The Civil Servant Who Concealed Their True Strength Turns Out to be a Master of Possession - Chapter 138

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A Civil Servant Who Hides His Strength Is Exceptionally Good at Possession – Episode 138
“That will suffice.”
Baek Hee-ryeong answered flatly, then turned to the video analyst who had been conducting the briefing.
“So the only monster species identified in the footage is goblins.”
“Upon investigation, we confirmed there is an A-rank dragon corpse inside the dungeon, but the only living entities are goblins. Based on size and characteristics, no other species were found, and the confirmed ranks range only from D to C.”
“What’s the possibility of a B-rank monster hiding in the hillside?”
Baek Hee-ryeong interjected sharply between the analyst’s words.
Then she quietly observed the Chief of the Hunter Management Office.
“It’s possible, but many monsters were killed by the druids, and um… also…”
As the Chief fumbled through documents his subordinates had prepared, Captain Hong took over the explanation.
“The druids are estimated to be B-rank. If there had been a B-rank goblin, the druids would have sustained damage. Since no damage to the druids has been confirmed, it’s reasonable to conclude that the probability of a B-rank monster causing trouble is low.”
At Captain Hong’s words, the Chief’s expression darkened as he furrowed his brow.
“So the possibility isn’t zero?”
Baek Hee-ryeong asked.
Captain Hong hesitated for a moment.
“…Yes.”
“No matter how low the probability, it’s more important to state things accurately than to tell citizens not to worry carelessly and then have problems arise later. Do you understand?”
At Baek Hee-ryeong’s words, all the high-ranking officials gathered there swallowed hard.
Baek Hee-ryeong wasn’t particularly authoritarian, and she was a competent and conscientious superior.
In short, she was exceptionally meticulous when it came to administrative matters.
That’s why even in ordinary meetings everyone was always on edge, and now with a city-level gate alarm issued, they could only hold their breath.
Just as everyone was thinking that Captain Hong, merely a bureau director, had misspoken, Baek Hee-ryeong opened her mouth.
“Then prepare a public briefing. Include the investigation status as well. Open a briefing room at the Blue House basement.”
“I’ll contact the press room.”
With the political senior secretary’s response, Baek Hee-ryeong looked around.
“Let’s end the meeting here. Each of you monitor communications coming from the situation room, and I ask for close cooperation between departments. Above all, military and police, please ensure there are no shortages of emergency supplies for those evacuated to the shelters.”
“Yes. We’ll prepare without any issues.”
Soon, ministers and officials of bureau chief rank filed out.
Of course, Director Hong was also preparing to leave when Baek Hee-ryeong called him back.
“Director, let’s talk separately.”
“Yes? Uh… yes.”
Captain Hong said so and turned his head, contorting his face.
This was like a junior employee having a private audience with the chairman.
It was true he was worried about the kids right now, but being inside the Blue House basement itself made Captain Hong’s skin crawl.
He’d rather be out in the field taking risks like he used to.
“I’ll ask directly.”
At those words, Captain Hong thought to himself.
‘You haven’t had a single moment throughout this meeting that wasn’t direct…’
But of course, he swallowed those words.
“What’s the cause of this incident?”
It was because of what came next.
It was a confusing question—unclear what she was even asking.
As if Captain Hong were turning something over in his mind, Baek Hee-ryeong spoke calmly.
“Chief. I’m demanding the truth. The truth I need to share with our citizens. You’ve dedicated your entire career in that position to catching criminal Hunters, but I’m just a lawyer who ended up in this seat. I received five years of power through the people’s votes alone. How can I stand before the citizens without experts supporting me?”
Baek Hee-ryeong possessed a remarkable talent.
The ability to make everyone believe every word she said.
That’s how she became President.
Yet even knowing this, her words were impossible not to believe.
They were words that demanded belief.
Captain Hong stated the facts plainly.
These were words he had to say, even if it cost him his position.
“It’s a matter of talent. Due to collusion between the Hunter Association and Guilds, the Dungeon’s stability investigation wasn’t conducted properly. Based on the investigation conducted by our investigators—not our people, but investigators—it appears the Member Guild Bureau within the Hunter Association pre-investigated the Dungeon grade in Jeong-an City. At that time, the Dungeon was classified as a low-grade. However, it was categorized as a type of ‘farming Dungeon’ with a Magical Stone Mine inside.”
There was no evidence to prove any of this.
Yet Captain Hong continued speaking calmly.
While observing Baek Hee-ryeong, whose expression was utterly unreadable.
Honestly, his hands were trembling slightly, but he clenched and unclenched his fists beneath the desk as he continued.
“The grade itself was investigated incorrectly from the start, and when we conducted the secondary investigation based on that grade, we didn’t establish proper safety equipment. We didn’t even investigate below because we were hiding the fact that there was a Magical Stone Dungeon inside.”
“Why would that be?”
At Baek Hee-ryeong’s question, Captain Hong’s hands stopped.
It felt as though all the blood in his body was draining away.
It wasn’t from tension.
It was from anger.
“We believe the Magical Stone Mine was hidden so that Hanseong Guild and the Hunter Association could divide it between themselves.”
“Believe?”
Baek Hee-ryeong’s head tilted slightly.
Captain Hong gritted his teeth.
Just as he had when reporting Lee Yu-ji’s condition earlier.
“I’m certain. This case. It’s a case we must investigate to the very end. It’s our chance to uproot Guild lobbying.”
Innocent citizens of Jeong-an City nearly died because of Guild lobbying.
Three key members of the Heonsu Bureau would either have died on the spot or lived with trauma for the rest of their lives.
Captain Hong was no exception.
At those words, the corners of Baek Hee-ryeong’s mouth lifted slightly.
She soon smiled faintly and looked at Captain Hong.
“Do you understand that what you’re saying now will have enormous political repercussions?”
“Yes.”
“And that it will ultimately be me who has to bear the consequences?”
“…Yes.”
“And knowing that, you’re asking me to take on this case secretly?”
Captain Hong flinched at those words.
He already knew that the tip about this case had come from the Higher-ups.
If that weren’t the case, the Chief wouldn’t have assigned me this task with such a reluctant expression.
Still, I hadn’t expected Baek Hee-ryeong to be so blunt about it.
And above all—
‘I never imagined she’d refuse to back down even as the shockwaves from this incident reached this far.’
I’d assumed she was merely planning to weaponize a few internal irregularities within the Hunter Association for political leverage—
‘But now it seems she has no intention of stopping there.’
She wasn’t fishing for piranhas. She was going after sharks.
Watching Baek Hee-ryeong’s face as she took direct aim at the Hunter Association and the major guilds, Captain Hong swallowed hard.
“If I say I’ll look into it starting now… would that work?”
At Captain Hong’s response, Baek Hee-ryeong’s lips curled upward.
“It will, Squad Leader.”
“Pardon?”
“No, I misspoke. Director.”
With those words, Baek Hee-ryeong rose from her seat.
Left alone in the room, Captain Hong’s mind was in turmoil.
He’d been forced into a position where he had to announce a Hunter Association investigation during the public briefing.
But how was he supposed to prove guild lobbying?
Everything seemed hopeless.
At least, until Lee Yu-ji appeared after the briefing concluded and said this:
“I think I found evidence. Here.”
On the phone screen Lee Yu-ji held out, there was a beaming female student taking a selfie, with an antique study visible in the background.
“…What are you doing?”
“Oh, this is her selfie…”
With a vacant tone, Lee Yu-ji withdrew the phone and swiped the screen, revealing a photo of long, pale fingers adorned with nail art covered in ornaments.
“What is this? Are you bragging about nails? Are those your nails?”
“Ah, you don’t know how to zoom in…”
Lee Yu-ji looked at Captain Hong with something like pity and used her finger to enlarge the photo.
“I know how to do that much…”
And in the enlarged photo, it was there.
The evidence!

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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