Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: The Doll's Death Sentence
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Baek Saheon.
"Idiots. If you can escape with just one eye, do it now!"
The colleague from the subway chaos.
He was also a named employee in [Darkness Exploration Records], leaving a steady trail all the way up to section chief...
"He's going to die?"
The plush doll in the ghost story had suddenly sentenced Baek Saheon to death.
It was only natural for the question to slip out reflexively.
"Why?"
I knew he made it to section chief, though...?
"...A movie?"
Oh, come on.
The shadow of the plush doll whispered.
"......"
The massive black shadow on the wall pointed beyond it.
"......"
Oh, for real...
"Anyway, thanks for the heads-up."
I phrased "I have to go to bed because I need to clock in tomorrow" as gently as possible, and thankfully, the "good friend" graciously understood my situation.
That one's a bust.
'And you're partly to blame for that...'
The smartphone flashlight turned off on its own.
The massive shadow draped over the wall vanished as well.
After some thought, I made a soft bed on the desk with a clean towel and placed the plush doll on it.
'This should be decent enough that it won't chase me in my dreams wielding a knife, complaining about poor treatment.'
Of course, first I had to worry if I could even fall asleep and dream.
"Hm."
I cranked the mood light to max brightness and lay down on the bed.
Baek Saheon.
Probably sleeping in the next room right now...
'What the hell did you do?'
How vicious a ghost story item did he pick up for the doll beyond the wall to sense it?
Butterfly effect? Or was it something that happened originally, and he overcame it?
I recalled what Baek Saheon did in [Darkness Exploration Records], even searching the wiki, but nothing matched.
Makes sense, maybe. If it was a personal incident outside of work.
Sigh.
"......"
'If I knock on his door in the dead of night, he'll probably freak out.'
Besides, from my position, I didn't want to voluntarily dive into some terrifying serial killer ghost story that marks you as the next target...
Honestly, my roommate wasn't the type worth risking my life for anyway.
'Still, now that I know, giving a warning is the decent thing to do.'
An indirect approach...
'Got one.'
It even tied into my next task.
I lay in bed and checked the messenger on my smartphone.
A message from my Y Squad colleague.
I clicked the link with a sigh.
It was an open chat room.
Wondered why this format, but it seemed designed not to link to contacts to soften the blow if death notices came.
Anyway, everyone used their real names for profiles, so identification shouldn't be an issue.
'Guess I should set my name too.'
As I started typing a greeting...
"...??"
A flood of reactions before I even posted.
'No way someone carelessly invited the wrong guy, right?'
On the bright side, maybe my recent performance sparked curiosity or rumors.
I posted a simple greeting.
Someone jumped in immediately.
Hm.
I didn't reply further, just sending a bowing emoticon.
'What a jungle.'
Thought maybe it was a wholesome group sharing tips and hobbies among peers, but no way.
'Feels like an intern chat where only 10% get permanent positions.'
Everyone pretending not to, but scraping for any edge.
'Yeah. With deaths everywhere, Wish Grants are distant and precious. Can't be helped.'
Getting attached here would just make death notices depressing.
A bit bitter, but understandable.
At least one colleague still seemed nice.
'Looks like she's doing well...'
I nodded at the clean emoticons from my med-school dropout colleague who fully backed me in that deadly subway.
'Time to do what I need to.'
Following my conscience.
I found Baek Saheon's profile in the group and started a one-on-one open chat.
And said:
The 1 vanished in a second.
But no reply came.
Hm, probably hit a nerve?
'If it hit, he'll be careful.'
This seemed warning enough.
"I'll send it every morning from now on."
About a week until the impact wears off.
I gave myself a passing grade and turned off the phone.
'...Time to sleep.'
Not sure if I could, but had to try. Clock in tomorrow... Ugh.
'Wish the company would explode.'
Bitterly mulling that company nature meant I'd still have to go even then, I pulled an all-nighter staring at the ceiling...
When I dozed off briefly at dawn, I had a nightmare of being chased by theme park mascots swinging entrails, offering churros to the plush doll.
'Save me.'
A typical office worker's night tormented by trauma.
The news next day wasn't so typical, though.
"Deer. You hit the jackpot."
"...?"
"You... got 20k points."
What?
I looked up at my morning accrual points.
It's real.
'Yesterday it said only 10k...?'
The assistant patted my shoulder wildly.
"A Squad's Jin Deputy Manager insisted on extra points for you and submitted the report!"
Jin Deputy Manager...!
Even after his palm got pierced, he tried to save me once—he recognized my efforts!
I upgraded my internal eval of the butterfly-masked, psychopath-level workaholic deputy three notches.
Now he was a competent boss: skilled, sharp, fair with rewards and punishments.
"Squad Leader was initially listed as key contributor too, but A Squad's leader threw a fit..."
Ah.
Yeah... from their side, fair to complain...
'Fisherman's gain, huh.'
Not sure if to be happy, but I'd take it gratefully.
"Anyway, jackpot, Deer. You're not just short-record level anymore?? Insane."
"Thank you."
Though blending into the background at the company might be hopeless now...
'Points are sweet, though.'
But it didn't end there.
Before morning break, a call came.
"...Deputy Manager Jin?"
-Yeah.
After finishing B-Grade Darkness yesterday, I was enjoying paperwork and some leisure.
Then a call from A Squad deputy via intranet.
Gratitude first.
"Th-thank you. For recommending me as key contributor to the theme park clear..."
-Good work deserves more points for things to run right. Don't thank me for that.
Ah, yes.
-Anyway, come up.
"...?"
-Our squad's hitting Darkness today, short on manpower. Help out.
"......"
-Don't want to?
Yes!
Nearly died yesterday—letting a newbie rest today costs nothing!
"One moment please. ...Deputy Manager Eun. Got a call."
"What."
Help, same-team boss!
I called over our squad bosses, passed the phone, hoping they'd squash it.
No dice.
"A Squad short-staffed? A Squad manpower call?"
"...!"
Damn.
Even the assistant head-desking jolted up chair-and-all, huddling.
"Wait, A Squad called Deer for their empty spot?"
I don't know either, sir. Shoulder hurts—stop shaking.
"Got it. Yes."
Deputy hung up meanwhile.
Then flashed eyes and shook fist at me.
"Go."
...Yes?
"Right! A Squad now is prime! Safer, more pay—don't miss it!"
"All points. Points, Deer."
"......"
...So, like this.
'Elite A Squad gets extra points per job.'
Quite sweet, apparently.
No cleanup squad Y calls, so not needing sacrifices.
Calling a newbie as filler means not too tough.
Overwork, but well-paid easy gig!
"Someone's spot open, gotta fill it. Saw you favorably yesterday, taking you along. Go!"
"......"
'No excuses left...'
Can't say scared, couldn't sleep, wanna rest—lips would rip first.
'Fairly safe, good points—complaining sounds too suspicious...!'
Not wanting coward label or cleanup squad meant shut up.
Thus, I dragged my unwilling feet to the 15th floor...
"Impressive newbie spirit!"
Not spirit, defeat.
I trudged to the elevator, trying not to shuffle.
Arriving at Field Exploration Team's top floor, 15th, doors opened.
A bit shocked.
"...!"
No cramped desktops or partitions like typical offices.
Instead, hotel-like luxury lounge. Beyond, opaque glass private rooms.
Each labeled with an employee's name.
'My god.'
One per person.
Exec-level perk.
'Motivation tool, huh.'
Elite squads get personal offices, it seems.
'Office worker's dream, but...'
Then a familiar face emerged from nearby glass door.
Already masked butterfly boss.
"Good day, Deputy Manager Jin."
"Yeah."
A Squad's Jin looked more human than in the ghost story.
"Squad Leader wants to see you again."
From opposite larger office, A Squad Leader emerged coffee in hand.
"Mr. Deer."
"Section Chief, good day."
The jovial middle-aged A Squad Leader smiled amiably, patting my shoulder.
As if glaring murderously at Lee Jaheon in the theme park never happened.
"Jin's not one to praise, but he thought highly of you. Heard good things."
That much...?
"So called you today. First time Jin raves about someone."
I reflexively glanced at A Squad deputy.
Butterfly-masked deputy snorted a smile.
"Just reported facts."
"At it again."
Masked boss frowned at eye contact, but voice softened.
"Why? You did well."
"...Thank you."
"Yeah. Do well today too."
"Sheesh, you young folks get along."
Chuckling at the scene, A Squad Leader donned teal mallard mask.
"Welcome to A Squad, Kim Sol-eum."
"......"
"Let's get to work."
Honestly, a bit curious.
'Do elites tackle differently?'
Maybe whole process differs for Field Exploration.
Not same-day brief, manual skim, roll into Darkness like regular squads!
And it did differ.
"Collector check, recorder check, mask check, gear check, supplies check complete. Entry to 'ID Code Qterw-C-402' in 31 minutes till 11:00. Prep status inspection complete as of now."
Wow... intense.
Unlike D Squad lounging sofas, briefing, leader's bad jokes, stumbling in.
Just two left after a death, but hierarchy and protocol ironclad.
Made me, lowest even as temp, do gear brief first on entry.
"...That's all."
"Good. Let's go."
"Yes."
Temp or not, lowest does the job.
'That Jin Deputy's no ordinary personality, yet used formal speech FM-style to Leader...'
Yeah. He passed through squads like this once.
Not bad to experience early.
'Just don't get caught as coward...'
Knowing today's ghost story would let me prep mentally.
A Squad Leader addressed me manual in hand.
"Ah, Sol-eum didn't read the manual, right?"
"Yes."
Effort to think positive, politely extended both hands to Leader.
Just as the manual paper for this Darkness was about to be handed...
A Squad Leader's hand stopped.
......?
"Right. Why not go in blind and experience it yourself, Sol-eum?"
What?
"Heard deducing without manual is your specialty."
I snapped head up.
Saw A Squad Leader's lower face smiling under teal mallard mask.
"If it looks dangerous, I'll give it right away. Got it?"
"......"
That's... not giving if I ask.
'He'll judge danger himself.'
Might withhold till death.
"......"
They all know, send only me in blind?
"Shall we go? Ah, been ages since fun work~"
Wait. This can't be...
'Workplace bullying?'
Too clichéd to joke. Head spinning.
But yesterday's first-meet other-team chief has no reason... Ah.
'...Lee Jaheon!!'
Did our squad Lizard piss him off proper, taking it out on newbie me!
Me too now?!