The Civil Servant Who Conceals Her Power Is Too Good at Possession Chapter 48

While I was munching away and finishing the yakgwa, Kwon Ikseong spoke to Hong Jaegyeol with a stiff face.

 

“Chief. It seems highly likely that Gamer is the one who leaked the CCTV footage. We should trace Gamer…”

 

“We should. Of course we should investigate! But Investigator Lee Yuji, have you tried this drink? It’s very popular lately.” 

 

Hong Jaegyeol didn’t seem particularly interested in Kwon Ikseong’s words.

 

He was entirely focused on offering me all sorts of delicacies.

 

“Oh. It’s bubble tea. I’ve been wanting to try it.”

 

“Really? You wanted to try it? I heard the wait for this around here is no joke lately? So I asked the Team 3 Leader to buy some.”

 

I recalled the Team 3 Leader, who had been sweating profusely as he walked in the opposite direction when I entered the Chief’s office earlier.

 

I think he was the guy who always swaggered around, bumping shoulders with Team 5 members whenever we passed each other in the hallway.

 

Remembering those times, I took a long, sweet sip of the bubble tea. 

 

‘Ah, so sweet.’

 

The taste of success.

 

“Hahaha, you didn’t have to go this far.”

 

I leaned back against the chair as I spoke. 

 

Then Hong Jaegyeol turned on a fan, angled it slightly towards me, and said,

 

“No, but really. How did you think to save Han Suah? And I heard you even saved her violin in the midst of all that?”

 

It looked like he was about to start fanning me himself soon.

 

“Ah. Han Suah…”

 

Han Suah.

 

The arts high school student with the violin who had been sitting next to me. 

 

I found out about her identity through the comments on the video.

 

<Baby Genius Discovery Team>.

 

It was a pretty famous TV show, and she was a violinist who became a hot topic after appearing on it, having supposedly taught herself to play the violin at a high level since she was 4 years old.

 

I heard she’s currently enrolled in an arts high school in Korea and is participating in one of the top 3 international competitions—

 

‘I had no idea that was the competition she was talking about!’

 

I had no idea.

 

In short, Han Suah is a potential seed who could become a world-renowned musician.

 

‘To think even Lee Yugyeom knew about her.’

 

It’s frustrating. Once again, I was the only one in the dark. 

 

Anyway, it became a hot topic when it was revealed that she was on Bus 316.

 

It was because she did an interview at the airport for a broadcasting station’s 7:00 PM news.

 

[Yes. I was also on Bus 316. I’m so relieved to hear that everyone else, including the driver, is safe. Especially Investigator Lee Yuji, who was sitting next to me, saved my life and also this violin. Actually, this violin was given to me by Teacher Stein when I was in Berlin, so it’s more precious than my life, but she took care of it even in that urgent situation so I could bring it with me.]

 

The price of that violin shown on the news was 500 million won.

 

And here I thought it was worth a few million won at most.

 

‘…Oh my god.’

 

My heart trembled just thinking that it could have been smashed to pieces.

 

I heard it’s even considered a cultural heritage in Germany because it was used by a famous musician a hundred years ago.

 

[(Reporter) Before you depart, do you have any final words?]

 

[Investigator Lee Yuji! Just like you said, I’m not going to put things off anymore and will express my feelings to my precious people right then and there! Unnie! Thank you! I will live thinking of this as my second life!]

 

She even dedicated her final words before departure to me. 

 

I don’t recall saying anything quite that grand—

 

“The popularity of Investigator Lee Yuji, known as ‘Taekwondo Girl L’ these days, is scorching hot. Hot, hot, hot!”

 

Hong Jaegyeol smiled as he slid a hot beverage in front of me.

 

At this point, I started to feel an underlying motive.

 

‘Well, I can roughly guess…’

 

“So, I was thinking. How about our Investigator Lee Yuji shoots a few promotional videos? The Guardian of Justice fighting villains, the Hunter Investigation Bureau! With that kind of concept—”

 

…As expected.

 

It’s this angle.

 

Now that they’ve seized the upper hand in the battle of public opinion, they intend to actively use this situation.

 

They want to push the public opinion as far as possible to tie the hands of the Hunter Administration Bureau.

 

Well. That’s a good idea, but—

 

‘There’s no give without take.’

 

Actually, there’s something more important to me than the survival of the Hunter Investigation Bureau, you know?

 

I put on a slightly troubled face and pushed back the tea Hong Jaegyeol had offered.

 

“But wouldn’t people feel it’s too contrived if I just step out front like that?”

 

When it seemed like I was backing out, Hong Jaegyeol waved his hands in an exaggerated manner.

 

“Oh, no way. And this video will include scenes of Investigator Lee Yuji receiving a commendation and doing an interview, and doesn’t seeing a righteous person get rewarded make people feel good, right? Team Leader Kwon?”

 

Hong Jaegyeol sent a look pleading for help towards Kwon Ikseong.

 

At that, Kwon Ikseong glanced in my direction and answered calmly.

 

“…I suppose so.”

 

I thought he’d be negative about commendations and interviews, so what’s up with him?

 

While I was wondering.

 

Hong Jaegyeol subtly leaned towards me and spoke secretly.

 

“And I think I can get you a hefty bonus. This time, four sheets.”

 

400 million won.

 

Gulp.

 

I swallowed without realizing it and managed my expression as best as I could.

 

I must not show that I’m swayed here!

 

‘Because I have something else I want.’

 

“That’s very fortunate.”

 

I lifted my teacup, creaking like a broken machine. 

 

I took a sip and then brought up the main point.

 

“But um… what’s going to happen to Investigator Ham Ina?”

 

As soon as Investigator Ham Ina was mentioned, Kwon Ikseong’s expression hardened.

 

At the same time, Hong Jaegyeol also put on a slightly troubled expression.

 

“She’s been transferred to the Hunter Administration Bureau, so it’s a situation where we can’t do much about it…”

 

Seeing him trail off, it means he’s heard something.

 

When I looked at him quietly, Hong Jaegyeol let out a sigh and glanced towards Kwon Ikseong.

 

“It seems they’re conducting a high-pressure interrogation over there. There are definitely witnesses who saw Investigator Ham Ina being threatened at gunpoint by the culprit, but no one specifically saw her arrest him. Since there was no CCTV inside, they’re basically in a position where they have to force a confession.”

 

At those words, Kwon Ikseong spoke with a somewhat emotional voice.

 

“The situation inside was chaotic. Investigator Ham Ina herself probably doesn’t clearly remember who she arrested. In such a situation, if Investigator Ham Ina confesses under pressure, it could become a false confession.”

 

Hong Jaegyeol frowned and said.

 

“I know. If it goes to trial, we could try appealing that it was a false confession. But public opinion is already so bad just from the raising of suspicions, if Investigator Ham Ina says one wrong word… Phew… We’ll be in trouble too.”

 

The situation was easy to understand.

 

Thanks to me, the overall public opinion about the Hunter Investigation Bureau getting worse could be prevented.

 

However, at the same time, as the organization’s public opinion rises, the criticism towards Ham Ina’s individual mistake could become even fiercer.

 

People would say things like, “The other righteous investigators are being insulted because of one incompetent investigator who messed up.” 

 

So according to the organization’s logic, they need to commend me while properly disciplining Ham Ina to create a way for the Investigation Bureau to survive.

 

And the severity of that discipline depends on Ham Ina’s conduct.

 

But—

 

‘I’m sorry. Because of me, you almost died…’

 

With Ham Ina’s self-esteem hitting rock bottom right now, there’s still room for her to make the wrong choice of saying everything is her fault.

 

“Well, we’re providing support for Ham Ina too, so don’t worry too much…”

 

Hong Jaegyeol mumbled, as if trying to reassure Kwon Ikseong.

 

However, Kwon Ikseong’s expression didn’t brighten.

 

Somehow, this situation feels like Ham Ina is going to take all the blame…

 

But there is a breakthrough even in this seemingly difficult situation.

 

“By the way, about this dispatch. I heard the handcuff-type items supplied to Team 1 were suddenly changed in the middle.”

 

I spoke up unexpectedly.

 

For this incident, we need to raise the stakes even higher.

 

“I heard it was difficult for her to learn how to operate them because the supply items changed in the middle. I heard this while having a meal with Investigator Ham Ina before the dispatch.”

 

Because I hate seeing righteous people get screwed over, too.

 

Shouldn’t the bad guys be the ones getting screwed over?