Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: Even If I Fall Into a Ghost Story, I Still Have to Go to Work
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Jang Heo-un.
The colleague who had received the 'Buffalo' mask was someone whose gloomy aura hung over his face in a way that didn't suit his large build.
Even during the new employee orientation, he'd arrived last, covered in blood, to receive his mask, and had been assigned to the cleanup crew, handling tasks that bordered on workplace harassment.
But after surviving the tumultuous madness of this crazy pharmaceutical company, he'd started to toughen up a bit...
"Um, I hadn't heard anything since the news of your disappearance right before we infiltrated the Disaster Management Bureau... But I'm really glad to see you like this."
Surprisingly, he even seemed composed now.
'...Looks like the Disaster Management Bureau suits him better.'
However, he kept glancing at my missing right arm, his face growing paler by the second, but he seemed hesitant to ask if it would be rude.
At times like this, it was best to give a casual answer.
I deliberately shook my empty sleeve lightly and gave a wry smile.
"My first mission was unlucky and turned out to be a tough one. But since the Disaster Management Bureau will handle the disposal, it should be fine."
"Ah... I see."
I could feel Go Yeongeun's odd gaze somehow, but let's brush past it for now.
"Heo-un, you were assigned to the cleanup crew."
"Yes."
Jang Heo-un's face brightened a little.
"S-Sometimes we have to deal with gruesome, um, yes, those kinds of messes..."
Ah.
Right. The cleanup crew usually handled the aftermath of total chaos.
"Everyone's been considerate since we're new hires, so I'm adapting well. I'm grateful for that."
That was fortunate, but Jang Heo-un's expression darkened slightly again.
"Um, but... that's what worries me more."
"Pardon?"
"From what I heard earlier, we have to steal documents about really dangerous ghost stories... Is that really okay for us?"
"...!"
"The Disaster Management Bureau is genuinely committed to responding to supernatural phenomena. I'm worried it might cause major damage."
Hmm.
"If so, would you quit?"
"......"
I didn't need to hear the answer.
-No.
Only people who desperately wanted the 'Wish Grant' came here.
I knew they wouldn't act so selfishly in any other situation. Just think of the consideration and resolve Go Yeongeun had shown at Lucky Mart.
But there was something 'non-negotiable' inside these people.
...Yeah.
'If nothing's going to change anyway...'
Then it was better for their peace of mind.
"It'll probably be fine even if we take them."
"...! R-Really?"
"Yes."
This was the truth.
"The company wouldn't recklessly touch high-grade ghost stories like that either. And we're not stealing the ghost stories themselves, just handing over the information."
Of course, Daydream Corporation wasn't seeking them for good purposes, but in the end, those extinction-grade disasters on the Darkness Exploration Records hadn't caused humanity any additional harm.
...They were already harmful enough as it was.
"As long as we don't betray the company excessively and steal supernatural disasters under government management, it should be okay."
"Ah, o-of course...!"
What they should really worry about was something else.
'I'm worried they'll ditch us after the job's done...'
...Would Ho Executive really not abandon us like dirt once we're used up?
I'd return to my original place once I got the Wish Grant, so I didn't care, but those two needed to be even more cautious if they wanted to keep living in Korea without getting blacklisted by the Disaster Management Bureau.
Hmm.
"First, to avoid slipping up on titles, shall we share our agent codenames?"
I pointed to myself.
"I'm 'Grape'. What about you, Heo-un?"
"Ah, I was given the agent name 'Ox Horn'."
"Ox Horn?"
"Yes. It's a traditional craft using ox horns... S-Someone recommended it."
Incredibly, he'd gotten another cow-related codename here.
"I'm... Mint."
Go Yeongeun spoke up too.
"It was often used as medicine in the old days, and I didn't want anything too flashy..."
"I see. That's a good agent name."
And with some brief catch-up talk, a warm atmosphere settled in for a moment.
Ah, vitamins too.
"The new investigation team has a bit of an individualist vibe. But since I returned after going missing, my superiors gave me vitamins as a gift... You two should have some."
"Ah."
"Th-Thank you."
Honestly, in a normal company, they'd be colleagues you'd be thrilled to work with.
...If only we weren't spying for a crazy pharmaceutical company in a ghost story world while infiltrating the government.
'Whew.'
I gave a suitable update on my situation too.
"...! You're discharging within a week!?"
"Yes."
The wound from my severed right arm had calmed down quickly—probably due to some supernatural treatment at the Disaster Management Bureau-affiliated hospital—and was healing well...
'About another week of hospitalization, and I should be able to return.'
"And right after discharge, I'll be experiencing various departments for three weeks as a temporary agent. If we meet, please take care of me."
"O-Of course!"
I'll definitely go to the cleanup crew. Please take care of me, Heo-un...
It was then.
"Um, Sol-eum. About that discharge..."
"Yes?"
Go Yeongeun suddenly spoke up.
"You'll get a psychiatric consultation before discharging, right? Since you suffered a major injury after being stranded... They should check for mental trauma too."
"Ah, yes. They'll probably refer me... Don't worry. I'll handle it carefully without leaking any information."
"......"
But Go Yeongeun shook her head.
"You're already under some kind of restriction that prevents you from talking anyway. It might be better to speak more freely."
"Yes. Thank you."
"......Yes."
Go Yeongeun nodded slightly.
"And now that we're officially acquaintances at the Disaster Management Bureau... I can visit you in the hospital and pretend to exchange numbers. Occasional personal contact would seem natural."
"Good. Ah, for Heo-un, we'll create a suitable opportunity next time we meet."
"Y-Yes...!"
And so, we settled on our future plans.
1. Create natural connection points outside the Fox Counseling Room.
2. Contact via anonymous messenger for critical or important matters. Disguise as spam messages.
"Then, see you safely next time."
"Yes. Definitely..."
I held back a sigh as I left the Fox Counseling Room.
'Spy work isn't easy either.'
Especially with a boss like that.
To go even safer, we needed more precautions.
I'd already resolved to prepare thoroughly to avoid another Lucky Mart-level insanity.
'Alright.'
One week until discharge.
'I'll prepare everything I need to.'
And the first step was this.
I checked the text I'd sent before entering the counseling room.
[Squad Leader, can we talk tonight?]
A quick, concise reply had come.
[Yes.]
D Squad Leader Lee Jaheon.
A response from my old boss.
The goal was simple.
'The doll I bought at Lucky Mart is the same as the one Lee Jaheon Section Chief had.'
It was identical to the item on his desk. And I was convinced it was a useful item.
Safety and performance.
It caught both rabbits I wanted.
If it were dangerous, Lee Jaheon Section Chief wouldn't have kept it on his office desk.
And considering that lizard's true nature, it was even more likely to be something extraordinary and powerful.
Even without overthinking, an item on a Field Exploration Team section chief's desk had to be helpful in ghost stories!
'Good.'
One thing left.
'Figure out how to use it.'
The lizard squad leader would give me the answer!
And shortly after, the call.
With a pounding heart, I asked immediately...!
"Squad Leader. In what situations did you use the lizard doll on your desk?"
-? No.
"......"
Wait.
This sudden denial... no way.
"You've never used the lizard doll at all...?"
-Yes.
"...Didn't you buy that item, Squad Leader?"
-Yes.
"......"
I'm screwed...
'Ah, no.'
Let's narrow it down.
Like this.
"Do you know how to use that lizard doll?"
Please.
Please...!
-Yes.
Phew.
Good.
"I got one of those dolls now too, but I have no idea how to use it. It'd be great if you could tell me specific uses."
And I eventually added,
"...It's not from the Cosmic Mall."
I said it feeling guilty for some reason.
'I haven't even checked it out since I don't have money right now...'
Anyway, Lee Jaheon was calm.
-Yes.
And he explained nonchalantly.
-It's a reptile ecology education toy.
"......"
What?
"Education... toy?"
-Yes. Feed it appropriate food, and it sheds its skin after eating.
"......"
-......
"......"
I barely managed to ask,
"Is the shed skin perhaps a defensive item?"
-No.
"...If you feed it items or blood, it exhibits unique abilities or something...?"
-No.
I wanted a refund.
'Fuck...'
Then why put it on the desk and confuse people!
'It's just a food disposal toy!'
Of course, I couldn't yell at the alien lizard that shoots lasers, so I barely replied,
"I see. Thank you for letting me know."
-Yes.
Yeah. It was my fault for betting on something weird from that crazy mart in the first place. Ha...
'It really was just a toy.'
I finally gave up and changed the topic.
"Sorry for contacting you after so long via call instead of visiting in person."
-It's fine. That's safer.
Was he being considerate in case the Disaster Management Bureau found out I'm a spy?
"Thank... "
As I was about to say thanks,
The emotionless voice revealed a completely different 'reason'.
-Cheong Executive has noticed your whereabouts.
"...!"
What?
-Cheong Executive suspects your disappearance was fabricated and that you've been working for Ho Executive since a month ago.
A chill ran down my spine.
Wait.
If he thinks my disappearance itself was faked,
'Then from the start, he might believe I stabbed him in the back and colluded with Ho Executive...?'
Cold sweat dripped.
"...Could this misunderstanding lead to retaliation against me?"
-Yes.
I swallowed.
-So be careful.
"Yes."
I resolved.
'The moment spy work ends, I'm out.'
No hesitation.
Wish Grant. The instant I get it, I'm escaping this damn company.
Back home!
"Thank you."
I thanked him and ended the call with Lee Jaheon Section Chief.
Then I saw another alarm on my smartphone.
[Baek Saheon: Hey]
[Baek Saheon: Not buying info?]
My former company housing roommate, who promised to gather the latest gossip and intel from this 'damn company'.
[Baek Saheon: Don't you need info?]
Hmm.
I texted back.
[Seems you're confident?]
But no reply.
Not yet, I guess.
'Then I'll leave him be until he gets some.'
To make him scrape together more info while fidgeting.
'Actually... I don't have items to trade for info right now either...'
Of course, I wasn't planning to live broke like this.
Didn't I just think about preparing?
'...And I just heard something worrying.'
-That one's all used up.
Ho Executive's ominous words.
'If the silver ring's mental protection effect is gone, that's dangerous.'
Fortunately, I hadn't entered any ghost stories recently or grown attached to them like in a fairy tale.
'Unless I dream of the returning nightmare again.'
Still, better to prepare for that too.
I briefly considered visiting the Fox Counseling Room again but canceled due to unease.
Unlike last time, there was a clear reason.
'...It's definitely connected to Ho Executive.'
Better to avoid it for now.
And...
'There are other unlocked places now anyway.'
Yes. I'm also a 'Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau agent' now.
With my affiliation changed, the range of places and useful groups I could visit without suspicion had widened.
"Let's see."
I rubbed my chin.
10,000 welfare points for A-grade or higher Dream Essence solution.
And with my Disaster Management Bureau agent status, there was a place worth checking.
"Hmm."
I stood from the cafe, pulled up my hood, and started walking.
Toward the meeting square in a ghost story where real occult items were traded.
What I needed to find was...
'The manhole where a person's arm emerged.'