WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Dionysus
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Newbie Civil Servant Hunts Villains Before Going Home ◈
Chapter 26: Why Is This Here? (2)
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* * *
‘Is asking someone to go to a festival together really that nice?’
As Hyeonyul walked down the hallway, lost in thought, he looked around.
Everyone who had been sneaking glances at him or watching from the corners of their eyes had vanished.
They probably could not clearly see Hyeonyul’s face since they were not on the same team, but they could clearly see Team Three.
It almost felt like people were avoiding him.
‘Perfect.’
This was the kind of atmosphere that made going to work enjoyable.
No one paid attention to what Hyeonyul did anymore, so he could move around more freely.
On the way to the training room, Hyeonyul suddenly stopped.
There were strangely many people.
‘Is something going on?’
There were only three people in the training room, including Hyeonyul.
“Oh, it’s not like that.”
The voice, full of laughter, sounded oddly familiar.
Hyeonyul took a few steps forward, then froze.
Nayun was standing in front of the training room.
Hyeonyul’s gaze wavered sharply.
‘...Why is she here?’
Hyeonyul grew rather tense.
Who was Nayun?
She was the most talkative person of all.
No joke, she could spend all day with someone and still keep talking.
Hyeonyul could already imagine his energy being drained.
Just as Hyeonyul was about to back away, his eyes met Nayun’s.
She was smiling brightly.
Hyeonyul had no idea why she looked so confident.
“Wooooow!”
Making herself look bigger with exaggerated gestures, Nayun strode straight toward Hyeonyul without hesitation.
Hyeonyul flinched at all the eyes immediately turning his way.
The impact was enormous.
“I heard you caught the Poison King. Alone. Personally. Is that true?”
Nayun deliberately raised her voice, pouring her heart into every word.
The Poison King.
The Poison King, of all people.
Hyeonyul had caught him.
The moment Nayun heard the news from Jihwan, she had cheered.
It felt satisfying to rub it in the faces of those childish people whispering behind Hyeonyul’s back, but more importantly, Hyeonyul had proven just how strong he was.
What a tough, powerful teammate.
Still, Jihwan had looked strangely bitter when he told her.
“Hyeonyul hyung... Ha, never mind.”
What had he been trying to say?
This was a more important moment.
Nayun looked at Hyeonyul confidently.
Everyone needed to know this fact.
Then they would not dare act up again.
“...”
But Hyeonyul could not even open his lips.
Everything, from start to finish, was bewildering.
Hyeonyul was the one who had caught the Poison King, so why was Nayun this happy?
“Are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Nayun kept moving closer as she asked, while Hyeonyul stepped back.
“...Yes, I’m fine.”
“What? You faced the Poison King and didn’t get so much as a scratch? Is that even possible?”
“I never said that...”
Bang.
Nayun suddenly slammed a hand against the wall.
Hyeonyul blinked rapidly.
He had no idea what she was doing.
“What should we call people who badmouth our teammate after they caught the Poison King without receiving so much as a scratch? People begging to be killed?”
Nayun turned to look behind her.
She was smiling, but her presence was fierce.
Hyeonyul could tell she was angry.
“Isn’t that right?”
Various rumors were circulating about Hyeonyul.
The most vicious one was that Villains had willingly allowed themselves to be caught to raise Hyeonyul’s credibility as a Black Eagle agent.
In other words, people were saying Hyeonyul was colluding with Villains.
Nayun had come here herself because she could no longer tolerate that bullshit.
She looked around.
Only after confirming that everyone there had taken it as a clear warning did Nayun relax.
That felt good.
They should have understood sooner.
“Hyeonyul.”
“...Yes.”
Hyeonyul’s voice was full of confusion, and Nayun broke into a cold sweat, wondering if she had gone too far.
She wanted to immediately shout that she was not a bad person.
“Well... could you spare a little time after training?”
Nayun lowered her voice and asked carefully.
“...”
Hyeonyul did not answer right away.
All sorts of thoughts ran through his mind.
“Just a moment.”
Nayun gestured and briefly left her spot.
Only after reaching an empty place did she stop and bring up the main subject to Hyeonyul, who had followed hesitantly.
“During a mission, a Villain fled with important documents, entered an area full of poison, and killed herself.”
‘...Ah.’
Once work came up, Hyeonyul listened with a more relaxed expression.
“We repeatedly tried to get inside, but even the protective equipment melted. We think it may be a new poison.”
‘A new poison?’
That fact annoyed Hyeonyul.
It seemed the Villains had developed another weapon.
“We need your help right now, Hyeonyul. Of course, the team leader has approved it too.”
“Have you made an antidote?”
“...We collected samples, but they said an antidote is impossible because it’s a mixture of poisons and there may be more poisons involved.”
Haeryeon had said it was impossible.
That was practically the same as saying it truly was impossible.
Nayun bit her lip.
“I’ll do it.”
Hyeonyul agreed without the slightest hesitation.
According to 101 Ways to a Smooth Office Life, it was good to maintain harmonious relationships with coworkers.
And the best way was to help a coworker in trouble.
“Really?”
Nayun asked with an expression of relief.
“It won’t even go past my usual time off, so it’s fine.”
“Thank you so much. Really, really, I won’t forget this favor. No, I’ll buy you dinner after work. What do you like? Tell me anything.”
‘...Dinner?’
Hyeonyul closed his lips at the sudden intensity in her words and gaze.
He had suddenly been put in a difficult situation.
Was dinner not supposed to be eaten alone at one’s leisure?
Dinner with Nayun.
“It won’t be just me. There’ll probably be other people too. What do you think?”
Nayun was trying to be considerate.
Eating alone together might be awkward, so perhaps it would be better if everyone came.
Hyeonyul could get closer to people, and since they were cheerful people, it might be a fun evening.
But Hyeonyul’s expression darkened further.
‘There’ll be people I don’t know too...? Is this a company dinner?’
How many drinks had Hyeonyul poured at company dinners after being summoned by Shin Daeho?
Sing a song.
Dance too.
He had even been showered with remarks laced with harassment.
It was awful.
The thought alone was horrifying.
“...I’ll think about it. I have class now, so...”
Hyeonyul avoided the invitation as indirectly as possible.
It was not as if he could kill someone just because they wanted Hyeonyul to eat with strangers.
As Hyeonyul hurried into the room, Nayun touched her lips.
‘...Did I do something wrong?’
Startled, Nayun entered the team group chat, which still did not include Hyeonyul, and hurriedly typed.
[I asked Hyeonyul to have dinner as thanks for helping us... Did I mess up?]
[Team Leader Haeryeon: Dinner...?]
[Team Leader Haeryeon: With Hyeonyul...?]
[Team Leader Haeryeon: Oh dear...]
A startled squirrel emoji followed.
[Baek Sinu (Psycho): Hey. Are you crazy?]
[Baek Sinu (Psycho): Don’t tell me you said other people would be there too?]
[I did.]
[Why?]
[It might be awkward if it’s just the two of us.]
At Nayun’s answer, Sinu sent a horrified ghost emoji.
[Why would it be?]
Haeryeon sent another startled squirrel emoji.
[No, no, eating together is fun! It’s the same with you, Team Leader, and you too, Sinu!]
[I can’t be the only one who feels this way! Eating together and getting closer, the whole process is so fun! It makes people happy!]
[Team Leader Haeryeon: It is fun! It’s no joke!]
[Team Leader Haeryeon: But not for Hyeonyul. Absolutely not.]
[Baek Sinu (Psycho): Hyeonyul would run away!]
[Baek Sinu (Psycho): Would he only run away?]
[Baek Sinu (Psycho): You’re on his block list now lololol]
[Baek Sinu (Psycho): Better luck next time.]
[Nooooo...]
Nayun squeezed her eyes shut at that.
Usually, she became close to people after exchanging a few words, but Hyeonyul was an exception.
It felt as though the distance between them was growing.
There would be no point in becoming close after he was dead.
[Then how can I get closer to Hyeonyul?]
[Team Leader Haeryeon: I’m also... trying hard to find that answer.]
[Team Leader Haeryeon: Hehehehe...]
An awkward squirrel emoji accompanied the message.
[Baek Sinu (Psycho): I think I’m kind of close to him. He calls me hyungnim!]
A smug ghost emoji followed.
[Baek Sinu (Psycho): Jealous, Nayun?]
[Baek Sinu (Psycho): Heh.]
[Our Jihwan: H-y-u-n-g]
[Our Jihwan: Hyung! Hyung! What’s the secret?!!]
[Our Jihwan: Please tell me!]
[Baek Sinu (Psycho): Why?]
[Our Jihwan: I need to know too!!]
Jihwan sent an emoji of a crying fox.
Nayun narrowed her eyes at the replies.
‘...Damn it.’
Her gaze was fixed on Sinu’s messages.
Being jealous meant losing, but today, she had definitely lost.
‘...Why does he only call that psycho hyungnim? Call me that too! Me too!’
* * *
The place they reached on an eagle was far from the city.
The trouble had broken out near the mountains. Since almost no cars came through, they were walking side by side on the road.
Paths leading into the mountains stretched along both sides of the road.
‘...She got close to the doctor that quickly. It took me years.’
Hyeonyul glanced at Nayun.
‘Is that a skill too?’
After theory training, Hyeonyul had looked for Nayun, but Nayun had received another small mission, so Hyeonyul went straight to see Jeongmin.
Nayun came by while Hyeonyul was receiving an IV, and from then on, she and Jeongmin became close.
Her friendliness was enough to haunt Hyeonyul’s dreams.
If Nayun had talked just a little more, Jeongmin might have given her his bank account password.
Nayun suddenly looked back, and Hyeonyul flinched.
“...Hyeonyul.”
“...Yes.”
“About earlier... You don’t have to think too deeply about having dinner.”
Was she serious?
Hyeonyul’s expression brightened.
When his expression changed completely, Nayun felt oddly offended.
‘He really is happy, right?’
Nayun could not help but keep thinking about it.
Was there a way to get close without eating together?
“...Ah! Doctor Jeongmin was really kind. I heard you have known each other for a long time?”
Nayun changed the subject.
Hyeonyul looked more comfortable beside Jeongmin than anywhere else.
“Yes. We’ve known each other for a long time. I was fortunate because he is also one of the few doctors who treats experimental subjects.”
Hyeonyul’s expression visibly softened.
Just as expected.
Nayun somehow felt like smiling.
When Hyeonyul looked at her, Nayun briefly closed her mouth and shifted her eyes.
“He seems like a good person.”
“Yes. He is a good person.”
Surprised by Hyeonyul’s unusual reaction, Nayun pointed ahead.
“W-We’ll suddenly come across a building after about three more minutes of walking.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s pretty empty, right? Maybe it’s fortunate that it’s not in the city.”
“What was the mission?”
“Ah, there had been more disappearances around here, so the police requested assistance. The Managers found a base while investigating.”
“A secret base?”
Hyeonyul asked with interest.
He had wanted to see a secret base at least once.
“That’s right. By the time we got there, they were already clearing it out. We caught some of them and chased others, but one of them was fleeing with documents. Then she threw something strange, like a bomb, and poison came out of it.”
“Have you seen it before?”
“No. I had never seen that form before.”
Nayun narrowed her eyes and spread her hands wide, then brought them together.
“It was shaped like... two rice bowls put together like this?”
Nayun’s eyesight was excellent.
Hyeonyul thought she must have seen it accurately.
“Do you know what it was?”
“I’ve never seen one. I wasn’t in charge of weapons or ordinary people.”
“Then what were you in charge of?”
“Not much different from now. I was in charge of Villains.”
“...In charge of Villains?”
“To expand their power, they need to kill Villains from similar factions or from their own faction.”
“But they’re on the same side.”
“There is no such thing as being on the same side. Taking whatever they need and using any means necessary to get what they want is their way.”
Nayun absentmindedly touched her hair.
It was quite unfamiliar to her.
“You don’t need to understand. It would be strange if you did.”
“I guess so. Ah! There it is.”
Nayun pointed at the site, now barely visible in the distance.
A barrier covered in talismans could be seen from afar.
‘It seems they use talismans as their power.’
Among the many types of powers, there were people known as talisman sorcerers.
Hyeonyul put on a helmet and approached.
It was like a dome of poison.
Held in by the talismans’ power, the poison could not escape and floated like clouds of many colors.
“I brought our teammate. He is a new recruit. Please take care of him.”
Nayun introduced Hyeonyul to the other two people assigned to this mission.
A new recruit from Team Three.
Even if they did not know Hyeonyul’s name, there was no way they would not recognize the person who had recently become the biggest topic of conversation.
“Yes, nice to meet you.”
Both people smiled, but they could not stop their bodies from stiffening.
Formerly a Villain.
That fact alone made people wary.
‘Team Six.’
Rather than speaking, Hyeonyul greeted Team Six with a bow.
It was the cleanest approach.
“May I go inside now?”
Hyeonyul pointed at the dome.
“Are you certain?”
The Black Eagle member who appeared to be a talisman sorcerer asked hesitantly.
“I am certain.”
“Then please wait a moment.”
The talisman sorcerer stopped hesitating and stood in front of the barrier.
When they thrust out their clenched hand as if spreading a deck of cards, five talismans sprang into the air.
They extended their index and middle fingers, and the talismans stuck to the barrier.
Fwoosh!
They suddenly burst into flame.
“You may enter now.”
At the talisman sorcerer’s words, Hyeonyul went inside without hesitation.
After only a few steps, Hyeonyul stopped.
Various poisons seeped into his nose.
‘It certainly would be extremely difficult to make an antidote.’
Various poisons were mixed together, and each step carried a different smell.
The closer he got to the center, the more poisons there were. Whatever weapon this was, it was not good.
‘They made another pointless thing. What a nuisance.’
How many more people would they kill with it?
Hyeonyul lowered his gaze.
A woman was dead there, with documents scattered beside her.
She must have struggled in agony, because the marks of clawing at her own throat were clear.
Hyeonyul did not even spare the Villain a glance as he picked up the documents one by one.
‘Are these really that important?’
After staring at them briefly, Hyeonyul tilted his head.
They looked very familiar.
‘They are similar to the removal list the team leader gave me this morning.’
Hyeonyul took the list from his shadow and compared the two.
No matter how many times he checked, people on the lists overlapped.
Hyeonyul thought for a moment, then gave a faint laugh.
Footnotes:
“Hyungnim” is a respectful Korean form of “older brother,” used here to signal familiarity.
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