2. Field Division
I wrapped up my morning tasks, and lunchtime rolled around.
I headed to the cafeteria, scarfed down lunch, and hopped on the elevator.
Classroom 3 was on the fourth floor of the company building.
Our company—Mirae Co., Ltd.—was massive, the kind that uses a high-rise as its headquarters.
Naturally, it had all sorts of vaguely purposed facilities scattered around, and this was one of them.
Most employees probably didn't even know Classroom 3 existed on the fourth floor.
I certainly hadn't.
The door opens.
Already there?
No.
The elevator had stopped on the twelfth floor.
"Oh? Hello!"
"Hello."
The passenger was a man sharply dressed in a suit.
He reached for the buttons, then flashed me a grin.
"Oh, fourth floor? Not a newbie, so you must be headed to the Field Division."
"Yeah, something like that."
He didn't seem to have any preconceptions about me, so probably from another department.
Research Department or New Materials, maybe? Twelfth floor.
As that thought crossed my mind, he extended his hand.
"We'll probably run into each other often, so let's introduce ourselves. Nice to meet you. I'm Department Head Kim Jun-sik from Research Division 3, Team 1."
Department Head? He looks young for that...
I stopped myself.
Superior, regardless.
Even from another department, someone like him would know people all over the company.
I'd barely transferred out, and I couldn't afford to ruin my image again.
I clasped his hand with both of mine and shook.
"Oh Sung-jin. I'm just a regular employee."
"Whoa, so you'll be a junior supervisor again? Field Division transfers come with a promotion."
"Yes, that's what I heard."
"Congrats. Field Division's a powerhouse—big performance bonuses, fast promotions."
...That much? Why me? And why did she tell me to kick this opportunity away?
Jealousy? Or just more of her bullshit?
My thoughts must have shown on my face.
Kim Jun-sik grinned at me.
"You look like you've got worries. Yeah? Wondering what Field Division even is, or why you'd get sent somewhere so good?"
"Well, it was so sudden..."
"Hmm, you don't know yet? That's unusual..."
His tone was loaded.
Before I could ask, he continued.
"Doesn't matter. Internal transfer and all. Sung-jin, right? Trust the company's eye. New hires are one thing, but internal means you've got something special."
"Something special?"
"No special skills?"
Special skills? Back in school, it was studying.
And the company that hires top students is right here: Mirae Co., Ltd.
So nothing standout for me.
Forced to pick, maybe Office Work.
"...I'm confident in office work."
"Office work? Haha! You're a funny guy, Sung-jin. How'd you land Field Division with that as your specialty?"
The department head smirked.
The door opens.
The elevator reached the fourth floor.
The hallway was dim.
No windows anywhere—just pale fluorescent lights scattering faint glows.
"Anyway, good luck. Field Division only sends people who can survive, no matter their specialty. Waste of training costs otherwise."
"Survive?"
The word hit out of nowhere; I slipped into casual speech without thinking.
Luckily, Kim Jun-sik didn't mind.
"Yeah, well... intense faction fights? Even I get chills watching sometimes, and I'm from another department."
Office politics, huh? Makes sense for a power department.
I stepped out with him and walked the hall.
He started humming cheerfully.
Irritated, I shot him a glance; he winked back.
Guy's a bit off.
Not surprising, really.
Big corp like ours hires talent.
Talent's usually got a screw loose somewhere.
Especially young high-rankers like him.
That woman was already an assistant manager, and she's my peer hire.
As I thought that, Kim Jun-sik pointed down the hall.
"Oh, Sung-jin. That's it, right? Classroom 3?"
Did I mention where I was going?
Couldn't remember.
No time to ask—he clapped my shoulder.
"Fight on. I've gotta head left."
"Yes, sir. I'll be off then."
"Haha, too stiff. We'll see each other after you pass the exam—no need to be so formal."
Exam?
No—handle this first.
Nothing less trustworthy than a superior saying "relax."
Why have ranks then? Play naive, and you're screwed in a heartbeat.
Get casual here, and I'd wreck my career again.
I mustered an awkward, dopey smile.
He grinned slyly and winked.
"We'd get along great. Right? Different departments, but colleagues."
"Wise words. I'll keep it in mind."
"Ah, this is me. See you later, Sung-jin."
Whew.
Dodged that.
He stopped at "4-F Reference Room."
Stepped in, then poked his head out.
"Oh, remember this: something about... lantern... lantern..."
"The darkest spot is under the lamp?"
"Yes! That'll help on the exam. Bye!"
His face vanished; a hand waved lazily.
Exam again.
"Wait, sir—one question about the exam..."
Clunk. Door shut.
"Under the lamp... damn it."
My words echoed emptily.
Looked like I'd puzzle out Field Division and transfers alone.
Internal transfer? What's that mean?
Site work? Construction gigs?
And exam? Transfer's a transfer—why test?
No such system in onboarding.
Initiation? Or corporate scheming?
In this day and age? Lawsuit waiting to happen.
No clue.
This transfer reeked of suspicion.
Exam, that "consent" talk...
Then—a breeze.
Odd. No windows.
Chill down my spine. Something eerie.
At the same moment, Classroom 3's door creaked open at the hall's end.
Creeeaaaak.
Inside was pitch-black, even from afar.
I walked slowly toward it.
Lights off. Breeze from within. Clack-clack—blinds rattling against the frame.
"Anyone there—?"
Ooohhh. Wind howled. I squinted.
They'd told me to come pre-transfer for paperwork.
Mistake? But Kim Jun-sik knew...
Then—lights on inside.
Stepped lecture hall setup, like college.
Hesitated to enter.
"Ah, you're here. Sorry—sudden power outage."
A woman with long straight hair lifted her head from the podium.
Career woman. Superior or senior.
I bowed deeply.
"Hello! Oh Sung-jin here! Starting in Field Division today!"
Quick greeting: right call.
She responded warmly.
"Yes, Sung-jin. Come in. Close the door."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Entered, sat front row.
No slacking back there—might get labeled lazy.
This time, no setup.
Just her—maybe boss or senior—and me. Can't act like college.
She returned to the podium.
Beam projector hummed on.
She looked up again.
"Sung-jin? Come get your survey."
"Survey?"
"Yes. Aptitude test—relax. Others coming."
Got the sheet. Felt like college again.
Good times fired me up.
Flipped the cover.
Question 1. Can you identify this sentence?
A. Yes.
B. No.
Checked again. Identify the sentence? What's the point?
Misprint?
No marks. Same every time.
Checked A anyway.
Surveys are weird.
Next.
Question 2. Check the applicable item.
A. Marine Corps veteran (officer, NCO, or enlisted).
B. Affiliated with Counter-Measure & Preparation Bureau, regardless of position.
C. Affiliated with Dusk Library, regardless of position.
D.
E. Other (internal transfer, field direct hire pass, regular conversion)
No clue.
Counter-Measure & Preparation Bureau? Dusk Library? Blank option?
Marines why?
Misprint.
"Um, looks misprinted."
"Misprinted? Question 1?"
"No, Question 2—D's blank."
"Ah, that's intentional. Proceed normally."
Squinted. She gestured to continue.
Fishy, but okay.
Checked E. Next.
Question 3.
A.
B.
C.
Definite misprint.
Glanced at her.
Ask again—annoy her?
"Need help?"
Lucky. She asked first.
Said it looked misprinted.
She beamed oddly.
"Question 3?"
"Yes—all blanks..."
"And you identified it as Question 3? Wow, Sung-jin—you're lucky!"
Lucky?
Before I could ask, she grinned.
"Skip blanks. Spy check."
...Spy check?
Fine, skip.
Later questions weirder.
Ever had mystery illness? Ghosts per month?
Pistol shooting? Yes—armor branch.
Mostly "other."
Finished. Looked up.
Room half-full now. Missed them focusing.
"Field prep trainees! Surveys at the podium!"
She—my maybe-boss—shouted.
Done, I leaned back, watched.
Bored quick.
Checked projector instead. Useful info?
Mirae Co., Ltd. Field Staff Training Guide
-Submit completed surveys at podium!-
Submitted mine.
She smiled.
"Done? Here."
"Yep."
She scanned it. "Mm, hmm." No issues.
"Hm?"
Wait, problem?
She looked up, cold smile.
"Sung-jin, look."
"Yes?"
"Fun show soon."
Fun?
Followed her finger.
Bald guy filling survey.
What? Bald hate?
Confused face; her smile deepened.
"Question 3. Spy check, remember?"
Before she finished—
Scream exploded.
"Gaaahhh—! Haa— aaaahhh—! Aaaahhhh—!"
Horror unfolded.
Bald guy wept blood tears.
"Kyaa—!"
"People here!"
"Help!"
"119, call 119..."
Froze. Right, 119...
Phone out, dialing—signal: "Out of Service Area."
"What the..."
Just shock. But answer came.
"Spy check, like I said. Can't assign field roles to impure intents."
Her—senior or boss—words.
She drew from her jacket.
Pistol.
Aimed casually at bald guy.
"Watch close. Internal transfer—you'll get used to it."
"What..."
"Spies get summary execution. Company doesn't tolerate industrial espionage."
Scream affirmed her.
"Gaaaaahhhh—!"
"Happens sometimes. Idiots skipping PPE. That bald guy's a reporter, I think? Oh, best part—look."
Turned.
Blisters burst through his skin.
Soon, blisters engulfed his head.
Pale face inside. Tongue lolled. Dying...
No—too late.
"..."
Dead.
But death wasn't end.
"Grrrk—?!"
Body twisted. Limbs snapped.
Bald—no, it—climbed desk, roared.
"Aaaah— aaaahhh—! Spiiiies— muuust— exeeeecute—!"
Turned on crowd.
"Spieees— aaaah— muuust—!"
Chaos erupted; she stayed calm.
As if expected.
"What is this? That monster... no, dangerous! Evacuate now..."
She whistled. Eerily casual.
"No panic, straight to response? Good. +1 point."
"Points? Now..."
"Hmm, overreacting. -1 point."
What the hell is she saying!
No—evac first.
Grabbed her wrist, pulled back.
Monster choked nearest victim.
Bad luck, caught late.
"Told you—no need to freak."
Her calm voice behind as I ran—
Bang!
Flash pierced monster's head.
Blisters burst, fluids soaked desk.
It staggered, collapsed over edge.
She shot?
Ears rang. She expressionless. Weeeee—
"Welcome to Field Division."
Her words through the ringing; she blew smoke from the barrel.