What a strange line of questioning! Was I happy, you ask? Of course! I am an entertainer who enjoys every role…
"So, being a good friend wasn't particularly more enjoyable than any other role? Not even a little?"
The body controlled by Lee Jaheon remained completely still. Then, the giant TV screen lit up.
Ah, I see what you're trying to say.
Is it that you wish for me to become that warm-hearted stuffed toy and become your good friend once more? Hahaha!
To keep playing the happy little role of the good friend?!
Inside the giant TV, a rabbit plushie appeared, waving its hand—just like a certain moment from a month ago.
But Kim Soleum remained unfazed.
"That would've been nice. I miss it."
Oh, Mr. Kim Soleum.
The TV spoke in an exaggeratedly cheerful tone, almost mockingly. On-screen, the rabbit plushie looked around nervously before curling up in a corner.
Unfortunately, that good friend has already been torn apart and reduced to ashes! You'll never see it again!
"No, it's you."
The plush body was just an external appearance.
That's right.
In the end, the one who willingly accepted the constraints of being a good friend and moved within that plush body… was the host standing right in front of him right here and now.
Even now, displaying that rabbit plushie on the screen— 'That's you.' He was the one speaking about it himself.
"I've heard something like this before."
Kim Soleum's calm voice filled the space.
"When actors play deeply memorable roles, even after the performance ends, sometimes they struggle to fully leave the character behind."
Because.
"If the role was fun or immersive enough, traces of it remain even after it's over."
He recalled what he had seen earlier.
The host, freezing when Kim Soleum's plush body was torn apart. 'Honestly, he should've known that I wouldn't actually die just because the plushie was destroyed.'
After all, wasn't he the one who put me inside it?
Going further, it was odd for a talk show host to allow silence to linger on his show just because a guest had died.
A being like him should've simply displayed a crying emoticon on the TV screen, pretended to mourn for a moment, then turned it into material for the next segment.
Yet, if he had been startled enough to try and hold the stuffing together— That was definitely strange.
"I wondered if the same applied to you."
Oh. You mean to say that this great host who brought that role to life was affected by a mere mask he wore for a few months… You think my professionalism is that lacking?
"I don't see why doing such a thing would mean you were lacking in any way. Even great actors sometimes struggle to separate from their roles. That just means they were deeply immersed."
That is…
"It's true, isn't it?"
Lee Jaheon continued to recite Kim Soleum's words in a detached tone. "And in a slightly different way… I also found a lot of comfort in you being my 'good friend'."
How embarrassing, but I suppose I must admit it. Yes. It was a truly fresh and enjoyable experience!
It's rare to find someone with such natural talent as both a creator and a performer. Watching and meddling in your journey was an utterly unique delight…
"I see."
But.
"That's exactly why I don't want to work at this talk show anymore."
A calm voice.
"For one, this talk show scares me. It's not that I didn't find it entertaining, but honestly, it's difficult for me to work here. You know that—my personality."
Just the thought of people dying sent chills down his spine. The idea of contributing to that in any way was horrifying.
And Kim Soleum understood something else.
'Even if I try to convince him, would he—the host—suddenly start making ethical decisions?'
Absolutely not.
Just as Kim Soleum, being who he was, would always reject working as a crew member here, the host would never suddenly develop moral scruples. And the more terrifying possibility, if he lost that sense of rejection entirely, if he no longer felt any aversion to this place, that would mean something far worse.
Whether it was brainwashing or contamination, it would mean the erasure of his own identity.
"To be honest, even if you called me a partner, this whole thing was onesided. I was basically forced into your crew. The atmosphere even made me start calling you 'Mr. Host' out of habit."
A joking remark with an undeniable edge of truth.
"In that state, we can't stay friends. I'll be your subordinate if things stay like that. I wouldn't be acting of my own will anymore."
Kim Soleum looked beyond his own vision.
"And when that happens, you'll get bored of me pretty fast."
So, I have to go back. …It'll be much more fun for you that way, too.
A strange gleam passed over the surface of the TV.
Kim Soleum speculated that perhaps this was why the host had wanted to keep him working at the talk show—keeping him as intact as possible, without changing his way of thinking too drastically.
Like a steady drizzle slowly soaking someone through.
'It almost worked to some extent… but not like this.'
He couldn't stay in this creepy place forever.
But still.
"That doesn't mean we can't be friends."
And what if I'm not fine with that?
The plush rabbit inside the TV hesitated, but the host's voice grew softer, more cunning.
Look around, Mr. Soleum. See how your brutish mercenary has wrecked the set. This space, built with the sweat and tears of the staff, the cost of disrupting the broadcast…
At that moment.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Inside the giant TV, the plush rabbit suddenly sprang up and began smacking the screen with its stuffed hands.
As if protesting against his words!
My goodness, this is—
The TV abruptly shut off.
The host's massive gloved hands reached up as if trying to adjust an antenna, but the screen flickered, briefly revealing the rampaging Good Friend plush inside.
Eventually, the host sighed in frustration and withdrew his hands. And then…
It can't be helped.
Flicker.
All the stage lights momentarily dimmed.
Very well.
Before Kim Soleum even realized it, the host had returned to his prior form, standing right in front of him.
Yes… It's true that watching and getting involved in your actions was immensely enjoyable.
Who would have thought my mask would become such a nuisance…
The host spoke in a refined, almost resigned tone.
This Braun acknowledges it.
That following your unique, creative, and gripping developments was thrilling and fun…
That playing the role of the good friend was… uniquely enjoyable.
Kim Soleum realized something.
It was obvious that the one moving the plush inside the TV was the host himself.
Which meant that the rabbit's earlier outburst…
Was an extension of some part of the host that had felt that way. A lingering trace of the 'Good Friend'.
The bombardment that had stormed the talk show had ended at some point. The lights had returned, and now, in this half-destroyed set—which somehow still looked like a part of the show—Braun stood, watching Kim Soleum.
Watching the friend who had been just beyond his reach.
But now, that plush body is no more.
Ah.
Of course… A great host always has a Plan B.
With a magician's flourish, the host's gloved fingers twirled, revealing a single silver coin shimmering between them.
The Silver Serpent Coin.
The coin Kim Soleum had used to summon the 'Good Friend' before. The very item he thought had burned away along with the plush body. Kim Soleum, watching from beyond his body, was visibly shaken. "I was sure it got incinerated…"
Haha, a true entertainer must also be well-versed in magic! Just a simple little trick.
Ching.
The coin fell from Braun's hand into the front pocket of Kim Soleum's suit. The very spot where the 'Good Friend' had always stayed. A gloved finger gave the pocket a light tap.
Take it. And if you use the proper medium to call me again… I will come, Mr. Roe Deer.
Unlike the shocked Kim Soleum, Lee Jaheon coolly relayed his words aloud.
"Alright."
Oh, but this friend may not be as 'good' as before.
"So that means you still could be."
Ah, such a magician with words, Friend!
The TV screen remained dark, displaying nothing.
But in its reflection, Kim Soleum could see his own face.
And he spoke with the urge to smile.
"See you again."
A teaser for a sequel!
Not bad at all.
The host raised both hands.
Now, let's give a round of applause to my temporary crew member, who is leaving this magnificent, dazzling studio to return to the dreadful reality of his challenges!
WAAAH!!
Kim Soleum turned his head in surprise.
The audience seats were still filled. The cameras were still rolling. And on the stage screen, glowing letters read: 'Special Bonus Segment! Behind the Scenes with the Host (Sensitive Personal Information Will Be Censored)'.
'Come to think of it… we're still in a commercial break.'
So this was being broadcast too…
'He really loves his show.'
He could only hope that the crew censored his personal information properly.
Kim Soleum wasn't sure whether he wanted to sigh or laugh.
Now, it's time for the exit.
The host extended his hand for a handshake.
Kim Soleum requested the 'mercenary' controlling his body to accept it. And then—he heard it.
A low whisper.
Mr. Roe Deer.
You'd better be as entertaining as you promised. I'll be watching to see if you truly are…
If he had his real body, he might have broken into a cold sweat. But since Section Chief Lee Jaheon was in control, he simply nodded to the audience before confidently striding through the broken guest entrance and running out.
Then, have a delightful departure!
He exited the talk show set.
For a fleeting moment, he caught a glimpse of the audience. Unlike before, they no longer seemed like ordinary people, but rather, something… else. Viewers of a different kind…
It was unsettling, but strangely, he felt lighter than ever.
WAAAAAAAH!
Behind him, the lively yet eerie voice of the talk show host—his friend— resounded.
Until now… this has been Braun's Late-Night Talk Show!
***
"...!"
I opened my eyes.
The sky was dim with the first light of dawn.
A dawn I recognized… a morning of the ordinary world.
'I made it out!'
"Hah."
I took a deep breath and sprawled out on the ground.
I was lying on a park bench, somewhere unfamiliar.
'Did they leave me here?'
The feeling of freedom was almost overwhelming.
The fact that I could move my own body. And the fact that I had made it outside, safe and sound…
Everything felt right.
"Huuu…"
Did Squad Leader Lee Jaheon return properly?
More importantly, was I actually okay? I wasn't sure how I could feel this clear-headed and normal after everything that had happened. '…Wait a second. Could it be that after throwing up that churro…' Hmm. Just speculation for now, so let's set that thought aside. The important thing is.
'I escaped. After an entire month!'
"Haaaah..."
I stretched out my arms and legs.
Now what?
I lost all my company belongings—my Dream Essence Collector, my employee ID, my mask.
'I should probably contact the company firs—'
... …Wait a second.
Did I just… miss work for an entire month without notice? Which meant—
'Did they… fire me?!'
What about my points?!
The realization hit like a bucket of ice water.
I shot upright.
'My phone.'
I needed to check right now.
Screw exhaustion and relief—my blood turned cold as I scrambled to figure out a way to contact someone.
And then—
A flicker.
Above me, something shimmered in the air.
Something I hadn't seen in a long time.
Dark Exploration Records Real Merch Box
New merch unlocked! (!)
"…!"
And then—
Thud.
Something dropped into my hands.
I looked down at it, my hands trembling. It was a brand-new, unopened product, still with its price barcode attached.
A compact, high-quality item, made small to reduce costs—but still absurdly expensive due to its precision engineering.
A cylinder with metallic accents.
I knew exactly what this was.
Dream Essence Collector (Elite Team Edition)
And inside…
The cylinder was already full with gleaming golden liquid…
A glowing, golden liquid shimmered within, reflecting light like a hologram.
I held it up with shaking hands.
With a holographic glow that I've never seen before— 'This is…' A-grade or higher.