ALL NOVEL Chapter 19
Chapter 19
It was nice to receive the money bag.
Holding the bag, I glanced around.
Yu Da On, standing there with a dazed expression while holding a bag the same size as mine, and Song Ah Rin with her purple hair, scanning the vicinity with a face full of irritation. And then—
“…”
“Can you please let me go?”
Jang Chae Yeon, with handcuffs on, had her head bowed.
After all, we had spent months getting close.
While I felt happy receiving money, seeing someone next to me wearing handcuffs made me uncomfortable, almost embarrassed about my own happiness.
“I really don’t know when you became so close to her.”
That’s because our time spent together was different.
The man stared at me intently, and I glared right back.
“Didn’t we resolve this? I thought you’d be able to make a small concession.”
“You might not know, but fleeing with a containment object is one of the gravest crimes of all.”
Song Ah Rin, who was listening, whispered.
That wasn’t an untrue statement.
After all, I was part of the Management Agency and having experienced accidents related to containment objects twice made me even more aware.
“…”
Ultimately, I could only lean back in my chair and let out a deep sigh.
The man glanced at me, slowly nodding his head, then continued looking at me.
“How much do you know about the cube?”
The cube.
“Are we trading again this time?”
“I have a feeling I know what you’re going to ask, so just answer well.”
The cube.
“It was said to change reality, but there were so many strange things about it.”
“For example?”
“It was too violent to be called a change.”
We don’t refer to something being sucked in as a change; we call it cleaning.
The way it expelled and sucked was way too rough to be described as a change.
“It’s not just that. It had a consciousness. That’s a bit strange, right?”
Let’s assume for a moment that the cube has the ability of a reality-changer. Still, being able to speak and express murderous intent is an entirely different issue.
It’s akin to a robotic vacuum suddenly yelling “Damn you, humans!” at us.
“…You know well.”
The man widened his eyes slightly as if surprised by my explanation.
“You always manage to amaze me.”
“Just a little flattery.”
He chuckled at my response, placing the cube on the desk.
“Your thoughts were mostly correct. This is not a reality-changer. Instead, it can be seen as an extraordinarily large vacuum cleaner. One that even possesses a consciousness.”
“Whoa.”
“Yet, the reason we’ve named it a reality-changer has its own reasons.”
“What reasons?”
“It absorbs abstract things as well. For example… memories, concepts, culture.”
He tapped the cube lightly.
“It even has a consciousness that can lure people in. The inside is incredibly complicated, and I still can’t explain it.”
“…How did Chae Yeon get away with it?”
“That’s what I want to ask.”
The man stared at Jang Chae Yeon, and finally, she lifted her head to face him.
“How did you manage to take it?”
“I… don’t remember.”
Jang Chae Yeon shook her head, and the man smiled gently.
“Interesting. If the cube absorbed her memory, then during the expelling process, the memory should have returned, but it hasn’t.”
“…Does that mean someone else was involved?”
Someone deceived Jang Chae Yeon into taking such an item? Who? Why?
At my question, the man shrugged.
Suddenly, curiosity struck me.
“Wait.”
“What is it?”
“…While we were there, we heard about a contract, and we were even attacked without reason.”
Even the craziest of AIs wouldn’t attack humans indiscriminately.
“…Do you know why?”
The man’s expression turned strange.
“…That’s not a trait of the cube that I’ve heard of. Sounds like news to me too.”
“…Huh?”
“We should keep all possibilities open.”
“…Do you suspect there’s an organization hostile to the Management Agency?”
“There is. And it’s not a small matter. But you don’t need to worry about that.”
The man smiled gently.
“From the moment it was decided that humanity must survive, the Management Agency has never lost once. Nothing has changed.”
“…”
“Thank you for sharing and for listening.”
“U-”
“I’ll talk to the higher-ups about Jang Chae Yeon and have it handled. But you might end up in a bit of a troublesome situation.”
“…What was that about?”
“Who knows?”
With just that, the man left with a strange expression, leaving me, Yu Da On, and Jang Chae Yeon behind once again.
*
The man’s promise to do something for us wasn’t just an empty gesture; Jang Chae Yeon was soon freed.
“Here, this is Jang Chae Yeon, who has been newly assigned to our Human Resources Team. Say hello. I hear she was at the Gangdong Branch.”
“…I’m Jang Chae Yeon.”
Introduced to the Team Leader, Jang Chae Yeon bowed her head.
Honestly, I wasn’t completely taken off guard.
What was frustrating, though, was the feeling that that man was steadily shifting people over to the isolation team.
But that was only for a moment.
“Let’s go shopping.”
“Suddenly? What about work?”
“My salary just came out yesterday, so I’m free.”
Right after lunch, I declared my intention to slack off, and Yu Da On looked at me in shock.
“What’s it to you? Why should I have to be bothered? I’ll go shopping out of grievance.”
“You should go shopping too, Da On. You received a lot of money, right?”
“Oh, I already spent some.”
“Huh?”
When did she spend without telling me?
Looking at Yu Da On with a betrayed expression, she waved her hands.
“I paid the Management Agency for some things!”
“What?”
“That, um, since my clothes have been torn too much… I asked for a suit that doesn’t tear…”
“Why pay for it?”
“They told me to pay and ask for it!”
You’re telling me to buy my own gear with my money?
Is this even a job?
My anger surged.
The day will come when the Management Agency will get what they deserve, and on that day, I’ll stand right at the front and spit on their graves.
“Well, shopping sounds good. I heard there’s a department store in Gangdong. Should we take the Management Agency train and go quickly?”
“Sounds good.”
For now, I’ll allow myself to buy something before I don’t forgive the Management Agency.
When I told the Team Leader, he simply said, “Oh, go have fun,” and then went back to his mobile game.
It felt like ever since the Dream of the Butterfly incident, the Team Leader has been letting things slide a lot more.
Thanks to that, we were able to go shopping.
“Here.”
As soon as we arrived at the department store, I handed cash to Jang Chae Yeon and Yu Da On.
“What’s this?”
“Money to buy clothes.”
“…Aren’t we going together?”
“Me?!”
Yu Da On’s eyes widened as she looked at me, and I mirrored her shock.
Why me?
The one thing I hate most is following my younger sister around while she shops. I doubt it would be any different with others.
“I’ll look for some things. Let’s meet at the regrouping point after some time?”
“I don’t have anything to buy, can I come with you?”
“Nope. Let’s enjoy our own time.”
Jang Chae Yeon looked up at me, holding the stack of cash, but I wasn’t swayed and pointed toward the department store’s entrance.
“One hour until regroup. Disperse!”
“…”
“…”
Yu Da On and Jang Chae Yeon exchanged awkward glances before stepping inside the entrance.
Finally, I can have some freedom.
What should I buy? First, the most expensive earphones, then maybe a game console.
As I shopped around, I finally felt peace return to my heart.
Yes, humans need to consume to live. Isn’t all of this happiness?
I suppose working at the Management Agency was a good choice after all.
Before I knew it, the hour had passed quickly, and there I was in the lobby, waiting with my hands full of various items.
“…Where are they? Why aren’t they here…?”
Soon, the two came into view.
Seeing that both held paper bags, it seemed they bought something.
“Over here!”
I waved my hand, and both of them slowly walked toward me.
“Goodness, what is all of this?”
Yu Da On’s eyes went round seeing what I was carrying as she snatched a few items from me.
“This is mine!”
“I know. I’m just carrying it because it’s heavy.”
“…Sorry. I’m weak. Can I use psychokinesis to carry it?”
“Do you want to write an apology letter?”
Chatting and bantering with each other, we returned to the Gangdong Branch, swiped the manual at the ticket gate, and prepared to board the train.
[It’s a preferential card.]
The ticket gate sputtered; they really need to take better care of it.
Struggling under the heavy bags, I gradually descended the stairs.
Soon, the smell of iron mixed with a fishy scent hit my nose—
Wait, what?
I looked around.
What stood before my eyes wasn’t the grand train station I had visited twice.
The bright red lights flooded the area, and a rusty iron stench vibrated in the air, welcoming me to a 50-year-old basement that had seen no management whatsoever.
“…Huh?”
“…”
Yu Da On and Jang Chae Yeon followed after me, reacting the same way.
“…Did we come the wrong way?”
“…Doesn’t seem like it.”
Could it be?
Quickly, I set my bags down and opened the manual.
[Manual for Office Staff]
Q – Means of Transportation Between Branches
1. The Management Agency has prepared various means of transport for its employees who struggle with travel times.
2. Head toward the subway boarding gate at Seoul Station Gangdong Station.
Present the manual instead of a traffic card at the first line boarding ticket gate. Then, you’ll head down the stairs where the subway for employees awaits.
3. There is a very low chance of arriving at a basement instead of the subway. In such a case, please remain calm and refer to the manual.
A paper fluttered down from the manual.
I slowly picked it up and began reading.
[Manual for Office Staff]
1. Finding this manual means you have taken the wrong path and ended up in the basement.
2. Please act according to the manual. Not following the manual may have significant adverse effects on your body or mind, and the Management Agency takes no responsibility for this.
3. Open the door in front of you and enter, but do not respond if anything speaks to you.
4. If something speaks to you and you respond, close your eyes and squat down until it passes.
5. For further instructions, please check the poster visible after passing through the room.
6. Never, under any circumstances, go back up the stairs.
“No, if I go back like this—”
“Wait!”
Before I could stop her, Yu Da On began climbing up the steps, and—
-Swipe!
With a sound like something being sliced, Yu Da On’s head fell off.
Blood gushed forth, and—
“…Whoa, what the heck!”
Yu Da On casually caught her falling head, and soon her head returned to its original position.
“What is going on?”
“…”
I sincerely made a promise to myself.
If I make it out of here alive, I will resign.