The Fox Counseling Room was cozy and warm.
Director Ho was waiting for me at a table in the hallway-like waiting area, in front of the doorplate that read ‘Closed Today.’
And as soon as I sat down across from him after a polite greeting, this was the first thing I said.
“You want… workers’ comp?”
“Yes.”
I pulled out the empty space where my right arm should have been and displayed it confidently on the table.
“An incident occurred where I had to have my arm severed during my very first mission for the Disaster Management Bureau.”
“…….”
If Director Ho had any sense, he would remember.
-It will be more comfortable for you.
How he had introduced the spy role to me as a job with better working conditions and safety.
But after rolling around in Daydream for over half a year and extracting A-Class solution twice while keeping all my limbs intact, I lost one just three days after passing the Agent exam.
‘It’s basically a scam.’
Of course, I was fully prepared for him to push back, saying it was just bad luck or due to my lack of ability….
“Oh dear! Of course we should do that for you!”
“……!”
Director Ho’s face fell into a pout, and he nodded.
“It must have been very painful, Soleum. Then, is it correct that you currently need a Regeneration Potion from Daydream Inc.?”
“Exactly.”
“I, of course, would like to give you as many potions as you want right now. But… I’m worried if you can handle the consequences.”
“…Pardon?”
Director Ho glanced at the empty space where my arm had been.
“If your arm suddenly reappears… you’ll have no excuse to give to the Disaster Management Bureau. I thought it might put you in a difficult position.”
“…….”
“And I’m sure the Disaster Management Bureau has its own ways of dealing with lost body parts. I wonder if there’s an urgent reason why you specifically want a Regeneration Potion from Daydream Inc. as well….”
Director Ho trailed off with a worried face, then clasped his hands as if realizing something.
“Ah, I think I might be overthinking it. Of course, you must have a brilliant method in mind, Soleum.”
“Yes.”
“…….”
“Um, I think there was a misunderstanding because I didn't explain myself clearly.”
I smiled slightly.
“I’m not bothering you because I intend to use the Regeneration Potion right now, Director.”
“Not at all! I didn’t think you were bothering me, but if that’s the case?”
“I need the potion so that I can regenerate it immediately ‘when another body part goes missing’ in the future.”
“…!”
“The Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau basically operates in one-man cells, don't they? So I figured I could just regenerate before coming out of the ghost story and reporting in.”
How about that?
“I heard they strongly suggest retirement if physical damage reaches an unmanageable level, so I also intend to prevent that….”
“…….”
“Of course, if the company’s situation makes it difficult, I will try to endure.”
But would Director Ho flatly refuse, saying our company is struggling?
‘No way.’
If he wanted to refuse, he would have to make excuses, change his story, or conversely, suddenly suppress a subordinate.
‘Neither of those is Director Ho’s style.’
I trusted that he wouldn't act that way just to save one C-Class Regeneration Potion…….
“You know what, Soleum?”
Director Ho peered into my eyes.
“Whenever I look at you, I often think it’s like looking at my past self…….”
The Fox Counseling Room shook strangely.
Old dirt walls, traditional paper windows, rafters, and a moldy wooden floor.
“I miss it so much….”
For some reason, something like a collapsed thatched house flickered in my vision. Beyond the comfortable modern interior, that eerie abandoned house strangely….
Click.
“Ah, you’re here.”
“…!”
Everything stopped as the door to the Fox Counseling Room opened.
Two people, a man and a woman, entered the waiting area of the cozy Fox Counseling Room through the gap in the door with tense faces.
They were familiar faces.
“A-Ah, hello.”
“…!”
Go Yeongeun, Jang Heowoon.
The two who had infiltrated the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau as spies alongside me had also been invited to this meeting.
I was tearfully glad to see them.
“Welcome, you two.”
Director Ho smiled and seated them at the table.
I looked at Ms. Go Yeongeun, who gave a small nod, and then at Jang Heowoon, whose face was clearly glad to see me until he saw my right arm and turned pale.
“Ah, since Soleum gave such a good suggestion, all of you will be receiving one Regeneration Potion each. Isn’t that wonderful?”
“…?! Y-Yes….”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
Ms. Go Yeongeun was somewhat okay, but Mr. Jang Heowoon looked exactly like a mouse in front of a cat.
It meant he was extremely tense.
‘That’s only natural in front of an executive….’
Even more so if it’s an executive of a Ghost Story Company met within a ghost story.
“Um, aren’t you happy?”
“I-I am happy.”
“…It is a happy and grateful thing, but I was nervous because we have to report on our work. My apologies.”
“Ah, right. I suppose it’s only natural to be nervous. Then let’s have a quick chat about that!”
Director Ho smiled as if he understood everything and suddenly turned to one person.
“Yeongeun, I heard you almost went missing but made it out safely with the help of your colleague here. I’m so glad! Right? It was worth the three of you infiltrating together.”
“……Yes.”
I heard a short intake of breath from Ms. Go Yeongeun.
“Heo Un, I heard you’re doing well too. You joined the Field Cleanup Unit, didn't you? That’s a good unit for accessing documents.”
“T-That, yes. That is correct….”
Jang Heowoon couldn't lift his gaze.
Director Ho smiled and picked up the green tea I had prepared.
“It’s wonderful to meet and talk in person like this. I hope you won’t be nervous just because it’s the first time and stay comfortable….”
“…….”
“…….”
If this was the first time for all three of us to report our current status.
Then from whom exactly did he ‘hear’ our respective assignments?
‘…He has other hands and feet within the Management Bureau.’
He certainly knew how to set the atmosphere so we wouldn't dare do anything.
I really hate superiors like this….
However, the three lower-level employees who had to do as they were told just sat stiffly, bowing their heads and silently sipping instant green tea.
“U-Um.”
“…!”
No, I thought that was the case, but surprisingly, one person spoke up.
Even more surprisingly, it was Mr. Jang Heowoon.
“If it’s not too much trouble, there is something I have been wanting to ask….”
“Oh, what would that be?”
“Exactly what kind of document we are supposed to find in the Management Bureau,”
“That is none of your concern.”
Silence fell.
“I’ll let you know when the time is right! Once you are able to access information that is sufficiently necessary for our Project.”
“…….”
“For now… well, I think knowing this much is fine.”
Director Ho smiled.
“It is a document regarding a certain Supernatural Disaster.”
I expected that much.
“It’s something kept in the archives on the 33rd basement floor of the Gangwon branch of the Management Bureau. If we’re talking classifications... Extinction Grade.”
“…! Th-That’s…….”
“Ah, you heard about it during your training! That’s right.”
Extinction Grade
“It’s a Supernatural Disaster for which the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau has officially issued its highest danger rating.”
…That was right.
A name given to Supernatural Disasters that cause casualties on a scale even the Management Bureau, which only manages ghost stories with fatalities, finds completely unmanageable.
The criteria….
Estimated deaths of five hundred thousand or more.
In short, it was a name reserved for insane situations where people are ground up like the population of a large city. A ghost story of the Cosmic Horror variety that truly deserved the name ‘Disaster.’
But here’s the thing.
‘I… think I know what it is.’
That ghost story Director Ho just mentioned.
-One of the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau's Annihilation-class Ghost Stories that is related to Daydream Inc.'s ‘Project.’
The cases were already too narrowed down with just this clue.
‘There’s only one in the Dark Exploration Record.’
Thanks to that, I realized what Director Ho is looking for and what that damn Project is trying to do…!
‘This is insane.’
To think they were digging behind a crazy ghost story that makes one’s mind go blank just by thinking about it.
My heart pounded wildly, and my head cooled down.
I can’t go on like this.
‘I might not get that Wish Ticket for years at this rate.’
I have to cut ties.
But I don’t even want to imagine what would happen the moment that quick-witted and terrifying Director finds out I already know.
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
The wisest choice is….
‘Let’s just keep my mouth shut for now.’
I shouldn't let my back get broken in a fight between whales.
I looked at the table without making eye contact with the Director, wearing a tense face as much as everyone else. It wasn't hard since I was already nervous.
Fortunately, the Director didn't notice.
“Um, is that enough of an answer?”
“……Yes.”
“Good!”
The conversation continued.
“Ah, and about that ‘workers’ comp’ processing.”
The Regeneration Potion.
“Formal execution seems difficult. After all, the three of you are not officially part of the headquarters.”
Fortunately, he wasn't trying to go back on his word now.
“So, let’s consider it as being paid out as an activity fund.”
Director Ho held up his fingers.
“10,000 monthly Points.”
“…!!”
“I’ll give you temporary accounts for the welfare mall. You’re free to use them however you like, but they’ll disappear if you don’t use them within a month.”
My goodness.
That was an amount that could buy a C-Class Regeneration Potion every month.
“Are we all satisfied then?”
Director Ho looked at each person, finally resting his gaze on me.
I bowed my head politely.
“Yes. For now, I am only grateful.”
For now, that is.
“Good!”
Director Ho smiled broadly.
And then he went a step further.
“Ah, would it be alright if I gave you one more piece of help for your activities? Everyone, please hold out your hands.”
“Ah.”
The two very politely raised both hands and held out their palms.
I also raised one hand and spread my palm. And as I placed it on the table….
“Not like that, with the back of your hands facing up.”
“…….”
The moment I corrected my hand position.
“There we go.”
Something began to be drawn on the backs of our hands.
“…!!”
“Be careful. If you move, I might have to use those Regeneration Potions….”
This is crazy.
Numerous hollow circles rippled across the back of my hand like waves.
‘What is he doing?’
A frustrating feeling, like a strange tightening, spread….
-Man, woman, man. From now on, the three of you shall not be able to call each other’s codenames.
“……!”
-If there are prying eyes, you cannot share any information with each other that hints at your true identities.
Thump.
Thump.
-Should you try to change this, you will be punished.
Something circular hammered into the back of my hand as if digging in. The vibration starting from the back of my hand spread throughout my body. And….
“Gasp!”
It disappeared. Without a trace.
“…….”
“…….”
Sweating profusely, the three spies pulled their hands away from the table.
“…Th-This is.”
“I prepared this diligently to help ensure that none of you make a mistake.”
Director Ho smiled kindly.
But none of us three could smile.
“I just heard it called a punishment.”
“Pardon?”
“You said we would be punished.”
“Ah, it’s nothing major, just something obvious… if you’re in a situation where you’re trying to force this Binding Restriction to break, it might
mean a big problem has occurred.”
Director Ho smiled and interlaced his fingers.
“Then as a ‘punishment’… whatever you hold most dear will come to meet me.”
“……!”
“I’ll take good care of it.”
“Wait a moment! That’s….”
I intentionally caught Ms. Go Yeongeun’s eye as she was about to protest.
“…….”
“Yes?”
Ms. Go Yeongeun slowly calmed her body down, then asked again in a composed tone.
“…Then, will we be under this Binding Restriction until the moment the Project ‘succeeds’?”
“No. This is just a device to help you in your work!”
He really has a way with words.
‘Help?’
“This auxiliary device will disappear as soon as you find the information on the Extinction-class Disaster I mentioned. And….”
Director Ho rested his chin on his hand.
Leaning toward us.
“The person who contributes to this task will receive a potion immediately at that time.”
“…….”
Wait a minute.
I heard Jang Heowoon’s trembling voice from beside me.
“I-If it’s a potion.”
“A Wish Ticket.”
“…!!”
“As long as you perform your assigned roles, you can receive a Wish Ticket right away! Isn’t that amazing?”
My goodness.
“I worked hard to make it so you wouldn't have to wait until the Project succeeds.”
Suddenly, the timeframe for receiving the Wish Ticket had been drastically reduced.
This spy work was beginning to feel incredibly alluring.
‘If I do well, I can get it unimaginably fast.’
As long as I do well!
“…….”
At the same time, a chill ran down my spine.
‘He revealed it now on purpose.’
He was providing a secondary motivation to cling to this task until death.
Instead of notifying us of everything at the beginning and letting us choose after careful consideration, he controlled the information.
‘So he made it feel like it was right in front of our eyes.’
I’d thought this before, but his methods are sweatingly clever and multi-layered.
‘…And it’s not just this.’
I recalled Director Ho’s previous statement.
The words he said when he put me into this spy work.
-And since I thought you might be lonely alone, others will be deployed with you.
If you just heard this, it sounds as if he’s infiltrating other people into the Management Bureau as spies for my sake.
But once I said okay and checked, it was the opposite.
‘My colleagues had already been deployed to the Management Bureau before me.’
Director Ho doesn't lie about the phenomenon itself.
However, he seemed to freely change the frame of the intention and interpretation to drive people….
Just look at my colleagues’ expressions now.
‘Their eyes are shining.’
How sweet are the words ‘a Wish Ticket as soon as this job is done.’
But.
“Then may I ask if it’s possible for everyone to be recognized?”
“Hmm?”
I shouldn't miss the details at times like this.
“I’m curious if we can all receive a Wish Potion if we ‘cooperate’ together to hand over the data.”
“Ah, of course.”
“…Then, will you be the one to judge if we have ‘cooperated’ properly, Director?”
“…….”
Director Ho met my eyes for a moment, then smiled again.
“I shall trust your reports on that!”
Phew.
“Thank you.”
With this, I prevented a situation where Director Ho would deny our cooperation and select only one MVP to save on Wish Potion Supplies.
“Ah, it’s time.”
At that moment, Director Ho looked at his wristwatch and stood up.
Then, with a clap of his hands, he spoke to us friendly with a pleasant face.
“The three of you, take your time talking. It will be hard for you to gather together ‘outside’ from now on anyway. That’s why I arranged this place.”
It meant we shouldn't create reasons to be suspected by gathering as spies.
Still, he maintained a minimum of conscience.
He meant he would get out of the way for the lower-level meeting.
“Well then, I’ll be going.”
Director Ho, who stood up with a beaming face saying ‘I’ll try to arrange places for you to meet in the future if possible,’ waved his hand.
We hurriedly stood up from the table and bowed our heads.
“You didn’t have to stand up! Thank you.”
And as he went to the door to leave the counseling room, he turned back as if he had suddenly remembered something while holding the doorknob.
Our eyes met.
Director Ho made a slight eye gesture toward the silver ring on my left finger.
The silver ring.
My mental defense Item.
“That, it’s all worn out.”
“…!”
Slide.
“Then I’ll see you at our next consultation, everyone.”
The door to the Fox Counseling Room closed with a soft, kind sound.
Thud.
“…….”
“…….”
Director Ho had completely vanished.
And.
“Haah…….”
The sound of a deep sigh filled the waiting room.
It was the sigh of lower-level practitioners who had faced a crazy bastard of a high-ranking superior….
‘Still, I think the fact that I wasn't alone gave me some strength.’
And I was meeting one person again after a long time.
“Um… it’s been a while, Soleum.”
I turned toward my colleague.
An employee who was once part of the Cleanup team.
The long-haired man spoke, looking glad to see me yet showing a worried expression.
“Have you been doing well?”
It was Mr. Jang Heowoon.
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