Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 33. Workshop
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Just like any other company that treats its employees like family, the Management Bureau has this thing called a workshop.
The official purpose is to foster teamwork among the staff.
But anyone in the know understands that for young people like me, it's nothing short of torture.
The old guys gather to belt out trot songs, and those of us who don't know the lyrics end up as human tambourines, just banging away.
We have to down drinks we don't even want and sit there enduring their lectures about the younger generation—pure mental torment.
The silver lining this time is that there are more of us young folks. Meaning, at least we'll dodge the mental torture.
I stare blankly out the window of the rattling train.
The slow-passing scenery reminds me once again that we're on a local line heading into some remote valley.
"Uh, yeah, the workshop. We'll be back soon, so don't worry. It's not an overnight thing, okay? The women's voices? They're colleagues, colleagues."
Team Leader's over there, breaking into a sweat as he explains.
Yoo Daon and Song Arin are dozing off, nodding in their seats.
And right next to me, sitting primly...
"Want an egg?"
"I'm good."
"Need some water?"
"I'm good."
Jang Chaeyeon keeps offering me things.
The fact that it doesn't feel burdensome must be thanks to all that time we spent in the Cube.
"...Does it bother you if I do something for you?"
Jang Chaeyeon glances at me hesitantly.
I'd love to accept, but that's not the issue.
"No. I'm full."
The moment we boarded, she fed me a tangerine, handed over a chocolate bar, bought bread and passed it my way.
I don't even snack much to begin with, so of course I'm stuffed after all this.
Even my grandma doesn't feed me this much.
"You gotta eat a lot to stay healthy."
"My growth spurt stopped ages ago."
A post-military office worker growing? That'd be the real horror.
Jang Chaeyeon leans back against the headrest with a disappointed look, gazes out the window, and speaks up.
"There used to be a rumor around here that a mountain spirit was sleeping nearby."
Out of nowhere, a creepy story like that?
"A mountain spirit?"
"Naturally, the Bureau heard about it and sent a team to investigate."
"Did they find it?"
"No mountain spirit. Just a bunch of people worshiping something that didn't exist."
"So it was a false alarm."
"Not quite."
Jang Chaeyeon continues.
"Their belief created something."
"Created?"
"According to folklore and myths, gods created humans, right?"
At some point, Song Arin had crossed her legs and folded her arms, picking up the thread.
"But if that were true, the Bureau wouldn't exist."
"That's terrifying. Pretend I didn't hear it."
Any more scary talk like this, and I'll lose my mind.
Song Arin smacked her lips and shrugged, while Jang Chaeyeon smiled softly and clasped her hands on her lap.
Her white hair gleamed brightly in the sunlight.
I glance over at Team Leader, who's now got earphones in and is desperately facing the other way.
That's the proper office worker posture.
I turn back to the window and watch the scenery roll by.
Still, if Jang Chaeyeon says so, it must be resolved.
Even if not, we can't just turn back now.
*
The moment we step off at the station, we're greeted by sunlight that's almost summery in its warmth.
"Looks like summer's really here."
Yoo Daon, who only woke up right before we got off, stretches and looks around.
"But... is this really the right place?"
Her voice drips with doubt.
And yeah, she had every reason to.
The station was a dump.
Rusted signs, overgrown weeds that hadn't been cut back, benches caked in grime and rust that must've seen better days.
"This the spot, Team Leader?"
"Let me check..."
At my question, Team Leader squints at his phone.
"Yeah, this is it."
Even he's nodding with an uneasy look.
He brought us here himself—why's he so on edge?
"Anyway, we've got it booked for the workshop, so let's head out. Don't sweat it. I'm feeling great right now."
If he's in good spirits, maybe it'll be fine.
I swallow the anxiety bubbling up inside and grab my bag, leading the way out of the station.
"Wow, this place is straight out of... a horror flick?"
Song Arin's assessment the second we entered the station building, clicking her tongue.
I totally agreed.
Cobwebs everywhere, untouched. A filament bulb hanging from a frayed wire swayed precariously, flickering.
Even the ticket booth was deserted—a perfect ruin.
"This is weird... It should be right..."
Team Leader pulled a map from his pocket and started poring over it. Just in case, I scanned the area for anyone hiding.
One perk of my eyesight: ambushes don't work as well as they think. If there's someone to find, a translucent window pops up above their head right away.
I figured it out when I spotted Yoo Daon hiding to prank me. Turns out it's pretty useful.
...
"See anything?"
Jang Chaeyeon sidles up and asks quietly.
"Nope."
Nothing.
"Hey, kids. This is it. Says the lodge owner will be waiting in the parking lot outside."
"Got it, coming."
As I head out with my bags in both hands at Team Leader's words, my eyes meet Yoo Daon's—she's surveying the surroundings with a serious expression.
"What?"
"Something feels... ...off."
Yoo Daon wrinkled her brow and sniffed the air.
"Smells like something?"
"Hmm... ...a familiar scent."
I close my eyes and sniff along with her.
Beyond the musty dust, nothing.
"No smell on my end."
"...Maybe I'm imagining it. I'll stay cautious just in case."
"Sounds good."
Yoo Daon nods, shoulders her bag, and follows Team Leader.
Last, I usher out the grumbling Song Arin and take one final look back before leaving.
Still, nothing.
*
Following Song Arin out reveals a path thick with trees.
The road was paved but poorly maintained, cracked in spots, and parked in one corner was a lone gray van.
"Found it! Over here!"
Team Leader waves, and the van rumbles toward us. The window rolls down, revealing a bearded man.
"Hello!"
A booming voice.
I bow slightly in greeting while sneaking a glance above his head.
[Name: Park Hoseong]
[Age: 48]
[Talents: None]
[Abilities: None]
[Background: For over thirty years, he has lived as the heir and owner of the mountain lodge. Only this village knows him.]
[Weakness: Shoot him in the head and he dies.]
...
A faint sense of déjà vu hits, but before I can dwell, the man bellows.
"I'm Park Hoseong. I'll get you to the lodge fast, if not exactly safe!"
He grins and hops out.
A giant of a man.
I'm no shorty myself, but he towers a full head above me.
Width-wise, he could fit another me beside him.
"Excuse me!"
His massive hand snatches my bag like it's nothing, and soon all our luggage is stacked in the trunk.
"Hop in! Respecting elders, you take the comfy front seat..."
"Heo Chan."
"Heo Chan, sir, you sit up front, and the four young folks squeeze in back!"
Team Leader gives me an apologetic nod and climbs into the passenger seat.
The four of us cram into the back.
Song Arin, me, Yoo Daon, Jang Chaeyeon—in that order.
What should seat three now holds four, no room to spare—we're like a human domino stack.
"Don't... push...!"
Song Arin groans, shoving my left shoulder, but what can I do?
The van lurches off with a rattle, and true to my road worries, the cushionless ride bounces us mercilessly.
"Whoa, this is like... a... roller coaster!"
Yoo Daon yells gleefully, leaning on my right shoulder.
"Ugh..."
Song Arin clamps her mouth, eyes squeezed shut—motion sickness.
Jang Chaeyeon stares out impassively, as always.
How long we rumble along the road, I don't know.
"We're here!"
At the man's shout, I look up ahead.
A shabby mountain lodge.
A wooden sign carved with crooked letters reads [Welcome Guests], and the whole place could've passed for the infamous Ghost Lodge.
A "nice" mountain lodge?
I glance at Team Leader, who peers back via the rearview with a troubled expression.
That look says he has no clue what's going on either.
Jolt!
The van stops in what passes for a parking lot, and the man hops out to open the door.
"All set! Everyone out!"
He unloads the trunk after we pile out.
I sidle up to still-bewildered Team Leader and whisper.
"Nice lodge? East Coast?"
"Hey... I had no idea it'd be like this."
Team Leader sweats bullets, looking at me.
"It's fine. Uh, yeah. By local standards, this might count as nice. Close to nature and all."
"You really think that flies, Team Leader?"
"Luggage is all sorted!"
Mid-whisper, the man's voice pulls my attention.
Habit now, I check above his head again.
[Name: Park Hoseong]
[Age: 48]
[Talents: None]
[Abilities: None]
[Background: For over thirty years, he has lived as the heir and owner of the mountain lodge. Only this village knows him.]
[Weakness: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.]
...
In the silence behind me, countless birds burst from the distant woods, fleeing something.