Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Director Ho's Offer
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I'd already heard about Director Ho several times, indirectly.
Mainly through office politics.
He was the line of A Squad, the elite team, and Manager Lee Byung-jin's line, the one in charge of manual reviews.
-That manager was originally close with A Squad. You know, what they call... 'the same line'.
-Director Ho has his eye on Junior Kim.
-He's the best upper manager in this company. Don't miss the opportunity.
That's how I'd gotten those invitations multiple times from them—his line—urging me to ride the same line as them...
I just never expected the man himself to show up out of nowhere in the D Squad office like some employee from the next room over!
"…!"
I reflexively shot up from my seat and bowed my head.
"Hello, Director Ho."
"Ah. You noticed right away..."
What was that sheepish act after casually calling Director Cheong by name without honorifics just now...!
'He barged in acting like he already knows everything about the fun proposal Director Cheong made...'
...Wait.
'Didn't Director Ho just say he had a proposal of his own?'
A proposal?
I looked at the young man still wearing that affable face.
He spoke in that same friendly tone.
"Sorry. I must've tensed you up by bringing up that scary person out of the blue."
"No, sir. If anything, I'm sorry. I should've greeted you properly..."
"Ah! I'm awkward with that stuff and don't really care. Make yourself comfortable."
As if.
'What a guy without much conscience.'
Or maybe... he was deliberately building tension.
Either way, I nodded and took a deep breath, loosening up just a bit.
'This is probably the reaction he was going for.'
Sure enough, Director Ho continued with a gentle expression.
Though the content wasn't so gentle.
"Let me take a guess. Director Cheong probably made you an offer related to the elite team. Something like forming a new elite team, maybe?"
"……."
Wow, for real.
Could I just spill everything straight?
But holding back might cause problems too. This was maddening.
I quickly racked my brain.
"Something like that... Ah! Sorry, I'm a bit out of sorts... Let me guide you somewhere comfortable first."
Pretending it just occurred to me, I led him to the guest sofa in the D Squad office, breaking the flow once.
If it hadn't been natural, the ghost story quiz show host would've incinerated me. Shivers, but it was a relief.
I dashed to the break room, prepped some snacks, green tea, and coffee, then hurried back.
"Green tea or coffee—which would you prefer?"
"Ah, just have whatever Sol-eum likes and give me the leftovers..."
Didn't this executive know pulling that was even more vicious!?
I gauged his reaction and offered the green tea, then bobbed my head as if I preferred coffee, bringing that over.
"Thank you for your consideration."
"No problem."
Director Ho took a sip of the green tea and made some obvious comment about how warm and nice it was.
"Look, I'm definitely not here to pressure you, Sol-eum... I just want you to relax. I came to get acquainted and chat a bit."
No office worker would believe treating an executive casually wouldn't screw you over.
But the next words were unexpected.
"We don't get to see Field Exploration Team members for long very often... So when I meet someone I can stick around with, I make a point to say hi."
"……."
"Truth is, the Field Exploration Team contributes massively to our company, but even in Development, there are desk-jockeys who just roll their pens around yapping about efficiency and treat you all like short-term hires."
Director Ho's eyes twitched for a moment.
"You might think I'm some idealist, but I don't like it. Right?"
"……."
Wasn't that a warm statement?
It felt chilling instead.
'...A company director shouldn't say stuff like that.'
He could fix it himself at his level, so why fish for agreement from a newbie like 'This seems like a problem, huh?'
'Not like he's screening for subversive elements.'
But it might be genuine, so I carefully adjusted my nuance.
Safe either way, without seeming defiant.
"...Still, no one's forced to work here. At least quitting's free, and I've heard Wish Grants are reliably paid out."
"Yes. As you say, Sol-eum, that's a small mercy."
Director Ho smiled with that affable face.
"Compared to groups that arbitrarily label ordinary citizens criminals without trial and offer them up to the Darkness as human sacrifices on a whim, we at least have some autonomy."
"……."
This guy really hated the Disaster Management Bureau...
'Don't let on I got tangled with them.'
I still had the agent's iron badge. Cold sweat trickled down my back.
I hid my expression by pretending to sip my coffee.
"People who want to live at least one day humanely would probably refuse."
"Right? You and I get along great."
Delusion.
But please cling to that delusion...
I desperately shifted topics before another time-bomb subject popped up.
"Thank you. So, Director, about that proposal you mentioned..."
"Ah, right! We should talk about that."
Director Ho grinned brightly.
"Actually, I'm putting together a project team, and I'm scouting staff for it."
"…!"
"I'd like to have you on that project team, Sol-eum."
What?
A certain line from Manager Lee Byung-jin flashed back.
-Rumor is the director's running a top-secret external project team under him... You could get transferred there.
'So it's real.'
But the unbelievable part came next.
"To be precise, as a team leader candidate."
"……."
Was this director insane?
"I'm considering three people, but honestly, if you'd had just two more years of service, you'd be my top pick... Hmm, for now, just know you're one of the candidates."
My mind was reeling.
No, hearing details was for when I could at least negotiate. Right now...!
'...Am I screwed?'
Like Paris getting the golden apple?
Choosing one meant the other higher-up would crush me.
This was worse than just picking a line.
'It burns the bridge to switching.'
What to do?
Just maintaining outward calm deserved self-praise.
'Best to reject both...'
"Ah, I jumped the gun. Should've started with compensation."
"...Compensation, you say?"
"Project performance bonus."
Director Ho smiled slyly.
"If this project succeeds, team members get a Wish Grant each."
"…!!"
"One per person. No exceptions."
Oh my god.
"And the team leader gets an extra perk... We can discuss details after you join the team."
"……."
"Ah, great green tea."
Director Ho stood from the sofa, rinsed his mug in the sink, and headed for the door.
"Take a few days to think it over comfortably and get back to me. Ah, but probably best not over a week."
Director Ho nodded at me like giving kind advice.
"Director Cheong isn't the patient type."
"……."
"If you need someone to talk to during work anytime, drop by my office. See you!"
That night.
Even after massive recovery from contamination and regaining a clear mind, I went home deeply unsettled...
'Feels like déjà vu.'
"Hoo."
I flopped onto the bed.
'Pretty sure I've gotten dragged into Development execs' internal power struggle.'
It was true I'd seemed useful enough to stand out, but things heating up this much was because the two directors were aware of each other.
The offers were absurdly good.
......In that case.
'Go with whoever treats me best.'
That way, at least I wouldn't end up a discarded string.
'Problem is, I have no personal info on the directors.'
Darkness Exploration Records focused on employees creating the exploration logs.
Names and profiles of staff, but execs making top-down decisions weren't detailed personally.
'Either way, neither's normal, which makes it worse.'
Director Cheong was already suspicious since Lizard Squad Leader called him an 'existence,' and Director Ho was off from his looks and speech alone.
Too young for an exec, tone like a volunteer.
'...Like Sung or the others, I can guess from appearances...'
But all speculation now.
'Tough.'
Diving into ghost stories was hard enough; dealing with this too felt unreal...
Anyway, after agonizing, I put a comma on the issue for now.
......There were more urgent problems.
......
"Brown."
Hoo.
"About bathing in the Tub of Youth... Could I substitute something else?"
A short silence.
"……."
"Sorry."
I said immediately.
"You're right, you shouldn't go back on your word. I think I messed up because I wasn't in my right state when I agreed."
Strange, Deer. It was just last night! This host clearly remembers no extreme fatigue, panic, dizziness, or anything making an interview hard. Oh, now I'm curious what standard you're using for 'not in my right state'...
"……."
So much cold sweat today.
How had I not sensed this terrifying thing...
I tried not to look at the plush while staying calm and continued.
"...But you knew my mind was contaminated by that manual back then, right? The papers from that kindergarten that stuck to my tattoo."
No way he didn't know.
Brown had even pointed it out directly in the blood bath last time.
That I was being eroded by the ghost story.
"You just thought of it as 'change' rather than calling it 'contamination.'"
Ha......
'Knew it...'
I suppressed goosebumps from just hearing 'correct' and barely replied.
"But I see it as contamination, and I don't want to be contaminated."
I raised my hand in the air.
My tattoo on the wrist was cleanly empty inside.
"I like my current self better. It's more comfortable."
"I don't like my judgment flipping like a page."
But I added something at the end he'd agree with.
"At the very least, I absolutely don't want to become that outdated Hangman or kindergarten teacher."
"……."
So.
"You want me contaminated because then I'd treat you more casually?"
Recent weeks flashed back reflexively.
Eroded by contamination, chatting freely and relying on ghost story residents without hesitation or worry.
Oh my god.
No, that much I expected.
I caught my breath.
Time to say it.
"No."
"Yeah. A friend isn't someone with the exact same values as me."
I chose my words carefully.
"And just feeling comfortable around each other isn't all there is to friendship."
This was... sincere.
"Friends try to understand each other's differences, and even if they can't, they give for each other. ...Through talking."
"And to repeat, I don't want to be contaminated."
I placed my hand on the desk where the plush sat, without turning away.
"If you can't understand that, at least warn me before doing something I don't want. Give me a chance to talk with you."
Fingers drumming on plastic echoed from the desk with the plush, like pondering...
And then,
Phew.
"Thanks."
...Seemed wrapped up well.
I sighed in relief and finally turned to face him.
My summoned good friend.
The somewhat scary, somewhat reliable plush.
I carefully picked it up.
"Let's keep doing well from now on."
This was sincere too.
After that, I followed through on one decision from my contaminated state.
Aroma meridian massage.
"I'll do it watching the shadow, so tell me if anything's off."
Not being a pro and just following the silhouette, it probably wasn't that refreshing, but Brown seemed satisfied enough.
While politely docking me three stars or so.
He even said this.
"That... let's talk more after some time."
...Hard.
Truly hard.
Balancing with a ghost story resident 'good friend.'
Not just scary and tense, nor blindly trustworthy and good.
'Finding balance in between is normal thinking.'
Be careful not to lose it.
I quietly listened to Brown chatter happily from the aroma massage.
Hmm. Well.
"Actually, I've pretty much decided."
"Tomorrow, I'll ask one question, then go straight to them."
I smiled against the pillow.
"Revealed tomorrow."
Thus ended the tumultuous day.
And the next day.
I really did ask that 'decisive question,' then headed to one of the directors' offices.