The results of the second investigation of Segwang Metropolitan City.
"Rescue… successful."
News arrived from the Disaster Management Bureau that Deputy Lee Seong-hae had regained consciousness.
And the gimmick 'dying in the Segwang Special City Subway makes you wake up in reality' had also worked successfully.
"Everyone's relatively fine, aside from the fact that their shot-up heads hurt like hell. That civil servant woke up with a smile on his face."
The party members died in the order they were 'chosen' in Russian Roulette and woke up in reality.
"But he was smiling when he woke up, and the smile vanished once he grasped the situation."
Except for me, that is.
After that, I remained unconscious for a little over an hour.
It seemed the party members had gone through all sorts of worries, to the point where they were about to half-threaten Ho Yuwon.
"If it had been a little later, we would've been on the verge of actually planning to go right back into the Metropolitan City. Thankfully, you woke up before that…."
…Hoo.
I saw myself, back to being something other than human, wearing the black special uniform of the Security Team.
And I saw a warm and soft indoor scenery, as if bright sunlight, completely unbefitting of my appearance, was pouring in.
Fox Counseling Room.
As promised, Ho Yuwon had 'intercepted' the passage being sent to the Disaster Management Bureau through the Well and connected it to a different place.
For Hospitalization
A rest area ^^
As if newly built, a secret room connected to a corner of a cabinet next to the waiting room was this very space.
People woke up one by one on the beds in this place, which looked like a sort of hospital ward, and their names were engraved on them like charts.
For reference, right next to me, the agents who had been relieved to see me awake were now talking to Ho Yuwon in stern voices about the situation.
"How is this possible."
"You're finally talking to me! A moment ago, it was all threats, I was truly scared…."
He didn't seem to have any intention of answering the Disaster Management Bureau agent. I figured as much.
In any case, the important thing was that Ho Yuwon would obsessively do 'whatever it takes' to support the Segwang Metropolitan City investigation.
…No matter what happened in the process.
Anyway, as soon as the agents confirmed that I had calmed down enough, they tried to figure out what had happened….
"What kind of reckless thing did you do this time."
[Oh. That sounds less like a question and more like a conviction, my friend!]
Ah, no.
I hurriedly explained the situation.
At my explanation, which mobilized smoke and written words, the agents looked like they wanted to smack me on the head if I weren't a monster in a horned gas mask, but their intensity subsided when I said that Ms. Go Young-eun had run away with me.
It was the empathy of those who had already been through that kind of miserable experience.
"…Agent Peppermint helped you, you mean."
Positive
If it weren't for Ms. Go Young-eun, the probability that I would have had all my body parts stripped and been working as a dealer in there was extremely high.
And….
"Did you happen to hear why Agent Peppermint was in that disaster?"
....
"Mr. Noru? Why are you looking at me?"
Following my gaze, everyone's eyes turned to Ho Yuwon.
Question: Selection criteria for spy personnel
"I'm not quite sure why I should tell you."
Selection criteria for spy personnel
Guess: Selection of individuals related to Segwang Metropolitan City
"I'm not sure what you mean."
And he feigns a look of pity, lowering his eyebrows.
"But it's truly a shame…. It seems that person is completely trapped in Segwang Metropolitan City. Unable to escape even through death."
....
"But don't worry. It's perfectly fine for you all to help that person while carrying out my project."
That bastard.
Deputy Manager Eun Haje asked for the others' understanding and gathered just me and Manager Lee Jaheon to speak in a low voice.
"No matter how I look at it, this seems like a lure…. Doesn't it look like he's drawn a big picture to keep people tied to his project."
I moved the smoke, feeling a cold chill.
Agree
I didn't know since when or how he had drawn this picture, but I didn't think Ho Yuwon would have been unaware that Ms. Go Young-eun was from Segwang Metropolitan City.
'A guy that obsessed with Segwang Metropolitan City wouldn't be.'
What he said as soon as I woke up, too.
-Have you found a reason to go back in?
…As if he knew that Ms. Go Young-eun was trapped inside that city.
'It's the same reason he picked Mr. Jang Heo-un, who's related to the Pleasant Research Institute.'
And… even choosing me.
I have a strong feeling that he didn't simply pick employees with personalities that would pass the Disaster Management Bureau's screening.
I heard Deputy Manager Eun Haje's sigh.
"No wonder that bastard set this investigation's objective so damn carelessly. Was he planning to throw us back in."
"Haje-ssi, I can hear you."
"Yes. Go on and listen. I'm talking about my cat at home."
She was acting as if she was sick and tired of everything, superiors and all.
And apart from how refreshing that was, I had complicated feelings.
'How much has he foreseen.'
Of course, it wouldn't affect my decision.
In the first place, I had decided to continue the investigation of Segwang Metropolitan City to learn more about this ghost story worldview and the circumstances of my summoning.
But this strange foreboding and discomfort lingered unpleasantly in my mouth.
"Be careful."
Agree
There was one thing that brought relief and comfort in this situation.
The fact that I had achieved my goal.
"They say Deputy Lee Seong-hae is coming."
The fact that we had properly rescued Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae. And she was in a surprisingly sound state of mind.
"Hello. Mr. Noru!"
The very next day.
Deputy Lee Seong-hae appeared in the Fox Counseling Room, brought by Ho Yuwon.
She was said to have been released only after passing the Disaster Management Bureau's 'inspection' and providing sufficient information, but the surprising thing was that her eyes were the same as before.
Clear eyes, glinting with a green light.
"Thank you all so much!"
Moreover, there were no changes in her speech, no signs of PTSD, no distress.
Just the occasional attempt to use a dealer's manner of speaking, or inadvertently dropping her extensive knowledge of casinos.
"Um, I think maybe the contamination from the Body Casino got blocked by the containment and couldn't get out."
"No, forget the contamination, it's hard to believe you're someone whose entire body was dismembered into pieces."
"Huh? The pain is momentary. It doesn't hurt now, so why would it be hard."
She was even nonchalant.
It was all the more bizarre considering how we had suffered for weeks after getting caught in the Noose at the first station.
[Ah, like a wolf in sheep's clothing. It can be seen as an innate difference.]
That could have felt even more bizarre, but it was blocked by something else.
An unmistakably clear aftereffect.
"But, this won't move."
Her legs.
…The body parts of Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae that she couldn't retrieve from the casino wouldn't move at all.
She had even traveled to the Fox Counseling Room in a wheelchair.
"Is there any sensation?"
"Faintly? But I have strange phantom pains, and the expression 'held as collateral' is a perfect fit. It feels like my will doesn't work on them."
Visually, there was nothing wrong with her legs, and an examination would probably find no abnormalities.
But the influence was clear.
"The eye I exchanged is almost blind, too. Hmm."
'What if I hadn't been able to steal my arms and pelvis from the rail….'
…I let out an inward sigh of relief that such a chilling result hadn't come to pass.
However.
"…Grapes-ie."
Agent Choi looked at me.
"You said Agent Peppermint carried you on her back and ran? At 150-something cm tall?"
Ah.
"Come to think of it, it must be stiff to keep sitting. Shall our Grapes-ie try standing up and walking a bit?"
....
Hoo.
Legs unusable
Reason: Claimed at the casino
"…!"
Right.
The truth was, my legs wouldn't listen to me either.
This was unavoidable.
But.
"Mr. Roe Deer, are you unable to move?"
Negative:
Movement possible
That's not the case.
"Show us."
Like this.
I 'moved' to another chair without moving my legs.
"…!"
Appearing in another seat as if melting into a swirl of Black Smoke.
It was a truly inhuman sight, but for now, I had freedom of movement.
Like a ghost, I revealed my body here and there, connecting through smoke.
Ta-da.
Haha, now that I'm doing it, well, aside from the fact that it's not human-like, it's not so bad....
....
…No, wait a minute.
Did I just… use an onomatopoeia like 'Ta-da'?
'…!'
Even after seeing an acquaintance abandoned in a World-ending Class Disaster.
Calmly?
A chill ran down my spine.
'Again.'
The severity and intense emotions I felt in Segwang Metropolitan City were fading.
It was the same symptom as when Deputy Lee Seong-hae hadn't woken up.
'I was just worried about what kind of situation Ms. Go Young-eun might be in.'
…From now on, I'll have to make a conscious effort to pay attention.
The only fortunate thing is that it's not forgotten from my mind. I can still calculate and make plans.
'Still, let's be careful.'
Anyway, I stopped my demonstration and returned to the chair I was originally sitting in.
And Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae, who had been applauding my parade of tricks, wasn't finished speaking.
"But I should have said this first, I'm late."
Deputy Lee Seong-hae said, looking around at us.
"Thank you so much. You saved my life. Especially Mr. Noru, you can't even use your legs now…."
And she stares at us as if looking us over.
"But no one is resentful. Hmm."
As if confirming.
"You all… are truly good people."
Our eyes met.
"I will be sure not to forget and repay you."
"Aww, what's there to repay. But if you must repay us, how about quitting that nefarious cult-like company!"
"Ah, I can't do that."
"Hmph. What a shame."
"Well, I have no intention of refusing if I can get help sometime. More importantly…."
Deputy Manager Eun Haje tapped her own missing part.
"I think Assistant manager Dolphin might need one of these things like me."
To be precise, a device to replace her empty left hand.
That's right.
Recommendation: Obtain assistive device
Period of use: Until the body is retrieved from the casino
In this worldview, there are many ways to assist with missing body parts.
Like the left eye of Baek Saheon, who was currently sitting quietly without opening his mouth once, contemplating what to say to be safest and most profitable.
In fact, I needed one too.
'When I go back into Segwang Metropolitan City, I'll be without legs.'
Besides, there was a promise.
'We'.
The Reptilian Alien group that Manager Lee Jaheon belongs to said they would bring me something that would allow me to take on a human form.
But at this rate, it would be impossible to walk when I returned to a human form, so either way, I needed a device too.
"I suppose so, right?"
Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae smiled brightly.
"We have to go rescue Ms.Goral, too."
…!
"We have to help such a good person. I received a lot of help, too!"
And then, as if calculating, she sinks into thought before speaking.
"I guess I should go back to the company and make some equipment."
"If you're making it…."
"We're going to the Annex."
I recalled from my memory after a long time.
The Twilight Grade Darknesses stored in the Annex, which the Daydream employees could use to get equipment.
[Pleasant Research Institute's Toy Maker / Qterw-E-07]
[Kind Seed Kit / Qterw-E-99]
[Offering a Ritual / Qterw-E-404]
Among these, the one most used by the Field Investigation Team was the 'Kind Seed Kit', but this time… the others seemed more useful, even if they cost a bit more.
However.
"Unfortunately, the company is not currently supporting equipment production using the Annex's Darkness…."
"Then we can just do it secretly."
For a moment, Ho Yuwon was at a loss for words.
"What is the reason for the suspension of equipment production support?"
"They said something happened at the Annex, but I haven't looked into it in detail, so I don't know."
"I see. Please look into it."
"Keub."
I heard Agent Choi holding back a laugh from behind. It seemed Agent Bronze was hitting his back.
"…Then I'll take that as you agreeing to participate in my project, and I should help you as well. You said you need equipment?"
"Yep. Are you going to give us special permission, Director?"
"Hmm. Officially, it's impossible, but…."
Ho Yuwon smiled faintly.
"Couldn't I help you use it secretly?"
"…!"
"To do that…."
Ho Yuwon's gaze turned to me.
"We might need some internal cooperation…."
To be precise, the Security Team uniform I was wearing.
"Like a security official?"
And I already knew who Ho Yuwon was about to mention.
"Hoo."
Park Minseong finished his long day and pulled down the neck zipper of his uniform.
His workload had been increasing due to the recent commotion in the Annex.
After 130666 was drafted for Director Ho's personal work, the others who had been somewhat neglected were also being continuously mobilized.
'…Will he be okay.'
He had only heard news once, but being accustomed to an environment where people died or disappeared overnight, he was alternating between the worst-case scenarios and the best expectations….
The Security Chief, J3, was not yet present for his report, so he sat expressionlessly on the worn-out sofa in the Security Team's living quarters.
The moment he was about to close his eyes in fatigue.
"Minseong-ah."
…!
He reflexively turned his head.
"Deputy Manager…!"
A familiar face was standing behind him.
For a moment, he wondered if it was a hallucination caused by the Darkness, but the hand ruffling his hair was a definite sensation.
"It's been a while."
And the two figures visible behind Eun Haje.
"Noruya, Manager…."
It was an unexpected reunion.
Although the situation and their appearances were completely different, so it wasn't the same as before, the familiar composition made Park Minseong feel a strange sense of having returned to Field Investigation Team D for a moment….
Question: Well-being of the security team in charge of 130666
"We're doing fine…."
Slightly choked up, Park Minseong watched as the members of the old Field Investigation Team D approached and sat on the sofa.
"Now, we have something important to talk about."
Deputy Manager Eun Haje casually slung an arm over his shoulder. Just like back then.
'She used to say that a lot when we were working….'
Slightly lost in sentiment, Park Minseong smiled the biggest he had in days and looked at them.
"Yes, what is…."
"There's something we need to steal from the company."
Excuse me…?