The upper floors of Daydream Corporation's headquarters building.

Knock, knock, knock.

I carefully knocked on the luxurious door with the back of my hand.

Then, the door automatically slid open….

"You’ve arrived."

The figure of the director sitting inside comes into view.

An executive with dark blue hair of indiscernible age.

Director Cheong Dal-rae.

"You didn’t waste time unnecessarily, nor were you deceived by schemes. A child who knows how to make wise choices always lives long."

That’s quite an intimidating way to give a compliment….

"You flatter me."

Anyway, I made my choice.

I decided to accept Director Cheong's proposal to make Team D an Elite Team.

Of course, there’s a reason, but I’ll think about that later.

For now, I have to deal with the imposing executive in front of me.

Director Cheong scanned me with a satisfied expression and smiled.

"Your assignment will be reorganized within the necessary time frame, so I trust you’ll wait without unnecessary commotion."

"Yes. I’ll work harder to ensure this promotion is well-deserved."

I shook hands with Director Cheong, who extended a hand, in a very polite manner.

And beside me….

"I assume you’ll do the same, Team Leader Lee Jaheon."

"Yes."

The lizard team leader is accompanying me.

…For reference, Team Leader Lee Jaheon reacted to my decision like this.

“ – I see.”

That’s it.

'Is this… really what they call easy to deal with….'

It was an astonishingly quick acceptance from the lizard who had advised me to 'Decline it.'

'Hey, you’re in the same boat, so you should at least pay attention…!'

Thanks to that, I had to grab the lizard team leader, who didn’t seem particularly curious, and explain my reasoning and basis for the decision, hearing 'I see' and 'Yes' about ten times.

And also how to minimize the 'risks' posed by Director Cheong.

"So, have you decided on the remaining team member?"

Just as that topic came up.

Director Cheong’s suggestion was to bring in whomever I wanted as the third member since Team D currently only has two active members.

"Regarding that, I’ve come up with an idea."

"What’s the idea?"

I spoke as straightforwardly and calmly as possible.

"To make it so that anyone can join."

***

[Leave the third member of Team D as a blank spot]

It was a suggestion that could be made since Team D wasn’t being incorporated into the existing Elite Team structure but was closer to being newly trial-operated.

The biggest advantage is this.

'It prevents Director Cheong from recklessly placing his people in.'

Didn’t she tell me to bring whoever I wanted?

If you could take that at face value, it wouldn’t be a company.

'If he didn’t like my choice, he’d probably ask if there was someone else.'

That’s how she gradually steers the candidate pool toward her preferred person.

'Once I bowed my head and agreed to be part of her line, she had nothing to lose.'

That way, she’d either insert her own person or, at the very least, win over the newcomer.

I think that’s where it starts to get 'dangerous,' as Team Leader Lee Jaheon said.

'The person working closely with me shouldn’t be Director Cheong’s puppet.'

It’s better to have the team member change with each exploration.

And this could be justified with a plausible reason.

'Since this is a new trial anyway, why not use the vacant spot in Team D for Elite Team interns?'

Like this.

Of course, Elite Team positions are limited, and only a few people from regular teams get promoted.

So, unless they perform well early on and align themselves with the right connections, most junior employees just give up and focus on efficiency.

However, from the management's perspective, employees who should be proactively sourcing resources with a sense of ownership were seen as inefficient.

Something like, 'They’re blinded by points and lack loyalty to the company.'

'I mean, why would anyone join this company without the points in the first place?'

It’s a pretty absurd expectation, but still, seeing how the company operates, I thought it might work.

“ – I wondered if, in this field exploration team with no performance incentives other than wish rights, this could be a new motivation for junior employees to improve their performance….”

That’s roughly how I earnestly presented it to Director Cheong.

To be honest, I doubted the employees would be that enticed by it.

At best, maybe a few competent supervisors or assistants would try out the Elite Team and reconsider their work plans.

But the argument sounded plausible, and it wasn’t entirely ineffective, so it was fine.

'It’ll at least set the mood.'

And at the very least, it worked on Director Cheong.

“ – Not bad.”

…It felt like she let it slide somehow, which was unsettling, but what mattered was that it got approved.

Sure enough, within days, rumors spread in the field exploration team, and the group chat with colleagues became active for the first time in a while.

[Does anyone know the details about a new team forming in the Elite Team? haha]

[Is it true they’re selecting someone from employees with 1-3 years of experience?]

[I heard about an Elite Team internship; I’m curious what others have heard ^^]

[Elite Team benefits….]

The funny thing is… no one talks to me anymore.

Even the news that I cleared A-grade again didn’t bring a single congratulations or inquiry.

'Is this… ostracism?'

I carefully responded to the group chat questions so as not to be underestimated, but before I knew it, the questions themselves disappeared.

'Come to think of it, I was the last one to be invited to the group chat in the first place.'

It’s a bit bitter….

[I heard the news! Congratulations, Sol-eum! You really succeeded with that method!]

[Thank you, Yeongeun.]

Still, I should be grateful to have a colleague who consistently sends congratulations.

While I was at it, I settled accounts with Yeongeun for the help I received during the last ghost story.

'Since Yeongeun is someone who tries to return as much as they receive, it’s better to keep building trust.'

I shared the method I used to clear it and offered to share part of the 'boss battle reward' I received.

'Because thanks to them, I cleared it without dying.'

…I mean, the location of the body’s vital organs.

Thanks to Yeongeun, I learned which part to protect to avoid instant death.

Of course, thinking back, it was such a crazy thing to do that I felt a chill for a moment.

'The tattoo sticker… let’s use it cautiously.'

The effect was certain, but it wasn’t normal….

[Oh… um, yes. I’ll gladly accept it.]

Yeongeun seemed a bit conflicted but accepted, and I met them in front of the dormitory to hand over a few protective talismans.

And during the conversation, the rumor about the 'new Elite Team' came up….

“Um, Yeongeun, do you by any chance aim to join the elite team….”

“No, I’m really fine.”

“……”

Breathe and speak, Yeongeun….

It felt like they strongly suspected I’d already be part of it.

'To be honest, I did consider them as a candidate… Was it a good call not to push for it?'

Anyway, this was the best answer I could come up with in this situation….

Of course, there were people who didn’t agree with this opinion.

***

"I can’t believe you really joined the Elite Team…."

“…….”

"Why did you make such a dangerous choice?"

The voice was full of concern.

Sitting in front of the desk in Team D’s office, I held my forehead.

"…Director Ho."

"Yes?"

"If I’ve acted rudely in any way, I sincerely apologize."

Why on earth are you here?

Why are you casually sitting here in Team D’s office, which we’re about to vacate, like a colleague dropping by for a visit?

"Huh? Sol-eum, you’ve never been rude… I think you could have a bit more confidence in yourself."

“…….”

Truly, not an ordinary person….

Director Ho, looking slightly disappointed, acted like a colleague who’d been turned down after suggesting a meal together.

That was even scarier.

'I thought they’d either crush me or ignore me.'

Why are they being like this?

To be honest, Director Ho had more authority and made a more groundbreaking offer, so it would’ve been easy for them to hold a grudge over being rejected.

'A reasonable person would’ve chosen their side.'

Naturally, I leaned more toward their side too.

That is, until I asked this question.

“ – Director, if it’s not rude to ask, I’d like to know the phase of this project.”

“ – The phase? Oh, are you asking how many phases there are?”

“ – Yes, that’s correct.”

“ – If that’s the case, there aren’t any specific phases. It’s a new attempt.”

“ – …I see. Thank you.”

At that moment, I made my decision.

'Let’s cut ties.'

A project usually arises in a ghost story company?

Nine times out of ten, it’s due to a high-ranking unknown ghost story.

'It’s definitely A-grade or higher.'

From this point, the ghost stories don’t just correlate with risk; they surpass it.

These ghost stories are based on fears that individuals can’t handle, filled with despair that’s unpredictable and unavoidable.

Fears beyond death and disappearance are approaching….

And yet, they even offered a wish token as a reward, something that would make any employee lose their mind?

'It feels like S-grade… doesn’t it?'

This seems like it’s going to be the highest rank in this company’s field exploration.

Plus, it’s the first attempt, so there’s no prior information?

'It’s a suicide mission.'

No matter how good the conditions are, this is flawed from the premise.

If I were guaranteed to be the team leader, it might be different… but honestly, even as a leader, it’d just be a fancy title.

'There’s no way the dream team staff picked by the director would listen to someone who’s been here less than a year.'

Besides, with the director involved, the team leader is just a middle manager.

I can only imagine myself barely surviving or dying while enduring all the stress.

'…I don’t want that.'

I’ve already accumulated nearly one-third of the points. I figured I didn’t need to take such risks just for a wish token.

…Besides, my decision to remain in Team D was based on additional considerations.

'If I do this, Park Minseong or Eun Hajae could rejoin Team D naturally if they return….'

…Since the spot was originally vacant and used flexibly, it would be much easier for someone to fill it.

So… it was a multifaceted decision.

But I couldn’t explain all of this, so I simply said:

"I chose this option because I thought it would benefit more people. I’m sorry."

"……."

At that moment, Director Ho’s friendly expression seemed to falter.

And then, a voice.

"Kind people are hard to understand…."

“…….”

Wait, just now…!

Thud.

"Still, if you happen to change your mind, please feel free to contact me, Sol-eum."

The voice disappeared.

Director Ho casually nodded at me again and left the office with a smile.

“…….”

That just now… didn’t seem ordinary….

“ – Sol-eum, I sense the scent of a plague from that person.”

Plague?

“ – You should pay attention to disinfection when inviting them to your studio or personal space!”

“…….”

‘Is it… a contagious disease?’

I briefly speculated about Director Ho’s identity, then eventually shrugged it off.

‘Let’s handle the urgent things first. The urgent things.’

For now, I thought about what was needed before becoming part of the Elite Team and reorganized….

“Sol-eum.”

Aaaah!

“T-Team Leader.”

The lizard, who entered right after Director Ho had left, immediately handed me some documents.

“Director Cheong told me to deliver this to you and ask, ‘Why don’t you take a look?’”

“Yes, I understand…….”

‘Please, give me some warning….’

I let out a sigh of relief internally and took the documents, reading the title on the first page.

Qterw-C-1603

Unregistered Exploration Testimony #21

Security Clearance Confirmed [C]

…Huh?

“Am I really allowed to read this…?”

“Yes.”

Hmm.

It seemed to be an exploration report requiring C-level security clearance to access, which Director Cheong had specially granted to me….

‘That’s even scarier!’

But refusing to read it felt even more terrifying. So, I eventually took a deep breath and started reading the documents.

What kind of exploration record could this possibly be….

……

Huh?

Confirmed an advertisement flyer for a new product launched by Qterw-C-1603.

Good Kid Chocolate Bar (Cinnamon Churros Flavor)

Packaging illustrated with a caricature of a child wearing a suit and a mask with horn-shaped branches.

※The character on the packaging resembles the Field Exploration Team uniform of the company.

Verification needed for employees with similar mask designs.

“…….”

Wait a minute.

Is this… me?