The Civil Servant Who Concealed Their True Strength Turns Out to be a Master of Possession - Chapter 222

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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 222

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A minibar in a limousine…?
I watched naturally as Kang Min-joo pulled out a champagne glass hanging in the minibar of the limousine and offered it to me.
I was currently riding in a limousine with Kang Min-joo on my way to the L Hotel.
We weren’t celebrities, and we weren’t going to step out of the limousine and walk a red carpet, so I had no idea why we needed a limousine in the first place.
“Ah, hold on.”
I stopped Kang Min-joo from pouring the rosé champagne and took the champagne glass from her hand.
Then I downed it in one gulp.
“…?”
I looked at Kang Min-joo’s puzzled face with an equally puzzled expression and spoke.
“It’s non-alcoholic?”
“Of course it is. What were you thinking?”
“Oh… I see.”
Damn it.
I sighed and started to rub my eyes before stopping abruptly.
Right. I’m wearing makeup.
Wow. Makeup, of all things.
I looked at myself in the front seat mirror, equally bewildered as to why it was even there.
My eyes, which normally looked somewhat naive, now appeared wide open because of my curled eyelashes, and my skin, which had never been exposed to indoor sports, looked even paler.
On top of that, there were my lips gleaming with a moist pink hue, and every strand of my hair styled with meticulous calculation.
What I’m saying is.
‘This really doesn’t look like me.’
This isn’t me. It’s a fraud.
While I was thinking that and looking in the mirror, Kang Min-joo smiled with satisfaction and spoke.
“I told you our Team Leader is so good at makeup. The shop staff all thought you were a celebrity!”
From my perspective, it seemed less like my face was pretty and more like I was wearing it too glamorously, but whatever…
Ugh… this is ridiculous.
In any case, it was true that thanks to Kang Min-joo, I was able to visit a famous shop.
This was the first and last moment in my life that “looking pretty” had become important.
This damn Quest bastard told me to become the queen bee of this party.
‘So if I become the queen bee of high society, I can meet Seol Jo-yang or whoever?’
Seol Jo-yang.
Kang Han-geul already knew about that name.
‘She is the adopted daughter of Seol Ok-gyun. She has never publicly revealed her appearance.’
At those words, I furrowed my brow.
‘Then she won’t be at this event either…?’
‘There was no mention of her attending.’
‘But from what I know, Seol Jo-yang is supposed to be coming.’
‘Where did you hear this intelligence?’
I gave Kang Han-geul a vague answer to his question.
‘It’s difficult to disclose.’
‘….’
Kang Han-geul exhaled a deeply frustrated sigh before speaking.
Well. I suppose I owe him an apology.
‘I’m not sure where you obtained such information, but its authenticity seems questionable. However, even if Seol Jo-yang truly does attend, if she hasn’t gotten closer to the inner circle of the Hunter Church than I have, it would be difficult for her to know.’
‘The inner circle?’
‘The Hunter Church party attracts all sorts of people—from complete outsiders to the close associates of Seol Ok-gyun, the “True One.” It’s a gathering where their faith is examined and tested.’
So this party itself, like most pseudo-religious evangelism, is designed to gather ambiguous people and show them “look how cool we are,” then gradually probe them before pulling in the promising ones.
Which means among all these people, who the “true ones” are remains a secret.
‘Because anyone who might slip away could potentially spread the identities of Hunter Church members.’
‘Especially with Seol Jo-yang—there’s a high probability she won’t reveal her true identity. Seol Jo-yang has been designated as Seol Ok-gyun’s successor.’
‘His successor?’
Isn’t Seol Ok-gyun still in his middle years? He’s already announced a successor?
I suppose when you’re doing bad things globally, the back of your neck does get warm.
That’s how I rationalized it.
“Unnie! Let’s take a picture together! Okay?”
“Yeah, sure.”
I took a commemorative photo with Min-ju and then looked at where the limousine had stopped.
“Is this the L Hotel?”
“Yes. It’s a different lobby from the one for regular rooms.”
Min-ju answered while busily editing the photo she’d just taken.
As she spoke, elegantly dressed men and women emerged from the line of cars in front of us.
Those must be worth tens of millions of won too, right?
I checked the bracelet, necklace, and earrings I was wearing.
I can’t lose these—I’d need to sell them on Carat Market later.
I paid a fortune for them!
Soon it was our turn.
The bellboy opened the car door and took my hand.
I stepped out onto the ground but stumbled slightly.
I laughed awkwardly, and the bellboy said:
“My apologies. My escort was insufficient.”
Oh. What is this?
It’s service that really demonstrates the power of capitalism—
‘This is quite burdensome.’
I stepped down properly again.
Then I felt the elastic heel firmly support my ankle.
‘These heels are quite high—will you be alright?’
These shoes were a special gift from Ik-seong.
My favorite was buying me shoes at a luxury boutique.
It was an incredibly romantic moment.
So without thinking, I—
‘They say if you buy someone shoes, they’ll run away.’
I cracked a corny joke, but seeing Ik-seong’s expressionless face, I clenched my teeth.
Stop teasing me like that, Yu-ji.
That’s what I was thinking when it happened.
Ik-seong knelt down in front of me.
Then, with an apology, he gently placed his hand on my ankle.
‘…!’
‘When you want to run away.’
With his other hand, I felt him attaching something to the back of the shoe I was wearing.
‘These shoes will bring Detective Lee Yu-ji to me.’
Ik-seong said this while looking up at me.
‘So if you want to run away, don’t hesitate.’
His face held an impeccable composure without the slightest flaw.
I can always trust what this man says.
He will absolutely keep his promise.
With that thought, I smiled at the bellboy and stepped into the lobby of the L Hotel.
So don’t be nervous.
If you want to run away, just run.

* * *
But it was far too lavish to call it just a party.
Ornate floral decorations cascading from the ceiling.
Photo zones scattered throughout.
Tables arranged in small rooms with catering staff flowing in and out ceaselessly.
I’d imagined something like a banquet hall when I heard “party venue,” but I was sorely mistaken.
This was simply another world entirely.
It was as if they’d recreated a ballroom party straight out of a romance novel.
Wow. How much money does it take to decorate a hotel lounge like this?
I was lost in such thoughts when it happened.
“Unnie, those are my friends over there.”
Min-ju pressed close to me and spoke.
Where Min-ju pointed, there was a group of girls dressed as elaborately as Min-ju and myself.
“That one is the daughter of a famous hunter from the KS Guild, and over there—”
From what I gathered, they all seemed to be daughters from Awakener families.
“You… had friends?”
At my words, Min-ju’s brow furrowed.
“You didn’t know I had friends?”
“No. That’s not what I meant.”
It’s just that she only ever played at the Haenimdalnim Workshop.
…Though I shouldn’t say that.
“You said you didn’t like coming here.”
“Oh, well… but I’ve known those kids since we were little, seen them in other places too. Let’s go say hello!”
Min-ju smiled brightly and pulled me along.
Seeing Min-ju smile made me feel good too. After all, I came to this gathering primarily for her sake.
That was when it happened.
Following Min-ju as she bounded about like a young filly, I accidentally collided with a waiter.
With quick reflexes, I tried to catch the glass the waiter nearly dropped—
But the waiter caught it first.
“…?”
“….”
That was too fast.
What was that?
The moment I thought that, the waiter spoke.
“I apologize. It was my fault—”
“Oh, no. Nothing broke at all.”
I quickly shook my head, afraid I’d experience the bitter taste of capitalism again.
Whether superior or subordinate, experiencing the reality of being trapped in capitalism’s pyramid this way was hardly pleasant.
I quickly grabbed the slightly misshapen pudding and silver spoon from the waiter’s tray and flashed him a smile.
Then I walked past the waiter toward Min-ju, whom I’d lost track of.
“You’ve got some nerve. Your whole family turned into criminals, and you still dare show your face here?”
“Hey. Let’s just go. If anyone sees us with her, it’ll be embarrassing.”
I watched Min-ju’s face flush crimson.
These so-called friends were showing absolutely no sign of actual friendship.
As I approached, Min-ju’s “friends” noticed me.
“What… what is it? That person…”
In moments like this, I felt I should say something dignified as an adult.
I forced the corners of my mouth upward as I looked at the thoroughly dejected Min-ju.
Then I greeted the children with their disdainful expressions.
“Hello.”
So you’re Min-ju’s friends? But your words seem a bit harsh. You should apologize quickly.
That’s what I meant to say—
Without thinking, I raised my hand and the silver spoon I’d been holding…
Snap.
Broke clean in two.
Wait… that’s not what I meant to do.
I smiled awkwardly while thinking that, pulling my lips up as much as I could.
“So you’re Min-ju’s friends?”
“Huh? Ah… um… what… is it?”
“That lady scares me.”
“Isn’t that her? That investigator who took down that dragon…”
I picked up the broken silver spoon as the children muttered things I couldn’t quite make out.
But because of the flower petals on the floor, I couldn’t grip it properly, and I ended up applying more force than necessary to the silver spoon.
Crack.
I’d broken the silver spoon into four pieces.
Looking at the children’s pale faces, I took a rough breath and lifted my head.
“You should apologize right now, shouldn’t you?!”
Ugh. It’s hard to breathe when I’m bent over in this dress.

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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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