Surviving Restructuring

After quitting sports, Eun-Ho bounced from one part-time job to another.

”What I’m saying is, can someone with a physical disability even do this kind of work?”

Eun-Ho had insisted. ”I can handle light packaging. Just give me a chance.”

One of those jobs had been at the wholesale produce market, helping out at the crack of dawn during the daily fruit auctions. The job was simple: taking the auctioned produce and dividing it into smaller bundles so store owners could sell them more easily.

Even that had taken a toll on Eun-Ho’s back, and he hadn’t lasted long.

“Eight thousand! I have a bid for eight thousand!”

Who would’ve thought the skills picked up just by watching over someone’s shoulder would come in handy now?

“All right, if we have no higher bids in the next ten seconds, this auction ends! Ten, nine, eight...”

[The Newbie from the Bureau of Corporate Relations anxiously awaits the result.]

“Seven, six, five... Folks, five seconds remaining!”

[The Newbie from the Bureau of Corporate Relations silently pleads for no more bids.]

Someone from the observer group had just bid eight thousand points for one hour of Eun-Ho’s memory—for a slice of time that had already come and gone.

What a deal! Even after the fifty percent commission, this one auction would get him most of the trial’s goal of five thousand points.

Still, he decided to push just a little harder. “Anyone feeling reluctant to step back? If there are no new bids in five seconds, the memory goes to the Newbie!”

He could probably get a little more if he stirred up the competition just a bit.

[The Crow from the Bureau of Management scoffs and places a bid.]

[The Crow from the Bureau of Management says ten thousand!]

It worked.

“We have a bid for ten thousand!”

The auction that had started at just thousand points had soared to ten thousand. Spending that kind of money on one hour of mystery memory was insane, though he wasn’t complaining.

It’s a trial I have to do anyway. Might as well make some money while I’m at it.

[The Newbie from the Bureau of Corporate Relations hangs their head in disappointment.]

[The Crow from the Bureau of Management lifts their chin, clearly pleased with themself.]

The most active bidders were four in total. Aside from the Newbie, the others had been chirping in with commentary since the beginning.

[The Newbie from the Bureau of Corporate Relations throws in the towel, both hands up.]

[The Crow from the Bureau of Management clicks their tongue and tells the Newbie to go learn the ropes.]

[The Prince from the Bureau of Investigation bows out, saying they have exceeded budget.]

The Newbie and the Prince were out. Clearly, even for them, the price wasn’t negligible.

Now, only two contenders remained. Then, after a short pause, an anonymous observer jumped back in.

[The anonymous observer says fifteen thousand!]

“Fifteen thousand!” Eun-Ho shouted.

That would still leave Eun-Ho with a clean seven thousand five hundred points.

“I’ll start the countdown! Ten, nine, eight...”

[The anonymous observer declares they’ll end their bidding here.]

Still, Eun-Ho counted down slowly just in case.

“Only three seconds left! Not five, not ten, just three!”

Right on cue, the Crow responded.

[The Crow from the Bureau of Management refuses to back down and bids!]

[The Crow from the Bureau of Management says twenty thousand.]

“We have a bid for twenty thousand!”

[The Prince from the Bureau of Investigation asks, ‘Isn’t that a month’s salary?’]

[The Crow from the Bureau of Management shoots back saying even though they are underpaid, they are not that underpaid.]

It was hard to tell whether they were joking or not.

“If there are no further bids within ten seconds, the auction ends! Ten, nine, eight...”

[The anonymous observer curses their empty wallet!]

The final dropout had shown themselves.

“... Three, two, one.”

The countdown ended. The buyer who’d get to experience Eun-Ho’s memory had been chosen.

“Sold!”

Just like that, he had made the kind of money that could open a mid-tier shop, or cover the cost of two hundred Skeleton Soldiers.

Even after the fifty percent cut, that’s still ten thousand points.Besides, with the leftover points from the last trial added on top... This is unbelievable.

***

[The observers who failed to win the bid click their tongues in disappointment.]

[The Crow from the Bureau of Management throws a fist in the air, unable to hide their excitement!]

[Several observers eagerly anticipate the content of the passionate young man.]

The auction was over. What lingered was the regret of those who didn’t get what they wanted, the satisfaction of the one who did, and the easy money that had just fallen into Eun-Ho’s lap.

“Are you like a pro at this or something?” Harona asked.

“I’m not sure what kind of pro you mean, but no, I’m not,” Eun-Ho replied calmly.

“Hmm...” There was obvious disbelief in Harona’s voice, but she was all business. “The bid amount will go through right away as a donation.”

“Sounds good.”

“Also, access to the channel has been granted. Just one hour.”

When it came to handling logistics, she was clear and efficient.

[The Crow from the Bureau of Management has donated twenty thousand Welfare Points!]

[After deducting a fifty percent administrator fee, the remaining amount has been deposited.]

Just as Eun-Ho was smiling at how fast the points hit his account, the system broadcast blared again, just like it had when the group departed.

[You have one hour.]

[Captivate your client with compelling content!]

[Top earners will receive additional rewards.]

[You are entering your memory stream.]

[Brace for impact!]

Suddenly, the world went dark, then flashed back into view. With a blink, came the searing pain in his skull.

“Keugh!”

It felt like being clubbed over the head with a blunt weapon. More precisely, like the throbbing that lingered after being struck over and over again.

Eun-Ho clutched his head, confused by the pounding pain, not sure whether it was real or just the transition’s side effect.

Whoosh—!

When he finally dared to open his eyes, the scenery had completely changed. The half-collapsed building was gone, replaced by a blue sky streaked with red banners. Carefully hoarded survival supplies were now neatly stacked boxes of sports drinks.

The suffocating silence of the auction chamber had transformed into the electric buzz of competition.

I’m back...

He was back on the day of his last big meet before the accident. It was the moment when he shone brightest.

Right... I dominated the hundred meter, the four hundred meter, and even the relay. Reporters were everywhere.

People had called him the future of Korean track and field. It felt strange because the scenery, the textures, even the smell of the field was so vivid. Even knowing it was all just a simulation, something about it stirred his heart. A mix of butterflies and a quiet ache.

[There is one viewer waiting to experience the memory.]

Finally regaining his senses, Eun-Ho noticed a pale, person-shaped mist beside him.

When he turned to look straight at it, the mist-person barked at him, “You fool! What are you standing around for? Begin! Now!”

Apparently, that was the Crow. They stood just over two meters tall, shoulders broad and figure massive. Even through the haze, they radiated authority. Although their face and clothing were too obscured to make out clearly, their presence was undeniable.

[You have to transfer physical control to the designated viewer.]

[Do you consent?]

Eun-Ho gave a small nod.

Boom!

Then, something roared to life inside him. Something was moving him.

Boom! Boom!

A deep, soul-rattling resonance rose up from within. His balance wavered and his core trembled. Still, he clung on like his soles were glued to the ground. It felt like his every cell had latched onto something sticky and refused to let go. Then finally, he was yanked free.

He had been pulled from his body, which still stood upright. Eun-Ho stared ahead. It was a strange feeling, like when he’d first met his doppelgänger at the Training Institute.

“It worked! It actually worked!” the Crow exclaimed in Eun-Ho’s body.

Eun-Ho’s mouth moved, opening wide even though Eun-Ho hadn’t willed it. His arms shot up high, though Eun-Ho hadn’t intended to lift them.

Meanwhile, his real self became translucent. His hands and ghostly figure let passersby walk right through him. He basically looked just like a ghost.

First I was a Skeleton, and now I’m a Ghost? Eun-Ho thought.

He was desperately struggling not to die in every trial, but he kept ending up dying and resurrecting. The irony was bitter.

“Ha ha ha ha! This is fun!”

Whether they sensed Eun-Ho’s thoughts or not, the Crow seemed thrilled. They rambled nonsense, unconcerned about who might be watching, their hands roaming over things that clearly weren’t theirs.

Eun-Ho watched nervously, worried they might cause trouble.

“Lee Eun-Ho!”

Someone approached and tapped his shoulder, so the Crow’s eyes snapped open.

Who are these guys again...? Eun-Ho thought.

“Why aren’t you warming up?”

“Are you slacking off because your records are too good?”

“You’re such a pain.”

Eun-Ho remembered now. They were those guys from the rival school, always showing up at meets and talking trash to cover for their losing times. It had been ten years since he’d seen them.

[These jerks... Though it’s still nice to see them after so long.]

Wait what? Eun-Ho thought.

His words rang out not from his throat, but echoed in his head, just like the Administrators’ messages.

This feels weird, Eun-Ho thought.

Before Eun-Ho could tell the Crow to ignore those jerks, the Crow jumped in first, laughing in a way that stood out among the young athletes.

“Ha ha ha ha! Warm up? Warm up my body?”

“What’s wrong with him?”

“Is he crazy?”

Murmurs spread around, but the Crow didn’t care. They just laughed louder and louder.

[Is that really that funny?]

“Of course it’s ridiculous to tell me to warm up my body!”

The more the Crow laughed, the more the faces of the guys blocking his way twisted in anger. They clearly took it as an insult.

They advanced with both annoyance and confusion, crowding the Crow.

“Hey! Shut your mouth alright?”

“This guy’s acting weird. Is he really Lee Eun-Ho?”

“Hey, looks like a fight’s about to break out here.”

“Ugh! Don’t fight here!”

“That’s right! I am Lee Eun-Ho!” Out of nowhere, the Crow threw their arms up and shouted again, “So be my subordinate!”

Before anyone could react, the Crow grabbed one of the guys in a bear hug. It was the one who’d been starting trouble.

“What the hell?!”

“Huh?”

The whole crowd stared at the Crow as if they were crazy, except the guy in the Crow’s grip.

“You must be insane!”

Wham!

A guy—someone whose name wasn’t even worth remembering—suddenly lashed out with a kick.

The Crow didn’t even blink, but instead, they casually caught the leg with one hand.

Thud!

The guy, caught by the ankle mid-kick, lost his balance and slammed the back of his head against the ground.

“You son of a—”

Completely unfazed, the Crow finally said, “Well now! You’re not one of mine, but an enemy?”

Then, just as casually, they twisted the guy’s wrist.

Crack!

“Aaaargh!”

Of course, the Crow didn’t forget the ankle still in their grasp. The ankle of a guy who was about to compete in the upcoming National Championships.

“Uuugh!” screaming in both pain and fury, the guy tried to get up, but the Crow didn’t let go.

“You psycho!”

“What the hell are you doing before a match?!”

His friends rushed in to help, but the Crow effortlessly and singlehandedly took care of them.

Then the Crow yelled, almost like he was calling out to a crowd, “Come on! Who’s next? Point me to the next enemy! Where’s the battlefield?!”

Their eyes sparkled with excitement.

Ha... This guy... They’ve got the genre all wrong, Eun-Ho thought.

This wasn’t some battle scene but a sport.

“Tell me! Where is the enemy who has ignited your blood?!” the Crow shouted.

Maybe I’ll play along a bit, considering customer satisfaction and all, Eun-Ho thought.

[That’s not your enemy... It’s the will to win the match.]

“A match? What is this match you speak of?”

[Just win against the people standing here on this red field.]

“Ooooh!”

It was all just a memory after all, so Eun-Ho thought what he said wouldn’t matter much.

“So I just have to defeat everyone on this field! Understood!”

No matter how vague Eun-Ho was, the Crow twisted it into something epic.

“Where is my weapon?!”

[There’s no weapons. It’s more about pure physical strength.]

“Of course! A true warrior needs no sword!” The Crow was like a hot-blooded shonen protagonist straight out of an anime. “Wait a second. Don’t tell me I don’t even have troops.”

[Obviously not. Think of it like a survival scenario.]

“Ahh! You’ve thrust me into a desperate situation on purpose! Got it!”

It all worked out fine for Eun-Ho.

[All good now? Go have fun.]

Thump. Thump.

Leaving his final words, Eun-Ho turned and walked away without a hint of regret. He had a mountain of stuff to do outside.

“Where are you going?!”

[Uh... I need to do some research.]

“What?! You’re not staying to witness the glory of my battle?!” The Crow shouted, their eyes burning with confidence.

[I’d get a better view of the scene from afar.]

“Ah! As expected! You’re wise beyond your years! Bwahahaha!”

The Crow roared with laughter again, even as the goons they’d been waiting for finally rushed them en masse. Then Eun-Ho slipped out of the arena unnoticed.

***

Thump!

Eun-Ho dropped onto a bench just outside the arena, tucked away in a quiet corner. It was the kind of place he would’ve never bothered to visit, not even by accident.

So they’ve prepared a spot that even I don’t recognize...

Everything here had been rendered in vivid detail, including a place he didn’t know, faces he’d never seen, and even unfamiliar scents in the air. It felt indistinguishable from the real world, except for one thing.

Above his head, floating in midair, was the rankings.

[Real-Time Donation Rankings]

1. Lee Eun-Ho (20,000 points)

2. Kim Sae-Ah (1,000 points)

3. Song Gu-Young (500 points)

4. —

5. —

Of course Eun-Ho was in first place. The twenty thousand point entry fee was automatically counted as a donation.

[The entire session will be streamed live via the Eye, and a special reward will be granted to the Subject who receives the most donation.]

The Administrator probably thought Eun-Ho was gunning for that special reward. Well, she wasn’t wrong, but that wasn’t the only reason why he’d let someone else take over his body.

“Connect.”

[Do you wish to connect to the Eye?]

It was to gain access as an observer. He’d slipped in the request to join as an observer so casually, it was as if it didn’t matter at all.

Good thing she let it slide.

The trial seemed simple enough on the surface, like a bonus round with no real risk of death. All they had to do was rate each participant’s charm. A fun little side game, or so he’d thought at first.

But now it will be different.

He had access to information, including details about survivors he hadn’t yet met. He also could learn about those still alive beyond his current group. He could tap into their core memories, the very things that defined them, and if he was lucky, he could even uncover what made them truly special.

[Please choose your observer nickname.]

It was a one-way mirror that allowed him to see everything without them noticing.

[Make me anonymous.]

Eun-Ho replied, thinking there could be no better deal than this.

Swoosh—!

Then, in the next moment, hundreds of screens flickered to life. They fanned out in a grid like a Go board, each one displaying fragments of someone’s life. Dog-eared bookmarks were wedged deep into the heart of a story, frozen in time.

Two hundred, two ten, two twenty... There’s more than I expected. And this is just the survivors in Yongsan District?

If this weren’t a life-or-death situation, he would never have dared to peek into such personal memories. Some were light, including vacations, romantic dates, lazy weekends, but then there were the darker ones, full of violence, assault, arson, and worse.

The latter must be post-trial memories...

It was obvious that people had chosen the most intense and shocking memories they could. Common scenes included people manipulating, beating up, and killing each other like toys.

Then, right next to one particularly brutal school bullying memory, the screen zoomed in on a woman’s face.

Is that Ji-Eun?

The woman had short hair and pale skin. However, her eyes were closed as if she was asleep.

Huh? Wait...

However, when Eun-Ho looked at her closely, she was in someone’s arms.

[She had a boyfriend?]

He had no idea what he was looking at, but this memory felt too private to keep watching. Quickly, he moved his finger to close the window because he felt like he shouldn’t be watching this.

However, just as he was about to, a familiar face appeared on the screen.

Hold on. Is that me?