A new hire scouted to the elite team after only a month on the job.
Sounds like the title of some self-help book designed to get attention.
But this is actually happening for real.
‘What is even going on here?’
Me, in A-squad?
“Let’s see. Soleum-ssi, you joined D-squad last month, right?”
“Yes. Let’s get in touch with HR and handle it as a temporary assignment, then make it official in five months.”
“Right. Then, Assistant Manager Jin…”
A-squad’s leader turned to me with a satisfied smile.
“For starters, Soleum-ssi should be promoted to supervisor right away.”“……”
“The official announcement should be out by next week.”
Oh, my god.
“This company may not care much about seniority, but there’s still a minimum requirement, you know. This is insanely fast-tracked.”
Of course it is!
They’re even offering a promotion? This level of pull in the company?
No, that’s not it exactly.
Typically, a potential elite team member would have to go through a couple of promotions, proving themselves in each role before officially getting into the team.
The usual practice would be that you need to be at least a supervisor to even start in the elite team.
Since they want me in A-squad, I need to be promoted, so management is just fast-tracking it.
‘A-squad used to start at the assistant manager level…’
This is genuinely an extraordinary deal.
But I mean, why?
Why would they suddenly make this offer to me…
Ah.
The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning when I looked at the supremely pleased expression on the squad leader’s face.
‘I picked all the “right” answers today!’
I’d tried so hard, mistaking it for workplace harassment!
No complaints with unjust tasks, working within their framework, and eagerly generating ideas to produce results—behaving like the ideal employee.
A newbie with no ego. A yes-man while trying to show creativity!
Exactly the type of subordinate any boss dreams of…
“Soleum-ssi? Go ahead and clock out. Be prepared for the official announcement, which could come as soon as next week.”
“……”
No way.
‘This is a disaster.’
I’m… I’m the last person who should be going to A-squad!
‘Their procedures are so rigid here.’
If I stay in this role, where I have to follow orders to the letter, there’s a 90% chance my true cowardice will be exposed.
‘Then the wish ticket will drift farther away, and my chances of survival will plunge.’
I’d really, actually die. My mouth went dry at the chilling thought.
“……”
“Hey, wait a sec.”
Assistant Manager Jin looked at me with a doubtful expression.
“You’re… seriously thinking it over?”
I lowered my head slightly.
“Why? Are you out of your mind? Are you worried about becoming like the shield-bearers on the Round-Off Team? Don’t worry, we won’t be sending you there…”
“Assistant Manager Jin, hold on.”
A-squad’s leader held her back, then turned to me with a reassuring expression.
“You’re only a month into the job, so it must be a lot to take in all of a sudden. It’s natural to have some doubts.”
“……”
“But a wise person knows how to seize a bold opportunity when it comes. That’s the key to success in society.”
It’s a trap, not an opportunity!
‘Oh, what do I do now?’
How could I get out of this without offending this senior boss?
Rejecting this poorly might end up putting me on their bad side, which could mean real workplace harassment would start.
‘I don’t see a way out of this…’
But then, at that moment.
Ding.
The elevator’s chime.
The doors opened, revealing a familiar face—or rather, a familiar lizard.
‘Squad Leader!’
Section Chief Lee Jaheon, who’d been called to see the Team Leader, stepped out.
The slits of his lizard eyes met the gaze of A-squad’s leader.
“…Section Chief Lee Jaheon.”
“Section Chief Baek Seokjoo.”
Lee stared blankly at A-squad’s leader.
“I was told to apologize to you. So, I apologize.”
“……”
A-squad’s leader… was clearly holding back from cursing.
“Hah… no, forget it. I’m the only one who’s going to end up angry here. Just me.”
“?”
“I said, forget it. Anyway, I’ve already scouted someone to fill the vacancy.”
A-squad’s leader shook her head and patted me on the shoulder.
“Look, here’s the new recruit who’s going to be our squad’s rookie.”
Quite a shocker of an announcement, but…
“I see.”
The lizard nodded.
“It’s true that A-squad has better working conditions.”
“……”
Could you, please, pretend like I might have other options to explore…?
Fine. I’ll handle this myself!
I deliberately looked back and forth between the two squad leaders, pretending to be overwhelmed, then bowed my head slightly to A-squad’s leader.
‘First, let’s think this through…’
From what I’ve observed of her personality so far…
‘She’s a stickler for rules.’
She divides tasks strictly by rank, doesn’t tolerate insubordination, and values loyalty.
Considering she’s recruiting someone who’s only been here a month, she’s willing to take big risks when she decides, but only within her established guidelines.
‘And she’s the type who can’t stand people going against her.’
In other words, the quintessential elite middle manager of a traditional, hierarchical conglomerate.
‘If that’s the case…’
I bowed my head.
“Section Chief Baek, thank you so much for offering me this generous position and seeing potential in a new hire like me.”
“Hmm.”
“However… I still lack experience. I believe, as a new employee, I need to focus on foundational skills and knowledge.”
A-squad’s leader, staring intently at me, finally spoke up.
“…Soleum-ssi, do you happen to know the starting base salary for the elite team?”
Not really.
“It’s 80 million won.” (Approx. 57,000 USD)
“……!”
“And once you add the hazard pay, the annual take-home usually starts around 150 million.” (Approx. 107,000 USD)
Hot damn.
“We’re also planning to designate you as a primary contributor for the C-Class Darkness you cleared. You managed to clear it so quickly using an innovative approach.”
I, I guess?
“Moreover, you’ve found a method that others might want to try, too. Do you know what that implies?”
What does it mean?
“It means the manual might need a complete overhaul.”
“……”
“Yes, not just an addition—a full revision.”
A-squad’s leader smiled gently.
“And when a manual is revised, there’s a bonus payout.”
“……!”
“The amount isn’t small. Normally, management isn’t keen on handling revisions… but for the elite team, this is an exception.”
Oh.
“If you join the A-squad, the process will be much smoother and quicker. You could say it’s a matter of trustworthiness.”
“……”
“Let’s see… the C-Class manual revision fee…”
With a deliberate pause, A-squad’s leader finally revealed the amount.
“Fifty million won.” (Approx. 35,000 USD)
“……!!”
“Today alone, Soleum-ssi, that’s your additional pay.”
Fifty million won.
“You sure you want to pass up a chance to keep earning this?”