A moment later.
I dialed the number Assistant Manager Eun Haje had given me. It was an internal company line that connected directly to Director Ho's private office.
[Hello.]
"…!"
"Good evening, Director Ho."
The moment the call connected, my superiors fell silent.
I continued speaking as calmly and respectfully as possible. "This is Supervisor Kim Soleum—I went missing a month ago. I've only just managed to escape the Darkness and am reaching out now."
[Wow. Hello, Soleum-nim! Have you been well this past month?]
…The response was unsettlingly casual.
It was the tone one would use to chat with an old acquaintance. Slightly warm, even a little cheerful. It sent a chill down my spine. That was not how anyone should react when a supposedly deceased employee suddenly called out of nowhere.
'This guy isn't normal.'
I would have preferred to contact Director Cheong Dallae instead, but that wasn't an option at the moment.
So, I listened to what Director Ho had to say.
[I'm truly relieved that you didn't actually pass away. It's wonderful to hear you're safe.]
"Thank you."
[But isn't this situation quite troublesome for you? If you return like this, you'll suffer a significant loss in points…]
Of course, he already knew.
'He's speaking as if it's already a given that the company will charge me for the costs of my 'rescue'.'
As the Director of the Development Department, he could have easily prevented this from happening—but instead, he was only sympathizing, making it clear that he had no intention of helping.
Not that I expected him to.
I had already made my decision.
"Yes. That's why I wanted to discuss something with you." I deliberately paused for a beat before continuing, keeping my voice steady. "Director, is the offer you previously extended to me still valid?"
...
[Wooow, Soleum-nim.]
[What a brilliant idea you've had!]
His bright, almost delighted voice hit me like a downpour. [You want to join my project, have your disappearance classified as classified project work instead of unauthorized leave, and avoid any losses in company points—correct?]
Goosebumps ran down my arms.
Beside me, Assistant Manager Eun Haje clenched her fists. [That's such an excellent strategy!]
I couldn't bring myself to say thank you.
It wasn't gratitude I felt—it was pure, instinctive wariness. This wasn't just a well-aligned conversation. It was as if I had stepped into a deal with an otherworldly creature. [1]
[And of course, it's possible.]
"Thank you—"
[That means that, from this moment onward, Supervisor Kim Soleum is officially a member of Director Ho Yoowon's newly established project team. This verbal acceptance is being recorded as part of this call. Welcome aboard!]
"..."
It felt like I had just been pressured into signing a highly questionable real estate contract after barely five minutes of looking around.
"I truly appreciate your generosity. However, I had intended to consult with you, not to immediately declare my intent to join…"
[Ah, of course.]
[Then, shall we meet in person?]
"…I would greatly appreciate that. However, as you know, I am currently unable to visit the company in person due to my circumstances."
[Ah, I expected as much. In fact, I was thinking it would be best to meet elsewhere.]
What a surprisingly accommodating response.
'…Where exactly does he want to meet?'
I vaguely imagined a private dining space, perhaps a discreet meeting room. But then—
[The Fox Counseling Room.]
"…!"
What?
[How does that sound? Warm and pleasant, don't you think?] [I'll send the nameplate through Assistant Manager Eun Haje.]
"..."
Slowly, all of us turned to look at Assistant Manager Eun Haje.
'Didn't she say she had been reassigned to a role where she had to avoid company surveillance?'
Yet, Director Ho spoke as if he already knew she was right here.
[Please wait just a moment.]
"…Understood. Thank you, sir."
The call ended with polite farewells.
And then—
Rrrrrring!
Assistant Manager Eun Haje's phone immediately buzzed. She glanced at the screen, then held up the display so we could all see.
[Caller ID: Director Ho Yoowon]
"..."
She answered.
"Yes. Yes, sir… Um. Understood. I'll return immediately."
Click.
"You heard that, right? That man is not normal."
Assistant Manager Eun Haje pulled the phone away from her face, shaking her head.
"The Fox Counseling Room… He'll dress it up as 'a comfortable place for Soleum-nim to receive counseling in case of contamination, while also having a discussion,' but really? He just wants to establish dominance over the conversation."
"..."
"Roe."
She lowered her phone, looking visibly unsettled.
"It's my firm belief that, even if it means taking a longer route, it's better not to get involved in Director Ho's project. Losing the points is painful, but… damn it."
In the end, Assistant Manager Eun Haje ran a hand through her hair and sighed.
For the members of the Field Exploration Team, company points were practically as valuable as their lives. She knew exactly how much they meant.
"I'll bring back the nameplate for you, but don't let things slide too easily. Find a way to wheedle yourself out of this and don't let the director pull you in. …You're good at talking your way through things, so I believe in you."
"Yes."
I nodded.
"I'll be careful and listen to what he has to say."
"Good."
A short while later.
Assistant Manager Eun Haje returned from the company and handed me the item Director Ho had promised.
A nameplate I was now quite familiar with.
Fox Counseling Room
Huu…
"Roe, if things feel off, just bolt!"
"Thank you, Supervisor."
With my superiors' encouragement and advice, I attached the nameplate to a random door.
And for the first time in a long while, I stepped into the Fox Counseling Room.
Note/s:
[1]
The 'otherworldly creature' that Soleum likens Director Ho to is actually '요괴 (yo-gwe)', which is similar to the Japanese 'yokai'. These creatures include the Korean goblin (dokkaebi), Sangun-nim, the changgwi, and other such entities. ↩
Creak—
"..."
Previously, this door had led to a changing room.
This time, a different space lay beyond.
A waiting room?
A small space where one could chat or undergo psychological assessments before a counseling session.
It was simple and cozy, with a few ivory-colored wooden chairs and a cypress table, giving it a rustic charm.
However, the actual counseling room's door was firmly shut. A sign was taped to it.
Closed for the day ^^
(Please take your nameplate back with you!)
Wait, if that's the case…
Tap, tap.
"Hello, Soleum-nim!"
I nearly passed out.
I turned my head.
A young man, wearing a bright and kind expression, stood there, having just tapped my shoulder.
Director Ho Yoowon.
He smiled like a benevolent host and gave a slight bow.
"What a coincidence! The Fox Counseling Room is closed today, so we won't be interrupted. Isn't that just perfect?"
"...Yes. Thank you."
How the hell did he know the counseling room was closed?
'It almost feels like he has some kind of connection to this place.'
Better not dig into that.
I needed to keep my focus.
Right now, my priority was recovering my company points.
"Shall we take a seat?"
"Yes. Thank you."
I took a seat across from the director in one of the comfortable waiting room chairs.
The whole situation felt completely surreal.
'Huu.'
I poured some of the green tea provided in the waiting room and placed it in front of him.
Director Ho thanked me but said nothing further.
He simply smiled.
He's waiting for me to start the conversation.
Fine.
"Director, I can't help but feel hesitant about joining your project. I wonder if I'd even be suitable…"
"Oh my, to think you'd feel that way. What exactly is concerning you? Over the phone, it sounded like you were interested."
Stay calm.
Right now, I'm not involved.
If I refused to return, I'd remain a civilian, which meant the director didn't have as much leverage over me as before.
I had more room to push back.
Folding my hands together, I spoke.
"Yes. I'm afraid of dying, sir."
"…!"
"Losing my points would be painful, but if I die before I can collect them, it would mean nothing."
"Aha."
"If this project is more dangerous than the Field Exploration Team, then I don't see the point in taking the risk. Frankly, I'm considering only two options—either I return to my original position, or that I'll resign entirely."
"I see. Wow. You're truly smart!"
"..."
Was that sarcasm?
But his face remained unreadable, his expression as earnest and goodnatured as ever. "And I think that's a very good question. 'Is Director Ho's classified project more dangerous than the Field Exploration Team?'"
"..."
"My answer to that is…"
Director Ho smiled.
"It's not dangerous. In fact, you could even say that it has a higher survival rate."
"…!!"
"Oh, of course, some tasks could be riskier depending on circumstances. But at the very least, the job I'm offering you right now? It's nowhere near fatal."
"…I assume you can't provide more specifics."
"That's right. This is all I can share for now."
Director Ho looked at me with a seemingly regretful expression before adding in a soft tone, "But I can assure you that your circumstances will be much better, and that this job has a higher survival rate than your previous one!"
"..."
"So, will you be joining the project now? Just a heads-up… after this, our team will be finalized, and we likely won't be able to take on new members."
So this was my last chance.
I looked at Director Ho, deliberately hesitated for a few seconds as if I were deeply contemplating my decision…
And then, I nodded.
"I want to do it."
"Oh! Fantastic!"
Not I will—but I want to.
A phrase that left me with room to back out at the last moment. Fortunately, Director Ho didn't seem to mind. In fact, he clapped in delight. He was so pleased that he even refilled my cup and placed fresh green tea in front of me.
It didn't feel like a gesture of kindness—it sent a chill down my spine. "You've made a truly excellent decision. Really. I told you—the working conditions have actually improved."
"…The working conditions, you say."
"Yes. It'll be much more comfortable for you."
Director Ho took a sip of tea and smiled, his eyes narrowing. "After spending a month in that Darkness, you must have endured quite the ordeal. It would be difficult for you to enter another high-grade Darkness so soon."
His voice remained warm and gentle, as if he were just looking out for me. "So I thought… why not try something fun instead?"
Something about that phrasing…
There was a strange nuance to it.
"…Something fun, sir?"
"Yes! In other words, the job I'd like you to do is…"
And then, as if it were the most casual thing in the world— Director Ho revealed the utterly ridiculous 'task for Supervisor Kim Soleum' that he had in mind.
"I need you to infiltrate the Disaster Management Bureau."
"…!!"
"I suppose you could call it spying?"
Director Ho gave me a playful wink.
"You'll be slipping in under the identity of a newly recruited agent. It'll be a completely clean record, and you'll be officially hired."
Holy shit.
"You'll blend in, live among them as an agent… and then, you'll retrieve information on a specific supernatural disaster they manage. Simple, right?"
I gulped.
"And what exactly is this supernatural disaster you want me to investigate, sir?"
Director Ho raised an eyebrow slightly—before giving me another goodnatured, amused smile. "Not questioning how to do it, but rather asking what the target is first. Just as I expected."
"..."
"We'll go over that later. The first priority is ensuring your successful infiltration…"
His gaze shifted, subtly assessing me.
"And personally? I don't think there's a better candidate for this job than you, Soleum-nim."
"..."
…Had he figured it out?
That I already had some level of connection with the Disaster Management Bureau?
That I even possessed an item from their organization?
I forced myself not to think about the Silver Heart still resting in my pocket.
'For some reason, it seems like Director Ho Yoowon has a deep grudge against the Disaster Management Bureau.'
For now, it was best to keep my mouth shut.
And just when I thought the surprises were over— "Oh, and since I figured it'd be a bit lonely for you to go in alone, you won't be infiltrating by yourself."
…Excuse me?
"…Who else is going in, sir?"
For a moment, I thought of Assistant Manager Eun Haje—but the answer I received was something I never could have predicted.
"Two of your fellow new hires will be going in with you."
"…!!"
"Would you like to see for yourself?"
Director Ho handed me a document—most of it blurred out, except for the names and department affiliations.
I glanced at the page.
Field Exploration Team, R-squad— Go Yeongeun (Employee)
Field Exploration Team, F-squad— Jang Heoun (Employee)
The only two names among my peers who might actually be able to blend into the Disaster Management Bureau…
Director Ho beamed.
"Well then, Soleum-ssi."
His voice was practically cheerful.
"I'll be looking forward to your spectacular performance as a spy for the Disaster Management Bureau!"