Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant novel Chapter 299

[You have defeated the Wailing Woman.]

[The Gate has been cleared.]

[The MVP of the Gate Raid is ‘An Su-ho’.]

[Bonus experience has been awarded for being selected as MVP.]

[You have received 1 bonus stat for being selected as MVP.]

[Your level has increased.]

[All stats have increased by 1.]

[You have gained 1 bonus stat.]

The boss monster collapsed.

Clearing the Gate had been easy.

There were no special conditions required, and since most of the enemies were ghost-type, they were easily countered with just a single Holy Enchant granting light and holy attributes.

Su-ho silently wished the boss monster that had perished a better fate.

‘I hope you live a better life in your next one.’

There were no items to collect or shadows to absorb.

After all, the opponent was ghost-type.

After investing the two bonus stats he gained into Strength, Su-ho exited the Gate portal.

And then, he dashed toward his original destination.

That was when—

Bzzzt.

His phone vibrated.

It was Jeong Cheol-min.

He paused Bulgasari and answered the call.

“Yes, sir.”

– Where are you?

“I’m in North Korea right now.”

– Got a lot left to do?

“Why do you ask?”

– Got a call from the United Nations.

Pause.

At the mention of the United Nations, Su-ho momentarily stopped Bulgasari in its tracks.

“The UN as in... the UN?”

– Yeah, that UN.

“Is it about the upcoming Purification and Unification Operation?”

– Probably. That seems to be the biggest reason.

Su-ho nodded at Jeong Cheol-min’s words.

‘I figured they’d reach out eventually, but I didn’t expect it so soon.’

No—maybe it was inevitable.

If even China’s CMC had reached out, the UN wouldn’t just sit by and watch.

‘Still, the UN...’

Su-ho furrowed his brows.

The United Nations—an international organization founded to promote cooperation and maintain world peace, the largest intergovernmental body in human history with the most member states.

Simply put, it was formed to preserve global order and peace.

Its founding, in fact, was prompted by the world wars of the past to prevent future large-scale conflicts.

Naturally, after the Great Cataclysm, the UN had shifted to combating Gates and monsters in its continued effort to protect peace.

‘Even the Crusaders were formed under that cause.’

That’s why Su-ho had once supported the UN.

No, more than support—he had respected it.

He felt immense pride in being affiliated with the UN and believed it was only right to follow its cause.

After all, its decisions were always for the peace and welfare of humanity.

That’s why he had even served in the newly formed Peace Corps.

‘And those very Crusaders stabbed me in the back.’

He didn’t know the full story.

He only learned the truth after clearing the first Catastrophe-grade Gate.

‘There’s definitely someone pulling strings behind those Crusader bastards.’

No matter how powerful a small elite force is, living in luxury while commanding the masses always requires the cooperation of said masses.

Su-ho asked,

“So, what did the UN say?”

– They want to talk about a few things, including the Purification and Unification Operation in North Korea.

“Did they ask me to come to headquarters?”

– No, they’re coming here. Said they want to check on Korea’s situation too. But they really insisted you attend.

As expected.

The Purification Operation was just an excuse. Their real target was him.

It made sense.

There were Players in Korea stronger than Su-ho, but the reason global attention hadn’t turned to Korea until now was because none of them had left a lasting impression as Hunters.

‘At this point, there are more exceptional Players overseas than in our country.’

For instance, the fact that not a single Player in Korea had reached level 200 spoke volumes.

But then suddenly, an absurd irregular like An Su-ho appeared.

To them, Su-ho was unforgettable.

Not just because of his exceptional growth rate, but because he was clearing sealed Gates alone—and not as part of a private guild, but under a nation.

‘Looking back now, I probably seemed like a useful slave, inspired by justice.’

Knowing the truth and recalling the past made him feel nothing but shame.

Of course, he didn’t know exactly when their betrayal began—but did he really have to understand their justifications after such a massive betrayal?

Absolutely not.

So, Su-ho feigned ignorance and asked again,

“Me?”

– Yeah. You’re just too outstanding.

“I won’t deny it. So, when are they arriving?”

– They’re expected to arrive around noon tomorrow.

“...What?”

Su-ho checked the time, then brought the phone back to his ear.

“Why are they scheduled to arrive so soon?”

– Beats me. They seem to be in a hurry... But you know how powerful the UN is. Oh, and since they’re coming on such short notice, it’s an unofficial visit.

“I figured as much. But let’s be honest—people in the know already know, right?”

By “people in the know,” he meant the president, ministers, association heads, and the like.

Jeong Cheol-min nodded.

– Right. All those folks know.

“Then I guess we’ll all be meeting together?”

– Probably. Which reminds me—when can you get back?”

“If it’s tomorrow, then shouldn’t I be there by tonight?”

– Doesn’t matter. The UN said they’ll wait until you’re back. But before you meet with them, the Association President wants to see you first. A little pre-meeting. I told him you were in North Korea and couldn’t guarantee contact, so he asked me to check—when can you come in?

“I can leave right away.”

He even made sure the bartender and the entrance guards were cleared out.

It really was just the two of them here.

Su-ho casually took a drink from the fridge and handed it over. Jeong Cheol-min accepted it and asked,

“You seriously came back from North Korea?”

“Why?”

“You don’t look the part. You’re way too clean.”

“Come on. Only amateurs come back from Gates looking like a mess. I’m a pro Hunter.”

“Someone might think you’re the only pro out there. So, where exactly in the North were you? You said you were going for recon ahead of the Chinese, right?”

He’d been curious, but deliberately didn’t ask before Su-ho left.

A boss shouldn’t be too nosy.

Su-ho opened his drink and replied,

“Hit Kaesong, then dropped by Mount Kumgang.”

“Kaesong and Mount Kumgang... wait, what?”

“You heard me right. Kaesong and then Mount Kumgang.”

“You stopped by two places already? That alone is insane.”

Haha.

If he told him he’d already conquered the Kaesong Industrial Complex, the man might faint.

So Su-ho kept it simple.

“Yes, sir.”

“Damn... that’s just so you. Actually, it might be too much even for you. Ever since you joined the Special Division, you’ve been flying around nonstop.”

“Well, that’s why I joined—to move day and night for the country. Who could complain?”

“Can’t argue with that. So, never mind the recon—how’s the China situation? Did you make progress?”

“Pretty smoothly. I’ve been setting things up so they can’t use the Yalu River as an excuse to muscle in.”

“I’m almost looking forward to whatever chaos you’ll cause.”

“Want me to tell you what I’ve got planned?”

“Nope. Don’t want to know.”

“Unexpected.”

“Ordinary folks like me suffer when we know too much. I’ll just keep my eyes and mouth wide open /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ once the mess starts.”

“Hahaha! Come on, you’re hardly ordinary. Where else would I find a boss like you?”

“I’m no talent. I just eat whatever you spoon-feed me.”

Classic Jeong Cheol-min.

Always humble.

That’s what made him a good man.

Su-ho chuckled, then with a grin still on his face, asked,

“So, what did you want to see me about? You’re flattering me so much I’m starting to worry.”

“Flattering? You make it sound like I’m threatening you. It’s nothing like that...”

Jeong Cheol-min hesitated for a moment, then scratched his cheek awkwardly and said,

“I just wanted to ask—how much do you really know about the UN?”

“Not sure how deep you’re asking, but I know what most people do.”

“Yeah? Then you know about the permanent and non-permanent members?”

“Of course. Five permanent, ten rotating non-permanent ones. Korea’s in the Coffee Club. Though all that was pre-Cataclysm, obviously.”

“...You know more than I thought.”

“I didn’t get into Grade 5 Special Recruitment for nothing.”

“Well, I asked just to be sure. So... what about the post-Cataclysm UN? Are you familiar with that too?”

Now they were getting into the real conversation.