Package Reception Desk (2)
Creaaaaak.
The door swung inward with an unnaturally smooth motion. It was a reception desk straight out of a horror tale—ordinary yet bizarre, with a faint, insidious whiff of blood in the air.
Feels kinda familiar somehow.
If I had to put it into words, it was like the postal service's bold red logo had come to life. Of course, instead of friendly clerks or mail carriers, it was packed with monstrosities.
At this point, I was starting to get used to these horror stories. As long as they didn't hit out of nowhere, it even pumped out some dopamine. With the strategy already locked in my head, I was actually looking forward to it. Maybe I was destined to tango with horrors from the start.
"Haaaah..."
Han Yujin drew in a deep breath without realizing it.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Her heart pounded away.
A cheap, tinny BGM like something from an 8-bit game console clashed hilariously with the gruesome scene, adding a layer of dissonance. At the same time, a notification popped up on the smartphone Yoo Se-rin had handed over.
D Company Logistics Center, Ground Floor 1 Logistics Reception Desk - Entry Complete
Unlike Han Yujin, who had stepped confidently into the reception desk, Yoo Se-rin muttered with a face drained pale as a ghost.
"This is insane, insane..."
Walking into a "No Entry" classified zone with her own two feet? Her eyes caught Han Yujin smirking at the corner of her mouth. Was this monster not scared of horrors at all?
Authentication photo completed.
Han Yujin was even crossing her fingers for a perfect authentication shot. And then her lips curved up further. A confident, utterly trustworthy smile brimming with assurance.
Yup. Not scared at all.
If I were a horror, that person would terrify me.
Seeing that look again, Yoo Se-rin and the rest of the group felt that overflowing confidence rubbing off, and they stepped forward.
Han Yujin herself was just a gallery addict grinning at all the reactions.
The result? The entire survivor group entered the no-entry horror logistics reception desk.
At the same time, Han Yujin's demeanor shifted.
"Let's get moving."
From here on, even tighter rules reigned. First things first—there was something to do right away.
That was...
0. Reception Desk Entry and Waiting
0-1. Upon entering the reception desk, head to the [Number Ticket Dispenser] on the left side of the entrance.
The number ticket dispenser is located on the left when facing away from the entrance—not on the right or front.
The screen displays three buttons: [Shipping], [Pickup], [Inquiry].
— Issue a ticket matching your purpose.
— The [Inquiry] button does not work. Pressing [Inquiry] three or more times will cause the machine to recognize you as escaped cargo and sound an alarm.
She glanced to the left of the entrance...
But suddenly, her vision darkened. A massive shadow loomed overhead.
...What the hell?
Han Yujin craned her neck with a creak to look up.
And then.
"That's far enough."
A voice like crushing lead boomed out. Overwhelming pressure. A hideous burn scar covering half his face, and an empty eye socket.
Why the hell is this guy here...?
Han Yujin froze in shock. And rightly so—the figure standing there was Lee Kanghyeok, section chief of Unique Company's Field Team 3.
"Yoo Se-rin."
His voice grated like rusted metal.
"Y-Yes, sir! Ch-Chief! What brings you here...!"
Yoo Se-rin's earlier smugness vanished; she snapped to attention like a soldier.
"Why are you and these people here?"
"Th-That... um."
Instead of the stammering Yoo Se-rin, Han Yujin spoke up.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that? Isn't this a Unique Company no-entry zone?"
Lee Kanghyeok tilted his head with a creak. Han Yujin met his piercing gaze head-on.
"You're a civilian, right? I don't recall seeing a regular with guts like that."
"You're Unique Company staff? Never seen anyone so full of style over substance."
"Interesting."
A faint scoff escaped his stone-cold face. Was that a laugh? Like a robot or something.
As Han Yujin stared in disbelief,
"A prophecy."
"...What?"
"One of the anomalies the company holds prophesied a fragment of Cthulhu here. That's why I'm here."
An anomaly that prophesies? And they hold it? What kind of insane company was Unique Company?
"So. Why are you here?"
While Han Yujin pondered Unique Company's true nature, Yoo Se-rin rushed over and whispered desperately.
A total sycophant's whisper.
"U-Um, Yujin? I dunno why he's talking so much, or maybe he likes you? No way that psycho likes anyone? What the hell?"
"Spit it out. Get to the point. Can't think straight?"
"You're the one who couldn't think straight."
Yoo Se-rin shot her an aggrieved look. Han Yujin pointed at Lee Kanghyeok instead of answering. His blank, pissed-off expression. Yoo Se-rin felt unfairly wronged. You didn't answer fast enough, so why am I getting scolded?
Anyway.
"He usually leads with fists over words. Best to talk it out as much as possible."
"Duh. Obviously."
Han Yujin's look screamed why state the obvious? Doubling Yoo Se-rin's grievance! You zoned out first! Sycophants had to swallow their injustices, though.
Ignoring Yoo Se-rin's woes, Han Yujin faced Lee Kanghyeok and answered.
"Seemed like the easiest horror to escape from, so here I am."
"All guts, no brains."
"...?"
What was with the sudden rudeness? Han Yujin blinked in confusion; Yoo Se-rin gaped in horror. Lee Kanghyeok calling someone brainless without throwing a punch? First time ever!
Did he really take a liking to Han Yujin? Some kindred spirit thing between meatheads? Tetos recognized tetos, after all—Lee Kanghyeok actually admired her straightforwardness.
Yoo Se-rin, overflowing with confusion, would never get it.
"...Fine. No need for useless variables mid-mission."
Lee Kanghyeok, the ultimate teto, smoothed his furrowed brow.
"You're dead meat anyway—might as well be useful. Follow my orders from now on. This isn't a playground for rookies like you."
He declared unilaterally and moved to take the lead. Han Yujin blocked him.
"Hold up. Why should we listen to you?"
The air froze. Yoo Se-rin paled and tugged Han Yujin's sleeve.
Are you nuts?! He's a psycho!
But Lee Kanghyeok just sneered.
"Need a reason?"
He jerked his chin at Yoo Se-rin.
"Yoo Se-rin. Kneel."
"P-Pardon? B-But...!"
"That's an order."
"...Ngh!"
Yoo Se-rin's face twisted. Her body betrayed her will. Her legs buckled with a thud, knees hitting the floor.
"Unique Company contract clause...! Junior staff must obey on-site orders from senior field agents...!"
Her mouth recited the lines like a forced playback.
Lee Kanghyeok's gaze shifted to the middle-aged woman.
"You're temp staff."
"Ah... Y-Yes... Aaaah."
The mother staggered toward the wall as if pulled by invisible strings.
Lee Kanghyeok eyed Han Yujin again.
"Still need a reason? I control more than half this group."
Hmm. What the hell? Total cheat. Wonder if I can do that with my contracted people. Gotta call Slave No. 1 when I get back and test it. Kang Ye-rin felt a random pang of injustice at home.
Anyway, Han Yujin reluctantly nodded. Lee Kanghyeok nodded back and commanded.
"Movement order: Middle-aged woman up front. Then yellow-eyes. Yoo Se-rin. You. Move in that sequence."
"Wow, using the auntie as a bullet sponge. No Confucian filial piety in horrors?"
"Unique Company hires temps like her with fat paychecks exactly for that. Complaints?"
"Nope."
Han Yujin raised both hands. Lee Kanghyeok issued orders with satisfaction.
"Then proceed left per protocol."
The moment they moved, the anomalies at work halted unnaturally in unison.
"————"
"————"
"————"
They turned their heads with creaks toward them.
A clear warning sign. The group barely stifled screams, hands over mouths, at the terrifying sight.
"...What?"
Lee Kanghyeok muttered, frowning.
"We followed protocol perfectly. Why?"
Han Yujin beamed sweetly.
"Hmm. Gotta be this. You screwed up protocol, pissed off the anomalies."
"......"
Sarcasm dripped from every word.
"Think the leader's wrong. Nah, probably just a slip-up."
"......"
A vein throbbed on Lee Kanghyeok's forehead—pop.
"Even a thickhead wouldn't botch from the entrance. No matter how thick. Head. Ed. Right, Se-rin?"
"P-Please stop. For real. Please."
Poor Yoo Se-rin fidgeted between the anomaly, Lee Kanghyeok, and Han Yujin. Her back was breaking amid the monsters. And with Lee Kanghyeok clenching his fist, it might literally snap.
Han Yujin smiled radiantly at the scene.
"Guess I should lead. Right?"