Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Cheongak Mary Hospital #1
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"Okay. Skip the Management Bureau info. Never look it up."
It was such a ridiculous death that my head cleared up fast.
No, I was just completely dumbfounded.
For real.
I figured at most they'd track me if I searched for something like the Management Bureau. But apparently, lurking around the World Politics Bulletin Board and focusing on specific keywords got me on their radar too.
"You dumbfuck bastard. Six times? Does that even make sense?"
This is way too much, isn't it? How long has it even been, and I've already died six times? Please tell me my lives aren't capped at ten or something.
"Whatever."
Moving on.
I washed up first, scrubbed off the garlic stench clinging to my body, and cleaned the room. Looks like every regression starts with this crap. Of all the states to reset in, garlic-soaked? What a joke.
After cleaning, I booted up the computer.
"Gotta do what I gotta do."
Stick to the original plan: look for jobs out in the boonies. No more browsing the World Politics Bulletin Board. I wouldn't have died if I'd skipped that. Searching brings the black-suited guys? That's straight out of a ghost story.
Crunch.
Thinking about it made my molars grind, rage boiling up.
What? An organization serving humanity?
Bullshit doesn't get more bullshit than that.
From what I've seen, the Management Bureau are just the shadowy enforcers controlling hidden info and eliminating civilians who stumble onto secrets. True black ops tentacles.
If they weren't, they wouldn't have kidnapped me to extract my brain, or tried to kill me just for reading some forum posts last time.
If the Management Bureau really cared about humanity, they'd protect me and request cooperation on my ability. A future-sight guy like me? Essential talent for a shady outfit like that. If I were the head honcho, I'd be like, "Kim Geunhong, you see the future? You're CEO starting today!"
They didn't.
The power players pulling the Management Bureau's strings... those who devour the world's underbelly must've seen future sight as a threat to their vested interests and ordered my hit.
Vampires, Management Bureau—they're all my enemies. And beyond them, the shadowy power brokers behind the Bureau need watching too.
"Enemies everywhere."
But that's not the end of it. An organization like the Management Bureau—Men in Black types—means other dangerous things are out there too.
Gotta be extra careful.
While thinking that, I scoured job sites. Lay low as a normie, and I won't trip their sensors.
Conditions: three main ones. Far from here in the sticks. Room and board provided. Short-term so I can bolt if tracked.
Pay? Might narrow options too much... but it'll work out. Survival's the priority now, not cash.
Scrolling listings, one caught my eye.
[Cheongak Mary Hospital Hiring Temporary Security Guard]
"Hospital security? Let's see."
Out in the provinces. Housing and meals. Temp gig? Perfect match for my criteria. Dig around, and gems pop up.
"But the pay?"
Why's the wage so damn high? Beats even a six-day week night-shift factory gig.
"..."
Conditions perfect, pay killer too?
"This smells fishy."
Times and details scream scam. No boss pays like that anymore. Too-good-to-be-true offers are traps—believe 'em, and you're done.
Chad Ham nailed it.
But it's tempting.
Even if they lowball pay on-site, it fits my plan.
"Alright. Apply."
Never done security, but it says anyone can learn quick, no experience needed.
If it's sketchy, bail and move on. Not planning to stick around anyway—quit if needed. But if they pull real bullshit, they'll face the stress from my repeated deaths.
"Can you handle that?"
Applied to a few more, then crashed.
Landed a couple offers, but picked the hospital security. Best fit, potential big bucks if it pans out.
Now, off to the interview.
"Ah."
Bit tired, but morning sun recharges me. Glory vampires can't touch.
"..."
Truth be told.
I'm itching to gear up anti-vampire style right now. Dark fantasies pushing for a cross and garlic for crises.
I know it's madness. No weapons make me panic—breath short, heart racing.
Nah... no need to overdo it.
Overdo it, and I'm marked as a vampire hunter, tracked down. Garlic aside, a cross? Normal for a religious guy.
Gotta head provinces for the interview anyway. Tomorrow's the day—hit a Christian shop en route.
Went to the same shop from before.
Bought a bunch of heavy-duty crosses last time. Cashier's face was priceless. Regression wiped that, though.
These Christian shops pop up in neighborhoods—plenty of believers. Buddhist ones too.
"Ah, holy ground."
That distinct scent tickles my nose.
Straight to crosses: picked a necklace one and a wooden spare for my bag.
"Checkout."
"Ten thousand won."
Middle-aged guy flipping hair back... last time, shocked stare. Today? Normal transaction.
"Yeah."
Sweet.
Geared up—time to roll.
Let's check it out.
To dreamy, hopeful Cheongak Mary Hospital!
Bus to the provinces.
Sat and reread the ad. Seems doable.
Ah, fuck. But.
Do I really gotta trek here for a job?
Just a little coin flipping? Small stakes won't get noticed. Last time I went big, sure—but small wins?
"Sigh."
Shook my head.
No.
That's what killed me yesterday. No clue how far the Management Bureau's reach goes—play conservative.
Plus, coin habit could kill me unexpectedly. Coins = death trap. Got it.
Doze off sighing, wake at destination.
Okay.
Taxi then walk, right?
Grabbed one at the station.
"Where to?"
"This way, please."
"Sure... uh? Out in the sticks, huh."
"Yeah, remote. Interview here, though."
"What's out there? Anyway, let's go."
Taxi drop, then map-walk.
"No, but why's a hospital way out here?"
Provinces too. Hiring security means decent size, but viable here?
Flow of people seems nil.
Ah, maybe a nursing home?
But zero info.
"Ugh, weather."
Fog thick.
World's gray.
Creepy vibe.
Still, after vampires and Bureau? Fearless. Pushed on.
"Oh."
Fog clears—massive hospital looms ahead.
"How many floors? Skyscraper?"
Big hospital in sticks? Close up, no bustle. Needs crowds to run... ah, parked cars.
"Huh?"
No plates on the cars.
Clunk.
Tilting head, security booth door by entrance swings open.
Pale-faced guy with hollow eyes steps out.
"Ah, ahh...!"
"Yeah?"
"You here for the job ad?"
"Yeah. For interview. Where to?"
"Here! This way!"
Hollow vibe flips to excited hamster. What? That thrilled to see me? Warm welcome warms me—I like him already. We'll be great colleagues.
Followed into booth. He reports my arrival via landline, strips off uniform frantically.
Wait!!!
Too welcoming—picking me!!!
This ain't a hospital—it's a gladiator farm?!
"Ah, no! Why strip?!"
"Ha, haha! Hahaha!"
Not just stripping. Laughing like he hit the jackpot meeting me. Dangerous! This guy's unhinged! If he yells "lie down and come in," I'll kill him.
Back to civvies, he stares blankly.
"Thanks. Really."
"For what...?"
"Here. The rulebook. Follow it to the letter. Absolutely. Or no one knows what happens."
Rulebook?
Thrusts folder like dumping it, bolts from booth.
"Hey, what? Hey!"
What?
Just leaves?
Chasing silhouette vanishes in fog. Alone in booth.
"What the...? Wasn't he welcoming me?"
Welcomed my shift, not me? Even so, handover like this? No briefing?
No formal interview yet, and he dips? Guy's off too.
"What now."
Interview first, I guess.
Up I go?
Stashed rulebook in drawer, entered hospital.