The Civil Servant Who Concealed Their True Strength Turns Out to be a Master of Possession - Chapter 226

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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 226

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A suite room at the L Hotel.
Within a space as vast as some lounges, only Seol Jo-yang and I existed.
For reference, a small healing bandage was affixed to my forehead, and Seol Jo-yang was receiving an IV drip.
‘I was the one who fell, yet somehow she looks even more pallid.’
With such thoughts, I watched a priest sprinkle holy water called the Water of Salvation over Seol Jo-yang’s head while offering prayers.
A priest.
To be precise, Kang Han-geul disguised as a priest had rushed down the stairs the moment Seol Jo-yang fell.
It seemed some kind of automatic alert system had been set up on the wheelchair.
Whether it was for Seol Jo-yang’s safety, or perhaps—
‘I’m not sure if it was for surveillance.’
“May the True One bestow blessings upon you.”
“I believe in the True One. I repent of my false heart.”
Seol Jo-yang repeated those words and clasped her hands together.
‘I really can’t get used to this.’
This charlatan.
With such thoughts, I let out a fake cough.
“Cough, cough…!”
Yet the two of them paid no attention and remained absorbed in prayer.
“Cough! Cough! Hack, hack!”
When I coughed loudly, only then did Seol Jo-yang and the priest look my way.
I smacked my lips at the sight of them.
“No, my throat is parched. Really parched.”
That’s right.
This Quest clearly stated that Seol Jo-yang and I must finish drinking ‘a cup of tea’ together.
‘That’s why the completion reward hasn’t appeared.’
With that thought, I gazed at Seol Jo-yang.
“My throat is so dry…”
I am your savior, you bastard.
Seol Jo-yang sighed at those words and spoke to the priest.
“A glass of water…”
“No, no. Not that. Um, you see… I heard the L Hotel has a famous tea.”
When I said that, the priest’s face contorted.
‘Is he seriously asking me to fetch tea for him?’
That was the expression on his face—
‘Yep. That’s exactly it~’
I responded with that very expression.
The priest forced a smile and spoke to me.
“Then I’ll bring tea for both of you.”
Seol Jo-yang grasped the old priest’s sleeve and spoke.
“Don’t tell the Chairman… about what happened today.”
At those words, the old priest hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“Yes, of course. Don’t worry.”
After the old priest left, Seol Jo-yang exhaled a long sigh.
She seemed both relieved and still anxious.
I watched her and asked a question.
“Were you really trying to pray just now?”
At my question, Seol Jo-yang asked as if exasperated.
It was quite presumptuous for someone addressing their lifesaver.
“Did you think I was trying to fall from there?”
“No… I’m just curious why you suddenly came out to pray. There are hymns overflowing inside, so why go out there?”
At my question, Seol Jo-yang’s expression changed dramatically.
“Hearing the hymns made me want to pray alone. The True One speaks to me in a voice that only I can hear.”
Seol Jo-yang tapped the wheelchair’s armrest and opened her eyes wide.
“A voice?”
“Yes.”
Some kind of spiritual thing, I suppose.
I’ve heard that when people become too obsessed with something, their dopamine system or whatever malfunctions, causing them to see hallucinations and hear voices.
“It’s not exactly a voice. Sometimes I see it with my own eyes.”
“I see…”
At my lukewarm response, Seol Jo-yang narrowed her eyes and spoke.
“You don’t believe me, do you?”
At that, I hesitated for a moment.
It seemed like saying I believed would keep the conversation going—
But how could I fake a belief I don’t have to someone so devoted to faith?
Perhaps it would be better to let the old priest bring the tea and try to convince me while I drink it all.
“I care more about what I can see right in front of me than the True One or whatever.”
So I just told her the truth.
Besides, I was never good at lying anyway.
“I’m worried about Min-ju singing hymns in there, and you’ve been in that wheelchair for quite a long time—”
I examined Seol Jo-yang’s wheelchair.
“—so it’s suspicious that you didn’t engage the brake.”
“I didn’t have time to engage it. A revelation seemed like it was about to descend right before my eyes.”
Seol Jo-yang bristled and spoke to me.
Oh.
This seems to be working rather well.
“…A revelation?”
“Yes. Originally…”
Seol Jo-yang turned her gaze away from me, her eyes somewhat unstable.
“The True One grants me revelations whenever I’m in pain.”
The True One.
That term carries a dual meaning within the Hunter’s Faith.
It refers to the heroic hunters who vanquish the falsehoods of this world, but simultaneously, it also denotes Seol Ok-gyun himself, the cult leader.
So this time—
“You’re referring to your father, then?”
At my words, Seol Jo-yang’s eyes widened.
“…How did you know who I am…”
“Aren’t you Seol Jo-yang?”
At my question, Seol Jo-yang furrowed her brow.
“How could you…”
“Isn’t it strange not to know? The moment your wheelchair tipped over, a priest came and rescued you, and we entered this suspiciously spacious room.”
At my words, Seol Jo-yang bit her lip.
“My identity mustn’t be revealed to anyone yet.”
Yet.
Why “yet”?
Was there supposed to be a time when it would be revealed?
Perhaps something like a succession ceremony was scheduled?
I was curious, but seeing Seol Jo-yang before me looking so pitiful, I simply nodded first.
“Of course. There’s no benefit to me spreading your identity around anyway.”
“That’s a relief. Though I’m not sure if I can trust someone who slandered Hero Choi Jun-gu.”
Only then did I understand the true nature of the baseless hostility Seol Jo-yang harbored toward me.
It was because I had slandered a heroic hunter.
‘Though I did conduct a legitimate investigation.’
“About that title of ‘hero,’ though. It may have been accurate fifty years ago, but isn’t it somewhat meaningless now? Of course, the early hunters risked their lives to save people, but ultimately, today’s hunters are making money from it. Society and the nation have provided sufficient compensation for that price…”
“You think the only reason we call them heroes is because they saved a handful of lives?”
Seol Jo-yang looked at me as if she found it absurd.
Her voice carried force.
“They didn’t descend to this earth merely to save the lives of such ordinary people.”
Seol Jo-yang’s eyes gleamed with something mysterious.
I recalled Ryu Yeong-gyo’s words.
‘But don’t worry too much about it. No matter if they’re your own children or nephews, it’s frightening when someone falls into religion.’
“They came to save the world.”
Ryu Yeong-gyo’s face came to mind.
That bitter expression she had worn.
“By the way… Your legs… that accident…”
I wanted to ask what had happened during that accident to make her like this.
But suddenly, Seol Jo-yang gripped my hand tightly.
Her eyes gleaming, she spoke to me in a rapid, clear voice.
“There are secrets in this world. Only the True One knows them. And he has shown them to me.”
I was about to ask whether he’d ever thought about his real family, not this True One of his.
“Those characters were a revelation. Truly, if Lee Yu-ji had seen them, she couldn’t possibly be here like this.”
“What do you mean by—”
This man’s eyes were completely unhinged.
Bringing up Ryu Yeong-gyo here didn’t seem appropriate.
Knock, knock—
A knock sounded from outside the door.
Seol Jo-yang flinched and withdrew her hand from mine.
Then she took a deep breath and spoke.
“Tell them to come in.”
I heard her words and approached the hotel door.
When I opened it, a familiar face stood there.
Sa Gong-seong.
How did he get here…?
Did Kang Han-geul call him? Why on earth?
“…Chairman.”
Seol Jo-yang greeted Sa Gong-seong with a pale face.
Her hands gripping the wheelchair handles moved frantically.
Seol Jo-yang’s wheelchair rolled backward.
I nearly stepped between Sa Gong-seong and Seol Jo-yang without thinking, but I had to stop myself.
“Sigh… I heard you nearly got hurt again.”
It wasn’t because Sa Gong-seong had sighed.
It was because of a woman who had followed him inside.
Sa Gong-seong noticed my gaze fixed on the woman and smiled gently.
“Oh. You’re here. Inspector Lee Yu-ji. I thought it would be good to introduce the two of you, and it worked out perfectly.”
Worked out perfectly?
I couldn’t take my eyes off the woman standing behind Sa Gong-seong.
The woman smiling brightly, dressed in a flowing gown.
“You two know each other well, don’t you?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
The woman approached me and took my hand.
Her hand was warm.
So I nearly pulled my hand away without thinking.
“It’s been so long, Yu-ji. I’m glad to see you.”
But I couldn’t do that.
You pushed my hand away back then, pushed it away so easily—
“Seon-a.”
I couldn’t possibly do that.
Seon-a.
‘You’re a promising prospect… We’re different, you and I…’
You said we’re different. That’s on you.

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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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