Chapter 2: First Day of Work
ORCBlAfter the thick metal door opened with a heavy rumble, Sector D of the Extraction Room was revealed.w7WT
sgJJFollowing those horrible laughs, I slowly looked around.EbXc
AzzOne cell, two cells the isolation zones stretched to a point impossible to distinguish, and inside them were things difficult to describe with human language.txSbvxI
DLE7Y5‘Is all of this real?’I19
hcTmThe first cell.3pv
NrJIThe first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was a formless existence.3MHz
i7ZiRFIt wasn’t black as though it absorbed light, but neither was it transparent.V4e
9d8pD6It was simply something like waves that constantly appeared and disappeared in the corner of my vision.vggEt
9fbanSThe reason still remaining inside me desperately tried to interpret it as stains on the wall or an optical illusion.uwra
gPWIM“It may only be observed. You must not make eye contact.”1uP2o
HXxRManager Myeon calmly explained beside me.FDsu
m36B7msAnd just as he finished speaking, I made “eye contact” with that thing.TeaQ3G3
pBkI don’t even know whether it truly had eyes.CAG2h2P
GBMTJBut something inside me knew it with certainty.kJ5i
qXP0RKcAt that instant, it felt as though the skin behind my shoulders had been peeled away like a shell.PMfrdf
rTXmAs if someone had opened my body, inspected it, and then closed it back up again.7BQi7z
GPnThe sensation of nausea made me place one hand against the wall while barely turning my head.uwqX3
jGVMy eyes began reddening slightly.OGA8tIU
0qJOne of Manager Myeon’s seven faces smiled while murmuring.lHu
pJI2d“At first everyone reacts like this. If you feel like you’re going to vomit, there’s a restroom outside, so don’t hesitate to let me know.”k97B2
8hDAHis tone was kind, but it only managed to churn my stomach even more.N2toZQv
1H42gPThen they led me to the next cell.E3vDos
Uovm9ZInside was a group that resembled human beings far too much, but definitely were not.I3Kwo
L1o3They burned something covered in smoke, gathered the ashes, crushed them, washed them, and ground them over and over again.aDkZfc
7LWD96YThe fact that they repeated the exact same motions with completely expressionless and mechanical faces sent chills down my spine.5nOFC9
oPaIt was like watching a gigantic gear.x600uQy
MvOAs though they existed solely to burn, crush, wash, and grind, without any will or meaning whatsoever.9Ljky7
MTxQlQOne of Manager Myeon’s faces once again showed a concerned expression as he asked.Kuy00P
K96UZ4M“Your expression keeps getting worse. Are you really alright?”dO1xeR
cFcNLxy“Ah… yes, I’m really fine. Thank you for your concern.”sfj
vbral7I answered with words that even I myself didn’t find sincere while forcing my trembling legs to continue walking behind him.lDon
8wdlkThe next cell.IHY
S43fvLJWhat was growing inside a tank was mold shaped like a human face.R6cHqoQ
GEcaThe mold shook from the roots while letting out a strange giggle.3N7
RWu6FWJSomething resembling a customer review window hung from the ceiling, where five stars glowed forming a smiling face.M9Y
qpfdGz3In the cell next to it was a sealed box.gW9CigE
kQIBAnd from inside, the crying of a child with four mouths could clearly be heard.pl4h
dJyd7IX‘Are all these things those so-called dimensional entities?’suUp6F
2OGManager Myeon spoke slowly, following my gaze.ZEy
xiLteC0“Dimensional entities are company assets. Storing them, managing them, and extracting them. That is our work.”uv4
blkmsXHis voice was calm, but it concealed a strange sense of pride.oaUBHj
i1QkY“To put it simply, they are infinite raw materials. Sometimes power, sometimes knowledge, sometimes dreams themselves. A treasure vault from which one only needs to extract what is necessary. And because it is important work, the rewards for employees are also quite substantial, including benefits and prototype distribution.”GiQ6U
rdRVLneOne of his faces smiled.9Y08
uVrD1oXAnother wore a crying expression.nOOmaF
y8qiAnd another, panting as though burning with fever, continued speaking.lXKmkv
WiqShDX“But at the same time, they are dangerous. If neglected, this entire place could collapse.”ysj
2pJDCh2“I’ll keep that in mind.”FjD
IzOX“Especially damage to the extraction rooms threatens the safety of the entire company. In other words, employee Jeong. It is directly connected to our lifeline.”hI0fKE
m3Vy9pInstead of answering, I simply nodded.k43uW
iPsInside my head, only one thought kept spinning.9mHEad3
PGpkr‘They call this a company?’6UFkodR
9jV7uBInside the isolation chambers, impossible forms twisted once more.TnoDAF
etAShadows that crawled across the walls before vanishing.X33
MqBHjSevered arms floating in midair.bUE9OW
ekIThings that wrinkled and unfolded their own faces dozens of times as though made of plastic.p605Sg
rjFrI forcibly averted my eyes.yJlK
78N3dIf I kept watching, it was obvious I would eventually lose my sanity.hRcih
f0EManager Myeon nodded in satisfaction before concluding.iPG
jgY“Very well. We’ll end the field tour here. Employee Jeong, I hope to see you working at this company for a long time. Let’s do good work together.”amhJTZ
ZiKnKkYAt that instant, the seven faces displayed different expressions simultaneously.VrH
2H9Faces laughing, crying, screaming, and swallowing hollow laughter.1v7N
4r9prAvoiding all those gazes, I hid myself once again behind a blank expression and forcibly replied.aEjJBcN
QUserJu“Yes. I’ll do… my best.”AVfZ
Cyjt***x3GWCf
sNcc9After leaving the extraction room, I walked following Manager Myeon.WMDfjPA
iSgnkwExtraction Team 1.tuIx
O1XToward the department office where I would end up working.WkxKB
i8P“Go ahead. Employee Jeong, this will be the place where you’ll be trapped until you get tired of seeing it.”oVcYu
iYlZThe first thing that brushed against my nose was incredibly typical office air.ORv
ux7Xo9SThe dry wind from the air purifier, the smell of copier toner, and a faint aroma of coffee.c1b
omX1LuIf I had to summarize the office in one phrase, it would be “moderately normal.”iygEX
haCHsADual monitors, partitions, a shared printer.wAmZ0
LPvAside from Manager Myeon standing beside me and a few rather peculiar objects on the desks, the structure was that of an ordinary office.6BOx
2TJzhAs I carefully stepped inside and continued observing, I noticed there were a total of six desks.nKfj2f
fbbThe one closest to the window, impeccably clean to the point of seeming obsessive, belonged to Manager Myeon.lF8WZ
dYM6He sat down familiarly and pointed toward an empty space in a corner.09c
yQd3R0“That will be Employee Jeong’s spot. All the supplies are inside the drawer, so check them over. I also added a few extra things you might need.”vBkaLA
rE1Dn“Yes, thank you. I’ll take a look.”GXg2
o54zDKmAs I nodded and walked toward my spot, I quickly inspected the other four desks.skf5v
l5EApQThe first one that caught my attention was covered with flowerpots and plants to the point that it resembled a jungle.EVo1
qgKwIt didn’t look like a simple hobby.wO7b
xIv5NThe pots were piled up so heavily that there was barely any free space left, and that created a strange feeling of reverence.kHCh8AE
F5OyThe next desk was decorated with gothic ornaments so extravagant they bordered on excessive luxury.iKbdx
of35LPSA golden candelabrum, a red velvet tablecloth, and a fountain pen that looked like it belonged to a medieval noble.PFNHrf
XekkRather than the desk of a modern office worker, it looked like the private study of some aristocrat.6TTvhG
WRESIn contrast, the third desk was completely normal and messily disorganized, with post-it notes and parts scattered everywhere.8OdrDp
AX4gvIt either belonged to someone extremely absentminded or incredibly lazy.NsoyizV
w5koNAnd finally, the last desk.tQllz3
1qRkOP3The moment I saw it, I couldn’t help stopping for an instant.JqbN4Wq
wDWvIn one corner were unrecognizable bones tossed around carelessly, as though they had just finished butchering something.9nv
C2SAnd when I noticed the black stains of dried blood stuck between the half-destroyed keyboard keys, I arrived at a clear conclusion.zaWempA
0JRE‘There isn’t a single normal one here.’dx2lz
oiPcJust looking at the desks was already making my temples ache.uQjMAC
W8mo“Is everyone out?”PFwtp4
Oe0I asked while setting down my belongings, and one of Manager Myeon’s seven faces answered with a kind smile.rff
2pLH“Extraction Team 1 is composed of elites. Everyone is busy with their respective tasks. You’ll meet them soon enough, so there’s no need to be in such a hurry.”L78A53h
8nQJ17J“…I understand.”MasapUF
jsSLaDj“The proper thing would be to explain everything to you personally step by step, but today we’re delayed with the materials that need to be sent to the Refinement Department. That’s why everyone went out into the field. I’ll also have to step out again a little later.”con
3s5IWrManager Myeon’s seven heads looked at the clock simultaneously.N5ePs
iFA3Accompanied by the ticking sound, his voice also began speeding up slightly.TgRI
Y0Ed“Well then, for now there should be a document called New Employee Guide on the desk. You’ll also find various additional materials, so it would be a good idea to check the company intranet. Excel templates, report formats, and things like that. I assume there’s no need to explain the basics of office work to you, right?”WoPloQD
NmW“Yes. I’ll make sure to learn it.”GWZG5
33erYManager Myeon pointed at the monitor with his pale fingers.2Wo
g8BV“Perfect. I have expectations for you. Ah, and when you have time, fill a cup with water from the dispenser and pour it onto the plants on that desk.”BiS9
XvCbEAs though he didn’t even expect a response, he returned to his seat.kr1
UtQDrvDI remained motionless in my spot, watching his back move away.HsYmp
yd8tlEGSuddenly, I couldn’t even remember whether I had been breathing until a moment ago.vY0f
GHKygyzOnly after taking a deep breath did I confirm it.D5KPc3
4ozuV4OAh. Right, I’m still alive.Ty8
bkyG‘What the hell was everything I just saw?’FJ6
eotjDimensional entities? Extraction? Management?l98ZN4D
sliul8I couldn’t even imagine what kind of work I would have here.WA1EbQJ
AclWFcI sat in front of the monitor Manager Myeon had pointed at and placed my hand on the mouse.Tg0K61
aliH5WThe cold texture of the plastic transmitted itself into my palm.jJq
cB7ly7NThe desk was more normal than I expected.jrI9s
TFWtM8eBut standing out strangely in the center was a red folder, as though it had been created by dropping a single drop of blood onto the screen.9fEYm
F5sic[New Employee Guide]SyPA9v6
8gACWhen I double-clicked it, dozens of organized documents appeared.
I opened the file located at the very top, titled:zCTtBd
k66EvkD[(Ltd.) Limited Company Where the Dead End Up with Ghosts — Standards for Identification and Classification of Dimensional Entities]9HV
NTzjDry white letters appeared across the black screen.heBr4
U7UWfh==========4D64Ai
gCKDimensional Entity Classification CriteriaBGIT
OBbQBefore carrying out any extraction, new employees must first identify the target’s type and follow the corresponding response manual.DtIs5OZ
aDgF644Biological Type: Forms that imitate or parasitize organic structures from existing ecosystems.7Frp
qu1GeHObject Type: Forms in which anomalies have been added to inanimate objects, machines, or fixed relics.w8iEe
CAiJComposite Type: Forms where two or more classifications are fused together, displaying irregular properties.ktF1x2y
790tcMutable Type: Forms whose appearance and rules change in real time depending on the surrounding environment or extraction progress.V0mlQY
Q56giIncorporeal Type: Forms without a fixed physical body, existing as gas, liquid, shadow, sound, or similar states.bOdEmL
FOsgConceptual Type: Forms that ignore the laws of physics and manifest from faith, fear, disasters, or similar concepts.9KC
hdHxgJRisk Classification and Extraction GuideJYCfb
OxOThe company classifies dimensional entities according to management difficulty and potential threat level as follows.PKb
JM85nZLD-Grade: A level where extraction can be carried out safely by simply following the rules. Primarily used as consumable resources for operating internal company facilities.EFK
yBN7mIkC-Grade: A level where physical damage and mental contamination occur frequently. Use of issued equipment is permitted, and for new employees, work under a supervisor’s observation is recommended.mkHQ
2G89yB-Grade: A level where improper management inevitably leads to death. Supervision by at least a department manager or an experienced administrator is mandatory.S4CSop
JQQfbA-Grade: A level where the rampage of a single entity can result in a company-wide lockdown. Access to isolation chambers is prohibited without direct authorization and intervention from executives.jhmqnT
6wqjF■ Grade: [Access to this data has been restricted]t7pbUg
3FUmMandatory General Rules for New EmployeesZp09GGL
MoUEmotional Synchronization Prohibited: All auditory and visual information from dimensional entities is merely imitation. Block it out.rQv
EvPTwrTPrivate Contact Prohibited: Any unofficial experiment or contact not specified in the manual will result in immediate termination.txa0eo
2eNJS6Mandatory Reporting: If a dimensional entity displays any previously unseen phenomenon during work, report it immediately and evacuate the area.kJFmO
tNBxZN==========PnubP
NJXAM9I couldn’t keep reading the remaining information.bsHs
pqG7AdJEven after experiencing several absurd things already, it seemed the human mind simply wasn’t designed to adapt that flexibly.Kgqkbj
kLeWhile rubbing my throbbing head and trying to forget the countless disturbing scenes I had witnessed inside the company, a paper attached to the office wall caught my attention.z9ate
LOC[Emergency Notice]2Vx
qsdAccess to the third-floor storage area is prohibited for this week.IiC
ACuLTwo cases of dimensional distortion have occurred within the company.8iI
CFhIf you encounter an existence identical to yourself, do not smile first.0JSE
M5olThat is not part of the verification procedure.HMEtfDF
LD5TOC1— (Ltd.) Limited Company Where the Dead End Up with Ghostsn8T
Zc7aDkw“Haah….”2Yuqj
Q0Gq1I let out a sigh without realizing it and immediately shut my mouth again.N3v8s
CBccVWKThen, with trembling hands, I moved the mouse and continued exploring the company intranet.4wB2
UeuCII wanted to find out what kind of place this really was.eX8PIL
pq8No…
more than that, I wanted to confirm whether something that could truly be called a “company” actually functioned here.ha0k6T
RnlIUV7[Limited Company Where the Dead End Up with Ghosts]zZb
Mbe8AThe main page was designed completely normally.3NaHtjS
rTMAEaBut the contents hidden inside were absurdly far from normal.swR50T
2Pbw205[Announcements]9iejW
3uXCyIf the vending machine in the fourth-floor break room dispenses a red drink, do not drink it.VUP
2XignFuneral notice for Assistant Manager Mok of Extraction Team 1 (scheduled resurrection date: in 3 days)g3QPf5
oWCPvtHI am looking for my left arm. Whoever has it, please contact the Security Team.7drqJf
sZDDscAccess to the emergency staircase on the 377th floor is prohibited.6gYoU
bjR1UWz‘I’m seriously going insane.’z6SgqN
6JpBgThe farther I scrolled down, the more it felt like my sanity was slipping away.BhWD7t
hiIsThe cafeteria menu listed something called “Rainbow Energy Jelly.”3gZ223I
AGpAnd on the internal club recruitment board were groups like the “Abyss Observation Club” and the “Screaming Choir.”rSwiZ
AFrIf this were just some absurd comedy forum, maybe I could have laughed it off.syblgY
0OQ39But the image of the extraction room remained so vividly burned into my memory that it proved none of those texts were lies.qxwn
iY8mgKH“…”SAi5RLc
vlNijI rubbed my dry face with both hands and looked back at the monitor in front of me.Y6iPRsG
x0qoT1As I stared at my reflection in the black screen, only one goal began to solidify firmly inside my mind.QkE
uKF‘I need to quit.’FJtBnsK
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