episode_0012

‘Wow, is it real that I passed?’

Surprisingly, I had proudly passed the Cheonjihae entrance exam.

Honestly, I did feel like I hitched a ride on Cheok Jiyeon’s coattails during the practical exam.

But hey, I did pull through at the last minute, so doesn’t that mean I’m somewhat qualified?

‘Luck is the most important thing in the world, after all!’

Anyway, the thought of actually joining Cheonjihae felt surreal and oddly bewildering.

Me, a one-trick wonder who used to die instantly in my room, now an employee of a major corporation?

Is this really my level? My chest swells with pride.

‘…Of course, this isn’t the end.’

Getting into Cheonjihae is hard, but surviving there is even harder.

So much so that more new employees end up leaving than staying.

But that’s a problem for later.

For now, I decided to fully savor the fact that I’d made it into a major corporation—something I couldn’t even do before my transmigration.

After all, it’s still my first day.

I figured I could afford to bask in the feeling of accomplishment just for today.

‘But there are fewer successful applicants than I expected.’

During the written exam, there were so many people I couldn’t even count them all.

A fair number had also participated in the practical exam.

Yet, not many showed up for the orientation.

It wasn’t a tiny number, but… if you consider the ratio of applicants, it’s probably in the single digits.

‘How the hell did I even pass?’

Amid the tension, I found my seat.

But someone was already sitting in the chair that was clearly marked with my number.

‘…Huh?’

I double-checked, but the number was correct.

It seemed like that person had mistaken their seat, just like in a movie theater.

‘Oh God… why must you test me like this?’

For an introvert like me, asking someone if they’ve mistaken their seat is torture.

But I couldn’t just sit in someone else’s seat either.

That would only lead to a tragic escalation of sorrow and pain!

“Um… excuse me.”

When I spoke up, the girl turned her head.

The moment I saw her face, my eyes widened slightly.

‘What? Why are you here?’

Short black hair and a petite frame.

Her youthful face still held traces of cuteness.

She was one of the supporting characters in the game.

Even as a side character, the fact that I remembered her meant she had some significance.

‘Why do I keep running into named characters lately?’

First Minahye, then Cheok Jiyeon.

Come to think of it, I’ve been seeing game characters a lot.

“Sorry, but I think this is my seat.”

“Huh? Oh?”

Still, I had to say something.

The girl hurriedly checked the number and the seat.

Then her face turned bright red.

“Ah… s-sorry! I got confused—it’s the seat next to me!”

“Oh, it’s fine. Everyone makes mistakes.”

Given it’s orientation day, I could understand if she was nervous.

The girl quickly moved aside.

I took the seat she had been sitting in.

And then, I realized a huge problem I’d forgotten about.

‘This is awkward!’

Since we’re right next to each other, we’ll be stuck together the whole time!

If I hadn’t spoken to her at all, it might’ve been fine.

But now, because of that brief exchange, it’s even more awkward.

“Ahem! I’m Nam Dohyung. Since we’ll be working at the same company, let’s get along.”

“Ah, I’m Yoo Eunhye! Likewise, please take care of me!”

Yoo Eunhye.

That was this character’s name.

‘She was one of the characters I liked in the game.’

Yoo Eunhye’s defining trait was being dirt-poor.

Most elite exorcists came from prestigious families.

Like Cheok Jiyeon or Yoo Yeonhwa.

But Yoo Eunhye was the poorest of the poor—no family backing, no money, nothing.

‘But that doesn’t mean she’s someone to underestimate.’

As a named character active in Cheonjihae, her talent was exceptional.

And if she ever went down the wrong path, she had the potential to become extremely dangerous.

‘Basically, if things go wrong, she’s a character who could cause major trouble.’

From my perspective—someone who just wants a peaceful life—she’s the kind of person I should keep an eye on.

Not that it’s particularly hard.

Being dirt-poor, she’s easily moved by even the smallest gestures.

“Would you like some candy? My little sister gave me too much.”

“Gasp! Thank you!”

Seems like the setting where she loves sweets but can’t afford to indulge still holds true.

She happily chews on a finger-sized piece of candy.

‘She’s like a little hamster.’

Watching her is oddly healing.

This is why I liked Yoo Eunhye.

In a world full of terrifying ghost stories, she’s like a small oasis of comfort.

“Munch munch… Nam Dohyung-ssi, you’re really kind!”

“Oh, am I? Thanks.”

Yoo Eunhye seems to have an internal formula: ‘Person who gives food = Kind person.’

Not that I’m one to talk, but I’m a little worried about how she’ll handle the harsh corporate life.

“Honestly, I was really nervous. A company like Cheonjihae must have a lot of scary exorcists.”

“Same here.”

Not just ‘a lot’—there really are a ton.

Top-tier exorcists aren’t just good at killing ghosts.

Many of them are dangerous just by existing.

…If I had to say, Yoo Eunhye is one of them.

“But seeing someone like you here makes me feel better. Maybe this place isn’t so bad after all.”

“We’ll just have to do our best. It’d be a waste to get kicked out after finally getting in.”

“Yeah! Let’s both work hard!”

Yoo Eunhye clenches her fists and grins.

Hmm, this familiar healing feeling. Very nice.

“Everyone, quiet down and take your seats.”

Just then, a man stepped onto the stage and spoke.

It was Lee Jaehak, the examiner from the practical test.

‘…Is he the only one they can assign to this job?’

Well, I can kind of understand.

The CEO of this company isn’t exactly normal either.

“Don’t get cocky just because you made it into Cheonjihae, you brats. You’ve barely crossed the starting line.”

Tension rippled through the new hires at Lee Jaehak’s words.

Harsh, but true.

“First of all, you’re not even official employees of Cheonjihae yet.”

Murmurs spread at his next statement.

Yeah, seems like most of them didn’t know.

“Right now, you’re all trainees. That means you’ll be learning various exorcism techniques under Cheonjihae’s guidance.”

Some of the new hires started talking.

“What? Training?”

“You’re telling us to learn now?”

“I thought we’d be working as full-fledged exorcists.”

Everyone here should already have the skills to take down low-level spirits.

Going back to being students must’ve rubbed them the wrong way.

‘Why are they complaining?’

I couldn’t understand that mindset.

The company isn’t making us work—they’re teaching us.

Isn’t that a sweet deal?

Just being here means we can grow as exorcists.

Even if we get kicked out midway, having ‘Cheonjihae’ on our résumé carries weight in the exorcism industry.

‘And even as trainees, we’re still getting paid. Corporate slavery is still the best!’

Lee Jaehak smirked at their reactions.

“What, you think it’s unfair? You’ll be thanking us soon. We can’t just let you die right after hiring you, no matter how ‘precious’ you think you are.”

The new hires slowly realized.

Cheonjihae is Korea’s top exorcism corporation.

The work here is anything but ordinary.

“For now, you’ll attend classes as trainees. Only about half of you will pass and become interns. Half of those interns will make it as full-time employees. And most of those employees will die… while exorcising urban legends.”

This was the speech given to the new hires—on their very first day.

The reality shoved in their faces just as they were basking in the dream of joining Cheonjihae.

The mood instantly soured.

“Ugh…”

Fragile types like Yoo Eunhye trembled in fear.

They were finally waking up from the fantasy of Cheonjihae.

“Exorcising urban legends is no joke. Every exorcist here, including me, risks their life doing this. Glory? Fame? Those are just spoils for the survivors. If you don’t want to die, study urban legends and grow stronger—always prepared to die.”

Lee Jaehak coldly surveyed the terrified new hires before finishing.

“That’s what Cheonjihae is for.”

The look in everyone’s eyes had changed.

They finally understood what it meant to belong to Cheonjihae.

‘…This is bad. I just came here to make money.’

Of course, there were people like me too.

Well, I’d already accepted reality early on.

No matter how hard a dullard like me tries, I can’t catch up to geniuses.

Rather than recklessly charging ahead and dying, it’s better to do my best within my limits.

“…Enough lecturing. Let’s announce the top two scorers of this entrance exam.”

The new hires subtly glanced around.

Some brimmed with anticipation, while others like Yoo Yeonhwa outright puffed their chests, ready for the award.

‘Now that I think about it, the top scorer gets exorcism equipment, right?’

Since it had nothing to do with me, I didn’t pay much attention.

‘I already know the results anyway.’

This year’s top scorers were Go Jooyoung and Yoo Yeonhwa.

Elites who would maintain top-tier performance even within Cheonjihae.

People from another world who’d never cross paths with me.

I relaxed in my seat without a care.

“Top scorer: Nam Dohyung. Second place: Cheok Jiyeon. Come up to the stage.”

“……”

Wait a second.

I’m the top scorer? Why?