A Calculated Gamble

Countless red laser dots were painted over my white straitjacket. The moment the order to fire was given, I would be turned into a human beehive.

Now was the time I desperately needed Samra's cooperation.

I rolled only my eyes to look at Samra.

Unlike the standard dark uniforms of the Trial Response Agency, Samra wore a pristine white one.

The uniform that distinguished him as a special entity stood out even more sharply against the backdrop of the dark-clothed crowd surrounding us.

Samra placed a hand on my shoulder. He patted it twice, as if to demonstrate to the onlookers that touching me was perfectly safe.

"Han Goyo is a human."

A distinct murmur rippled through the crowd at Samra's declaration.

Just then, the wall of uniformed officers parted down the middle, and a gray-haired man stepped out from between them.

The moment I saw his uniform, which was densely decorated with medals, I knew exactly who he was.

The Director of the Trial Response Agency, Jang Seok-yun.

Despite being over sixty, he possessed a robust, muscular build.

Fierce, tiger-like eyes set beneath his thick eyebrows radiated absolute authority.

I quickly greeted the highest authority in the room.

"It is an honor to meet you, Director. I am Han Goyo."

I wanted to bow ninety degrees, but fearing that any sudden movement would result in my body being riddled with holes, I managed only a polite nod.

Receiving my greeting, Jang Seok-yun wore a meaningful smile.

"We meet for the first time, yet you recognize my face. My identity is supposed to be classified, you know."

With that, he strode toward me.

"Director!"

Urgent attempts to stop him came from all around, but Jang Seok-yun paid them no mind.

"He is a human, they say. And Samra is here as well."

Arriving right in front of me, he offered a greeting.

"Pleasure to meet you. I am Jang Seok-yun."

He then scrutinized me intently.

"A handshake... well, that seems difficult."

Since the straitjacket bound both of my arms, shaking hands was impossible.

I tried to summon the most innocent smile possible to emphasize that I was a harmless human.

"I apologize for not being able to greet you properly. If it's not too much trouble, could you please have them lower the sniper rifles?"

At Jang Seok-yun's gesture, the red dots vanished.

However, the laser pointers aimed at my vital spots, like my head and heart, remained.

Although Samra had guaranteed my humanity, the fact that I was a highly suspicious individual had not changed.

Still, even this was a massive improvement.

"Thank you."

"Haha, I would like to clear them all away, but perhaps because of my old age, I have grown quite cautious. I hope you understand, Goyo."

"Of course."

I smiled brightly, but inside, I was wound tight as a spring.

Jang Seok-yun appeared to be a good-natured old man, but in reality, he was an incredibly terrifying figure.

He was a dedicated patriot who sacrificed everything for the nation and the Agency, believing that sacrifice was inevitable for the sake of justice.

If I slipped up even slightly, I might very well become that "inevitable sacrifice."

"I hear you were a professional gamer, Goyo. Is it called 'esports' these days?"

"...Yes."

"You are quite a remarkable young man. How did you end up here?"

If I was going to make a decisive move, it had to be right now.

With presumably everyone from the Trial Response Agency gathered here, I had to make them realize that I was someone who could be useful.

No, not just useful.

I had to prove that I was absolutely indispensable.

"Director."

"Hmm?"

"Please spare my life."

Hearing such completely unexpected words, Jang Seok-yun burst into a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha!"

He asked, his voice still laced with amusement.

"And if I do?"

I made my declaration to the entire Trial Response Agency.

"Within a month, I will deliver three True Ending clears."

If I could have moved my hands, I would have held up three fingers to emphasize the number.

Just let me live, Director.

I looked at Jang Seok-yun, my eyes blazing with simulated passion.

It was a calculated gamble.

In any case, I had to enter trials to maintain my limbs. If Jang Seok-yun accepted my offer here, I could enter the trials with the full backing of the Trial Response Agency.

And if he was the Jang Seok-yun I knew...

He would never be able to refuse my offer.

Jang Seok-yun was no longer laughing. He asked, his tiger-like eyes locking onto mine.

"Does that mean your success this time was not a fluke?"

"Correct."

"Samra."

"Han Goyo's statement is true. He possesses more than enough capability to achieve what he has proposed."

Samra stared straight at Jang Seok-yun.

"Furthermore, Han Goyo's identity is fully guaranteed."

His unblinking gaze felt uncanny.

Though his outer skin was indistinguishable from a human's, his eyes made no effort to hide the fact that what lay inside was a machine.

"This is the judgment rendered by me as the Samra of the Trial Response Agency."

As Samra finished speaking, a heavy silence descended upon the room.

It seemed no one had anticipated that Samra would defend me so actively.

"Well, now."

Only ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠after a long pause did Jang Seok-yun speak.

"At my age, there aren't many things left that can surprise me. Yet, Goyo, you certainly know how to keep an old man's heart racing."

He raised a hand. The red laser pointers aimed at me vanished completely.

I let out a long, silent sigh of relief.

I survived...

"Let us speak in a quieter place. Follow me. Samra, you come as well."

Jang Seok-yun turned and led the way.

However, bound in the straitjacket, I couldn't follow him.

Since even my legs were tied up, I would have to be wheeled away like cargo.

Samra quietly called out to Jang Seok-yun.

"Director."

"Ah. That was thoughtless of me. My apologies."

Realizing my predicament belatedly, Jang Seok-yun permitted me to change.

I was finally freed from the straitjacket!

I was so deeply moved when they handed me the comfortable athletic wear worn by the Agency's soldiers during training.

I should live a good life from now on.

I never wanted to wear a straitjacket again.

After changing, I sat side-by-side with Samra in the Director's office.

The Director's office, which I had previously visited in pixelated dot graphics, was identical in layout to the game.

Even the placement of a single decorative orchid pot was exactly the same, looking as if it had been copy-pasted.

Just how much did the Creator know?

It felt impossible for a mere human to have pulled this off.

"Han Goyo."

Jang Seok-yun, who had been looking out the window with his hands clasped behind his back, turned to face me.

"Do you know the purpose behind the establishment of the Trial Response Agency?"

I knew, but I feigned ignorance.

"I do not, sir."

"It is a state institution established to respond to national disasters and threats caused by transcendent entities."

Jang Seok-yun's voice was calm.

"We initially classified you, Goyo, as a transcendent entity—a national disaster. Now that your humanity has been confirmed, that judgment has been suspended."

"Suspended" meant it wasn't completely withdrawn.

Well, even with Samra's guarantee, I was still incredibly suspicious, so I could understand their caution.

"In any case, it seems true that you are special. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I have never seen Samra take someone's side like this before."

He smiled playfully for a moment, then his expression turned solemn.

"Can you truly achieve a True Ending clear?"

"If you trust me, I will deliver."

Jang Seok-yun stared at me intently.

"You remind me of myself when I was young."

A compliment... right?

After a brief hesitation, I replied, "Thank you."

Amused by my response, Jang Seok-yun let out a short chuckle. He picked up a folder from his desk.

"The hatching of trials is steadily increasing, yet the number of Adaptors to counter them is woefully insufficient. To say nothing of permanent closures."

A trace of helplessness lingered in his voice.

It was the despair of being trapped in a swamp that only grew deeper no matter how hard one struggled.

"We live in an era that needs a hero."

Jang Seok-yun tossed the words out as a light joke, but they carried a desperate sincerity.

"No matter what kind of existence you are, Goyo, if you can reduce even a single trial on this soil of South Korea..."

Jang Seok-yun held out the folder to me.

"I will throw my full support behind you."

"I will do my absolute best."

I replied politely as I accepted the folder.

The deal was struck.

Jang Seok-yun issued his command as the Director of the Trial Response Agency.

"As of this hour, a special task force directly under the Director, centered around Han Goyo, is hereby established. The duration is one month. The team members will consist of Han Goyo and all leaders of the Field Response Teams, with Samra assigned as their supporter."

At Jang Seok-yun's assignment order, Samra offered a crisp salute.

I felt dazed. I hadn't expected them to send me into a trial alone, but I never imagined they would form an entirely separate special task force for me.

Moreover, the leaders of the Field Response Teams and Samra as a supporter? This was an elite squad composed of the Agency's absolute best.

"And as for Han Goyo's status..."

I belatedly opened the folder I had received.

"You will be a trainee."

Inside was a Trial Response Agency trainee contract, stamped with the Director's official seal.

"While you are a trainee, you will reside within the Agency and receive our protection."

Jang Seok-yun spoke with a warm, grandfatherly smile.

"I look forward to working with you, Trainee Han."

And just like that, I became a Trial Response Agency trainee for a month.

I stood in front of the mirror, awkwardly fidgeting with my sleeves.

The deep blue uniform, accented with silver trim, had a sleek, sharp feel to it.

Although the full attire included a cap and gloves, everyone usually just wore the uniform unless it was an official event, so I followed suit.

To think I'd end up wearing a Trial Response Agency uniform...

The reality of trials existing, and me becoming a trainee of the Agency—all of it felt utterly surreal.

Having become a temporary trainee for a month, I had slept last night in what was designated as my quarters—though it was essentially a glorified isolation cell.

It was a single studio room with an attached bathroom, spacious enough for one person to live without discomfort.

After collapsing from exhaustion, I woke up to morning, ate the meal delivered on a tray, and changed into the uniform from the closet.

Now, I was waiting for whoever was coming to pick me up.

Feeling as if I were in a dream, I stared at the mirror for a long time before a knock on the door pulled my gaze away.

The moment the iron door opened and the visitor stepped inside, I hurriedly bowed.

"Hello, sir."

"Ah, yes, Goyo. I'm Kwak Han-muk."

Kwak Han-muk, who had flung the door open, bent his waist ninety degrees in return. Flustered by the sudden reciprocal bow, I scrambled to correct myself.

"You can speak comfortably to me. I'm much younger than you. Please, drop the formalities."

"Really? Then you can call me Hyeong, too."

He then began to act overbearing in a completely different way.

"Should I call you by your nickname so we seem closer? Was it Albam?"

It's Gunbam...

"You can just call me Goyo."

I gently requested, feeling that being called Albam or Gunbam in real life would be too embarrassing.

"Maybe it's because you're tall, but the uniform really suits you."

"Thank you."

"Hmm, you look much more normal than I expected. Don't you think so, Captain Mo?"

At that, Mo Hae-in slid out from behind Kwak Han-muk.

She had arrived with him, but her small frame had been completely hidden behind the massive Kwak Han-muk.

"Hello, Captain."

When I bowed to her just as I had to Kwak Han-muk, Mo Hae-in remained silent for a moment.

Since our last encounter hadn't ended on the best terms, I felt a bit tense.

Well, the last thing I showed her was my head exploding.

Staring at me with an unreadable expression, she gave a brief nod.

"I look forward to working with you for the next month, Trainee."

Only then did the tension drain from my shoulders.

I smiled faintly and replied, "I look forward to working with you as well."

The two of them led me to the special task force office.

It was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠located not too far from my quarters.

Even though it was a short walk, the gazes stinging me from all directions were intense.

I had hoped to tour the Agency building if given the chance, but it seemed I would have to stay quietly confined to my room for the time being.

The special task force office, put together in just a single day, was still a bit cluttered.

Unpacked boxes were piled up, and a large round table sat on the other side.

However, the breakroom was fully equipped with amenities.

There were massage chairs, cots, sofas, and even gaming consoles.

Not to mention expensive-looking snacks, a refrigerator, and an espresso machine.

Yet, the things that actually should have been there were nowhere to be found.

There were no meeting rooms, projectors, office computers, or desks.

As I was wondering why, I realized the reason when I saw an android emerge from the breakroom carrying a tray of snacks and coffee.

Ah, Samra.

Since a supercomputer would handle all the administrative work, the layout boldly declared that the field agents would focus purely on field duty.

Well, they can just handle their personal paperwork in their respective team leader offices anyway.

It was a luxury only possible for a team extravagant enough to employ Samra as a supporter.

As I stared at Samra with slightly greedy eyes, he set the tray down on the round table and greeted us.

"Welcome, Han Goyo."

There were four cups of coffee, including one for the android. A machine built with futuristic technology apparently functioned perfectly fine even after consuming liquids.

Watching Samra serve coffee and snacks, Kwak Han-muk and Mo Hae-in wore bewildered expressions. Kwak Han-muk asked with a serious face:

"Samra... are you sick? No, wait, how should I put this. Did you get hacked?"

"I am perfectly fine. Furthermore, current Earth technology is incapable of hacking me."

Sipping his iced coffee like a human, Samra projected a screen into the air instead of using a physical projector.

"We will now begin ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the special task force meeting."

Ignoring the rustling sound of Kwak Han-muk pouring sugar into his coffee, Samra began the briefing.

"The first trial we will enter is Dead Zone Delivery."

The special task force's first mission was none other than a zombie game.