Chapter 189. Intrusion

After organizing her thoughts, Kim Hannah took out a paper envelope from her handbag.

“Alright, give it a try. I’ll support you.”

Of course, she didn’t forget to address her concerns.

“I understand the employment contract and a checking account with an overdraft line of credit, but what do you need the company’s cafeteria menu for?”

“I think I’ll need it.”

Seol Jihu, who had already finished the box of chicken, took the envelope from Kim Hannah.

“My brother is the most meticulous member of my family. He probably has all kinds of doubts, so he’s bound to ask tough questions. I can almost guarantee it.”

“Oh yeah?”

After carefully listening to Seol Jihu, Kim Hannah suggested a tactic, saying that it was a commonly used one in the company. Seol Jihu smacked his lips.

“I don’t know if I need to go that far.”

“Didn’t you say that he was meticulous?”

“Yeah, but…”

“People like that won’t stop doubting just from a few pieces of paper and readily available data. You’ll need to incorporate a more realistic scenario. Someone from the company specializes in this, so just try talking to him.”

Seol Jihu was reluctant at first but nodded his head when Kim Hannah insisted.

“Okay, I’ll give it a try. Thank.!”

“Perfect. I’ll let you know when the preparations are done. Rest up until then.”

Kim Hannah dusted her butt and got up. Seol Jihu blankly looked up.

“You’re leaving already?”

“Of course. Do you know how busy I’ve been lately?”

“Did something come up?”

“Yep.”

Kim Hannah smiled.

“You don’t know about the September Halfway Point, right?”

“The September Halfway Point?”

Realizing that she was talking about the Neutral Zone, he went “Ah.” Quickly checking the date, he saw that it was now the middle of October.

“It’s already October…? How many people got in this time?”

“Don’t even mention it. The place was crawling with newbies, with all sorts of childish competitions going on. Well, we all expected it since the number of active Earthlings decreased these past six months.”

Kim Hannah licked her lower lip as she lifted her handbag.

“Anyways, if it’s like this in September, I can’t imagine how it’s going to be next March…”

“Next March?”

“Ah, you see, the recruiters for September didn’t have a lot of time to do their job because of the sudden war. We recruited who we could, but we didn’t meet our quota. And because we were in such a hurry, the standard is lower. On the other hand, we have lots of time until next March.”

She was saying that there was more time to recruit people and more time to increase their chances of hitting a jackpot.

“Anyways, the organization that will be in charge of next year’s March midpoint is going to strike gold. Just thinking about it makes me jealous.”

‘Strike gold?’

Seol Jihu tilted his head.

“Wait, I don’t get it. I remember hearing that it takes contribution points to activate the Halfway Point. Is there a benefit to being in charge of it?”

“Oh, are you asking that for real!?”

Kim Hannah looked dumbfounded.

“Of course, there is! Which organization would spit out their hard earned contribution points if there wasn’t a benefit to be had!?”

“So what, they get small bonuses?”

“Small bonuses? Think bigger. There’s a reason why everyone is lobbying to take that particular role. Plus, you can recover more contribution points as more people enter.”

When Kim Hannah began to list out other benefits of being the host of the Halfway Point, the topic piqued Seol Jihu’s interest as well.

“So how do you get to host the Halfway Point?”

“You have to fulfill a few requirements, but it ultimately comes down to an auction at the temple. Why? Are you interested?”

When Seol Jihu nodded his head in affirmation, Kim Hannah grinned.

“Unfortunately, the organization that will be in charge of the March Halfway Point has practically been decided already. Well, that’s only if that organization is interested in it, though.”

“Oh really? Which organization is it?”

Hearing this, Kim Hannah stared at Seol Jihu fixedly.

“Mm, who knows?”

She then gave him a wink before turning around and telling him to “think hard about it.”

“I’m leaving now. You don’t have to see me out.”

Clunk. As the sound of the front door closing rang out, Seol Jihu wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

‘Is that woman taking after Gula?’

Why can’t she be clearer about it?

Grumbling to himself quietly, he turned his attention to the paper envelope Kim Hannah left behind. She was certainly good at her job, as the information he requested was all there.

Seol Jihu leaned against the wall, then awkwardly examined the employee identification card with his picture on it. He then took out the cafeteria menu and began to memorize it.

*

He expected Kim Hannah to take several days, but she contacted him just a day later. Seol Jihu took another day to fully prepare himself before calling her back.

After a long conversation, he finally set up an appointment. They decided to meet near a subway station, at a coffee shop in front of Sinyoung Headquarters.

Ding! Seol Jihu arrived 20 minutes before the appointed time, opened the door, and then looked around.

Given its location, it was bound to have lots of customers, but perhaps because lunchtime had already passed, there were a good number of empty seats.

‘Is he not here yet?’

His employee identification card was hanging on his neck, and he was wearing a wrinkly suit. And with the way he put his black bag down on the table, he was very clearly a new white-collar worker.

How much time went by?

Ding! While Seol Jihu was waiting with two cups of black coffee in front of him, the door opened with a jingle.

A handsome, bespectacled man wearing a white sweater walked in with a straight posture. Seol Jihu immediately stood up.

“Hyung.”

When he raised his hand and called out, Seol Wooseok paused. Then, he walked straight over to Seol Jihu.

“You…”

Glancing at the youth up and down, he frowned.

“What’s up with that suit?”

When Seol Jihu tilted his head in confusion, Seol Wooseok sighed.

“I know you live alone, but you should at least iron your clothes. If a newcomer goes to work like that, the senior employees will badmouth you.”

“Oh… um, I’ve just been too busy lately….”

Seol Jihu laughed awkwardly.

Seol Wooseok snorted, then moved the coffee in front of him to the side before sitting down.

When Seol Jihu sat down as well, he cut to the chase.

“I heard yesterday… but is it true? You really got in Sinyoung?”

Seol Jihu took out his contract. Seol Wooseok studied it carefully, then murmured while nodding his head.

“Well… you did graduate from Soyoung University with good grades….”

He asked a sudden question.

“Have you had lunch?”

“I did. At the company cafeteria.”

“What did you eat?”

“Samgyetang.”