Bed Shopping and the Foggy Bureaucratic Nightmare
I need a bed. 'Sleeping with Mary would be so restful.'
Mary wasn't just a pretty doll to look at. She had that perfect slightly cool yet lukewarm feel, combining the best of a dakimakura and a body pillow—perfect for hugging all night.
It'd be even better with a proper bed.
There were no blankets, comforters, or even an ondol floor heater, so the chill rising from the bare ground made sleeping on the floor pretty tough.
If only I could scrounge one up from somewhere...
Unfortunately, the shop didn't have what I wanted.
Management Director: Guys, got 11 coins—what should I spend 'em on? Thinking of using them before heading out. Anyone wanna explain the shop?
From the rough rundown, elixirs and staff weren't something I needed yet. Lots of folks recommended one each from equipment, manuals, and skills.
Skimming lightly, one weapon caught my eye perfectly.
◈ Deals no physical damage to blades—instead disables them.
◈ Chain at sickle tip is elastic and unbreakable.
This could let me capture her intact. That's what I thought. The issue? It cost a bit, so the rest would have to be random pulls...
What? It used to cost more? Can't resist a sale.
[Skill Random Pull - 1 Coin] [Manual Random Pull - 1 Coin]
I could pull something bad from random and die, but who cares? Better dead than damaging her beauty.
You purchased the Capture Sickle Chain.
You acquired the Portable Inventory (Small).
You acquired the Flower-Lined Aviation Jacket.
Got the item I wanted. Now for the random pulls.
You purchased Skill Random Pull.
Drumroll intensified, tension building, then—bang!
Congratulations! You acquired the skill Direct Gaze! Now you'll see things straight.
A weird premonition hit, my brain writhing like wrinkles being forcibly carved by unseen hands, whispers echoing.
Crunch—
Vision darkened instantly, something squishing inside my skull.
Squelch, squelch—
Sticky, murky blood poured from my eyes.
After the distortions settled, my head felt refreshed.
Now I could see Mary's white aura and a hidden status window I'd never noticed before—things invisible moments ago.
Anomaly Name: Mary. Weakness: Same as a stubborn woman's. Previous containment record. Dr. ■■'s ■th research log. Special Containment Procedure for Employee ■■■■.
Anomaly Name: Containment Facility. Weakness: [Data Deleted]
The status window itself seemed to reveal more details now.
[Irregular access detected.]
[No access privileges.]
[Warning! Access beyond privileges impossible!]
[You've already seized privileges once without permission.]
Did I stare too hard?
The status window kept spamming warnings after that.
"Touch me for two more days?"
The frantic warnings cut off abruptly.
'Good girl.'
I stroked her briefly as a reward.
Time to pull the manual. Deputy Manager said all three were must-haves, so better stock up.
You purchased Manual Random Pull.
Another fanfare blast.
This time, I got Breathing Technique.
I stashed Breathing Technique in my inventory, closed my eyes, and stepped back into the world. The back alley where I'd first met Mary.
'I miss that fierce, lively Mary.'
Her wild teeth and claws that could rip a boar apart had been charming. Ever since seeing that Mary, normal human women barely registered anymore.
To bring her back to that state, she needed a comfortable environment. Every being needs one suited to itself.
Mary seemed like a princess mannequin, so maybe deck out the management office like a pink princess play set?
Thinking that, I grabbed pink bedding, a mattress, and wallpaper from a mart.
Beep— Card unusable for payment.
Right, I'm in another world now.
No ID verification meant my only options were police station or community center. I picked the latter.
It wasn't immediate—after admin procedures, anomaly checks, and mental pollution tests, I was handed over. Took more time than expected.
"No ID match. Looks like anomaly exposure wiped your memory and identity."
Causes varied: anomalies snatching IDs on streets, or kidnapped into anomalous spaces and escaping amnesiac.
"Anomalous phenomena?"
"Yeah. Same space but twisted—alien rules. Like streets where faces are smeared, or subway stations that changed while dozing."
The official said it happened often. Her bandana style was pretty charming. That wine-red hairband would suit Mary too.
"Must be scary being suddenly alone."
"Yeah."
I thought of Mary lonely without me. Maybe snag her a friend.
"Memory recovery costs a fortune. Cheapest no-brand pill's 50 million won."
"Damn, pricey."
"Got a proposal."
[Anomaly Response Agency Freelancer Recruitment!]
Unhoused, criminals, credit defaulters welcome. Earn fast in short time!
"How much pay...?"
"Freelancers start at 15th Grade. One mission's 500,000 won minimum."
"That much?"
Four missions a month = 2 mil? Spare time for tending anomalies in the management office?
"Sign me up now."
The official leaned close, hands clasped, whispering low.
"Honestly, not the safest gig. I'm just following protocol from above—choose carefully."
She glanced at higher-ups behind her and returned to her spot.
"Mr. Jeongchan, we assume you survived an anomaly or phenomenon. Most don't, so you've got talent. Hence the job offer."
"What kind?"
"Search for anomalies using Agency intel, or uncover rules in anomalous spaces."
Holy shit.
Paid to meet anomalies.
"I'll do it."
"Head to the nearest Response Agency branch."
I grabbed what she gave and left the community center.
Oh, forgot to ask where she got the hairband.
The moment I reopened the door:
[Ingim-dong Community Center]
The surroundings shifted from fog-shrouded streets to a lone building adrift in mist.
'Anomalous space?'
The sucking sensation, like drain debris, felt like entering the management office.
A notebook and pen lay where I stood.
※ This anomalous space remains unknown. All the Response Agency can provide is this notebook and pen, returning you here upon death. Please record to boost future survival rates. —9th Grade Ha Taewon, Response Agency
1. Fog = instant death, right? Tons die to fog. Took the stairs to the roof to scout.
F—ck, these stairs are endless. Footsteps approaching from behind. I'm done. Kim Chunbae from Gimpo, Gyeonggi. Tell my family if you survive. ID: 901209-XXXXXXX
2. Gangdongsa Choi Gilhyeong.
3. Above guy's trash? Gangdong everywhere, no escape. 1F vibe's off, elevator to roof.
Elevator. NEVER ride with anyone.
No need for my name. See grandma soon.
4. If anyone survives, call my parents. Address here, take what's inside.
Roof empty. Quadruped monster chased mid-way, but solo elevator hop changes floors fine. Persistent chase? 3F conference room hides you.
3F safe. Reserve army HQ risky before, probably ok now. I'm out. Good luck.
5. Believed 2F start. 1F screams death, so 2F complaints desk. Blood dripping from above, basket there.
Blood. DON'T TOUCH. Melts humans d— d—aa— get cau— ght... h-hide... well... k...
6. Saw 5, checked 1F. Just offices? No signs of life, went in.
Fucked. Out-for-lunch guys returned. Barely escaped, almost shat. Toilet note:
Right stall FORBIDDEN.
7. Back to door, right urinal? Using toilet. Fine til sit. No exit obvious. Probably 2F complaints. Going.
AVOID 1F TOILET. They don't use it. DON'T USE TOILET. DON'T. DO. NOT.
8. This is community center. Complainants are kings, rioting 2F.
9. "Employees are someone's kids" sign—8's fault? Got number ticket, passed wallet with ID.
Sudden residency registration. Living here. Got job. First paycheck: 2 fingers. Civil servant pay sucks. But more fingers = easier typing.
4th from door. Save me if you meet.
10. NEVER 4th window. Bastard sniffs humans like ghost.
11. Trying death cert for myself. Back if ok.
12. No ID? Still got family cert, resident reg. Lost fingers. F—ck, no way.
13. Fucked. Death cert on my tormentor. Hope he dies. Sugeum lol.
14. Tried auto-kiosk. Paid a hand and an eye. Other anomalies in line asked why no haggle at the window. F—ck... it wasn't unmanned.
15. Got welfare. Took lots—DON'T. Can't be treated human outside. In parking lot scrap bin. Don't use your bodies at pickup, take mine one by one.
16. 2F mascot always here? Cute~
17. Ticket black. Normal? Mayor calls suddenly. Private meeting. Hope it goes well.
18. Teamed with guy here. Dinner at red-glasses ajumma's later.
19. Complaints room not too horrific. Waiting sans ticket.
After 18:00 community center time ABSOLUTELY NO. Better die—
20. what the fuck.
...
85. Did everything asked, can't leave. Asked exit straight. Demanded heart. Other complainants say processing's a mess.
Flipping this shit over.
"What a total mess."
Jeongchan clicked his tongue at the community center stained with black aura.