Chapter 10

Chapter 2. Selection (5)

The man's hand trembled subtly as he handed over the report.

Although he had brought it as instructed, he was certain his superior would not be satisfied with such a report.

— Rustle.

Harona's eyebrows shot up as she scanned the pages.

The higher her delicate eyebrows rose, the more a chill ran down the man's spine.

The report was compiled by the dispatched agents of the Investigation Bureau before the Management Bureau entered Zone 13.

In other words, whether the data was solid or not, it wasn't his responsibility as a Management Bureau employee to be reprimanded.

It was natural for the data to be flawed, given that it was gathered hastily by dispatched agents who were not permanent staff.

However, it seemed that not all retribution follows the law of cause and effect.

Seeing his superior's eyes widen and her voice rise, Seung (勝) bowed his head despite knowing it wasn't his fault.

Harona pointed at someone on the screen, her voice sharp.

A man surrounded by creatures twice his size.

Overall evaluation: Average.

Eun-ho, the subject, was rated as the very definition of average.

— Kreeee!

— Kyaahhh!

Nine gleaming beaks lunged at Eun-ho.

Instead of rolling to dodge or raising his arms to block, he pushed off the ground and muttered a single word.

"Acceleration!"

— Swish!

The rapid attacks came so swiftly that they seemed to be a single strike.

By the time the man landed, panting, and gripped his blue longsword, the creatures were already grounded, their wings broken.

— Kyaahhh!

The creatures' cries of pain echoed.

It was unbelievable, of course.

Seung, though not experienced in rescue operations, had rarely seen someone adapt so quickly on their first mission.

Of course, there were occasionally those who had trained in combat for a long time.

But in such cases, the Investigation Bureau would usually notify the Management Bureau in advance, often with emphasis.

"Acceleration!"

For some reason, after fleeing from the staggering creatures for a while, Eun-ho suddenly charged at them with incredible speed.

— Pwaaang!

He thrust his sword through the dark feathers and pulled it out, spraying dark, metallic blood.

Harona, unable to look away from the screen, muttered to herself.

Tap. Tap.

Harona drummed her fingers on the desk, lost in thought.

Seung nodded.

If he had attacked one by one, he might have been caught by a bird during the cooldown period.

His ability was undoubtedly impressive.

But...

Perhaps there was a reason the Investigation Bureau couldn't help but overlook him.

For example, the rumors circulating among the staff...

Harona snorted at her inexperienced subordinate's words.

Even with similar abilities, the difference in acquisition and application could be vast.

Just as some can only butcher livestock with a knife, others can wield it to command the world.

Harona clicked her tongue and flicked her finger.

— Ding!

On the screen, Eun-ho, drenched in sticky, metallic blood, collapsed.

Shaking his head, presumably to clear his dizziness.

* * *

Even contract employees are evaluated.

Some might ask, "Why is evaluation important if you're only going to work for a few years?"

But that's a naive question.

Bonuses are determined by performance evaluations.

And, though the chances are low, good evaluations can lead to opportunities for permanent conversion.

So I always worked hard and did my best.

The problem was that my efforts didn't translate into evaluations.

So, what I'm saying is...

"Huh?"

This is the first time I've received an S.

"Am I being recognized here?"

S.

An evaluation that usually only one or two people in a team receive.

It would be fine if the company evaluated based on clear performance, but the problem is that most don't.

Since so few people can receive it, you need to be in the manager's good graces, so to speak, to get this grade.

"Mission reward."

A bonus.

In addition to the 2 points I earned, I also received some welfare points of unknown use.

"I don't know what's going on, but with the additional reward, I have a total of 3 points. This should be enough..."

I can proceed with the plan I thought about during the mission.

"Ji-eun."

"Yes, Eun-ho."

"Can I ask what evaluation you received?"

"Oh, I got an A."

An A means you're in the upper tier, right?

"Jae-hyuk?"

"I got a B."

A B is average. A grade you get for doing a decent job and producing decent results.

'Evaluated based on contribution, I guess.'

Lost in thought, I didn't say anything, and Jae-hyuk, sensing my mood, bowed his head.

"I did better than expected. I just hid behind you and screamed..."

Jae-hyuk muttered, looking dejected.

Is he feeling guilty for hiding and not contributing?

'Should I comfort him?'

I glanced at Ji-eun, but she didn't seem to have heard.

'She's good at this kind of thing.'

I'm not as kind as Ji-eun, and I don't have the confidence to pat him on the back and say, "No, you did great!"

Instead...

"Jae-hyuk, can you help me with something?"

"Y-Yes?"

I can use him.

To make him feel needed in this group.

"Look at this."

The gruesome bodies of the birds.

The two of them, following my finger, widened their eyes.

"What are you going to do with these?"

"Their beaks are quite sharp and sturdy. They could be used as weapons."

The beaks, which I confirmed during the fight, were sharp and sturdy, especially at the tips.

The lack of a proper handle is a problem, but I have some ideas for a temporary solution.

"Use the beaks as weapons?"

"Yeah. Can you pull them out?"

I checked Jae-hyuk's strength earlier; it was 16, much higher than my 11, so he should be able to do it easily.

The only issue is whether the seemingly timid Jae-hyuk can handle dismembering the bodies.

"It's too difficult for us. Maybe our strength is too weak."

"..."

"It's something only you can do. Can you help?"

After a moment of hesitation, Jae-hyuk seemed to steel himself and answered confidently.

"Yes! I understand, sir!"

"Three, please."

"No, sir! I'll pull out all ten!"

"Huh? That's not necessary, is it?"

"Use them all, sir!"

'A bit excessive, but...'

At least one is ready.

"I need some sticks."

"Sticks?"

Just as I was about to ask Ji-eun for the next item.

"Shop..."

— Flash!

As I muttered, a translucent stall appeared above everyone's heads.

It was a unique circular shape, with me at the center.

Like a donut.

'There are a lot of items...'

"Why?"

"You just said 'shop'... What is this?"

— Flash!

As people started shouting "shop," I quickly scanned the stall.

A chipped sword. A makeshift armor made of woven wood. A mysterious root. And...

"Potion?"

▣ Fatigue Recovery Potion (Watered Down)

– A fatigue recovery potion made by boiling herbs.

Water was added to increase the quantity. It won't have a significant effect, but it should help with everyday fatigue.

– 300 welfare points

"Huh? 300 welfare points for one fatigue recovery potion? What is this?"

"Welfare points... from earlier..."

The 'welfare points' awarded after the evaluation.

They were the currency used in this shop.

"What... I only have 50 points. How can I buy anything?"

"But what are welfare points, anyway?"

Some received 50 points, others none at all.

I received 1,000 points.

Obviously, that's a lot.

'Potions are good, but what I need now is...'

A spear that looked like it would break soon. A one-handed shield with cracks.

Just as I picked up the spear, a translucent window appeared.

▣ Worm-Eaten Spear

– A spear made by a novice blacksmith as a test.

A worm-eaten wooden shaft with a metal tip. It might break after a few swings.

– 300 welfare points

What am I supposed to do with this?

This was already absurd, but the shield next to it was even worse.

▣ Clumsy Wooden Shield

– A round shield made by trimming wood and adding a metal rim.

Clumsily made, with low durability. It has cracks and might break if dropped.

– 300 welfare points

It was all like this.

Confusing items that were hard to tell if they were meant to be bought or not.

As a result, people who initially looked excited started to lose interest and grumble as they left.

'Even if it's not much, something that can be applied would be useful.'

Something that could be combined and used.

While I was examining the items, one by one, like sifting through a sale display at a supermarket, Ji-eun and Jae-hyuk also approached, having given up on shopping.

"Welfare points are pretty useless. There's nothing worth buying, just junk. Right, Jae-hyuk?"

"Y-Yes, ma'am? I can't even afford the junk..."

Ji-eun's casual comment made Jae-hyuk even more dejected.

From her perspective, with evaluations of A and B, they probably received similar rewards.

"U-Uh? How many points did you get?"

"200... points, ma'am. And you?"

"Um, I got 500 points..."

"Is that so..."

Jae-hyuk scratched his head awkwardly and added,

"There's nothing useful for 200 points. Just broken swords and such..."

'Broken...'

"That's it!"

"Y-Yes? Sir, what is it?"

Ignoring Jae-hyuk's confused look, I searched for a few more minutes and found it.

I found it.

Something useful.

Or, more accurately...

'Something useful only to me.'