Series: The All-Rounder Employee Becomes a Legend
Chapter: 16
Title: A Team Leader's Duty
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The first morning of training was mostly dedicated to an introduction to the group.
It was all about watching videos on El Sung Group's history, its origins, and its development, and then writing a report on it.
“Taeseok.”
“Yes.”
“You’re the Team Leader, so collect the reports. You can handle that, right?”
“Yes. Understood.”
Taeseok nodded at the Guiding Senior’s words.
He immediately invited everyone from B Building to a group chat and relayed the Guiding Senior’s message.
『Hello, everyone. This is Kim Taeseok, the new Team Leader for B Team. The Guiding Senior has informed me that the report you need to write after watching the video today should be within two A4 pages. I will be collecting them at my room, B13, from 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM. If you have any questions or concerns, please send me a private message.』
『Note: Please do not reply in the group chat. If everyone posts their opinions one by one, the excessive notifications could bother everyone, so please send any questions to me privately. I look forward to working with you all.』
Clear instructions, a precise request for cooperation.
Perhaps that was why? The other members of his building didn't have any particular questions.
『The dining hall gets very crowded. I’ve discussed it with the Team Leaders from A and C Buildings, and for this week, A Building will eat from 7:00 to 7:20, B Building from 7:20 to 7:40, and C Building from 7:40 to 8:00. We’ve decided on the order A, B, C, and the same sequence will apply for lunch and dinner. Starting next week, we’ll rotate so we get to eat first. Please check the attached photo for the detailed schedule. As before, I would appreciate it if you could send any questions via private message.』
He not only relayed the meal schedule but also gave clear instructions on the dress code.
『The dress code for this afternoon's training is workout clothes. Today's instructor is Manager Yoon Gi-moon, who is the head of security at the El Sung Training Center, and he said he will be giving out demerits if a phone rings during class. He strongly emphasized that this should not happen, so I hope no one from our B Building causes such an incident. Please make sure to set your alarms to silent.』
He handled everything on his own, right down to the warnings.
After the afternoon security training, everyone returned to their rooms.
Taeseok sat at his desk and began writing the report, the assignment from the morning.
Being the Team Leader certainly made him a bit busier, but he managed his time well, ensuring he didn't miss any of his own tasks.
‘Right. This is how I should do it. I’m doing well so far.’
Even as he wrote, Taeseok thought about what he needed to do next.
‘I’ve announced the meal times. The meeting with the Guiding Senior is at 5:30 PM, since he asked me to come to the small conference room to check on the broadcast amp repairs. Have I done everything else? I have. Yes. All done.’
But then, Kang Minyong, who was next to him, spoke with a condescending look.
“Taeseok.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t you have something to say to me?”
“…”
“You don’t, do you?”
At his repeated question, Taeseok tried to gauge his mood.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to become the Team Leader. I apologize that things turned out this way unintentionally.”
He had tried to put it as nicely as possible, but it seemed the other man had no intention of accepting it.
“Unintentionally? You think I didn’t see you sucking up to the Guiding Senior in the small conference room this morning?”
“Ah, about that. The Guiding Senior was waiting to have a meal with you, Minyong.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“It’s true. The Guiding Senior said the three of us should eat together once you came back with the compiled surveys, so we were waiting.”
He was just trying to state the facts and get back to writing his report, but…
“Just a moment.”
“Yes?”
“Haaa, I’m going to lose my mind.”
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t think I can share a room with you anymore, Taeseok.”
“…”
For the first time, a bitter smile appeared on Kim Taeseok’s face. But he quickly erased it. It was all for the other man’s sake.
“First, please calm down. Let’s talk this through. I think there’s been a misunderstanding…”
“Talk what through? A misunderstanding? Hey! Are you messing with me? Kim Taeseok! Kim Taeseok!”
Taeseok sighed, shook his head, and walked out of the room.
If he stayed with him, a fight seemed inevitable.
“Hey! Where are you going?! Aren’t you going to apologize to me?”
“I’m sorry. You don’t seem ready to talk right now. I’ll give you some space.”
“Kim Taeseok! Hey, hey!”
Taeseok shook his head and headed for the small conference room for now.
He was extremely upset, but he didn't want to cause a scene in a group living situation.
[The small conference room.]
His stomach churning, he took out a fresh sheet of A4 paper and began to write his report.
Just then, the Guiding Senior, Kim Minseong, came in and asked Taeseok.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen? Did the person to fix the broadcast equipment arrive?”
“No, sir. Not yet.”
Taeseok thought to himself. This was something he could handle on his own.
‘It would resolve itself with time.’
But it seemed the other guy didn't think so.
“Excuse me…”
“Yes?”
“This is Kang Minyong from room B13. Guiding Senior?”
“Yes. Go ahead.”
“I’d like to move rooms.”
“…”
A bitter smile crossed Taeseok’s face.
But the Guiding Senior had the same expression.
“For what reason?”
“I can’t live with Kim Taeseok. May I please move rooms?”
“Kang Minyong! You know this is extremely disappointing, right?”
“I think it’s better than betrayal.”
“What betrayal are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about backstabbing a fellow new employee. Someone who was desperate to steal my position.”
The face of Deputy Kim Minseong, a Guiding Senior whose main job was insurance sales, turned red.
“Hey!”
“?!”
“How old are you? You think you can act like this just because you’re older?”
“That’s not it.”
“You wanna drop the titles and go at it?”
“No. That’s not what I meant.”
“I ordered it. I was the one who ordered it. Kang Minyong! What’s your problem? Take a look! Compare what the A Team Leader did, what the Team C Leader compiled, and what you brought! See for yourself!”
He pointed at the materials compiled that morning, pressuring Kang Minyong.
Kang Minyong hung his head low.
“…”
“Did I ask you to do something difficult? Did I look like a pushover? Did I seem easy to you? Do you look down on me because I’m in sales? Did you think it was a joke because it’s a job where the application ratio isn’t even 1:1?”
“No… That wasn’t my intention when I said that…”
“Don’t make excuses, punk!”
“I’m sorry.”
But there was no stopping Kim Minseong, whose fiery temper had erupted.
Taeseok bowed his head and took a step back.
“Kang Minyong!”
“Yes?”
“I’ll grant your wish and let you move rooms. Pack your bags and come back. I’ll process your withdrawal from the program. Your house! Go back to your hometown. Go!”
“No, sir. I made a mistake.”
“No. Move. I think that would be better. Move right now!”
“…”
He hadn't expected this. For the Guiding Senior to react so strongly…
Something he had overlooked.
A senior with a military background, and on top of that, a job in sales.
A Guiding Senior who had chosen a profession perfectly suited to his personality—one that thrived in a tough environment and didn't shy away from anything.
Kang Minyong, who had never dreamed of such a reaction, hung his head low.
Then, the other Guiding Seniors standing nearby stepped in to calm Deputy Kim Minseong and spoke to Kang Minyong.
“Hey, new guy! What are you doing? Get out! Minseong, what’s wrong?”
“How can you expect me not to get worked up? Ah, he’s really bringing out my temper.”
“Let’s take it easy. Hey! B Team Leader! Get the new guy out of here, quickly! Go out and don’t come back for a while.”
At the other Guiding Seniors’ words, Taeseok led Kang Minyong out of the small conference room.
The sharp glares and harsh words from behind followed them.
But Kang Minyong had brought it all on himself. Having no intention of comforting him, Taeseok returned to their room.
The other man followed, on the verge of tears.
A sigh escaped Kim Taeseok’s lips automatically as he looked at him.
Perhaps that was why he spoke up.
“Why did you do that?”
“…”
“I told you it wasn’t me. I told you I didn’t say anything. Did I look like someone who would covet the Team Leader position?”
“…”
“For now, eat dinner, and then go back and apologize to the Senior. I think that’s the right thing to do.”
“Sorry… I don’t know what came over me.”
“Yes. You should be sorry. And if you cause trouble, you should reflect on it.”
At Taeseok’s words, Kang Minyong hung his head low.
“From now on, I will be treating you formally, Kang Minyong. No more ‘hyung’ or ‘dongsaeng.’ I’ll be treating you as Mr. Kang, so please do the same for me. And please don’t speak to me informally.”
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”
Taeseok thought to himself.
‘Kang Minyong might possess outstanding knowledge, but emotionally, he was severely lacking, with almost no real-world social experience.’
He couldn't control his anger and was naive.
His assessment was correct.
Kang Minyong, a graduate of the University of Chicago with a degree in Economics.
He was clearly smart when it came to books… but Taeseok found his frustrating behavior completely unacceptable.
At the same time…
Kang Minyong was filled with regret.
Regret for the mistake he had made in front of the Guiding Senior today…
He felt that even a blood-sworn effort might not be enough to make up for it.
But it was only later that he realized he had lost something far more important.
His roommate and a fellow new employee.
Despite being closer to him than anyone, he had failed to win Kim Taeseok’s heart.
And because of that, the path that had stretched before him like a wide-open highway had become worse than a narrow trail trampled by animals in some remote mountain valley…
* * *
After dinner and before the evening activities, Taeseok gathered everyone from B Building.
“Everyone. Starting tomorrow evening, we will be learning El Sung Gymnastics. You are all aware that this gymnastics score is worth 50 points out of a total of 1000, correct?”
Everyone nodded at Taeseok's words.
“This gymnastics routine is for a group score. Building A, Building B, and Building C will compete, and it's graded on a curve. If we do well on this, it increases our chances of getting the job assignments we want. Does anyone here know anything about El Sung Gymnastics?”
But no one raised their hand. He couldn't believe no one knew.
Then again, it was natural that they didn't.
After all, it was unlikely anyone else had worked for a subcontractor of El Sung Group like he had.
Taeseok smiled and spoke to the 49 members of Building B.
“Fortunately, I've learned this routine before. I'm quite skilled at it. So, if four people volunteer to help me, I will share a portion of the 20 reward points I'm set to receive. The only condition is that you cooperate fully. So, is there anyone willing to help?”
Five of his peers raised their hands.
Seeing them, a smile naturally formed on Taeseok's lips.
“I'm relieved that five of you are willing to help. Then, please come to my room tonight at 9:30 PM, and I'll explain the details. For now, do well in your evening classes, and I'll discuss the specifics with those who volunteered when we meet separately.”
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