episode_0019

“Uh…why are you acting like this all of a sudden? Stand up.”

I tried to lift her by her shoulders, but she was bent over and didn’t even move.

No, even if you really try your best, it won’t budge.

What force is so strong?

“This was my mistake. I never expected Pandora of Salvation to move so quickly… No, this is also an excuse. If I hadn’t been complacent, you wouldn’t have gone through such an unpleasant experience.”

“…The Bureau not only monitors me, but also protects me.”

“That’s right.”

“I wish you had said that earlier…”

“Well… people with abilities generally have strong pride. So they often react sensitively to such words.”

“is that so?”

I tilted my head.

Because I don’t think I’m strong and I don’t think I have any pride to show off.

I was just struggling to live according to the situation at the time.

“You must have been very shocked by this incident. If you need a mental evaluation…”

“Ah, it’s okay. It’s not that bad.”

“Is that so…that’s the problem as it is.”

“Uh, is that how it works?”

“Yes. Wasn’t this your first murder?”

“…Yes.”

“I think you need to get a mental evaluation, too. The problem is that you’re too sane.”

“Hmm…will the management bureau’s treatment change depending on the results?”

“…I won’t deny it, but if you are a person with favorable abilities to the management, it will be received very positively.”

“Tsk, then what…”

I nodded because I believed that although my body was not normal, my mental state was perfectly normal.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

“In a way, it’s natural. Rather, please stand up now. I’m really burdened.”

“thank you.”

She straightened her back and made eye contact with me for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.

It’s like a playful golden fox.

“……”

I was so captivated for a moment that I looked at it in complete fascination.

There is no such thing as a real monster.

“Hmm, Mr. Han-gil. It’s a bit awkward to say this at a time like this, but… how about taking this opportunity to join the management bureau?”

“……”

When I opened my eyes and looked at her, she slightly avoided my gaze and suddenly made a face, as if she had decided to shamelessly leave.

“I think it’s good timing! If you don’t belong anywhere, Pandora of the Salvation won’t leave you alone, right? A member of the constellation community who is strong and has points! They’ll be drooling and rushing at you!”

“Umm, is that so?”

“That’s right! This is not a ploy to get Mr. Han-gil into the management bureau! How many cases like that have happened in the past? In fact, there have been many cases where talented people have been taken away!”

“Hmm…what happened to the talented person who changed affiliation?”

She laughed bitterly at my words.

“Most of them didn’t end well. Of course, there are some damned ones who are still doing fine.”

“Uhm…”

“Well, and… to be honest, the level of protection is different between being part of the Management Bureau and not being part of it. That’s because we don’t have infinite manpower either.”

In short, it means that if you belong to the management bureau, you can be protected more reliably.

After thinking for a moment, I sighed and nodded.

“Okay. But there is a condition.”

“What are the conditions!?”

“To be honest, I don’t want to work. My dream is to be unemployed and rich.”

“……”

Her expression cooled for a moment, but I remained confident.

“So, if it’s on the condition that I don’t have to work, I’ll join the Bureau.”

“Mmm…mmmm…”

After thinking for a moment, she looked around and smiled awkwardly.

“Well… Mr. Han-gil. Even so, not doing any work is a bit… your salary will be cut…”

“This is the amount of money that is based on the standard of an ‘ordinary small business’ that is subject to paranormal phenomena, right?”

“Well, that’s true…”

“Then I won’t go in.”

“No, no! Still, I can take care of it externally… hey! That’s great! You don’t have to do any work or anything like that!”

“Oh oh.”

“Instead! If you need help in an emergency situation, I want you to help me! And please accept the work in the form of a request! Of course, the decision-making power lies with Mr. Han-gil!”

“Even though it’s a request, it’s an emergency… For example, what are some cases?”

“There may be times when human casualties occur due to supernatural phenomena, or when the Pandora of the Old World commits terrorism.”

“……”

Can I be of help in that case?

I thought about it deeply, but honestly, it was a bit ambiguous.

[Cry of despair, pain, and grief], which can be said to be the main axis of my ability, is not a skill that can distinguish between friends and enemies in the first place.

Moreover, the mirror of resentment is not an ability that can be actively used for the benefit of others.

If I were to protect myself, it would be possible, but honestly, rescuing someone or stopping a terrorist attack would be a bit difficult.

“excuse me…”

So, when I explained my abilities to her without revealing the exact details, she smiled brightly and said there was no problem.

“It’s okay! No one knows when and how abilities will be used. The unexpected moment of need always comes. And abilities can develop at the user’s discretion, right?”

“Uh… really? And the skills you bought at the point shop?”

“Of course! Do you remember the last time I told you not to buy skills from the point shop at random? It’s the same thing. If you buy all kinds of things, your growth may be blocked.”

“Hoo…but how on earth do you know that information?”

“I know one person like that. Like us, he was a victim of the Constellation community, and he invested a lot of his points solely in developing his own abilities. That’s not to say it’s bad, but… the problem is, it collapsed.”

“It exploded…?”

I didn’t understand it well.

“Ah! Don’t misunderstand. It’s true that he has multiple skills, so he’s really strong. But…do you remember what I said before? Purchasing skills from the point shop is the same as buying ‘ups’.”

“…I remember.”

“The management bureau has not completely revealed it, but it is highly likely that the skills in the point shop are not just ‘easy-to-use skills’ but rather achievements that someone has achieved and proof of existence. You purchase them with points and apply them to your body.”

“……”

It was easy to understand because it reminded me of the nightmare I had last night.

“So, the longer you have the purchased skill, the more you use it, and the more you understand it, the more the physical condition of the owner of that skill and the tricks of the skill itself will flow in. This is not something that can be prevented or avoided.”

“Ohh…”

“For example, let’s say you learn swordsmanship and whiplash skills. What happens when you become skilled in both skills?”

“Uh…won’t you be able to use the sword and whip better?”

“No. The karma and tricks of those two skills get mixed up and become a mess. The body suitable for using a sword and the body suitable for using a whip get mixed up, and the sword is used like a whip or the whip is used like a sword. Two skills that were fine become worthless. “If you had learned and mastered the two skills by building them up from the beginning, this would not have happened, but if you suddenly apply them to your body in the form of ‘skills,’ side effects will occur.”

“oh…”

To think that I was in that situation was incredibly frustrating.

…Wait a minute, then what happens to me with [cries of despair, pain, and grief]?

Could it be that I turn into the monster I saw in my dream?

I was a little scared, but I shook my head.

Oh, no way. It won’t go that far.

Who would buy a skill if it had such side effects? The constellations will also take off their cranes.

“Is the person you just mentioned a member of the Management Bureau?”

“Yes. If we continue our activities, we will probably run into each other someday.”

“I’m curious. What kind of person he is.”

“Hehe. Anyway, Mr. Han-gil proved his ability just by being kidnapped by Pandora of the Salvation and escaping alone. I can’t imagine how much stronger his ability will become in the future.”

She gulped down the juice and smiled again.

“So you’re joining the Management Bureau?”

“As long as the conditions I mentioned earlier are kept.”

“Great! Well thought out!”

She jumps up from her seat, grabs my hand, and pulls me.

“Then let’s go to the management bureau right away! I’ll take care of some things for you and show you where to stay in the management bureau!”

“Accommodation?”

When I asked her as if she was puzzled, she nodded as if it was obvious.

“This house is exposed to Pandora of the Old World, right? Can you live safely in a place like that?”

“…no.”

It gives me goosebumps to think that that owl mask could sneak in while I sleep.

“Is that so? Don’t worry. In many cases like this, basic furniture and equipment are provided.”

“Now, just wait a minute. Then, I’ll just take what I need.”

“Yes! You can take your time!”

After stuffing my smart phone, wallet, and simple clothes into a large bag, I was led by her smiling hand toward the management bureau’s lodgings.

***

The accommodation was located not far from an ‘ordinary small business’, a branch of the management bureau.

It was a really ordinary villa, not a supernatural phenomenon or anything, but it was quite large and luxurious, so I was nervous.

“If you need anything, please let me know. I can get most of it right away.”

“Uh…is it really okay for me to stay in a place like this?”

Compared to the studio I lived in, it is twice as large and has two more rooms.

However, what captured my attention was a computer with the latest specifications.

You’re just giving me something like that that’s worth hundreds of millions of won?

I can’t believe it.

“Of course. Don’t feel pressured.”

Her bright smile seems to shine on her face.

“Oh, and take this.”

“Huh? What is this?”

What she held out was a thick bracelet, engraved with strange patterns that I couldn’t tell if they were drawings or letters.

“It’s a ‘transmission delay device.’ If you wear it, you can delay the time it takes to be dragged to the Constellation community posts. The limit is about two to three days.”

“Wow, is that possible?”

“Of course. Isn’t the Bureau’s research into supernatural phenomena just a day or two old? We are fully capable of producing such items ourselves.”

“That’s amazing.”

As I was looking at the bracelet in pure admiration, she made a complicated expression.

However, that expression quickly disappeared without any doubt.

“Well, take it easy! I’ll go to work tomorrow and write the contract.”

“Ah yes.”

After seeing her off, I slowly looked around the house.

A large bathroom, a great kitchen with a luxurious refrigerator, three spacious bedrooms and a living room…

“oh my god.”

It is fully furnished, so there is nothing missing.

I inadvertently grinned and sank down onto the living room sofa.

“…I’m sleepy. And I’m hungry.”

It seems like a body that can’t die, but this desire is still alive and well.

What is my physical condition that makes me do this?

After waking up with a sense of wonder, I ate a light dinner and lay down in bed.

I wanted to use the computer, but honestly, I was so tired right now that I wanted to rest.

***

“Welcome, Mr. Han-gil.”

“hello.”

Since he is going to work at the company, he wears the only suit he has and goes out, and Eun No-eul smiles with a strange expression.

“why?”

“No. I think it’s cute that you’re wearing a suit.”

“……”

This is the first time in my life that I’ve ever heard a girl call me cute.

I don’t know how to react.

“Hehe. Come in. Let’s start by writing the contract.”

“Hmm…I’m just asking just in case. Is that contract a supernatural entity?”

“Huh? Oh, is it because of Pandora of the Salvation? That’s good. It’s better to always be on guard like that. Hmm… to put it simply, it’s a supernatural entity. However, it’s also an ordinary contract.”

“yes…?”

I didn’t understand so I looked at her and she pointed to the Bureau branch building.

“‘Ordinary small and medium-sized businesses’ even create various items necessary for ‘business’ on their own. Since it was created by a supernatural phenomenon, it is classified as a supernatural entity, but there is no compulsion.”

“oh…”

I nodded and walked after her.

***

After signing the contract, I walked to the office of the team I would be a part of, listening to a brief explanation from Noeul Eun.

“There are several teams in this branch. The most representative one is the ‘Paranormal Response Team,’ as well as the ‘Damage Recovery Team,’ the ‘Information Management Team,’ the ‘Paranormal Object Management and Research Team,’ and the ‘Fire Support Team.’”

“There’s more to it than I thought.”

“Of course. Even after all this, this is a group with a living history and tradition, right? That’s how systematic it is.”

She looks back at me and proudly straightens her shoulders.

“Oh, by the way, I’m a member of the ‘Paranormal Response Team.’”

“Uh… didn’t you say you were the branch leader?”

“First of all, it is, but I don’t have the aptitude for office work. I leave all the troublesome work to my subordinates. All I have to do is stamp the things that require my approval and my work as a branch manager is done.”

“……”

Is that okay?

“And the team that Mr. Han-gil will belong to is also the ‘Paranormal Phenomena Response Team.’ This is a team where you can live like an unemployed person if no supernatural entities occur.”

“……”

“Hehe. Don’t worry, I’m not being sarcastic or criticizing you.”

As I open the door with the name ‘Paranormal Response Team’ on it, a familiar face turns to look at me.

“Ah! It’s Mr. Han-gil!”

“As expected, I thought I’d see you soon.”

Heo Sae-ron and Kwon Gyeong-gu, whom I had seen before, stood up to greet me.