It Seems I Must Go to Work Even After Falling into a Horror Story Chapter 29

A newbie scouted into the elite team just a month after joining.

Sounds like the title of one of those self-help books that attract a lot of attention.

But this is actually happening right now.

‘What on earth is going on?’

Am I in Group A?

“Let’s see, Sol-eum went to Group D last month, didn’t she?”

“Yes. For now, let’s contact the HR team to arrange a secondment, and after five months, we can handle the official appointment.”

“Right. Assistant Manager Jin. Then….”

Group A’s Team Leader looked at me and smiled with satisfaction.

“First of all, Sol-eum needs to be promoted to Chief as soon as possible.”

“……”

“I’m sure the official notice will be out within the next week.”

Oh my gosh.

“This company might not care much about seniority, but there’s still a baseline. This is an utterly shocking treatment, right?”

Of course!

They’re going to take care of the promotion too? The internal influence here must be really strong!

No, wait.

To join the elite team, a regular employee usually has to go through one or two promotions first to prove themselves.

So, it means that to become part of the elite team, one practically has to at least become a Chief!

They must be planning to promote me naturally from above just to slot me into Group A.

‘And Group A usually had assistants from the start…’

This is seriously a shocking offer.

But why?

Why am I suddenly getting this proposal…?

Ah.

The moment I saw the highly satisfied face of Group A’s Team Leader, it struck me like a lightning bolt.

‘I picked the right answer today!’

I mistook office bullying for misunderstanding and was way too excessive!

I’ve been trying to achieve results while following orders without complaint, brainstorming ideas within the guidelines set by the higher-ups, acting like a newbie with no self-identity!

I’m precisely the kind of talent the boss wants…

“Sol-eum? Then head home. The official document might come out as early as next week, so be prepared mentally.”

“……”

No way.

‘This is a tragedy.’

I… I’m not the kind of person who should go to Group A!

‘The procedures here are way too strict.’

If I continue to just do what I’m told here, the moment I can’t hide my cowardly identity will be a 90% chance.

‘Then the wish rights will be out of reach, and my survival rate will plummet to the ground.’

I’m really going to die.

Imagining that sent a chill down my spine, and I instinctively shut my mouth.

“……”

“Hey, wait a moment.”

Assistant Manager Jin spoke with a tone that suggested a bad feeling.

“You… are you seriously thinking about it?”

I slowly bowed my head.

“Why? No way, are you in your right mind? Are you worried about that meat shield team from the cleanup crew? Even if you don’t take them….”

“Assistant Manager Jin, hold on.”

Group A’s Team Leader interrupted him and said to me with a gentle expression.

“It’s understandable that you’re feeling overwhelmed by receiving such a good offer just a month into your job, right?”

“……”

“But wise people know how to seize opportunities boldly to succeed in society.”

It’s not an opportunity; it’s a trap!

‘What should I do?’

How can I refuse the older boss’s heart without hurting it too much while getting out of this situation?

This could lead to the office bullying I was worried about actually starting.

‘There’s no answer in sight…’

It was just then.

Ding.

The sound announcing the arrival of the elevator.

Finally, the elevator doors opened, revealing a familiar figure, or rather, a lizard.

‘Team Leader!’

Manager Lee Ja-heon, who was supposedly called by the Team Leader, appeared.

The lizard’s slit pupils met the gaze of Group A’s Team Leader.

“…Manager Lee Ja-heon.”

“Manager Baek Seok-joo.”

Lee Ja-heon stared at Group A’s Team Leader with a blunt look.

“They told me to apologize to you. I’m sorry.”

“……”

Group A’s Team Leader is holding back a string of curses.

“Ha… no, it’s fine. It’ll just irritate me, just me.”

“?”

“It’s fine. I just scouted someone to fill the vacancy anyway.”

Group A’s Team Leader waved his hand dismissively and patted me on the shoulder.

“Look here, this is our group’s new recruit.”

It was a shocking announcement for me, but…

“Is that so?”

The lizard nodded.

“Group A indeed has better work conditions.”

“……”

Could you at least pretend to be a bit reluctant to find a way out for me…?

Oh well, there’s nothing I can do.

‘Let’s just do it alone!’

I deliberately looked stunned, alternating gazes between the two Team Leaders, then I bowed my head to Group A’s Team Leader.

‘For now…’

Based on what I have seen of Group A’s Team Leader so far…

‘Principle-driven.’

He divides tasks accurately according to rank, despises insubordination, and values his own people.

Since he scouted me on my first month, he might sometimes take a bold gamble, but it’s always within the boundaries he’s set.

‘He probably can’t stand anyone challenging him.’

In short, he has that typical elite manager vibe of a large, hierarchical corporation.

‘Then…’

I threw myself at his feet.

“Manager, thank you so much for looking kindly on a newbie like me and offering such an extravagant proposal.”

“Um.”

“Still… I believe I lack experience. As a newbie, I think I should work diligently and build up my basic skills and knowledge as an employee.”

Group A’s Team Leader, who had been staring at me, opened his mouth.

“…Sol-eum, do you have any idea how much the base salary for the elite team starts at?”

I don’t know.

“Eighty thousand.”

“……!”

“Once you add the danger pay, it generally starts from fifteen million a year.”

Oh my god.

“I’m going to list you as one of the main contributors for the clear of the C-level horror story you’ve just solved. You found a new way to clear it so quickly, right?”

Is that true?

“And that method is also something others might attempt. Do you understand what this means?”

What does it mean?

“It means the manual could be revised.”

“…….”

“Right. Not just an addition, but a revision.”

Group A’s Team Leader smiled gently.

“And when the manual is revised, there will be a reward?”

“…!”

“A pretty substantial amount. That’s why they don’t want to handle it well up top… but the elite team has exceptions.”

Ah.

“If you enter Group A, it’ll be much easier and faster. It’s about trust.”

“…….”

“Let’s see… the C-level manual revision fee.”

Group A’s Team Leader paused dramatically as if for performance and then spoke.

“Five million won, right?”

“……!!”

“Yes. Just for a single day’s work, that’s an additional five million for you.”

Five million won.

“Do you really want to let this chance to earn keep passing you by?”

Wow.

That’s impossible.

‘But I can’t die for the sake of earning money…’

I’m really feeling emotional. This is outrageous.

‘Let’s repeat it. Money in this world is just game currency for me; it’s the same as game money, game money…!’

Got it!

I made sure my eyes shimmered with tears.

Then I started rambling.

“What’s more important than today’s money is honing my skills and value.”

What a crazy thing to say.

‘The reason I want to improve my skills and worth is to receive more money; why am I kicking away the money now?’

Yet my mouth was speaking in line with the perspectives of older, outdated management.

“The elders said hardship during youth is worth any cost, and while I don’t completely agree with it, I believe there must be a reason behind that saying.”

Assistant Manager Jin looked at me as if I were crazy.

But it seems I touched the heart of the top boss.

“Hmm.”

Group A’s Team Leader seemed to ponder for a moment.

He squinted his eyes at me, then nodded with a sigh.

“Then, if that’s what you say… it can’t be helped.”

Yay!

“I thought the doe was a smart friend, but turns out she’s surprisingly silly. Oh dear, how’s she going to survive in this harsh world?”

Done.

Though the tone sounded like scolding, in his perspective, this is more like a compliment!

…Of course, he still gave me a slight jab.

“Working hard is good, but being overly naive is not good for office life.”

Yes, yes.

“Let me give you one piece of advice… don’t engage in office politics blindly. That’s something to be cautious about, especially with people you can’t communicate with.”

Group A’s Team Leader’s expression twisted as he pointed at someone.

“Don’t do that; it’s not good.”

“…Yes.”

So, you mean to say the lizard Team Leader is a stubborn troublemaker? Got it….

“Did you hear me well, Manager Lee Ja-heon?”

“? Yes.”

The lizard answered as if questioning why I would even mention something that was obvious.

“Got it well.”

“…….”

“…….”

You can stop giving me those looks that say ‘Have you ever seen a crazier person than this?’ now, Group A’s Team Leader…

“Anyway.”

Group A’s Team Leader took a deep breath to wrap up the conversation.

“Thanks for your hard work today. Go home safely.”

“…! Yes!!”

It’s the declaration of freedom.

“Thank you. Then I’ll head home carefully.”

Aaaaah, I can finally escape…!

I hastily pressed the elevator button.

Assistant Manager Jin quickly came up to whisper.

“You idiot. You’re going to regret this.”

“……”

“The Manager of Group D hasn’t even touched the wish rights yet. Our Team Leader has already experienced them once.”

That’s fine. I know that lizard is aiming for a Team Leader position.

Of course, I can’t say that, so I’ll flatter him.

“It seems like you’ll be getting yours soon too, Assistant Manager.”

“What?”

“I’ll ask you about it then.”

“……”

Assistant Manager Jin seemed briefly flustered, but soon scoffed.

“Well, you do seem to have some judgment.”

“Will you answer my question?”

“Yes.”

Even though it’s just a verbal promise, this person doesn’t seem like the type to lie or change his words, no matter how crude… um, rough he is.

“Thank you very much, Managers. I really appreciate it.”

“Yeah. Take care.”

After profusely expressing my gratitude, I hurriedly pressed the elevator button before I could be held back any longer.

Then, unexpectedly, the lizard jumped in right after me.

Was he really just here to spit out that soulless apology…?

-We are going down….

As the elevator carrying both of us descended in silence.

Unexpectedly, Manager Lee Ja-heon spoke to me.

“Kim Sol-eum.”

“Yes?”

“Is there something you want in Group D?”

Huh.

“……Are you asking me about why I’m staying in Group D even though I could go to Group A, assuming I’m asking for something special?”

“Yes.”

Ugh.

After running my fingers through my hair a few times, I sighed and replied.

“There’s nothing like that, Team Leader.”

“?”

“I didn’t choose to stay for profit or any gains.”

I stayed to survive!

The lizard narrowed his pupils in suspicion.

“Staying in a regular group instead of the elite team will be a point loss. The pace of acquiring wish rights will differ.”

“That might be true.”

I shrugged.

“But it’s also true that I want to live my life until I get those wish rights.”

“……”

“During this time, I wanted to be in a place where I can genuinely enjoy working.”

I don’t want to work in fear of being discovered as a coward at any moment, okay…?

“…I see.”

The lizard fell silent.

Now we’re quietly going down…

“Kim Sol-eum, what is your wish?”

Why are you so chatty today?

“…Are you asking what I want if I redeem my wish rights?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, I’d like to hear your wish first.”

That was a polite way of saying why are you grilling me unilaterally.

However, the lizard stared blankly into space as if deep in thought.

Eventually, he opened his mouth.

“It’s not my wish.”

“Yes?”

“I am working under duress.”

This was something I never could have imagined.

I reflexively turned around.

The shimmering scales on the lizard’s head were twinkling…

“…May I ask whose will that is?”

“You may not.”

Ah, okay.

I didn’t feel bad at all; I went in knowing he was like that.

‘There’s a story behind that.’

All that said, since he answered my question, I also need to respond back.

I hesitated and then chose my words carefully.

“I… want to go home.”

In fact, Manager Lee Ja-heon could have followed up with a ton of questions based on that answer.

Which home? Why is going home your wish? Did your home get ruined? Did someone pass away? Are we talking about a metaphorical home? …And so on.

Yet all Manager Lee Ja-heon said was this.

“I see.”

And that was it.

As silence reigned, the elevator descended peacefully.

“……”

I’ve come to acknowledge that Manager Lee Ja-heon, in a way, is quite a comfortable conversational partner.

Surprisingly so.

I returned to the staff quarters.

[Beware of serial killers]

After sending yet another disaster alert text to Baek Sa-heon, I lay down on my bed.

‘Another eventful day…’

At this rate, I feel like my lifespan might be halved. My heart can’t take it anymore.

Yet I can’t deny that today had significant gains.

Additional points, connections with elite team superiors.

And an allowance too.

“…Five million won, huh.”

I wonder when that’ll be deposited.

Even though I’ve been calling it game money, when I think about it rationally, since it is game money, there are plenty more places to spend it.

I do need it to boost my stats.

‘It’s true that I wish I had a little more cash on hand.’

I increasingly felt the urge to purchase new items at the alien shop.

With sudden situations popping up constantly, I found myself in a bit of a rush.

I absolutely want to get armor, especially mental defense equipment or items.

‘There were even special items that appeared when you became a VIP at the alien shop…’

Still, thinking about the money I earned today made my mouth shut tight.

Five million won.

“…Huh.”

The additional allowance legally added to my work account as a company employee is this amount.

I feel my sense of finance getting dulled.

Yet at the same time, I felt it wasn’t quite enough to gather sufficient items.

“Nowhere else for money to come from…”

Rattle!

My smartphone vibrated, and a new popup appeared.

‘Please don’t tell me it’s Baek Sa-heon?’

It wasn’t.

To my surprise, someone had invited me to a new open chatroom.

“…?!”

[K.LEE]

The English name set with a bright Hawaii beach background.

What kind of suspicious situation is this…?

[K.LEE: Oh, hello there, employee lol]

[K.LEE: Do you need some cash?]

“…??”

Who are you?