Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant

Chapter 103

Slime Stone.

A piece of slime flesh hardened into a stone; its value as either a material or general item is among the lowest of the low.

However, the Slime Stone brought by Nam Haewon looked different from an ordinary Slime Stone right from the start.

Nam Haewon spoke.

“It looks like this is the highest-grade version, especially since further synthesis is impossible. The item information indicated the same.”

Suho accepted it and checked its information.

[Meta Slime Stone]

– Grade: S

# A piece of the body of the Meta Slime, known as the ultimate slime.

# The Meta Slime is known as an aggregate of regeneration, formation, and expansion.

Meta Slime Stone.

This was the final stage of the Slime Stone.

And Suho, who knew the true identity of the Meta Slime Stone, lifted the corner of his mouth in satisfaction.

‘I didn’t think this would really be possible.’

He’d been confident.

After all, this was an almost one-of-a-kind synthesis ability on Earth.

Thus, he was certain that with synthesis as a foundation, he would eventually succeed in creating the Meta Slime Stone, though it would require a significant amount of time and materials.

Suho smiled, feeling a sense of pride.

“You worked hard, Haewon.”

“Sniff, I really did my best. Apart from the time spent eating, sleeping, and… well, to be honest, I was even synthesizing while using the restroom.”

“I know, I know. Do you think I’m unaware of our Haewon’s hard work? So, did you level up a bit?”

“Yes, I did level up quite a bit. I even received bonus stats here and there whenever the Slime Stone’s grade rose.”

“Well done. A synthesizer needs to grow like that to get the full experience. Anyway, you worked hard, and soon all the remaining material items will be gathered, so I’ll ask for your help again then.”

“Yes, I understand.”

The Meta Slime Stone was secured.

Now only one material item remained.

Just then.

Bzzz!

Suho’s phone vibrated.

Suho checked the caller and couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘This person really isn’t one to be taken lightly.’

The caller was none other than Kang Seulgi.

Suho answered the call.

“Yes, Assistant Team Leader.”

– Mr. Suho, is this a good time to talk?

“Yes, it’s fine. What’s going on?”

– I managed to obtain the item you mentioned. Could we possibly meet now?

Kang Seulgi’s voice sounded intense.

He seemed to be in quite a rush.

He understood.

He must have wanted to rid himself of the cursed Mega Crusher as soon as possible.

Suho spoke with a smile.

“Of course. Where should we meet? Are you at the association right now, by any chance?”

– Yes, I am at the association, but I can come to you. Just tell me the location.

“Would you really? Then the location is…”

After giving his home address, Suho began to wait for Kang Seulgi.

***

Whether he flew over or not, Kang Seulgi arrived much faster than he’d expected.

Arriving drenched in sweat, Kang Seulgi couldn’t hide his surprise as he parked his car in Suho’s garage.

‘Not only does he live in the Cheongdam Safe Zone, but he also owns such a grand mansion…?’

He knew that Suho was a nationally famous figure.

Even now, the country was in an uproar over his successful conquest of the third Sealed Gate.

But no matter how much of a rising star he was, it hadn’t been long since his fame began; he hadn’t expected him to be living in a house like this…

However, he decided to keep his unnecessary thoughts to himself and focus only on work.

That was what mattered at the moment.

Suho greeted him warmly.

“You’re here? I could have come to you, but thank you for making the trip.”

“Oh, no. It wasn’t a problem since it’s not rush hour. Here’s the item…”

Kang Seulgi took out the Three-Piece Set from his pocket.

Understanding how urgently he needed this resolved, Suho decided to check the item before guiding his inside.

[Third-Person Pilot’s Perspective Device]

# A skilled pilot is difficult to create, but also difficult to preserve. Most end up dying on the battlefield with their machines.

After checking the item’s description, Suho smiled.

Yes.

This cryptic description.

This was indeed the Third-Person Pilot’s Perspective Device he’d been searching for.

The true options of the Third-Person Pilot’s Perspective Device had to be discovered through other means, but Suho didn’t mind.

He already knew what the true options were, so there was no need to uncover the hidden description.

Satisfied, Suho stored the item in his inventory and spoke.

“You found it well. Thank you for your efforts.”

“Oh, no. It was an order from above, and all I did was put a spoon on a prepared table, so I didn’t really do anything.”

“But it’s something I couldn’t have acquired myself in my current position. So, regarding the handling of the Third-Person Pilot’s Perspective Device…”

“Yes, I filed the report stating that I had to destroy it, as it unexpectedly triggered a curse option while undergoing purification method #22.”

“Very thorough.”

It was just as he’d hoped.

Even though he knew where the junk was stored, he’d specifically involved Kang Seulgi partly because of the Mega Crusher but also because of his ironclad alibi as Assistant Team Leader of Special Team 2.

‘Now, the Third-Person Pilot’s Perspective Device officially no longer exists within the Korean Hunter Association.’

No.

Once Suho completed the synthesis and created his intended final item, it would become an item that didn’t exist in this world.

As Suho led her to the basement, he spoke.

“Since you brought the Third-Person Pilot’s Perspective Device, let’s proceed with separating the Mega Crusher right away.”

“Really? Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Kang Seulgi’s face lit up at the mention of separating the Mega Crusher, more than he’d ever seen before.

Perhaps that was why.

Seeing his bright expression made him feel a bit sympathetic.

‘How much anguish must he have endured alone until now?’

The nickname “Mad Scholar of Destruction” attached to Kang Seulgi wasn’t just because he shattered items frequently.

The title “mad” in “Mad Scholar of Destruction” referred to the mental toll taken as the Mega Crusher slowly eroded his sanity over time.

‘That’s why the Mega Crusher is considered a cursed item.’

Of course, the Mega Crusher didn’t turn someone into a complete lunatic, but it gradually fed certain desires, making its wielder half-crazed.

If anything, he became a subtle kind of madman.

Thus, the Mega Crusher was extremely dangerous to the average person.

‘The entire Interdimensional Technology series is like this.’

Otherwise known as the Technology Series.

Each piece was a terrifying item that ate away at the user to draw out its power.

With a shake of his head, Suho led Kang Seulgi to the basement and seated his in a prepared chair, saying,

“Shall we start right away?”

“Yes, please. I’m ready.”

“Understood.”

As soon as he received his consent.

Clink!

Suho began securing Kang Seulgi’s wrists and ankles with specialized restraints.

“…?”

Kang Seulgi looked down in confusion at his bound wrists and ankles.

Then, he looked back up at Suho with a slightly fearful expression.

“It’s going to hurt a bit. Removing a tumor from the body is painful enough, but this is like extracting something that’s taken over your lower abdomen.”

“Oh… right… So, would there be any… anesthesia?”

“I was just about to anesthetize you.”

“Do you have anesthetics? But wouldn’t possessing or using that be illegal…?”

“Of course it’s illegal. That’s why I’ll personally handle your anesthesia.”

“What?”

At that moment.

Thud!

Suho struck the back of Kang Seulgi’s neck with the edge of his hand, instantly knocking her unconscious.

As her head drooped, Suho’s mouth lifted in satisfaction.

‘It’s not my first time.’

Most people would think that knocking someone out with a hand strike was something straight out of a comic, impossible in real life, but it was a familiar and easy task for Suho.

After working in special forces for a long time, one would learn numerous methods for knocking people out.

In fact, one didn’t have a choice but to learn.

It made handling matters so much easier.

As Kang Seulgi’s body went limp, Suho tore open his shirt with sheer force, removing his upper clothing.

Beneath his clothes was a hidden inner vest covering the Mega Crusher, and only after removing this final layer was Suho able to pull the Mega Crusher entirely into the open.

– Thrum… thrum…

The Mega Crusher spun slowly.

With its host unconscious, its movements slowed down.

‘Looks like a worm.’

A worm with steel teeth.

In truth, there were several ways to remove it.

One of the most direct and straightforward methods involved cutting the item out of the host’s body.

But this carried a high risk of killing the host.

‘I can’t go to such extremes just for a single item.’

Another method, unique to Suho, involved feeding the Mega Crusher to Bulgasari, a spirit beast that ate metal.

But that was also not an option here.

He couldn’t predict what havoc the Mega Crusher might wreak as Bulgasari devoured it.

‘Either way, it would result in death or lasting damage.’

Thus, Suho opted for the safest and most reliable method.

After ensuring Kang Seulgi was unconscious, Suho activated a skill.

[Recovery is activated.]

Fwoosh!

Recovery, a skill to cure abnormal status.

As an advanced version of Cure, it could now treat not only poisoning but also a variety of abnormal statuses.

‘And one of those statuses is precisely ‘parasitism.’’

‘Parasitism’ was undoubtedly harmful to the player.

Simply hosting a parasitic creature in the player’s body would cause continual damage over time and induce various diseases.

Thus, Recovery, the advanced version of Cure, could treat it.

‘Basically, Recovery acts like an antiparasitic.’

Of course, Recovery wasn’t omnipotent.

The Mega Crusher in Kang Seulgi’s body was still in its early stages before fully maturing, so Suho’s Recovery would only work on it now.

‘If it had advanced further, regular Recovery wouldn’t even scratch it.’

Thinking about it this way, he found Kang Seulgi’s past life rather tragic.

If she hadn’t been so afraid and had confided in others about her condition from the start, she could have been free much earlier without going through the “Mad Scholar of Destruction Incident.”

‘Still, thanks to that, I learned the recipes for many items…’

An ironic situation, feeling both sympathy and gratitude.

The moment Suho’s Recovery seeped into the Mega Crusher.

– Thrum? Thrum?

The Mega Crusher, which had been rotating quietly, started to stir slightly.

The parasite instinctively sensed it.

This light penetrating its body was a dire threat.

Perhaps that was why?

– Bzzz!!

Sensing danger, it suddenly went into a frenzy.

‘I knew it would react like this.’

This was precisely why he’d knocked Kang Seulgi out.

If he’d been awake, he’d have fainted from the excruciating pain in his lower abdomen.

As the parasite began to struggle, Suho also poured out his mana without holding back.

This wasn’t something to be gently coaxed out; it was like a malignant tumor that needed to be swiftly extracted.

Rumble.

Kang Seulgi’s body started to shake.

Even unconscious, his body trembled from the pain radiating from her abdomen.

Maybe that was why?

Sweat soon soaked his body, and faint groans began to escape his lips.

Just as hisconsciousness was about to return due to the numbing pain…

– Crash!!

Unable to withstand Recovery, the Mega Crusher burst out, spilling forward like an unsealed Mimic.