Chapter 15: First Item (1)

The day after returning from outdoor duty, things were a bit more peaceful today.

Following the manual, we managed the anomalies and, as usual, debated the lunch menu with the team—only for Han So-ra to end up getting what she wanted anyway.

Then came some unexpected news.

“Considering how well you’ve handled several recent incidents, the HQ has decided to give you an item selection opportunity as well, Minjun.”

Team Leader Park Chul-woo said this during the post-lunch briefing.

It hadn’t even been a full month, and yet I was already getting the chance to choose an item.

Though the team leader credited my good performance for the opportunity—

“Is it because there’s been an increase in anomaly sightings lately?”

“…Honestly, yes. That’s probably part of it,” Team Leader Park replied with a wry smile.

More than “part of it,” it seemed like the main reason.

“Our Team 15, like others in this tier, can only possess and use one item until we’re promoted to a higher-level exploration team. So you’ll need to choose carefully.”

Only one item allowed.

A bit disappointing, but better than nothing.

Especially since I had the cheat of ‘unlimited item use,’ the efficiency of my choice would multiply depending on what I picked.

“You can go to the research building tomorrow to see and choose your item in person. Before that, let me share what item I use, just for reference.”

Team Leader Park gave another bitter smile and pointed to a piece of exploration equipment on his belt—
It was the same device I’d seen when we went to retrieve an item from the abandoned hospital.

A search item that detects the location of other items.

So that was Team Leader Park’s item.

“I use this item scanner. Back when I was just a team member, not a leader, I figured this would help me focus on retrieval missions where I’d have a lower chance of running into anomalies.”

After his confession, Seo Ji-hyun spoke up.

Though she wore her usual blank expression, there was a trace of self-deprecation in her voice.

She took out a small metal rod from her pocket.

“My item is a ‘multi-tool.’ It can transform into any metal tool—screwdriver, wrench, knife, even a shield. I chose it because I wanted to be helpful in any situation… but in reality, it’s just mediocre junk that’s not especially good at anything.”

“Its performance falls short compared to specialized tools, so in critical moments, it often fails to be helpful.”

She returned the rod to her pocket, regret clear in her eyes.

That dagger from the hospital must have been this item in a different form.

In another context, it would have been quite useful—but against anomalies and special items, it had limitations.

“Uh… are we all just sharing now?”

Finally, Han So-ra gave an awkward laugh as she fiddled with her necklace.

It looked like a regular accessory, but upon closer inspection, there was a small mechanical device attached to the back.

“Mine’s… just a high-performance location beacon. It automatically transmits my location to the team in emergencies.”

“To be honest, I’m a total scaredy-cat. If I ever get chased by an anomaly or end up alone… I picked this hoping someone would come save me.”

Gone was her usual cheerfulness—she looked genuinely vulnerable.

All three shared their items and the reasons behind their choices with bitter smiles, then turned to look at me.

“So, Minjun,” said Team Leader Park,

“Don’t be too afraid. Just pick something you truly need and that will really help you.”

As I listened to their stories, something dawned on me.

The team leader, the seemingly cold Ji-hyun, even the always bubbly So-ra—they all carried their own fears in their own ways.

Their fears were reflected in the items they chose.

And somehow… that made them feel familiar to me.

Pretending to be fine on the outside, but inwardly shaking with fear—just like me.

‘…We’re all the same, huh.’

Realizing that brought an odd sense of peace—and a feeling of belonging.

I wasn’t the only coward.

The only difference was that I had a cheat—something that might help me overcome my fear.

Thinking about the item I’d choose tomorrow, I firmed my resolve with a slightly different mindset.

***

The next afternoon, I headed to the research building next to the main HQ as instructed.

“Whoa…”

The atmosphere in the lobby was noticeably different from the building where the exploration teams stayed.

In the team building, most people wore suits or protective gear.

Here, researchers in white lab coats bustled about, and the air carried faint scents of disinfectant and unknown chemicals.

Just then, a woman with large glasses approached me.

“Mr. Kim Minjun, this way.”

“Oh, sure.”

The researcher quietly guided me through a maze of corridors and several security doors.

It made sense—the place storing items had to have tight security.

“This is it.”

I arrived in front of a massive steel door, far thicker and sturdier than any typical storage door.

Next to it, a plaque read: [Item Storage and Management Area].

As I stood there taking a deep breath—

“…Minjun oppa?”

A familiar voice made me turn.

It was Rahee.

Though we hadn’t seen each other in weeks, she looked noticeably exhausted.

Dark circles hung under her eyes, her shoulders drooped, and she held what looked like a crumpled report.

“Wow, fancy seeing you here. But… are you okay? You look really tired.”

I asked with concern, and she gave me a faint, forced smile.

“Ah… it’s just… there’s been a lot going on lately. Turns out there’s more to do than I thought.”

She averted her gaze slightly, as if hiding something.

Even on a so-called low-risk team, work at this company was never easy.

I knew that from experience.

“Don’t overdo it.”

At my words of comfort, Rahee smiled a bit more genuinely.

“Thanks, oppa. You choose your item well too.”

She gave my shoulder a light pat, then walked off down the hallway with tired steps.

She was probably on her way out after selecting her own item.

Watching her weary figure fade into the distance, I felt a heaviness settle over my chest.

“Let’s go in.”

The researcher hurried me.

Putting aside my worries about Rahee for a moment, I turned my gaze back to the steel door in front of me.

There was an item here that could increase my chances of survival.

Once the researcher completed a complex authentication process and opened the door, a massive space appeared—reminiscent of Costco or IKEA.

Underneath the high ceiling, endless shelves stretched out, packed tightly with unknown mechanical devices, glass jars filled with liquids, and mysterious objects that looked like ancient relics.

“Wow…”

An exclamation escaped my lips before I knew it.

The researcher gave a small chuckle, as if used to such reactions, and handed me a tablet PC.

“This is the item list managed by our ‘Frozen Land’ division.”

The tablet screen displayed categories like [Escape], [Defense], [Exploration], [Restraint/Binding], [Utility], and [Weapons], along with a list of items.

“The items on the shelves in this section are currently available. The area deeper inside is reserved for higher-level teams, so please refrain from entering.”

The inner area he pointed to was blocked off by what looked like a red laser line.

That probably meant stronger and rarer items were kept beyond it.

“Oh, and for your information… if any of the text on the tablet screen appears blurry or distorted, don’t try to read it.

Your head might explode.”

“Haha… what a joke…”

“…It will explode.”

“Seriously?”

I laughed at first, thinking he was joking, but his expression was dead serious.

Was he saying my head would actually explode?

I made up my mind that I would absolutely pretend not to see anything I couldn’t read.

Swallowing nervously, I began walking through the warehouse.

I recalled the advice from my teammates: Don’t choose something mediocre just because you’re scared.

Be cautious.

Pick something that you really need, or something you can use very well.

Something you can make the most of, using your stats, cheat mode, and skills.

Then, suddenly, a semi-transparent window popped up in front of me for the first time in a while:

[Obtain an item.]

“…Huh.”

I was genuinely glad to see a quest pop up after so long.

Items were lined up in a row, and next to them were QR codes.

Scanning them with the provided tablet brought up item information immediately.

[Item Name: Rechargeable Ballpoint Pen]

Category: Weapon / Plastic

Description: A pen that charges electricity when shaken.

Pressing a button releases the stored electricity from the tip.

Info 1: If overcharged by excessive shaking and not discharged quickly, it will emit electricity into the surroundings.

Info 2: Some anomalies may detect the electricity generated by the pen and track down the owner.

Info 3: Frequent use may cause hand tremors or seizures.

“…I can read it just fine.”

I had planned to follow the researcher’s advice and avoid reading if it got weird—but the information came through clearly.

And the info wasn’t just fluff—it was actually important.

Not just this item, but others too.

Each item had anywhere from one to five pieces of listed information, and I had no trouble reading any of them.

“So… was he joking after all?”

Tilting my head in confusion, I began to thoroughly examine the section labeled “Weapons.”