Chapter 136: Corporate Retaliation (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 136: Corporate Retaliation (2)
After the meeting ended, practice repeated in an endless loop.
It was a relief that Jeong Seong-bin turned off the music before anyone actually puked. If he hadn't, we’d probably all be scrubbing the practice room floor right now.
"Hyung... can I go to the convenience store for a bit?"
"Why the convenience store?"
"I really want a sports drink..."
Park Ju-woo pleaded with a face that looked like a shriveled prune. It looked like a disaster would strike if he didn't get that drink immediately.
"I'll go get it for you. It's past midnight."
Since the main vocal's throat is precious, I decided to graciously go to the convenience store in his stead. It was late, anyway.
"...It's close by, so I can just go."
"Kids shouldn't be wandering around at night."
"Then go with me."
"Choi Je-ho, you stay here and watch the kids."
Leaving the members in Choi Je-ho's care, I stepped out of the practice room.
The moment I left the building, a sweltering wind enveloped my entire body.
Perhaps because of the tropical night, I found myself gasping for breath after walking only a short distance.
The song should be ready on time, but will the choreography be done in time? Where should I start looking for an action school?
Tasks that required time to think had to be cleared out during moments like this. This was wisdom gained from Hanpyeong Industry while surviving a hellishly busy season.
I was walking along, my mind racing, when a white light flashed before my eyes.
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[SYSTEM] A work order from the 'Person in Charge' has arrived.
▶ ☞
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A system message with nonsensical content appeared. It was the first time I'd seen this type of message.
I shifted my gaze to the right, but there was nothing special there.
What... what am I supposed to do?
At that moment.
I felt a powerful impact on the top of my head. Before I could even reach for a wall, my body crumpled forward.
My head throbbed with a pain so sharp it felt like it was shattering, as if I’d been struck by something heavy.
And it was hot. It felt like my skin was being scorched by fire.
A long shadow stretched over the light of the streetlamp.
Someone above me kept muttering to themselves.
"...You told them, didn't you?"
Because the man's back was to the light source, I could barely see his face. The pain made it difficult even to keep my eyes open.
The assailant sat down, pinning my back to the ground.
Then, he whispered into my ear as if asking a question.
"You talked about me to that writer earlier, didn't you? You're the one spreading rumors about me. Right?"
I could tell just by the voice. Yu Han-su was not in his right mind.
The head of the hammer Yu Han-su was holding caught my eye.
It was a product from a familiar brand. To think the tool the General Affairs Team assistant manager was looking for this afternoon was this...
If it wasn't for the system...
If I hadn't turned my head to look to the right.
It might not have been the left side of my scalp that was burning, but the back of my head.
Yu Han-su tapped my head with the piece of iron and spoke.
"I should have cracked this open sooner."
"..."
"So you couldn't use that head of yours for nothing."
A violent hand grabbed me by the hair.
I forced myself to bite my lip to suppress the scream trying to escape.
Struggling to open my eyes, I locked gazes with Yu Han-su, who was leaning down to look at me.
He was a type of person I had never encountered in my life.
At the same time, I realized something. Yu Han-su was dead serious.
This wasn't some momentary impulse; he had chosen a path to drag me down even if it meant his own life was ruined.
Think.
I didn't undergo regression just to be taken down like this.
I barely managed to hold onto my sanity.
First... take the weapon.
I grabbed Yu Han-su's hand, which was clutching my hair. Then, I dug my fingernails into the back of his hand.
Taking advantage of the moment Yu Han-su screamed and fell back, I picked up the dropped tool and pushed my upper body up.
My vision was blood-red, and I could hardly see anything clearly.
My brain knew I had to apply pressure to stop the bleeding.
But I couldn't bring myself to press down on the torn area with my hand. Fuck, it hurts even when I'm doing nothing, so how am I supposed to press on it?
As I caught my breath, unable to do one thing or the other, Yu Han-su's two ankles came into view.
Suddenly, I thought of the kids left in the practice room.
It would be great if this man only held a grudge against me, and it would be even better if he intended to surrender quietly after finishing with me.
But what if the target of his resentment wasn't just me, but all of Spark?
What if he intended to harm everyone he considered an obstacle, and...
What if Park Ju-woo had been here instead of me, or if Choi Je-ho and I had come out together?
I lunged and grabbed the ankles of the retreating Yu Han-su. Unable to overcome the momentum, Yu Han-su's body fell backward.
It hurts like hell. I feel like I'm going to lose consciousness at any moment.
But if I let this bastard go now.
I gripped the head of the fallen man tightly with my remaining hand. Then, I climbed on top of him and pinned him down.
Yu Han-su shouted something beneath my grip.
I couldn't hear him. Only the sound of my heartbeat echoed in my ears.
The sensation of blood racing through my head.
And then the feeling of all that blood... draining out below.
I felt dizzy. A resume I hadn't even called for appeared before my eyes.
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.
.
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Cumulative Fatigue Level: 70% (Labor Support Service in effect)
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That means I'm on the verge of death. Without the labor support, it would be 90%.
But I can't stop now. Not until I've completely stopped this man.
However, not everything goes as planned.
Despite subduing Yu Han-su, the strength in my hands gradually faded.
Conversely, Yu Han-su, driven into a corner, struggled violently.
Every time I used my strength to pin him down, my brain rattled.
The moment my Cumulative Fatigue Level exceeded 75%.
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.......
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The system appeared.
I couldn't see clearly what was written.
With my blurring focus, I fumbled through the newly appeared text.
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[SYSTEM] 'Worker's Compensation Insurance' is being notified to 'Party B'.
▷ If 'Party B' suffers a serious disaster during work, 'Worker's Compensation Insurance' will be applied once.
▷ During the 'Worker's Compensation Insurance' application period, 'Party B' can choose one of the following: ① Relief from pain caused by the occupational disaster, ② Rapid recovery from injuries caused by the occupational disaster (varies depending on the severity of the injury).
▷ Insurance benefits are limited to one time...
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How long will it take for this injury to heal?
When I asked the system, an answer came back immediately.
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[SYSTEM] A work order from the 'Person in Charge' has arrived.
▶ Assistant Manager Kim, did you get into an accident on your way to work? How long do you need to rest? I can't give you more than two weeks off, okay?
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Two weeks, when I need to tie this man down right this second?
I chose option number one without hesitation.
Then, as if by magic, all the pain vanished.
I could also see Yu Han-su's face clearly. The bastard was laughing.
"You son of a bitch, is this funny?"
When I grabbed Yu Han-su by the collar, he spat in my face.
"Kim I-wol, you need to be punished."
"What?"
I thought I’d misheard. Because Yu Han-su was spouting words that anyone could see I should be the one saying.
"It makes no sense for someone like you to be more recognized than me. Who do you think you are to insult me?"
"You've really lost it, haven't you?"
"If someone like you carelessly makes a name for yourself, it makes the industry look like a joke. You should have listened to me and learned quietly instead of acting up. A young punk with no damn respect..."
There was no need to listen further. I pressed my knee against Yu Han-su's neck.
"Gack... you bastard, you're trying to kill me."
"You tried to kill me too, you piece of shit."
I was out of breath. Although the pain was gone, the fact that my fingertips were growing colder remained unchanged.
If this continued, I could lose consciousness from excessive blood loss.
There's no time.
If I pass out, Yu Han-su will truly harm me. His reputation has already crossed the point of no return.
But, what should I...
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[SYSTEM] A work order from the 'Person in Charge' has arrived.
▶ Assistant Manager Kim, I heard you're getting an incentive for all your hard work. What was the reason again? Was it for doing your best even under a difficult boss?
[SYSTEM] A reward is provided as 'Party B' has complied with 'Professional Ethics'.
▷ Walk-in-Their-Shoes Ticket: You can make a desired target experience one sensation or emotion.
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Professional Ethics.
It was a type of message I had seen only once before, when I witnessed Jang Jun-hu's workplace harassment.
I thought it only had a function to impose sanctions if moral standards weren't met, but I guess it also gives rewards if you work hard according to those standards. As a way to positively change others.
What happens if I use the ticket while my pain is relieved?
The system answered my question concisely.
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[SYSTEM] A work order from the 'Person in Charge' has arrived.
▶ Assistant Manager Kim, it's not that you're currently in a state without pain. It's that you're in a state where you can't feel it. You know, that... Schrödinger's something-or-other.
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"Haha!"
Working like a dog finally paid off, damn it!
I wiped my sticky face and asked.
"Mr. Yu Han-su. Have you ever imagined your own head being cracked open?"
And then, I used the ticket.
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[SYSTEM] Would you like to use the 'Walk-in-Their-Shoes Ticket' on 'Yu Han-su (Producer)'?
▶ Recommended Program: Pain
▶ Yes / No
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When I selected 'Yes', Yu Han-su clawed at one side of his head. The agony was vividly reflected in his expression.
I covered Yu Han-su's mouth as he tried to scream, set the hammer aside for a moment, and then rummaged through his coat pocket to pull out his phone.
First, I reported the incident using Yu Han-su's phone. When I said I’d been struck in the head by an assailant, the reply came that they would be dispatched immediately.
Next, I entered my own number. Then, I called the contact saved as 'UA Part-timer'.
I had received a temporary phone when the personality controversy broke out, but since I hadn't returned it yet, my phone was still in the practice room.
So, if a call from Yu Han-su's number went to my phone...
— ...Hello?
Most likely, those guys would pick up.