First Resolution (4)

Jaldi and I walked down the hall.

She was tall for a woman—maybe about 5 cm shorter than me? So around 175 cm? Her height made the black suit look really good on her.

Anyone who saw her would think she was a fake Agency operative.

Put on sunglasses, and she'd be a dead ringer.

"I thought agents would be like Men in Black, you know."

"Suit, sunglasses, and memory erasing. You mean that?"

"Yes."

"Well... you could say we're similar. We do end up erasing civilians' memories a lot."

"Memories, huh."

So they do erase memories after all.

"You're not going to kill civilians just to silence them, are you? I can't stand that sort of thing."

"Of course not. What kind of people would we be, eliminating someone when we're trying to save people?"

"That's a relief."

You'll learn as you go. First, your codename—starting now, you may not use your real name.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You'll be issued a codename. From now on, that's the only name you use."

"Wait a second."

So I can't use my real name at all?

"Then what do my mom, dad, and friends call me? And how am I supposed to sign up for websites?"

"They'll have their perceptions altered so they won't call you by name. And for website sign-ups, you'll use the cover identity you were issued."

"What does that mean...? Perception alteration?"

Okay, I can see using a cover identity, but perception alteration?

"Right. From now on, your parents will probably just call you 'son.' Your friends, depending on how they usually are, will call you something like 'hey, you' or 'oi, you.' For civilians who never need to know your name as an agent, use the alias on your cover identity."

Jaldi's explanation was shocking. Was the Agency really this capable? Enough to erase people's memories and alter perceptions as much as it wanted?

"That's amazing... if it's really that much. But the codename does feel a little unusual. I can't tell what country's style it is."

"Think of it as the Agency's style."

While saying that, we got on the elevator.

"So which team am I going to? Senior Curas kept telling me to come to the Suppression Team."

"Looks like I'll have to show them who's boss. They're already trying to poach the new recruit."

So there was competition like that?

"That isn't a place to send a newbie. They mostly rush to the scene and fight immediately, so if we put a rookie there, they'd just die in the line of duty."

"Hmm... it does seem that way. Um, Senior Gorgodio transforms like Iron Man or Kamen Rider, and Senior Curas just throws around fire."

"Gorgodio is a Compatible, and Curas is a powerful esper."

Come to think of it, did he say Compatible?

"What exactly is a Compatible?"

"It refers to someone who can wield that armor. Well, you don't need to know right away. You'll learn in time. There, we've arrived. Now we'll start your rookie test."

Feels like we've gone underground.

"Oh."

When the elevator doors opened, I saw something like a huge shooting range. After stepping out and looking around, there was also a facility that looked like a combat training ground.

"Is it shooting and a fitness test?"

"Yes. We'll start with your physical fitness."

"Great. I'll show you what I can do."

Let's put some muscle into it.

* * *

The test was over.

After that, they did a physical examination, and I changed into the agent suit I was issued.

"Badass as hell."

It fit my body so well it was like it had been tailor-made. It also seemed easy to move in. If I put on sunglasses, I could probably pass for a fake Agency operative on the spot.

After straightening my clothes and coming out, Jaldi was waiting.

"It suits you."

"I guess I'm the type who looks good in a suit."

"Looks like it."

Jaldi replied expressionlessly as she flipped through the pad.

"Your marksmanship is impressive. Were you the army's top marksman?"

"I'm pretty good at shooting, yeah."

I'd been through so much for so long that shooting was the one thing my body had fully learned. It was a world where the better you were with a gun, the longer you survived.

"Your stamina is about average."

That was a bit disappointing.

"Does average mean I failed? You don't need some special-forces standard or anything, right?"

"Your stamina will improve in time, so it doesn't matter."

Come to think of it, a special forces soldier would probably do well as an agent.

"No disqualifying issues."

"So I'm a full-fledged agent now?"

"Yes."

Now I'm an operative of the Agency.

I'm nervous and worried too. But in this bizarre world, being an agent is a hundred times better than being an ordinary civilian.

And especially for someone like me with special abilities.

ㅡDing.

"Your codename has come through."

"Oh? What is it? I hope it's something cool."

"Hmm... what kind of vibe do you like, specifically?"

"Like Dragon Emperor, or Death Knight."

Those do sound cool.

"That's beyond imagination."

Jaldi turned around and stopped in front of something like a kiosk. Then she punched a few buttons and printed out something like a receipt.

No, that's not a receipt?

"Take it."

"This is... like some kind of ID card."

"Flip it over."

When I flipped it over, I could tell it was some kind of agent badge.

[Codename : Grong]

"Grong?"

"I don't choose the codename. The Agency does."

Jaldi avoided my gaze.

"Seriously? My codename is Grong?"

"That's right."

"No, what do you mean Grong? It's not even Pororo's Crong, it's Grong! Ah!"

"Ah!"

"What the heck!"

"No, I mean Pororo's friend!"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about. Hurry up and go. Your assignment has been completed."

"Chief Jaldi!"

"Call me Team Leader now."

"Huh?"

"You're assigned to the Comprehensive Response Team. My team. You'll learn the organizational structure and all that in time."

The Comprehensive Response Team!

"So it's a team that handles things comprehensively?"

"Something like that. You're quick on the uptake."

"Well, the name kind of says it all."

"Anyway, follow me."

"More importantly, my codename!"

Jaldi said nothing, and I rode the elevator back up with her. We arrived in front of the Comprehensive Response Team's office. Since I was a rookie and couldn't open the door, I waited while Jaldi opened it and went in.

"The rookie's here. Give him a warm welcome."

Jaldi, who went to her seat with practiced ease, sat down and propped her feet up on the desk.

"Hmm, only Spandal is here."

When I followed her in, a woman was staring at me intently.

She had a wavy purple bob that left a strong impression. Come to think of it, all the agents seemed pretty distinctive in appearance. Especially their hair colors—Mr. Curas even had light green hair.

As I stood there, the woman called Spandal came up to me.

"Uh?"

But how should I put this.

Her eyes... should I say there was no light in them?

She had a sly, creepy look.

Spandal pressed her body against mine, leaned her face close, and stared at me.

"Why are you doing this...?"

"..."

Why aren't you saying anything?

It felt like she was trying to pick me apart piece by piece, and that gave me a bad feeling. Spandal, who had been watching me like that, whispered in my ear.

"Hey, hey. When do you think you'll die?"

"What?!"

What is she saying?!

"When do you think you'll die?"

"No, what are you saying? Why are you saying something so scary?!"

"I'm just asking. When? Tomorrow? Or the day after? If you were to die, how do you think you'd die? Bleeding out? Or coughing up blood?"

Watching a woman with no light in her eyes ramble like that made fear rise inside me.

This crazy bitch—could she be a fake Agency operative?!

"Team Leader!"

"Spandal... enough bullying the new recruit."

At the same time, the door opened and Mr. Jamtree came in.

Seeing a familiar face in a situation like this filled me with overwhelming relief.

"Oh?"

"Ah!"

"Hehe, what? You came to our team right away? Welcome. That suit looks good on you."

"H-hello! Senior! I officially joined, but that Senior Spandal just now...!"

At some point, Spandal had rested her chin on my shoulder.

"Spandal. I told you not to bully the newbie. You're scaring him."

"I always say the same thing: I was just thinking he should know reality."

"Get off, now. Shoo, shoo."

Thankfully, Mr. Jamtree grabbed Spandal around the waist and pulled her off me. Spandal was still staring at me with those ominous eyes.

"Hmm, but rookie. Aren't you going to introduce yourself? Or maybe you don't need to leave your name behind because you'll die soon? Ufufu, could it be something like that?"

"Spandal, shut up."

Senior Jamtree smacked Spandal's lips, smack, smack, smack.

Come to think of it, I still hadn't introduced myself.

"Sorry. I'll do it right now. As of today, I'm an agent, and since I can't use my real name anymore, I'm Grong."

I introduced myself while showing my agent ID.

"Oh my, Grong? Your codename is Grong? That's cute."

"Is it? To me it feels a little like Pororo's Crong, so I'm not sure."

"Pororo? Heh heh heh, hearing that makes it even cuter."

She was smiling and enjoying it, but I was just embarrassed.

"Spandal. It seems Grong has a superpower too. Did you say he can sense danger?"

"Yes. That's right. When there's something like that, I sometimes get a somewhat stronger sensation."

"Hmm, then if you make one mistake, you'll die right away, huh? 'Nothing feels off to me, so it's fine,' and then suddenly—"

"Spandal, your mouth."

ㅡSmack smack smack.

Mr. Jamtree, who had smacked Spandal's lips, ran that same hand over his own lips and said,

"I already introduced myself earlier. Spandal? Stop saying weird things and introduce yourself to Grong."

"..."

"Grong. For your information, Spandal is a thorn wielder. So maybe that's why her words are so prickly."

"A thorn wielder?"

Does she puff up like a pufferfish and attack with thorns or something?

"You're not thinking something weird about your senior, are you?"

"No, that's not it."

"I'm Spandal. Your senior, and what I'm most curious about right now is when you'll die. You're interested too, right?"

How can she say that while smiling?

It felt like I'd just arrived at my unit and, the moment I walked in, saw the sergeants' faces and instantly knew I was screwed, like a fresh private.

"She talks like that, but she's only doing it because she worries about rookies, so try to understand her, Grong. So, Team Leader, there isn't anything the rookie can do right away—what should we teach him first?"

"He has so much to learn that he'd forget it all if we taught him now. For now, have him memorize the team agents around him. Then take him along as your assistant on low-risk jobs and teach him there."

"I'll do that."

"Jamtree. Spandal. You two take turns teaching him."

Can't I learn from Mr. Jamtree?

"But we have a lot to do today, so I can't teach you anything right away. Grong. Go home for now. Your real work starts tomorrow morning."

"Understood. But where am I supposed to go?"

"I'll send you the address. You can stay there."

"Then I'll head out for the day."

"Grong. Get home safely."

"Yes."

I think I'll get along well with Mr. Jamtree. By contrast, Miss Spandal was still talking to me with those lightless eyes.

"If you run away, you'll be in big, big trouble. So behave yourself, okay?"

"That won't happen. Goodbye."

For now, I stepped out of the office.

"No."

Miss Spandal is way too scary.

Let's go in and get some rest.

Finally, I can check my status window.