episode_0106

There is a legend that has been passed down at Woosung Foods.

It is the legend of the alcohol ghost.

The CEO of Woosung Foods, Kim Mandeok, was famous for his love of alcohol. His original dream was to open a distillery and become the CEO.

However, due to various realistic difficulties, he was unable to fulfill his dream, but his exceptional love for alcohol was well-known within the company. Rumor has it that even the new employees’ orientation included a drinking session with the CEO.

Of course, he never forced others to drink or used their drinking abilities as a factor in their performance evaluations.

No one had ever seen him drunk in his youth to the point where it was almost legendary. Even those who were considered heavy drinkers paled in comparison to Kim Mandeok’s capacity. Of course, as he aged, his tolerance began to wane, but he was the only one who noticed.

To others, it just looked like he had a few too many drinks by the sea.

About 15 years ago, he was once challenged by his drinking capacity. Although he was nearing his late forties at the time, he was confident he could outdrink the newbies entering the workforce.

And so, the drinking session began. He shared advice and stories of his experiences with the new employees of that year.

As the atmosphere grew more relaxed and the alcohol flowed, one particular individual stood out.

“What did you say your name was?”

“Uh, yes! Jung… Do…hyun! That’s me!”

He couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of the new recruit standing at attention like a fresh soldier, but he didn’t mind it.

Ah, seeing someone so eager to follow orders like that, he was sure the superiors would have an easy time with him. It was a conclusion drawn from his years of experience that rookies tended to follow orders until they developed their own opinions.

What was it again? Ah, the Dunning-Kruger effect. Nowadays, they called it the peak of ignorance, right? And then came the valley of despair, probably.

Anyway, Kim Mandeok found him intriguing.

However.

“But why hasn’t your face changed at all? All your peers look nervous.”

Jung Dohyun, the young man, or rather the new employee, looked around before speaking with a flustered expression.

“I-I’ll drink more diligently.”

“No, no. I’m not forcing you to drink. Do you usually drink? Or do you just like alcohol?”

Kim Mandeok could tell from his body language that he was uncomfortable and likely about to tell a white lie.

“Relax. Be honest. Who’s going to scold you? What if you can’t drink well or don’t like it? I’m not that kind of strict person.”

After hesitating for a while, he finally spoke up.

“I…I’ve never thought alcohol tasted good. I just drank because I felt like I had to.”

“Is that so? Hm…thank you for being honest.”

It was disappointing. He had thought he had found a good drinking partner. He couldn’t imagine someone trying to secretly swap or remove glasses during a drinking session with the CEO. So, that friend named Jung Dohyun must have had quite a few drinks. Yet, despite that, his face remained unchanged, indicating that his tolerance was probably not ordinary.

“W-Well! But I’ve never been drunk from drinking. Yes.”

“What? Oh, really?”

Kim Mandeok smiled slightly.

“Well, in case you get drunk in a serious situation and make a mistake, you need an adult to guide you.”

He decided then and there that he would be that adult for him.

After a few more rounds of drinks.

-Drum. Drum.

All the weaklings were dead. Six new employees and the CEO, Kim Mandeok. Among them, only Kim Mandeok himself and Jung Dohyun, who always frowned when drinking, were alive.

“Wow~ I’ve never seen someone who can hold their liquor like you, other than me.”

“Haha… This is the first time I’ve had this much to drink… I’m surprised that the CEO can handle alcohol so well. Impressive.”

“Do you still not like the taste of alcohol?”

At that, Jung Dohyun tilted his head and thought for a moment before replying.

“Well… I don’t really like the taste, but I don’t mind drinking it. It’s fun. Hehe.”

“What? Huh, having fun drinking with adults? Tsk tsk, how shameless…”

“Wha-what? You said to speak comfortably…”

“Tsk, just kidding. Anyway, I should be a bit more ‘serious’ about this. The opponent is not to be underestimated.”

With that, he took off his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves.

“W-what muscles…”

Kim Mandeok, the CEO of Wusung Foods. His favorite thing was alcohol, and his hobby was arm wrestling.

It was also the secret to maintaining his tolerance.

“Shall we begin?”

And so, the showdown between the new employees and the CEO began. The unprecedentedly long new employee gathering finally came to an end in the early hours of the morning, with the two finally settling the score.

“Ugh, it still tastes bad. Hehe.”

“…”

“Uh, huh?”

“…”

With no response to his words, Jung Dohyun looked up from his glass to see CEO Kim Mandeok.

“I… I can’t drink anymore.”

“Huh? Have you finished it all?”

“I… I should stop. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older…”

“You said you would teach me how to drink.”

“Heh, the alcohol demon is here…”

-Clang

The first new employee to fall witnessed the outcome of their match. Ironically, it was Song Hyun-sik, the current team leader of Development Team 2. Yes, he was known as the ‘horse without legs’ within the company, a cheap employee.

So Jung Dohyun became known as the alcohol ghost who defeated the alcohol monster Kim Mandeok as soon as he joined the company, and the legend continued to this day.

And today.

The alcohol ghost had returned. Although his appearance and name had changed.

***

“Next.”

Another round of the game began. A very intuitive drinking game. Can this even be called a game?

The first player was Seon Chang. Starting from the right, each person emptied their glass, and when they completed a lap, it was two glasses. Then three glasses.

Truly a ruthless game where you see who will fall first.

The department heads looked uncomfortable.

“Ah~ We should drink like young people. Right, MZ?”

“No, no matter what, this is… we were just going to talk and have fun with two glasses, isn’t this a bit much, Director Jung?”

Director Yook shouted in frustration.

“Ah, today I’m the main character. You brought someone here and can’t even do this much for me?”

“Oh, no. It’s not that we can’t do it, just take it slow, okay? Let’s get to know each other.”

We’ve worked together for over ten years, what more is there to know? And I don’t want to get to know him.

“Director.”

I called out to him in a low voice. Even though it sounded more enthusiastic than scary, his face turned red, showing that he was more excited than scared.

“Y-yes?”

“Ugh, why is your tongue so long when you’re avoiding this and that? Ah, Ace of the Sales Department, Yook Junghyuk, is dead. Tsk.”

I stuck out my tongue in disappointment, and he shouted in anger.

“Let’s do it! I’ll say it again. Today, I’ll make Director Jung fall…”

“Clang!”

When Director Kang frowned next to him.

“He’ll fall. The legend of Wusung ends today. Are you ready, Sales Department!”

“…”

His imposing presence silenced the exaggerated stories. When Director Yook turned around, everyone avoided his gaze.

So, even though he looked at me with a somewhat sympathetic expression, the enraged Jung Doyeon did not reciprocate. I was now on thin ice.

“You’ve chosen the wrong side. Brace yourself with evil and guts.”

Director Kang fell into contemplation and jabbed my side.

“Hey, is this right? Why me again?”

“If Director Kang reaches out, I’ll delete that photo from his phone.”

“Oh, just delete it. Can’t you cut me some slack?”

“Just do it. Whether you delete it this way or that way, the future is already decided. I’ll firmly discipline you so you won’t pull off such tricks again. Behave.”

“Dammit. I dug my own grave.”

With Director Kang’s reluctant agreement (or rather, coercion), I started the game without hesitation.

“Doyeon’s favorite wave game! Game, start.”

And before even completing three laps, half of them collapsed.

“Ugh, I can’t eat anymore.”

“You’re drunk! You’re drunk!”

Manager Kim screamed like a betrayed heroine in a melodrama.

“Oh, I woke up. Hehe!”

“You audacious woman…”

Upon hearing that, I immediately refilled her glass and asked.

“What did you say?”

“I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

I leaned in close to her ear and whispered.

“Manager Kim.”

“Yes, yes?”

“No, Manager Kim…”

“What, what is it all of a sudden?”

I smirked and spoke with a firm voice.

“Life is a battlefield. Screw it.”

“Eek!”

I, the alcohol ghost, will haunt you!