That character.
Then, the tragic exploration records of that character who ended up in the Security Team.
The audio logs from the missing employee during the Qterw-A-37 research project—confirmed under the document titled ‘ And They All Lived Unhappily Ever After’.
‘I could pretend not to know and dig deeper.’
That way, I could confirm the identity of another named character.
“……”
But I decided not to say anything more.
I chose to respect the sergeant’s silence.
A moment later, Supervisor Park Minseong returned, having changed into fresh clothes. The sergeant turned to him and said,
It was the sergeant’s way of declaring the first stage of recovery.
“……! Really?!”
“Yes… and you should be able to go outside now.”
“Whoa.”
“But only after the sun has set…”
Hmm.
“Then… could he go out today? Since the sun has already set?”
“R-Roe? It’s okay. I can wait and go another day—”
“Hold on…”
The sergeant typed something into the old computer and submitted a report. Then he announced,
“You can go today.”
“Whoa!”
“From now on, you’ll be allowed one outing per week…”
“Whoa!!”
Supervisor Park Minseong’s pale face lit up with life, and a smile spread across his face.
It was the same expression I remembered from our days back in the D-squad.
“……”
“Just make sure you return before sunrise.”
“Uh… what if he doesn’t make it back on time?”
“In that case… the company will deploy a rescue team.//”
“……”
“Don’t do that unless you want a lifetime contract.”
Park Minseong lowered his head.
“Yes. I’ll be sure to return on time. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome…”
The sergeant scratched his cheek.
A moment later, with his outing preparations done in record time, I climbed the stairs alongside Supervisor Park Minseong.
“See you again…”
The Security Sergeant raised his hand slightly to bid us farewell as we left the underground area.
“Wow! Walking outside feels amazing!”
Supervisor Park Minseong beamed, raising both arms in the air.
Though it was past 3 a.m. and the streets were relatively empty, Seoul was still alive with lights twinkling here and there, and people moving about.
“It really feels like ages since I’ve been outside breathing fresh air… I can even see the stars!”
He was wearing a mask and a hat pulled down low, as if he was trying to hide his face as much as possible.
The outdoor time allowed to him today was conservatively set at three hours, until sunrise.
‘Good thing it’s winter.’
“Are you heading home, Supervisor?”
“Ah, well… I’m planning to visit the hospital.”
“……”
“My family member is hospitalized. Probably asleep, but I thought I’d at least take a look.”
He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“Actually, I’m saving up my points for a wish ticket for my family.”
Damn.
“May I ask which family member?”
“Oh, my younger sibling. Super sweet! And a genius. A violin prodigy!”
He then enthusiastically explained how his younger sibling was such a kind and talented child growing up, having such passion and talent for the violin.
But he didn’t say a word about their current condition.
“……”
“Anyway… that’s why I really need those points for my sibling. So, if possible, I’d rather not quit this job.”
“Then, will you be returning to the Field Exploration Team?”
“…Hmm. That seems like it would take a bit too long.”
He trailed off, then added in a slightly brighter tone,
“Apparently, there’s a department within the Security Team that offers a lot of points. They say you can earn more than in the Field Exploration Team.”
“……!”
…Ah.
That place.
“…There’s probably a reason why they give out so much, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, you’re right… but.”
He murmured softly,
“Sometimes you need to take risks to make your wishes come true.”
“……”
“Ah, we’ve reached the company dorm, Roe!”
He patted my back.
“Go on in. I’ll grab a taxi from here. Take care and get some rest, Roe. You’ve really worked hard!”
Then, in a lower voice, he added,
“Don’t worry about me too much. Honestly, I knew what I was getting into when I took this job. Things actually turned out better than I expected… and that’s thanks to you, Roe. Thank you.”
“……”
I smiled faintly and shook his hand.
“Whatever you decide to do, I’ll be rooting for you. But if possible, I’d love to work together again someday.”
“Yeah, I’d like that too.”
With that, we said our goodbyes, and he took a taxi to the hospital.
“Huu…”
I exhaled as I entered the officetel building.
If I wasn’t imagining things, there was a strange hint of obsession in the way he spoke about wishes.
– Ah, he used to be so ordinary, but now he’s finally gained some interesting quirks.
Don’t say scary things like that, Braun…
‘Anyway, I can finally sleep.’
Getting a day off on the last day of the year wasn’t bad, though I hadn’t expected to spend it sleeping.
I entered the dimly lit dormitory, switched on the warm and bright flashlight of my smartphone to chase away the eerie feeling, and headed to my room.
Then, I went straight to sleep.
‘I’ll think about countermeasures for Kwak Jekang after I wake up with a clear head… Please, I just need some rest for now.’
Exhausted from the mental and physical labor of the night, my overworked body gratefully accepted the sleep.
It had been a long time.
A long time since I fell asleep without needing to watch children’s cartoons or comedies beforehand.
I enjoyed a deep, dreamless sleep, the kind that makes you feel completely refreshed, as if you had merely closed your eyes for a moment.
And when I woke up, as though I had just blinked—
“Ah, you’re awake.”
“……!”
I shot up from bed.
– You’ve got an unannounced guest, Roe.
Someone was standing by the faintly lit window.
A tired face, casual clothes, hair tied back—
And a missing left hand.
“It’s been a while, Roe. …I heard you were on cleaning duty with Minseong.”
It was the real Assistant Manager Eun Haje.