Despite being just one level below, the 6th basement floor had a very different layout.
A straight corridor stretched out, lined on both sides with identically shaped doors that were spaced out and zigzagged, facing each other. The corridor floor was covered in a plush khaki carpet, softer than that of the 5th floor. Elegant glass-crafted lamps and casually hung paintings adorned the walls. At the end of the corridor, an antique console table held a calmly arranged bouquet of fresh flowers. Beside it were a small glass table and two one-person couches upholstered in water buffalo leather.
“…….It seems like I've come to a five-star hotel. I'm really looking forward to seeing what the room is like.”
As Jeong Tae-ui muttered in boredom, Tou, who was walking ahead, smiled.
"The rooms are also similar, except for the fact that there isn't a bathroom attached to each room."
"If they were going to decorate it so luxuriously, why didn't they just put a bathroom in each room? Why did they have to separate them?"
"Well, they say the sewage system isn't set up for that. They said it's impossible to install pipes in every room."
"So, it's a shared bathroom and a shared toilet?"
"That's right. But since there are two spacious ones, one on the east side and one on the west, it's not usually crowded. You can go anytime and it's pretty quiet.”
"Any time……."
As if understanding what Jeong Tae-ui was thinking, Tou emphasized once more, 'Um, anytime.'
With a face that seemed to say, 'That's just how it is in a place full of guys,' Tou hummed as he walked.
As they passed by, they showed him a place and said it was the bathroom. Even now, after work hours, it was completely empty. The well-equipped shower facilities and the large bathtub, separated by a glass door, sat there forlornly.
"I guess I'll have to use it later."
Staring at the clear, hot water filling the bathtub, Jeong Tae-ui muttered something. Then, he suddenly asked Tou a question.
"So, do all the superiors use this floor? Like a director, vice directors, or instructors?”
"Nope. They live on a completely different floor. I heard they live on the first basement level, which is as close to the ground floor as you can get. They even have their own private bathrooms in each room."
"Haa."
I briefly thought of my elegant uncle, the root of all this trouble. Resentment began to grow towards him. I won't feel relieved unless I really strangle him someday.
"Where exactly is Instructor Jeong Chang-in's room on the first basement level?"
"Why, are you already missing your uncle? Hehe, if you take the elevator I just got off, turn right, and then take the second door on the right.”
With a playful tone, Tou turned away from the bathroom. After pointing out that the restroom was right next to it, he continued down the hallway. Jeong Tae-ui shook his head, inwardly cursing his uncle, but Tou, who had been walking for quite some time, finally stopped.
"Here’s your room."
The room he tapped on with his fingertips, indicating it was this one, was located quite deep inside the corridor.
"This room was originally shared by one Japanese person from our team and two Russians from another team. One of the Russians died, and the other two are currently recovering.……I doubt they'll be able to come back even after they recover."
Tou muttered in a low voice and opened the door. The door opened easily, as if it wasn't locked.
The room was quite roomy. It was big enough for three people to share. There were three double beds. The built-in closet, hidden behind a door that looked like part of the wall, and other necessary furniture like shelves and desks were all provided.
"Help yourself to the fridge in front of the closet. It's not very big, but it should be enough for a few cans of beer and some snacks. And you see that sink in the corner? You can use that for a quick wash. Some people use it to do their business because they're too lazy to go to the bathroom, so I wouldn't recommend using it for water. Just for washing your hands."
"……I hope whoever I'm sharing a room with isn't like that."
It's good that the bathroom is usually empty. That means it's convenient, and I'm not that clean myself. But that's just too much. I really want to see the face of whoever it is that uses the sink for that and give them a piece of my mind.
Jeong Tae-ui muttered in boredom, and Tou shrugged.
"I guess we'll have to use it alone until a new recruit comes in. Or maybe until one of the recovering guys comes back. But I think waiting for a new recruit will be faster."
"I guess the guys who are recovering must have been pretty badly hurt."
"Um……. thankfully, they should be able to live a normal life. But it's unlikely they'll be able to return to this kind of life. Still, with the compensation and retirement pay, they should have enough to live comfortably on their own for decades. I guess it was worth it since they got injured doing their job.”
Indeed, Jeong Tae-ui nodded in agreement.
So, if they successfully complete the training and get hired by another company or agency, they'll be making a ton of money. And even if they get injured during the training, they'll be financially secure. Plus, with facilities like these, it's quite something.
I can see why people around the world are eager to join this organization.
Thinking he'd explained enough, or perhaps unable to resist the urge to smoke any longer, Tou walked towards the door and said.
"Ask the administrative officer for the key in the office on the ground floor. Xinlu is the administrative officer charge of member benefits and internal affairs. Get the key from him and also pick up the note with the house rules. If you need anything else, just ask him. For simple questions, you can ask me. My room is number 15. ……Want me to come with you? I'm about to go upstairs for a smoke anyway.”
"No, you go ahead. I'll be a bit slower. But is administrative officer still in the office at this hour?"
"There's probably someone on duty. If you say you have something to say to Xinlu, they'll call him."
"Alright. Thank you."
"Not at all," Tou waved his hand and left. Left alone in the room, Jeong Tae-ui finally let out a long sigh he'd been holding in and flopped down on the chair right next to him.
Except for the basic furniture, there were hardly any personal belongings. It seems like they've already removed the belongings of the person who passed away, and perhaps the items of those who are recovering as well.
I looked through the drawers, the wardrobe, and the desk. Although they weren't completely empty, there were only a few remaining items of clothing, books, and other small belongings. The empty furniture, without a speck of dust, seemed to have belonged to the person who passed away.
Even if they're not coming back, I can't just use someone else's space. After all, it's only natural that the deceased person's belongings would be left behind.
Jeong Tae-ui looked around the room carefully. Since he had left his bag behind, he couldn't organize his belongings today, but in fact, there wasn't much to organize. He didn't have any important things that he needed to pack carefully, even though his uncle was urging him to hurry. And since he was told he would only be staying for half a year, he hadn't brought anything except for what he needed immediately. Everything from his pajamas and uniform to even his toothbrush was provided, so there was really nothing else to pack.
The only thing of real value in that bag…… must be the key. It was just tossed into the bag, not even attached to a keychain. It's the key to my room for the next six months.
I made sure to tidy up the house before I left. It actually took me dozens of times longer than it took to pack. I also left a short note for my brother, who knows when he'll be back.
I wonder what my Hyung is doing right now. Although I don't need to worry about him wherever he is, I don't think I would even worry if his plane crashed.
Whatever he wants, I'm sure we'll meet again. After all, he always gets what he wants.
Jeong Tae-ui approached the neatly made bed and lay down on it.
Though my body was tired, I wasn't as sleepy as I expected. My body felt heavy but my mind was clear.
I'll have a room to myself for a while. It'll be peaceful, but there might be some inconveniences, especially at first. If I need anything small, I can ask the next door.
After a moment of staring at the ceiling, Jeong Tae-ui slowly rose to his feet.
I won't need the key since the door is always unlocked. But I'll need that rulebook. I have no idea where to eat or what to do tomorrow.
I should ask Xinlu. I guess he’s part of the administration.
Jeong Tae-ui scratched his head and got up. It felt like the next six months would feel like a thousand years.
I guess I’ll have to strangle my uncle sometime to feel satisfied. I should stop by his room on the first basement floor on my way up and twist his face.
***
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Credits:
Translator: Hoshi Miya
Editor/Proofreader: Tâmago
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