I Quit
The moment I made my bold declaration, the conference room erupted into chaos.
Fair enough.
My senior Kim Chan-il was still above me, and here I was — a mere seven-month newbie — suddenly demanding a promotion straight to D-rank.
The C-team leaders sitting right in front of me, who'd clawed their way up through D-team and C-team with such difficulty, had to be seething.
No — they'd try to stop me first.
Just like they were doing now.
"Team Leader Kang, ambition is fine, but that's far enough. If the D-team leaders hear about this, they'll call you arrogant."
"Right. It's good that you're full of confidence after pulling something off this time. But wasn't that all thanks to Baek Hwayeon? And Awoken promotion test fees aren't cheap — if you fail, that's a pure loss for the company."
"What are you doing? Department Head, Deputy Head, say something already. You're not actually going to grant this, are you?"
They were voicing their true feelings by borrowing the names of D-team leaders who weren't even in the room.
So what you're saying is I'm being arrogant, is that it?
I'd expected pushback, but I thought they'd quietly talk to Department Head Im when I wasn't around. Instead they were doing it right out in the open.
I'd never had a harder time keeping my expression under control.
Department Head Im spoke to me the way you'd scold a child.
"Team Leader Kang… you heard them, right? The company has its position too. The loot you brought in this time did bring the company a fair profit, but that was largely thanks to the Awoken. Isn't that so? In this business, you have to climb step by step or you'll have problems later. There are things you can only learn by grinding it out in F-team."
"Exactly. Don't rush too much. We'll make sure this expedition is properly reflected in your performance review and give you a generous incentive. Listen to your seniors and the Department Head here."
Deputy Head Park chimed in.
But none of those words were getting through to me.
I'd expected it to pass, if not enthusiastically — I never imagined this kind of reaction.
I decided to try a few more words of persuasion.
The reason the company was paying attention to Baek Hwayeon was because a scout offer had come from the government. They'd probably heard from some government official that she'd taken down the Nol alone during the Daejeon expedition.
I needed to raise the other Awoken's market value first.
"You're only focusing on Baek Hwayeon, but that's not right. The other team members performed brilliantly too. Of course Baek Hwayeon deserves most of the credit for taking down the Nol, and that's what seemed to shock the government side — but before that, when we faced the Sky Blowfish, everyone's performance was outstanding. And the stingray hunt as well…"
At my lengthy explanation, the Department Head, Deputy Head, and C-team leaders all wore expressions that soured on the spot. They were openly wearing faces that said, When are you going to finish?
"Look, Team Leader Kang. Let's say everything you're saying is right. Let's even assume that every single one of them got D-rank Awoken licenses. That just means the Awoken are talented. From the company's perspective, why should we promote Team Leader Kang to D-team? If we promote your team, what about Kim Chan-il? That guy's more soft-hearted than you'd think. If he suddenly quits the company, are you going to take responsibility? Especially with An Sora already gone."
"But the team members won't be able to show their true abilities without me. They'll come looking for me first…"
"Haha, what tremendous confidence. Fine, fine — but the company has its own position. If you could do whatever you wanted, would you be F-team leader? You'd be the company president. We all just follow orders from above — you know that. Our Kang Junghyeok is being unusually greedy today."
"That's right, Department Head. Still, with that kind of fire supporting us from below, our company's future is secure. Haha. Hey, Kang Junghyeok. Just hold on a little. In a few months, newbies will be lining up under you too."
With the Department Head and Deputy Head's remarks, the C-team leaders piled on, starting to treat my request as if it had never existed.
They said they'd only apply for the Awoken promotion test for Baek Hwayeon for now.
They clearly had no intention of granting a single one of my requests, and irritation surged up in me.
Still, up to this point, I could somehow endure it.
The real problem exploded next.
The direction they were heading was entirely for the company. And for themselves. They just didn't want some green rookie encroaching on their territory.
Since they had no idea about the abilities I'd acquired, I was angry — but I could understand.
But after that came something I truly couldn't tolerate. Something that genuinely pissed me off.
"Well then, shall we bring up Team Leader Kang's disciplinary matter? Honestly, I'd love to hand over even my Deputy Head position to Team Leader Kang right now, but this is a bit of a bigger problem."
"Excuse me? Disciplinary… what?"
"Ahem… We tried our best to block it, but in this industry you can't ignore the government and the Awoken community. I'm sure you understand."
"Wait, hold on a second, Deputy Head. What are you suddenly talking about? Disciplinary action? What did I do wrong?"
"Hmm… well, you see…"
The words that came out of the Deputy Head's mouth left me stunned.
These fucking bastards want to die.
"Word got out in the Awoken community. About not wearing cameras during the previous Haeundae Gate expedition… We might have been able to smooth that over once, but the same thing happened during the Daejeon expedition, and it just happened to get exposed to the government. So from the company's position, we needed something to show the Awoken community. And we can't scold the Awoken themselves — that would create its own problems. So who else is there to take responsibility but you?"
Wearing cameras inside dungeons is originally mandatory. But weak companies like ours had been secretly avoiding it. Obviously cost was the big issue.
The reason it's mandatory is to prepare for emergencies. In other words, under the pretext of protecting Awoken, the primary purpose is securing evidence and determining circumstances when accidents occur. Same principle as black boxes in cars or airplanes.
These cameras are specially expensive because they get multiple layers of mana coating so they won't break during combat.
Bang!
I slammed the table hard without a word.
Are these bastards deliberately trying to screw me over?
Department Head, you cheap bastard — you're the one who told us to cut costs and started this. And now you're dumping the whole thing on me?
You think just saying words makes it true?
"Hey, Kang Junghyeok! How dare you act like that in front of the Department Head and Deputy Head!"
One of the C-team leaders barked at me.
In this situation, I'm the one without manners? Is that what you seniors think?
I ignored the senior's words and dug through my pocket for a cigarette and lighter. I put it in my mouth and lit it. My hands were trembling so hard it wasn't easy.
Phew…
How could I not smoke in a situation like this?
"Look at this guy… Have you lost your mind!? Don't you know the entire building is no-smoking!"
"Department Head. Are we just going to leave this guy like this? Say something."
I even leaned back against the chair, crossed both legs up on the table, and spoke with deliberate arrogance.
"Hoo… Department Head. Isn't this a bit much? How much money did I bring into the company this week alone…"
The Department Head and Deputy Head looked flustered. The team leaders eyed each other, then stood up as if to drag me out.
You guys? Dare to touch me?
Go ahead and try if you can.
Crack!
I uncrossed the legs I'd propped on the table and slammed my heel down hard. The wood where I struck caved in and shattered.
The team leaders approaching me recoiled with expressions of pure shock.
I'd used mana.
"Wh… what…"
"This crazy…"
"A… Awoken?"
The chaotic air in the conference room froze solid in an instant. Everyone couldn't take their eyes off me as I leisurely smoked my cigarette.
I took a deep drag, blew out a long puff of smoke, and spat out a single line.
"Ah. I'm too disgusted to put up with this anymore."
"T… Team Leader Kang."
"Department Head. And Deputy Head. Shall I tell you an interesting story?"
Everyone held their breath, staring only at my mouth.
I should have just gone for it like this from the start.
Fuck. My own company — I can just slowly save money and set it up. No need to scramble around at a shit company like this. Especially when I'm not even getting proper treatment.
Thank you, Senior An. If I hadn't gotten 100% Synchronization Rate with you, I'd still be stuck under these bastards. It's all thanks to you, Senior.
"Do you really think Baek Hwayeon was the one who hunted the Nol on this Daejeon expedition?"
I uncrossed my legs and crossed them the other way. Everyone flinched, thinking I was about to slam the table again the moment my legs came free — it was amusing.
So this is the world Awoken live in. No wonder their personalities get so rotten. Fuck.
I flicked ash into the air and continued.
"Actually, you know. I was the one who hunted the Nol. Can you believe it? Hoo… I can barely believe it myself, so of course you won't."
"You… were… an Awoken? Since when? There wasn't the slightest sign…"
"Well, life just turned out that way. You don't need to know any deeper… But isn't this really too much? Did I refuse to rent cameras because I didn't want to? It was all because the company had no money — I can't take the fall alone, can I? So I'm leaving. This tiny little company."
"Th-that so…"
"My salary, and… ah, the loot incentives from this time and last time. Please transfer them properly to my account. Don't skim any."
"Ah, understood."
"And have the company cover the repair costs for this table… Let's just forget about the disciplinary action. We'll go with me having submitted my resignation."
"……"
"Ah, this table's unusable now. We'll need to replace it."
I stubbed out the fully burned cigarette on the table. Then I slammed my palm down on it once more.
Bang—! Crack…
This time I hit it with my open hand, and the whole thing shuddered with the sound of cracks spreading everywhere. Everyone panicked and hurriedly backed away from the table.
"I'll be waiting for those incentives. Please process them quickly. I'm unemployed starting now. And please keep what happened today a secret. Especially so it doesn't reach the government's ears… Even if it comes out it wouldn't be a huge problem, but I'd get pissed if I found out someone was talking behind my back. You all know how rotten Awoken personalities are, so I won't say more."
The Department Head and Deputy Head gulped and nodded.
I didn't trust them, but it didn't matter. If setting up my company got delayed, I'd just join a big corporation and work as an Awoken.
I haven't beaten anyone up or killed anyone — what are they going to do to an Awoken? Just because they're the government, does that make them everything? Just because they're the military? At most I'd get the same kind of scout offer that went to Baek Hwayeon.
"Well then, goodbye… Ah, seniors — if we meet in a dungeon, let's just smile and exchange greetings."
With those words, I stood up and walked out.
I considered kicking the door until it broke too, but held back — if things got bigger, a repair bill would probably come flying my way.
I went straight upstairs, packed up my things from the office, and walked right out.
And just like that, I became unemployed today.
My feelings were strange.
So this is when you use the phrase "bittersweet."
To soothe the empty feeling, I started with a meal. I wondered why people eat gukbap at times like this, but after eating, the hearty warmth filled up that hollow space in my chest.
I finished two whole bowls.
After sweating through a full meal and coming out, it was only one in the afternoon. Since the meeting had been in the morning, I had plenty of free time.
When was the last time I had absolutely nothing to do?
Senior An was apparently taking classes at the Academy — she wouldn't pick up no matter how many times I called. There was no one to grab a drink with in the middle of the day.
If there was anyone, it would only be our team's Awoken.
Do I have to go see those kids again after all?
Maybe because I'd just quit the company, I didn't want to see them right now for some reason.
To start a company I needed to make money… I had the ability now, and crawling under someone else was the last thing I wanted.
Still, having Awoken credentials would be good, so I headed straight to the National Mana Examination Center.
At the very least, if I just attended Academy classes like Senior An, I wouldn't have to worry about living expenses for the next few months. I'd think about the company slowly.
"It's been a while since I've been here."
It's been about a month since I last came, right?
Unlike last time, when my feet had felt like lead weights, my steps were completely different now. The building that once felt massive and threatening now looked almost small.
"How may I help you?"
"I'm here to register as an Awoken."
"Oh, congratulations. You're already the tenth Awoken this month."
"Haha, is that so."
Even the security staff's attitude was on a completely different level.
So this is the world you live in, you Awoken bastards.
By the way, one of them must be Senior An, and there are nine more? Are people just awakening left and right?
"Please go in this way."
No procedures or anything — just submit ID and walk right in. Well, it's not like there are lines of people awakening, so that made sense.
"Hmm? Your face looks familiar…"
The middle-aged man waiting for me inside the facility. I recognized him too.
Right.
He was the very man who'd tried to turn me into a lab rat and draw my blood.