The Secret Government Recruitment Exam

Move! Out of the way!

Aaargh!

Sorry! But I've got somewhere to be!

Move it, move... Whoa?!

Whoa!

Oof!

I know you're in a hurry, but that was a bit dangerous. You almost hit that girl back there!

Hey, I feel bad about that.

But listen. I'm right in the middle of the trial of a lifetime. If I don't make 100 visits to the Cat Shrine... My life is basically over! Please, you gotta let it slide!

Whoa!

There he goes... He said he's going to the Cat Shrine. Surely he won't charge all the way there?

That's an accident waiting to happen, not just for the folks around him, but for himself as well...

Okay. Guess I'll go check up on him at the Cat Shrine, just in case.

*huff* *puff* That's... one hundred! I've finally finished! Now, the next obstacle...

There he is! Hey, you there!

Huh? What is it? If you need something, can it wait? I have to...

You said you're in the middle of the trial of a lifetime, right?

What? Uh, yeah. How do you know that?

You told me back in Izana.

...Oh, it's you! The guy who didn't even flinch when I crashed into you!

Yeah. I wanted to talk to you about that. I know you're in a hurry, but the way you were running was really danger...

I'm glad you're here! I needed someone strong-bodied like you!

I need a huge favor from you! Please, I need you to help me out!

Wh-What?

...Well, if you'll promise me that you won't run in a way that could hurt people, then maybe.

Of course! I promise never to run like that any more.

Well, that was easy. But then, why were you charging around like that in the first place?

About that... I'm trying to complete this ritual, see.

A ritual?

Yeah. It's called the "100 visits," where you go back and forth a hundred times between the castle and the shrine.

A hundred times?! Seriously?!

It was hard work all right. But that was my last run, so I don't need to do that anymore.

Okay... But then that means you're done with the ritual, right? Then I don't have to do anything.

Wrong! That's as wrong as putting milk in green tea! Now, we have to offer the Cat Deity his favorite thing!

Oh, that's Nyanjiro, right? But why would you need to bring him his favorite thing?

Humph. Not too sharp, are you? It's because this ritual is to obtain the blessing of the Cat Deity, obviously.

...Of course... So, his favorite thing. What would that be?

Some special kind of catnip, I hear. The Hakuna Catnip. Stuff you can only get from monsters on the Inanari Plateau.

Monsters? So that's why you needed my help.

Now I get it.

Exactly. And you'd be willing to lend a hand, right?

...Fine. I'll help, as promised. And we do owe Nyanjiro, too.

Awesome! Thanks so much!

Okay then, let's go to the Inanari Plateau​ and take the Hakuna Catnip from those monsters!

Is that the monster you were talking about?

Yeah. Once we defeat it, we'll get our hands on the Hakuna Catnip!

All right, do your thing!

What?! Aren't you going to fight too?

Obviously not! I'm just gonna hide right over there!

Huh... But rituals like this only work when you complete them by yourself...

I'm what you'd call, uh, a strategist! I've already put everything in place, so my part in this is as good as complete!

...Really, though?

Sh-Shut up! There, look!

Shoot, it saw you! Get back!

Sorry, buddy. It's all for the Hakuna Catnip.

Wow! You beat it like it was nothing!

It was kind of tough, actually. That Nyanjiro sure has one heck of a ritual.

I'm glad I asked for your help! That is, of course, thanks to my role as a strategist!

Yeah, we'll leave that decision to Nyanjiro...

So, is this what you wanted? The Hakuna Catnip?

Yeah, this should be fine. Let's get back to the Cat Shrine!

Come, servant of the Cat Deity. I've come on my hundredth visit with your Hakuna Catnip!

There, I've fulfilled your request. Now it's your turn to make my wish come true!

So! Tell me the answers for the Official's Recruitment Exam!

W-Wait a minute! You were trying to use a deity's power for that?!

Of course! I'll work as hard as I possibly can if it means I can slack off later on!

Very well!

Boy, I really didn't think anyone would actually do this ritual!

Now, then I shall grant unto you the Cat Deity's blessing.

Nyanjiro...! Are you sure about this?!

Well well, it's you again. Looks like our fates are intertwined!

But this time, my business is with this fellow. All righty, here I go!

Aarghhhhhhh!

What the heck?!

Okay, that's all. Farewell now!

H-Hey, Nyanjiro! Wait!

Wow...!

Whoa! You startled me... Are you okay?

Wo... Wooow!

What's wrong?! Did the thunder hit you in the wrong spot or something?!

No! The answers to the exam are all here, in my brain!

Wh-What did you say?!

It's actually a bunch of gibberish, but... I can recite every answer and write them down!

But isn't that cheating?!

Hold on! That's a misunderstanding! This is an officially recognized method of taking the exam, called the "Reverse Exam"!

How would cheating ever be allowed?! There's no way that's true!

You're wrong! In this region, there was a man particularly famous for his laziness. He prayed to the Cat Deity for the exam answers, and managed to pass it! Ultimately he became the chancellor, and his method was officially recognized as the "Secret Exam"! I came across it within an encrypted diary that the chancellor was said to have left.

As if I'd believe that...

Uh oh! I better get moving! I've got somewhere to be!

Why the hurry? I mean, now you don't even need to study for the exam.

That's because the exam...

...is today!

What?! Why are you doing the ritual now?!

I started a while ago... But the 100 visits took much longer than I expected!

Anyway, no time to lose! Gotta run to Kurosagi Castle for my exam!

And this is when the power of my legs, strengthened through those 100 visits, finally pays off!

Hmm... Oh well. We've come this far, might as well see it through...

He said the exam is at Kurosagi Castle. I guess we can take our time heading there.

Hm. Everybody else has gone home. Where did he go?

Ah, there he is.

So? How was the exam?

Yeah... about that. I know I don't know much, but the questions and answers just didn't match up.

It's kinda worrying me.

But you didn't study, so you couldn't have understood the questions anyway, right?

Well, yeah... but even so. Like, I had to write about today's weather for a question asking about numbers.

Hmm... I wonder why.

Examinee M-19! Are you here?

What? M-19, that's me!

Ah, there you are! I've come to tell you your exam results.

What?! But I thought the results would be posted later?

Well... You passed!

Those completely disjointed answers... They could only be the result of deciphering the chancellor's diary!

Wow! Did you hear that? I was right!

So this is actually allowed...?

Indeed. There can't be that many individuals who can manage such a feat. It is infinitely more difficult than taking the exam properly, after all!

Haha... I knew people would notice my talents!

Yes, we did, and we're counting on you!

The unrewarding work of deciphering codes. An endless challenge of one's endurance. Defeating a monster that could end one's life... No ordinary Government Official would ever do these jobs.

We have been looking for someone who would be willing to step forward for such tasks.

Huh?

You have hereby been recruited as a "Reverse" Government Official! Such an honor! What's wrong? You should be celebrating!

"Reverse" Official? Wait, does that mean...

Yes, you'll be in charge of a bunch of tasks no one else wants to do!

What?! But I never agreed to that!

Of course you did. You signed the agreement before you took the exam, yes? "When I pass the examination, I shall perform my duties to the best of my abilities, serving my country above all."

That's what it said!

Ugh...! But that's...

Now, your wonderful work awaits you! Take him away!

No! I want to laze about all day!

Hahaha! It is said that although the chancellor acted lazy, he actually worked rather hard indeed. I suggest you try that too!

Nooo!

Huh... That's karma, I guess.

Guess I better be careful the next time I ask Nyanjiro for a favor...