Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant

Chapter 126

Suho followed Jung Chulmin into an empty conference room.

As Jung Chulmin turned on the lights in the room, he spoke.

“Let’s talk here.”

“You came here on purpose to avoid them, right?”

“Of course. If we stay there, the team leader will keep talking to me. Want some coffee?”

“I’ll make it.”

“How can you make it if you don’t even know where anything is?”

“I saw it on the way here. Just a moment.”

Suho went to the pantry and easily returned with two cups of coffee.

Warm Americano.

Jung Chulmin took a sip of the coffee and smiled.

“Not bad. How are you even good at making coffee?”

“Haha, it’s not that hard. By the way, will you introduce me to my desk later?”

“What? Haha, of course I will. Are you upset I didn’t show you where it was right away?”

“Oh, it’s not like that. More importantly, what tasks should I start with?”

At Suho’s question, Jung Chulmin chuckled.

“Full of enthusiasm, aren’t you?”

“It’s my first day on the job since official appointment, so of course, I am.”

“Good attitude. But, about what we discussed last time, are you serious?”

What they discussed last time.

It was about the tasks the Special Management Team couldn’t handle.

For example, tackling the Sealed Gates.

Suho nodded.

“I don’t make empty promises.”

“I know that… well, honestly, I expected you’d say that. And honestly, it would be a waste to use someone with your skills on regular gate tasks. But you know, right? You’re such a high-level asset that people would notice if we handle you too freely.”

“Who would notice?”

“Who else?”

Jang Kyunghwan and Pi Seongyeol.

It was inevitable.

Suho was meant to be placed in the Special Department, but ended up in the Gate Department due to public opinion pressure.

If someone as valuable as Suho was forced into a dangerous task and got severely injured or worse?

‘Only Chulmin hyung would take all the heat.’

He’d be scrutinized—harshly.

For any regular employee, Suho’s request would be difficult to accept.

But Jung Chulmin wasn’t just anyone.

If he were an ordinary office worker, he might be cautious, but Chulmin had seen Suho’s potential from the start.

He even imagined working together, achieving feats the Special Team could never handle.

Plus, Suho had more than proven his abilities, surpassing Chulmin’s expectations.

Suho asked with a grin.

“So, does that mean you won’t use me?”

“No way. It pains me to send my subordinate into hardship, but we’re Awakened, aren’t we? And as public officials, we have a duty to serve. Especially with someone like the Sword God Ahn Suho on board. With that in mind…”

Jung Chulmin went over to his desk and brought something back.

It was a set of Gate documents he had organized, which he handed to Suho.

“You know that getting approval for these tasks in the regular way would be tough, right?”

“Yes, I think it’ll get cut as soon as it reaches the director.”

“That’s why, if you’re serious about handling these tasks, let’s do it your way.”

“My way?”

“I’m saying, act first and report later. And let’s play the media game a bit too.”

“If you tackle a Sealed Gate as a member of the Gate Department and it gets covered by the press, the association president, who cares deeply about public opinion, will likely back you up.”

Suho almost laughed at how perfectly the plan matched his own intentions.

‘This is why I can’t help but like Chulmin hyung.’

In truth, he had wanted to proceed like this from the start.

But since he had a direct supervisor, he wanted to go through proper channels to avoid disrespecting Jung Chulmin.

Suho asked with a smile.

“Do you really think so?”

“Don’t you?”

“Honestly, I thought the same. But I held back because I didn’t want to act on my own.”

“This guy… Fine then, let’s go ahead. In that sense, I’ve selected relatively safe options for you. Of course, calling any Sealed Gate ‘safe’ is a bit of a stretch, but just bear with it.”

“Yes! Understood!”

Jung Chulmin began explaining the selected Gates, and Suho listened attentively.

‘Not a bad selection.’

In fact, there weren’t many Sealed Gates worth avoiding.

Because Sealed Gates were challenging, their rewards were decent.

Since Suho intended to clear all of the association’s Gates eventually, he decided to start with one of the options recommended by Chulmin.

“Do I get to choose?”

“I’d like to give you a choice, but wouldn’t it be better to pick a place with a logical reason, just in case?”

“True.”

Looking over the list, Suho pointed to one.

“Then I’ll go with this one.”

“Why?”

“The Gate’s characteristics don’t affect me.”

“They don’t affect you? Why?”

At Chulmin’s question, Suho showed him one of his skills and began explaining.

Chulmin’s eyes widened.

“Then all the ones you’ve been using so far…?”

“Yes, so it doesn’t matter for me.”

“I see… Then this Gate definitely suits you well. But are you at the right level for it?”

“Yes, it’s no problem.”

With Suho successfully convincing him, he stowed the skill away with a smirk.

He’d given a reasonable explanation, but he actually chose it for another reason.

‘It’s the closest to the association.’

If he’d said that, he’d be seen as crazy.

So he gave a more sensible reason.

Suho asked.

“When should I head out?”

“I’ll call the director there, so you can go whenever you’re ready.”

“Then I’ll go right now.”

“Right now?”

“Yes, it’s work hours.”

“Goodness… Fine, go ahead. I’ll handle the paperwork, so don’t worry.”

“Oh, no. That’s alright. Since it’s my first report, I’d like to write it myself.”

“You know how to do paperwork?”

“Easy as pie.”

“I’d rather handle it myself. If you handle the field and the reports, then what’s left for me as the team leader?”

“Then you need to get promoted fast. And bring me along with you.”

“Like I’d ever drag someone up by using them as a stepping stone.”

“Haha.”

Suho stood up, taking the two empty cups with him.

“I’ll throw these away on my way out. See you later.”

“See me later? You’re talking about Sealed Gates like you’re just going for a quick stroll?”

“Well, we’ll see, won’t we?”

Suho led the way.

Watching him, Jung Chulmin shook his head in disbelief.

***

As soon as he left the conference room, Suho called Jo Jin-hwi.

– Yes, Mr. Ahn.

“I’m heading out to tackle a Sealed Gate. Would you like to come along and do some coverage?”

– Oh! That’s music to my ears! I’ll head out right away.

“Alright, I’ll text you the location. I’ll wait for you at the entrance.”

With Jo Jin-hwi’s confirmation, the preparations were complete.

Suho got into his car and drove.

The Gate wasn’t far.

After all, this Gate was in Seoul.

Arriving at Gaehwa Station on the outskirts of Seoul, Suho met Jo Jin-hwi, and they drove together.

Naturally, they took Suho’s car.

Taking Jo’s car would attract too much attention.

As Jo climbed into the passenger seat, he remarked.

“I could drive, you know.”

“Since we’re entering the Sealed Zone, it looks better if the official drives.”

“That’s true. By the way, how long do you think this Gate will take?”

“It won’t take long. By my standards, the difficulty isn’t that high.”

“You’re probably the only one who talks about Sealed Gates like that, Mr. Ahn.”

“Haha, you might be right.”

As they entered the Sealed Zone, soldiers began controlling Suho’s vehicle.

But as soon as they saw Suho’s government ID, they granted entry immediately.

Watching this, Jo Jin-hwi raised his eyebrows in admiration.

“Wow… so this is what they call pow-er, isn’t it?”

“Haha, power? It’s just work.”

“I’m dazzled by your government power, sir.”

After enjoying Jo’s exaggerated reaction for a while, they finally arrived at the square in front of the Gate.

The director of the command center came out to greet them as Suho’s car pulled up.

“You’re from the Korean Hunter Association? We’ve been informed. I’m Director Im Yeon-hyun, the site manager here.”

“I’m Ahn Suho. I’ve brought a reporter with me.”

“A reporter?”

Director Im Yeon-hyun’s eyes sparkled at the mention of a reporter.

After all, bringing a reporter to a Sealed Gate meant Suho was confident about clearing it.

And it wasn’t just anyone—this was the renowned Sword God, Ahn Suho.

With a hint of excitement, Im Yeon-hyun asked.

“Of course, you know what kind of Gate this is, right?”

“Yes, I’m well aware. That’s why I came.”

“Do you have an estimate for how long the raid will take?”

“Well, it’s hard to say, but if my calculations are right, it shouldn’t take too long.”

“Understood.”

Hearing it wouldn’t take long, Im Yeon-hyun’s grin grew even wider.

Perhaps he finally had a chance to get out of here.

Seeing his expression, Jo Jin-hwi quietly asked Suho as they walked.

“That guy’s weird. Isn’t a command center director supposed to have a cushy job? Why is he so happy?”

“Who knows? It’s a cushy job, but it doesn’t help much with promotions, so maybe that’s why.”

“Really? This doesn’t help with promotions?”

“Rough jobs help with performance reviews. The Square is relatively safe, so it doesn’t contribute much to promotion unless under special circumstances.”

“Hmm.”

“Alright, I’m heading in.”

With a light bow, Suho entered the Square.

Following the path inside, he soon saw an old portal.

[Entering the Gate.]

[Loading Gate information.]

[Acid Swamp]

– Entry Requirement: None.

– Maximum Entry Capacity: 2 people.

Acid Swamp.

That was the name of the Sealed Gate Suho was assigned to clear.

Though there were no entry conditions, it allowed a maximum of two people.

‘That’s what makes it tricky.’

Upon entry, Suho’s vision began to shift.

***

Right after entering the Gate.

In the thick darkness.

It was pitch-black around him.

But Suho adjusted quickly.

[Due to the Original Vampire effect, you are not affected by darkness restrictions.]

Thanks to the Vampire effect.

With his enhanced vision, Suho could see the arch-shaped ceiling that resembled a cave.

But this was no ordinary cave.

“Time to test the rumors.”

Surveying his surroundings, Suho summoned his Blood Sword and thrust it into the Gate’s inner wall.

And then—

– Kwoooooooooh!!

The entire cave began to tremble.

Accompanied by an ear-splitting scream.