I was hit pretty badly about eight or nine times. Two of those hits were so painful that I almost lost consciousness. But fortunately, the rest were just perfunctory blows, like someone going through the motions. There were even a few punches so weak they were practically featherweights.
After enduring a beating that was too mild to be called a thrashing, Jeong Tae-ui came to his senses and saw his attackers drinking alcohol in the middle of the room where they had beaten him.
“Isn't there anything we can use as an appetizer?”
“I just went to get the dried meat that Wi-en ho brought back from their trip.”
“Uh, that glass is empty. You should fill it up right away. What are you doing just sitting there?”
“…….”
I've found another difference from the military……. Jeong Tae-ui thought quietly as he munched on the bean snack handed to him by an unknown man sitting next to him.
These men, who had just severely beaten someone and then dragged Jeong Tae-ui away with a bright smile, saying, 'Well, let's go get a drink to welcome our new team member,' were bad enough. But Jeong Tae-ui himself, who quietly sat there, accepting the drinks and food they offered, was no better.
I wonder if these men are strange, if this team is strange, if this branch is strange, if the entire UNHRDO is strange, or if it's just me who finds this situation so odd.
“Is it okay to drink like this? What if an emergency happens when we're all drunk?”
Jeong Tae-ui muttered something, and the man sitting across from him, Qing Renzao, shrugged and smiled.
“What do you mean by an emergency?”
Then, a man named Tou, who seemed to be close with this Qing, joined the conversation from his seat next to him.
“Tay came from the military. It's only natural that he still has some rigid habits..”
“Ah-ha.”
It was only then that Qing nodded in understanding. Carlo, who had been tinkering away behind them, stepped in to explain.
“There's no reason to be constantly on edge here, it's not like we're in the military. Unless, of course, you've made enemies with your colleagues and are at risk of being stabbed. Since there are no enemies invading us, it's perfectly fine to drink after work. However, if you get so drunk that you can't make it to morning training, you'll be in big trouble with the instructor.”
“I heard that sometimes you have to go out and do dangerous jobs because of external requests. How can you be sure that someone who has a grudge against you won't sneak in and stab you when you least expect it?”
Jeong Tae-ui took another sip of his drink and asked again. He didn't know the exact nature of the work or how the system operated, but he vaguely remembered hearing something similar when his uncle and Jeong Jae-ui were talking a long time ago. That's why Jeong Tae-ui had always thought of UNHRDO as a kind of contract organization that handled all sorts of miscellaneous tasks.
“Where did you hear that from?”
“It's only natural for rumors to spread once they start, since there's always a way for them to get out.”
“Ah-ha, right, you're Jeong Jae-ui's younger brother. It seems you only heard half the story. While it's true that we sometimes go out on real missions, we don't take personal requests. Even though there's a lot of money involved, we're still supposed to be a united organization. We can't just go around taking on personal tasks. So, you shouldn't worry about anyone holding a personal grudge against you. What you should really be careful of is…….”
Suddenly, Carlo's voice lowered, and a subtle mix of excitement and anger crept into it.
“Those bastards from the European branch! Those are the ones who will be crawling back here sooner or later, so brazen!”
I hear it again. I don't know how many times I've heard insults about the 'European branch' today. Seeing grown adults like this, who are supposedly part of the same headquarters, getting so worked up, Jeong Tae-ui suddenly found it all so ridiculous that I couldn't help but chuckle.
“Their relationship is really bad……. I heard that members sometimes transfer between branches, so they should be considered colleagues, but I don't understand why their relationship is so bad.”
It was half a question, half a statement to himself. But the next moment, a heavy silence fell over them, and Jeong Tae-ui, who had been drinking, couldn't swallow the liquor in his mouth and just rolled his eyes.
“Ah, I see. I don't know much. Tell me about it. Of course, there are times when members move between branches. But…….”
“…….”
“There’s no exchange between the European branch and the Asian branch.”
“Unn?”
“Unless they go through another branch or headquarters first, there are no direct exchanges.”
Gulp Gulp, Jeong Tae-ui swallowed the liquor in his mouth, trying his best not to show his disbelief.
So that's why you said 'it wouldn't be from the European branch.' I get it now. I understand that your relationship is bad. But even so, it's too much that there's no direct exchange program between the two branches. That means the relationship between the two branches is so bad that even other branches and headquarters acknowledge it as extremely hostile.
“What kind of bloody history do they have under the same headquarters…….”
As Jeong Tae-ui muttered to himself, Qing tilted his head, their hands gripping the wine glass tightly.
“Actually, our relationship with other branches, like the one in America, isn't very good either. It's a bit better with headquarters, but the relationship between the branches is far from friendly. And it's no wonder, considering we're each other's training opponents. During joint training, we're told to fight as if we were facing a real enemy. And when people die in those training sessions, and those grudges build up, sometimes people will go into the next joint training with the sole intention of revenge. That's how the deep-seated animosity between us and the European branch has formed.”
“You mean they kill each other on purpose, not by accident?”
There was no reply. Instead, there were only silent affirmations and bitter glances exchanged.
“It's not like we just go around killing anyone from the other branch indiscriminately, but……. Well, it's something like that. Anyway, you're about to see hell as soon as you get here.”
“……. So you're saying that joint training happens once a year?”
“That's right. With the European branch, and the other branches as well, it's once a year. In other words, we meet with the European, Australian, South American, and African branches every three months.”
So you're saying I have to survive at least two critical joint training sessions in the next six months…… Jeong Tae-ui, who was feeling a sense of disgust as if he had swallowed a bug, suddenly tilted his head in confusion.
The numbers don't add up. If there are five branches, there's bound to be a remainder, so does that mean they take turns sitting one out? Or maybe they fight against headquarters…… No, but I heard that the headquarters and the branches are different. The headquarters is where all the brilliant minds are gathered, so they wouldn't make them engage in physical combat.
After considering several possibilities in his head and coming up empty, Jeong Tae-ui asked a question. The answer came easily.
“We rotate the personnel by splitting the numbers in half. While half of the European branch is here with us now, half of our people go to Australia. Half of the Australian people go to South America, and so on. Next time, we'll mix up the order and rotate again.”
“Ah-ha, I see. So, how do you decide who stays and who goes?”
“We'll draw lots on Friday night since we're leaving on Saturday.”
“……. So how do you manage to secure your plane tickets so quickly?”
“Why do we need to secure seats on a private plane? We already have visas for all the countries where our branches are located, so all we need is our passports.”
Remembering the dilapidated buildings he had seen upon arriving on this island, Jeong Tae-ui briefly thought that the word "private jet" couldn't be more out of place, but he said nothing.
“Is there any reason to decide so hastily? It would be better to plan and prepare ahead of time.”
“If people knew in advance whether they were staying or going, they might slack off on their training.”
“Haha, don't you have to train hard no matter where you go if you don't want to die?”
“When we train with branches other than Europe, we usually have some people coming back injured, but hardly anyone dies.”
Those damn Europeans are the problem, aren't they? Last time, Sangwat and Croy died, right? And U-eol, Yoon, and Kiyomi are still recovering in the hospital. I'll kill the guy who killed Sangwat as soon as he shows up, and so on. Instead of the actual meat, they were venting their anger and resentment with curses.
“……. So you mean they also draw lots to decide who goes?”
“Well, I guess so, since the basic operating principles are probably the same everywhere. But if someone has a history of nearly dying when they go there, the branch probably won't send them again. ……What a bunch of cowards!”
If the basic operating principles are the same, that means they probably don't send people who have made enemies there either. I thought it was a case of tit for tat, but knowing how to navigate life, Jeong Tae-ui remained silent.
“I wonder if he'll come.”
That was when Alta suddenly muttered something. At that moment, as if they had made a pact, everyone fell silent.
Only Jeong Tae-ui, who was munching on dried fruit because he had run out of his favorite snack, looked around with a confused expression.
A variety of expressions appeared on the men's faces, which had turned rigid. There was anger, anxiety, fear, and other similar emotions.
“There are countless people who have a grudge against that guy, so I doubt they would send him. If the European branch has any sense, they wouldn't send my member to his death.”
With veins bulging in his eyes, the man sitting next to Jeong Tae-ui gritted his teeth and spat out those words. As if all the people here with grudges had gathered in one place, the seven or so men drinking together all had similar expressions on their faces. At that moment, Carlo muttered heavily.
“But from the perspective of the higher-ups in the European branch, it's better if that guy comes here. Just imagine him staying in his home turf, killing people. He's already crippled three people and killed one while on someone else's turf. How much havoc would he wreak on his own turf?”
“If he's coming to our home turf, I'll tear his throat out and teach him a lesson!”
“……. Who?”
Suddenly, the room fell silent again. Glancing at the men, who were now silent as graves, Jeong Tae-ui was glad he wasn't eating a louder snack. It would be awkward to be the only one making munching sounds in such a quiet atmosphere, and it would be rude to spit out his snack and join in the somber silence.
I think I've got the gist of it. There seems to be a guy from the European branch who's become a public enemy here, and while everyone wants to get back at him, he's too slippery to catch. It seems like no one wants to be the one to bell the cat.
“But, were all those who suffered at the hands of that 'damned bastard' members of this team?”
Jeong Tae-ui asked as if talking to himself.
According to what was understood from the conversation, there are six teams in the branch. It seemed like they were going to divide the total of 96 members into six teams of 16 each. It looks like six instructors will be in charge of each team.
Hmm……. As you said, the factions are fiercely competing to promote one of the two vice-directors to fill the vacant director's position. So, before we even talk about the European branch, it means that within this branch itself, the teams are divided into two groups of three, right? ……Well, before we get into those details, we need to deal with the immediate threat of an external enemy and the ensuing 15-day standoff.
“That's not right. How would he know who's on which team to pick and target? He's just randomly attacking anyone from our side for fun, that crazy bastard!”
Alta, who had begun speaking calmly, gradually became more and more enraged as he spoke and ended up shouting.
Overwhelmed by the other person's intensity, Jeong Tae-ui subtly leaned his body to the other side. However, as if in competition, a shout erupted from the opposite direction.
“How in the world did such a crazy person get into UNHRDO?! I'm telling you, I went through a two-hour personality test just to get in here?!”
Those people, who were all shouting, 'Me too, me too,' were, ironically enough, quite talented individuals who had managed to overcome fierce competition to enter the UN Human Resources Development Organization, despite their appearance, personality, and way of speaking.
Jeong Tae-ui just swallowed his words along with the dried fruit, ignoring his thought, 'I didn't go through anything like that.’
I was curious about the results of their personality tests, considering my uncle's claim that they had all been 'shot a few times and broken a few bones.' But I guess what they were trying to say now wasn't about that.
“What…… doesn't everyone here have experience with guns and knives? It's not surprising that such a 'crazy guy' would end up here.”
I don’t know what kind of crazy person he is though.
However, Jeong Tae-ui's attempt to remain neutral fell on deaf ears. The man sitting next to him gently wrapped his arm around Jeong Tae-ui's shoulders and spoke softly.
“You're wrong. It's true that everyone here has handled guns and swords, but they have a different mindset than that crazy guy. Can you, without any personal grudge against someone, pull the trigger without hesitation? Most people can't, and the same goes for the people here. They can't do it. Unless it's a mortal enemy, people hesitate to harm others. But that guy is different. He justㅡ kills.”
“…….”
It wasn't a joke or an exaggeration. The man sitting next to him was saying it with a serious expression.
A sudden chill ran down Jeong Tae-ui's spine. The man's serious gaze and low tone painted a picture of a demon. A being in human form, yet not human.
……It wasn't someone you'd want to get close to, not even for half a year without any trouble. I don't know what kind of person he is, but it would be a hundred times better to just keep my distance. The 'feeling' his uncle talked about was whispering that to Jeong Tae-ui.
“Well…… if it's not just this team but everyone in the Asian branch who's responsible, then just talking about it here won't solve anything. And from what I've heard, it doesn't seem like anyone here is really capable of taking him on.”
No one wanted to dwell on the unpleasant topic for too long. It seemed everyone else felt the same way, and they all reluctantly changed the subject.
Jeong Tae-ui picked up the last piece of dried fruit and sighed silently. The dried fruit was running out, but the guy who took the jerky still hadn't returned. At this rate, I’m going to stay up all night waiting for the jerky. Even if the jerky came back soon and was finished, it felt like we would continue drinking for a long time.
What should I do? It's kind of fun sitting here, sharing drinks, and listening to the guys chat, but I'd really like to rest a bit. However, I don't think these guys will let me go to sleep easily.
I found the people quite likable. While I haven't gotten close enough to know if our individual personalities match, I don't dislike the group as a whole. I think I can enjoy the next six months with them. Maybe I'll even make a couple of close friends.
However, despite that, Jeong Tae-ui didn't really enjoy these kinds of gatherings. While it’s fine to indulge in food, drinks, and socializing in moderation, prolonged periods of such activities become a chore. Especially now, I just want some quiet time.
Just as he was pondering what to do, he noticed Tou, who was sitting a little further away, getting up. The way Tou was picking up his cigarette case seemed like he was going outside for a smoke.
“I'm going to the restroom. ㅡTou, do you know where the restroom is?”
Jeong Tae-ui set down his drink and stood up. Tou, who was about to go outside, replied with a noncommittal 'Unn?' and nodded casually. With teasing remarks like, 'Just smoke three cigarettes and come back, and be careful not to get lost on your way back from the restroom,' Jeong Tae-ui followed Tou outside.
Tou, who had been dragged out to get some fresh air instead of smoking as he had intended, was already craving a cigarette so much that he took one out and put it in his mouth. He walked ahead, chewing on the unlit cigarette.
“I guess smoking is prohibited inside.”
“Hmm. There is a smoking room, but it's not on this floor. You'd have to go downstairs, but it might be better to just go up to the roof and smoke while getting some fresh air. As for the restroom…….”
As they turned around the corner of the hallway, Tou pointed to the middle of the path. However, instead of looking at the direction Tou's finger was pointing, Jeong Tae-ui stuck close behind him, wrapping his arm around Tou's neck from behind.
“I already know about the restroom over there. I'm asking about the restroom attached to the dorm room where I'll be staying. I know it's a bit of a hassle, but could you please come down with me and show me the way?”
With the air of someone who would strangle him at the slightest resistance, Jeong Tae-ui whispered into Tou's ear, applying more pressure to his arm. The situation felt strangely like he was some kind of European spy, forcing someone to do his bidding. A bitter smile crept onto his face, but for now, his immediate concern was to get some rest.
Tou opened his mouth as if to say something, but then sighed deeply as if giving up.
“Alright, alright, let go of me. I'll show you the way. Geez. But you didn't bring your stuff, did you? Go back and get it. I'll wait here.”
“Do you think they'll easily let me go to sleep if I tell them I'm going to get my stuff and then go to bed?”
Isn't it only half-true? Or rather, I'm genuinely wondering if they'll actually let me go.
However, as usual, Jeong Tae-ui's hunch turned out to be right, as Tou hesitated to answer.
Jeong Tae-ui patted Tou on the back with a smile.
“It's fine. There's nothing valuable in there anyway, so we can just go back for it tomorrow. If no one takes it, it'll still be there. Come on, let's go to the dorm. Wasn't it a triple room? ㅡDon't give me that look. If you think about it, you should've taken me straight to the dorm from the beginning. It's your fault for dragging me to the training room, right? Ow, that spot where you hit me still hurts. That must be around here, where you hit me with your fist, Tou…….”
Jeong Tae-ui rubbed his shoulder and made a pained expression, causing Tou to shrug in defeat.
“Alright, follow me. I’ll take you to your room.”
Even though the elevator he had called earlier had arrived and its doors were open, he ignored it and headed towards the emergency stairs instead, saying it would be faster that way.
***
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Credits:
Translator: Hoshi Miya
Editor/Proofreader: Tâmago
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