Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant

Chapter 23

Even back when he was the World’s Greatest Sword God, Ahn Suho had thought he had visited all the best places, but the Kaiser Cheongdam exceeded his expectations.

“I’ve given you the access code, so make yourself at home. Oh, and by the way, there are emergency healers available among the community facilities here, so feel free to use them if you need. Privacy is, of course, guaranteed.”

“Certainly, a place this expensive is different. But I’ll handle any treatment myself. Didn’t you see?”

“Oh… you’re really a healer?”

In response to Jo Jin-hwi’s question, Suho demonstrated the Light of Healing, causing Jo Jin-hwi to laugh incredulously.

“I read the file, but to be honest, I didn’t quite believe it.”

“Why not?”

“What kind of healer clears the Tower of Challenge alone? Normally, healers join a guild and focus on leveling up first. Anyway, if you press the community app on this tablet, you can order food, shop, and do almost everything from home. I’ll be off to work since it’s still my shift.”

Suho responded with a smile, and after Jo Jin-hwi left, he was finally alone.

“Nice place.”

The house had a sweeping view of the Han River, and the interior resembled a luxury hotel suite.

And the number of rooms… it was truly befitting of the Kaiser Cheongdam.

Suho activated his sensory skills to check for any hidden surveillance cameras that might be concealed.

“I was an expert at detecting surveillance cameras back in the day.”

But he found none.

Well, naturally.

This was, after all, the home of a conglomerate’s youngest son, so it was unlikely that there would be hidden cameras.

Still, being cautious never hurt anyone.

After finishing his scan, Suho finally removed his clothes and took a shower.

Then he grabbed a shirt and pants from the guest closet; this place had clothes in various sizes—new underwear included.

“Is it a kind of occupational habit?”

Maybe he was used to covering for his colleagues when he went out on assignments?

Thanks to this, Suho was able to dress comfortably and sit on the sofa in no time.

His injuries were gone.

He had healed any remaining wounds during the journey here by using the Light of Healing.

Next, Suho opened his status window.

[ Ahn Suho ]

– Lv: 40

– Class: Healer

– Strength (R): 2

– Stamina: 97

– Mana (R): 2

– Perception: 40

– Bonus Stats: 16

A status window at level 40.

But the stats listed below were far beyond those of a typical level 40.

Suho chuckled as he looked at them.

“This is practically an elite… no, almost heir-level stats.”

There were many ways to increase one’s stats.

But it was a vague concept, much like finding ways to make money—not something just anyone could do.

Still, some people managed to increase their stats, either by sheer luck or by receiving professional care funded by substantial resources in a large organization.

These people were typically the heirs of companies who aimed to become hunters.

That’s why he called it “heir-level stats.”

Suho invested 16 bonus points into stamina first, raising it to the Red rank.

[ Your Stamina stat has reached 100. ]

[ Your Stamina stat has further developed. ]

[ Congratulations! Your Stamina stat has leveled up to Red rank! ]

Then, adding one more point to match his other Red-ranked stats at 2, he allocated the remaining points to Perception.

[ Ahn Suho ]

– Lv: 40

– Class: Healer

– Strength (R): 2

– Stamina (R): 2

– Mana (R): 2

– Perception: 52

– Bonus Stats: 0

Closing the status window, Suho picked up his phone, which had been charging.

Ever since he had entered the Safe Line, it seemed people had somehow tracked down his number, and messages were piling up from guild officials and journalists.

Skimming through them, Suho found a few interesting contacts.

The first was from Kim Suae, the head of Nexus Academy, as well as Prime and Hexagon, the top contenders in the industry.

Of course, other guilds were also there.

Suho briefly browsed through their elaborate or overly enthusiastic messages, then dismissed them.

He already had plans for his future.

The second batch of messages came surprisingly from his former peers and seniors from the physical education department he had dropped out of.

– “Hey, is that Ahn Suho in the news, you?”

– “I saw you on YouTube! It has to be you, right?”

– “Why didn’t you tell us, LOL!”

– “Suho, it’s me, Kim Chun-ho. I wanted to apologize for hitting you back then…”

This was natural, too.

When someone they knew suddenly became a big star overnight, of course, they would reach out.

Naturally, Suho ignored these messages as well.

Finally, the third was a missed call from Jung Chulmin.

Judging by the time, it was when Suho had been advancing through the tower.

“Looks like I kept him in suspense.”

That’s probably why he brought along staff members, too.

Though the bigger reason was likely pressure from the higher-ups.

“Just wait a bit longer, Chulmin hyung. Once I join the Korean Hunter Association, you won’t have to worry about that anymore.”

After checking his messages, Suho turned off his phone.

Ideally, he would have liked to keep it on, but with his number already exposed, he was receiving nonstop calls, which was draining his battery at an alarming rate.

“Guess it’s time for a new number.”

Maybe even a second phone while he was at it.

He could change his number, but that wouldn’t help much.

Even if he did, people would find a way to reach him, so it was better to keep the exposed number active to divert attention that way.

Deciding to act on it immediately, Suho used the resident service mentioned by Jo Jin-hwi to request a new phone and number, and an hour later, a new phone and number were delivered to his home.

“Everything’s ready.”

The civil service exam for Grade 5 was still far off.

But that didn’t mean he had time to relax.

Suho had already made all the necessary plans.

“Time to go meet those people.”

Suho began preparing to head out.

***

“Let’s begin.”

“Okay.”

Late at night, in Naegok-dong, Seocho District.

Four people moved stealthily in front of a building.

They were all dressed in tight, pitch-black clothing, with masks covering their heads and faces.

One of them used a skill on a window, which disappeared, forming an opening big enough for one person.

“It’s ready, let’s go.”

They infiltrated the building.

There was no need to worry about surveillance cameras.

Those had already been disabled.

Nor would anyone come by chance.

Their preliminary research was thorough, and they had chosen today because no one would be here.

Once inside, they began taking something out of their inventories.

It was none other than bombs.

Just as they started planting bombs around the building…

“Tsk, planting bombs in buildings is a no-no.”

A strange voice echoed from the darkness.

At that sound, the four froze, as if they’d seen a ghost.

They had been certain no one would come today, yet someone appeared just as they began their operation.

And they hadn’t sensed anything moments before.

But suddenly, here he was.

“Hello?”

The silhouette in the darkness came into view.

It was Suho.

One of the four shouted in surprise.

“Run!”

At that command, one of them activated a skill, creating a glowing portal.

Suho, watching from the shadows, drew a spear and hurled it.

Thud!

“Ugh!”

The sharp sound of it piercing the air was followed by a scream.

The scream came from the only woman among the four.

Suho hadn’t aimed at the woman herself.

He had aimed at her shadow.

Hearing her groan, the other three shouted in alarm.

“What’s going on?! What happened?!”

“Pick her up! We’ll carry her out!”

“I’ll take her!”

Despite their surprise, the three moved in perfect coordination as if trained.

But when the man who had volunteered to carry her lifted her, his eyes widened.

He was the strongest among them, yet the woman wouldn’t budge.

It was natural.

The moment the portal formed, their shadows pointed toward Suho, and he had embedded the Ghost Shadow Spear in one of the shadows.

[ Shadow Restraint activated. ]

Shadow Restraint was a skill that pinned down an opponent by locking their shadow in place.

Pierced by a Ghost Shadow Spear with this effect, only a formidable force could break free from it.

Meanwhile, the two at the portal shouted.

“What are you doing? Bring her here!”

“Wait a second!”

“What is it?!”

“Argh!”

The man, strong enough to uproot trees, struggled in vain as the woman remained immovable.

In addition…

“Ahh!”

The more force he used, the more the woman’s moans grew in pain.

While partly due to his grip, it was mainly due to the shadow bleeding effect.

Finally, the man abandoned the idea of lifting her and drew his weapon.

“Everyone, draw your weapons! I don’t know what he did, but we’re stuck!”

“What?!”

“Damn it!”

This was the worst-case scenario.

The plan had been to avoid confrontation at all costs.

But then something unexpected happened.

“Are you guys Banshee? Let’s have a chat.”

Hearing the name “Banshee,” the four’s eyes widened.

No one but the four of them knew that name.

But Suho knew all about them.

Banshee was the name of a notorious terrorist group active in the country, known for its four members who caused chaos with countless bombings.

“Though they were eventually caught.”

And the one who had captured them had been Suho himself.

Raising both hands to show they were empty, Suho spoke.

“What’s with the shock? Anyway, let’s talk. I came alone.”

It was true.

He hadn’t even joined the Korean Hunter Association yet, nor did he have anyone he could call a friend.

Even after joining, he planned to work solo on critical missions like this.

The Banshees exchanged uncertain glances.

They were clearly rattled.

And in the end, things didn’t go as Suho had hoped.

“Kill him!”

The three charged at once.

It wasn’t a rash decision.

This was Banshee’s final emergency plan for critical situations.

Watching them charge, Suho thought.

“As expected.”

He hadn’t expected negotiations to go smoothly.

Given the situation, he had anticipated they’d either try to flee or attack.

That’s why he had taken one of them as a hostage.

As the Banshees lunged, Suho immediately activated his skill.

[ Intimidation activated. ]