Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant

Chapter 24

At that moment.

“Ugh!”

“Grrr!”

“Kugh!”

The movements of the three people approaching Suho halted in an instant.

The effect of the S-rank intimidation wielded by Banshee caused their bodies to freeze, as if hit by monster fear.

‘At their current level, those banshees would barely manage to stand there and breathe.’

Because of this, Suho approached them without further action, calmly starting to remove each of their hats and masks one by one.

After pulling the mask off the first one, Suho looked at the man’s face and spoke.

“Kim Hyunmin. A deliveryman by profession, responsible for the team’s movement with his mobility skill.”

Then, pulling off the mask of the second man, he continued.

“Seo Gyowon. Position: bomb-maker used in terrorist activities, works as a middle school science teacher.”

And finally, removing the mask of the last man, he said.

“Gwak Duho, a day laborer who makes a living doing odd jobs. Despite his thin build, he’s responsible for physical work within the team.”

Now, only one person remained.

The only female member of the team, the founder and leader of the banshees, the mastermind behind all their plans and strategies.

Suho removed the mask of the last member, who was pinned by the Ghostly Shadow skill and unable to move, and spoke.

“Gu Yeonhwa, a student at Korea Women’s University, the practical boss of the Banshee, and an EMP user who can disable electronic devices and magic items. Isn’t that right?”

“Huff… huff… How… how do you know that?!”

“It’s possible to know anything if you really want to. But look closely at my face. Who do you think I am?”

“I’m seeing you for the first time today, so how could I… Huh?”

A flicker of shock crossed Gu Yeonhwa’s face as she replied in a defiant tone.

Yes.

If anyone should recognize him, it should be her.

After all, she was the brains of the team.

With an expression of disbelief, Gu Yeonhwa spoke.

“You… Ahn Suho?”

“That’s right. I figured the brains of the team would recognize me right away. So, why don’t you go ahead and tell them? That I’m not some crazy person.”

Suho deactivated the intimidation and shadow effects that were affecting Gu Yeonhwa.

As soon as the trembling in her breathing returned to normal and she regained her composure, Gu Yeonhwa caught her breath, lifted her head, and asked.

“Who… who are you, really?”

“You should know just by looking at my face. How about we save the detailed talk for later?”

“And how are we supposed to trust you?”

“If you don’t want to, then don’t.”

“What?”

“Altogether, including the attack you planned for today, your group has committed three acts of terrorism so far. No civilian casualties yet, but there has been property damage, so a crime is still a crime. The police have no clue about your attacks, but I know everything. I know exactly how you carried out each attack and erased the evidence. Plus, I know where you all live and who your close associates are. So, what do you think? Feeling more inclined to talk now?”

Hearing this, Gu Yeonhwa’s eyes began to tremble intensely.

Indeed.

Even if she was the leader of Banshee, a terrorist organization bound to become a future giant, she was still just a young college student who had barely started her grand plan.

Suho released the intimidation effect on the other three and spoke.

“You guys, listen carefully too. I’ll say it once more: I’m not with the government, and I have no intention of catching or harming you. So let’s have a peaceful conversation.”

The four exchanged glances with each other, with Suho in between.

Finally, Gu Yeonhwa nodded and said.

“…Fine.”

“Good, but let’s move to a different place first. This isn’t the right place to have such a discussion, right? Your hideout is the safest option, isn’t it? Hyunmin, open the portal. It’s not like we can just take a taxi there.”

Hearing this, Kim Hyunmin, who was in charge of the team’s transportation, muttered in disbelief.

“…Crazy.”

***

Banshee’s hideout, located on the outskirts of Seoul.

Upon arrival, Suho naturally took a seat on the sofa available in the hideout and said.

“Make yourselves comfortable. This is your hideout, after all. Grab a drink if you’re thirsty.”

Acting as though he were the host, Suho’s brazenness caught Gu Yeonhwa off guard for a moment. But soon, she regained her composure and sat across from him.

“Enough of that. Who are you, really? Why did a well-known figure from TV suddenly show up in front of us? And how do you know our identities?”

“It’s my personal skill.”

“What?”

“I said it’s my personal skill. Everything, from knowing your identities to appearing in front of you.”

“What kind of…?”

“Why? Don’t each of you have one or two hidden skills? Skills you’ve kept secret to carry out your terrorist activities? It’s the same for me.”

With that, Gu Yeonhwa clammed up.

She had nothing to refute.

So she changed the subject.

“…So, what is it you want from us?”

“Work with me.”

“Work?”

“Have you read the interview I did with PBS? I mentioned some plans for the future.”

When Gu Yeonhwa nodded, Suho also nodded and continued.

“Good, that makes things easier to explain. So, you know my goal is to join the Korean Hunter Association. It wasn’t just something I said for the interview; I really mean it.”

“…What?”

Gu Yeonhwa’s expression twisted again at his words.

Understandably, it was difficult for her to believe.

However, Suho spoke as though it was nothing.

“Don’t make that face. I get asked if I’m serious by everyone I meet these days.”

“So, you’re really serious?”

“There you go, asking again. Yes, I’m serious. In fact, I’m planning to take the upcoming civil service exam for Grade 5.”

At this, Gu Yeonhwa and the other three widened their eyes.

The Grade 5 exam for the Korean Hunter Association was notoriously challenging, with no candidates chosen if none met the standards.

“Judging by your reactions, I guess you all understand how difficult the Grade 5 exam is. But I’m telling the truth—I’ll be taking that exam and passing it. My goal is to enter the Special Affairs Department.”

The Special Affairs Department.

At those words, the room fell silent.

Because the very reason for Banshee’s establishment was the Korean Hunter Association’s core department, the Special Affairs Department.

Suho knew it well.

After all, he once served there.

But Suho didn’t mind in the slightest and continued.

“Seeing your reactions, it makes me wonder how you manage to keep your secrets in daily life. Don’t worry; I’m aiming to join the Special Affairs Department for similar reasons.”

“Similar reasons?”

“If you saw the interview, then you know I’m a gate orphan. At first, I thought it was just an unfortunate accident, a disaster beyond human control. But later, I realized that what happened to me was actually man-made.”

Depending on the type, certain gates caused massive shockwaves as soon as they appeared, devastating the surrounding area. And then they released monsters, just like other gates.

A prime example was Green Red, the gate at Sindorim Station that Suho had first cleared solo.

Because of such incidents, the Association had established a Gate Management Division to monitor gate activity and prepare for potential shocks.

All this time, Suho had believed that the misfortune that befell his family was due to an “Unpredicted Gate,” a gate whose occurrence could not be foreseen.

He had thus resented only the gate system and aimed to eliminate it.

But later, after rising to a high position within the Korean Hunter Association, he learned the truth.

The incident that claimed his family was indeed man-made.

“Have you heard the saying that bombs don’t fall on the same place twice?”

“I’ve heard it. I know the same idea applies to gates.”

“Exactly. Once a gate appears, it never appears there again. So areas where gates have been cleared are declared safe zones, causing land prices to skyrocket.”

At this, Gu Yeonhwa’s eyes widened.

“No way…”

“Yes. The government already knew about the gate shock that would occur that day. But they chose not to prevent it, as various development projects were tied to that area. I know the names of the scumbags involved. That’s why I’m joining the Korean Hunter Association.”

“To kill them all once you’re in?”

“No. Killing is out of the question in a country governed by the rule of law. If that were my goal, I’d be preparing quietly. My revenge will be different. And it’s the same for all of you, isn’t it? You each have grievances against the Special Affairs Department, so you’ve targeted only those connected to it. That’s why I sought you out.”

Everything he said was the truth.

Suho’s story, the reason for Banshee’s creation—none of it was fabricated to lure them in.

As Suho spoke, the faces of Gu Yeonhwa and the others grew increasingly serious.

Suho continued.

“The Special Affairs Department is the most powerful within the Korean Hunter Association. Not only that, but it holds sway over other government ministries and has investigative and prosecutorial powers over players. I plan to become the Head of the Special Affairs Department and make them face justice.”

Suho looked Gu Yeonhwa straight in the eyes and spoke.

“I’ll help you get the revenge you seek, with a plan more precise and certain. But it’ll require substantial preparation. That’s why I came to you. I need people outside the Association who can discreetly act as my hands and feet. So, what do you think? Is this interesting enough for you?”

He had said everything he needed to say.

There was no deceit in his words, and he had made his intentions for seeking out Banshee clear.

But Gu Yeonhwa hadn’t anticipated such a proposal, and her mind was in turmoil.

The others felt the same way.

At that moment, Gu Yeonhwa asked.

“But isn’t the Grade 5 exam extremely difficult? I’ve heard they won’t hire anyone if there aren’t qualified candidates.”

Hearing this, Suho let out a small laugh.

“I’m Ahn Suho. Do you think I’ll fail just because it’s difficult? And besides, don’t you know that it’s ultimately people who make these decisions?”

“What do you mean?”

“For the Grade 5 exam, the written and practical tests are essential, but the most important part is the final interview.”

“An interview? Isn’t it just a formality if you pass the first two stages?”

“Formality? The Association President and Vice President’s influence comes heavily into play in the Grade 5 hiring process. Grade 5 starts from a team leader position, meaning they’re looking for someone they can count on. So naturally, they choose someone they personally favor.”

“So, what? You plan on flattering them?”

“Why not? And…”

Suho shared part of his next steps, which he had previously discussed with Jo Jin-hwi, with the members of Banshee.

Their eyes widened as they listened, and Suho placed a piece of paper with his secondary contact number on the table.

“Think it over. Or you can wait until I pass the Grade 5 exam and then decide. But if you carry out another terrorist act before that, consider my offer null and void, and I’ll personally hand you over to the Special Affairs Department. Alright, take care.”

Having finished what he needed to say, Suho walked out of the hideout with a cool composure.