Episode 3: I Hate Manual Labor (Part 1)
Cheongseong Gate Labor Agency specialized in connecting workers to harvest byproducts from cleared Gates.
While numerous agencies provided similar work for Awakened individuals, Cheongseong's dominance stemmed from a single advantage - their contract with Sirius, South Korea's top guild.
The morning crowd packing the agency proved this alliance's effectiveness. Now what?
I'd clawed my way to work using decade-old memories, but the next steps eluded me. Ten years contained too much life.
"Hey, Isin. Just arriving?"
My fists clenched automatically at that unforgettable voice.
Hyunsoo Lim.
The bastard who destroyed my life. I'd forgotten this place meant facing him.
I turned. Hyunsoo remained unchanged - deceptively kind eyes, perpetually pleasant face. None here suspected the rot beneath.
I forced down rising bile. Punching him now would ruin everything. Expose him? How? A powerless temp without evidence would only look unhinged.
Endure.
Hyunsoo scanned my face. "Trouble?"
"None," I ground out through clenched jaws.
"You worried me, arriving late without notice."
He delivered the nauseating concern flawlessly. Everyone knew Hyunsoo - the model employee who'd personally welcomed me after my academy disgrace. The traitor who'd sold me out.
I bit my lip until copper flooded my tongue.
"Watch yourself today." Hyunsoo nodded toward the distribution counter. "Manager Park's been a raging bastard since dawn. Family troubles, maybe."
"Really?"
"Threw a tantrum during supply distribution. Hurry - you might still catch the tail end."
Hyunsoo waved his acquired supplies. Right - the mandatory Gate entry gear. No wonder the early crowd.
Clicking my tongue, I pushed through to where Manager Park leaned against a "No Smoking" sign, cigarette dangling as he barked at dawdling workers: "Move! Move!"
People endured his toxicity for one reason - Cheongseong's free equipment, unlike competitors offering mere job placements. Naturally, stocks depleted as I approached.
"Gone?"
"First come, first served." The clerk eyed my tension. "Should've arrived earlier."
Manager Park flicked ash toward me. "Planning a residency? Scram!"
His roar scattered lingering hopefuls like startled insects. "Tch."
I glared at the warehouse undoubtedly stuffed with Sirius-diverted supplies. This was the true system - even agencies partnered with Korea's premier guild still sucked Awakened workers dry.
