Pi Seong-yeol asked, "What is it?"
"I’ll handle the task you’ve assigned without any mistakes. However, alongside that, could you allow me to take the evaluation for the Special Division as originally planned?"
"What?"
The expression on Pi Seong-yeol’s face was one of utter bewilderment.
But Su-ho was dead serious.
‘I don’t want this coming back to bite me later.’
Pi Seong-yeol was someone Su-ho intended to bring down eventually. Dealing with someone who had nothing to lose was always both frightening and bothersome.
‘Not scary, but definitely bothersome,’ Su-ho thought.
That was why he wanted to take the evaluation properly. Of course, there was another reason as well.
‘I don’t need anyone pulling strings to get me a perfect score. I can achieve that on my own.’
Su-ho wanted to claim the title of the first and youngest perfect scorer without Pi Seong-yeol’s taint on his record.
Then, it happened.
"Hahaha!"
Pi Seong-yeol burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the room.
Looking at Su-ho with an amused smirk, he said, "Wow, kid. You’re crazier than I thought."
"Ha ha... My apologies. I just can’t pass up the opportunity for a perfect score," Su-ho replied with a sheepish grin.
"Fine, I’ll allow it. But only the written test. I left out the practical evaluation deliberately because of the Son Baek-geum case. I don’t want to waste time on redundant work."
"Thank you. In that case, I’d like to take the written test today before heading out to deal with the Son Baek-geum matter."
Su-ho was completely serious. After all, how hard could a written test be?
But to Pi Seong-yeol, it sounded a bit different.
"This kid... You think the Special Division’s written test is like any other? Sure, I know you’ve aced every test up until now, but do you realize how much harder ours is? And you want to take it today?"
"I’ll give it a try."
"Confidence or just foolishness..."
Pi Seong-yeol glanced at Su-ho, intrigued. Suddenly, an idea popped into his mind. Smirking, he pulled out a stack of papers from his desk drawer.
"Alright, I’ll play along. Let’s see this so-called perfect score in real time. I’ll bring the test paper shortly. In the meantime, go through these. Consider it study material."
No senior could resist a junior’s bold challenge, and Pi Seong-yeol was no exception. On the contrary, he found this quite entertaining.
Su-ho started reading the provided material. A short while later, Pi Seong-yeol returned, test papers in hand.
"Need more time?"
"No, I’ve read enough."
"You lunatic. Listen, I’m telling you, our test isn’t easy. Don’t ruin your perfect record just to show off. You can back out now."
"I can do this."
"Fine, fine. A man’s gotta have guts, I suppose."
Under Pi Seong-yeol’s watchful eye, Su-ho began tackling the test with swift precision.
Before long, he put down his pen and said, "I’m finished. But you didn’t give me an OMR card."
"Forget it. I’ll grade it myself."
Pi Seong-yeol started grading the test, flipping through the pages one by one.
Scratch, scratch. The sound of his pen filled the room as he checked answers. Eventually, he flipped back to the first page, then slapped the papers down on the desk with a loud thud.
Looking up at Su-ho, he stared in silence.
Su-ho merely curled the corner of his lips slightly, waiting for Pi Seong-yeol to speak.
Finally, the senior couldn’t hold back a chuckle. "You crazy bastard. You actually did it?"
"Thank you. It was only possible because you gave me easy questions."
"Sure, sure... I’ll make sure this score is officially recorded. Don’t worry about that. Anything else you need?"
"No, sir."
"Good. And don’t ask later either. Just go do your work."
"Understood. Thank you."
"Alright, good job."
Hearing the word "perfect score," Su-ho allowed himself a faint smile. He bowed politely before leaving the office.
After Su-ho left, Pi Seong-yeol stared at the closed door for a moment, then pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
"Haah..." He exhaled, watching the smoke dissipate into the air.
He gazed at the faint traces of smoke and muttered under his breath, "Crazy bastard..."
Crazy bastard. That was all he could say.
Was it admiration for Su-ho’s perfect score? No, it wasn’t just that.
The lack of an OMR card wasn’t an oversight. The questions Su-ho had answered weren’t the official written test for the Special Division.
They were the "special problems" Pi Seong-yeol had designed himself—questions meant to weed out the truly exceptional from the merely competent.
Pi Seong-yeol narrowed his eyes as he reviewed the answers again.
‘He solved them all... perfectly.’
Even scoring full marks on what was essentially a bar exam-level difficulty.
"A blade that sharp can be dangerous..."
He frowned slightly, taking another drag of his cigarette, before a faint smile crept onto his lips.
***
As soon as Su-ho left the room, he couldn’t help but think, "Smoking indoors? Seriously? What century are we living in?"
Smoking had never agreed with him, whether in this life or his past one. Sure, Awakened individuals weren’t significantly affected by things like nicotine or sugars, but that didn’t make the pungent stench of cigarettes any less unpleasant.
Shaking off the irritation, Su-ho walked away from the Special Division’s offices. Once he was far enough, he pulled out his phone and made a call.
“Ah, yes, Hunter Ahn,” answered Park Gyu-min on the other end of the line.
“Are you busy right now?” Su-ho asked.
“Not particularly. What’s on your mind?”
“I just met with Director Pi Seong-yeol.”
Hearing Pi Seong-yeol’s name, Park Gyu-min straightened his posture instinctively. “And?”
“He said I only have the Special Division training left, and he’s willing to mark me with perfect scores on both the written and practical evaluations. But there’s a catch—he wants me to handle a task in return.”
“A task?”
“He wants me to retrieve some records connected to you from Son Baek-geum. So, I need to ask—what exactly is your current relationship with Son Baek-geum?”
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on freёwebnoѵel.com.
“Well... that’s...”
Park hesitated, his answer faltering. Su-ho stopped walking, sensing something off.
“What is it?”
“...I’m sorry. I’ve handled almost everything else, but dealing with the Baek-geum faction is more complicated. It’s not something I can just resolve on my own.”
Su-ho frowned at the timid tone in Park’s voice. Seriously? The vice president of the Association can’t handle one thug?
Hah... Frustration welled up in Su-ho.
This man was a four-term congressman and vice president of the Grand Hunter Association, and yet here he was, cowering in front of a petty gangster.
No wonder the quality of this country’s public servants and hunters is so abysmal.
Still, Su-ho quickly suppressed his anger, reminding himself of something.
"I never had high expectations for him in the first place. If you don’t expect much, you won’t be disappointed, and if you’re not disappointed, there’s no reason to get angry."
So, he chose not to be angry. After all, relying on someone else to clean up a mess had never been his style. In the end, he only trusted himself.
“Where’s the money?” Su-ho asked bluntly.
“All prepared and ready,” Park replied.
“Then why can’t you just pay him off? Is Son Baek-geum refusing the money?”
“He said he won’t take it anymore. Claims he’ll never die alone, no matter what, so the negotiations have been completely stalled.”
“Understood. Where’s the money now?”
“I have it. Converted it all into cryptocurrency.”
“Are you in your office?”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Stay there. I’ll come by.”
Ending the call, Su-ho headed straight to the vice president’s office. Inside, he found Park waiting nervously, looking like a child caught stealing. The sight made Su-ho sigh in exasperation.
“Hand me the wallet,” Su-ho said, extending his hand.
“H-here it is,” Park stammered, hastily offering the digital wallet.
“Is every last cent accounted for?”
“Yes, it’s all there.”
“What about everything else besides Son Baek-geum’s matter?”
“Almost everything has been resolved. It should all be sorted out within a week.”
“Good. Once Son Baek-geum is dealt with, there won’t be anything left for Director Pi Seong-yeol to use against you, correct?”
“Yes... that’s right.”
“I’ll take care of Son Baek-geum. In the meantime, keep your head down. If any new skeletons pop out of the closet, you’ll be the one locked away next time—not that guy you showed me in that room back then. Got it?”
“Yes, I understand...”
Without so much as a goodbye, Su-ho turned and left the office.
“Huuuh...”
Once Su-ho was gone, Park let out a shaky breath and clutched his chest, trying to calm his racing heart. It was only then that he managed to collect himself.
***
Peymond Plaza, Gangnam.
A four-star "safe hotel" and one of the primary bases of the Baek-geum faction. Su-ho arrived at the underground parking lot but didn’t get out of the car. Instead, he pulled out his phone and called Son Baek-geum directly.
“Hello?” came the gruff voice on the other end.
“Ah, good to speak with you, Mr. Son Baek-geum,” Su-ho said smoothly.
“Who is this?”
“This is Ahn Su-ho, a civil servant and hunter from the Grand Hunter Association. You know who I am. We’ve met before.”
“...What?”
“I’m currently in the parking lot on the first basement level, standing in front of your hotel’s elevator. Come down quickly.”
Before the gangster could respond, Su-ho hung up.
A short while later, Son Baek-geum emerged from the emergency staircase with a crowd of his lackeys in tow.
Ah, these thug types... why do they always show up in packs? Su-ho thought with a sigh. Do I look like I came here to arrest all of you?
He remained seated in his car until Son Baek-geum finally arrived, descending from the elevator behind the rest of his goons. Stepping out, Su-ho tossed his car keys to one of the henchmen.
“Park it for me. Send me the valet fee later if needed. And Mr. Son, I understand I asked you to come quickly, but must you make it so obvious you’re a gangster? What’s with bringing an entourage?”
“What do you want?” Son Baek-geum snapped, ignoring the jab.
“Let’s head upstairs. I called you here so you could escort me. I’d rather not cause a scene by arguing at the front desk.”
“What the hell are you trying to pull?”
“Pull? I came to see you, didn’t I? Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“You little—!”
Before Son Baek-geum could respond, one of his lackeys scowled and stepped forward.
Su-ho closed the distance in an instant, grabbing the man’s jaw with a firm grip.
“Who do you think you’re calling ‘little’? And do you not understand the situation? Who gave you permission to interrupt while adults are talking? Want to wear a bib for the rest of your life?”
With just a slight squeeze, the man’s face turned beet red, veins bulging under the pressure.
Despite their tough appearances, they were just ordinary humans. For someone like Su-ho, whose stats were equivalent to the "Orange" tier in strength, dealing with them was child’s play.
Seeing their comrade subdued so easily, the other lackeys began pulling out knives and other weapons from their coats.
“Oh, look at this,” Su-ho scoffed. Do they not realize who they’re dealing with?
Su-ho was on the verge of summoning his bloodied baton when Son Baek-geum barked out a sharp command.
“Put your weapons away! Now!”
His voice carried a chilling authority that made the lackeys freeze. Begrudgingly, they sheathed their weapons and stood down, though their expressions remained tense.
Watching the absurd display, Su-ho couldn’t help but chuckle.
“This is ridiculous.”
With that, he shoved the man he was holding backward. The lackey stumbled and crashed into his comrades like a bowling ball, toppling them in a heap.
Amused, Su-ho turned to Son Baek-geum with a smirk.
“You must be quite the beloved leader, Mr. Son. They know who I am, yet they still tried to attack me. Are all of them Awakened, by any chance? Because if not, I can’t imagine what made them think they could take me on.”
“...Let’s head upstairs,” Son Baek-geum said stiffly.
“Not just any room. Take me to the suite you use as your office. Anything less would be boring.”
“...”
Though silent, Son Baek-geum didn’t refuse. After all, silence often meant consent.
Su-ho followed him, and the two headed up to the gangster’s private suite alone.