I Activated Cheat Mode in a Bizarre Game

A few days later, we were once again riding in a company vehicle.
But the atmosphere was different from that first field assignment—a subtle tension filled the air.

Today was the day of the practical interview for Dongto’s newest recruits, applicants for Exploration Teams 16 through 20. And we were on our way as official observers.
"Team Leader, are there usually a lot of applicants for the exploration teams?"
Watching the bleak landscape outside the window, I asked.

At the wheel, Team Leader Park Cheolwoo let out a long sigh before replying.
"Plenty. Every time we post a job, they come pouring in. No matter how dangerous it is..."
"Well, of course!"

From the passenger seat, Han Sora cut in.
"High pay, four-day work week—what's not to love? In times like this, where else are you going to find a job like ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) that?"
"...Except you have to risk your life."

"There are jobs out there that pay less and still ask you to risk your life."
"...Ah."
She had a point.

In this world where monsters existed as a kind of open secret, Dongto’s exploration team was seen as a dangerous but secure path to wealth and work-life balance.
Even if you didn’t fight monsters, there were plenty of jobs where your life was still on the line. I nodded in agreement.
"Of course, plenty of people quit after just a short time because of the danger... but sometimes, we do get real prodigies. People who seem like they were born to be in the exploration team. Whether it’s natural physical prowess or some special ability... There are even rookies who make it straight into Team 1."

Park added that last bit casually.
"Special ability...? What kind of...?"
I asked carefully, recalling some of the videos I’d seen on the Monster Gallery—of shamans or priests spitting fire from their hands or surrounded by glowing auras.

This was a world with monsters, so it wasn’t hard to believe real supernatural abilities existed.
Before Park or Seo Jihyun could answer, Han Sora turned to me with a grin.
"Hmm... Some people can summon lightning with talismans, some command weird animals, and some are just super strong... like you!"
"...Ah, uh..."

"Ahem..."
I stammered slightly, flustered.
Seo Jihyun shot Han Sora a brief warning glance, and Team Leader Park cleared his throat awkwardly.

Only then did Han Sora seem to realize what she'd said. She quickly looked away and casually changed the subject.
"...Anyway, Team Leader, do we know how this interview is going to work?"
"Ah, I haven’t heard the details myself... Only that we’re to stay sharp in case any spies try to slip in... Oh—we’re here."

Skreeeech.
The vehicle stopped at a large open field on the outskirts of the city.
We were told it had once been used as a military training ground.

Under the overcast sky, dozens of applicants were already gathered, wearing tense expressions as they waited.
"Over there—Teams 6 and 12 are already here."
"Ah, you’re right."

We exchanged small nods with the members of Team 12, where Rahee belonged, and headed over to Team 6, the primary organizers of the interview, to formally greet them.
"We just arrived. Team 15."
"Ah, yes. Thanks for coming."

At Park Cheolwoo’s words, Team 6’s leader nodded.
The deep dark circles under his eyes showed how exhausted he was.
Maybe it was just the workload that came with being in a top team.

When his eyes landed on the Return Sword at my waist, they widened slightly for the first time.
"You chose a weapon as your starter gear? That’s not something we see much these days..."
"Is that so?"

Though his voice was weary, his gaze briefly sharpened as if trying to pierce through me.
"I heard you made a good impression during the slate incident."
"Ah..."

"That being the case, I’ll go ahead and assign you the... troublesome ones this round."
"...Excuse me?"
Before I could even ask what he meant, his attention turned elsewhere.

And then—a familiar translucent window appeared in front of me.
[In this interview, protect the applicant 'Park Sunja.']
A quest...? Who the hell is Park Sunja?

The moment the translucent window appeared, I knew it was a quest—but the content was confusing.
It was asking me to protect some applicant I’d never heard of—an old-fashioned name like "Park Sunja"—and during an interview of all things?
It didn’t bode well. Something about this interview was already starting to feel off.

"Starting now, we’ll divide into groups. Team Leader Park, please take groups 5 through 8 as supervisors."
"What? All of a sudden..."
"Details will be given shortly. For now, take this."

"Wait a—"
The Team 6 leader handed out name tags labeled with group numbers and casually walked toward the center of the field.
As time passed, the space filled with applicants—over forty by the looks of it.

It struck me again how many people were willing to risk their lives just to join the exploration team.
"Alright! We’ll now assign the groups! If your name is called, go to the supervisor wearing your group’s number!"
"...Better get this name tag on."

Flustered by the sudden instructions, we each hurried to pin on our designated name tags.
I was assigned to Group 8.
As names were called, applicants started moving toward their groups.

Four people approached me after spotting the number on my chest.
"Looking forward to working with you~"
"Hmph."
The four assigned to me were young men and women with relatively relaxed expressions.

Even just from their greetings, their personalities stood out.
Their attire, mannerisms, and air of confidence were noticeably different from the other applicants.
These were probably the “troublesome” ones that Team 6’s leader mentioned.

"Supervisors, please check the applicants in your group using the device provided."
I opened my phone to check the list of applicants in Group 8.
...No one named Park Sunja.

I looked through the list again. There was no one by that name.
Once the groups were finalized, the Team 6 leader picked up a megaphone and began explaining the practical exam.
"From this point on, you’ll undergo a simulated field test in a virtual labyrinth constructed by our research team! Everyone, step back from the open area!"

The moment he finished speaking, the field began to vibrate with a loud rumble.
"Wooah..."
"What is this...?"
Even the applicants weren’t the only ones murmuring—our team and Team 12 members were clearly shocked too.

Just what the hell had our research team built?
The ground split, walls rose up, and in the blink of an eye, a massive, intricate labyrinth stood before us.
It was clearly artificial—but the ominous atmosphere made it feel like a monster could jump out at any moment.

Each labyrinth entrance was marked with a group number.
"The roles in this test are simple! All applicants are the ‘runners’! And the supervisor in front of you will play the role of the ‘monster’ chasing you!"
He shouted toward the uneasy applicants.

"Find the exit hidden somewhere in the maze and escape within the time limit, or survive long enough without being caught—those are your paths to passing! Throughout the test, we’ll assess your judgment, teamwork, and… will to survive!"
With a grin, he pointed to an entrance of the labyrinth.
"Alright, runners—enter first! You’ll get a ten-minute head start! Supervisors will enter afterward."

The applicants, faces tense, began rushing into the labyrinth.
The four in my group didn’t rush. Instead, they chatted amongst themselves and strolled in calmly.
Their steps were full of confidence.

Once all the applicants were inside, Team 6 addressed us, the supervisors.
"Supervisors, use the gear provided to chase them down and evaluate their performance accordingly."
Beside the labyrinth entrances, equipment appeared.

Most of it looked like intimidating monster-themed gear—but on closer inspection, they were just taser-like tools.
I picked a taser in the shape of a sword.
It felt the most familiar to me.

They also handed us protective suits covered in grotesque monster-like decorations.
"...There’s no need to go overboard. This is just a test. Your role is evaluative. Use the taser mostly as a threat, or only to signal when an applicant makes a clear misjudgment."
The Team 6 leader seemed worried we’d get too into our roles and take things too far.

He lowered his voice and added one last thing.
"...If you suspect an applicant might be a spy, please mark them separately so we can take it into account in the final results. Oh, and—"
He turned to me.

"Group 8… you’re gonna have to take this seriously. They’re not your average applicants..."
The concern in his voice made me tense up—despite not being the one getting interviewed.
***

I was really lucky.
Right after receiving the spy mission, Dongto started a new recruitment push for exploration teams.
Thanks to the fake identity Baekho set up for me, I passed the document screening easily.

On top of that, I ended up in the same group as a scion of a prestigious family and a well-known exorcist who had taken down monsters solo.
If this were a competition, it would’ve been the worst group to be in—but for this test, we were supposed to cooperate and escape together while avoiding the supervisor.
I looked toward the supervisor.

I didn’t recognize him.
He wasn’t a team leader either.
From what I could tell—and given he wasn’t listed in Baekho’s materials—he was probably a rookie from Team 12 or 15.

Honestly, he looked like easy prey.
"Ehh… running’s really not my thing..."
"Yeah, same here, to be honest."

Then my teammates started talking.
The exorcist spoke first, and the heir agreed.
"Then maybe we take a shot at it? Monster hunting?"

They had no intention of running.
Their plan was to take down the “monster” supervisor and then either stall or leisurely find the exit.
And honestly, they might just be capable of pulling it off.

The noble even had a suppression-type item on him.
There was no rule saying we couldn’t use items.
"Alright then. Let’s do it."

Seriously.
I really was lucky.