Morning.
I am sitting in a quiet office.
-Ah, a refreshing winter morning. How about a cup of coffee, friend?
Sure. Let's have it at lunch.
While I was tidying up my desk and talking to Braun to chase away the silence, the lizard-headed boss entered through the door around 8:50 AM.
I approached him and greeted him politely.
“Good morning, Team Leader. It's a fine morning.”
“Yes.”
I raised my head and continued.
“Um, I heard that you helped me get paid leave. …Thank you.”
“Yes.”
The lizard moved only his eyes to look at me.
“Can you perform your duties in the same state as two weeks ago?”
“Yes. I can work just like before. Even if the results aren't the same as they used to be, I'll find my rhythm as quickly as possible.”
“I see.”
His vertical pupils stared intently at me.
“I will judge that and compensate for it.”
Hmm.
At this point, I can roughly translate that.
'Whether you do well or not, I'll watch and cover for you, so just work hard like you always do.'
I’m starting to think that even if his appearance and vocabulary are lizard-like, he’s a good boss, so what does it matter…?
Of course, that doesn't mean I can let my guard down.
'For the time being, I absolutely have to clear the Darkness well.'
I had already received paid leave.
But what if an employee, who was efficient enough to become a Supervisor in 60 days, returns from a break and fails to produce results 'unlike before'?
That would get people talking in company rumors.
Because it looks suspicious.
[No, it's not like a colleague died; I heard they all made it out alive.]
[Hmm… that Kim Soleum guy, maybe he’s surprisingly weak to mental shock?]
[But how did someone with such a weak mentality… manage to produce those results until now?]
…Something like that.
'Nothing good comes from being suspected.'
I shouldn't give them any excuses.
'Let's clear this properly.'
Even though… I haven't been able to purchase any reliable new Items yet.
I recalled the text on the Alien Shop's website that had been up throughout my vacation.
<Cosmic Shopping Mall>
※ Re-decorating (Temporary Situation) ※
I have understood!
That’s right.
The website is being renovated….
'I wonder when it'll open.'
I haven't seen any documents related to the renovation, so it'll probably finish soon and reopen.
Since my budget is fixed, I planned to secure Items after seeing the goods in the newly opened Alien Shop.
For now, let's regain my original mindset and clear the Darkness properly.
'They won't give me High-Grade Darkness again for a while.'
The strange emptiness from the reduced number of people couldn't be helped, but it wasn't like I could quit my job… so I had to make it work somehow.
I asked with a bit of forced energy.
“Still, is it correct that I'll be deployed to Darkness starting today? I heard there's a high probability we'll go to support another team since we're not at a 3-person capacity….”
“That is correct.”
Oh.
“Which team are we supporting today?”
If I'm lucky, I might even meet one of my fellow recruits I haven't met yet…….
“It’s the Elite Team.”
…….
Excuse me??
Again?
“Are you referring to Team A?”
“No.”
“…Then which team is it?”
“Team C.”
It was a team I had no acquaintance with.
The fact that they were an Elite Team was concerning, but I was thinking it was a relief that the Team A Leader and Section Chief Lee Jaheon wouldn't have to meet… when.
'Wait?'
Thinking about it, in a sense, I wasn't entirely unacquainted with Team C.
[K.LEE: I’m Assistant Manager Lee Kangheon from Team C haha]
That suspicious Assistant Manager who introduced me to Salmon Market!
'He definitely said Team C.'
Maybe I'll get to see his face this time.
But a more important question came first.
If it's a Darkness the Elite Team enters….
“Could it be a High-Grade Darkness that is difficult to clear?”
“By what standard do you wish to judge?”
“……I’m sorry. That was a slip of the tongue.”
“?”
“Um. I would appreciate it if you could tell me what grade it is and if there is a Manual available.”
“It is Grade D. The Manual is fully prepared.”
Oh, then the probability of seeing some crazy act like calling the Cleanup Team to use them as meat shields is low. I asked comfortably, feeling much more relieved.
“Understood. Then when should we move?”
“We will begin moving in 5 minutes.”
Yes, sir.
With that, we just grabbed our bags and walked out of the office.
However….
“…….”
“…….”
“Team Leader.”
“Yes.”
“Why are we heading toward the Annex instead of the Team C office?”
“Because Team C has already entered the Darkness.”
“…….”
Pardon?
The answer I managed to get after several more questions and answers with the Lizard Team Leader was as follows:
[Team C’s leader is on vacation, leaving two team members.]
[The ghost story they are entering today is Grade D.]
[However, questioning why they should bother sticking to the 3-person quota for such a low-grade Darkness, Team C entered on their own 'off the record,' so the Administration Office hurriedly organized additional personnel.]
“…….”
Wow.
When I first joined, Assistant Manager Eun Haje was fuming and cursing at the makeshift excuse of 'including the rookie, it makes three.'
'Over here, they voluntarily entered with only two people….'
It feels ominous.
-Hmm, members who don't follow instructions well! A great host must be able to handle all elements of the show well, especially human resources.
-Will today be an opportunity for Mr. Roe Deer to learn that? Let's find out. Then, shall we go with gusto? Friend!
I feel like just slumping down powerlessly…….
But I needed Points, and it was about time for me to enter the Darkness again anyway.
'Though there hasn't been a single normal person among the Elite Teams I've met so far….'
And I have a strong hunch that it'll be the same this time.
A measly supervisor with only half a year of experience has to do what he's told.
If I felt wronged, I should have gone to Team A… although if I had gone there, I’d probably already be a corpse kicked over to the Cleanup Team.
'…Do I miss them already?'
I moved my feet, trying not to think about the two bosses of Team D.
Section Chief Lee Jaheon handed me a tablet.
“Familiarize yourself with the Manual for the next 10 minutes.”
“Is there a reason you're only giving me 10 minutes?”
“Time is tight until the entry point closes, and the survival rate for the last two quarters is nearly 97%.”
Thank you for the kind explanation…….
'I guess I've come to accept a 3% mortality rate as normal now….'
Honestly, in this setting, that 3% who died despite having a full Manual would usually be those who were extremely unlucky or acted out.
'It'll be fine.'
I looked into the tablet with a feeling that was either reluctance or transcendence…….
“…….”
“…….”
-Hmm? Mr. Roe Deer, your mind seems to have gone blank all of a sudden.
Yeah.
Because I'm screwed.
==========
Dark Exploration Record / Ghost Story
[Not Knowing is the Answer]
: A ghost story appearing in the <Dark Exploration Record>, identification code Qterw-D-2367 of Daydream Inc.
A nerve-wracking, classic ghost story where one must spend an entire night among ghosts.
==========
“…….”
Wait a minute.
Please wait a minute, Team Leader…!
Instead of wailing that I wouldn't go in, I barely managed to make a rational proposal.
“Um, would it be possible to prepare for about 30 more minutes before going in?”
“It is impossible.”
“…….”
That's right. He said the entrance was closing….
It wasn't a very rational proposal.
“…….”
Aaaaagh! Seriously!!
Why of all things does this have to be my comeback mission!
“Excluding the two who died of heart attacks, there are no records of death. It is safe compared to others of the same grade.”
“……Yes.”
'That’s not why I'm doing this…!'
I had just miscalculated something.
Drunk on 'the me who is building an elite rookie character,' I had forgotten.
Even before the paid leave… I was just a person who hated scary things so much that I would shed tears inwardly while doing time attacks.
But to think my comeback ghost story would be a hell of authentic horror, which is my greatest weakness.
'Because half of them are people I'm seeing for the first time, and elite team members at that, I can't even pull any tricks.'
Moreover, the grade is low, so it’s a waste to use a Tattoo Sticker, meaning I just have to endure it with sheer grit.
It wasn't a situation where my survival instinct would ring a bell, making me run like crazy and contemplate escape methods; I had to feel it all raw….
The taste of horror intended by the Wiki Author.
'Whew….'
At least with the convenience store ghost, I ended up playing tag because I entered without knowing better.
It felt like I had suddenly returned to reality as if hit by cold water. Should I call it shock therapy?
Feeling like a cow being led to a slaughterhouse, I entered the Darkness on my own two feet, doing it with a heavy heart.
My legs were trembling.
“This way.”
The only silver lining was that this time, the Darkness wasn't the kind that swallowed us into a strange place with distorted space-time.
This entry method was very simple.
After knocking on a sealed space that met specific conditions, you enter, and that place becomes the ghost story.
An enclosed indoor space with no people within a 100m radius, blocked by four walls and a ceiling.
There should be no interior elements through which the outside can be checked, such as windows, and there must be one analog clock.
The volume should be around 40㎥, and if there is a difference of more than 4㎥, the Darkness in question will not occur.
In the case of our company, they had remodeled a part of the Annex to create a separate space that satisfied those conditions, and they said it was being utilized even during normal times.
Specifically, a '4m x 4m x 2.4m'….
[Breakroom]
Section Chief Lee Jaheon and I stopped in front of the door with this nameplate.
It was a normal breakroom attached to a normal office, but the conditions were met.
A Wednesday on a date ending in the number '4'.
If you knock on the door of the sealed space with a specific rhythm, the ghost story begins.
“…….”
I… have to do it, right?
By order of seniority?
Knock, knock, knock-knock, knock-knock-knock
I knocked on the door, trying hard not to let my trembling hands show.
Then, like magic, the door clicked open.
“Huh?”
“Look at these people…… oh!”
Inside, two employees were sitting with relaxed expressions, and they waved at us when they saw us.
“Ah, did you come to support us?”
“Yes.”
“Geez, I told them we didn't need it, but they sent you anyway.”
To the employees who were chattering among themselves about how if the number of people clearing it increases, the Points get divided and the Dream Essence concentration gets diluted… and so on.
The Lizard Team Leader replied:
“If you have a complaint, apply for a department transfer and fix the common manual for field exploration.”
“…….”
“…….”
The two employees gaped, then eventually nodded with awkward expressions.
“Yes… well, those weren't words meant to criticize those who came. We’re sorry….”
“Hahaha, I think we acted without consideration! We’re really sorry. Uh, you're the Team D Manager, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then that person is….”
“Supervisor Roe Deer.”
“Aaaaah!”
Both of their complexions changed again.
“Are you that rookie who almost became part of Team A? I heard Assistant Manager Butterfly has her eye on you!”
“I also heard the story about how you saved an employee who was supposed to die… ohhh, tell us some stories when we get out of here!”
“It wasn't that grand of a story, I just got lucky… yes. Nice to meet you too.”
Section Chief Lee Jaheon and I were guided by the two to sit together at a small table located in a corner of the breakroom.
“We have to be together all night, so let's at least introduce ourselves. For starters, you can call that person over there Supervisor Dolphin.”
“Nice to meet you!”
A small woman wearing a Dolphin mask waved her hand when she was called. Her tone of voice was quite bubbly.
And a man with a slightly tanned complexion and a brisk, sociable attitude extended his hand and grinned.
“And I’m Leopard, Assistant Manager Leopard.”
“Yes. Assistant Manager Leopard.”
Hmm.
[K.LEE: Oh, hello there, employee ㅋㅋㅋ]
'Lee Kangheon's' profile was definitely a Hawaiian beach. The tanned skin suited him.
Plus, the matching rank and sociable attitude.
'I think it’s this person.'
Of course, I intended to keep the possibility open. Since I didn't know his real name yet.
Naturally, I had no intention of acting like I knew him in front of my boss either.
“I look forward to working with you.”
“Yep. Let's spend the night in our breakroom, snacking on some treats!”
Anyway, looking only up to this point, it seemed like a conversation people would have while sitting down to work overtime in some office.
In reality, things like blood tears flowing down the walls, the room flipping upside down, or the coffee machine turning into a killing machine don't happen in the breakroom.
However….
'The ghosts are already here.'
Some of the explorers are replaced by ghosts.
That’s right.
Among the people having a conversation right now, someone has already been replaced by a ghost.
Perhaps more than one.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Ah, I'll go get it.”
“Hey, there's no such thing as being the youngest on our team. Just stay seated.”
I don't know when it happens. Maybe from the moment we crossed the threshold, maybe from the moment we sat down and exchanged greetings….
'Actually, the person who's been replaced by a ghost is the easy part.'
Because they’re in an unconscious state from the moment they enter the breakroom until they wake up the next day.
The problem is the Manual for the person who hasn't become a ghost.
“…….”
The rules I must follow.
Ghosts are identical to explorers in all aspects, including appearance, personality, and character, but they display behavior that humans do not, creating a sense of incongruity.
However, you must not notice who the ghost is.
Explorers who overtly showed signs that they had noticed have all gone missing.
I-I can do it.
'I can just ignore it while vaguely glancing over.'
I can do it!
If someone smiles so wide their mouth rips or something, I can just endure it by not looking.
'When that happens, let's endure it while pretending to naturally look at someone else.'
Since there were many people, I felt like I could hold out.
I wondered if I had actually become more of a coward after experiencing various things, but surprisingly, maybe I’ve become a bit stronger against horror too.
At least I’m not bathing in cold sweat while imagining what’s about to happen!
“Ah! The entrance just closed completely. Now we just have to hold out with these people.”
“Oh~”
“Great. Let's do this!!”
Clap, clap, clap, clap!
The employees smiled broadly and clapped. It was a heartwarming scene.
Except for one thing.
“Yay!”
Every person in the room was clapping with the backs of their hands.
“…….”
Ah.
“Huh? Mr. Roe Deer. Why aren't you clapping?”
“…….”
“Why?”
Assistant Manager Leopard brought his face close to mine.
“Is there something bothering you?”
Discussion