Last Chance
Her heart pounded. The onahole modification she'd witnessed today seemed destined to become a lifelong trauma she could never forget.
Jeong So-yeon pulled out the employee ID hanging around her neck and clutched it tightly in her hand.
Shared Property Facility
Processing Lab Researcher
Jeong So-yeon
"I don't want to..."
She didn't want to become the same kind of human as them. She couldn't possibly work alongside them. She refused to abandon her humanity.
She shoved the ID deep into her pocket and headed to find the HR manager.
Knock knock—
"Ah, come in. Jeong So-yeon, right?"
The HR manager, who had apparently known she was coming, had prepared some tea and snacks for the consultation.
"Hello."
"Yes, come on in. I've been waiting."
Seated across from each other at a square table, Jeong So-yeon took a sip of the coffee the HR manager handed her. She calmed her mind, steadied her breathing... and finally pried her lips apart to speak.
"Um... Deputy Manager, you know why I'm here, right...?"
"Yes. I got a call from Kim Jin earlier. From what I heard, the job doesn't suit your disposition, so you want to resign. Is that correct?"
"Yes..."
The HR manager, holding his coffee cup with a languid expression, quietly swallowed a sigh inside. An employee of the Shared Property Facility breaking her contract to resign... Did she have no idea how dangerous that was? In the old days, would anyone even dream of saying such a thing?
"Kids these days..."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing." The HR manager, realizing he'd spoken out of turn, flashed a quick smile to cut off the conversation.
It had been just over twenty years since he'd joined the Shared Property Facility and started his corporate life. Working in HR, he'd seen all sorts of people... but this was the first time someone had so brazenly declared resignation while ignoring the "contract terms." He thought she was incredibly reckless, probably because she was still a fresh-faced newbie in society.
And so... that's why... as someone older, with more life experience, he wanted to persuade her somehow.
"Hmm..."
A long yet short silence stretched on. The HR manager held back his words, while Jeong So-yeon fidgeted, at a loss for what to say. She was the first to move, casually dropping the ID from her pocket onto the table.
"I... no matter how much I think about it... I really don't think I can do this. I'm sorry."
"Why not give it another thought? You worked so hard to get in—it'd be a shame."
Jeong So-yeon had set her sights on becoming a researcher at the Shared Property Facility, getting into a top university on that dream alone. After grueling effort, she'd beaten 500-to-1 odds to get hired. She'd just started her first day at the job of her dreams... and now this sudden, impulsive decision. What if she changed her mind tomorrow? Wouldn't she regret quitting like this? What about her parents who'd celebrated her successful job hunt? Her friends who'd envied her life achievement...?
"Ugh..."
Her head throbbed. She didn't want to wrestle with such headaches. Shaking her head side to side to clear her thoughts, Jeong So-yeon nodded firmly and replied.
"No... I'll resign."
It was already decided. No matter how she looked at it, working with those lunatics was impossible.
The HR manager, unable to break her resolute will, closed his eyes briefly and opened them again.
"Alright. I get it. If you really don't want to stay, there's nothing I can do."
"Yes..."
"You won't regret this, right?"
"Huh?"
Why did he keep trying to dissuade her...? Jeong So-yeon tilted her head, not seeing herself as such an exceptional talent.
"Jeong So-yeon, I think you're misunderstanding what I mean."
"What...?"
"You're always replaceable manpower. So why would I hold onto someone like that...? Think about it carefully."
He wouldn't spell out the reason directly. She had to figure it out, agonize over it, and decide for herself. After all, it was her life.
"Take your time to think."
He took a sip of coffee and looked at Jeong So-yeon's face with newly serious eyes. She still wore an expression of complete cluelessness.
"One last question: No regrets, Jeong So-yeon?"
His tone had shifted, carrying a palpable pressure. He'd given her plenty of time. Now it was decision time.
Tension suddenly gripped Jeong So-yeon; she clenched her fists lightly.
"Well..."
She didn't need to be told. She knew this was her last chance.
Though she'd steeled herself, she wavered once more.
"I..."
Fidgeting, Jeong So-yeon let out a sigh-mingled response.
"Sigh, no, I really can't. I'll resign."
There was no need to be tied to the company. She was still young. With her elite university credentials, she could land a job anywhere easily.
"...I see. Alright, got it."
The HR manager, with no more to say, closed his eyes again and finished the rest of his coffee.
"Okay. Turn in your ID, fill out the resignation form, and you're done."
"Yes..."
The HR manager pulled a resignation form from his desk drawer. Unlike the thick contract over ten pages long... the single-page form was short and concise. Without even reading it, she filled it out and submitted it along with her ID.
"That's it. It was only a day, but you worked hard, Jeong So-yeon."
"Yes... thank you."
Standing up, Jeong So-yeon bowed politely to the HR manager.
"Really, truly the absolute last time I'm asking... no regrets?"
"Pardon? Yes. No regrets about my choice. The Shared Property Facility... no matter how I think about it, it just doesn't suit me."
"Doesn't suit you, huh..."
The HR manager gave a hollow laugh, frowning slightly.
"How many people in the world actually work at jobs that suit their aptitude? Everyone just grits their teeth and bears it. That's corporate life... but if I talk too much, I'll sound like an old fogey. I'll stop. I wish you a future full of hope, Jeong So-yeon."
"Thank you."
She bowed once more.
The resignation process was complete. All that remained was delivering the threat-like information about her violation of the "contract terms."
"Oh, right—resignation takes effect immediately, you know?"
"Pardon?"
"From this moment, you're no longer a 'Shared Property Facility affiliate' but an 'outsider.'"
"Yes... I understand."
It was a company she'd shared even a short time with, yet drawing such a line made Jeong So-yeon feel a twinge of hurt.
"Normally, those whose contracts expire do the exit procedures at outside cafes or reading rooms. But yours was so sudden... sorry it had to be like this."
"No, it's fine. I'm the one who's sorry for not earning your trust and quitting after just one day..."
What did the location matter...? Why make such a big deal? Jeong So-yeon couldn't comprehend.
"Take care."
"Yes."
The HR manager waved lightly in final farewell, and Jeong So-yeon smiled with her eyes as she left the room. She walked down the hallway... rode the elevator... got into her car in the underground parking lot... and drove toward the main gate of the Shared Property Facility.
"It's over..."
She'd just treat today as a nightmare. Somehow forget what happened in the Processing Lab and move on. Jeong So-yeon cheered herself on for the future.
The moment she approached the towering walls to exit—
"Stop. Halt."
The guard at the main gate stopped Jeong So-yeon's car. The facial recognition device at the gate flashed a red warning:
NO DATA
"What's wrong?"
"Just verifying your identity for a moment."
The guard was the on-duty officer she'd met that morning—they knew each other's faces. She couldn't understand why he was stopping her anyway.
"Please present your employee ID."
"Ah, well..."
The guard demanded her ID, but unfortunately, she'd just turned it in moments ago. After hesitating, Jeong So-yeon pulled her personal ID from her wallet and handed it over.
"I resigned today, so I turned in my employee ID and don't have it."
"Is that so...?"
The guard eyed Jeong So-yeon's face and the ID suspiciously, alternating between them.
"Come to think of it, you're the new employee I saw for the first time today... You started today and are quitting and leaving today?"
"Pardon? Yes... Is that weird?"
Was that even worth mentioning? In a normal company, maybe, but this was the Shared Property Facility. A place with strict outsider access controls and many hidden secrets. A new researcher—not even general staff—quitting after one day? Even judging by welfare and pay alone, it was at least five times what a civil servant made. Why? For what reason?
"Hmm..."
Jeong So-yeon's demeanor was far too suspicious. The guard scanned her face with dubious eyes. She, oblivious, wore an innocent expression.
"Why are you staring like that...?"
"...Frankly, you look extremely suspicious right now. We've had disguised reporters, protesters, or spies at the Shared Property Facility before, so I have to be cautious. I hope you understand."
"No... I'm not like that. I swear."
Jeong So-yeon sensed something was wrong... but the water was already spilled. It was too late.