A little later.
Using the number Assistant Manager Eun Haje gave me, I made the call.
An internal number connected to Director Ho’s private room.
[Hello.]
“…!”
“Good evening, Director Ho.”
From the moment the call connected, the others fell silent and kept their mouths shut.
I continued as politely and steadily as I could.
“This is Chief Kim Soleum, who went missing a month ago. I only just managed to make it out of the darkness, so I’m contacting you.”
[Wow. Hello, Mr. Soleum! Have you been doing well over the last month?]
…The greeting that came back was calm to an unnatural degree.
The tone was slightly warm, even pleased, like he were talking to a guest who had contacted him after a long time.
That only made my skin crawl even more.
That was absolutely not the kind of response a person could have when an employee who had been processed as dead suddenly called.
‘This isn’t normal.’
Director Cheong would have been better, but I wasn’t in a position to contact her right now.
So I listened closely to what Director Ho had to say.
[I’m really glad you weren’t dead. It makes me happy to hear you seem safe.]
“Thank you.”
[But aren’t you in a difficult position? If you return like this, it seems like your point losses will be severe….]