Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant-Chapter 360

Suzuki Endo.

She had begun as a mage, but with a fascination for poisons greater than anyone else’s, she became the world’s foremost poison mage.

Once she was called Japan’s “Poison Demon,” but in the end, the word that came to define her was “witch”—thanks to her distinctive cruelty.

Endo was currently ranked number three in Japan.

And not just anywhere, but directly under the Yamaguchi Guild’s chairman.

'But so what?'

At present, she was in Okinawa.

She hadn’t gone there from Tokyo for something as simple as a vacation.

It was because of the recent home invasion incident.

That incident, of course, was when Su-ho had entered her house and stolen her poisons.

Endo had told no one about it.

Because of pride.

She, who treated others with contempt as a matter of habit, had immense pride.

If word spread that someone had broken into her home without her even noticing, there could be nothing more humiliating to her. That was why she kept silent.

So, after much thought, she fled to Okinawa.

She couldn’t stand remaining in a crowded city, where, like a paranoid, everyone seemed suspicious.

From that perspective, Okinawa was quiet.

After the Great Cataclysm, its population had drastically declined, to the point that even if a few people were killed, as long as it was covered up properly, no one cared.

Endo preferred such a place.

Because she often felt it would be easier to simply kill someone who offended her.

“How very Endo-like.”

Arriving near her residence, Su-ho clicked his tongue as he looked at her mansion-like home.

Naturally, she earned plenty of money, and in Okinawa she could live nearly like royalty.

Accordingly, her Okinawan house was fortified almost to the level of a bank vault.

But what use was that?

Was Troy defeated by lacking defenses?

No, Troy fell to a mere wooden horse.

Su-ho disguised himself as Yamaguchi’s chairman, Takeda Musashi, then used Musashi’s phone to make a call.

—Why?

That was her immediate response when she picked up.

What an incredible woman.

Even if Musashi was her employer, she had the audacity to open with “Why?” instead of any courtesy.

But Su-ho didn’t mind and continued the conversation.

“There’s something urgent to discuss. I’ve just arrived in Okinawa and I’m on my way to your home. Where are you now?”

—You’re coming here right now?

“That’s right.”

—And what could possibly be so important that you show up without notice? You know I hate that.

“It’s critical.”

—Your manners, honestly... Fine. I’m home. But come alone. No attendants.

“Understood.”

He had thought of bringing a driver at least, but her demand that he come alone suited him just fine.

It meant she didn’t even trust the Yamaguchi chairman.

Pocketing Musashi’s phone, Su-ho waited the appropriate interval, then made his way to her home.

The entrance resembled that of an affluent Cheongdam residence: a stereotypical wealthy person’s detached home.

CCTV cameras covered every angle of the entrance. When he pressed the bell, the gate clicked open.

The yard was fairly spacious.

Contrary to her cruel nature, the garden was immaculate.

But something curious caught his eye.

'A doll?'

On the lawn, something was mowing the grass.

It was a doll.

More precisely, a “servant doll” made by a dollmaker—a product designed for household chores.

'In the early days after the Cataclysm, those dolls weren’t cheap... Well, still better than hiring people, I suppose.'

Suppressing a laugh, Su-ho approached the front door.

Before he could reach it, Endo appeared, dressed neatly.

“Let’s talk outside.”

“Very well.”

So she didn’t want him inside.

She had never liked letting people in, but after the home invasion, her aversion had grown worse.

They sat at a table prepared outside. Her voice was sharp as she asked:

“So, what business brings you here, Chairman, of all people?”

“A lot has happened. But isn’t it poor hospitality to offer no drink to your guest?”

“...Right.”

At his prompting, she snapped her fingers.

A servant doll appeared carrying a canned beverage. Su-ho clicked his tongue at the sight of the store-bought product.

Shaking his head, he spoke.

“Before anything else, there’s something I want to confirm. I heard you came down to Okinawa because someone trespassed into your home. Is that true?”

At once, her eyebrows twitched violently.

“What are you talking about?”

“Exactly what I said. Someone broke into your house and took your belongings. You fled to Okinawa out of fear. That’s the story I’ve heard.”

“Who the hell is spouting that nonsense?”

“Just answer. Is it true or not?”

“It’s not!”

“Truly not?”

“I said it’s not! I only came to Okinawa for ingredients that can only be gathered here. Who would dare sneak into my home?”

“I would.”

“...What?”

“I would dare. Look at me now. Haven’t I walked right into your house?”

“What are you...!”

Her pupils contracted in shock.

But Su-ho’s movement was faster.

Before she could make another move, his fingers struck her sleep point.

[ Pressure Point Technique activates. ]

Thud—

The witch collapsed.

Su-ho lifted her and carried her into the house.

Swish, swish—

The servant doll continued mowing the lawn.

Though its master had fallen, it paid no mind.

It was programmed only to do housework and obey orders. It had no function to protect or watch over its master like an AI might.

*

“Ugh...”

Endo’s consciousness returned.

As her mind cleared, she remembered Musashi attacking her and jerked violently.

Clang!

Only to realize, with a clang, that her body would not move freely.

Yet to her shock, there were no restraints.

She was simply seated on a chair, her body frozen as if paralyzed.

An incomprehensible phenomenon.

What in the world had happened to her?

Endo tried to scream.

“Mmmghhh...!”

But though she forced the sound out, her voice came out ragged, as if a heap ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) of gravel had been stuffed into her throat.

Cold sweat broke out.

Composing herself with professional discipline, she examined her surroundings.

They were familiar.

This was her own home.

Then—

“You’re awake.”

A stranger’s voice.

A stranger’s face appeared in her vision.

Su-ho.

“Mmmph!!”

Her eyes bulged.

She didn’t recognize him, but her fury at what he had done to her was unmistakable.

Watching her agitation, Su-ho felt a twinge of regret.

Not pity—regret in the sense of disappointment.

How regrettable.

If only you remembered me.

But I’m the only one who remembers.

Still, that didn’t mean he would let go of his vengeance.

Even if returning to the past meant the betrayal hadn’t yet occurred, it didn’t erase the fact that it had once happened.

Su-ho pulled up a chair and sat before her.

“Have you seen me before?”

“Mmmph!”

“As expected. You never paid much attention to TV or the internet. Always intoxicated with yourself. At one point, I even thought that was admirable. Looking back, it was just arrogance.”

“Mmmph!”

“Endo.”

He locked eyes with her coldly.

“Endo. Arrogant, rude, cruel Endo. Of everyone, I resent you the most. When you and the others plotted to betray me, you’re the one who hurt me worst.”

He still hadn’t forgotten.

That moment when her myriad poisons had eaten through his body, delivering agony like his flesh was burning alive.

“I agonized over it. How could I make you suffer the same pain I did? And in the end, the only answer was to fight poison with poison.” 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

“Mmmph!!”

“But that was its own problem. I can’t find anything as potent as the poison you used back then.”

Endo’s eyes went wide, bloodshot with fury, frustration, indignation.

But Su-ho went on.

“So I decided to use the strongest poison I could get now. Poison Dragon?”

“Sssaa?”

At his call, the Poison Dragon emerged.

When Su-ho held out his hand, the creature swelled its body and spat out an egg-shaped vial.

He examined its description.

[ Poison Crafted by Poison Dragon ]

# Created by the Poison Dragon after consuming multiple poisons.

# A compound toxin, combining venoms and deadly poisons. Extremely potent.

# To detoxify, the subject must consume the same amount of antidote made by the Poison Dragon.

It was the same as when he’d used it against the Resurgent Dragon.

That didn’t matter.

What mattered was the content, not the description.

Su-ho shook the vial and glanced around.

“This is your lab, isn’t it? I see you’ve made quite a few new poisons. I won’t let you die cleanly. You’ll be slowly poisoned, suffering as much pain as possible, until you finally expire.”

“Mmmph!”

“We’ll start with the one I prepared. Be honored—it’s the same poison that weakened the Resurgent Dragon. After that, I’ll feed your poisons to the Poison Dragon to create new ones, then use those on you. They were made from your collection anyway, but... one dose would be too merciful. Think of it as an omakase course. And savor it. Tell me which you find stronger: the poison of the past, or that of the present.”

Su-ho stepped closer.

He pried open her trembling mouth and poured the Poison Dragon’s toxin inside.

Ssshh!

The poison was so corrosive that flesh began melting as soon as it touched her mouth, vapor rising.

“AAAGHHH!!”

A guttural scream ripped from her strained vocal cords.

But Su-ho poured in the entire vial.

No neat syringe into a vein—he wasn’t interested in elegance.

After all, he himself had once received her poison not through a syringe, but from a poisoned arrowhead.

“Grrraaaaaghhh!”

As the poison took hold, she convulsed, writhing in agony.

Su-ho applied Healing Breath.

Occasionally, he cast Heal.

But he never used Recovery.

If by chance the poison were neutralized, all would be ruined.

“Now then... it’s your turn to make new poison.”

“Ssaa!”

Su-ho poured Endo’s own poisons together into a wide basin, mixing them.

He fed the blend to the Poison Dragon, which swallowed greedily, then began refining it into a new toxin.

Finished, Su-ho checked the time.

He had plenty to spare.

That was fine.

Even for someone as efficiency-driven as Su-ho, surely he could spend this much time for himself.

He wasn’t one for torture.

But this time, he would make an exception.

Su-ho sat down before her, opened a book he’d brought, and began to read.

It was going to be a long day.