Bab 289

Ryu Jaekwan remembered clearly. The mountain lodge where serial murders occurred. The person who, despite being caught up in that horrific disaster, managed to find clues to prevent further killings and even tried to save the true culprits. The one who possessed the Silver Heart. – People were hidden away while we staged their deaths. Using real body parts meant no one suspected anything. – I figured the real killer might get flustered and stay quiet if I acted first. And also, the devotion and sacrifice he had shown in that strange nightmare of a school—Sekwang Technical High School. – I did acquire a name tag, but I no longer have it in my possession. – I gave it to the person who was alive in the classroom. Ryu Jaekwan, who had seen all kinds of people at the Disaster Management Bureau, was at a loss for words at such unwavering choices. Of course, at the same time… he had also learned the shocking truth that the owner of the Silver Heart was not an innocent civilian. A person treated as a mere tool by an immoral, insane pharmaceutical company. A foolish and selfish office worker, enthralled by the absurd promise of a ‘Wish Ticket’ like a cult follower. The fact that Ryu Jaekwan had even given such a person a temporary agent badge was enough to send chills down his spine. It had been, without a doubt. – You two. Leave me here. Sometimes, a person’s actions reveal more than any description ever could. Even with a hole torn through his stomach, he had prioritized his colleague’s safety and the security of the agent traveling with them. Now, that very man was standing beyond the glass. Applying for the Disaster Management Bureau’s agent exam. But strangely, something about him felt different. ‘…Why won’t he meet my eyes?’ Kim Soleum had always appeared neat and composed, even during their past encounters. Even when he had been pulled into that nightmare as a high school student, his appearance had remained meticulous. But now, the person beyond the glass had unkempt, disheveled hair and kept his head down, glasses barely sitting on his face. Like someone experiencing their first-ever job interview, overwhelmed by the crowd. Someone who had suffered a significant mental blow and had withdrawn into himself. Yet, Ryu Jaekwan only narrowed his tired, wary eyes through the glass. The name stamped clearly on the personnel file in his hands. ‘No employment history with Daydream Inc.’ Apart from a brief record from his university years, the work history section was completely blank. Ryu Jaekwan clenched his jaw. This was so blatantly obvious that it was almost laughable. ‘Is he infiltrating as a spy for that cult-like company?’ It was possible. No, highly likely. ‘Did he really think I wouldn’t recognize his name and shamelessly apply ?’ As if assuming he wouldn’t be noticed. …He needed to be thoroughly investigated. He couldn’t afford to be deceived by appearances. Agent Bronze snatched the mic from the assistant interviewer, his voice completely devoid of emotion as he took control of the session. – Candidates #1, #2, #3, #4. – Attach the oxygen masks in front of you, in order. The applicants hesitantly reached for the oxygen masks laid out in the center of the room. Bloodstained, with snapped tubing—as if someone had deliberately sabotaged them. They shouldn’t have been functional. Yet, inexplicably, the indicator lights flickered on successfully. The candidates swallowed hard. But none of them refused. Each one strapped the oxygen mask to their face. A cold chill ran through their hands and feet. – These oxygen masks originate from a supernatural disaster. Improper use can lead to horrifying consequences. – From this moment on, whenever you lie, you will be supplied with something other than oxygen. Beyond the glass, the applicants flinched and squeezed their eyes shut, dread creeping over their expressions. Even candidate #4, Kim Soleum, shrank back slightly. Yes. He should be afraid. Especially if he had infiltrated this place to engage in something as despicable as espionage. – Speak only the truth. A psychological aptitude test, using the power of a ‘supernatural phenomenon’ authorized for limited use by the Disaster Management Bureau. A tool to discern malice. A process designed to unmask criminals. An essential safeguard for ethical integrity. Ryu Jaekwan stared through the glass. The agent candidates sat frozen, their faces stiff beneath the oxygen masks. – We will now begin the questioning. A ruthless, universal question followed. – From this moment forward, you must choose one of the four agent candidates here to eliminate. – This is a necessary action to resolve a supernatural disaster. – State who you will kill. The candidates’ lips trembled in shock. No one had answered yet. But in the observation room beyond the mirror, the interviewers were already ‘receiving responses’. K-Kill someone? Are they insane?! …Who should I pick? Maybe saying I can’t kill anyone is the right answer? No, do agents need to be ruthless? Ahhh, shit… What the fuck, are they being for real right now?! Should I check the person next to me first? Each thought was neatly transcribed on the screen, listed alongside their assigned numbers. Instead of displaying pulse readings as the device was originally designed to do, the output screen revealed something abnormal—sharp, crimson text. Their inner thoughts. The ‘Truth Respirator’. A residual phenomenon left behind after clearing a high-level supernatural disaster, The Last Confession, which had occurred at a nursing facility in Gangwon-do. And while the method was ethically questionable, the Disaster Management Bureau had long since adopted similar aptitude tests as standard practice. Because if they failed to screen candidates properly, a catastrophe could unfold. I’m so sorry for not updating the past few days! It’s been a bit rough irl, a family member has been hospitalized and most of us here at home also fell ill one way or another. I feel really bad for doing this again when it hasn’t been long since the last schedule change, but for the time being, updates are temporarily reduced to one part per day. Best case scenario, we’ll return to two parts per day in a week or two! Take care of yourselves, everyone!