Chapter 8: The Weight of a Tie

I wasn’t particularly curious about Choi Siram’s past.

I gave a rough nod to the flustered Choi Siram, who was stammering over his words, and straightened my disheveled uniform.

On training days, all employees in the center were required to wear the uniforms issued by headquarters and wait on their assigned floors.

Since the staff working at the center were unofficially treated like government officers, much like soldiers, it was probably an attempt to imitate that structure.

However, considering how they emphasized aesthetics and psychological superiority, while sacrificing practicality and comfort—the most important aspects of training—it was obvious how much the executives cared about appearances.

…Come to think of it.

Choi Siram’s collar looked oddly empty.

Where on earth had he thrown his tie?

“Choi Siram.”

“Yes, Jaeyoon. Go ahead.”

“Was the tie missing from the uniform you were issued?”

“Oh, the tie? No, it was included.”

“…It was included? Then why aren’t you wearing it? On training days, all employees must wear the full uniform without exception to prepare for emergencies.”

I had always thought Choi Siram had a decent personality.

He was humble without being submissive, never did anything that would make others uncomfortable, and maintained good relationships with everyone at the center with a generous attitude.

At a glance, it was clear he had been raised well.

But starting today, I might need to revise my evaluation of him.

“Well, I don’t really like anything tight around my neck. And besides, Suchang and Seokhwan said if it’s uncomfortable, I don’t have to wear it. They said they’d take care of it for me… so…”

Choi Siram, in other words, had a slight tendency to judge and act based on his own standards.

Even if Park Suchang’s group, the real power in the center, said they would handle it, that didn’t mean the rest of us wore uniforms because we found them comfortable.

The uniform wasn’t just a symbol of discipline within the center.

It was also a form of respect toward other employees participating in the training.

And yet, his reason was simply that it was uncomfortable.

Looking closely, even his shirt and pants, though similar in color, were completely different in material and brand.

Leaving a few shirt buttons undone was nothing unusual, and he wasn’t even wearing the military cap, one of the key elements of the uniform.

Apparently, he had left the cap in the dorm as well because it was uncomfortable.

“…Choi Siram, no matter what, wearing the uniform on training days is a direct order from the director. Today, you can participate as you are since Park Suchang said it’s fine, but from next time, please follow the rules properly. If you go against the center’s regulations, there’s no telling what kind of consequences you might face.”

“I’m sorry, Jaeyoon. I didn’t realize and just blindly trusted what that bastard Suchang said.”

“No, I should be the one apologizing. I know it’s not a good look to lecture someone above me, but… it reminded me of the past.”

That’s right.

To be honest, the reason my mood was so foul right now wasn’t simply because Choi Siram wasn’t properly dressed.

It was because the way the team treated him and me was completely different.

“Hey, there goes Han Jaeyoon.”

“I heard the news already. He got assigned as the dedicated guide for Attack Team 3, right? Even if his matching rate is high, how did he beat all those strong candidates? I heard he doesn’t even have any backing.”

After I was assigned as the guide for Attack Team 3, the staff at the center began openly showing hostility toward me.

Countless dirty rumors started clinging to me like labels, questioning how someone like me, just a B-rank, could get that position.

Even when I briefly passed through crowded areas, I could feel sharp, malicious gazes following me.

“Wow, just because he got into Attack Team 3, he’s not even wearing his uniform properly?”

“Come on, what would a refugee know? He probably just threw something on.”

“Seriously, look at him holding his head up like he’s something special. So annoying.”

Because of this situation, even after signing the contract, I had no one to ask for proper guidance about being a guide.

The practical guiding training was one of the more difficult tests, only available to those assigned to a team, so the early onboarding documents didn’t include instructions on how to wear the uniform properly.

Because of that, on my first day of the test, I became everyone’s laughingstock just for wearing the uniform incorrectly.

Even now, that memory still lingered in my mind, making me shudder in fear at times.

“You’ve embarrassed our entire team. What’s so hard about wearing a uniform properly?”

“It’s unpleasant. Sit further away. I don’t like being in the same space as someone who lacks even basic qualifications as a guide.”

“Aren’t you all being too harsh on Jaeyoon? It’s not like he wants to be incompetent. He just grew up with nothing, so try to understand.”

On top of that, instead of supporting me, my teammates hurled even harsher insults after I returned from barely finishing the test.

Because of you, we’re all getting dragged into this mess. Since you joined, nothing has gone right. Why don’t you just pay the penalty and leave the center.

“…Bastards.”

I smiled because I couldn’t cry.

I lived because I couldn’t die.

Unable to resist, I lowered my head and prayed that the storm in front of me would pass as quickly as possible.

Just as they said, someone like me—a refugee with no one to back me—could only survive here by staying low and strictly adhering to the contract.

“When I was young, my mother made me wear a bow tie and shirt every single day without fail. Back then, we had important guests coming in and out of the house all the time, so I guess it couldn’t be helped, but being stuck like that for hours every morning felt like torture.”

“…That must have been very uncomfortable.”

“Oh, don’t even get me started. That’s why even now, as an adult, I still hate wearing ties.”

Every word Choi Siram said irritated me to no end.

Every year, to avoid repeating the same mistake, I had to wake up early, search online how to wear a uniform properly, and practice alone while swallowing my tears.

Completely unlike Choi Siram, who lived comfortably in the center under the protection of his teammates.

At the same time, while thinking his complaints were a luxury, I also couldn’t help but feel bitter.

If my teammates had treated me like a human being, maybe the past three years wouldn’t have felt like hell.

“I live every day barely surviving, and you’re complaining about something as trivial as a tie right in front of me.”

“Are you kind… or just ignorant…”

“Sorry? Jaeyoon, what did you just say?”

“Nothing.”

I responded with a slight curl of my lips to the endlessly chattering Choi Siram.

Perhaps thinking I was genuinely smiling, he hummed cheerfully while sneaking glances at my face.

It was as if he had completely forgotten the troubled expression he showed earlier when comparing the roses to the chrysanthemums.

“Are you the guide for Attack Team 3?”

“Yes. I’m Han Jaeyoon, the direct guide for Attack Team 3, and this is Choi Siram, also a guide for Attack Team 3.”

“You both arrived just in time. First, please sign in the sections highlighted in blue, then enter the waiting room and remain there until further announcements.”

Choi Siram and I arrived at the 23rd floor, the lower level of the center, and filled out several documents in front of the information desk.

To summarize, the contents were simple.

No matter what abnormal situation occurs during training, you must not leave the testing area under any circumstances.

If any damage occurs as a result, the center will not take responsibility.

After roughly signing the forms together, we entered the waiting room where other guides were gathered and took empty seats.

“…Everyone looks really tense.”

“If you perform well in training, promotions become much easier. That’s probably why.”

“Then are you aiming for a promotion too, Jaeyoon? Like everyone else?”