Chapter 388
Chapter 388
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 388. Each One's Role
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-Thud!
"Eek!"
A short scream accompanies rolling across the floor.
"Why can't you understand!"
And at the same time, someone charges at me screaming.
"Urk...!"
I'd spoken with such confidence, but when it came to physical combat, that was far from my forte.
I was barely dodging the incoming attacks—only because I could see them coming. My body, however, was increasingly unable to keep up with the flow.
Above all,
...
My arm that the black water had touched was starting to go numb beyond just hurting.
I needed to get out of here fast and figure something out.
-Thud! Thud!
I rolled across the floor desperately, and at the same time, the manual that had fallen makes a rustling sound as it flips open.
[Office Manual for Desk Workers!]
[Containment Object - Intruder - HR Team Kim Jaeheon's Record!!!]
[1. Humans fighting with brute force is idiotic!!!]
[2. If you've been touched by the water, big trouble is coming!!! Get treatment somewhere fast!!!]
I know that already. But what am I supposed to do?
Thinking that, I keep rolling,
and glance back at its translucent panel.
[Name: Intruder]
[Age: Created 3 days ago]
[Talents: None]
[Specialties: None]
[Background: He felt a curiosity. Why must humans wear clothes? Why must humans wear skins? If everyone just became their true selves, wouldn't everyone be happy and enjoy life together?]
[Weakness: Possible with strong impact.]
Strong impact...
...
Only one option.
I turn my body and head straight for the entrance I came through.
Shooting it in the forehead would be pointless. Better to restrict its mobility.
I swap magazines and fire at its leg.
Its balance crumbles for a moment, and I seize the gap to run.
Sensation was already fading from both my wrists. Fighting like this, my odds of winning approached zero.
-Thud! Thud! Thud!
I force myself to ignore the sounds of it chasing behind me and sprint toward the entrance.
This time, I keep firing at its legs and arms.
Fortunately, since my feet weren't as fast as I'd thought, the entrance wasn't that far.
Maybe I should start jogging for real.
With that thought, I turn my body,
and—
-Bam!
"Gh...!"
A powerful pain hits my chest, sending me rolling across the floor. I hurriedly look up, but it's already right in front of me, its back skin torn open as it thrusts its face toward mine.
"Good! Now you too...!"
-Bang!
I press the gun barrel to its jaw, pull the trigger, and hurl the gun far away.
Had it turned its skin to steel? The dented bullet drops to the floor with a hollow clink, and its head, flung upward by the impact, comes back down.
Guns are useless from here on.
I turn toward the railing and flip up my suit collar to cover my neck.
"Hee hee hee!"
At the same time, it drools saliva and grabs for my neck.
Fortunately, the raised collar kept the water from touching my skin directly.
"Guh...!"
But the problem was the immense strength choking my neck.
My back bends as I precariously lean against the railing, and it grins even wider while tightening its grip.
"Kek...!"
I slowly lean back, until my body is tilting so far the ceiling comes into view.
Please.
I squeeze my eyes shut and let go.
At that instant, my vision flips,
"Graaak!"
The thing I'd been struggling against tumbles over the edge. The hand choking my neck loosens, and it plummets to the floor below.
"Aaaah!"
At the same time, my own body slips over the railing, but I manage to grab it and avoid falling.
"...Damn it..."
I claw my way back over the railing and peer below.
Even though it clearly hit the floor, there's no trace of it.
That's why they said not to fall.
"...Urgh..."
I rub my stinging neck and toss off my jacket.
Staggering toward the manual, it flips open on the floor with a massive rustle, unmoving until now.
-Shrrrrk!
[Office Manual for Desk Workers]
[WO - When Injured]
1. While working for the Management Bureau, you'll get injured a lot.
2. In such cases, please follow the guidelines below for treatment.
3. If you think it's already too late, refer to [T - Suicide Methods]... ///// Consult the manual and find a method.
I stare at the crooked handwriting, then look at my arm as the stinging sensation worsens.
Before I knew it, my wrists bore handprint-shaped marks, changed to a bizarre color.
"...Is there a way?"
At my question, the manual pauses, then flips through pages on its own, back and forth.
It's searching.
How many times did the pages flip open and close?
-Shrrrrk!
A page opens.
[Office Manual for Desk Workers]
[When in Contact with Black Water]
1. Currently, no treatment exists for contact with black water— one does exist.
2. Amputate the affected area, or transfer the injury to someone else.
3. Give the injury to Employee Yoo Daon. If you find only her, both of you can resolve it completely without issue.
...
No matter how I look at it, this doesn't seem like a proper solution.
I stare at the manual silently, and new text engraves itself below.
4. Your survival is the top priority.
...
I close my eyes briefly and open them.
I get why it singled out Yoo Daon, and seeing that line, the bitterness of thinking "maybe" hits home.
"Alright. Let's go."
But first, I need to meet Yoo Daon.
I pick up the manual and gun, then head down the stairs again.
*
As I descend to the second floor, I hear murmuring voices.
...
What now?
Tensing up, I open the door to the second floor.
"...Huh?"
A few people are pacing around anxiously.
All familiar faces.
The ones I'd led to escape earlier.
"Huh!"
They point at me and shout.
"The HR guy is back!"
Again?
I frown and scan the room.
"Jaeheon!"
Of all people, the one I least wanted to see right now runs toward me.
Yoo Daon smiles brightly at me.
"Thank goodness...! I was so worried something happened to you after you got separated!"
"Ah... Yeah. I had a few things happen too."
I trail off, and Yoo Daon steps right up to me.
"Jaeheon, what happened to you?"
...
I don't answer her question, and Yoo Daon stares at me intently.
"What's going on?"
...
When I don't answer again, Yoo Daon looks at me, then quietly extends her hand.
"...Yes?"
As I meet her gaze with confusion, my manual is open in her hand.
When did that happen?
While I'm staring at her in bewilderment, Yoo Daon looks at the manual seriously and extends her hand again.
"Jaeheon. Hold my hand."
"Daon..."
"Hurry."
Before I can say anything, Yoo Daon grabs my wrist and lifts it. I wince at the sharp pain for a moment,
...
Yoo Daon looks at me sadly.
"I want you to use me without any guilt, Jaeheon."
"Daon, people don't 'use' each other."
"You're right. I don't say it that way to others."
She shakes her head at my words.
"Others can't use me. Because... well, I'm a person."
"Then next to me, you're not a person but a tool?"
"That's not it..."
Yoo Daon trails off and smiles softly.
"Giving everything for someone doesn't make you their possession."
With that, she takes my hand,
"Hmm..."
She quietly pulls out a needle and pricks her own arm. Blood trickles down it, and the onlookers scream.
"Wait a second."
Ignoring them, she mutters and rubs her wound against mine.
Soon, the black mark on my wound fades, appearing on her arm instead.
"...Hold on."
Yoo Daon smiles brightly and steps out, closing the door behind her.
Not long after, she returns, still smiling.
A faint bloody smell lingers, but her arm is fine.
"All fixed! It's okay now!"
"...D-Daon."
"It's really okay."
Yoo Daon smiles gently.
"Jaeheon. Everyone has things they're good at and things they're not. I'm good with my body, and you're good with your head."
She continues in a calm voice.
"I'll do what I can. In return, you do what you can."
...
I stare at Yoo Daon, and her steady gaze meets mine.
"Please."
"...Got it."
I nod slowly, and Yoo Daon smiles softly.
At the same time,
[Office Manual for Desk Workers]
[2nd Floor, Waiting Hall]
The manual begins to flip open.