First, let's talk about something happy.
The newly assigned Team X lodging in the 800s... surprisingly, looked like a decent accommodation!
It meant it actually felt worth sleeping in.
'The bedding is clean and high quality...!'
Instead of bunk beds, it was one bed per person. Yes, this is what a member of society wants. I nodded with satisfaction.
"It's roughly three people to a room, but you've got a single."
"Really?"
What kind of stroke of luck was this? I was about to cheer when...
"Yeah. The workers from your room have all gone missing."
"......."
"Great, isn't it? Since it's comfortable."
It's terrifying.
Did two out of the 'evaporated' thirds from the last courage test really have to be my roommates?
'No... wait. Was it that all three evaporated, and I was brought in to fill one of the empty spots?'
That seemed more plausible. I guess the three roommates must have formed the same team.
'Sigh....'
For the record, it seemed the explanation given to the other workers was that the missing persons were reassigned elsewhere because it had become difficult for them to perform their duties.
'The fact that it's not a complete lie makes it scarier.'
Between blocking resignations within 30 days and everything else, the Namhae Branch is really specialized in deceiving workers.
Because of that, my mood to enjoy the pleasant room condition vanished in an instant.
'It's scary being alone too....'
After tossing my luggage onto the bed near the door and heading out, I had to listen to a researcher—who had called me out again in the afternoon for a so-called exit interview—end the session by saying something like, "Be grateful I've been looking out for you like this."
Then, I heard this.
'An Off-Duty Zone Pass, huh.'
-Normally, it's a place that's only open one day a week, on Sundays. However, Team X gets one pass a week, so you can go even on weekdays.
They were saying they had given me such a great opportunity.
'Judging by the way they're talking... is there something good there?'
First, I asked Assistant Manager Jin Nasol.
Her response was:
"I've never been there either."
"Then would you like to go togeth—"
"Not interested."
"......."
Understood.
And so, I decided to use the Off-Duty Zone Pass during my remaining time today!
'Strike while the iron is hot. There might be a corner where items come out, so let's scout it in advance.'
The sooner I pull something, the more cards I'll have to play in a crisis.
Even if that weren't the case, going to a new area of the Namhae Branch that I hadn't seen on the Wiki was strangely exciting.
It felt like a restricted map was being unlocked.
[Pass confirmed.]
[Opening Off-Duty Zone. Good luck this week! Get rich!]
With that, the fire door that had been closed in front of my eyes opened, revealing the appearance of the 'Off-Duty Zone'....
"...!"
It was... a place that felt like a very tacky and old-fashioned rural nightlife district at night.
{Namhae Pub}
{Happy Lottery}
{Rhythm Karaoke}
{Sleep Management Center}
An arcade, a comic book cafe... it had a shabby assortment of things being sold at ridiculous service fees.
Still, since it was almost the only form of entertainment and recreation, it seemed the workers would end up buying into it. Since they had cash in hand.
The doors on both sides of the corridor were wide open, and inside, I could see light bulbs and lamps styled after old shops.
'Did they try to create some kind of atmosphere?'
When I first woke up here, I was nearly dead, and it was probably closing time, so I hadn't noticed because most of the doors were shut.
'There are no... staff.'
Maybe it's because it's a weekday. It didn't look like much, but for now....
"Hey."
"......."
"Hey, look at this brat, pretending he can't hear me?"
Wow.
As soon as I arrive, someone's picking a fight again.
'Right. This is why I didn't want to walk around alone....'
I turned my head with dead eyes. Some guy from Team X was pointing a finger at me.
"Wh-What is it...?"
"Oh-ho, what? You're asking what? It's because some brat who came in wearing Z999 is here!"
He shrieked while poking my neck.
"Where does a Team Z brat think he's crawling into!"
Sigh....
Should I just headbutt him?
It might be easier if I establish the hierarchy right now.
The moment I was about to open my mouth.
"Hey, hey, you idiot. Our pigeon isn't Team Z anymore, he's Team X."
"Huh, what?"
"Man, this guy doesn't check the announcements or listen to rumors. He just whines every day about the internet not working."
"Kang Hoon, why don't you go to the massage chairs and get some sleep? Hmm?"
Two men bantered and stepped in, putting their arms around the shrieking guy's shoulders to stop him.
After sending him toward the 'Sleep Management Center', they turned back to me and spoke.
"Wow~ Look who we have here, the pigeon."
Surprisingly, their identities were....
The two hopeless Team X jerks I saw as soon as I woke up here.
'What's this?'
Why are these bastards acting friendly?
I realized the reason in the next moment.
"Hey, hey, I heard the person you're hanging out with is carrying you."
"......."
"Why don't you introduce us? Huh? Your luck has really turned around."
"How much did you make in the last two days? Kid, don't be scared. We're just saying, let's have a drink with your Hyungs and talk since you're here."
It was because there was more to squeeze out of me now.
Since I was earning money much more stably than when I was Z999.
But since my social standing had risen a bit, they seemed to be trying to build a bit of rapport to use threats and cajoling more easily to extort money.
'Oh.'
You guys picked the wrong day.
I was planning to clear things up with you eventually anyway.
"Th-That is...."
"I said let's go."
Just as I was about to slowly formulate a plan to pretend to give in, follow them for a drink, and settle things with less hassle.
"Hey, young man!"
"Come over here! What are you doing there?"
'...?'
Turning my head, I saw a group of older workers gesturing toward me.
"You said you'd help with this. Hurry up!"
Pardon?
But in the next moment, I understood when I saw the workers' eyes.
They were signaling for me to run away.
"Ye-Yes...?"
Okay.
I made a run for it for now. Since there were witnesses, I'd execute the plan next time.
"Hey! Where is this brat going again...?"
"Hyung, Hyung."
The Team X guys tried to follow like throwing a tantrum, but seeing that there were four or five people calling me, they didn't rush in recklessly.
They did flap their mouths, though.
"Wow... misters, aunties, you're still here at that age? Your lives are totally trashed, huh?"
"Young man, come here~ Yeah~ They're just 40s and 50s who can't even get part-time jobs, but they're power-tripping here~"
That crossed the line.
'If I don't respond here, the people who helped me will look like fools, right?'
The moment I was contemplating, people grabbed my shoulders.
"Sigh."
"Look at them. I wonder why they want to act like that when everyone's in a similar situation."
"Ignore them. Just ignore them."
"Thugs like that should be kicked out so they can't work."
While the Team X duo stood there snickering to themselves, the people quickly led me to the opposite side.
"Are you okay? Don't get involved with that lot. Don't go even if they call you."
"Right. People like that are everywhere you go. We've come this far, so we should be careful, earn our lump sum safely, and leave!"
It made me realize once again.
'...There are good people here too.'
And... I'm lucky they're fortunate enough to have maintained their character.
I felt a strange sense of relief looking at the three or four people wearing Team X stickers.
Of course, this favor was possible because I appeared as a 'sane young man' who had risen to Team X, but that was still something.
"My goodness, he was always walking around looking so haggard alone, but he's such a decent young man. Yes."
"Life hasn't been easy lately, has it?"
"Still, you're better off than us because you're young. When you get out, don't waste your money; make sure to save it and learn a trade. Okay?"
"...Thank you."
...I hope these people also endure safely in Team X, get their money, and leave well.
"There is actually a bit of stuff here. Most of it is so expensive we just look, but occasionally there are things worth buying."
Afterward, I toured the Off-Duty Zone with these workers who were around the age of my uncles and aunties.
Most of it was priced absurdly high as if to fleece the workers of their money, and the occasional 'bait items' were only at the level of regular retail prices outside.
The workers I was with would occasionally buy things while checking their budgets, but most seemed to be holding back and saving their money.
"Charging 50,000 won for two hours at a comic book cafe! They're total thieves."
"Mr. Kim, didn't you say there was a manga you wanted to see?"
"Ah, no. Gosh, I'm not a kid, why would I be so obsessed with manga! Let's go quickly."
After some thought, I secretly purchased a bottle of very strong vodka from the pub.
The alcohol content was at the level of hand sanitizer.
'Alcohol of this proof has a chance of being used meaningfully in a ghost story.'
Thinking of the beer I used on the wooden doll, it was hard not to buy it.
The price was insane, as if a tenfold liquor tax had been applied, but I endured it with metaphorical tears in my eyes.
'Am I... not destined to save money?'
Aside from that, most things were for entertainment.
"When the weekend comes, one or two fools always show up spending money like water over there. Sigh...."
Expensive whiskey, high-end snacks not available at the commissary, or chilled domestic meat for grilling were also on display.
Even though it was an unmanned store, no one dared to steal, as it seemed everyone had witnessed the price paid by those who had already been caught.
'Doesn't seem like I'll have much to spend money on here....'
However, there was one place.
A place where my footsteps stopped.
{Sleep Management Center}
In that place where massage chairs were laid out, on one side... there were supplements and medications.
'They even have Daydream Hair Loss Medication.'
Surprisingly, this was at regular price.
But what was more impressive was when I discovered pills while looking through the supplements.
'These are... prescription drugs.'
Things that are illegal to obtain without a pharmacy prescription were openly visible.
They were mainly sleeping pills, diabetes medication, or immune-related products, but among them was this.
Painkiller – 300,000 (Super Powerful!)
I was horrified after checking the ingredient name.
'Isn't this a narcotic painkiller?'
It looked like an extremely potent painkiller, the kind hospitals only use when other ingredients don't work....
'...Should I buy it?'
It seemed Assistant Manager Jin Nasol was currently spending all the cash she received on buying painkillers.
I debated until the very end.
"......."
"Young man?"
"Ah, yes."
When I left the Sleep Management Center, I held a bottle of sleeping pills and a bottle of painkillers side-by-side in my hand.
'...Let's just keep them on me.'
And the final destination of this tour... was the very place where I had first opened my eyes.
The room with the ritual table.
{Religious Activity Room}
Looking at it now, that place used an entire hallway, with each room containing a different religious symbol.
...Perhaps because of the ghost story I had just experienced, I felt nauseous.
"Given the nature of the work here, there are often people who want to call upon 'God, Buddha, or the Heavens.' I guess that's why it's here."
"On Sundays, there's even a shaman who gives fortunes for a bit of money."
"Religious activities... at this age, it feels like I've joined the army again."
I see.
I listened to all those words while forcing myself to inspect various places.
Naturally, among them was the room with the dried-up ritual table where I had woken up.
"......."
Of course, it's the room at the very end.
The ritual table still had a dried-up appearance that felt somewhat ominous.
'...Waking up here means I was doing something here....'
I spent some time exploring this shabby place, but nothing special was visible.
'Hmm.'
Is there nothing? I was about to give up and leave the room.
Another spot caught my eye.
'Eh?'
There was one more room next to this one.
Only....
It hadn't been noticeable because it wasn't open.
{Authorized Personnel Only}
The door to the next room was tightly shut.
It clearly looked like an area not permitted for workers.
But.
"......."
'This,'
I looked closely at the door handle.
An object I had left hidden under my bed came to mind.
-...A handle?
The metal fragment that had come from the floor of the end room in Team Z, which looked like part of a handle.
'It looks exactly the same.'
That specific style was exactly on this door handle as well.
If that's the case.
'Is that door handle also a part for some "Authorized Personnel Only" room...?'
One located in this Off-Duty Zone?
"......."
"Young man? We're going to leave now. Unless you're going to offer a ritual meal or something, why don't we head out together?"
"...Ah, yes!"
I naturally turned my body.
'...It's too conspicuous to be wandering around looking for it alone right now.'
The CCTV and the people I'm with are all watching.
Besides, I don't necessarily need to uncover the secret of this door handle... but curiosity was rising.
'Let's keep it in mind.'
"Right. There's a bathhouse here too, but they've been saying it's broken or whatever; I've never seen it open."
"Ah... I see. That's a shame."
I etched all of this into my mind and turned around.
And let me say this for sure.
It wasn't long before I found that door.
* * *
That night.
With the help of being 'Assigned to a Sweet Ghost Story,' I was finally able to fall asleep in a bed that actually felt worth sleeping in.
Wow, it's pleasant.
'But both of the other beds in the room are empty....'
That was a bit scary, so I cleared away all the pillows and blankets, which made it feel a bit better. Whew.
Once I visually confirmed that it 'wasn't scary' with my hazy mind, a deep sense of relief washed over me and sleep came pouring in.
The bed is soft.
'Let's sleep.'
And so, into dreamland.......
.......
.......
RIIIIIIIIING!!
"...!!"
I sat up abruptly.
...Above my head, an alarm was blaring.
[Emergency Alert!]
[An emergency situation has occurred within the facility! All employees still inside the facility, please evacuate through the emergency exits!]
What?
[Emergency Alert!]
[An emergency situation has occurred within the facility! All employees still inside the facility, please evacuate through the emergency exits!]
All traces of sleep vanished instantly.
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