episode_0009

Kang Jooyoung.

Manager at Travel Wiz, a travel agency, and Team Leader of the MD Team.

Despite being in her mid to late thirties, she possessed an attractive figure with all the right curves. Along with her decisive leadership that commanded the team and her flawless work processing style.

She was the company’s ace, recognized by all. Indeed, since she became Team Leader, the team’s performance graph had never once shown a downward curve.

However, even she had a flaw.

“Hmm. So you’re saying you fell asleep from exhaustion right after work yesterday, is that it?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

As soon as the elevator doors closed, Kang Jooyoung, as if she had been waiting, began to interrogate me about not answering her call yesterday. She didn’t press the button for the second floor.

“…Yes, that’s right.”

Like a herbivore before a carnivore, I cowered and offered the excuse I had prepared beforehand. In the stifling silence, I furtively glanced at the floor indicator, which remained unmoving at the first floor. I was so nervous that my armpits and back had become damp.

“…Alright, well. I suppose that can happen if you’re tired. Our work is quite demanding, isn’t it?”

Her verdict, delivered after a wait, was surprisingly lenient. Only then did I breathe a sigh of relief, but at the same time, a sense of unease arose.

‘Given her personality, there’s no way she’d let this go so easily.’

In the meantime, Kang Jooyoung reached out and pressed the button for the second floor, where the office was located.

“Um, Team Leader-nim?”

“What is it?”

“By any chance, what was the reason you called yesterday?”

Ding–

However, before I could finish my question, the elevator arrived at the floor. As the doors opened, Kang Jooyoung stepped out without a word, and I tiptoed behind her. As we walked down the light beige hallway, no words were exchanged between Kang Jooyoung and me.

“Good morning.”

Upon arriving at the office from the hallway, several colleagues who were already there greeted Kang Jooyoung. While Kang Jooyoung exchanged greetings with her colleagues, I tried to slip past her and escape to my desk, but.

“Assistant Manager Lee.”

Her voice, as if afraid to miss me, latched onto the back of my neck.

“Assistant Manager Lee, I’ve sent a file to your email, so please revise it.”

“A file?”

“Yes. Please have it done by today. That’s what I was going to ask you over the phone yesterday.”

“Ah.”

Fortunately, it seemed it wasn’t as serious a problem as I had worried about the day before. No, but why would she give such an instruction long after working hours? Swallowing the words that had risen to my throat with effort, I nodded at Kang Jooyoung.

“Ah, yes. I understand…”

But before I could finish my sentence, Kang Jooyoung swiftly turned around and continued on her way. That rude woman.

“Haaah.”

Nevertheless, finally freed from the leash, I slumped into my chair and exhaled the sigh I had been holding in. I feel like I’ve aged ten years.

“That’ll echo through the whole office building, Sunbae-nim.”

As I leaned back in my chair, waiting for my computer to power on, a familiar cheerful voice came from beside me. Soon, with the sound of chair wheels rolling, my junior, Park Mina, peeked her head out from behind the partition. She was an employee who had just completed two years since joining the company, and also the first assistant I had been assigned.

“What brings you in so early?”

“Do you think I’m a slacker like you, Sunbae-nim? I’ve always come in at this time.”

Mina retorted boldly and sharply turned her head. Her platinum blonde hair, reaching her exposed shoulders, swayed before my eyes.

“A slacker, you say? There’s nothing you can’t say to your Sunbae-nim, is there?”

When I reached out to flick her forehead, Mina pulled her chair back, dodging me.

“Hehehe.”

Her narrowed eyes, as she smiled softly, revealing her teeth, highlighted her alluring yet charming appeal. My gaze, which had been on her face, unconsciously drifted to her pale legs, fully exposed by her short shorts. Sometimes I wonder if she dresses like that intentionally to show them off. Or if she genuinely prefers that kind of fashion.

“Sunbae-nim, what brings *you* in so early today?”

“Oh? Uhh. My alarm just rang louder today, so…”

No matter what, I couldn’t say that I woke up because my maid burned the omelet.

“Still, you were unlucky. Team Leader Jooyoung always comes in at this time too.”

“No wonder.”

It seems arriving early for work was actually a bad move. From now on, I should intentionally leave later.

Just then, I felt a persistent gaze sweeping over my body.

“What are you doing?”

“Sunbae-nim. Haven’t you changed somehow?”

When I interrogated the culprit behind the gaze, she instead came closer, examining various parts of my body as if appraising them.

“Should I say you’ve gained some muscle? Or is it because your clothes are tighter?”

“Ahem!”

Just as Mina’s hand was about to touch my arm, Kang Jooyoung, who was in the Team Leader’s seat, cleared her throat, stopping Mina’s actions.

“Let’s talk later.”

Mina covered one side of her mouth and whispered, then pulled herself back behind the partition. While her reaction piqued my interest, it was not the right choice to further displease Kang Jooyoung.

I checked my inbox on the powered-on computer and found the file Kang Jooyoung had mentioned, so I opened it.

“Isn’t this the proposal you wrote recently, Sunbae-nim?”

As soon as the file opened, Mina leaned over the partition to peer at my monitor screen. Naturally, as her face came closer, a fragrant shampoo scent wafted past my nose.

“…Oh, you’re right.”

As Mina said, the file contained the product proposal I had written and submitted to Kang Jooyoung a few days ago. True to Kang Jooyoung’s meticulous nature, she had kindly added comments with points for revision to every single item.

“Was it rejected?”

“It was rejected.”

Well, I expected as much. It was my first proposal since becoming an Assistant Manager. If it passed immediately, would I be stuck here like this?

The problem was.

“Wow… that’s harsh.”

The scope of revisions was too broad. At this level, it was like being told to rewrite the entire proposal from scratch.

“I knew it.”

I wondered why she had been so lenient. She had it all planned out.

“Sunbae-nim, will you be alright? You have other tasks too.”

“What can I do? She said it has to be done by today.”

If the higher-ups tell you to do it, you do it. Swallowing the curses that lingered on my tongue, I closed the proposal. Although I wanted to start on the proposal immediately, I couldn’t neglect my regular duties, as Mina had said.

“Looks like I’ll be working overtime.”

Still, let’s just push through today. Because it’s the weekend starting tomorrow. Taking that small hope as motivation, I busily moved my hands.

****

To explain MD in Korean, it’s roughly a product-related manager. This includes managing the cost and itinerary of travel products, airline seat management, and regional marketing. It’s a job with many responsibilities.

I’m in charge of products related to Japan. It’s a thought I have every single day, but I feel like I’m not suited for this job. First of all, the work is fundamentally not fun. How much interest in travel could someone whose sole pleasure is playing eroge in their room possibly have? Of course, how many office workers truly find their work enjoyable? Even so, Most people still have some small reason or motivation for doing their work. I simply ended up working here by chance while looking for jobs that utilized my Japanese major.

Back then, I had no idea how tough this job was. I thought I’d at least get to travel often, even if I hadn’t before, but usually, I’m just cooped up in the office, sitting in my chair. If even a small hiccup occurs during itinerary progress, the problem grows like wildfire. Once, another department accidentally left out a zero from a package price, leading to an explosion of bookings. It’s a good thing it was resolved well with refunds. The thought of me having done that sends shivers down my spine.

Anyway, this job just brings stress and no enjoyment. It’s not just been a day or two that I’ve thought about quitting. But if I quit here, I have no idea where I’d work next. So, even while cursing internally, I persevered and endured, finally getting promoted to Assistant Manager a few days ago. Now there’s more work to do, a junior to be responsible for, and a little more money. Yet, I’m still just an ordinary employee who desperately waits for quitting time.

‘Which game should I possess?’

What’s more, today, even while trying to focus on work, my thoughts about transmigration wouldn’t stop. Just as going to a buffet makes you ponder what to eat. Now that I actually had the ability to transmigrate into a game, I became cautious in my choice. Since I’m at it, it would be good to try things I could never even dream of in reality. For example, sexual assault, or incest. Shota could be interesting too. Would tentacles or goblins also be possible?

“…Assistant Manager Lee. Assistant Manager Lee!”

The thoughts echoing in my head scattered at the sudden interruption of a sharp voice. Snapping out of it, I turned my head in the direction of the voice, to see Kang Jooyoung, sitting at the edge of the conference room, glaring at me with a displeased expression.

“Were you listening to me?”

“Pardon?”

“I just told Assistant Manager Lee to report on the sales results for the past month, didn’t I?”

“…Ah. I apologize.”

“Why? Are you tired again today?”

“No. I just had something on my mind for a moment.”

At my excuse, Kang Jooyoung let out a sigh that echoed through the conference room.

“Haaah. I know you might be excited about getting promoted to Assistant Manager, but please try to focus during meetings. Alright?”

My lip twitched at the continuous sarcasm.

“You’re already in your fourth year, and you’re still so clumsy. What will your juniors learn from watching you?”

“I apologize.”

Since this was clearly my fault, I repeatedly expressed my regret towards her. Looking at the other department heads sitting in their seats, I saw them furtively glancing at Kang Jooyoung. Because if they intervened unnecessarily, they didn’t know where the sparks would fly.

“That’s enough. Start your report quickly.”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

As there were many eyes on them, Kang Jooyoung didn’t drag out the reprimand for long. I inwardly sighed in relief and continued my report step by step.

“That concludes my report.”

After I finished reporting, Kang Jooyoung scribbled something on the tablet placed on her desk and nodded.

“Hmm. I understand. It’s almost peak season, so try to find an effective customer acquisition strategy in conjunction with other departments.”

Other departments, huh. Those guys who always come up with absurd ideas without considering our circumstances?

“Team Leader-nim.”

“What is it, now?”

Her sharp tone echoed through the conference room. Normally, I would have shrunk back and done nothing here, but I don’t know where the courage came from, my mouth didn’t stop there.

“Well, Team Leader-nim, as you know, collaboration with other departments always results in only our side suffering damage…”

“And? When were you dozing off during the meeting, and now you’re going to outright disobey instructions?”

“It’s not that, it’s about finding a more effective method…”

As if she wouldn’t tolerate my rebuttal, Kang Jooyoung sharply tapped the desk with her fingertips.

“Isn’t Assistant Manager Lee’s feeling that ideas from other departments aren’t sound due to your own lack of ability?”

Naturally, the reprimand for my earlier mistake turned into an accusation about my personal abilities.

“Isn’t it too irresponsible to shift the blame for Assistant Manager Lee’s own incompetence onto other departments?”

This woman had no intention of accepting my opinion at face value. Having judged that, I gritted my teeth and nodded.

“Understood. I will follow Team Leader-nim’s instructions.”

“In that case, let’s continue with the other teams’ presentations.”

Kang Jooyoung returned to her usual expression as if nothing had happened and continued the meeting. When the meeting ended, the other department heads, watching Kang Jooyoung’s mood, hurried out of the conference room as if fleeing.

“Assistant Manager Lee.”

Likewise, as I was gathering my belongings to leave the office, Kang Jooyoung called out to me.

“Is the thing I asked you to do this afternoon progressing well?”

It wasn’t a request, it was an order.

“Not yet.”

My answer seemed to displease her, and Kang Jooyoung’s brow furrowed ominously.

“It’s already afternoon, when do you plan to finish? Will you be able to complete it by the end of today?”

“I will try my best to hurry.”

“I clearly said it was due by today. This time, excuses like ‘I’m tired’ won’t fly, so keep that in mind.”

One wrong excuse and she’s milking it for all it’s worth.

“Why aren’t you answering? Did you understand me?”

She raised her voice as if cornering me, and pointed her index finger at my chest.

“…Understood.”

Hearing my answer, filled with suppressed emotion, Kang Jooyoung turned haughtily and exited the conference room. The luscious curve of her hips in her tight suit skirt swayed with her every step. If it were the old me, I would have simply watched that and cursed under my breath. But now it’s different. Just now, when Kang Jooyoung pointed her finger at me. Though it was only for a fleeting moment, I saw a tremor around her eyes. And even that reaction she showed in the lobby this morning.

“Just you wait.”

Even if no one else, you at least will beg on your knees before me. Alone in the conference room, I watched Kang Jooyoung’s retreating back and savored my thirst for revenge.