Awakening Department for my assignment. Do you have any tips?”
“So that’s what this is about?”
“Oh, no, it’s just a question.”
“Haha, I’m only teasing. Tips, you say…”
At Suho’s question, Jung Chulmin pondered seriously.
In truth, Suho didn’t need any tips.
He was already familiar with most of the cases and examination details.
But since they were just beginning to reconnect, casual talk like this was perfect for passing time.
After a bit of thought, Jung Chulmin said,
“Well, since you covered the coffee, I’ll give you a special tip. You know what the Awakening Division does, right?”
“Yes, it manages both Awakenings and Non-Awakenings, correct?”
“Right. But, in truth, there’s not much to manage with Awakeners or Non-Awakenings themselves. The most important part of the Awakening Division’s job is keeping information up-to-date.”
“Up-to-date?”
“Do you know that no matter what, one can’t check the status window information of an Awakener?”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“That’s why they have to come in person to register. If they fail to update within a certain period, they get warnings, then fines, and potentially jail time. This is mainly what the Awakening Department handles.”
It was as he said.
Awakeners were not ordinary humans but superhumans with extraordinary powers.
If someone with such powers hid them, there was no telling how they might harm humanity.
‘Some people at Level 50 can be immune to firearms, while others can erase their own traces entirely.’
So every nation around the world made every effort to keep Awakener information up-to-date.
Though it might seem like treating Awakeners as potential time bombs, it was necessary for now.
Suho asked,
“So my role in the Awakening Department would be to keep information up-to-date?”
“Exactly. Specifically, it involves dealing with people who refuse to keep their information current. They won’t put you on desk work.”
“And what about the Non-Awakening Department?”
“It’s similar in nature. But the Non-Awakening Department handles unregistered players. Have you heard of unregistered players?”
“Yes, those who awaken as players but hide it, correct?”
“Right.”
Unregistered players, as mentioned, were those who had awakened as players but concealed it, living as ordinary people.
Since they received certain skill adjustments from the system, the risk of potential crimes needed to be taken into account.
Suho nodded, deep in thought.
‘Everything is proceeding exactly as I expected.’
This wasn’t his first time going through such training, not even in his previous job grades.
He’d even been a test evaluator himself.
So, this Awakening Division training didn’t seem too challenging.
Jung Chulmin laughed and said,
“I can’t tell you much more since it’s all part of the assessment. Still, I’m confident you’ll handle any fieldwork just fine.”
“Yes, I think so too.”
“Haha, so humble in the interview, but here you’re bursting with confidence? Well, lunch is almost over; shall we head back?”
“Yes, let’s.”
“Take care for the rest of the day, and feel free to contact me if you have questions. And once again, congratulations on scoring a perfect score on the Awakening Division theory test.”
“Haha, thank you.”
The two took a final sip of their coffee and returned to their respective floors for work.
**
Upon returning to the Awakening Division, Um Joon-sung was waiting for Suho.
“Did you enjoy your lunch?”
“Yes, did you, Officer Um?”
“I always enjoy my meals. Now… you’ll need to choose between the Awakening Department and the Non-Awakening Department for the afternoon, as I mentioned earlier. Have you decided?”
“Yes, I’d like to start with the Awakening Department.”
“Oh, any particular reason?”
“Not really, no.”
“Got it. Then let’s go. Oh, and by the way, congratulations on your perfect score in the morning’s theory test.”
“Yes, I heard from Team Leader Jung.”
“Oh, you’re quick. I knew you’d do well, but I didn’t expect a perfect score. Director Pi will be pleased.”
Guided by Um Joon-sung, Suho made his way to the Awakening Department.
The head of the Awakening Department, Lee Mun-ho, greeted him.
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Lee Mun-ho, head of the Awakening Department.”
Lee Mun-ho, the Department head.
His rank was higher than a team leader, as he represented the entire Department.
With his usual friendly expression, he extended his hand, and Suho shook it in greeting.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ahn Suho.”
“I heard about you. You took the theory test already, and scored a perfect score! A true talent, indeed, haha.”
The news had spread quickly.
Not surprising, as information travels faster than one might imagine within organizations.
Continuing, Lee Mun-ho took out a file from his drawer and handed it to Um Joon-sung.
“You’re in charge of Suho, right? Here’s the field training manual. Get started whenever you’re ready.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Alright, then. Good luck.”
Taking the field training file, Um Joon-sung led Suho to the adjoining room.
After sitting down and glancing through the file’s contents, he nodded and hummed to himself.
“Hm, hm.”
After thoroughly reviewing the file, Um Joon-sung asked,
“Suho, do you know what the Awakening Department does?”
“Yes, I heard that keeping information up-to-date is crucial.”
“Oh, that speeds things up. Field training is simple. There are delinquent players who delay updating their information. These people are called delinquent non-updaters, and the main task of the Awakening Department’s field training is to locate them and bring their information up to date.”
As expected.
Because updating information was the most crucial task of the department, the most critical fieldwork was assigned accordingly.
Suho asked,
“Is there a list of the delinquent non-updaters I’ll be handling?”
“Yes, here.”
When Um Joon-sung handed over the file, Suho reviewed it carefully.
Watching him, Um Joon-sung gave an awkward smile and said,
“There aren’t as many as you might think, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“Oh, I see.”
Suho responded nonchalantly.
It wasn’t because he believed Um Joon-sung’s words.
In fact, he scoffed inwardly.
‘Not difficult? Not likely.’
The names in the file.
Most of them were people Suho knew.
And it was no coincidence; they were infamous troublemakers in the Awakening Department.
‘Knowing I’m a royal rank, they deliberately assigned me these kinds of people?’
What was the reason?
To use this opportunity to get rid of the troublemakers through him?
If so, was this the intention of Department Head Lee Mun-ho?
It could be, or it might be a personal test from Pi Seongyeol.
He was known for constantly testing his people.
‘Alright, I’ll handle whatever comes my way.’
Suho handed the file back and asked,
“Shall I start immediately?”
Hearing Suho’s confident answer, knowing the truth, Um Joon-sung grinned widely.
“Yes, let’s begin. First, I’ll show you how to use the stat meter.”
Um Joon-sung rushed off to the supply room.
The journey of the civil servant, blessed by the Sword God, continued.