One of the many offices in Daydream Inc.
A small curly-haired employee sits at a confrerence table in the neat space.
"Hmm hm hmmm~"
An elite member of the field exploration team who is already wearing a dolphin mask on their head.
A few of the materials spread across the table which she was reading were of the special tasks assigned yesterday.
Then...
"Hello, Deputy!"
Lee Seong-Hae raised her head.
As the door opens, an employee enters and greets her warmly.
"MY name is Kang Yi-Hak. Oh, but you can call me Pony!"
"Yes, hello"
It was an employee who knows Lee Seong Hae.
If you were to survive for a year after joining this company, many employees will gradually start to remember each other.
There is also something that serves as evidence of your survival.
Promotions.
"Oh, are you a manager now?"
"Yes, yes. We all got promoted together. It's nice to not have to worry about promotions ahaha."
Kang Yi-Hak smiled and patted their chest.
That's right.
About half the new recruits from the field exploration team who survived safely without dying or quitting were appointed as managers almost all at once just before the selection of new employees this year.
Of course, some of the employees who did exceptionally well were promoted two or three months earlier, but... Kang Yi-Hak wanted to refuse it at first.
This is because she realized.
'There's no need to create a job that will cost you money!'
Isn't it careless to hope that something will be given if you do well?
This was not a structure where you could earn more money by getting promoted first, or that a good darkness would fall in your lap.
Of course, if the rewards were mkre substantial... I mean, if they were giving shiny gold or some green, now that's a different story!
The small increase in salary was a loss in the grand scheme of things.
Thanks to this, she was able to suppress the feeling her dopamine receptors craved reward for only short-term gain...
'I think some people just want to be a boss first...'
Kang Yi-Hak recalled someone's attitude after being promoted before her.
An employee with a goat mask who is always wearing an eyepatch, Baek Saheon.
The employee was so obsessed with information regarding items and from the start, roasted his superiors, and eventually git promoted first.
'It seems like you're investing quite boldly in extracting information from your superiors!'
Recently though, he's become a little quieter. Its clear he realized that investments are best made in the dark.
And when I think about it, other people come to mind.
People who are no longer in the field exploration team at the headquarters.
"Ah~ originally, there was someone who became a manager really quick, someone who was very exemplary... Do you remember?"
Kim Soleum, Kim Youngeun
The two of them nodded, thinking if the same employees.
"Thats right. They were good people, it's disappointing..."
As if she felt truly sorry, Lee Seong-Hae frowned.
Kang Yi-Hak smiled as much as she coukd then changed the subject.
There's no need to be sad if you're not even getting paid!
"Congratulations on yoir promotion~ I heard that you were newly appointed to B squad"
"Oh, that's right."
Lee Seong-Hae nodded.
"Hahaha, what's it like in B squad?"
"Well, the company's work is the same"
However, the information about the elite teams is worth money!
Kang Yi-Hak soften her tone as if to please her.
"Oh, but the people you work with have changed, if you have anything to say, feel free to just tell me..."
"Uh, me?"
"You don't have to. Yep!"
Don't nag your superior! Again, there's no need to make her feel bad!
Especially if it's rumored that she was sent to B squad after losing her C squad members in the dark!
'Think long term! Long term perspective.'
Kang Yi-Hak quickly sat down and fixed her posture.
"Then I'll start reading!"
"Yes yes"
After the pre-work small talk finishes and the work material is all read and familiarized...
"Hello"
A member of the research team appears.
Someone to brief them on today's work.
When Kwak Jaekwang, the manager of the research team, and leader of another department arrives, everyone gets up with moderate courtesy.
"Have you read all the material?"
"Yes, that's right!"
"Hey~ Even if our elite agent is like that, Manager Kang is quite fast. Is it because you're a manager now?"
"Ahaha, thank you"
No. This is because I found a way ti make extra money.
Kwak Jaekwang knew thks, but anyway, he smiled and looked back at the two of them before doing the most important thing.
An introduction to the darkness that holds his right to life and death.
"Then... This is who you will be working with today"
The office door opens.
A being covered in black smoke emerges.
The strange bone-like horns that are as stand out like a crown and the yellow lantern like eyes that shine through the black security uniform.
Lee Seong-Hae's eyes widened at the familiar appearance.
The owner of the Golden Flower Resort!
"Masco... No, security team staff!"
To see you again like this!
Lee Seong-Hae, who had a wide smile on her face stood up and approached him.
"Its so good to see you! How have you been?"
The staff if the special department in the security team looked down at the other without moving.
One eye seemed to stare at the researcher for a moment, but then he bowed his head towards Lee Seong-Hae and raised his hand.
QUESTION: Current health status?
"Im always healthy!"
As always, the staff was still friendly and nice!
"As expected of the elite team's Lee Seong-Hae. You even know this strong looking security team member!"
Then, Kang Yi-Hak who had quickly grasped the situation, approached.
"I'm really glad to meet you, I would appreciate it if you could call me Pony, staff!"
She reached out for a handshake.
"..."
"..."
Oh boy.
I made a mistake.
The moment that eerie thought passed through her head, a gloved hand emerged through the black smoke and held her outstretched hand.
"...!"
The other party surprisingly accepted the handshake.
However, a strange sense of crisis crawled up Kang Yi-Hak's neck.
It's cool
My spine is tingling
A warning bell of danger, power, and greatness shot her a wakeup-call from her Instincts.
.....
But it also feels somewhat familiar?
It seems we've ran into one another in a darkness before...
"Well anyway. It's difficult for him to just walk into the broadcasting station, so we called you two field investigation agents"
However, before Kang Yi-Hak could think of anything, the handshake ended and work-related briefings started.
Kwak Jaekwang smiled and told everyone why the field exploration teams were called.
I need two people who are used to the darkness but not too contaminated.
"The employees who originally assisted the staff were the security team, but they can't give out during the day. Haha!"
As always.
Since this darkness occurred in the broadcasting station where the public's attention is focused, cooperation from the relevant parties is necessary for proper verification.
Its difficult for the security team members who are too conspicuous or can't go out during the day to naturally go to the forefront.
Lee Seong-Hae smiles at the researcher who explains 'I have already contacted a PD'
"Then we're securing dangerous darkness from the broadcasting station!"
"Thats right!"
"Great!"
If Daydream Inc. Secures the darkness, ordinary people will no longer be caught in dangerous situations.
Lee Seong-Hae gladly welcomed this job.
Soon, the transportation method for the security team will be introduced.
"Now, he will be inside of this, so you can carry and move it."
As if it were a lie, the two watched as the security team member got 'stored' in the black crate. They felt a strangeness similar to what the felt in darkness.
They were also given communication devices in case of emergencies.
A small walkie talkie.
"A radio that connects to security team personnel... well if there is an emergency, you can press it."
The researcher laughs saying kf he were a newbie, that alone would have made him nervous.
A light test will be held.
Sweet.
[Hmm... can you hear me]
"Yup. Sounds good
This is I squads Pony, and B squads Dolphin! Thank you."
Silence
[... B squad?]
"Yes."
[....I see]
[Hm... Be careful... Don't drop him...]
The man with a languid tone explained slowly.
How to call the security team if something goes wrong, and how to simply communicate with the staff inside the carrier.
[When agreeing... knock once... If he doesn't agree.... knock twice.]
"Oh. Understood"
Kang Yi-Hak noticed.
Kwak Jaekwang was holding back a snicker while watching the security team and Lee Seong-Hae talk on the radio.
But that didn't matter!
Kang Yi-Hak who realized there was no smell of money right away immediately turned their head away.
This smells like money.
A carrier with the staff.
It was dark, black, and cold. It had a strange presence even when it was just laying in the floor.
"Haha... should I carry it? Shouldn't this be a subordinates job?"
How much would it be?
What if I could take this carrier and smuggle it somewhere?
It is said that there is a darkness somewhere inside the annex that will return its weight I'm gold if you offer something fun to it... but what will happen if you offer this mobile carrier?
Kang Yi-Hak approached the carrier.
"..."
The dolphin, who had been watching closely, opened their mouth.
"Hey."
"...Yes?"
"I'll take the carrier"
"...Yes!"
Lee Seong-Hae took the carrier.
It was cold and light.
There was a large darkness inside, but Lee Seong-Hae stroked the iron fence without hesitation.
"Are you comfortable?"
Knock
"I'm glad!"
She hummed and hugged the carrier tightly
They all then headed to the scene.
Ti the broadcasting station.
***
"I. That's. You're.... The people from that company.... Right? Daydream?"
"Yes, yes"
They were guided to the entertainment bureau's editorial office through the pre arranged entrance for staff.
There, a PD with dark circles and a nervous expression greeted them alone in a secret room in the back.
He takes a deep breath and continues, believing that the identity that Daydream Inc. used when it was necessary to perform supernatural work in the private sector was a legitimate one.
"I never thought I would meet people who specialize in this kind of thing... Is this really some kind of exorcism?
"
The PD calmed down a little, perhaps because the two people in suits and masks gave off a strange sense of trust.
Yet, his face remains pale. His emaciated face is etched with worry and fear.
No. It's not just the PD. The main writer, the two assistant writers and even the lighting director they met on the way here all had poor complexions.
Something to this extent...
"Well, you roughly heard the story right? Regarding the current situation..."
Lee Seong-Hae recalled.
An internet post attached to the materials on the table.
An eerie urban legend circulating among people.
[Has anyone seen this man on the PBS program? (Note the photo)]
=============
Does anyone remember PBS?
I'm sure the kids in school now have heard of it.
It was an old broadcasting about 20 years ago, but is now a defunct channel.
Until about twenty or thirty years ago, PBS aired a lot of popular entertainment shows at the time: "Sarangbang Sports Festival," "Family Rising," "Hot Talk Talk," and "Happy Saturday Night."
=================
Various images are attached.
Large, colorful subtitles, low picture quality, exaggerated audience reactions and sound effects.
Looking back now, it may seem a bit outdated, but it also evokes a strange sense of nostalgia. Various entertainment scenes from the 2000s.
There was one thing in common.
Each one has a large cast.
==================
There are entertainment shows that have a lot of people on TV.
When a panel comes out and a special feature appears, dozens of participants, or even hundreds of audience members, react, and that's captured through sound or screen.
It was really popular before observational variety shows and YouTube content became popular. I heard that there are still quite a few people who miss it. On the other hand, there are many who dislike it because it's distracting and tacky... Anyway, that kind of entertainment was most predominant those days
However, during that time, there was something that spread to the PDs in charge and the editorial office officials.
Look at this
(Photo)
===============
It was a photo that seemed to have been captured from a video of people competing in an sports competition on a set in the shape of an old-fashioned house.
The Sarangbang Sports Festival. That's the PBS variety show just described.
And the photos don't end there.
After that, photos that seem to have been randomly captured from different entertainment shows continue to be displayed.
Family floats, hot talk talk, happy Saturday night...
And at the end.
==============
Did you notice?
==============
I'll show you all the photos again but with red circles to show you.
One person.
===============
It's the same person.
===============
A man with pitch black eyes is looking at the camera.
He wears a hat and has a smile that doesn't bear his teeth.
================
This man was seen among the cast, audience members, and people on most of the entertainment programs aired on PBS.
The person who was editing it thought something was strange, so he looked through the film and found it really existed.
And as I talked to people, I realized something...
This guy definitely only appears in episodes with the number 6.
==
There is an explanation at the photo of the photo
==
To be exact, there was a rumor going around that it only appeared in episodes that ended in 6.
Spooky, isnt it?
But, well, there are so many ghost stories in the broadcasting industry. Ghost sightings are also common...
So, it was just talked about among the people involved, and at the time, it was published in places like ghost story magazines.
I guess it was just a rumor among the general viewers.
But of course, the same person would continue to appear on these entertainment panels or in the audience.
But then, something strange happens.
==
A newspaper article is attached.
An incident in which the airing data was blown away due to stress power outage at the broadcasting station
==
The power outage caused problems with saving the edited footage. There were also issues with documentaries and news.
But... this is what's important.
Among them, I think there was the final edited version of Hot Talk Talk Episode 166.
In the end, episode 166 was just aired as a compilation of highlights from the previous episodes....
and
Things get weirder from here on out
I saw that guy in every highlight reel.