Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant novel Chapter 329

It was certain.

He was Choi Woo-seok, Director of the National Intelligence Service.

He appeared with his attendants, and Su-ho got off the bike and greeted him.

“Good day, I’m An Su-ho, Head of the Special Division, Special Affairs Department.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Choi Woo-seok, Director of the National Intelligence Service.”

Despite holding the position of Director, Choi Woo-seok did not commit any rudeness such as speaking down or using informal speech.

He wasn’t someone who had left a strong impression in Su-ho’s memory, but thanks to that, the first impression now felt decent.

Jeong Cheol-min spoke.

“Su-ho, what about the North Korean residents?”

“I’m keeping them separately using an item effect. So, about that—before we talk, I think I should let them out first, so if you could guide me to the protection facility, I’d appreciate it.”

“Sure, let’s do that. But you came a bit earlier than expected, and the medical team hasn’t arrived yet...”

“It’s fine. I’ll take care of emergency treatment or first aid myself. I just need directions to the facility.”

At those words, an aide beside Choi Woo-seok spoke.

“Will you be all right handling it alone?”

“It’s fine. My level is over 200 right now, and my original class is Healer. Even if you brought Korea’s top doctor—or the best medical team—I’d still probably outperform them in terms of healing ability and efficiency.”

Choi Woo-seok nodded at Su-ho’s reasonable explanation, and soon they were guided to the protection facility that had been requested in advance.

In front of everyone, Su-ho summoned the subspace house portal.

He then commanded the North Korean residents, who were still under the effect of Enthrallment, to exit in an orderly manner. Following the command, the residents began emerging from the portal in a neat line and assembling outside.

“...!”

“What is this...!”

People could not hide their shock upon seeing the unexpectedly large number of North Korean residents—and their poor condition.

That wasn’t all.

They were all moving as if under Su-ho’s spell, and that sight itself was deeply shocking.

Before starting treatment, Su-ho spoke.

“There will be many things you may not understand. But first, let’s address the urgent matters. I’ll explain everything afterward.”

With that, Su-ho began treating the North Korean residents.

[ ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Heal is activated. ]

[ Recovery is activated. ]

[ Heal is activated. ]

[ Recovery is activated. ]

[ Heal is activated. ]

[ Recovery is activated. ]

...

Countless bursts of radiant light.

Su-ho healed every single rescued resident without leaving anyone out.

But this was only physical healing.

These people had been kidnapped and confined for a long time, exploited for forced labor.

So even if they were physically healed, they would still be mentally unstable.

Of course, using the [Ring of Joy and Sorrow] would help stabilize them.

But that would come later.

First, he had to submit reports and handle processing.

Once all reporting was complete, that was when he planned to begin mental treatment.

Meaning, he would lift the Enthrallment effect at that point.

Having completed physical treatment, Su-ho instructed the residents to rest, then explained the situation to Jeong Cheol-min and Choi Woo-seok.

“First, the physical treatment is all finished. You can proceed with follow-up care gradually. Now, I’ll explain what I couldn’t earlier. First, I—”

“Hold on. Let’s move to a different place before going into detail. Too many ears here.”

Ears.

He must’ve been referring to the North Korean residents.

However, these people were currently under Enthrallment, and when the effect is lifted, the caster can delete memories from the period of enthrallment at will.

Still, moving to another location wasn’t a bad idea, so Su-ho nodded and changed venues.

“You may speak here.”

The chief aide guided them to a quiet conference room.

Choi Woo-seok sat at the head seat, with Su-ho and Jeong Cheol-min seated beside him.

Su-ho began.

“Then I’ll begin the explanation. First, our current situation is...”

The opponent was the Director of the National Intelligence Service.

He had to share everything he could.

That way, if things blew up internationally later, they’d know how to cover for it.

Su-ho first revealed that apart from the Purification-Reunification Operation, he had been secretly moving throughout North Korea on his own.

He supported this by citing the fact that the Chinese CMC had taken an interest in the current operation and were trying to interfere, and that the resolution of the critical issue in the Amnok River region was at stake.

After listening, Choi Woo-seok asked,

“...So you went all the way to the Tumen River checkpoint to control those bastards in the Amnok River area?”

“Yes. And in that process, I discovered the Bratvas from Russia and the North Korean residents they had kidnapped, imprisoned, and exploited. And this is the Baikal I mentioned earlier.”

As he explained, Su-ho pulled out a pouch of Baikal he had brought as a sample and handed it to Choi Woo-seok.

“It’s the worst drug in history—potent enough to addict even a 1-star Player. If this spreads globally through the Red Mafia, humanity will suffer enormous damage.”

It was true.

For humanity today, the greatest catastrophe and enemy was Gates and monsters.

But what if the Players, who were supposed to deal with Gates and monsters, became addicted to drugs and lost their function?

Choi Woo-seok fiddled with the pouch of Baikal for a while, then handed it to his aide.

After that, he turned his gaze back to Su-ho.

“Can I call you Chief An?”

“Please address me however is comfortable.”

“Very well, Chief An. Before we proceed with anything else—thank you. You’ve done the work we should have done. On behalf of everyone, I offer my gratitude.”

“Not at all. I don’t believe public servants should distinguish between whose job is whose.”

“Thank you for saying that. As for the returned North Korean residents, we’ll take responsibility and help them adapt well to life in South Korea as defectors. Regarding Baikal, we’ll analyze its components, work on developing a neutralizer, and take steps to prevent its spread within the country.”

“Thank you.”

“Then Chief An, are you heading back north again?”

“Yes. My mission isn’t finished yet.”

At the mention of a KGB undercover agent, both of their eyes widened.

“This is a special phone issued only to KGB agents. If powered on, it connects directly to the 13th Bureau. Of course, I haven’t turned it on yet—just in case. Besides, the KGB probably hasn’t realized Yuri’s team has been neutralized. Not even a few hours have passed since the incident.”

“Can... all of this be verified?”

“You saw the North Korean residents earlier, right? I have several skills. One of them allows me to hypnotize people and control them as I wish.”

Continuing his explanation, Su-ho made eye contact with the aide sitting next to him.

[ Enthrallment is activated. ]

The skill was activated.

A heart appeared in the aide’s eyes—proof the Enthrallment had worked.

Su-ho gave the aide a command.

“Name.”

“Kim Cheol-woo.”

“Age, resident registration number, home address, and your current role in the NIS.”

“I’m 34 years old, my resident registration number is...”

A flood of information poured out.

At that response, surprise once again spread across the faces of Choi Woo-seok and Jeong Cheol-min.

Especially when the answers pertained to the NIS.

Because every single one of them was classified information with security clearance.

So they had no choice but to believe it.

Because the aide Choi Woo-seok knew would never casually disclose such things.

He ordered the aide to stop, and only then did the aide stop talking.

Su-ho snapped his fingers. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Instantly, the aide’s expression went blank, and then he returned to normal.

But as soon as he came to and saw everyone staring at him, he couldn’t hide his flustered expression.

“W-why are you all looking at me like that?”

“Do you remember the questions I asked just now?”

“Questions? Did you ask me something?”

Su-ho turned his gaze back to Choi Woo-seok.

“As you can see, once the hypnosis period ends, I can also erase the memory. I used this ability on Yuri as well. Through that, I discovered that he was a KGB agent disguised as Bratva.”

“...That’s a terrifying ability.”

It truly was.

Depending on who used it and how, the consequences would be vastly different.

Though it was a meaningless gesture, Su-ho offered reassurance.

“Still, this ability isn’t permanent. It doesn’t work on Players stronger than me.”

“I see... So, now I understand he’s KGB. But what is it you ultimately want to say, Chief An? Or rather, what is this method you spoke of earlier?”

“The method itself is simple. If Baikal was created under the orders of the Bratva and the KGB behind them, then someone just needs to go to Russia and wipe out the source of the evil.”

“...What?”

“Just as you heard. And I’ll do it. No, I’ll carry it out alone and unofficially. I’ll strike the KGB and Bratva. That way, Baikal can be uprooted completely.”

Everyone went blank at Su-ho’s words.

But Su-ho was dead serious.