Seoul, South Korea"Arcade" Headquarters – General Supervision Department
Takeshi Hamada burst into the room, waving a magazine triumphantly like he'd just found buried treasure. His eyes sparkled with excitement, his face lit up like a kid with a brand-new toy.
—I found it!! I finally found it!.
From his desk, Sung Kang raised an eyebrow, tilting his head with a tolerant smile.
—What did you get, Hamada?.
—The manga I've been looking for all week... I finally found it!.
At the back, Li Yuan let out an annoyed snort, crossing her arms and swiveling her chair toward them with a sour expression.
—For God's sake, all this noise over some cartoons... try growing up, will you?.
Kang's face tightened briefly. He calmly adjusted his glasses and replied firmly:
—I'd appreciate a little respect, Miss Li… my brother-in-law is a mangaka, so don't insult other people's work.
—Mr. Kang, I understand you're the supervisor of this department, but getting distracted during work hours is hardly productive.
—That doesn't justify your comment, Miss Li.
—They're just drawings, Mr. Kang. I don't see what the big deal is.
—They're not just drawings—they're art!.— Takeshi exclaimed passionately.
—I'm with Mr. Hamada.— Kang added.
As the argument escalated, Fernán Lodeira stayed at his desk, typing without looking up. His thoughts churned with frustration:
"Damn it... why did they have to assign me to this department? It's the same crap every single day."
For fifteen minutes, Li and Hamada kept arguing. Fernán tried to speak up but was completely ignored. The tension hung in the air like a static charge until Kang, with an authoritative tone, cut through the noise:
—Enough! Get back to work.
—But Miss Li started—
—Started?! You're the bastard who won't let me concentrate!.
From the desk area, two coworkers looked up and exchanged mischievous glances.
—Whoa... no way... did Miss Li just confess?—whispered Hideko Tamakashi.
—No... no way... right?—asked Su Qingying.
—They sound like a couple fighting!— Hideko added.
—Now that you mention it...
Oblivious to the whispers, Fernán let out a resigned sigh and muttered to himself:
—I need a vacation...
—Girls... even if you're kind of right, it's unlikely.—Kang commented half-jokingly.
—I heard that! Stop spouting nonsense… like I'd ever fall for this bastard. Let's just focus on Mr. Wonyoung's request.—Li snapped, clearly embarrassed.
—I already did it.—Fernán said without looking up.
—What!?—Everyone almost said it in unison, turning to look at Lodeira.
—While you were busy with Hamada and Li... I did my job.
Li looked away, a bit ashamed, bowing her head slightly.
—My sincerest apologies, Mr. Lodeira... if I hadn't been distracted, I would've helped.
—No need to apologize, Miss Li. I don't doubt your work ethic... in fact, it's something I admire about you.
Li froze for a moment, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.
—Thank you, Mr. Lodeira...
Hideko, a mix of guilt and tenderness in her expression, leaned over her desk and said softly:
—Apologies from me too, Lodeira-kun... for not helping... I-I'm really sorry.
Fernán thought with a faint smile:
"Oh, Hideko... you're one of the reasons I can endure this chaotic department... your smile is the calm in the storm."
Just then, Su Qingying turned to Hamada with a teasing tone:
—Well, don't you think you should be a little more like Mr. Lodeira?
Kang leaned toward Hamada and whispered conspiratorially:
—Ignore them, Hamada. Lodeira's one of us.
—Lodeira-san is truly respectable... Don't worry, senpai.
Fernán spoke clearly and calmly to the group:
—Listen... the account the money came from belonged to Erling.
—"But the Programming and Support Department didn't link Erling to this case... how did you figure it out?—asked Su Qingying.
—Well, that part was easy. I just looked at the package prices... then reviewed Erling's financial activity. He spent the exact amount.
—But they said there were restrictions so only one player could buy one. How did he do it?—Kang chimed in.
—That, I don't know.
—They also said they were non-transferable. How did he get them to the NPC, Lodeira-kun?—pressed Hideko.
—"I don't know that either."
—And he was in Britain! How did he send the packages to the NPC in Lichstein without getting caught?—added Hamada.
—I don't know, okay?! I'm a programmer, not a detective.
—Easy, easy... we need to investigate properly before our shift ends and report to Vice President Wonyoung.— said Li, trying to settle things down.
—Yes!!—they all answered in unison.
But just then...
[Shift Change – 12:10 AM]
The lights in the operations area automatically dimmed. The once noisy and tense room began to empty. Some day-shift employees yawned while packing up.
—Night shift, you may enter now.—came a voice over the intercom.
The automatic doors opened with a soft hiss. The incoming team entered, visibly unenthusiastic.
Kim Sohoon was the first to cross, a wrinkled jacket slung over his shoulder and his hair slightly messy. Behind him were three others: Han Jae-won, a quiet young man with thick glasses; Lee Hae-rim, a sharp-eyed analyst with a permanent scowl; and Park Dae-jung, munching on cookies and giving a half-hearted wave to everyone.
—Let's see... what mess did they leave us this time.—Sohoon muttered, scanning the department.
—Hmm, nothing looks weird for now.—Han Jae-won said, sitting down without removing his headphones.
—Weird things never show up right away... not until they blow up in your face.—added Hae-rim, opening her laptop.
Fernán, still at his desk, stood with a sigh.
—Good luck with the chaos, guys. Today was especially unbearable...
—Thanks for nothing.— joked Park, raising his drink in a mock toast.
As the day shift filed out, Kim Sohoon collapsed into his chair, turned slightly toward his monitors, and murmured with a groan:
—Another zombie shift... in this digital hell...