Jang Heowoon.
This peer, who had received the codename 'Bison', was originally someone whose gloomy expression didn't quite match his large build. Even during the new recruit orientation, he was the last to receive his mask, covered in blood, and had been assigned to the Round-Off Team where he endured work that bordered on workplace harassment.
But after surviving in a chaotic and insane pharmaceutical company, it seemed like he was finally becoming a bit tougher…
"I hadn't heard anything after the last word that you'd gone missing, since I've been infiltrating the Disaster Management Bureau… But it's really great to see you again like this."
Surprisingly, he even seemed calm now.
'…Maybe the Disaster Management Bureau suits him better too.'
Though, judging by the way he kept glancing at my empty right arm and growing visibly pale, he probably thought it'd be rude to bring it up.
This is one of those times where I should ease the tension. I deliberately waved my empty sleeve lightly and gave a wry smile.
"I just got unlucky on my first mission and got caught up in something tough. But the bureau's taking care of it, so I think I'll be fine."
"Ah… I see."
For some reason, I could feel a strange look from Go Yeongeun, but I let it slide for now.
"I heard you were assigned to the Site Cleanup Team, Heowoon-ssi."
"Ah, yes."
Jang Heowoon's expression brightened a little.
"Well, sometimes I have to see… some horrific things, yes, but…"
Ah, right. The Site Cleanup Team usually deals with cleaning up all the messes.
"Everyone's been kind and understanding since I'm new, so thankfully, I've been adjusting well."
That was good to hear, but his expression darkened slightly again.
"It's just… so I'm even more concerned."
"Pardon?"
"From what we were told earlier, we're supposed to steal documents about a really dangerous ghost story… and I'm just wondering… if we're really okay with that."
"…!"
"The Disaster Management Bureau truly acts with a sense of duty to counter paranormal phenomena, and I'm worried we might cause major harm."
Hmm.
"If that's the case, would you quit?"
"..."
I already knew the answer without hearing it.
—No.
Only people that desperate for a Wish Ticket would end up in a situation like this.
I knew that in different circumstances, they wouldn't act selfishly. Especially thinking about the compassion and determination Go Yeongeun had shown back in Looky Mart.
But there's something inside these people—something they won't compromise on.
…Yeah.
'If nothing's going to change anyway…'
Then it's better to at least choose the path that gives you some peace of mind.
"I think it'll probably be okay for us to take it."
"…! R-Really?"
"Yes."
This was the truth.
"The company wouldn't dare to carelessly mess with such a high-ranked ghost story. And besides, we're not even taking the ghost story itself—just the information."
Of course, Daydream Inc. wasn't after it for noble reasons, but as far as the Dark Exploration Records went, that Annihilation-sanctioned Disaster hadn't done any further harm to humanity.
…Because it was already as harmful as it could possibly be.
"As long as we don't go overboard and steal an entire supernatural disaster under government control out of excessive loyalty to the company, we should be fine."
"Ah, y-yes, of course…!"
The real thing to worry about was something else.
'I'm worried they'll just toss us aside after the job's done…'
…Would Director Ho really not discard us once we'd outlived our usefulness?
Once I got the Wish Ticket, I could go back to where I came from, so I didn't care much.
But the other two, if they wanted to continue living in Korea, needed to be more careful not to get marked by the bureau.
Hmm.
"First of all, let's make sure we don't slip up and use the wrong names. Shall we share our agent codenames?"
I pointed to myself.
"I'm 'Grapes'. And you, Heowoon-ssi…?"
"Ah, I received the codename 'Hwagak'."
"Hwagak?"
"Yes. They said it's a traditional lacquerware technique using cow horns… I, uh, was recommended for it."
Fittingly, he ended up with a cow-related codename even here.
"I'm… 'Mint'."
And then Go Yeongeun-ssi spoke up as well.
"It was used as medicine in the past, and I didn't want to choose a name that stood out too much."
"I see. It's a good agent name."
Then, as we exchanged brief updates, a warm atmosphere lingered for a moment.
Oh, and we'd even received our vitamins.
"The Preliminary Investigation Unit has a bit of an individualistic atmosphere. But when I came back after going missing, my superiors gave me vitamins as a welcome-back gift… You two should have some too."
"Ah."
"T-Thank you."
Honestly, if this were a normal company, they'd be coworkers I'd be more than satisfied with.
…If we weren't spies for a deranged pharmaceutical company, infiltrating the government in a ghost-story universe, that is.
'Huu.'
I gave a brief update about myself as well.
"…! You're being discharged within a week!?"
"That's right."
The wound where my right arm had been severed had quickly stabilized and was healing well—perhaps due to some sort of supernatural treatment at the Disaster Management Bureau–affiliated hospital.
'A rough estimate… one more week of hospitalization and I'll be returning.'
"And as soon as I'm discharged, I'll be serving as a temporary agent and experiencing various assignments for three weeks. If we happen to run into each other, I look forward to working with you."
"O-Of course!"
I'm definitely going to the Site Cleanup Team. I'll be in your care, Heowoon-ssi…
Just then.
"Um, Soleum-ssi. About that discharge…"
"Yes?"
Go Yeongeun-ssi suddenly spoke up.
"You'll be receiving psychiatric counseling before being discharged, right? I mean, since you were seriously injured in what's essentially a survival situation… I thought they'd also check for psychological trauma."
"Ah, yes. I think they'll refer me to someone… Don't worry. I'll be careful not to leak any intel during it."
"..."
But Go Yeongeun-ssi shook her head.
"We're already under this restriction thing anyway, so we can't leak anything. I think it'd be better if you just spoke honestly."
"Understood. Thank you."
"...Yes."
She gave a small nod.
"And now that we 'officially' know each other within the bureau… I'll act like I'm visiting you in the hospital and pretend to exchange numbers. That way, it won't be weird if we message occasionally."
"Sounds good. Ah, Heowoon-ssi—let's create a natural excuse when we see each other next."
"Y-Yes…!"
That's how we laid out our future protocols.
1- Create a natural point of contact outside the Fox Counseling Office.
2- For critical or urgent matters, contact via anonymous messenger while disguised as spam messages.
"Then, I hope to see you again, safe and sound."
"Yes. Definitely…"
As I left the Fox Counseling Office, I held back a sigh.
'Spy work really isn't for the faint of heart.'
Especially with a boss like that.
If I wanted to survive more safely, I'd need better preparation. I'd already resolved to be fully prepared—if only to avoid running into another disaster like Looky Mart.
'Alright.'
One week left until discharge.
'Time to prepare everything I can.'
And the first step was this.
I checked the message I'd sent just before entering the counseling room.
[Squad Leader, are you available for a call this evening?]
A fast, concise reply had already come in.
[Yes.]
D-squad's leader, Lee Jaheon.
A reply from my former supervisor.
The goal was simple.
'The plush I brought back from Looky Mart—Lee Jaheon had one just like it.'
It was definitely the same item I'd seen on his desk. And I was convinced it was a usable item.
Safety and effectiveness.
I could have both.
If it were dangerous, he wouldn't have just left it sitting on his desk at the office.
And considering the true identity of that lizard, there was a high probability it was no ordinary object—but a powerful one.
Even without overthinking it, if a section chief of the Field Exploration Team had it on his desk, obviously it'd be something useful in ghost stories!
'Alright.'
Only one thing left.
'I just need to figure out how to use it.'
Chief Lizard would give me the answer!
And a little while later, we were on the phone.
With a pounding heart, I asked immediately…!
"Squad Leader. That lizard plush on your desk—what kind of situation have you used it in?"
– ? None.
"..."
Wait a minute.
That offhanded denial… don't tell me.
"You… You've never used the lizard plush at all?"
– Yes.
"…You didn't purchase that item, Squad Leader?"
– Yes.
"..."
I'm screwed…
'N-No.'
Let's narrow it down further. Like this.
"Do you know how to use the lizard plush?"
Please.
Please…!
– Yes.
Phew.
Thank god.
"I've managed to get one of those plushies myself, but I have no idea how to use it. I'd appreciate it if you could tell me the specific purpose."
And finally, I added, "…It wasn't purchased from the Space Shopping Mall."
I blurted it out because I felt guilty.
'I haven't even been able to set foot in that place since I don't have any money…'
Anyway, Lee Jaheon remained calm.
– Yes.
And he explained it without a hint of hesitation.
– It's an educational reptile plush used for ecology lessons.
"..."
Huh?
"An educational toy?"
– Yes. When fed appropriate food, it shows a molting process after eating.
"..."
– ...
"..."
I barely managed to ask,
"Is the shed skin perhaps a defensive item?"
– No.
"...Like, if you feed it an item or blood, does it display some unique ability or…"
– No.
I want a refund.
'Fuck…'
So why the hell did you leave it on your desk and confuse people?!
'It's just a glorified food disposal toy!'
Of course, I couldn't scream at a laser-eyed alien lizard, so I managed to say, "I see. Thank you for the information."
– Yes.
Yeah. This was all my fault for betting on some weird possibility from that deranged supermarket. Haa…
'It was really just a toy, huh.'
In the end, I gave up and changed the topic.
"It's been a while since we last talked, sir. I'm sorry for contacting you through a call instead of visiting in person."
– It's fine. This way is safer.
Was he being considerate, worried that the Disaster Management Bureau might find out I was a spy?
"Thank y—"
Just as I was about to say thanks, That emotionless voice gave me a completely different reason.
– Director Cheong has discovered your whereabouts.
"...!"
Excuse me, what?
– Director Cheong suspects that your disappearance was fabricated, and that you've actually been working for Director Ho since a month ago.
Goosebumps crawled down my spine.
Wait.
If she believes my disappearance itself was faked…
'Then she likely thinks I betrayed her and teamed up with Director Ho from the beginning.'
Cold sweat ran down my face.
"…Would she retaliate against me because of this misunderstanding?"
– Yes.
I swallowed hard.
– So be careful.
"Understood."
I made up my mind.
'As soon as this spy mission ends, I'm out.'
I wouldn't waste a single second.
As soon as I got that Wish Ticket, I'll bolt straight out of this damn company.
I'm going back home!
"Thank you, sir."
I thanked him and ended the call with Assistant Manager Lee Jaheon. Then, I saw another notification pop up on my smartphone.
[Baek Saheon: Pardon me.]
[Baek Saheon: Are you not going to buy info?]
My former company dorm roommate, who now brought me gossip and intel from said damn company.
[Baek Saheon: Do you have no need for intel?]
Hmm.
I sent a message.
[Feeling confident, are you?]
But no reply came.
Guess he doesn't have anything yet.
'Then I'll leave him alone until he's got something worth bragging about.'
Let him squirm and scrape together more intel.
'Truth is… I don't really have any items worth trading for it right now anyway…'
Not that I plan on staying broke forever.
Didn't I just say it? I'm getting prepared.
'…And I just heard something concerning too.'
– It's completely worn down.
Director Ho's ominous remark.
'If my silver ring's mental protection has run out, that's dangerous.'
Thankfully, I hadn't recently felt any desire to dive into a ghost story or bind myself to one.
'Unless I start having nightmares of going back there…'
Still, I should prepare just in case.
I briefly considered stopping by the Fox Counseling Office again, but ended up canceling the idea due to a bad feeling.
Unlike last time, I had a clear reason now.
'…It's definitely connected to Director Ho.'
It was best to avoid it for now.
And besides.
'It doesn't have to be there. A few more places are open to me now.'
That's right. I was now also an 'agent of the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau'.
With my new position, there were more places and organizations I could visit without raising suspicion.
"Let's see…"
I rested my chin on my hand.
With 10,000 welfare points, I could afford Dream Essence of A-grade or higher.
And now that I had agent status with the bureau, there was somewhere I could try.
"Hm."
I stood up from the café I'd been sitting in, pulled my hood over my head, and started walking.
Toward a ghost story's gathering place where real occult items were traded.
What I was looking for was…
'The manhole from which a human arm emerges.'