Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Wise Acceptance
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Daydream Corporation headquarters building, upper floors.
Knock knock knock.
I cautiously rapped the back of my hand against the luxurious door.
Then the door slid smoothly open on its own…
"You've arrived."
The figure seated inside came into view.
An executive with dark blue hair whose age was impossible to guess.
Director Cheong.
"You didn't waste time, nor did you fall for any tricks. A child who knows how to make wise choices always lives long."
Even his praise felt deadly…
"You're too kind."
In any case, I had made my choice.
To accept Director Cheong's offer to turn D Squad into an elite team.
There were reasons, of course, but I'd think about them later. For now, I needed to deal with the intimidating executive in front of me.
Director Cheong scanned me over with a satisfied smile.
"Your squad will be reorganized within the necessary timeframe, so I trust you'll wait without causing any unnecessary fuss."
"Yes, sir. I'll work even harder so as not to bring shame to the promotion."
I shook hands with Director Cheong, who extended one hand, maintaining the utmost courtesy.
And right beside me…
"You'll do the same, of course. Section Chief Lee Jaheon."
"Yes, sir."
was the Lizard Squad Leader, who had come along.
…For reference, Section Chief Lee Jaheon's reaction to my choice had been this:
End.
'Is this… supposed to be reassuring…?'
It was an astonishingly quick acceptance from the Lizard who had advised me to 'decline it.'
'No, he's in the same boat now, so he has to go along with it…!'
Thanks to that, I had to grab the seemingly uncurious Lizard Squad Leader and explain my reasoning and basis for the choice while hearing "I see" and "Yes" about ten times.
And also how to minimize Director Cheong's 'danger'.
"So, have you decided on the remaining one squad member?"
Right on cue, the topic came up.
With only two members currently on active duty in D Squad, Director Cheong had told me to bring in whoever I wanted for the last spot.
"Regarding that, I had one idea."
"What idea?"
I stated it as calmly and directly as possible, leading with the conclusion.
"Make it so anyone can join."
This was possible because D Squad was being newly trialed as an elite team structure, rather than being folded into an existing one.
The biggest advantage was this.
'It prevents Director Cheong from arbitrarily planting one of his own people.'
Didn't he tell me to bring whoever I wanted?
If I could take that at face value, it wouldn't be a corporation.
'If he didn't like my pick, he'd just ask if there wasn't someone else.'
And gradually steer the candidates toward his preferred people.
'Once I've bowed my head and jumped onto his line, he has nothing to lose.'
Then he'd slot in his own person, or at least sway the newcomer.
In my view, that's where it starts getting 'dangerous,' as Section Chief Lee Jaheon said.
'I can't have someone who tags along on every exploration be Director Cheong's lackey.'
Better to have rotating members for each exploration.
And there's a plausible justification for it too.
'Since we're trying something new anyway, why not use D Squad's open spot as an elite team internship position?'
Like that.
Of course, elite team spots are limited, and promotions from regular teams are rare.
So unless you have great results early on and ride the right lines, most low-seniority employees just give up and go for cost-efficiency.
But from management's perspective, it seems they resented employees who lacked ownership and weren't aggressively gathering materials, seeing it as inefficient.
Like, 'They're only after points and have no loyalty…'
'If there were no points, why would anyone join this place to begin with?'
It was a ridiculous expectation, but… well, seeing how the company operated that way, I figured it might work.
-In this Field Exploration Team where there's no performance incentive besides Wish Grants, wouldn't this give low-seniority employees a new motivation to improve their records? I've been thinking about it…
I gave a presentation like that to Director Cheong, putting in my best effort.
To be honest, I doubted the employees would bite that hard.
At best, a few capable assistants or deputies might try the elite team experience and rethink their career plans.
But the pitch sounded good, and it wouldn't be entirely ineffective, so it was fine.
'It'll at least set the mood.'
And at minimum, it worked on Director Cheong.
…It felt like he was just going along with it, which made me nervous, but the important thing was that it passed.
As expected, rumors spread through the Field Exploration Team just a few days later, and the group chat, quiet for so long, lit up.
What's interesting is… no one was talking to me anymore.
Even after news broke that I'd cleared an A-Grade again, there were no congratulations or questions.
'Getting the cold shoulder…'
I'd carefully worded my responses to group chat questions to avoid seeming too easy, and eventually the questions stopped.
'Come to think of it, I was invited to the group chat last anyway.'
A bit bitter…
Still, I should be grateful for the colleague who consistently sends congrats.
While I was at it, I settled accounts with Go Yeongeun for the help she gave me in the last ghost story.
'She's the type to repay what she receives, so building trust with her is the way to go.'
I shared the clear method I'd used and offered part of the 'boss battle loot' I'd received.
'Thanks to her, I cleared without dying.'
…The organ positions in the body.
I learned from Go Yeongeun which parts I had to protect to the end to avoid instant death.
Of course, thinking back, it was a crazy stunt that made my body tremble, so I suppressed a shiver for a moment.
'Gotta use the tattoo stickers… carefully.'
The effect was certain, but it wasn't something normal…
Go Yeongeun seemed a bit conflicted but accepted, and I met her in front of her dorm to hand over a few protective charms.
During our chat, the 'new elite team' rumor came up…
"Um, Yeongeun, by any chance, are you thinking of aiming for the elite team…?"
"No. I'm really fine."
"…"
Breathe before you speak, Yeongeun…
She already seemed convinced I was involved.
'I actually considered her as a candidate… good thing I didn't push.'
In any case, among what my brain could come up with, this was the best solution…
Of course, not everyone agreed with this opinion.
"I never thought you'd really become an elite team…"
"…"
"Why did you make such a dangerous choice?"
Her voice was filled with worry.
I sat at the desk in D Squad's office, pinching my forehead.
"…Director Ho."
"Yes?"
"If I've been rude in any way, I sincerely apologize."
Why are you here?
Why are you sitting so casually in D Squad's office, which we're about to vacate soon, like a colleague dropping by from next door!
"Pardon? You've never been rude, Sol-eum. You could stand to have a bit more confidence in yourself."
"…"
She's no ordinary person…
Director Ho looked a little hurt, acting like a coworker who'd been turned down for lunch.
That was scarier.
'I figured she'd either crush me or ignore me.'
Why leave it be?
Honestly, Director Ho had more authority and had made a more generous offer, making it perfect grounds for resentment over the rejection.
'Any normal person would have picked her side.'
I had leaned that way too.
Until I asked this question.
At that moment, I decided.
'Cut ties.'
A new project in a ghost story company?
Nine times out of ten, it's because of a high-grade unknown ghost story.
'Definitely A-Grade or higher.'
At this level, it's not just danger proportional to risk.
It's horrors based on despair that's utterly impossible for an individual to handle, predict, or prepare for.
Horrors beyond mere death or disappearance…
And they were even dangling a Wish Grant, enough to make any employee's eyes roll back?
'S-Grade… right?'
This seemed like the highest grade for Field Exploration.
Plus, first attempt with no prior info?
'Suicide.'
No matter how good the treatment, it was doomed from the premise.
If I were guaranteed squad leader, maybe… no, even then it'd just be a flashy title.
'No way the dream team Director handpicked would listen to me, not even a year in.'
With a director around, squad leader is just middle management. I'd just suffer and barely survive alone or die.
'…Don't want that.'
I'd already gathered nearly a third of the points needed. No need to gamble for a Wish Grant.
…Also, choosing to stay in D Squad had a bit more consideration.
'This way, if Foreman Park Minseong or Deputy Manager Eun Ha-je return, they can naturally join D Squad…'
…Easier to slot people into originally fluid empty spots.
So… it was a multifaceted choice.
But I couldn't say all that, so I just said,
"I thought this would benefit more people, so I had no choice but to pick it. I'm sorry."
"…"
For a moment, Director Ho's affable expression wavered.
And her voice.
"It's hard for good people to understand…"
"…"
Wait, just now…!
Thud.
"Still, if you change your mind, feel free to contact me anytime, Sol-eum."
The voice vanished.
Director Ho nodded casually to me again, smiled, and left the office.
"…"
That just now… didn't feel right…
Plague?
"…"
'Contagious disease… huh.'
I pondered Director Ho's true nature for a moment, then shrugged it off.
'Prioritize the urgent stuff. Urgent stuff first.'
For now, before becoming an elite team, think about what I need and reorganize…
"Sol-eum."
Gyaaah!
"S-Squad Leader."
The Lizard entered through the door Director Ho had just left, by a hair's breadth, and immediately handed me some documents.
"Director Cheong said to pass on that you might want to 'take a look'."
"Yes. Got it…"
'Give some warning, please…'
I internally patted my chest and took the documents, reading the title on the first page.
…Huh?
"Is this… something I can read?"
"Yes."
Hmm.
It seemed like a pre-registration exploration report that required C-Grade security clearance, but Director Cheong had specially opened it for me…
'Even scarier!'
But saying I wouldn't look felt even more frightening. So I took a deep breath, accepted the documents, and read.
What kind of exploration record could this be…
…
Huh?
Confirmed an advertising flyer for a new product release from Qterw-C-1603.
Product Name: Good Kid Chocolate Bar (Cinnamon Churros Flavor)
Features: Packaging with a caricature of a child in a suit wearing a mask with sheep-horn-like tree branches.
※The packaging character resembles the uniform of Field Exploration Team employees at headquarters.
Request confirmation on employees with similar masks.
"…"
Wait.
Is this… me?