Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 025
Chapter Title: To the Special Countermeasures Division
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After Ahn Su-ho's exam concluded. In the conference room of the Academy Security Force headquarters building.
Even though they were supposed to decide his pass or fail by vote, all eleven men and women seated there remained completely silent.
They were busy sorting through their thoughts on the unprecedented incident of an E-Rank superhuman defeating a Special Countermeasures Division agent. It was also because the Academy President and Chairman were present together, so everyone held back from speaking.
"......This is frustrating. If no one else will speak first, I'll go."
The one who broke the silence was a black man over two meters tall, covered in thick muscles. His name was Marco Jackson, the team leader of Special Countermeasures Division Team 9.
"No need to even think about it. If Ahn Su-ho had lost, that'd be one thing, but he won overwhelmingly. So I'm in favor!"
He didn't like how the team leaders and division heads were peeking at each other and staying pettily silent. As he swept his envious gaze over the room, the other team leaders finally began voicing their opinions one by one.
Most sided with Marco in favor of passing. However, there were some opposing voices.
"I'm against it. An E-Rank superhuman joining the Special Countermeasures Division? That's absurd."
The opposing voice came from Team 5 Leader Go Da-eun, who had been the first along with Oh Tae-seong to oppose Ahn Su-ho's personnel transfer.
"You're a rank worshiper now, huh? It's a fact that Ahn Su-ho beat Choi Jin-hyuk in the end. What's your problem?"
"A superhuman's rank isn't determined solely by combat ability. A rank represents their overall qualities as a superhuman. No matter how much that Ahn Su-ho guy beat Choi Jin-hyuk, there must be some flaw in him as a superhuman for his rank to be what it is."
"Bullshit."
Go Da-eun glared sharply at Marco's crude remark. Marco responded with an unpleasant smirk.
"For different reasons than Team Leader Go Da-eun, I'm also against it."
"Huh? Kim Byung-chul, what's your deal?"
In response to Marco's question, Team 8 Leader Kim Byung-chul spoke calmly. He too had backed Oh Tae-seong's opposition as a team leader.
"The Special Countermeasures Division is a meritocracy based on skill. From that perspective, Ahn Su-ho's combat record is somewhat understandable. But as an organization, we must also consider internal morale and external reputation."
"Internal morale, fine. But reputation? Is that really that important?"
"It is. Just look at how the General Division is treated externally."
A sharp jab like a poisoned arrow. The General Division head glared at him, but Kim Byung-chul remained unfazed.
Unable to stand it any longer, Security Force Captain Kim Su-hyun spoke up.
"Team Leader 8. Watch your words."
"......My apologies. General Division Head. My statement was a bit extreme."
It was extreme, but not false. His attitude seemed to say as much, which burned the General Division head up inside.
"......The team leaders are split 4-2. Now, what about the two division heads?"
"I abstain."
The response came from the laid-back Special Countermeasures Division head. As attention focused on his neither-yes-nor-no stance, he shrugged it off casually.
"I don't know much about politics like morale or reputation. So, I abstain. The rest of you decide."
"Noted on the Special Countermeasures Division head's opinion. What about you, General Division head?"
"......I'll vote against."
"I see. Purely by votes, that's 4 in favor, 3 against, 1 abstain."
Even though Ahn Su-ho had won the spar, opinions were surprisingly divided. It probably meant the idea of an E-Rank superhuman transferring to the Special Countermeasures Division was that unpalatable. They'd adopted a vote system regardless of the outcome to leave room even if he lost, but it left Kim Su-hyun in a tough spot.
'Two votes left besides mine.'
Kim Su-hyun's gaze turned to the Chairman and President. The two highest-ranking people here, with the strongest voices, had remained silent without a word since earlier.
"......What do you think, Chairman?"
Kim Su-hyun and the Chairman's eyes met. Everyone knew the two were father and son. Naturally, all eyes turned to them.
A faint smile appeared on the Chairman's lips. In this tense moment, the Chairman, who had stayed silent, finally spoke.
"I'll abstain."
"......Abstain, sir?"
"Yes. I only got a vote by chance, but I'm still an outsider. This isn't a big enough issue for me to weigh in, and Academy matters should be decided by Academy people. Right, Security Force Captain?"
The Chairman's stern gaze swept over Kim Su-hyun. It was like his father was saying: Don't rely on me—decide for yourself.
"......Thank you for your consideration. Then, President......"
"I'll abstain too. If the Chairman says that, it wouldn't be pleasant for me to voice an opinion. From the Security Force's perspective, I'm an outsider just like him."
"My apologies, President. It seems my words pressured you into this."
"No. As the Chairman said, Security Force matters should be decided by the Security Force."
"Then only your opinion remains, Security Force Captain."
The two superiors' gazes focused on Kim Su-hyun. Not just them—all eyes in the room turned to him.
If he voted yes, pass. No, a tie leading to postponement.
He didn't love having the outcome ride on his choice alone, but as an organization head, he had to get used to such situations.
As silence fell over the room, Kim Su-hyun finally spoke.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Alright, this is the Special Countermeasures Division building."
The annex connected to the main Security Force building by a skybridge.
I looked up at the pristine building, which seemed newly constructed, and followed Min Chae-ryeong's guidance inside.
If the main building housing General and Intelligence Divisions felt like offices, the annex for Special Countermeasures felt more like a fire station. Most of the first floor was a three-story hangar storing vehicles and equipment, with relatively little office space.
"The Green House Academy Security Force totals 1,073 members. Including you, there are 83 in the Special Countermeasures Division. As handpicked elites, they get higher pay and better benefits than other divisions. Plenty of vacation too, of course."
I let Min Chae-ryeong's proud rundown of perks go in one ear and out the other. Right now, I was more interested in something else than work-life balance.
"......Scan. ......Scan. ......Scan."
I quickly scanned the status windows of agents passing by. Reading down the blue holograms filling my vision, I couldn't hide my shock.
'They're even higher level than I thought.'
The Choi Jin-hyuk I'd sparred with before was small potatoes. Most agents I'd encountered so far had B-Rank or higher stats. A's were common, and even S-Ranks popped up. In superhuman terms, A-Grade—enough to be mid-tier guild execs or masters.
'Why are people like this in the Security Force?'
No matter how good the benefits, salaried work was salaried work. It couldn't compare to top hunters pulling in millions a month.
Maybe there was some advantage I didn't know about. Lost in thought, I soon arrived at Team 2's office, where Min Chae-ryeong was leader.
-Creak.
As soon as the office door opened, all the agents inside stood and turned to us. Like the military.
"At ease."
At Min Chae-ryeong's command, they sat back down and returned to work. Stunned by their disciplined movements, I followed her into the team leader's office.
"Here, take this."
Min Chae-ryeong handed me a box. Inside was a new ID badge, Special Countermeasures uniform, and various other items.
"Today's your probation day, sort of. Starting tomorrow, you'll officially fill in for So-yeon. Your mentor will explain the duties, so no worries."
"Got it. But replacing Chae So-yeon's spot—did she get fired or something?"
"So-yeon's switching to monitoring and guarding Ji Ye-won. During your day shift, she'll watch the safehouse. When you clock out, she does too."
"Ah."
I got the gist. Basically, Chae So-yeon and I were swapping jobs.
Like a rolling stone dislodging a moss-covered one.
Impressed she'd accepted, I asked. Min Chae-ryeong calmly said she hadn't explained to Chae So-yeon yet.
"I'll tell her now."
She added, then called Chae So-yeon.
-Ring ring ring. Click.
-"Yes, Team Leader! Chae So-yeon here!"
Soon, Chae So-yeon picked up, and Min Chae-ryeong patiently explained the job switch.
-"Wha? Me in charge of Ji Ye-won? Things are still awkward with her. And Ahn Su-ho taking my job? What the......"
As expected, Chae So-yeon wasn't convinced easily.
"So-yeon. I'm begging you. You're the only one I trust."
-"......Pardon?"
At that moment, Min Chae-ryeong whispered sweetly.
"You never know when Dawn Corps might strike there. With unknown enemies possibly showing up, I had to put our team's strongest fighter there. Get it?"
-"......Strongest? I'm Team 2's strongest?"
"Of course! Who else in Team 2? Pure combat-wise, you're the strongest in the Security Force. Right?"
-"Ehehe? W-Well, yeah? Combat's the one thing I'm confident in......"
"Exactly. I can entrust it to you, unlike Ahn Su-ho. You understand?"
-"Yes! Trust me, Team Leader! No matter who comes, I'll protect Ji Ye-won! Hehehe."
"Good. I'm counting on you, So-yeon. Hanging up?"
-"Yes, Team Leader!"
The call ended, and Min Chae-ryeong sighed tiredly.
"......You handle Chae So-yeon well."
"I scouted her. If I can't handle her, who can?"
"Fair enough. But is it okay leaving the safehouse fully to her? I'm a bit worried."
"Dawn Corps attack? Or Ji Ye-won escaping?"
"Both."
Min Chae-ryeong chuckled at my blunt answer.
"It'll be fine. The safehouse security and surveillance are solid. Ji Ye-won's got a tracker, so no reckless escapes. And So-yeon's reliable in combat, right?"
Her words flashed me back to Chae So-yeon rolling on the floor from one shot. Reliable? We'll see.
"I've got countermeasures for the safehouse, so don't worry. More importantly, about your duties today."
With that, Min Chae-ryeong pressed the intercom button.
"Coming in."
Soon, a neatly dressed male agent entered the team leader's office.
A bit over 180 cm tall, slim build. Slicked-back hair and intellectual rimless glasses gave off a strong brainy vibe.
"Tae-ho. This is the new recruit. Name's Ahn Su-ho. You know the rumors?"
"Yes. I'm aware."
"While So-yeon's on external duty, Su-ho will cover her spot. You were her mentor originally, so treat Su-ho as your sub-mentee and teach him well. Got it?"
"Yes. Understood."
"Su-ho, shadow Tae-ho today. Learn the building layout and watch the duties firsthand. Okay?"
"Yes, Team Leader."
"Good. Head out then. Oh, welcome to Special Countermeasures belatedly."
Leaving Min Chae-ryeong's playful wave behind, I exited the team leader's office with the agent called Tae-ho.
As soon as we stepped out, he offered a handshake.
"I'm Lee Tae-ho. Nice to work with."
"Ahn Su-ho here. Looking forward to it, Senior."
"Right. Change into the Special Countermeasures uniform in the locker room first. Then I'll show you around."
"Got it."
Following his words, I headed to the locker room in the corner of the office.
"......Hold on. Mind if I ask one thing first?"
I stopped and turned to him. He looked uneasy yet serious, so I asked casually.
"What's up?"
"Nothing big, just curious. Do you know how to use Word, Hangeul, Excel, that sort of thing?"
Out-of-left-field question. Unable to guess his intent, I nodded ambiguously.
"Yeah. I can handle them all."
"......I see. Good enough."
But he nodded in satisfaction. Tilting my head at his reaction, he smiled faintly and joked.
"......I was worried the new guy couldn't do paperwork. Glad it was just my paranoia."
I finally understood watching him sigh in genuine relief.
Right—he was originally Chae So-yeon's mentor.
'What're you saying! I never do any work even when I'm in!'
Her words from days ago echoed. I looked at him pityingly, and sensing it, he gave a weary smile.
That was the moment I grasped what Chae So-yeon's work life had been like.