Chapter 5
Chapter 5
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Black Badger (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
We soon arrived at the floor with the break room.
As the elevator doors opened, a scene like a hotel lobby unfolded before us. It was a floor with no signs of people. Beneath the dim lighting sat a luxurious ivory-colored sofa. Behind the lobby, where soft lighting flowed, a long corridor stretched out.
Ami, who had gotten off first, turned back to look at me.
"Give me the trash."
She held out her hand toward the hamburger bag I was still holding.
I waved my hand.
"No. I'll throw it out when I see a trash can."
"It's right there."
Ami pointed to a silver pillar with her hand.
That was a trash can?
I tossed the plastic bag I was holding into the trash can. Then I turned to the petite woman. Ami was looking at me with her round eyes.
She was still wearing the same clothes from when I first saw her.
I looked down at the woman who didn't seem a day over twenty-two, let alone seventy, and said what I wanted to say.
"The hamburger was really delicious. Thank you."
Ami's eyes widened even more.
She stared up at me blankly before her eyes curved into a smile.
"Next time, I'll buy you something even tastier."
What a nice person.
Perhaps sensing my touched reaction, Ami let out a cheerful laugh. Even her laughter sounded childlike. Despite the pistol and dagger hanging from her waist, the innocent feel didn't fade.
"The rooms are that way. It's a place for the command staff to catch some sleep when they're too busy to go home, but it's always kept spotless, so you won't be uncomfortable."
"Thank you so much."
It's probably because the HR Director gave me a good evaluation that I get to sleep here. As we walked down the corridor, I recalled the man who had come back to work after going home.
He only exchanged a few words with me, so how did he judge me so quickly?
Following the walking Ami, I cautiously broached the subject.
"But the HR Director..."
"How did he make that judgment so quickly?"
She's sharp.
I nodded, and Ami turned her head to explain.
"The HR Director has a natural talent for that sort of thing. He has a lot of blind spots, but no one reads people as accurately as he does. He has an uncanny sense of where to place whom, and he knows exactly what approach will boost morale. That's why he holds his position even though he leaves on the dot every day. Even though he makes holes in paperwork... Even though he's never been single during wartime, like the legend says, dating everyone from men to women to the elderly without discrimination, and even when problems arise from it... Oh, of course, he's also skilled in combat."
It felt like I'd heard a bunch of astonishing things all at once.
I widened my eyes and looked at her, but Ami didn't elaborate. Instead, she trotted along and flung open the door at the end of the corridor.
Ami gestured for me to come inside.
A massive bed. Smooth glass windows serving as walls. The night view reflected in the glass was dazzlingly beautiful. Beneath the dark blue sky, clusters of lights shimmered.
Come to think of it, I hadn't looked outside the building since regaining consciousness.
I had never properly seen what this world looked like.
I closed the door and stared blankly at the glass window.
Noticing my reaction, Ami let out an "Ah."
"You want to see outside?"
"Yes. If possible."
"Of course! I'll open the window up top too. The weather's nice."
Ami walked to the glass window in the center. She pushed open the upper part of the window. Feeling the cool night breeze rush to my face, I moved my feet.
I stood in front of the window.
Ami stepped back and said,
"I'll be here in the morning too. I'll be on the lobby sofa in front of the elevator, so wake up whenever you want and come out. If you get sick suddenly at night or something urgent happens, just press the emergency call button by the bed."
I nodded and looked out the window. The night breeze clawed at my cheeks, carrying its scent.
The smell and wind stirred memories.
A night view where my white hair fluttered vaguely in the wind, from some unknowable time. An endless city sprawling beneath my feet.
The memory overlapped with the sight, startling me.
I was standing on a rooftop. Standing at the edge, I looked down at the black shoes I was wearing and the city below.
Beside me stood someone with white clothes fluttering in the wind.
"How is it?"
He spoke to me.
"Isn't it beautiful?"
I slowly turned my head. Car lights vanishing from view, replaced by the night sky.
And a neutral, genderless soft voice calling my name...
"Mr. Hilde."
Ami's call snapped me back.
"Yes, yes?"
"You're leaning out too far. It's dangerous."
Ami approached me.
Her hand tugged at my shirt. With surprising strength, she pulled my body, which had been half out the window, back inside.
I nodded hurriedly.
"Thank you."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. Of course."
She carefully closed the window.
The night breeze stopped. The coolness faded, and the room's warmth enveloped my face. I met eyes with Ami, who was tilting her head and observing me.
An unfamiliar room and unfamiliar people.
I was their unexpected variable, someone who had to behave quietly and sleep here.
It stung that I couldn't recall the memory clearly. But since looking at the night view brought it back, other memories would return gradually too.
I calmed myself, thinking rationally.
Clearing my throat, I smiled.
"Thank you for treating me so kindly."
Ami stared up at me and grinned.
She had picked up the bag of clothes ordered by Joo from outside the room, said good night, and disappeared.
***
I slept without dreams.
Upon waking, I stared at the ceiling for a long time. I half-hoped closing and opening my eyes would change something. Unfortunately, nothing had. I still only had my name and fragmented memory shards.
Lying in the fluffy blanket with my eyes open for a while, I realized I was hungry. I also remembered Ami might be waiting in the lobby in front of the elevator.
I bolted up and checked the time.
9 a.m.
Bright sunlight poured onto the bed.
"Ms. Ami."
Forgetting to even wash my face, I flung open the door and rushed to the lobby.
"Sorry! I forgot you were waiting..."
"Ah, you're awake? Good morning!"
"Hilde~."
It wasn't just Ami waiting for me, who had run out in pajamas.
Ricardo waved cheerfully with his green eyes curved softly. I blinked at the man lounging lazily on the sofa.
Don't you have to go to work?
I don't know exactly what he does for a living.
My thoughts must have shown. Ricardo chuckled, draping one arm over the sofa back.
"I did go to work, but I got orders to stick by your side... I'm happy about it. Even if it were someone else, I'd have made time to come check on you~."
"Ah... So today, I'm spending the day with you instead of Ms. Ami?"
"Drop the 'Mr.' already."
"I'm coming along too."
As Ricardo replied seriously, Ami poked her head out and chimed in.
I looked down at Ami sitting next to Ricardo. She was dressed much more casually than yesterday. White sneakers, light blue jeans. Ivory long-sleeve tee.
"Is that okay?"
When Ami asked, I nodded.
"Of course. If anything, I should be the one asking. Sorry for sleeping in. Have you been waiting long?"
"No! And don't call me 'Ms.' either—just use my name casually. We don't care much about age, even if we do about ranks."
"Hmm... If you both say so..."
Should I drop the formal speech too?
I pondered briefly but recalled that Ricardo said to drop the 'Mr.,' not the formal speech.
Unsure, I decided to play it safe. I'd use their names casually but keep my speech polite.
"Ricardo... Ami. Looking forward to spending the day with you."
"Yeah... Let's grab breakfast first~. Ye-hyeon can only make time in the afternoon..."
"Brunch! Brunch!"
Ami sprang up from the sofa.
Ricardo smiled beside the excited Ami.
"I should change out of these pajamas first... They suit you well."
"Ah."
I had forgotten I was wearing the black silk pajamas bought by Joo.
Looking down at the pitch-black fabric, I replied nonchalantly.
"The HR Director has excellent taste. Thanks to him, I slept comfortably."
Small smiles spread across the faces of the two on the sofa.
Determined not to keep them waiting longer, I quickly added,
"I'll change and be right out. Just a moment."
"Take your time~."
"I'll buy you new clothes today too!"
Ami said in her clear voice.
I felt like I was accumulating debts that would be harder and harder to repay...
Heading back to the room, I thought of what they had given me. I didn't know when I'd repay them. But true favors aren't forgotten.
Hamburger set. Pajamas and underwear. A comfortable place to sleep.
If the time comes when I can repay them, I definitely will.
Rushing down the corridor, I flung open the door. Sunlight poured in through the open window. I crossed the excessively spacious room for one person and headed to the bathroom.
I turned on the shower and looked for the provided amenities. While moving busily in the hot water, I spotted the shampoo set and a plastic bag beside it.
Hm.
It seemed like something someone had left behind by mistake.
It was a medicine bag.
I picked it up and turned it over. The name of the drug on the outside was written in unintelligible text. Inside the transparent bag, green-and-white pills and red-and-white pills rolled around in individual packets.
Looks like the previous occupant left it.
I should take it out and give it to Ami and Ricardo. They might know whose it is.
I set the medicine bag aside in a visible spot and focused on showering.
***
I sensed something off after finishing the shower, getting dressed, and stuffing the medicine bag into my pocket.
Clunk!
A loud noise echoed through the room.
What was that?
I froze while rubbing my hair with a dry towel.
Blinking, I whipped my head around.
Where did that come from? Did Ami or Ricardo come looking for me?
Scanning the spacious room, nothing seemed amiss. The door was closed, and no presence was felt inside.
A huge bed big enough for two. A luxurious mahogany desk and a wall-mounted mirror. Folded pajamas on the chair.
Nothing particularly unusual.
Nothing that could make noise.
Construction outside maybe?
Casting glances around, I stepped out from beside the bed. I planned to head out like this. My hair wasn't dry, but I didn't want to keep them waiting more.
It'll dry in the sunlight outside. I hung the towel I'd been using over the chair arm.
Then I tried to go out.
Thud!
A loud noise halted my steps.
What the hell.
Frowning, I turned around.
Where is this noise coming from...
Oh.
I froze the moment I saw the window.
Something was attached to it. Not an insect. A shadow covering half the massive window.
The blazing sunlight created a backlight behind it. Its long shadow stretched across the room.
I forgot to even make a sound.
What is that?
What... no, what is that thing? Is it alive?
A machine? Or did some new species emerge while my memories were gone?
But its form was too grotesque for that. Eight spider-like legs clung to the window with suction cups. The legs protruded abruptly from a body covered in wriggling fur, and atop the body was a horse-like head. The horse head's forehead had multiple eyeballs attached.
...Are they filming a horror movie?
The moment I tried to rationalize it realistically, the window shattered.
A leg pierced through the shattered glass.
The pitch-black suction cup approached at alarming speed, and flustered by the sudden situation, I shouted,
"What the hell is this!"
My body was wrapped by the monster's leg and yanked toward the window.
At the same time, the door burst open.
"Hilde!"
"Grab the window frame!"
Ami and Ricardo shouted urgently, but before I could respond, my body free-fell out the window.