An Office Worker Is Good At Exorcism - Chapter 316

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 315
Part 1. May Loss and Pain Heal, May We Advance Without Hindrance or Obstruction (2)
Everything has an end.
The moisture that soaked my clothes would eventually evaporate, just as the bitter cold that had stolen my senses would fade away.
Vroom.
After concluding my business in Namhae and being discharged from the Hospital, I regarded the smartphone mounted on the dashboard with an expression of mild displeasure.
I was not the only one drenched in seawater.
Regrettably, my phone had also been soaked, but with Shin Yoseph’s assistance, I was able to obtain a replacement and recover my data.
“It’s far too large.”
I understand it’s an expensive model.
However, it seemed utterly incompatible with my existing phone mount, leaving the device precariously unfixed and sagging to one side.
Wobbling dangerously left and right while somehow refusing to fall, it resembled its owner perfectly.
Zing! Beep.
“Yes, Manager!”
(Manager Kang, how’s your body?)
“Perfectly fine. I’m on my way to work now.”
(Goodness! I heard from Shin Manager that you were discharged yesterday?)
“Yes, that’s correct.”
(Your body? You’re really sure you’re okay?)
“Yes.”
I answered with a faint smile, and Gwak Young-ho’s voice came through with an unmistakably similar smile.
(When you arrive, don’t come up to the office. Come to the Cafe in front instead.)
“Pardon?”
(You know where I mean, right? That Cafe we go to often.)
“That one? Yes, I understand.”
(Good! It’s nothing urgent, so take your time.)
After ending the call, I stared at my phone with a questioning gaze: What on earth could this be about?
However, the brief conversation and the blank screen offered no answers, so I drove toward the Cafe near the Company.
Chime.
As the door opened, I saw Gwak Young-ho removing his coat, apparently having just arrived.
“Manager Kang! My goodness, half your face is bruised.”
I sat across from Gwak Young-ho with a wry smile, and soon the vibration bell on the table chimed.
“Wait here. I’ll get it.”
“Oh, no, Manager.”
“Don’t worry. Stay seated.”
Gwak Young-ho brought the coffee himself and set it on the table. I bowed slightly and studied his expression.
It was then.
“Curious why I called you?”
“To be honest… yes.”
“It’s nothing major. Well, you see, you’ve been away from your position for quite some time.
“Yes.”
The hospitalization had lasted longer than expected.
That’s why Shin Jung-ah had returned to work before me, and I was only now showing my face at Daejeong Materials.
“Somehow I heard about it from Director Shin. Naturally, that would be our Director Shin, right?”
Not Shin Yoseph, but Shin Jung-ah’s uncle, Director Shin Chang-yong.
Gwak Young-ho, who had singled him out for mention, took a sip of warm coffee before continuing.
“Going through such hardship like that… If things were that difficult, you should have at least said something.”
“Well, what exactly did Director Shin say?”
Naturally, Shin Jung-ah wouldn’t have mentioned anything about the Hereditary Shaman or human sacrifice.
Still, the conversation seemed to be drifting in that direction, so I asked with a cautious tone, and a bitter smile crossed Gwak Young-ho’s face.
“What did he say? He just said that you and Manager Shin must have gone through a lot.”
“Ah…”
So he didn’t know the details.
It was right after my expression relaxed with that realization.
“He said it was strange. Even though it was through an introduction, you secured a contract with that regional community, didn’t you? You know how much of a help that is, right?”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
It wasn’t simply opening up a single client.
It was a village-level contract, and since it involved the Village Chief, the probability of introductions to other regions and companies had increased significantly.
The operational scope of Daejeong Trading Sales Team 1 had expanded.
It was an achievement worthy of such praise.
“And this time you even got injured on top of everything else. Director Shin kept nagging me about taking good care of you. Ha ha.”
“You’ve always taken good care of me.”
“That’s why I’m going to take even better care of you this time.”
The moment doubt spread across my eyes, a smile appeared on Gwak Young-ho’s lips.
“I’m incredible at seizing opportunities, you know. Director Shin happened to bring it up first, and I just voiced my complaint right then.”
“…Yes?”
“Your efforts are substantial, but it’s becoming overwhelming for me as a department head to take care of everything. So Director Shin said he’d pay some attention to it. I’m guessing your bonus this month will be quite substantial.”
To Gwak Young-ho, who spoke as if sharing a secret, I offered an awkward smile.
This wasn’t the first or second time.
Gwak Young-ho looking after me in this way.
But honestly, I was always flustered about how to respond appropriately.
“Just accept this comfortably, will you?”
“Ha ha…”
“And frankly, would only you be receiving something?”
“Yes? Oh.”
The one who had gone on the business trip with me was Shin Jung-ah.
“I’m taking care of you while also taking care of Manager Shin. No matter how strong blood ties are, if the company shows favoritism openly, it causes problems for both parties.”
Blood ties.
Those words landed somewhat heavily.
“Yes.”
“Huh? By the way, Kang Manager, you got a new phone?”
“Oh, yes. The old one broke.”
“That’s a nice one! Jealous?”
Gwak Young-ho chuckled playfully and retrieved his coat from the back of the chair.
“Well, I’ve conveyed everything I needed to.”
He then took a sip of coffee that had cooled to the perfect drinking temperature and rose from his seat.
“Kang Manager, you should head home for today.”
“No, sir, what do you mean—”
“I wanted to check on your face while I was at it. Goodness, half your face is bruised. Make sure you eat something nourishing. Once you’ve fully recovered your strength, then come back to work. Understood?”
“Sir.”
“I’m heading back first. Be careful not to be seen by the company people.”
Gwak Young-ho left his seat as though fleeing.
Left alone, Kang Hyung-seok stared blankly at the closed door before letting his gaze drift to the tray holding the coffee.
The tray Gwak Young-ho had set down.
Clatter.
When I lifted the tray, there was an envelope underneath.
It was a gift certificate envelope from a well-known establishment, the kind that could be used at restaurants.
‘So that’s why he went out of his way to call me here.’
I picked up the envelope, my face a mixture of apology and gratitude, and turned my gaze toward the cafe door.
Gwak Young-ho, already vanished from sight, seemed to be giving me a thumbs up.
***
At that same moment.
Shin Jung-ah, smoking on the Daejeong Materials Building Rooftop while keeping watch below, let out a soft laugh.
‘I was wondering where the department head was going.’
From the rooftop of the building, everything was visible below.
From Gwak Young-ho hurrying out of the cafe to Kang Hyung-seok getting into his car parked on the street moments later.
Whoosh.
She took a deep drag from her electronic cigarette when she suddenly pulled a pack of regular cigarettes from her pocket.
Just two cigarettes smoked.
Yet she placed the cigarette on the trash bin without hesitation.
It wasn’t that she’d completely switched to electronic cigarettes.
She’d bought them at the Village Supermarket, and while the company remembered it as a good achievement, what happened there wasn’t entirely pleasant.
Pat pat.
Right after she discarded the object carrying unpleasant memories, she even brushed off her hands.
Zing.
Her phone rang, and Shin Jung-ah’s eyes widened as she checked the caller.
Click.
“Yes, Director Shin.”
(I apologize for contacting you so suddenly.)
Shin Yoseph spoke in a refined tone.
“Ha, what brings this on?”
(It’s nothing major. I just thought you should know, Manager Shin. I wanted to inform you of some developments.)
“Me?”
(Yes. You were threatened in the Village, weren’t you?)
“Ah… yes.”
(They’ve turned themselves in.)
Shin Jung-ah blinked silently before bringing the electronic cigarette to her lips.
She inhaled the vapor deeply, and Shin Yoseph’s voice continued.
(Go Se-hee has also regained consciousness. As for her father, the investigation will proceed, but we’ll keep it quiet externally.)
“I see….”
Shin Yoseph was being considerate.
The Village had business dealings with Daejeong Materials.
There was nothing good about such a horrific incident becoming known to the world and the Company.
Especially not for Shin Jung-ah and Kang Hyung-seok.
“By the way, what do you think will happen to those people in terms of punishment?”
(It seems the victim wants them punished. It won’t be light. There’s one complication—the ringleader, Ko Jun-yeol, has gone into hiding.)
Shin Jung-ah let out an involuntary laugh.
It was simply absurd.
Some of them had turned themselves in, yet the actual ringleader, Ko Jun-yeol, had disappeared out of fear of punishment.
“He’s hiding in a place surrounded by Sea on all sides. He’ll be caught soon enough.”
(The Village People seem willing to cooperate. They appear to be drawing a line.)
“That makes sense.”
After Shin Jung-ah’s words, an awkward silence descended.
Since they had always used formal speech with each other, having such a long conversation felt unfamiliar.
(Are you feeling alright physically?)
At Shin Yoseph’s awkwardly redirected question, Shin Jung-ah inhaled deeply from her electronic cigarette before answering.
“There’s nothing wrong, but it feels unsettling. My mouth keeps tasting salty, and I keep smelling something fishy.”
(…Hang in there.)
“I have to. To survive, you know.”
(But about Manager Kang. I’m not sure, but was he always like that?)
“What?”
(Reckless.)
It was a statement anyone would agree with, and Shin Jung-ah felt a dull ache in her head.
“I’d like to know too. How can a person be so reckless?”
(I thought you would know, Manager.)
“It’s probably similar to the Director. The period when Manager Kang and I got to know each other.”
It was then.
A text from Gwak Young-ho looking for her made her phone buzz.
“Ah, I should probably head back in.”
(I apologize. I’ve kept you on the line too long.)
“No. Thank you for reaching out.”
Creak.
The door swung open as Sales Team 2 ascended to the Rooftop.
They were the ones whose relationship with Sales Team 1 remained strained.
Watching Shin Jung-ah descend the stairs while still on the call, they would never guess in their wildest dreams.
Who she was speaking with so intimately.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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