The Civil Servant Who Conceals Her Power Is Too Good at Possession Chapter 19

“What do you mean by ‘handle it moderately’…?”

 

That’s Kwon Ikseong in front of me, right? Not Pi Sowon.

 

“I mean exactly what I said. Pressure is coming from above. It seems Daeyoung wants to make sure Choi Woojin doesn’t make it into the press.”

 

“But Choi Woojin was at the site of an illegal weapons trafficking operation.”

 

The situation feels reversed.

 

In the original story, wasn’t it usually Kwon Ikseong who insisted on ‘principles,’ while the other side told him to take it easy?

 

“But Choi Woojin is a civilian. He’s not a hunter.”

 

Ah, right.

 

At this point in the timeline, Choi Woojin was disguising himself as unawakened.

 

There had been a few close calls, but thanks to his remarkable connections and manipulative skills, he had gotten through them. Even when he raided the subspace that day, he had deliberately used high-priced items that even non-awakened individuals could wield.

 

Just so he wouldn’t leave a trail. 

 

“If we push too hard on Choi Woojin, we’ll likely face retaliation instead.”

 

Kwon Ikseong’s brow furrowed.

 

In the original story, Kwon Ikseong had his own backstory.

 

Five years ago, while working in the secret information management team under the Hunter Administration Bureau, he had dug into corruption within the Daeyoung Guild. Things went south, and he was dispatched to the Hunter Investigation Unit.

 

It was a form of demotion. 

 

Kwon Ikseong looked at me with a face that seemed to recall the things that happened back then. 

 

“…I heard you caught a terrorist.”

 

“That was more of a coincidence…”

 

“I also heard you succeeded in arresting the Chairman of Jeongmun High.”

 

“That was, well…… rather than saying I did it……”

 

A result that just happened to follow?

 

I wanted to say that, but considering our team’s track record went from zero cases to two because of it, the Chairman’s arrest was indeed part of the achievement. 

 

“There was a time when Team Leader Pi was overflowing with a sense of duty as well, much like Investigator Lee Yuji.”

 

Had the two of them known each other for a long time? 

 

As I wondered about the nuanced implication in his words, Kwon Ikseong continued.

 

“I believe that investigators with a sense of duty must be able to work in this organization for a long time. I suppose that’s why the first principle of the Hunter Investigation Bureau’s service creed exists.” 

 

Principles.

 

At those words, the service creed I’d recited during training came to mind. The first principle of that creed was— 

 

An investigator values their own life above all else.

 

…!

 

Does that mean touching Daeyoung is that dangerous?

 

Before I could even ask, he handed over the file in front of him and stood up.

 

“Investigator Lee Yuji is already an investigator being watched by the higher-ups. Handle it moderately. If something needs to be handled immoderately, I’ll be the one to do it.”

 

Wait, why are the higher-ups watching me……? 

 

More importantly—was he looking out for me just now?

 

“I’m not even on your team…… I don’t know why you’re looking out for me like this.” 

 

By the time I asked, we were already standing in front of the interrogation room. Kwon Ikseong quietly looked down at me.

 

‘…He’s handsome.’

 

This was the problem with having a conversation with my favorite character.   

 

The moment I see his face, all the questions inside me vanish into a white void, leaving only the sentiment that he is handsome. 

 

“Didn’t I just tell you? I want members with a sense of duty to remain in the organization for a long time.” 

 

His tone was dry, but there was warmth somewhere beneath it.

 

Exactly the version of my favorite character that I loved. 

 

“First, survive. That’s the only way…… to eventually win.” 

 

However, the shadow that crossed his face when he said that last part was something I had never once encountered in text.

 

“Only ask the questions in the file. Do not engage in any other small talk. Absolutely.” 

 

He opened the interrogation room door for me, then entered through the other door himself.

 

The moment I stepped inside, I saw the man sitting crookedly in his chair, waiting.

 

“It’s even nicer to see you here like this, Investigator. Back then, it was a bit, how should I put it……” 

 

The corner of his mouth curved up slowly.

 

In contrast, his eyes did not smile at all.

 

Light brown irises flashing, sharp as a fox’s.

 

“……A bit chaotic, wasn’t it? Right?” 

 

‘Do not engage in any other small talk. Absolutely.’ 

 

I swallowed, recalling Kwon Ikseong’s warning.

 

The presence of the camera behind me suddenly felt magnified.

 

CCTV in every direction.

 

Somewhere beyond that glass window, Kwon Ikseong would be watching this exchange.

 

And right now… I was about to begin a conversation with the protagonist of this novel—a regressor—while being a possessor myself.

 

‘Damn it.’

 

It was a total disaster.

 

* * *

 

However, there were too many difficulties in following Kwon Ikseong’s instructions.

 

“Name.”

 

“Your name is Lee Yuji, right?”

 

“…”

 

The first question was already an obstacle.

 

Choi Woojin, a hidden S-rank hunter, possessed countless abilities—but the most frightening of them all was his monstrously high Intelligence stat.

 

Thanks to that, he could manipulate people not just as a hunter, but using knowledge from various worlds.

 

That was also why he had been able to operate as a hacker under the alias “Gamer.”

 

“Since your personal details are already in the documents, I’ll verify them with those.”

 

“Ah, Team Leader Kwon told you not to answer my questions, didn’t he? To do exactly as it’s written.” 

 

Leaning forward with both arms on the table, Choi Woojin wore a playful smile.

 

With his lips pouting slightly, he delivered a line beyond imagination.

 

“I’m disappointed. I wanted to become friends with the investigator.”

 

Why do you want to get close to me? I don’t want that!

 

You didn’t even have to come here, but you came on purpose.

 

Despite being the grandson of a first-generation Korean hunter, you’re doing this! 

 

‘A lot of things are getting tangled up because of you in this life.’ 

 

That strange nuance resurfaced, sending chills down my spine.

 

If Choi Woojin remembered the ‘Lee Yuji’ of his previous life, he might detect differences in me now.

 

I looked down at the file, feeling incredibly tense. 

 

“When you entered the subspace, were you aware that it was a site where illegal weapons trafficking was taking place?”

 

I asked in a rigid voice. Choi Woojin leaned back slightly.

 

He seemed to think for a moment, then spoke with a faintly indulgent tone—as if humoring me.

 

“No. I didn’t know.”  

 

His first answer!

 

I made a brief note in the file. It wasn’t like I needed to—everything was being recorded.

 

As for the partially destroyed subspace interior, he had already claimed he “accidentally tampered with an item,” so there wasn’t much need to press further—

 

‘Of course, that’s a blatant lie.’

 

“Then how did you obtain the item that allows entry into the subspace?”

 

“I have a DJ friend I’m close with.” 

 

It was an answer that reeked of a low-life punk just from hearing it, but……. 

 

‘This was all a mask, too.’

 

“Did that DJ personally…… the item……”

 

“The DJ gave it to me, saying it was something Kevin Hyung-nim left behind.” 

 

My hand, holding the pen, froze midair.

 

I looked up at Choi Woojin.

 

“When you say Kevin…”

 

“His Korean name is Choi Mincheol. He’s my cousin.”

 

Ha.

 

Without meaning to, my gaze flicked toward the camera recording us.

 

What is this?

 

I was told not to get entangled with Daeyoung at all—

 

‘And here he is tossing out bait that’s deeply entangled. Choi Woojin.’

 

Choi Mincheol was the grandson of Choi Jungu, head of the Daeyoung Guild, and an A-rank hunter.

 

He was also a figure being watched as the next power player of the Daeyoung Guild, to the point where rumors were secretly spreading that Choi Jungu considered him the successor.

 

‘In the novel, he did a lot of horrible things, too.’

 

The true “delinquent” grandson of Choi Jungu was originally him.

 

“It seems he bought a few things there……. Did Kevin Hyung-nim come too? Ah, is he in the States right now, so he couldn’t make it?” 

 

I could do nothing but stare at Choi Woojin.

 

Should I take the candy he was lining up and become the fish hooked onto his line? Or follow Kwon Ikseong’s instructions to the letter?

 

My head throbbed with indecision.

 

Then Choi Woojin spoke.

 

“But aren’t you really curious? Why do I want to get close to you, Investigator?”

 

“That’s….”

 

Damn it.

 

I almost responded before catching myself and closing my mouth.

 

But Choi Woojin’s eyes gleamed, as if convinced I had already taken the bait.

 

“I had a feeling the moment I saw you.”

 

I don’t care what kind of feeling it is, so could you please just ignore it?

 

“…”

 

“A feeling that Investigator Lee Yuji is going to become someone important in my life.”

 

He said it lightly.

 

And at that same moment, a window appeared in front of me.

 

Status Effect: ‘Nameless Extra in a Crime Novel Must Die’ activated!

 

Quest: ‘Expose the crimes of Choi Mincheol! (A)’

 

-Completion Reward: 7,000 gold

 

-Failure: Death by dismemberment

 

-Time Limit: 7 days

 

Important person, my foot!