Beyond The Control

Chapter 32

As I reached for my device with that thought, a notification sound rang out. I immediately checked the incoming message. As if our thoughts were connected, it was from Director Park.

[I’m sending you a copy of the contract by email. It’s negotiable, and we’ll proceed after you review and contact us.]

An email followed right after. As I checked the attached file, my eyes widened.

“Unbelievable…”

I muttered as my heart started pounding. Unable to believe it, I scrolled down and checked again, and even though the amount was clearly written in Korean, I counted the digits from the back.

One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand, million, ten million, hundred million…

My God. It really was in the hundreds of millions. Seeing the proposed annual salary, which was more than ten times larger than what I was currently receiving, even my hands were shaking. Just below it was a clause stating “Business trip allowances and incentives are paid separately.” This itself wasn’t special as it was also specified in the existing contract, but the important fact was that those amounts would probably increase enormously as well.

‘This is insane, really.’

Dopamine rushed through my body, and I shook my legs in excitement. Is this really right? I checked the annual salary once more and then reviewed the rest of the parts. Only then did I reply to Director Park.

[I’ve checked the contract. I agree to all the contents.]

[Okay. I’ll send the original contract, so please proceed with the electronic signature.]

Of course. In less than 10 seconds, I received another email. Just in case, I skimmed through the contract one more time and then signed with my fingertip where my signature was needed. I sent it right away, and upon receiving an email confirming that the contract was completed, I suddenly found myself in the ranks of those with annual salaries in the hundreds of millions.

This might be pocket change for high-ranking awakened ones, but not for me. More than anything, I was most happy about the fact that with this, I wouldn’t have to worry about my sister’s hospital bills for the next 10 years.

The news spread quickly. Somehow the information had leaked – probably Director Park contacted our team leader – and a couple of hours later, the team members who came rushing in all congratulated me on my temporary pair contract.

“I heard the good news. Congratulations, Su-hyeon.”

“Congratulations.”

Especially Gitae put me in a headlock, rejoicing as if it were his own achievement.

“I knew you’d make it someday. Congrats, man.”

“Whoa, bro. Bro. Stop it. Su-hyeon’s going to the other world.”

“He looks like he’s already halfway there.”

“Oops, sorry.”

Gitae said in a voice that didn’t sound sorry at all as he finally let me go. My face had turned bright red from being in a headlock by an arm as big as a person’s head, but knowing the sincerity behind his actions, I was just grateful.

The team leader, who was watching with a pleased smile, spoke to me again.

“Now that you’re officially joining our team, tell us a bit about what kind of guy he is.”

The omitted subject was obviously Song Ji-hyeok. I carefully chose my words while picturing his face in my mind. It felt like I’d be spitting on my own face if I said anything negative.

“He’s exactly like a twenty-year-old. And of course, his abilities are formidable.”

Even without specific descriptions, the team leader seemed to understand quickly.

“Doesn’t sound like an easy-going guy.”

“Not really. But if you look closely, he has some cute sides too. He’s quick to understand and sharp.”

“Somehow, he sounds scary.”

Baek Sun-jong, who had been quiet like a sack of rice, quietly added a word. Just looking at his shrunk shoulders, it was clear he was already quite scared.

“His abilities? Or his personality?”

“Both.”

It was a typical response from the most timid guy in the team. Gitae ruffled Baek Sun-jong’s hair with a smile and said,

“How can you be scared already, man? You should set the tone as a senior.”

“I’d be lucky if he doesn’t grab me by the collar, right?”

Everyone burst into laughter at this half-joking, half-serious concern. As the commotion settled down a bit, the team leader’s gaze turned to me again. He patted my shoulder and added one more thing.

“Be a good mediator. And tell him we all welcome him warmly.”

“Yes. Oh, and everyone, please stay in the office for a moment. I’ll treat you all to coffee today.”

I said this urgently because otherwise, everyone would scatter in the blink of an eye. I had already figured out the number of people, so I went straight down to the café on the first floor.

I ordered coffee and drinks without even looking at the menu. Having worked together as a team for a while, I was well aware of my teammates’ coffee preferences. I also ordered plenty of sandwiches and desserts, and proudly pulled out the card from my wallet.

The amount was quite large for a café, but I didn’t feel it was a waste at all. Just as I knew my teammates’ coffee preferences, they all knew my financial situation well. Especially the seniors never let me pay when we ate out together, so I was deeply moved to have this opportunity to treat them, even if in a small way.

“Please deliver to the 3rd team office on the 6th floor.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

I happily received my card back and turned around, but unconsciously paused. I saw Choi Young-sun entering through the open café door.

Even though our offices are on the same floor, we barely run into each other once a month, but to encounter her here of all places.

Many thoughts flashed through my mind in an instant. Although I hadn’t done anything wrong, given our relationship revolving around Song Ji-hyeok, it was admittedly a bit awkward.

‘Should I pretend I didn’t see her?’

While I was pondering, I ended up making eye contact with Choi Young-sun. She also seemed to have not anticipated this encounter at all, as I could feel her noticeably pause, despite usually being calm and composed.

Choi Young-sun was the first to react. Contrary to my thought that she might ignore me, she silently gave a very slight nod.

I also quickly came to my senses and gave an awkward greeting. But when I looked up, her gaze had already moved away from me. She walked steadily and lined up at the counter inside. As we weren’t close enough for me to approach and strike up a conversation, I left the café belatedly, scratching my innocent nape.

It would be nice to get along well with everyone, but that’s absolutely impossible in reality. There are people whose personalities don’t match, and sometimes there are people you dislike for no particular reason.

What about someone who took something away from you or made you feel a sense of loss? Positive feelings can never arise. I’ve been in that position too.

Knowing this, I quickly shook off the unsettled feeling that was trying to creep in and headed towards the emergency exit. Even when climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator for physical training, I didn’t forget to send a text to Song Ji-hyeok.

[Are you free this evening? Let’s go eat something delicious]

Let me say it again, I’m a person who knows how to be grateful, it’s just that my financial situation hasn’t been great. Thanks to him, I’ve hit the jackpot, so it was only right to treat Song Ji-hyeok properly. And if we could get closer in the process, even better.

***

The next day, Song Ji-hyeok was officially incorporated into Team 3. As soon as we entered the office side by side, applause erupted from all corners.

The team leader approached with big strides, smiling with a kind face, and offered a handshake to Song Ji-hyeok.

“I’m Yoon Hyun-tae, the leader of Team 3. We sincerely welcome you to our team.”

Song Ji-hyeok slightly bowed his head and shook his hand. It looked almost like a meeting of leaders, and I clapped along quietly beside them.

“Could I ask you for a brief self-introduction?”

Song Ji-hyeok seemed to frown slightly, but it was just for a moment. Probably having enough sense to know that confronting the team leader on the first day wouldn’t do any good, he soon opened his mouth without protest.

“I’m Song Ji-hyeok. Please take care of me.”

Once again, thunderous applause and whistles poured out. Now it was time for the old-timers to step up. Starting with Kim Young-joo sitting by the door, everyone stood up and took turns introducing themselves.

I hope it ends with just introductions. Yesterday, the team leader announced that ‘there will be a team-wide dinner on the 16th’. It was good timing, or rather, they had set the dinner date for when the maximum number of people could gather as two small teams were returning from the field.

Each team under the guild has distinct characteristics, and the team atmosphere usually matches the team leader’s tendencies. For example, I know that Team 1 has a strong tendency for individual play, and in Team 6, a competitive atmosphere prevails even among team members.

And our team tends to value human interaction and harmony. Even without team dinners, team members often go drinking together after work, and many have their teammates’ contact information saved in their personal phones. There’s even a time once a month to celebrate the birthdays of all team members born that month together.

To people like Team 6’s Leader Kim who prioritize extreme efficiency, this might seem like a useless activity, but not to me. Maybe because I like people and enjoy mingling with them, I really liked the atmosphere that was more intimate than just work colleagues. It would be too bleak if everyone just did their job and only exchanged necessary words.