Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant novel Chapter 193

Great Korea Hunters' Association

The current atmosphere was tense.

With the Association President, the Special Division Chief, and even their entire chain of command under investigation, the whole building was eerily quiet.

But not everyone was walking on eggshells.

"Hmm~ Hm-hm-hmm~"

A man hummed cheerfully.

It was Baek Joon-seok, the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Bureau.

Despite the purge of the Special Investigation Bureau, Baek Joon-seok was in a great mood.

After all, this was his chance to rise through the ranks.

"With the Special Division Chief and the entire Special Investigation Bureau wiped out, who else but me can take their place?"

He especially had his eyes on the Chief position.

That seat wasn’t something just anyone could take.

It had to be someone from within the department—and since he held the highest remaining rank, he was the obvious choice.

No wonder he was feeling good.

The Chief position or even just the Special Investigation Bureau were some of the most influential seats in the Association.

Then—

"Chief?"

"Hm? Oh, Team Leader Na."

His train of thought was interrupted as someone entered his office, holding a stack of documents.

It was Na Do-won, the Team Leader of the Criminal Investigation Bureau's 2nd Unit.

"We finally caught one of the Seodaemun Three you mentioned earlier."

"The Seodaemun Three...? Oh, you mean that pickpocket gang?"

"Yes, sir. The small-time thieves. We’ve detained one in the basement holding cells. Should we begin interrogation?"

"The basement holding cells?"

"Yes, sir."

"Hmm... No, just leave him there."

"...Excuse me?"

"Find some excuse to keep him in holding for a month."

"......Is there a reason?"

"You know how things are right now. Let’s avoid causing any trouble for a while. It’s not like this is urgent."

"......."

Na Do-won frowned slightly.

Baek Joon-seok, noticing his expression, scowled.

"Tsk. Here we go again with that look... What?"

"...Nothing, sir."

"I’m not saying not to arrest them. I’m just saying we can afford to wait. Have I ever not done my job?"

"...No, sir."

"Then focus on paperwork for now. Stay out of sight. You know people are already criticizing the Special Division—we don’t need to add fuel to the fire. Got it?"

"...Understood."

With a heavy nod, Na Do-won left the office.

The Smoking Room

Returning to his desk, Na Do-won sighed.

One of his subordinates, Lee Hyun-seok, leaned in.

"Team Leader. Smoke break?"

"...Yeah."

Lee Hyun-seok—Na Do-won’s right-hand man and the Deputy Team Leader—headed to the vending machine for coffee before the two of them made their way to the Special Division’s private smoking lounge.

As he sat down, Lee Hyun-seok took a deep breath.

"This place is way too empty. The Association really is falling apart, huh?"

"It’s not collapsing. It’s still a government institution."

"Yeah, yeah. Just saying. Anyway, what did the Chief say?"

Lee Hyun-seok was watching Na Do-won carefully.

He already knew from his expression—it wasn’t good news.

Na Do-won took a long drag from his cigarette before speaking.

"He told us to shelve the case and keep the suspect detained for a month."

"...What? Why? We worked our asses off catching that guy. If we wait a whole month, the rest of them will disappear!"

"......."

Na Do-won knew that.

But what could he do? frёewebηovel.cѳm

The Chief’s orders were final.

A month was the legal maximum for holding an uncharged suspect.

Without a choice, he took another drag and stubbed out his cigarette.

"He doesn’t want us drawing attention to ourselves right now."

"...What? That’s ridiculous! We didn’t do anything wrong! It was the Special Investigation Bureau that was corrupt! Why the hell do we have to keep our heads down?!"

Lee Hyun-seok clenched his fists.

"That’s it. I’m going to confront him."

"Sit down. You don’t understand hierarchy?"

"Hierarchy, my ass! If we let this slide, we’re just going to look even worse! And don’t act like you don’t know, Team Leader. Baek Joon-seok is only doing this for his own promotion."

"......."

Na Do-won had no argument.

Because it was true.

Everyone knew why the Chief was acting this way.

But knowing didn’t change the fact that they were powerless.

With the Special Division under scrutiny, anyone who stepped out of line would take the fall.

That was just how politics worked.

Then—

"Well, well. Someone sure sounds frustrated."

The smoking room door opened.

Lee Hyun-seok immediately stood up and saluted.

"Sir!"

A man stepped inside.

It was Kim Won-hu, the Team Leader of the 1st Unit of the Criminal Investigation Bureau—and Na Do-won’s colleague.

The two were of similar background, having awakened around the same time and possessing similar ranks and levels.

The difference between the 1st and 2nd Units was practically meaningless.

They weren’t enemies, but they weren’t close friends either.

Just colleagues.

Still, they had attended each other’s weddings.

Kim Won-hu casually ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) sat next to Na Do-won.

"Got a cigarette?"

"...Get your own."

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

"Come on, I forgot mine. And I’d have to take the elevator to the convenience store—too much work."

"......Tch."

Grumbling, Na Do-won handed him one.

Then—

"Light it for me."

"You’re such a pain in the ass."

Rolling his eyes, Na Do-won handed over his lighter as well.

After taking a few puffs, Kim Won-hu exhaled and turned to Lee Hyun-seok.

"So, Deputy Team Leader. I heard you guys finally caught one of the Seodaemun Three?"