Chapter Text
+ [SYSTEM] A work directive from supervisor has arrived.
+ [SYSTEM] Employee's KPI 'Win Grand Prize' achievement has been confirmed.
+ [SYSTEM] Following the employee's final KPI's achievement, the 'Final Performance Reward' will be distributed.
▷Opportunity to nullify the death of your sister (blood relative) is provided.
Ahh.. it's all over now.. noona..
+ [SYSTEM] A work directive from supervisor has arrived.
▶I didn't know Assistant Manager Kim can pull it off in such a short time. All the works now will be so huge after Assistant Manager Kim resigns.
+ You'd think I care about it. If you don't have anyone to work, be an idol yourself. Stop making others do your dirty work
+ [SYSTEM] A work directive from supervisor has arrived.
▶ You're still an employee until the day you resigns, don't get too complacent. I'm sure Assistant Manager Kim wants to wrap things up beautifully right?
+ [SYSTEM] Following the Employee's Final KPI achievement, the 'Resignation Procedure' is initiated.
▶ You think the company is that cruel? Every employees deserve a reward for achieving a great result in a short time. Don't think I didn't see you liking the jobs more than you should.
+ [SYSTEM] Following the Employee's Final KPI achievement, hidden 'Reward' has been distributed.
▷ Until the 'Resignation Procedure' is complete, the 'Employee' is subject to the 'Employer's' control.
▷ Hidden Reward has been added to 'Resignation Procedure's' Process. The 'Employee' has an option to choose own 'Procedure'.
▷ 'Resignation' and 'Stay' has been added to the 'Resignation Procedure's'
▷ Once the 'Resignation Procedure' is complete, the resignation process will be applied, and the contractual relationship between the 'Employer' and the 'Employee' will be terminated.
▷ When the 'Employee's' synchronisation rate reaches 100%, it will be considered to has used the returned life, and the resignation procedure will be terminated.
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The system has declared that it will ensure that I will reach the 100% synchronisation rate.
It means that I will end up in my previous body, with death on the end of it.
The only salvation that I can calm myself from this are knowing that my sister is safe and I have an option to 'stay'.
However, I'm complacent to have the option since nothing good coming out of it for our kids, especially towards Park Joowoo and Kang Kiyeon.
I don't want Park Joowoo to experience anymore deaths in the family and Kang Kiyeon's anxiety was just getting better, but if I leave, it'll make it worse.
I've promised them.
I still don't understand the SYSTEM. If you already decides the end, there's no need to push me this far. I thought something would change if I becoming an idol and win the Grand Prize.
In the end, it does change my life to it's core but is it necessary to obtain this result by introducing to so many variables?
I feels dizzy. My hypothesis about the system not wanting for my death was wrong, everything is so confusing.
My legs lose it's strength and collapsed on the floor. I buried my face on my hands. My head and heart throbbing from the new information.
The SYSTEM keeps popping out for more. I couldn't focus much on it but I've decided where I should go from there. I need to set up my goals and clear up some rules.
+ [SYSTEM] A work directive from supervisor has arrived.
+ [SYSTEM] Synchronisation Rate 90%
I found out the accident my sister had from the past isn't erased. That's what the SYSTEM implied after several pokes. Only my sister will not be there when it happens.
There's one more person there. A little girl that is the same age as Taeyun.
It's a relief that I can prepare for it.
One more thing.
I've promised them. I'll try to make it less suffer for them. I will choose to STAY. It might be selfish for me to say this, but I want the last thing I'm having is spArk.
A pitiful laugh came out from me.
They said you never know how much it's worth until you lose it. The past Kim Iwol would want to cut off the spArk to it's original 5 members group but the current Kim Iwol just realised that he is attached to the members far more than he anticipated.
My chest thump loudly and I grip it tight.
How greedy can you be, to make those kids suffers but for just one last time. I don't want to leave.
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+ [SYSTEM] A work directive from supervisor has arrived.
+ [SYSTEM] Synchronisation rate 93%
I was able to negotiate with the SYSTEM to lower down the synchronisation rate by 3% so I can prevent the accident. I would die for real if I wasn't able to talk my way out from it.
If the price is just a little cut on my forehead and a bit scratch on the back of my hands, so be it. The girl is safe and I'm still alive.
Even the spArk members's reaction are better after a lots of assurance from me other than that one guy.
Choi Jeho.
"You think I'm a joke, aren't you?"
His cold voice is chillingly flat and laced with anger. His expression was stiff while his hand grip so much that it trembles.
"You're doing this because you think I'm a joke right? Otherwise, you wouldn't ignore someone so blatantly. You don’t listen to anyone whether it's about being careful with your head or not to hiding things when something's wrong"
I realised Choi Jeho was angry about the car accident. He must have thought I'd jumped in recklessly , without any regards to people around me.
That's where he was wrong. I decided to STAY, I tried my best so I can join the concert and I wore the safety gear on me. The impact was less than it should be but I shouldn't tell him that. The bad news is I couldn’t join the concert or the company will be bombed with the bad reviews.
I tried to tell him it's a misunderstand but he scoffs in disbelief, asking if it's really a 'misunderstanding' when it's coming from me. I tried to convince him I'm not as stubborn as before.
"Action School"
Choi Jeho spats out the words. He asked me if I knew if the accident was going to take place. His words has no doubt , spitting out the facts instead of questions, knowing that I deliberately going there to pull the stunts alone.
"Would it kill you to discuss it with someone?"
"There was a circumstances"
"Circumstances? What circumstances? You didn't trust anyone. Your credibility is at rock bottom. You asked me take you to the Action School just to watch you rehearse the car accident without a single words!"
I told him it's not because I didn't trust him. I couldn't say it's because of the SYSTEM. He told me he knew that I secretly wore the safety gear and padding. His gaze is sharp cold and looking at me with dissapointment.
"Right. It's not that you don't trust me. You just hate me"
"...."
"Did you think I didn’t know you've hated me since we were trainees?"
It's when everything is clicked. Why did I feels so disconnected from Choi Jeho. I was projecting his past self to this current kid.
Choi Jeho and I argued back and forth until he left the dorm to cool himself down. That's when I know that I was spouting nonsense about Manager Nam and Hanpyeong Industry when I was stressed, and I forgot about it.
Choi Jeho kept asking me the reasons, but my mouth was clamped shut. Just by knowing about the memory makes my head throbbing.
It wasn’t his fault. It's on me. If I would just words it out together.
Choi Jeho is a good kid. Even when he's angry, he still takes care of me and the kids. He prepared my headache medicine with a glass of water before leaving.
Should I tell them? I've prepared for it, didn't I?
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It's been days since the arguments. Choi Jeho would stay in his room and whenever he and I were in a same space, we acted like normal.
The members knowing about the fight tried so hard to glue us back together, mostly on me for confessing the reason of the fight was my fault.
Jeong Seongbin told me that he will always be there whenever I need his help about the fight. Lee Cheongyeon kept asking the reason of the fights while Kang Kiyeon keep sighing and told me to apologise to Choi Jeho.
Choi Jeho and I would acted professionally in front of the live stream and it makes the younger members even restless. Park Joowoo would keep me updates about his roommate's mood once in a while.
The family of the little girl that I save from the car accident came to the company and thanked me. It makes my day a bit brighter, knowing what I did is right. This is what noona would do.
Only one small details left.
That's what I decided to.
+ [SYSTEM] A work directive from supervisor has arrived.
▶ The company has given you the opportunity to stay in the company as a freeloader, why are you keep giving yourself troubles? Can't you handle this more swiftly?
▶ Have you think twice about what you're going to do? Assistant Manager Kim, there's no going back after this. There will always a consequences of your own action. You need to take a discipline course. The team moral has been plummeted.
+ I keep getting misunderstand because of you, it's not because I want to. I jumped in front of the car and you think I'm lack of discipline?
+ This is what I decided to do, so please help me to suppress the rate, at least no being able to die right away after making this decision.
+ [SYSTEM] A work directive from supervisor has arrived.
▶ This is a heavy request, Assistant Manager Kim. The company has been considerate about you and isn't this too much of rewards? Fine, the company will give you a bonus since you've been doing good so far. You are going to resign anyway.
I let a sigh out from mouth and bury my hands on my eyes.
At least I won't die right away. The SYSTEM assure me that but how should I start this.
Park Joowoo send me an update from the personal chat.
22 Years old Metal Desire Park Joowoo - [ Today's Room 602 just did a hot compress together. In a happy state because the new hot pack works well ღ(· ◁ ·)ღ High chance of being happy tomorrow too :◇]
- [Joowoo]
- [Yes hyung?]
- [How about tonight?]
- [!!! Tonight is okay too hyung. Should I tell Jeho hyung now?]
- [No. Wait. Let me prepare myself]
I look by my side. Jeong Seongbin is typing on the shared laptop that I could never touch these days. Jeong Seongbin senses me staring at him, turn his head over.
"What's wrong, hyung? Your face looks pale"
"Seongbin ah.. What if.."
"..."
"I want to tell you guys something important but I don't want you guys to be so shock about it"
Jeong Seonbin click on his laptop, saving the files before closing the device. He walks towards me and hold my wrist.
"Come, let's go."
"Wait wait. Now? I haven't prepare myself"
"That's what you said before too hyung. I'll bring the blanket and pillow over, you can tell us everything inside the blanket."
"..."
My face flush in red. It reminds me when I embarassed myself telling about my insecurities in front of the kids inside the blanket. Jeong Seongbin gently pulling me towards the door while his other hand is holding my folded blanket.
"Just.. Just leave the blanket. I'm fine.. It's something else."
"You sure?"
I nod and we left to the living room. Jeong Seongbin calls the members for a meeting. One by one coming out from their rooms, familiar with the situation.
Kang Kiyeon rubs his eyes while walking out slowly from the room, showing that he was about to go sleep. I felt guilty from waking up the kid. Lee Cheongyeon pop his head out with a laptop. He is typing something before closing it and putting the laptop on the dining table.
Park Joowoo is ecstatic about the meeting, he is pushing Choi Jeho out from their room. Choi Jeho looks at me in a cold demeanor but still follow the other members to the living room spot.
Just like before they all circling while sitting down, staring at me fidgetting with my fingers. There are no blanket this time but they let me takes my sweet time.
Am I doing a right decision? But I've promised them that I would tell them anything. It's okay. This is the last time anyway. They should know the truth.
+ [SYSTEM] A work directive from supervisor has arrived.
▶ Assistant Manager Kim, have you really made up your mind? You won't regret this?
The system pops out before everyone's face. I look over to one of the member that I desperately need to clear up the misunderstandings.
"I...Before I start.. Don't be too surprised if something happens. If you want to ask me anything, do it at this time.. I won't answer after this anymore.. and I wanted to apologise to you, Choi Jeho. I never hate you but you were right"
"...."
"Hyung?"
Kiyeon looks over with a pale face. He could sense something. Seongbin hold my hand tight. Everyone sense something's wrong.
"You were right.. I knew everything."
Choi Jeho's eyes widen. His guts telling him to stop Kim Iwol.
My inner mind laughs. After I achieved the final KPI, the SYSTEM's control that ties to me has weaken. I can tell truth. My tongue that was sealed whenever I tried to speak about the past, the regression and the SYSTEM now free at the moment.
"It wasn't just the car accident. I knew the stage light was going to fall too. I got the warning so suddenly that I couldn’t prepare it throughly, though. Oh but don't give me things about Yoo Hansoo, I had no idea the bastard was going to try and bash my head in"
"Kim Iwol, what are you doing right now?"
"Hyung, what are you saying? It's a joke right?"
Before the car accident and before this meeting, I've make a deal with the SYSTEM. If I only make one deal, I don't think I'm going to survive this. I had to make sure I'm going to make it through. There were two reasons.
One was to buy a little bit of time.
And the other was...
"You guys said I should've told anything.. So I am. But it's way too late, but what can I do? This is just how it is... I always trust you Choi Jeho, even though you have a good reason to thinking that I'm not.."
...in case a day ever came for me to tell them my own story, I was saving it for then. For them. For me.
The day has come. I had saved this chance for this very moment. Besides, there's no one else I could possibly tell other than them.
The SYSTEM's text obscuring the members's face in front of me changed. It now stated the Synchronisation Rate had risen to 94%. Revealing the secrets of the heaven was no joke. It went up by a whole one percent just from me telling this much.
"If I hadn't gone, this kid would have died. It was the kind of accident that cause fatality. So avoiding it is not an option."
"Shut up"
Lee Cheongyeon runs to his room in panic but I didn't stops there.
"The reason I couldn't talk it over with you.. all of you wasn't because I didn't trust you all, but.."
The bridge of my nose throbbed as if I had been punched. My face grew hot like I had a fever.
+ [SYSTEM] 'Final Inspection' details are being issued to the 'subject'
▷ The inspection will require a certain amount of time.
"Hey!" Choi Jeho yelled.
Lee Cheonyeon running back from his room with a few fresh towels. Blood from my nose soaked my t shirt and pants. Few hands grab the towels and pressed beneath my nose.
"This is why.."
"Hyung, just shut up!"
"You get punished for leaking the secrets of the universe. Remember when I spoiled the results of the Korea-Japan match and got a nosebleed?"
Kang Kiyeon pinched my nose hard. I thought it was going to fall off. Every words I spoke came out in a stuffy nasal tone.
"When the stage light fell. Just like you said, I regretted it"
The confession makes them flinched. They had a moment of flashback during the incident happened. Their eldest hyung pulling their another hyung to save him by an inch. The face their eldest hyung had after the incident, and his destructive behavior afterwards.
"But it's not because I thought I saved you for nothing."
"...."
"It was because I lost something too. I just paid the price with something other than a nosebleed. Still it was a matter of life and death. Do you really think I regret saving someone?"
Choi Jeho fell silent. Even when I grumbled , asking what kind of scumbag Choi Jeho took me for. He remains quiet.
"And you seemed to believe that I hated you because I had some complain against you, but.."
"I told you to shut up Kim Iwol!"
"None of it is your fault.. I was prejudiced against you. It was because something else happened with someone else, not you"
"Hyung, just shut up! Hold on, I'll call 119.."
Jeong Seongbin was trying to stand up and get his phone but I grip his hand tight and shakes my head.
"Why was I like that? You did nothing wrong. It was just my own personal issue. I'm sorry for making you feels betrayed.."
Lee Cheongyeon gripping the bloody towel tight under my nose, ask in tremble voice.
"What... what price did you paid for saving Jeho hyung?"
My stomach churned as it's own fire. Nausea surged, and as I open my mouth , a ball of fire travelled up to my throat. Something trickle from the corner of my lips. I couldn't help but smile sadly.
"My noona's life.."
A gasp coming from several of the members. The noona I was so desperately looking for was a trade for Choi Jeho. They couldn't comprehend how I would felt at that point.
"Did you... just save me with the cost of your noona..?"
I remembered the moment I choose Choi Jeho. I was ready to join my noona in the afterlife before the SYSTEM intercept it. I don't think they should know of what happened at the Han Bridge. That was the only salvation I had for a reunion.
"Yes, but.. it's okay now. They changed their mind and told me noona is fine"
My eyes felt unpleasantly moist. I wasn't sad, but it feels strange.
"Who.. who are they?" Park Joowoo asked.
"They are..."
The system flickered. The system window seemed to have turned a little red. I knew a vision could turn yellow when the blood vessel burst , but was this different?
+ [SYSTEM] Synchronisation Rate is being issued to the 'Subject'
▷Current Synchronisation Rate : 96%
+ [SYSTEM] A work directive from supervisor has arrived
▶Just because the company favors you so much, it doesn't mean the employee can tells the company's secret. Didn't you signed the contract before you apply for work, Assistant Manager Kim? This is outrageous.
The company's identity is a no-no then. Fine, I'll let it go this time.
While I was in daze, stopping my sentences midways and frowning my eyebrows, a cloth suddenly push onto my eyes.
"I'm sorry , I'm sorry, I'm sorry hyung.. please don’t talk anymore. I won't ask anything again"
"Hyung, stop talking!"
Park Joowoo and Jeong Seongbin's shakes my face and chest with the towels. Choi Jeho seemed to shout but his voice surprisingly weak. Lee Cheongyeon and Kang Kiyeon are sobbing and shaking. Are they scared?
"Still.. don't be too upset"
"What the hell this bastard, how you can still talk like this?"
Choi Jeho berated me endlessly. Even as my face being smushed like bread dough. I had to say what I wanted to say.
This is the last time.
So I forced my mouth open.
"Because this is the only time I'm telling you guys.."
If the synchronisation rate ended this time. I wanted to let them know. This is the greatest sincerity I could offer in return for giving me a chance for their trust.
"I kept my promise.."
The cloth that almost flattened my face was pulled away just before I suffocated. My bright blue shirt was now a murky, dark color.
Only then I realised the air is reeked of iron, and my eyelashes felt sticky everytime I blinked. When I wiped my eyes, a smear of blood was left at the back of my hand.
Jeong Seongbin cup my bloody face. That's when I realised, they all has been crying their eyes out, except for Choi Jeho. His face are flushing red and crunched, trying to hold himself up.
"Hyung...please.."
Seongbin lean his head on my shoulder. His tears begin to mix with the blood on my clothes.
"Please tell us you're okay.. please tell us nothing going to happen to you... Please tell us if something bad is going to happen later..?"
A white lie come out from mouth as easy as breathing. I don't know why I did that. I thought I've decided to tell them the truth.
"..I'm okay, nothing's going to happen."
They flinches again. All of them hugs me tight in tears.
"You promise..? You'll be okay..?"
".. I didn't break the promise right? I told you everything.."
"...."
I'm trying to change the words, I couldn't make another promise with death as a certainty. Kang Kiyeon grip my shirt harder without saying anything.
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"Are you sure you don't need to go to hospital?" Jeong Seongbin asked.
I explain that it's going to be useless, "Don't you remember how my stomach ulcers healed instantly? It's the same procedure"
Lee Cheongyeon is drying my hair with a hair dryer while I'm explaining it to Jeong Seongbin and Choi Jeho. I was forced to take a shower in the midnight by Kang Kiyeon and Park Joowoo. They won't let me shower by my own, and accompany me into the bathroom.
I should be lucky they didnt force me to use a cold shower. I couldn't even lift a hand without being yelled by Kiyeon.They took care of me and put me on sofa where Lee Cheongyeon ready to dry my hair.
"Cheongyeon, I'll buy you another towels, alright? I'm sorry for ruining it."
"Aigoo this hyung. Don't bother and think about it anymore. I'll buy my own towel"
"But I did.."
"Shut up hyung"
A cold voice cut my sentences. I couldn't help but be a lost wet puppy on the sofa, shivering in cold. Choi Jeho throw me a blanket from my room. I thank him and cover myself.
Park Joowoo come over and hugs me, putting his ear onto my chest to hear my heartbeats. He sigh in relief. I couldn't help but patting his head. This poor kid is going to lose another family member.
"Don't you all have any questions for me? If there's anything you curious of, let it out now. Let's clear everything up. Like, how I come up with this mysterious talent."
"I'm not curious about that crap" My casual question met with an irritated response from Kiyeon. He hands me a glass of water and headache medicine. This brat, he dare answer me like that but fine, only this time.
"You're not interested in your colleague"
"Fuck, hey! You said you get a nosebleed if you say a wrong things"
Choi Jeho stood up from a chair and snapped at me. He huffed and lay down with hand on his forehead.
"Hey, don't curse out. There's kids here"
"Is that all it matters, hyung?" Jeong Seongbin asked.
His words laced with ice cold. That's how he warns me to not push it far. I'm folded and pull the blanket again to cover myself.
Still, it seems they are trying to believe this bizarre situation.
Choi Jeho was quiet for a long time before he speaks, "Before.."
"...."
"You asked if we could continue activities without you"
"I did"
"Does something bad happens to you later?"
Choi Jeho threw a fastball to my stomach. Their panic eyes turns to me. It seems they didn't know about the conversation with Choi Jeho at the hospital. I couldn't say yes. Luckily his question was the same as Seongbin.
"You should've asked when I was spewing blood earlier. That would've solve in one go, wouldn't it?"
No sharp retort come from Choi Jeho but shoulders are grabbed from behind. Cheongyeon shouts.
"Is something going to happens to you?"
His pupils shaking in panic. I quickly assure him while putting my hands on top of his. I replies with a bright voice.
"I only said it as a precaution. You guys always been one to worry about a little things. You saw it didn't you. It flares up and healed in instance, the pain doesn't last long too"
"But still.."
"It's no big deal.. But if I could add one last thing.."
"..."
"The car accident was so scary. I was so scared. I won't do it again in future unless something calls"
"No hyung! You shouldn't do it again in the future. It's not your duty"
"Yes hyung, of course it's scary, what do you mean 'unless something calls'?"
I once again being berated and nagged all night long. It was lucky that we don’t have any schedules for the tomorrow and the next day. This is going to be a short time for me.
I wouldn't be able to hear this kind of nag ever again. I should savor this moment.
I couldn't help but happy inside even though the scolding begin to be out of the world. They started to use fancy words now
▷Current Synchronisation Rate : 96%
The percentage keeps floating at the side of my eyes. Telling me all the time just in case if I'm forgetting my place.