Chapter 27.2

Chapter 27.2

* * *

“Roe, you hit the jackpot.”

“......?”

“You... earned 20,000 points.”

Pardon?

I looked up and checked this morning’s point total.

[Employee Kim Soleum / Earned Points : 20000P]

It’s for real.

‘They definitely told me yesterday it’d only be 10,000 points...?’

Supervisor Park slapped my shoulder repeatedly.

“Assistant Manager Jin from A-squad reported that you absolutely deserved the extra points!”

Assistant Manager Jin...!

Thank you, Assistant Manager Jin, for recognizing my desperate efforts to get us all out, even to the point that you had to drill a hole in my palm.

In my mind, I raised my evaluation of the butterfly-mask-wearing assistant manager from a cold, work-driven psycho to a quick-witted and fair superior.

“Originally, our squad leader was also supposed to be named a primary contributor for the mission, but the A-squad leader threw a fit...”

Ah.

Well... honestly, I could see why she would react that way from her perspective...

‘Did I benefit unintentionally from the fallout?’

Not sure if I should feel pleased, but I’ll accept it gratefully.

“Anyway, Roe, it’s a big win for you. You’ve already broken the fastest point-earning record since joining! Insane.”

“Thank you.”

Though I may have to give up on staying unnoticed in this company soon...

‘Still, points are sweet.’

And that wasn’t even the end of it.

Before the morning was over, I got a call.

“...Assistant Manager Jin?”

– Yeah.

I had just been expecting to relax a bit after finishing a B-level ghost story exploration yesterday and working on some paperwork.

A call came in over the internal network from the A-squad Assistant Manager.

Naturally, I began with gratitude.

“Thank you. I heard you recommended me as a primary contributor for clearing the theme park Darkness...”

– Things work best when the person who does well gets more points. No need to thank me for that.

Ah, yes.

– Anyway, get up here.

“......?”

– My team’s going into a Darkness mission today, but we’re short-staffed. So, you’re coming to help.

“......”

– Don’t want to?

Yes, I don’t want to! I’m a poor rookie who nearly kicked the bucket yesterday—would it hurt to give me a break today?!

“Please hold on a moment... Assistant Manager Eun, there’s a call for you.”

“Oh, what’s up?”

Help me out here, dear superior!

I tried passing the call over to my superiors in hopes of dodging it, but it didn’t work.

“A-squad is short-staffed? Is this an A-squad backup call?”

“......!”

Uh-oh.

Even Supervisor Park, who had been slumped over his desk, sprang up with his chair and started whispering with interest.

“Wait a second, did A-squad really ask for Roe to fill the spot?”

I don’t know, supervisor. My shoulders hurt. Please stop shaking me.

“Got it, yes.”

“...Thank you.”

“Yeah. Do well today too.”

“Ah, youngsters, learn to get along.”

With a chuckle, the A-squad leader, who was wearing a teal duck mask, watched the scene unfold.

“Welcome to A-squad, Kim Soleum.”

“......”

“Alright then, let’s get to work.”

* * *

Honestly, I was a bit curious.

‘Do elite teams have a different approach?’

There was a sense of anticipation that perhaps A-squad’s process would be different from the regular team’s, who get thrown into Darkness with only a quick briefing and the manual to read on the day of the mission.

And it is different, alright.

“Collector confirmed, data recorder confirmed, mask confirmed, equipment confirmed, basic supplies confirmed. With 31 minutes remaining until entry time of ‘Identification Code Qterw-C-402’ at 1100H, preparation check completed.”

Umm... this is intense.

The atmosphere here was entirely different from D-squad, where we’d sit around a couch, exchange jokes, and head off into the Darkness, often with the squad leader not understanding half the humor.

Despite being down a member and with only two people left, A-squad maintained a strict hierarchy and protocol.

Right as I arrived, they immediately had me run through the equipment check briefing.

“...All done.”

“Good. Let’s head in.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Temporary or not, it was clear that the lowest-ranking member would do the grunt work here.

‘Come to think of it, Assistant Manager Jin isn’t the easiest person to get along with, yet she was formally respectful to the squad leader...’

Well, at some point, I’d have to experience a team like this.

It might be good to go through this kind of experience at least once.

‘As long as they don’t find out I’m a scaredy-cat...’

If only I knew what kind of ghost story we’d be entering today, I could mentally prepare.

Just then, A-squad’s leader, holding the manual, addressed me.

“Oh, Soleum-ssi, you haven’t read the manual, have you?”

“I haven’t, ma’am.”

Trying to stay positive, I reached out politely to receive it from the squad leader.

But just as the manual for this Darkness exploration was about to be handed to me, she paused.

......?

“Actually, Soleum-ssi, why don’t you try going in without one this time?”

Pardon?

“I heard your specialty is figuring things out without a manual.”

I looked up in shock.

Underneath the teal duck mask, I could see A-squad’s leader smiling.

“If it seems dangerous, I’ll give it to you immediately. Got it?”

“......”

So, what she’s saying is... she’ll decide if it’s dangerous, not me.

Meaning she might never hand it over until the end.

“......”

They both know what’s in the manual, yet I’m supposed to go in blind?

“Alright, shall we go? Ah, it’s been a while since work has felt this fun~”

Wait. Is this...

‘Bullying in the workplace?’

It’s so stereotypical it feels like a joke. I feel light-headed.

But why would a squad leader from another squad that I just met yesterday go out of her way to do this... oh.

‘...Lee Jaheon!!’

Could it be that our D-squad’s Lizard Chief really rubbed her the wrong way, and now she’s taking it out on me, his rookie?

Why must I be dragged into this mess as well?!