Department Store of Desire - Grand Opening (1)
I returned to Serria's Dungeon and went straight to find Serria.
“Oh my, you're back sooner than I expected?”
“I had preparations to make.”
I cut right to the chase.
“Princess, I have one request.”
“Speak it, noble one.”
“For this defense battle, please don't deploy any succubi.”
“My children?”
Serria's eyes widened round.
“Then who will greet the intruders?”
“The ghost stories alone will suffice. I want to test their pure power.”
“Ah, I get it.”
Serria nodded.
“Understood. As you wish, I'll pull all the children to the rear.”
“Thank you. Also, is there a lounge or rest area where your minions gather the most?”
“A lounge?”
Serria tapped the corner of her lips with her index finger.
“Hmm... The children flock to the 5th floor lounge the most. It's rest time right now, conveniently.”
“5th floor. Perfect.”
I turned to Serria.
“Let's go together. I have something to show you.”
“Something to show me?”
Her eyes sparkled. With a look of pure curiosity, she followed behind me.
5th floor. The elevator doors slid open, unleashing a cacophony of chatter. In that instant, countless gazes locked onto me.
“Oh! It's the noble one!”
“The noble one's here!”
Cheers erupted from all sides. A swarm of succubi rushed forward, black wings fluttering. In seconds, my vision filled with pale flesh tones. It was suffocating. Cold sweat beaded on my forehead.
“Everyone, that's enough. You're troubling the noble one.”
Serria scolded them softly. The excited succubi obediently parted, clearing a path.
As the commotion died down, Serria turned to me, her eyes brimming with anticipation.
“So, what are you going to show us here?”
“Do you have a TV?”
“A TV?”
“Yes. I need a video display.”
Nearby succubi shot their hands up eagerly.
“Over there! I'll guide you, noble one!”
“This way! This way!”
I followed the herd of succubi. They led me to a spacious lounge area. A massive TV dominated one wall.
I approached the TV.
Boss, link the CCTV feed.
Link CCTV Feed
The black screen flickered—flash!—then sharp footage streamed in. It was the interior of a ghost story.
“Oh my?”
Serria's eyes went wide. The surrounding succubi started murmuring.
I held up the remote and spoke.
“From now on, you can monitor the ghost story's interior in real-time right here.”
“Real-time?”
“Yes. It's linked to this remote, so flipping channels lets you check each floor. It acts like a control room.”
Serria's cheeks flushed red at my explanation.
“My goodness... With this, we can really fend off intruders.”
“Just watch like it's a movie.”
No sooner had I finished than the succubi erupted in cheers.
“Kyaaah! Awesome!”
“Now we get live broadcasts of humans dying?”
“I hope those bastards come soon! I wanna see blood exploding!”
Their eyes gleamed with anticipation for brutal slaughter. Sure, the words were chilling, but with faces like peerless beauties, it wasn't repulsive.
Demon world folk really love the cruel stuff.
“Anyway, let's flip channels.”
[Plastic Surgeon Ghost Story]
I manipulated the screen. The channel switched, revealing the interior of the [Department Store Ghost Story].
[Department Store Ghost Story]
In that instant...
“......”
We were all speechless.
...Why are there so many ghost stories?
Serria and the succubi beside me couldn't close their mouths either.
“My goodness......”
“What the hell are all those? All ghost stories?”
The screen showed the department store packed tight. Every floor brimmed with heteromorphs wearing human skins.
“I need to check something. I'll be right back.”
“Ah, yes! Go ahead!”
I excused myself from the girls staring blankly at the screen and headed out.
Straight to the Hwarong Department Store sector.
A chill grazed my skin as I entered. I boarded the VIP elevator immediately. Hit the button—the doors closed, rocketing to the top floor.
Ding.
The doors opened to the branch manager's office. The manager shot up from his desk.
“Welcome, President Han.”
“Long time no see, Manager.”
“It's an honor to have your esteemed footsteps in this humble place.”
The branch manager greeted me politely.
“What brings you here?”
“Something to confirm.”
I asked directly.
“Can you tell me roughly how many ghost stories are inside the department store right now?”
“Ah, staff status. Please wait a moment.”
The manager pulled a notepad from his pocket. He scribbled numbers rapidly with a pen.
The scratching stopped. I took the paper he offered.
1F: 127
2F: 89
3F: 156
4F: 203
5F: 98
6F: 174
Total: 847+ Ghost Stories Deployed
“Huh.”
A dry laugh escaped me.
Insane.
The numbers were unreal. The trial run I experienced last time was just a teaser, nothing more.
Then, an eerie voice whispered in my ear.
Ah...... hello......
Long time no see......
The owner of the department store. President White.
“Long time no see, President White.”
I greeted her, and the voice trembled shyly.
Wa... nt...... ed to see you......
“......”
Visit often......
I'm...... lonely......
Can't you...... stay here...... forever......?
I forced a neutral expression and replied awkwardly.
“I'll drop by from time to time.”
Promise......
We mu... st talk......
Scary as hell! Coming here often might actually kill me.
Only rarely. Really only when necessary.
After my chat with President White ended, I turned to the branch manager.
“Manager. A massive wave of customers will hit soon.”
“Oh, delightful news.”
A thick smile spread across his face.
“The staff will be thrilled.”
“That's why—this time, I'm stepping in personally.”
“Personally?”
The manager's eyes widened.
“Got a new ability. Thinking of using Possession to take on one of the ghost story roles.”
“Possession......?”
His eyes gleamed with interest.
“You plan to instill fear yourself and plunge them into despair?”
I nodded affirmatively, and he burst into booming laughter.
“As expected of President Han—you're one of us. Impressive, hahaha.”
I don't want recognition from ghost stories like that. How did an upstanding citizen like me end up treated this way? Truly tragic.
Voice's mocking laugh echoed in my head. The boss.
...Somehow pisses me off.
“Ah, and one more request.”
“Speak.”
“Not all of them—but I'm planning to let about four go alive.”
“Four?”
The manager tilted his head quizzically.
“Not killing them all?”
“Some acquaintances are mixed in. Don't want to touch them.”
“Ah, circumstances like that. Understood. I'll instruct the staff ahead of time—no touching those four......”
“No. No need for that.”
I waved it off lightly.
“Let them go naturally. Spoils the fun if it's obvious.”
“Then how?”
“I'll handle the selection. Instead, Manager—do you have something like escape tickets?”
“Escape tickets?”
“Yes. Need a sure way to send them out.”
“Of course. One moment.”
The manager rummaged in his suit's inner pocket.
“Here.”
◈ Guarantees safe exit from Hwarong Department Store
◈ Usable on selected targets
“Thanks. I'll put them to good use.”
“No trouble at all. Acquaintances of President Han are VIPs to us too.”
The manager added with a meaningful smile.
“We look forward to it, President Han. Please teach our staff what true terror really is.”
I smirked and pocketed the tickets.
“You'll see beyond your wildest imagination.”
Ten days flew by.
Dungeon Festival day. I arrived at the rendezvous clearing right on time, as promised with Agent Han Jun-hyun.
Dozens were already gathered. Distinguishing them was easy. One group wore black martial uniforms embroidered with a golden black dragon across the chest. The other: black-suited agents.
No mistaking who was Heukryonghoe and who was the Anomaly Management Team.
Then, someone blocked my path. A middle-aged man whose face was riddled with scars.
“What’s this weakling?”
He looked plenty menacing. Keeping a straight face, I spoke calmly.
“Anomaly Management Team, Han Suho.”
“Tch.”
The man clicked his tongue and shouldered past me.
Thud! The impact felt like hitting a boulder—my body staggered. Definitely on purpose.
I straightened up and glared at his retreating back.
Suits customer satisfaction at a luxury boutique...
Then, a familiar voice.
“Suho-ssi.”
I turned. Han Jun-hyun was approaching.
“Ah, Jun-hyun-ssi. You're here.”
“You're early. Any issues on the way?”
“Fine, except just now exchanging greetings with a rough fellow.”
I nodded toward the man.
“Who’s that, anyway?”
Han Jun-hyun glanced at the man's back.
“Ri Wei. Heukryonghoe's dispatched raid team's leader.”
“Leader? Pretty abrasive personality.”
“Rough around the edges, but his skills are top-notch. He'll be a solid asset for this op.”
Han Jun-hyun patted my shoulder lightly and continued.
“Anyway, let's move. Got people to introduce before briefing.”
Following him led to nine agents waiting.
Han Jun-hyun stood before them and introduced me.
“Attention. This is Han Suho, joining as special advisor for this op. As you know, the ghost story expert who cracked the Hwarong Department Store incident.”
I scanned their faces one by one. Jun-hyun trusts me fully, but would these guys?
Then, the young-faced agent at the front piped up.
“Watched the whole live broadcast! Figuring out those rules gave me chills!”
“Ah, uh, thanks.”
As I replied awkwardly, another agent chimed in.
“Our team lost it. How do you stay so calm in that? Real steel nerves.”
The agents tossed friendly comments my way. Not a trace of suspicion in their eyes.
Han Jun-hyun smiled warmly.
“These folks aren't slouches either. All battle-hardened vets with multiple ghost story clears under their belts. Elite members.”
The agents waved it off.
“Nah, Team Leader. Those were just brute-force ghost stories.”
“Embarrassed to even introduce ourselves in front of Suho-ssi.”
They chuckled sheepishly. Amid the warm vibes and greetings...
Ri Wei approached.
“Hey, anomaly team. Enough chit-chat?”
He spat it out with his usual scowl.
Han Jun-hyun nodded.
“Not chit-chat—briefing. We agreed to cooperate, right?”
“Tch.”
Ri Wei clicked his tongue curtly and returned to his men.
Some power struggle? Doesn't look like Heukryonghoe and the agents get along great.
“Let's go, Suho-ssi. Van's ready.”
Under Han Jun-hyun's guidance, I boarded the black van. Soon, a convoy of vehicles filed out of the clearing.
Destination: Serria's Dungeon.