A Crane Among Chickens
***
JK Credit Info Collection Team. Getting assigned to the Collection Team wasn't easy. Even among new hires from open recruitment, you had to stand out the most. And that wasn't the end of it. Ultimately, you needed approval from the notoriously picky Senior Deputy Manager Seo Gwang-hun to get in.
Unlike two years ago when they selected new hires, they skipped it last year. On top of that, several employees had bolted in the middle of the night, unable to handle the grueling workload. Choi Bong-seok and Oh Seong-deok, both assistant managers in their fourth year but effectively the babies of the team, were smoking on the rooftop and cheering at the news of incoming rookies.
Choi Bong-seok lit his cigarette and said, "That picky deputy manager must've had a change of heart—he hired three newbies this time. Are we finally ditching the 'baby' label?"
"I don't care about that. I just want fewer overnighters and some actual sleep."
"Hope these ones are sharp."
"Bong-seok, don't start bullying them right off the bat. You know how tough our jobs are already."
"Hey, anyone'd think I drove them out. They just couldn't hack it."
Choi was the spicy type, while Oh was mild-mannered. To avoid repeating past mistakes, Oh earnestly warned his colleague. "Got it, I won't pull that crap again like last time."
"Anyway, no more brewing coffee every morning, right?"
"And we can skip tidying the deputy manager's desk."
They had no idea a heavyweight rookie was coming. The two high-fived with beaming smiles.
"Seong-deok, you hear? One of the newbies solved the deputy manager's riddle to get here."
"No way—that unsolvable one?"
"Yeah, apparently traded the solution for a spot on the team."
"Whoa, ballsy."
"With a smart kid like that, we dump the grunt work on the babies and go after the big fish to change our luck."
They cackled conspiratorially, clearly thrilled. Oh pushed up his glasses and said, "I'm aiming to crack a big case like Section Chief Nam Jae-seok and emigrate to America."
"Man, I wouldn't even dream that high. Just one trip to the States would be enough."
"Anyway, our suffering's over. Deputy manager's due soon—let's head down."
The two returned from the rooftop and took their seats. The Collection Team door opened, revealing Seo Gwang-hun with three new hires.
Seo clapped lightly. "Attention, Collection Team! No newbies last year, but three this time."
The team applauded in welcome.
"These are the sharpest ones I picked myself. Choi, Oh!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Put extra effort into training them—the president's watching."
"Understood, sir."
Seo stepped aside with a nod. Pi Dong-ho and Jeong Nam-hoon, Kang Min-ho's classmates, stood there with sparkling eyes. Without Kang Myeong-seon's orders, they wouldn't be here—but they firmly believed they'd earned it on merit. Thinking any path to Seoul works, they'd stumbled into their dream team. They saluted like fresh recruits.
"Hello! I'm rookie Pi Dong-ho. This is the department I've always wanted. I'll do my absolute best despite my shortcomings. Please take care of me!"
"Hello! I'm Jeong Nam-hoon. I'll devote my body and soul to helping the Collection Team!"
A pack of hyenas eyeing a pristine lamb—it was only natural. "Welcome." "Looking forward to working with you." Applause followed their greetings.
Satisfied, Seo nodded. "Lastly, the star rookie I brought. Kang Min-ho, introduce yourself."
Unlike the others, Kang Min-ho showed no tension. He had his reasons: this was his second time as a rookie, and he'd spent years in this very team before. No big intentions this round either—he simply couldn't afford to tense up. Calmly, he gave a brief greeting.
"I'm Kang Min-ho. Please take care of me."
His bow was a mere nod, his tone dry as jerky. To newcomers, it screamed arrogance—especially to the two managers who'd been waiting eagerly.
"Seong-deok, that kid seems a bit off, right?"
"Yeah, but deputy manager's here. Talk later."
Seo nodded. "Take your assigned seats. You two, see me a sec."
"Yes, sir."
In the break room, Seo got down to it. "Listen, special orders from the boss."
"Pardon? What orders?"
"Work the newbies to the bone—that's it."
Stunned by this unprecedented directive from Kang Myeong-seon, the two gaped. Choi asked, "Work them hard, sir? Direct from the president?"
"Yep, no idea why. Hand over all your debt file sorting to them."
"Sir, that takes us ages, and if they screw up, it's double the work..."
"No backtalk. If they're gonna flake, better early—saves us trouble, right?"
"Yes, sir. We'll do it."
Patting Choi's shoulder, Seo returned to his desk. Baffled but obedient, the managers complied. Choi smirked meaningfully. "Saw that last greeter, Seong-deok?"
"Yeah, kinda lacks drive? Greeting was half-assed for a newbie."
"Who does he think he is, the president's son? So cocky. Gonna have a word later."
Oh craned his neck for another look, tilting his head. "But doesn't he kinda look like JK Mutual Savings Bank President Kang Du-seong?"
Choi touched Oh's forehead. "You sick? President's a Kang, not a Lee, dummy."
"I know, but the name Min-ho, and the resemblance... gotta be connected somehow. Otherwise, no way."
Oh's eyes were spot-on. Choi frothed like a salty crab. "Min-ho's common as dirt. Got any friends named Min-ho?"
"Sure."
"See? One per neighborhood. Don't psych yourself out."
"Still, just in case..."
Choi snapped, "Quit freaking—when we gonna train 'em? Didn't hear the deputy? Who's minding who?"
"No, it's not..."
"We got those hanging files from last week, right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Pile 'em all on. He said grind 'em, so let's."
"First day—can they handle it?"
Unlike mild Oh, spicy Choi stayed hardline. "This is where the company's smartest land. Can't sort files? Die outside."
"Fine, start with sorting."
***
While his tense classmates sat rigid, Kang Min-ho scanned every corner of the office, checking details. His expression soured—nothing met his standards. Desk layouts, phone positions, piled papers everywhere. To someone who'd run the entire group with peak efficiency, this was intolerable.
His neighbor nudged him. "Hey, we're classmates—drop the formalities?"
"Whatever's comfy."
"Cool, I'm Pi Dong-ho."
"You know mine. What's up?"
"Uh... what'll they have us do today?"
"Curious, or clueless?"
"Clueless, obviously. You know something?"
Instead of answering, Kang Min-ho pointed to the massive paper pile in the corner. "Sort that."
"Heard the workload's brutal, but three of us should manage."
"Not a noble house needing three slaves for the yard."
"You blind? It's a mountain."
"I can solo it."
"You alone? Get real."
"If it doesn't add up, make it. Wait here."
As expected, Choi and Oh dumped a mountain on the rookies.
"Newbies, sort this fast. Amounts, due dates—by type. Easy, right?"
Gaping at the volume, Pi Dong-ho ventured, "Sir... by when?"
"Today. Can't? Send you elsewhere?"
"No, sir! We can."
"Good—newbies gotta hustle."
A rite of passage, team hazing. This load would take the whole team days. Following Seo's orders, Choi assigned the impossible.
The two dove in frantically; Kang Min-ho sat idle. Returning, Choi glared. "Top scorer slacking?"
"No, sir."
"Then why stare? Your classmates' hands on fire?"
Kang Min-ho dropped the unexpected. "Less than expected."
"What? Less? You mocking me?"
"I don't joke."
"Better start."
Normally, you'd buckle down. Not him. He shot up.
"Huh? Where to?"
"Coffee run. Can't ask you, sir."
"Well..."
In the break room, Choi loosened his tie with a heavy sigh at the curveball. Watching, Seo murmured, "Choi."
"Yes, sir?"
"Kang Min-ho's... unique. Don't push—let him do his thing."
"Sir, I'm not complaining, but this is society. Rules exist."
"You'll see. Rage like that, you won't last."
"Got it."
Kang Min-ho returned with steaming coffee, sat leisurely—one hand sipping, the other reviewing files. "Sir, all by today?"
"You three'd need all-nighters—and still not finish."
"Not that much."
"Do whatever. Don't get it."
Even in his past life as Kim Ki-hyuk, he'd outpaced everyone in skill. Survival meant success, so he'd lived for work. That built unmatched power and wealth. Now, as Kang Min-ho, the heavyweight rookie, this was child's play—easier than gluing doll eyes.
Finishing his coffee, he stood, hung his jacket, rolled his sleeves, and dove in.