Chapter 10 : Special Reward

“Everyone, please focus.”

At the staff’s request, the noise in the classroom gradually quieted down.

“Now, we will begin the new employee orientation.”

After a lively greeting, the official briefing began.

“I’d like to introduce Dr. Lim Hyo-rin, the overall head of this orientation. She is the foremost authority in anomaly research and the author of Anomalous Behavior Psychology.”

At those words, a buzz spread through the classroom.

“Really? Dr. Lim Hyo-rin? Someone like her is doing the new employee orientation?”

“That paper still gets discussed at conferences…”

I couldn’t help but turn my head at the reactions around me.

And the moment I saw her,

I almost let out an exclamation in admiration.

Wow.

A neatly arranged bob cut, a cold expression, sharp eyes that were impossible to read.

She definitely looked like someone you wouldn’t want to cross.

That’s how she felt.

Of course, beyond all that cold impression…

She was just incredibly beautiful.

Like that cat-like beauty earlier… Why are there so many pretty people here?

“Hello. I am Dr. Lim Hyo-rin, and I will be in charge of your orientation for the next three days. I hope it will be a productive time for all of us.”

A brief and calm self-introduction.

She then scanned the entire classroom before speaking.

“I’d like to hear from you as well. Would you please introduce yourselves briefly?”

The first person to raise their hand was from the front row.

They were a Harvard anomaly studies major.

“My name is Jayden. I returned to Korea after being dispatched from the Harvard Anomaly Research Institute. I began researching anomalies after reading Dr. Lim’s paper. I still enjoy reading it.”

His eyes were filled with passion, and his voice carried excitement.

He finished his introduction with a deep bow.

“I look forward to the day we can research together!”

However, Dr. Lim simply nodded silently and then firmly said,

“Yes. Next.”

Cut off, coldly.

At that moment, Jayden’s expression slightly faltered.

He maintained a smile, but the corners of his mouth trembled and his fingertips slightly shook.

His eyes also darkened just a little.

The introductions continued with other new employees.

“I’m Song Min-taek, a former special forces soldier from the Army Special Warfare Command…”

“My name is Kwon Hyuk-min. I’m an Olympic judo gold medalist, so I’m confident in my physical abilities.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Lee Min-ah. I was an intern with the Support Division of the Bureau and I’ve just been formally hired.”

Then, the person who had been bothering me caught my attention.

It was Seo Yu-na’s turn.

“I’m Seo Yu-na. I’ve been in this world for a while, and I was scouted to join this team. I look forward to working with you all.”

There wasn’t anything particularly noteworthy in her introduction, but her tone was strangely cautious.

Scouted… Just like me.

Most people had joined through the regular hiring process, but she was the only one who had entered in the same way I did.

That sense of similarity gave me an inexplicable sense of comfort.

Then, it was the last turn.

“Kim Min-woo.”

All eyes turned to me.

“Yes, I’m Kim Min-woo. I don’t have a special background. I happened to come across an anomaly, and was scouted to join the team.”

A simple introduction, just as it was.

As soon as I finished, a strange, fading atmosphere seemed to settle in, as if the anticipation had gradually worn off.

An eerie silence, like a mouse had died.

Taking advantage of the silence, I gently lowered my head.

Perhaps it was because the introductions that came before mine were so impressive.

But my introduction seemed particularly unimpressive compared to theirs.

And just as I was about to quietly sit down…

“Kim Min-woo?”

Dr. Lim Hyo-rin’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

I looked up, and she was staring at me intently with a neutral expression.

“By any chance, what are your hobbies? What do you like?”

Hobbies?

The classroom murmured again.

It was a somewhat personal question, one she hadn’t asked anyone else until now.

…Why is she asking me this?

For a moment, I recalled what Yu-ri had said.

“Someone like Min-woo would be quite popular.”

Is that really the case?

Without realizing it, my heart started to race.

Though it was still too early to attach meaning to these feelings, this was definitely not a question one would expect in this setting.

Calm down, heart.

I took a short breath and spoke as casually as I could.

“Well… I watch variety shows often. I like to relax. And… I love animals, especially cats.”

A brief silence followed.

Dr. Lim nodded without saying anything.

I couldn’t tell what the meaning behind her gaze was.

“Let’s move on.”

As she turned her head,

I felt a strangely sharp gaze from beside me.

It was Jayden.

The guy from Harvard.

His smile was present, but his eyes weren’t laughing at all.

He looked at me as if to say, Why you?

Then, he purposefully slammed his pen down on the desk.

It was too blatant to be a coincidence.

I tried to avoid eye contact, but I didn’t want to look like I was running away, so I accidentally met his gaze.

In that instant, Jayden gave a short, mocking laugh.

It was smug and forced.

But that expression didn’t last long.

As soon as our eyes met, his gaze clearly wavered.

His jawline twitched slightly, and there was tension he was desperately trying to hide.

Jayden eventually lowered his gaze.

Thanks to his fierce expression, it was the first time I felt a sense of satisfaction.

“Thank you for your introductions. Now, let’s begin the actual briefing.”

Dr. Lim stood in front of the chalkboard.

She pressed a button on the remote, and the screen at the back of the classroom projected the classification system of anomalies and their silhouettes.

“As many of you might already know, anomalies are beings that grow by feeding on negative emotions like human fear, anxiety, and distress. Of course, some may crave human flesh, memories, lifespan, emotions, or even parts of the body. The type of nourishment varies depending on the entity.”

Her voice was calm, but the content squeezed my heart.

The incident at the illegal research facility.

Although I survived, the horrors caused by the anomaly I saw that day… were so brutal I could never forget them.

“Therefore, anomalies reflect human psychology, and the deeper the fear they instill, the stronger they become.”

The screen changed, showing images of anomalies in various danger levels.

I could hear soft gasps from all corners of the classroom.

“The Bureau of Anomalies classifies anomalies based on their risk levels. Anomalies of grade C or below are relatively easy to contain and control, but beyond that, it becomes more complicated. Especially, special-grade anomalies…”

The word “SPECIAL” appeared in large red letters on the screen.

“Absolutely incompatible with coexistence. There can be no meaningful communication or transaction, and their essence is often not even fully understood. Simply encountering one is considered a disaster.”

She paused and slowly scanned the classroom.

“Of course, this is in theory.”

A faint smile appeared at the end of her sentence.

“And here’s a piece of news that should reassure you all: The Bureau’s headquarters, where you are now, is a ‘safe zone’ that anomalies cannot enter without permission. So, there’s no need to lose sleep wondering if an anomaly is hiding by assuming someone else’s form.”

Only then did a collective sigh of relief spread across the room.

At least, thanks to that good news, we knew this place was safe.

“Is it… truly impossible to coexist with anomalies?”

Someone carefully raised their hand to ask.

The voice was a mixture of fear and curiosity.

In that moment, Hyo-rin’s gaze briefly, but unmistakably, passed over me.

And at the same time, another gaze. Jaden.

I deliberately avoided looking at him.

“Yes. Anomalies do not coexist with humans in good faith. Temporary cooperation in the form of a contract is possible, but it is always based on a price. However, if there is an exception…”

This time, Hyo-rin’s gaze lingered on me for sure.

“That would be, in its own way, a very interesting subject for research.”

A brief silence.

The weight of her words lingered.

“Now, let’s move on to the main topic. Starting tonight, practical sessions will begin.”

The atmosphere in the classroom changed.

The participants adjusted their postures, and tension appeared on their faces.

“The practical sessions will be conducted in small groups, where you will directly encounter anomalies and practice how to handle them.”

“Anomalies… directly?”

One of the new recruits asked with a trembling voice, and

Hyo-rin nodded.

“Of course, it will be conducted in a controlled environment. I believe you all will agree that practical experience is more important than theory.”

The screen changed again.

[Practical Session Objectives]

• Detect anomaly responses
• Assessing and reporting crises
• Verifying manual-based response capabilities

“Today, we will only be working with anomalies of D-level or lower. These are manageable entities, so there’s no need to worry too much.”

‘What?’

I silently questioned.

Does that mean I shouldn’t worry?

The anomaly I met before, Nuri, was also D-level.

That thing chewed up a person, though.

“By the way… is there any reward based on our performance in the practical sessions?”

I cautiously asked.

Hyo-rin looked at me and gave a small smile.

“Good question. Exceptional participants will receive special rewards. Essentially, a ‘bonus.’”

“Ooh… bonus!”

My mouth responded before my brain did.

A few people shot me looks that said, ‘Is that really what matters right now?’ but I ignored them.

Why? I can like money too.

My wallet is like Schrödinger’s cat.

With so many holes in it, I won’t know whether it’s full or empty until I open it.

“Some equipment will also be provided as a reward, and special tools will be given. And…”

She carefully added the final sentence.

Her tone became a little more serious.

“The top performer will be given a special contract opportunity.”

The classroom fell silent again.

“You will be eligible to officially contract with a C-level anomaly or higher, currently managed by the Bureau. However, the contract must be made under the supervision of the Bureau of Anomalies, and if the anomaly is too dangerous to handle, the contract itself may be restricted.”

“Contract?”

A small voice broke the silence.

Honestly, I was a little surprised too.

“Yes. The Bureau manages B-level anomalies, excluding the special-grade ones. Of course, whether the contract is successful will depend on the anomaly’s will.”

B-level anomaly.

Nuri, a D-level, was dangerous enough. What kind of existence is a B-level anomaly?

“I’ll do my best!”

“I can’t believe I’m going to contract with an anomaly, just like the seniors… I want to contract with a powerful anomaly too…”

The faces that were filled with fear just a moment ago suddenly showed signs of excitement.

Though anomalies are enemies of humans,
a contract is said to be an unbreakable, absolute exchange of equals.

If you can pay the proper price, anomalies can be very useful.

“I’m curious about a B-level anomaly…

Yuri-senpai said her ability to read the emotions of anomalies was a power gained through a contract.

The anomaly she contracted with was a C-level.

What would it be like if I could contract with one stronger than that?”

“Yuri-senpai’s face would be interesting to see.”

My heart began to race again.

But maybe because I was getting too excited,

Hyo-rin spoke up.

“Do not forget that a contract with an anomaly cannot be made just because you want it. Anomalies are never on the side of humans.”

Suddenly, a tense atmosphere returned to the classroom.

“And this opportunity will only be given to one top performer from the practical session results.”

A heavy silence filled the air.

Everyone realized.

Even those sitting next to me were now competitors.

“The group assignments will be announced soon. I wish you all good luck.”

With that, the group assignment list appeared on the screen.

[Group 2: Kim Min-woo / Jaden / Seo Yu-na]

Wow.

Should I call this a disaster, or fate?

One is a man who looks at me with disdain, the other is a mysterious cat-like beauty who oddly catches my attention.

And… me.

“Can we actually win the bonus in this group?”

And so, our group for the practical session was decided.

To be continued…