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I follow behind a skinny man, accompanied by two who are insistently trailing after me.

“Song Ah Rin? You say you’re heading to the isolation room? Ugh, that place has a bad vibe,” she replies, claiming she has paperwork to do and stays behind.

“…I told you it’s dangerous.”

“I’m super sturdy!”

“Danger isn’t a problem at all.”

Seeing the two of them confidently state these absurdities, I merely raise an eyebrow and proceed on, as if it’s perfectly normal.

Meanwhile, my mind is swirling with thoughts.

Is he really here looking for me after reincarnating, or has something happened while I was gone that caused him to reincarnate again?

What could have transpired during the jump from cycle 300 to cycle 400?

“By the way, what could be so important that I, an office worker, was called in?”

“It’s related to the turntable.”

The man answers in a completely monotone voice as he keeps walking.

“Mental attack?”

Then it’s advantageous not to bring Yu Da On or Jang Chae Yeon with us.

“No.”

“Then why me?”

At my question, he stops and looks at me.

“The Gangseo Branch Chief asked you to go to Human Resources.”

This is a bit unexpected.

I had thought this man had no choice but to call for me after multiple attempts.

Was I being overly self-conscious?

Feeling a bit embarrassed, as he steps into the elevator and presses a button, the four of us descend with mechanical whirrs.

As the elevator slowly goes down, a thought suddenly strikes me.

Yes, this is my chance! If I don’t ask him something now, I might never get the opportunity again.

“Um… how did the team change—”

“I was an office worker at first too, but while trying to survive, I ended up here.”

“Oh, I see. In that case, do you have any abilities—”

“I have none.”

What would happen if I made it obvious that I was anticipating his responses?

“Then what kind of containment object requires an office worker like me to visit it?”

Upon hearing that question, the man hesitated for a long moment before finally speaking.

“…I don’t know.”

“What?”

“No matter how much I observe, it seems different.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes.”

No, what would calling me do if he can’t even figure it out?

“What comes next?”

“Next, I’m not quite sure either. The team leader just told me to bring you in.”

This isn’t the answer I was hoping for from a reincarnator.

Could it really be that he genuinely doesn’t know anything?

As I’m deep in thought, trying to discern the truth of his actions, the elevator chimes lightly, and comes to a stop.

We step into the basement, which doesn’t look much different from when I last saw it.

“…It’s been a while.”

“Not for me.”

“Has Jae Heon been here without me at some point?”

“Well, various things have happened.”

I replied, deliberately avoiding Yu Da On’s curious gaze.

How could I explain that I’d visited to learn about Yu Da On’s background?

“Chae Yeon, have you been here before?”

Changing the subject quickly seems the best strategy.

I asked while looking at Jang Chae Yeon, who slowly shook her head while glancing around.

“I used to come here often when I was at the Gangdong Branch. It’s my first time at the Gangseo Branch.”

“Is there a difference between the underground isolation rooms at Gangdong and Gangseo?”

“…Um.”

After I asked, she surveyed the area and then slowly shook her head.

“Nothing seems particularly different.”

I guess even if I get lost in the Gangdong Branch underground later, I’ll figure it out somehow.

“This way.”

He expertly guides us.

Following him through the dim corridor, he stops in front of a room right next to where the turntable is located and looks at me.

“The team leader is waiting inside.”

“Are you not coming with us?”

“I’m not going.”

He replies as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

Is he really not coming? Is the reincarnation truly happening here, and not somewhere else?

“Those two can come, right?”

“That’s not up to me to decide…”

“Tell them to come in.”

With a gravelly voice, he gestures toward the door, and Yu Da On, Jang Chae Yeon, and I walk through it at his invitation.

Before entering, I glance back at him.

I see him hurriedly moving away, not even bothering to turn back.

[Name: Kim Wan Woo]

[Age: 28]

[Traits: Reincarnator]

[Talent: X]

[Background: Cycle 402]

[Vulnerability: You have already been warned.]

Not a single reincarnation has occurred here.

The fact that there hasn’t been a reincarnation on the way here means what? That reincarnations happen elsewhere?

“Ah, you’re here!”

While I’m wrestling with these thoughts, I turn to see the man calling us.

A rugged man with a masculine face, adorned with unkempt facial hair, looks like he’s had more than his fair share of drinks.

Soon, his information pops up in my view.

[Name: Jeong In Deok]

[Age: 52]

[Traits: Adaptation]

[Talent: Bow]

[Background: While it’s not accurate to say he has been living comfortably during his time at the Management Agency with a lie, he’s still diligently working at the Gangseo Branch alongside the only other colleague who hasn’t resigned, a bear-like wife and a panda-like daughter.]

[Vulnerability: Take away his job.]

Why do the vulnerabilities of people with families always seem to involve losing their jobs?

“So you’re Kim Jae Heon from Human Resources!”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Don’t bother with the formalities. We’re all family at the Management Agency, aren’t we?”

His giant palm pats my back with force.

My body jolts slightly, and Yu Da On steadies me, casting a side glance at the man who raises a pinky finger towards us.

“…A workplace romance?”

“Pardon?”

What on earth is he asking?

And the reactions of the two are entirely different based on that question.

“Eh… doesn’t seem like…”

“No.”

Before I even get a word out, they both respond simultaneously.

“We’re just, um… still—”

Yu Da On stuttered, but Jang Chae Yeon interrupted her.

“No.

“…”

“Just coworkers.”

“…”

Yu Da On shot a quick glance at Jang Chae Yeon, whose gaze darted away, avoiding eye contact.

“Well, hang in there!”

He just laughs and playfully gives my back another slap.

It felt far more meaningful than the last one.

“So… what do I need to do?”

“Oh, right.”

He clapped his hands and pointed at a spot where our three eyes all turned.

It was an eyeball.

Not a black hole, nor a cube, or anything else—a singular human eyeball floated within a transparent box.

“…What is this…”

“…A heart?”

“An eyeball?”

“…A hand?”

All three of us voiced different interpretations and exchanged glances as if we had made a pact.

After my comment, he sighed heavily.

“Indeed, everyone sees things differently.”

“…What is this?”

“The creator of the turntable… well. You’ll understand. This is a piece they sent us.”

“…”

I stared intently at the trembling eye.

“It doesn’t look particularly dangerous.”

“Everything seems harmless at first. Even the turntable seemed benign until one employee ended up in a mental hospital, and only then did we realize what was going on.”

Observing the man casually narrate such a horrific story made me tense.

Soon, translucent text appeared above it.

[Name: Proof of Absence]

[Age: Created two days ago]

[Characteristics: Expression of absence]

[Talent: X]

[Background: This artwork illustrates what a person feels they lack. To a particularly cherished individual, she left this message: ‘In the moment you deeply feel absence, you will find what you desire.’]

[Vulnerability: The day anyone realizes what this exactly looks like, it will fulfill its purpose and crumble to dust.]

“…What?”

Why do I feel like this background is pointing to a specific person?

And why does it feel like that person might be me?

Unconsciously, I slip my hand into my pocket and play with a small figurine I have there.

So, could it be that the sense of absence I’m feeling now relates to an eye?

While Yu Da On feels it’s a heart, and Jang Chae Yeon a hand.

What do those two feel a sense of absence about?

“So, did you learn anything?”

“I don’t know.”

There’s no need for me to claim I know all of this. It would seem odd that I understand things others don’t.

He looked at me.

“Can you stay for a moment?”

He stared at me intently, sighed deeply, and gestured to the other management staff to leave.

“Do we have to go too?”

“Yeah.”

At his words, Yu Da On and Jang Chae Yeon both give me fleeting glances as they exit.

Silence envelops us.

He shrugged and surveyed the room before pulling a small keycard from his pocket and handing it to me.

“…Isn’t this a containment room keycard?”

“Indeed.”

I recall the man in sunglasses using this same key to open the turntable door.

“…Why are you giving this to me?”

“Where should I start?”

He scratched the back of his head in annoyance before continuing.

“This containment object was a package delivered to the Management Agency.”

“Excuse me?”

“And it was addressed to you.”

“W-what?”

The more I hear, the more terrifying it sounds.

“Consequently, an urgent meeting was held, and the Branch Chief said she wanted to speak with you and, well, she said it was fine to call you, which must mean I can give you this key.”

“Is that really correct?”

Can I just use it like this?

“I heard you have the ability to record in the manual, could you check that for me?”

“…”

I wonder if I should give it a shot.

I pull out the manual.

– Swoosh!

The manual unfolds.

“Register containment object. Name… Proof of Absence.”

[Manual for Office Workers]

[PRV – Proof of Absence – Revised edition by Kim Jae Heon]

[No special notes]

No special notes? Revised edition?

Someone has already filled this out.

Glimpsing at the containment team leader, he smiled apologetically.

“Sorry about that. I heard a young one can handle the manual like it’s an extension of their limbs; I got a bit curious.”

It took me twelve years to get that good, he said while shaking his head.

“Anyway, manage it here, but feel free to take it with you if necessary.”

“Was that why you called me?”

“Yeah.”

“Then… what about the new team member?”

“Oh, Kim Wan Woo?”

“Yes.”

“Um… sharp guy.”

He pondered for a moment before speaking.

“He acts like he knows everything. When I debated if I should call you in, he interrupted me, saying he’d go fetch you himself.”

The more I think about it, the more perplexing it becomes.

“Well, I’ll leave the conversation here.”

“I’ve got a bit to take care of.” He said and turned towards the door.

“Thanks for the help with the turntable earlier.”

Saying just that, he vanished beyond the door.

“…”

What’s going on here?

*

After that, nothing really happened. For about a month, I kept coming in and out of work, and tasks slowly diminished each day.

As time passed, the day finally arrived.

“…I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.”

Song Ah Rin mumbles with a tone of awe.

“So beautiful…”

Yu Da On’s eyes widen in wonder.

“…”

Jang Chae Yeon stands with a satisfied expression.

And I too turn my gaze forward alongside them.

A cruise, elegantly adorned in gold and white.

Looking at the ship emblazoned with the words <Golden Eyes>, I felt a surge of joy.

Yes, we’ve worked hard, haven’t we? While it’s been a month without any events and work volume had diminished, all those struggles are culminating here!

Just to be safe, I stashed my gun, butane gas, and even an emergency radio transmitter!

Even if I’m incredibly unlucky, would an accident occur on the ship?

Stepping confidently onto the staircase leading up to the vessel, the dark sea glimmers with a murky light.