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Kim Rok Soo was hunched over his desk, utilizing his "record" ability to efficiently manage the endless stream of paperwork. His fingers moved swiftly over the documents, eyes scanning and processing information at an incredible speed. Next to him, Choi Jung Soo was already squirming in his seat, clearly restless.
Just as Jung Soo was about to voice another complaint about the monotony of their tasks, the door to their office opened, and Lee Soo Hyuk stepped in. His presence commanded immediate attention, and both Jung Soo and Rok Soo looked up from their work.
"Jung Soo," Lee Soo Hyuk began, his tone authoritative yet kind, "I have a mission for you."
Jung Soo's eyes widened in curiosity, and he leaned forward, eager to hear more. "A mission? Finally! What is it, team leader-nim?"
Lee Soo Hyuk handed him a file. "We need you to investigate the disappearance of monster corpses near the Busan Central Guild. The government has been transporting these corpses to study them and make weapons and equipment, but lately, they've been going missing."
Jung Soo's excitement quickly turned to dismay as he glanced out the window at the chilly weather. "But it's so cold outside, team leader-nim," he whined. "Do I really have to go alone?"
Lee Soo Hyuk's expression remained stern, but a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. "If you don't go, Jung Soo, I'll assign you to do paperwork for the entire team for a month. And you'll get extra training for two weeks. Trust me, I'll make sure it's tough. Plus, I'll personally whoop your ass if you don't."
Jung Soo's face paled at the threat. He knew Lee Soo Hyuk wasn't joking. "Fine, fine! I'll go," he conceded quickly, a hint of panic in his voice. "But can I at least take Rok Soo with me?"
Before Lee Soo Hyuk could respond, Jung Soo turned to Rok Soo with a pleading expression. "Rok Soo, will you come with me?"
Rok Soo, focused on his paperwork, gave Jung Soo a sideways glance, his eyes narrowing into a death glare. "No," he said flatly. "I've got a lot of urgent paperwork to finish."
Jung Soo began whining, practically begging. "Please, Rok Soo! I really don't want to go alone."
Lee Soo Hyuk intervened, his tone firm yet understanding. "Rok Soo, these papers aren't due for another five days. You can take a break and help Jung Soo with this mission."
Rok Soo shot a look at Lee Soo Hyuk, a mixture of defiance and pragmatism in his eyes. "I want to finish them now so I can slack off later."
Lee Soo Hyuk smiled knowingly. "You can go with Jung Soo, finish the mission, and then slack off for the rest of the day. You'll have plenty of time to complete the paperwork tomorrow."
Rok Soo huffed, realizing there was no way out. "Fine, I'll go."
Jung Soo's face lit up with relief and gratitude. "Thanks, Rok Soo! You won't regret it."
With that, they both geared up and headed out into the cold, ready to tackle the mystery of the disappearing monster corpses.
Lee Soo Hyuk watched them leave, a satisfied smile playing on his lips, confident that the duo would handle whatever challenges lay ahead.
The winter chill bit their faces as they arrived at the Busan Central Guild. Despite his grumbling, Jung Soo was secretly glad to have Rok Soo with him. The journey was quiet, both lost in their thoughts about the mission ahead.
Upon arrival, they were greeted by the guild leader, who briefed them on the situation. Apparently, monster corpses had been disappearing without a trace, leaving the researchers baffled and frustrated. They had surveillance footage, but it only showed static during the times of the disappearances, indicating some form of interference.
Rok Soo immediately suspected foul play and began analyzing the data using his "record" ability. Meanwhile, Jung Soo, always more of a hands-on type, started inspecting the scene of the disappearances. They made an effective team: Rok Soo's analytical mind and Jung Soo's instinctive approach balanced each other perfectly.
"There's definitely some kind of interference here," Rok Soo said, reviewing data on his tablet. "The static on the footage is too precise to be a coincidence."
"Figures," Jung Soo replied, kicking at the snow. "These black market guys always have some trick up their sleeve. What do you think, Rok Soo?"
"I think we've got a long night ahead of us," Rok Soo sighed. "Let's set up the trap."
"Finally, some action. I was getting bored just standing around," Jung Soo grinned.
Meanwhile, Lee Soo Hyuk bustled around the office with a rare look of concentration. The usually stoic leader of Team 1 was knee-deep in preparations, overseeing every detail of the surprise birthday party for his two dongsaengs, Choi Jung Soo and Kim Rok Soo. Despite the chaos and the endless stream of monsters they fought daily, Soo Hyuk had decided that today would be different. Today, they would celebrate.
"Alright, everyone, let's get moving!" Soo Hyuk clapped his hands, rallying the rest of the team. "Cha Seung Jong, did you finish decorating the office?"
Seung Jong, the oldest member of Team 1, grinned from ear to ear, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Of course, Lee Soo Hyuk! I even hung extra banners. Don't worry, it looks fantastic. But tell me, are you really expecting our dear Rok Soo to call you hyung today?"
Soo Hyuk chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll take what I can get. Even if he doesn't call me hyung, as long as he's happy, that's all that matters."
"That's the spirit," Seung Jong teased, giving him a playful nudge.
"Seo Yoon, how's the seaweed soup coming along?" Soo Hyuk asked, turning his attention to another team member busy in the makeshift kitchen area.
Seo Yoon, a younger member with a knack for cooking, looked up from her pot with a confident smile. "It's almost done, leader. I made extra, just in case. You know how much Jung Soo can eat."
"Good thinking," Soo Hyuk replied. "We wouldn't want to run out of food."
Meanwhile, Kang Min Ho and Park Ji Hoon were arranging a table piled high with snacks, cakes, and drinks. They worked quickly, knowing they had limited time before their team members returned from the mission.
"Think they'll be surprised?" Ji Hoon asked, stepping back to admire their handiwork.
"Absolutely," Min Ho said with a nod. "Especially Rok Soo. He pretends not to care, but I know he'll appreciate it."
Just then, Soo Hyuk's phone buzzed. It was a message from Rok Soo, informing him that the mission was almost complete and they would be back soon.
Soo Hyuk felt a surge of excitement. Everything was coming together perfectly."Alright, everyone, they're on their way back!" Soo Hyuk announced. "Get ready to surprise them."
The team quickly finished the last-minute preparations. Balloons and streamers adorned the office, and a large banner reading "Happy Birthday Rok Soo and Jung Soo!" hung prominently on the wall. The seaweed soup, a traditional Korean birthday dish, was steaming on the table, its comforting aroma filling the room.
After hours of investigation, they discovered traces of a rare substance known to be used by a notorious gang of black market traders who deal in monster parts. This gang was rumoured to have access to advanced technology capable of disrupting surveillance systems.
Determined to get to the bottom of it, Rok Soo and Jung Soo decided to set a trap. They arranged for a fake transport of monster corpses, ensuring that the information leaked to the gang. Hiding nearby, they waited in the freezing cold, their breaths visible in the night air.
As expected, the gang fell for the bait. A group of well-armed thugs appeared, using sophisticated equipment to disable the security systems. Just as they started loading the corpses onto their truck, Rok Soo and Jung Soo sprang into action.
"Get ready. They're approaching the fake transport," Rok Soo whispered.
"I've been ready for hours. Let's take these guys down," Jung Soo said, tightening his grip on his sword.
"Move fast! We don't have much time before someone notices the disruption," the gang leader ordered.
"Now, Jung Soo!" Rok Soo commanded.
"For Busan Central Guild!" Jung Soo charged.
"What the—? It's a trap! Retreat!" the gang leader shouted.
"Not so fast. I've got you now," Rok Soo said, using his ability to predict their moves.
The fight was intense, but they managed to subdue the gang and secure the stolen corpses. Exhausted but triumphant, they handed the culprits over to the local authorities and ensured the corpses were safely returned to the researchers.
Choi Jung Soo and Kim Rok Soo trudged back to the office, their steps heavy with exhaustion from the gruelling mission. The latest battle against the relentless monsters had taken a toll on both their bodies and minds. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city as they made their way through the familiar streets.
Jung Soo's shoulders slumped as he glanced at Rok Soo beside him. "I can't wait to get back to the office and crash on the couch," he muttered, trying to muster some enthusiasm despite his weariness.
Rok Soo nodded in agreement, his face drawn and tired. "Same here. This mission was brutal. I just want to lie down and not move for a while."
They finally reached the building housing their team office, and the sight of the door was a welcome relief. As they pushed it open, they were greeted by an unusual quietness. Normally, the office would be bustling with activity, but tonight it was eerily silent.
"Maybe everyone went home early," Jung Soo speculated, stifling a yawn. "Can't blame them. It's been a rough day for all of us."
Rok Soo shrugged and made his way toward the couch, dropping his gear and collapsing onto it with a heavy sigh. Jung Soo followed suit, stretching out on a nearby chair and closing his eyes.
For a moment, they basked in the silence, letting their tired muscles relax. The office's dim lighting and the soft hum of the air conditioning created a soothing atmosphere. Just as they were beginning to drift off, a sudden burst of noise shattered the tranquillity.
"SURPRISE!"
Jung Soo and Rok Soo jolted awake, their eyes flying open in shock. The office, once quiet and dim, was now bathed in the warm glow of decorations and filled with their smiling teammates.
"Happy Birthday, Rok Soo and Jung Soo!" the team cheered, their voices echoing off the walls.
Rok Soo blinked in disbelief, trying to process the sudden change. Jung Soo, wide-eyed, looked around at the streamers, balloons, and the large banner hanging above them. "What... what's going on?" he stammered, still half-asleep.
Lee Soo Hyuk stepped forward, his grin stretching from ear to ear. "We thought we'd give you both a surprise party. You deserve it after everything you've been through."
Rok Soo, still trying to shake off his exhaustion, managed a small smile. "You guys really did all this... for us?"
Cha Seung Jong laughed, clapping him on the back. "Of course, Rok Soo! We might be battling monsters every day, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate our family. And you two are a big part of this family."
Seo Yoon emerged from the kitchen area, carrying a tray laden with bowls of steaming seaweed soup. "Here, have some birthday soup. It'll help you recover."
Jung Soo's face lit up at the sight of the food. "Wow, this is amazing. Thanks, Seo Yoon!"
As they settled in, the team gathered around the table, sharing stories and laughter. The fatigue from the mission began to melt away, replaced by the warmth of camaraderie and the joy of being together.
Soo Hyuk raised his glass in a toast, his eyes twinkling with pride. "To Rok Soo and Jung Soo, two of the bravest and most hardworking members of Team 1. We're lucky to have you with us. Happy Birthday!"
"Cheers!" everyone echoed, clinking their glasses together.
Rok Soo, looking around at his smiling teammates, felt a swell of gratitude. Despite the exhaustion and the constant battles, moments like these made it all worth it. He glanced at Soo Hyuk, who was watching him with a knowing smile, and for a brief moment, Rok Soo felt a sense of peace.
"Thank you, everyone," Rok Soo said, his voice filled with sincerity. "This means a lot to us."
Jung Soo nodded in agreement, his usual playful demeanour softened by emotion. "Yeah, thanks, guys. You really made our day."
Suddenly, Jung Soo turned to Rok Soo, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Rok Soo! Super duper happy birthday to you! Ahahahaha!"
Rok Soo rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "Shut up."
Jung Soo sighed dramatically. "Haaaaaaaa. Hey Rok Soo, can’t you be excited and wish me a happy birthday too? I guess not. Kim Rok Soo is not that kind of person."
Rok Soo arched an eyebrow, feigning indifference. "Who said I wasn’t going to wish you a happy birthday?"
Jung Soo's eyes sparkled with surprise and anticipation. "Keke. So you’re going to wish me happy birthday?"
Rok Soo's smile widened just a fraction as he replied, "Of course. How could I not? Happy birthday, Jung Soo."
The room erupted in laughter and applause as Jung Soo threw his arm around Rok Soo's shoulders, pulling him into a tight hug. "Thanks, Rok Soo. You’re the best."
As the celebration continued, the team relished the rare moment of joy and togetherness. In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, they found solace in each other, their bonds strengthened by shared experiences and unwavering support. Tonight, they were not just teammates; they were a family.