Settlement (1)
"… I'm going nuts."
Han Yujin stared down at the bizarre pattern etched into her forearm.
▷ Eternal Stamp ◁
The employee ghost had stamped it on her arm while saying that with this, everything would be free. One might think sweet, but you had to listen to ghosts' words precisely. It said "free for employees," so it might not apply to customers. Hell, using this stamp for free services might even trap you into becoming an employee. And with "eternal" in the name, it felt suspiciously sticky no matter what.
Still.
… I can just get out and never come back.
Once she settled the bill—more precisely, paid up and enjoyed a bit of thrill—this horror story would be goodbye forever. Ask her to work as an employee here?
What're you gonna do if I hunt you down instead?
Han Yujin grinned wickedly. It was a shamelessness that exceeded the ghosts' expectations.
"Miss!"
A frantic voice called out then. The mother was rushing over with a face on the verge of tears.
"I-I was so worried! Are you okay? I was scared half to death when that ghost yanked your arm earlier!"
"I'm f—"
"Manager Lee Kanghyeok said we're moving to the next stage right away, so don't feel too bad thinking we abandoned you. I was really worried."
As she spoke, the mother kept stroking Han Yujin's arm. Han Yujin hesitated awkwardly. Having grown up without parents, she had a soft spot for motherly types like this.
"I'm really fine, you could've just left me…"
"Why say it like that? It hurts my feelings."
No, really, it would've been fine if you'd ditched me. In horror stories, isn't it standard to abandon anyone left out?
…Han Yujin clamped her mouth shut, unable to voice that, and thanks to it, the mother mistook her for a tender-hearted girl.
"Sigh. A young thing like you being so mature… Must've had it rough growing up. Let me see your arm—hope it's not hurt bad."
No sooner said than the mother grabbed her arm, twisting it this way and that to inspect it closely. Her hand gently brushed the wrist the ghost had gripped earlier, and the forearm with the stamp.
"Doesn't hurt? Those damn creeps…!"
"I'm good. Totally fine."
Han Yujin tried to pull her arm away in annoyance, but the mother wouldn't let go.
"Aigoo, what if it scars? My daughter was just your age…"
The voice dripped with that special maternal affection middle-aged women have. Meanwhile, over yonder, Lee Kanghyeok glared at them with clear displeasure, looking ready to bark at them to quit yapping and move. And Han Yujin agreed with him.
"Enough now…"
That instant.
Han Yujin froze. The mother's stroking motions. Something was off. Focusing, she realized it: the mother's fingertips were pretending to stroke her forearm while drawing something on it.
T.h.e.y.r.e.w.a.t.c.h.i.n.g.
So that was the goal. But with Lee Kanghyeok and Yoo Se-rin watching, conversation was impossible. Han Yujin improvised on the spot.
"Ow!"
"Oh, my! You okay?"
The mother feigned surprise and swiftly supported her.
"M-my ribs. Guess I got hurt when the ghost pulled earlier."
"See? Can't check properly here. Let's go behind that pillar?"
They slipped naturally behind the pillar. Hidden, Han Yujin stood straight as if never hurt.
"I'm good now. What is it?"
The mother looked startled for a beat, then hardened her expression and got to the point. She seemed experienced at this too.
"Unique Company… they're after you, miss."
"I know. I just scrapped that stalker Kim Jah-ha on my way up."
Han Yujin waved the employee ID she'd snatched from him. The mother shook her head.
"That guy's Field Team 13… he's the employer who hired me, but basically a subcontractor inside Unique Company. The real deal's elsewhere."
"Lee Kanghyeok?"
"Not precisely. But definitely one of Field Teams 1, 2, or 3. Unique Company's definitely coveting your ability."
"My ability?"
"Rule-breaking. That's gotta be it."
Han Yujin snorted a laugh.
"Pretending not to know all this time, but you know plenty, huh?"
"… It's a habit from surviving horrors. Sorry if that upsets you."
"N-no… I wasn't expecting an apology."
Han Yujin scratched her head, suddenly feeling like the asshole. Still, speaking her mind was her style.
"Honestly, you seem more Unique Company than anything. No clue why you're spilling this to me. Or why you're even here, knowing all that."
"Because you treated me well."
"Huh?"
"Saved me when I was about to die, didn't try to ditch me as useless. You're the only one who's been kind despite knowing horrors inside out."
"……."
Just hadn't needed to kill her, didn't seem strong. That's all.
"And… my daughter was exactly your age. When the horror took her."
Ah. Han Yujin shut her mouth. The grief of family dragged into a horror. Something she'd probably never know. No family left, after all. And she could guess what the mother wanted.
"That's tragic. But sadly, I don't know how to rescue someone trapped in a horror. Gotta be hundreds of times harder than surviving solo."
A cold response. Yet the mother smiled sadly.
"No. It's fine. I know how to get my child out…"
"…Huh?"
Instead of explaining, the mother pulled something from her pocket and pressed it into Han Yujin's hand. Her eyes widened at the sight.
… A USB?
It was worn, scratched up here and there.
"Unique Company might chase you, but use this and you can reach a safe place."
"Safe place?"
"Takes women only. So for you, it'll be safer than anywhere."
Women only? What kind of place? USB and gender limit. Some women-only community?
"… What do I do in return for this?"
Horror newbie or not, one thing was clear: no such thing as free kindness here.
"Th-thank you."
The mother's voice trembled desperately.
"My daughter, Sia. Kim Sia. Please take her there too. I'll find her, get her out of the horror—everything. Just that. Just that, I beg you."
As Han Yujin frowned, a metallic voice rang from behind.
"You two. There."
Lee Kanghyeok.
"No time for chit-chat. Moving to the [Settlement] counter."
Han Yujin glanced at the mother. She held out the USB with desperate eyes. Han Yujin nodded and shoved it deep into her work uniform pocket.
The [Settlement] counter differed from the [Shipping] one. No employees, no counters. Just a cold metal wall with a single slot for items, emitting an eerie blue glow.
[Settlement] Counter
"Last one."
Lee Kanghyeok placed the manifest in the slot.
Fees determined by manifest item name.
Item Name: 'A Single Strand of Hair'.
Lee Kanghyeok glanced at Han Yujin. He whispered low to her.
"You sure about this?"
"About what?"
"We listed the manifest item as hair from the start. What if the package dimensions and passenger volume don't match, and we're not recognized as cargo?"
Han Yujin smirked.
"Getting cold feet now?"
"Just confirming."
"No choices here. Think what would've happened if we'd put our names as items? Probably organ harvesting for fees, like the procedures say. I could spare an eye since I've got two, but not you, Manager."
Lee Kanghyeok ground his teeth instead of replying.
"If that's not what we want, we trick the horror like this."
"After tricking? We've fooled the manifest—guaranteed we return safe?"
"That's where observation comes in. Settle it first."
"Consider it fortunate I acknowledge your ability."
Han Yujin curled her lips smugly. Talks tough, but steps up. Honestly, she might've sent others first if distrustful.
That's a real top ranker, huh.
Somehow, he lived up to his build. As Lee Kanghyeok reached the slot, settlement began.
Cargo 1 settlement starting.
Fee calculation in progress…
Fee: 7.777
Payment required.
Stand before the scanner.
Red light flashed rapidly. Simultaneously—
Whirr.
A long rod like a stick protruded from the wall.
In that moment, Lee Kanghyeok pulled a black cloth from his pocket and draped it over himself. His massive frame melted into shadow instantly. Only the tip of his extended right index finger floated in the air.
Scan complete.
Payment target: 'One Knuckle of Finger'.
Crunch.
A sharp severing sound, and the blue light returned.
Settlement complete.
"Whoa."
Han Yujin gasped despite herself. The biggest risk in fee settlement was the randomness of collection. Skin? Liver? Heart? Brain? Spine? Survival plummeted because you never knew. But Lee Kanghyeok solved it. Can't predict what they'll take? Limit their perception range to restrict body parts at risk. Veteran savvy shone through.
Next up, per manifest order.
"Yoo Se-rin."
She stepped forward, trembling violently.