Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Self-Introduction (2)
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As soon as I bowed politely in greeting, applause poured in.
There was no need for me to say anything more. Joo naturally took the mic from my hand.
People's gazes shifted to the person holding the mic. I turned my body slightly toward Joo, inwardly relieved.
The person standing comfortably in the spotlight.
Joo began speaking coolly.
“Since it's just us, let's keep it casual.”
To Joo's left stood me, and to his right, Yoon. My master was letting his bored gaze drift over the audience.
In contrast, Joo gave the impression that flowers might flutter behind him.
The HR Director said.
“Hildebert is a rookie who was only officially appointed this month. Twenty-eight years old. In fact, he passed the recruitment exam at the beginning of the year, but there were issues during the Anti-Aging and Enhanced Body processes, so his appointment and introduction were delayed.”
The explanation continued in a flat tone. The smooth account matched what I'd heard from my master. My fabricated administrative records. He'd handled all his academic coursework online, then lived by doing various odd jobs in cyberspace.
Joo neatly summarized it all and wrapped up the introduction. The people gathered in the auditorium listened quietly to the HR Director.
A clear voice and the sound of rain outside the window.
Joo finished speaking just as things were starting to feel a bit dull.
“The official introduction ends here. Now let's hear a short self-introduction from the rookie, and then take five minutes for free questions.”
The mic came back to me.
So the moment had finally arrived.
I took the mic, trying to hide the resignation seeping into my smile.
Rumble, boom!
An enormous sound came from outside the window. People's heads turned reflexively. The windows rattled and shook unsteadily in the wind and rain.
Whoosh. A chilling sound pierced through the window.
“It's really pouring out there.”
Joo muttered with a laugh.
The tornado must have gotten closer. The rain was intensifying.
I glanced at the window, then turned my gaze back to the audience.
I planned to wrap this up quickly. Just before, Joo had eased the pressure by saying ordinary rookies keep it short.
Since everyone's getting bored, you do the same.
“Hello. Allow me to greet you again. I'm Hildebert Talib.”
My voice echoed through the auditorium.
Luckily, it didn't tremble.
Under the barrage of gazes, I continued.
“There were issues in the Enhanced Body process, so I'm late with my greetings. As the HR Director explained, I don't have any standout experience to boast about, but that means I'm a clean slate, ready to learn everything. Some of you might wonder where this rolling stone came from. Since I rolled in on my own, I may not be a stepping stone, but I'll work hard not to be a stumbling block. I know I just need to do my part well. I'll do my best. Please watch over me kindly.”
I dipped my head in a bow.
Applause followed. I let out a small breath and looked out at the auditorium.
Everyone was looking at me. It was a mercy that the darkness hid their expressions.
I hoped no one would ask questions....
“Who's your master?”
Of course not.
It was a man in the front row with graying hair who asked.
He had an overwhelming presence. Even from the stage, I had to steel myself not to be overwhelmed.
I met his piercing gaze and replied.
“Choi Yoon.”
The hall stirred.
I could see the agitation spreading slowly through the auditorium. People's eyes widened at my answer.
I knew this reaction. Everyone in the Supreme Commander's office had reacted the same way. Lee Ho too.
Yes, that's right, everyone. My master is that man standing right next to me.
I kept a detached expression as the whispers erupted.
“Yoon? Doesn't he skip training rookies because of his science division work?”
“It's less the science division and more his personality....”
“Hey, the rookie's right there. Keep it down.”
“So that's why he's up there. I was wondering why that face was on stage.”
“He looks like he finds it annoyingly tedious.”
“But he always has that expression....”
“Does he even have time? Isn't he one of the science division's top brains?”
“But this rookie—starting with that difficulty level from year one?”
The seniors' murmurs flew at me one by one.
I stood there with my hands neatly clasped, smiling. Do well here, Hildebert. I couldn't let my true feelings slip, just like in front of Lee Ho.
The man who'd asked the question crossed his arms and eyed me appraisingly.
But just as I tried to perfect the smile on my face, a familiar voice rang out.
“Hey, the rookie's already got that detached look?”
It was Ricardo.
He saw the smile plastered on my face and clicked his tongue.
“What happened to make the kid pull that expression already?”
What's wrong with my expression?
But many nodded in agreement with Ricardo's words. I spotted people nodding here and there. Some covered their mouths, others looked at me with eyes full of sympathy.... Ricardo was over there clutching his stomach, holding back laughter.
Is this situation funny to you?
“What do we do? We have to treat him well....”
Someone muttered.
“Just buy the rookie some food.”
Another Badger chimed in. Yes, please be good to me, everyone. Though I'm actually doing better than you seniors think.
The murmurs continued. The whispers showed no sign of stopping.
Amid all this, my master, standing onstage with me, remained as impassive as ever.
Yoon said dryly.
“I get your reactions, but all this is the HR Director's decision.”
Gazes snapped to Joo.
Joo wore a faint smile. The murmurs rose again.
As people shot him looks asking what this was about, he rested his hand on his chin, tilted his head, and looked me over.
“Hmm~....”
The HR Director dissecting my desperate smile.
I turned my head to meet his gaze. And beamed! With all my might.
Joo's eyes curved into crescent moons.
“Hilde.”
Daisies seemed to flutter behind him.
“You seem to be doing well, and I'm glad~.”
“Hey!”
Ricardo slammed the armrest of his seat.
“How is that a 'doing well' face? His eyes are completely dead!”
“What's wrong with his eyes? He's just tall and handsome.”
“Ah, thank you, Director. And thank you for your concern, Senior Ricardo. But I'm really doing fine.”
“That's right. If there's any problem, come find me anytime, Hilde. My office is on the 9th floor of HQ~.”
“Yes, HR Director. Thank you.”
“Wrong.”
A beautiful woman with tanned skin smiled as she gave her verdict.
“He's already scared stiff, isn't he?”
No, I'm not.
I've been given a house and I'm doing great.
My inner thoughts didn't reach the people in the auditorium. I kept the bright smile fixed on my face and turned my gaze back to the crowd.
The battle-hardened questioner scrutinizing me with an inscrutable face. Lee Ho watching the scene with an amazed expression. Ricardo hunched over, stifling laughs. And Ska Aide in the back row, giving me a pitying smile.
Ye-hyeon was observing the situation with a subtle smile.
I scanned the crowd carefully, avoiding his gaze.
I spotted Ami blinking her round eyes repeatedly.
Yoon broke the silence again.
“For the record, he's not in the dorms—he's in the cabin next door to mine. Don't go poking around the dorms looking for the rookie.”
His dry voice echoed through the auditorium.
Sighs erupted here and there. Even the seniors who'd been silent until now let out genuine sounds of sympathy for me.
I kept smiling as I watched the spectacle.
My cheeks are starting to cramp.
“How'd the rookie end up there?”
The beautiful woman who'd evaluated my future earlier now rested her chin on her hand and met my eyes.
“Where'd you live before?”
Ah.
What should I say? For a moment, no good answer came to mind.
Yoon came to my rescue.
“He had no money and got kicked out of his one-room recently. He's got his sore spots, so don't dig too deep.”
He said in a parched voice.
“I gave him my unused cabin since he had nowhere to live.”
“Oh, sorry.”
Her large eyes rolled toward me.
The dark brown eyes under her long lashes checked my complexion. I strained to widen my trembling smile even more.
“I asked an insensitive question.”
“No, no. Thanks to that, I got a great place to live, so I'm doing well. This must be what they mean by a blessing in disguise.”
“What a sweet kid. Is that why the HR Director paired him with Yoon?”
“So training's nearby too?”
A man asked.
“Not using the dorm training room?”
“No. He will use it, but I need to sync schedules with the team using it now.”
Yoon answered again.
He withdrew his gaze from the questioner and swept it across the auditorium.
“Who are the masters of the rookies right above him?”
Two Badgers raised their hands.
I recognized one of them. He was one of the people I'd encountered when I first fell into this world. The man who'd pulled his mask up to his nose. He'd been standing with Shu—Ami and Ricardo had sent him off early, I remembered.
Those strikingly pale blue eyes stuck with me, so I recognized his bare face right away. He was a sturdy-looking man with a slightly angular jaw.
The other one was a stranger.
Yoon looked at them and asked.
“Have those two rookies gone outside the Center Core?”
They silently shook their heads side to side.
So there were two rookies right above me.
Was Shu one of them? Somehow, I doubted it....
Yoon's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“I'm planning to take him out tomorrow.”
The auditorium filled with noise once more.
Shocked voices. Gasps. Only a day since his appointment? Questions.
The reaction was explosive; this time I couldn't pick out individual voices. Nor did I have the energy.
Just smile, Hildebert, smile!
In the chaos, I tried to maintain a likable impression.
When the hell does this self-introduction end....
Rumble rumble, boom!
A massive thunderclap shook the auditorium.
It was loud enough to seize everyone's attention.
The murmurs in the auditorium cut off abruptly.
A chilling silence descended.
Joo glanced at the window and smiled.
“Rain keeps coming down.”
He gestured for the mic. I quickly handed it to him with both hands.
Joo took the mic, spun around with a grin, and faced the auditorium.
“You all must have lots of questions, but unfortunately, time's up. The rain's getting worse, and we need people to guard the Center Core, so the self-introduction ends here. Teach the new rookie well and help him adjust.”
His clear voice rang through the auditorium.
Joo looked satisfied at the Black Badgers listening quietly, then cast his gaze backward.
“Can I dismiss the kids now, Commander?”
People's heads turned all at once.
Ye-hyeon, who'd been sitting motionless with a subtle smile, slowly blinked. The Badgers' gazes flew to him and stuck.
Silence spread instantly over the audience. I tensed as I watched the Supreme Commander's reaction.
Ye-hyeon uncrossed his legs and looked down at his subordinates.
“Yeah. You all made time despite being busy—good work coming here.”
His husky voice resonated through the auditorium.
People stayed still, waiting for their superior to finish.
“The HR Director mentioned it briefly, but he's a special case whose appointment was delayed due to issues in the Enhanced Body process. I thought it best to introduce him in front of as many Badgers as possible, so we held this. He's still got recovery issues, so guide him carefully.”
The last sentence could've sparked murmurs like before, but no one spoke. The Badgers held still, facing Ye-hyeon.
“I've kept you too long.”
Ye-hyeon said flatly, then stood.
The two men beside him rose in turn. The men turned and walked toward the auditorium doors. Ska took a step ahead and opened the door.
Light from the corridor poured into the dim auditorium.
As Ye-hyeon stepped into the flood of light, he wrapped up softly.
“Thanks for coming quietly despite the bad weather. Now go do your jobs. Weather's rough, so be careful.”
“Dismissed!”
Joo called out clearly.
“Dismissed! Everyone head back safely! The last one out, lock the auditorium door!”
The auditorium filled with noise again. Sounds of chairs scraping as people stood. Sounds of greetings, conversations, footsteps heading out.
People began streaming out of the auditorium like a tide. Their noise drowned out the fierce rain. It felt like watching the end credits roll in a theater, with people gathering in groups of twos and threes to leave....
Someone placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Let's go.”
Yoon said flatly.
“Before the annoying ones grab us.”
Annoying ones?
I wasn't oblivious enough to ask. I nodded quickly and trailed after Yoon toward the back of the stage.