……After that, the situation quickly settled down.
No, actually, it had no choice but to settle down.
It was because Section Chief Lizard had grown suspicious of my previous behavior.
-Mr. Roe Deer, were your questions last night intended to initiate a long conversation with a ghost, having mistaken me for one?
My skin really crawled at that moment.
-…How could that be? It’s just that I was flustered after seeing the backhanded clapping, so I was keeping both possibilities in mind.
And then, I gave a conceptual thumbs-up toward my respected superior.
Meaning, I smoothed it over with flattery.
-I couldn't miss the opportunity to have my first deep conversation with my Team Leader just because I mistakenly thought he was a ghost.
-I see.
-Thank you for your kind counseling over such a long period.
-Yes.
Phew.
For the record, the people from Team C, who had peacefully slept the whole day, woke up before Team Leader Lee Jaheon and I departed.
And they chuckled heartily.
“Ah~ of all people, the two of you got caught. My, my.”
“Wow. We were quite scary.”
“I know, right? It was chilling~”
Liar!
Seeing them laugh heartily while recalling the things the ghosts imitating them had done, I once again realized the sheer size of the guts these company elites possessed.
Ah, before that.
‘Since the opportunity has presented itself, I might be able to find out who the Salmon Market recommender is.’
“Um, excuse me, could I get both of your names?”
“Ah, of course!”
Supervisor Dolphin raised her hand high.
“I’m Supervisor Lee Seonghae, and over there is Assistant Manager Kang Dojun.”
“…….”
Eh?
Wait a minute.
The assistant manager who introduced me to the Salmon Market was…… Ah!
“Is Team C's Team Leader's name by any chance Lee Kangheon?”
“Eh? No.”
“…….”
‘I’ve been had.’
I thought it was strange how readily they were giving out their personal information; it seems it was all a lie.
‘Were they aiming for the fact that since Team A, B, and C are Elite Squads, people from general teams can’t find out their names or contact info through the internal network?’
Well, it didn't matter much. It just made me think it was a good thing I went through the trouble of creating a bypass ID.
Just as I was about to wrap up the conversation with some vague excuse about ‘having misunderstood,’ it happened.
“Excuse me, Supervisor Roe Deer.”
While Assistant Manager Leopard was talking to Section Chief Lee Jaheon.
Suddenly, Supervisor Dolphin slightly turned her head and spoke to me.
“By any chance… did you get a KakaoTalk message saying they’d help you make money?”
“……!!”
“The one from the person with the profile picture of a Hawaiian beach.”
“Are they famous?”
“Known among those in the know?”
Supervisor Dolphin glanced at her colleagues, and once she confirmed that attention wasn't focused on us, she spoke quickly.
“You see, I was the top recruit when I joined.”
Ah.
“I got a message too. That, uh, the fish that bears eat a lot… Augh, Salmon Market. Salmon Market.”
This one got phished too….
“I heard a few people rumored to be promising also received it!”
According to the explanation that followed, the identity was different every time, but one thing remained the same.
[K.LEE: Oh, hello there, employee ㅋㅋㅋ]
The profile picture and the name ‘K.LEE.’
Supervisor Dolphin whispered.
“Care to hear my theory?”
“Of course.”
“I’ve thought about it, and no matter how I look at it, I think the administrator of that site sent it. To promote their secondhand site and find someone to sell items actually from the Darkness!”
Oh.
“Do you think a company employee created that site?”
“At the very least, I think they’re involved! They knew way too much about the Field Exploration team.”
I see.
I rubbed my chin.
‘If there really is an employee doing such a thing….’
They're probably a Named Character, right?
I mentally sifted through the employees listed on the Wiki who might be capable of such a thing.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, some of my questions have been cleared up.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Supervisor Dolphin shrugged her shoulders with a smile.
“By the way, are there that many employees in the company who use the Salmon Market?”
“Quite a few? The company doesn't really care as long as we don’t sell Dream Collectors or masks. It’s like how they turn a blind eye to looting to keep up soldier morale during a war? Yuck.”
Supervisor Dolphin grumbled.
“Anyway, it’s a truly annoying company.”
I nodded without realizing it.
“They certainly do have a tendency to disregard human casualties.”
“Ah, well, that… humans dying is environmentally friendly, so I don't really care about that.”
“…….”
“The important thing is that they seem to kill too randomly. If it were me, I’d have definitely cut them based on their character. Jeez.”
I…… am scared of Team C.
“Anyway, just saying.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem.”
Supervisor Dolphin replied energetically while tying her long hair back into a ponytail.
“Supervisor Roe Deer, you were so polite even when I was a ghost. I believe good people should live a long time.”
Giving a thumbs up, Supervisor Dolphin grinned.
Well. Thank you.
In any case, I parted ways with Team C on quite a warm note.
“See you next time in a Darkness that gives lots of Points! We’ll show you our awesomeness then!”
“And it’d be even better if only one person comes so we can snag all the Points! Hahaha!”
Well.
‘I don't want to experience seeing the Elite Squad's awesomeness in the Darkness…!’
Still, it seemed like I could work with them more smoothly and with less friction than with Team A.
Of course, Team C also seemed to have a bit of a chosen-one complex, but that was excusable if you considered it a characteristic of the Elite Squad.
…Except for the fact that the shocking ghost version of Team C I saw today was playing on an endless loop in my head, that is.
‘Ugh.’
Let's go home.
Go home and enjoy the luxury of sleeping in the middle of the day….
Feeling a small sense of gratitude that today was my day off, I bowed my head to Section Chief Lee Jaheon.
“Team Leader, thank you for today. I’ll say it again, thank you for answering all my frantic questions in the Darkness so kindly.”
“Yes.”
“If you ever have anything you want to ask me, please feel free to do so anytime, Team Leader!”
“Yes. I will ask now.”
“…….”
Already?
Section Chief Lee Jaheon asked stoically.
“Kim Soleum. Have you used the ‘Fox Counseling Room’?”
“…!”
That was one of the three locations I had newly been granted access to upon becoming a Supervisor.
It was also the only place I hadn't used yet….
“No.”
Understandably, I hadn't had the peace of mind or the timing.
“Do you plan to use it?”
“…….”
Hmm.
“…Team Leader, are you recommending it because the Fox Counseling Room helps with recovery from mental damage caused by Contamination?”
“Yes. I recommend you schedule a visit soon.”
It was a valid point.
Except for one problem.
‘There are side effects there.’
Actually, the ‘Fox Counseling Room’ had a very fatal side effect that wasn't written in the employee Manual.
Of course, the probability was very low, so it wasn't something a normal employee would need to worry about….
But I didn't want to risk that side effect, even if the probability was low.
……I was sick and tired of probabilities right now.
‘I think I can still hold out.’
As long as I didn't consciously think about it, I didn't feel any strange inner whispers or a desire to read the Educational Manual.
The late nights before falling asleep were a bit difficult, but that had gotten better since I had someone to talk to.
I mean Braun.
-Oh my! It is an honor, Friend.
Right.
I never thought a monster from a ghost story would feel like such a lifeline….
‘I guess humans really are creatures of adaptation.’
Anyway, since today was my day off and I could sleep during the day, I figured I could make up for the lack of sleep like this and be fine.
Of course, on the outside, I nodded politely.
“Yes. I’ll set a schedule as soon as I have time.”
Of course, that time might not come for a while, perhaps even months.
It wasn't a lie, anyway.
“…Yes.”
Section Chief Lizard stared at me for a moment but accepted it and left.
And so, I returned home safely…….
“Whew.”
Click.
I opened the door and entered my room.
Perhaps because it was working hours, the housing building itself was quiet. Baek Saheon wasn't there either.
‘Should I sleep?’
I washed up and lay on the bed, and for the last time, I was about to check the various pieces of information and sites I knew….
“…!”
My sleepiness vanished instantly.
‘It’s open!’
The Alien Shop had finished its renewal and was displaying its new homepage.
The brilliant colors of the screen I clicked on stung my eyes.
<Cosmic shopping mall>
I look at goods
★Renewal Anniversary Discount Event!★
Surprising Price!
Wow, really… surprising.
The design.
‘How can it possibly get uglier?’
Meanwhile, dots were exploding like fireworks. The more colors and effects were added, the more horrific it became.
If these aliens were using outside contractors, I’d want to talk them out of it.
-Mr. Roe Deer, please have pity on this Host and move me far away from that terrible flyer.
I gladly placed Braun on the towel on my desk.
I would endure this design terror alone.
‘Anyway, it means a renewal anniversary discount event is underway.’
That was a good opportunity. Maybe the number of products had increased.
With a slightly fluttering heart, I pressed the enter button.
List of goods
Happy Maker - ₩27,999,999 ★
Nostalgia Candy - ₩12,999,999 ★
Wrapping Paper 12B357Na - ₩9,999,999
Necronomicon - ₩49,999,999
We Help! - ₩66,666,666
Really buy over 100 million and get 20% discount!
Become Cosmic shopping mall VIP!
“…….”
Wait a minute.
“It’s here!”
-Mr. Roe Deer?
I almost jumped out of bed in excitement before barely calming down.
“The armor finally showed up!”
-Ah, did you find what you were looking for? That is something to celebrate!
It really was.
Wrapping Paper 12B357Na - ₩9,999,999
‘I absolutely have to buy this.’
Even the price was the cheapest. How could there be such a great deal?
It was only after I put it in my cart that I realized it was ten million won and had a brief moment of reality check, but I had no intention of canceling the purchase.
And as I calmed my excitement and continued to look down the list of other items.
“…….”
-Friend? Is there a problem?
“No.”
It was quite the opposite.
I checked the list again, slightly bewildered, but it was reality.
‘No way… I know all these Items.’
This was the first time this had happened.
Even in cases where there wasn't a separate entry in the <Dark Exploration Record>, there was at least a minimal mention that allowed me to make a rational deduction.
Of course, there were items whose ominousness was almost close to a ghost story, but since they were still just text, their utility and usage came to mind first.
‘This is huge.’
And only then did a peculiar mark catch my eye.
Happy Maker - ₩27,999,999 ★
What is this star?
A description popped up when I hovered my finger over it.
★ Similar to goods bought before!
‘Ah.’
These aliens… I wondered why they did a renewal, and it turns out they had introduced an algorithm. To make products related to what I bought last time appear at the top with a star!
‘But shouldn't they have done this the other way around?’
If it were clothes, maybe, but I didn't think I’d necessarily buy similar items… well, it works for consumable items that run out of stock.
For example, this!
Nostalgia Candy - ₩12,999,999 ★
‘It’s the Nostalgia Series.’
It was an item made by the same place that made the yarn-shaped restraint that had been wrapped around my wrist when I was in the Security Team isolation room with the Educational Manual.
A series with the concept of returning one's identity to a ‘good moment from the past.’
If it’s a candy type, it probably produces a similar effect through ingestion.
It seemed to have appeared because I’d bought edible products a few times. It also shared similarities with the Baekseol Mountain Apple.
‘It’s an absolute buy.’
My supply of mini-apples, whether juice or whole fruit, was almost gone anyway.
I immediately put that item in my cart and slowly looked at the rest of the list….
‘Painkillers, recovery agents, armor, intimidation, crisis escape….’
And then I realized.
‘These are all good.’
They were all useful items. Because I knew their uses, I could discern their value.
Moreover.
Really buy over 100 million and get 20% discount!
“…….”
A discount.
‘It’s not an opportunity that comes around often.’
And combining my salary, the side income I'd earned so far, bonuses, and subtracting living expenses, the ammunition I could use was….
‘Up to 140 million, no… maybe even 150 million?’
“…….”
-Friend, are you enjoying your shopping while overcoming that hideous visual torture?
“No.”
-Hmm?
“I just finished.”
I looked at my shopping cart.
Happy Maker - ₩27,999,999
Nostalgia Candy - ₩12,999,999
Wrapping Paper 12B357Na - ₩9,999,999
Necronomicon - ₩49,999,999
We Help! - ₩66,666,666
= ₩167,666,662
※Discounted!※ : 134,133,329
Let’s go, buy all products!
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