I Activated Cheat Mode in a Bizarre Game

The practical interviews were finally over, and we boarded the car back to headquarters, dragging our exhausted bodies with us.

Inside the car, talk naturally turned to the events of the day.
"Didn’t today’s applicants feel kind of... lacking?"
Han Sora was the first to speak up.

"There was one who got so scared their legs gave out and just sat down. I was the one more startled."
"It was a surprise interview, and it looks like they lumped all the strong candidates into one group. Seems like most of them ended up with Minjun or Team 12."
Seo Jihyun said as she looked at her tablet.

"Haha... There were a few with potential, I suppose... but overall, it was a bit disappointing."
Team Leader Park Cheolwoo wrapped things up with a bitter tone.
That was different from what I’d experienced.

My group had been packed with capable applicants.
Too capable—so much so that they’re suspicious enough to be spies.
Leaning against the car window, I kept thinking about what to do with Park Soyoung—or rather, Park Sunja.

***
Back at the dorm, I collapsed and passed out.
When I woke up, it was the long-awaited day off.

And on my smartphone, a very welcome notification had arrived.
[Deposit] (Co.) Dongto – 10,000,000 KRW
It wasn’t for the fieldwork I’d done—it was my monthly paycheck.

"...My salary."
It was my first paycheck.
Exactly ten million won, as stated in the contract. I opened the banking app to check my account balance.
The number displayed was far bigger than anything I'd ever seen in my real-world bank account.

And at the same time, I realized—only a month had passed since this all began.
With everything that had happened, it felt like a year.
With this money… maybe I can afford a small one-room apartment in Seoul…?

The reason I wanted to move to Seoul—so I wouldn’t have to run into monsters unexpectedly.
Apart from the practical test, there hadn’t been too many surprise encounters yet.
But I’d heard from other exploration teams that monster sightings were becoming more frequent.

I wanted to move, fast, to somewhere monsters weren’t known to appear.
At first, I was about to save all the money toward that goal—but then I had a slight change of heart.
…You know what, I’m spending some of it today.

It might be smart to throw everything at Seoul rent—but before that, don’t I deserve a little reward for surviving in this hellscape?
Not trudging out to work every day because of monsters, or lurking on creepy sites like the Monster Gallery.
I wanted to go out, like normal people—go shopping.

Luckily, there was a large shopping mall and department store near the company-provided officetel.
"Alright. Today’s for shopping."
Just the idea of going out like a normal person for once had me a little excited.

I’d buy some decent clothes, eat something delicious. Just for a moment, I wanted to forget how twisted this reality was.
I grabbed my phone and wallet, and stepped out of the dorm with a light stride.
Heading for the department store.

***
After days of tension, I finally got a break.
For the first time, I headed to the large department store near the dorm.

Having spent so much time in strange, dark places—monster zones, isolation wards, abandoned buildings—this place, crowded with people and flooded with light, actually felt unfamiliar and awkward.
“…Peaceful.”
The inside of the department store was tranquil.

People in casual clothes strolled around shopping, couples walked arm-in-arm laughing, children tugged their parents’ hands begging for toys.
Such a mundane, everyday sight.
For a moment, I felt like I could forget I was trapped in a horrific survival game.

In the bustle and normalcy, I felt my stiffened body and mind start to ease.
Yeah, sometimes you need moments like this.
I wandered slowly through the stores, enjoying the rare feeling of leisure.

I hadn’t planned on buying anything specific—just walking among people felt nice.
The clean clothing displays, the newest gadgets, the sweet smell of desserts—everything felt fresh.
It was while I was browsing the electronics section.

"Hey! Isn’t that Minjun?"
A lively, familiar voice made me turn.
There stood Han Sora, dressed casually in jeans and a sweatshirt.

When she spotted me, her eyes widened and she waved cheerfully.
Without her uniform, she looked much younger—like an ordinary college student.
"Oh? Sora-ssi. Fancy seeing you here."

"Right? I just came out for some air. What about you? Shopping spree ‘cause you got your first paycheck?"
She asked with a teasing smile.
Come to think of it, everyone probably got paid today.

It made sense we’d bump into each other here.
"Ah… Yeah. I got my first salary, and figured I’d change the mood a bit. But now that I have the money, I’m not sure what to do with it."
At my answer, Han Sora looked up at the ceiling as if thinking hard.

"Hmm… Your first paycheck, huh? That’s important!"
She snapped her fingers.
"First—treat yourself to something delicious. Expensive! Eat it all by yourself! Then think—what’ve you been wanting lately? Clothes, shoes? Buy one thing! Gotta blow off some stress!"

She was excited as she talked—but then her voice dropped a little, and she stepped closer to me.
With a slightly sad expression, she patted my shoulder and said,
"Use your first paycheck for yourself. This job isn’t normal. If you don’t release the stress, it’ll eat you alive."

Then, with a mischievous look, she glanced around and whispered,
"You know how it is. It’s always monsters or creepy cases. When I first started, I had nightmares all the time—it was rough. But I’m better now. Want to know my secret?"
"…Yeah."

Honestly, I needed this kind of advice.
Fighting had become routine for me—but the fear hadn’t gone away. Every night was still full of unease.
With a wink like she was sharing a secret, Han Sora pulled out her phone and flashed me a beaming smile.

"Here. Look."
"This is…"
The screen was full of photos—fluffy gray cats.

Curled up sleeping, playing with toys, staring out the window.
Just looking at them made me smile instinctively. They were adorable.
After days of looking at nothing but hideous monsters, seeing cats like this made me feel like my eyes were being purified.

"My cat! Her name’s ‘Dust’. Cute, right?"
I found myself nodding, unable to look away from the cat on screen.
It felt like the part of my heart that had hardened was gently melting.

A real sense of healing.
"After work, I come home and hang out with Dust, and all the grime of the day just disappears!"
She proudly showed me a few more pictures.

Like she said, her cat’s peaceful, fluffy presence felt completely removed from this violent world.
If I had something like that near me… it really might be a huge comfort.
Cats… they’re cute.

I suddenly remembered life in the real world.
I’d once vaguely wanted to raise a pet.
Back then, I’d heal my worn-out heart with animal videos after soul-crushing part-time jobs.

But my empty bank account, the cost of vet visits and food—it was all too much. I gave up before I even started.
But now…
…Maybe now I could?

A plump bank account. A stable dorm provided by the company.
This world was dangerous, but paradoxically, it had given me a kind of “stability” I’d never had before.
Maybe I could take care of a cat. Or a dog.

If I had to live with constant fear and tension… having a small being that welcomed and comforted me after work could make a real difference.
"Anyway! Congrats on your first paycheck! I’ll be off then—see you tomorrow!"
Han Sora put her phone away, patted my shoulder one more time, and waved as she vanished into the crowd.

I stood there for a moment, thinking of those cat pictures… and my bank balance.
Come to think of it, this department store had a pet section.
"…Just to look. Just to look…"

I mumbled to myself as if making an excuse.
But I was already heading toward the pet corner, like I was possessed.
And when I came out—somehow I’d bought cat food, litter, a toilet, bowls, and everything else.

On the walk back to the dorm with both arms full, I felt oddly giddy.
As I unpacked the supplies back at the dorm, I immediately opened my laptop and started searching for adoption options.
One window open to the Monster Gallery. The other? A cat adoption site.

It looked ridiculous—but honestly, I needed both types of info right now.
While browsing different adoption sites and local community boards, ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) one particular post caught my eye.
[Title: [Incheon] Urgent Cat Adoption Due to Circumstances]

I've raised this cat for about a year, but I'm suddenly moving to Seoul and can’t bring her with me.
I raised her with real love—she’s a bit sharp, but very smart and cute.
I want to send her to someone who will care for her.
Please follow these 3 rules if you adopt:
Never let her outside. Cats don’t need walks.

She’s extremely sensitive to hierarchy. If she hisses while making eye contact, don’t look away.
If you adopt her, take responsibility to the end. Even if something happens, never abandon her—pass her on to someone else.
“…Hmm. Seems doable.”

Nothing too hard to follow.
The attached photo showed a black-furred cat with piercing eyes.
The man sounded like he had no choice but to give her up. And his home wasn’t far.

It felt like fate.
Without hesitation, I sent a message to the number listed.
Luckily, he responded quickly.

He seemed to be in a real hurry and said we could meet right away.
We made plans to meet that evening at a nearby park.