The Civil Servant Who Concealed Their True Strength Turns Out to be a Master of Possession - Chapter 28

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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 028
I felt Ma Deok-ho’s gaze hitting me from the side.
I felt a creaking sensation and awkwardly turned my head to look at Ma Deok-ho, then quickly lowered my gaze and picked up the cat.
“Oh my, it’s vomiting a lot. Something must be wrong. Let me take this friend to the animal hospital…”
“I took it last time. They said it’s fine. It’s just a habit.”
“….”
“Ruru mentioned it. That day, Investigator Lee Yu-ji brought snacks and food, and then suddenly took it into the lobby.”
So he heard that much!
I suddenly felt my vision brighten.
Right.
Ma Deok-ho is an animal communicator, not a god communicator, so he couldn’t possibly guess what happened after I became Ruru!
“…But the statement said that you left the food and entered with the detection dog, didn’t it?”
He even read the statement.
I thought he was just an MZ investigator who wore a headset and left work on time, but he’s this meticulous!
But even if a tiger bites you, you survive if you keep your wits about you.
I’m not good with words, but if I just make something up….
“Are you perhaps connected to something like the Information Guild…?”
“Pardon?”
Ma Deok-ho, with an expression of disinterest, took the cat from me again and placed it on the flower bed.
“Or maybe you made some kind of deal with Team Leader Kwon?”
“…Um…. That’s…”
He’s making a strange misunderstanding.
He’s even considering the possibility that the statement itself might be contaminated.
But since I had nothing to say to clear up that misunderstanding, I was keeping my mouth shut.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Ma Deok-ho spoke while gazing at the flower bed with quiet eyes.
“Investigators who come to the Heonsu Department usually have some story, and people obsessed with performance usually have even more.”
“Ah. Yes.”
So that’s the direction he’s thinking.
A mysterious investigator with some purpose who came to the Heonsu Department.
Someone who wouldn’t hesitate to work as an undercover agent for the higher-ups to achieve their own goals…. Perhaps revenge (?)—someone who works with their life on the line.
‘Oh… that actually sounds pretty cool.’
I’m nothing like that, but I’ll pretend to be.
“Th, thank you.”
As I bowed, Ma Deok-ho glanced at me like a slightly broken person, then didn’t know where to look. The air became awkward again immediately.
Emotional conversations are difficult, is that it.
He’s impossible to pin down.
“Anyway, if a position opens up in Team 1, consider transferring there. Having you in our team is just… too conspicuous….”
Ma Deok-ho rested his chin on his crouched knees.
“…The team leader is worried. About Investigator Lee Yu-ji. A lot.”
“…!”
“You’re my partner, after all.”
At the word “after all,” my brow furrowed.
Right. The person who died back then was also my partner. And now—
‘He’s worried I might die.’
“You don’t look worried at all, though.”
“Well. I suppose. You’re just not the type to show it.”
Ma Deok-ho rose from his seat as he spoke.
“Oh, right.”
“Yes?”
I had developed a certain respect for Ma Deok-ho, so I looked up at him with bright, eager eyes.
“Do I have to keep secrets for free?”
“…Yes?”
“I think it’s best to settle accounts clearly between people you encounter at work. I bought you bandages and ointment. That comes to six thousand won total.”
Respect rescinded.
I reached into my pocket to fumble for my wallet.
“Forget the money. A cat has gone missing.”
Ma Deok-ho pointed to the cats on the flower bed.
“There should be five, but there are only four.”
“Uh…. But why are you asking me about that….”
Wouldn’t it be faster to ask someone like Ruru? She’s an animal communicator, after all!
“Someone took it. An estimated man in his fifties entered the Hunter Investigation Unit.”
“Then perhaps the investigator adopted one….”
“But why would he only take one?”
That’s true, but… how does asking me about something suspicious actually solve anything?
He pointed with his finger at the CCTV near the flower bed.
“That one. You can access it, right?”
“Me?”
“You have some connection with Team Leader Kwon.”
Ma Deok-ho spoke in a low voice.
“…!”
Damn. He’s right.
I’m playing the role of an investigator with mysterious secrets right now.
“If you identify that person for me, I’ll keep your secret.”
Ma Deok-ho returned with a mechanical expression and put on his headset as he spoke.
“Lunch break’s over, so I’m heading out.”

* * *
A quest originating from Ma Deok-ho had begun.
Was this what a quest window would look like?
Sudden Quest: ‘Find the black kitten!’
-Reward upon success: Absolute secrecy
-Penalty upon failure: Get caught by Team Leader Kwon, undergo reinvestigation, have my secret skills exposed, or worst case, be framed as an accomplice to terrorism
-Time limit: Entirely at Ma Deok-ho’s discretion
Good grief.
Here I was with 700 million won from dark channels already in my account and another 300 million coming through legitimate means soon, and of all things, Ma Deok-ho had to throw this quest at me.
The one silver lining was that my work suspension meant I had plenty of free time.
My teammates were out on field assignments or in the investigation rooms drowning in the sudden workload from the massive case I’d brought in, while I sat alone in the office thinking.
I pondered how I could view the CCTV without drawing suspicion.
‘I have absolutely no idea how to do this.’
That’s when it happened.
A message from Ham I-na appeared in the bottom right corner of my screen.
Ham I-na
Hunter Ji Won-gil has completed his investigation without any issues. No suspicious points were found.
It was a message updating me on the status of Hunter Ji Won-gil’s investigation, which Team 1 had been handling.
Cooperation with Team 1 was essential for this Kevin Choi illegal fighting ring operation case.
Since Team 1 was handling the Geumho-dong incident, they possessed all the information about how Kevin Choi had illegally distributed monsters.
‘Kevin Choi was summoned first to secure his custody.’
So Ji Won-gil had given statements both to Team 5 and Team 1, and while Captain Hong had told me there shouldn’t be any problems with Ji Won-gil, I’d reached out to Ham I-na just to be safe.
Thank you so much…
Wait, hold on.
Should I try asking?
While I was deliberating, another message came through.
If there’s anything else I can help with, please let me know. I’ll do whatever I can on my end. Team 1 essentially escaped a crisis thanks to you. I’m truly… so grateful.
This is… too perfect an opportunity.
By any chance, could I see the CCTV footage from the back entrance of the Heonsu Building?
CCTV footage?
If she asks why, I’ll say I want to check the part from my first day where the terrorist was captured entering through the back entrance on camera.
If she asks why I want to check, I’ll just say I’m curious about traces of accomplices!
I’d create an impression that there was something there.
‘Investigative intuition’.
Hadn’t I just learned the power of that phrase!
…This is really just about momentum!
That’s when Ham I-na’s message appeared.
I’ll let the Support Team Data Room know. But I might need to go with you. Is that alright?
Huh?
And you’re not even asking why?

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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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