Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant

Chapter 14

Guild scouts were more impressive than people thought.

There were even cases where they joined the examination in disguise as test-takers to personally scout for talent in restricted areas.

Park Pyungsik was one of those cases.

That was the only way to secure true, valuable gems ahead of time.

Though it hadn’t yet become a common practice, it would soon be the prevailing method in the future.

In that sense, Park Pyungsik was something of an early adopter.

Suho nodded and asked.

“There’s no way the results were leaked to the public already, so does that mean you joined the test as a fellow test-taker, Scout?”

“Yes, that’s correct. I’ve been observing since the sparring match with Player Park Yong.”

That made things much simpler.

This was also a good opportunity for Suho.

“Well, then, there’s no need to drag this out. What kind of terms are you thinking?”

At the mention of conditions, Park Pyungsik’s face lit up.

This kind of situation made recruitment much easier.

“You’ve just become a Hunter, so offering extremely generous terms might be difficult, but I can promise the best treatment among the rookies.”

“The best treatment for a rookie… but it’s still rookie-level, isn’t it?”

“That’s true, but since you don’t have any achievements as a Hunter yet, even if you joined Hexagon, I believe the contract terms would be similar to ours.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Pardon?”

“You’re aware of the Unpredicted Gate incident at Sindorim Station that occurred yesterday, right?”

“Yes, I am. But why bring that up all of a sudden…?”

“For someone from Prime, your information is quite delayed. Is it because it’s only been a day? In any case, I was the sole conqueror of that gate.”

“…What?”

“If you don’t believe me, you can check the article later. Let’s discuss the terms again after that.”

“W-wait, hold on a minute!”

“Oh, you’ll have to hold an internal meeting anyway, right? Take your time. Oh, here’s my number.”

After giving his number to Park Pyungsik, Suho left first.

Park Pyungsik stared blankly at the number for a moment, then hurriedly began making calls to the guild.

It was an unprecedented emergency.

***

The next day.

Nothing unusual happened.

Given the times, the results were out within a day, and Suho received the good news from Jung Chulmin directly.

– Ah, congratulations on passing, Suho.

“Thank you, Team Leader.”

– Haha, thanks to you, we were able to catch a lot of rule-breakers this time. Just as you mentioned, they were all skill-doping. This will be reported to the media immediately, and the exam regulations will be strengthened going forward.

It was good news to hear.

If every Tom, Dick, and Harry became Hunters, not only would it tarnish the profession’s honor, but it would also lower the gate-clearing rate, resulting in more innocent victims.

“That’s great to hear. Exams should be fair.”

– Haha, exactly. Oh, and by the way… this isn’t officially announced yet, but you are the top scorer in this exam. Congratulations once again.

Suho laughed at those words.

Of course.

After all the effort he put in, they couldn’t deny him the top position.

But he replied modestly.

“Thank you. I guess I get to be top scorer, thanks to you.”

– Haha, I didn’t do anything… The list of successful candidates will be posted on the Association’s website this afternoon. The top three names will be displayed at the top, so you can check it then.

“Understood.”

Just as they were about to end the call, Jung Chulmin hesitated and then continued.

– Well, Suho, I feel a bit awkward asking this right after your acceptance, but… is your interest in joining the Association still intact?

Suho chuckled at those words.

It seemed he was very eager, now that Suho had achieved the top rank.

So, he gave him the answer he wanted.

“Of course. Although I’ve received offers from major guilds, my decision remains firm.”

Hearing this, a broad smile appeared on Jung Chulmin’s face.

– Thank you! I’ll contact you as soon as the test schedule or open recruitment is set! Rest well; you must be tired!

“Yes, thank you.”

The call ended.

After finishing the call, Suho immediately dialed the next person.

Now that he had achieved top rank, it was time to conduct some business.

His next call was to Headmaster Kim Suae.

– Yes, Suho. Today’s the day the results are announced, right?

Kim Suae answered immediately.

It seemed she had been expecting Suho’s call.

Suho nodded slightly as he responded.

“Yes, Headmaster. I’m calling about that. I was informed a while ago that I passed as the top scorer. The official announcement will be on the Association’s website in a few hours, so once you verify, please deposit the funds as per the contract.”

– Haha, congratulations on passing, Suho. I had no doubt you’d make it. By the way, Suho, would you consider joining the Nexus Guild? We can offer conditions better than any other guild.

As expected.

Suho had anticipated that Kim Suae would be interested in recruiting him.

In fact, any guild would react the same way to the top scorer.

Especially since he had cleared an entire gate even before becoming a Hunter—there wasn’t a guild that wouldn’t be eager.

That was why Suho had set the scholarship amount at 300 million won.

Building a connection now meant it wasn’t too late to receive guild offers later.

Suho considered her question.

‘Maybe I should test the waters while I’m at it?’

He asked.

“Prime said something similar. How much better are Nexus’s terms?”

There was a moment of silence, and then Kim Suae’s voice came through.

– …Have you already met with Prime?

“There was a scout disguised as a test-taker in the examination hall, it seems. I must’ve caught his eye.”

There was a faint sound of admiration on the other end of the line.

She hadn’t realized such methods were already in use.

But quickly regaining her professionalism, Kim Suae made her offer.

– Whatever Prime offered, I’ll make it higher.

“You know what Prime offered?”

– Well, no. But I can give you a more solid promise than any scout. I have the authority, after all. And since you’re a scholarship student from our academy, it’ll be easier to adjust the terms. Why don’t we meet up and discuss this in person?

Her approach was aggressive.

But Suho decided to decline.

He wasn’t yet ready to join any guild.

“No, I have personal plans today. You can send the terms by message, and I’ll consider them. After all, as a Nexus scholarship student, wouldn’t it look better if I joined Nexus?”

– Of course! Absolutely! I’ll prepare the terms right away and get back to you. But Suho, don’t sign with anyone else in the meantime, okay?

“Haha, alright. I’ll be waiting.”

With that, the call with Kim Suae ended.

Suho then headed to the local community center.

Having passed the test, his Hunter qualifications would be registered in the system, so it was time to pick up his license.

After obtaining his license, Suho hailed a taxi and headed to the Dongdaemun Market.

He needed to do a bit of light shopping before starting his Hunter activities in earnest.

The taxi carrying Suho departed for Dongdaemun Market.

***

Sometime later, at Hexagon Guild headquarters.

Gathered there were scouts and other team members involved in the Hunter examination project.

They were all there to confirm the top scorer of the exam, whose name would soon be announced.

“It’s likely that Kihyun will be the top scorer for this batch.”

“Of course. We went through a lot of effort to bring him in, given he was originally an Olympic prospect. This time, we’re sure to win.”

The gap between Hexagon and Prime, the top two guilds in the industry, was surprisingly narrow.

As such, there was always a fierce rivalry in various fields, including the Hunter examination.

However, in the examination field, Hexagon had been unable to defeat Prime for several years.

So, this time, they had recruited Kim Kihyun, an Olympic prospect, as their secret weapon.

At that moment.

“Hello, everyone.”

The Hexagon Guild’s Vice Guild Leader, Han Taehyun, entered the meeting room.

Since this project was important to the entire guild, Han Taehyun visited the meeting room to check the results before reporting them to the Guild Leader.

Han Taehyun naturally took the head seat and spoke.

“This time, we’re going to beat Prime, right?”

“Oh, absolutely, Vice Guild Leader. Our Kihyun will make a statement.”

“Haha, I’m looking forward to it.”

Just then, one of the team members, who had been refreshing the Association’s website, spoke up.

“Ah! It’s up!”

At those words, everyone, including the Vice Guild Leader, turned their gaze to the front screen, where the Association website and the list of successful candidates popped up.

They were ready to celebrate their anticipated victory.

After all, it was widely expected that Kim Kihyun would be the top scorer in this exam.

However, as the list of successful candidates appeared, Han Taehyun and the others frowned.

“Huh…?”

“Why is…?”

“What is this?”

When the Association announces successful candidates, it lists the top scorer, runner-up, and third-place scorer at the top.

This meant that the leftmost name on the headline was the top scorer—and naturally, Kim Kihyun’s name should be there.

Yet, no matter how they looked, Kim Kihyun’s name was absent from the headline.

Instead…

Successful Candidates

Ahn Suho

Park Yong, Kang Dae-han

Jang Hyunwook, Kim Soohyun, Ahn Hyunsan, Pil Jungwoo, Sa Hyunmin

Kim Kwanghyun, Joo Dohyun, Lee Myunghoon, Han Pyungkwang, Song Minwoo

…

The list was filled with unfamiliar names.

Everyone in Hexagon Guild’s conference room fell silent.

***

Dongdaemun Market.

Known as one of Korea’s iconic open markets, Dongdaemun combined both shady and sunny aspects, boasting almost every item one could imagine.

Suho slowly went around the market, shopping for the items he needed.

Money wasn’t an issue.

Right after the call with Kim Suae, the scholarship funds had been deposited.

After purchasing almost everything he needed, Suho headed to his final destination.

[Do Young Hardware]

The sign clearly displayed the store’s name.

Located in a tucked-away, somewhat shabby area, it was surprising that this was Suho’s final stop.

When he entered, the old owner, wearing only a tank top, looked at the TV without sparing him a glance and said.

“Welcome.”

A perfunctory greeting.

Most shopkeepers in Dongdaemun Market acted this way.

While shop owners on the first floor or main streets actively tried to attract customers, shops like Do Young Hardware, hidden away, weren’t exactly known for friendliness, as only those in the know came by.

So Suho replied simply.

“I’d like to see some lightweight spears. I just recently became a Hunter.”

Hearing this, the owner gave Suho a quick glance and gestured toward a corner where a pile of spears stood.

There, a variety of cheap spears were propped up.