Chapter 195. The Road Not Taken (1)
“Ms. Sarah!”
“Yes? Yes!”
“Between the two teams, who do you think will win?”
A fleeting look of deliberation crossed Sarah’s face. “Uh...”
After passing through the Strategy Office and the director’s written review, only two proposals had made it to the final presentation. Coincidentally—or perhaps inevitably—both were the strategies everyone had already pegged as the top contenders.
The first proposal was titled, Proposal to Induce the Dismantling of the Labor-Management Cooperation Team Through Member Defection. It aimed to sow discord among the members until their numbers dropped below the minimum required to function as a team.
The second bore a far more brutal name: Strategy for Forced Dissolution of the Labor-Management Cooperation Team via Assassination of Reactionary Elements. It was pretty self-explanatory.
“If I had to choose which strategy would be approved, I think it would be the one presenting right now,” Sarah said.
“The HR manager? Why?”
“It looks like the director is paying closer attention.”
“Ah, now that you mention it, you’re right.”
That was an understatement. The HR director was leaning forward so deeply, his upper torso was hovering over the table. The strategy currently being explained was the latter one, the so-called annihilation plan.
“There’s one thing the earlier proposal failed to consider,” the manager said.
“And what would that be?” the director asked.
“The strategic report schedule.”
A murmur rippled through the audience.
“The strategic report? The one we submit to the chairman every year?”
“Yeah. It’s only three days away.”
“What does that have to do with dismantling the Labor-Management Cooperation Team?”
However, instead of calming the room, the HR manager simply watched the reaction and took a quiet sip of water. The commotion appeared to be intentional.
The director, who had been observing him with a knowing expression, finally said, “Continue.”
His heavy voice instantly silenced the room. In the sudden quiet, only the presenter’s voice rang out. “By policy, the strategic report must include the objectives and action plans of all teams. And that means the Labor-Management Cooperation Team must be included as well.”
That included Eun-Ho Lee’s newly formed team. Even if it amounted to nothing more than a single attached page, the implication of being reported directly to the chairman was significant.
“If a team that has already been reported to the chairman suddenly disappears, it could invite unnecessary scrutiny.”
“That’s true.”
“And we have three days until the report is due.” The manager deliberately paused, letting the silence stretch as he felt the audience’s attention sharpen. “We must eliminate them within that window.”
A restrained stir spread through the conference room. As he scanned the reactions, the manager thought to himself that his argument had landed.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The director drummed his fingers against the table. “Are you confident you can neutralize them?”
The follow-up question came without hesitation. “We’ll employ a stepwise assault strategy.”
“A stepwise assault?”
That was a positive sign.
“Team Leader Eun-Ho’s primary abilities are Acceleration and Petrify,” the manager continued, going into more detail, “he typically boosts his movement speed with Acceleration, then overwhelms opponents through swordsmanship. He mainly uses Petrify to defend against localized attacks.”
“Yes. That was well documented in the supplemental materials.”
“He’s difficult to deal with if we commit everything at once. Acceleration allows him to evade and counterattack simultaneously, after all.”
“So what’s your point?” the director asked.
The manager swallowed discreetly. “We should apply a series of non-lethal attacks, strong enough to force him to defend himself. That forces him to repeatedly activate Acceleration. Then—”
“You aim for the cooldown,” the director finished.
“Yes. We believe that’s the safest approach.”
“Hmmm.” The director nodded in approval, though a note of concern followed soon after. “Won’t his team support him?”
“We’ll use the team against him.”
“Use them?”
Having anticipated the question, the manager answered readily, “What if the team leader values his own life more than those of his captured teammates?”
The director let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Did you take that from the previous team’s proposal?”
“Please think of it as benchmarking,” the manager replied smoothly.
It was a cunning ploy meant to curry favor, but the director did not seem particularly offended.
“And those team members,” the director asked, nodding, “are you certain they’re manageable?”
“Yes. Take Kim Ji-Eun, one of their key members. Her ability is Psychokinesis. Used properly, it’s formidable, but she can’t fully utilize it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Quite literally. Kim Ji-Eun’s Psychokinesis appears to be bound by restrictions.”
“Restrictions?”
The manager began listing each member’s weaknesses in turn. “She can only manipulate around ten objects at once, and even then, she can’t control them with precision. In fact, she often struggles to even control her own movements.”
“Pathetic.”
“A pearl necklace on a pig, you could say.” The manager chuckled. Grinning, he added as an afterthought, “Though for a pig, she’s attractive.”
Then, they moved on to the next team member.
“Anyway. Kim Yul’s stealth ability is admittedly more troublesome,” the manager said evenly, “but if we exploit the fact that she’s a timid child, I believe we can eliminate her without much difficulty.”
In short, their abilities were impressive on paper. However, in the end, they were still nothing more than animals who were meant to be butchered and used to fill one’s belly.
“Where did your ability analysis come from?” the director asked. “Is it reliable?”
“Yes. The analysis was based on reports compiled by the Management Bureau and the Investigation Bureau, as well as records from official channels.”
At the end of the day, no matter how exceptional Lee Eun-Ho was, he was still just an employee. A fledgling who had only just survived restructuring. He would have no real experience fighting people with no refined instincts or tactical sense.
“He may have managed to deal with monsters somehow, but the employees won’t be able to withstand us,” the manager said with absolute certainty. “Not a chance.”
He trusted the combat power of those who possessed true weight, and above all, in the success of his strategy.
“I’ll bring in a combat unit,” said the manager.
“Huh?”
The manager’s words sent ripples through the room, like a stone dropped into still water.
“A combat unit?”
“Isn’t that going too far?”
“He said he’d wipe them out. Might as well make sure it’s done properly.”
“Well... I guess that’s true.”
Instead of questioning the presenter, the director turned to the division chief. “Division Chief.”
“Yes, Director.”
“Do you know what’s most troublesome when walking down a road?”
The division chief knew full well that his answer did not matter. When the director asked such questions, it meant he already had something to say.
“I’d say loose stones,” the division chief replied cautiously. “I’ve nearly tripped over them more times than I can count.”
“Tree roots,” the director said flatly. “They’re a nuisance. And if you want to get rid of them properly, you have to rip the entire tree out.”
“Ah...”
“Before it grows any further.” As expected, the director’s true intent surfaced at last. “Pull it out! Roots and all.”
The heavy silence that followed left no room for whispers to slip through.
“I won’t fail you,” the division chief said quietly.
***
It was heavy. Not his heart or his shoulders, but his legs.
“You little!”
Eun-Ho’s eyes flew open, thinking he’d just heard someone curse. Instead, his vision filled with a mass of tightly permed, jet-black hair.
“Young man!”
It was the cleaning lady. Judging by the bowl in her hand, she had likely just cooked some fresh porridge, which was much appreciated.
At his bedside, Jae-Hyuk blinked worriedly as he replaced a damp towel. “Are you awake, Hyungnim?”
Why is this large, dark-haired guy wiping my forehead instead of Ji-Eun?
Eun-Ho carefully rephrased his question, “Uh... Where’s Ji-Eun?”
Jae-Hyuk answered brightly, “Oh! Noonim went out to check on the birds in the desert.”
“Hey, Young Man!” the cleaning lady scolded. “What kind of dream were you having? You were drenched in cold sweat.”
“That’s right, Hyungnim!” Jae-Hyuk chimed in. “Was it a nightmare?”
“It must’ve been,” Eun-Ho muttered. “My legs felt so heavy.”
Maybe it was the fever, dredging up old memories. Jae-Hyuk seemed to think the same, swallowing whatever he had been about to say with a bitter look.
“But why do they still feel heavy?” Eun-Ho asked.
“Ah... That’s because...”
Thinking he was still drunk, Eun-Ho shook his head hard. Only then did he notice a small, familiar head at the edge of his vision. “... Yul?”
Yul was sprawled over his legs, scribbling enthusiastically.
“I’m drawing you, Uncle! Right here!”
“Me too,” Wei said.
“Here, eat this first. Say ah!”
It was 7:00 AM. There were two kids clinging to him, a cleaning lady pushing porridge toward his mouth, and a younger man changing his towel. The day began in a noisy, crowded blur.
[You have twenty-eight new messages.]
[Would you like to check them?]
Even the messages had piled up.
Sarah: There’s going to be a competitive PT. It’s the Director’s orders
Sarah: The topic is dismantling the Labor-Management Cooperation Team
Sarah: The moderate faction wants to break them up by sowing discord until they fall below minimum staffing
Sarah: The hardliners want total annihilation
Hmm.
To think the entire Personnel Bureau would mobilize just to take down one team was vicious.
Good thing I planted Sarah in there, Eun-Ho thought as he moved to send a message to everyone.
Suddenly, something brushed against his hand. It was the back side of a drawing of his face, sketched with a brush pen Yul must have found somewhere. On the stiff paper, like the back of an old calendar, there were words written in uneven strokes.
“Declaration of Independence.”
The title was completely unexpected. Suppressing his confusion, Eun-Ho began reading the full text.
To all employees and allies across the universe! We, the Self-Purification Corps, hereby declare to the Company. Today’s righteous act is meant to sever the eternal chain of corruption...
“Yul,” Eun-Ho called.
“Yes!”
“Where did you get this?”
“Over there!”
“Where is ‘over there’?”
“I found it while playing hide-and-seek!”
It read more like a full-blown independence manifesto than some casual scribble. Finding such a thing in the office basement was far too grand to be a coincidence.
Who wrote this? There has to be a name, Eun-Ho thought.
With trembling fingers, Eun-Ho flipped to the final page.
There’s no name?
Instead, the page was filled with handprints. Some were large and rough, like those of seasoned fighters; while others were small, clearly belonging to children. There were also smudged streaks, as if someone had wiped their hands with a sleeve, albeit it was probably Yul’s doing.
Did they leave their names out to avoid being identified?
[You have acquired the Declaration of the Resistance.]
Resistance? That’s another word for rebels... Are these the people I saw in the Clock Hand’s memories?
That confirmed that they weren’t alone. People who had defied the company and tried to carry out their own will were there.
Then I must find them.
The moment that resolve settled in, the bombardment began.
Kaboom!
***
Thud! Ssssss—!
Dust poured down from the ceiling and walls. The floor lurched, furniture toppled, and people staggered as the shockwaves rolled through the space. Near the entrance, everyone huddled together in a line, hands over their heads.
“Who’s outside again? Who hasn’t come back?!” Eun-Ho asked.
“Noonim, Ye-Ji, and Swear-Master! They're missing!”
Ji-Eun, Lee Ye-Ji, and the Swear-Master?
The fact that they weren’t responding to messages meant they were probably still alive. That meant they could have been captured.
A sudden attack, then hostages... It’s just like Sarah warned, Eun-Ho thought.
“Thank you, sir,” Eun-Ho said.
“Leave it to me,” the guard replied firmly. “Security!”
Behind the reassuring shield of the security guard, Eun-Ho concealed his presence using Yul’s hide-and-seek ability.
[You have entered the Hide and Seek domain of the Subject Kim Yul.]
Rrrrrrr—
[The grand match of Go Player Wei has been activated!]
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
As thin beams of light slipped through the cracks in the door, outside scenery coming into view, the match unfolded. Eun-Ho tucked himself behind the Go stones. They had never felt more reliable.
[You have entered the Wailing Desert.]
[You are exposed to extreme heat.]
[Thanks to your Heat Resistance, you are immune to all status effects.]
The desert scorched just by standing on it. In the past, even remaining still would have been unbearable, but thanks to the layers of Heat Resistance effects, Eun-Ho was perfectly fine.
“There’s gotta be at least ten!” said the security guard.
“I can see twelve of them in plain sight. There might be more hidden.”
“Eek!”
There were twelve men in white masks. Two of them were even operating massive artillery shells. However, thanks to their Go player’s frantic movements, they were busy bombarding the Go stones.
A large man stepped forward. “So it’s Go.”
Like the others, he wore a white mask and spotless white clothing, as if dirt itself dared not touch him.
That must be the combat unit leader, Eun-Ho thought.
The man was completely concealed. However, his near-two-meter height and overwhelming presence made it clear he was no ordinary opponent.
“I quite like Go myself,” the man said casually, taking another step forward. “But no game of Go lasts forever. Isn’t that right, little Go player?”
Wei bit down hard on his lower lip, as if he’d clearly been struck where it hurt.
Eun-Ho quickly whispered, keeping his voice low, “Wei. Is there a limit to how many stones you can place?”
“... Two hundred and forty,” Wei answered hesitantly.
“And you’ve already used about fifty, right?”
Wei nodded.
Therefore, Eun-Ho immediately revised the simulation running in his head.
“You’re Team Leader Lee Eun-Ho, correct?” apparently satisfied that he’d given enough warning, the man said leisurely while inspecting the greatsword in his hand. “I hear you care deeply about your team. If you offer up your head, I’ll spare the others. What do you say?”
The group’s eyes widened. Their mouths moved soundlessly, trying to stop him, but there was no need.
“It’s bullshit,” Eun-Ho whispered, making sure only his allies heard.
According to Sarah, the chosen strategy was total annihilation. There was no chance they’d spare anyone after killing him.
Especially since they apparently enjoy the slaughter itself.
“Well, if you don’t like the offer, I suppose it can’t be helped,” the man said.
Rather than answering foolishly and revealing their position, Eun-Ho surveyed the enemy formation.
“Uuk! Uuuuk!”
The Razor-Beaked Birds cried out like drunks suppressing vomit. They were sounds they should never have been making. Peeking out slightly, Eun-Ho saw why. Their beaks had been bound shut with restraints.
“Ugh! Mmph!”
Beside them, three people knelt on the sand, their faces covered with white cloth hoods. Their ankles and wrists were tightly bound with rope, and whatever gags they’d been fitted with forced out muffled, distorted sounds.
“H-Hyungnim! Look over there!”
Judging by the gowns and tunics scavenged from the armory, the captives were Ji-Eun, Lee Ye-Ji, and the Swear-Master.
“Those bastards!”
It was a smart move. With her eyes and mouth blocked, Ji-Eun couldn’t use her ability.
Huh?
Still, the way her wide desert tunic sleeves twitched suggested she could be hiding something. However, with her vision gone, using a firearm would be difficult.
Self-escape won’t be easy.
Blocking the artillery with Go stones would only hold for about five more minutes.
They’ve probably analyzed my abilities and prepared counters. Then, I have to use something they don’t know about.
“Young Man! What should we do?!” the guard whispered urgently.
“We’ll leave it to Ji-Eun.”
“What?! Noonim is tied up though. How’s she supposed to do that?”
She could shoot while bound. Accuracy would suffer, of course, but that wasn’t the point.
“She just needs to distract them.”
“Huh?”
Eun-Ho trusted trajectories and the chaos-loving Razor-Beaked Birds. “When the birds take flight, we charge.”
There was no way a flock of enraged birds would stay calm if gunfire erupted. They’d tear through the flimsy restraints and thrash wildly. That would be their moment.
“We stay hidden and rescue the hostages first. Wei, cover us while we untie them. Afterward, Ji-Eun and I will go after their leader.”
“Yes sir!”
“Understood!”
“Ji-Eun!” Eun-Ho shouted. “Fifty meters to the left! And height is two meters!”
He gave her the position and the trajectory she had to draw in her mind.
“Mmph!”
A short, strangled cry escaped her, but within it was a resolute battle cry.
Bang!
Then, the gunshot tore through the air as she fired the bullet helplessly into the ground. However, it soon ricocheted upward, veering fifty meters to the left.
“You’ve got to be kidding!”
The bullet pierced the combat unit leader’s skull from back to front.
“N-Noonim?!”
“What the hell was that?!”
She’s way better than I’d expected.