Side Story 1-1: New Employee Kim Rok Soo (1)

This place was just called, 'Company.'

Of course, it had the grand name of 'Disaster Prevention and Protection of Civilization,' but nobody in or out of the company called it that.

Disasters were never ending and it didn't do anything big enough to really say that it was protecting civilization.

Nonetheless, as a third organization separate from guilds and the government, the company mediated any issues between the two other organizations in addition to taking care of monster invasions, guild inspections, and government audits among many other things.

And today… Today was Orientation Day for all new employees of the company who joined this year.

* * *

"Hmm. Are they our field-side people from this group?"

"Yes, Director-nim."

The man called the Director nodded his head at his subordinate's confirmation and looked at the new employees who were separated into two groups.

There was a line in the middle of this quite large hall and chairs were placed on both sides of the line.

Right side body, left side head.

Those were the titles for the two parts.

The 'body' side had the new employees for the departments that use their bodies, such as going into battle.

"…Is that Team 1 over there?"

"Yes sir."

"Tsk."

The corners of the Director's lips went up for some odd reason. He looked as if he was about to sneer.

"Hand me the files."

"Right here, sir."

The secretary handed two files over without even needing an explanation.

"Pffft." The Director chuckled.

"The people for team leader Lee Soo Hyuk's side are quite weird."

Tap. Tap. The Director observed the names of the two new employees assigned to Team 1.

< Kim Rok Soo. >

< Choi Jung Soo. >

The Director shook his head after going through the two of their personnel records and interview notes.

"Aigoo, it's going to be hard for Team leader Lee."

The corners of his lips were curled up contrary to his comments.

The secretary peeked at the Director before looking away and starting to think.

'Funny bastard. You were the one who said to put all the good newbies with your damn lackeys. Why are you pretending that you don't know? You greedy son of a bitch.'

This was his superior, but the Director truly was an idiot.

'Do you really think trying to keep Lee Soo Hyuk in check will work?'

Team leader Lee Soo Hyuk.

Although he was only a team leader because he chose to remain one in order to go out in the field, everybody inside and outside of the company knew the truth.

Lee Soo Hyuk was the symbol of this company.

'…But it really will be difficult for the team leader-nim this time.'

After looking at the personnel records, the secretary agreed that the lowest ranking newbies were assigned to Lee Soo Hyuk's team.

'One is focused on martial arts and sword arts while the other is for rear support.'

Each team was assigned two to four newbies.

This was a temporary placement and they were moved or could request to change teams based on a team's flair or style of doing things.

'Team leader Lee should have been assigned a minimum of four newbies.'

Even clueless newbies were necessary based on the amount of work that team did. However, they were assigned the minimum amount of two employees and those two were quite terrible as well.

'He is skilled in sword arts but he doesn't have any exceptional abilities he can use right now.'

Exceptional abilities were talking about strong attacks that could be used against enemies or monsters.

'Employee Choi Jung Soo doesn't have something like that.'

That was the reason he was determined to be a Grade 10 ability user. However, his physical abilities were great and he showed significant potential for growth.

'Haa… The other one-'

The problem was the other person, Kim Rok Soo.

'I think he chose the wrong team.'

The rear support that the 'body' side needed were supports that could be helpful for battle.

However, this newbie, Kim Rok Soo's ability focused on records.

'He would be well-received if he went to guild inspections or government audits teams.

Kim Rok Soo, who was close to the type of talent that the head side desperately needed, was not as useful on the body side.

That was the reason the company suggested he chooses a department on the head side, but Kim Rok Soo was firm on requesting a body side department.

"Hoohoo."

The secretary, who had been deep in thought, heard the Director laugh.

"I'm not sure if the punks in Team leader Lee's team will be able to survive today's training."

"Sir, are you talking about the hazing ritual?"

It was tradition in the company to haze the new employees during orientation.

"Yes. What if they get last place? It'll be terrible for Team leader Lee's face."

'You stupid idiot. Do you really think that Team leader Lee will care about something like that? Then he would have already moved up to become the Chairman of this company and fired your sorry ass.'

The secretary was grumbling internally but responded with a calm expression on his face.

"I hope everybody safely completes the hazing ritual without getting hurt."

"That is true."

The Director agreed with that. However, he clicked his tongue while looking at the two newbies on Lee Soo Hyuk's team.

"Tsk. One looks like a country bumpkin while the other looks completely out of it."

The secretary agreed with that.

His eyes headed toward the person who was wearing a suit that was too large for him.

Choi Jung Soo was looking around while touching the sleeves of his clothes.

"Ahem."

The suit he bought in the thrift store did not look good. He looked around and noticed that the others' gazes were headed toward him and the person next to him.

The gazes were not good.

Their gazes were either wary of them as newbies to 'that Lee Soo Hyuk's team' or curiosity.

Screech. Choi Jung Soo moved his chair a bit to the side and started speaking.

"Ahem, hem."

He was looking at the pale and skinny man who looked less undersized and more like a sharp blade.

Choi Jung Soo's gaze headed toward the man's name tag.

'His name is Kim Rok Soo.'

Kim Rok Soo was the fellow newbie assigned to Team 1.

Choi Jung Soo flashed his unique smile that made him seem like a good person. It was a bright smile that usually reminded people of a golden retriever.

He looked quite harmless, especially because of the loose second-hand suit he had to buy to fit his tall height and wide shoulders.

'Mm.'

Choi Jung Soo flinched after making eye contact with Kim Rok Soo.

'They're like swords.'

Kim Rok Soo was no longer blanking out and was observing Choi Jung Soo with a sharp gaze.

Choi Jung Soo gulped and said whatever came to his mind after seeing that gaze.

"Oh! Are you my one and only fellow newbie on this team? I'm Choi Jung Soo! Nice to meet you!"

"…Kim Rok Soo."

Kim Rok Soo continued speaking after a very long time.

"Nice to meet you."

He then added on.

"Are you the type who speaks informally despite meeting someone for the first time?"

"Haha, hahaha."

Choi Jung Soo's pupils started to shake. He then continued speaking as if it was no big deal.

"Umm, excuse me, Mr. Kim Rok Soo, are we both newbies on the same team? I think that we are the only two newbies for Team 1. So, my one and only fellow newbie? Hahaha."

However, his voice cracked in the process. Kim Rok Soo just stared at him before slightly nodding his head.

Choi Jung Soo held back a sigh after seeing that response.

'Ah, it seems like it'll be hard to get close to this guy.'

He subconsciously touched the scabbard of the sword around his waist out of habit.

"It's different, Mr. Choi Jung Soo."

He heard Kim Rok Soo's voice at that moment.

The voice that was neither loud nor quiet was indifferent. He could not feel any interest toward someone else in that tone.

"Excuse me? What is different-"

"Your clothes."

Kim Rok Soo's dark brown eyes completely recorded Choi Jung Soo.

"Your outfit seems different from what you wore during the interview, Mr. Choi Jung Soo."

Kim Rok Soo's memory had recorded Choi Jung Soo differently from this slightly old-fashioned formal attire.

The nice looking outfit, short and cleanly cut hair that was oiled back potentially for the interview made his innocent and bright personality seem a bit mature.

However, the thick dark brown hair was longer than during the interview and it was naturally scattered, making him look much younger. Furthermore, the clothes were old-fashioned and loose, making his physique not look so good.

"Ah, that…"

Choi Jung Soo was surprised that Kim Rok Soo remembered what he looked like during the interview, but he awkwardly smiled and scratched his head.

"I saw a building crumbling on my way back from the interview. I went there to help out and my clothes ended up a mess. Ah, I'm so upset about all that money going to waste."

Cities were recreated after the cataclysm but some buildings would crumble every so often for all sorts of reasons.

Kim Rok Soo observed Choi Jung Soo with an odd gaze before slightly nodding his head.

"You did well, Mr. Choi Jung Soo."

Choi Jung Soo's expression turned odd after hearing that nonchalant comment.

'He doesn't seem to be mocking me. Is it a compliment?'

Kim Rok Soo had said it too nonchalantly for it to be a compliment.

Choi Jung Soo's eyes opened wide for a moment before he smiled. He looked at Kim Rok Soo, who had similar hair to his own, and started speaking.

"Excuse me, Mr. Rok Soo. May I ask how old you are? Now that we are on the same team, we should get along-"

"Hmph. Same team my ass."

He heard someone speak in a mocking tone from the back.

Choi Jung Soo looked behind him.

He made eye contact with a man.

'He doesn't have a name tag?'

The company had told them to put name tags on but this person was not wearing one. The man was touching the tip of a short spear while looking extremely arrogant.

"What are you looking at?"

"No, that'-"

Choi Jung Soo opened his mouth before closing it. He wanted to say something but it was awkward to say anything.

"Hmph."

The man scoffed.

"Let me give you a word of advice."

The man looked at Choi Jung Soo and Kim Rok Soo from head to toe before continuing to speak.

"Today's teams are temporary. The hazing ritual will soon happen. It is highly likely that we will be assigned to new teams based on the results."

He then scoffed again.

"If you have no skills, you'll be sent to a terrible team. Then you should go to a good team if you have skills, right?"

Kim Rok Soo peeked to his side.

Choi Jung Soo's gaze was slowly getting sharper.

'At least he's not extremely dense.'

The man holding the short spear continued speaking as Kim Rok Soo had that thought.

'Team 1 is the figurehead of this company. I'm curious to see how the teams will change based on the results of the hazing ritual.'

Choi Jung Soo subconsciously tightened his grip in the hand that was touching his sleeves.

This man was clearly looking down at Choi Jung Soo's skills.

"What do-"

What do you mean by that?

Choi Jung Soo was about to talk back.

At that moment…

"Mr. Park Kyung Ho."

Kim Rok Soo turned around.

"Are you not going to put your nametag on?"

The eyebrow of the man holding the short spear slightly rose. Kim Rok Soo's nonchalant gaze observed Park Kyung Ho.

"You were holding a long spear during the interview but you have a short spear with you today."

"…You know who I am?"

Kim Rok Soo, who had been looking at the newbie for Team 2, who had not been wearing his nametag on purpose, tilted his head to the side.

"I only know your name and face."

"You saw me before?"

"I saw you at the interview when you went in after they called your name."

Kim Rok Soo tilted his head to the other side.

"Is there a problem?"

There were no problems.

However, Park Kyung Ho had a weird feeling.

Those oddly emotionless-looking eyes…

This gaze that seemed sharp but completely uninterested…

'…Was it a coincidence that he memorized my name?'

All departments had interviews on the same day so there were hundreds of people waiting there.

It was because the company needed manpower for some things even if people did not have abilities.

'…He wouldn't even have been in the same interview group as me if he was in rear support.'

Park Kyung Ho was feeling oddly iffy and opened his mouth to say something else.

This was a situation where the other person knew who he was but he didn't know anything about that person.

"Everybody, please quiet down!"

An employee, who looked like the moderator, appeared and the orientation started.

"Oh, it's Lee Soo Hyuk!"

"The esteemed Healer of Earth is here too!"

"Isn't that the Director-nim?"

The new employee started whispering.

The team leaders of each department, and the CEO were walking into the auditorium prepared for the orientation.

"That sir is Lee Soo Hyuk-nim-"

The new employees who were holding swords were looking at Lee Soo Hyuk with respect and aspiration.

Lee Soo Hyuk, who slowly walked into the auditorium looking drowsy, seemed bored. No, he seemed tired.

The man who can slash through anything.

The man who had survived multiple life-or-death situations since the early days of the cataclysm and saved many lives.

Lee Soo Hyuk, whom they had all expected to have a high position in the government, was still working in the field as a team leader for the company.

It might be because he was young, but there were many people who were drawn to him because of it.

"Team leader Lee, your newbies seem to be over there."

"I see."

Lee Soo Hyuk's gaze headed to the two new employees for Team 1.

Pffft."

"Hmm? Why are you suddenly laughing, Team leader Lee?"

"No. It's nothing."

They were the two new employees who were staring at him with gazes that seemed almost nonchalant amidst the field of new employees looking at him with aspiration, respect, or even envy.

"It was true."

Lee Soo Hyuk, who had not been one of the interviewers, quietly observed Choi Jung Soo and Kim Rok Soo.

Kim Rok Soo, the punk he had rescued in the early days of the cataclysm.

Choi Jung Soo, who he had a short interaction with while facing an unranked monster in Seomyeon.

For the two of them to grow this much and come here as new employees…

Smile.

Lee Soo Hyuk smiled at the two of them.

"Look at these punks."

However, the two of them, in sync, had turned away from him and looked forward.

"Ha, haha-"

'How entertaining.'

Lee Soo Hyuk couldn't help but laugh after seeing two people, who were polar opposites, reacting the same way.

"Umm, Team leader Lee. Will it be okay?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You know… Director Park messed with things."

Lee Soo Hyuk just shrugged his shoulders as another team leader whispered to him.

"I guess I'll find out after observing what happens today."

The MC shouted and the eyes of the new employees opened wide and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Okay then, we will have a short test before the official orientation starts!"

—
Translator's Comments

Guess it's some back story time!

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Yu Ryeo Han]

[Translator – Anowa]

[Proofreader – Rai_Mayank]