“You’re here?”

    Suho had arrived at the *baekban* restaurant early, choosing a quiet corner table and even pouring water in advance, setting everything up.

    Seeing this, Jeong Cheol-min chuckled lightly. “You’re early.”

    “Well, I had free time after finishing my test. I’ve already placed the order, so the food should be out soon.”

    Sure enough, the timing was perfect. The food began arriving, and the two enjoyed a hot and fresh meal together.

    As they ate, Jeong asked, “But why did you suddenly ask me to lunch?”

    “No particular reason.”

    “Excuse me?”

    “I don’t know anyone here, and eating alone felt dull. You’re the only person I know well here.”

    “Hah, if Director Pi hears that, he might feel hurt.”

    “Haha, let him. Eating comfortably is more important to me.”

    “Comfortably, huh?” Jeong couldn’t help but smile at the remark.

    “You’re right, a meal’s best enjoyed when you’re at ease. In that case, let me cover this first meal of yours on your first day at work.”

    “Oh, then I’ll get the coffee.”

    “Haha, sounds good. I know just the place. Let’s head there after this.”

    “Perfect.”

    The two finished their meal in a relaxed atmosphere, and Jeong led Suho to what he called his “go-to cafe?,” located behind the Daehyeonhyup building.

    When Suho saw the familiar spot, old memories surfaced, and he couldn’t help but smile to himself.

    *“Of course.”*

    The place was nicknamed “Backyard.”

    Not its real name, but the term Suho and Jeong had used to refer to it. It had been their regular hangout.

    *“Well, technically, Jeong introduced me to it first.”*  @@@@

    Although they sometimes visited actual cafes, the two had always preferred the quiet seclusion of the Backyard. Its remote location meant few people ever ventured there.

    Feigning ignorance, Suho asked, “Is this the cafe? you mentioned?”

    “Haha, yeah. A bit embarrassing, but this is the one. They don’t have iced americanos or cakes, but it’s a quiet spot to escape prying eyes. So, what will you have?”

    “Black coffee for me.”

    “Alright, I’ll get barley tea.”

    “You like barley tea?”

    “Yeah, whenever I come here, it’s always barley tea for me.”

    *That’s right.*

    Jeong had always claimed he drank enough coffee at work, so he exclusively chose barley tea here.

    Taking the paper cup Jeong handed him, Suho casually sat on the edge of the flowerbed. Jeong joined him with his own cup, sitting nearby.

    “Congratulations,” Jeong said suddenly.

    “Pardon?”

    “The theory test you took this morning—you got a perfect score.”

    “You already graded it?”

    “Yes. Officer Eom brought it over, so I checked it before lunch. How is that even possible?”

    “What do you mean?”

    “You’re young, you’re skilled in combat, you got a special recruitment into a Grade-5 position, and now you have a brain like this? People call this a cheat character, you know?”

    “Haha, no, not really. The questions were straightforward, and the condensed manual made it easier. It’s all thanks to the help I’ve received from others.”

    “Come on, don’t be too modest. When talented people are overly humble, it just makes them look even more annoying, you know?”

    “Haha, is that so? Then I’ll admit it—I’m just great.”

    “Ugh, but the way you accept it so easily makes you even more annoying!”

    Jeong’s playful jab made Suho laugh.

    *Ah...*

    *How long has it been since I’ve laughed this freely?*

    While Suho hadn’t felt particularly rushed since his regression, it always seemed like his life was a series of tasks to complete, rather than truly living it.

    “Yes, did you?”

    “Oh, I always enjoy my meals. So, as I mentioned earlier, you need to choose between the Awakening Resources and Non-Awakening Resources Divisions for your first assignment. Have you decided?”

    “Yes, I’d like to start with the Awakening Division.”

    “Any particular reason?”

    “No, not really. Just a gut feeling.”

    “Got it. Alright, let’s get started. Oh, by the way, congratulations on your perfect score on the theory exam this morning.”

    “Yes, I heard from Team Leader Jeong earlier.”

    “Wow, you’re quick. I expected you to do well, but a perfect score? Even Director Lee will be thrilled.”

    With Eom Jun-seong guiding him, Suho arrived at the Awakening Division.

    There, he was greeted by Lee Mun-ho, the section chief.

    “Welcome! I’m Lee Mun-ho, the Section Chief of the Awakening Division.”

    As a section chief, Lee held a rank higher than team leaders, representing the division as a whole.

    Extending a firm handshake, he greeted Suho with his usual affable demeanor. Suho shook his hand and introduced himself.

    “Pleased to meet you. I’m Ahn Suho.”

    “I’ve heard about you. They say you already took the theory exam—and scored a perfect mark! Truly impressive talent, haha.”

    The rumor had already spread.

    Suho wasn’t surprised; word traveled fast in any organization.

    Lee Mun-ho retrieved a file from his drawer and handed it to Eom Jun-seong.

    “You’re Suho’s supervisor for this rotation, right? This is the manual for the field training. You can start immediately.”

    “Understood, sir.”

    “Alright then, good luck!”

    After receiving the manual, Eom Jun-seong led Suho to an adjacent room. Sitting down, he skimmed through the contents of the file, nodding to himself.

    “Hm, hm.”

    After thoroughly reviewing the material, he looked up and asked, “Suho, you’re already familiar with what the Awakening Division does, right?”

    “Yes, I understand that keeping the Awakened’s information up to date is a top priority.”

    “Great, that makes things easier. Field training isn’t complicated. You’ll mostly be dealing with delinquent players who’ve delayed updating their information. These individuals are referred to as ‘non-compliant renewers,’ and your primary task will be to ensure they update their data.”

    Just as Suho had anticipated, the most crucial responsibility of the division had been assigned as fieldwork.

    “Do you have a list of the non-compliant renewers I’ll be handling?”

    “Yes, here it is.”

    Eom handed him a file, which Suho began reviewing slowly. Watching him, Eom chuckled awkwardly.

    “There aren’t too many names on the list, so it shouldn’t be too challenging.”

    “Ah, I see.”

    Suho replied curtly, not because he believed Eom’s words, but because he couldn’t help but scoff inwardly.

    “Not challenging, my ass.”

    The names on the list.

    Suho recognized most of them.

    They were notorious troublemakers within the Awakening Division, known for being some of the most difficult cases.

    “They assigned me to deal with these guys despite knowing I’m part of the ‘Royal’ circle?”

    What was the reasoning?

    Were they trying to use this opportunity to deal with problem individuals through him?

    If so, was this Lee Mun-ho’s decision?

    It could be, but there was also the possibility that it was Pi Sung-yeol’s way of testing him.

    Pi had a habit of constantly testing his people.

    “Fine. Whatever the reason, I’ll handle it.”

    Suho handed the file back and asked, “Can I start immediately?”

    Eom smiled widely, clearly impressed by Suho’s confidence.

    “Of course. First, let me show you how to use the stat measuring device.”

    Eom hurried off to the equipment room.