On the second floor—
Go Yeongeun, now accustomed to the process, posed her question to the usher machine.
"Have guests who finished viewing the exhibition on this floor gone downstairs?"
Nod.
"...!"
It was over.
This essentially provided the answer they were looking for.
'If the exit is on the ground floor and below the second floor…'
The only possibility left was the first floor.
"Then, if we just go to the first floor and ask for the location of the entrance…!"
"Let's hurry!"
"Yes!"
For the first time, Go Yeongeun and Baek Saheon were in complete agreement.
'So the entrance really is on the first floor, just like modern logic would suggest. What a coincidence that everything lined up this way.'
A faint sense of exhaustion crept in at the thought of how roundabout their journey had been, but the excitement of finally finding the exit outweighed it. I hastened my pace.
All that remained was to pinpoint the entrance and relay the information to my superiors waiting on the terrace.
– Oh dear, is your exhibition tour over already? That's a shame. It seems like you've barely seen five of the halls.
Hoho. Keep looking, and you might lose your eyes, nose, or mouth.
You might faint before then too!
'Even now, the three of us are sticking together under the candlelight to survive.'
I tapped the pocket where I kept Braun, as if soothing him, and continued walking.
Go Yeongeun, carrying the candle, walked with renewed confidence. That determination didn't falter, even when she faced the usher machine on the first floor. Her desire to leave seemed to overpower any lingering fear.
"Hello!"
Once again, the machine, influenced by the candle, responded politely. Taking a deep breath, Go Yeongeun made a firm request.
"Please guide us to the entrance!"
But…
...
Silence.
The machine remained motionless.
"...?"
No response.
"N-No way…"
With a face turning ashen, Go Yeongeun glanced nervously at the candle, as if worried it had lost its power.
The flame flickered steadily, still shining brightly.
After checking it a few more times, she spoke again in a trembling voice.
"Please… guide us to the entrance."
Again, silence.
"..."
"..."
The atmosphere dropped to a glacial temperature.
'We're fucked.'
I broke the silence.
"…Ms. Goral."
"Y-Yes…"
"Ask it like this."
I recited a familiar phrase, and Go Yeongeun's expression darkened as she repeated it.
"Have guests who finished viewing the exhibition on this first floor gone… downstairs? If yes, please nod."
Nod.
"...!!"
The usher machine's answers conflicted.
"Why…"
Go Yeongeun swallowed hard.
"But the usher machine on the basement floor clearly said people went up…!"
"That's correct."
A chill ran down my spine.
'What the hell is going on?'
The statements didn't add up.
In the basement, it said to go up, yet on the ground floor, it said to go down. Even if there were multiple exits nearby, this blatant contradiction made no sense.
'That does explain why so few survivors are mentioned in the
"Instead of wasting time repeating the same question, let's just go to the basement and ask directly. We still have candlelight left, so let's not waste it."
"…Ah."
Urged by Baek Saheon, we started looking for the stairs to the basement.
The path leading down felt unnaturally long and heavy…
And the result?
Nod.
"They said to go up? Damn it…"
The same response as before.
According to the usher machine, visitors who finished viewing the exhibition on the basement floor had indeed gone upstairs.
"..."
"..."
Even Baek Saheon fell silent.
Everyone's thoughts were tangled.
"Excuse me."
Go Yeongeun lowered her head.
"Do you think… maybe there isn't an exit at all?"
"...!"
"This could just be a place that tricks and torments people, giving them false hope to make their suffering worse… There are so many ghost stories like that."
That was true.
But not this time.
"No, there's definitely an exit."
I wasn't saying this just because I had read the
"Do you remember? Before coming in here, we were given a brief manual."
Though the information had been corrupted and turned into an exhibition invitation, it still applied.
"An exit record exists because someone succeeded in escaping. That's how this became a registered Darkness under Daydream Inc."
"Ah…!"
Go Yeongeun raised her head.
"You're right. That makes sense."
Taking a deep breath, she spoke again, her voice steadier.
"Huu! I'm sorry. In times like this, it's important not to get lost in emotion. There must be a solution."
"Yes."
It might look like a contradiction, but there was something we hadn't figured out yet.
Just as we were deep in thought…
"Hey."
Baek Saheon spoke, looking at me with a peculiar expression.
"Your doll."
"Braun?"
"Yeah. What does… Braun say?"
– I'm waiting for my brilliant friend's answer!
Of course, that wasn't because Baek Saheon thought Braun could actually speak. He probably asked because he thought I was a lunatic for talking to a little plushie.
'I get it, you want some unconventional ideas.'
I deliberately stared at Baek Saheon before responding.
"How would a doll talk?"
"..."
"Think before you speak, yeah?"
Baek Saheon clenched his fist tightly.
"But throwing out ideas like this isn't a bad thought."
"...!"
"Ms. Goral, do you have any ideas?"
"Ah, umm…"
"As positively as possible. Let's assume there's definitely an exit nearby."
"Then… a secret space, maybe?"
Go Yeongeun furrowed her brow.
"Like how attics are sometimes above the top floor, maybe there's another space between the basement and the ground floors? A parking lot, perhaps…"
There's no record of such a secret space in this exhibition hall. But it's still a possibility.
After all, experiencing something firsthand is different from reading about it. Sometimes, even with prior knowledge, things don't match up perfectly.
'We didn't know the window was actually a terrace door, after all.'
But… I felt the exit would be in a more obvious location.
'Conceptually, it's strange for an official pathway to be in a secret space.'
So, the exit likely exists in plain sight, but we're failing to notice it due to biases, thought patterns, or cultural factors…
"...!"
Wait a moment.
"M-Mr. Roe Deer?"
I stood up abruptly.
Baek Saheon looked at me in surprise, and Go Yeongeun, unable to turn around due to the candle's effect, glanced downward anxiously.
"Do you have enough stamina to go up and down the stairs a few more times?"
"What?"
"I-I think so."
"Then let's move."
"Huh?"
I got to my feet.
"We need to climb to the top floor."
"...??"
-x-X-x-
We returned to the stairs.
"We just need to climb, right?"
"Yes."
I began climbing, but instead of just walking until the next floor appeared, I started counting.
One floor.
Two floors.
Three floors…
We kept climbing until the stairs simply stopped.
Huff…
Gasp…
I lifted my head.
"This is the top."
We had reached the very top floor of this massive mansion.
On our way up, we encountered usher machines three times. Each time, Go Yeongeun asked the machines questions, but the answers were always the same.
By now, the two of them must have been wondering,
'Why are we climbing when the machines say to go down?'
The answer lay here on this top floor.
"Ms. Goral. How many floors do you think we've climbed?"
"What? Well… huh?"
"..."
"Wait. If I counted correctly…"
"Six floors," Baek Saheon said.
"This is the sixth floor, not the seventh!"
Exactly.
"But this mansion was supposed to have seven floors!"
– This historic mansion is composed of seven floors above ground… and 7,221 floors below ground.
This contradicted Braun's explanation.
But Braun, being a 'good friend', wouldn't lie.
So if everything is true…
"..."
I get it now.
"You. Did you intentionally lie about the seventh floor—"
Baek Saheon started, but I interrupted.
"Ms. Goral, do you know this?"
"Hey!"
There were many ghost stories like this—situations where what seemed logical and clear to one person becomes completely irrational for another due to cultural or environmental differences.
It's a kind of ghost story that thrives on the unease created by these disparities.
Like when I once identified a clown painting because I understood the difference between a clown and a pierrot in that previous Darkness exploration.
"How floors are counted depends on cultural norms."
"…Huh?"
"In countries like the U.S. or South Korea—and East Asian countries in general—floor numbering starts from the first floor."
However…
"In other cultural contexts, it works differently."
That explains why the stairs from the ground floor to the basement seemed unnaturally long.
It wasn't just perception.
"They start counting from the ground floor, or 'floor zero'."
"...!"
The Ground Floor, as it's often called.
"So this mansion does have seven floors above ground… from GF—or 0F—to 6F."
I looked down the stairs.
"Now we just need to go back to 1F and ask how to find the way to 0F."
And that's exactly what we did.
* * *
– Please guide us to the path leading to 0F.
On the first floor—
Following the path led by the usher machine on 1F, we walked forward and, surprisingly, found a staircase of a completely different design on the opposite side of the main exhibition hall.
A massive, double-spiral staircase.
If we descended one of the spirals, we could, of course, end up in the basement exhibition hall, where the bronze glow transitions into brass—just like before.
But there was another option. We could stop midway and choose to open a massive door.
And so I opened that door.
Creak.
A grand, elegant space bathed in silver light unfolded before us.
It wasn't an exhibition hall.
It was… the lobby.
"...!!"
A floor functioning purely as a lobby, without any exhibits, and therefore not connected to the usual staircases for exhibition halls—this was the elusive 0F.
We had finally entered this floor through its most proper passageway.
And right in front of us was a stained-glass-style glass door.
"…The main entrance."
Though the light pouring through obscured the view of the outside, it was unmistakable.
We had found the exit at last.
"We're saved!!"
"Haaa…"
Shouts of relief and deep sighs of exhaustion filled the lobby.
And then, cheers of joy.
"Mr. Roe Deer! Your deduction was right! It was right again! Wowww!! Let's get out of here immediately!"
Truly. I wanted nothing more than to scream and run out in celebration.
But…
"I need to find my superiors and leave with them."
"A-Ah!! Then… you'll need the candle, won't you?"
Go Yeongeun, eyeing the dwindling candle wax, quickly made a determined decision.
"…Let's go together and get them quickly!"
"Yes. Thank you."
Truly, thank you so much… Wandering this place alone while searching for my fellow rookies had already drained me completely.
Go Yeongeun's choice was exactly what I expected of her character.
As for Baek Saheon, well…
His decision was no surprise either.
Without hesitation, he made a beeline for the door.
"Do as you like. I'm outta here!"
Sure, whatever.
I watched Baek Saheon with an unimpressed look.
'I'd better observe what happens when someone uses the door—what effects it has, and how it reacts.'
But then, Baek Saheon hesitated.
"..."
"..."
And slowly stepped away from the entrance.
'...?'
Why.
"I thought you were leaving?"
"…I'll let someone else go first."
Good grief.
'It'd be easier for everyone if he just left.'
I gave him a slightly disappointed glance and turned my attention elsewhere.
– Hahaha… this is quite the amusing situation, Mr. Roe Deer!
I don't find it amusing, but it's comforting to know that someone does.
– So now you're heading off to inform your remarkably ordinary superiors about the location of the exit?
Exactly.
'Though remarkably ordinary aren't exactly the words I'd use for them…'
How many times have I scoured this mansion by now? My legs were ready to give out, but I needed to move quickly.
– Wait a moment. Are your legs hurting, my friend?
– Oh, then it's time for me to introduce my newest ability.
…Huh?
'A new ability?'
– Yes! Thanks to the splendid bath you gifted me, my dear friend, I've rejuvenated myself. Allow me to demonstrate my strength…
– Now, take me out of your pocket.
His tone was oddly grandiose, yet carried a subtle air of gratitude.
I followed his instructions and pulled the stuffed doll from my pocket.
"Mr. Roe Deer?"
"Please wait a moment."
– Precisely. You won't need to wait long! A true performer is always prepared to impress… like this!
Snap!
A dull snapping sound echoed from the doll's fingerless hands.
And then…
I felt something open within me, as if my chest and mouth had been 'unlocked'.
A sense of resonance.
It was as though a vast space had formed within me.
[Ah.]
"...!!"
"Y-Your voice…"
I fell silent.
The vibration of my vocal cords reverberated throughout the entire lobby.
– Not bad.
– In my show, no guest needs to raise their voice. Every word will be comfortably and clearly heard by the audience and viewers.
That's…
'A mic?'
– Ah, what a wonderfully mainstream way to put it!
– Mr. Roe Deer, my dear friend, your words will now reach everyone clearly… as long as they're in the same 'studio'.
– In this case, the 'same floor', if you will!
Unbelievable.
He had actually become more capable.
– You flatter me.
I was amazed.
'Though, unfortunately, this ability doesn't seem very suitable for the current situation.'
– Pardon?
I only needed to call the superiors waiting in the terrace room. If everyone on this floor could hear me instead…
"..."
– Friend?
Wait.
Is that really a bad thing?
-x-X-x-
Supervisor Park Minseong suppressed a sigh as he sat down next to the sofa in the terrace room where he had been hiding.
'This is taking too long.'
It had been over 70 minutes since Kim Soleum went downstairs with his fellow new hires.
Though Soleum had mentioned that this amount of time might be needed, he had also left a caveat about what to do if neither he nor the others returned within two hours…
– …Don't bother waiting or looking for me.
In other words, if things went south, they should just leave him behind.
'I should've just gone with him.'
Park Minseong stifled another sigh. Even though Daydream Inc. thrived on a survival-of-the-fittest philosophy, there were still some squads in the Field Exploration Team with strong camaraderie, and D-squad happened to be one of them.
Assistant Manager Eun Haje, too, was sitting on the sofa, visibly unsettled as she revised a makeshift map of this Darkness. Every now and then, she sighed deeply.
'…I was hoping Roe would settle into our squad even after the rookie period ends.'
For now, though, making it out of here alive took priority.
Feeling slightly glum, Park Minseong still found some reassurance in one thing.
'Squad Leader Lee Jaheon approved this, after all.'
That meant the item was likely as reliable as it seemed. Minseong had no idea where the rookie had managed to get it, but occasionally, there were such cases—people who joined the company after being repeatedly caught up in urban legends or ghost stories.
'Is he a case like that?'
Perhaps it was more accurate to call it bad luck.
Even in the Field Exploration Team, it was rare for rookies to be deployed into dangerous Darknesses like this—maybe once a year, if that.
Thinking about Kim Soleum, who had gone from one high-risk mission—like the theme park—to another, almost brought tears to Minseong's eyes.
'At least he's been earning points.'
Park Minseong suppressed another sigh and looked toward the terrace door.
There stood a figure, completely unbothered, in stark contrast to Minseong's restless thoughts.
Squad Leader Lee Jaheon.
Without the slightest movement, he remained stationed right by the terrace door.
He was likely measuring the passage of time with an unnervingly precise internal clock.
Once the countdown ended, he would undoubtedly rise and act according to plan—without hesitation.
Minseong could only hope that the plan didn't involve 'excluding Kim Soleum from the escape attempt due to a lack of survival prospects'.
'No, before that, I just hope Roe comes back…'
Outside, apart from the occasional scream, there was an unsettling quiet.
'No footsteps yet.'
If Roe had finished his task, surely the sound of three sets of calm footsteps would be the first thing they heard…
[Can you hear me?]
"...?!"
Park Minseong leapt to his feet.
Next to him, Assistant Manager Eun Haje reflexively did the same.
[This is an announcement regarding the escape route.]
[There isn't enough time to repeat myself, so please pay attention.]
It was the voice of the rookie who D-squad had been waiting for—Kim Soleum.
[The exit is at 0F.]
[Let me repeat: the exit is at 0F. You need to descend the stairs until the bronze glow transitions into brass…]
It was undoubtedly Roe's voice.
Given how extraordinary this rookie had proven to be, it wasn't even surprising if he had found a clever way to broadcast an announcement… but.
…What if it wasn't him? What if something not human was merely imitating Kim Soleum?
"..."
The two members of D-squad exchanged a glance, silently leaving the final decision to the person best equipped to handle this.
Their squad leader, who had a reputation for unerring judgment in these situations.
"..."
Lee Jaheon stood by the terrace door, having clearly heard the announcement. He stared blankly into space as if deep in thought.
[You must use the spiral staircase.]
After a moment of contemplation, he made his decision.
"Move out."
[That concludes the announcement.]
I finally finished repeating the message for the sixth time. From the first to the sixth floor.
'That should cover all the surface levels.'
I'd debated whether to focus only on D-squad, stationed on the first floor, but Ms. Goral had been adamant.
– Y-You mean you can do that? Then we have to save as many people as we can!
It was such a statement befitting someone in the medical field.
Now, however, it was up to everyone's individual judgment.
'I deliberately avoided introducing myself or mentioning the company, but I did include a few terms familiar to the Field Exploration Team…'
Even so, there might be people too suspicious to act.
If they encountered an usher machine on the stairs by chance, there was nothing I could do about that either.
Still, losing a body part or two was still better than dying here as a human grub.
'It also helps spread out the machines that might head toward D-squad.'
I cleared my throat.
"Ah, ah."
Braun seemed to have retracted his energy, as the strange resonance in my throat and lungs faded away.
'Thanks.'
– Gratitude is always music to my ears!
Braun sounded slightly tired but still cheerful.
Meanwhile, from the side, a voice filled with irritation broke the moment of appreciation.
"Why are you wasting points? The more people escape, the fewer points we get individually."
Here we go again with this guy's twisted logic.
And worse, it's an ignorant statement.
"Are you stupid? Do you think there aren't veteran employees who'll find the exit on their own without our help, even if a rookie like you escapes?"
"...!"
There are employees who are so well-equipped with items and specialized gear or just naturally talented that they'll escape without assistance.
Even according to the
In short, trying to cash in on points from this ghost story wasn't worth it.
But instead of explaining all this, I simply smiled faintly.
"This is the kind of situation where making a good impression ensures work becomes more enjoyable later. Plus, I get to observe different reactions."
"..."
Baek Saheon turned his head with an exasperated look.
'Do you even have a conscience?'
If he were to reflect on his previous statement, he'd realize that I should be giving him that exact reaction. What a sociopath, in this twisted ghost story world.
Still, worried that Ms. Goral might have been unsettled, I called out to her.
"Ms. Goral."
"..."
"Ms. Goral?"
"…Wait. Did you just call me?"
"...!"
No way.
"…I think… my hearing is starting to go, just a bit."
-x-X-x-
"..."
I looked at her ear, hidden beneath her hair, where the opening was now absent. Instead, there was a neatly stitched, hollow space. Whatever device had been 'rented' to her as a hearing aid was starting to fail.
And in such a short time, too.
'Of all moments…'
"But I can still hear, somewhat. And since there's still plenty of the candle left, I think we can keep moving carefully."
"Yes."
To ensure clearer communication, I gently tapped Ms. Goral on the shoulder. She flinched slightly but then resolutely resumed her descent down the stairs.
Baek Saheon quickly spoke up.
"I should carry the candle. Hand it over to me."
"And what happens if Ms. Goral accidentally turns around because of that?"
"..."
Baek Saheon fell silent.
We began descending the six flights of stairs, tense and alert.
Step, step.
Only the sound of our footsteps filled the stairwell.
It didn't seem like anyone who had heard my broadcast had come out yet…
"Excuse me," Ms. Goral called out.
"Yes."
"..."
Could she not hear me?
"Excuse me, are you there?"
I softly tapped her back. Reluctantly, Baek Saheon also gave her shoulder a couple of light pats.
"Ah… Thank you."
Ms. Goral, reassured, gripped the candle tightly with both hands and continued descending the stairs.
Step, step.
The silence stretched on, feeling almost eternal… until we finally reached the first floor.
Creeeak.
The sound of usher machines echoed from all around, moving along their paths. One of them passed right by us, dragging a dead, human husk along the ground. ⱤÁＮọBÈS
"…We'll head to the spiral staircase now."
"Yes."
Ms. Goral raised her voice. She probably couldn't tell how loud she was speaking anymore due to her deteriorating hearing.
'It's fine. We're almost there.'
To react quickly, I kept my ears sharp, walking cautiously but steadily.
It wasn't the wrong approach.
But the problem with dangers like these is that they sometimes have nothing to do with how prepared you are.
For instance, you could be focused on listening for threats, only for an entirely unrelated obstacle to appear.
"Huh?"
I noticed that the person in front of me had disappeared from view.
Looking down, I saw Ms. Goral's figure falling.
At her feet, something shiny was sliding across the ground.
A telescopic lens.
It had fallen off the corpse the usher machine was dragging—an invisible rental item rolling at just the wrong moment into her path…
Thud.
I reached out and caught Ms. Goral.
But as her arm hit the ground, the candle flew out of her grasp.
"No…!"
I reflexively caught the candle and threw it toward Baek Saheon.
But it was too late.
The candle went out.
"..."
…Gaaasp—
The usher machine turned to face us.
Whoosh.
A metallic blade flew toward us.
"Eek—"
I rolled to the side. A sharp gasp came from nearby.
The usher machine, having set down the corpse it was carrying, raised its gas lamp to illuminate us.
It must have confirmed that all of us were behind on our 'payments'.
Reevaluating its 'priorities', the needle-like appendages mounted on the machine's abdomen flew toward us once again.
Its target: the nearest eye.
"Mr. Roe Deer."
A familiar voice.
"Duck!"
Instinctively, I pushed the heads of my two teammates down and threw myself to the floor.
BANG.
A deafening metallic clash and a shower of sparks erupted above our heads.
"...!"
It was Section Chief Lee Jaheon.
The impossibly strong Field Exploration Team member had ruthlessly deflected the usher machine's needle.
Ting—
The broken tip of the needle flew through the air and embedded itself in the corridor wall. The usher machine twisted its joints, emitting a strange grinding noise.
What madness.
'That thing can break?'
Lee Jaheon withdrew his gloved hand. Judging by the force involved, it wouldn't have been surprising if he had fractured something himself.
Clutched in his hand, like a set of brass knuckles, was something metallic…
The terrace doorknob.
"...!"
An alarm blared in my mind. That item…
'Exhibition property damage.'
All disruptions, theft, or property damage occurring within the exhibition hall are subject to immediate action by ushers, with corresponding fines collected.
He even broke an usher machine.
Even if the exhibition treated this as a civil issue and only demanded an apology and compensation fees instead of invoking criminal charges…
One thing was certain.
The usher machines would now treat this as their top-priority.
And it wasn't just the one machine in front of us. All the usher machines in this zone would react the same way…
"Squad Leader."
"Yes?"
"Run."
I bolted.
Grrriiiik, grrrrk, jijijik— bzzzzzt, grrk— SCREEEECH!
The sound of the damaged usher machine moving more aggressively than ever filled the air.
Beside me, I could hear my squadmates running like mad. As for the Chief Lizard… wait, hold on!
"Squad Leader!!"
"Yes."
"Stop fighting and just run!"
'No matter how ridiculously strong you are, there's no way you can destroy every usher machine here!'
Just imagining the chaos spreading further was overwhelming.
'Even the Dark Exploration Records had those sections censored!'
I didn't even want to consider how such events might manifest in real life.
Screeeeeech!
'Fuuuck!'
We ran straight into another usher machine blocking the path to the staircase.
No, two more!
"Uuurgh!"
I threw myself through the descending needles, feeling a sharp pain shoot through my arm.
Even as I ran, my instincts screamed the truth.
'I'm going to get caught.'
With human limitations, it was impossible to avoid this. We would be captured and fined before reaching 0F.
A cold chill ran down my back.
'…Is there anything I can do?'
My breath was ragged. Oxygen-deprived, my thoughts became sluggish, giving way to resignation.
'Maybe I've lasted long enough…'
My dulled senses split the surrounding sounds into layers. The echo of footsteps rumbled in my ears, as if dozens of people were running.
No, wait!
"...?!"
It hit me.
It wasn't just that the footsteps sounded like many.
There actually were more people now.
Instead of two, there were at least ten or more sets of footsteps.
– Mr. Roe Deer, these must be the folks who took advantage of your excellent broadcast to seize the opportunity!
"...!"
They were Field Exploration Team members.
Spectators who had been watching the situation unfold now seemed to be using the chaos as cover to approach the spiral staircase.
This unexpected development had an unintended effect.
The usher machines became confused, recalculating priorities based on the importance of tasks and proximity to the various individuals.
Everywhere, unpaid participants were breaking into sprints, distracting the machines.
"Hurry up!"
Taking advantage of the brief window, we clenched our teeth and launched ourselves toward the staircase.
Screeeeeeeeeech—
We ran like mad.
The unsettling sounds of the machines grew closer behind us.
The staircase ended, and a silvery hall spread out before us.
The lobby.
And… the front door!
"Go!"
Assistant Manager Eun Haje and Supervisor Park Minseong were holding the doors open.
We sprinted with everything we had.
As I stepped onto the threshold of the main entrance, my superiors dove through the exit.
I followed, nearly collapsing through the doorway.
Breathless, I ran until the glowing doorway of light enveloped me.
"Huu!!"
When I opened my eyes, I saw a clean ceiling lined with fluorescent lights.
A modern hallway of moderate width.
The corridor on the 31st floor of the company, just outside the meeting room.
We'd escaped.
"Hah..."
I collapsed onto the floor.
I could hear the sound of people rushing out from the conference room, but I had no mental energy or strength left to care.
Every ounce of strength had been wrung from my body as I drifted into a dazed state…
An alarm rang out.
[Dark Exploration Records Real Merch Box]
– New merch unlocked!
-x-X-x-
The meeting room was in chaos.
"Seventeen people have reportedly returned alive!"
"Seventeen…?! Are you sure about that number? Could it be a counting error?"
"Yes. Oh! The count just went up to 20."
Members of the Field Exploration Team, deployed earlier in the day into a high-risk Darkness, had suddenly returned in droves.
This unexpected turn of events completely paralyzed any immediate response.
"They said all the case studies were done and that they'd escape in small, sequential groups. What on earth is this?"
The room was filled with a cacophony of voices—speculations about whether the returning employees were really the ones who had entered, calls for lab testing to confirm their identities, and other theories about what might have gone wrong with their predictions.
But as the initial shock faded, a subtle thought began to form in the minds of some… The thrilling possibility of success.
Could this result be a remarkable breakthrough?
For a few of the key players who had backed this endeavor, similar thoughts emerged.
'If this survival rate is real…!'
It would mean their bold and calculated investment had paid off. The unexpectedly high success rate was so surprising that it left them momentarily dazed.
'Should we start shaping public opinion about this achievement?'
'Wait, I should highlight my contributions while this is fresh.'
However, all the confusion, excitement, and self-congratulations were abruptly extinguished by one critical piece of news.
"It's B-Class."
"…Huh."
The first survivor's Dream Essence Collector had been evaluated, and the liquid inside was rated B-Class.
In other words, the dream of a 'high-survival-rate A-Class' Darkness had vanished.
The atmosphere in the meeting room deflated in an instant, sinking into disappointment.
"Ha… Of course, it's too good to be true."
"Wasn't this jinxed the moment people started hyping it as A-Class?"
"Still, hey, isn't a B-Class Darkness with this kind of survival rate pretty rare? What do you think, Section Chief Kwak?"
Kwak Jaekang, a researcher hurriedly called in, gave a faint smile.
"Indeed~ It's an impressive result."
No, it wasn't just impressive—it was staggering!
Did these people even understand the survival rates associated with each grade?
They didn't seem to grasp how extraordinary this situation was. That's why none of them were foaming at the mouth, eager to analyze the exploration data right away.
'Wow~ incredible.'
Seeing them exchange platitudes and self-consoling remarks like, 'We just had bad luck,' or 'Our judgment was still correct,' amused Kwak Jaekang.
Did they really think this was a situation that warranted consolation?
'Do these people have any sense of reality at all?'
The average civilian survival rate for B-Class Darknesses was below 2%.
Deploying a large number of employees into such a situation without proper manuals or preparation had been a reckless gamble. And now, instead of marveling at the mind-boggling results, they were busy oscillating between disappointment and self-praise.
This, despite the fact that the 'expert consultation' they relied on had been nothing more than hastily adopted advice from a single research manager who catered to their biases.
The reason for this recklessness was obvious.
'Because they wanted to do it!'
While Kwak Jaekang was personally thrilled at the prospect of analyzing such fascinating results, he found it astonishing that the company managed to function at all with higher-ups like these in its development division.
Kwak felt a twinge of regret. The longer this company survived, the more opportunities he'd have to study these captivating paranormal phenomena.
But the way the so-called 'Innovation Development Strategy Office' operated posed a clear risk to the company's future.
Sure, family-owned companies often lacked structure, but this was a mess.
'I'd heard rumors… but could it really be that everyone close to the owner is like this?'
Of course, not everyone in the room was like that.
Kwak Jaekang's eyes darted briefly to someone seated a bit apart from the rest.
This individual hadn't been present at the last meeting.
'That's one of Director Ho's people.'
That person had shown up under the pretext of having a passing interest in this agenda item and asked to join briefly.
Even though the Development Department's higher-ups were known to meddle in the Field Exploration Team's affairs, this was still unusual.
What stood out even more was how openly the individual was receiving updates about the situation via remote communication with their team.
"Apparently, one employee played a major role in the large-scale escape."
"Pardon??"
The air in the room shifted, not toward eagerness but to apprehension and tension.
But the next statement left everyone in shock.
"It was a new hire."
"...!"
"He reportedly broadcasted the escape method to all the employees. We need to investigate the details of how he managed it."
"..."
"Some people are already asking questions about it."
It was Director Ho.
The Strategy Office's people exchanged glances, muttering half-heartedly.
"Ah, yes. We'll transmit the detailed exploration report as soon as it's available."
"That's right. Usually, after field exploration, people are so out of it they babble nonsense for a while."
"Still, they wouldn't just make up something out of thin air, would they?"
"Well…"
"Which brings us to the matter at hand."
The representative from Director Ho's side interrupted the conversation.
"They're curious about what decision the 'Innovation Development Strategy Division' will make."
"..."
"Regarding the employee's reward, that is."
* * *
"Congratulations, Supervisor Kim."
"…What?"
I almost choked on my iced americano while lying on a cot in the medical bay.
After hearing the heartwarming words, 'Our maknae[1], you worked hard, so just rest,' I had undergone a basic physical examination and had been dozing off for hours.
I thought I'd only hear more about this exploration when I came to work tomorrow.
Supervisor…?
"Oh, you heard me right. Supervisor Kim."
Assistant Manager Eun Haje grinned.
"You're getting promoted. Fastest record in the history of the company's Field Exploration Team!"
"...!!"
Note/s:
[1] Maknae = youngest/newest member ↩
-x-X-x-
"Honestly, I knew this would happen. Guess our Roe won't need to speak formally to me anymore."
"Hey, if we wait until you're employed for six months here, you and I'll be able to talk on equal terms too, huh?"
What is this? This isn't some mom-and-pop store—how is someone getting promoted to Assistant Manager after just a couple of months?
'This has to be an internal rumor, right?'
I tried asking politely, but the answer was firm.
"No, you absolutely deserve it. Do you know how many employees you saved this time?"
Assistant Manager Eun Haje crossed her arms.
"Twenty-six people, including yourself."
"...!"
"Roe, of those, seventeen escaped directly after hearing your broadcast!"
"When you count the ones who came out late after confirming others were escaping, it's safe to say you saved them all."
She added that even some civilian participants had made it out.
"Do you realize how rare a record like this is? It's something that might happen once every few years. Honestly, a promotion doesn't feel enough."
"Exactly. Let's dig into this after the squad leader comes back from the meeting tomorrow. They're bound to give you something extra."
Their excitement on my behalf was heartwarming, but I was still in shock.
A promotion?
…A promotion at a major corporation after just 60 days of work?
My modern heart raced with unease.
"Brace yourself. Special promotions are announced quickly."
And indeed, it was true.
The very next day, I saw the promotion notice on the company intranet.
[Special Promotion Announcement]
Sure enough, the name 'Kim Soleum' was listed there.
"..."
Buuuuuzzzzz.
My phone vibrated incessantly. Apparently, congratulatory messages were pouring in.
Wait a second.
'This feels like they're handling this quickly to minimize internal resistance.'
The Field Exploration Team is still made up of humans. Naturally, if you save someone's life, they feel a sense of gratitude or emotional impact.
In that sense, the 35 people I'd helped would likely feel at least some level of appreciation toward me, which would reduce opposition to the promotion.
It was clear from the timing of the announcement that they wanted to capitalize on that goodwill.
No, but why…? Why were they pushing my promotion so aggressively?
'H-How much more do they plan to wring out of me?'
Wasn't it enough that I was already dealing with newly registered ghost stories without manuals?
As the thought of increasingly harrowing assignments loomed over me, I reached out to an elite senior from another squad.
[Are you stupid? Not getting promoted would've been stranger.]
"...??"
[Even the manual revision officer came looking for you after hearing about your performance. With results like that, of course you'd attract attention from higher-ups.]
Jin Nasol, A-squad's assistant manager, clicked her tongue.
[If only we'd grabbed you when we had an opening in our squad. Ugh, what a waste.]
"..."
[Anyway, congratulations. It was bound to happen.]
"…Thank you, I guess."
I hung up, feeling strangely hollow, and leaned back in my office chair, trying to process everything.
Right.
No point in denying it—I had reached this stage.
'Am I… an elite employee?'
A notable figure destined to be listed in the
The kind of character that certain hardcore creators of the lore might want to kill off just to maintain the gritty atmosphere of the universe… but who ends up sticking around because of growing popularity on video platforms like WeTube?
Maybe.
Is this what people call a 'Mary Sue' character…
'How did it come to this?'
Then again, maybe it was inevitable.
To be honest, having read through the entire
'I did my best to keep it subtle, given the life-or-death circumstances.'
But here's the real kicker…
'What happens if they figure out I'm actually a coward?'
Hoping this would just end with a reassignment to the Round-Off Team was overly optimistic. There was no telling how far the repercussions might spread.
If someone started asking, 'How did someone so cowardly get such good results?' then what's next for me were…
'Interrogations and experiments…?'
I could already picture a future where I'd be dragged off to the Research Team the moment they discovered I was from a parallel dimension.
Cold sweat trickled down my forehead.
N-No. That can never happen.
I stood up, grabbed some coffee, and took a lap around the break room.
The caffeine cleared my head a little.
Right.
'If I can't avoid it, I just need to maximize my survival rate in this place.'
If I was already under scrutiny, the best way to avoid unnecessary attention might be to keep delivering performances that justified it.
'I need to make them believe I'm naturally this competent and exceptional.'
It's not like there aren't employees like that. Take Squad Leader Lizard or Assistant Manager Butterfly Mask, for example. They're categorized as standouts, and that's it.
Even if it meant a higher probability of being assigned to more dangerous ghost stories… Well, maybe it wasn't all bad.
If I was treated as high-value personnel, I might be sent to fewer outright lethal missions.
'And I could rack up points faster too.'
The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a reasonable strategy to escape this world quickly.
But to achieve that, there was a critical first step.
'I need to do some serious work on my character build…'
I had to come across as a 'competent and exceptional unit' naturally enough to avoid suspicion.
Like when I'd acted like a lunatic in front of Baek Saheon—walking the line carefully.
And for that…
'…I need more cards to play into this character.'
"..."
I looked up.
Hovering above me was something that had been there ever since escaping the exhibition hall.
[Dark Exploration Records Real Merch Box]
– New merch unlocked! (!)
It was one of the merch I'd purchased at the pop-up store. I'd been putting off opening it, waiting until I felt rested and my judgment was clear.
It was time.
-x-X-x-
I had no idea what requirement I had fulfilled in the exhibition to unlock it, but I reached for the glowing black notepad and lightly touched it, stretching as I did.
Click.
A clear sound accompanied the small, lightweight object, still in its plastic packaging, as it fell into my hand.
"..."
Shining silver, it was shaped like a small shield with the word 'CHARGE' embossed in elegant calligraphy.
It's…
A badge.
'Ah.'
I understood immediately.
The condition I'd fulfilled was… 'good deeds'.
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau
/ Items
Silver Heart
Wearers earn the reverence of others proportional to their cumulative altruistic actions.
Strongly influenced by the creator's belief that 'it is socially most efficient for altruistic individuals to gain power'.
Item Usage Qualification(s) : Must have saved 12 or more lives in a supernatural disaster.
========================
This so-called 'badge of character'.
It was an item produced and distributed by the Disaster Management Bureau.
It had exploded in popularity after a legendary performance in the exploration records of a sealed ghost story involving a train explosion.
Its unique properties were part of what made it stand out.
As the description suggests, it was an item exclusively for good people. It allowed altruists to wield influence within a group.
'The fact that I now qualify for this is… overwhelming.'
It felt like too much responsibility.
While this item was generally used in heartwarming ways, there was that one time it led to a catastrophic disaster of utterly insane proportions.
'That's how it always goes with creepypasta universes.'
Whenever enough goodwill accumulates, something horrifying inevitably slips in to raise the stakes.
In the past, there were records of this badge being distributed to exceptionally kind civilians, but over time, it became strictly regulated and only loaned to government employees under tight rules.
I remember watching the wiki updates happen in real time.
What does this mean?
It means that at this point, no one would ever predict a Daydream Inc. employee using the 'Silver Heart'.
'Which is why I can actually use it.'
I'm not sure how many more good deeds I'll manage with everything I've got on my plate, but at least I should benefit from the badge's base effect, right?
If it gives my colleagues the impression of, 'This person's pretty remarkable,' it'll make it much easier to come across as a capable employee.
'Alright. Let's make good use of this.'
Apparently, the universe doesn't just want me dead.
I carefully tucked the Silver Heart badge into my pocket and left the break room with a lighter heart.
As soon as I stepped out, I was greeted with news of additional rewards for the recent exploration.
"Roe! It's not officially announced yet, but they're giving you a bonus reward too!"
"...!"
"Man, it's a shame you're surprised about something you so obviously deserve…"
"Exactly! Do they think B-Class zones are playgrounds for kids? People step in there and die instantly. What do they think this is, a joke?"
Uh, thanks, I guess?
"But the bonus reward's pretty decent, so that's something."
'Pretty decent'?
That's high praise coming from Assistant Manager Eun.
Judging by the hint of admiration on her face, it must be something special.
"…What is it?"
"A regeneration potion."
"...!!"
"Don't just stand there. I bet the name alone doesn't mean much to you, huh?"
It absolutely did.
It's too famous for anyone not to know it.
This wasn't just some standard health potion you'd get from the medical bay.
– One of
The miracle cure.
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Daydream Inc.
/ Items
Regeneration Potion
A magical potion that regenerates all physical injuries.
The higher the grade, the more powerful it is. With a deep green hue.
========================
"Simply put, it can regrow body parts. And this one's C-grade. Even if you lose a limb, it'll regenerate just fine."
"...!"
"Not even the exclusive equipment for section chiefs has this kind of ability. This is a company specialty. Its point value? About 10,000."
Assistant Manager Eun grinned and gave me a pat on the back.
"You'll find it handy someday. Our line of work is dangerous, after all. Isn't it great to know you can get your arms, legs, eyes, or nose back if you lose them?"
Honestly, ma'am, you didn't have to put it quite like that…
"And one more thing—it might be disappointing, or it might be good news. Wanna hear?"
"Yes?"
"You're not the only one getting it."
* * *
"Soleum-ssi!"
"Hello."
I waved to Go Yeongeun, who had called out to me. Baek Saheon was sitting next to her.
The company had gathered the three of us for a photo op as part of the bonus reward ceremony. It was the first time I'd seen them since the escape.
You'd think Baek Saheon and I would see each other all the time, being roommates, right? But lately, he's been holed up in his room.
Thanks to that, I've been enjoying the living room TV with Braun in peace.
"Have you been resting well? Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine. How about you, Go Yeongeun-ssi…"
As I spoke, I realized something.
Go Yeongeun was focusing intently on my lips, trying to read them as I spoke.
"My hearing… hasn't returned yet."
"..."
As expected.
At least the rental auditory device she'd been using automatically deactivated upon leaving the exhibition, so there was no worry about exhibition staff chasing after her.
And in her hands was the bonus reward the company had just given her.
When she opened the ornate box, adorned with gold embossing and mural-like decorations, it revealed a beautifully wax-sealed glass bottle.
Inside the glass, the light green liquid shimmered like new spring leaves.
: Daydream Potion :
Regeneration
C (excellent)
It was a C-grade regeneration potion.
Go Yeongeun held the glass bottle aloft, her eyes filled with a mix of hope, uncertainty, and anticipation.
"Well then, I'll go ahead and try it right now."
"Please do."
Go Yeongeun opened the Regeneration Potion and downed it in one go.
-x-X-x-
The green magical potion slipped into Go Yeongeun's mouth.
Gulp. Gulp.
When the liquid was gone, and the glass bottle was completely empty—
"...!"
Go Yeongeun lowered the bottle.
Eyes wide open, she brought both hands to her ears…
And, trembling within her palms,
As if new flesh was sprouting over an injury, round lumps of flesh began growing where her ears had been torn away.
In an instant, they started taking shape.
The helix, tragus, and earlobes all formed distinct structures around the cartilage, and then…
They became whole again.
"..."
"W-Wow…!!"
Goodness.
"Go Yeongeun-ssi?"
"Yes!! Oh! I can hear! I can actually hear…!"
Go Yeongeun exclaimed in disbelief as she touched her newly grown ears, then opened her smartphone's camera app to inspect them.
As expected, they looked identical to her original ears.
"Does it hurt or feel uncomfortable?"
"Not at all! It just itched for a moment, but then it was fine… Actually, it feels like my hearing is even better than before!"
It was truly a wonderful thing.
Really, it was astonishing and awe-inspiring, something to be deeply grateful for, but…
'…This could lead to more reckless decisions.'
In this company, if a high-grade Darkness was confirmed to involve unavoidable severe physical injuries, low-Class regeneration potions were sometimes issued as standard equipment.
And once people get used to that?
Employees would gradually begin to feel indifferent about losing parts of their bodies.
It's hard the first time, but after the second, it gets easier.
'Is that really a good thing?'
I glanced to the side with a strange feeling.
Baek Saheon was staring somberly into the ornate box containing his regeneration potion…
With one eye.
"…Pardon, Baek Saheon-ssi."
"..."
Go Yeongeun hesitated before speaking cautiously.
"Losing vision in one eye has a bigger impact than you'd think. Depth perception, field of view, even balance are affected. It might be better to use it and regenerate your eye, even if it feels wasteful."
"Mind your own business."
Go Yeongeun almost showed a 'What's with this guy?' expression but chose to let it go, perhaps reassured by the return of her ears.
After some hesitation, I added,
"Given the risks of our work, there's always the chance of more injuries later. Saving it for emergencies isn't a bad idea either."
"Oh… That's true."
"...!"
Baek Saheon suddenly trembled slightly as he stared intently at the box.
'Hey.'
Why did he suddenly look like he was debating, 'Should I just use it now?' after I backed him up?
Anyway, I ignored him and carefully stashed my own box.
My heart beat a little faster.
It was my first time seeing such a famous, powerful, and non-threatening symbolic item in person.
The symbol of Daydream Inc.
The magical potion.
'I better keep this safe.'
At that moment—
"Excuse me, Soleum-ssi."
"Yes?"
"I meant to say this earlier, but I wanted to formally thank you."
Go Yeongeun looked at me and bowed slightly.
"Truly, truly… Thank you."
Huh?
"For fighting that machine alone to let us escape."
"…Go Yeongeun-ssi, you weren't in immediate danger back then."
Her ears had already been taken, so there was no more fee to pay. Honestly, the only person I really saved was Baek Saheon.
'And that ungrateful punk hasn't even said a single word of gratitude…'
What a piece of work, this punk.
However, Go Yeongeun firmly shook her head.
"No. You came back to save us afterward, didn't you? Even lying that the candle was ours to protect us."
"..."
"No matter how I think about it, you didn't need to do that. You could've just stayed with the D-squad."
"Um."
Yeah, but actually…
'If I gave the candle to those guys with nerves of steel instead?'
What? Was the situation secure now? Okay, then let's test this and test that, put it through the manual revision process, and farm some points.
Just imagining the chaos they would cause made me feel like I'd collapse from a heart attack.
I didn't wander around that insane exhibition to find the two of you for no reason.
There was something even scarier behind me that drove me to act…!
'And… if I can save someone, it's right to do so.'
I simply did what I could.
So I just shook my head.
"That's something anyone would've done."
"Are you serious? It doesn't seem that way…"
"If anything, considering your contributions, both of you deserve promotions as well. I feel a bit guilty being the only one promoted."
Go Yeongeun frowned.
"N-No. I… I don't really want to be promoted just yet."
"..."
"Oh but, um, Soleum-ssi, you'd do a great job, though!"
Suddenly, I felt like I might cry…
"But, why do you think we should be promoted? You do remember that all the items at the exhibition came out of your pockets… right?"
Go Yeongeun looked at me with an expression that seemed somewhat pitying.
"Um. In a corporate environment, if you seem too nice, people might take you lightly, so maybe you don't always have to be so kind to others…"
Yes?
It really felt like she was overestimating me thanks to the 'savior effect'. But remembering the Silver Heart badge, I simply lowered my head.
Be kind!
"…Thank you for the advice."
Baek Saheon, looking utterly incredulous, alternated his gaze between me and Go Yeongeun before clamping his mouth shut.
Then, without a word, he stood up and left.
Well, let's just leave him be.
I exchanged polite goodbyes with Go Yeongeun and turned around, deep in thought.
'When should I start wearing the Silver Heart badge?'
Should I only use it during missions?
As I rolled the badge around in my pocket with my fingers, planning things out, a now-familiar silhouette appeared at the end of the hallway…
A white lizard head.
"Squad Leader."
"Kim Soleum-ssi."
It seemed the squad leader had been talking with the team leader while I was receiving my award.
By now, even those vertical pupils were starting to feel somewhat familiar.
'Is this the savior effect too?'
I momentarily recalled the lizard's brutal knuckle strikes that had split the usher machine's needle in two and fell silent.
Then, the lizard's vertical pupils shifted toward the empty regeneration potion bottle and its box.
"Did you use it?"
"Pardon? Oh. It wasn't mine. My colleague here… Go Yeongeun-ssi used it."
"Hello, sir! It's nice to meet you! I'm Go Yeongeun!"
Go Yeongeun bowed her head politely to the unfamiliar lizard—or rather, the squad leader from another team.
The lizard regarded her with unblinking eyes.
"I have a question."
"Y-Yes?"
"Are you the owner of the escape item?"
"…Pardon?"
"Three days ago, in the B-Class Darkness with the exhibition format, did you possess the cognitive interference item shaped like a candle?"
Oh.
"Ah… um. Something like that…"
"Yes, that's correct."
Go Yeongeun glanced at me, quickly grasping the situation, and trailed off her sentence. But she didn't outright deny it, showing some situational awareness.
Still, she probably felt it was time to make a swift exit.
"Well then, I'll be going now."
With that polite farewell, she quietly slipped away in the opposite direction down the hallway.
'Good judgment…'
Relieved, I took a water bottle out of my bag and drank a sip…
"Kim Soleum-ssi."
"Yes?"
"Refrain from repeated lies."
I nearly spit the water out through my nose.
"The more you repeat them, the less effective they become."
-x-X-x-
"..."
When did he catch on?
For now, I just lowered my head immediately.
"I apologize."
"Yes."
"I thought it would be difficult to persuade anyone to use valuable escape time unless it seemed like my colleague had an escape item."
"Yes."
Though his responses were curt, it wasn't as though he was angry…
'His voice is calm.'
'This is just how he is, huh? Not a human, but a lizard.'
I cautiously glanced up.
To my surprise, the lizard was… slightly smiling!
"All humans lie."
"..."
"What matters is the intent and the outcome of the act."
It sounded almost philosophical.
'…Does this mean my lie was fine because my intentions were good and the results turned out well?'
"..."
Oh, whatever.
"I'll be more careful next time."
"Yes."
And with that, the conversation ended.
Squad Leader Lizard returned to his usual emotionless, reptilian demeanor with vertical pupils.
'I already thought his personality felt somewhat removed from ordinary people…'
Now I felt it even more deeply—though not in a bad way.
I picked up the regeneration potion box I'd received as a reward from the chair.
– Friend, is your work all finished?
Right then, Braun spoke from my pocket.
At work, we'd agreed to avoid idle chatter to keep anyone from realizing I carried a 'good friend', but…
Since the timing was right, I figured I'd ask.
I discreetly let the plush doll peek out of my pocket.
'Braun. The employee standing next to me right now.'
– Ah, you mean your tall supervisor, the handsome one, right?
'Yeah. What does he look like to you?'
– Hooh.
A short pause, as if inspecting closely.
– Eyes, nose, mouth, and hearing organs all perfectly intact!
'…As a lizard?'
– Lizard? Haha, Mr. Roe Deer, you're quite cheeky! Who are you trying to tease? Calling someone a lizard, really!'
"..."
Even Braun doesn't see him as a lizard?
Could it be… I'm the only one who sees him as one?
"Kim Soleum-ssi."
"Yes, Squad Leader."
I resolved once again: never utter the 'lizard' part of 'Chief Lizard' out loud.
"Let's go."
Squad Leader Lee Jaheon began walking toward the elevator.
Feigning composure, I followed him and asked,
"Should I return to the office?"
"No."
Hm?
"…Then, where are we going?"
"We're heading to a restricted area accessible only to supervisors and above."
"...!"
"I'll explain how to use it."
It's here.
* * *
In this company, the higher an employee's rank, the more privileges they gain.
These privileges include benefits, capabilities, and even access to specific locations.
"Now that you've been promoted to supervisor, Kim Soleum-ssi, you are authorized to use three additional facilities."
Standing in front of an annex, I accepted a folder of documents from Squad Leader Lee Jaheon.
1- Security Team Rentals Warehouse
2- Annex (two free equipment customizations per year)
3- Fox Counseling Office
"From now on, you can withdraw equipment from the Security Team Rentals Warehouse."
"..."
"You can also customize exclusive equipment in the annex using Twilight-Class Darkness without having to be escorted by a superior, and, if necessary, register for sessions at the Fox Counseling Office."
I was already aware of these benefits.
And I also recognized some of the newly unlocked spaces from the
A mix of satisfaction and thrill washed over me.
And anticipation.
'There are more ways to survive in this insane world now…!'
But everything comes with its drawbacks.
Better treatment implies greater expectations from employees.
And in this company…
'Danger.'
In a corporation that deals with ghost stories, areas accessible only to high-ranking staff often imply risks that civilians cannot handle.
Just like this.
"Additionally, supervisors in the Field Exploration Team are assigned one specific Darkness to manage."
"..."
Exactly.
Aside from my squad responsibilities, I now had to directly manage a ghost story myself!
"Although management is generally done collectively by a squad, the primary responsibility falls on the individual employee."
Delegating responsibility to field workers.
How very corporate. It's like getting a taste of familiar 21st-century workplace dynamics…
According to Squad Leader Lee Jaheon, the longer your tenure and the higher your rank, the more Darkness you are assigned, and the more dangerous it becomes.
Fortunately, I was still a rookie.
"Since you've been promoted to supervisor in under a year of service, you'll be assigned an F-Class Darkness."
Huuu.
"Manage it according to the schedule, and register any anomalies in the inspection report."
"Yes, sir."
It wasn't a situation where complaining would help, so instead of wasting energy whining, I decided to conserve my strength and pray for something meaningful.
'Please! Please assign me a normal low-grade Darkness!'
If it turns into some quiz show horror scenario, I might as well quit and start preparing for the Disaster Management Bureau exam!
Then, I heard something surprising.
"I get to choose?"
"Yes."
Squad Leader Lee Jaheon said he would present a few candidates, and I could pick from them.
"Is that how it usually works?"
"No."
The lizard stared at me intently.
"It's my discretion."
...?!
So, he was using his authority to give me some flexibility in choosing…?
This lizard?
"Thank you so much for your consideration. But… may I ask why you're doing this for me?"
"It's a reward."
"Pardon?"
"It's a reward for finding the correct escape route in a B-Class ghost story and guiding D-squad to return unharmed."
"…But Squad Leader, you also saved my life from the usher machine."
"That's a matter of responsibility."
The lizard spoke matter-of-factly.
"A squad leader is obligated to protect their squad members to the best of their ability."
"..."
Wow. A genuinely good boss… right.
'I was almost moved.'
If I were a fresh graduate just starting out, I might have postponed my resignation plans for at least a month.
No wonder Assistant Manager Eun Haje and Supervisor Park Minseong always try to speak well of our squad leader, even when they seem exasperated.
Even I felt a vague sense of wanting to do my best under this leadership.
"…Still, thank you."
"Yes."
After bowing my head slightly, I followed the lizard to the isolation chamber for the F-Class Darkness.
It wasn't a scenario I had anticipated, but it was shaping up to be a very favorable one.
'If I handle this well, it might even turn out to be a win.'
The
What did that mean? It meant that since various creators contributed while adhering to the rules, the grading criteria for Darkness could vary slightly depending on the source.
'Even within the F-Class category, there can be items with incredible potential.'
As long as you know the correct way to handle them, that is.
And through the
If the Darkness in front of me was one of those documented in the records…
"These are the three F-Class Darknesses."
I looked up.
Before me were three objects:
An old teddy bear.
Two black cards.
A model airplane.
"...!"
'I know all three.'
Jackpot.
– Ah, what a shabby and unsightly doll.
Braun muttered in a tone that hinted at some displeasure. Was the influence of the 'good friend' causing him to be wary of the doll?
– Well, the time has come to make your choice, Mr. Roe Deer!
I hesitated briefly, considering my options. Then, I reached out my hand.
"Sir, I will take responsibility for this Darkness."
-x-X-x-
"Ah, Roe's back!"
"Yeah. Did you get your regeneration potion safely?"
"Yes."
As I returned to the office, I greeted my superiors who had already finished their lunch and were lounging around.
However, their expressions stiffened as they noticed the translucent, reinforced plastic box in my hands.
They immediately sat up straight.
"...!"
"Wait, is that your assigned Darkness, Roe?"
"Yes, that's correct."
I lifted the transport box to show its contents.
Inside, two black cards clicked softly.
It was the F-Class Darkness I had chosen.
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story
[The Dilemma]
: A ghost story featured in
: Daydream Inc. identification code – Qterw-F-2073
Two plain black cards, 60mm wide and 110mm tall.
When the owner flips these cards at midnight, images appear on the front. These images are randomly chosen themes from the Major Arcanas of Tarot.
Events depicted on the cards will come true in the future.
========================
Although it was a low-grade Darkness, small and portable enough to be managed by a single employee…
It was, in fact, the most dangerous and unpredictable of the three options I had been given.
Because it dealt with the future.
My superiors, recognizing this, wore grave expressions.
"That's a bit harsh for a rookie."
"Exactly! Don't they usually assign something easier? When I was a rookie, I got a radio. You saw it on your first day too, didn't you, Roe? That one ended up being downgraded to Twilight-Class, even."
Ah, that radio.
So it was managed by Supervisor Park, huh.
No wonder it was left so openly in the office.
Supervisor Park spoke with some concern.
"Maybe they have high expectations because you're doing so well, Roe… Oh, Squad Leader!"
Chief Lizard, who had just entered the office, turned his head at the sound of his name.
"You mentioned letting Roe choose his Darkness directly—when was that supposed to happen? Has it already happened?"
"Twenty minutes ago."
"...?"
"...??"
"It was chosen twenty minutes ago."
My superiors turned to me.
"Roe."
"Yes?"
"You picked that from the options the Squad Leader gave you?"
"Yes."
I nodded without expression.
"They're offering overtime pay."
"..."
"..."
"This Darkness requires regular nighttime management, you see."
My two superiors exchanged wistful looks.
"Ah… I see."
"Hmm, that's so you, Roe."
And just like that, they regained their calm.
"..."
Where is my reputation even headed?
Should I be happy that my character profile is developing so successfully?
Sniffle.
Holding back tears, I turned on my computer.
"Are you registering it now?"
"Yes, I'm entering my employee ID."
On the intranet, I navigated to the 'Unassigned Darkness List', found the code for my Darkness, and registered it under my account.
Done.
Qterw-F-2073 : Kim Soleum (Supervisor)
And with that, I officially had my own assigned Darkness.
"Even if it's F-Class, it's still a supernatural phenomenon. Be careful when managing it."
"Yes."
I read through the management instructions for the Darkness.
It was exactly what I already knew about this ghost story.
[Flip the cards at midnight / once a month]
* * *
A few days later, at midnight.
I was working a night shift at the company annex.
"You're working hard."
The staff member at the desk, dressed entirely in pitch-black clothing, nodded slightly and unlocked the hallway for me.
Following the path, I reached the designated door and opened it…
"Well, here it is."
Two black cards lay before me—my task for the night.
Carefully, I stepped into the room, closed the heavy metal door behind me, and approached the card storage case.
I retrieved The Dilemma and placed the cards face down on the circular table provided in the room.
– Are you doing a reading? Occult verification was always a favorite on talk shows! Now, Mr. Roe Deer, why don't you take a peek at the future?
This was slightly different.
"It's not about seeing the future."
– Hmm?
"It's about making a choice."
========================
Interpretation
A pair of mystical tarot cards that reveal their symbols when flipped. After viewing both cards, the user shall choose one, and an event matching the chosen symbol will occur in the near future.
However, the event must be something plausible within the user's everyday life. (Winning the lottery, for example, cannot be done.)
========================
That's right.
These cards allow the user to choose between two possible near-future events.
Of course, it's not always a good thing.
I reached out and flipped the two cards on the table.
As if by magic, elaborate illustrations appeared.
The Devil. The Moon.
'Damn.'
Just like that.
– Oh dear. Neither of these is traditionally considered a particularly positive symbol!
Well, depending on the context, they don't necessarily have entirely negative meanings either… but overall, they do lean that way.
In other words, when both options are bad, all you're doing is picking which unfortunate event to add to your life.
Considering that over half of the tarot deck can be interpreted ambiguously or negatively, the odds of this happening were at least one in four.
But…
– Have you decided which one to choose?
"Yes."
I was going to do this a little differently.
I moved around to the opposite side of the table.
'This way, naturally…'
From the opposite side, the cards appeared upside down.
If I picked up a card in this position…
– Oh, reversed orientation!
I looked at the card I had drawn, now upside down.
'They say you should never do this during a proper reading.'
As expected of an F-Class Darkness, its power wasn't overwhelming, and it had plenty of loopholes that allowed for tricks like this.
'Even if the trick fails, it usually just reverts back to being a plain black card.'
So, I decided to give it a shot, and it seemed to have worked out.
Now, the card I chose was…
– The Moon! Ah, the symbol of confusion!
I stared at the reversed Moon card, with a pale yellow full moon hanging upside down.
– The Moon typically represents mystery and uncertainty. In the absence of the Sun, vague shapes and doubts grow under the moonlight, eventually giving way to madness.
– However, reversed, it suggests the opposite, doesn't it?
Hmm.
'So something becomes clear?'
– Quite promising! The resolution of uncertainty! Doesn't that bring peace of mind?
Agreed.
'In this insane world of ghost stories where it's hard to see even a step ahead, anything certain is welcome.'
– Is that the end?
"That's it."
I carefully placed the cards back where they belonged.
Readings were done only once per month.
This means the event will happen sometime this month.
While the scope of events is clearly limited to 'everyday' occurrences, my 'everyday' involves working at a ghost story company…
In that sense, it might actually be quite helpful for survival.
'Even if it's not, locking in at least one slightly positive outcome for the future isn't a bad thing.'
Having an assigned ghost story that's more of an asset than a burden isn't so bad.
I decided not to get too greedy…
Thud.
"..."
A sound came from outside.
This was the annex.
It's where relatively safe Darknesses were stored—mostly Twilight-Class, occasionally F-Class as well…
But in the end, they're all still ghost stories.
Thud.
Occasionally.
Very occasionally, if a management failure results in an unexpected incident… people can die. Easily.
I stood in front of the iron door.
'…How far away is that sound coming from?'
Should I wait here, or…
BOOOOOOOM!!
"...!"
I immediately opened the heavy iron door and ran.
It definitely sounded like something had exploded!
-x-X-x-
'The odds of survival are higher if I run out of here rather than being trapped inside.'
I sprinted toward the entrance, intending to escape through the main door, but…
The floor was already partially destroyed.
"..."
– Oh dear! What a mess this is.
A flood of wild possibilities raced through my mind.
But then, I saw someone standing in the middle of the broken lobby floor, their foot firmly pinning down something shattered.
"...!"
It was the black-clad staff member from the front desk.
Judging by their stance and the way they seemed to have 'subdued' the Darkness…
'They must be a Security Team member!'
The situation already seemed resolved.
The sounds I had heard earlier must have been the noise created while the Security Team handled the situation.
'So they don't just let anyone sit at the annex front desk.'
I hesitated, then spoke from about four meters away.
"Is there anything I can help with?"
The black-clad staff member shook their head.
Thank goodness…
I'd better get out of here quickly.
"Well then, I'll be on my way."
The staff member looked at me briefly, then reached over to the desk and picked up something.
A post-it note.
Have a good evening.
So they're surprisingly sociable, huh?
"Thank you."
I bowed politely. The entirely black-clad desk worker gave me a slight nod in return and stepped back to sit down at their desk.
The shattered fragments of what appeared to be the medium of the Darkness, likely some kind of glass, sparkled on the broken floor.
In the reflection of the shards, I briefly noticed the shadow of the staff member's leg twist unnaturally, making their foot appear like a cloven hoof… ŔåΝȯ₿Ęȿ
…and then return to a normal human form.
'Phew…'
Let's not dwell on it.
Avoiding eye contact with anything, I exited the annex.
"This is just… unbelievable."
These bizarre incidents feel so routine.
'I guess fixing one positive daily event into my life was a good call.'
Life was tough and exhausting, but it felt like I was managing to navigate through it somehow, and that gave me a bit of comfort.
Come to think of it, I once communicated in writing just like that desk staff did.
[Have a nice day ^^]
It was during a face-to-face transaction on a secondhand market where I sold cursed food for 40 million won.
I even communicated in writing to hide my voice back then.
I'd sold the churros given to me by the blue dragon mascot from that theme park.
'I still have one more bag of those churros.'
I don't plan to sell them unless absolutely necessary, but… hmm.
I realized that I actually have quite a few food-related items in my possession.
My inventory wasn't bad.
'Maybe it wouldn't hurt to sell one or two and turn them into cash.'
If someone's still looking for them, that is.
Since the thought struck me, I decided to check Salmon Market.
To my surprise, another post had been uploaded.
--------------------
[Buying : Food from Paranormal Phenomena]
For research purposes
Strong preference for food originating from Fracture-sanctioned phenomena (according to the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau's classification)
40.0
--------------------
– this guy doesn't get tired of trying, huh
– lololol at this point, getting scammed is on this rtrd ryt?
Hmm.
'If they've already used the previous churros for research…'
I sent a message.
[BlueFriend: Hello, sir ^^ I've secured more food. Would you be interested, by any chance?]
* * *
And so, two days later, on the weekend.
Once again, I found myself waiting for a secondhand market transaction partner at Exit 5 of Gwanghwamun Station.
'Trust really is important in business, huh?'
Because I had met their expectations last time, this time they set up a meeting with no fuss or unnecessary questions.
In fact, they were already waiting for me at the exit.
Like last time, they were dressed in dark clothing, complete with a hat and mask.
I recognized them by the drink box they were holding. Well, I was dressed similarly, so I couldn't exactly judge.
[Hello ^^]
I opened my notepad again and showed the greeting message.
The buyer, seemingly expecting it, didn't appear surprised.
[Here is the item I prepared.]
Inside the box I handed over were two cookies from the Alice Picnic Set.
Why did I choose these? Simple.
'The expiration date's coming up.'
Like most snacks, these cookies had a shelf life!
Because they were items that diminished or exaggerated effects based on usage, they weren't often needed, so I still had several left.
However, since the drink from the Tuesday Quiz Show had been such a lifesaving item, I couldn't bring myself to part with it. Instead, I opted to let go of the cookies.
'Cookies are harder to use anyway.'
It seemed like a waste to just let them expire without being used.
Using expired items? I didn't even want to imagine what could happen.
Anyway, I presented the item and waited for the buyer's reaction.
The buyer, just like last time, ran a gloved hand over the box before shaking their head slightly.
"This isn't exactly what I was looking for."
Hmm. As expected.
'It didn't seem like it would meet their Fracture-sanctioned standards.'
Mass-produced items like this have relatively low risk and feel more passive, so they're different from the bizarre objects directly retrieved from high-grade ghost stories…
'A bit disappointing, but oh well.'
Still, it was worth trying to negotiate.
"In that case, I'll purchase them for half the original price each."
Thank you for the smooth transaction.
'If this person finds out about the existence of the alien shop, would they be so upset they'd try to kill me?'
Just in case, I decided to lay some groundwork.
Hastily, I scribbled something in the notebook.
[Thank you. I really needed the money.]
"..."
[These don't seem as dangerous as other foods, but since the expiration date is close, I suggest conducting your research soon. I'll add a couple more for you.]
I then slipped a small packet with one or two extra cookies into the bag.
'Think of it as a bonus.'
This was a trust-building move to encourage continued transactions. It was supposed to be for negotiations, but it came in handy here.
At this point, I felt like I was an exceptionally considerate secondhand seller. In a ghost story world, even more so.
As I was about to leave, holding the cash-filled drink box handed to me by the buyer, their voice called out to me.
"Excuse me."
Hmm?
"How do you acquire things like this?"
Hmm.
[I'm afraid I can't tell you. My apologies.]
That should suffice.
It's a platform for trading supernatural items—everyone has their stories. Better to let their imagination fill in the blanks.
'The alien shop is one of those places where, unless you've seen the ad for it yourself, it just redirects to a nonexistent page.'
I was preparing to bolt if they pressed further, but instead…
"..."
The buyer pulled a pen from their pocket and wrote something on my notebook.
"If you ever find yourself in danger, contact this number."
Huh?
"Then, bye."
The buyer left, and I looked at the note.
1717 8282 42
"...!"
'This is a government number.'
It was a direct emergency assistance hotline for the Disaster Management Bureau.
In short, the ghost story equivalent of 911.
'So they were connected to the government?'
No wonder they used the terminology commonly associated with the Bureau.
I shrugged and carefully secured the cash and the notepad.
Daydream Inc., being the awful mega-conglomerate that it was, had a notoriously bad relationship with the government.
As an employee of such a company, there was no way I'd ever need to call that number.
'Definitely not.'
Yup. Nuh-uh.
And yet!
That very evening, when I returned to the company dorm…