Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm

The air, which until then had been crushed beneath Executive Director Gu’s bloodlust and Deputy Director Baek Jaeryeong’s madness, finally began to flow little by little. admire However, as I looked at the faces left in front of me, I felt exhaustion rather than relief.

In the office, after the superiors with the rank of Team Leader or higher had left, only a tense silence remained.

Strictly speaking, I didn’t even know everyone who had stayed behind.

Much less the being that slid in front of me and cast his shadow over my body.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

With all of that stuffed inside the suit, Chief Rang tilted his head and rubbed his sickle-like curved forelegs together, sharpening their edges.

Scrape, scrape.

A gigantic mantis impeccably dressed in a black suit.

His unnaturally narrow waist and the sheen of his blue carapace.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“Ah, yes…… Nice to meet you, Chief Rang. atlas I’ve heard a lot about you as well.”

Countless images of my face were reflected in those grotesque compound eyes staring down at me.

“Extraction Team 1, Employee Jeong Haeil. acoustic I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I replied, awkwardly raising the corners of my lips, but instead of answering, Chief Rang rubbed his forelegs together again and tilted his head at a grotesque angle before asking.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

As expected, another insane superior.

“At the threshold of death, do they seek God?”

“Do prey…… pray?”

“Do you mean praying?”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

I wasn’t exactly sure what I had done, but it seemed I had earned a few points with him.

“Good. audit I think we can…… become good friends.”

I let out a brief sigh inwardly and gave him whatever answer came to mind.

“I suppose they do.”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

Deputy Director Mok moved aside the long leaves that formed his head and broke the silence.

Manager Batori also nodded as her red eyes flashed. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com

“Extraction Team 3 being annihilated was something we did not expect.”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“I expected some of them to die, but not for the Church of the Coming Feast to intervene. afford Those fanatics have never confronted us this actively before.”

Chief Rang tilted his head at a grotesque angle and added,

“I think the same. arrow Normally, they had conflicts with the Abnormal Disaster Management Department. crystal Aside from a few minor clashes, they rarely had such a direct confrontation with us. abstract Why now?”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

At those words, the atmosphere in the office immediately turned cold.

Assistant Manager Son calmly ignored the question as though it were the most natural thing in the world and added his own opinion.

“Who knows what they’ll do. agent It doesn’t look like they’re going to cancel the project at this point. shadow If Team 3, which specialized in fieldwork, was annihilated, doesn’t that mean we’ll have to go out much more often?”

“Is the banquet…… pleasant?”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

The Residual Layer and Gangsol Prison.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

‘Fieldwork.’

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“Does fieldwork…… go hungry?”

It was difficult for me to feel anything other than bewilderment over the annihilation of Extraction Team 3 when I hadn’t even seen their faces, except for one person. adjust However, the possibility that we might now have to take over their work weighed heavily on me.

Both were horrible places I never wanted to return to.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

Supervisor Hong Na-gyeom, who had remained silent until then, spoke cautiously in a low voice.

“In my opinion……”

I think I’m starting to understand how to deal with Chief Rang.

I just have to treat him like Assistant Manager Son.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“It seems we’ll be entrusted with a repulsive task.” Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.

“Unfortunately, I think the same.”

“There’s a possibility that Extraction Team 1 will be sent to the Fairy Tale Land Project.”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“Grrrrr.”

My superiors had already expressed every reaction I wanted to have, so I simply chose to remain silent.

“Wow, that sucks.”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

It was probably just my imagination.

It seemed to me that veins had begun to bulge slightly somewhere on Assistant Manager Son, although I couldn’t tell whether that was the back of his neck or the back of a hand.

“Why do you think that, Supervisor Hong? accent You know they say words can become reality, right? acid If you don’t have a good reason, I might end up holding a grudge against you.”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“Are fairy tales…… kind?”

“Be quiet for a moment, Chief Rang.”

“Extraction Team 2 participated in the Fairy Tale Land Project for a while, didn’t we?”

Supervisor Hong Na-gyeom continued speaking with complete composure, her expression not changing in the slightest even at Assistant Manager Son’s half-serious joke.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“At the time, Team 2 was sent to temporarily take over the work while Team 1 hired and trained its new employee. armor However, considering the usual policy, Team 1 was normally the one that provided support for operations inside Distortion Zones.”

Let’s settle for that for now.

Chief Rang closed his mouth, but in exchange, he began tilting his head twice as much as before.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

Deputy Director Mok blinked his green eyes and said,

“And now that Extraction Team 3 has been annihilated, the Strategic Planning Office will want to deploy an even larger force.”

“The mere fact that they sent Team 2, which had no experience working in Distortion Zones, while Team 1 was unable to mobilize indicates that upper management has no intention whatsoever of canceling this project. airport Under normal circumstances, they would have waited until Team 1 finished its onboarding process.”

“Continue.”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“Excellent explanation, Supervisor Hong Na-gyeom.”

“And aside from Extraction Team 1 and the Order Control Room, there is no other department with that capability.”

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Outwardly, I nodded calmly, doing my best to maintain a composed expression, but inside, I was already being completely consumed.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

And now there was a possibility that I would be sent to a large-scale project where team annihilation seemed to come as part of the standard package?

‘What if I just beg Director Won to let me resign?’

It had only been a few days since C-31, the Unstable Fugitive, a C-Class Dimensional Entity, had practically shattered every bone in my body.

And, to make matters worse, to a place infested with the apocalyptic lunatics of the Church of the Coming Feast.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

Her blood-red eyes turned cold as she continued laying out her deduction in a low voice.

“Coordinating our movements with Executive Director Seol’s watchdogs will hardly be pleasant either, but there is something that concerns me even more.”

“The hounds of the Strategic Planning Office may personally enter the board.”

Ignoring the screams echoing inside me, Manager Batori elegantly moved one finger and spoke.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“Now that the ranks of the Extraction Teams have been reduced so pitifully and manpower is scarce, is that not so? alpha Those people will do anything to achieve the result they desire—the success of the project. alpha Even if they must tear off their own flesh to obtain it. palette Even if that means sacrificing the lives of our team members.”

Strategic Planning Office.

The department of Executive Director Ahn, one of the most powerful figures within the company, and also the department to which the insane Deputy Director Baek Jaeryeong belonged, who only moments ago had possessed the audacity to confront even Executive Director Gu. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“In fact, they probably hope our forces will be weakened.”

Manager Batori’s old-fashioned tone was steeped in contempt that was impossible to conceal.

“Executive Director Ahn, that arrogant schemer, has always had a habit of crossing the line. arcade Both then and now.”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

As I tried to hide my grim expression, Assistant Manager Son shrugged and spoke.

Fairy Tale Land Project.

“Well, for now, let’s go home. galaxy It looks like the meeting is dragging on, and with this atmosphere, there’s not much point in starting the afternoon work this late either.”

I had wanted to avoid anything related to the Strategic Planning Office as much as possible, but I had never imagined things would become this complicated.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

I left work.

***

But after all, doesn’t the result matter more than the process?

Although saying that I ‘left work’ was a little strange, because all I had to do was open the office door while thinking about going home to appear directly in my apartment.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

Again and again, the image of Deputy Director Baek Jaeryeong and the completely deranged attitude he had shown earlier returned to my mind, along with Assistant Manager Yoo Seulbi, covered in blood from head to toe as she recounted the annihilation of her team with absolute indifference.

“Haa…….”

I took a shower, changed into comfortable clothes, and threw myself directly onto the bed, but I wasn’t the slightest bit sleepy.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

Ding-dong—

It felt as though an enormous and sinister whirlpool were opening its jaws to devour me.

The fact that they had begun intervening in earnest practically announced that, from now on, a hell far beyond simple extraction work was about to break loose.

‘Strategic Planning Office.’

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

I approached the entrance without thinking too much about it, but just before placing my hand on the doorknob, I realized something far too late.

The sound of the doorbell breaking the silence made my body spring up like a coil.

‘Who could it be? This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com. ’

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“……Who is it?”

Whoever could ring the doorbell here definitely wouldn’t be a normal delivery person.

The door of my apartment was physically connected to that company of lunatics.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

And at that very moment, without me even opening it for her, the door suddenly swung open and she calmly walked inside.

It was Director Moon Ara.

I swallowed and asked cautiously. arctic A low, soft voice came from the other side of the door.

“It’s me.”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“As I recall, this isn’t a semi-basement. adapt Why is it so dark?”

I glanced sideways at the darkness beyond the window.

My apartment had been like this ever since it became connected to the company. action Who was she making fun of now?

“Director Moon Ara?”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“What brings you to my home……?”

Much less when they showed up directly at your home.

It was never pleasant when a superior contacted you outside working hours.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

Two cans of beer covered in condensation.

“I just thought it was about time we had a little talk.”

However, Director Moon Ara was the only person in this company who took me out to see the normal world, so I decided not to worry about those little details.

When she brought a hand toward her human-skin coat, the face of a young woman embedded in it began chewing on something before spitting it out.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“…….”

In the end, my only option was to sit across from her.

“Do you like drinking?”

While I hesitated over what the hell I was supposed to say, she had already taken off her human-skin coat, hung it on a hanger, and sat down in a chair.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

When the cold can was opened, the refreshing hiss of escaping gas echoed through the room.

Hiss.

“I already heard about the situation. athlete Things have gotten pretty complicated. acquire I heard you’ll also be going up against the Church of the Coming Feast.”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“Leaving aside all the extra things Omniscient Incompetent told you, I’m only going to explain why the situation ended up like this. sphere You need to know so you don’t die.”

Although my head was a complete mess, we lightly clinked our cans together, and after letting a mouthful of cold beer run down my throat, I managed to regain a little clarity.

I nodded and set the can on the table somewhat awkwardly. autumn Director Moon Ara spoke calmly.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“Fantasia Island, in Busan, isn’t simply an A-Class Distortion Zone. advance In practice, it’s close to being both the best and the worst Distortion Zone currently in existence.”

“What do you mean by the best and the worst?”

She continued while playing with the beer can.

“Maximum energy efficiency. absorb But also maximum danger. palette There are at least twenty A-Class Dimensional Entities.”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

Director Moon Ara fell silent for a moment and swept her gaze over the old exercise equipment in one corner of my apartment.

Had she just told me there were at least twenty things on the level of the Portrait of the Dismantled God there?

Seeing my expression, Director Moon Ara’s inverted left eye twitched strangely.

“For a long time, there have been several attempts to extract Distortion Energy from that place. altitude Of course, they all ended in failure.”

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“But this time, Executive Director Ahn decided to push the project forward in earnest. anxiety He carried it out without caring about the means or methods, and thanks to that, he achieved fairly significant results. antenna The project was on the verge of being practically on track.”

She extended her can slightly toward me and paused her explanation.

She looked at them as though she found it strange to be in a space where such ordinary objects existed.

Once again, we toasted.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“The annihilation of Extraction Team 3 also happened during that process. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors. adopt Their goal isn’t simply to interfere with the company. august They intend to turn Fantasia Island into an altar to summon the Locust King.”

“The problem is the Church of the Coming Feast. apron They noticed the company’s movements and eventually found a way into Fantasia Island. alpha Now they’re openly sabotaging the project.”

The more I listened to her explanation, the worse the feeling that washed over me became.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“This won’t simply be a setback at work. atomic It’ll turn into a war between factions. alert And since you’ll also have to face Fantasia Island’s A-Class Dimensional Entities, it’ll be a three-way battle.”

I swallowed the sigh threatening to escape me by taking another drink of beer.

The sound of the can emptying seemed especially loud.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

At my question, Director Moon Ara’s hand stopped as she was bringing the beer to her lips.

“Actually, there’s more to it. academy Limited Company Where the Dead End Up with Ghosts and the Church of the Coming Feast have been like oil and water from their very origins. antenna Two existences incapable of mixing.”

“……There’s something I’ve been wondering about for a while. amateur I heard that the Church of the Coming Feast and the company had already clashed before. autumn Is it solely because of religious reasons?”

She slowly lowered the empty can and spoke in a voice even softer and deeper than usual.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

She seemed to be looking at something invisible.

“The company chose parasitism and exploitation. afford They chose destruction and salvation.”

She leaned back against the chair and raised her gaze toward the ceiling.

Translation of There Are No Humans in the Monster Company - Chapter 61: The Calm Before the Storm by Indra Translations.

“Those two values can never coexist. voyage That’s why, sooner or later, they were destined to clash.”

The corners of her lips rose barely a millimeter, forming a meaningful smile.

Her completely white gaze settled on me again.

“And that sooner or later is now.”