Chapter 175. Beneath the Surface (6)
Oliver, the American Giant, didn’t like how things were turning out at all.
“H-he’s alive!”
“Really?!”
“What the hell, he just opened his eyes because that guy said a few words?!”
The way people started buzzing and getting carried away after hearing only a handful of words rubbed him the wrong way. He liked it even less when Emma—Benjamin’s sister—bowed her head to some Asian guy.
“Thanks. Really, thank you!” she said.
“Idiots... You’re not actually believing that load of bullshit, are you?” Benjamin interjected.
They claimed they’d gone into the Operations Bureau and brought people back. Moreover, in one piece? There’s no proof!
Lee Eun-Ho was the sly bastard who’d stepped on Oliver’s foot during the relay trial and stolen first place. That sly rat had to have plotted something again!
No matter how Oliver looked at it, it was just a lie to grab the attention of a bunch of idiots. “Tsk.”
Falling for a single rat so easily... I guess only the dumb ones must have survived.
Someone had to dig out the truth, even if it meant doing it alone.
Thinking that, Oliver grabbed Benjamin by the shoulder. “Ben, are you okay?”
“... Ah.”
“Say it! You really got dragged into the Operations Bureau, and that guy saved you?”
“The Operations Bureau...”
“Yeah! What happened after the Management Bureau trial? What happened to you?”
Benjamin’s eyes, usually so clear, rolled dully before he slowly said, “The Operations Bureau. That place is...”
He started to shake from head to toe, trembling like someone who’d just seen a ghost.
“What are you doing?! Ben, stop! If it’s hard, don’t force yourself to remember!”
Seeing him so terrified meant fragments of memories had definitely surfaced. Oliver pressed on, thinking this was the moment to pry it out. “Think carefully! It might not have been that bastard who saved you—”
“Enough!”
Smack!
However, what came back was Emma’s slap. “Just shut up!”
Oliver couldn’t believe that Emma had hit him. “A-are you serious?”
“Why are you doing this to someone who’s already suffering?! Get a grip!”
“Are you insane?! You’re taking his side now? Don’t you remember what he did to you?!”
“I’m not taking sides!”
After everything they had been through, being dumped into some kind of sand swamp, she was siding with that Korean?
Oliver wondered if Emma had finally snapped after waiting for her brother for so long.
“... He could’ve left them,” said Emma.
“What?”
“He could’ve abandoned them because they weren’t Korean. But he didn’t. He brought all three of them back.”
However, what shocked him even more was that others were agreeing with her.
“Emma’s right. This one’s on you.”
“You idiots! You actually believe that?”
“You’re saying that after seeing it with your own eyes? We tore the Management Bureau building apart and couldn’t even find a strand of hair. If he didn’t bring them back, then what?”
“He probably just found them by coincidence!” Oliver snapped, veins bulging in his neck. “He definitely pulled something. Instead of thanking him, we should be grabbing him and squeezing the truth out of him!”
At that point, what was true and what wasn’t didn’t even matter anymore. The stronger Eun-Ho’s position became, the smaller Oliver’s place would be.
“So? You think you can take me?” asked Eun-Ho, his voice slithering out of the darkness, like a viper closing in.
“What do we do? I think he heard what Oliver said!”
“Oliver! Please, shut up!”
The closer Lee Eun-Ho came, the more the idiots around them darted their eyes about.
Seeing that only made Oliver’s temper flare, and he cursed, “Fuck, what did I do wrong?!”
“Oliver!”
“This rat bastard is saying nonsense!”
AEun-Ho lifted and lowered his brows, as if this was exactly what he’d been expecting, and strode forward. “Yeah. That’s more like it. Whether you believe me or don’t, I don’t care. I wasn’t planning on taking in someone like you anyway.”
“W-what?”
“I need people who can communicate openly. Not someone who messes around on anonymous boards.”
“Y-you bastard!”
Eun-Ho’s steps were calm. His expression was unruffled and his gaze neither raised in challenge nor narrowed in threat. He was just an ordinary-looking Asian man.
“But, you better be careful if you don’t want to get stabbed in the back anonymously.”
Yet, every single word carried so much weight. Those pitch-black eyes left the afterimage behind. Oliver’s spine prickled.
***
Click.
A card as dark as the night sky was activated. With that, they were all relocated to a luxurious residence.
[Welcome to the Employee of the Year Residence!]
It was a relief that the Swear-Master was safe. Compared to the Americans who had woken up around the same time, his recovery was noticeably faster.
“Can you walk?” Eun-Ho asked.
“Yeah, of course!” said Swear-Master.
Not only did he cross the wide garden on his own, he also answered every single question from Yeo-Jin. She pelted him nonstop out of high-school-girl curiosity and concern, and he answered while grumbling all the while.
“So, that’s what happened?”
“Wow, then was it all just a dream?”
“Yeah. But the dream was weird. I can’t really remember it clearly.” Swear-Master rolled his eyes at empty air, as if trying to dredge something up. “It felt like some old memory, maybe.”
Creak—
Until the time they opened the front door, passed down the hallway, and stepped into the living room, he couldn’t remember anything clearly.
“Damn it, this is frustrating as hell,” said Swear-Master.
“You don’t have to force yourself to remember. You might not be fully recovered yet.”
Swear-Master nodded at the placating words, conceding the point. “So, uh... We put the sofa over there, right?”
He reached out and lifted the sofa Ji-Eun had been carefully carrying, trying not to bump into anyone.
Seeing that, Ye-Ji snapped and complained, which sounded more like scolding, “Hey, I told you to just lie down?! Why are you making such a fuss?!”
“What, am I some kind of old man? Why the fuck would I lie around?”
“You’re not an old man but you’re a patient!”
“A patient? Come on,” Swear-Master muttered under his breath, then suddenly ducked his head and went on. “... It’s fucking ridiculous how everyone making such a big deal because of me.”
He pulled his cap down lower over his head. Then, without anyone telling him to, he put the sofa back where it belonged. That had likely been his way of saying thank you and sorry.
“By the way, were you always that strong, Swear-Master?”
“Huh?”
That sofa had been big and heavy enough for Swear-Master to lie on comfortably, and he’d lifted it alone, without any trouble.
He tilted his head at the question. “Wasn’t I?”
Hmm. That doesn’t seem right.
A possibility flashed through Eun-Ho’s mind. “What if—”
Ding!
Just then, a sound cut in.
[Congratulations!]
[The content The Reality of Corrupt Operations Bureau Employees has been selected as Today’s Featured Content!]
“Let’s talk about it later.”
“Huh? Okay.”
It appeared that his anonymously posted video had risen in the rankings. The video itself was roughly stitched-together, meant to erase his presence. Feedback poured in.
└ Are they insane? What are they siphoning people off for?
└ Who’s the whistleblower? They did something huge.
└ Doesn’t getting caught by the Operations Bureau mean instant ruin?
└ Are you brain-dead? If the higher-ups have any brains, they should give this guy an award.
└ We want a follow-up.
└ +1
└ +2
└ +3
...
Ding!
Then, came the message that turned that invisible attention into tangible gain.
[Hidden Trial: Hall of Fame Induction has been completed!]
[One Point and a thousand Welfare Points have been granted as trial rewards.]
[Registered Contents: 4 items]
This one caught him off guard. He hadn’t expected anything, since the video was uploaded anonymously.
Well well, if it’s going to work out like this, I won’t complain.
Ji-Eun tilted her head and asked, “Eun-Ho, did something happen?
Eun-Ho snapped out of it. Before he knew it, he’d stopped short at the entrance to the lounge, staring into empty space.
“It made the Hall of Fame,” he said.
“Oh! Really?!”
“That’s thanks to you, Ji-Eun.”
She clapped her hands lightly, smiling brightly. “Oh, come on. I didn’t really teach you much. The content itself was good. Congratulations!”
Her bobbed hair swayed cheerfully just above her shoulders, almost in sync with the announcement that followed.
[Congratulations!]
[You are the first new employee to expose internal corruption.]
Expose internal corruption? Eun-Ho thought.
Perhaps that was because he’d released the detailed footage of the Operations Bureau employees’ butchery and corruption. As a result, he acquired a new title as well.
[You have acquired a title, Brave Whistleblower.]
[Would you like to check the effects of the title, Brave Whistleblower?]
“Check.”
[You can identify and publicly expose an enemy’s weakness.]
[For exposed weaknesses, the enemy’s defense will be slightly reduced.]
Defense reduction?
Along with Bolt from the Blue, the skill that caused momentary explosive damage, this gave him an offensive support effect that shaved down defenses as well.
What would happen if I used them together? Expose the weakness first to reduce defense, then drive in with Bolt from the Blue to bring the lightning down... With this much, would I be able to face those who’d once felt utterly overwhelming? Eun-Ho thought.
There was Harona, who could fling people away with a single finger. The Gambler who freely rewrote unknown spaces and ignored Acceleration altogether. Cheong Ryeon-Hwa, who likely had countless hidden abilities. Lastly, the Management Bureau director, whose presence alone had triggered the Resurrection skill.
Who knows. But probably I’m not there yet.
He had to think that way to stay prepared. Only then could he face whatever came without letting his guard down.
“Eun-Ho, what are you thinking so hard about?” Ji-Eun asked.
“Oh, nothing.”
Then he’d do what he could prepare for now, something only he could do. “It’s late. You should all get some rest.”
“Huh? What about you, Eun-Ho?”
“I’ve got a lot to prepare.”
***
The night of persuasion and reunions came to an end, and a new morning arrived. It was 8:30 AM.
[Attention, all new employees.]
[At exactly 9:00 AM today, the Job Market for department assignments will open.]
It was the morning of decision, one that would determine the future of the survivors.
[Once again, this is an announcement.]
[At 9:00 AM, the Job Market will begin.]
[All new employees, please enter through the gate installed in the central garden.]
“Hoo... I’m shaking, Hyungnim!”
The cleaning lady slapped Jae-Hyuk on the back and laughed heartily. “What’s there to shake about? Just stick with Eun-Ho, Young Man!”
That was when more rational worries bubbled up from Yeon Bo-Ra and Min Yeo-Jin.
“But what if they don’t take everyone?”
“What if they cut people based on performance? Ugh...”
“Ji-Eun Unni, Uncle Jae-Hyuk, Uncle Swear-Master, Yoon Sol-Ah, Bo-Ra Unni...” Yeo-Jin muttered under her breath, checking her surroundings one by one. With every name she silently called, her expression grew a little darker. “Ugh, I feel like I’m going to get eliminated instantly.”
She seemed so serious, like someone waiting for college application results, that Eun-Ho couldn’t help but smile. “First, let’s go.”
“Oh no...”
“Don’t worry too much. There is a way.”
“Really? For real?”
“Yeah. Though to be sure, we’ll only know once we get there.”
Exchanging a few more words, they soon arrived at the central garden. A lush green space nestled between four towers standing to the north, south, east, and west.
There, a small fountain sprayed droplets that reflected the sunlight in rainbow hues.
Rustle—
Greens so vivid they felt cooler than the sound of water itself filled the garden.
“That must be it!”
“Good lord, that thing’s huge!”
At the center stood an arched gate formed from deep green vines. Between the vines hung a shimmering, rainbow-colored veil that rippled like a living curtain.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes!”
He caught sight of his companions, their eyes shining with anticipation, and the anxious gazes of the other survivors. Under everyone’s gaze, Eun-Ho stepped forward into the iridescent gate.
[Moving to the Job Market.]
Swish—
He passed through the rippling veil, as though walking through a thin waterfall. A bustling street packed with a massive, frantic crowd, unfolded beyond.
“Where the hell is it?!”
“It’s over here!”
“Hey! You’re too close!”
“What do you want me to do? There’s no space!”
There was an unpaved road stretched straight ahead, easily as wide as a ten-lane highway.
“Damn, why’s it so chaotic here?”
“Looks like a market, doesn’t it?”
There was a long, straight road, with countless booths lined up on both sides. On top of each booth sat a piggy-bank-like box. Calling it a market wouldn’t be wrong, but something felt even more familiar.
“It’s just like a club recruitment fair,” commented Ji-Eun.
Eun-Ho nodded. “Yeah, I know. It really is.”
“They’re here already!”
“It’s already nine o’clock! So hurry up!”
Everyone moving back and forth now were employees dressed in neat business suits.
[Investigation Bureau, Investigation Intelligence Division, Section 7]
[Audit Bureau, Audit Planning Division, Section 1]
[Future Research Center, Room A-13]
...
Judging by the placards being put up at each booth, it was unmistakable. Rather than a market selling goods, it was closer to an expo meant to promote each department. Of course, in the end, both sides were doing the same thing: sales.
“Rookies! Come take a look over here!”
“You don’t want to work under some old geezer, do you? Come to us! There are snacks!”
“You crazy bastard! Play fair!”
“Look at you, starting with insults. What rookie would want to join a place like that?”
“T-that’s because...”
Two booths stood side by side, each with a square white counter and canopies of yellow and orange fabric draped overhead. When the neighboring booths began bickering, the rookies nearby froze, unsure how to react.
It was exactly 9:00 AM. Right on the dot at the start of work hours, a familiar voice flew in and rang out. “Hold on, hold on! You can’t start before the signal! Why are you acting like amateurs?”
Crisp diction that cut cleanly through the noise, paired with a slightly cutesy, high-pitched tone. “Alright, everyone! Long time no see! It’s me, the PR Department mascot, Sarah!”
She was the one who had hosted the Initiation Ceremony and the new employee training.
Sarah stretched out her hand, and a translucent window appeared overhead. “Seeing how hard you’re all trying makes me so proud! Now then, before we begin, shall we take a look at the final benefit standings?”
[Final Benefit Standings]
1. Lee Eun-Ho : 302 Points
2. Kim Ji-Eun : 285 Points
3. Choi Jae-Hyuk : 285 Points
4. Wei : 262 Points
5. Yeon Bo-Ra : 67 Points
...
99. Ahmed : 1 Point
The gap was considerable. Had the massive results from the Sales Department been the deciding factor? That would make sense, as he’d produced results big enough to earn the Employee of the Year title.
“So it seems like they added together the Sales Department’s sales results and the Management Bureau’s donation points,” Eun-Ho said.
“Looks like ten thousand Points get converted into one Benefit Point.”
If that was the case, his plan could go even more smoothly than expected. Just as that thought crossed his mind, a brown leather pouch appeared before his eyes.
Pop—
“Everyone’s benefits have been converted into chips and placed inside. Shall we open the pouch?”
Clink— Clatter— Clink— Clatter—
The moment Sarah finished speaking, the pouch grew so heavy it was hard to hold with one hand. Inside were no fewer than three hundred and two chips, each looking like it was made of polished silver. There were too many to count at a glance.
“Eh? That’s it?”
“Hah, what am I supposed to do with this?”
Of course, not everyone’s pouch was that heavy.
“Just submit your chips to the booth of the department you want! You can submit as many chips as you like! However, if a department reaches its capacity, candidates will be cut starting from those who submitted fewer chips. Naturally, the more chips you submit, the higher your chances of getting into your desired department!”
“So there’s a headcount limit?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“Damn it. I barely have any chips.”
“Alright then, everyone. Are you ready?” Sarah asked.
The survivors’ faces grew complicated as they fully grasped the meaning. Due to the limited number of chips, they had to choose strategically if they had a department in mind.
While calculations spun through everyone’s heads, Sarah gestured broadly toward the booths, so many that it was impossible to count them all. “It’s okay if you haven’t decided yet! You can choose your department until noon, so take your time! Walk around, talk to them, and see what fits!”
“There’s way too many booths.”
“Yeah.”
Among them, some familiar faces stood out. Guk, impeccably dressed despite his sunken eyes as if he hadn’t slept all night, brushed back his flawless blond hair and called out, “Hey!”
Sun-Sik, his mentor from the Sales Department, had one leg propped up on the counter and waved shamelessly. “Hey! Hyungnim Rookie!”
Even Harona, arms crossed in feigned aloofness, shook her twin ponytails noisily. “You got the gift, right?”
“You’re popular, Hyungnim!” Jae-Hyuk shouted excitedly.
“Eun-Ho, which one are you choosing?” Ji-Eun asked.
At that very moment, the announcer’s declaration rang out. “The Job Market will now begin! Please choose your desired department freely!”