A rookie, scouted to the elite team just one month after joining the company.
Sounds like the title of some self-help book desperately trying to grab attention.
But this is actually happening right now.
‘What kind of situation is this?’
Me? In Team A?
“Let’s see, Sol-eum, didn’t you transfer to Team D last month?”
“Yes. Let’s notify HR to handle it as a temporary assignment for now, and officially finalize it in five months.”
“Right. Deputy Manager Jin, then…”
The leader of Team A looked at me with a satisfied smile.
“Well, first things first, Sol-eum should be promoted to supervisor immediately.”
“…”
“You’ll probably see the official announcement by next week.”
Oh my god.
“This company doesn’t put much weight on seniority, but there should be some limits, right? This is an unprecedented move.”
Of course!
They’re even including a promotion? That’s how much influence they have internally?
No, no.
To be precise, joining the elite team usually requires regular employees to prove themselves over a period equivalent to one or two promotions.
That means, as a rule of thumb, one must at least hold the Supervisor position to be considered for the elite team.
To place me in Team A, I must at least be a Supervisor. Naturally, the higher-ups calculated this and approved the promotion.
‘Team A only consists of Deputy Managers and higher...’
This really is an exceptional offer.
But why?
Why are they suddenly offering this to me...?
Ah.
As I caught sight of the utterly pleased expression on the Team A leader’s face, it hit me like a bolt of lightning.
‘I must have picked all the right answers today!’
I was so cautious, so restrained, to avoid any misunderstandings about workplace harassment!
Complying with unreasonable orders without a word, creatively brainstorming ideas within the guidelines set by higher-ups, and delivering results.
A rookie who dutifully says, “Yes, sir!” without a hint of ego, while still showcasing creativity!
The very model employee any boss would dream of...
“Sol-eum? You can go ahead and clock out. The official announcement might come as soon as next week, so be prepared.”
“…”
This can’t be happening.
‘This is a tragedy.’
I… I’m the last person who should join Team A!
‘The procedures there are way too demanding.’
If I continue working there, strictly following orders, it’s only a matter of time before I get exposed as a coward. There’s a 90% chance of it happening.
‘Then my wish token will slip away, and my survival rate will hit rock bottom.’
I’ll seriously die.
The spine-chilling thought left me speechless.
“…”
“Hey, hold on a sec.”
Deputy Manager Jin looked at me with a mix of disbelief and concern.
“Are you… actually hesitating?”
I lowered my head slightly.
“Why? Are you out of your mind? Is it because of the sacrificial shields from the residual teams? You don’t have to worry about them—”
“Deputy Manager Jin, hold on.”
The Team Leader interrupted Jin, then spoke to me with a gentle expression.
“You’ve only been here a month, and suddenly receiving such an incredible offer must be overwhelming, right? That’s understandable.”
“…”
“But a wise person knows how to seize opportunities boldly. That’s the secret to success in this world.”
The problem is that this isn’t an opportunity—it’s a trap!
‘What do I do now?’
How can I get out of this situation without offending the old-school superior?
If I reject this poorly, I might seriously end up on their bad side.
The workplace harassment I was so worried about could become a reality.
‘I don’t see a way out…’
Just then—
Ding.
The elevator arrival sound rang.
The doors opened to reveal a familiar face—or rather, a lizard.
‘Team Leader!’
Manager Lee Jaheon, who was reportedly summoned by Team A’s leader, appeared.
The lizard’s vertical pupils locked onto the gaze of Team A’s leader.
“...Manager Lee Jaheon.”
“Manager Baek Seokju.”
With a sullen expression, Jaheon stared at the Team A leader.
“They told me to apologize to you. I’m sorry.”
“…”
The Team A leader… was holding back a string of curses.
“Haa… Forget it. It’s not worth it. Not for me.”
“?”
“I said forget it. Anyway, we’ve already scouted someone to fill the vacancy.”
Team A’s Leader shook her head, then patted me on the shoulder.
“Look, here’s the new recruit who’ll be the youngest member of our team.”
Though it was meant as a shocking declaration…
“I see.”
The lizard nodded.
“Team A does have better working conditions.”
“…”
Can’t you at least pretend to regret this and help me find an escape route?
Fine, there’s no other way.
‘I’ll handle this myself!’
Feigning confusion, I looked back and forth between the two leaders before bowing my head toward Team A’s Leader.
‘Alright…’
Based on what I’ve observed of her personality so far…
‘A stickler for rules.’
She divides work strictly by rank, detests insubordination, and cares deeply for her team members.
Scouting me after just a month suggests she’s willing to take bold risks, but only within her own set limits.
‘She probably can’t tolerate anyone challenging her authority.’
In other words, she’s the classic corporate middle manager in a hierarchical company.
‘In that case…’
I bowed deeply.
“Manager Baek, I’m truly grateful for your generous offer and the high regard you have for me.”
“Hmm.”
“However… I still lack experience. As a rookie, I think I should focus on building my foundational skills and knowledge as an employee.”
Team A’s Leader stared at me before speaking.
“…Sol-eum, do you know the base salary for the elite team?”
No, I don’t.
“It starts at 80 million won.”
“…!”
“And with hazard pay, your annual income usually begins at 150 million won.”
Good heavens.
“And since you contributed significantly to clearing the C-Grade ghost story today with an innovative approach, you’ll be listed as a key contributor.”
I mean… That’s true?
“And your method is something others can realistically attempt. Do you know what that means?”
No?
“It means the manual might undergo a full revision.”
“…”
“Not just an addition, but a complete overhaul.”
She smiled softly.
“And when a manual is revised, there’s a reward.”
“…!”
“The sum is quite substantial. Although management is usually reluctant to approve revisions, the elite team is an exception.”
Ah.
“When you join Team A, the process becomes much smoother and faster. It’s a matter of trust.”
“…”
“Now, let’s see… The revision bonus for a C-Grade manual…”
Team A’s Leader deliberately paused for dramatic effect before continuing.
“It’s 50 million won.”
“…!!”
“For one day of work, you’ve already earned an additional 50 million won, Sol-eum.”
Fifty million won.
“Do you really want to miss the chance to keep earning like this?”
Wow.
Of course not.
‘But I can’t risk my life just to make money…’
Tears welled up. This was driving me insane.
‘Repeat after me. Money in this world is nothing more than game currency to me. Game currency, game currency…!’
Yes!
I deliberately made my eyes glisten with sentimental resolve.
And then I began spouting nonsense.
“What matters more than immediate money is honing my skills and value as a professional.”
This is madness.
‘The whole point of honing skills and value is to make more money later. Why am I rejecting it now?’
But my mouth was perfectly aligned with the mindset of a corporate manager who’s worked for three decades.
“Our ancestors said that you should endure hardships while you’re young, even if you have to seek them out. While I don’t entirely agree with that, I believe there must be some reason why such wisdom exists.”
Deputy Manager Jin looked at me like I’d lost my mind.
But it seemed to resonate with the senior-most leader.
“Hmm.”
Team A's leader seemed lost in thought.
Then she squinted at me, and nodded with a sigh.
"Alright. Well, if that's how you feel… there's nothing I can do."
Yahoo!
"I thought you were a smart one, Roe Deer, but you're surprisingly stubborn. Good grief. How do you plan to survive in this harsh world?"
That’s fine.
Her tone sounded scolding, but from her perspective, it was almost a compliment!
…Though she still managed to get her jab in.
"Working hard is good, but being too naïve isn’t great for office life."
Yeah, yeah.
"If I may give you some advice… Office life isn’t something you navigate purely with emotions. You need to be cautious about that. Especially about attaching yourself emotionally to people who don't reciprocate."
She cast a sidelong glance at someone specific, her expression souring.
"Don’t do it, it’s not worth it."
"…Yes, ma’am."
So, Team A's leader is an eccentric sociopath. Got it.
"You heard me, Manager Lee Jaheon?"
"? Yes."
The "lizard" replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Loud and clear."
"…"
"…"
You can stop throwing me those "Can you believe this lunatic?" look now, Manager Baek…
"Anyway."
Team A’s leader took a deep breath, wrapping up the conversation.
"You worked hard today. Get home safely."
"…! Yes, ma’am!!"
A declaration of liberation.
"Thank you. I'll head out now. Take care!"
Finally, I can escape…!
I hurriedly pressed the elevator button.
Deputy Manager Jin approached me quickly and whispered.
"You fool. You’re going to regret this."
"…"
"Your Team D’s manager hasn’t even gotten his hands on a wish token yet. Our team leader already won one before, you know."
It’s fine. I know that Lizard’s going to make it eventually.
Not that I could say that aloud, so I tried flattery instead.
"You’ll probably win one soon, Deputy."
"What?"
"When you do, I’ll come to you for advice."
"…"
Deputy Jin looked momentarily flustered but soon snorted.
"Well, at least you’ve got some sense."
"You’ll help me out, won’t you?"
"Yeah."
[TL/N: Definitely a smooth talker.]
It was just a verbal promise, but despite her rough—well, let’s call it blunt—nature, she didn’t seem like the type to lie or go back on her word.
"Manager, Deputy, thank you both so much for today."
"Alright. Get home safely."
After bowing multiple times, I pressed the elevator button again and slipped inside before anyone could stop me.
To my dismay, the lizard quickly followed me into the elevator.
So, you really just came to deliver that soulless apology, huh…
– Going down….
As the elevator descended in silence with just the two of us, the lizard manager unexpectedly spoke up.
"Kim Sol-eum."
"Yes?"
"Do you want anything from Team D?"
Huh.
"…Are you asking under the assumption that I stayed in Team D instead of moving to Team A because I want something specific?"
"Yes."
Oh boy.
I ruffled the back of my head a few times and sighed before answering.
"There’s nothing like that, sir."
"?"
"I didn’t decide to stay for any particular gain."
I stayed to survive!
The lizard narrowed its vertical pupils curiously.
"Remaining in a general team rather than an elite one is a loss in terms of points. It will slow down the rate at which you can acquire a wish token."
"That may be true."
I shrugged.
"But even if I need a wish token, my life matters too, sir."
"…"
"I want to work where I can feel a bit happier in the meantime."
I don’t want to live in constant fear of being exposed as a coward, you know…
"I see."
The lizard fell silent.
Finally, some peace as we head dow—
"Kim Sol-eum, what is your wish?"
Why is he so chatty today?
"Are you asking what I’d wish for if I got a wish token?"
"Yes."
"Then, I’d like to hear your wish first, sir."
This was my roundabout way of saying, “Why are you prying unilaterally?”
The lizard tilted its vertical eyes and stared into space as if pondering deeply. Then it opened its mouth.
"It’s not my wish."
"Excuse me?"
"I am here under someone else’s orders."
I had not seen that coming.
I instinctively turned to look.
The scales on the lizard’s head gleamed ominously…
"…May I ask whose orders?"
"No."
Ah, right.
I didn’t feel offended. I knew that was just how the lizard was.
"Seems like you’ve got your own circumstances."
That said, since he’d answered me, I figured I should reciprocate.
I hesitated for a moment before carefully choosing my words.
"I… just want to go home."
To be honest, Manager Lee Jaheon could have taken that answer and asked a hundred follow-up questions.
What kind of home? Why is going home your wish? Did something happen to your house? Did someone pass away? Is it some kind of metaphorical home…? And so on.
But Manager Lee simply said:
"I see."
That was it.
In the quiet, the elevator continued its peaceful descent.
"…"
I’ll admit it now.
The lizard manager is, in a way, a surprisingly comfortable conversation partner.
Oddly enough.
* * *
I returned to the officetel.
[Watch out for serial killers.]
After kindly sending the disaster alert to Baek Saheon, I collapsed onto my bed.
"Another chaotic day…"
At this rate, I feel like my life expectancy is going to be halved. My heart can’t take it.
Still, I couldn’t deny I’d made some solid gains today.
Extra points, connections with the elite team managers,
And my allowance.
"…Five million won, huh?"
I wonder when that’ll be deposited.
Even though I’d brushed it off as “game money,” the truth was that being game money also meant there were plenty of ways to spend it.
I’d need it to enhance my stats, after all.
"I do wish I had a bit more cash, though."
I was already thinking about buying new items from the Alien shop.
All these sudden crises were making me anxious.
Especially defensive gear—something for mental protection would be nice.
"Special items unlock when you become a VIP at the alien shop…"
Still, when I thought about the money I’d made today, I couldn’t help but smile.
Five million won.
"…Wow."
The fact that this additional allowance was a legal payment from the company was mind-boggling.
It was enough to numb my sense of financial reality.
And yet, it still didn’t feel like enough for the items I needed.
"Any other places I can scrounge up some mo—?"
Bzzz!
My phone vibrated, displaying a new popup.
"Is it Baek Saheon?"
It wasn’t.
To my surprise, someone had invited me to a new open chat room.
"…?!"
[K.LEE]
The profile was set to a bright and clear Hawaiian beach, accompanied by an English name.
What kind of shady situation is this…?
[K.LEE: Oh, hi there, Mr. Employee kekeke]
[K.LEE: Do you need some money?]
"…??"
Who the hell?
Join the conversation and share your thoughts
