Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant

Chapter 39

At his words, Kim Suae was taken aback.

– T-today?

“Yes, I believe in striking while the iron is hot. I intend to attempt it today.”

Kim Suae was so shocked that she momentarily couldn’t say anything.

A sealed gate was no child’s play, so how could this even make sense?

However, Suho was serious.

“I’ll fill you in on the details as soon as everything is organized. For now, I need to call Reporter Jo Jin-hwi, so I’ll be going.”

Suho ended the call and immediately dialed Jo Jin-hwi.

– Ah~ Mr. Ahn Pro.

A relaxed voice came through the phone.

His tone was full of ease.

Suho chuckled as he asked,

“What’s with the sudden ‘Pro’ title?”

– Doesn’t ‘Pro’ sound a bit more friendly between us than ‘Hunter’? Anyway, what’s this about?

“I heard you published the article about my joining Nexus?”

– Yes, yes, but isn’t your reaction a bit late? When was that article published?

“I couldn’t check my phone for a while due to personal matters. So I just heard from Director Kim Suae and called you right away.”

– I see. Well, as expected, the response is very heated. That said, I recommend not checking your phone for a few days.

“Because of negative comments?”

– That’s right. You’d mentioned wanting to be a public servant Hunter, but then joined Nexus right away, so naturally, there’s some backlash in public opinion. But it’s not overwhelming—probably around 40%?

Forty percent.

It was less than he’d expected.

Suho thought about 70% would be against him.

“It’s less than I thought.”

– Yes, but I don’t think it’ll last long. If you look at the comment section, people are mostly supportive. Suho, it’s not like you’re lacking in skill, right? Besides, the Korean Hunter Association doesn’t have the best reputation, and if ending gates is your goal, you can do that just as well in a private guild. That’s the general sentiment.

“I appreciate it if people see it that way. But while the mood is like this, we need to solidify things to turn public opinion fully in my favor, don’t we?”

– True, true. So, you’ve got something planned, maybe…?

“Let’s get ready for the next report. Title it, ‘Attempting a Second Sealed Gate’.”

– Ahh…!

At that, Jo Jin-hwi clenched his fist in excitement.

– As expected, you never fail to exceed my expectations, Mr. Ahn Pro… You’re incredible. Respect to you, Mr. Ahn Pro!

“Haha, it’s nothing. If we want to keep the momentum going, it’s best to publish a follow-up right away. Besides, now that I’ve joined Nexus, I should help raise their reputation a bit too, right?”

– You’re absolutely right. So, which gate do you plan to challenge this time?

“I’m thinking of challenging the ‘Swamp of Despair.’”

– The Swamp of Despair? You mean that Swamp of Despair?

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The Swamp of Despair.

It was one of the government-controlled sealed gates, and as a designated sealed gate, its difficulty was, of course, rated S.

The number of casualties from that place was in the hundreds, and its difficulty level was rated even higher than that of the Nameless Sword.

For one reason alone.

‘While it was possible to quit midway with the Nameless Sword, no one had ever come out alive from the Swamp of Despair.’

Chronologically, the Swamp of Despair would be cleared about ten years from now.

And Suho knew who would conquer the Swamp of Despair and exactly how they would do it.

That was why he had chosen the Swamp of Despair.

Right now, across the entire world, Suho was the only one who could conquer it.

Suho continued speaking.

“Anyway, you can publish the follow-up report like that. For the rest, please explain to the Nexus publicity team. I haven’t told them yet that I spoke to you first. Now, I’ll hang up to handle the ticket issue for the Swamp of Despair.”

– Oh, of course. Go right ahead. And this time, let me go with you, alright? Call me when everything’s set!

“Yes, understood.”

Finishing his words, Suho ended the call.

Then he immediately called Jung Chulmin.

“Team Leader, do you have a moment?”

***

Obtaining an entrance ticket to the second sealed gate, the ‘Swamp of Despair,’ didn’t require much effort.

“Hunter Ahn Suho? Oh, of course, we should give it to him!”

“Does Team Leader Jung not know how things work? Since Hunter Ahn himself requested it, isn’t it obvious he should be granted access right away?”

“Make sure he’s given priority if he requests next time!”

He’d gone to get official approval, but instead, received scolding he didn’t need.

It felt unfair.

But this was the proper procedure.

Reflecting back on it, Jung Chulmin spoke with a resigned tone.

“…If you successfully clear this gate as well, you should be able to access any sealed gate smoothly in the future.”

“Haha, it’s all thanks to you, Team Leader.”

Incheon, Yeongjongdo.

That’s where the Swamp of Despair was located.

Suho rode with Jo Jin-hwi again, and upon arriving, he met Jung Chulmin, the manager of the square, and Nexus’s publicity team who had arrived ahead.

The follow-up report had already been published.

The title was, “Nexus’s Ahn Suho, Taking on a Second Sealed Gate Alone without Rest!”

The news sent people into a frenzy… no, beyond frenzy, they were jumping up and doing somersaults.

– Holy crap, is Ahn Suho insane?

– Isn’t clearing a sealed gate solo once enough? And he’s going for another?

– Hey, get those guys who were bashing Ahn Suho for joining Nexus for money out here! Who cares if it’s for money? Which Hunter clears sealed gates in Korea, seriously!

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– I never criticized him. I believed from the start.

– Damn it, Sword God! You’re… incredible!

– From now on, the Sword God and I are one. So anyone who slanders him, I’ll take it personally.

– Is Ahn Suho a god? Is Ahn Suho a god? Is Ahn Suho a god? Is Ahn Suho a god? Is Ahn Suho a god? Is Ahn Suho a god?

– Mom! When I grow up, I want to be Ahn Suho! Mom! When I grow up, I want to be Ahn Suho! Mom! When I grow up, I want to be Ahn Suho!

– Suho is relentless… though, of course, it’s amazing!

– Suho! Even if you sell supplements, I’ll buy them all!

The cheers pouring in were intense.

Yeah.

What’s the big deal about changing one’s words a bit?

This reaction was especially pronounced among Hunters. While people held celebrities to a strict standard, they were forgiving toward Hunters.

For one reason alone.

Hunters, regardless of their motives, risked their lives fighting for humanity.

Seeing the Nexus publicity team, Jung Chulmin commented to Suho.

“Seeing this makes it feel real that you joined Nexus.”

“Haha, indeed.”

Then, watching Suho carefully, Jung Chulmin lowered his voice and quietly asked,

“Uh… so, those conditions you mentioned to the association president, were they settled with Nexus?”

Jung Chulmin’s anxious voice revealed his intent.

He wanted reassurance since none of the reports had mentioned that Suho would take the Grade 5 Civil Service Exam at year’s end or any contract details related to it.

So, to ease his worry, Suho decided to give him a little assurance.

With a smile, Suho replied.

“Yes, while the contract terms and details weren’t disclosed publicly, you can rest assured that nearly all the conditions discussed with the association president are included.”

“Then…!”

“Yes, I’m definitely taking the Grade 5 exam at year’s end. Oh, by the way, this is a secret, okay? I’m only telling you. If this gets out…”

“Oh, absolutely! My lips are sealed! See, I even zipped them!”

To Suho’s warning, Jung Chulmin quickly mimed zipping his lips with his fingers.

It was just a casual comment, but he found it endearing.

“Of course, I always trust you, Team Leader. Now, shall we give it a try?”

No need to delay any further.

Deciding to begin the attack, Suho stood before the square.

The square’s gate opened, and Suho entered. Jo Jin-hwi and the publicity team took pictures of him entering before finally lowering their cameras after the doors closed.

The publicity team leader, lowering the camera, turned to Jo Jin-hwi and asked.

“…He’ll succeed this time too, won’t he?”

“Of course. I believe in him. It’s Hunter Ahn Suho, after all.”

“I know Hunter Ahn Suho is incredible, but… seeing these situations unfold never feels quite real.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Jo Jin-hwi smirked.

“Well, to ease your mind, why don’t we make a small bet?”

“A bet?”

“Yes, whether Hunter Ahn will succeed or fail. I’ll bet a million won on his success.”

The publicity team leader blinked in surprise before responding in a measured tone.

“Hm… I can’t resist a bet… Not that I really think so, but I’ll put my money on the opposite, just because it’s a bet. A million won on failure.”

“Alright, shall we go wait in the control room? We can’t just stand around here until he’s finished.”

“Let’s do that.”

Just as the two made their way to the control room, it happened.

“…Huh?”

At that moment.

Watching the surveillance monitor, Jung Chulmin narrowed his brows.

He stood abruptly, pressing his face close to the screen, his expression one of disbelief as he muttered,

“The gate line… it’s gone?”

“…What?”

“What do you mean?”

With that, the publicity team leader and Jo Jin-hwi pushed past him to see the monitor.

But it was true.

The gate line, an indicator of the gate’s completion, had begun to disappear.

And moments later, the portal vanished completely.

Whoosh!

A radiant light spread.

In the space where the gate portal had been, an exit portal opened, and Suho emerged from within.

It wasn’t an illusion.

Nor was the screen broken.

And it definitely wasn’t edited.

The image on the camera was none other than ‘Ahn Suho’ emerging from the gate.

“…Is he… insane?”

“How long has it been since he went in? Ten minutes? Twenty?”

“Ten minutes? It hasn’t even been five!”

“And he cleared it?!”

Suho waved at the camera.

Seeing this, the square manager hurriedly opened the entrance, and everyone in the control room rushed toward the square entrance.

And they truly saw it.

Suho, as if he’d just been out for a casual stroll, stood there with a calm expression after clearing the gate.