Editor’s Survival Guide - Chapter 18

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Editor’s Survival Rules Episode 18

Episode 18. ep4. Welcome to the Special Management Bureau (3)

“If I become an agent, will I be placed under Cha Si-eon?”

“No. Seo Do-un will not be assigned to a team but will have an individual role.”

“Then I’ll consider it positively.”

“Pfft! Ugh, sorry.”

Kwak Jae-gyeom burst out laughing while looking at his team leader, then hurriedly covered his mouth.

Cha Si-eon glared menacingly at his team member with half his face damp.

When Kwak Jae-gyeom wilted under the pressure, Cha Si-eon turned to look at me.

But since I wasn’t his subordinate or team member, I could meet that gaze with composure.

Actually, I had been worried.

I was concerned that if I became an agent, I’d have to join that team and serve under that vicious team leader.

It’s not like we have some grand grudge, but somehow I just didn’t want to work under you. Yeah.

So I was a bit reluctant to choose ‘becoming an agent,’ but now that the problem was solved, I felt very relieved.

On the other hand, Cha Si-eon looked somewhat irritated.

“Do you perhaps have any issues with group activities?”

“No. I’m doing fine with social life.”

“If you need any accommodations, please let us know in advance.”

“No, this is already sufficient.”

“Then shall we review the contract?”

I smiled pleasantly and dismissed Cha Si-eon’s provocation, while Cha Si-eon grudgingly handed over the contract.

—

■ Special Management Bureau Agent Employment Contract

Article 1 (Contracting Parties)

Party A: Director of Special Management Bureau

Party B: Seo Do-un

Article 2 (Contract Period)

The contract period shall be from February 19, 20XX until the employee’s special circumstances (forced entry phenomenon into Special Management Zones) are resolved.

Article 3 (Work Content)

Assigned duties: Special Management Zone exploration and human rescue

Work location: Special Management Bureau Analysis Team 5

Article 4 (Compensation)

Salary: 2,170,300 won

Allowances

① Hazard duty allowance: 2,700,000 won

② Special training allowance: 1,250,000 won

③ Confidentiality allowance: 1,500,000 won

④ Mission performance allowance: Calculated and paid separately upon mission execution

⑤ Fixed meal allowance: 100,000 won

—

Even looking at it again, those numbers are dazzling.

Of course, if I think of it as payment for my life, I can’t be entirely happy about it.

But wait, what’s this Analysis Team 5 in the work location?

“Didn’t you say I wouldn’t be assigned to a team?”

“Analysis Team 5 isn’t a department where Seo Do-un will work, but a department that will work with Seo Do-un.”

Seo Do-un is a person, so why is he being used as an object rather than a subject of work?

As I pondered Cha Si-eon’s words, my pupils started shaking.

“Team leader, if you put it that way, he’ll misunderstand.”

Then Kwak Jae-gyeom intervened and explained again.

“Analysis Team 5 is the department that investigates the phenomenon of hyung being dragged into the Special Zone. It’s written as the work location because they’ll be dedicated to hyung here.”

“I see.”

“You didn’t have any strange misunderstandings, did you?”

“For a very brief moment, I thought I’d be subjected to human experimentation…”

I spoke while gritting my teeth and smiled.

Looking at Cha Si-eon in that state, he had an expression that said I wasn’t wrong.

Haha, look at that personality.

—

Article 5 (Probationary Employment and Period)

① Those employed under this contract shall undergo a 3-month probationary employment period.

② If during the probationary period the employee is forcibly drawn into a Special Management Zone and their job performance is deemed adequate, they will be immediately appointed as a regular agent.

③ If during the probationary period the employee is not forcibly drawn into a Special Management Zone, or if their job performance is deemed significantly inadequate, they may be dismissed according to relevant regulations.

④ When dismissal is confirmed, the employee must promptly return to society.

—

“As per Seo Do-un’s wishes, we’ve included a probationary period considering the possibility that it might simply be coincidence. Salary will be paid normally even during the probationary period.”

Cha Si-eon explained on his own.

But immediate appointment as a regular agent if dragged to the Special Zone, dismissal if not dragged there for 3 months?

Isn’t this too blatant?

“I guess the Management Bureau wants talent that gets dragged to Special Zones frequently.”

“That is the main reason.”

I chuckled at Cha Si-eon’s answer.

Now I understand why Cha Si-eon emphasized so strongly not to die in the hospital.

For me, constantly being dragged to Special Zones is a disaster.

But the Management Bureau seems to view this as a hidden opportunity.

Seeing how they’ve even established a dedicated department and are trying to recruit me.

It’s quite annoying, but for me, it’s fortunate if I can block external threats this way.

It would really be fortunate, but can I trust this organization completely?

What if they just suck me dry and throw me away like garbage?

“Resignation is possible at any time.”

As I was glaring at the contract, Cha Si-eon spoke.

“The Management Bureau is the same as any regular company. If the work doesn’t suit you, you can quit.”

“…Are there no disadvantages when quitting?”

“If your employment period is less than a year, you won’t receive severance pay.”

I laughed weakly at Cha Si-eon’s answer.

Then I signed the contract.

“A wise decision.”

“I hope so.”

“Dying with pay is probably less unfair than dying without pay.”

You really have no prospects at all.

I looked at Cha Si-eon with frustration.

Then Cha Si-eon extended his hand.

I stared at that hand for a moment, then reluctantly shook it.

But, hmm.

I can’t tell if what I’m holding is a human hand or a tiger’s front paw.

I guess I should just give up on the idea of strangling Cha Si-eon.

Cha Si-eon spoke with an expressionless face while holding my hand.

“Welcome to the Special Management Bureau.”

Anyway, it was a welcome.

* * *

While I was running around in the “Hospital Hunting Humans,” I didn’t realize it, but I was quite badly injured.

Setting aside the scrapes and bruises from rolling over piles of rocks.

Metal fragments and stone pieces were embedded in my left shoulder and calf, requiring about five or six stitches each.

So I was given time off under the pretext of waiting for work assignments.

Sick leave right after being hired – being a civil servant really is nice.

“This is the residence where you’ll be staying, hyung.”

Kwak Jae-gyeom guided me to the residence.

But the place we arrived at was too grand to be called just a residence.

It was just a perfectly nice house with a spacious living room and several attached rooms.

Moreover, displayed in the living room was something I had only seen in photos or on screens.

Congratulations on Otter Agent’s Appointment!

A colorful banner and gifts piled high beneath it.

It was a scene I’d only seen in celebrity birthday articles and such.

“What is all this?”

“Uh, I wonder? I guess the Otter Rescue Association prepared it?”

When I asked in surprise, Kwak Jae-gyeom also answered with surprise.

But Otter Rescue Association?

Ah, the Otter Rescue Operation…

“When did they set all this up? Did these people rush over as soon as they heard about signing the contract at General Affairs Department?”

“That was a real organization?”

“Of course, they have many members and everyone’s completely serious about it.”

“But you said you’re short-staffed.”

“That’s exactly why they’re gritting their teeth doing this. What fun would people have when they’re swamped with work, can’t go outside, and only get high salaries? They just swarm around like zombies looking for oxygen masks.”

This guy is subtly sharp-tongued behind that smiling face.

Kwak Jae-gyeom spoke while casually unwrapping one of the gifts.

“Oh, is this handmade?”

That comment piqued my curiosity too.

So I approached imagining something like a knitted doll, but what actually came out of the box was a beautifully gleaming weapon.

…What do you call this? A dagger? A stiletto?

“There’s a message too.”

Kwak Jae-gyeom handed me a postcard with a drawing of an otter holding a knife.

Written there in neat handwriting was:

-Wishing for Otter Agent’s life extension☆

“Are they perhaps mocking me?”

“It seems like it, but there’s probably no malice.”

Kwak Jae-gyeom roughly pushed the gift aside.

Then he crossed the living room and opened an inner door.

“Hyung can use this room, but if you don’t like it, I’ll change it for you. The room next door is mine.”

Don’t tell me you’re living here too…?

I wanted to ask this but mustered my last bit of social grace and held back.

But perhaps my feelings showed on my face, as Kwak Jae-gyeom grinned and asked back:

“Still, it’s better than living with our team leader, right?”

“That’s true.”

Kwak Jae-gyeom giggled more at my quick agreement.

I looked around the room I would be using.

The space had everything it needed.

There was also a large window, so I headed straight for it.

I had walked for nearly 20 minutes getting from where I signed the contract to here.

But I had only passed through indoor corridors the whole time, never going outside the building yet.

So I opened the window to see what this place looked like.

Looking outside, I could see the building’s structure at a glance.

This building was square-shaped with the center hollowed out.

So I could see gray buildings connected as one on the opposite side and both flanks, and there was quite a spacious garden down below.

Looking up, only blue sky was visible beyond the building’s exterior walls.

But for early spring sky, it was strangely clear and high.

Then Kwak Jae-gyeom said:

“That’s an artificial sky.”

“What?”

I looked at the sky again in surprise.

That’s an artificial sky?

Except for the slightly different seasonal feel, I couldn’t sense any unnaturalness at all.

“Why would they make something like that…”

“For employee welfare. Since this is underground, people can’t see the sky.”

“This is underground?”

“Yes. You often see it in movies and such. Underground air raid shelters, bunkers.”

If being underground makes everything a bunker…

If this is a bunker, then tree leaves are umbrellas and stones are walls too.

When I was amazed by the Management Bureau’s scale, Kwak Jae-gyeom looked proud.

“There’s probably no facility in South Korea as expensive and safe as this place.”

I had to acknowledge this.

The majesty and reliability that the space before my eyes conveyed was that powerful.

So I newly realized that I had entered an utterly absurd world.

* * *

The next morning.

Kwak Jae-gyeom knocked on my door and asked:

“Hyung, are you busy by any chance?”

How could I be busy?

After breakfast, I had just been flipping through some Management Bureau manuals.

When I opened the door and came out, Kwak Jae-gyeom gestured behind himself and said:

“A guest came to see you. Would you like to meet them?”

Surely it’s not the Otter Rescue Association.

I looked over Kwak Jae-gyeom’s shoulder with subtle wariness.

And there I discovered a woman with very contradictory characteristics.

The woman standing in the living room was a rare beauty with a gentle atmosphere.

At the same time, she was a seriously injured patient with bandages and band-aids stuck all over her body.

A neat appearance but in a strangely ominous condition.

I stared at the woman wondering what kind of person she was.

Then the woman smiled brightly and greeted me:

“Hello, Otter.”

I was wondering if she was from the Otter Rescue Association after all, when I suddenly looked at the woman in surprise.

The woman facing me was also wearing an eyepatch, so only one eye was visible.

But that eye was drawing gentle curves like a deer’s.

When I recognized the woman and was surprised, she smiled more deeply and said:

“This is the first time we’re meeting without masks. I’m Baek Sa-ra.”

It was quite a sudden reunion.

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