Hired at Dawn's Light
A job? For me??
Si-hyeon followed Ga-eun to the Dawn's Light Guild. He'd never paid much attention to guilds before, but seeing it up close felt like stepping into a government agency. The massive lobby gleamed with polished marble floors, and the ceiling bristled with state-of-the-art lighting and security systems.
Did I come here for nothing? A twinge of intimidation hit him. This grandeur's a bit much for an ordinary civilian like me!
But Ga-eun strode in confidently, unfazed. "Welcome to Dawn's Light!"
"...You got a welcome script ready or something?"
"Hehe. Just setting the mood."
She turned back with a bright grin. She probably knew it herself, but she was clearly excited at the thought of working with Si-hyeon.
As soon as they entered the lobby, staff members spotted Ga-eun and greeted her warmly.
"Ga-eun! You're early today!"
"Who's that with you?"
At that moment, Si-hyeon sent up a quick prayer. Please introduce me normally. He was anxious that Ga-eun, the queen of turning situations awkward, might stir up trouble again.
But if she acted predictably, she wouldn't be Han Ga-eun. "The amazing new recruit I brought in!" she declared with total confidence, shattering his prayer.
"Haa... Yeah, figures. What was I even hoping for?"
The staff's reaction was, predictably, "…!!!" They looked like royalty had just walked in.
Oh man, the vibe's getting weird.
Ga-eun was known as the guild's ace, so it was natural they'd assume anyone she personally recommended was special.
"A new awakener recruit?"
"Straight into the guild without a test? This is gonna be good!"
"No, I'm just a totally ordinary office worker..."
He tried to clear up the misunderstanding quickly—but
"First, let's go say hi to Dad!" Ga-eun grabbed Si-hyeon's arm and dragged him off.
"I'm not running, so let me walk on my own feet, please."
"Nope. You know how many times you've ditched me? Not letting you go today."
It's because I'm always getting dragged into incidents with you!
No chance to escape—Si-hyeon got hauled away again.
Guild headquarters, top floor. Ga-eun and Si-hyeon stood before the door at the far end of the uppermost level. A massive gold nameplate was affixed to it.
[Guild Master’s Office]
Opening the door revealed a man seated behind a desk. Guild Master Han Do-jin. His hair was neatly half-up, his build solid and imposing. Middle-aged, yet his presence loomed like a mountain.
He'd been injured by the mengmang-grade ghost story Collector not long ago, but his sturdy constitution had him fully recovered already.
Do-jin frowned, clearly displeased with the situation. The moment he saw Si-hyeon, he fired off a short, sharp line.
"...So you're the new recruit, Si-hyeon?"
"Yeah. Things just kinda ended up that way. Uncle Do-jin."
Si-hyeon had known Ga-eun since childhood, so Do-jin had known him for years too. Of course, he also knew his daughter saw Si-hyeon as special.
Do-jin glanced at Ga-eun, then asked quietly, "Why him, of all people?"
"Dad, this guy's surprisingly useful."
"Why do you have to phrase it like that?"
Do-jin sighed and slid some documents over. "Sign the contract first."
Si-hyeon took the papers, skimmed them, and said, "Hmm... Conditions look decent—but"
Something caught his eye, and he raised his hand again. "Um, Uncle Do-jin... I mean, Master."
"What. Something wrong?"
"Add a clause guaranteeing I get off before sunset."
"...What?"
Even for a personal recommendation, a total newbie talking back?
"Why that condition?"
"Scared of ghost stories popping up if I don't."
There is that, but more importantly, I change weirdly at night. No way he could work overtime with his transformation! "Plus, I've got a kid sister to look after. So if you add a 'guaranteed departure before nightfall' clause, I'd be grateful."
Ga-eun, listening beside him, nodded solemnly. "Dad, you gotta add this."
"What?"
"Normal people are really in danger at night. And oppa has Lu—er, his sister to take care of."
"…."
Do-jin tapped the desk thoughtfully, organizing his thoughts. She's been chasing him since they were kids, and now she wants to drag him into her work life too.
But what could he do? No parent beats their child. Outwardly gruff, Do-jin often folded when it came to his daughter.
"...Fine. I'll add it."
And so, the guild's first-ever "mandatory departure before sunset" clause was born.
With the contract signed, Si-hyeon headed to his new workspace: the guild's administrative building. Unlike the combat awakeners, this was where staff handled paperwork.
"Oh? Newbie's here?"
A researcher with glasses and heavy dark circles turned to him.
"Ga-eun recommended you personally, right?"
Rumors had already spread.
"Yeah. Just an ordinary office job."
"Huh, just office work? Not an awakener?"
"Nope. Total normie."
"Haven't had a regular person join in ages."
Even office roles were usually filled by awakeners who'd conquered minor ghost stories and gained support abilities. Many colleagues here had illusion-grade ghost story powers.
But to them, Si-hyeon was a complete civilian. They didn't know about his "other form," so their reaction made sense.
Feels like I'm off to a rocky start. He sensed a bumpy road ahead.
At that moment, in the guild's top-floor conference room, Do-jin and Ga-eun were in a critical meeting with researchers and agents dispatched from the Monster Countermeasure Headquarters.
"Officially, no apocalypse-grade or higher ghost stories have been confirmed to date."
The guild's head researcher spoke gravely.
"But the Collector from the Bosingak incident—"
A screen lit up with data.
[Mengmang-grade Ghost Story – Collector]
"It defies all known classifications. It dominated space faster and more powerfully than even catastrophe-grade Netherworlds, let alone apocalypse-grade."
"We'll need to share this with every nation."
Normally, such intel would be locked down for internal investigation, but this was different.
"This isn't ours to hoard. The whole world needs to prepare."
With ghost stories popping up globally, info-sharing was vital. And if apocalypse-grade wasn't the top threat anymore? Humanity's survival hung in the balance without swift action.
The researchers hurried to compile the data. Then, a small topic appeared on one screen.
[Unidentified Ghost Story – Phantom]
The monitor showed a black silhouette. A shadowy figure spreading like faint smoke. Humanoid, yet eerily alien. The room fell silent.
"...The unidentified ghost story from Bosingak."
Do-jin rested his steepled hands on his chin, deep in thought. Phantom appeared without a Netherworld or rules. But he's no illusion-grade.
An illusion-grade subduing the mighty Collector with a gesture? Impossible. Phantom's mengmang-grade level, at least. Maybe he deliberately avoids deploying the Netherworld.
The researcher continued the briefing. "In the Bosingak incident, this entity contacted the Collector. Despite being a ghost story, it didn't attack humans—in fact, it seemed protective."
"Certain?"
"Yes. Video and energy analysis confirm Phantom suppressed the Collector's aura. Without that, half the hundreds of thousands in the Netherworld would've died."
"I felt that mengmang-grade power firsthand. Couldn't move an inch... So what is this thing, shrugging it off like nothing?"
"Unclear, but... probably same rank. That's our working theory."
No one wanted to believe it, but nothing else fit. An apocalypse-grade was shocking enough; another suspected mengmang-grade on top? Denying it wouldn't change facts—the situation would only worsen.
"Collect every scrap of intel on Phantom from now on."
"Yes, Master."
Too soon to say for sure, but if Phantom wasn't hostile to humans... He might be the one ghost story that saves us all.
Contract done, assignment complete. Si-hyeon stretched as he headed to the lobby.
"Phew, finally over."
"Oppa, not bored already, right?"
"Nah, haven't even started yet."
Honestly, no boredom in sight. I just do paperwork? Finally, a sweet desk job for me!
His old company dumped every chore on him; here, no such risk. Combat roles dominated, and civilians stayed far from fields. Clock in on time, out before sunset—done. Stable life incoming.
"Gotta head home quick. Wonder if Luna's okay."
Stepping out, sunlight bathed him. Even the sky's blessing my escape from unemployment. Heh.
He took a deep breath in the sun. "Ahh, fresh air's the best."
"You don't even seem like someone who works."
"Half a year unemployed, remember?"
"...Oh yeah. Congrats on the job, oppa."
"Thanks. Thanks to you, I've got a proper commute life now."
"Then clean the house while you're at it."
"Out of nowhere?"
"It was a mess when I stopped by."
"Hey, that was—"
As he started to protest, Ga-eun asked casually, "Want a ride home?"
"Nah, sun's still up."
"Night's coming soon. You sure?"
"I'll be home before then. No worries. Not hunting ghost stories or anything risky."
The world's most dangerous ghost story waits at home, but unlike those freaky ones, Luna's cute—so a little less scary.
"Still, you're just a normie..."
"I'm fine. Don't worry—"
Si-hyeon waved lightly and turned to go. "Ace, head back and get to work!"
"...Ace?"
"You are, right? Dawn's Light's shining star."
"Feels off."
"What does?"
"Like praise that's somehow insulting."
"Haha, just your imagination. See ya!"
"Slipping away quick as always... Fine, bye."
"Yeah. Later."
His carefree figure sauntered off as usual.
But—
Ga-eun's gaze, fixed on him, shifted. Her sunset eyes narrowed into a fox's slits, like a predator eyeing prey in dark woods. Sharp desire and deep affection burned in that stare.
"…."
Unknowingly, her Fox Shrine power leaked out. A blue aura spread, faint fox ears and tail materializing.
I know, oppa.
You always say you're fine, but you're not.
She'd watched him since childhood. Si-hyeon seemed unflappable and sly, but she knew he put others first, swallowing his feelings. The type to shoulder everything alone, insisting he was okay. Kind and warm, despite denials.
She believed she alone knew that. Oppa... haa... I'll keep watch over you from now on.
No ghost story, no one— can take you from me.
That's why she gained power. From a mighty ghost story.
Slowly, she smirked slyly, slipping a finger between her pink lips.
"Haa... chup..."
A maiden secretly indulging her longing for Si-hyeon.
"...Hee hee."
Her fox laugh deepened. Affectionate yet chilling. With loving, dangerous eyes, she watched his back until he vanished.