Chapter 183
Chapter 183
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 183. Safety and Health Training
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-Beep... Beeeeep...
...
I stare at the brain floating in the tank.
Just floating there, hooked up to unknown hoses.
Next to it, something that looks like waveforms flows steadily across the screen.
"Does that thing understand us?"
"Brains don't have ears to hear with."
The branch manager's words make perfect sense.
"But if it wants, we can make it hear sounds. Shall I play Kim Jaeheon's voice for it?"
"...No thanks."
I don't see the need to let it hear my voice.
What if something goes wrong after it does?
"By the way, why is Arin here?"
I glance at Song Arin, who's staring darkly at the tank, then turn to the branch manager.
At my question, the branch manager gives an awkward smile.
"Involuntary resignation isn't easy."
"I see."
"Usually, the Management Bureau staff who reach involuntary resignation have caused so much damage that anyone in the Bureau would agree it's justified."
The branch manager turns her gaze to the tank.
"Conversely, those who undergo involuntary resignation end up under special management like this."
"Special management."
Yeah, if this isn't special management, what is?
"Typically, we extract the brain like this and pull out information. In Kim Wanwoo's case..."
The branch manager nods at Song Arin, who frowns slightly.
-Beep... Beep... Beeeeeeep... Beep...!
Suddenly, the beeps speed up.
The hoses start shaking.
"...What are you doing?"
"Extracting information."
The branch manager stares fixedly at the tank.
"Song Arin is hypnotizing it. Forcing Kim Wanwoo to recall memories and recreate past events or experiences."
The brainwaves go wild, and beeping sounds like steam hisses emanate from the hoses.
Then, with a clunk, it stops.
"One record complete."
The branch manager scratches her cheek apologetically as she looks at Song Arin.
"I didn't call you here to work. Sorry about that, Arin."
"...It's fine."
Song Arin nods curtly, and the branch manager glances at me.
An eye signal asking what's going on.
The problem is, I have no idea what's happening either.
"...Anyway, is that good enough?"
"Yes. If you could compile the info later and share it with me, I'd appreciate it."
"Of course."
As I nod and turn to leave, a sudden thought hits me, and I look back at her.
"By the way, Branch Manager."
"Yes?"
"After this incident, the church side is calling me a prophet, right?"
...
The branch manager's expression turns serious.
"A prophet?"
"...Yes."
I hope nothing's wrong.
...
Suddenly, she steps closer to me.
Her eyes glow red as she peers right through me,
"Hold on."
And starts examining me from every angle.
"...Hmm. That's weird."
"What's weird?"
"I've been in the Management Bureau a long time."
"Not 'been alive' a long time?"
"Kim Jaeheon, don't you feel fear?"
She grabs my head.
"Sorry."
"Anyway, prophets feel different."
"Different how...?"
"Don't you hear any voices in your head?"
I close my eyes and focus, per her words.
Nothing.
"No."
"That's strange."
She tilts her head, circling me busily, inspecting me.
"Honestly, I don't see anything weird either."
"Do prophets change?"
"Yes."
She nods firmly.
"If you really turned into a prophet, the Bureau Chief would have noticed first."
"...What then."
"But historically, the symptoms of those chosen as prophets varied."
She raises her index finger and continues.
"Some joined the church early, got caught by the Bureau, and were executed. Others walked out perfectly fine, like you..."
...
"I'll report to the Bureau Chief for now. I'll keep a close eye too."
"Got it."
"Don't worry too much."
She smiles softly, gripping my shoulders.
"We'll help no matter what."
"...Thanks."
Sometimes I think if you had to pick 'good people,' she'd be on the list.
"You had a busy day. Good work. Head out first."
She waves to me and Song Arin,
"Thanks. See you."
"...Thanks."
After we say goodbye, we exit through the iron door.
-Clunk!
It shuts behind us,
Leaving just me and Song Arin in the dark hallway.
"...Let's go."
Song Arin starts walking slowly.
"Arin."
"I'm fine."
Before I can say more, she cuts me off and turns to look at me.
"Don't worry."
"How can I not?"
With her looking so wrecked.
"...Trust me."
She meets my eyes.
"Please."
It's obviously a lie.
But her gaze is so exhausted,
"If you don't come in tomorrow, I'll go to your place to pick you up."
...
Song Arin, still locking eyes, walks toward me.
She bumps her forehead against my chest with a thud, then looks up.
"Don't worry."
With a rare soft smile, she turns and heads down the hall.
And so, the Gangdong Branch incident wraps up, more or less.
*
Luckily, I didn't have to go to Song Arin's place.
...
"Ah, Jaeheon!"
"You're here."
As soon as I arrive at work, waiting are Team Leader—looking a bit more empty-headed—Song Arin, Yoo Daon, and Jang Chaeyeon.
"Arin, you okay?"
No time for other greetings, I check on Song Arin first.
"I'm fine, I told you not to worry."
She waves it off.
"Arin, what happened?"
...
Yoo Daon widens her eyes, while Jang Chaeyeon glances between Song Arin and me.
"What happened between you two?"
"She seemed worried."
...
Jang Chaeyeon, still staring at us, finally turns to her monitor.
"Got it."
A quiet day begins.
"By the way, where's Ye-eun?"
"They counted her all-nighter as yesterday's, so she's banned from work for violating child labor laws?"
"Shouldn't the Management Bureau shut down?"
"Is the world ending or something?"
Team Leader grumbles and hands me some documents.
"What's this?"
"Safety training sign-off."
"Ah, that season already."
Safety and health training.
The Management Bureau is national-scale, but surprisingly strict about this stuff.
Normal companies just make employees do online modules alone or a quick hour-long skim session, sign off, done.
"...Ah."
Jang Chaeyeon's face stiffens.
"Safety and health training? What's that?"
And Yoo Daon, clueless.
Song Arin just stares at her monitor, looking tired.
"Safety and health training is..."
How to explain this.
"Simply put, like a job aptitude evaluation."
"Aha...? Job aptitude evaluation?"
Yoo Daon mutters, puzzled, looking at me and Team Leader.
"Isn't that neither safety nor health?"
"The Bureau says it is."
As always, the Management Bureau defies common sense.
Under the guise of safety training, it's prime time for personnel shifts—big reshuffles.
Yoo Daon, listening to our explanation, mutters.
"Personnel shifts mean I might not be on the HR Team anymore?"
"Right?"
It's checking aptitude, after all.
Yoo Daon's face drains of color at my words. Jang Chaeyeon looks at me too.
Song Arin's hands stop on the keyboard.
Yoo Daon asks me in a trembling voice.
"Um, Jaeheon. Last year's HR Team test... how was it?"
"Last year?"
What was it like.
"Nothing special. Super easy."
"R-Really...?"
Relief washes over Yoo Daon's face.
"Yeah. What was it."
Right.
"Organizing payroll within time limit, assigning team budget... What else, Team Leader?"
"You know, that one. The thing. Uh, weeding out the dead from payroll recipients."
"Right. Anyway, if you know paperwork, you can do it."
Easy, right? Pure office work.
...
...
...Why the faces.
But Yoo Daon and Jang Chaeyeon's expressions aren't great after hearing me.
Yoo Daon stares rigidly at the floor,
Jang Chaeyeon sweats coldly, fiddling with her computer.
"...You two can't do it?"
"I can, but..."
"I can't."
...
Yoo Daon trails off, Jang Chaeyeon states it flatly while staring at her monitor.
"Mine's just inefficient..."
"She does everything by hand, one by one."
"That's not helpful for work, Chaeyeon!"
"Hand-entering isn't helpful either."
"You know what clicks are?"
"Last time I said that, you threatened to kill me."
They start bickering.
Wait, so the only ones actually working here were me, Song Arin, and Team Leader?
I thought all five of us pulled equal weight, but no?
No wonder the workload never shrinks. Mystery solved.
Indignation rises.
While pondering how to vent it,
Jang Chaeyeon approaches me.
"I'm bad at this stuff."
...
She says it boldly.
"But if learning it means staying by your side, I'll learn."
...
"So teach me. I'll learn, no matter what."
She looks at me, voice steady.
"Um, me too... I want to learn..."
Yoo Daon mumbles from the side, voice small.
"...Team Leader, when exactly is this training?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
"...You two, overtime with me."
No choice.
If not, they'll likely get drafted to Containment Team.
"Daon and Chaeyeon, you're on overtime. Arin..."
"I know how. Don't worry."
Song Arin says plainly, resuming her typing.
"...Got it. Still, tell me if you need help."
"Yeah."
I look away from her plain response.
"...Arin's acting weird."
Yoo Daon whispers to me.
"Yeah, I'm worried."
...
Yoo Daon stares quietly at Song Arin at my words.
...
After watching her a moment, Yoo Daon turns to me with a smile.
"If anything's up, consult me, okay?"
"...Will do."
Right. Yoo Daon or Jang Chaeyeon might know what I don't.
I'll ask during overtime.
"Alright. Overtime it is."
Thus began overtime to preserve their HR Team positions.