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There Are No Humans in the Monster Company Chapter 16: The Gourmet Who Is Not Alone

Chapter 16: The Gourmet Who Is Not Alone

The‍‌⁠ sunlight was pleasant.‌‍

Or‍⁠ rather, the LED‍⁠ lights in my‌ apartment illuminated everything⁠​ evenly, brightly, and​‌ almost as if​‍ they were sunlight.‍‌

I ignored the fact​ that beyond the​ window there was‌ nothing but absolute​‍ darkness.

I felt like something​‍‌ terrible would happen⁠ if I opened​ it.

I opened my eyes.​​​

I wiped away the​​‌ sleep from my‍ eyes, stretched my‍ arms, and let‍⁠‌ out a long⁠‌⁠ yawn.

Waking​ up meant I was still alive.​

And‍ being alive meant​ I could begin⁠‌ a new day.⁠‍

“What⁠ a refreshing morning.”⁠

It​⁠ was a monologue.​​

But​⁠ it didn’t matter.​⁠

As​‍‍ long as the⁠⁠ probability wasn’t zero,⁠ an optimistic attitude​ could change the⁠​⁠ day.

As‍‍​ I sat up,‍‌ the bedsheets rustled​ softly.

With​‍ movements that had​ already become familiar,‍ I shook out‍ the blanket and‍ carefully straightened it.‍‍​

Then‍ I put the⁠​ pillow back in‌‌‍ place.

The‌ small bloodstain in‌ one corner of​ the pillow was​⁠⁠ probably just a minor nosebleed.

Probably.‍‍

I washed my face‍⁠​ at the sink.⁠⁠

I shampooed my hair​​ and washed it.⁠⁠​

I showered with hot​‌‍ water until the‌​ bathroom mirror was‍​ completely fogged over.⁠

I stood under the​ water for a long time without​‌ thinking about anything.‍‍​

Then‌​ I finished with⁠⁠ cold water and‍‌ immediately regained my‍⁠‍ clarity.

“Good,⁠​ this is how​ a routine should‌‍‍ be.”

I dried my face‍⁠ with a towel‍‍​ and used a hair dryer to‍​ dry my hair.‍‍

When​​ I finished, I opened the wardrobe⁠ and took out​‌‌ a shirt.

I put on that​​ white shirt that⁠⁠ had already become​⁠ familiar and carefully⁠⁠‍ buttoned every button.‌‍

“It‌‍‍ feels empty.”

I opened the refrigerator.⁠​​

As‍‍‌ expected, it was‍ completely empty.

The​ only thing left‌​ was the empty​ bottle of that⁠ probiotic drink I had drunk the⁠⁠‌ night before, rolling‌‍‌ around in a corner.

“Skipping‍ breakfast helps the‌‌ mind work better.”​‌‌

I muttered that mental​​⁠ victory to myself​⁠ as I closed‍⁠⁠ the door.

My‌‌⁠ stomach growled softly.‍⁠

I pretended not to‍⁠‍ hear it.

I rolled my neck,‌⁠ stretched my shoulders​​ as if I were learning to‌⁠ walk upright again,⁠​‌ and stopped in​ front of the‍‌​ door.

It‍ was time to‍⁠‍ go to work.‍⁠

“I’m‌‌‍ heading out.”

With​ a casual greeting,‍‌‍ I turned the​ doorknob.

Click—⁠‌‍

The‌ door opened.

And‌ standing in front⁠‌​ of me was—​‍‍

“Grrrooo…⁠⁠ Grrrrrr.”

Supervisor‌⁠⁠ Shik.

He​‌‌ was standing there.⁠⁠

With‌‍⁠ thick chains hanging‌⁠ from his shoulders‍‌ while staring directly‍​ at me.

A deep breath rumbled‌⁠ from behind that‌ mouth full of‍⁠ blade-sharp teeth.

I had returned to‌⁠‌ reality.

“Good​​​ morning, Supervisor Shik.”‍‌

I smiled reflexively.

My⁠⁠ lips curled upward,⁠ but my back​ was drenched in‍​ cold sweat.

Supervisor‍ Shik stared at​‍ me for several⁠‍​ seconds before slowly⁠‌‍ lowering his head.‍‍

Creak.‍

Something⁠‍⁠ cracked.

It⁠‍ probably wasn’t his‍‌⁠ vertebrae.

“I’ll​ do my best‌ today as well.”‌

I greeted him again.⁠‌​

Only‌ then did Supervisor‌​​ Shik give a slight nod.

I felt every hair‌‍​ on my shoulders‍ stand up at‌⁠​ the same time.⁠⁠

“Then⁠‌ let’s go first,​ all right?”

He‌ walked past me​‌ and slowly began‍‌ moving down the⁠​‍ hallway.

The‍⁠‌ chains dragging across‌⁠​ the floor produced⁠⁠ a strange scraping‍⁠‌ sound.

I silently closed the‌ door and followed​ him.

The‍‍⁠ bright and refreshing‌​‍ morning was over.‌​

Once‍​ again, my strange⁠ daily life was⁠‍​ beginning.

***‍

Lunchtime.‌‌

The‍ cafeteria.

A place whose name⁠‌‍ I had always‌ seen but never‍⁠ dared to visit.​⁠

I thought about it.‌‍

Then​​⁠ thought about it⁠ again.

And​​ finally made a decision.

‘Let’s‌ go.’

Today​‍ I would go.‌​

I was going to​‍‌ eat.

After‍⁠⁠ all, I would‌‍‌ be here until‍ the day I resigned.

I wanted to try⁠‌ something as simple‌ as eating with‍​ someone.

I had said this⁠‍ morning that fasting⁠ helped me think​⁠‌ better.

But‌⁠​ the truth was‍⁠ that I was‌ already reaching my​‍⁠ limit.

My‍ stomach was burning.​‌

My​⁠‍ legs were numb.⁠‌

And‍ my stomach felt⁠ as though it‌⁠‍ had been crushed‍ like a bent​ drinking straw.

Besides,‍‍ a little while‌​‍ ago it had​ seemed as though⁠ Supervisor Shik had‌ given me a look that said:‌​

‘Why‌ do you never‌​‍ eat with us?’‌​

I had no idea⁠ what would be‌​‍ served in the‍‌ cafeteria.

But​‌ Manager Batori had‌‍ said it.

We​‌‌ were of the​​ same lineage.

Surely⁠ they would take‍‌ care of me.‌⁠​

“Uh…”⁠‌

I opened my mouth‍⁠ to address my⁠ coworkers.

The⁠‌ lunch announcement had‍ just sounded, and‍⁠​ everyone was beginning‌‍‌ to rise from‍​⁠ their seats.

“Could‍⁠ I… have lunch‍‍ with you today?”​

I hadn’t even finished‍ the sentence when‌⁠ Manager Myeon nodded‌‍‍ in front of‌ me.

“Of⁠‌‍ course.”

“Regular⁠⁠⁠ nutrient intake is​ important.”

“Oh.‍​ What’s this?”

“Grrr…⁠⁠‌ Graaah… Kuuuur—!”

Director‍‍ Mok.

Assistant‌‍ Manager Son.

And‍ finally Supervisor Shik.‌‌

All⁠​‍ of them reacted‍​ positively.

Well,⁠⁠ I wasn’t completely‌‍ sure that Supervisor​‌ Shik’s reaction had‍⁠⁠ been positive.

But‌​⁠ I assumed it​‌‍ was.

A strange sense of​⁠​ relief washed over‍⁠⁠ me, and I lowered my head.⁠⁠​

When​‍ I looked up​⁠ again, I met​ Manager Batori’s gaze.‍⁠​

She⁠ had not risen‌‍ from her seat.‌‌

As⁠ always, she held‌⁠ her tumbler and‍‍​ rested one hand‌ on the desk‍‌‌ while silently watching‍ me.

There⁠‍‌ was a peculiar​ smile in her​⁠ eyes.

“And‌⁠ you, Manager…?”

“Fufu.‌​ I’ll make do⁠ with this again‍ today.”

She‌‌‌ slightly raised the‌​ tumbler as she‌‍ smiled.

Inside,​ the blood swirled​ gently.

I tilted my head​ slightly and followed‍ the other four⁠⁠ team members out‍ of the office.‌⁠

The​‍​ cafeteria was on‌​ another floor.

At‌ the end of​​​ the hallway stood‌⁠ an old elevator.‍‍⁠

The​​ metal doors opened‌‍ with a hum.‌‌

One.⁠‍

Two.⁠

Three.​​

Four.⁠

And⁠‌ finally Supervisor Shik.‍‍

Clank.‌‌

The⁠ moment Supervisor Shik⁠ stepped inside, the​ elevator walls creaked‍ alarmingly.

Wasn’t⁠ this exceeding the‍​⁠ structural limits of​​‌ the elevator?

I ended up half-crushed​⁠ between his enormous⁠‌ body and the‍ wall.

“Ugh…”⁠‌​

It​ felt as though​​‍ the air was⁠ escaping through some⁠​ crack.

Manager‍‍‌ Myeon stood with⁠‍‌ his usual elegance.‌

Director‍ Mok had his​ roots folded and​ neatly arranged.

Assistant​‌​ Manager Son was​‍ leaning against the​ wall with his⁠ arms crossed.

And​‌ I was trapped⁠ between Supervisor Shik’s‌‌​ back and the‍‌⁠ elevator wall.

‘I‌​ should have skipped‍⁠ lunch.’

I regretted it.

Even‌​ breathing was difficult.‍‍⁠

I never imagined hope​​​ could disappear so‍ quickly.

The⁠​‍ elevator slowly began​ descending with a squeal.

A cramped space.

Strange⁠‌ smells.

Irregular​ vibrations.

And‌​‌ thousands of thoughts.​​‌

‘What⁠‍‍ exactly is the‌‍ cafeteria like?’

Would​ they serve food‌​​ that a human‌⁠ could eat?

Or‌​​ would it be⁠ some delicacy intended‌⁠ for the monsters⁠‍ in this place?⁠

Supervisor‌‌‌ Shik’s back pressed‍⁠ crushingly against me⁠​⁠ once again.

“Ugh.”⁠‌

I really should have​ skipped lunch.

That⁠ was when Manager⁠​ Myeon spoke calmly.⁠‍​

“So,​‍ it was the⁠ Adjustment Department that‍ insisted all of​‍⁠ us participate this⁠​‍ time?”

“That⁠ is correct.”

Director⁠‍ Mok nodded gently.⁠​​

“From‌ detection to capture,‌ everything went quite‍‍ well. They say‍‍​ they want everyone‍ to participate for​‍‌ educational purposes.”

Assistant⁠‍ Manager Son slightly‍⁠‍ raised his chin.‌⁠‌

“Went‍ well? Didn’t they‌​ say the capture‍​​ happened near Seoul‌⁠ Station?”

“More‍​‌ precisely, outside the⁠‍‍ perimeter, beyond the‌ third filter.”

Director‍ Mok spoke while‌​‌ lowering his gaze‌⁠ with those numerous‍ green eyes resembling‍‍ frog eggs peeking‌ out from between⁠ his knots.

“They⁠​ say it was‍‍ located purely through⁠‍⁠ perception, without any​⁠ reaction from the‌⁠ fixed measuring devices.‍‍ It seems the​​‌ Adjustment Department took​⁠​ this very seriously.‌‌ Or perhaps they‌​ received assistance from‍‍ Executive Director Ahn.”⁠

“Grrr…‌⁠ Rrrrrrr.”

Supervisor​‌​ Shik let out‌‌‍ an incomprehensible growl.‌⁠⁠

I turned my head‍​ reflexively.

I felt a strange‌ vibration in my‌ eardrums.

Had⁠⁠⁠ he just laughed?‍‍‌

Or‍ was he annoyed?‍​

“I⁠⁠⁠ heard they classified​ one Rank A entity, one Rank⁠​ C entity, and‍ one Rank D entity.”

Assistant⁠ Manager Son continued​⁠​ speaking calmly.

“They‌⁠ say the possibility‍⁠ of refining the‍⁠ new Rank A entity is uncertain.⁠‍‍ Its structure… appears⁠‍ to be somewhat‍ different from the‍‍‍ previous ones. Will‌⁠​ it be safe‍‌⁠ to bring the‍​‌ rookie along as​ well?”

“Haha.”​​

The‍‍ rookie was participating‍‌ too?

Manager‍ Myeon replied with⁠‍ his usual smile.‌‌

“The​ Adjustment Department has⁠ surely already taken‍⁠‍ care of all‍⁠ the preparations. And​​​ if not, we​⁠⁠ have other measures‌ ready. We’ve already​​ received notice that‍⁠⁠ the transfer will‍ be completed during⁠‌​ the afternoon. After​​ lunch, we’ll go‌ directly to see​‍ it.”

This⁠​‌ afternoon?

Maintaining‍‍ an indifferent expression,‌ I looked up‍ at the ceiling​⁠ while repeating those‌‌ words in my‍​‍ mind.

‘They’re‍ bringing a new⁠‌‍ dimensional entity this⁠​​ afternoon?’

Although​ I didn’t fully‍ understand the internal‍‌‌ terminology, I grasped​ the general context.‍⁠‍

Adjustment⁠‌‍ Department.

Capture.⁠

Perimeter.‌‍

Possibility⁠⁠​ of refinement.

And‍⁠‍ structure.

I had the feeling‌ that the meaning‌‌‌ of those words⁠​​ was connected to⁠‌ whatever I would‍​‌ soon be facing.‌‌⁠

“Employee⁠​ Jeong.”

Suddenly,⁠‌‍ Manager Myeon turned‌ his head toward⁠‍ me and spoke‍‍‍ calmly.

“Yes.”‍‌‌

I straightened my posture‌‌ reflexively.

“There⁠ is no need​ to be nervous.⁠⁠⁠ This afternoon’s program⁠ will simply be⁠ something quite interesting.”​

His​ tone remained as​‍‍ kind and courteous​ as ever.

But​⁠ behind those words‌ was a strange​ scent suggesting that​‌ something had already‍‌ been prepared.

“Understood.​ I’ll leave myself‌ in your hands.”​‍‌

I lowered my head‌ slightly.

My‍ heart lurched heavily.​

‘A‍ new dimensional entity.’‍⁠‌

What‌ exactly was about‍‍ to arrive?

The⁠⁠​ elevator continued descending​ through the dark⁠‍‍ shaft.

We‌ were heading to⁠‌​ the company cafeteria.‌

But​‍ it felt almost⁠ exactly like descending‍⁠ into a slaughterhouse.​⁠

***​​

Lunch​ was, surprisingly, quite‍⁠‌ good.

Of‌⁠ course, there were‌‍ many complicated emotions‍​‍ hidden within that⁠ “quite good.”

To​⁠‍ begin with, the‌‍‌ elevator itself was‍ strange.

At‌ first, I thought‍⁠ it was simply​ slow.

Then‍ I thought it​​⁠ had been descending​ for too long.​​‌

After​​‍ that, I came‌⁠‌ to believe it⁠‌​ had broken down.‍‌

And‍ finally—

‘It’s‌‍ still going down?’⁠‌​

At​‌​ some point, the‍⁠ floor indicators stopped⁠⁠​ looking like numbers‌‌ at all.

The⁠ digits began twisting⁠ into symbols.

Then‍ those symbols mutated​‍​ into incomprehensible shapes‌ that eventually formed​ fixed patterns.

And⁠⁠ finally, the doors⁠​ opened.

The​​⁠ entrance to the⁠​‍ cafeteria was absurdly‍‌‍ clean.

Shining​‍ tiles beneath white‌ lights.

A menu board that⁠‍ functioned properly.

Stacks⁠⁠ of trays piled‌ high.

And⁠⁠⁠ a crowd of‌ monstrous employees.

There‍​ were even wet‌‌ towels on every​ table.

‘Uh…‌​‌ this really does‌​ look like a company cafeteria.’

Except⁠ for the fact​ that it was‍⁠ full of monsters‌‌‌ instead of humans.‍‍‌

There‍ were even menus⁠ suitable for people.‍‍

Spicy‌​⁠ stir-fried pork.

Bulgogi‌‌​ over rice.

Pork‍ belly.

Egg‌‍‍ soup.

Kimchi.‌⁠⁠

White​​‍ rice.

Of‌ course, alongside them,⁠‌ impossible symbols and‌‌⁠ moving figures also​​ appeared on the⁠ illuminated menu boards,​​​ apparently representing menu‍⁠‌ items as well.⁠‌‍

At‍ a table across​‌ from us, some‍⁠‌ creatures were eating‌⁠ masses of slime‌​ with spoons.

Others‍ drank mysterious liquids⁠ from their trays‍​‌ as though they‌ were floating corks.‌

And⁠ when the five⁠‍⁠ members of Extraction‍ Team 1 stopped‌‍ in front of⁠ something that could⁠​ barely be called‍‌ an automated kiosk—‌

The‍ atmosphere changed.

Employees⁠‌ stiffened.

Some⁠⁠​ looked away.

Heads⁠ filled with multiple​​⁠ eyes.

Heads⁠⁠⁠ covered with mouths‌ instead of eyes.⁠

Beings⁠‌ composed entirely of​⁠‍ formless masses.

All‍‌ of them were‍​ watching us.

‘This…’‍‌‍

Hierarchy.‌​​

Even​​ within this grotesque​‌ organization, Extraction Team‌​​ 1 clearly occupied‌​‍ a superior position.​⁠

It​ wasn’t exactly respect.⁠​​

The​​ gazes were distorted‌‌‍ by something else.​

It​⁠‌ wasn’t exactly fear.‌‌

They‍​ were too cautious​ to be mere‍​ fear.

It‍⁠ was a kind⁠‌⁠ of silent reverence‍ reserved for something​⁠​ forbidden.

An​‍‍ unpleasant admiration that​ could not be⁠‍ denied.

Suddenly,‌ I remembered the⁠​‌ pride Manager Batori‍⁠⁠ had shown when⁠​ talking about Extraction‌ Team 1.

‘We​ are definitely different.’‌‌​

After‌‍ choosing our meals,⁠ the five of‍​ us sat at‍‌ the same table.⁠

And⁠​ the moment the‍‌ food arrived—

Hell‌ began.

First,​⁠⁠ Supervisor Shik.

He‌ appeared to be​‌‍ eating a bowl⁠⁠‌ of bulgogi over‍ rice.

But​ the speed was‍⁠‍ absurd.

Crunch!‍ Splurt! Chomp! Crack!‍‍

Spoons⁠ were an unnecessary‍‌ luxury.

Using‍ those enormous fur-covered⁠⁠ paws, he devoured​ the food savagely‌⁠ and emptied three⁠‍ trays in an‌‍⁠ instant.

From​⁠ the first tray,⁠‌⁠ some grains of‍⁠⁠ rice flew toward‍⁠‍ me.

From‍⁠ the second—

“Urgh.”⁠

A kind of black,‍‍⁠ viscous soup splashed​‍⁠ onto my kimchi.‌‌​

I sighed silently.

‘There’s‍⁠ no helping it.‍‍‍ I give up.’‌

Then‌‌ there was Assistant‍​⁠ Manager Son.

He​​ stared at his⁠​ tray for several⁠ seconds.

And​ suddenly dumped the⁠‍ entire contents onto​​​ his fist-head.

Literally.⁠​

The​⁠ entire tray.

Eggs.‌​

Soup.​⁠

Rice.‍‌‌

Seaweed.‍

And​ all the other‍⁠ mysterious side dishes.‌

Then‍‍ he began kneading‌⁠ his own head​‍⁠ with both hands.‌⁠

As⁠ if he were‌⁠ working bread dough.‍‍

And‍ then—

Nothing.⁠⁠​

When⁠ he opened his​‌ hands, absolutely nothing‍ remained.

He​​​ didn’t even have⁠ a mouth.

Yet​​ everything had vanished.⁠​

As‌‍​ though he had‌​‌ devoured it completely.⁠

‘…This⁠⁠ makes no sense.’‌⁠‌

Director‍‌‌ Mok, on the​⁠ other hand, had‍ brought a tray​​‌ full of dirt.⁠‌‌

No‌ rice.

No‌ side dishes.

Nothing.‌​

Silently,‍‌ he extended several⁠‌​ roots from his‌ body.

And⁠​​ carefully planted them⁠​​ into the tray.⁠‌

The‌⁠​ end.

He‍ was simply sitting‍‍ there planting roots.⁠‍

‘I⁠‌‌ am definitely still⁠ human.’

And‌⁠ then there was​ Manager Myeon.

He‍‍ ate in the‍‌‍ most human manner.​

If​⁠ you ignored the‌⁠‍ detail of his⁠ seven faces.

Above⁠‍‍ the elegant collar‍​​ of his suit‍ were seven faces.⁠​

He‌‌ fed each one​‌ methodically while changing‍​⁠ spoons.

Face‍⁠⁠ 1: rice.

Face‌⁠‌ 2: soup.

Face​‍‍ 3: side dishes.​‍

Face⁠⁠ 4: more rice.‍‌​

Face‌ 5: more soup.‍‍​

Face⁠ 6: observing the​​ cafeteria.

Face‍⁠‌ 7: smiling at‌‌‌ me.

“Employee‌ Jeong, are you​‍‍ enjoying the meal?”​

asked⁠ the seventh face⁠ gently.

I simply nodded.

My⁠ tray contained a completely normal meal.​

Fried⁠​‍ egg.

Spicy‌⁠‌ pork.

Kimchi.‌‍​

Soup.‌

Rice.​

Nothing​ special.

And‌​ yet—

“It’s​​ delicious. Ah, I mean, it’s really​‍​ delicious.”

It⁠‌ truly was delicious.‌‌

It‌‌ was hot.

It⁠ wasn’t too salty.​‍

The‌⁠‍ meat was tender.‌​⁠

The‍⁠​ rice had the​‌‌ perfect texture.

The​‍ soup slid smoothly‍‍ down my throat.‌

And⁠‌ something stirred inside​⁠ me.

‘Ah…‍‍⁠ this is food.’⁠

My⁠⁠‍ stomach, which had⁠ gone days without​‍ being properly fed,⁠​ was finally receiving​‍‍ real nutrients.

It‍ was telling me‍‌ that I was‌⁠ still alive.

I finished eating slowly‌ and quietly.

Around‌​‌ me, food continued⁠ flying through the​⁠‌ air.

Trays‌‍ continued being dumped‌ onto heads.

Dirt‍‍ continued covering tables.​

And​ seven faces continued⁠​‌ eating with the​⁠‌ rhythm of perfect⁠ machinery.

But‍‍​ during that meal—​⁠​

I was still human.‍​

And​​​ that fact alone‌ was enough to‌‍ restore my desire​​‌ to live.

We​​ finished lunch in‌‍⁠ silence.

And‌‌ headed back to‌‌​ the elevator.

Supervisor​‌‍ Shik arrived a moment later, releasing‍​‍ another deep growl.‍‍

And​ the elevator became‌ completely packed once​‌ again.

Half-crushed‌ beneath one of‍ his shoulders, I let out a silent sigh.

***⁠

After​ returning to the‌​‌ office following lunch,⁠‌ the five of​⁠ us prepared to⁠ head together to‍‌​ the Extraction Room.⁠

It⁠ was the first​‍‍ time.

There‌ was always someone⁠ who stayed behind‌ in the office.‍‍​

Or‌‌‌ someone who left​ midway through.

But‍‌ today all of​​ us would be‌‍⁠ participating.

It​ was obvious that​‌ something important was‌​​ happening.

When‍‍ we reached the​​ entrance to the⁠​ Extraction Room, Manager⁠⁠ Myeon stopped.

As‌ always, his movements⁠‌‍ were slow and‍​‍ precise.

One​⁠ of his seven‍‌​ faces.

More​ specifically, the one‍​ positioned furthest to‍‌​ the left.

Turned‌⁠‌ toward me.

And‍‍ a familiar, polite,⁠⁠‍ and tidy voice​⁠ spoke.

“Employee‌​‌ Jeong.”

I responded almost reflexively.⁠‍

“Yes,⁠⁠ Manager Myeon.”

“Today,⁠ three new dimensional‌‍ entities have arrived.”⁠⁠⁠

He‌‍‌ continued speaking slowly.​⁠⁠

“The⁠‍ Broken Violinist.”

“The⁠ Portrait of a Dismantled God.”

“The‌‌ White and Chubby⁠‌​ Furball.”

I heard those names​‍⁠ and needed a moment before I could breathe again.​‍

‘The​⁠​ Broken Violinist?’

An‍ entity that produces⁠‌‍ distorted sounds?

Or‍‌ a humanoid that​ uses its own‍ body as a bow?

‘The‌⁠ Portrait of a Dismantled God.’

A distorted sacred statue?⁠⁠​

A metaphysical existence?

‘The‌​ White and Chubby​ Furball.’

…What⁠ the hell is‌ that?

Suddenly,⁠​ that name seemed​⁠ ridiculously insignificant compared‌​​ to the others.​‍​

My⁠ mind worked at​​ full speed.

From‌⁠ the names alone,​‌​ it was impossible‍⁠ to guess their‍ forms or natures.​

But‌‌⁠ perhaps that was‍⁠ precisely the point.‍

One‌⁠​ of Manager Myeon’s⁠⁠​ faces slowly smiled.​

There‌ was no pressure.​‌‍

No‌​ manipulation.

Only‌ the expression of‍ a boss asking⁠​⁠ for a choice.‍

“Employee‌ Jeong.”

said‍​ his fifth face​ softly.

“Which​‌ of the dimensional⁠​ entities do you​⁠‍ believe would be​‌ the most suitable?”​⁠‍

I closed my lips‍​ and slowly repeated​⁠ the three names‍ in my mind.​‍‍

The​‍⁠ Broken Violinist.

The⁠ Portrait of a Dismantled God.

The⁠‌​ White and Chubby‍​ Furball.

One‍‌ of the three.‍‌

The‌⁠‌ monster I would‍​ face today.

Between‌​ excitement, fear, and​‌ a vague anticipation,​ I slowly opened⁠ my mouth.

“I…”‍‍‍

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