1. The Calendar Invite Arrives Like a Curse
The notification appeared mid-air.
Not as a scroll.
Not as a stamp.
As a calendar invite.
Red-bordered. Blinking. Aggressively polite.
MEETING REQUEST: OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Subject: Clarification
Time: IMMEDIATELY
Location: THEIR OFFICE (OF COURSE)
Ne Job stared at it.
"…Can I decline?"
The invite pulsed.
DECLINE OPTION: DISABLED
Yue crossed her arms. "That's a threat."
Qi-Yun nodded. "Yes."
Ne Job whimpered softly. "I JUST FIXED ONE GOD."
The printer spat out another page.
AGENDA ITEM ADDED:
Unauthorized Authority Usage (Intern-Class)
Revival of Sealed Department
Improper Stamp Angle (Possibly)
Ne Job grabbed the desk.
"THE STAMP WAS SLIGHTLY CROOKED BECAUSE I WAS EMOTIONALLY DISTRAUGHT."
2. Travel to Oversight (Or: Walking Into the Lion's Mouth With a Name Badge)
Oversight's office did not exist in one place.
It unfolded around them as they walked—corridors stacking, elevators descending sideways, walls politely judging them.
Everything was white.
Too white.
"No personality," Ne Job muttered. "That's how they get you."
Yue walked beside him, hand near her weapon. "If they try to separate us, don't argue. Just scream."
"WHAT?"
"They hate scenes."
Qi-Yun stopped in front of a door with no handle.
The door spoke:
"IDENTIFY PURPOSE."
Qi-Yun answered calmly. "Intern meeting."
A pause.
Then:
"…UNFORTUNATE."
The door opened.
3. Oversight Is a Circle of People Who Don't Blink
The room was round.
The table was round.
The figures seated around it were not.
They were silhouettes filled with rules. Faces obscured by floating clauses. Voices layered, overlapping.
Ne Job counted silently.
"…Seven?"
Yue corrected him. "Eight. One's hiding."
The center chair slid back.
"Intern Ne Job," Oversight said together.
"Sit."
The chair felt like a performance review.
Ne Job sat.
Immediately regretted it.
4. Oversight Asks Questions That Aren't Questions
"You activated a sealed department."
"Yes," Ne Job squeaked.
"You restored a Missing God."
"…Also yes."
"You issued a correction without clearance."
Ne Job swallowed. "Yes but—"
"WHY."
The word hit like a hammer.
Ne Job froze.
Qi-Yun did not speak.
Yue's jaw tightened.
Ne Job looked down at his hands.
"…Because it was wrong."
Silence.
Then soft laughter.
"Define wrong."
Ne Job looked up.
The shadow behind him stirred.
He spoke before fear could stop him.
"Something broke, and everyone pretended it was normal because fixing it was inconvenient."
The room chilled.
"That god waited three ages."
Oversight leaned forward.
"Waiting is acceptable."
Ne Job snapped.
"NO IT ISN'T."
The table cracked.
Yue inhaled sharply.
Qi-Yun smiled faintly.
5. Oversight Reveals the Real Problem
One figure stood.
"You are not dangerous because you are powerful."
Another added:
"You are dangerous because you care."
Ne Job blinked.
"That's… bad?"
"Yes," Oversight said.
"Caring creates precedents."
The hidden figure finally spoke—its voice sharp.
"If interns begin correcting reality, authority collapses."
Ne Job's voice shook—but held.
"Then maybe authority should stop ignoring reality."
The shadow approved.
The lights flickered.
6. The Verdict (Temporary, Obviously)
Oversight conferred in silence.
Finally:
"Department of Unresolved Matters will remain active."
Ne Job exhaled in relief—
"—Under probation."
He choked.
"You will be monitored."
"Your authority capped."
"Your mistakes recorded."
Ne Job nodded frantically. "Yes. Okay. I accept—"
"And you will receive… assistance."
A new presence manifested beside him.
A thin figure. Perfect posture. Cold smile.
"Compliance Officer Lin."
Lin inclined her head.
"I will be observing you," she said sweetly.
"Constantly."
Ne Job whispered: "…I hate her already."
Lin smiled wider. "Noted."
7. Aftermath (Yue Does Not Relax)
Outside Oversight, the corridors unfolded away.
Ne Job collapsed against a wall.
"I SURVIVED."
"For now," Yue said.
Qi-Yun looked back once—toward Oversight.
"They didn't stop you."
Yue frowned. "No. They caged him."
Ne Job groaned. "I HEARD THAT."
The printer chimed again.
Another file.
Stamped URGENT.
Lin appeared instantly. "Your next case is ready, Handler."
Ne Job stared at the file.
"…I don't get breaks, do I."
Lin tilted her head. "You are an intern."
The shadow laughed.
END OF CHAPTER 268