Chapter Five

The recent Civil Servant Hunter exam caused a great stir. During the practical exam, a level 6 official, Lim Hae-cheol, was completely crushed by an examinee.

He had reached level 4 and was already reserved for promotion to level 5 next year. However, he collapsed without accomplishing anything.

Choi Jun-ho, who appeared like a comet, had already subdued the Unlock Gang that had been robbing banks and had even formed a relationship with Villain Special Forces member Jung Da-hyun.

He was estimated to be at level 4 and could potentially reach level 5, depending on the situation. He was only 25 years old.

The government, which faces difficulties with talent retention every year, had to bring him in.

The ethics section of the Civil Servant Hunter exam was a test to determine the minimum level of justice and direction that candidates pursued. This exam had never played a decisive role before.

But now it was beginning to play a decisive role.

The reason for the dispute between them was simple: Choi Jun-ho’s written answer on the safety of citizens and the defeat of villains.

“Are you saying he really needs to pass?”

One judge couldn’t stand it any longer and showed Choi Jun-ho’s answer sheet.

[The duties of a Government Hunter are primarily focused on protecting the safety of the majority of citizens. By defeating even one villain, a minimum of a hundred citizens can be made safe, so the priority should be to defeat as many villains as possible for the protection of the citizens’ safety. In reality, the harm caused by a villain who has successfully committed a crime after experiencing an “evil awakening” increases exponentially, so it is desirable to prioritize the defeat of villains even if there is some sacrifice involved.......]

“This is not the mind-set that a government hunter should have! No, even a hunter affiliated with a large corporation should not have this mind-set! This is an extreme ideology, literally that of a villain!”

“Why are you speaking so extremely? It seems like the main point of his answer was to protect as many citizens as possible.”

“What did you say? Are you saying that we should pass someone who casually mentions the sacrifice of the minority?”

“If we don’t pass him, then what? It’s obvious that a large corporation will hire him if we reject him.”

“Then let him go!”

“Are you saying that we should release a talented individual who has come to us to serve our country?”

The opinions among the judges did not seem to converge.

Choi Jun-ho’s ideas in his answer sheet were extreme.

The middle-aged man who had been quietly watching from a corner was the one who stopped the heated argument.

“I will take responsibility and bring him to the National Security Agency.”

“...!”

The tall man was Director Jung Ju-ho of NSA. He was in the highest position among the officials here and was considered one of the top five talented individuals in the field of public administration.

“As Ms. Jung Da-hyun said, although Choi Jun-ho’s ideas were dangerous, he was someone who listened to the advice of those around him and had a burning sense of justice. I will bring him in and forge him into a sharp sword.”

“......”

Once Director Jung Ju-ho spoke, there was no further disagreement.

***

One hour later.

Director Jung Ju-ho returned to his office and saw Jung Da-hyun approaching as if she had been waiting for him.

“How are you doing, Director?”

“How did you know the answer sheet would be a problem?”

“I didn’t know for sure, but I thought it could be an issue because Mr. Jun-ho’s thoughts are a bit unusual. It seems like I was right.”

“Anyway, I said I would bring him in.”

“Good.”

Jung Ju-ho sat down in the chair. Then he looked at Jung Da-hyun with tired eyes.

“Jung Da-hyun.”

“Yes.”

Jung Da-hyun, who had erased her smile, replied.

“I saw the answer sheet. He’s not a normal guy.”

“I know. I saw how he subdued the Unlock Gang.”

“Can you handle him?

“I can. And you know that the number of villains is increasing every day, Director. Currently, it’s getting harder to reduce the number of villains with the current manual. So then... “

Jung Da-hyun’s gaze became intense as she paused for a moment.

“We need to bring a sharp knife. Even if it would cut my hand in the process.”

Jung Ju-ho shook his head at the madness hidden beneath her words.

“How can I stop you if you’re saying that? Just don’t swing the knife too hard.”

“Did you think I would do that, Director?”

“Hmm, you’re going to do it, anyway.”

“It’s different from before.”

“Is that why you’re bringing that sharp knife?”

“Jung Da-hyun turned her head to meet Jung Ju-ho’s gaze, which was staring intently at her.

“Because it would be a waste to put it somewhere else.”

“Anyway, I did what I had to do. You can handle the rest.”

“Okay.”

***

“Did you really pass?”

“Yeah.”

“...”

Yoon-hee’s strange expression made me want to capture it. Would it be crazy to take a picture of her right now? Maybe I should try it.

As I was seriously contemplating that, the other still muttered in a shocked expression.

“It feels like my common sense is crumbling. To give such an answer and still pass...”

“Maybe it was to their taste.”

“Even if you’re a government hunter, accepting such an extreme response...”

“Anyway.”

It’s pointless to keep fussing over it. I had already passed the exam, so that’s all that mattered.

I was now a respectable civil servant.

“Since I passed the exam, let’s go eat something delicious. What do you want to eat?”

“I want to eat beef ribs, even if it means dying after eating. Let’s have some beef ribs!”

“Sure, let’s go for that.”

My sister and I went to a nearby beef ribs restaurant for dinner. At first, she didn’t believe that I had passed, but as time went by, she was pleased that she had contributed to my success.

After finishing our meal, we had a cup of coffee at a cafe and on our way back home; she said something.

“By the way, can you help me prepare for the exam?”

“Exam?”

“Yeah. I thought I could pass it easily, but the actual results weren’t good. I think it would be a big help if you could help me, Brother. What do you think?”

“I’ll help you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. With your skills, you can definitely pass. You just need to learn a few tips.”

“Really? If I pass, I’ll treat you to something delicious.”

“Sure.”

My younger sister who couldn’t blossom her talents because of me in my previous life.

I thought helping her pass the exam was the least I could do to repay her. That was my minimum apology.

“Why do you look like that? Disgusting.”

“......”

Was this my younger sister’s way of expressing affection?

***

“I’m a new employee, Choi Jun-ho.”

On my first day at work, I dressed in a suit and headed to the National Security Agency.

I thought my greeting was quite formal, but the response I received was enthusiastic.

“Oh! A new employee!”

“We finally have new blood!”

Some people welcomed me, while others said, “Is that the guy who made Lim Hae-cheol an idiot?” or “Just by looking at his face, he doesn’t seem like a skilled person.”

“Is it not luck?”

There were people who looked at me with suspicion about my skills. What should I do at times like this? Should I grab and smash them one by one to prove my skills?

If I did that, I might end up destroying the country’s National Security Agency, so I excluded that option.

As I was thinking about how I could earn recognition, a familiar voice caught my attention.

“Hey, who’s making a fuss about a talented person? Don’t you know it’s working hours?”

“...”

The atmosphere became as cold as a bucket of cold water. Among the people, there was a middle-aged man with a short and stocky build, a shaved head, and narrow eyes.

“I am Wang Ju-yeol, the leader of the special team.”

“Choi Jun-ho.”

“The true nature of a newcomer is to quietly observe without being arrogant. Don’t be arrogant and listen to your seniors like the sky. That’s all you have to do.”

Greed was evident in his narrow eyes. He stared at me as if he wanted to pressure me into doing something.

“Answer me.”

“Is that what a government hunter does?”

“Does? Yes, that’s true. No matter if you’re a hunter or a government employee, you’re ultimately a government employee. That’s what a government hunter is. You belong to an organization, obey your superiors, and that’s it, right?”

Instead of answering, I looked quietly at Wang Ju-yeol.

It seemed like an unfamiliar name, but it strangely stuck in my memory.

At that moment, I heard a familiar voice from behind.

“Stop it.”

“Oh! Officer Jung Da-hyun! Are you deliberately ignoring a team leader?”

“I’ve never done something like that.”

“Really? Then why do I feel like I’m being ignored?”

Wang Ju-yeol said sarcastically.

“That’s your misunderstanding. I’ll guide Mr. Jun-ho. Let’s go.”

“Whatever, do what you want. Anyway, as a newcomer, it’s better for you to remember what I said.”

“......”

I looked at Wang Ju-yeol blankly and followed Jung Da-hyun, who pulled my arm.

Wang Ju-yeol, Wang Ju-yeol.

There were only two kinds of people I remembered by name other than my family.

Those who should die in my hands, or those who should be killed.

After greeting the National Security Agency personnel following Jung Da-hyun, we moved to the café inside the building.

Until then, I had been trying to remember things. I looked at Jung Da-hyun. Even though she didn’t dress up much, her beauty shone.

She could have gained wealth and fame without having to work hard on the front line. I wondered what the source of her sense of justice was. It was the same for the current situation, too.

“Are you not on good terms with Team Leader Wang?”

“Be careful of what you say.”

Jung Da-hyun, who was rarely surprised, looked around and lowered her voice.

“Team Leader Wang has a considerable position in the National Security Agency. So you have to look around before you speak up.”

“I’m saying it because there’s no one here.”

“As you can see, he doesn’t like it when I poker around things.”

Wang Ju-yeol clearly had a bad smell. I had a rough idea of what kind of person he was.

“If he’s corrupt, arrest him.”

“ ...There is no evidence.”

“Can’t we arrest without evidence?”

“That’s the rule. Without evidence, they’re not suspects, but persons of interest.”

It was quite different from what I knew. When I was a villain, things that I hadn’t even done were added to my criminal record.

I still remembered when Oh Jong-yeop, who followed me, called me “Pima Hong” and giggled, saying that I was like Hong Gil-dong, drinking blood while flashing between the east and the west. (*1)

What’s the difference between having 100 prior convictions and having 101?

“I understand.”

“Jun-ho will be working with me for a while. If you have any questions or don’t know something, please ask me.”

“I understand.”

“And there will be a welcome party today.”

“A welcome party?”

“Jun-ho is a new member who just joined after a long time.”

“It seems like not many people want to come here.”

“To be honest, yes. The Villain Task Force is very dangerous.”

Then she looked at me. Even though she didn’t say anything, I knew everything from Yoon-hee. The status of the National Security Agency in the country was high, but the standards for accepting internal personnel were very strict.

If there was a vacancy, they wouldn’t even accept personnel who did not meet the standards. The workload and danger also had a lot to do with it.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you in advance.”

“It’s okay. I know it’s dangerous.”

“Really?”

“Since it’s the department that arrests villains, it’s obviously dangerous.”

Of course, the government hunters who were stationed here must have the ability to be here, as well as a sense of mission to arrest villains. And there were not many such talented government hunters.

That’s what I thought, but Jung Da-hyun seemed quite relieved.

“I’m glad you understand.”

“Please take good care of me from now on, Miss Da-hyun.”

“Yes, Mr. Jun-ho.”

After drinking coffee, I went up to the office and started learning about the tasks I had to do. Starting with simple documents, I looked at the internal organization and structure of the National Security Agency, and before I knew it, it was time to leave.

After leaving work, I arrived at a high-end Korean beef restaurant.

“Well, then, let’s welcome the new recruit.”

“For the greater good!”

The welcome party greeted me in the safest center of the city with great fanfare.

“......”

I silently watched my colleagues loosen up and drink.

Eating and drinking to your heart’s content. It was foreign to me, who had always been pursued and far from the splendor of the city.

Ironically, this feeling made me realize that I had stepped into this realm.

Then Jung Da-hyun came up to me.

“They’re good people.”

“Are they?”

“Yes. They’re lacking in basic treatment and incentives. Their work is difficult, and they are exposed to danger. Nevertheless, they are burning themselves out with a sense of mission.”

In the end, I knew that I was nothing more than a moth to a flame. I followed the organization’s orders and carried out their mission with a sense of justice.

I didn’t ridicule myself, but I couldn’t empathize, either. In the end, Jung Da-hyun was in the same category as me and was killed by my hand when she tried to kill me.

If I didn’t have my beliefs, I wouldn’t have stepped forward even knowing the risks.

Becoming a government hunter was to stay within the framework of the power of authority. I wanted to avoid any more experiences where my mind was worn out from being chased.

However, I didn’t know when the monster inside me would reveal itself. I want to continue living an ordinary life like now.

The appearance of Jung Ju-ho, the head of the National Security Agency broke the tense atmosphere.

“What’s with all this serious talk? Hey, new recruit! Let’s have a drink.”

“Thank you.”

“What’s with the formality? We’re going to work together a lot from now on.”

He poured me a lot of alcohol with a cheerful face.

“Hey, since it’s a welcome party for new recruits, why don’t we take some time to get to know each other? What’s the new recruit good at?”

“What I’m good at...”

I paused for a moment. Suddenly, everyone’s attention was on me.

Come to think of it, I was so greedy that I went crazy and couldn’t protect my family. My weaknesses were clear. I was impatient.

Then what was my strength? Things I was good at. The experience I gained as Blood Master was ultimately my strength. After organizing my thoughts in my head, I opened my mouth.

“I am confident in chasing, survival, and escape. I have good eyesight. I can detect villains. But most of all, what I’m most confident about is...”

At that moment, my gaze met with Wang Ju-yeol’s.

I wonder why, but a smile crept onto my face.

“Elimination of target.”

“.......”

Killing someone was my most proficient skill.

The thing I was least confident about was capturing someone without causing them any injury.

“I am confident in finding and eliminating villains more than anyone else. Please trust me from now on, Director.”

“Sure.”

Jung Ju-ho, who had suddenly swept away the gloomy atmosphere without a trace, held out a glass with his firm eyes.

I laughed and clinked glasses with him before downing it in one shot.

But everyone’s eyes were on me.

Did I do something wrong?

*** 

Translation Corner:

*1—‘Pima Hong’ was the nickname of Hong Gildong - a legendary figure in Korean folklore who possesses extraordinary physical and mental abilities. In the novel, he is described as being able to move at incredible speeds, and the phrase “flashing between the east and the west” is a poetic way of describing how quickly he can move from one place to another.

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