A man in his early thirties, dressed in ordinary clothes, was excitedly talking on the phone in his studio apartment.
"Yeah, yeah, that's right, I told you I got into Daydream! Uh-huh, I just applied on a whim."
He had applied for a sudden additional recruitment posting from Daydream Inc. and ended up passing the final round.
And now, he was calling everyone he knew to brag, all while pretending it was no big deal.
Especially, and more subtly, to a friend who had a worse academic background and was still unemployed.
-What? You said the look in my eyes was off and that I needed to prepare well for the interview?
But look at the results!
"Well, I kind of just ended up getting the job, but I'm also a little disappointed, you know. Huh? I didn't get the chance to apply to various places. Unlike you."
Putting down a competitor inferior to him felt electrifying.
He was even thrilled just thinking about his friend's self-esteem plummeting as they replayed this conversation later.
The new Daydream Researcher felt a thrilling surge of pleasure as he ran his mouth.
"You should've applied too, you know? Oh, you did? I didn't know. Sorry about that. Next time we meet, I'll treaaaaaaat!!"
Then, suddenly–
Thud.
Something black dropped from above.
And instantly, it snatched the researcher by the neck.
"…!!"
It was a Black Silhouette.
‘Wh-where did it come from?’
There was no passage or space in the ceiling where something like that could have emerged from. He rolled his eyes upwards to look at the ceiling, but there wasn't a single trace.
Then how?
"Shh."
The Black Silhouette pressed a gloved hand to the researcher’s face.
Then it whispered, very quietly and slowly.
“Hang up.”
Gulp.
"I-I'm ha-hanging up… See you later!"
Click.
After he hastily ended the call, the hand slowly moved away from the researcher’s face.
The hand holding his neck, however, remained.
The pressure tightened.
'F-fuck…'
A robber?
As his mind raced with all sorts of speculations and pessimistic predictions, and cold sweat trickled down his temples, a leisurely voice seeped into his ears.
"Hello."
"..."
"I said hello, but you're not answering."
"Ah… hello."
The researcher swallowed hard, his thoughts racing.
"I-I don't have much money, but if you let me go, I'll–right now, I'll take out a loan right now and transfer it to your account…"
"What are you talking about? Do I look like a robber?"
You do!
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry! If I may ask… why did you come here?"
"Me?… Let's see."
A chuckle could be heard from behind the mask.
"Let’s just say I'm your guardian angel for the day."
"..."
He's insane.
A genuine fucking lunatic. I'm screwed. He’s probably some psychopathic serial killer.
But the words that followed were even more shocking.
"Hmm? Mr. Park Kyung-hwan."
"…!!"
"You received your doctorate in bioinformatics and recently graduated from graduate school. In the process, you stole your labmate's thesis topic and published it before they could."
A revelation that left his mind completely blank.
"Th-that’s…"
"Don't worry. I'm not here to grill you about that."
Poke.
The intruder lifted the hand that had been pressing on the researcher's face.
Something silver glinted there.
"I was just making sure you’d say still."
A moment later, a muffled scream echoed through the studio apartment.
* * *
[That was quite a thrilling interrogation, my friend! Much more exciting, like something straight out of a spy movie, than your time among those poor civil servants!]
Isn't this closer to a robbery and threat than a spy movie…
'Breaking and entering, making threats…'
The thought that I was steadily descending into a life of crime crossed my mind, but honestly, I didn't feel particularly guilty about it.
It was probably because I knew what that man would do once he joined the company.
Researcher Park Kyung-hwan.
How should I put it?
If Kwak Jekang was the type to commit crazy acts based on curiosity, Park Kyung-hwan was the type to inflict cruelty on the Field Investigation Team members and civilians based on the superiority complex of an office worker.
It was similar to what the Cleanup Team went through.
Records of acts that made your heart race and your stomach churn—cruelties inflicted upon the weak.
'Well, that's just the personality of a Daydream Researcher for you…'
In that sense, I was grateful—he didn't make me feel particularly guilty.
I looked at the piece of Researcher Park Kyung-hwan that I had neatly clipped off.
It was… a fingernail.
'Ugh…'
Of course, I don't have a hobby of clipping other people's fingernails. But I had to do it out of necessity.
It was the piece I needed to take Park Kyung-hwan's place as a Daily Researcher.
'And the fact that Park Kyung-hwan is a newbie actually works in my favor.'
The advantages of having no seniority are as follows:
•He doesn't know many people by face.
•He has very few opportunities to meet his superiors.
In other words, even if I swapped places with him as a Daily Researcher, the chances of someone being suspicious–or of me meeting a special team or a superior who could see through my disguise–were extremely low.
For instance, Director Cheong.
'What reason would a newbie have to meet a director other than the customary greeting after joining the company?'
I was only called in because I stood out so much from doing all sorts of tricks to collect Welfare Mall Points.
…Though I did meet her again unintentionally after that as well.
And in the end, I even signed a ridiculous contract to work for the Security Team permanently.
"..."
The thought came to mind naturally.
I dwelled upon my Security Team employment contract, which Director Cheong had taken.
'That contract.'
I don't need it anymore.
That fact even made me feel a little refreshed.
I could now maintain my current state. I could exist just fine, both body and mind intact, without the identity of a Security Team member.
I clenched my human hand tightly.
'The problem is that just saying, 'I'm quitting,' won't work.'
Because it's a permanent contract.
'Actually, it feels more like a shackle than a contract…'
[Ahem, would it be all right if this Braun offered a piece of advice?]
Hmm?
'…Sure. What is it?'
[Laws and rules are often superseded by a stronger priority.]
Swish.
A sound, like fingers of a luxurious white cloth glove being rubbed together, came from the stuffed doll.
As if raising its index finger, it declared:
[If there is a regulation more powerful than your rude superior's contract, then wouldn't the contract naturally become invalid?]
So.
'You're saying I should use another rule to override the contract?'
[Precisely! For instance, by signing another employment contract. Oh, with an even more powerful and wonderful workplace and employer.]
'…Like Braun's Late-Night Talk Show and the great Host?'
[Oh my! I shall not refuse that example!]
Yes. I had a feeling you were going to say that, Host…
But a slightly different idea popped into my head.
'Another rule.'
An idea flashed like a lightbulb turning on, but… it seemed like a method I could only use when the moment comes.
'I'll keep it on hold for now.'
Good.
For now, let's start with the 'theft of the Daydream Dream Machine' operation.
'I've gathered all the necessary items.'
With my mind racing, I finalized my plan to infiltrate as a Daily Researcher.
And so, a week later–
I found myself standing in front of the Daydream Inc. Main Building at 8:10 AM, just like before.
"..."
But one thing was different.
My attire.
'Hoo.'
I was wearing a white lab coat.
-Don't people usually change into lab coats after they get inside?
-Everyone’s spirits are a bit high from the novelty… Yes, anyway, more than half of the new hires came to work already wearing them. During the probationary period, no less!
Recalling the friendly Q&A with the researcher, I stepped into the Main Building.
The appearance of a plain-looking researcher with horn-rimmed glasses.
"Hello, Researcher Park."
The exact appearance of Researcher Park Kyung-hwan.
"Hello."
As I casually replied to the front desk employee, a small silver-glowing tool rested inside the pocket of my lab coat.
Its head was shaped like a rodent's snout.
Vole Nail Clippers
An item originating from a folktale in which a vole that ate a person's discarded fingernails and toenails would transform into that person.
When this nail clipper is used, and contains ‘clipped nails,’ the user's body will transform into the appearance of the nail's owner.
One nail sustains the transformation for approximately half a day.
However, if the transformed user meets the original owner of the nail, they will both feel an intense murderous intent towards each other, often leading to various incidents of murder and assault.
In short, it means that I am currently transformed into a researcher's appearance using a researcher's nail.
'I snatched it up quickly because I thought it would’ve been sold for a pretty low price on Delusion Home Shopping.'
Looking at the situation now, it seemed to have been an excellent choice.
…Though the fact that someone else's nail was attached to the tip of my own was unsettling.
'Hoo.'
And…
-Yes. Go straight and look for the facility with the electronic pad attached to it.
-That… um. I've seen it before…
By listening to people who had worked at Daydream for a long time, I had figured out the entire layout of the Main Building and the Annex, as well as the location of the Dream Device.
Of course, among them, the ones who knew the most about the research team's work and movements were…
'Naturally, the research team themselves.'
And two of them were currently alive in Sekwang Metropolitan City.
With a connection to me, at that.
-Mr. Roe Deer. Over here!
I recalled the letters from the researchers that Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae had delivered.
That's right. This time, the entry into Sekwang Metropolitan City had been carried out by a three-person team of Daydream employees, without me.
It was a considerate measure, in case entering Sekwang Metropolitan City again caused another shock that might destabilize my recovered form.
'And while they’re away, I'll swipe the machine.'
Assistant Manager Lee Seonghae, one of those three, had willingly become my information courier. I was grateful for that.
Not only that, but she had also kept me informed about the condition of the others and the situation at the station.
-Assistant Manager Eun Haje and the agent arrived safely on the train! And…
-There's no such thing as a Scales Tribunal at Morning Station. There's just an old waiting room there.
'...'
The matter of the Disaster Management Bureau's Courthouse seems to have been settled.
'Then I can visit the Cheerful Research Institute at that station…'
Not only that, but I might also be able to see other traces left behind by the Disaster Management Bureau branch.
I decided to look forward to the next letter.
As I recalled the contents of the letters once more, I pressed the elevator button and stepped inside.
'In any case, since I've announced 'my will,' even Kwak Jekang won’t be able to fill his reply with nonsense or subtly try to trap me.'
Then I recalled a part of the letter that was the reason I chose today.
-Instead of an orientation, the new research team members go through a probationary period to learn what they'll be doing. Well, the tasks they give you are a bit different from what you'd expect, aren’t they? You need time to adjust!
The Field Investigation Team also gets completely different tasks than expected, but they're just thrown into ghost stories without any adjustment period whatsoever.
'I'm getting pissed off for some reason…'
In any case, the new researchers, who would now be researching ghost stories that were likely quite unrelated to their own majors, would spend a period systematically experiencing the work of the research team one by one.
So today was…
The day to observe potion production.
The day I would finally gain access to the Daydream Potion manufacturing machine.
-F-first, we were told to gather on the 20th floor before moving out!
After cross-verifying the researchers' testimonies, I was certain.
'It was a good idea to come early on purpose.'
I glanced around the quiet lobby once more, then, standing alone in the elevator, reached for the Close button.
But at that moment–
"Just a moment!"
Someone came running towards the elevator.
I obediently pressed the Open button. It was also to avoid standing out by frantically mashing the Close button.
I couldn’t help being a little taken aback when I saw the person who entered.
"…Thank you."
It was Baek Saheon.
After checking my rank from my lab coat and the employee ID card hanging around my neck, he put on a professional smile, nodded, and casually pressed a floor button.
'This guy is really working hard at the company.'
To think he was coming in this much earlier than the start of the workday. I guess he wasn't promoted to Supervisor for nothing.
Ding.
The elevator doors closed, and it began to ascend quietly.
And I, looking at Baek Saheon, quickly racked my brain.
'He'll recognize me.'
That eyepatch.
How many times had he recognized my identity with the Reverse Eye Item covered underneath his medical eyepatch?
'Hmm.'
Rather than letting him recognize me later and making a fuss that might interfere with my plans, wouldn't it be better to give him a subtle hint now so he'd know how to act?
Looking at Baek Saheon, I finally opened my mouth.
"Saheon."
"...Yes?"
He only showed a slight hint of surprise, as though wondering how I knew his name.
Though he was probably cursing me out internally for a newbie researcher calling a superior by his first name.
I know what you're like…
So I deliberately set the mood and quietly opened my mouth.
More subtly, but with enough impact to shock him.
'Let's see.'
Bringing up the talk show would be too direct.
This is Daydream. Even if there wasn’t a listening device, it would be better to say something that wouldn't immediately make them think of 'Kim Soleum,' but would be shocking to Baek Saheon…
Yes.
This would do.
"It's a shame what happened to the village, but I'm glad to see it hasn’t had any major effect on your company life, Saheon."
"…!!"
He must have gotten it by now.
Who else but me would know your origins, make such a meaningful remark, and suddenly appear in all sorts of different forms?
'Now quickly lift your eyepatch to check, and let's get this over with.'
I glanced at the floor indicator before looking back at him.
Sure enough, Baek Saheon’s hand reflexively moved to his eyepatch and was lifting the cloth, but–
'…Huh?'
The eye beneath the eyepatch remained closed.
'Did he leave the Item behind?'
Why? With his personality, there's no way.
No, if that was the case, didn't I just reveal my identity for no reason? A bitter taste filled my mouth.
"Well then."
I simply prepared to get off at my floor.
'If he roughly guesses my identity, he should have enough sense to keep his mouth shut.'
Then let's leave it at that…
"…Agent?"
Huh?
"It is you."
Seeing my reaction, whatever misunderstanding he had filled his face with confidence.
"It is you, isn't it."
Wait a minute.
Seeing a strange vitality dawn on Baek Saheon's face, I realized there was some kind of communication error.
'How on earth did you arrive at ‘Disaster Management Bureau agent’?'
That makes no sense at all…
"You kept prying about our company, so I guess this is what you were up to."
“...”
"The Paper Boat. I was wondering why you hadn’t been using it lately."
Ah.
Ahhh…!
I stared blankly as Baek Saheon, having identified me as the 'agent he communicated with via the Paper Boat he left behind in Jisan Village,' spoke with a somewhat triumphant expression…
"Did you really think I would help you? Sneaking in and even talking to me."
Yeah, no.
TL Notes: -
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