*Haaa…*
A thick cloud of smoke billowed out, fogging the job search page on his computer screen.
[Hello, your qualifications do not meet the requirements for this position. We will not be considering your application at this time. Thank you!]
A flicker of irritation in his eyes, Su Jin expressionlessly closed the pop-up.
Just as he was about to look for another company, his phone vibrated. He turned, picked it up, and answered.
"Hello? Is that Xiao Su?"
A mocking smile touched Su Jin’s lips as he heard the familiar, slightly hoarse voice. "Lao Li? You miss me already? Can't run the business without me?"
"What's with that attitude?! I sent you to negotiate with a client, and you beat him up! Don't you think I had every right to fire you?" Lao Li's voice crackled with suppressed rage. "Wang Zong was just messing around with Xiao Jing after a few drinks. He got a little handsy, that's all. It wasn't harassment. Did you really have to play the hero?"
"How old are you? Still think the world rewards do-gooders? I can't afford to cross Wang Zong! Do you have any idea how much pull he has?!"
"Well, he can get on a plane, so his power can't be more than 30,000 mAh, I'd guess."
"You... Stop screwing around!" Lao Li choked on the other end, then took a deep breath. "I went to great lengths to get Wang Zong to meet me tonight. He's specifically demanding that you come and apologize. If you just apologize, we can work everything else out. I can even give you another chance. You know I've always thought highly of you..."
*Flicker!*
The lightbulb overhead suddenly flashed. Su Jin narrowed his eyes and glanced up.
When he looked back down, an abrupt pop-up had appeared on his screen.
[System Recommendation: Our screening has determined that you are a suitable candidate for the position of "Special Risk Management." Would you like to submit your detailed resume immediately? Yes/No]
Thinking it was just another spam ad, Su Jin instinctively went to close it. But with Lao Li still droning on in his ear, he paused, a sneer playing on his lips.
"Lao Li, there are plenty of companies that want to hire me. You think I'm desperate for your job?" As he spoke, he clicked the mouse, casually selecting 'Yes'.
"I know you've got guts, but don't be stubborn. You made good money at the company for years, but you spend every penny you make. I'm guessing... you don't really want to lose this job, do you?"
Su Jin exhaled a cloud of smoke. After a moment's silence, he said, "Heh, fine. I'll bite the bullet. Wang Zong is there with you, right? I can apologize, but let's be clear: I bow my head and say I'm sorry, and you let me come back to work tomorrow. Same salary."
"I'll get him on the phone right now. As long as you can smooth things over with him, I'll have you back at the company immediately. You'll have to apologize to him in person later, of course. Let bygones be bygones, right? Who knows, maybe I can even put you in charge of his account." Lao Li's eager voice, mixed with the sound of footsteps, came through the phone.
From the sound of it, the phone was clearly on speaker.
After a short wait, another man's voice came faintly through the phone.
"Hello...?"
"Hello? What 'hello'? I'm your daddy."
After dropping that casual line, Su Jin hung up and tossed the phone aside.
His mind still buzzing, he went back to his job search.
A moment of impulsive heroism, only to have it blow up in his face and cost him his job... It was a disgusting situation to be in.
Still, he had no regrets. After all these years in the working world, he knew you always paid a price for your actions, even the good ones.
At least his conscience was clear. Being able to look at himself in the mirror was more important than money. Besides, with his abilities, finding another job wouldn't be a problem.
Job postings flashed before his eyes.
Just as he was about to click to the next page, there was a sudden knock on his front door.
Two quick raps, then silence.
"Who is it?" Su Jin called out over his shoulder as he got up and walked to the door.
He opened the door... and his gaze slowly lowered to the floor.
A package was sitting there.
Picking up the package, Su Jin went back inside, a little puzzled.
*I don't remember ordering anything. And what kind of courier delivers at almost eight at night?*
The package had his correct name and address, so Su Jin didn't give it much thought. He figured it was probably the box of tissues he'd bought for a penny with some coupon he'd gotten online.
He cut the package open with scissors. Inside, the first thing he saw was an A4 paper covered in tiny characters.
He tossed it aside, revealing an exquisite black briefcase and a transparent mask.
"Huh?"
Su Jin was completely baffled.
He'd seen his fair share of briefcases over the years, and this one was clearly expensive.
Its style was simple yet elegant, possessing an ineffable air of quality that was genuinely appealing.
But who would send him a briefcase like this? And what was the deal with the mask?
Still puzzled, Su Jin lifted the briefcase to inspect it.
As his hand slipped inside, his fingers brushed against something cold and metallic. It felt like a grip.
When he got a full look at the object, Su Jin's eyebrows shot up.
A handgun? It was a gleaming, silver handgun, exuding an air of elegant luxury.
He hefted it. It had a nice weight to it.
*Well, well. Buy a briefcase, get a free high-end lighter?*
Without thinking twice, Su Jin pulled the trigger.
*BANG!*
The sound of a gunshot exploded in the room as a flash erupted from the barrel.
The bullet shot upward, embedding itself in the ceiling.
A thin trail of smoke drifted from the muzzle...
"Wh... What the—!"
The sudden blast made Su Jin flinch, his mind going completely blank.
*The gun... It's real?!*
Su Jin robotically turned his head, his eyes glued to the silver gun in his hand.
He took a couple of shuddering breaths. The moment his senses returned, he dove for the bed, yanked the curtains shut, and shoved the gun under the covers.
He backed away a few steps, and only then did the frantic pounding in his chest begin to ease.
A powerful wave of confusion and terror swept over him.
*The mafia? A mistaken delivery? Was it for the previous tenant?*
No, the name and phone number on the package were his. It couldn't have been sent to the wrong person.
He might be daring, but in this day and age, a real firearm was a serious matter. It was highly likely he had just been unwillingly dragged into something very complicated.
He looked back at the packaging on his desk, his eyes narrowing.
In a single motion, he lunged for the desk and snatched up the 'scrap paper' he had dismissed earlier.
Find the original at "pawread dot com".
His eyes flew across the page, and as he read the words, a jolt shot through his entire body.
[Congratulations. The resume you submitted has been received and approved by our company. Your basic office supplies have been dispatched, and your internship assessment is about to commence.]
[In two hours, you will be transported to a dying world. Your mission is to immediately contact and protect the client, ensuring their survival through the initial phase of the apocalypse. The mission will conclude once the client is capable of surviving independently, at which point the company will recall you.]
[During the mission, our company will provide essential support, including but not limited to: language translation, currency exchange, identity documentation... Do not disclose any information about the company and strive to perform to the best of your abilities.]
[Upon successful completion of the mission, you will be offered a formal position and granted access to further company privileges.]
[Mission failure: You will be left to fend for yourself.]
As he reached this line, a thin, red line of fire appeared at the top of the notice. Yet, there were no flames, no smoke, and not even a hint of heat.
The notice burned with an unnatural quality, consuming itself from top to bottom without leaving so much as a speck of ash.
When it was almost completely gone, Su Jin's grip loosened, and the paper fluttered to the floor.
Before his horrified gaze, the line of fire consumed the very last line of text... Tiandao Responsibility Unlimited Company.
Proofreader: Peter Pan