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.
Giving away a lifeline to someone else in an extreme situation was not something just anyone could do.
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.
– …Roe Deer?
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.
That was Kim Soleum.
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. Kim Soleum.
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.
Or perhaps…
Someone who had suffered a significant mental blow and had withdrawn into himself.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.
Name : Kim Soleum
That was all.
'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 like this?'
As if assuming he wouldn't be noticed.
…He needed to be thoroughly investigated.
He couldn't afford to be deceived by appearances.
"Give it to me."
"Ack…!"
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 lie detector.
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'.
Candidate #1 :
K-Kill someone? Are they insane?!
Candidate #2 :
…Who should I pick? Maybe saying I can't kill anyone is the right answer? No, do agents need to be ruthless? Ahhh, shit…
Candidate #3 :
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.
T/N:
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!
—goblin
The interviewers, their expressions cold and unflinching, read and assessed the candidates' unspoken thoughts.
Panic. Hesitation. Resentment.
'Ordinary.'
'Unremarkable.'
Except for one.
Candidate #4 :
...
Candidate #4, Kim Soleum.
Nothing appeared on the screen.
No thoughts. No hesitation.
He simply sat there in complete silence, the oxygen mask securely fastened to his face.
"Is he frozen in shock?"
"Look at him—his head's down. Seems like he has no guts."
"..."
Ryu Jaekwan maintained his composure and picked up the microphone again.
– Candidate #1. Answer.
The young man, who had been darting his eyes nervously, straightened his back and spoke.
"For the safety of the majority, sometimes cruel decisions must be made. I… I will volunteer myself to be killed."
But the screen revealed something else entirely.
Candidate #1:
N-No way I can do it… But if I convince myself I can die, that must be the right answer, right?! That's why they're asking like this?!
'Panic. Lack of critical thinking. Extreme compliance.'
…
Eliminated.
– Candidate #1. Remove your oxygen mask and stand by."
"…!"
Candidate #1 stood in a daze, then, realizing what had happened, shakily removed his mask and stepped back.
"Wait, shouldn't we reconsider and give him another question—"
"Shh."
A fellow assistant interviewer cut in.
"Agent Bronze's judgment has never been wrong. Just watch."
"..."
"He always passes the right people."
As if to prove the point, the aptitude test continued without pause.
– Candidate #2. Answer.
"…I would choose someone close to me and ensure the process is as quick and humane as possible… Prioritizing a painless method."
Candidate #2 :
Too obvious? But this is the safest answer. No way I'm saying outright who I'd kill while everyone's listening…
Evasive response.
Eliminated.
– Remove your oxygen mask and stand by.
In an instant, the second elimination was complete.
Next.
– Candidate #3.
Candidate #3 lifted his head, sweat beading on his forehead. But there was a certain confidence in his expression.
"I will not kill anyone!"
"…!"
"There's always a Plan B. There must be another way out. We can find a way for everyone to escape—"
Thud.
Candidate #3 collapsed mid-sentence.
"…!!"
His oxygen mask, which had been stained and damaged moments before, was now spotless and brand new.
His face had gone completely pale.
The interviewers, their expressions cold, read the blazing red text on the screen—the 'true feelings' he himself hadn't even realized he was suppressing.
Candidate #3 :
Holy shit, this is exhilarating. 'Killing the person next to you', huh? LMAO this is exactly what being a secret agent is about.
Candidate #3 was left sprawled on the floor.
"..."
Inside the room, the last remaining agent candidate sat frozen in place, awaiting his turn.
Only one person still had his oxygen mask on.
– Candidate #4.
– Answer.
The question remained the same.
'To eliminate the dangerous anomaly, which of the four people here will you choose to kill?'
Ryu Jaekwan stared at Kim Soleum through the glass.
How would this former employee of an unethical pharmaceutical company answer?
Would he, perhaps, try to sound more cunning this time? Or maybe more virtuous…
"Candidate #3."
...
Huh?
"The one who has already collapsed."
– …!
For the first time, someone had been explicitly named.
The interviewers widened their eyes and waited for further explanation—
"..."
"..."
No.
That was it?
Candidate #4 remained silent, head lowered.
The system voice chimed in with an awkward, slightly disoriented tone.
– Is that the end of your response?
"Huh?"
– Do you have anything more to explain?
Candidate #4 hesitated so much it was agonizing before finally speaking, voice barely above a whisper.
"Well, um… in the scenario you described, it seems like we four are responsible for this disaster, somehow…
– …!!
"If the disaster can only be stopped by the death of one of us, then that must mean we're fundamentally tied to the cause of it. Like… maybe we triggered it by interfering with something we shouldn't have."
– ...
"Uh, is this the right answer?"
– Candidates are not permitted to ask questions.
"Ah…! S-Sorry…"
Candidate #4 mumbled, still keeping his head down.
Almost as if he was embarrassed to be saying something like this.
"Then… yes. That's my reasoning. I chose the easiest target, the one who's already incapacitated."
Truth.
– ...
"However, if we had even the slightest extra time, I'd do my best to find another option."
A predictably moral answer.
"Because life is precious. It's difficult and painful to decide someone's worth based on sheer numbers… or on who is more valuable."
But his tone had a strange kind of conviction.
"Still, if no alternative exists within the given time frame, and if there's a high likelihood of mass casualties… then there may be no choice."
For the first time, Kim Soleum raised his head.
Through the glass, through his glasses, his eyes remained sharp—even after passing through two layers of barriers.
And then, his inner thoughts appeared on the screen.
Candidate #4 :
But if possible, I want to save them all…
…It was exactly the ideal response that the Disaster Management Bureau wanted from its agents.
To follow regulations in unavoidable disaster scenarios, while still keeping a moral compass intact…!
Rustle.
Candidate #4 quickly lowered his gaze again, as if nothing had happened. The interviewers exchanged silent nods of admiration.
"He means it."
"His ethics and judgment are sound. And his reasoning is…"
Clench.
Ryu Jaekwan barely stopped himself from crumpling the papers in his grip. No.
There was no way.
"This candidate is…"
– Next question.
"What? W-Wait, Interviewer—?"
Ignoring the other interviewers, Ryu Jaekwan forced the test into a second round of questioning—a step only taken in cases where a candidate's assessment remained unclear.
– You are trapped in a supernatural disaster.
– You can only send one person to safety—either the most virtuous candidate in this room, or your closest friend.
– Who do you choose?
Candidate #4's face now looked completely bewildered.
Like he had no idea why such an obvious question was even being asked.
"Uh. The one who has the highest chance of survival…?"
– …!
"I mean… my goal is always to save as many people as possible."
Candidate #4 :
That's how the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau is supposed to operate.
– ...
Ryu Jaekwan stared blankly through the glass.
The assistant interviewers instantly understood.
'This is a pass.'
'A guaranteed pass.'
Candidate #4's attitude might have been overly passive, but in reality, most highly competent Disaster Management Bureau agents tended to be… a little off in some way.
Trauma exchanged for conviction.
In that sense, he was a textbook example of a viable candidate.
'So, a pass—'
And then, suddenly—
Candidate #4's inner thoughts updated.
Candidate #4 :
…Not that I'd ever find myself in a situation where I'd have to make a choice like this in the first place.
– …!
Something about that wording—
That phrasing was far too deliberate.
'A gap.'
Ryu Jaekwan and the assistant interviewers tensed up for a moment. Their eyes widened as they focused on the next line of text—
Candidate #4 :
Uh, well… I don't really have anyone I'd call a friend, so…
Oh.
Candidate #4 :
Should I have just pointed out that this question doesn't even apply to me? Saying, 'It's fine because there aren't any people I could call friends,' sounds kind of embarrassing though…
"..."
"..."
Candidate #4 :
No, I shouldn't say anything. Let's just… try to make some new colleagues here. Fighting!
A heavy silence settled over the interviewers.
"..."
Ryu Jaekwan could feel the assistant interviewers staring at him. Their looks were practically screaming, If you keep dragging this out and don't pass him now, you are officially the worst piece of shit alive!
– …Remove your oxygen mask and stand by.
Candidate #4 gave a small nod and took off the mask.
The instructions were the same as before, but everyone in the room—both the candidates and the interviewers—understood.
"…Thank you."
Candidate #4 had passed.
– All four candidates who have completed the aptitude test, please move to the waiting area.
Beyond Candidate #3, who was being dragged out like a sack of potatoes, Candidate #4 adjusted his glasses in a slightly hunched posture before moving along.
Even though… he had just taken a subtle hit to his dignity without even realizing it.
Which, ironically, made him all the more memorable as a successful candidate.
'Looking forward to seeing where that guy ends up.'
'Yeah.'
The assistant interviewers exchanged glances, silently agreeing—
'If we ever run into that timid-looking Candidate #4 again, we should keep an eye out for him.'
Not that they needed to.
Because that answer had been calculated to produce this exact effect!
'Phew.'
At the waiting room.
I sank into a chair with a deep sigh.
My knees were pressed together—making sure I didn't look too relaxed.
'I made it through…'
But seriously—why the hell was Agent Bronze there?!
'I almost passed out the moment I heard that guy's voice over the speakers.'
When I realized that one of the interviewers was Ryu Jaekwan, I thought I was completely screwed.
But surprisingly… it actually helped me refine my character. It's…
'A reserved, introverted agent with an unspeakable, tragic backstory, but outstanding abilities.'
That was the character I had planned to play in the Disaster Management Bureau.
To fit the role, I had spent weeks deliberately messing up my appearance before showing up for the interview.
'Being a bit withdrawn raises less suspicion than being overly smooth.'
After all, most Disaster Management Bureau agents had complicated pasts —I wouldn't seem out of place at all.
Oh—was pretending to be shy mentally exhausting?
Not really.
I'm a naturally timid person, after all.
All I had to do was drop my social mask and let my anxious, cowardly thoughts spill out into the open.
'Hahaha…'
...Honestly? This was still better than pretending to be an insane MZ employee at Daydream Inc.
…At least, that's what I had to tell myself!
I wiped the sweat from my face beneath my glasses.
'Anyway, it worked.'
I had basically secured my acceptance.
Even with Ryu Jaekwan as an interviewer.
That's right.
The same agent who had once been spectacularly backstabbed by me… had just passed me.
Since I hadn't been dragged away by agents mid-interview, it meant he had decided to let me through.
'…But now I have to hit him in the back of the head yet again.'
Because, at the end of the day—I was a spy.
I internally apologized while breaking into a cold sweat. I-I'm really sorry, Agent… just one more time…
'But… he's still a little suspicious of me, right?'
He passed me, but was probably going to keep an eye on me. Maybe even reporting everything to his superiors, detailing my past ties to Daydream Inc.?
That would be a problem.
Since I had already taken this path, I had to fully commit—there was no turning back.
'I need to work harder to completely solidify his trust in me.'
I waited quietly.
Before long, my number was called again.
A confirmation of acceptance.
– Candidate #4 from Group '다 (Da)'.
– You have passed. Proceed to the designated location.
"…!"
I made it through.
That 'location' was probably where the interviewers would finally show themselves, hand me my agent ID, and assign me to a temporary division. Which meant…
I was about to meet Ryu Jaekwan face to face.
'I didn't expect to run into my biggest threat on my first day as an undercover agent, but… this is actually a good thing.'
Might as well resolve this issue now.
"Yes! Yes…"
I intentionally answered too loudly, then quickly lowered my voice as if I was panicking. After that, I scrambled to my feet and cautiously made my way forward.
…As I walked, I repeated my strategy in my head—the plan I had crafted for this exact moment.
Operation: Agent, I Faked My Death and Escaped That Insane Cult Company! ㅠㅠ
Thus began my life as a fraudulent government agent.
...For the record and just to make things absolutely clear… I swear, I never meant for it to get this serious…