There Are No Humans in the Monster Company — Chapter 25: External Night Shift

Chapter 25: External Night Shift

Red.‌⁠‍

Dizziness.‌⁠

Cold.‍

Blurred⁠ vision.

Early‍ dawn.

Concrete ground soaked with‍‍ dew.

A low ceiling, peeling‌‌ paint, fluorescent lights⁠⁠ that would not turn on.

A gray city.

Blocked-off‍ buildings.

Beyond⁠ the shattered windows,⁠‍ grotesquely twisted shadows‍ crawled about.

And‍⁠⁠ then.

“…This‌ is.”

Blood.⁠‌

Red⁠‍ traces scattered everywhere.‌‌

Fresh‍‌⁠ blood covering marble⁠⁠ walls.

And‍‍ something coagulated bubbling⁠ up from beneath‌ a drain.

Bodies lay sprawled across‌ that filth.

Their⁠ faces could not⁠ be seen.

Because‌‌ there was nothing⁠‍‌ left that could⁠⁠ be called a face.

Black‍‌ uniforms stained with⁠ blood and dust.‌‌⁠

A massive black sledgehammer‌‌ rolling beside them.⁠⁠

Dried‌⁠ bloodstains clinging to‍‌ the weapon’s head.‌‍

Blood.⁠

Flesh.‌

Fragments‍ of skull.

“Staff Sergeant Jeong Haeil.”

A strangely viscous voice.

A voice that sounded‌‌ human.

And‍ at the same‍⁠ time did not.

And⁠ then.

Darkness.

The‍ world was dyed‍‍‌ black.

“Gasp…!”‍

I shot upright as‌ I sucked in‍ air.

“…Ha…‍ Haa… Haa…”

Sweat‌‌ ran down my‍ forehead.

My⁠⁠ lips were dry.⁠

My⁠⁠ hands trembled.

The‍‍ feeling of the⁠ dream still clung⁠‍⁠ to my entire‍‌ body.

A bed.

The‌ familiar sight of my small apartment.‍⁠

It‌ was my room.‌

The‌ back of my⁠‌ neck turned cold.⁠

‘…Damn‍⁠ it. How long‍ has it been?’‌⁠

Breathing‌ heavily, I slowly‌⁠ sat up.

My⁠ body was burning.⁠

My‍‌⁠ clothes were completely⁠ soaked with cold⁠‌‌ sweat.

A headache struck me.

Thump.⁠⁠‍

Thump.‌‌‍

I pressed a hand‌⁠ against my forehead.⁠

Thump.‌

My‌‍‌ fingertips trembled slightly.‌‍

My‌⁠ heart pounded hard.‍

That‍ vivid and familiar⁠ nightmare.

‘…I‌ had been fine for a while.’‌‌⁠

What‍⁠ did it mean‌ that the nightmare‍ that had tormented⁠ me for so‌ long had returned?‌

Had⁠ I simply relaxed because I had‌⁠ adapted to the‍‌ company?

Or⁠⁠ perhaps…

— Reconstruction begins by‍ cutting away the‌ irrational flows that generate negative emotions.‌⁠

‘Don’t‍ think about it.’⁠

I pressed hard against‍ the back of‌ my neck.

The‍‌‍ cold sweat still⁠ refused to stop.⁠‌

Then‍ a notification sounded‌⁠ from the phone‌‌‍ on the bedside‌ table.

I stared at it.

7:30‌ a.m.

The‍‌‍ company was still‌‍ waiting for me⁠⁠ today as well.⁠

***⁠

“Huff.‌‌ Huff. Huff.”

Without‍ looking back, I checked the mask I had stored⁠ in one of the lockers in‍‌ the Extraction Room.⁠‌‍

‘Let’s‍‌ see. This is‌‌ still here too.’‍

I had received it,‍⁠ but it was‍ so unsettling that‌‌ I preferred to‌ store it away⁠‍⁠ unless it looked‍‍‍ like I was‌ about to face‌ something truly dangerous.‌‌‍

After‍ confirming that Manager‌‌ Myeon’s face was still there, I moved on to⁠‍‌ the next part‌ of my routine.‌⁠

I slightly raised the⁠‍ tablet in my‌⁠ right hand and‌‍ reviewed the work‌ details.

Magnetized‍‌ Entrails

Dimensional⁠‍⁠ Entity Code: D-16‌

Extraction‌ Method: Specialized Extractor⁠

Estimated‍‌ Time: 3 minutes‌ 30 seconds

“…It’s‌‍ still writhing perfectly‍‍ today as well.”⁠

I tapped the screen‌⁠ once more and‌‍ slowly stepped out‌ into the hallway.‍‌

From‌‌⁠ behind came the‍ sound of paws running at full⁠ speed.

Tap-tap-tap-tap!⁠⁠

“Huff⁠‌ huff huff.”

The‌ White and Chubby‍ Furball

At first glance, it⁠‍ was far too‌ large to be⁠‍ called either a dog or a cat.

Round,⁠⁠ completely red eyes‍ the size of‍ fists.

Long,‍‍ white, dense, abundant‍‍ fur.

The⁠‍ reason this creature⁠ was allowed to‍ wander outside its‌‌ containment chamber dated⁠‌ back only a few days.

Just⁠‍⁠ as I was‌ finishing an extraction‌ and preparing to⁠ leave, it grabbed my clothes with‍ its mouth and refused to let‌⁠ me go.

I had been sitting‍⁠‍ down eating a chocolate bar while‌ organizing observation records.‌

— Hey, you need⁠‌⁠ to go back‌⁠⁠ inside… Uh, wait.⁠‌

The‌ White and Chubby‍ Furball looked at⁠ me.

It⁠‍⁠ seemed to be‌ crying.

Or perhaps it was⁠ trying to say⁠ something.

I asked Assistant Manager‌⁠‌ Son, who happened⁠‍ to be passing⁠ by, for help.⁠

— Assistant Manager Son,‌ this thing doesn’t want to go‌ back in.

After⁠ staring at me‍⁠ for a few‍ seconds, he waved‌ the hands protruding from his head.

— Oh really? Then‌⁠⁠ just take it⁠ with you. Just⁠‌ make sure to‌ return it to‌‌ its chamber before⁠⁠‌ you leave work.‍

Even‌ if it was a dimensional entity,⁠ that seemed like⁠‌ far too careless a management policy.‌

But‌‍ I was an⁠⁠ ordinary human.

There⁠‌ was no way‌ I could overpower⁠ a lion-sized quadruped‌ by force.

That‌‌ was how the⁠⁠ White and Chubby‍‌‍ Furball practically became‍‍ my pet.

Whenever⁠ I was extracting⁠ other dimensional entities‌ and something felt‍‍ strange, it would‌‍ bark at the⁠⁠ top of its⁠ lungs to warn me.

Sometimes‍⁠ it would even‌‌ enter containment chambers‌ and bite things⁠⁠⁠ on my behalf.‌‌

To‍‌ be honest, it‌‌ was quite useful.⁠‌⁠

“All‍ right. The Magnetized‌⁠ Entrails were extracted‌‍ without any problems.”

After‌ finishing the job,‌‌ in a corner⁠ of the D-Area‍‌ extraction corridor.

I dropped down onto‌‌‌ the floor and‍⁠ caught my breath‌⁠‌ while looking at‍ the White and‍‌‍ Chubby Furball.

It‍ sat heavily on⁠ its rear with a Plop.

Its‌‍ tongue hung out.‌‌

Its‍ red eyes rolled‍⁠⁠ as it watched‍ me.

I reached into my‌‌‍ pocket, pulled out‌ a crumpled chocolate‌⁠ wrapper, and quietly‌‍‌ opened one.

“Here. Good work today⁠⁠ too.”

I tossed it toward⁠⁠ its paws.

The‌‌⁠ White and Chubby⁠⁠ Furball immediately began‌ shaking its head‍‌ frantically as it‌ devoured the chocolate.‌‍

Crunch! Crunch! Munch! Munch!‌⁠⁠

For⁠‌‍ a moment, it‍ nearly swallowed the⁠‌ paper wrapper too.‍

Then‌ it spat it‌‌ out.

Ptui!‍‌

As I watched it,‌ an absurd thought‌ crossed my mind.‍‌‍

‘Wasn’t⁠ chocolate dangerous for⁠⁠ dogs?’

At‌‍ that moment, the⁠‌ White and Chubby‌ Furball looked at‌⁠⁠ me and stuck⁠‍‍ out its tongue.‍‌‍

“…Well,⁠‍‍ it’s not a dog.”

I muttered while picking⁠‍ up the wrapper‌ and putting it‌ back into my‍ pocket.

When‌‍ I patted its‌ round head, Director‍ Mok walked past‍⁠ us.

He‌⁠⁠ glanced at us⁠⁠ from the corner‍⁠‌ of his eye.‍

For‌‌‌ some reason, he⁠ seemed satisfied.

His⁠ gaze clearly conveyed‍⁠ a single message.‍

‘…You’ve⁠ gotten used to‌ it.’

I quietly stood up‌‍ and dusted off⁠⁠‍ my clothes.

The⁠ White and Chubby⁠ Furball followed after‌⁠ me, gliding along‌ without making a sound.

It⁠ wouldn’t be long⁠‌ before walking through⁠ the extraction corridors felt completely natural.‌⁠

“Let’s⁠‌ go.”

I murmured to it.‌⁠

As‌ though it were‌‍ the most obvious⁠ thing in the‌ world, it started⁠ following me.

Only‌ a month had⁠ passed since I joined the company.⁠

I had already given⁠ up trying to‌‌‍ understand it.

And‍‍ I had reached‌ the point where‌⁠ I had a dimensional entity as⁠ a pet.

The desire to quit.⁠

Was‌ still as strong⁠‍ as ever.

***⁠

I quietly opened the⁠‌ familiar office door.

Creak.‌‍

The‍ office of Extraction‍ Team 1 appeared before me.

Thud.⁠‍

I settled onto a sofa in the‍⁠ corner and leaned back.

“Huff.‌ Huff.”

The⁠‌ White and Chubby‍⁠ Furball rested its⁠ head on my knees.

Its‍ face was so⁠⁠ covered in fur⁠⁠ that its red⁠ eyes and tongue‍‍ were barely visible.‍‌‍

A damp breath escaped‌‌ from within the‌ fur.

“Yeah.‌ Good job.”

I smiled faintly as‍⁠ I rubbed its‍‌ round, soft head.⁠

Then I remembered how⁠‍ it used to‍ whine in front of the containment chamber.

Clinging⁠⁠⁠ to the doorframe‍⁠ with those short‌‌⁠ legs and desperately‍ refusing to part‍ from me.

‘It’s as adorable as‌⁠ a puppy.’

A small laugh escaped‍‍ my lips.

There⁠ wasn’t much work‍ left to do.⁠⁠

The‌⁠‍ extraction records and workload logs were⁠ automatically uploaded to the server through‌‌ some unknown method.‌‍

Those‍‍ responsible only had⁠‍‌ to review them‌ before leaving.

When‌ I turned on‍ the desk monitor,⁠‍ a new notification‍⁠ appeared.

[A-22⁠ The Portrait of‌ a Dismantled God:‍⁠ Updated Extraction Manual]⁠

I clicked it.

The‍‍ document appeared on‌‍ a black screen⁠‌⁠ with white letters.‌

I slowly scrolled through‍ the text.

And⁠ stopped.

‘…Just as I thought.’‌‍‍

The⁠ image of Manager⁠ Myeon appeared in⁠ my mind.

His⁠‍ determined steps toward‍ The Portrait of⁠⁠ a Dismantled God.‌

The‌‍ incomprehensible tongues emerging‌⁠ simultaneously from his seven faces.

The‌‍ new mouths being born inside other⁠⁠ mouths.

Even⁠‌ when the god’s‌ heartbeat made the‌ heart itself tremble.‌

There had not been the slightest trace‌‌ of worship or‌⁠ reverence in him.‍

‘That⁠ was not a normal extraction method.’⁠‍

It‌ was probably something‍ only Manager Myeon‍⁠‌ could do.

After‌⁠‌ all, most employees⁠‍ do not have⁠⁠‌ seven mouths.

So⁠⁠ they would not‌‍ be able to speak as much‍⁠ as he could.‌‌

“Mr.⁠⁠ Jeong.”

The voice that sounded‍ behind me made‍‌‍ my spine tense⁠ up reflexively.

A long, pale hand‌ rested on my‍⁠‍ shoulder.

I swallowed a scream.‌

I forced a smile⁠⁠ so natural that‍⁠ my facial muscles‌ almost hurt before‍ turning around.

“Manager‌ Myeon. Did you‌⁠⁠ call me?”

Manager⁠‍⁠ Myeon maintained his‍ smile as he‌ patted my shoulder.‌‍

“If‍‍ you are going⁠ to write reports,‌‌‍ it is also⁠⁠ good to review‍‍ the extraction manuals.”

One⁠ of his smiling‍‍ faces looked at‍‌⁠ the document on‌⁠⁠ the screen.

“You‌ do not need‍ to worry. Mr.‍‍ Jeong will never have to extract⁠ an A-rank dimensional⁠ entity.”

“Yes.‍‌ I thought it‌ might help me‍ in the long‌ run.”

“Very‍ good. That is⁠‌⁠ an excellent attitude.”‌‍

I swallowed and nodded.‍

He‍‌ adjusted his suit⁠ again and slowly⁠‌‍ began walking away.‌

“And‍ before you leave,⁠‍‍ make sure to⁠⁠ convince the White⁠⁠‍ and Chubby Furball‍⁠ to return to‍ its chamber.”

Upon⁠‌ hearing that, the⁠⁠ White and Chubby‍‍‍ Furball, which was⁠ curled up at⁠ my feet, kicked‍‍ the floor with‌⁠ its hind legs.⁠

Thump!⁠⁠

“Whine…!”⁠‌‍

Unlike‌‌⁠ before, it now‌‌ genuinely seemed unwilling‍‌‌ to go back⁠‍ into the chamber.‌

I sighed and patted‍⁠ its back.

“You⁠ should learn a little about working⁠‌ life too.”

A strange company.

Strange⁠ coworkers.

Strange‌ dimensional entities.

And a terribly strange manager.

I took out another‍ chocolate bar and‌⁠ stuffed it into‍⁠ its mouth.

Crunch!‍‌⁠ Munch! Crunch!

It‍⁠ devoured it instantly.‍

“Let’s‌‌‌ just do what⁠ we’re told. Okay?”⁠‍⁠

Normality‌⁠ was very far‌‌ away.

There⁠⁠ was no way⁠⁠‍ back.

And‍‍‌ now I knew⁠⁠ that a kind‌⁠⁠ boss could be‌⁠ something truly terrifying.⁠

So…‍

It‍‍ was better to‍ work hard.

***‍

I got off work.‌‌

Well,‌ saying that I “got off work”‌‌‍ was relative. When⁠‍ quitting time arrived,⁠⁠‍ I simply opened‌ the office door.⁠⁠

I had also recently‍⁠ remembered that during‍ the interview, Manager‍‍ Myeon had said‍‌⁠ the company would‌‍⁠ handle transportation to⁠ and from work.‍

‘I⁠ didn’t know this⁠‌⁠ was what he‍ meant.’

My‌ suit was covered⁠ in fur after‌ I had practically⁠⁠‌ forced the White⁠⁠ and Chubby Furball⁠‌ back into its⁠‍ containment chamber.

After‌‍ eating the takeout⁠ food I had‍‍ brought from the company cafeteria, I collapsed onto my bed with my⁠ body exhausted.

“Ugh…‍‌ I’m dying…”

Was‌ it because that‌ White and Chubby⁠ Furball had uselessly‍‍ refused to go‌ in and drained‍⁠ all my energy?‌‍

As soon as I lay down, my‍⁠‌ eyelids began to‍ close.

And‍‌⁠ the moment I shut my eyes,⁠ a deep sleep‍⁠ immediately dragged me⁠ under.

My‍ consciousness sank.

The⁠ sensation of falling⁠ somewhere.

“I‍ need to… change‌‍‍ clothes… and take‍ a shower…”

That‍ was my last⁠ memory.

And‍⁠ after I fell⁠ asleep, I don’t‍ know how much‌ time passed.

Drip.‌‌

“Ugh.”

Something⁠ cold touched my⁠‍ face.

I opened my eyes⁠ reflexively.

Cold.‌

Wet.‍⁠

And‌⁠ slightly viscous.

“Water?”‍

What…?‌⁠

I sat up abruptly‍‍ and looked around.

“Where‌ is this…?”

It‍ was not my⁠ apartment.

The⁠ familiar fluorescent lights‌ were gone.

The‌ bed.

The‍ refrigerator.

The‍ washing machine.

The‍ drying rack.

None of them were‌‌ there.

Nor⁠ was it the⁠‌‌ office.

My⁠⁠ superiors were gone.‍⁠

The desks were gone.‍

The⁠⁠ White and Chubby‍‌ Furball was gone too.

Black‍ walls.

A ceiling where grease⁠‍ and mold mixed⁠‌ together.

Rusty‌⁠ pipes.

A floor covered in‌ layers of mud.⁠

The smell of rotten⁠ dust accumulated over years.

And‌‍ the metallic stench‍ characteristic of old⁠‌ rusted bloodstains mixed‌ with grime.

‘……’‍

It⁠‌⁠ was not a dream.

Dreams‍‌⁠ do not feel‍ this heavy.

My skin itched as‌‌ if it were‌ tearing apart.

The‍ air tasted bitter.⁠

Iron‍⁠‌ clung to my⁠‌‍ tongue.

My⁠‌⁠ eyelids felt heavy.⁠⁠‌

My‍⁠ lungs contracted.

I raised my right⁠⁠ hand and wiped⁠‌ the rusty water⁠‍⁠ soaking my shirt.⁠

“Fuuu…”⁠‍⁠

First, breathe deeply.

Breathe⁠ and organize your‌ thoughts.

This‌ is real.

These sensations are real.

I needed the habits⁠‍⁠ I had acquired‌ in the military⁠ and at the‌‍ company.

Survey‌‌ the surroundings.

Secure‍‌ your field of⁠‌‌ vision.

Confirm‌‌ the structure.

Smells.

Sounds.‌⁠

Air currents.

The‌ floor had a slight incline.

On‍ the left wall,⁠‍⁠ a bundle of half-burned cables was⁠⁠ exposed.

With all that moisture,‌ it looked as‍ though electricity could⁠⁠ run through them at any moment.‌‍

When‍ I looked up,‌‌ I saw rusted⁠ pipes hanging from the ceiling like⁠⁠ teeth.

‘Looks‍‌ like the rusty‍‍ water fell on me from there.’‌⁠

There‍‌ was only one⁠‍ certainty.

This⁠⁠ place was neither‌‌‌ my home nor‌‌ the company.

Had‍ someone moved me‌ while I was⁠ asleep?

But‌ why?

‘When⁠ I left the‌⁠ company, I simply‍ opened the office⁠‌ door and appeared‍⁠ at the entrance⁠⁠ of my home.’‍

I had never thought‍⁠ much about it.

What‌⁠ if I wasn’t the only one⁠‌ capable of reaching‍ my home?

‘…That⁠‌ doesn’t change anything⁠‌ for now.’

I had to stay‌‌ calm.

My‌⁠ body was still⁠‍⁠ half asleep.

My mind, on the‌ other hand, was‍ fully awake.

I could feel my⁠ survival instincts, honed‍‍ through working day‌‌ after day, sending⁠ me warnings.

I slightly raised my heels and lowered‌ my center of‍⁠ gravity.

Damp‌⁠‍ air.

There⁠ was no door‍⁠‍ through which I could have entered.⁠

Nor‌‌‍ was there any⁠ exit.

Only⁠‍ a dark concrete⁠ corridor stretching out‍ before me.

Something‍ was strange.

‘Too‍⁠ quiet.’

In‍ an abandoned building,‌ there should have⁠ been the vibrations⁠ of fans, rats‌‍ scurrying around, or⁠‌ cockroaches moving.

But‌‍ there was nothing‌ here.

‘This is strange.’

A structure that did‌ not exist within⁠ the company’s systems.‌⁠

Something‍‍ completely different from⁠‍ anything I had⁠ seen until now.‌

The⁠ only thing I knew for certain⁠‍ was that this‍ probably was not‍ an ordinary abandoned‍ building.

And⁠‌ I was inside‍ it.

Thump.⁠⁠‌

The⁠ fountain pen pulsed strongly.

The‍⁠ Relics of the‍‍ Smiling Martyr on‍ my wrist felt‍‍‍ warmer than usual.‌

As‌ I regained my⁠‌ composure through the⁠‍⁠ feedback from the‍ company’s items…

Clank.‌⁠

From‌‌ the deep darkness⁠‌ of the corridor‍‌ came a sound that had not been there a moment ago.

Clank.‍

A heavy sound.

Rigid.‍⁠

Clank.

It came again.

Clank.‌‌‍

There‌ was something there.‌

I held my breath reflexively and lowered‍ my body.

‘Damn‌‍ it.’

There‌ was only one‌ conclusion.

Looks‌ like I’m in‌ trouble.

Clank.‍‌

Because‌‍ that strange sound⁠ was slowly getting⁠ closer and closer.‍‍⁠

Clank.

Clank.‍

Clank.‍⁠‌

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Chapter 25: External Night Shift

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