Editor’s Survival Guide - Chapter 25

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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 25

ep6. XIII(1)

It was the first time.

Getting out of the Special Zone with my sanity intact.

Just moments before, I had been walking while nervously watching the barcode scanner.

But now I was standing in what looked like some kind of hangar.

Moreover, transparent partitions surrounded the area.

As I stood there in a daze, a whistle sounded.

Wheeew-!

When I turned my head, I saw armed people beyond the partition.

When our eyes met, they began cheering toward me.

“Amazing!”

“Long live Otter!”

“We love you!”

I was puzzled by the applause and cheers from these strangers, but soon realized.

These were the rescue team from the Management Bureau.

They had been dispatched to save me but ended up waiting at the entrance.

So this was the entrance to the “Warehouse-style Mart with Traps”?

More than that, what was with this enthusiastic reaction?

As if I had become some kind of triumphant general…

No, it wasn’t “as if” – I actually had become one.

I had survived from a Special Zone said to be impossible to escape from, and even found a way to endure within it.

This itself was a victory for me, and for the Management Bureau.

Once I realized that, it finally hit me.

I was alive.

Amid the flooding relief, I looked at the cheering people.

Since it felt awkward to just stand there, I politely waved my hand, which brought even louder cheers.

Well, it was a bit overwhelming, but given the situation.

I decided to celebrate for now!

* * *

The next day.

Unfortunately, my celebration didn’t last even a single day.

“Your back’s gone out.”

I lay there with a pale face, listening to Kim Woo-in’s diagnosis.

“It feels like your back will snap when you try to get up, right? Your intervertebral disc gave up and escaped.”

“Th-then what do I do now?”

“What do you mean what do you do? You wait until it comes back.”

“My shoulder hurts a bit too…”

“That’s muscle rupture. You were pretty good on the rope yesterday. Don’t your legs hurt?”

“Aaaah! Huk, urgh…!”

“They hurt.”

As I writhed in stages, Kim Woo-in clicked his tongue while sucking on candy.

I gritted my teeth to swallow my resentment.

Of course, this doctor wasn’t at fault.

All he had done was lightly poke my calf.

It was me who couldn’t handle even that much damage and got a cramp in my leg.

It was me who flailed in surprise and threw out my back again.

It was also me who somehow got a crick in my shoulder as well.

Everything was because I was weak.

Still, since doctors are on their patients’ side, Kim Woo-in scolded Cha Si-eon who stood nearby.

“Work him moderately, what is this?”

“It wasn’t a situation where I could work him moderately.”

“Even so, you make a person like this? Live just for today and it’s over? If he gets dragged back in this state, it’ll be a 3-minute cut, then what will you do?”

“I’ll be more careful going forward.”

“Be careful. I’m not saying anything about you working him, but if you’re going to work him, do it thinking you’ll use him for a long time!”

But the conversation was a bit strange.

No, very strange?

“Anyway, I’ll give you painkillers, so get an IV today and wear a shoulder brace for a while. I’ll see how you are in a couple days before doing physical therapy. And as for your head…”

Kim Woo-in said while slightly lifting my hair to look.

“No need to mess with it.”

Fortunately, my head wound wasn’t very deep.

I thought I was pretty hurt since blood was flowing freely.

Kim Woo-in fiddled with my IV line a bit before leaving the hospital room.

With that, Cha Si-eon and I were left alone, and the atmosphere became suddenly awkward.

After heavy silence, Cha Si-eon muttered.

“You really don’t exercise normally, do you?”

“Is that something to say to someone bedridden…”

I retorted in disbelief, and silence flowed again.

Just yesterday, Cha Si-eon and I had been partners of sorts, matching our breathing while risking our lives.

But look at today.

Me, who couldn’t get up in the morning and was carried in.

Cha Si-eon, identified as the culprit behind my physical breakdown.

It was awkward to call this occupational negligent injury.

It was also awkward to laugh it off saying we survived.

It was an ambiguous situation in many ways.

“Since you seem unable to get up for a while, I’ll conduct the post-mission interview here in abbreviated form.”

Even in this situation, Cha Si-eon was faithful to his role.

“As of yesterday, ‘Warehouse-style Mart with Traps’ has been renamed to ‘Member-only Warehouse-style Mart.'”

The Management Bureau was intuitive today as well.

“The suspended exploration will also resume, and the reward for Mr. Seo Do-un’s exploration contribution will be paid within this month.”

Incentives were thorough too.

“And regarding the end of Mr. Seo Do-un’s probationary period and official appointment, there will be a separate orientation from the General Affairs Department.”

Was this good news?

I wasn’t sure.

Official appointment. In other words, conversion to permanent employment.

It was certainly beautiful words, but I wasn’t particularly happy.

Rather, the reality check I had briefly postponed came rushing like a tsunami.

I had hoped to just fill out my probationary period and be dismissed without being dragged to the Special Zone again.

My vain hope had crumbled.

With this, the path home became infinitely distant and my Special Zone rounds were confirmed.

As I sighed wistfully, Cha Si-eon glanced around before speaking.

“And there’s someone here to see you.”

“Someone to see me?”

Knock knock-

A knock sounded with perfect timing.

Cha Si-eon opened the door without even asking who it was.

Beyond it stood a person wearing Management Bureau work clothes.

A man who appeared to be in his mid-to-late thirties, tall with a kind impression.

Who was this?

At the appearance of someone I didn’t know, I forced myself to sit up.

Then that tall man approached me with a troubled expression.

“Just lie down. It must be hard to move.”

Even his voice was gentle.

So I wondered if he was a clergyman like a priest or pastor.

You know, like how the military has chaplain officers.

“Sorry for visiting so suddenly when you’re unwell. I’m Kwon Mu-seop, Director of the Field Control Department.”

But the identity the man revealed was completely different from my guess.

The Field Control Department was the superior department to the Response Team and Exploration Team.

So this person was the superior of Cha Si-eon, Baek Sa-ra, and Kwak Jae-gyeom.

No way, someone who looks this gentle?

“Oh, these are cookies, eat them when you’re resting. I felt bad coming empty-handed.”

Even someone who brings cookies as a hospital visit gift?

That mild-looking man, Kwon Mu-seop, extended his hand to me.

I reflexively shook it, then was startled again.

What is this overwhelming mass?

A similar feeling to when I shook hands with Cha Si-eon.

At the heavier texture than expected, I looked at Kwon Mu-seop again, and only then noticed.

Director Kwon Mu-seop’s ears were…

Cauliflower ears.

The so-called symbol of a fighter.

Surprised by this series of reversals, I looked back at Cha Si-eon.

For some reason, Cha Si-eon was standing at attention in that corner.

“I’m quite late with introductions. I was planning to give you your appointment letter today and introduce you to the family, but I heard you were having trouble moving around, so I came separately to greet you. It’s been a while since I’ve brought in new family, so I’m a bit awkward too.”

Kwon Mu-seop said with a good-natured smile.

But because of the sensation remaining in my hand and Cha Si-eon crammed in the back there, I couldn’t readily smile back.

Then Kwon Mu-seop looked at my expression and spoke more carefully.

“Mr. Seo Do-un was officially appointed as of yesterday, but I wonder if I should congratulate you…”

So I was rather puzzled.

Why are you suddenly being so considerate?

That psychopath subordinate of yours congratulated me right away yesterday.

“I would gratefully accept your congratulations.”

Though it’s really not something to be congratulated for, I answered out of courtesy.

Then Kwon Mu-seop smiled again as if relieved.

“I’m relieved you say that. Thank you so much for everything. Thanks to you, Mr. Seo Do-un, our family’s morale has greatly improved.”

“Morale?”

“Everyone was quite exhausted as the situation dragged on, but the internal atmosphere has been good lately for the first time in a while. Thank you for being an example to our agents. I was also impressed by your wit and decisiveness, Mr. Seo Do-un.”

I felt a bit embarrassed by the flood of praise Kwon Mu-seop poured out.

What should I say in response?

You’re too kind?

I was just looking for a way to survive?

As I was choosing an appropriate response, another unexpected statement popped out of Kwon Mu-seop’s mouth.

“And I’m truly sorry.”

Suddenly?

“I’m truly sorry about your situation, Mr. Seo Do-un. I apologize for not being able to resolve the problem quickly.”

“I don’t think you need to apologize, Director.”

Since Kwon Mu-seop even bowed his head, I hurriedly stopped him.

“What happened to me isn’t the Management Bureau’s fault, and I’m actually receiving help in many ways.”

Kwon Mu-seop looked at me with half-belief.

Then he sighed with relief again and said.

“Thank you for understanding. I was worried because I heard you filed a complaint before.”

“A complaint?”

“I heard you made a complaint to Team Leader Cha when you came out of Train Station, wasn’t that the case?”

I wondered what this was about and searched my memory.

Then I soon recalled a conversation that could be called a complaint.

-But why didn’t you come to rescue me?

-It was a response according to manual.

-What kind of crazy bullshit is that?

-If you show an uncooperative attitude, your return home might be delayed.

-Are you threatening me now?

That’s right.

In the not-so-distant past, there existed that stubborn bastard who wouldn’t even reveal his name.

And what kind of complaint is this, it’s just that your Team Leader Cha did something wrong.

I wanted to say this and glanced at Cha Si-eon.

He was still maintaining his at-attention posture.

But his eyes looking at me were more gloomy than ever before.

If I play this right, can I see Cha Si-eon get thoroughly scolded?

“Ah, yes… I was also quite flustered at the time, so I got a bit excited.”

Honestly, I’d like to see it, but eh, I’ll let it slide this once.

When I graciously backed down, Kwon Mu-seop actually waved his hands dismissively.

“Oh, I didn’t mean it that way. Besides, you were quite composed for someone in your situation, Mr. Seo Do-un. We often have people who break down crying or grab us by the collar to argue.”

Grab by the collar? Whose? That Cha Si-eon’s?

Such true anger management disorders actually exist?

As I sat there dumbfounded, Kwon Mu-seop said something even more unexpected.

“And it’s true that our manual deserves criticism.”

…What’s with this since earlier?

You’re supposed to be Cha Si-eon’s superior?

But why do you keep saying reasonable things?

“Hmm, you have the expression of a puppy hearing human speech… We’re not that arrogant of a group.”

Oops, I was caught.

When I covered my face, Kwon Mu-seop smiled bitterly and added.

“To make some excuses, we don’t just watch because we want to either. Our positions may be different, but human hearts are all similar. When we see someone in trouble, we naturally want to help and save them.”

These people are aware that they’re cold-hearted?

Really unexpected.

No, maybe my expectations were too low.

I thought this was a psychopath group that would coldly cut people off saying “that’s what the manual says” whether people lived or died.

Feeling a bit sorry, I asked Kwon Mu-seop.

“The manual is like that because of staff shortages, right?”

“Yes, that’s the biggest reason.”

“Then couldn’t you increase the staff a bit…”

I don’t know the market rates in this world.

But even from an outsider’s perspective, the Management Bureau’s allowances are abnormally high.

It seems like quite a few people would work even if you paid half this amount.

Why exactly is there a staff shortage?

“We’d like to do that too, but we can’t in our current situation.”

Kwon Mu-seop answered my question with a troubled expression.

“The government is prohibiting the Management Bureau from hiring additional personnel.”

That’s right.

This is the Special Management Bureau.

A world where only strange rumors emerge no matter how much you dig.

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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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