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Chapter 4
[Human Qualification Exam]
- Hostility Level: Orange
- Risk Level: 3
- Importance Grade: C
- Details: An Anomaly that randomly replaces existing exams to test a subject's qualification as a human. Those who pass become human, while those who fail cease to be human.
Furthermore, this exam can appear anywhere regardless of location—including written and practical tests, and across both the internet and physical reality.
- Countermeasures: Use AI at the Data Center to run repeated fake exams to lower the probability of it appearing in reality. For every one real exam, create one hundred million fake ones.
***
[Special Cases and Dangers of the Human Qualification Exam]
- A case where an online lecture exam was taken at home via computer. Discovered after a mother reported a large beast inside the house.
This was the first case to appear during an internet exam; subsequently, the Human Qualification Exam began replacing online personality tests, psychological tests, and others.
- A case regarding a culinary certification practical exam. The exam required the subject to cook using their own body parts. The passing candidate suffered permanent disability due to loss of limbs.
Physical damage occurred as a result of the Human Qualification Exam.
- A case where animals took the Human Qualification Exam. While researching animal intelligence at a university, the Human Qualification Exam appeared when the animals were placed in a testing format.
Animals that failed appeared unchanged, but a crow and a monkey that passed became human.
The crow and monkey in question were used for [Security Measures].
- Cases where security exams were taken at an orbital space station, on Mars, [Security Measure], and [Security Measure]'s [Security Measure].
Since then, the physical areas where the Human Qualification Exam appears have increased.
- The [Security Measure] that tested the Anomaly.
Based on these cases, it is clear that this anomalous phenomenon is evolving. The mediums of appearance have increased, the target subjects have expanded, and its range has extended to [Security Measure].
In the worst-case scenario, every single moment of human life could become a Human Qualification Exam.
Perhaps there will eventually be more fake humans—bugs, animals, or fish—than real ones.
The grade must be elevated to Red.
***
[Regarding the Grade Elevation of the Human Qualification Exam]
We will maintain the current status for the time being.
Of course, a Red grade is correct. An Anomaly hostile to humans, an Anomaly that does not aid in the survival of mankind. It must absolutely be destroyed.
However, we have seen its utility.
How it grants and strips away the components of being human. What exactly are those components?
If we can understand that principle, or at least make the exam appear when and where we desire.
If we can turn beasts into humans for our use, like that monkey and crow, would that not reduce unnecessary losses of real humans?
We protect humanity.
If utilizing and researching an Anomaly aids the long-term survival of mankind, we will shoulder some risk.
However, we cannot simply ignore the latent dangers.
Since the Human Qualification Research Team already exists, let us establish another research team to study destruction countermeasures.
The day the Risk Level rises to 5, we will assign a Red grade and destroy it.
***
[Human Qualification Exam Appearance Log]
- A high school in Korea. Replaced the 2026 9th Grade Civil Servant exam. Discovered via a 119 emergency call reporting that a pack of beasts had entered the civil service exam site. The number of victims was 33, and as collateral damage—
Blink, blink. The cursor flickered behind the text. The middle-aged man, who had been staring at the monitor for a long time while writing the report, let out a deep sigh.
"Dammit. Isn't the probability of this appearing in a real exam less than 0.00001 percent? Of all the exams in the world, why the hell did it have to happen in Korea, and in a civil service exam of all things?"
As he leaned his heavy body back, the chair let out a loud creak. The woman sitting at a distant desk replied vaguely, keeping her eyes fixed on her own monitor.
"They said the Data Center has reached its limit. It's starting to appear in MBTI tests and CAPTCHAs, and they don't have the capacity to run any more fake exams."
"Dammit. Then they should just destroy it. There are already enough Anomalies in the world; why create more things to worry about?"
The man tapped his thigh irritably, then placed his hands back on the keyboard to finish the report.
The sound of clacking keys filled the air.
The spacious office felt empty, filled with vacant desks. In a room with only two people, the sound of mundane chores echoed softly.
After a moment, the man spoke.
"Did they say the follow-up measures for the anomaly victims are heading out today?"
"The Civilian Response Team in that area said they've already deployed."
"They'll probably just use Memory Erasers."
"Maybe a rookie will join. It would be great if they came to our department."
The woman spoke with a bright voice, harboring a glimmer of hope, but the man snorted.
Scouting people who had encountered an Anomaly was common, but those who had been severely scarred by one rarely joined the Humanity Protection Company.
Why would someone who escaped Hell walk back into it of their own volition?
Especially when they offer to erase those horrific memories if they refuse.
Still, the woman's eyes sparkled with hope as she said,
"These are people who failed the civil service exam. If they're long-term exam students, they might be desperate for a job."
"...Is that so?"
The man leaned forward, his face suddenly cold and serious, as if he had never mocked her.
"That sounds plausible. I'll be right back; I'm going to the Human Resources Department. I'll tell them to send any new recruits here first."
The man leaped up and marched away. He carried himself with the intensity of someone heading into a fight. When he reached the entrance of the wide office, the woman raised her hand energetically.
"Chief! Please! Make sure you bring someone back!"
"Will do! Let's fill this office up!"
He flung the door open and slammed it shut with a loud thud. The noise echoed through the hollow, vast office.
On the old nameplate of the closed door, the department name was engraved, the paint peeling away.
Anomaly Investigation Unit.
It was the department with the highest turnover rate in the Humanity Protection Company's Korea Branch.
***
Knock, knock.
"Is Mr. Lee Yeon-woo here?"
Lee Yeon-woo was sitting at the empty desk in his room at the Exam Study House. A desk lit by a white lamp. He gazed blankly at the swirling grain of the wood before turning his head. His sunken eyes stared at the steel door.
Knock, knock.
"I know you're in there. Please open the door for a moment."
"Who is it?"
His voice came out sounding completely stifled.
The man beyond the door replied.
"You went through something major recently, didn't you? I'm here regarding that."
"...."
Something major. Those words triggered a flash of nightmarish scenes in his mind.
The exam. Strange questions. People who became beasts. The Human Qualification Certificate sitting on one side of the desk.
His heart beat rapidly. His breathing grew ragged, and his vision spun. His mind began to fade into white. Lee Yeon-woo barely managed to place a hand on his chest and forced out a long breath.
"Huuu. I'm coming. Just a moment."
Since that incident, he hadn't been able to sleep properly. Whenever he lay down and closed his eyes, the memories of that day played back, triggering a wave of panic just like now.
It was even worse when he tried to solve problems to study. Every time he looked at a problem or an exam paper, his hands shook and he broke into a cold sweat. Concentration was impossible.
He repeated deep breaths until he finally managed to calm down.
Thump.
Lee Yeon-woo stood up, planting both hands on the desk, and opened the door.
As the hallway lights poured into the windowless room, the shadows of two men stretched across the floor.
"Hello."
"Hello."
Two men wearing fluorescent vests stood there, appearing entirely natural in the hallways of the Exam Study House.
One tall and one short, they hesitated before entering. The room, devoid of even a small window, was far too dark. The desk lamp was the only source of light.
"I'll turn on the light for a moment."
The tall man fumbled against the wall by the door, searching for the switch. Lee Yeon-woo didn't say a word. Though he was the owner of the room, their actions seemed professional. There was no reason to stop them.
"Ah, here it is."
Click.
The ceiling light flooded the room with a blinding glare. Their fluorescent vests flashed brightly. Lee Yeon-woo squinted, blinded by the sudden light.
"Let's step inside. Wow, there's nowhere to sit."
"Please sit on the bed."
"Thank you."
Lee Yeon-woo let them in. He gestured for them to sit on the bed, where an unfolded blanket remained. They sat on the edge of the bed with a natural ease, as if they belonged there.
Screech.
Lee Yeon-woo sat in his chair and swiveled it to face them. Because the room was so small, they were staring at each other from a very close distance.
Lee Yeon-woo spoke first.
"You said you came because of that incident. What exactly do you mean?"
"You experienced the Human Qualification Exam."
"...."
Blunt words. Human Qualification Exam.
Lee Yeon-woo couldn't answer. A surge of questions choked his throat, leaving him wide-eyed, his mouth gaping like a fish.
'How do they know that? What do they know? Are they involved in organizing the exam? Why are they here? Or are they another victim who went through it? Why me?'
As if reading his mind, the short man spoke with a smile.
"There is an organization that handles such anomalous phenomena. We are the people who find victims like you, Mr. Lee Yeon-woo, to take care of the cleanup."
Anomalous phenomenon. Organization. Cleanup. There was much to be curious about, but Lee Yeon-woo focused on the word cleanup. He could sense a sinister aura emanating from it.
"Cleanup...?"
Screeech.
He subtly slid his chair toward the door. He was positioning himself to block the two men with the chair if necessary, allowing him to make a break for the exit.
The man quickly waved both hands in denial. He continued in a friendly, smiling tone.
"It's nothing strange, and it's nothing bad. You know those old movies with aliens? It's like that."
The man curled his open palm as if pressing something like a ballpoint pen. It was a movie and a scene Lee Yeon-woo was familiar with. An agent flashing a light at a witness.
"Memory erasure?"
"Yes, exactly. This will be a good offer for you, Mr. Lee Yeon-woo. Honestly, you're struggling, aren't you? Your complexion is haggard; it looks like you haven't been sleeping."
"I suppose..."
"We will erase the memories of that time. You can simply return to a peaceful daily life."
"Ah...."
It was a great offer. In his current state, studying was impossible. It wasn't a good memory he was losing, but a nightmare.
Lee Yeon-woo leaned in, showing a keen interest in the proposal.
The tall man spoke.
"There is another offer besides memory erasure."
"Yes? What...?"
"Joining our company."
"I'll do it."
The words burst out instinctively. Lee Yeon-woo was so surprised by his own reaction that he covered his mouth. The two men blinked in surprise, then looked around the cramped room of the Exam Study House, their expressions shifting to understanding.
"Let's hear the details first."
"I... I was a bit too hasty."
"That happens. First, let us explain what the company is and what kind of world this is."
And so, the short man and the tall man took turns giving a general explanation.
There are countless Anomalies, like the Human Qualification Exam, and the organization that protects humanity from those dangers is the Humanity Protection Company.
The short man stopped smiling and added seriously,
"You shouldn't decide too quickly. Think it over carefully, again and again. I don't know which department you'll end up in, but in the end, everyone here risks their lives. many people actually die."
"...."
Lee Yeon-woo closed his eyes. Countless thoughts and worries flowed like a torrent. His mind was overwhelmed.
He didn't think continuing to prepare for the civil service exam would lead anywhere. It felt as if taking the test had become the goal itself. This scout offer was a stroke of luck, a real opportunity.
But there was the horror he felt during the Human Qualification Exam. A lingering fear that still clung to a corner of his mind. Did he really have to do a job that faced such things?
Three minutes of deliberation that felt like three hours.
Lee Yeon-woo opened his eyes. The white light from the ceiling reflected in his clear pupils. He spoke in a short, determined voice.
"I'll join."
"If you join, we'll leave your memories as they are. You'll continue to suffer; are you sure you want to do this?"
"If I don't join, I'll suffer even more."
That was his conclusion.
If he missed this chance, he couldn't guarantee the rest of his life. It would be dangerous, but he was willing to accept that risk.
The tall and short men stood up. With three people in the tiny room, it felt completely packed.
"Then we'll be going. Maybe we'll meet again as colleagues. See you later."
"By the way, how will I be contacted regarding the interview or further details?"
The short man moved the chair aside and grinned as he stood by the open door.
"The company will contact you."
Lee Yeon-woo nodded. Since they had come all the way to his room, getting in touch would be no problem.
The door closed. He was left alone in the bright room under the ceiling light. Suddenly, Lee Yeon-woo touched his lips. His mouth was curved upward. A laugh escaped.
"Heh. Haha."
He was joining. He got a job.
It might be a dangerous profession, but at this moment, that didn't matter at all. Pure joy erupted from him.
He jumped up and down, laughed until the room rang, and stretched his arms high as if to touch the ceiling.
'Right. This is what being a civil servant is. No, this is even better. Isn't an employee of a company that saves humanity greater than a civil servant working for the state and its people?'
Lee Yeon-woo hurriedly searched for his mobile phone. His hands, trembling with joy, dialed a number without hesitation.
"I got a job! Huh? It's a really great company. How did it happen? No, they actually asked if I wanted to join."
Lee Yeon-woo joined the Humanity Protection Company.