WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Dionysus

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The Newbie Civil Servant Hunts Villains Before Going Home ◈

Chapter 8: Scouted (2)

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* * *

* * *

Seo Hyeonyul got off the bus.

For two days, he watched movies he had been putting off, bought groceries, and even cooked for himself for the first time in ages.

After living the way he had been unable to for years, he wondered whether there could be a more enjoyable job than this.

And he would get to enjoy it even more from now on.

He knew he had come to work, yet he felt light on his feet.

“Hey.”

Someone approached, calling out to him.

He was a large, muscular middle-aged man.

Aside from his wrinkled face, his neat clothes and slicked-back hair made him look like the owner of a large building.

‘It’s the person I saw then?’

Hyeonyul stared blankly at him.

“I’m Yang Dojin, leader of Team Two.”

Dojin confidently held out a hand.

Hyeonyul’s gaze dropped to it.

“I’m...”

“Come to Team Two.”

Dojin grinned confidently.

‘Do I look like an easy target for recruitment?’

Hyeonyul nearly scoffed.

It had not even been a full day since he received the unusual recruitment offer of a poison-coated business card.

And now a Black Eagle team leader was making him an offer.

‘Why is this team leader making me an offer? I know I’m exactly the sort of talent villains need, but I’m not the sort Black Eagle needs.’

Hyeonyul’s eyes sharpened slightly as he looked at Dojin.

‘...Is he a spy?’

Why would there not be villains planted inside Black Eagle?

Even a team leader could be one.

“Did you not hear me clearly?”

After briefly watching a passing bus, Dojin wondered if he had spoken too quietly and opened his mouth again.

“Become my teammate, Seo Hyeonyul.”

Dojin flashed a broad grin, showing his teeth.

He confidently pointed at himself with his thumb.

“I was the first person to vote in favor of you becoming part of Black Eagle.”

Hyeonyul did not know why he was revealing that here, and it made him suspicious.

It felt as though Dojin was using him to make some fact known to someone.

Who was he trying to make aware of it?

“I remember. I was grateful then.”

“I don’t know if Haeryeon explained it, but the revote this time was a complete mess.”

Yesterday, there had been a revote.

“Before the vote, I’d like to say something. Please make your decision after reviewing the mission Seo Hyeonyul completed today.”

Haeryeon had spoken firmly before the vote began.

It was something a new hire could never accomplish, even if they died and came back to life.

“A revote? I joined fairly.”

“That’s right. You did. The other team leaders were so damn petty that they started a revote. Three in favor, two against, and two abstentions. You won by one vote.”

At that, Hyeonyul’s eye twitched.

Two abstentions.

Two against.

Those abstentions could not really be considered neutral.

‘They’re just watching the situation. In reality, four people oppose me.’

Unable to discard their dignity even as the revote began, they must have abstained first.

‘Then they’ll pick at every little thing to force me out of here?’

Hyeonyul lowered the corners of his mouth, which had nearly risen.

‘They must be struggling this hard because they want to die.’

How strong would team leaders be?

Hyeonyul was curious.

“I can protect you.”

At the abrupt words, Hyeonyul looked up.

Dojin met his eyes with an unwavering gaze.

“Is that so?”

But Hyeonyul did not believe him.

Even if he seemed sincere, he did not believe him.

Dojin laughed loudly at Hyeonyul’s answer.

He too had crossed the line between life and death countless times, and Hyeonyul had likely done the same.

How could someone trust words so easily?

“I’m not telling you to decide now. Think it over slowly. There’s nothing strange about transferring teams. In the meantime, I’ll show you my sincerity...”

“Team Leader Dojin!”

A sharp voice suddenly rang out from somewhere.

A short woman came running over.

Dojin looked at her with an expression that already said she was a nuisance.

‘Her eyes really are something else.’

Dojin did not even move his lips.

He knew she could read everything.

“Team Leader, that was an extremely dangerous thing to say.”

“What was? What did I say?”

“You know how good my eyes are, right? The moment I saw what you said, I ran here from the entrance!”

When the woman pointed somewhere, Hyeonyul turned his head.

‘That’s... where people board the Eagle. She saw us from there?’

It was over fifteen minutes away on foot.

Hyeonyul studied the woman with reddish, medium-length hair.

Just how good was her eyesight?

“You’ve confirmed once again that your eyes are good.”

As though used to situations like this, Dojin brushed it off.

“Team Leader, the new hire is our teammate. Ours. That was decided clearly.”

‘Team Three?’

Only then did Hyeonyul understand why the woman was interfering.

She was on the same team.

“I know. He’s your teammate for now. But you need to hear about the situation properly too.”

“What situation?”

At Dojin’s noticeably gentler words, the woman looked at him with calmer eyes.

“Wait, wait!”

A familiar voice rang out.

“Haeryeon, you look rushed.”

Dojin looked at Haeryeon with a subtle smile.

“...Nayun, could you take Hyeonyul with you first?”

Haeryeon spoke quietly to Nayun.

“Okay.”

Nayun looked around, then nodded.

This situation was not good for a new hire.

Regardless of the reason, having two team leaders present would be quite frightening.

‘The new hire, I...’

Nayun stopped mid-thought as she looked at Hyeonyul.

Even though he was being discussed, he was as quiet as though he were listening to a conversation about someone else.

‘...He’s frozen because he’s scared, right?’

Nayun blinked, then clenched her fist.

‘I’m the senior here.’

It had been so long since she had a new hire.

She absolutely had to protect him.

“Let’s go.”

Even at Nayun’s urging, Hyeonyul politely greeted Dojin and Haeryeon.

“I’ll be on my way first.”

Dojin and Haeryeon returned the proper greeting, and only then did Hyeonyul urge Nayun onward.

After they disappeared, Haeryeon gave Dojin a light smile.

“Team Leader Dojin. Good morning. Your voice is quite loud too. It was so loud I could hear it all the way from back there.”

“It is a good morning, Haeryeon. You must have been sleeping with both legs stretched out lately.”

“Of course. I’ve been sleeping with both legs stretched out lately.”

“I didn’t know you were this quick.”

“Didn’t you?”

“Going to defuse a bomb with Seo Hyeonyul, you not only made him an offer right there, but also declared at the meeting that you would take him immediately.”

“That’s a misunderstanding. Team Leader Dojin, you never said you wanted to take Hyeonyul, did you?”

As Haeryeon’s smile lengthened, Dojin laughed loudly.

“I left my post to rescue my teammate.”

“You should rescue your teammate. That’s why you’re a team leader.”

“I’m glad you’re sincere, but don’t let your guard down.”

“I’ll handle that myself...”

“Protect him well.”

Dojin smiled faintly.

Haeryeon’s eyes widened.

Unlike before, those were not merely casual words.

“What do you mean by that?”

Haeryeon lowered her voice.

Dojin’s gaze briefly shifted elsewhere.

Just as Haeryeon was about to look in that direction, Dojin chuckled and said,

“If you don’t want me to steal him from you.”

“I’ll protect him. He’s my teammate.”

Haeryeon answered while looking at Dojin.

Knowing Dojin as she did, she sensed another meaning behind his words.

‘...So someone is watching us right now, and he’s telling me to find them myself?’

Haeryeon blew puff at the hair that had fallen over her face.

‘I expected it wouldn’t be easy for Hyeonyul to adjust here, but I didn’t think trouble would start already.’

Haeryeon found this situation rather interesting.

A group without change could only wither away, so Hyeonyul had inadvertently stirred things up.

“Right. That’s what you should do.”

“I will.”

Haeryeon smiled brightly.

She was always grateful for advice like that.

* * *

“...I’m Choo Nayun. I’m on Team Three too.”

As they walked, Nayun introduced herself.

It looked like a very natural thing to do, but Hyeonyul felt differently.

The situation itself felt burdensome.

He already felt drained.

“...Seo Hyeonyul.”

“You were surprised that I recognized you, right?”

“Yes.”

Nayun giggled at Hyeonyul’s answer.

Was he an honest person?

“I pestered Sinu until he told me what the new hire joining this time looked like. That’s how I recognized you at a glance. My eyes are really good.”

“When did Baek Sinu hyung take a picture of me?”

As Hyeonyul’s expression began to turn cold, Nayun hurriedly held out her phone.

[Baek Sinu (Psycho): Hyeonyul?]

[Baek Sinu (Psycho): Black hair, and how should I put it? He looks like he’s already lived through everything the world has to offer. Anyway, someone who stands around alone acting all grave. That’s Hyeonyul.]

When she showed him the messages, Hyeonyul’s eyes immediately narrowed.

“...Do I really stand around alone acting all grave?”

“Yes! ...Ah, no. No, you don’t!”

Nayun started to affirm, then hurriedly shook her head.

She let out an awkward laugh and unobtrusively took a step back.

“Anyway, isn’t it important that I recognized you right away? Some people don’t have much of an atmosphere, but having an atmosphere is impressive, right?”

Nayun spoke with both thumbs raised timidly.

But Hyeonyul’s furrowed brow did not relax.

Trying to explain meant it was true.

“I can’t tell you how happy I was when I saw you from afar. I don’t know if Team Leader or Sinu told you, but we’re always short-staffed. A new hire joined us. I’m really, really happy!”

Nayun’s rapid stream of words and increasingly bright voice had a strange power that made Hyeonyul forget what had just happened.

In particular, Nayun’s clear, dark-green eyes were almost too bright to bear.

“Is that so...?”

Hyeonyul lowered his gaze slightly.

At the same response, Nayun stared at Hyeonyul for a moment.

‘Is he very shy?’

Nayun quietly giggled to herself.

When she walked ahead, Hyeonyul followed.

“By the way, Hyeonyul, why did you become part of Black Eagle?”

“Why are you curious about that?”

“Because we’re teammates. For your information, I was recruited through a special hiring process.”

Nayun spoke as though whispering.

“Really?”

“Yes. We’re alike, right?”

Nayun’s smile widened.

She looked at Hyeonyul’s unchanging expression and pointed to her eyes.

“It’s thanks to these eyes. I worked hard to report villains after seeing their wanted posters. I’m probably still number one in reporting rates.”

Nayun spoke proudly before walking ahead again.

‘Is power concentrated in her eyes?’

Hyeonyul considered it for a moment.

Even in a world where most people were born with power, it was surely unusual for power to be concentrated in a particular place.

Hyeonyul was about to answer when he felt gazes on him.

White Sparrows moved about here and there.

They seemed quite busy, but Hyeonyul could feel them glancing his way.

‘They said people could clearly tell we were Team Three even if we looked different, right?’

Why would they deliberately stare even while knowing they were Team Three?

It seemed the rumor was spreading.

‘Let’s see how far the rumor goes.’

Hyeonyul decided to wait.

The more tails there were, the more likely the head would appear in person.

“Ah! Do you want to become a noble?”

Nayun looked at Hyeonyul expectantly.

Her dark-green eyes grew round.

“How could I become a noble?”

Hyeonyul asked instead.

There were nobles in this world.

They were simply a modern kind of nobility.

It was a rank created for benefits, without social discrimination.

Even with the immense benefits, no one could become a noble casually.

It was like receiving a medal of honor.

“Black Eagle members can. It isn’t written in the job posting, but it was a condition the Empire set when Black Eagle was founded. The person who makes the greatest contribution to exterminating villains can rise to the rank of noble. Of course, no one has actually done that yet. There are still villains everywhere, after all.”

It was information Hyeonyul had not known.

Nobility.

Hyeonyul had not the slightest interest in it.

“I simply hate villains.”

Hyeonyul answered with a long breath.

There was no need to say anything more.

Nayun immediately held out her phone.

“...?”

Hyeonyul’s eyes widened.

“If there’s anything you don’t know, ask me anytime. I’ll answer whenever you want. I...”

“Nayun!”

Someone called Nayun.

“Ah! Hello!”

Nayun waved both hands at the manager in greeting.

Hyeonyul did not know whether she was simply friendly or knew a lot of people.

Either way, he did not want attention gathering on him.

Hyeonyul tried to pass by as though he did not know her, but someone caught the hem of his clothes.

“Will you give me your number?”

Nayun looked at him with sparkling eyes.

She looked ready to hold on if he refused.

“Is this normally how it works? Baek Sinu... no, Baek Sinu hyung asked for my number too.”

Nayun rolled her eyes for a moment before grinning.

“Of course. This is how it normally works.”

“Is that so?”

Hyeonyul was unconvinced, but entered his number anyway.

“You call Sinu hyung, so you can call me noona too. I’m the same age as Sinu.”

“...Pardon?”

“Surprising, right? Baek Sinu looks older than he is. So, will you call me that?”

“...”

When Hyeonyul could not say anything, Nayun stared at him with mischief-filled eyes.

* * *

‘...Why does she know so many people?’

Hyeonyul was already tired, despite not having completed a mission yet.

Simply walking with Nayun drew all kinds of attention.

At first, he thought it might be his imagination, but after three steps, she greeted someone passing by.

Then three more steps, and she greeted another acquaintance.

Eventually, Haeryeon even joined them.

How had they become friendly with so many people while disguised like that?

“Do you... want coffee?”

Haeryeon stopped making coffee and looked at Hyeonyul.

He already looked exhausted.

“No, thank you. I’ve simply learned that there are a lot of people here.”

At Hyeonyul’s words, Sinu, who had arrived first, looked at Haeryeon in surprise.

Team Leader, you sent Nayun with Hyeonyul?

The look was so obvious that Haeryeon finally looked sheepish.

She had been distracted because of Dojin.

In a way, Nayun and Hyeonyul were complete opposites.

“Hey, Baek Sinu. Why are you looking at Team Leader like that? Do you think I ate Hyeonyul or something?”

“You only talked a little, right?”

When Sinu asked, Nayun rolled her eyes.

“...Of course. I only talked a little, in my own way. It’s just that a lot of people recognize me.”

Hyeonyul was inwardly astonished by Nayun’s answer.

‘That... was only a little?’

“Hyeonyul, just a moment.”

The moment Haeryeon saw Hyeonyul’s stiffening expression, she urgently gestured to him.

Hyeonyul followed Haeryeon into the room with that same stiff expression.

“That information about Shin Daeho you gave me yesterday.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll correct it.”

At the reflexive words, Haeryeon was so surprised that she waved both hands.

“...Ah, no. It’s not that.”

“Aren’t you pointing out an incorrect part?”

“We’re still comparing and analyzing it. How could I point out an error already? And even if something is wrong, there’s no reason to criticize you, so don’t worry. I called you in because of the meeting that was urgently arranged before we left work yesterday.”

“The revote?”

“So you heard. Yes, there was a revote. This will never happen again, so...”

“I’ll handle anything related to Shin Daeho.”

“What?”

“Didn’t they say something about proving trust, or whatever, even with the revote?”

Those words would stop only after everyone who said them had been completely chilled.

Hyeonyul flexed his fingers, wondering who he should kill first.

“That’s all bullshit, so you don’t need to care. Those words will disappear completely after the results of this revote.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think so. I know people will keep talking. If that’s the case, it’ll be faster for me to show them.”

Hyeonyul spoke as though this was not the first time he had faced such mistreatment.

Haeryeon pressed firmly at her brow before lowering her hand.

How much had he suffered?

“Hyeonyul.”

“Yes.”

“No matter what people say, I’ll handle it.”

Haeryeon’s dark-brown eyes sharpened.

“I’ll crush them. So think about yourself, Hyeonyul. You need to adjust.”

Why?

Hyeonyul could not easily accept Haeryeon’s words and attitude.

He had always needed to handle his own problems.

But Hyeonyul gave a small smile as he answered.

If he could not understand something, it was better to smooth it over with a smile.

“Understood. I have something to tell you as well. Is that all right?”

“Tell me quickly.”

“Two days ago, a villain came to see me. It was after you sent me that text message.”

“...What?”

Haeryeon was startled.

A villain had come to him.

“...You haven’t changed homes? No, wait, I never told you about that. What is this? Have I lost my mind?”

Haeryeon grimaced.

She grabbed her voluminous permed hair tightly with both hands.

Usually there was no need to change homes, but Hyeonyul was different.

He had once worked for a company run by villains.

Naturally, villains would come to that home address.

“I thought they wouldn’t come looking for me if they knew I had joined Black Eagle. It seems my thinking was too simple.”

“How would a villain know that you joined Black Eagle? That’s the bigger problem.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. Why would smartwatches have magic that blurs recognition?”

“If that’s the case, I think this is a good opportunity to identify villains hiding inside, or people working with villains.”

Hyeonyul smiled, and Haeryeon was slightly surprised.

‘Did he hear what I said to Team Leader Dojin? No.’

He could not have heard.

Hyeonyul had clearly been walking with Nayun.

‘If not, could he has already anticipated this strange movement inside?’

He was no ordinary person.

Haeryeon’s eyes shone with interest, making her wonder what rank Hyeonyul had held and what work he had done in the past.

“That’s true. It’s a good opportunity.”

“Groups with a clean interior are rare. I can help you.”

Hyeonyul wanted to prove his usefulness.

Haeryeon was his team leader and, if necessary, someone who could become his shield.

Hyeonyul intended to establish his value first, then handed over the business card he had received before.

“What is this...”

“Don’t touch it. It’s coated in poison.”

“Poison? ...Poison?”

“Yes. There’s nothing on the front or back except a number.”

“They coated a business card... with poison?”

Haeryeon’s eyebrow twitched.

Where had she seen that before?

‘...Ah.’

Those who sought to bring down the Empire were broadly called villains, but naturally, there were leaders even among villains.

Each had their own alias.

‘The Poison King.’

Haeryeon’s fingers tightened.

One of the major figures.

The Poison King had made Hyeonyul a recruitment offer.

“The Poison King approached you, Hyeonyul?”

Haeryeon asked in disbelief.

How could that possibly make sense?

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