The Newbie Civil Servant Hunts Villains Before Going Home

Chapter 7: Scout (1)

“…….”

Hae-ryeon was momentarily speechless at Shin-woo’s report.

The hostages in that mission were rescued before they could become test subjects.

It didn't end there; they even captured the person responsible for the whole affair.

She swept her hair back.

‘…Mr. Hyeon-yul did this?’

Hae-ryeon forced her gaping mouth shut.

There had never been a Black Eagle who completed their first mission so perfectly, even during probation.

“He says we need to find out the secondary location from the villain Hyeon-yul captured.”

“Why is that? The hostages were rescued.”

“He says the secondary location gets closer to the actual experiment site.”

Shin-woo recalled Hyeon-yul’s words as he spoke.

—The experiment site can't be moved immediately. They'll usually destroy it or move. If there's a gas explosion or suspicious moving activity, pay attention to that area.

“Is that, really true?”

“Yes. Hyeon-yul told me. He said to watch out for gas explosions starting today or tomorrow, and suspicious moving activity.”

“That’s good information. Anything else to report?”

Hae-ryeon turned her head to look at Shin-woo.

He hesitated quite a bit, unsure of what words to bring up.

“It’s about Hyeon-yul.”

“What about Mr. Hyeon-yul?”

“Is his body capable of doing this work?”

Shin-woo recalled the medicine and syringe Hyeon-yul had used.

One of the reasons villains were unwelcome by anyone was precisely because of the test subjects.

How could they treat people like animals?

Just recalling what those bastards did was nauseating and horrifying.

“Mr. Hyeon-yul met the conditions for special recruitment.”

Ironically, there was talk today about holding a revote.

She had no intention of accepting it, but she thought this was a good opportunity to make things clear.

The details of this mission alone were sufficient.

“Just looking at today’s work, he proved his strength. Was there, by any chance, any problem during the mission?”

“There wasn’t. Rather, it was so swift it was hard to believe he was a recruit.”

“Mr. Hyeon-yul worked at a company run by villains. In a way… he’s a recruit with experience. Should I say he’s the type of talent corporations like?”

Shin-woo’s gaze deepened at Hae-ryeon’s answer.

To think a test subject worked at a company that might have created him.

“Was he gaslighted?”

“For now, it’s likely due to hospital bills. And this is my speculation, but there’s probably personal resentment involved too.”

“So his methods were different.”

“As you know, Shin-woo, the purpose of the Black Eagle isn't villain rehabilitation. Because we aren't heroes.”

Someone might call the Black Eagle heroes, but since it was created to erase villains from this land, it could never be a hero.

“Do I look like someone who would criticize Hyeon-yul?”

“Someone might.”

“In the first place, the state entrusted the handling of villains to individuals. They tolerate killing and let it slide, so criticism is rather funny. Maybe they’ll come to their senses once they lose family to a villain?”

“Still, there’s a line, right? No matter if it’s us, we can’t commit inhumane acts like torturing villains to death or using them as test subjects. We’d face greater disadvantages.”

Just as the benefits were many, the price of the constricting rules was high.

The corners of Shin-woo’s eyes drooped, and he eventually nodded.

The cost, including legal issues and material compensation, was unimaginably high, more than one could imagine.

There were even Black Eagles who fled to avoid it.

“Still, Team Leader. I think it’s best to keep a steady eye on Hyeon-yul’s condition. He needs to work for a long time. I’ll help out from the side too.”

Shin-woo spoke quite seriously.

The mission was important, but monitoring Hyeon-yul’s health was also crucial.

It was right to be considerate so he could work longer, even if just for the hospital bills.

That was also part of being a team member.

“Of course. Do you know how excited I am right now?”

The corners of Hae-ryeon’s lips just wouldn’t come down.

She didn't know how fortunate it was that Hyeon-yul wasn't snatched away by the Team 2 Leader, Yang Do-jin.

“My heart is pounding too. I’m also looking forward to seeing what amazing things he’ll show us.”

As Shin-woo chimed in, Hae-ryeon looked at him and held out her palm.

Chak!

Shin-woo slapped her palm.

They understood each other without words.

Recruits were precious.

Strong recruits were even more precious.

Hae-ryeon and Shin-woo smiled in satisfaction and went straight outside.

As Shin-woo went to report to Hae-ryeon, Hyeon-yul immediately used his power to eavesdrop.

He felt he needed to know what they were talking about too.

There was nothing particularly special, but why did they keep mentioning his health without knowing anything?

Especially the word ‘long’ bothered him.

—You have to work with us for a long time, right? Isn’t that so?

It overlapped with the villains who had scouted him.

Hyeon-yul briefly closed his eyes and took a long breath.

‘Don’t get sensitive.’

No matter how he looked, there was no workplace better than this.

This was a place he had to endure, endure no matter what they said.

As Hae-ryeon stood up from her seat, Hyeon-yul lowered the hand covering his ear.

When she came outside, Hyeon-yul turned his head.

“You worked hard, Mr. Hyeon-yul.”

Hae-ryeon smiled with a good-natured face.

She immediately clapped her hands together.

Smiling faces should be treated with caution, so Hyeon-yul also managed a slight smile.

“You’re the first person to do so well right from the first mission?”

“Not at all. I just did what had to be done.”

Wanting to appear reliable, Hyeon-yul put as much strength into his eyes as possible.

“The people Mr. Hyeon-yul and Mr. Shin-woo rescued are currently being examined. If there are no issues, they’ll be sent back home. And I’ll definitely find out the secondary location from the villain Mr. Hyeon-yul brought in.”

“Do I not have to do that work?”

Hyeon-yul asked with a hint of question.

He was the one who brought him in.

He was the one who should take responsibility.

“This is work for the managers. There is one thing Mr. Hyeon-yul needs to do, though.”

“What is that?”

“Clock out.”

The corners of Hae-ryeon’s lips lifted.

An expression full of surprise, as if struck by an arrow, appeared on Hyeon-yul’s face.

“Clock out first, Mr. Hyeon-yul. No, let’s go together. That would be better.”

“……Yes?”

“I’ll guide you.”

Hyeon-yul barely processed the flood of words and lowered his gaze.

2:51 PM.

Looking again, it was still unbelievable.

“I’ll go with you too. Gotta clock out.”

Shin-woo volunteered.

—Coming here, the gazes directed at me weren’t favorable. Rumors related to me have spread, and I wonder if information might be intentionally withheld…….

The words Hyeon-yul uttered moments ago felt strangely unsettling.

He intended to proudly announce that they were part of the same Team 3.

As Shin-woo smiled, Hyeon-yul slightly averted his gaze.

‘…What are they doing?’

He knew the way.

Wasn’t it just retracing the path he came?

‘Or, is this how it’s supposed to be done?’

Hyeon-yul swallowed the irritation rising within him.

There were many annoying things, but one word dissolved them all smoothly.

Clocking out.

For now, this was enough.

Perhaps because the team leader, Hae-ryeon, accompanied them, the journey was uneventfully dull.

He was planning to kill anyone who bothered him.

Hyeon-yul sat on the empty bus, gazing out the window.

—…You took a taxi coming here? You managed to find your way well. This bus is for us, so make sure to take it when commuting. Otherwise, you can’t get in.

Shin-woo told him various things before getting off.

—And thanks to the magic on this smartwatch and the clothes you’re wearing… Ah, you returned the clothes just now. Anyway, your face appears different from your real one, and it shows ‘Team 3’, ‘Team 2’, etc. So you don’t have to worry about your real face being revealed. Ah, team members see each other’s original appearances though.

Learning facts about the Black Eagle that he didn't know when working for the villain company felt like spying on secrets.

The bus stopped.

It really dropped him off right in front of his house.

Was this what welfare meant?

‘…It’s strange.’

How would he know, having never experienced welfare?

Hyeon-yul got off the bus.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

After greeting the driver, he looked up.

He lived in what was called a ‘moon village’ (daldongnae).

He knew they were usually located on hills, closer to the moon, hence the name.

The hospital bills were so high that managing rent was quite difficult.

There were times he starved for days because he didn't receive the salary he was due.

It was fine now.

After killing Shin Dae-ho, he took his rightful share from the account.

Hyeon-yul put the smartwatch he had taken off into his pocket and thought while walking familiarly.

‘Shin Dae-ho was supposedly such a big deal, but the villain side is strangely quiet?’

The Black Eagle was chasing Shin Dae-ho.

Shin Dae-ho was said to be the tail that could lead to the identity of the villain running a major corporation.

Because Shin Dae-ho used him as a bodyguard and for various odd jobs, he knew the businesses the man ran, his collaborators, and even the people he met.

‘There are really too many.’

Jiiiiiing.

His cell phone vibrated, and Hyeon-yul immediately frowned.

Thinking it was spam again, he checked and saw it was a text message.

[Team Leader Oh Hae-ryeon: Hi, Mr. Hyeon-yul. Surprised I contacted you suddenly? Wanted to share some good news.]

[Team Leader Oh Hae-ryeon: Don't come in tomorrow, come in the day after tomorrow.]

She sent an emoticon of a squirrel dancing along with it.

‘……?’

Hyeon-yul momentarily felt like everything stopped.

[Team Leader Oh Hae-ryeon: Rest tomorrow, and just organize the information related to Shin Dae-ho at your leisure. If you submit it the day after tomorrow, it'll count as remote work.]

Hyeon-yul squeezed his eyes shut.

He really felt like he was going crazy.

Did this make any sense?

‘Rest? I came to work today?’

He briefly covered his eyes.

He wasn't usually swayed by much, but this was different.

It was truly touching.

‘……She’s a good person, right?’

But Hyeon-yul barely held onto his rationality.

‘No. Am I going to fall for it again?’

He was that happy when he accepted the first scout offer too.

The same mistake shouldn't be repeated, and he had repeated it far too many times, enough to deserve being called foolish.

[Thank you for your consideration. I will provide it as soon as it's organized.]

[Team Leader Oh Hae-ryeon: Okay ㅎㅎㅎ! Have a good day!]

She sent an emoticon of a squirrel waving its hand.

Hyeon-yul wondered what to reply but decided against it.

There was nothing more to continue the conversation, and this kind of chat felt awkward too.

‘Do I need to… develop social skills?’

It was an ability not particularly needed in a company run by villains.

But now was different.

Mulling over various thoughts, Hyeon-yul reached near the top of the hill.

He wasn't out of breath even once.

He familiarly opened the door and stopped as he went inside.

Well, of course.

How could that side remain quiet?

“…Who is it?”

Hyeon-yul’s head turned back.

“Excuse me.”

There was a man.

“What is your business?”

Hyeon-yul asked nonchalantly.

“It’s nothing else, but our master has taken notice of you. Especially, he said the way you killed Shin Dae-ho was absolutely fantastic.”

“Ah, did you come to scout me?”

The corners of Hyeon-yul’s lips lifted.

He wondered where he had seen him before, but it was a very familiar sight.

He also wondered how they knew to find him.

‘But has the news about me not spread yet? Or are they acting brazenly even knowing everything?’

Hyeon-yul was slightly confused about that part.

“Please contact us using the business card here.”

“If I contact you, can your side guarantee everything I desire?”

Hyeon-yul didn’t take the business card the man offered.

The number written there was likely created using a burner phone anyway.

“Of course.”

“I learned one thing after being deceived multiple times.”

The man looked as if asking what that meant.

For the waiting man, Hyeon-yul put strength into his voice.

“That associating with villains is not the way.”

The man chuckled lightly.

It sounded like a sneer.

“I know you drifted from one piece of trash to another, including that trash Shin Dae-ho. But our master is different.”

Hyeon-yul thought for a moment at those words, then laughed.

It was truly nonsensical.

How would they be different?

“Alright. Perhaps I can trust one last time.”

Taking the business card in his hand, he looked at the man.

The corners of Hyeon-yul’s eyes lifted.

“Go tell your master. If he lies, that head is gone.”

“Thank you.”

The man bowed low and backed away.

Watching him disappear quietly, Hyeon-yul looked at the business card.

Ha.

He felt like sighing.

‘How pathetic. Lacing it with poison and calling it a test.’

It was absurd.

It was a poison that would have killed anyone but him.

A poison that manifested symptoms upon skin contact.

Hyeon-yul turned his gaze back towards the man who had just come.

“Stop.”

“Yes?”

Hyeon-yul walked towards the man and grabbed his neck without hesitation.

“Since I didn’t die, you have to die, right?”

Kwaaaak.

He squeezed his hand tightly.

“…Why, why……”

Bba-ak.*

With the sound of something breaking, the man couldn't finish his words and went limp.

Hyeon-yul’s gaze turned forward.

Throwing the corpse aside, he raised the corners of his lips.

“You guys will have to relay the message to your master then. That the poison was well received.”