Ryu Jaekwan remembered it vividly.
The mountain cabin where serial killings occurred.
The person who, even while caught in that terrible disaster, grasped for clues to stop the murders and worked to save everyone, even the wicked perpetrators themselves.
The possessor of the Silver Heart.
-I hid the people and made the scene look like they’d been killed.
-I thought the killer would be flustered enough to stay still.
And the devotion and sacrifice he had shown in that school within a bizarre nightmare called Sekwang Technical High School.
-I did obtain the name tag, but it’s not in my hands right now.
-I gave it to someone who was still alive in the classroom.
Giving up one’s own lifeline to another in an extreme situation is not something just anyone can do.
They were choices so upright that they left Ryu Jaekwan, who had seen all sorts of human nature at the Disaster Management Bureau, utterly speechless.
Of course, at the same time… he had also learned the bolt-from-the-blue truth that the ‘possessor of the Silver Heart’ was not an innocent civilian.
-……A Roe Deer?
A human being used as a hand and foot by an immoral and crazy pharmaceutical company.
A foolish and selfish employee, enchanted like a cultist by the absurd reward of a Wish Ticket.
That was Kim Soleum.
To think he had even given an temporary agent badge to such a man was enough to make his blood run cold with disgust.
He certainly felt that way, and yet….
-The two of you. Leave me and go.
“…….”
Sometimes, actions spoke louder than the information used to describe a person.
A man who, even with a hole through his stomach, tried to prioritize the safety of his colleague and the agent accompanying him first.
‘Kim Soleum.’
That man was standing on the other side of the glass right now.
Having applied for the Disaster Management Bureau’s agent exam.
“…….”
But the atmosphere was strangely different.
‘…Why can’t he meet my eyes?’
Throughout their few encounters, Kim Soleum had always possessed a clean, neat appearance and demeanor. This had even been the case when he was a high school student inside the nightmare.
But the person visible through the glass now had unkempt, shaggy hair and kept his face, adorned with glasses, bowed deeply.
Like a clumsy newcomer to society who was taking an exam amidst a large crowd for the first time.
Or….
As if he had suffered a great psychological blow somewhere and retreated into himself.
‘…….’
However, Ryu Jaekwan stared through the glass with eyes hollowed by fatigue and vigilance.
The three characters of the name were clearly printed on the personal documents he held.
Name: Kim Soleum.
Because that was all there was.
‘There is no record of employment at Daydream Inc.’
Except for his university days, the career history column was a clean blank.
Ryu Jaekwan grit his teeth.
This was so obvious it was almost laughable.
‘Did he come as a spy for that cult-like company?’
It was possible. No, it was highly likely!
‘Does he really think I won’t know his name until the end, and had the gall to apply looking like that?’
Thinking that he wouldn’t be recognized.
…He had to verify this even more thoroughly.
He must not be fooled by appearance and atmosphere!
“Give it to me.”
“Ah…!”
Agent Bronze snatched the broadcasting equipment from the assistant interviewer and began the proceedings in an emotionless voice.
-Number 1, 2, 3, 4.
-In order, put on the oxygen respirators placed in front of you.
With hesitant hands, the applicants grabbed the oxygen respirators placed in the middle of the room.
The blood-stained respirators, which looked as if someone had artificially severed all the tubes, shouldn’t have worked… but strangely, the lights flickered on successfully.
The applicants swallowed hard.
And without anyone refusing, they placed the oxygen respirators over their faces.
Everyone’s hands and feet went cold.
-These oxygen respirators are objects derived from a supernatural disaster; misuse can lead to terrible consequences.
-From now on, every time you tell a lie, they will supply something other than oxygen.
“…!”
Beyond the glass, the applicants squeezed their eyes shut or trembled in fear.
Number 4, ‘Kim Soleum,’ also flinched slightly.
Yes. You must be afraid.
If you tried to infiltrate to do something as foul as spying, then even more so!
-Testify only the truth.
This was a personality and aptitude test using a type of ‘Supernatural Phenomenon’ that the Disaster Management Bureau only permitted for limited use.
Lie detection.
Discernment of malice.
Detection of sinners.
A procedure and ability necessary for the minimum ethical line.
Ryu Jaekwan stared through the glass.
The agent candidates sat frozen with the oxygen respirators over their heads.
-The questioning will begin.
A ruthless common question was asked.
-From this moment, you must execute one of the four agent candidates present here.
“…!!”
-This is a measure to terminate a supernatural disaster.
-State who you will kill.
The applicants’ lips parted in shock.
There was no response yet.
However, in the space beyond the mirror where the interviewers were, they were already ‘receiving the responses.’
Number 1:
K-kill? Are you crazy!
Number 2:
…Who do I choose? Is saying I can’t kill the right answer? No, do agents need cold-heartedness? Ahhh, damn it….
Number 3:
F*ck, to think they’d ask such a question so openly! Should I check the person next to me?
Each of their thoughts was organized into clear text and displayed alongside their numbers.
In the output column of the device, where a pulse reading should normally appear through the respirator, strangely red and vivid sentences were surfacing.
Their inner hearts.
The Truth Respirator.
It was a residual phenomenon left after the conclusion of the Sentence-grade supernatural disaster, ‘The Last Confession,’ which had occurred at a nursing facility in Gangwon Province.
And even if it was somewhat unethical, the Disaster Management Bureau had consistently implemented similar personality and aptitude tests.
Because a catastrophe could occur if they failed to filter people properly here.
The interviewers read the inner thoughts of the agent candidates and evaluated them without batting an eye.
Panic, agonizing, blaming.
‘Ordinary.’
‘Acceptable.’
However, exactly one person was surprisingly unresponsive.
Number 4:
…….
Applicant Number 4.
Kim Soleum was not displaying any ‘thoughts’ on the screen.
He was simply wearing the oxygen respirator in silence.
“Is he frozen in shock?”
“Look at how his head is bowed. He does seem to lack guts.”
“…….”
Ryu Jaekwan did not show his agitation and gripped the microphone again.
-Number 1. Answer.
The person in their 20s, whose eyes were darting around, stood straight and answered.
“For the safety of the majority, cold-hearted choices are sometimes necessary. I, um, I will volunteer to die….”
But the words on the screen said something else, much more graphic.
Number 1:
I-I don’t think I can do it…. Still, I have to believe I can die. Because that’s the right thing, that’s why they’re asking this way, right?!
‘Panic, lack of reasoning, extreme submissiveness.’
….
Fail.
-Number 1. Remove the oxygen respirator and wait.
“…!”
Applicant Number 1 stood there blankly for a moment, then soon accepted the situation.
He staggered as he took off the respirator and stood quietly in his spot.
“Excuse me, we could put him on hold and try one more question….”
“Shh.”
Another assistant interviewer stopped the one trying to protest.
“Agent Bronze’s judgment has never been wrong. Just stay still.”
“…….”
“I’m telling you, he passes the people who should be passed.”
The assistant interviewer gestured as if to say, ‘just watch.’
The personality test continued.
-Number 2. Answer.
“…After choosing the person closest to me, I will proceed… as quickly and humanely as possible. I will prioritize it being painless.”
Number 2:
Is it too cliché? But this is the safe answer. Everyone is watching, so I can’t specifically say I’d kill everyone here….
Evasive answer.
Fail.
-Remove the oxygen respirator and wait.
In an instant, the ‘personality test’ for up to Number 2 was finished.
Next.
-Number 3.
Number 3 lifted his head while sweating.
However, he spoke with a somewhat triumphant air.
“I will not kill anyone!”
“…!”
“No matter the situation, there is always a Plan B. There will surely be another way to escape. I will search for a way for all my colleagues to get out together….”
Thump.
Number 3 collapsed before he could finish his sentence.
“…!!”
The oxygen respirator he was wearing had suddenly turned into a clean, new one, and Number 3 lost consciousness with a pale face.
The interviewers, with cold expressions, read the bright red inner thoughts of Number 3, who had been speaking ‘lies.’
Lies that he himself probably didn’t even realize were lies, but merely ‘feelings.’
Number 3:
Wow f*ck, this is so thrilling, killing the person next to me lol. This is it, this is what it means to be a secret agent.
Number 3 was left lying on the floor.
“…….”
The atmosphere among the agent applicants waiting for their turn in the room froze.
Only one person was still wearing the oxygen respirator.
-Number 4.
-Answer.
The question was the same this time.
‘In order to eliminate a dangerous anomalous phenomenon, who among the four people here will you kill?’
Ryu Jaekwan looked at Kim Soleum through the glass.
Just how would this man, who had been an employee of that incredibly unethical pharmaceutical company, answer?
Perhaps, conscious of that, he would give an even more cunning and virtuous answer than before….
“Number 3.”
…….
Huh?
“The person who just collapsed.”
-…!
For the first time, someone had been pointed out directly.
The interviewers’ eyes widened as they listened intently to the next words….
“…….”
“…….”
No.
Is that it…?
Forget further explanation, Number 4 was keeping his head bowed low.
An announcement voice came out, sounding somewhat hesitant.
-Is that the end of your answer?
“Pardon?”
-Is there nothing more to explain?
After hesitating enough to make one’s blood boil, Number 4 opened his mouth in a voice as small as a crawling ant.
“That is, I mean… in the situation you described, I thought we four were responsible anyway….”
-…!!
“If a disaster only disappears through the death of one of us, then we must have been deeply involved with the disaster itself…. Like we touched something we shouldn't have….”
-……,
“Um, is this correct?”
-…The applicant is not allowed to ask questions.
“Ah…! I-I’m sorry….”
Applicant Number 4 muttered while still keeping his head bowed.
As if he were embarrassed to be saying such things.
“If so… yes. I presumed that, and I chose the opponent who would be easiest to execute because they are incapacitated.”
Truth.
-…….
“However, if there is even a little bit of time to spare, I want to do my best to find an alternative.”
A virtuous answer to the point of being cliché.
“Because life is precious. I think it’s difficult and hard to compare based simply on numbers or who is more valuable….”
But those words had a strange power.
“Still, if there is no alternative within the time allowed to me, and the possibility of it developing into a major loss of life is very high… I suppose it can’t be helped.”
For the first time, Kim Soleum raised his head.
Behind the glass, behind the spectacles, those eyes still looked firm despite having passed through two layers of windows.
And his inner thoughts appeared.
Number 4:
But I want to save them if possible….
…It was exactly the model answer the Disaster Management Bureau wanted from its agents.
In an unavoidable disaster situation, follow regulations, but keep listening to the voice of your conscience…!
Quickly.
Number 4 lowered his gaze again as if he had never raised it, but the interviewers were quietly impressed.
“He’s sincere.”
“His character and judgment are both good. And his idea was also goo—.”
Crumple.
Ryu Jaekwan held back from crumpling the documents at the casual admiration he heard beside him.
No.
There’s no way.
“That fellow is a pass for now….”
-Next question.
“I-Interviewer?”
Ignoring his surroundings, Ryu Jaekwan pushed forward with a second question, which was originally only conducted ‘in cases where judgment is ambiguous.’
-You are isolated in a supernatural disaster.
-If you can only send one person out of the disaster alive—either the most virtuous applicant in this room or your closest friend—who would you send?
Number 4 now looked almost bewildered.
As if he didn’t understand why such an obvious thing was being asked!
“Uh. The one among the two who has a higher chance of survival…?”
-…!
“I will just… try my best to save as many people as possible.”
Number 4:
Because that’s what the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau is supposed to do….
-…….
Ryu Jaekwan looked through the glass with a stunned face.
The assistant interviewers instinctively knew.
‘This is a pass.’
‘It’s a pass for sure.’
Number 4’s attitude was (quite a bit) passive, but to be honest, didn’t the successful Disaster Management Bureau agents all have at least one strange
side like that?
Traumas that seemed to have been exchanged for convictions.
In that sense, he also looked like a typical agent candidate.
‘So, a pass….’
It was then.
Number 4’s bright red inner thoughts were updated.
Number 4:
…Though a situation where I’d have to make such a choice probably won't happen to me.
‘…!’
The phrasing was so significant.
‘A slip!’
Ryu Jaekwan and the assistant interviewers were momentarily tense. Then they widened their eyes and focused on reading the next sentence….
Number 4:
Um, for me right now…… I don’t even have anyone I could call a friend….
Ah.
Number 4:
Should I have said it’s a question that doesn't even work in the first place? It’s a bit embarrassing to say it’s fine because I don't have anyone who's a friend….
“…….”
“…….”
Number 4:
No. Let’s not say it after all. Let’s… um, try hard to make colleagues here. Fighting!
A solemn silence spread among the interviewers.
“…….”
Ryu Jaekwan felt the gazes of the assistant interviewers.
Blatant glares saying that if he kept asking questions and deferred the passing grade after reading this far, he would be a piece of trash!
-…Remove, the oxygen respirator, and, wait.
Candidate Number 4 bowed his head and took off the respirator.
The announcement was the same as before, but everyone in the room and all the interviewers knew.
“…Thank you.”
Candidate Number 4 had passed.
-All four individuals who have completed the personality test, please move to the waiting room outside.
Beyond Candidate Number 3, who was being moved like a piece of luggage, Candidate Number 4 moved while still slightly hunched over, quietly adjusting his glasses.
Even though… his dignity had been wounded without him even knowing.
That was why he was an even more impressive successful candidate.
‘I’m looking forward to where he’ll work.’
‘Yeah.’
The assistant interviewers looked at each other and thought that they should take care of that timid Candidate Number 4 the next time they met him.
In fact, there was no need for that.
Since the answer had been aimed at that very effect in the first place!
‘Phew.’
Waiting room.
I sat on a chair and let out a deep sigh.
Keeping my knees together to ensure I didn’t fall into an arrogant posture.
‘I got through it safely…….’
Why on earth is Agent Bronze coming out of there!
‘I almost fainted the moment I heard the broadcast.’
Wow, the moment I heard Ryu Jaekwan’s voice as the interviewer’s voice, I thought I was doomed, but surprisingly, being flustered actually helped me create my character.
Namely….
‘An introverted agent with a complicated story he can’t tell, but with good abilities.’
That was the character I was going to use at the Management Bureau this time.
To fit that standard, I had even let my appearance get quite messy for several weeks before coming to the interview….
‘Rather than being too skillful, a type that seems a bit cowed receives less suspicion.’
Most Management Bureau agents were people with stories, anyway. It would be natural.
Ah. Are you asking if I didn't feel a reality check pretending to be timid?
I’m originally a timid person. I just had to throw away my social face and express my natural coward-like thoughts as they were….
‘Hahaha….’
……It’s actually better than pretending to be a crazy Gen Z at Daydream Inc.
…I had to think that way!
I wiped my cheek under my glasses.
‘Anyway, it worked well.’
Passing was almost certain.
Even though Ryu Jaekwan was there as an interviewer.
That’s right.
An agent who had already been grandly stabbed in the back by me once before had passed me….
Seeing as I hadn't been dragged away by the agents who rushed into the interview room.
‘…But it looks like I’m going to stab him in the back again.’
I’m a spy, aren't I?
I apologized inwardly with a feeling that made me break into a cold sweat. I-I’m sorry once again, Agent….
‘But, well, you’re still a bit unsure, right?’
You passed me, but you’ll keep an eye on me? While reporting everything about my previous workplace to the higher-ups?
Then that was quite a problem.
Since I’ve entered the path of a spy anyway, let’s do it properly. There is no retreat.
‘I have to do more work here to completely solidify their trust before I enter.’
I waited silently.
Before long, my number was called again.
The sign of passing.
-Number 4 from Group ‘C’.
-You have passed. Please move to the designated location.
“…!”
It’s done.
Going to the ‘location’ probably meant the interviewers, whose voices I could only hear, would actually come out to give me my agent ID and assign me to a temporary unit.
In other words… I would face Ryu Jaekwan directly.
‘I didn’t expect to meet the biggest risk factor on my first day of infiltration as an agent, but it actually turned out well.’
Let’s settle this now.
“Yes! Yes….”
I answered loudly on purpose, then lowered my voice as if flustered to compose myself, before getting up in a flurry and treading cautiously.
…While re-engraving the operation I had intended to use if I ever met Ryu Jaekwan into my head and heart.
Operation Name: Agent! I pretended to be dead and escaped that crazy pseudo religion company! T_T
It was the beginning of my life as an Agent-swindler.
……I’d just like to make the excuse that I never intended for it to be this full-scale….
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