Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Yunhee’s expression turned serious as she looked over the workbook I’d completed. I’d answered everything according to my own convictions, but she didn’t seem pleased.

“Even so, this is a bit serious, don’t you think?”

“I’m reflecting on my mistakes.”

“Are you actually reflecting?”

“I told you I am. Can’t you see the sincerity in my eyes?”

“The problem is I don’t feel even a trace of sincerity, you dumbass.”

Yunhee let out a heavy sigh.

“You’re fine in every other subject, aren’t you? You even got perfect scores. So why is it always this one?”

“Haha.”

I just smiled as she waved the ethics workbook around.

“Are the questions too hard?”

“I thought I had the right answer, but I kept getting them wrong.”

“Of course you did! You always start with annihilating the villain!”

“That’s not the right answer?”

“It’s not!”

She couldn’t hold it in anymore and shouted.

“Even if you don’t agree, just memorize it! The number one priority in ethics is citizen safety! Citizen safety! You have to build everything on that premise!”

“If you get rid of the villain, citizen safety is naturally guaranteed too.”

“It’s not a chicken-or-egg question! Always think of citizen safety first! Public service Hunters are called defenders of citizen safety. Do that and you’ll at least get partial credit.”

“Got it.”

“You just need to do well in this one subject, okay?”

As she lectured me, I answered like a parrot, over and over.

I wondered if she was upset because she was short on allowance, so I gave her some—and only got more scolding for it. I guess it really was my fault.

Though she didn’t give the money back.

Anyway, studying after so long was surprisingly fun.

Enough to make me wonder why I’d avoided it before. Just being good at studying was enough to be treated as an outstanding elite—that was a huge perk.

At the same time, a question occurred to me.

What a public service Hunter ultimately required was power.

There was an ethics subject that demanded a sense of justice, but it only wanted cookie-cutter answers. There was no discriminating power in it to filter out a villain among the applicants.

And yet they claimed to uphold justice. What was justice? Everyone’s answer was different, but one thing was clear: protecting something was expressed as justice, and evaluated as a noble value.

Villains stood at the opposite pole of that. They took, they killed, they destroyed.

And from that fact, I realized something.

“Then that means I can be righteous too, doesn’t it?”

At this point in time, Choi Junho the civilian was a law-abiding citizen.

If I became a public service Hunter and did my best at whatever I was assigned, there’d be no reason to be treated as a villain.

Which meant I could maintain the peaceful life I had now.

Something I’d longed for so desperately in my past life was this easy to grasp.

I think I finally understood why people took up weapons to protect their peaceful lives.

To do that, though, passing the exam came first.

I replayed what Yunhee had said in my mind.

“Protecting innocent citizens is the best answer.”

But to do that, you had to wipe out the villains—so shouldn’t eliminating the villains come first?

The ethics subject was trickier than it looked.

* * *

The most important thing for a public service Hunter was awakening.

The other exams only tested a minimum level of general knowledge.

If awakening ability was 80%, everything else was about 20%.

The cutoff was 60 points.

They said the difficulty was around high school level, and that was accurate.

After taking Korean language, foreign language, Korean history, and ethics in order, the practical exam followed.

The practical exam, held in the testing grounds, was a demonstration of one’s awakening stage.

It was something you could pass with only a minimal level of ability.

That was what being a public service Hunter was.

Just as the perception went that it was a gathering of mediocre Awakened, the crowd that showed up was a motley mix.

“Ugh, why is it so hard to pass?”

“They say you pass as long as you’ve awakened?”

“Exactly. I’ll pass this time for sure.”

“Once you pass, it’s a government job for life, so I have to pass. If I don’t, I might just flip everything over.”

Hearing their conversations reminded me of the old days.

Grievances and hatred toward the world were excellent fertilizer for becoming a villain. Slash—Oh Jongyeop—who followed me for a long time, also failed repeatedly while preparing for a corporate Hunter position, caused an incident, and became a villain.

I still remember him lamenting that if not for that mistake, he would have lowered his sights to public service Hunter.

If those people here failed the exam and couldn’t release their grievances and hatred, their chances of becoming villains were high.

Was cutting down the sprouts before they showed really justice, though?

I wondered how Jung Dahyun would answer.

Just as I was thinking I should ask her sometime—

A commotion broke out on one side, and someone’s shout shook the testing grounds.

“Huh? It’s Jung Dahyun!”

“What? Jung Dahyun?”

“Why is Jung Dahyun here?”

Everyone’s attention focused on Jung Dahyun as she appeared. I also spotted her entering. Today she wore light makeup, a white blouse, and black jeans, emphasizing her pure features and slender figure.

This was truly the era where the Awakened led.

Level was the measure of strength, and the achievements they racked up were consumed as all manner of entertainment.

Jung Dahyun had never once been left off South Korea’s annual Top Prospect list (ages 20–22).

Add to that her outstanding beauty and her unique career of transferring from a major guild to the National Guard Bureau, and she was a celebrity no one didn’t know.

But why had she shown up here?

Because she was uneasy about hands that subdued villains so ruthlessly? And came to keep watch?

Just as a sliver of suspicion took root, our eyes met. A smile spread across her previously expressionless face, and she walked toward me.

“Did you do well on the exam?”

“Yes, I did well. What brings you here, Official?”

“This is a place where people who will work for the country have gathered. Of course I’d come.”

She looked me over with somewhat excited eyes.

“And there are talents worth coveting here too.”

“Thank you for seeing me favorably. That feels good to hear.”

“Not at all. You have to move early like this or you’ll lose them. The Villain Task Force needs many capable people.”

I listened seriously to Jung Dahyun, then asked.

“But is this a normal thing?”

“What do you mean?”

“Someone of your standing coming here personally.”

“It’s hardly ordinary, I suppose.”

As expected.

“Because talents like you aren’t common, Junho. When someone like that appears, you have to secure them first. Looking at the flow from that perspective, it’s natural.”

“I’m honored.”

“It’s just a natural course of action. So, about that—if you pass, would you be willing to join our side?”

Jung Dahyun gazed at me with burning eyes. When someone that beautifully put-together looks at you like that, the surrounding attention gets unpleasant, doesn’t it?

Surely she wasn’t drawing attention to me so I couldn’t act out? There seemed to be suspicion toward me too, so I should be careful.

“I think passing comes first.”

“I don’t see any reason for you to worry about failing, Junho.”

“I’m not worried about the practical. I’m worried about the written exam.”

“Ah······!”

“Still, I got some tips from my little sister, so I think I might be able to pass.”

“Then I’ll look forward to your practical exam.”

Jung Dahyun headed toward where the examiners were seated.

I looked around, and sure enough, people’s gazes were pouring in. They say that for a normal person, attention is a burden but also feels good—so why did I keep thinking about eliminating the witnesses?

“It’s hard being ordinary.”

After muttering quietly to myself, I entered the practical exam.

* * *

Im Haecheol, a Level 6 public service Hunter, looked at Jung Dahyun sitting beside him.

As always, it struck him every time he saw her—a dignified beauty. Confidence born of skill, unwavering conviction, and looks that made it all shine even brighter.

Today especially, she was exceptionally beautiful.

He’d fallen for her at first sight last year and had been pursuing her ever since, but all he’d gotten back was cold rejection.

Recently, he hadn’t even been able to run into her at all.

“I didn’t expect you to come, Official.”

“I got interested.”

“You, interested? Hearing you say that makes me interested too.”

“······.”

“Besides, aren’t we in a position where we should cooperate on capturing villains? Getting a little closer wouldn’t hurt.”

“I’m fine.”

“Pardon?”

“The Villain Task Force’s budget is sufficient. I appreciate the sentiment, Assistant Official Im Haecheol, even if it’s just words.”

A wall. An absolute wall.

With Jung Dahyun’s reply giving not the slightest opening, Im Haecheol ground his teeth.

“By the way, which applicant are you interested in, Official?”

“That person.”

“Hmm, he doesn’t look particularly special.”

“He’s an excellent person. He’s the one who subdued Unlock and the other robbers.”

“I heard about that too.”

But······.

What was that look in her eyes?

The way Jung Dahyun looked at that applicant was something even he had never received.

‘Then I have no choice but to show her I’m better.’

If he made a mess of the man in front of Jung Dahyun, her mind would change.

No, that alone wouldn’t be enough. He’d leave him rolling on the ground in the most wretched state possible. If he cut off one arm and gouged out his eyes, even Jung Dahyun wouldn’t look at him like that.

The murderous intent he’d always tried to suppress surged so violently it felt absurd.

Im Haecheol forced a smile and spoke.

“Then how about this approach?”

“Do you have a good idea?”

“Let me face that applicant myself.”

“You, Assistant Official?”

“Wouldn’t that make it easier for you to judge, Official?”

“I feel like I’d be imposing on you.”

“Not at all. I’m curious too. Just how skilled is that applicant, that he’s caught your interest, Official?”

“It’ll be difficult for you.”

At that one remark, Im Haecheol’s expression twisted sharply.

“For me?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll take that as your permission.”

Im Haecheol looked at Choi Junho and no longer bothered to hide his killing intent.

* * *

The awakening demonstration in the practical exam was a very simple process.

Awakened individuals expressed their abilities in different stages, and if you showed Level 1 impact force, you passed.

To get into a major guild, you had to demonstrate not only impact force but also sparring, response ability in various situations, and survival tests.

Compared to that, the public service Hunter exam was almost bare-bones.

That was probably due to the difference in skill between the applicants.

People took the test in order, and when my turn came, attention focused on me again.

Maybe because I was a former villain. As expected, being the center of attention wasn’t pleasant at all. When too many eyes are on you, the first thought that comes is that you should get rid of them all.

Having thoughts like that probably meant I was still far from reaching ordinariness.

Just as I was about to take the practical exam, a shifty-looking guy rose from his seat.

“I’ll face this applicant myself.”

Murmurs spread—apparently this wasn’t a normal situation.

In the meantime, the shifty one who’d stepped forward stood before me.

“I’m Assistant Official Im Haecheol, Level 6 public service Hunter.”

At the words “Level 6,” the murmuring grew louder.

Recalling what Yunhee had told me, a Level 6 at a young age was a skilled individual equivalent to Level 3–4.

A promising talent as a public service Hunter, with the skill to transfer to a major guild at any time.

From my perspective, though, he was just the moth that burned to death first.

Setting that aside, why was he openly radiating killing intent?

Could he have a gift that let him see through past lives? Dismissing the absurd thought, I asked the shifty one.

“Why is it sparring for me?”

“There’s someone who wants to see the applicant’s skill.”

He glanced at Jung Dahyun as he said it.

“If you’re scared, you can refuse. The practical exam will proceed normally.”

“Does this happen often?”

“Of course not. This doesn’t happen unless you’re someone worth watching. For people we consider talents, we test their skill through sparring like this. It was the same for me.”

He smiled smugly. Seeing how strangely it pricked at my pride, he must want to have a go at me.

“I’ll hold back appropriately.”

The shifty one picked up a wooden sword with an iron core, unsharpened. It was a sword perfectly suited for beating someone down rather than cutting.

“Pick up a sword.”

“This is enough for me.”

“So you’re a martial arts type.”

The stance of the guy holding the sword was fairly textbook. A persistent gaze searching for openings, force loaded into the tip of the blade. Even his toes, gradually finding their direction.

I could tell he’d received good basic training. But guys like this don’t survive long.

His technical training might have been solid, but his innate arrogance meant that even if he rose smoothly, he’d fail to grasp his own place and die before a stronger opponent.

When I exposed an opening to the guy circling around me, he lunged instantly.

The sword carrying a fierce momentum aimed for my shoulder. But the force packed into it wasn’t of an ordinary kind.

Force—the power an Awakened could wield—was loaded into it along with killing intent. I caught it with my right hand.

“······!”

Facing his face as shock spread across it, I yanked the sword. The wooden exterior shattered into pieces, and the iron core inside crumpled.

“Huh?”

I reached my left hand toward the right shoulder of the guy who’d been dragged forward. His survival instinct kicked in, and he twisted his body desperately—and his shoulder armor crumpled like a sheet of paper.

Just as I thought that was enough and was about to let go of my left hand—

“Die!”

Killing intent exploded, and he stabbed at my heart with a hidden dagger.

“Huk!”

“W-what are you doing!”

Everyone was aghast, but I—seeing that contorted face—had a memory surface.

Lust Demon, Im Haecheol.

In my past life, he was a villain who assaulted and murdered over a hundred women.

Now that I thought about it, I remembered he was a former Hunter. Later, he even drank his victims’ blood, earning the name Fake Blood Lord and tarnishing my name.

Thanks to that, my existence was brought back into the spotlight, and hundreds of Hunters chased after me.

I killed them all, of course.

He was a future villain, and it seemed he’d been different from the sprout—so I decided not to hold back.

I grabbed the wrist of the hand holding the dagger with my right hand. With a crack, his wrist was crushed. The Arc Mine’s energy wave didn’t stop there—it pulverized every bone in his arm.

“Kuaaagh!”

The shifty one screamed and tried to retreat, but I put strength into the hand holding him and pulled him in.

I’d never let anyone who tried to kill me off easy. Naturally, they had to be prepared to die too. Without hesitation, I reached for his throat.

“Junho!”

A shout that was almost a scream snapped me back to my senses.

Ah, right. If I killed him here, I’d fail.

I changed the trajectory of my hand reaching for his throat and grabbed his shoulder instead. A sound of bones breaking echoed as it caved in, and soon the opposite shoulder was broken too.

Thud!

The shifty one slipped from my grip and collapsed where he stood, eyes rolled back.

“I’ll stop here.”

“······.”

The emergency responders who had been standing by for the termination declaration rushed over and began administering first aid to Shifty. In the silence that blanketed the area, I simply watched.

That was when Jung Dahyun called out to me with a stiff expression.

“Choi Junho.”

“Yes, Official.”

“Follow me.”

“Understood.”

I quietly followed behind Jung Dahyun. I wondered what she wanted to talk about, but the place she led me to was a nearby diner.

Watching her order soybean paste stew, I was genuinely impressed. She had an eye for food.

Before the food arrived, Jung Dahyun apologized.

“I’m sorry about the matter with Assistant Official Im Haecheol.”

“Why are you apologizing, Official?”

“I agreed to Assistant Official Im Haecheol’s suggestion to test your abilities.”

“Was it meant maliciously?”

“No, it wasn’t. Assistant Official Im Haecheol wanted to see what you were capable of, and I thought it wasn’t a bad opportunity either.”

“I’m fine. But will this affect my test results?”

“No.”

Jung Dahyun shook her head.

“Assistant Official Im Haecheol was the one who showed killing intent first, and he was also the one who escalated with excessive force. There will be no disadvantage to you.”

“That’s a relief.”

As long as I passed the test, nothing else mattered.

More than that, I was starting to have a hard time holding back.

“Can I eat now?”

I pointed at the soybean paste stew in front of me.

Jung Dahyun’s expression turned cautious.

“You don’t happen to dislike soybean paste stew, do you?”

I shook my head firmly.

“I can’t eat it often enough.”

“Go ahead. This is a place I’d recommend.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes!”

Her confident boast made me curious, so I picked up my spoon.

After one bite, I quietly gave a thumbs-up.

* * *

“Oppa! How was the test?”

“I did well.”

“Did you do well on the ethics section too?”

“I did exactly what you told me.”

“Really? You’re not lying?”

“Yeah. Jung Dahyun said I’d pass too.”

“Jung Dahyun? Why is that name coming up here?”

“She came as a test supervisor.”

“If Jung Dahyun said you’d pass, then you’ll pass. How did you write your answers?”

“I wrote them exactly the way you taught me, of course.”

When I recalled what Yunhee had told me and described what I’d written, her face went red enough to burst.

“You crazy bastard! If you write it like that, you’ll fail!”

* * *

At that same moment, the examiners grading the public service Hunter test papers were locked in a debate over one applicant’s answer sheet.