Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant

Chapter 114

Su-ho smiled.

However, despite the smile, his words were sharp and chilling.

Kim Seung-hwan frowned.

“So, are you telling me I need to live under your watchful eye, Hunter An?”

“Everyone lives under someone’s watch. Who in this world lives without it? But for people like us, even just meeting like this and forming an alliance can be a significant weakness for both of us. So, isn’t it better if we both just live honestly? After all, isn’t that why our country has a separation of powers?”

“Good grief...”

His reasoning was as smooth as silk.

And yet, there was no way to refute it.

That was how Kim Seung-hwan felt about Su-ho.

Su-ho continued.

“In the end, someone must wield power. Not that I intend to become president or anything. What I aim to be is a sword capable of checking both corrupt leaders and rogue hunters. And that’s the same for you, Prosecutor Kim. I’m not asking you to become president—I just want you to ensure that the prosecution functions as it should.”

Kim Seung-hwan fell silent, deep in thought, before finally asking,

“Then is your goal to become the president of the Grand Hunter Association?”

“My goal is to end Gates. I have no interest in positions like the presidency.”

“But you say you want to be someone who can keep hunters in check?”

“Does that position necessarily have to be the president? If the association itself is efficient and systematic, it will naturally ensure that control. My goal is to reform the association into such an entity.”

“...I see. I understand what you’re trying to say and what you want from me.”

“Do you really understand?”

“Yes, you’re telling me that since I’ve broken once, I need to learn how to bend. To stop acting so righteous and become a monster to catch monsters.”

“Close enough. All I’m saying is that we should stick to our professional responsibilities. Prosecutors should do what prosecutors are supposed to do, and hunters should do what hunters are supposed to do.”

“Understood.”

“Then, since we’re on the same page, how about a toast? We’ll use this as our celebratory drink.”

Su-ho raised his takeout cup, prompting Kim Seung-hwan to smirk and lift his coffee cup as well.

They each took a sip, and at that moment—

Bzzzzzzzt.

Su-ho’s phone buzzed. Checking the caller ID, he chuckled.

“Sharp ears as always. This one’s no gentleman either.”

“Is it Pi Seong-yeol?”

“Yes.”

Su-ho held up the phone, showing the caller ID to Kim Seung-hwan before answering.

“Yes, senior.”

- “Where are you right now?”

It was Pi Seong-yeol’s voice, filled with tension.

Likely, he had seen the article that Jo Jin-hwi had released.

Su-ho replied calmly,

“I’m at home, resting.”

- “Where’s Son Baek-geum?”

“Well... When I went to apprehend him, I found out he’d already left Korea.”

- “He left Korea?”

“Yes. I heard he went on a short vacation. He’s scheduled to return in a few days, so I planned to meet him at the airport. I lack the authority or qualifications to forcibly bring him back. I apologize.”

- “...”

There was a long pause on the other end of the line.

Pi Seong-yeol seemed to be debating whether to scold Su-ho as he would his other subordinates or let it slide.

After a moment of silence, Pi Seong-yeol spoke again.

- “Have you seen the news?”

“Yes, I have.”

- “What do you think?”

“I plan to follow whatever instructions you give me, senior.”

- “Whatever instructions I give, huh...”

He was undoubtedly conflicted.

The article had only been out for a few hours. While it might not seem like much time, the topic involving Sword Saint An Su-ho had already stirred significant public interest.

Under normal circumstances, Pi Seong-yeol might have dismissed it outright, but his voice, filled with restrained anger, suggested he had already been reprimanded by President Jang Kyung-hwan.

‘If not, his reaction wouldn’t make sense.’

Pi Seong-yeol finally said,

- “I understand. Make sure you’re prepared to report back to me with all relevant records as soon as Son Baek-geum returns. Ignore the news.”

“Yes, understood.”

As expected of Pi Seong-yeol.

He didn’t tell Su-ho not to worry because he wouldn’t make promises he couldn’t keep.

After ending the call, Su-ho turned to Kim Seung-hwan, who had been listening quietly.

“Was that call about the article?”

“Yes.”

“What did he say?”

“He told me to ignore the news and focus on the tasks at hand. The fact that he didn’t say not to worry suggests he’s still deliberating.”

“Fascinating.”

“What is?”

“You haven’t been with the association long, have you? How do you know Pi Seong-yeol so well? You seem to know him better than I do.”

“Maybe I hate him more than you do. People often pay more attention to what they hate than what they love. They say knowing your enemy is the key to victory, so I’ve studied him thoroughly. I want to make sure he never gets back on his feet.”

“What, are you planning to kill him?”

“Not at all. If I were, I wouldn’t have come to you.”

“Then what?”

“I’ll deal with him as an Awakened should be dealt with.”

“Cheongok Prison?”

“Yes. Sometimes living can be more painful than dying.”

“That’s terrifying. I’d better stay on your good side.”

“It’s never good to make enemies. On that note, here’s something for you.”

“What is it?”

“This.”

Su-ho handed over a copy of the bribery ledger he had obtained from Son Baek-geum, filtered to include only judiciary figures.

“...What’s this?”

“You know the Baek-geum gang in Gangnam, right?”

“The one led by Son Baek-geum?”

“Yes. He used to run a drug operation with an Awakened alchemist named Kim Goong-won. Kim Goong-won’s been captured and is lying low. Oh, and by the way, I’m the one who captured him.”

“And?”

“I’m currently undergoing special training, including a stint with the Special Division. During this, Pi Seong-yeol told me to obtain the bribery ledger from Son Baek-geum as part of an evaluation.”

“...What?”

Kim Seung-hwan looked at Su-ho in disbelief.

It was absurd to assign such a task to someone still in training, even if they were the Sword Saint.

Reading his expression, Su-ho explained,

“I’m a special case. Pi Seong-yeol is using this as both a competence test and a way to dirty my hands. He wants to use the ledger to tighten his grip on those listed.”

As Kim Seung-hwan scanned the ledger, his brow furrowed.

“...They’re all police officers and prosecutors.”

“Yes. That’s why I’m giving it to you. I need you to handle the judiciary side of things.”

“What about the others?”

“The Grand Hunter Association. I’ll take care of that.”

“Not everyone in the association is Awakened. You might need my help there.”

Su-ho smiled.

“True. I’ll reach out when the time comes. But for now, this ledger is a one-time bomb. It’ll be more effective if we detonate it all at once, at the right moment.”

Kim Seung-hwan nodded.

“You know I can’t do much on my own with this. Most of the names here are tied to Gangnam Police and Seoul’s prosecutors. I’m in Gyeonggi Province.”

“Then you’ll have to rebuild your strength and return to Seoul.”

“Return to Seoul?”

“Are you planning to stay in Gyeonggi forever? To catch a tiger, you must enter the tiger’s den. I’ll help you get there.”

“How?”

“I’ll provide cases that will help boost your performance and build your reputation. Guild leaders, corporate heads—even dirty prosecutors within your own office. I’ll get you all the evidence you need.”

Kim Seung-hwan swallowed hard.

“...Is that even possible?”

“For me, it is. I’m not just anyone. So let’s both work diligently in our respective fields. That’s the best outcome for everyone, isn’t it?”

“...It’ll be a lonely fight.”

“Because of the backstabbing?”

“Any organization ostracizes those who hunt their own.”

“You’re not the type to care about that. And why would you be lonely? Once the system is cleansed, only people like you will remain in the prosecution.”

“You’re full of idealistic dreams. But I like that. Dreams aren’t meant to be broken—they’re meant to be pursued.”

“In that case, can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“What will you do once the Gates are eradicated?”

“I’ll retire. Ending Gates is my ultimate goal.”

“Won’t you feel unfulfilled?”

“What’s there to feel? My dream is to retire by forty. I’m not fond of working.”

Kim Seung-hwan chuckled.

“You and I think alike. Understood.”

“Send me the names of the people who need help. I’ll review and proceed. Let’s talk again once the plan is ready. For now, I’ll take my leave.”

Waving goodbye, Su-ho got into his car and drove off.

Watching the car disappear, Kim Seung-hwan pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

“Good grief...”

What an extraordinary life he was living.

But as strange as it was, he couldn’t think of it as bad.

It felt like he could finally continue the life he had once dreamed of as a prosecutor.

And so, Kim Seung-hwan resolved,

‘If I don’t want to be caught, I’ll have to live impeccably.’

More than anyone else, he decided to keep a close eye on Su-ho, remaining neutral and vigilant.

That was the role he believed he was meant to play.