Chapter 355
Chapter 355
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Promises Kept
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As we headed back inside the house, we were greeted by people who looked extremely worried.
Everyone except Park Ye-eun had been pacing around restlessly, unable to stay in their seats.
If I tell them not to worry, they should at least try. They're all the type to fret over nothing.
"I'm so glad..."
The moment I opened the door and stepped in, Yoo Daon let out a sigh of relief, and the others sat down as if a weight had been lifted off their shoulders.
"We thought something happened."
"I wasn't gone that long."
I checked my watch. It hadn't even been half an hour, let alone thirty minutes.
"You've gone off on your own and caused trouble plenty of times before."
Song Arin glared at me with wide eyes, while Jang Chaeyeon and Yoo Daon nodded along.
See? They get along great.
"But I did get some good intel."
"What is it?"
I relayed the information I'd gotten from the others.
Music was playing outside, and everyone who wanted to leave had already done so.
In short, we either leave or get swept up in whatever's happening—those were our two options.
"Can't we just sit tight, rest, and let the Containment Team handle it?"
Park Ye-eun raised her hand, and Song Arin and I exchanged glances before shaking our heads.
"No."
"You're on the HR Team now. No backing out."
Song Arin and I had already been marked by the troupe from the start.
"Of course, you can rest if you want. Actually, just stay here and rest."
"Oppa, you're not mad at me... right?"
Park Ye-eun eyed me cautiously.
"I'm not mad."
If anything, she had a point, and I was seriously considering it.
No, really—was it right to drag Park Ye-eun into real danger?
No matter how I looked at it, that didn't seem like the smart choice.
"Ah, no... It's not that I don't want to go with you, oppa..."
Park Ye-eun mumbled something, and Song Arin sighed.
"He's just lost in thought, so do whatever you want."
"Really?"
"That's how he is."
I looked up at Park Ye-eun.
"You should rest—"
"I'm going!"
"..."
I'd tried to stop her, but with that determined look in her eyes, I had nothing to say.
"...If anything happens, say something."
That was all I could manage.
"Don't worry!"
Park Ye-eun pumped her fist, and Yoo Daon appeared in front of us, bag slung over her shoulder.
"Where are we evacuating to?"
She'd packed a ton.
"These are all useful, you know?"
Yoo Daon tilted her head and unzipped the bag.
"Sleeping bags... an awl... and extra magazines for Jaeheon-ssi..."
"..."
She'd really packed only practical stuff.
"You going now?"
Jang Chaeyeon looked at us curiously.
"Let's go."
Time wasn't infinite, after all.
At my words, everyone started getting ready.
Park Ye-eun effortlessly hoisted Yoo Daon's packed bag like it was her own.
The others, Manual included, finished prepping too.
"...You're really bringing this kid along?"
Song Arin eyed Manual with displeasure, and Manual scoffed.
"More useful than you."
"..."
Song Arin stared daggers at Manual, and I quickly pressed down on Manual's head while looking at Song Arin.
"She's got zero social skills, so cut her some slack."
"...Fine."
Song Arin nodded, and Yoo Daon took the lead, opening the door.
-Clunk!
With the sound of the door opening, we all stepped into the hallway.
"Use these."
I handed out the earphones I'd prepared.
"There's classical music playing outside, and it seems like listening to it leads to trouble."
Everyone put on their earphones at my words.
"The music..."
Yoo Daon, Jang Chaeyeon, and Park Ye-eun flinched as I played some loud music to test.
"For talking..."
"We'll use hand signals. Or just follow my lead."
I signaled for them to follow.
I wondered if they'd pick up on it, but surprisingly, all four nodded like it was no big deal.
Good. As long as there are no issues.
"Arin-ssi and... Manual. You two don't wear them. We'll communicate verbally."
The two nodded.
After confirming the other three had their earphones in, we took the elevator.
Sure enough, as soon as we got in, classical music started playing.
A headache hit at the same time.
Good thing I'd passed out the earphones ahead of time.
The elevator doors opened, and cool dawn air greeted us.
"Let's move."
"Where to?"
Song Arin tilted her head, and when I looked at Manual, she let out a small sigh before starting to walk.
"Get the car. I have a rough idea."
"...What the hell is she?"
"She's smart."
If we're talking smarts alone, she's like a walking encyclopedia.
"The play hasn't started yet."
Manual muttered as she scanned the surroundings.
"The protagonist hasn't arrived, so they're probably just gathering the audience for now."
"So the protagonist is me and Arin-ssi?"
"Yeah."
She nodded.
"Then... it'll be where the most people can gather."
"...Is there a place like that?"
"There is."
She turned to look at me.
"A place like a square where tons of people flock to."
*
"...I had a feeling."
I parked the car in front of the square packed with people and muttered while staring ahead.
The place in this country where protests happened most often.
Even amid skyscrapers, it was the spot for cheers or demos—any big public event, and it was always packed.
Once the heart of the nation.
That's where countless people had gathered.
No room to even set foot.
The classical music was growing louder, and people were swaying to it.
As I opened the car door to get out, my smartphone rang.
A call from the branch manager.
"Branch Manager Ye."
"Kim Jaeheon-ssi."
I picked up, and her calm voice came through.
[I just confirmed your car arriving.]
"You're watching."
[The Management Bureau's monitoring everything. We have agents already inside...]
"Yes. What do you need me to do?"
[According to our guidelines, once the play starts, everyone gets assigned roles fitting their parts.]
I knew that. I'd heard it straight from the troupe leader.
[It'd be good if you all blend in, play your roles, and work toward resolving the situation.]
She must not realize I'm the protagonist.
No time to explain it all.
"Branch Manager."
[Yes?]
"I'm and Arin-ssi are the protagonists. Requesting support."
[...]
She fell silent after hearing me.
Soon, her voice came through the phone again.
"Got it. I'll pass that on. Ahn Sang-hyun's heading your way."
"Thank you."
Ahn Sang-hyun should handle things fine.
At that moment, a screech of tires—screeech!—came from beside the car, followed by skid marks and a man rolling into place.
"Kim Jaeheon-ssi!"
Ahn Sang-hyun beamed at me.
He'd rolled right up to us.
"I heard! I'll assist!"
No demands for details or questions if he had it wrong.
Just instant acceptance, like "Got it."
I'd been through too many incidents.
"What about the other branches?"
"All deployed already. It's been a while since a big one like this—kinda nervous."
Haha! Ahn Sang-hyun laughed heartily.
"For now, Gangseo Branch will prioritize escorting the HR Team."
"Thank you."
I stepped out of the car, and the others followed.
Oh, right—Manual...
"Yeah. There's a kid with us, she..."
"She's not here."
"Huh?"
She'd been in the back seat just moments ago.
I whipped around, but only an empty seat greeted me,
and a heavy weight settled in my pocket.
"..."
She'd turned into a book again.
"Never mind. Let's go."
"Yes!"
Ahn Sang-hyun grinned and rolled ahead again.
*
It was nothing short of spectacular.
Countless people swayed as if in a ritual, and we all followed behind Ahn Sang-hyun as he rolled along.
"Here it is."
He spoke while rolling in place, so I looked up ahead,
and a massive curtain billowed from the sky.
A translucent panel appeared.
[Name: Curtain Call]
[Age: X]
[Specialty: Curtain Call]
[Talent: X]
[Background: The show hasn't started yet.]
[Weakness: The curtain vanishes naturally once the show begins.]
"...What the hell is that?"
Song Arin muttered in bewilderment, while Yoo Daon closed her eyes and sniffed.
"Smells like wood."
"..."
We stared at the curtain, and at that moment.
-Thank you for waiting.
A solemn voice flowed from behind it.
-Now that all the necessary people are here, even in this late dawn hour, we shall begin the show.
It was a man's voice.
Middle-aged? Or elderly?
It was strangely hard to gauge his age, and as I listened,
-Shwaa!
The curtain parted.
"Everyone!"
I turned to the others.
"Be careful, and if anything—"
A blinding light filled my eyes, and they closed as if falling asleep.
*
I snapped my eyes open.
I hadn't even finished speaking.
Did anyone follow?
I reached into my pocket—only a gun.
No Manual.
Where'd she go this time.
"..."
I looked around.
What kind of play was this?
A familiar scene unfolded before me.
An office.
No—my everyday office.
I was sitting in my usual spot, where I plop down every morning when I arrive.
"...What?"
Was it not a play? Had I just dreamed it all?
"No."
A flat voice rang in my ears.
-Scrape.
Someone stood from Song Arin's seat.
A woman in tuxedo-like attire stared at me expressionlessly.
Her purple hair cascaded down with a soft rustle.
"It's started for real."
"...Troupe Leader?"
"Right."
The troupe leader nodded, her face blank.
"I promised to help if the chance came, so here I am."
She looked at me calmly as she spoke.