The letter was calm.
I am writing this to record things I haven’t had the chance to tell you yet.
It was like a note left behind by someone departing for a short while.
Kim Soleum wrote about the spare glasses he left on the sofa in the Hyunmoo Team 1 waiting room, mentioned the flat rear tire of the bicycle in front of the headquarters, and informed them of the printer ink that was still being delivered.
It was too trivial and fragmentary to be considered a formal handover.
A lingering attachment that he couldn't quite sever seemed to bleed through, only to vanish in the next paragraph.
However, that seemingly nonchalant writing maintained a similar tone while shifting from easily overlooked details to significant recommendations.
Information that a newcomer to the Disaster Management Bureau could never possibly know.
…Advice regarding supernatural disasters.
Wearing silk clothes in the ironing area of the crossroads laundromat will no longer be safe after rescuing the civilian in the blue dress.
I hope you can check to ensure no agents enter wearing it.
These were ghost stories that Hyunmoo Team 1 had previously entered.
It sounded like information he had grasped and deduced, yet his words held a strange certainty, as if he had known them for a long time.
However, it was clear that they were written out of concern and care.
Trembling eyes scanned the words quickly.
And… I am sorry once again.
The content became more personal.
The events of the night the binding restriction was placed were written very obliquely, in a way that only those involved could specifically understand.
As if being considerate of someone who might still be under the binding restriction.
This was followed by gratitude and apologies toward Agent Bronze, who had allowed him to speak the unvarnished truth without being pushed.
And….
Even so, I want to go home.
As a farewell.
I cannot give up without even attempting to return.
But my heart is heavy because it feels like I have wasted the time of the Disaster Management Bureau agents due to that desire.
I am sorry once again. For failing to meet expectations, and for resigning as if fleeing without faithfully undergoing disciplinary action.
“…….”
It may be uncomfortable, but I have enclosed some items that I found useful.
I hope they can be of use to Hyunmoo Team 1.
The performance and effects of the items he left behind were written in detail.
And finally.
I am writing this just in case.
The writing I left on the whiteboard in the Hyunmoo Team 1 waiting room is nothing.
I was worried you might feel uneasy and unable to erase it, thinking it might be a hint or a mark, so I wanted to tell you that it’s okay to erase it comfortably.
It was just something I left impulsively, and it has no other meaning.
The letter ended.
The agent hurriedly flipped the pages back and forth.
…There was more in small handwriting at the end of the back page.
I was always grateful.
I hope you stay healthy and happy.
“…….”
The person reading the letter lowered their gaze and saw the items that had fallen.
Then, they leaned over and slowly picked up one of those small, junk-like things.
It looked like cheap candy.
But it was an item that restored one's physical condition by briefly turning back time to a 'better previous state.'
Things that would be incredibly useful for the Emergency Rescue Squad sparkled on the floor.
“…….”
“…….”
Agent Choi looked up.
The sunken eyes of the two Hyunmoo Team 1 agents met.
If he had just disappeared, there was a high probability he hadn't escaped this place yet.
“Wait. A-Agents…!”
They took the flustered person in charge and ran out of the waiting room.
To search the Crystal Cave.
And….
“…….”
Kim Soleum, who had been standing motionlessly in the corner of the room, quietly walked out behind them.
Holding only a single sheet of paper.
Through the gap in the door the agents had opened to enter the room.
-A graceful and polite exit. This method isn't bad either.
“…….”
I quietly watched the pouring sunlight.
‘So it came out like this.’
I tried my best to end it safely and smoothly… but honestly, I didn't know. How the Disaster Management Bureau would take it.
And what Hyunmoo Team 1 would think.
I quickened my pace to avoid unnecessarily recalling the faces of the agents I had just passed by.
I didn't forget to thank the Host, who kept the lights off until I left the Crystal Cave, walked to the bus stop, and boarded the high-speed train.
-Oh, don't mention it!
Thanks to that, I was able to slip away quietly.
If he hadn't listened, I would have had to escape in a much more complicated and emotionally taxing way….
“…….”
[The train will be departing shortly….]
I tried not to think.
About how much they would search the Crystal Cave after I left, how they would handle the items I left behind, how suspicious the Disaster Management Bureau would find me, or if Hyunmoo Team 1 would erase the words I left in the waiting room….
Instead, I tried to sleep.
Fortunately, the high-speed train heading to Seoul did not trigger the same fear as the one heading to Tamra, and I managed to fall asleep and then wake up.
And to prevent any possibility of being tracked, I checked into a random motel using cash.
Thud.
Only after closing the door did I compose myself and begin to settle the accounts.
Only then did a sense of reality return.
‘……Did I leave almost everything behind?’
Only one or two consumable items remained.
In particular, I left behind many of the ones whose safety was guaranteed because they were purchased from the Cosmic Shopping Mall.
…Probably because I wouldn't need them anymore.
‘It’s right that they be used by people who are more likely to get hurt than I am.’
All that remained were a few pieces of equipment and the tattoos.
However….
Pop.
A small light popped out from my chest.
A Goblin Fire.
“Are you really going to keep following me like this?”
The flame moved up and down as if in vigorous agreement.
This fellow followed me all the way to Seoul.
He even left behind the Glass Lantern he had been inhabiting.
Since I was worried about being tracked, this was actually less troublesome, but….
“Everyone will be worried. You belong to the Management Bureau.”
The Goblin Fire flickered as if to protest.
-…He says he’s all grown up, so it’s fine. My goodness. What a persistent and foolish beast. Phew!
According to Braun’s reluctant translation that followed, he could even ‘recharge’ on his own, albeit slowly.
He said he could recover faster if there were the energy of divine lightning, but that… might be hard to find.
At any rate, the Goblin Fire's will seemed more than firm.
“…Then please take good care of me for a while longer.”
The Goblin Fire flickered happily and circled the motel room once.
……To be honest, it wasn’t just troublesome.
‘At least one thing remained.’
A trace of where I had belonged.
Evidence of the days I spent with good people… that is.
‘…Let’s keep it for a little while.’
It won’t be long anyway.
After stroking the Goblin Fire once, I let it transform back into my right arm.
-Now you are a free man again, Mr. Roe Deer! You can go anywhere. Where will you go?
Strictly speaking, wasn't it actually the opposite?
I’d be lucky not to be put on a wanted list by the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau, and at Daydream Inc., I was someone who died a long time ago.
The places I could contact and go to were limited.
‘I was even caught by Agent Choi at the Cheerful Research Institute’s dream incubation room.’
Even if he couldn't tell the Management Bureau about that incubation room because of the binding restriction, he could visit whenever he wanted. I would prepare countermeasures, but I had to be careful.
However, I hadn't escaped without a plan.
‘I have a plan.’
-Indeed!
…The problem was that it was a plan that made me feel very uncomfortable.
“…….”
I turned on the cell phone I had kept inside the tattoo.
Contacts that had been neglected for two weeks popped up.
‘It’s a relief I wasn’t caught during the interrogation.’
I almost had Yeongeun’s or Mr. Heowoon’s identities exposed.
As soon as I was caught in Jisan Village, I shoved the phone into the tattoo, and since the tattoo lost its function in the Glass Prison, it was actually a stroke of luck.
I let out a sigh of relief as I scrolled through the messages.
Most were advertisements.
But among them, there were also several messages from acquaintances that had piled up.
[Hey]
[Are you okay?]
[When will you tell me what you founnd out]
[Hey]
[If you’re sick]
[If there’s a problem, contact meee]
It was the Sergeant.
“…….”
For some reason, I felt strange.
It felt like I was constantly… receiving only concern and help from this person.
‘Come to think of it, I haven’t been able to contact him since the binding restriction.’
After some deliberation, I replied.
[I’m sorry. Some things happened. There’s no problem now.]
Then, after some hesitation, I sent one more.
[Thank you again for looking into the information for me. Could we talk about it tomorrow or the day after?]
[And eat something delicious, too.]
The confirmation was quite fast, but the reply came slowly.
[-kay]
“…….”
That was enough.
From now on, it was time to go and do what needed to be done.
I set my destination.
I wasn't keen on it, but because there was no better option.
And….
Because I was already prepared.
[Please prepare the wish ticket.]
[I have found the information you wanted.]
To Director Ho.
“Soleum, you’ve returned!”
“…….”
I looked up.
I saw Director Ho sitting and smiling at the familiar waiting area table of the Fox Counseling Room.
Reflexively, my stomach churned.
…The repulsion I felt toward making this choice.
A strange guilt, like a betrayal toward someone who had even released a binding restriction for me.
Yet at the same time, the sentiment toward this paradoxical situation where the disappearance of the binding restriction allowed me to have a more proper negotiation.
“I’ve come to collect the wish ticket.”
“Wait a moment. I’d like to say this first.”
Director Ho still wore a soft smile, though he hesitated as if embarrassed.
It was even more skin-crawling.
“I think I was a bit excessive with the binding restriction regarding your death. I feel embarrassed because it seems I made a somewhat emotional choice given the situation at the time….”
“…….”
“It’s a relief it’s gone, isn't it?”
I recalled the strange ritual, like an eerie shamanic rite, that Tiger General of Daecheongbong was performing.
And Director Ho, who was reacting bizarrely through Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s body at that time.
‘…Even if I’m curious or worried about the Assistant Manager, let’s not ask.’
It was highly probable that Director Ho's awareness of my recognition or concern would instead harm Assistant Manager Eun Haje. My stomach twisted.
And instead of easily nodding at Director Ho’s words, I replied cautiously.
“It doesn’t matter. Regardless of the binding restriction, a promise is a promise, so I’ve come to keep my promise to you, Director.”
“Is that so? That should be impossible.”
“…….”
“You don’t even know exactly what the ‘World-ending Class Disaster’ I requested is, Soleum.”
That was true.
Director Ho had said he would give more detailed information once we spies were able to access the secret archives in the Gangwon-do basement.
But….
I knew.
Because I could already guess what Director Ho was going to demand.
“I found it through deduction.”
“…….”
“Just tell me the name of the disaster. If it doesn't match the information I've brought, I will accept punishment.”
At any rate, there was no risk for Director Ho.
Whether he spoke and placed a binding restriction or gave a punishment.
Because the situation had changed and I no longer had fellow agents to release a binding restriction for me.
So….
“Fine.”
I knew he would.
Director Ho smiled and interlaced his fingers.
“The name of that supernatural disaster is ‘Sekwang Metropolitan City.’”
“…….”
“Oh! Don't try to pronounce it outside the Fox Counseling Room. Something bad will happen.”
Director Ho looked into my eyes.
“So.”
“…….”
“Does it match the information you brought?”
I didn't look away.
“Yes.”
“…!”
“It’s here.”
Thud.
A document was placed on the table in the Fox Counseling Room's waiting area.
“It is the document regarding the ‘World-ending Class supernatural disaster’ you just mentioned.”
“…….”
“Please check it.”
Director Ho reached out and picked up the paper, reading through it.
And….
“……!”
He covered the paper.
Director Ho’s expression vanished as he stared at me.
“…How did you find out?”
So it was the correct answer.
“That’s not important.”
In fact.
It wasn't that I found out.
‘…I already knew.’
That was it.
The reason I had guaranteed from the start that I could bring the information within a month was right here.
Because I already knew.
The fastest and most certain method.
Writing down the information from the <Dark Exploration Record>.
It was a method I had pushed down the priority list because there was no way to explain or convince the other spies, and I feared Director Ho would suspect me in reverse and do something terrible.
Because I wanted to go as safely as possible.
But since the game was already over, there was only one way.
‘I had to do it quickly.’
If I delayed any longer, the Disaster Management Bureau would try to check for and root out other spies.
If Yeongeun or Mr. Heowoon were caught, they would never receive a wish ticket and would suffer doubly under Director Ho's binding restriction….
I had to make the first move quickly before that.
However….
“You were surely imprisoned in the Glass Prison until yesterday, so where could you have found this….”
“…….”
“They wouldn't keep information like this there.”
He was right.
Inside the Crystal Cave where the Glass Prison was located, they naturally did not store precious information.
At most, supernatural disaster reports were occasionally written for updates based on information obtained from prisoners.
But….
‘Because of that, there are a few office supplies for report work.’
For example, something like this.
A supernatural disaster report form from the Disaster Management Bureau that hadn't been filled out yet.
Since it was created in the Glass Prison, whose location was processed as unknown, the report form had a format where the responsible branch was redacted. So….
The most suitable stationery for printing the contents of the document regarding the World-ending Class disaster kept in the secret archives.
Ironically, being imprisoned in the Glass Prison became an opportunity for me to acquire what I needed most.
And thus, I was able to present it before Director Ho.
The ‘Sekwang Metropolitan City document’ that I had created myself, limiting the information based on what I had read in the Wiki.
“…….”
But there was absolutely no need to tell Director Ho that.
It would only be dangerous.
‘I came prepared with my own final safeguard, though….’
Cold sweat formed on my back.
Still, I had to speak.
“What’s important is that I brought the promised information. And I certainly had the help of the other two people in this process.”
“…….”
“Now it is your turn to fulfill your promise, Director.”
A smile spread across Director Ho's face.
“Very well.”
“…!”
“Congratulations, Soleum. On receiving your wish ticket.”
I clenched my fists tightly.
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