“…….”
I stared at the door to the Hyunmoo Team 1 ready room.
It felt strangely surreal that I was standing here again after everything that had happened.
However, habit was honest.
Click.
I opened the door and walked in.
And….
“You’ve arrived?”
I saw Agent Bronze standing up to greet me with a welcoming face.
“Good morni—. Agent Grapes. You look pale.”
Ah.
“Did you fail to sleep well again?”
“I, well, I just tossed and turned a bit. I’m fine.”
It was a relief that I had treated any noticeable wounds beforehand.
“You must tell me if you are too tired.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
I managed to converse with Agent Bronze with my usual smile and sat on the sofa across from him.
And then I waited.
“…….”
My palms grew sweaty.
Yet, even after several minutes passed, the two of us remained the only ones in the ready room.
The person who should have appeared, didn't.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“Agent Choi is….”
“Ah. I am told the Agent cannot work today.”
“…….”
What?
‘Wait a minute.’
Did something go wrong?
‘No.’
Did Director Ho visit him again? Or did an accident happen while he was trying to immediately release the Binding Restriction? I….
“He came to work quite early, but he said he wasn't feeling well and went home after taking annual leave.”
“……I see.”
There were eyewitness accounts.
A feeling too powerful to simply call relief brushed against my chest.
“You do not need to worry too much. That man… No, the Agent looked perfectly fine. And….”
Agent Bronze took something out of the small refrigerator in the corner of the ready room.
A carrier containing cafe drinks.
“He left this before he went. He said he stopped by a cafe on his way in.”
“…….”
“He said this one is for Agent Grapes.”
I took the drink.
It was a green grape ade.
A packaged cookie, the kind sold at cafes, was tucked into the cup holder, and there were marks on it as if written with a black marker.
A message from Agent Choi in his own handwriting.
[Hyunmoo Team 1 Fighting]
And then he had crossed it out with a line.
“…….”
“Agent Grapes?”
“…Thank you.”
I took a sip of the ade.
It was sweet enough to snap my senses awake.
Whether it was a sugar-induced state of alertness, my mind kept racing throughout the morning.
The plans I had made, the things I had to do over the next month, came rushing back.
‘First, I stay low.’
Since the incident with Agent Choi had occurred, I would stay quiet for about a week, trying not to stand out at the Disaster Management Bureau while doing some light groundwork before taking action.
My plan had become a matter of timing rather than securing a long period of time.
However….
One concern.
‘…Is it right to tell Yeongeun about this?’
While it felt right to share my current situation, it was ambiguous and precarious to gauge exactly how much I should say.
How would Yeongeun react to me saying I would handle it within a month?
Would it be right to tell her about Director Ho’s malice—that he had sent her here as a spy, fully expecting us to be caught and used as bait?
Is that something she could handle even if she knew?…….
“…….”
Wouldn't the spy work be smoother and less noticeable if she simply didn't know?
My stomach ached.
It felt sour, as if from stomach acid.
‘No. It’s okay.’
Yeongeun only needs to work for one more month.
If I succeed, I can deliver the information Director Ho wants in the form he wants, and in the process, I can claim Yeongeun's share.
Then everything will end without a problem.
‘Good.’
Let’s do this.
“Whew.”
I set down the empty ade.
Beside me, Agent Bronze, who was checking documents while drinking a vanilla latte, spoke up.
“I do not see that doll today.”
“……!”
“The small rabbit doll you call Braun.”
“…It’s here.”
I pulled the plush doll out of my jumper to show him and then put it back.
“So, um, is that doll doing well?”
“I suppose so.”
I quickly pulled my hand away from the plush doll in my pocket.
It was then.
Beep-beep-beep-beep!!
“…!”
A loud alarm sounded from Agent Bronze’s wrist.
It was a page.
‘A rescue request!’
“Stand by.”
Agent Bronze threw down his documents and stood up.
He began to prepare after checking the code on the pager to see what kind of ghost story it was….
“…It is a ghost story that strictly requires two people for the rescue. We shall enter together.”
“Yes.”
I stood up immediately as well.
The experience of being dispatched over the past few weeks moved my body automatically, and that actually brought back the sense of reality that had been detached.
“The dispatch location is a bit far. Normally, the local branch would be contacted… but I am told this rescue request came through the headquarters' direct line.”
“Where is it?”
“Asan, South Chungcheong Province. And the Supernatural Disaster in question… has a rather large spatial scale, so there is much to familiarize yourself with.”
Agent Bronze quickly pulled a small booklet-style document from the shelf.
“This is a manual and tips compiled by our team. Read it while we are moving.”
“Yes.”
As soon as Agent Bronze sent out the call to those off-duty, we immediately left the headquarters and moved out.
And the means of transportation was….
“The rescue window for this disaster is not that tight, so we will use public transportation.”
…It was a high-speed train.
Departing from Seoul Station.
Bound for Mokpo.
“…….”
“Agent Grapes?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
I sat in the train seat.
Don’t panic.
‘The Tamra-bound High-speed Train Incident is a special case.’
It doesn’t happen every time, and Daydream Inc. must be observing the conditions for its occurrence for research purposes….
It’s fine.
‘I can do this.’
Don't be anxious.
If I struggle here, I won't be able to do anything. I’d have to jump in fright every time I enter a convenience store, I wouldn't be able to ride elevators, and I wouldn't be able to step foot on a subway train….
Departure.
The train departed safely.
I was fine.
‘Distract yourself.’
Right. The manual.
“There is a Binding Restriction placed on it so that different content is visible to those who are not part of the Disaster Management Bureau, so feel free to read.”
As I pulled out the booklet, he kindly added an explanation. Right, good. Let's focus on reading the ghost story manual and tips and devise a rescue method.
I flipped the booklet….
I worked really hard on this, Grapes-ie. Put it to good use! lol
“…!!”
“Is something… Ah.”
Agent Bronze frowned and sighed.
“Agent Choi was the primary author. He wrote down many useless comments. …A fair amount must have been added after you joined, Agent.”
I blankly flipped through the pages.
Words that seemed to have been written even earlier appeared.
Massive welcome to the new rookie! Pro-tips from Agent Choi, the ace of Hyunmoo Team 1!
└ Please stop writing things like this.
└ Includes less-sweet pro-tips from Agent Bronze too.
└ Sigh..
Things written in different handwriting, with different pens.
Must read the next page thoroughly. It’s an introduction to this Supernatural Disaster, and even if it’s a bit difficult, try reading it like a novel.
I shifted my trembling eyes.
A simplified manual and tips for the Supernatural Disaster, written directly by Agent Choi, which I hadn't seen in the <Dark Exploration Record>, began.
This help guide is being written entirely for the smooth rescue of human lives from registration number 1006PSYA.1941.A06., otherwise known as the ‘Jisan-so Offering Ritual.’
While our strict Management Bureau classified this Supernatural Disaster as Fracture Sanctioned, the author strongly argued that it should be given a higher grade.
Even if the rescue itself is not difficult, the complete termination of the disaster is impossible, and I took into account the testimonies of various Goblins that something even more evil resides within.
So don’t let your guard down and be prepared for dispatch during the 4th and 5th months of the lunar calendar!
“We’re here.”
We got off at Cheonan-Asan Station.
Then we rode official-use bicycles that were stored at the station.
“It is about a 30-minute ride by bicycle.”
It was just as he said.
Location of Occurrence: ■■-ri, Jisan Village, Asan-si
As we left the station and moved further away from the city center, winding unpaved roads appeared, and vibrations were felt through the bicycle saddle.
And in the distance, a small village came into view.
It was an ordinary rural village.
Rural houses and tile-roofed houses looked as if they had undergone various modern repairs, and streetlamp wires were visible. The unpaved roads were well-maintained around the village.
The village in question is easily accessible as long as you have a means of transportation, but they live as family units and are exclusive toward outsiders. (No real estate listings. Infiltration via moving in is impossible.)
However, during a period called ‘Jisan Holiday,’ they tend to welcome the participation of outsiders, and visitors can participate in the holiday festival.
“Over there. …It has started.”
A banner was visible.
[Jisan Holiday Festival]
[Receive the Blessing of Jisan]
This very holiday festival was the Supernatural Phenomenon.
“This way.”
We parked our bicycles in a corner at the village entrance. In the process, we saw several cars with ‘Seoul’ or ‘Gyeonggi’ plates parked randomly.
“…….”
“Keep them in mind.”
I nodded.
Then, I walked into the village with Agent Bronze.
Hee-yaaaa!
As we got closer, people came into view.
As expected of a festival in a small village, it wasn't a huge crowd, but there were traditional percussion troupes here and there, and people were taking pictures or sitting down to eat the boiled pork and soup distributed by the village.
And there were also people fiddling with their smartphones with bored expressions.
※ Urgent tip before entering!
Never wear your Disaster Management Bureau jumper; bring earplugs, matches, and a bell.
Most of all…
Do not sit among the villagers.
“Hey, what the. This stinks.”
“Wait a bit. They said they’re doing a prize draw.”
We sat down next to them, looking like outsiders who clearly weren't interested.
Food was quickly served.
“Have a bite! Receive the Blessing of Jisan!”
A villager who made eye contact with me grinned.
She looked to be a woman my age, and she had something like a bird feather pinned to her chest.
The way to distinguish villagers at the Jisan festival site is simple.
If they are wearing a brooch made of feathers, they are a villager.
I swiped one to analyze it, and it turned out to be a rooster feather. The Goblin was disgusted by it.
Voices could be heard from here and there.
“Oh my, you came from Mapo? My son works in Mapo, Seoul, too!”
“No smoking here. It’s strictly forbidden!”
“Why don't you have a glass of this? It’s home-brewed and very medicinal.”
The villagers would talk to outsiders, treat them kindly, or offer them alcohol.
It felt like a generous rural village.
Except for the fact that someone would soon die.
I suppressed a small sigh and looked at the bowl containing the food.
It’s okay to consume the festival food. (To be honest, it’s quite tasty)
However, I personally recommend not eating foods with broth. It’s probably better not to hear the reason why.
I didn't have an appetite anyway.
“……Thank you for the meal.”
“Thank you for the meal.”
Agent Bronze and I just went through the motions with our spoons.
Hee-yaaaa!
In the meantime, music continued to flow from within the village.
Sounds that seemed like they could be for a traditional percussion performance or a folk song.
They should have been heartwarming, but the rhythm was strangely unfamiliar….
Ah. That is because there is a difference in purpose. What was that music created for!
“…!”
I reflexively looked down at my pocket.
Ah! I see you can hear me now, Friend!
Haha, I was momentarily flustered because communication suddenly became difficult. But it is alright! If you are worried that this Plush Body might fall, we can pause our conversation for a while.
After all, we can always talk like this again!
A Supernatural Disaster.
Upon entering the ghost story, the plush doll was able to speak again.
Do not worry. Even when I cannot speak with you, I am always listening. As a Good Friend.
…….
Oh, there is no need to apologize for leaving me in your jumper yesterday. On the contrary, I was grateful. Since there was something to hide behind in that horrible room, it was better.
‘…Really? That’s a relief.’
I turned my gaze back to the food.
…Friend? You look more tired than usual. Oh dear, has the fatigue from last night's adventure remained?
‘Maybe.’
In that case, shall we go back today and watch TV with this Braun? That cartoon or variety show you liked would be good.
And then you can sleep soundly. This Braun will tell Mr. Roe Deer a fun story so you can have good dreams!
…….
Friend?
‘For now, would it be okay if I focus on work for a bit? It's a ghost story I'm not familiar with.’
Ah, of course!
And finally, the plush doll went quiet.
It was a relief.
I turned my head and began gathering information like Agent Bronze.
Wondering who the person who sent the rescue request to us might be.
And….
Who the suitable villager might be.
The Jisan Holiday lasts for four days, and no matter when the distress signal was sent, the person in question can be rescued as long as the holiday festival has not ended.
While observing the villagers carefully, let’s find the most sullen-looking person and ask to stay the night!
I didn't bother writing down physical descriptions in case it gets confusing. Anyway, absolutely! Do not trust people who approach outsiders first and act all friendly, Grapes-ie.
You know those crazies who lure kids with candy? It’s just like that. lol
Recalling those words, I looked at the villagers.
Let’s see, someone who looks the least friendly….
“……??”
Wait a minute.
I hurriedly turned my head.
There was a familiar face.
A man in his 20s standing among the villagers with a surly face.
The ill-tempered employee of Daydream Inc. wearing a medical eyepatch.
‘…Baek Saheon!’
That guy was here.
With a rooster feather pinned to his chest.
And…….
Near Baek Saheon, at a dining table for outsiders where the villagers were talking to or taking care of them, I discovered a woman with a tired expression.
Looking around with a nonchalant face while wearing gloves.
A very familiar face.
“…….”
It was Eun Haje, the Assistant manager.
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