Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant-Chapter 314

Solar Power.

Su-ho immediately checked the information.

[ Solar Power ]

An elemental skill drawing on the power of the sun and part of nature itself. Users of Solar Power carry the Rune of the Sun.

Always active; those who possess the Rune of the Sun receive the Sun’s blessing, increasing all stats and recovery by 1% under sunlight.

Solar Power carries traits of both fire and light attributes.

Solar Power is influenced by the user’s mana. Using it consumes an equivalent amount of mana.

Su-ho’s eyes narrowed as he read.

‘Solar Power... That’s a new one.’

Of course, Fire-users had Fire Power, Water-users had Water Power—naming conventions like that weren’t unusual.

There were also Ice Power for ice attributes and Thunder Power for lightning users, but Solar Power was truly a first.

Still, what did the name matter?

What counted wasn’t the name, but the substance.

Since Solar Power embodied both fire and light, that was more than enough. Plus—

‘A universal 1% boost to all stats and recovery under sunlight?’

It was only a 1% increase for now, but if the skill's grade rose, surely the effect would as well.

This seemed like something worth feeding to Gi Seung-hwan early on.

Su-ho then checked the Dragon Egg’s info again.

But all that had changed next to the Dragon Egg’s name was a triangle—its grade and description remained the same.

‘Looks like a claim format.’

The triangle next to the name indicated activation—or in this case, that it was claimable.

Su-ho tapped the triangle without hesitation.

[ You have learned Dragon Egg (S) from the Dragon Egg. ]

Su-ho’s eyes narrowed again.

He learned Dragon Egg... from Dragon Egg?

And that was it?

He tilted his head and opened the information window.

[ Dragon Egg ]

A destined right and inherent authority granted only to those with the blood of dragons.

To become a true dragon, one needs not only the bloodline, but the power of a true dragon. Only when all conditions are met does the path to true dragonhood begin.

All dragons are born from eggs. You are in the unhatched state. To hatch the egg, you will need the appropriate amount of experience and mana.

“......”

Su-ho was left speechless by the description.

So, after all the effort to awaken his fourth authority and even obtaining the fragment of a true dragon as one of the hidden conditions, now he needed to gather more experience and mana?

Isn’t this a scam?

The thought rose up to his throat, but Su-ho suppressed it with a sigh.

‘Well... judging from the description, the final reward probably turns me into some kind of original dragon. And becoming a dragon isn’t some cheap title you throw around.’

Not that he believed he’d literally become a dragon.

It was probably metaphorical.

After all, if the system's descriptions were taken literally, he’d already be a dragon-vampire-giant hybrid by now.

‘So how much experience and mana do I need?’

It was frustrating not to have a clear goal.

But he wasn’t too worried.

It was similar to the Guiyeong Spear situation.

‘Well, I’ll figure it out as I go.’ 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Su-ho shook his head and closed the information window.

It seemed everything was done now.

“But...”

Su-ho muttered as he looked at the towering dragon statue instead of the old marine science base.

“Is this thing just going to stay standing like that?”

It would draw way too much attention like this.

Even if the base had long since stopped serving its function.

After pondering for a while, Su-ho came to a light conclusion.

‘Eh, it’ll work out somehow.’

No one knew he’d been here, anyway.

As long as he kept his mouth shut, no one would find out.

With that thought, he checked the time.

It was time to return.

‘Might as well use the remaining time to prep a few things.’

Su-ho activated Shadow Movement to teleport back.

—or tried to. But then, a good idea popped into his head, and he jumped down to the base of the statue.

Sploosh.

Water splashed upward.

He used Cheongryubo to put some distance between himself and the statue, then took a selfie with it as the background.

Click!

‘Just in case.’

Only then did Su-ho actually activate Shadow Movement.

[ Shadow Movement activated. ]

Swoosh!

Quiet Ieodo.

All that remained now in place of the ruined marine science base was a statue symbolizing the Solar Dragon.

*

Seoul was busier than expected.

People were engrossed in preparations for the upcoming Purification-Reunification Operation, and the Grand Hunter Association had its hands full.

As Su-ho casually stepped into the Special Division, Jeong Cheol-min spotted him and shouted,

“Chief Ahn!”

Jeong Cheol-min came running like a kid greeting his dad at the door.

Su-ho grinned widely.

“Aren’t you a little too happy to see me?”

“What the hell are you saying—get over here and work!”

“Excuse me?”

“There’s a mountain of paperwork to process! I nearly died doing it alone. Get your ass over here and help!”

“Ah, yes...”

Well damn.

If he’d known this would happen, he’d have come even later.

Looking at the pile of documents assigned to him, Su-ho asked,

“Where are the kids?”

“They’re all busting their asses studying for the test.”

“Really? Mind if I check in on them for a bit?”

“You better come back, got it? Don’t try to disappear.”

“Come on, would I ever ditch work?”

“Okay, go ahead. They’re all in the multipurpose room.”

“Yes, sir.”

When he moved to the multipurpose room, everyone was seated with prep material laid out, studying intensely.

Kim Geon was the first to notice him.

“Chief, you’re here.”

The others quickly stood up and greeted him.

Su-ho smiled and gave his trademark old-man wave, gesturing for them to sit.

“Yeah, yeah. You all studying hard?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Really? Let’s put that to the test.”

He glanced around the seated group, eyes landing on Seo Gyo-won.

Seo Gyo-won’s eyes sparkled.

“I’m confident.”

“Then you’re disqualified.”

“What? Why?”

“Because you’d actually answer correctly, and that’s no fun.”

“That’s not fair!”

“It is here. I gotta pick someone I don’t expect to get it right—that’s what makes it fun.”

He wasn’t joking.

Records showed Seo Gyo-won was a strong student.

Not to mention his computer skills were excellent.

Then his eyes landed on Park Yong.

“Yong.”

“Yes, Chief.”

“Been preparing?”

“Yes, somewhat.”

“Then let’s test you. What section were you studying?”

“Finished the Management Division, just starting the Awakening Division section.”

“Then I’ll ask something from the Management Division, yeah?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Feeling confident?”

“Not particularly.”

“Come on, that won’t do. If you get all my questions right, I’ll give you a personal training session.”

“...What?”

For the first time, emotion flickered in Park Yong’s usually blank eyes.

“You serious?”

“Look at that change in your eyes—of course I’m serious. When have I ever lied?”

“Then, if I take the entire Management Division test and score perfectly, can I get two sessions?”

“...What?”

“I’m serious.”

His eyes sparkled.

This guy... he means it.

Su-ho grinned.

“Alright, sounds fun. I’ll print the Management Division test right now. Study up until I’m back.”

“Yes, sir.”

Park Yong immediately cracked open his prep notes.

Now this was the kind of motivation Su-ho liked.

He returned to the office and printed the exam.

Raising the papers, he asked,

“Anyone else want to take a test?”

Silence.

Su-ho chuckled.

“Bunch of cowards.”

At that, Gu Yeon-hwa raised her hand.

“If we get a perfect score, do we get something too?”

“What do you want? Personal training session?”

“No thanks, I’m good.”

“Then name it. I’ll listen and decide.”

“Hmm, nothing in particular... oh! If I get a perfect score, can we switch from the current training program to the original one you planned?”

“That won’t fit the schedule. Rejected.”

“Aww.”

“Then only Yong’s taking the test.”

Su-ho set a desk aside and placed the test paper on it.

“If you’re ready, begin.”

“Yes, sir.”

Park Yong picked up his pen and got to work.

Su-ho didn’t bother setting a time limit.

He didn’t need to.

He simply sat across from Park Yong, watching silently.

Others glanced at him for a bit, then quietly returned to their prep materials.

Su-ho let out a soft chuckle.

‘They say life is full of twists... you really never know with people.’

Watching Park Yong now reminded him of his past life.

The Mad Sword—Park Yong, a serial killer who sought out the world’s greatest swordsmen for life-or-death duels.

Had Su-ho not broken him early in this life, he likely would’ve walked the same path again.

So no, Su-ho didn’t regret bringing him in.

You can’t stop every disaster—but stopping the ones you can? That’s worth it.

‘And he’s a damn good asset, too.’

Some time passed. After reviewing his answers one last time, Park Yong handed over the completed test.

“All done.”

“Yeah?”

Everyone’s attention turned to them again.

Su-ho began grading on the spot.

No need ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ for an answer key—he had it memorized.

After a while, he held the sheet up.

Park Yong looked at him, visibly nervous.

Su-ho smirked.

“You got the last question wrong.”

“...What?”

“Look. On the last case study, you chose number 3, but the correct answer was 4.”

“...Ah.”

He double-checked and let out a sigh.

Then, brow furrowed, he exhaled again.

“Ha...”

“Disappointed?”

“Yes. I am.”

“Yeah, I figured. But you still did great. If you’d missed an easy one, I’d have yelled. But the last question was a killer.”

“Mistake’s a mistake.”

“You disappointed in the wrong answer or not getting the personal session?”

“...The session.”

That’s Park Yong for you.

Very on-brand for the Mad Sword.

Which made him even more endearing.

“Well, you still passed overall. You got a passing grade.”

“Thank you.”

“Then let’s go.”

“...Go where?”

“You didn’t get a perfect score, so no two sessions, but you were the first to pass. Gotta give you some reward. Come on, I’ll train you.”

“Wait... really?”

“You think I’m bluffing? Get moving before I change my mind. I’m a man of strict rewards and punishments.”

Park Yong smiled brighter than Su-ho had ever seen.

Then quickly followed.

Once the two had left, Gu Yeon-hwa shook her head.

“What is with that guy? Why’s he so obsessed with training with the Chief?”

“Spend two days sparring with the Chief’s avatar in Infinity, and that obsession’ll vanish real quick.”

“No kidding.”

The others silently nodded.

Just then—

“Is Chief Ahn here?”

It was Jeong Cheol-min.

Kim Geon replied,

“He just left to the training grounds with Park Yong.”

“Training grounds? Why?”

“He promised to give him a session if he passed the Management Division test. He’s keeping his word.”

“Goddamn it, I’m drowning in work and this guy’s out playing around again—!”

Jeong Cheol-min stormed off in a huff.