Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant - Chapter 96
Chapter 96
The meeting with the Head of the Management Department ended quickly.
The Department Head didn’t show much interest in Suho.
No matter how much of a Royal he was, in the end, he was just a rookie who would soon join the Special Department.
All they cared about was keeping their interaction pleasant.
Once the formalities were over, Jung Chulmin spoke as they moved towards the management team.
“What do you think they’ll evaluate in the Management Department?”
“Since it’s the Gate Management Department, won’t it involve an assessment of field management?”
“That’s right. But do you know what teams make up the Management Department?”
“Yes, there’s the Management Team for general gate oversight, the Transaction Team that leases and sells gates to the private sector, and the Sealing Team, which manages only sealed gates.”
“That’s correct. As you know, the Transaction Team doesn’t really have a field evaluation. If we need to evaluate, it’s usually the Management Team and the Sealing Team, but the Sealing Team’s work is too dangerous, so the evaluation will focus on the Management Team.”
Just as expected.
He’d even prepared a plan accordingly.
Jung Chulmin continued.
“In that sense, the upcoming evaluation will focus on general gate management procedures. Just asking, but is there any specific gate you’d like to visit?”
Suho chuckled to himself at Chulmin’s question.
‘Of course, tradition remains unchanged.’
In the Gate Management Department, a unique tradition was passed down to evaluators.
The Management Department allowed evaluators to choose the gate they wanted, unlike other departments, which prepared evaluation sites in advance.
Why did this tradition exist?
Rumor had it that the Gate Management Department was too challenging, both inside and outside the Association.
This courtesy was a way to lure people to the Management Department.
‘It’s like the surgical department of a university hospital.’
Not that a small act of kindness would attract many people, but it was a tradition that started to create a positive image.
In response to Chulmin’s question, Suho answered.
“Is anything fair game?”
“Oh, so there is somewhere in mind? What kind of place is it that you’re laying it out this way?”
“Haha…”
Suho’s awkward laugh.
Seeing Suho’s expression, Chulmin gave a half-joking look.
“…No way, you’re not thinking of a sealed gate, are you?”
Suho just smiled in response to Chulmin’s question.
At that smile, Chulmin closed his eyes briefly and shook his head.
“…I was half-joking, but Suho, you’re really something.”
“Haha… Is it too much to ask?”
As Suho laughed awkwardly, Chulmin looked at him thoughtfully and then lifted one corner of his mouth.
“Well, since I’ve already asked, why not? Since it’s you, I think it’ll be fine.”
“Thank you.”
“So, which gate do you want to see?”
“I’d like to check out Iron Valley.”
“Iron Valley… You mean the Iron Valley that was recently designated a sealed gate?”
“Yes, that Iron Valley.”
“Hmm…”
Iron Valley.
As Chulmin had just mentioned, Iron Valley was recently designated a sealed gate.
That was why Suho needed to go there now.
‘The sooner I get to Iron Valley, the better.’
No, it was crucial he went now because he might never get another chance if he missed this timing.
After a moment’s thought, Chulmin nodded.
“Alright. Iron Valley was designated a sealed gate only recently, so it could still meet the evaluation criteria. Besides, it’s one of the gates with open access.”
“Thank you for granting my request.”
“No problem. I did bring it up, after all. Shall we head out? You know that Iron Valley is in Gangwon Province, right?”
“Yes, I know. I’ll drive, so let’s take my car.”
“Oh, you should save your energy for the exam. I’ll drive, so let’s take my car.”
“Thank you for the consideration.”
The distance wasn’t too great, so it wasn’t much of a bother. Besides, Gangwon Province wasn’t that far from Seoul.
Before long, the two were on their way to Gangwon Province in Chulmin’s car.
***
They had just entered Gangwon Province.
As they neared the Iron Valley Gate, they started to see checkpoints and soldiers, and upon fully entering the area, they could see the gate’s exterior, already surrounded by the completed square barrier.
When they got out of the car, Major Kang Hyuk, the person in charge here, greeted them.
“Welcome.”
“Hello, I’m Jung Chulmin, as mentioned over the phone.”
The two exchanged greetings, and Chulmin naturally introduced Suho, explaining the purpose of their visit.
“Then I’ll be counting on your cooperation.”
“No problem. We’re at your service. If you need anything while using the facility, just let us know.”
“Yes, thank you.”
With the facility access granted, Chulmin began to explain the field evaluation process.
The evaluation itself was simple.
The entire assessment was about following the procedures of gate management, inspecting specific sites in sequence, and demonstrating inspection methods.
Suho, of course, passed every part.
“As expected of you, Suho. How can you be so proficient on your first field test?”
“I just followed what was written in the textbooks.”
“You’ve passed the external management methods, the square inspection methods… Now, shall we inspect the interior and then head back?”
It was the final step.
Gate management was divided into two types: inspecting external conditions and directly verifying the interior of the gate.
Of course, Iron Valley had already had its internal check completed, but Suho, as a test-taker, had to enter as part of his assessment.
After explaining the internal evaluation, Chulmin requested gate access from the person in charge, and soon, the square opened.
“Even though it’s a sealed gate, let’s stay cautious, finish the test, and get out quickly.”
“Yes, I understand.”
With these words of caution, Suho entered the square alongside Chulmin.
It wasn’t long before they spotted the gate portal leading into Iron Valley.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen a gate portal.’
Having been focused on Association work, it had been some time since he’d encountered a gate portal.
“Let’s go.”
At that moment, as they both stepped into the portal together—
[Entering the gate.]
[Loading gate information.]
[Iron Valley]
– Entry conditions: Level 99 or lower.
– Maximum number of entrants: Up to 40.
Just as he’d seen in his previous life.
‘I can’t believe I’m here now.’
Without realizing it, a smile crept up on his face at the nostalgia.
Moments later, Suho’s vision went dark.
***
Right after entering the gate, the scenery around them changed.
The dim interior of the square had transformed into a lush green meadow, with the Iron Valley, the gate’s namesake, visible in the distance.
Jung Chulmin, who had entered with him, spoke up.
“How do you feel now? Satisfied?”
“Yes, thanks to you, I finally get to see this place.”
Although he was low-level, Jung Chulmin was a former hunter, so he was able to enter alongside him.
Chulmin then went over the evaluation criteria with Suho once more, and they promptly began the internal evaluation.
The result was a perfect score.
The internal assessment was much easier than the external one and barely counted as an evaluation.
It was just a formal addition.
Once the evaluation was over, Chulmin pulled a thermos from his inventory.
“A thermos? What’s it for?”
“I brought it to have some coffee.”
A cup of coffee.
Suho chuckled at that.
Offering coffee in a gate was another long-standing tradition in the Management Department.
The coffee was a thoughtful choice—iced.
Suho filled his cup with the coffee Chulmin poured and then served some for him in return.
With their cups filled, the two found a spot to sit and took in the breezy scenery around them.
“Nice view, right?”
“Yes. If it weren’t a gate, it’d feel like an overseas vacation.”
“The gate interior has that kind of vibe. A landscape you’d never find in the harsh city… That’s why I like the Management Department out of all the gate Departments.”
“Even with the tough workload?”
“Well, don’t we all think our own job is the hardest? But for me, this place feels right.”
A faint wistfulness in his eyes.
Seeing that look, Suho nearly laughed.
Because he knew.
He knew that even this sentimental act was part of the calculated charm to draw newcomers to the Management Department.
A plan, dubbed the “Romantic Strategy.”
It worked like this: just as an after-work beer tastes best after a hard day, appealing to emotions subtly led newcomers to the Management Department without realizing it.
But it wouldn’t work on Suho.
He’d seen and been through it all at the Association.
However, that didn’t mean he disliked the Gate Department.
He actually liked it more.
Only the Romantic Strategy didn’t sway him.
Sipping his coffee, Suho spoke.
“Team Leader.”
“Yes?”
“I’d actually like to join the Gate Department.”
“…What?”
Chulmin’s eyes widened in shock.
What was this?
Suddenly?
But Suho continued without a hint of hesitation.
“I’m well aware of the rumors about me. There’s so much talk about me being a top recruit for the Special Department, a Royal candidate. Director Pi has been spreading that, too. But honestly, I want to work in the Gate Department rather than the Special Department.”
“…”
Jung Chulmin’s mouth dropped open halfway.
He never expected Suho would be thinking along those lines.
And because of that—
His heart began to beat wildly.
‘If Suho joined our Gate Department…’
There was so much he could do, things he’d wanted to try but couldn’t.
And wasn’t he the one who first recognized Suho at the Association?
‘I’d dreamed about this. Working side-by-side with Suho.’
But Suho was so talented that others began to take an interest, and in the end, someone with more power than him stole Suho away.
So he’d forced himself to forget the name Ahn Suho.
But now, Suho wanted the Gate Department, not the Special Department.
Suho continued.
“After all, the first person I met at the Association was you, Team Leader. Maybe that’s why I’ve always wanted to work in the Gate Department.”
“…”
Suho gave an awkward smile.
Seeing that bashful smile, Chulmin felt his heart crumble.
Knowing how much Suho wanted to join the Gate Department and yet being powerless to help was so frustrating.
Was this how Romeo and Juliet felt?
His mouth tasted bitter.
After much thought, Chulmin made up his mind.
Fine.
If it wasn’t possible anyway—
At least offer some words of comfort.
That way, it might ease the sting in his heart.
But just as he was about to speak—
“Team Leader.”
Suho spoke just a moment faster than he did.
“Yes, Suho.”
“Once the training is over, you know I’ll start as an assistant team leader, right?”
“Ah… Yes, I know. But why?”
“If there’s a way I can join the Gate Department instead of the Special Department, will you help me?”
“…What?”
What was this now?
Chulmin’s eyes widened again.