episode_0022

It won’t be long before we have the chance to experiment with the equipment—this statement came true much earlier than I had anticipated.

The Galactic Federation has never initiated a preemptive attack.

No matter how well one maintains their image, a single mistake can shatter that carefully built image completely. Once shattered, it never fully mends. Even if one manages to rebuild it, there will always be a lingering tag of “it happened before.”

On the other hand, someone with a consistently negative image can benefit quite substantially from a single good deed. Of course, over time, they will still face criticism, and even that one good deed may be undervalued. However, in a situation where “there’s nothing to lose,” it doesn’t become a major issue.

Of course, the Galactic Federation does not have a perfectly clean image, and Nuar Corporation is not solely perceived as a villain. But, if we were to compare them side by side, that’s how it stands.

So, originally, attacking Nuar Corporation, which operates legally in South Korea, would not be a wise move.

At least, that’s what I thought.

“But it seems we are ultimately planning to attack,” James said to me.

To me.

“Take a look here.”

James manipulated the tablet PC he was holding. At the same time, various displays appeared on the screen of the tablet PC I was holding.

Satellite photos of a certain area building.

And pictures of people wandering around the vicinity.

The building didn’t seem to be in the city. The surroundings looked like vast fields. Judging by the identical clothing worn by the people wandering around, they seemed to be company employees. It was different attire from the combat uniform I used to wear.

“It’s a research complex. It’s quite well-known in this area. Many locals are employed here.”

I didn’t know. In reality, I hadn’t given it much thought before.

I had almost no attachment to this company. Initially, I just thought they needed funding for the orphanage, and I agreed because someone said they would scout me.

…Now, things have become complicated in many ways, and it’s not easy to back out.

What use is there in regretting it now?

“….”

As I stared at the screen with a perplexed expression, James shrugged his shoulders.

“We’ll need to protect this place this time.”

“It doesn’t seem to be Seoul.”

“Of course not. It’s Gyeonggi Province.”

“…Wouldn’t it take quite some time for a round trip?”

If I had to go back and forth due to my job being there, then I would have to go. But I am a student. Moreover, where I live is at the orphanage, and I had no intention of leaving either place. Being chased out is out of the question.

“If it’s about time, there’s no problem. After all, magical girls are high school students. If it’s the Milky Way Federation, they won’t attack this place during school hours. They’ll probably aim for the weekend.”

That’s… true, but it also appears in webtoons. High school students prioritize their studies, especially in South Korea where they have the college entrance exam, so they only assign tasks that won’t interfere with their studies.

It’s like a somewhat realistic answer to the question of “What would magical girls do if a monster appeared during a listening test?”

By the way, Noir Corporation intentionally assigns work during those times. Usually, they manage to make it successful, but sometimes they drag it out too long, causing it to overlap with the magical girls’ school hours, which ends up being fruitless.

“So… you’re telling me to stay here on the weekends?”

“That’s correct.”

“What about the orphanage?”

“That shouldn’t be a problem. We have plans for that.”

When I looked at him questioningly, James shrugged his shoulders.

“We’re not calling you here, but rather, we’ll say you’ve been selected for a job experience. In fact, it’s already been discussed with the school.”

“….”

“So you can rest assured.”

It does smell a bit suspicious, but for now, I decided to endure it.

“Is that the end of the story?”

“Yes, regarding the task.”

James readily admitted.

“It sounds like there’s another story.”

“That’s correct.”

James once again readily admitted.

Perhaps I was called separately for that reason.

The operatives don’t receive detailed instructions about the operation. Only when they get to the scene, they barely hear the roughly summarized operation details before being thrown into action.

If it’s just a brawl that’s needed, then that’s the end of it. Whether they get caught or not, it doesn’t matter anymore. Returning home is each person’s responsibility. Yet, seeing the operatives continue their work, it seems the job itself pays quite well.

The same goes for the leader. He’s just someone who fights well among the operatives. There are rumors that he earns several times more, but I don’t think he holds a particularly important position within the company.

But right now, I’m sitting here and listening to the story. Not just a brief summary, but even including satellite photos, presented exclusively to the higher-ups.

“What’s this story about?”

“Do you remember when you first started working for this company?”

“…Yes, I do.”

I don’t know how the scouters select talent, but I caught the eye of that scouter.

I came to this world a long time ago, but I didn’t have any particular goal. What would I aim for in the first place? I just happened to become the childhood friend of a magical girl, although I wasn’t the magical girl myself.

My goal was simply to live each day as thick-skinned as possible. If graduating and immediately finding a job to make ends meet is a goal, then it’s quite an unremarkable one for someone who’s been transposed into a webtoon, isn’t it?

I’ve always thought that was the reason for my transposition. “You’re nothing special.”

The author drawing the webtoon seemed to want to emphasize me in their work, even if they had to implant me there. Maybe that’s why I readily accepted the proposal.

Starting work somewhere as soon as possible might lead to a better position later on. After all, Noir Corporation is a major company.

“What does the scout’s face look like?”

“I wouldn’t remember something like that.”

I got in touch after receiving the contact information and went for an interview. That’s about it.

“Is that important?”

“It’s important in its own way. There’s a huge difference between being directly chosen by this company and coming in from elsewhere. At the very least, you’re not a spy sent from somewhere else, are you?”

“….”

“And having good camaraderie there is fortunate for us.”

I looked at James with narrowed eyes as he spoke in a very cheerful tone.

“So, I’d like to make a suggestion.”

“What suggestion?”

“Why don’t you work as a full-time employee at this company after you graduate?”

“….”

“I’ll continue contributing to society through restitution. And separately, we’ll adjust your salary to match that of other employees at the same level.”

I received scouting offers from Noir Corporation twice.

“I’ll think about it.”

That’s all I said for now.

I still don’t know how to get out of this. If I quit after graduating, I might end up revealing my true identity to Ha Yoon. But if I keep doing this, I’ll eventually get caught. Eternal secrets are a thing, but they’re only possible when the secret is manageable alone.

“Please consider it positively.”

James replied with a smile.

“Job experience?”

Ji Hye gave me a disgusted look.

“You’re not going there just to have fun, are you? Are you saying you’re going far away on the weekend just to study? Why did you apply for that in the first place?”

“I didn’t apply because I wanted to. I just randomly picked because there was no one else to apply.”

I sighed deeply as I spoke.

That’s actually how it was. Only a very small number of students applied directly, and the rest were randomly selected by the homeroom teachers.

These days, it seems possible, even though I doubted it, my parents were actually pleased when I told them. There was even talk that I could make a mark at Nuar Corporation.

“Have a good time out there, and come back safely~”

I saw Ji-hye waving her hand without getting up, so I playfully jabbed her side with my toe.

“Eek!?”

She made an amusing sound.

As I tried to poke her again, Ji-hye covered her side with her hand.

“What are you doing!?”

“You look like you’ve gained weight.”

“What!?”

“It’s because it’s winter, and you’ve been lying around inside, so you’ve gained weight.”

After saying that, I immediately turned and ran towards the door.

In the end, I couldn’t dodge the pillow that flew at me.

*

Riding a tourist bus borrowed from the company for about two hours, we arrived at a place where there was a rather large building than expected.

When seen in satellite photos, I didn’t realize it was this big, but looking through the car window, it truly deserved to be called a “complex.”

The building itself was one, but it was so massive that it could house several factories within it.

Perhaps because the pictures on the tablet were quite enlarged, I couldn’t feel it more.

There were only unfamiliar faces around. Some of them were in the same class at school, but we weren’t particularly close.

Those who came here right after graduation to get a job naturally didn’t have many people from rural areas. They’ve been worrying about employment since high school.

The bus stopped, and the front door opened.

There was a teacher sitting in the front row, but he was just a homeroom teacher, and from here on, company employees would provide facility explanations.

The students were chattering, but the teacher stood up and asked them to be quiet. I wasn’t the homeroom teacher. The students on this bus were not only from the same class, but also selected from the same grade.

That teacher must be here due to bad luck. In fact, there was no enthusiasm in his voice.

Oh, is that how other teachers are normally?

Wait a moment, a man entered.

He was a very impressive gentleman. His face was good-looking, but not so striking that his face would be remembered after hearing the explanation and a week had passed.

He looked like those nameless models often seen in corporate promotional posters.

He was wearing the same gray work jacket that workers often wear. Inside, he had a shirt and tie.

“Hello, everyone. It’s nice to meet you all.”

His appearance was unassuming, but his voice was quite pleasant. If he spoke during class, it would probably put you to sleep.

Although the man introduced himself, it didn’t really register in my ears.

“I’ll be guiding you for the next two days, so take care. We plan to arrange accommodation in the company dormitory. When you’re inside the building, you’ll be under the same conditions as Nuar Corporation employees.”

A hand shot up at the man’s words.

“Do you have a question?”

“Yes.”

A slightly lively-looking child rose from his seat and asked, “Is there a curfew or something like that?”

A murmuring sound arose around him.

“There isn’t one for the employees.”

At those words, a cheer erupted around the area.

“But still, don’t go outside the building.”

Although the teacher had said that, the area outside the building looked desolate. Even if there were convenience stores, they seemed to be inside only, not outside.

… Is that so? Not having a curfew at night must make it easier for me to move around.

I suppressed the urge to sigh. It’s helpful that my friend mentioned this now. I can’t bring myself to think of it as fortunate.

*

Roaming around the complex was more interesting than I had thought. Part of the massive rectangular building was still under construction, somewhere was a factory making spacecraft, and there were places manufacturing semiconductors for their own use.

Seeing this, I could understand how large NuArc Corporation was. They were involved in construction outside, and they even owned media and entertainment companies as subsidiaries.

Could such a colossal company, which makes everything from toothpicks to missiles seen in cyberpunk, really be this kind of company?

Thinking that such a galactic-scale company is present in many places other than Korea, it made me understand why the country wants to collaborate with companies.

“Well then, that’s it for today.”

Half past four in the afternoon. After assigning dormitories for the last 30 minutes and informing them of their duties inside, the man spoke.

It seems the students all thought they finished earlier than expected. Everyone perked up. There was even a big mart nearby, and it seemed like they were planning to buy a lot of food there.

But I actually had other things to do.

Now that I think about it, the students deliberately chose an odd number, leaving me alone to use the dormitory. The kids looked at me with mixed expressions, but I find this more comfortable. After all, I have to keep bustling around even at night.

I entered the dormitory, finally alone, took a deep breath, and looked under the bed.

… As expected, there was a case. I opened it, checked the contents, and put it back.

“Alright.”

I heard there are a lot of operatives inside this complex.

I am tasked with confronting magical girls head-on among them.

Not a high-ranking position, but it’s as good as being one.

… Could it really be serious?

Recalling what James said, I pondered, but since no clear answer came to mind, I decided to stop thinking about it.

*

But I still have work to do.

No matter how much of a go-with-the-flow guy I am, I don’t want to just stand by.

Even if I fail in the end, I want to at least get one thing right. It’s inevitable to have such thoughts when you’re constantly on the receiving end.

Inside the suitcase, there was a tablet that contained a detailed 3D map of the building’s interior facilities.

It’s impossible to memorize everything because it’s too extensive. Instead, I focused on the part about the researchers.

There’s no evidence that this is the truth. Perhaps this information is deliberately given while the real evidence is hidden elsewhere, maybe to create confusion among the magical girls.

“…Is the attack coming from over there?”

I don’t know where the information came from, but the fact that they’re going this far indicates a definite possibility.

I scratched my head and turned off the tablet screen.

Then, I got up from my seat and sluggishly made my way to where the researchers were located.

The teacher didn’t bother with patrolling. We encountered a few students in the hallway, but they were from different classes, so they just passed by.

“I see.”

The tablet said ‘Research Lab,’ but now it was just an enclosed area surrounded by walls.

Simply the deepest part inside. It seemed like the lowest section within what felt like one of the pillars supporting the building was the “Secret Research Lab.”

I’m not sure how to get in. It could be hidden with some alien technology, or perhaps they’ve painted over the door to prepare for this incident, or maybe they just revealed one of the pillars.

My job is to guard this “Research Lab” alone.

I shrugged my shoulders and turned around—

Thunk.

I felt a finger poking my cheek.

“…Have I seen this in a drama too?”

I asked as I turned my face away, avoiding the finger.

“Not very surprised?”

“Well, it seemed likely that you’d show up.”

Jigu Bba (Earth Lover) was here.

Jigu Bba handed me a can of drink.

“It’s not coffee today.”

“No, I don’t drink before working, no matter what.”

The drink Jigu Bba gave me was just a soda.

Accepting it, we walked to a nearby convenience store.

When I entered the “complex,” which was called a “district,” I realized that the inside wasn’t quite like a comprehensive shopping mall, but more like a “small town built inside a huge square dome.” It was designed to allow continuous work throughout.

Although there were multiple floors, the upper levels weren’t as large. It was because of the hole in the middle. Inside that opening, there were several buildings with different numbers of floors.

The most similar place I’ve seen is… the famous indoor amusement park in Jamsil. The structure itself was similar to that place. The scale was much larger, and it wasn’t just a dome but a rectangular building. Because it wasn’t a dome structure, there were many thick and sturdy pillars supporting the structure. One of them made a “creak” sound.

Sitting next to Geobbae, we chatted about this and that. Still, there was no work talk. Most of it seemed to be irrelevant drama, movie, or comic stories.

…Still, a few of them were somewhat interesting, so I decided to remember a few titles.

*

And then, night fell.

The magical girls who couldn’t openly attack the company were speculated to be planning an infiltration this time. Instead of flashy attacks, they aimed to use their abilities to extract the cause as much as possible, probably.

If that’s the case, we also needed to move secretly.

I stayed hidden while making sure to thoroughly monitor the surveillance points.

At times like this, the black suit was helpful. The new helmet even had a non-reflective coating, perhaps they foresaw this to some extent.

Until around 8 o’clock in the evening, I wandered around in plain clothes, keeping an eye on things, and from 9 o’clock onwards, I hid in places where others couldn’t see me, wearing the suit.

Not by the roadside, but inside buildings accessible only to employees, in a position to see outside without being seen from the outside. It was convenient since there were many buildings designed so that important facilities inside couldn’t be seen from the outside.

The magical girls didn’t appear until almost midnight.

I was starting to get sleepy. If I had known, I would have preferred to at least close my eyes for a bit.

“…Ah.”

I murmured.

I saw a white dot.

It was a light that appeared in the air just after the security guards passed by on patrol.

The dimmed light, as if cautiously looking around, was gradually growing.

…As expected, it’s a scam.

Seeing the ability of the magical girl—well, the technology of the Milky Way Alliance—I thought so while observing.