I met Section Chief Lee Jaheon, who had escaped the Groom ghost story, the very next day.
The agents had secured permission for an outing to the suburbs under the condition that no civilians were nearby. We headed to an old park, and at the pavilion, someone was already waiting.
Ho Yuwon.
"Welcome, Mr. Roe Deer!"
The Director, who had once again gotten ahead of things and secured the spot, somehow knew we would be discussing the Segwang Metropolitan City exploration.
And sitting in a formal posture right next to Ho Yuwon…
"You said you needed additional personnel for the exploration project, right? Since Mr. Roe Deer seemed to be looking forward to meeting you, I brought him along immediately."
The familiar Lizard looked at me with his vertical pupils.
"Mr. Roe Deer."
Section Chief Lee Jaheon.
>Greetings and well-being check
"Yes. I have returned to the company."
Judging by the circumstances, it seemed he had looked for me the very day he was rescued, but considering my situation, it seemed like he set a time to meet me gently.
'As expected of a superior in this era….'
He possessed a very different character from other Directors.
Section Chief Lee Jaheon was not shaken even when seeing me in my rather bizarre Security Team state.
He had already seen this appearance once — back when we entered the Resort at the Pleasant Theme Park — and even then, Section Chief Lizard had recognized me immediately and treated me exactly the same.
Just like now.
"After your return, have any other unusual circumstances occurred with Mr. Roe Deer?"
>No unusual circumstances
"Confirmed."
And even Deputy Manager Eun Haje started the conversation as if nothing was amiss.
"Well, it's been a while since I saw you, and your face is glowing, Chief. Ah– that was a metaphor. A metaphor."
"? Yes."
At this point, it was an extremely heartwarming and friendly Lizard-style conversation.
However, it seemed the agents found the scene rather peculiar….
Agent Choi barely managed to join the conversation.
"Phew, I know, right? You look so dashing. Citizen."
"Yes."
"...Haha, you remember us, right? We're the agents who suddenly dropped into your company's headquarters~ Thank you for taking the rescued children to the restroom."
"Yes."
"...."
"...."
"Grapes-ie, are you sure he's willing to participate in this exploration?"
This was less a question and more an expression of reluctance, but Lizard answered honestly.
"Yes."
"...."
"...."
Agent Bronze finally spoke.
"Uh… are you answering knowing exactly what this entails?"
Lizard replied as if it were obvious.
"No."
"...!?"
Ho ho ho….
Before Agent Bronze could spiral further, I floated letters with smoke.
>Request: More detailed explanation
"Yes. As I received help from Mr. Roe Deer for my rescue, I judged it ethically correct to accompany him in a similar rescue operation. I will determine the exact tasks required during the process later."
In other words, it was to repay my help.
'Section Chief…!'
In fact, as someone who had already received compensation from the alien reptiles, including Lee Jaheon himself, I was both grateful and deeply moved.
And it seemed the nuance got through to the agents, even through the Lizard's blunt phrasing.
"...huh."
"See?"
Deputy Manager Eun Haje nudged Agent Choi, who had an expression of 'This is okay?'.
And I added to it.
>Additional good deed by Manager Lizard:
>Rent payment during 130666's disappearance period
Manager Lee Jaheon was even paying my rent!
"Oh? Rent payment?"
Yes!
I desperately conveyed through smoke that 'When I received the Wish Token, I entrusted all my remaining items to Section Chief Lee Jaheon and asked him to pay the rent with them if possible.'
'It's like borrowing storage space, so calling it rent should be fine.'
"Wow, I knew Chief was rich, but he did that much for Mr. Roe Deer? And he's not even charging you now that Mr. Roe Deer is back?"
That's right, Deputy Manager Eun Haje. That's precisely what's truly admirable….
"I see. I will do it now."
....
...?!
"The converted value of the items Mr. Roe Deer entrusted has been fully deducted as of last month. The currently accumulated debt is 2.3 million won."
Ah.
"...."
"...."
Everyone's gaze turned to me.
I desperately floated smoke.
>Request: Extension of period
Please.
>Repayment of the debt after this exploration
>Scheduled to receive project performance bonus
>Payer: Director Ho Yuwon
Please wait a little until I extort money from Ho Yuwon.
And also.
>Project allowance payment target:
>Including Chief Lizard
Since the Section Cheif can also receive it, please just a little.
"Yes."
Thank you!
And Ho Yuwon, who had watched all this, said with a smile.
"It's truly heartwarming to see. If you perform the exploration diligently, of course, we must pay you."
"Oh~ As expected of Daydream Inc. Director, only caring for his own company's people. Wow!"
"It's quite shameless and hypocritical of the Disaster Management Bureau to covet additional compensation, calling it a side job…."
"It's hurtful to talk about side jobs. Legally earning money from Supernatural Disasters is the agent's way, hmph…. Well, let's say I'm helping citizens in trouble."
Even though he said that, Agent Choi didn't seem to be genuinely expecting to receive money; his intention seemed to be to preemptively prevent Ho Yuwon from demanding equipment or supplies from the Disaster Management Bureau for the exploration.
'Is he trying to sort things out before we go?'
Before re-entering Segwang Metropolitan City.
[Hmm, it seems like a new story is about to begin.]
That's right.
Chief Lizard was recruited as an additional member, and the sharpness of the hostility towards Ho Yuwon was somewhat smoothed out.
I had also finished explaining Segwang Metropolitan City to Manager Lee Jaheon. So, at the very moment the rescue operation was about to launch.
Manager Lee Jaheon, who had grasped the situation, made 'that' remark.
"...Additional personnel?"
"Yes."
Recommendation for additional personnel.
And that person was….
"Baek Saheon?"
"Yes."
"...Mr. Roe Deer's colleague? That fawning, slippery fellow?"
"Yes."
"What kind of person is he, exactly?"
To Agent Bronze's question, Deputy Manager Eun Haje rested her chin on her hand.
"Hmm, Old Man. Doesn't the keyword 'Daydream Inc. employee' bring up prejudiced representative images in your mind?"
Terrible personality, self-preservation, selfishness, shrewdness….
I could already guess what words were passing through Agent Bronze's mind without him even opening his mouth….
And.
"Exactly that."
"Huh?"
"That kind of person."
A deathly silence fell over the table.
'But you recommended such a scoundrel?'
With that expression, everyone's gaze turned to Lizard.
"?"
However, Lizard did not react.
Because the method of questioning was incorrect….
>Question: Reason for Supervisor Goat's recommendation
"Because he possesses the abilities necessary for the exploration."
"Hmm, could you tell us in a bit more detail?"
"Yes."
"...."
"...."
"Uh… well. Please tell us?"
"Yes."
Only then did Manager Lee Jaheon begin his explanation.
Agent Choi looked somewhat older and more tired.
[Mr. Roe Deer. Sometimes, sharing pain can foster familiarity.]
Yes. It's fortunate that it has at least that effect….
"I understand that the exploration site consists of a noose that induces strangulation, the bodies of suicides, trees, and a dense fog that is difficult to discern with the naked eye."
"That is correct."
The faces of the explorers who met their deaths side-by-side by the nooses chasing them in the strange fog of Segwang Station slightly stiffened.
"Therefore, I predicted that if we recruited someone who could secure adequate vision to distinguish these elements within the fog, the movement of many would be significantly easier."
"...!"
"So, does this person named Baek Saheon possess adequate vision?"
"Yes."
I immediately recalled.
Baek Saheon's trait.
>Wearing a semi-permanent device in place of his lost left eye:
>Vision that distinguishes danger
"...!!"
"Considering that extracting only the eyeball and implanting it into one of the exploration personnel would be difficult, I propose the plan to recruit him."
People's expressions changed.
They had grasped that it was quite plausible.
"Hmm. Indeed… most of those kinds of devices at the Bureau borrow the vision or senses of a gifted individual."
"Yes. If it's a situation where a completely new body part has been implanted, the judgment is likely to come out as belonging to the individual."
However, Agent Choi shrugged.
"But would someone with that kind of personality join a rescue mission?"
That's where–
>Method: Superior's orders
"Oh."
Everyone turned to Ho Yuwon.
He smiled faintly.
…It was the expression Deputy Manager Eun Haje had worn when she requested Manager Lee Jaheon's assistance, expecting something from this Fox.
'You need him for the Segwang Metropolitan City exploration? Then of course, I'll kidnap him immediately.'
Yes.
That's the expression.
***
'Fuck!'
Baek Saheon was cursing internally.
No, he could only curse internally.
He was being moved somewhere, gagged and covered with a cloth!
-Supervisor Baek Saheon, Director Ho is calling for you.
Upon receiving that request, he went up to the Director's office and ended up in this crazy situation.
'...Am I screwed?'
The intuition of someone who had worked at a deranged ghost story company screamed.
Fearing he might be dragged to the research team, he was sweating profusely, anxiously looking for a chance to escape for several minutes.
The movement stopped, and the cloth covering his head was removed.
"...!!"
And what appeared before his eyes.
'What– what is this.'
It was the Fox Counseling Room.
More precisely, people wearing masks were sitting at the waiting room table of the Fox Counseling Room.
Two of them were people he knew.
The Lizard mask and the Falcon mask.
'Wait, wait a minute.'
One was someone who had been missing and returned yesterday, and the other was someone who had already resigned.
At that point, Baek Saheon had a thought flashing through his mind.
'Director Ho's project team?!'
It was the existence of the 'Project' that was only rumored among Director Ho's circle. Supervisor Baek Saheon had also heard of it.
'Are they trying to draft me for the project?'
But the next moment.
Baek Saheon recognized the attire of the two people sitting in the shadow of the table.
'...Disaster Bureau!'
They were government agents. However….
The agents were wearing masks.
'What is that?'
-We cannot expose our agent status to individuals who are dangerously untrustworthy.
-Then how about you two wear masks too?
-Oh.
And so, they were hastily procured.
The two wearing the Yangban and Baekjeong Hahoe masks side-by-side looked suspicious as hell, but in another sense, they strongly exuded the aura of a Disaster Management Bureau agents.
In any case, the fact that the agents were sitting calmly and amicably with Daydream Inc. was shocking enough.
But then–
"Supervisor Goat."
"...Yes."
The person Baek Saheon was most conscious of at this gathering was Director Ho, sitting at the table.
He sat smiling with his eternally youthful face, but strangely, his eyes seemed filled with delight.
Baek Saheon was familiar with those eyes.
The eyes of a fanatic whose goal was within reach.
"Today, I have a good proposal for you, Supervisor."
"...A proposal, you say."
"I am operating a small project, and I am selecting people to join me."
As expected.
"Congratulations. Saheon, you will now be working in the project team."
Suspicious.
'Introducing me like this instead of a formal appointment?'
Isn't this like a cult?
He heightened his vigilance further, but for now, he desperately put on a smiling face.
Because he had to deceive them.
"Thank you for seeing me favorably, Director!"
"You're too kind. Shall we have you introduce yourself to the team members?"
What a joke, you son of a bitch.
Baek Saheon felt both the desire to spit on that face, which seemed to know no hardship, and fear, as he turned his head to look at the faces.
Although they were all wearing masks, he saw two agents he didn't know, besides the two he recognized.
"...."
Then, he suddenly realized.
Under the table, one of the masked agents was looking at him, clenching his fist tightly.
As if he recognized him.
But that gesture felt less like an agent facing a Daydream Inc. employee. It felt like someone who had an unexpected encounter….
...!
"You."
Baek Saheon turned sharply to look at that agent.
"You were the agent at Jisan Village back then, weren't you??"
"...."
The person wearing the Baekjeong mask looked at Baek Saheon.
A displeased aura emanated from his entire body, but it didn't matter.
Baek Saheon blurted out a question he couldn't help but ask.
"Where is the other agent who came with you then?"
"...."
"The agent who pulled out the golden rod back then."
"I have no reason to tell you."
Bastard.
After all, he was an agent who tried to leave me behind in the village. It's obvious. He's probably someone who only cares about his own business, doesn't keep promises, and changes his mind.
It was unbelievable that there was such a difference even among agents.
That is, compared to 'that' agent who communicates with paper boats….
"...."
That agent wouldn't get involved in something this shady.
'He seems to be cooperating with Director Ho.'
Doesn't it look suspicious no matter how you look at it?
Thus, Baek Saheon roughly grasped the situation.
Or so he thought.
"Ah, the last person is coming out."
Screeeech.
The counseling room door opened.
And what appeared–
"...!!"
Black smoke, gas mask, countless extending horns, yellow gas lamps. Black boots, full body uniform.
The monster of the Security Team.
'F, F-fuck.'
Is it a surveillance measure to prevent employees from escaping?
"Supervisor Goat?"
"Yes, yes."
Baek Saheon, pretending to wipe sweat, lowered his head and slightly tilted his mask to try and measure the opponent's danger level….
....
It was Kim Soleum.
"...!!"
It was happening again, just like in the Mermaid Tomb.
He appeared in a bizarre form whose true nature was unknown, once again.
Goosebumps spread all over his body.
'As expected, he wasn't human.'
Kim Soleum, who had appeared as a bizarre entity from the Security Team after being cats and children, approached the table.
Flinch.
Baek Saheon almost jumped out of his seat, but barely maintained composure, staring at the table to avoiding eye contact.
'Fucking bastard.'
This time too, he's clearly trying to keep me from revealing his true identity, to keep me quiet….
"Ah, Supervisor Goat, you're familiar with him too, aren't you? He's an employee you knew as Supervisor Roe Deer."
"...?!"
"You're colleagues. Have a chat."
Wait, wait a minute.
"The two of you are now going to be in the same team and explore the same Darkness."
Baek Saheon let out a silent scream.
"Now, shall we begin the exploration?"
Attempting to enter Segwang Metropolitan City for the second time.
30 minutes before the start.