Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Main Quest (1)
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The next morning, I spoke to Leo and Daeho, who were still eyeing each other for a chance to growl.
"If I come back and find out you two fought, no dinner for either of you."
After laying down the threat, I hurriedly left the house.
I hadn't gotten proper rest amid yesterday's chaos, but strangely, my body felt light. Maybe it was anticipation for this new beginning.
Arriving at White Tiger Corporation, I opened the door marked [Temporary Team 10]. The office inside was livelier than I'd expected.
I must have been the last one, as Bora, Shun, Hanbit, and even Park Sunja all turned to greet me.
"Welcome!"
Bora said cheerfully, but her eyes sparkled with unmistakable curiosity.
Sure enough, everyone's attention was fixed on Daeho, whom I'd unexpectedly adopted yesterday.
"So, anything happen overnight?"
Shun asked, his expression a mix of worry and curiosity.
"Daeho slept peacefully."
"...Not you, the tiger. Is it okay?"
"...Of course?"
At my response, everyone let out a sigh of relief, then began sharing their thoughts on yesterday's absurd incident.
It had felt like filming a life-or-death movie scene, but in hindsight, it seemed almost like a surreal dream.
One thing was certain, though: that commotion had instantly brought us closer together.
Having our deepest secrets forcibly shared had led to understanding sides of each other we'd never known, fostering a strange sense of tight-knit camaraderie.
Creak.
We were in the middle of chattering about yesterday when the office door opened quietly.
In walked one of White Tiger's exploration team members who'd approached us right after the monster phenomenon ended yesterday, asking if we were okay.
His face still bore traces of fatigue and a serious demeanor.
"Good to see you're all fine. Mind if I ask a few questions about yesterday's monster phenomenon?"
He politely asked for our permission, and we recounted the bizarre events as thoroughly and honestly as possible.
The script's existence, the forced situational changes according to the script, and even how it had eerily pierced through our personal information.
After hearing us out, he pondered gravely for a moment before speaking.
"That's odd. The fact that the exact same type of monster phenomenon occurred only to you all and the support team members who resigned from Dongto yesterday is highly suspicious."
His words put us all on edge.
He chose his next words carefully before continuing.
"If any items you received from Dongto or personally possess seem suspicious, would you mind handing them over? Even the smallest things."
"...You think Dongto caused this?"
"Yes, frankly, I'm certain."
Park Sunja's question drew a firm affirmation from the man.
Park Sunja looked a bit flustered.
"Ah, even so, surely not to that extent..."
"Isn't it too much of a coincidence to call it chance?"
"...Can humans even trigger monster phenomena at will?"
"...That's what we need to investigate."
The man replied to Shun's question.
We asked no more and, in the heavy atmosphere, submitted the items and various things we'd received from Dongto.
Then, Hanbit cautiously asked.
"Would Dongto-related apps count too? I have some installed for work..."
The man rested his hand on his chin, thinking deeply.
"Apps? ...Just to be safe, delete them all, and have one person submit their phone with the apps intact."
"I'll submit mine."
Hanbit readily offered his work phone, explaining he had a separate personal one.
The man looked around at us once more and spoke firmly.
"Your first mission is to sever all ties with Dongto completely. White Tiger will provide safe apartments for immediate relocation, so pack up and move now. Keep personal belongings minimal; we'll handle the rest securely."
Stunned by the sudden moving order, we exchanged bewildered glances.
But his words carried undeniable weight.
As we reluctantly stood to prepare, the exploration team member stopped us.
"Oh, and one more thing. As of yesterday, you're all official White Tiger team members. Better late than never—congratulations on joining."
His words had just ended when a familiar yet new system message appeared before my eyes.
[Main Quest begins.]
[Inventory function unlocked.]
The system messages floating before me left me flustered.
What caught my eye first was [Main Quest]. Its content was surprisingly simple.
White Tiger mainly handled rescue missions, so steady activity should complete it naturally.
But the weight of "Main Quest" felt heavier than expected.
It was like a prelude announcing the real story of this world was about to begin, filling me with unwitting tension.
Next, I checked the [Inventory] function.
Thinking of "Inventory" brought up four semi-transparent rectangular slots before my eyes.
Is that all?
I discreetly tested it by holding out my phone toward one slot.
Like metal drawn to a magnet, the phone smoothly slipped into the slot and vanished.
"Huh..."
Simultaneously, an image of my phone appeared in the transparent slot.
Pulling it out was just as easy. Reaching toward the image made the phone return softly to my hand.
This was... incredibly useful.
Now I could store heavy luggage or important items safely.
Anyway, system changes could wait. Right now, we had to follow the White Tiger team member's orders and prepare to move.
My teammates and I stood to pack our things.
Before leaving, I sidled up to the White Tiger exploration team member and asked a few questions.
"Um... about the apartments we're getting—how big are they? And... is keeping pets okay?"
He chuckled at my question.
"Haha, no worries. The apartments are spacious enough to satisfy everyone, and pets are fine, as many as you want."
I breathed a sigh of relief.
At least the biggest worry—Leo and Daeho—was solved.
I decided to move our two feline housemates to the new place first.
Back home, Leo and Daeho were lying side by side in the sunniest spot by the window, bellies up, dozing peacefully—as if they'd never growled at each other.
Nearly touching, basking amicably in the warm sunlight, they looked quite serene.
I hated to disturb the peace, but no choice.
"Kids, wake up. Time to move."
Waking them softly, Leo and Daeho both blinked sleepy eyes up at me almost simultaneously.
That's when I realized a major problem: I only had one cat carrier.
The one from adopting Leo; no other cases.
Inventory... I didn't want to test living things.
In the end, I stuffed Daeho into the carrier forcibly and cradled Leo in my arms.
It looked a bit small for Daeho, now nearly cat-sized, but he fit somehow.
Sorry, Daeho, but no way around it.
Even shrunk, openly carrying a tiger would draw eyes, which was problematic.
"Grrr... grrr..."
Daeho grumbled lowly from inside the carrier, dissatisfied, but oh well.
I soothed him as I headed to our new home.
The new place White Tiger's team member mentioned exceeded expectations.
Opening the front door revealed a spacious living room with two attached bedrooms—a very comfortable space.
Worried about the "immediate move," but it was fully equipped: fridge, washer, AC, dryer, all appliances ready.
This would be comfortable for a while.
I gently set Leo down and opened the carrier to release Daeho.
Bewildered by the unfamiliar surroundings at first, the two soon explored every corner with curious eyes.
Sniffing around, climbing the sofa.
After roaming for a while, they claimed spots: alternating between the sunny living room window and the bedroom bed, kneading the floor with their soft paws like marking territory.
They seemed to adapt to the new house better than expected. Impressive.