Chapter 1. The Start of Restructuring (1)

"I'm sorry, Eun-ho."

Team Leader Lee scratched his few remaining strands of hair.

"According to HR, there are no regular employee conversion positions this year. The economy is just too bad..."

"Looks like I won't be converted, then."

Next month, my two-year contract will expire.

In other words, I'm being laid off.

Here, too.

"It's not because you're not capable, Eun-ho. It's... restructuring. You know what I mean, right?"

"Do you mean a mass layoff...?"

Can cutting contract workers also be considered restructuring?

"Well, something like that. The company's in a tough spot, and we need to reduce labor costs. It's hard to lay off existing employees, so we're not hiring new ones."

"...So you're only hiring contract workers. You need the manpower."

No burden of labor costs, and you can cut them if needed.

"Um, not exactly..."

It's unusual for him to be so considerate of my feelings.

He usually yells at me without hesitation. Maybe it's because I'm leaving.

It's like an interviewer who only says nice things to the person they're about to reject.

"Yes, I expected as much."

I wasn't angry or betrayed.

After all, he's just a salaried worker like me.

"It's okay, don't take it too hard, Eun-ho."

"There's no reason to be upset with you, Team Leader."

I said it bitterly, but Team Leader seemed relieved that I didn't show any resentment or anger.

He finally relaxed and put his feet up on the folding chair next to his desk.

"Phew, you're so resilient. You'll do well wherever you go, Eun-ho. Even if you're a bit... well, you're still young."

I could feel the gazes of my teammates across the partition, probably thinking the same thing.

'A bit old, but resilient.'

"Hey, how about we grab lunch to cheer you up? How about some tripe soup?"

"Team Leader! The tripe soup place is at least ten minutes away, and Eun-ho..."

"Ah... then, how about the noodle soup across the street? Is that okay, Eun-ho?"

Ten minutes is a long walk, especially for someone with a limp.

That's me, Eun-ho.

"...I have plans. Enjoy your meal."

* * *

I didn't have any plans.

I just didn't want to go along and feel uncomfortable.

Besides, I'd probably finish a bowl of noodle soup in five minutes.

I planned to go to a convenience store and buy a bento instead.

If I hadn't accidentally met Ji-eun from the neighboring team, who was also alone.

"Two years really flew by. Already at the end of the contract, huh."

She said it calmly and took a sip of her coffee.

It's just the right amount of sweetness and nuttiness.

It's delicious, as always.

I'll miss this rooftop cafe, at least.

The skyline from the 25th floor, the garden with trees and flowers, the taste of coffee enjoyed outdoors.

Especially, the view from sitting still.

You don't have to think about how long it will take to get there or if the person behind you is too slow.

"Eun-ho, you're talking as if it's someone else's story."

Ji-eun, who sat across from me, laughed helplessly.

Ji-eun, who joined as a secretary a week after me, is a fellow contract worker.

We're not particularly close, though.

"Will we get a performance bonus this time?"

"I don't know."

"Is Mr. Park coming today?"

"He's already gone home."

That's the extent of our conversations.

"Everyone's been saying that the regular conversion rate has been 0% for the past five years."

I had expected it from the beginning.

I knew I wouldn't be given an indefinite opportunity to work in this large company.

Maybe even getting a contract job was a stroke of luck.

"Do you have any plans after leaving?"

"I'm looking for a job, but... as you know, it's not easy."

I said it casually, but Ji-eun bowed her head and said, "I'm sorry."

She's overly polite.

It's not her fault that I have a limp.

"I'll try to find a job that's not too physically demanding. I'm not going to starve at twenty-nine, am I?"

"...You're really positive, Eun-ho."

I laughed bitterly. I'm not particularly positive; I just don't have high expectations for anything.

Isn't that how everyone ends up?

If you were a promising track athlete and then had an accident a week before the university entrance exam that left you with a limp...

After treatment, you studied hard and entered a mediocre junior college's business department.

You graduated with decent grades.

You moved from one contract job to another due to the job market.

I didn't have high expectations for my contract life, so I didn't have any complaints.

The only thing I wished for...

'Run with all your heart, even if it feels like your heart will burst.'

Of course, it's impossible.

Unless I'm reborn.

...That's what I thought.

Until a more ridiculous announcement came over the intercom.

— Static.

"Only 15 minutes left. We should head down."

"Already?"

Ten steps to the return counter, sixteen steps to the elevator, it's a long way for me.

Besides, the 25th floor elevator is always crowded with people using the rooftop cafe and smoking area.

I was about to get up quickly, thinking I might have to wait for a few elevators.

— Static.

"You're strict with time. But it's almost over anyway."

"I don't want to hear nagging about this."

"Here, take this."

"Thank you."

I grabbed the right leg of my suit pants and 'walked' toward the return counter.

— Swish, thud. Swish, thud.

I dragged my stiff right leg and took a step with my left.

Dragged, another step.

Even a place right in front of me feels far with my limping steps.

"But is this an announcement?"

"I can't hear it well..."

While walking slowly, the speaker kept crackling.

Then, an unexpected announcement came.

Restructuring?

I frowned.

"Is the Earth in the announcement the same Earth I know?"

"What kind of joke is this? Restructuring or something."

Ji-eun and I felt uneasy for different reasons, and everyone on the rooftop started murmuring in groups.

"What's this all about?"

"It's coming from other floors too. It seems to be a company-wide announcement?"

"No, it sounds like it's being broadcast nationwide..."

Three men in jeans and hoodies were looking at their smartphones and talking.

Yellow employee badges.

They might be from the game company on floors 6 to 9.

"Is it a disaster drill? But missions? These days, even drills are like games."

"Exactly. If you complete the mission, you get a reward, right?"

I heard that the game company has a relaxed lunch break.

But I...

"Should we go down?"

"You know, our Team Leader goes ballistic if we're late."

"But..."

12:49 PM.

Ten minutes before the end of lunch break.

If I'm even a minute late, I'll be scolded like a child.

"Is it a real fire drill? I feel uneasy..."

Around that time, Ji-eun started biting her nails, looking anxious.

The sound of a clock ticking, which shouldn't be heard outdoors, was audible.

A green circle suddenly appeared on the concrete floor.

A large circle that could fit most of the rooftop, including the cafe tables.

"Wow, how did it appear so suddenly? Was it drawn beforehand?"

"Is it a projection? Or a hologram?"

Typical of the game company employees.

Are they discussing the principle behind the appearance of this circle?

"We should go inside the circle."

"Yes. Thanks to everyone being distracted, we won't miss the elevator."

"Ah... but Eun-ho, the ticking sound..."

She fidgeted with her hands as I turned to the elevator without thinking.

"Is it coming from the speaker? Anyway, let's go down..."

"Ji-eun? Eun-ho?"

"Ah, Manager Choi!"

The influential figure in Ji-eun's domestic sales support team, Manager Choi, and his colleague.

The smell of cigarettes hit my nose as they approached.

I remembered Ji-eun once saying he was hard to deal with.

"What are you doing here? Lunch break is over."

Just as I was about to say I was on my way down, Ji-eun spoke first.

"I was about to go down, but the announcement mentioned restructuring..."

"Restructuring?"

"Yes! Didn't you hear the announcement?"

"No, I heard it, but it's ridiculous. It's not even an official company announcement."

"But just in case... I thought we should wait for ten minutes."

Ji-eun pointed to the people inside the circle, or the mission, and made excuses.

She seemed eager to participate in this mission or whatever it was.

Maybe because she's a secretary and has a good sense. She's been unusually anxious lately.

"Attendance is the basic of company life, you know? It's not a lifetime job, after all..."

Did I read "for a contract worker" in Manager Choi's mutterings? Is that just my paranoia?

"Eun-ho too?"

"It's not your concern, Manager. We won't be late if we go down right away."

I said it without thinking.

"Damn."

An action and words I wouldn't normally do or say.

"You, with a limp, don't even think about being diligent, tsk."

"Go down first, Manager. Eun-ho, let's go."

Manager Choi clicked his tongue, and Ji-eun quickly wrapped up the conversation.

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing, Ji-eun?"

"I shouldn't have suggested waiting..."

"You don't have to worry. I'm used to such comments."

I entered the ridiculous circle, receiving Ji-eun's apologetic or pitying gaze, limping.

"Thank you. You can go down first."

"I don't want to wait for the elevator with them. It's not a lifetime job, after all, as Manager said."

"Can't laugh. I'm in the same boat."

Through the glass door, I could see Manager Choi and his colleague waiting for the elevator.

They were shaking their bodies exaggeratedly and chuckling.

Are they mimicking monkeys?

"Ah, Eun-ho!"

Ji-eun, who was looking at the same spot, tried to divert my gaze with a visibly flustered expression.

Ah... it's me.

They were mimicking my limp.

If I kept looking, I might punch them.

"Ugh, Eun-ho! Don't mind them!"

"..."

"Manager Choi is usually a bit..."

When I looked up again, Manager Choi was...

Blinking.

Blinking like a broken fluorescent light.

And...

"...?"

He disappeared.

Like a fluorescent light going out suddenly.

Manager Choi and his colleague were gone.

"Ji-eun! Where did Manager Choi and the person next to him go?"

"Maybe they took the elevator?"

No one was there.

Except for the people inside the circle, whether by chance or on purpose.

"The people waiting for the elevator... they're all gone!"

"They probably took the elevator, or went somewhere else. It's not that they disappeared..."

Confused, I looked around hastily, and Ji-eun muttered nervously.

Then, a translucent window appeared in front of me, like a hologram.

〔Eun-ho Yi〕

- Affiliation: Earth 13, ROK-SEO-107 Area, MS Tower

- Rank: Restructuring Target

- Stats: Strength (12), Agility (11), Intelligence (10), Judgment (15), Endurance (31), Dexterity (1)

- Traits: Unlocked

- Skills: Unlocked

I knew my name and age...

But that's all I knew.

The affiliation and stats were unfamiliar, and the most bizarre thing was...

"This is..."

A hologram spinning below 〔Eun-ho Yi〕.

A 3D figure, barely dressed in underwear, showing its front, side, and back as if for inspection.

"...Me?"

The face wasn't detailed, but it was me.

The right leg connected to the spine was black—obviously dead.

Is this a hallucination with realistic details?

Should I be grateful that it's thorough even in madness?

So...

It's a coincidence.

That it chose my black, dead leg.