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 ↩
"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 was basically a cheat!
'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.
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
The wearer earns 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 's signature products. A magic potion. 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 murallike 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.