WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Dionysus
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Newbie Civil Servant Hunts Villains Before Going Home ◈
Chapter 11: Let's Fill It Out
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“Are you wondering what I know?”
Hyeonyul gave a faint smile.
Then his expression slowly hardened.
“Shin Daeho worked in distribution.”
Hyeonyul looked at the person, then let go.
He took his gas mask from the bag and put it back on.
At those words and actions, the person swallowed hard.
It looked as though a scream might burst from their mouth at any moment.
“Back then, someone brought in a new type of weapon. They served the Witch. That person was you.”
“...”
“This is a liquor company, apparently. Shin Daeho loved alcohol. He was crazy about it.”
Would someone like that really leave a liquor company alone?
“I didn’t realize it when I heard the company’s name, but seeing this logo made it click.”
The uniforms worn by the dead security team and the screensaver displayed on the computers had given Hyeonyul a clue.
A design reminiscent of a wineglass.
It was practically Shin Daeho’s signature symbol.
“This company had an agreement with Shin Daeho, didn’t it?”
Other than guarding Shin Daeho or assassinating other villains, Hyeonyul had mainly worked desk jobs.
Naturally, he had seen countless related documents.
Because Shin Daeho, as a villain, could not own too many companies outright, Shin Daeho formed affiliated networks instead.
In exchange for support through Shin Daeho’s technology, connections, and various other resources, those companies had sworn loyalty to Shin Daeho.
They called it loyalty, but in the end, it was all tied to money.
Hyeonyul stared steadily at the person.
As the silence stretched on, they seemed to grow more flustered.
“Shin Daeho ran quite a few affiliated companies.”
“The thing is, our master has taken an interest in you. They said that the way you killed Shin Daeho was especially magnificent.”
The Poison King knew exactly that Shin Daeho had died.
If so, what about the other major villains?
“Now that Shin Daeho is dead, why wouldn’t they want what Shin Daeho left behind? It seems your master heard that the Poison King was moving to take over Shin Daeho’s distribution business. It would be a problem if the Poison King swallowed it all, wouldn’t it?”
Except in a few special circumstances, villains did not cooperate with one another.
Instead, they guarded against each other and tried to devour one another.
Still, they did share one common goal: destroying the Empire.
They were a ridiculous, absurd bunch, but that special circumstance was precisely “destroying the Empire.”
“Did you want to turn the Poison King into an enemy by staging all this?”
The Poison King used poison.
If poison spread, who would everyone suspect first?
“In other words, your master framed the Poison King to take over this place. Did I summarize that correctly? Now you may answer.”
Hyeonyul looked at them.
The person could not bring themself to speak.
“Do... do I have any obligation to tell you that?”
They tried to sound tough, but Hyeonyul could see the fear in their actions and voice.
‘That confirms it.’
Hyeonyul drew a breath and checked the time.
“I can wait about five minutes.”
“You idiot! Do you think I’m going to answer you?”
“What are you talking about?”
Hyeonyul sounded dumbfounded.
“I’ve already heard the answer I wanted. I’m giving you a choice. Will you go back and die at your master’s hands, or return with me to Black Eagle and at least keep your life?”
Because of that bastard, Hyeonyul’s finger was scraped.
Hyeonyul wanted to snap his neck immediately, but held back.
He had never forgotten his goal of uprooting every villain from this land.
If Black Eagle got its hands on this person, they would be useful in many ways.
That was the only reason Hyeonyul was giving them a chance.
“You failed your mission. And failure means death, doesn’t it? Loyalty? Affection? Do you really think villains have that kind of thing?”
Hyeonyul laughed mockingly.
Expecting anything from villains was arrogance and stubbornness.
The only outcome was death.
“Are you even being paid properly? Do you sleep properly? You must be exhausted from all the overtime they make you work. I don’t understand why you’re keeping your mouth shut for that bastard.”
‘Huh...?’
The person doubted their own ears.
What had they just heard?
Hyeonyul spoke with such vivid realism that it felt as though he had personally worked at their company.
“Honestly, I think the answer is already decided. Stop putting on airs about loyalty or whatever, and come quietly. Wouldn’t that be better?”
The person could not answer carelessly.
But their eyes were already wavering.
‘...Black Eagle was never like this before. Did they start thoroughly investigating us without my knowing?’
They could not help being shocked.
Had the Empire used its power?
They let out a long breath.
“You must have been deeply involved if you’re at this level. What kind of leash do they have on you? Your family?”
Hyeonyul asked calmly.
When a villain-owned company recruited employees, nobody knew what they were getting into.
Who would knowingly go there?
They boosted their image with relatively high pay and absurdly good benefits.
But that was only their public image. Slowly, they put a leash on people until they could never leave.
They might take their families hostage.
They might implicate them in crimes so they could never return to an ordinary life.
There were many methods.
“...Ah. I’ve already cleared the drug from your system. You don’t need to cling to them for the antidote. Are you still not coming?”
It sounded like a final question, so the person shook their head.
Their leash had come off.
That alone had multiplied their choices endlessly.
“...How did you know?”
The person asked hesitantly, but Hyeonyul did not answer.
Instead, he pressed them sharply.
“I’m the only one asking questions. Understand your situation.”
* * *
“...How can you stay so calm?”
Only after arriving at the Nest on an eagle did Nayun ask Hyeonyul.
It was not something she could casually bring up at the scene, with White Sparrow agents and survivors around.
Seeing the curiosity in her eyes, Hyeonyul knew she had not asked with bad intentions.
“Because I used to be a villain.”
Hyeonyul answered without hesitation.
The rumor had already spread, and Sinu had been told as well. It was hardly a secret anymore.
“Really?”
“You heard the rumor.”
“It’s different hearing it from you directly. I don’t like rumors. Rumors can attack anyone at any time.”
“The rumor is true.”
Hyeonyul looked at Nayun as if testing her.
“No wonder you were far too polished for a rookie.”
Only then did Nayun understand.
Why Hyeonyul had been so composed, and how he had caught the ringleader so casually.
“Ah, you are a rookie after all. An experienced rookie, I mean.”
Whether Hyeonyul had once been a villain or not, he was still the rookie everyone had hoped for.
That was wonderful.
“...Is that Team Three’s usual reaction?”
Hyeonyul asked, caught off guard by the unexpected response.
It was the sort of reaction that should have been anticlimactic and draining.
“Sinu knows too?”
“Yes.”
“Then there’s only one answer. Sinu and I both trust the team leader.”
Nayun smiled as though it were obvious.
Hyeonyul was not just anyone. He was a rookie Haeryeon had chosen.
That alone was proof enough.
“I know you cannot trust me. There must have been many things in your past that I could not even ask about. Perhaps once you experience it for yourself, you will understand why I said that.”
“Is that so?”
No matter how confidently Nayun spoke, her words did not reach Hyeonyul.
They merely felt like whispers that drifted by in passing.
“Anyway, that’s a relief. You’ll see all sorts of things from now on, so I suppose you have a strong stomach?”
“I think so.”
“That’s a relief.”
Nayun was genuinely relieved by Hyeonyul’s answer.
Seeing dead people was the bare minimum.
And would they only see the dead?
There would be many revolting, filthy moments that made one sick of humanity.
Quite a few people had quit because they hated this work.
At least now she could rest easier knowing Hyeonyul would not leave for that reason.
“Is there anything you’re curious about from this mission? Ask anything. I’ll answer.”
“How difficult was this mission?”
Hyeonyul had grown curious.
There would be countless missions ahead. What would their usual level be?
“Average. Not difficult, but not easy either. Right in the middle, I suppose.”
“This is normal?”
“That’s only by my standards. I just thought it was average because I only needed to shoot well from far away. Mission difficulty is relative, so it’s hard to set a clear standard. But there are plenty of jobs that require at least two people to handle comfortably, yet one person handles them alone.”
Hyeonyul nodded at Nayun’s answer.
If this was roughly the standard, the workload did not seem too bad.
“How did you get rid of the barrier?”
“You were really curious about that, right? I was waiting to see when you’d ask.”
Nayun’s eyes sparkled.
Hyeonyul felt he had touched something he should not have.
‘...I shouldn’t have asked.’
Still, he truly wanted to know how she had found the center of its power.
“Please tell me.”
Hyeonyul asked, bracing himself somewhat.
* * *
“You worked hard, Hyeonyul.”
Haeryeon greeted Hyeonyul with a smile.
“Choo Nayun received another mission halfway through, so she left immediately.”
“I know. Sinu also received a mission and went out. I am often here alone, so you will probably see me often.”
“What does the team leader do?”
Haeryeon burst out laughing because she had not expected such a direct question.
Once again, Haeryeon realized that Hyeonyul was more meticulous than expected.
“You’re curious?”
“Yes, I am.”
As soon as Haeryeon heard the answer, she turned the computer screen she had been using around.
“I’m writing reports on the missions our team members resolve.”
“The team leader writes the reports? How does that work? Do you listen to us and write them down?”
“No. The uniform you’re wearing has a body camera attached to it.”
At Haeryeon’s words, Hyeonyul lowered his gaze.
Fitting the name Black Eagle, the uniform was mostly black.
White accents were mixed in here and there, around the shoulders and sleeves.
Seeing Hyeonyul’s expression of confusion, Haeryeon took a deep breath.
“...Did nobody tell you when you received your uniform?”
“No. Baek Sinu-hyungnim told me the uniform protects me from various things.”
“I see. Nobody told you.”
Haeryeon gave a chilly smile.
Her fist tightened.
Explaining that was White Sparrow’s job.
“You’re not angry, right?”
“I’m not.”
“Good. Then I’ll handle this one, so don’t step in, Hyeonyul. The same goes for other matters. You’re just starting to build a very good image right now.”
A monstrous rookie.
Today’s mission had been excellent for building that image.
The fact that Hyeonyul was still in the probationary period made it shine even more.
“Understood.”
Hyeonyul had no interest in what image Haeryeon meant.
What did it matter?
“Anyway, a team leader mainly writes reports for the team, squeezes information out of villains like the one you brought in today, holds meetings based on the information we get, and decides our direction. Then I pass that information on to the team members. Of course, managing the team is also my job.”
Because they lacked personnel, every team member was an extremely valuable asset.
It would not be wrong to call this a system created through much deliberation so members could focus solely on their missions.
“Unless there’s truly nobody else to send on a mission, I stay and guard the Nest. There’s an internal rule that at least three team leaders must protect the Nest. Does that explain it?”
Haeryeon kept it short and simple.
A team leader had far more duties than that, but explaining them all would only take time.
“Thank you for explaining.”
Only then did Hyeonyul understand why the Nest remained safe despite being so openly located.
Team leaders guarded it.
“Will you give me your report now? Just tell me who you brought in and what happened inside.”
“They weren’t a subordinate of the Poison King. However, I learned that the Poison King is reaching out to take control of Shin Daeho’s affiliated companies.”
“So someone is pushing back against the Poison King?”
“Yes. I believe that person will know more.”
“Nice and simple. I have something to tell you too. Is now a good time?”
“Please tell me.”
“In the case you worked on with Sinu last time, we learned from the ringleader where the secondary site for the experimental subjects was.”
“Where is it?”
“It was within ten kilometers of the company where the poison spread today. According to a report that came in about thirty minutes ago, there was an explosion there. Nayun went there.”
“They overlapped strangely.”
“Exactly. I don’t know what’s going on yet, but I’ll tell you when something comes of it.”
After replying simply, Haeryeon spoke again.
“Hyeonyul.”
“Yes.”
“Do you intend to keep working here?”
Hyeonyul’s eyes shook sharply at the unexpected question.
Why was Haeryeon suddenly asking this?
It did not sound good.
Was he going to be fired?
“...Did I do something wrong?”
“No, it’s not that.”
“It’s not...?”
“No. Around this point, the people who want to quit usually quit. If you do, you have to sign a contract with a confidentiality clause first.”
Only then did Hyeonyul regain his composure.
“As long as you uphold the benefits, I have no intention of quitting.”
“Of course we will uphold them. No matter what happens, we will. But this is your last chance to choose. After this, there’s no backing out. There’s a reason this place offers so many benefits. Are you still all right with that?”
“I am. There’s no better place for me than this.”
At Hyeonyul’s firm reply, Haeryeon heard a fanfare ringing in her ears.
She did not know how many fireworks had gone off.
She was so excited that her face felt ready to heat up.
“Good. Shall we fill out your employment contract now?”
Haeryeon beamed as she took a document from a drawer.
They were civil servants, but because they handled special duties, they had to fill out that document.
‘...I wondered when I’d have to sign one, but it’s finally here.’
What had been coming had arrived.
Hyeonyul’s expression changed first.
He knew the real battle began here.
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