Chapter Six: Intellectual Labor

Passing through the corridor and arriving at a neatly decorated office area, Tamaru opened a door and looked at Jin and K. "Come on in, this is the place."

"Is this the other job?"

Jin and K stepped sideways into a large conference room, but the sight before them left them both stunned. Inside the rectangular room, dozens of young people dressed in grey were sitting in chairs, some reclining and others lying back, wearing various instruments and looking completely listless. In the center of the long table, a pale yellow beam of energy matter emanated upward, disappearing into a conduit above. It was unclear where this energy was being extracted to, or what kind of substance it even was.

"What is this?" Jin pulled his gaze away and looked at Tamaru.

"Oh, as you can see, they aren't doing anything. They just have to sit there," Tamaru explained. "Look, it’s that simple to earn a large sum of money. How about it? Isn't it wonderful?"

K looked at the spiritless people before him and asked, "That can't be right. What is the purpose of this work?"

Tamaru replied, "Because that device over there requires sufficient energy!"

"Extracting it from people? Is that even safe?" K turned back to look at Tamaru.

"How could it be safe? You can go ask them yourself if you want!" Tamaru appeared entirely nonchalant, with no intention of hiding anything.

"Ah, Lu is up!" Tamaru looked ahead. A young man with a dull, vacant expression was crawling up from the tabletop. His eyes were lifeless. He sat there dazed for a few moments while wearing the strange device, then, as if suddenly realizing something, he removed the apparatus from his head.

Following this, he stood up sluggishly and began to walk slowly toward the exit. He moved like a sleepwalker, his body swaying slightly as if he might collapse with every step.

"Ah, Mr. Tamaru, thank you." It was only when he reached Tamaru that he seemed to regain some focus and hurriedly greeted him.

"Ah, Lu, you work so hard every day."

"It was eight hours today!" Lu replied.

A smile appeared on Tamaru’s face. "That is truly impressive."

"Now I have enough money to last a lifetime!" Lu squinted, his eyes struggling to stay open, and muttered, "I can eat, drink, and be merry until I die!"

Having said that, he began to walk outside. Jin and K stepped aside to let the young man pass. However, the very next moment, before he had even cleared the conference room door, Lu’s body lost all strength and he collapsed to the floor. He didn't make a sound of pain, as if he had simply passed out in an instant.

"Are you all right?"

K and Jin rushed over to check on him. K felt for Lu’s pulse, then looked up, his expression changing. "He’s dead."

"That’s why I said this job isn't a game; it’s not like I didn't warn him!" Tamaru said coldly, immediately distancing himself from any responsibility.

Jin looked up at Tamaru. "What did you do to him?"

"He brought it upon himself," Tamaru sneered. "In modern slang, I believe it's called... karoshi, death by overwork!"

A mocking smile played on Tamaru's face as he looked back at the young people still working. "Our jobs pay well, but they do shorten one's lifespan!"

"What kind of joke is this!" K stood up, furious. "You must have deceived them!"

The smile on Tamaru’s face vanished. "I am not joking, and I did not deceive them. I made it clear that this job carries risks! Didn't I explain that when you two arrived?"

K retorted, "Regardless of what you say, those people who died from brain atrophy did so because they were working for you!"

Tamaru looked back at the workers. "Humans are such profound creatures. We are going to be short-handed soon; what a headache." He turned back to Jin and K with a smile. "How about it? Even with the risks, the pay is very high!"

Aren't people always like this? They instinctively ignore things that are disadvantageous to them, focusing only on the benefits. Just like Lu, Yuji Shimazaki, and so many of these other young people. Tamaru had clearly informed them of the danger, but they psychologically convinced themselves that the risk was low. Or perhaps, even worse, they were willing to risk their lives for money.

"Get up, everyone, get up!" K and Jin moved forward, each taking a side, pulling the devices off everyone's heads to wake them.

Tamaru followed behind, complaining, "What are you doing?!"

*Click.*

The sound of firearms being drawn echoed through the room as two laser pistols were leveled directly at Tamaru.

"Armed, are we?" Tamaru looked harmless, raising his hands. "Do you think you are saving them? But why don't you ask for their opinions? Ask them if they even want to be saved?"

Jin ignored the question, stepping closer with his laser pistol pointed at Tamaru. "I have never heard of a device that extracts brain energy. You aren't human, are you?"

Tamaru chuckled. "And what if I’m not? Hmm?" He didn't show any sign of nerves; instead, he paced freely. "Is it forbidden if I’m not human? Can’t a non-human provide them with work?"

Jin shook his head. "This is an act that consumes their lives. This kind of work will never be permitted. As for you, where are you from?"

"Planet Maginte!"

"So you really are an alien!"

At this moment, K walked over from the other side. "Is this device an invasion weapon?"

Tamaru jumped nervously in place, breaking into a smile. "Impressive, impressive! Congratulations, you guessed right!"

K sneered. "I hate people like you who aren't straightforward!"

"Why so serious?" Tamaru held his hands high above his head, appearing somewhat helpless.

Jin looked at K. "K, leave this one to me. Go and stop the others."

Tamaru tapped K’s laser pistol in a provocative manner. K stepped closer, pressing the muzzle against Tamaru’s neck, and said coldly, "We will never forgive those who try to invade Earth!"

A look of disgust crossed Tamaru’s face as he watched K walk away. He lowered his hands and said, "He misunderstood me. I’m not into invasions."

"Do I look like that kind of person? I’m just doing business; I’m a merchant. I only act when I have a commission. Although the items on the order were manufactured using the technology of the Maginte planet, I don't force Earthlings to work. I pay them a very high price to hire them."

"Is that a crime, too?"