Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Cruise
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Luxury.
There was no other word to describe it.
"Wow...!"
Even watching Yoo Daon let out one exclamation after another since arriving, I didn't think she was overreacting. It was just that impressive.
Chandeliers gleamed under golden lighting on the ceiling, the marble floors were so spotless they reflected my face, and sharply dressed staff bowed their heads in greeting.
The first floor featured a grand hall with chandeliers, and the stairs stretching up to the second and third floors were lined with red carpet. The design was indistinguishable from a luxury hotel, leaving me speechless.
"""Welcome!"""
It felt overwhelming.
I glanced around.
If we were the only ones here, I might have actually felt threatened, but fortunately, plenty of people were milling about.
There were a few familiar faces from the Management Bureau I'd passed by once or twice, and others dressed like wealthy civilians.
While I was busy scanning the crowd, I realized they were all staring at us too.
How weird must we have looked? One guy standing awkwardly in the middle with three women.
Not that it was exactly like that, maybe.
"Let's go see the rooms! Rooms!"
"If they don't give us one per person, I'm seriously reporting HR."
"We're HR, you know."
"Do you have to nitpick everything?"
Yoo Daon and Song Arin excitedly hurried off toward the rooms, with Jang Chaeyeon following behind. She turned back to look at me.
"Come on."
"Okay."
Jang Chaeyeon walked alongside me.
"Is this your first time at a place like this, Chaeyeon?"
"First time on a cruise."
"Then... do you not like luxury?"
"...Not really interested."
After a brief silence, she glanced at me cautiously, lifting her eyes.
"Don't like it?"
"No, I mean... like or dislike..."
What was I supposed to say about personal tastes? Truth be told, I didn't care either way.
Working at the Management Bureau—especially getting tangled in all these bizarre incidents lately—my bank account was growing meaningfully.
Probably the same for Jang Chaeyeon. Whatever extravagance she indulged in, as long as it wasn't outrageously expensive, she could probably afford it.
We made small talk like that as we headed to the rooms.
The rooms were as opulent as the lobby.
They'd even provided private suites, so it seemed the Management Bureau had really pulled some strings.
I peeked into Song Arin's room from behind her.
A massive bed, bathroom, ornate mirrors—everything you could want.
"This is really nice."
Song Arin nodded in satisfaction as she toured her room, then peered intently out the window.
An endless sea stretched out.
"Looking at it alone at night might be a bit scary."
"Call Chaeyeon or Daon to sleep with."
"Why would I call them? I'd rather sleep outside than with Whitey, and Blacky's vibe is suffocating."
"Daon?"
I pictured Yoo Daon. She seemed sociable, the type who got along fine with anyone.
"...Yeah. Everyone else in the world knows, but you wouldn't. Not when Blacky hides it so well."
Song Arin sighed and shrugged as she looked at me.
"What's that about?"
"Never mind. I'm a woman who respects privacy."
"No, tell me."
She just waved me off dismissively, shooing me out without answering.
In the end, she never told me, so I had no choice but to leave.
So, where's my room?
As I wandered looking for it, Yoo Daon came trotting over.
"Jaeheon!"
"Yeah?"
"Look at this. There's a famous orchestra and theater troupe putting on a concert?"
Yoo Daon handed me a flyer, her eyes sparkling.
I stared at her intently, and she tilted her head, meeting my gaze.
"Why?"
"Nothing."
What could someone like her be hiding? Song Arin was just jumping to conclusions; she had no eye for people.
Thinking that, I read the flyer she'd given me.
As expected, fancy lettering proclaimed: [Unforgettable Luxury Concert].
Nothing here wasn't luxurious.
Theater brought back bad memories, but I pushed it aside and handed the flyer back.
"We've got plenty of time, so let's check it out later."
Not right away. If I went now and something happened like last time at the theater, I'd be unprepared.
Having thoughts like that meant I'd truly become a Management Bureau employee.
With an indescribable feeling, I watched my colleagues go off to do their own things, then headed outside.
Time to scout the layout and clear my head.
I passed golden-lit corridors.
An empty dining hall for now.
The central hall buzzing with people.
A theater with a <Preparing> sign,
Gym... pool... arcade... it had everything.
They'd really set it up so you could do anything onboard.
Soon, a grand rumble announced departure, and I headed up to the deck.
A lukewarm breeze brushed my face.
A fishy stench assaulted my nose.
I wrinkled my brow instinctively and looked around, but I was alone.
Just the sea smell?
Not many people on deck yet, so plenty of time for solitary reflection.
I leaned my elbows on the railing, gazing at the endless horizon, then opened the manual.
Let's see. There had to be something about the sea.
[Employee Manual]
[SB - Surviving If You Fall Into the Sea]
1. While working for the Management Bureau, you may occasionally find yourself shipwrecked in the open ocean.
2. In such cases, find something to climb onto as quickly as possible. Management Bureau employees are human too, and hypothermia claims the most lives.
3. Don't stay in the water long. If you sense something in the depths, refer to [SY - Maritime Survival Guide].
I read intently, then shook my head.
I must be getting occupational disease. How long would I keep blowing even my downtime worrying over the manual?
I snapped it shut with a thud and gazed at the deep navy sea before heading back inside.
Now that we were underway, the cruise felt even more alive than before.
Wealthy types who seemed to know each other chatted happily over wine glasses that had appeared from nowhere, while those who looked like regular folk hurried away, intimidated by the vibe.
"Excuse me."
"Oh, sorry."
I watched indifferently when someone brushed past, asking permission. I stepped aside and gave a slight nod.
That same nauseating fishy smell wafted by.
I turned involuntarily to look at the person who'd dodged me earlier, but they'd vanished.
Just in case, I scanned sharply, but everyone seemed normal.
"...What're you doing?"
Squinting around, I turned at the familiar flat voice.
Jang Chaeyeon stared at me blankly.
"...Don't you smell fish?"
"Fish?"
She closed her eyes and sniffed.
"...No."
"Weird."
But she was right; no smell now.
Just expensive perfume and booze.
"Know anything about containment objects that smell like fish?"
"...Hm. No."
She furrowed her brow thoughtfully, then shook her head.
"Too vague. Field teams near the sea smell it more often than you'd think."
"Makes sense."
"But I'll be careful. Tell the others?"
"Please."
She nodded slowly, started toward the rooms, then glanced back.
"Don't overthink it. We're here to have fun."
"...Okay."
"And there are Management Bureau people here too. They'll handle anything that comes up."
"That's a relief."
She gave a small smile and nod.
"I'll go tell them."
She walked lightly away, and I watched her go before turning forward again.
It'll be fine, right?
*
In the end, we never found the source of the smell.
"Fishy smell, huh."
"Know anything?"
"Well... the sea's always been more unknown to humanity than land."
Jang Chaeyeon had brought the other two quickly, and Song Arin shrugged at my question.
"The Bureau doesn't mess with sea containments much. Can't, really. Most humans can't breathe underwater."
Unless you're branch chief level, she added, finishing her thought.
Song Arin nodded with a hum, letting out a few groans.
"...No clue. Give me 'fishy smell' as a keyword and expect me to deduce? What am I supposed to find?"
She scratched her head roughly.
"We'll stay alert. An incident onboard, and we're fucked—no escape."
"I'll be careful too."
Yoo Daon nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. Thanks."
"Of course, and there are Bureau folks here. I'll tip them off too."
Song Arin sighed heavily and stood.
"Please, just let it end without incident."
"I hope so too."
She smirked, waved, and headed off.
"...I'll go tell people too."
Jang Chaeyeon followed suit, going the other way.
I watched them.
Both approached others, who smiled at first, then gradually stiffened as they listened. I stood too.
"Where you going?"
"Scout around."
"Want company?"
"No. Enjoy yourself, Daon."
Maybe I'm overreacting.
I looked around.
Yeah. I've been through too much of this. Definitely overreac-
A name caught my eye mid-thought.
[Name: X X Min]
[Age: 23]
[Trait: X]
[Talent: X]
[Background: He was just an employee working here. Until the sea claimed him.]
[Weakness: Just an ordinary person. Kill him, and he dies.]
I shot to my feet.
"Daon. Come with me a sec."
"Okay."
Something's happening.