This Too Might Be Fate
The things I remembered were all the major incidents and accidents. The people I remembered were those who had made a big name for themselves—or a notorious reputation—within the company. And the time I'd spent here was twenty years. More than enough for a green rookie to grow into a heavyweight.
So I accepted Kim Hansu's proposal.
I dipped soft white bread into the yellow beef soup. The nutty flavor of the soup lingered in my mouth, and the chewy bread added to the pleasure of chewing.
Kim Hansu and Choi Heejeong kept glancing at me.
These two were already full-time employees getting decent meals themselves—why the stares? Human greed truly knows no bounds. Not that I'm any different.
Then, out of nowhere, Choi Heejeong said to me,
"Jeongha-ssi, you're a bit unusual."
"Pardon?"
"I mean, you always look so happy when you're eating."
"Well... there's not much else to enjoy around here. Gotta savor what we can."
Mealtime was one of the few joys in this company. Compared to the past, where I choked down rock-hard gruel every day just to survive, this happiness was on another level entirely. Back then, eating was purely for survival. Now? Genuine bliss.
Choi Heejeong tilted her head, looking puzzled. "Hmm. It just seems a little odd."
"How so?"
"No matter how tasty the food, how can you enjoy it when you don't even know if you'll ever get back to the original world?"
Ah. Fair point. She'd think that way, naturally. Come to think of it, I was the same at first. Begging every night to return to the real world. Waking up in bed and praying it was all a dream.
Then... I just adapted. Amazing how quickly you get used to this life. If my past self saw me now, he'd deny it outright: That can't be me.
"Look over there," Choi Heejeong said, pointing to a table. It was the new interns from a couple days ago. "They're all moping like they're at a funeral. Some are even crying into their trays."
Hmm... Did I ever cry into my tray? Can't recall. Back then, aside from sleep, my mind was consumed with survival. I just wished to grow stronger to live.
Kim Hansu chuckled. "Who knows? Maybe the porridge is too bland, so they're seasoning it with tears. Kekeke."
"......"
"......"
A brief silence followed. Choi Heejeong sighed and turned to me. "Haa... Let's try to find a way, Jeongha-ssi. A way back to the original world."
She wasn't letting this go. So I decided to drop a hint.
"Heejeong-ssi."
"Yes?"
"Even if we get back to our original world, it might not be the peaceful one you remember."
"Pardon? What do you—"
"You saw what happened on Underground Floor 10."
Everyone in the Safety Planning Department knew roughly what Angelica was. No one spoke of it aloud—it wouldn't do any good—so it stayed hushed.
Choi Heejeong's eyes shook violently at my words. "Th-then Seoul..."
"Similar things are probably happening there too."
Probably? No, definitely. I'd heard, seen, and lived it. Cruel as it was to say, I had no desire to return to the original world. I'd heard plenty from Choi Heejeong already. She likely came from the same world as me. If so, her hometown was long gone.
"Next up: It has been decided that today's new recruits will be hired across all company departments."
"This comes after successive layoffs left every department short-staffed..."
"Hm?"
The monitor in the cafeteria drew everyone's attention. The news from the News and Publishing Department jogged my memory. When layoffs hit or too many veterans died, leaving departments understaffed, this happened. Unlike when I joined, every department was hiring simultaneously.
That thought led to another: Today, four persons of interest were arriving.
* * *
In the operation control room, we got the full scoop from Manager Cherubim.
"The Safety Planning Department and Personnel Innovation Department, who cleared Floor 14, gave up priority on the next floor. In exchange, they teamed up with the other departments to snag hiring rights!!"
Kim Hansu snickered. "Crushing them with numbers and scale, eh? Kekeke."
Sacrificing raid priority was pragmatic payback. With all departments united against layoffs, they had the moral high ground for joint hiring. No department could refuse easily, regardless of whose turn it was.
Clack, clack.
Then came the familiar click of heels. Director Madric Blood.
"Cherubim. Prepare thyself. It begins soon."
"Whoaaa!! You're here!! How'd the meeting go!!"
"'Tis done, hence my presence here."
"Right you are!!"
"Come, let us go."
We headed to the central lobby square. To enter the square from the Safety Planning Department grounds, we descended stairs—with a full view from up top.
Workers in suits repaired battle damage everywhere in the square. Choi Heejeong spoke up. "They're working hard."
"That's the Technical Information Department's job!! They supply, repair, maintain, and upgrade company facilities, equipment, and employee gear!!"
"I see."
"And they're our loyal Safety Planning subordinates too!! Ahem!!"
"Pardon? How so?"
"They fix our busted turrets and surveillance cams!!"
"Ah, got it."
I tilted my head briefly, then asked Manager Cherubim, "So the Technical Information Department is fixing our stuff with their own resources? I thought remote repairs were possible from the operation control room."
Cherubim flinched, pressing a finger to her lips. "Shhh!!"
"......"
To her, they were the "nice subordinates fixing our gear for free." Even the usually silent Madric Blood chimed in. "They do their duty. No need to advertise it. Leave them be."
If that's what the director wanted. "Understood."
Come to think of it, they'd probably want to meet me too. No word yet meant they were swamped.
As Madric Blood moved to descend, she glanced back. "Cherubim. Come hither."
"Yes!!"
Flap flap.
Cherubim flew to her side. Madric Blood then turned to me. "Kim Jeongha."
"Yes, Director."
"Wilt thou join me?"
I was mildly surprised. Department heads usually brought one or two aides when inspecting new hires—to bolster their prestige and let recruits memorize the real power players' faces.
Her intent was clear: You're my confidant.
"Hurry up!! Section Chief Kim!!"
Grateful, but I shook my head. "I'll stay up here."
"So be it?"
"Yes."
Madric Blood nodded impassively. "......Do as thou wilt."
Yet for some reason, her hesitant tone carried a hint of regret.
Kim Hansu beside me shrugged, chuckling. "Kekeke."
"What?"
"Huh? Nothin'. Kekeke!"
He laughed like that often enough; I let it slide.
My reason for staying topside: I wanted a full view of the new faces. Simple curiosity: 33%. Hope of spotting a familiar one: 33%. Confirming that guy's position: 33%. And the last 1%: avoiding his notice.
The railing was packed with veterans like me, scoping the newbies. Uniform suits made me blend in—unlike standing by the director.
Yet amid the crowd, someone recognized me.
"Hey, Walkie-Talkie. Spare a minute?"
I turned at the familiar voice, replying curtly. "Why call on me, Seon Ga-hee-ssi?"
Her aide's eyes widened. "S-Seon Ga-hee... ssi?"
"She's not technically my superior. If you expect respect from me, use my proper name."
"Hey, you!"
The aide stormed forward, furious, but Seon Ga-hee stopped her. "Mask! Stand down."
"But Director—"
"I said stay put."
"......Yes, ma'am."
Seon Ga-hee eyed me. "You're right. I'm not your superior. And I admit being rude about your lower rank."
She paused, then seemed resolved. "I won't call you Walkie-Talkie anymore either. So..."
"Kim Jeongha."
"Got it. Kim Jeongha. Yeah, I'll remember."
She muttered it repeatedly: Kim Jeongha, Kim Jeongha...
Bad with names? Explained the nickname, at least. A new side to her.
I nodded. "What's the reason for summoning me? While we're at it, a question for you, Director Seon Ga-hee."
Adding her title softened her expression. She thought I'd forgiven her, somewhat.
"The tracking spell I cast yesterday?"
"Spot on."
"Sorry."
...Huh? I blinked in shock. Seon Ga-hee, apologizing so readily?
Her follow-up left me stunned. "I know one 'sorry' doesn't cut it. And that Personnel Innovation got major help from you."
"......"
"But bear with me in front of my subordinates. I'll apologize properly later. That's why I called."
"Well..."
Hard to stay mad. I understood a director's position. Her coming to me personally felt sincere. Her gaze held new respect, unlike before.
I nodded. "Fine. I'll visit when I can."
"Good."
Seon Ga-hee turned to leave. Her aide, glaring through her mask, warned, "Don't keep the director waiting too long."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
I wanted this awkwardness cleared ASAP too.
Soon, they descended. I exhaled heavily. "Hoo..."
Tension eased. I'd been bold with her because Madric Blood was watching. Looking down, our eyes met. She smiled: Hehehe.
With her hearing, she'd caught the whole exchange. Thou shalt follow only me. Understood? Disobeying would've irked her badly. I needed that Blood Impact lesson—no hiccups. Especially after skipping last night.
"Gotta go tonight," I muttered to myself.
"Mr. Popular, eh, Jeongha-hyung? Heh heh."
"Must be nice, Jeongha-ssi."
"Don't let it get around."
"Sure, sure."
Some back-and-forth, but all departments gathered quickly. Soon after, the entire central square trembled faintly.
Rumble...
Portals spawned everywhere. Silhouettes appeared beyond them.
Someone nearby shouted, "New hires incoming!"
I steeled my gaze, determined not to miss a single face.