The GOAT of Employee Welfare
Kiiiieeeiiiit!!!
BOOM!
A dark room. Some unknown place. It looked like a cramped spot that somehow felt alive, but the darkness swallowed it whole.
In that gloom, a kid was thrashing around. Covered head to toe in a robe and a locust mask, no one could tell who it was, but the age and energy screamed high-schooler. Definitely not someone his age.
What the hell is that old man doing here?! Just when I was about to get my hands on him at the perfect moment, the brat’s timing ruined everything! He had to stick his nose in and mess up my whole plan!!
Right beside him stood an adult in the exact same robe and mask, arms crossed, watching the chaos unfold. A boss who was still a kid, but the woman next to him was clearly grown-up. Something felt off about the whole picture.
If it had been Lee Baek, he would have dropped the classic line “Rip out that kid’s brain right now.” So this? This had to be normal.
Hey, what is this? You claim to know everything about Yumi’s shop better than anyone!
Yes. I do know. I knew about that man as well, at least.
Why didn’t you report him?!
He was just an ordinary part-timer. Nothing special about him. I even checked with the Association—he wasn’t even a pro battler, and his background info was basically nonexistent.
What the hell is an ordinary part-timer doing poking his nose into someone else’s family business?!
BOOM! Something clattered and rolled across the floor.
The empty bottle on the table had fallen and smashed on the ground.
Damn kid. I’m not your nanny.
The woman in the robe glanced at the mess with clear irritation. She was a superior, after all, so she was supposed to be patient. But the truth was she was seething.
There’s no one on this planet who would welcome becoming an emotional trash bin for a kid when they’re not even an adult themselves.
We’ll figure it out eventually. But what are you going to do now?
What do you mean?
About this whole mess. You let the method get exposed way too early. The overseas branch is using mafia or yakuza contacts to pull off flawless card collections, and we go and touch the kid ourselves. We were supposed to recruit an adult, not a child—how the hell did this happen?
Ah… that…
Sitting in the branch manager seat and losing to Han Taeyang on my first operation? That burned me up. I hope that’s not the conclusion you’re jumping to.
Huff.
If I were an adult I’d report it straight to the top and own it, but the opponent is a kid. Never mind social skills—his pride comes first. This whole thing started because of his own insecurity, so the conclusion was obvious.
I’ll handle it myself! It’s not time to report to the higher-ups yet!
Just like a kid. Being handed the branch manager title because of your Beyond Battle skills was a mistake. You still don’t know the fastest way to fix this is to report to your boss and clean up under the table.
But the subordinate woman said nothing. She simply stood with arms crossed, watching her boss self-destruct like it was none of her business.
Branch Manager, it’s time for the regular report.
Of all the times to call…
At that exact moment, a bright, enormous screen materialized right in front of Han Gang, blocking his entire view. It felt like a beam projector aimed at empty air.
Right after, a hulking figure in a suit appeared beneath the locust mask. Even the suit had a cape draped over it. If Lee Baek had been here, he would have sneered, “Even a boss character doesn’t need that ridiculous getup.”
Damn it. All the old men who support the Great Leader are gathered too!
The elderly men seated around the conference table looked equally ridiculous in their suits and capes. But Han Gang couldn’t laugh. He was too busy feeling the crushing pressure coming from the person on the other side of the screen.
He swallowed hard. Even through the screen, the weight on his shoulders was crushing. The woman in the robe—usually so dismissive of her boss—bowed her head like a secretary, hands folded over her belly, showing perfect respect.
T-The Great Leader of Locust… I, Han Gang… I am here to report…
─Apologies for the interruption. Current time: 13:23. Present Seoul branch manager Han Gang and on-site assistant Nunbora. We, the honored Great Leader of Locust, bring you this regular report.
Instead of the clumsy kid, the woman who called herself “Nunbora” gave a flawless corporate greeting using the proper honorifics.
The Great Leader shook the long red hair sprouting from beneath his mask and glared at Han Gang.
Han Gang.
─Yes! Your great majesty, the Great Leader!
How is Seoul? How is the operation?
S-So far in the capital area! We planted spies in about eight elementary schools and are collecting rare cards!!
……
That’s all?
The next sigh shook Han Gang’s shoulders. Nunbora stepped in to continue the report.
I must report again. The Seoul branch is struggling to find an organization to recruit for proselytizing. Therefore, instead of adults, we are focusing on selecting and indoctrinating children with wide circles of influence. We are preparing the groundwork to gradually increase our followers through them. I swear we will proudly report the fruits of this effort in the next regular report.
Is that really the only reason you targeted a child? Any other motive?
Ah…
…No. Every child we selected is a subordinate already. They will be a great help in securing funds.
Of course, all lies.
Good. A farmer who works hard to cultivate his grain must make delicious food. If that’s the reason, I won’t need to reprimand you in this report.
He swallowed again. It was the Great Leader’s line.
However, Nunbora. Your hard work shows. Even if you hid some unpleasant truth, you didn’t.
……
No. It’s fine.
The elderly men in the room exchanged small smiles. Even the branch manager didn’t know who they were.
But the Great Leader didn’t react at all to the rudeness of laughing at someone else’s conversation.
Then all is well. But what must be reported is not everything.
Yes. As planned, we contacted Han Taeyang. We confirmed his skills and personal details. We will submit a separate report on the latter.
How were his skills?
He was an extraordinary Beyond Battler for his age. Thanks to his deep connection with the Princess, his stats and effects far exceeded what his cost would normally allow. Even though Han Gang’s body wasn’t fully there, he tasted the humiliation of defeat and retreat.
Hooh…!
Damn it.
Han Gang was openly furious that they even reported something so minor. But Nunbora’s reaction was stone-cold. There was no punishment for losing, and the Great Leader’s reaction wasn’t bad.
Is that so? Did little Taeyang beat Han Gang?! Hahaha!
The Great Leader actually sounded happy. At least the two of them couldn’t understand why he was pleased by the defeat of his own subordinate.
Your Majesty! I must speak! Why did you specifically order the recovery of the Little Dragon Princess!? I thought it was a strong card, but it’s not worth your attention—
Do I have to answer every single question you ask?
No! Sorry!
Han Gang immediately bowed deeply, sweat on his brow, fearing the worst.
…I was joking. Questions about the operation are always welcome, but this time I cannot say the reason even roughly. Do not ask twice.
Yes! Understood!
The Great Leader smiled continuously, in a good mood. The group of old men in the screen looked equally confused, tilting their heads as if they had no idea what emotion was playing on his face.
Now.
That’s when Nunbora chose to report.
Your Majesty. I must report something.
Hm. Go ahead.
Actually—
Report when the boss is in a good mood. Nunbora knew this flow well and gathered her courage to speak. Naturally, Han Gang’s face turned as pale as the description implied, and the Great Leader’s smile soon froze.
Damn it, why is she reporting this now?! She might get killed!
That’s what the kid probably thought. Actually the opposite. If I don’t report now, I’ll never have another chance to deal with it later.
Whether that was good or bad, they could read each other’s thoughts through the glances.
The Great Leader, watching them, read Han Gang’s hidden intention and reached out from beyond the screen.
Hah!
Suddenly Han Gang’s body lifted into the air.
Guh… ack! Ack!
A black aura from the screen tightened around his neck. Since the opponent was a child, he was clearly holding back, but he still flailed his legs in panic.
Your Majesty… Please, mercy! ─Kuh!
Han Gang. What advice did I give you when I placed you in the branch manager seat?
R-Report!
And?
Report, contact, consult! I said organizational life requires the Bo-Yeon-Sang!!
I placed you there despite your youth because I valued your ability. And now you treat me this way after giving you kindness?
─Kak! No! I was going to handle it! I swear!!
Hooh. You can’t even do something this basic? You’re nothing but a lump of ignorance who knows nothing except Beyond Battle! I told you to read books in your spare time!!
Hiiiiiiiiig!!!
In this age when so many evil organizations are born, self-improvement is not a choice—it’s a necessity! And a branch manager should not even have the mindset to serve as an example for his underlings!!
I-I’m sorry!!
The anger meter was slightly off, but Nunbora never interrupted.
Originally, hypnosis to coerce battlers was part of the later plan. I was going to control the precious pro battlers at this event, rip out the ace cards one by one before the Association could move. But you used your petty pride to handle it yourself privately. Can you even solve that?
It was clearly beyond what a kid could handle. As Lee Baek would say, the police or the Association would move tomorrow at the latest.
Even after causing such a massive disaster, the Great Leader’s anger didn’t last long. He almost wanted to kill the kid on the spot, but instead he turned his gaze to Nunbora.
Nunbora. Excellent report. I could have hidden the truth out of fear, but you didn’t.
This is my duty. It was entirely my mistake, so I was prepared.
Exactly Han Gang’s mistake, not yours. Reward those who deserve it. I do not lightly mistreat those who have earned. Contact the HR department in my name. Send you on overseas travel as vacation.
Thank you.
Nunbora bowed politely. On the surface cold, but inside relieved.
Even for an evil organization, reward and punishment are clear.
Since this happened, Seoul’s defenses have tightened. I will send capable talent once the situation calms. ─Any other reports?
There was a slight change in the target, Han Taeyang’s home life. It’s too minor to report to your majesty, but since the branch manager made a mistake, I thought I should report it now.
…Home?
The reaction was shockingly serious. Especially the word “home.”
Financial issues?
No. The shop is fine. On the contrary, it’s so popular it’s becoming a nuisance. That’s why a new part-timer appeared since last week.
A part-timer. How trivial. But gender?
Male. His age seemed similar to your majesty’s.
30s… male…?
For some reason I’ve never seen him leave the shop. He lives there, eating and working.
…Roommates?
Yes. It’s only been a week, so it’s probably not that weird of a relationship.
……
Your Majesty?
He remained silent for a long time.
He paced the conference room like a man with no idea what to do, muttering to himself.
What the hell is this?
Suddenly realizing he was being watched by the two, he straightened his posture and regained his dignity.
Seoul branch manager. Han Gang, listen up.
Y-Yes! Your great majesty, the Great Leader!
Do you want to make up for this incident?
Yes! Since it was my mistake, please let me handle it myself!!
Then listen. Until reinforcements arrive in Seoul, hide in Han Taeyang’s home and observe their movements. Report back to me. This is your last chance to make up for this mistake.
What kind of order is this?
Such an absurd command left both silent. They tried to understand the meaning.
That is… to hide in the shop and steal the Princess?
Exactly. If my guess is right, that man is dangerous. Nunbora is allowed to reveal herself to the world, so recover the Princess and destroy the man at the same time!!
!
Involving even me?
Han Gang felt the same way. If he defeated that old man, he could make up for his mistake. There was no reason to refuse.
Please, entrust it to me! I, Han Gang, will finish this!
Hm. I believe in you.
──Click.
The connection cut off.