Side Story 1 New Employee Kim Rok Soo (1)

This place was simply called, Company.

Of course, it had the grand name of Disaster Prevention and Protection of Civilization, but no one inside or outside the company used it.

Disasters were endless, and it didn’t do anything substantial to truly protect civilization.

Nevertheless, as a third organization separate from guilds and the government, the company mediated any issues between the two other organizations, in addition to handling monster invasions, guild inspections, and government audits, among many other tasks.

And today was Orientation Day for all new employees of the company who joined this year.

* * *

Hmm. Are they our field-side recruits from this group?

Yes, Director-nim.

The man called the Director nodded at his subordinates’ confirmation and looked at the new employees, who were separated into two groups.

A line ran down the middle of the rather large hall, with chairs placed on both sides.

Right side: Body, Left side: Head.

Those were the titles for the two sections.

The body side housed new employees for departments that required physical exertion, such as combat roles.

Is that Team 1 over there?

Yes, sir.

Tsk.

The corners of the Director’s lips twitched for some reason. He looked as if he were about to scoff.

Hand me the files.

Right here, sir.

The secretary handed over two files without needing further explanation.

Pffft. The Director chuckled.

The people on Team Leader Lee Soo Hyuk’s side are quite peculiar.

Tap. Tap. The Director reviewed the names of the two new employees assigned to Team 1.

< Kim Rok Soo. >

< Choi Jung Soo. >

The Director shook his head after reviewing their personnel records and interview notes.

Aigoo, it’s going to be difficult for Team Leader Lee.

The corners of his lips curled upward, despite his comment.

The secretary glanced at the Director, then looked away, lost in thought.

Funny bastard. You were the one who said to put all the good newbies with your lackeys. Why are you pretending you don’t know? You greedy son of a bitch.

This was his superior, but the Director truly was an idiot.

Do you really think trying to keep Lee Soo Hyuk in check will work?

Team Leader Lee Soo Hyuk.

Although he was only a team leader because he chose to remain one to work in the field, everyone inside and outside the company knew the truth.

Lee Soo Hyuk was the symbol of this company.

But it truly will be difficult for the team leader-nim this time.

After reviewing the personnel records, the secretary agreed that the lowest-ranking newbies were assigned to Lee Soo Hyuk’s team.

One focuses on martial arts and swordsmanship, while the other is for rear support.

Each team was assigned two to four newbies.

This was a temporary placement, and they could be moved or request a change of teams based on a team’s style.

Team Leader Lee should have been assigned a minimum of four newbies.

Even clueless newbies were necessary given the amount of work that team did. However, they were assigned the minimum of two, and those two were quite terrible as well.

He is skilled in swordsmanship, but he doesn’t possess any exceptional abilities at the moment.

Exceptional abilities referred to powerful attacks usable against enemies or monsters.

Employee Choi Jung Soo doesn’t have anything like that.

That was why he was determined to be a Grade 10 ability user. However, his physical abilities were great, and he showed significant potential for growth.

Haa The other one-

The problem was the other person, Kim Rok Soo.

I think he chose the wrong team.

The rear support the body side needed were supports helpful for battle.

However, this newbie, Kim Rok Soo’s ability focused on records.

He would be well-suited for guild inspections or government audit teams.

Kim Rok Soo, whose talent leaned towards the type the head side desperately needed, wasn’t as useful on the body side.

That was why the company suggested he choose a head-side department, but Kim Rok Soo insisted on a body-side department.

Hoohoo.

The secretary, deep in thought, heard the Director laugh.

I’m not sure if the punks on Team Leader Lee’s team will survive today’s training.

Sir, are you talking about the hazing ritual?

It was tradition in the company to haze new employees during orientation.

Yes. What if they get last place? It would be terrible for Team Leader Lee’s reputation.

You stupid idiot. Do you really think that Team Leader Lee would care about something like that? He would have already become Chairman and fired your sorry ass.

The secretary grumbled internally but responded with a calm expression.

I hope everyone completes the hazing ritual safely without injury.

That is true.

The Director agreed, but clicked his tongue, looking at the two newbies on Lee Soo Hyuk’s team.

“Tsk. One looks like a country bumpkin, while the other looks completely out of it.

The secretary agreed.

His eyes fell on the person wearing a suit too large for him.

Choi Jung Soo was looking around, touching the sleeves of his clothes.

Ahem.

The suit he bought at a thrift store did not look good. He looked around, noticing that others were staring at him and the person next to him.

The gazes were not favorable.

Their gazes were either wary of them as newbies on Lee Soo Hyuk’s team or curious.

Screech. Choi Jung Soo moved his chair slightly and began speaking.

Ahem, hem.

He looked at the pale and thin man, who seemed less undersized and more like a sharp blade.

Choi Jung Soo’s gaze went to the man’s name tag.

His name is Kim Rok Soo.

Kim Rok Soo was the fellow newbie assigned to Team 1.

Choi Jung Soo flashed his unique smile, making him seem like a good person. It was a bright smile that usually reminded people of a golden retriever.

He looked quite harmless, especially in the loose, secondhand suit he had to buy.

Mm.

Choi Jung Soo flinched after meeting Kim Rok Soo’s gaze.

They’re like swords.

Kim Rok Soo was no longer distracted and was observing Choi Jung Soo with a sharp gaze.

Choi Jung Soo swallowed and said whatever came to mind.

Oh! Are you my fellow newbie on this team? I’m Choi Jung Soo! Nice to meet you!

Kim Rok Soo.

Kim Rok Soo spoke after a long pause.

Nice to meet you.

He added,

Are you the type who speaks informally despite meeting someone for the first time?

Haha, hahaha.

Choi Jung Soo’s pupils began to shake. He continued as if it were no big deal.

Umm, excuse me, Mr. Kim Rok Soo, are we both newbies on the same team? I think we are the only two for Team 1. So, my fellow newbie? Hahaha.

However, his voice cracked. Kim Rok Soo simply stared at him before slightly nodding.

Choi Jung Soo sighed inwardly.

Ah, it seems like it’ll be hard to get close to this guy.

He subconsciously touched the scabbard of the sword around his waist.

It’s different, Mr. Choi Jung Soo.

He heard Kim Rok Soo’s voice.

The voice, neither loud nor quiet, was indifferent. He could not sense any interest in another person.

Excuse me? What’s different-

Your clothes.

Kim Rok Soo’s dark brown eyes completely registered Choi Jung Soo.

Your outfit seems different from what you wore during the interview, Mr. Choi Jung Soo.

Kim Rok Soo’s memory had recorded Choi Jung Soo differently from this slightly old-fashioned formal attire.

The nice-looking, short, neatly cut hair, potentially oiled back for the interview, made his innocent and bright personality seem somewhat mature.

However, the thick dark brown hair was longer than during the interview, naturally scattered, making him look much younger. Furthermore, the clothes were old-fashioned and loose, making his physique not appear as good.

Ah, that…

Choi Jung Soo was surprised that Kim Rok Soo remembered what he looked like during the interview, but he awkwardly smiled and scratched his head.

I saw a building collapsing on my way back from the interview. I went to help, and my clothes got ruined. Ah, I’m so upset about all that wasted money.

Cities were rebuilt after the cataclysm, but some buildings would collapse occasionally for various reasons.

Kim Rok Soo observed Choi Jung Soo with a peculiar gaze before slightly nodding.

You did well, Mr. Choi Jung Soo.

Choi Jung Soo’s expression became odd after hearing that casual comment.

He doesn’t seem to be mocking me. Is it a compliment?

Kim Rok Soo had said it too casually for it to be a compliment.

Choi Jung Soo’s eyes widened for a moment before he smiled. He looked at Kim Rok Soo, who had similar hair to his own, and began speaking.

Excuse me, Mr. Rok Soo. May I ask how old you are? Now that we’re on the same team, we should get along-

Hmph. Same team, my ass.

He heard someone speak mockingly from the back.

Choi Jung Soo looked behind him.

He made eye contact with a man.

He doesn’t have a name tag?

The company had instructed them to wear name tags, but this person wasn’t wearing one. The man was touching the tip of a short spear, looking extremely arrogant.

What are you looking at?

No, that-

Choi Jung Soo opened his mouth, then closed it. He wanted to say something, but it felt awkward.

Hmph.

The man scoffed.

Let me give you some advice.

The man looked from head to toe at Choi Jung Soo and Kim Rok Soo before continuing.

Today’s teams are temporary. The hazing ritual will soon happen. It’s highly likely that we’ll be assigned to new teams based on the results.

He scoffed again.

If you have no skills, you’ll be sent to a terrible team. If you have skills, you should go to a good team, right?

Kim Rok Soo glanced to his side.

Choi Jung Soo’s gaze was slowly becoming sharper.

At least he’s not completely dense.

The man with the short spear continued speaking as Kim Rok Soo had that thought.

Team 1 is the face of this company. I’m curious to see how the teams will change based on the hazing ritual results.

Choi Jung Soo subconsciously tightened his grip on his sleeves.

This man clearly underestimated Choi Jung Soo’s skills.

What do-

What do you mean by that?

Choi Jung Soo was about to retort.

At that moment…

Mr. Park Kyung Ho.

Kim Rok Soo turned around.

“Are you not going to put your name tag on?”

The man with the short spear’s eyebrow slightly rose. Kim Rok Soo’s emotionless gaze observed Park Kyung Ho.

You were holding a long spear during the interview, but you have a short spear today.

You know who I am?

Kim Rok Soo, who had been observing the newbie from Team 2, who deliberately wasn’t wearing his name tag, tilted his head.

I only know your name and face.

You saw me before?

I saw you at the interview, when you went in after they called your name.

Kim Rok Soo tilted his head.

Is there a problem?

There was no problem.

However, Park Kyung Ho felt uneasy.

Those oddly emotionless eyes…

This gaze, sharp yet completely uninterested…

Was it a coincidence that he memorized my name?

All departments had interviews on the same day, so there were hundreds of people waiting.

It was because the company needed manpower for various things, even if people didn’t have abilities.

He wouldn’t have even been in the same interview group as me if he was in rear support.

Park Kyung Ho felt uneasy and opened his mouth to say something else.

This was a situation where the other person knew who he was, but he didn’t know anything about that person.

Everybody, please quiet down!

An employee, who looked like the moderator, appeared, and the orientation began.

Oh, it’s Lee Soo Hyuk!

The esteemed Healer of Earth is here too!

Is that the Director-nim?

The new employees started whispering.

The team leaders of each department, and the CEO, entered the auditorium, prepared for the orientation.

“That sir is Lee Soo Hyuk-nim-”

The new employees wielding swords looked at Lee Soo Hyuk with respect and admiration.

Lee Soo Hyuk, who slowly walked into the auditorium, looking drowsy, seemed bored. No, tired.

The man who can slice through anything.

The man who had survived numerous life-or-death situations since the early days of the cataclysm and saved many lives.

Lee Soo Hyuk, whom they had all expected to hold a high position in the government, was still working in the field as a team leader for the company.

Perhaps because of his youth, many people were drawn to him.

Team Leader Lee, your newbies seem to be over there.

I see.

Lee Soo Hyuk’s gaze went to the two new employees for Team 1.

Pffft.

Hmm? Why are you suddenly laughing, Team Leader Lee?

No. It’s nothing.

They were the two new employees, staring at him with almost nonchalant gazes amidst the new employees looking at him with admiration, respect, or even envy.

It was true.

Lee Soo Hyuk, who hadn’t been one of the interviewers, quietly observed Choi Jung Soo and Kim Rok Soo.

Kim Rok Soo, the punk he had rescued in the early days of the cataclysm.

Choi Jung Soo, whom he briefly interacted with while facing an unranked monster in Seomyeon.

For the two of them to grow this much and come here as new employees…

Smile.

Lee Soo Hyuk smiled at the two of them.

Look at these punks.

However, the two of them, in unison, turned away from him and looked forward.

Ha, haha-

How entertaining.

Lee Soo Hyuk couldn’t help but laugh after seeing two people, who were polar opposites, reacting the same way.

Umm, Team Leader Lee. Will it be okay?

What are you talking about?

You know Director Park messed with things.

Lee Soo Hyuk simply shrugged as another team leader whispered to him.

I guess I’ll find out after observing what happens today.

The MC shouted, and the new employees’ eyes widened, a faint smile appearing on their faces.

Okay then, we will have a short test before the official orientation starts!

Translator’s Comments

Guess it’s some backstory time!

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