Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 002
Chapter Title: The Decisive Factor in the Interview is a Strong Impression
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Novels' protagonists always wake up somewhere and say the same thing.
"An unfamiliar ceiling."
I'd always thought it was such a contrived description, but now it seemed I'd have to retract that opinion.
Staring at the scene before me, I thought:
"An unfamiliar ceiling."
Not just the ceiling—the floor, the walls, the furniture, and everyone around me were all unfamiliar.
A spacious room with large windows letting in plenty of light. To my side sat a man and woman in suits, seated politely, while across from me, another man and woman in suits sat sternly.
It looked exactly like a corporate interview.
"...And so, I want to contribute to Green House's security, which is why I've applied to the Academy Security Force! No matter what expectations you place on me, I will exceed them without fail! That's all!"
...Yeah, this was definitely an interview. One of the people sitting beside me had just delivered a flashy declaration of ambition with a confident smile.
"So, why the hell am I suddenly in an interview?"
No matter how hard I racked my brain, I had no memory of how I'd gotten here. I closed my eyes and carefully retraced my thoughts.
The last scene that came to mind was a sky filled with storm clouds flashing with lightning.
"Ah."
Scattered memories began to surface. Dropping the novel. My furious 5,700-character comment. The argument with the author that followed. Possession foreshadowing. Steel beam, truck, robber, and then lightning.
An uneasy feeling crept up on me. This was textbook possession story progression. Denying reality, I muttered softly.
"...A dream?"
-Ding!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Congratulations] [Impressed by your outstanding logic (lol) and love for the work, Blissful Heavenly Demon has granted you a chance to change the story's flow!] [Congratulations! You have possessed the character <Ahn Su-ho> from <Era of Superhumans>!] [Become a character in the novel and reshape this world's story as you desire!]
-Thud!
I jolted to my feet in shock. Every eye in the room turned to me instantly.
But my attention was fixed solely on the holographic message floating before me.
"Mr. Ahn Su-ho?"
Blinking didn't make the hologram vanish.
I turned my head, and it followed my gaze.
I pinched my cheek hard. The sharp pain meant it wasn't a dream.
"Mr. Ahn Su-ho? Are you alright?"
"Y-Yes?"
The interviewer's call snapped me back. That's when I noticed "Ahn Su-ho" emblazoned in the middle of the hologram.
"It's not your turn yet, Mr. Ahn, but is something wrong?"
"No, nothing. Sorry."
I sat back down awkwardly, hearing giggles from beside me.
But I didn't care. Figuring out the situation was priority one.
"Okay, let's think calmly."
First, I'd somehow been possessed into the world of [Era of Superhumans].
Second, the character I'd possessed was named Ahn Su-ho.
Third, I was fucked.
Fourth, yeah, definitely fucked.
The possession itself was a massive problem, but the character's identity was no small issue either.
Ahn Su-ho from [Era of Superhumans].
I prided myself on memorizing every character name in the novel, but this one rang no bells.
"Two possibilities."
Either a new character not yet introduced, or an extra so minor his name was forgettable.
-Zap!
In that instant, a jolt ran through me, and blue electricity sparked before my eyes.
"Gah?!"
At the same time, knowledge about the character "Ahn Su-ho" flooded my mind like a tidal wave.
Ahn Su-ho.
24-year-old male.
Height 179 cm, weight 74 kg.
The name was different, but the appearance and age matched my original self.
Parents both abroad on business trips; no other family, relatives, or even close friends.
A superhuman born with innate powers, but bottom-tier E-Rank.
In a world where most superhumans get military exemptions, he'd served full term as an army sergeant and was discharged. Now nearly a year into half-unemployed life, bouncing between part-time gigs.
Then, by chance, he applied to the open recruitment for the Academy Security Force at Green House Academy—the novel's main setting—and made it to the final interview... That was the character's backstory.
From that knowledge, I realized:
Ahn Su-ho wasn't an unappeared character or nameless extra. He was a hollow shell hastily created by the author just to screw me over.
"Why an extra possession, of all things."
Not even a protagonist, but a side character would've been nice.
Irritation rose at the petty author's scheme, but then a sense of wrongness hit me.
Wait, Academy Security Force interview?
There was no such thing in the original.
-Ding!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Memory input complete.] [Unlocking information for possession perk skill <Academy Guard>.]
In that moment, my vision filled with a blue holographic message.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ [Skills Possessed] 1. Academy Guard (Grade: Unique. E) -At your request, Blissful Heavenly Demon has established the Academy Security Force! Until the day the protagonist's generation graduates from Green House, please do your utmost to ensure the safety of Green House students and maintain academy security! <Effects> 1. Clearing system quests increases Guard Rate. Every 10% Guard Rate raises one stat by 1 rank. Clearing quests or reaching certain Guard Rate thresholds unlocks new skill effects. 2. +1 rank Luck bonus to all judgments within Green House premises. 3. Unlocked upon skill grade increase 4. Unlocked upon skill grade increase 5. Unlocked upon skill grade increase 6. Unlocked upon skill grade increase <Restrictions> 1. As a guard, you cannot initiate violence against Green House students. Only self-defense is permitted. (Preemptive strikes to protect other students are exempt.) 2. Refusing a Green House student's 'sincere request' lowers Luck by 1 rank for a duration. Stacks up to 3 times. 3. Failing system quests incurs penalties, including Guard Rate reduction. 4. If a Green House student dies, penalties apply based on their story importance. Death of a 'major character' results in your death as well. (Applies only to academy students.) [Current Guard Rate: 0%]
My face hardened as I read the message.
Stats and such didn't matter.
"What? If the character dies, I die too?"
"This f—."
I barely swallowed the curse.
I was fucked. This was seriously dangerous.
[Era of Superhumans] was infamous for killing off teachers, students, rivals, allies, and even buildup heroines equally.
Whenever an appealing new character appeared, your first worry was "when will they die?" Characters dropped like autumn leaves.
I didn't know exactly which were "major characters," but heroines surely qualified.
"Closest heroine death is during first-year winter break."
Assuming this possession timing matched the story, I had at most a year to live. If the story diverged, even less.
"Why give a perk that's total garbage like this—."
That thought triggered a memory.
"What kind of national academy has zero guards?"
My comment on the forum.
The author, Blissful Heavenly Demon, had replied:
Do you really want to see guards in an academy story?
Then go do it yourself.
So, my sudden possession, this trash skill, and starting in an interview—all stemmed from that one snarky comment.
Biting my lip, my clenched fists trembled.
I felt wronged. Regret hit late.
Shouldn't have posted that comment. Hell, shouldn't have argued at all. Then I wouldn't be here.
Too late now. Spilled milk.
"Next, Mr. Ahn Su-ho?"
Lost in thought, it was suddenly my turn.
"As a security officer, could you briefly share your aspirations for the future?"
Aspirations? Who cares.
That instant, a new message appeared.
-Ding!
📜 TUTORIAL QUEST 📜 [First Mission as Academy Guard]
Deliver a cool, intense aspiration to captivate the interviewers and pass the final interview! Your answer decides pass/fail!
[If you fail the interview, the possession perk skill auto-deletes!]
[Kinda rude to say, but considering what's ahead, you'll need even this perk to survive. Good luck!]
[Time until interviewer awkwardly passes to next: 1 min 7 sec]
<Rewards>
1) Guard Rate increase.
2) Final quest reward reveal.
The glaring red timer before me ticked down in real time.
Aspirations? As if. I'd just learned the Academy Security Force even existed.
I looked up to find all interviewers staring intently. Cold sweat trickled down my spine.
Honestly, I didn't care about security or whatever. But the ominous warning in the quest bothered me.
I knew better than anyone how messed up this world was. To survive, I needed to cling to this crappy perk.
"Fuck, what do I even say?"
I racked my brain desperately. Interviews hinged on strong impressions. Ordinary aspirations wouldn't cut it.
"Mr. Ahn Su-ho?"
The interviewer pressed. 30 seconds left.
"What can I say to make them unable to not hire me?"
No answers came. My interview experience was just part-time gigs—how would I know corporate tricks?
Head pounding, the timer dwindled: 20 sec. 15. 10. 5.
The interviewer smiled awkwardly, turning to the next. 3. 2. 1—
"Ah."
A flash of inspiration hit.
"You seem nervous—next person—"
"Professor Shin Jin-woo."
"Pardon?"
"Professor Shin Jin-woo, who teaches first-year Dungeon Ecology, is smuggling academy-owned monster samples out. Buyer: Japan's Hunter Academy. Deals every last Thursday of the month at Sokcho Port. Check it out."
My words froze everyone, interviewers included.
Shin Jin-woo.
Early-story extra villain. Tossed in to hype the protagonist, then quickly axed—a minor role barely qualifying as villain.
But minor or not, his act was clear crime and betrayal against the academy. Exactly the Security Force's job.
"With nothing to my name, this is the only way to leave a strong impression."
Detective play using novel knowledge—a cliché staple in possessions.
"Mr. Ahn? What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I said. Professor Shin Jin-woo is sneaking valuable monster samples out. Clear crime."
"Even if you say that out of nowhere—"
"Don't believe me? Verify it. If I'm right, please hire me. If you do, I'll uncover every crime in the academy faster than anyone."
"Ha, hahaha..."
The interviewer burst into awkward laughter at my bold claim. Must be baffled—a finalist spouting nonsense.
But the impression would stick. Even skeptical, they'd check. Once they uncovered Shin Jin-woo's crime, they'd have to hire me.
"Quite the interesting answer. Moving on—"
"Hold on, Section Chief."
A silent female interviewer cut him off.
Turning, I saw a woman in a tight uniform glaring daggers. Her ID badge draped in a gentle curve along her chest.
"Applicant Ahn Su-ho. Can you take responsibility for that statement?"
A smile tugged at my lips. I welcomed prolonging this topic.
"What you just said is defamation against one of our academy professors. Not appropriate for an interview."
"Team Leader Min Chae-ryeong—"
"Section Chief, stay out. This isn't something to gloss over."
Min Chae-ryeong glared fiercely.
"Won't happen. Everything I said is fact."
"So, per you, if we go to Sokcho Port last Thursday of the month, we'll catch Professor Shin Jin-woo smuggling?"
"Yes."
"What makes you so sure?"
"I have proof."
I paused deliberately. To etch a deeper impression. Then flashed a wide grin.
"But I'll share on my first day."
"Pardon?"
"Trade secret, you see. Can't tell just anyone."
"Ha."
Min Chae-ryeong let out an incredulous scoff at my cheeky reply.
"...Fine. Three days from now is the last Thursday. If you're right, I'll personally pass you."
"No, Team Leader Min. I'm the General Division Section Chief—why are you—"
"Section Chief, be quiet. I'll handle it."
The Section Chief shut up, looking sour. From the talk, he outranked her, yet couldn't stand up to her.
"Thank you."
"Save it. Better prep a lawyer."
"Professor Shin Jin-woo should get one—for his crimes."
Min Chae-ryeong shook her head in disbelief at my unyielding stance.
"That concludes my statement."
I bowed and finished. The Section Chief salvaged the mood and rushed to the next question.
But whether he did or not, Min Chae-ryeong stared only at me. I replied with a bright smile; her pen snapped in her grip from fury.
In three days, shock would mix with that anger.
Imagining it brought a smile to my face.
And exactly four days later.
A message arrived from the Security Force.