The meeting room was a mess.
“You’re saying seventeen people have survived and returned?!”
“Seventeen...?! No, is that number correct? Isn’t it a counting error?”
“Yes. Ah! It has just increased to 20 people.”
The Field Exploration team, who had been deployed into the highly anticipated Darkness this morning, had suddenly returned en masse.
The response was momentarily paralyzed by an event that was the complete opposite of all predictions.
“No, they said the case study was finished and they would escape sequentially in small groups—what on earth is happening?”
Voices rang out in the midst of the unpredictable situation: some questioned if these were truly the employees who had been sent in, while others suggested they should all be examined in the lab.
However, once the bewilderment subsided, a thought began to creep into their minds... a thrilling premonition of success.
Wasn't this an encouraging result?
Similar thoughts occurred to the few people who had pushed for this operation.
‘If this really is the survival rate...!’
Their investment had succeeded through a bold and wise choice!
They were so stunned that they hadn't expected such a high success rate in procurement.
‘Shouldn’t we start building public opinion right away?’
‘Wait, I should mention my contribution starting now.’
But all this confusion, excitement, and worry were erased in an instant.
Right after one more piece of news was delivered.
“It’s B-grade.”
“Hoo.”
As a result of appraising the Dream Collector of the first employee to escape, the solution was judged to be B-grade.
In other words, the ‘A-grade with a high survival rate’ they had dreamed of... did not exist.
In an instant, the atmosphere in the meeting room sank into disappointment.
“Ha... I thought as much.”
“Didn’t we jinx it by making such a fuss about it being A-grade?”
“Still, huh? Isn't this kind of survival rate rare for B-grade? Isn't that right, Section Chief Kwak?”
Researcher Kwak Jekang, who had been hastily summoned, gave a thin smile.
“Of course~ It’s a remarkable feat.”
No, actually, it’s not just remarkable... it’s staggering!
Do these people even know what the initial survival rate for employees is by grade?
That’s why they don’t even have a sense of how incredible this situation is! That’s why they’re not foaming at the mouth wanting to find out the details of the exploration right now!
‘Wow~ incredible.’
Kwak Jekang found it hilarious to see them exchanging well-wishes and comfort with nuances like ‘We were just unlucky, but our judgment was right.’
Did this look like a situation for comfort?
‘Do those people have no sense of reality at all!’
The average survival rate for civilians in B-grade was in the 2% range.
The very act of deploying a large number of employees in a situation where there was no proper manual was a reckless gamble, yet they were expressing disappointment and self-praise at this staggering result?
Even when it came to expert consultation, they had only hastily adopted the opinion of one research team section chief who told them what they wanted to hear just to keep up appearances.
The reason was obvious.
‘Because it’s what they wanted to do!’
Thanks to that, he himself was happy to have obtained such interesting results to analyze, but he found it miraculous that this company functioned properly even with those higher-ups in the development department.
Kwak Jekang felt a secret pity. This company had to last a long time so that he could continue to study these fascinating Anomalous Phenomena in various ways!
However, wasn't the risk of this company the fact that the members of the grandiosely named ‘Innovative Development Strategy Office’ were like that?
Although it’s common for family-owned companies to be a mess with no system when seen from the inside.
‘I’ve heard rumors, but... are all the higher-ups attached to the owner’s family side like this?’
Of course, not everyone in this room was like that.
Kwak Jekang glanced at one person sitting somewhat apart.
It was someone who hadn’t been at the last meeting.
‘He’s Director Ho's man.’
He was sitting there under the pretense of, ‘I’m interested in this agenda, so would it be possible for me to attend briefly?’
Even if the higher-ups in the development department interfered a lot with the Field Exploration team, this was unusual.
Furthermore, he was openly receiving a separate remote report on the situation from his own people.
In this manner.
“I’m told that one employee greatly helped with this large-scale escape.”
“Pardon??”
An atmosphere of wariness and tension hung in the air, rather than an attempt to look good.
But everyone was shocked by the words that followed.
“It’s a new recruit.”
“……!”
“I’ve been told he even ‘broadcasted’ the escape method to inform all the employees.... We’ll have to look into the details of the method, but.”
“…….”
“There are those who are curious about this.”
It was Director Ho.
The people from the Strategy Office, who had been glancing at each other, started muttering excuses.
“Ah, we will transmit the details as soon as the exploration report is out.”
“That’s right. Usually, when people just come out from a field exploration, they aren’t in their right minds and say nonsense.”
“Still, they wouldn’t just make up a story that didn’t happen, would they?”
“That’s....”
“Regarding that.”
Director Ho’s person cut them off.
“I’m told he is also curious about what decision the ‘Innovative Development Strategy Office’ will make.”
“…….”
“Regarding the employee’s reward.”
“Congratulations, Supervisor Kim.”
“……Pardon?”
I almost spat out my iced americano on the infirmary bed.
I had been knocked out for a few hours after a simple physical examination, hearing the heart-wrenchingly grateful words, ‘The youngest worked hard, so just rest.’
I thought I’d be able to hear the organized story regarding this exploration after I slowly left for the day and came back to work tomorrow....
Supervisor?
“Yeah, you didn't hear wrong. Supervisor Kim.”
Assistant Manager Eun Haje grinned.
“They say you’re being promoted. The shortest record since the establishment of this company's Field Exploration team!”
“…!!”
“I honestly knew this would happen. Now the days of hearing our Roe use honorifics are over.”
“Hey, if we wait just another half year, won't he be talking casually with me too?”
No, this isn't some neighborhood corner store; how can a regular employee become a Supervisor in just two months?
‘Isn’t this just a common office rumor?’
I asked this in a more polite way, but the answer was firm.
“No, it was well-deserved. Do you know how many employees you saved this time?”
Assistant Manager Eun Haje crossed her arms.
“A total of 26 people, including yourself.”
“……!”
“Roe, seventeen of those were employees who escaped after hearing your announcement!”
“If you include those who came out later after confirming others were escaping, you basically saved them all.”
The Assistant Manager added that there were even a few civilian escapees.
“Doesn't this kind of record only come out once every few years? Honestly, it shouldn't just end with a promotion; it’s only right to give him something more.”
“You’re right. Let’s feel things out tomorrow after the group leader finishes his meeting. I have a feeling they’ll give him something.”
I was grateful to my superiors who were as excited as if it were their own business, but I was dazed.
A promotion.
……A promotion in just 60 days of working at a major corporation!
A modern person’s heart is fluttering!
“Be prepared. These special appointments get posted quickly.”
And it really happened just as she said.
The very next day, I saw the official notice regarding the promotion on the intranet.
[Announcement of Special Personnel Appointments]
As if it were natural, the three syllables of ‘Kim Soleum’ were written there.
“…….”
Bzzzzzz.
My smartphone is crying. It seems like congratulatory messages are coming in from all over the place.......
W-wait a minute.
‘This looks like they’re processing it quickly to minimize internal backlash.’
The Field Exploration team is also a place where humans work. Naturally, it means that when they receive help for their lives, they feel emotional moving or gratitude.
In that sense, well, twenty-seven people are likely feeling something like gratitude toward me anyway, so there will be little backlash....
I could feel the determination to promote me without missing that timing from the timing of the announcement.
No, why……? Why are they promoting me this much?
‘J-just how much more are they planning to work me?’
Isn't it enough that I'm mainly going into newly registered ghost stories without manuals?
As the horrifying predictions that came to mind the more I imagined them grew, I tried contacting an elite superior from another team....
[Are you stupid? It would be weirder if you didn't get promoted.]
“…??”
[I heard the person in charge of manual reviews even found out you went missing and came back? It's obvious someone at the top would notice when you're producing achievements that would create rumors like that.]
Assistant Manager Jin Nasol from Team A clicked her tongue.
[I should have just brought you to our team when there was a vacancy. Tsk. Why did you refuse for no reason?]
“…….”
[Anyway, I’ll congratulate you. It was a promotion that was going to happen anyway.]
“…Yes, well, thank you.”
In the end, I had to hang up the phone feeling empty.
And leaning back against the office chair, I thought.
Right.
I denied reality, but it seems I’ve finally reached this stage....
‘Me... an elite employee?’
A special character worthy of being listed as a Named Character in the <Dark Exploration Record>?
The kind that some hardline creators would try to kill off reasonably to maintain the atmosphere of the worldview and have them exit the Wiki....
But a character who is eventually left alone as their popularity and recognition rise due to videos appearing on W-Tube...?
I think some people call this a Mary Sue....
‘How did it come to this?’
No, maybe it was unavoidable.
Honestly, the fact that I had read all of the <Dark Exploration Record> was a cheat!
‘In a situation where I might die immediately if I didn't use it, I tried my best not to make it obvious.’
The problem is....
‘What if they find out I’m actually a coward now?’
Thinking that it would just end with a transfer to the Cleanup team became wishful thinking.
There was no telling how far the ripples would reach.
If they wonder, ‘Why were his achievements so good despite being a coward?’....
‘It feels like interrogation and experiments are waiting for me...?’
The future where I’m dragged off to the research team the moment it’s revealed that I came from a parallel dimension was clear as day.
Cold sweat seemed to trickle down my forehead.
N-no.
I got up from my seat, grabbed a coffee, and walked around the pantry.
After consuming caffeine, my head cleared a bit.
Right.
‘If I can’t avoid it, I have to increase my survival rate here.’
If I’ve already been clearly marked, showing a performance worthy of it might actually inversely help avoid unnecessary attention.
‘I just have to make them think he was always such a competent and unique person.’
It’s not like those kinds of employees don’t exist. Like Team Leader Lizard or Assistant Manager Jin with the butterfly mask.
I'll just be classified as one of the Named and be done with it.
Even though the probability of being deployed to more dangerous ghost stories increased, increased…… Sob, no. It might actually be good.
If I'm treated as high-level personnel, they might send me less to places of certain death!
‘And I’ll be able to earn points faster.’
The more I thought about it, it wasn't bad for a quick escape from this world, but…….
To do that, there’s a necessary step.
‘A character, I have to build a character....’
I had to appear naturally as a ‘competent and special unit’ enough not to be suspected.
Just like how I acted like a crazy person to Baek Saheon, while maintaining the line appropriately.
To do that…….
‘...I’ll need more cards to use for my character traits.’
“…….”
I looked up.
Above my head, the thing that had been sparkling ever since I escaped the exhibition was still there.
[Dark Exploration Record Merch Box]
-Unlock the right to use new merchandise! (!)
Opening that would mean I’d have to make a plan again, so I had been putting off checking it until my stamina recovered and my judgment returned.
One of the pieces of merchandise I had bought at the pop-up store.
‘It’s time to receive it.’
But I had no idea what the ‘right to use’ I had achieved at the exhibition was.
The number of items used?
I moved as if I were stretching and lightly touched the black notepad glowing at my bedside.
Click.
With a somewhat clear sound, a small, light object wrapped in vinyl fell into my hand.
“…….”
Shining in silver, it was a small shield shape with the calligraphy ‘CHARGE’ embossed on it....
It was a badge.
‘Ah.’
I knew it.
The condition I had met was a ‘good deed.’
==========
Dark Exploration Record / Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau
/ Item
Silver Heart
The wearer gains the awe of others according to their accumulated altruistic actions.
Strongly reflects the creator's value that ‘it is socially most efficient for an altruistic person to gain power.’
Item usage condition: One who has made a contribution to saving 12 or more people in a Supernatural Disaster.
==========
A so-called ‘character certification badge.’
It was an item produced and distributed by the Management Bureau. It had exploded in recognition due to a great performance in the exploration records of a certain train explosion ghost story that was under seal.
It was even more so because of this unique attribute.
As you can see, it's an item exclusively for good people.
An object that allows a good person to exercise influence over a group.
‘To think the day would come when I satisfy this condition....’
It's almost burdensome.
It was an item that, rarely, was mostly used in heartwarming ways, but just once, there was a catastrophe on a level of insanity.
‘That’s just how the ghost story worldview is.’
Whenever records accumulate, one such terrifying incident always creeps in to build tension.
So in the past, there were records of it being distributed to very kind civilians, but it was changed so that it is only lent to subordinate civil servants after going through strict regulations.
I had seen the Wiki being updated in real-time.
What does this mean?
It means that at this point, it is almost impossible to predict that an employee of Daydream Inc. would suddenly use this ‘Silver Heart’!
‘So I can actually use it.’
Since I’m in a tight spot myself, I don't know how many good deeds I’ll be able to do in the future, but shouldn't I be able to at least get the basic effect?
At the very least, if I give the people I work with the impression that ‘this person seems quite amazing,’ it will be much easier to look like a competent employee.
‘Good. Let's keep it well.’
There’s always a way out.
I tucked the ‘Silver Heart’ safely into my pocket and left the pantry with a much lighter heart.
Then, the reward for the exhibition exploration was also waiting for me.
“Roe! It hasn't appeared in the official notice yet, but they’re giving you a bonus prize too!”
“…!”
“Sob, our Roe should obviously receive it, but it’s so unfortunate that this reality is surprising….”
“I’m telling you. Do they think B-grade is some kid's name? People who would die immediately upon entering… Does an urban legend look like a pushover to them?”
Y-yes. Thank you....
“Still, it’s a relief that the bonus prize came out quite well.”
‘Quite well’?
Coming from Assistant Manager Eun, that was high praise.
Looking at her expression, there was even a hint of admiration. It was unusual.
“…What kind of object is it?”
“Regeneration Potion.”
“……!!”
“You don't really get a sense of it just from the name, do you?”
I got a very good sense of it.
Because it was an item so famous that it was impossible not to know!
This wasn't just some stamina recovery potion you’d get at the infirmary.
-A formal product line that <Daydream Inc.> is proud of. One of the magic medicines.
A miracle cure.
==========
Dark Exploration Record / Daydream Inc.
/ Potion
Regeneration Potion
A magic medicine that regenerates all traumatic defects.
The higher the grade, the more powerful it becomes, taking on a deep green color.
==========
“To put it simply, it’s a medicine that creates body parts... and it’s C-grade. Even if your limbs are gone, they’ll probably just regenerate.”
“…!”
“Even the exclusive equipment for Section Chief grade or higher doesn’t have this much ability. It’s this company’s special medicine. If converted into points, it’s worth ten thousand points at list price.”
The Assistant Manager grinned and patted my back.
“You’ll be able to use it usefully later. It’s such a dangerous industry. Isn't it great that even if your arms and legs fly off, or your eyes, nose, and mouth disappear, they’ll come back?”
I think I would have been fine without you saying that part.......
“And... here’s some news that could be a bit disappointing or could be good; want to hear it?”
“Yes?”
“You’re not the only one receiving this.”
“Soleum!”
“Hello.”
I greeted Go Yeongeun, who was waving her hand. I also saw Baek Saheon sitting next to her.
The company had gathered the three of us in one place while putting on a performance of awarding the bonus prizes and taking photos.
These were faces I hadn’t seen in a few days since escaping the exhibition.
Is Baek Saheon my roommate? Lately, he hasn't even come out of his room. Thanks to that, I comfortably watched TV in the living room with Braun.
“Did you rest well? Is your body okay?”
“I’m fine. Ms. Go Yeongeun…….”
I realized as I was speaking.
Go Yeongeun was observing the shape of my mouth and trying her best to read my pronunciation.
“Her hearing hasn't returned yet.”
“…….”
As I thought.
Fortunately, the rental device that had been in her ear was automatically returned the moment she left the exhibition, so it didn't seem like the ‘Exhibition Staff’ would come chasing her.
Furthermore, in Go Yeongeun’s hand was the bonus prize she had just received from the company.
When the box, decorated with luxurious gold leaf and mural-like patterns, was opened, a beautiful glass bottle sealed with wax was inside.
A light green hue, like a fresh sprout, rippling inside the glass.
: Daydream Potion :
Regeneration
C (excellent)
C-Class Regeneration Potion.
Go Yeongeun lifted the glass bottle.
Her eyes were filled with hope, anxiety, and anticipation.
“Um, well then, I’ll try drinking it right away.”
“Yes.”
Go Yeongeun opened the ‘Regeneration Potion’.
And then, she gulped it down in one go.
Discussion