Chapter 1
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: How to Get Close to a Witch
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Series: Administration.
Grade: 9th Grade.
We sincerely congratulate Nam Dowon on passing the final civil servant exam.
My heart felt like it was about to stop from the tension, but right in front of it was the result clearly stating that I had passed.
Grade 9 Public Recruitment.
People often said it only took one to three years, and I thought I'd done pretty well on the exam myself.
But still, I'd tried to kill any expectations of passing right after high school graduation.
...Maybe all that effort to rack up good karma in my senior year paid off.
I clenched my trembling hands into fists from the joy and let out a satisfied breath.
"This is why managing expectations is the most important thing in the world..."
Just in case, I hit refresh, but the screen stayed the same.
You're definitely passed the civil servant exam, so instead of losing your shit like this, go prep those documents.
After double-checking everything, I flopped onto my bed, drowning in a rush of pleasant dopamine.
...Huh, so that's what my bedroom ceiling light looks like.
It'd been ages since I'd lain down in the bright daylight staring at the ceiling.
This must be what they call the leisure of an adult—something my friends, who finished their college entrance exams and were grinding away at university, would never understand.
"Gotta brag to the guys in a bit..."
Thanks to that, I lounged contentedly on the bed.
But if I faced reality even a little, I knew civil servant jobs these days weren't exactly seen as "good gigs."
Job security until retirement came at the cost of stress in every other aspect, or so they said.
The pitiful pay was common knowledge, even to kids passing by.
And the internet was flooded with ridiculous stories of malicious complaints.
That led to pointless comparisons with other jobs' salaries or worries about whether this hamster-wheel life suited me...
"...Tch."
But right now, I just wanted to savor the joy of not having to job-hunt anymore.
I was just pulling my thick winter blanket over and grabbing my smartphone when...
"...Hm?"
My quiet phone suddenly blared a piercing beep.
It was the emergency disaster alert tone.
3 M0 Grade Monsters detected 1km west of the National Central Museum. Evacuate promptly.
M0 Grade Monsters were the lowest tier, ones even regular folks who liked exercising could handle without needing a witch's help.
"Ah, damn. Thought something big went down..."
I saw the apology for the false alarm and promptly forgot the brief annoyance.
1
After passing the civil servant exam, they said assignment to a department would come via phone call.
A quick search showed some people waited up to three months.
So no need to rush; better to stay relaxed.
What to do while waiting?
Gym and games were getting stale.
I'd jerked off enough to last a lifetime—
That was about two weeks ago.
"Apprentice Witch Rehabilitation Support Department?"
- Yes, that's correct.
Unlike what I'd read, I got my appointment notice way faster than expected.
Though it was to some unheard-of place called the Apprentice Witch Rehabilitation Support Department, not a community center.
"Hmm."
The woman's voice on the phone sounds amazing.
I fantasized she might be super pretty, but back to reality.
No training academy, sudden assignment, and to "apprentice witches" of all things?
What even was the point?
I tilted my head in doubt.
Women who wielded magic beyond scientific understanding, looking just like humans otherwise.
Witches had emerged from the shadows to mingle with humans long ago.
Over a thousand years by verifiable history.
Middle Ages in the West, Goryeo Dynasty here.
And what they'd done since: hunt monsters.
Monsters pouring endlessly from the Void, handled by witches instead of frail humans.
Call it what you want, but humans had been under their care for ages.
Nowadays, firearms handled low levels, but compared to a skilled witch flicking her finger? Cost-effectiveness was laughable.
Plus, witches seemed to hunt for the thrill, not rewards, always aiding humans—or so I'd learned.
That's what I thought, anyway.
"Got it. Sorry for all the questions, but starting tomorrow, right?"
- Yes.
"Confirmed..."
- Alright then...
...Witches.
Supporting apprentice witches' rehabilitation, no less?
Like, "My teen apprentice is acting up; please discipline her"?
"This is ridiculous..."
But ignoring "rehabilitation" felt off too.
Just helping witches? Even more absurd.
What good was this department?
Reporting monster sightings? Witches probably sensed those themselves.
Monsters got graded the moment they emerged from the Void, per witch intel.
Combat? Forget it.
Fighter jets overhead would just complicate targeting.
So, support from the rear?
Massaging a witch's shoulders after a hard fight?
What could I even do from behind?
...Ah, meat shield in emergencies.
Though I'd be too squishy for monsters; shredded in seconds.
"...I wanted more money, but not danger pay."
After agonizing, I sighed and flipped the appointment notice.
Nothing new there.
Searching online? Worse—suggested legal rehab programs instead.
No such department existed, apparently.
"Phone call was real, so not a prank..."
No friends with that voice, and faking mail plus a call? I'd play along if so.
Barring that, I was really assigned to this mystery department.
"...What the hell."
Am I dreaming?
I pinched my cheeks—nothing.
Truth tomorrow at sunrise.
I slept early to avoid being late and arrived at City Hall with time to spare—maybe too much.
Told to start at 9, it was only 8.
Flexible hours meant people around. Good; someone to ask directions.
"Elevator to the 14th floor, then ask around..."
I stood by the elevator, looking every bit the anxious newbie.
It arrived quickly.
Just hit 14.
Buttons stopped at 13.
"...What?"
"Nam Dowon?"
That's when a voice came from empty space behind me.
I spun, startled, to see an unfamiliar woman smiling softly right there.
And pretty.
Really pretty.
I'd glimpsed celebrities up close before, but she drew the eye more.
As I froze, she met my gaze with beautiful golden eyes under black hair.
"Early arrival?"
"Y-yeah. Didn't want to be late..."
"I see."
...Did I answer her "Nam Dowon?" question?
Didn't recall, so she must know already.
I cleared my throat hastily.
Her voice matched the phone call yesterday—gorgeous, and my vague fantasy of her looks was spot on.
"......"
Doesn't explain her sudden appearance.
Ghost? Teleporting witch?
"Remember me saying 14th floor yesterday?"
"...Sorry, but no 14 button..."
"Right there."
"......?"
A new "14" gleamed at the top.
From then, one certainty hit.
"Shall I brief you on the department on the way up?"
Her name tag confirmed it.
Apprentice Witch Rehabilitation Support Department Team Leader.
Eve Lycaon.
"...Please do."
She's a witch too.