Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant novel Chapter 18

Kim Soo-ae wasn’t the only one stunned.

Jung Chul-min was equally surprised.

“Suho... is actually climbing the Tower of Trials?”

He pinched his cheek, wondering if he was dreaming, but it wasn’t a dream. A grin crept up his face, lifting his spirits. Jung Chul-min had seen Jo Jin-hwi’s exclusive report, too.

*“Could we really get an unprecedented talent like him to join our association?”*

The thought alone was thrilling. And it wasn’t just anyone—it was Ahn Suho. If he joined the Korean Hunter Association, he would be the equivalent of a triple-S-grade rookie.

However, as Suho’s achievements mounted, so did Jung Chul-min’s concerns. The benefits offered by the association were modest, hardly enough to attract such a high-caliber talent.

Just then, his phone rang. The caller ID showed it was the Vice President.

Jung Chul-min squinted briefly. Both the Vice President and President were people he didn’t particularly like, but he picked up the call out of obligation.

“Yes, Vice President.”

The Vice President preferred to be called “Vice President” rather than “Deputy President.” It was an odd preference, but since it was the boss’s choice, everyone complied, including Jung Chul-min.

A moment later, the Vice President’s voice came through the line.

“Where are you right now?”

“I’m in Pangyo.”

“You’re there for the Tower of Trials?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“You know Ahn Suho, don’t you?”

How did he know that?

After a moment of hesitation, Jung Chul-min replied, “We’ve met, but we’re not particularly close.”

“Doesn’t matter. You know him, so that’s good enough. Bring him in.”

For a moment, Jung Chul-min’s ears perked up.

“Wait! Are you saying you want me to recruit him for the association?”

“What? No, I mean bring him in so he can take a photo with the President.”

“Oh...”

He should have known. Why else would they call him out of the blue?

Jung Chul-min’s face crumpled with disappointment.

Unfazed, the Vice President continued, “Set it up so the President can get a picture with him. Just come up with any excuse for the summons.”

“...Understood.”

The Vice President hung up right after giving his instructions. For a moment, Jung Chul-min had the urge to throw his phone, but he calmed himself.

*“This is why all association executives should be Hunters...”*

The Korean Hunter Association was still a government department, which meant top positions like the President and Vice President were usually filled by influential former politicians. The current President was a five-term congressman, and the Vice President a four-term congressman.

While having politicians as executives wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, none of them were players, meaning they lacked understanding of the industry and often relied on impractical, bureaucratic solutions.

This lack of understanding was partly why the association struggled to attract talented Hunters.

- “Hunters are impressive, sure, but what? You think we should spend that much on public servant salaries?”

- “Is this a corporation?”

- “Do you think taxpayers’ money is meant for raising your salaries?”

- “If Hunters didn’t work for us, would the country collapse? Isn’t that what guilds are for? Are we falling apart because we don’t have enough public servant Hunters?”

It was always the same rhetoric.

Shaking his head, Jung Chul-min returned toward the Tower of Trials, mentally crafting an excuse to summon Suho.

***

**[You have cleared the 48th floor.]**

**[A new record has been set in the Tower of Trials.]**

**[For this remarkable achievement, you are awarded 5 bonus stat points.]**

**[If you proceed to the 49th floor, your achievement will continue to be broadcast outside the Tower.]**

Time had passed, and Suho now stood before the portal leading to the final, 49th floor.

Before stepping through, he checked his status screen.

“Status.”

**[Ahn Suho]**

- Lv: 39

- Class: Healer

- Strength: 95

- Health: 95

- Mana: 91

- Senses: 39

- Bonus Stats: 5

Level 39.

In addition to the stats gained with each level and the 5 bonus stats granted every 10 levels, the bonus stats he received for setting new records in the Tower of Trials had been a major contributor to his current status.

*“These stat bonuses are exactly why Jang Pyung-ho became so powerful.”*

It wasn’t just the Pocket Dimension House that made Jang Pyung-ho a big player. Initially, he had focused on growing stronger through the stats earned in the Tower. After building his reputation, he’d moved into smuggling.

After investing his bonus stats into Mana, Suho headed for the portal to the 49th floor, where Jang Pyung-ho had failed.

**[Player Ahn Suho has begun the 49th-floor challenge.]**

The scene shifted.

And then...