Terrestrial Savior Archetype - T.S.A Chapter 2 (part 3): Survey 2

The “voice control” by the Earth had been lifted.

“I-Is it over…?”

Memories that he had forgotten for a while replayed in his mind, one by one, like rewinding a movie.

The aptitude test. Eight questions. The “Declaration of Earth.”

Ah, and the new employee.

He had been contemplating whether to cut off his right hand.

Whoosh.

Jeong-woo reflexively turned his head.

He was worried if the guy had found a chair and sat down, and he wondered if the guy had passed the remaining questions and the aptitude test.

However…

“Umm… Um…”

Sounds were already coming from the new employee’s throat.

But it wasn’t the sound of someone in their right mind. It was similar to the moans made by someone having a seizure.

Moreover…

“Um… Um…”

“Um… Um…”

Not only the new employee, but everyone in the office was making strange noises while trembling with their eyes rolled back.

“…!”

It felt like being present at a hypnotic ritual of a religious group.

Rubbing his hands together, Jeong-woo felt a chill all over his body and looked around for something he could use as a weapon on his desk.

The first thing he spotted was a metal fountain pen.

It was a gift from his father about a year ago when he was promoted to a deputy.

Without hesitation, Jeong-woo grabbed the fountain pen in his right hand and aimed it at the employee in the adjacent seat.

“Um…”

The guy was still making strange noises.

Was it because everyone was still in the middle of the “aptitude test”?

Perhaps this was the state they ended up in due to failing the test.

Maybe those “failures” would harm people nearby in this state.

“…!”

Jeong-woo contemplated the scenarios of human battles inside the office, human-zombification, the appearance of gates connected to other dimensions, and the horrific creatures crawling out of sinkholes.

Splat.

His palm became sweaty, making the fountain pen slip even more.

And then, it happened.

Thud!

A dull sound came from the development department beyond the partition.

And then…

Thump! Thud!

With various sounds of impact, chairs were pushed backward or fell over in succession.

“Ugh!”

“Ouch…”

These were similar moans to the ones Jeong-woo had made.

People were waking up one by one.

Including the new employee in the adjacent seat.

Huack!

As the employee, who was sitting in a staggered position, tried to fall forward, Jeong-woo hurriedly held him back.

“Haak!”

The employee, who had finally regained consciousness, trembled in shock.

In response, Jeong-woo called out the guy’s name clearly and applied pressure to both arms.

“Kim Jae-hyung! Calm down. It’s all over now.”

To be honest, he wasn’t completely certain that everything was over, but at least it was better than when they were in the middle of the “aptitude test.”

As Jeong-woo helped the employee to sit up, sounds of murmuring came from all directions.

Some were sobbing, while others were cursing, trying to relieve their tension.

In the end, the composure of humanity began to waver.

Nevertheless, the authoritarian measures on Earth continued.

A new message appeared before everyone’s eyes.

– According to the survey results, a certain amount of “Essence” has been allocated to you. This is the best weapon and armor at your disposal. If you die, your Essence will drop in that spot. It can be immediately picked up and used by your comrades, so do not lose your wit until the last moment. Your death will be remembered and utilized.

‘What the…?’

‘What is this nonsense…?’

Although everyone wore grim expressions, fear could be seen in their eyes.

Amidst this, Jeong-woo raised his head curiously.

It was because he had seen the last sentence somewhere before.

In a game? Or was it from a movie?

However, his thoughts were interrupted by the next phrase.

– Try not to let your Essence be taken by non-Earth entities. If you don’t have the confidence to fight, commit suicide near your comrades. Essence can be trained and becomes stronger as it accumulates. If you want to completely resolve this situation, find the Savior and assist them. Good luck.

‘Non-Earth entities…? What is this talk about finding a Savior?’

Jeong-woo still felt the touch of the pen in his right hand and looked around.

Everyone had panic-stricken expressions, as if they were witnessing something terrible in Earth’s announcement.

“You crazy bastard! Shouldn’t you tell us how to use it?”

The only woman in the company, Im Soo-young, shouted as she threw something on the ground.

She was talking about the instructions for using Essence.

At least she seemed to understand the situation accurately.

However, the attention of the people was not focused in her direction.

“Huh…”

“What’s going on?”

“Team leader…?”

People who were sitting at their desks one by one came out from their cubicles and approached the Business Department.

“What’s going on?”

Jeong-woo looked in the direction of the Business Department from his spot.

Then he saw the figure of the Business Department team leader, Jo Sun-woong, standing still.

However, what caught everyone’s attention was not the team leader, but the three syllables above his head.

…Predator.

These letters moved along with Jo Sun-woong’s movements, as if it were a game character’s nickname.

Thump. Thud.

The team leader’s shoes made a sound.

He was walking towards Director Choi Joo-yeol, who was in charge of the company’s main office.

“What…?”

Several people who were observing this scene couldn’t help but gulp.

A normal office worker who suddenly gained some kind of power and the boss who made his life miserable every day.

It was a character composition commonly seen in scenarios of destruction.

According to clichés, in such cases, the one who gains power implements their own justice.

In other words, considering the current situation…

“No way.”

Jeong-woo swallowed his dry saliva.

The team leader was already standing in front of Director Choi.

Although there was no special indication, most people in the office had noticed it.

The title “Predator” was some kind of omen.

Judging from the results of the survey or empathy test, Earth must have granted some kind of privilege.

Director Choi also felt that something was off and was looking at Team Leader Jo with a troubled expression.

“What’s…?”

Whish.

The team leader turned around, leaving his superior behind.

Then he surveyed the office.

It seemed like he was looking for someone.

Jeong-woo didn’t think that Team Leader Jo was simply taking a last look at his coworkers.

It seemed like he was searching for someone who had a title above their head, just like himself.

‘He knows more, doesn’t he?’

Jeong-woo, growing impatient, twitched his eyebrows.

Just as he did, another message appeared before his eyes.

-The evaluation for the human Park Jeong-woo is complete.

-You have been assigned the role of “Savior.” If it is determined that your abilities do not match or are insufficient for the assigned role, it may change or disappear.