Jang Heo-un.
This colleague, who had received the ‘Bison’ mask, always had a gloomy expression that didn’t quite match his large frame.
Even during the new employee orientation, he received his mask last, covered in blood. He was then assigned to the finalization team, where he performed tasks that were practically workplace harassment.
But after surviving the turbulent madness of this pharmaceutical company, I thought he might have toughened up a bit…
“The last thing I heard was that you had gone missing, and then I infiltrated the Disaster Management Bureau, so I haven’t been able to get any updates… But still, it’s really good to see you.”
Surprisingly, he even seemed a bit calmer now.
‘…Maybe this line of work at the Disaster Management Bureau suits him better.’
But he kept glancing at my empty right arm, his face gradually turning pale, probably hesitant to ask out of politeness.
At times like this, I should just give him an appropriate answer.
I deliberately shook my empty sleeve lightly and gave a bitter smile.
“I was unlucky on my first mission and got assigned a difficult one. But since the Disaster Management Bureau will take care of it, I’ll be fine.”
“Ah… I see.”
For some reason, I could feel Go Yeongeun’s peculiar gaze, but I decided to let it slide for now.
“Mr. Heo-un, you were assigned to the Field Restoration Unit?”
“Ah, yes.”
Jang Heo-un’s face brightened a little.
“Well, sometimes I have to witness… uh, some truly horrific scenes, but….”
Ah.
Right. The Field Restoration Unit is usually responsible for handling messy aftermaths.
“Everyone has been considerate since I’m a newbie, so thankfully, I’m adjusting well.”
That was a relief, but Jang Heo-un’s expression darkened slightly again.
“But… that’s actually what worries me more.”
“Huh?”
“From what I heard earlier, we have to steal documents related to an extremely dangerous ghost story. Are we really… okay with that?”
“…!”
“The Disaster Management Bureau is genuinely dedicated to handling supernatural phenomena. I’m worried we might cause a major disaster.”
Hmm.
“If that’s the case, will you quit?”
“…….”
I already knew the answer without hearing it.
“ – No.”
Only people who are desperate for the Wish Token come here.
If this were a different situation, I know they wouldn’t act selfishly. Especially when I recall the consideration and determination Go Yeongeun showed at Lucky Mart.
But there’s something inside these people that they simply cannot compromise on.
…Yeah.
‘If nothing is going to change anyway….’
It’s better to at least have peace of mind.
“It should be fine to leak the information.”
“…! R-Really?”
“Yes.”
This is the truth.
“Even the company wouldn’t recklessly meddle with such high-grade ghost stories. And we’re not actually stealing the ghost story itself, just providing information.”
Of course, the Daydream Corporation isn’t seeking it for noble purposes, but according to the Dark Exploration Records, that Extinction-Class disaster didn’t cause any additional harm to humanity.
…Because it was already as destructive as it could possibly be.
“As long as we don’t go overboard with our loyalty to the company and outright steal a supernatural disaster under government control, we should be fine.”
“Ah, o-of course…!”
What we should really be worried about is something else.
‘I’m more worried about whether they’ll discard us once the job is done….’
…Would Director Ho really not dispose of us when we’re no longer useful?
Once I get the Wish Token, I’ll just return to where I originally belonged, so it doesn’t matter to me. But for those two, if they plan to keep living in Korea, they’ll need to be more careful not to get on the Disaster Management Bureau’s blacklist.
Hmm.
“To avoid any slip-ups with names in the future, should we share our agent codenames?”
I pointed to myself.
“I’m ‘Grape’. What about you, Heo-un?”
“Ah, I was given the codename ‘Horn Craft’.”
“Horn Craft?”
“Yes. It’s a traditional craft technique using cow horn… I was recommended for it.”
As if by fate, he ended up with another cow-related codename here as well.
“I’m… Mint.”
Then, Go Yeongeun also spoke up.
“It was often used as medicine in the past, and I didn’t want to pick a name that stood out too much.”
“I see. That’s a good agent name.”
Then, we had a short chat about recent updates, and a warm atmosphere settled in for a while.
Ah, and I also got some vitamins.
“The New Investigation Unit has a rather individualistic atmosphere. But since I went missing and returned, my superiors gave me some vitamins as a gift… You two should have some as well.”
“Ah.”
“T-Thank you.”
Honestly, if this were an ordinary company, these would be colleagues I’d be very satisfied working with.
…If only we weren’t spies infiltrating the government under the orders of a crazy pharmaceutical company in a horror story setting.
‘Hoo.’
I also briefly reported my current status.
“…! You’re getting discharged within a week!?”
“That’s right.”
The wound from my severed right arm had been treated with some kind of supernatural intervention at a hospital affiliated with the Disaster Management Bureau, and it was healing rapidly….
‘I’ll probably be able to return after about another week in the hospital.’
“Once I’m discharged, I’ll be working as a temporary agent for three weeks, experiencing various departments. If we meet again, I look forward to working with you.”
“O-Of course!”
I’ll definitely join the Field Restoration Unit. Please take care of me, Heo-un….
That’s when it happened.
“Uh, Mr. Sol-eum. About your discharge….”
“Yes?”
Go Yeongeun suddenly brought it up.
“You’ll be receiving a psychiatric consultation before your discharge, right? Since you were injured in a survival situation… They need to check for any psychological trauma.”
“Ah, yes. They’ll probably arrange it… Don’t worry. I’ll be careful not to reveal any of our information.”
“…….”
But Go Yeongeun shook her head.
“Since we’re already bound by this restriction or whatever, we physically can’t reveal anything anyway. You should try speaking more freely.”
“Alright. Thank you.”
“……Yes.”
Go Yeongeun gave a small nod.
“Now that we ‘officially’ know each other in the Disaster Management Bureau… I’ll pretend to exchange numbers with you while visiting you at the hospital. That way, occasional personal contact will seem natural.”
“Sounds good. Ah, for Heo-un, we’ll create a suitable opportunity when we meet next.”
“Y-Yes…!”
That’s how we established our future course of action.
1. Create natural points of connection outside of the Fox Counseling Room.
2. Use an anonymous messenger in case of critical or dangerous situations, disguising the messages as spam.
“Then, let’s meet again safely next time.”
“Yes. Definitely….”
As I left the Fox Counseling Room, I held back a sigh.
‘Being a spy isn’t easy at all.’
Especially with a boss like that.
To stay safe, I needed more preparation.
If I wanted to avoid another insane situation like Lucky Mart, I had to be fully prepared.
‘Alright.’
One week left until discharge.
‘I’ll prepare everything I need.’
And the first step was this.
I checked the message I had sent before entering the counseling room.
[Team Leader, would you be available for a call this evening?]
A quick and concise reply had arrived.
[Yes.]
Team D’s leader, Lee Jaheon.
It was a reply from my former boss.
The objective was simple.
‘Team Leader Lee Jaheon had the doll from Lucky Mart.’
It was definitely the same item that had been on Manager Lee Jaheon’s desk. And I was sure it was a useful item.
‘Good.’
Only one thing remains.
‘Figure out how to use it.’
The Lizard Team Leader will give me an answer!
And then, a short while later, the call began.
With a pounding heart, I asked immediately…!
“Team Leader, in what situation did you use the lizard doll on your desk?”
“ – ? No.”
“…….”
Wait a second.
This unexpected denial… Don’t tell me…
“You’ve… never used the lizard doll at all?”
“ – Yes.”
“…Team Leader, you weren’t the one who bought that item?”
“ – Yes.”
“…….”
I’m screwed…
‘No, wait.’
Let’s narrow it down further.
Like this.
“Do you know how to use the lizard doll?”
Please.
Please…!
“ – Yes.”
Phew.
What a relief.
“I also got one of those dolls, but I have no idea how to use it. I’d appreciate it if you could explain its specific function.”
And in the end, I added this.
“…It wasn’t purchased from a space shopping mall.”
For some reason, I blurted that out.
‘Not that I could afford to go there anyway….’
Either way, Lee Jaheon remained calm.
“ – Yes.”
And he explained it casually.
“ – That’s a reptile ecology educational toy.”
“…….”
Excuse me?
“An educational toy?”
“ – Yes. When given the right type of food, it demonstrates shedding after eating.”
“…….”
“ –…….”
“…….”
I barely managed to ask.
“Is the shed skin some kind of defensive item?”
“ – No.”
“If you feed it an item or blood, does it activate some special ability…?”
“ – No.”
I wanted a refund.
‘F**….’*
Then why the hell was it on the desk, confusing people?!
‘It’s just a food disposal device!’
Of course, I couldn’t just yell at a laser-shooting alien lizard, so I barely managed to respond.
“I see. Thank you for letting me know.”
“ – Yes.”
Yeah. It was my mistake for betting on some weird possibility from a crazy mart in the first place. Ha….
‘It really was just a toy.’
In the end, I gave up and changed the topic.
“It’s been a while since we last talked. I’m sorry for contacting you by phone instead of meeting in person.”
“ – It’s fine. This way is safer.”
Is he being considerate because he’s worried I might get caught as a spy by the Disaster Management Bureau?
“Thank y—…”
Just as I was about to say that.
His indifferent voice revealed a completely different ‘reason.’
“ – Director Cheong has discovered your whereabouts.”
“……!”
What?
“ – Director Cheong suspects that your disappearance was staged and that you have actually been working for Director Ho for the past month.”
A chill ran down my spine.
Wait a second.
If she thinks my disappearance was staged…
‘Then there’s a high chance he believes I betrayed her and conspired with Director Ho from the start…?’
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
“…Could she possibly retaliate against me because of this misunderstanding?”
“ – Yes.”
I swallowed hard.
“ – So be careful.”
“Yes.”
I made up my mind.
‘As soon as this spy job is done, I’m out.’
I won’t hesitate at all.
The Wish Token. The moment I get it, I need to escape from this damned company and go back.
To my home!
“Thank you.”
I thanked him and ended the call with Team Leader Lee Jaheon.
Then, another notification popped up on my smartphone.
[Baek Saheon: Hey]
[Baek Saheon: Aren’t you going to buy the intel?]
My former company dorm roommate, who agreed to provide me with the latest gossip and intel on this ‘damned company.’
[Baek Saheon: Do you not need the intel?]
Hmm.
I sent a reply.
[You sound confident?]
But no reply came.
I guess he doesn’t have it yet.
Then should I just leave him alone until he gains confidence?’
So that he gets anxious and brings me more intel.’
‘Honestly… I don’t even have any items to trade for intel right now….’
Of course, I don’t plan to stay empty-handed like this.
Didn’t I just decide that I need to prepare?
‘…And I also just heard something concerning.’
“ – That thing is all worn out.”
Director Ho’s ominous remark.
‘If the silver ring’s mental protection has completely worn off, that’s dangerous.’
Fortunately, I haven’t particularly wanted to enter any ghost stories or found myself assimilating into them recently.
‘Unless I start having nightmares of going back.’
Still, it’s best to be prepared for that too.
I briefly considered visiting the Fox Counseling Room, but I canceled due to a bad feeling.
Unlike last time, there’s a definite reason now.
‘…It’s definitely connected to Director Ho.’
It’s best to avoid it for now.
And….
‘I don’t necessarily have to go there—there are now some unlocked locations I can access.’
‘That’s right. I’m now also an ‘agent of the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau.’
With my new affiliation, the range of places I can visit without suspicion and useful groups I can approach has expanded.
“Let’s see.”
I rested my chin on my hand.
10,000 welfare points and an A-grade or higher Dream Essence.
And as an agent of the Disaster Management Bureau, there’s a place I can try my luck at.
“Hmm.”
I got up from the café, pulled my hood down, and started walking.
To the true occult marketplace hidden within ghost stories.
What I need to find is….
‘A manhole where a human arm crawled out.’
