Chapter 5: Just go to work

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

Han Yeoreum asked, pointing at my phone.

“Yeah, it’s just because of some calls.”

I pointed at the phone and spoke to the clerk.

“Is there a way to check the phone number change history?”

The clerk rested his chin on his hand, let out a faint groan, and then spoke.

“Hmm… You can check by calling the carrier directly or through their website.”

People often say it’s good to have different IDs and passwords for each site for security reasons, but since I have a bad memory, or rather, honestly, because I’m lazy, I’ve been using the same ID and password for various portal sites, games, and applications.

And there’s one other person who knows this.

—Garyeon, you go ahead. I’ll be right back, I need to use the restroom.
—Isn’t your ID the usual? Dojin6621, password 1q2w3e. I’ll top up yours while I’m at it.
—Oh, thanks. I’ll be right back.
—Hurry up. We need to get out of Gold rank today.

Since I used the same ID and password for the carrier’s website, it must have been easier than pie for Yu Garyeon to check the number change history.

…Come to think of it, I used the same ID for the Bitcoin exchange app too.

I hurriedly downloaded the Bitcoin exchange app, but the following message appeared on the screen:

<This account is currently protected at the user’s request.>
Reason: Account information leak.
To remove protection, please contact customer service using ‘your registered mobile phone’.

The exchange app I use has a feature that locks the account and prevents logins in case of a personal information leak.
Locking it is simple through the menu, but unlocking requires a direct call to customer service and identity verification.

[Incoming Call – 010-36XX-XXXX]

[010-41XX-XXXX]
Dojin please answer me
[010-41XX-XXXX]
At least let me hear your voice

Let’s change the password on the carrier’s website first. And if I change my number again, they won’t be able to find me.

Just then, as if waiting for that moment, my phone vibrated.

[010-68XX-XXXX]
Just so you know, changing your carrier password is useless lol
[010-68XX-XXXX]
We’ll find out anyway, and there are plenty of other ways to bother you lol
[010-68XX-XXXX]
As you know, there are a lot of people in this country who will do anything for money lol
[010-68XX-XXXX]
If you don’t believe me, take your phone to the police station lol
[010-68XX-XXXX]
But be prepared lol
[010-68XX-XXXX]
I never forgive anyone who stabs me in the back lol
[010-68XX-XXXX]
I was being lenient with your incompetence, but you didn’t appreciate it, whined, resigned without notice, and even reported me lol
[010-68XX-XXXX]
You’re really ungrateful lol
[010-68XX-XXXX]
I don’t know about the others, but I’ll chase you to the ends of hell and destroy you lol
[010-68XX-XXXX]
Do what you want lol

[010-68XX-XXXX]
Believing it is your choice.

[Incoming Call – 010-61XX-XXXX]

[010-61XX-XXXX]
Hey
[010-61XX-XXXX]
If I’m going this far, please just answer the phone
[010-61XX-XXXX]
As you know
[010-61XX-XXXX]
Even if coins are skyrocketing now
[010-61XX-XXXX]
They can plummet in the blink of an eye
[010-61XX-XXXX]
So please answer the phone, then I’ll leave you alone
[010-61XX-XXXX]
I have something to tell you

This is getting tiresome.

“Sorry, I’ll be right back. I need to take this call outside. There seems to be a misunderstanding.”
“Okay.”

I rushed out of the store and called the most recent number.

“Hello.”
“Ugh.”

A faint gasp came from the other end of the line. Judging by the slightly lower tone, it was Yu Garyeon.

Yu Garyeon.

With her silvery hair like winter snow and shimmering blue eyes like the ocean, she was by far the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

—Hey, back off a little, will you? I’m going to throw up because of the smell.

And probably the person who hates me the most at Museum.

“Garyeon?”
“H-Hey. Is it really you? Dojin?”
“Yeah.”

Garyeon’s voice trembled, as if she was irritated.

“…What are you doing, not coming to work? Did something happen?”
“What?”
“Why, why aren’t you coming to work? It’s dirty here, and we’re out of water for the cooler. Where are you and what are you doing to be absent without leave for a whole week…?”
“I already resigned. You saw me submit my resignation letter, didn’t you?”

Garyeon’s voice stopped abruptly.

“W-What are you talking about? I-I’ve n-never seen a r-resignation letter.”
“No, I definitely submitted it. I felt like I wasn’t contributing anything and was just a burden.”
“Oh, s-so, so…”

Suddenly, a “Pfft” sound came from the other end of the line. After giggling for a while—a slightly shaky, precarious giggle—Garyeon caught her breath and spoke.

“Ha~ that’s funny. Your jokes are always funny.”

When I remained silent, dumbfounded, Garyeon raised her voice impatiently.

“Okay, are you done? I laughed like you wanted! So stop being stubborn and come to w-work. Come quickly and, uh… Oh, right!”

A clapping sound suddenly came from the other end of the line.

“The contract! You disappeared after landing the contract with our planning team, and it’s a complete mess now! You know reputation is everything in this industry.”

The contract. I did secure the contract that morning.
The contract I worked so hard on, sacrificing sleep, only to be branded as useless.

“Please take care of it quickly. It’s a problem that really can’t be solved without you. You have to clean up after yourself.”

A problem that can’t be solved without me.

Those small words struck a chord in my heart.
Even though I knew I shouldn’t, I couldn’t suppress the swelling feeling in my chest.

“A-And! Did you see the messages? W-Who knows if those coins will plummet overnight? Just say you’ll come to work. Then I’ll stop calling.”
“Garyeon.”
“Y-Yes…”
“I’ll come to work.”
“What?”

No, let’s stop with the wishful thinking. I’m only needed for this particular situation, in the end, I’m still useless at the company. That fact hasn’t changed.

So, let’s end this once and for all.
It seems like my words that day weren’t clear enough.

“Just like that? Without any conditions?”
“Yes, it’s my fault for not finishing things properly.”
“B-But still.”
“Conditions or whatever, you know what will happen if I record this and go to the police station, right?”
“…”

Even without doing that, I can give her as much money as she wants. I only need enough to live on for a day.
That’s not what’s important to me right now.

“…Okay. Okay. Do whatever you want, report me, sue me, anything, just, just come to work. Okay? You have to come!”

After the call, I headed back to the phone store. The barrage of vibrations from my phone had long since subsided.

“Are you done with your… talk?”

Han Yeoreum, who had been reading a newspaper, peeked her head up and asked.

“Yeah.”
“What was it about? Why were there so many calls?”
“Just some work issues. There was a misunderstanding about the resignation process.”
“What? They don’t want you to leave? Are you going back to the company?”

No, there’s no place for me there.

“I can’t go even if I want to.”
“…Is that so? Anyway, now that we’ve bought the phone, let’s go back to the department store.”

As we walked from the phone store back towards the department store, my pocket vibrated again.

[010-61XX-XXXX]
Hey, I’m sorry for threatening you with your account.
[010-61XX-XXXX]
I had no choice since you weren’t answering.
[010-61XX-XXXX]
I won’t bother you anymore, you can call and unlock it.
[010-61XX-XXXX]
And change your password while you’re at it.
[010-61XX-XXXX]
Anyway, have a good rest on Sunday and make sure to come on Monday.
[010-61XX-XXXX]
Let’s talk when you get here.

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

An apology? How many years has it been?
But this is just an apology for the threat. I know that.

[010-61XX-XXXX]
Hey, there’s one thing I forgot to mention.
[010-61XX-XXXX]
The carrier’s website shows which store you activated your phone at.
[010-61XX-XXXX]
Dasom saw that and ran outside.
[010-61XX-XXXX]
Saying she’s going to find you.

As I was reading the messages, a roaring sound erupted from somewhere. It sounded like a car engine up close. No, this was more like a pile driver at a construction site.

—jin, where are…

And at the end of that sound, an ivory figure shimmered.

“I think I heard your name from somewhere.”

Han Yeoreum looked around, scanning the area. I pointed my finger at the fast food restaurant to the right.

“Wait inside for a moment. Order whatever you want, don’t worry about the money.”
“…Okay.”

Now, what should I do? What should I say? As I floundered, unable to decide, the sound grew louder and closer.

And when the sound abruptly stopped,

Dasom threw herself at me.