There Are No Humans in the Monster Company — Chapter 36: Talent Scouting

Chapter 36: Talent Scouting

“……Excuse‌ me?”

I was speechless.

I was genuinely speechless.‌⁠

No matter how many‍ times I turned⁠‌ it over in‌‍ my head, there⁠‌‍ was no other⁠ way to interpret‌⁠ what I had‍⁠‍ just heard.

— Do you want‍‌ to work under‍ me?

It‌‍ was not something‌‌⁠ that could be‌ said even as‌ a joke.

Especially‌⁠ not in this⁠ company.

And‌‍ even less coming‍ from someone like‌⁠ Manager Moon Ara.‌‌⁠

Although‍ it was my‍‌ first time meeting‌ her, I already‍‌ knew for certain‍⁠‌ that she was‌‍‍ not the kind⁠ of person who spoke without thinking.⁠

I looked at her‍⁠ with a bewildered⁠‍ expression.

“I…⁠ what you just‌‌‍ said means…”

Before⁠ I could finish‍ the sentence, Moon⁠‍ Ara smiled again.⁠‌

That‍‌ familiar smile.

That‌ dreamlike, emotionless expression⁠‌‍ showed not the‍‍⁠ slightest hesitation as‌⁠‌ she repeated what she had just⁠ said.

“I‍⁠ asked whether you‍ would be interested‌⁠ in working under‍‍ me.”

Again.⁠‍‍

As⁠‍ naturally as could‌‌ be.

As if she were‌‍ talking about the⁠‍ lunch menu.

As⁠ if it were not even a proposal, but something⁠‍ that would naturally be accepted.

I swallowed.

My mind was in‌‍ chaos.

What‌ did this mean?

A personnel reassignment?

A departmental transfer?

Could‌ someone at the‍ level of a team leader even⁠‌ make a decision‍‍ like that?

Besides,‌ in this company,‍‌ the word “under”⁠‌ could mean far⁠⁠‍ too many things.⁠

I put my brain‌ into overdrive and‌‌‍ fell back on⁠‌‌ the basic pattern‌‌ of social survival.

The⁠‍⁠ polite version.

Courteous.‍‌

And⁠ without leaving sentences‍‌⁠ unfinished.

“First of all, I sincerely appreciate the‍ offer, Manager Moon‌‍ Ara.”

Then⁠⁠⁠ I added honestly,‍

“However,‌‍ to be frank,⁠ I’m not sure⁠⁠‌ I’ve achieved results significant enough to‌‌‍ justify a transfer⁠ between teams. Nor‍‍ have I made‍ any particularly noteworthy‍ contributions within Extraction‍ Team 1. I have merely carried‌ out the tasks‌⁠ assigned to me‌⁠ competently.”

Only‌ after listening to‌ me completely did‍⁠‌ Moon Ara very slowly raise the⁠‍ corner of her lips.

The⁠ sunlight reflected in‍‍⁠ her eyes.

And⁠⁠ the inverted left⁠ eye gleamed briefly.‌‌

“Yes. That’s true.”

A firm and gentle‌ affirmation.

And⁠ then, a brief silence.

She‍ lowered her gaze,⁠ tilted her head‍ slightly to one‍ side, and made a gesture as‌ if tucking her‌ hair behind her‌⁠⁠ ear.

At⁠ that moment, I understood.

My‍ question had been⁠⁠ too naive.

After‍‌‍ several incidents, I had mistakenly convinced‍‌⁠ myself that they considered me an exceptionally talented employee.⁠‌

“In fact, if we’re⁠ talking about results,‌ you’ve performed below‌⁠ my expectations.”

Finally,⁠‌ she raised her‍‌ head and looked‍‌‍ directly at me.‍

And‌⁠‌ with a completely‍‌ calm expression, she replied,

“I‍ simply wanted to⁠‍⁠ make the offer.”

“……”⁠

I was speechless.

Literally.‍

There⁠⁠‌ were no reasons⁠ behind that “simply.”⁠‍

No‍‌ criteria.

No conditions.

Just⁠ moments ago, she‍ had been explaining⁠‌ organizations like the‍ Anomalous Disaster Management‍‍⁠ Department, the Church⁠‌⁠ of the Coming‌⁠⁠ Feast, and the⁠‍ Erosion Alliance with‌ terrifying clarity.

I never imagined that‌⁠ something as simple⁠ as “simply” could‍‍ come from the‍ same mouth.

I stared at her⁠⁠ silently for exactly‌ three-tenths of a second.

Then‍‍ I muttered to⁠ myself.

‘Is she crazy?’

Although,‌⁠ thinking about it, that was probably normal.

If⁠ a human managed⁠ to become a manager in this company, perhaps going‌ insane was an‌ unavoidable requirement.

Outwardly, however, I showed‌ no reaction.

Or⁠ rather, I couldn’t.⁠⁠

Because⁠‌⁠ in this company,‌‌ the way to‌ find out who‌ was truly insane‌ was not to‌ suspect that person.⁠⁠

It‍ was to see⁠ whether you survived‍ after dealing with⁠⁠ them.

“We can discuss the⁠ details while we‌‍ eat. I’ll treat‌ you to something‍‍ expensive.”

Moon‌⁠ Ara said, tilting⁠‍ her head slightly.

Her⁠ voice was as⁠‌ soft and calm‍‌ as ever.

But‌ somehow, it concealed‍‍‍ an authority that‌ was impossible to⁠ refuse.

A kindness you could not escape from.‍‍

A pressure that naturally‌ forced you to⁠‌ go along with‍‌ it.

Instead⁠ of answering, I nodded.

We‍ headed toward a restaurant hidden inside⁠⁠ a quiet and‍ discreet alley.

The elegant marble sign⁠‍ bore Japanese characters.‍

And‍‌ the interior had‌‌ the atmosphere of an authentic traditional‌ Japanese restaurant where⁠ guests were required‍ to remove their⁠‌ shoes.

As soon as the‌‌ door opened, the⁠‌‍ staff greeted us⁠ cheerfully.

“Welcome!‌‌ Table for two?”⁠⁠‍

At‍‌‍ that very moment.⁠‍‌

A woman with completely‍⁠‌ white hair.

White‍⁠‌ eyes.

And,⁠ on top of‌ that, an inverted‌ eye.

Dressed in a coat⁠ made from skin‌ that clearly did‍⁠⁠ not belong to‌ any animal.

Had‍ just entered the⁠‌ restaurant.

And‍ yet.

No‍ one seemed to⁠⁠‍ find it strange.‍

More⁠⁠‌ precisely, it seemed‌⁠ they were incapable‍⁠⁠ of recognizing it‌ as strange.

No⁠‌⁠ matter what she‌ looked like, in‍‌ the eyes of‍‌‍ those people there‍⁠⁠ was only a single social label.⁠

“Customer.”‌‍

I took a seat,‌ still confused.

It‍‌ was a traditional‌‌‍ Japanese floor-level table.‍‌

The⁠ smooth polished wood‌ conveyed a cool‌‌ sensation to my‍⁠ feet.

Moon⁠‍ Ara sat elegantly⁠‍‌ on her knees.

With⁠⁠ her back perfectly‍ straight, she opened‌⁠⁠ the menu.

“Kohada⁠‍‍ sushi.”

“I…‍‌ will have flounder.”⁠

Moon‌‍ Ara turned her⁠ head slightly toward‌ me.

And⁠ smiled just a little.

She⁠ pressed the call‌⁠ button beside the⁠‍ wall with her left hand.

And‍⁠ the order was‌‍ placed without any‌ further words.

Then‍ came that moment⁠ of silence before‌‌‍ the food was⁠ served.

And‍‌ she spoke again.‌⁠

“First.”⁠‍

As‍⁠ she removed her‌‍ chopsticks from their‌‌ wrapper, she continued.‌‌

“I‍‍ thought that if Manager Myeon had⁠ personally recruited you‍⁠ into Extraction Team‌‌ 1, there might‌‍ be something special‍ about you.”

She⁠⁠ gently rubbed the‍⁠ spot where the sushi would soon‍‍ be placed with⁠⁠‍ her fingertips.

As‍‌ if she were‍⁠ cleaning a table⁠‍ that did not‌ even have any⁠ dust on it.‌‍

A completely unnecessary gesture.⁠⁠⁠

Slow.‌‌

Deliberate.⁠‌

“Whatever‌ it is, I’ll⁠ find out eventually.”‌‍⁠

Then,‌‌ after a brief⁠ pause, she turned‌ her head toward me and smiled.‍⁠

“And⁠ the second reason…”⁠‌‌

Her⁠ eyes fixed on me.

“Is⁠ that I like⁠ you. You have⁠⁠ the kind of⁠ appearance I like.”‍⁠

I couldn’t react.

My‌‌ brain stopped for a moment.

I processed those words⁠⁠‌ exactly as I had heard them.⁠⁠

And‍⁠‍ then I slowly⁠ arrived at a conclusion.

‘She’s‍⁠⁠ definitely crazy.’

It was a conclusion‌‌⁠ I was completely‌ convinced of.

All⁠⁠‌ of our previous⁠⁠ conversations only served⁠‌ to reinforce it‍‍ further.

But‌‌‍ I didn’t say‌‌ it out loud.‍

Because‍ if I blurted‌ out a “Are⁠‍ you crazy?” here,⁠ they would probably⁠ dismantle me before⁠ they dismantled the‍ sushi.

At that moment, a wooden tray carrying‍ our food arrived⁠ silently.

The‍ employee withdrew after⁠ greeting us politely,‍⁠ and the grain‍‍‍ of the fish⁠ gleamed softly atop‌‌‌ the plates.

A set of kohada⁠‍ sushi.

A set of flounder‌ sushi.

There was no problem⁠⁠ while I was chewing it.

But‍‌⁠ every time I swallowed, I felt‍‌ a chill run⁠ down the back of my neck.‌‍

It‍ was as though‌‌ the sushi wasn’t‍ entering my stomach, but going directly⁠ into my head.⁠

As⁠ if she had⁠ no interest whatsoever⁠ in the chaos⁠‍‌ raging inside me,⁠ Manager Moon Ara‍ continued eating calmly⁠ with her chopsticks.⁠

“Security⁠ Team has many‍‌‌ external assignments.”

The‍ explanation began suddenly.‍

Without⁠‍ any context.

As⁠ if the proper‍ time to continue‍ the conversation had‍ simply arrived.

Moon‌‍ Ara picked up a piece of‍‌‌ sushi with her⁠⁠ chopsticks, lightly dipped‌‍ it in sauce,‍ and brought it‍⁠ to her mouth.‍

Her⁠⁠ thin lips moved slowly before she‍‌ continued.

“The⁠ Order Control Room‍⁠ is divided into‍⁠⁠ the Security Team‍⁠ and the Audit‌ Team. Director Go‍ Gyeol is in⁠⁠ charge of the‍ Audit Team, and⁠⁠ I lead the⁠‍ Security Team.”

I nodded while carefully⁠‌ lifting a piece⁠⁠ of flounder.

Moon‍ Ara’s explanation was⁠‌ orderly and calm,⁠⁠ like a formal transfer of job‌‌ responsibilities.

“It’s⁠ easier to think‍‍ of us as handling problems both inside and outside‌‌ the company. Internal‍ security. Containment room⁠ control. Response to‍‍ violations of internal‍‌ regulations. Internal management.‍ Sealing external dimensional‍‍ distortion zones. Support‍⁠ for off-site operations.‌ Field response.”

She⁠⁠‌ paused and took‍ a sip of‍ water.

During⁠ that brief movement, I observed her‌ eyes.

The‌ inverted left eye⁠‌ showed no emotion⁠‌ whatsoever.

And‌ that made it‍ even more frightening.‌

“A‌ rift may not‍⁠‌ be visible. Nor⁠⁠ does it necessarily⁠ have to manifest‍‌ as a dimensional⁠ entity or a distortion zone. It⁠ can also affect‍‌ immaterial domains, such⁠ as people’s memories,‍ locations, or even‍⁠ history.”

She⁠ continued speaking slowly.‍‌

“That‌‍‍ is why the⁠ Security Team resembles‌‌ a cleanup crew‍‌ more than a response team. We‍‍‍ seal rifts, prevent⁠⁠ leaks, and restore‌⁠ what has collapsed.”‍⁠

While⁠ carefully chewing the⁠ flounder, I thought.⁠‌‌

‘Going‍ outside to seal⁠⁠ rifts?’

For‍‌ a moment, I imagined the scene.⁠‍

An‍‌ abandoned, distorted building.‍‍

Intangible‌‍‌ light spilling out‌⁠ from everywhere.

Talking⁠ trees.

Weeping‌⁠ alleyways.

Twisted‍ skies.

And⁠ me in the‍⁠‍ middle of it‍ all.

‘Maybe‍ extracting dimensional entities⁠ in Extraction Team 1 is better⁠‍‌ after all.’

Without⁠ realizing it, I set my chopsticks‌‍‌ down on the⁠ table.

A deeper sigh than⁠⁠ I expected escaped‍ me.

As‍‌ if she had‍‌ read my reaction,⁠ Moon Ara slightly‍ raised the corner‍⁠ of her lips.

A look that conveyed‍⁠ its message perfectly‍‌ without the need‌ for words.

She‌‌ picked up another‍ piece of sushi and brought it‍‌ to her mouth.⁠

Beneath⁠‍ the heavy lighting‍ of the elegant‌‌ restaurant, her white⁠‍ hair swayed silently.⁠

I took a sip of water and⁠⁠‌ breathed calmly.

I still couldn’t truly‍‌ enjoy the sushi.⁠⁠⁠

Moon⁠ Ara elegantly lifted‍ her chopsticks and⁠ said.

“Think about it carefully‌ while you eat.”⁠‌

I nodded.

Purely⁠ out of survival‍ instinct.

***‌‌

The‍ meal ended quietly.⁠‍‌

Or‌⁠‌ rather, the act‌ of eating ended.

But‌ I couldn’t say‌ that I had⁠ tasted anything.

The‌ flounder was tender.‍

The‍ pickled ginger had‍‍ just the right⁠⁠ amount of sharpness.⁠⁠

But‌ that was only what my tongue‌‌ remembered.

I didn’t even have‍‍ the mental room‍ to think about whether the food‍‍ was going into‍ my mouth or‍ my nose.

Throughout⁠‌ the entire meal,‍ I kept thinking.‌‍

About‌ Manager Moon Ara’s words.

About‍ her expressions.

About that strange kindness.‌⁠‌

And‍‌ about that absurd⁠ proposal to seriously consider a departmental‌ transfer.

‘The‌ Security Team.’

Becoming‍‍⁠ Manager Moon Ara’s‌ direct subordinate.

I was convinced that⁠‍⁠ the way she‌ looked at me‍⁠ could not be‍ limited to a simple professional relationship.

There‌ was an intention.⁠

And‍ there was also‌‌‌ an emotion.

‘The‍‍ problem is that‌‍ I can’t interpret‍‍ either the intention‌‍‌ or the emotion.’

Did⁠ she genuinely like‍‌⁠ me in a rational sense?

What‍ nonsense.

When‍‍ we left the‌‍ restaurant, the midday‌‍ heat wrapped around⁠⁠‌ my skin once‌ again.

It‌ felt as though⁠ the senses numbed‍⁠ by the air‍ conditioning were slowly‍‌‌ thawing out.

Moon⁠ Ara walked ahead⁠‍‍ of me toward‌ the far end‌ of the alley.‍⁠⁠

I followed her for a few steps‍ and then spoke‍ cautiously.

“Manager⁠ Moon Ara.”

She tilted her head‌ slightly.

Her‍ white braid fell‍ over her shoulder.‌

I hesitated.

A brief silence followed.‌

And⁠ finally, I spoke.⁠

“Thank‌‍ you for the‌‍⁠ offer. Truly. It was an honor I didn’t deserve.”‍

Moon⁠‍ Ara looked at⁠⁠ me silently.

Under‍ the direct sunlight,‍‌‍ her white eyes‌‌ shone with a transparent brilliance.

And within them, I could not see my own reflection.‌‌

I breathed softly.

And‌ continued.

“But‍‍ after thinking about‌⁠ it again, I’ll stay with Extraction⁠‌‍ Team 1.”

Only‍⁠‍ after saying it⁠⁠ did I realize‍‍ how firmly rooted that decision was⁠⁠ within me.

Moon⁠‌ Ara watched me for a few‍‌ moments.

Then‌ she nodded calmly.‌

It⁠ was not resignation.‌‍⁠

Nor‌ disappointment.

Simply‍‍‌ acceptance.

“Alright.⁠ Then do that.”‍‌‍

She‍ replied briefly before⁠⁠ resuming her walk.‍

As⁠ I walked beside‌ her, I thought⁠⁠ silently.

Supervisor‌ Shik, always growling.‍‌

Assistant‌ Manager Son, who⁠ played rock-paper-scissors with⁠ his own head.‌

Manager‍ Batori, whose body‍ sometimes sprouted eyes,‍‌ mouths, and tentacles.‌⁠

Director‍ Mok, who used⁠‍⁠ as many roots‍‍ and vines as‍ limbs.

And‍ Manager Myeon, whose‌ interior was impossible‍‌ even to imagine.‍‍

All⁠⁠ of them were‌⁠ grotesque monsters imitating⁠‌⁠ human beings.

Extraction‌ Team 1 was⁠‌‍ a terrible department.‍⁠⁠

A place where they faced dimensional entities every day.

A torture chamber where‍⁠ human sanity was‌ constantly eroded.

And yet.

‘I⁠‌ guess I’ve grown‌⁠‍ attached to them.’‍

Only‌‌‍ a month had‍‍ passed.

But‍‌ during that time,‍ I had regained‌ a sense of‍ belonging that I had completely forgotten.‍‍

My‍‌ dry and empty⁠‍ years in the‌⁠ military.

My unpleasant discharge.

And⁠ the resumes that were rejected over‍‍‌ and over again.‍

I,‌ who had always‍‍ been someone out‌ of place, had‍ been accepted there.⁠

Perhaps⁠‍ even acknowledged for‍ the first time.⁠

Of‍‍ course, in exchange,‌‌ my ears had‍ been pierced, my‌‌‍ brain tampered with,‍⁠‌ I had been‍‍‌ examined by a doctor with tentacles,‍‍ my superior had⁠⁠ licked my forehead,‌‍ and I had‌ watched a boss‍‌⁠ blow up the‌ head of a member of my⁠‍ own species.

But‌ even so.

Right‌‌‍ now, it felt‌ as though that‌‌ crazy Extraction Team⁠⁠ 1 was the‌ place the world had prepared for‌ me.

‘Of‌‍ course, that’s assuming‌ they continue not‌⁠ to kill me.’‍‌

Then‍‌ I remembered something.

Manager‍ Moon Ara’s words.‌⁠

— If Manager Myeon⁠‍⁠ personally recruited you⁠ into Extraction Team‌‍ 1, I thought there might be‌‌ something special about⁠‌ you.

I thought about Manager⁠ Myeon.

His‌‌‍ seven faces.

His⁠ strange silence.

The‍‍ form he had‍ taken when he‍‌ neutralized The Portrait‍ of a Dismantled⁠ God.

Even‌‍‍ after working with⁠ him for a month, he still⁠ felt far more‌ distant than the‌ rest of the team members.

And⁠⁠ the fact that‌‌ he had personally‌‍‍ hired me for Extraction Team 1 still bothered me.‍

‘It⁠‌⁠ couldn’t have been⁠ without a reason.’⁠⁠

If⁠ there was a reason, sooner or later it would‌ come to light.‌

Whether‍ it was a good reason or‌‌ a bad one.⁠

And whatever it was, staying in Extraction‌‍‌ Team 1 would‌ give me a better chance of discovering it and‌‍ surviving.

Above⁠‌ all, no matter‌ how much I thought about it,⁠‍ provoking Manager Myeon’s⁠⁠ displeasure never seemed‍⁠ like a good idea.

I took another step⁠‌ and silently reaffirmed⁠ my decision.

Then⁠ I cast a discreet glance at‌ Manager Moon Ara, who was walking‍ beside me.

She‍ was still wearing that dreamlike smile.‍‌

I couldn’t tell whether‌ my answer had⁠ pleased or disappointed⁠⁠ her.

But at the very least, she was⁠ smiling slightly.

So‍⁠ I, too, raised⁠ the corner of‌ my lips by⁠ barely a millimeter.

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Chapter 36: Talent Scouting

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