[Oh, dear.]
The Nostalgia Candy I was holding in my hand vanished.
“…!”
[Goodness! Mr. Roe Deer, were you trying to make a meal out of candy?]
“Haha….”
[This simply won't do!]
The vanished Nostalgia Candy reappeared in Braun’s gloved hand like magic, then disappeared again with a theatrical flourish.
…It was gone, completely.
“…….”
Ah, was I supposed to applaud?
Clap, clap, clap….
When I struck my palms together, Braun bowed his head like a magician taking a bow.
“Um, where did the candy go…?”
[Mr. Roe Deer, your first meal in a month is a stale old candy from who-knows-when! Oh, this is an insult to catering.]
Snap.
The Host snapped his fingers.
[Some say the passion for creation stems from hunger… but my standards are a bit different!]
[First, let us have some proper food.]
At the Host's request, faceless employees opened the door to my waiting room and greeted me cheerfully.
Then, a white tablecloth was spread over the table in one corner of the room, and food began to be laid out with clockwork precision.
It was steaming hot Western cuisine.
A full-course dinner that looked like it should be served in stages was placed on the table all at once.
[Since you didn't make a special request, Mr. Roe Deer, this Braun has personally made a selection today.]
[There, you’ll feel much better once you’ve finished your meal….]
“…….”
…I suddenly realized that it had been a very long time since I’d seen warm food.
The Host, sitting across from me, displayed a smiling emoticon on his TV screen and waved the cutlery on either side of it.
Bon appetit!!
…For some reason, the surroundings felt dark.
It was as if a spotlight were shining only on the feast on the table…….
Glint.
My silver ring shimmered under the light illuminating the table, then looked dull again as it was overtaken by the light reflecting off a fork.
“…….”
I hesitated for a moment before finally picking up the utensils.
But just as I was debating what to eat first….
[As for a drink to go with it… yes, Mr. Roe Deer. You said you liked grapes, didn't you?]
“……!”
With a flourish of the Host's hand, a curved glass bottle filled with a shimmering ruby liquid appeared on the table.
A wine bottle.
[It is a very high-quality wine. I received it as a gift while hosting a quiz show previously, and I’ve decided to open it to commemorate my friend's successful first appearance….]
I absentmindedly read the vintage printed on the bottle. 1999.
It was the same year the 'Happy Ending Teddy' edition—the guest I had recruited this time—was manufactured.
“…Did you match it with the manufacturing year of this broadcast's guest by any chance?”
[Ah, an audience member who notices such details is always a delight. You are correct!]
[I prepared it as a celebration. After all, wasn't it your debut stage!]
[Ah, a great entertainer must always pay attention to such details to ensure an emotional impact. Soleum, I hope this serves as a good lesson for you….]
The Host personally uncorked the wine.
The ruby liquid swirled into a glass and was placed before me.
[Well then… shall we have a glass?]
……Hmm.
It felt awkward not to drink when he’d gone this far, but for some reason, even though my appetite was returning, my motivation wasn't.
[…Oh dear. Is it not to your liking, Mr. Roe Deer? It seems my talent for reading a friend's heart was lacking. How embarrassing for a broadcaster….]
“Ah, no. That’s not it.”
I felt a bit anxious.
I picked up the wine poured into the glass and….
Drank it.
…….
“It’s delicious.”
[Is it not? Please, enjoy it at your leisure….]
“Okay.”
I picked up my utensils.
“…….”
The meal continued.
For some reason, the more I ate and drank, the clearer my head felt.
It was as if nutrients were flooding into a weary body… no, that wasn't a metaphor; that was exactly what was happening.
‘I thought I was in good condition.’
I might have been more exhausted than I realized.
…….
…Wait, hold on!
‘Of course I would be, if I haven't eaten for a month!’
Common sense says it's impossible for a human to be fine after not eating for a month.
‘I should be dead.’
Good grief. I’m only realizing this now?
[Hm? Mr. Roe Deer, is there a problem with the food?]
“No. That’s not it.”
I continued eating.
The more I ate, the more I felt my brain starting to function properly.
‘Even if I wasn't contaminated by this Darkness, it seems I was being affected by it to some extent.’
My mind must have been in a daze.
I had just been working like a madman ever since I got here.
Was I just too excited that I wasn't scared anymore…? Anyway.
‘I’d better check.’
I almost pulled another candy out of my tattoo, but I stopped, feeling it might be a waste.
Besides, I needed the Great Host's permission.
“Braun, could you give me back the candy you took earlier?”
[Hm?]
“Now that I’ve finished my meal, I’d like to have one for dessert.”
[Oh… I see. Certainly.]
Braun placed a single candy back onto my palm.
The Nostalgia Candy.
[Here it is, Soleum!]
I remembered clearly now.
‘Eating this candy returns your body to its peak condition within the last ten years.’
It was thanks to this that I survived Sekwang Technical High School.
‘Good.’
I popped the candy into my mouth.
…….
Hmm.
‘Nothing’s changing?’
It… just felt like a confirmation.
‘This must mean that I’m currently in my best possible state.’
They say stress is the root of all illness, so I guess it really is important for a person to do work that suits their aptitude.
In the future, I should just…… not work without eating….
Even if it felt like skipping meals was no problem because I was working in a supernatural talk show, it was clearly having an effect.
‘Come to think of it, working all the time was a bit strange too.’
I set down my empty wine glass and spoke seriously.
“Braun. No matter how much I think about it, I have to say this….”
[Hm?]
“About my employment contract. Shouldn't we discuss things like vacations and salary?”
[Oh… Soleum.]
Braun looked at me with a somewhat dubious expression, and the emoticon on the TV screen touched its forehead.
[Of course, the crew of my show are guaranteed sufficient vacation and silver coins…. I am quite perplexed as to what kind of explanation you heard on your first day.]
I-Is that so?
‘Was I not in my right mind because I hadn't eaten?’
Now that I thought about it, my memories of the first few days after I started working here were a bit fuzzy.
I think I even lost all the items I used at Daydream Inc…. This is driving me crazy.
“Sorry. But I’d like to negotiate the working conditions now, if possible.”
[Of course, Mr. Roe Deer!]
After a good meal and with a clear head, I engaged in intense negotiations with the Host and finalized the employment contract.
Two days off a week, summer and winter vacations, 50 Oddity's Silver Coins, and a performance-based bonus every six months….
Hmm. Not bad.
[Then let us plan to sign the contract before this week is over!]
“Got it.”
[Now you will officially be working for the talk show. Ah, that’s right. I actually had a surprise idea that came to me during today’s live broadcast!]
[I stopped by the waiting room to tell you, but I was so shocked to see you popping a candy on an empty stomach after a month of fasting that I nearly forgot. My goodness!]
“Haha… um. Sorry. What was it?”
Braun pointed to my forearm with his gloved hand.
[I’m talking about your tattoos, Mr. Roe Deer.]
Ah.
I lifted my arm and looked at the text.
The skin of my forearm, where the makeup had been smudged, was mottled and reddish.
[It must be a chore to get makeup done every time you appear. Oh, a workaholic like Mr. Roe Deer, who tries to work even when given break time, would find it even more so! In that sense….]
[Why don't we just erase them entirely?]
“…….”
[Think about it. It would save time, and it’s a chance to be free from those bothersome shackles….]
“Wait a minute.”
[‘Wait a minute’? Aha, is there something bothering you?]
“These tattoos have been very useful in many ways.”
[Haha! Is that all!]
[That was back when you were working for that painful company that offered neither fun nor proper treatment.]
[Soleum, aren't you a member of the crew for this wonderful talk show now? You will be treated well wherever you go. You can even get free sundae ice cream at the boutique. Come now, let's wipe away these messy scraps of text.]
Hmm.
“Still, I think… I could use these in a fun way.”
Especially the inventory tattoo.
‘I could use it for some interesting directing on the talk show, too.’
I could pull something out of my arm like magic to surprise the audience. Even if I wasn't on stage, it would be useful for helping the staff carry sets or lights in an emergency.
“Why should I get rid of an ability I already have? I’m asking because I’m not really convinced.”
[Hmm.]
The Host clasped his hands together.
[I see, Soleum. Now that you’ve eaten and regained your strength, you’re showing more of your true, independent self…. Good!]
[In that case, I will look into this separately. I’ll find something that can produce a very similar effect.]
[To even covet a magician's tricks! Such a passionate attitude is truly moving. Haha!]
An emoticon wiping away tears appeared on Braun’s TV screen.
[Then enjoy the rest of your break, friend!]
“Yeah. Thanks.”
The Host watched until the catering staff had finished cleaning up the remains of the meal in my waiting room, then waved and left.
“Phew.”
I sat down on the sofa.
The next talk show segment wasn't one I was appearing in, and since the guest recruitment and directing meetings for this week were already finished, I had some free time.
‘Shall I do some organizing, then?’
Since I might end up erasing the tattoos, it wouldn't be a bad idea to organize the items inside first.
Now that I’d noticed I’d lost the items I received from Daydream Inc., I should properly check what else was in there as well.
Tack.
I reached my hand into the inventory tattoo and began taking various items out and lining them up on the table.
‘Most things are perfectly fine.’
Other than the company items, the only thing missing was the Blood Bath… ah, that was in the bathroom. So it’s not there.
Even the exclusive equipment made by the company was still there….
Among them were things I hadn't made myself, but had received as gifts.
“Ah.”
I pulled out a black button the size of a fingernail.
…It was Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s communication button.
‘Is this the button Section Chief Lee Jaheon was talking about?’
Well, I guess she meant for us to stay in touch.
‘I’m grateful.’
I’ll have to try using it when I get a vacation and go outside. I tucked the button away with a smile.
And after passing by the Happy Maker, emergency rations, Blood-Sucking Knife, wrapping paper, and the Necronomicon….
I also saw a red button.
We Help! - ₩66,666,666
‘Surely he wasn't talking about this button.’
This was the kind of thing you press only in a moment of absolute desperation!
There was no reason or need for him to suggest it to someone who had successfully changed jobs and was working perfectly fine.
I casually placed it on the table.
‘Is that almost everything?’
There was almost nothing left in the tattoo… ah, one more thing.
A paper bag with a theme park mascot on it emerged from the tattoo.
What filled the bag was a dragon-shaped churros.
[Blue Soda Churros]
Wow.
‘It’s been so long, I can’t even remember when I got this.’
I think I kept it after selling one to a Disaster Management Bureau official?
Since it had been kept in the inventory tattoo, it didn't seem to have spoiled.
I was about to place it on the table… when I felt a strange sensation and examined it.
I could read text that I couldn't read before.
Ecstatic taste
A healthy snack for children
A healthy snack, huh.
‘…Is it okay to eat?’
I mean, well, the Host said it was okay to eat the candy.
And he told me to make sure I ate well!
‘If I erase the tattoo, it’ll go bad anyway, so maybe it’s better to just eat it now.’
It would be a waste otherwise.
‘Right.’
I put the churros in my mouth.
The churros, with a texture like popping candy, crunched in my mouth and slid down my throat….
And then.
And then…….
“~~!!”
Something surged up from my throat.
Splatter, gush.
Dark blue water began to pour out of the mouth that had just swallowed the churros.
Seawater that smelled of salt.
“…!! ~!!”
Seawater, completely filling my throat and mouth, poured frantically onto the floor of the talk show waiting room.
I-I can't breathe!
I can't breathe!
‘W-What is this….’
What kind of "healthy snack" is this, you f—… no! I shouldn't swear! But what the hell am I supposed to do in this situation….
A-Ah, no. My mind is growing hazy, maybe from the lack of oxygen. I-I’m going to die…….
…….
‘That.’
We Help.
I barely managed to place my hand on the table.
As I scrambled through the belongings I’d laid out, the moment my hand touched the red button.
“~!!”
I slammed my arm down on the table and pressed the button frantically.
Now seawater was streaming out of my eyes, nose, and ears.
‘H-Help me….’
And then.
Peeeeeeeeeek!
An alarm blared insanely inside my head…….
[Emergency call complete]
My consciousness flickered out.
-Assistant Manager Kim Soleum.
“…….”
-Assistant Manager Kim Soleum.
“Gasp!!”
What the f—!
I jumped up, startled out of my wits.
Or at least, I thought I’d jumped up….
Everything was pitch black.
…….
I couldn't see anything. No, I couldn't feel anything. I had no sense of touch. No sense of smell, no sense of hearing! Nothing! There was nothing! Nothing….
-Are you awake?
“…!!”
A familiar tone of voice echoed in my head.
That was….
“…Team Leader Lee Jaheon?”
-Yes.
In that moment.
Thump!!
The world vibrated.
‘W-What was that!’
-Please wait a moment.
And a few seconds later.
My vision suddenly opened up.
My waiting room, half-filled with water. It was the scene I’d seen right before losing consciousness.
But I wasn't seeing it ‘directly’.
It was as if… a screen like a CCTV feed, as if I were peeping through someone else’s eyes, was floating in front of me…….
“……!”
The vision on the screen checked its own limbs.
My tattoo visible on the wrist.
…It was me.
It was a view of someone else controlling my body!
-Moving now.
And the vision began to move.
W-Wait, what?!
‘Hold on, could this be….’
“W-Wait a minute. Are you the one moving my body right now, Team Leader?”
-Yes.
I swallowed hard.
“……Were you summoned by the ‘We Help’ button?”
-Yes.
“…….”
Wait a second.
Wait a second!
The 'We Help!' button sold at the Alien Shop… summoned Section Chief Lee Jaheon?
“Team Leader.”
I swallowed hard.
“…Are you, by any chance, the alien from the Cosmic shopping mall?”
-? Yes.
AAAAAAHH!!
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