The mannequin employees stood in a neat row and clapped in unison. They were reacting enthusiastically to my declaration that I would buy the ring.
And the two colleagues who followed me were staring blankly at this situation.
Two humans who possessed appropriate value for bartering for the ring I had chosen.
Clap, clap, clap…
The mannequins stopped clapping. Then, as if to proceed with the payment, they all began to walk toward the two standing behind me…
I raised my hand.
“However, I’d like to change the payment method.”
Thud.
The stopped mannequins turned back to look at me.
Yes. Of course, this boutique accepted humans as trade in bartering. Even now, such a transaction was possible.
But why would they take humans?
To get down to the fundamental reason…
‘It’s labor.’
Whether they were used as employees for menial tasks or promoted to become mannequins like those through hard work, it was a fact already described in the Wiki.
In other words, they accepted human trafficking for bartering because it was a definite help to the shop’s operation.
Then, besides labor, what else would be a ‘definite’ help to the shop’s operation?
Thinking of Daydream Inc. alone brought something to mind immediately.
‘Supply of raw materials.’
I reached into my tattoo and pulled out an item.
The most expensive material among the things I had brought.
“I’d like to pay with this.”
It was a gold bar.
“…!”
I felt my colleagues behind me waver at the sudden appearance of the star of capitalism in a ghost story.
Honestly, my balance was tight after clicking 'Purchase All Items' at the Alien Shop, so I had hesitated over whether to use this or not…
‘I’m glad I picked it up in Jongno after all.’
Gold and silver were staple materials even in ghost stories.
In particular, unlike silver, which is mainly used for exorcism, gold has a slightly more universal appeal in its image. It was often symbolized as a representation of desire or a ritualistic price, making it likely to be accepted anywhere.
So…
“Is payment possible?”
One mannequin, whose uniform was more formal than the others, approached me. It bowed its head deeply toward the small gold bar…
And politely extended both hands.
…It worked!
It was accepted.
In the worst-case scenario, I had even considered just running away, so this was a very good situation.
I dropped the gold bar into the mannequin's hands. The mannequin slowly backed away, then emerged from behind the glass case with the ring further packaged.
It presented the silver ring I had purchased on a velvet cushion engraved with a strange snake pattern.
Is the cushion… also part of the set?
Since there was no reaction when I took it along with the ring, I immediately stored it all in my tattoo.
Next, other mannequins stepped forward from both sides, each holding a rectangular velvet box.
The boxes on both sides looked identical but contained different things.
The one on the left was an elegant, traditional-style pouch, and through the slightly loosened opening, I could see coins printed in reverse.
Change!
It was additional currency exchange income.
I could see at a glance that it was a much heavier amount than what I had received at the butcher shop. Moreover, the coins were large and thick. The denominations were clearly different.
It’s right to take all of this.
With my heart already leaning that way, I looked at the other side.
The items displayed in the box held by the mannequin on the other side were… hmmm. They were small miscellaneous goods that were difficult to even call accessories.
It was ambiguous whether they could even be considered wearable, so I wasn't about to risk seeing if they had any mental defense effects.
It seems like they’re trying to do a bit of sales promotion before giving me the change, right?
The universal currency is probably better…
It was at that moment.
Something caught my eye among the miscellaneous goods.
It was a small ribbon hair tie.
I wasn't sure what the material was, but the dark brown cord had a glossy, luxurious look.
“…….”
Hmm.
“Can I take that as well?”
I pointed to the hair tie.
The mannequins clapped again, then took out half of the change that had been in the pouch and politely handed it to me.
“Thank you.”
I took the well-packaged items and stored them in my tattoo.
“Wow. I’ve been thinking this for a while… that ability of yours looks really useful! What kind of equipment are you using?”
“Yes.”
I turned to look at the grinning Kang Yihak.
Had she not realized that I could have sold both of my colleagues, including herself?
Phew…, let’s try one more time.
I tried one last time to ‘not get picked on by looking like a crazy person.’
I looked straight at Kang Yihak and said:
“I’m curious.”
“Yes?”
“If I were to sell one sentient being, how much gold would I get back?”
After a short silence.
“Eh? Why would you think of something so cost-ineffective~ Haha!”
Kang Yihak laughed heartily.
“Harvesting kidneys or corneas would probably fetch a few more gold bars.”
“…….”
Was this the mindset of a normal person?
No matter how I thought about it, it wasn't. So I gave up on arguing.
I’m starting to get genuinely scared now…!
‘I have to endure until I get out of this ghost story.’
Instead, I decided to offer a carrot to my colleagues.
“Take this.”
“Oh…?!”
I divided the change in the pouch into three and shared it with my colleagues.
“I’m lending it to you. If you use it, pay me back in gold. If you don't use it by the time we leave, I’ll take it back.”
“T-Thank you….”
Jang Heowoon bowed his head first.
No, I can understand Ms. Kang Yihak because she seems like a crazy person I can't relate to, but I don't know why Mr. Jang Heowoon is so calm.
‘What kind of things did he go through in the cleanup team…?’
When we started, I thought, ‘This will be a reliable exploration with my normal colleagues!’ but we’ve come so far that I’m actually starting to miss Baek Saheon.
‘At least that bastard was easy because he only did predictable things…’
Here, I’m just bathing in cold sweat.
In the meantime, I hurriedly stopped Kang Yihak, who was trying to lift a coin to look at its surface.
“Don’t look too closely.”
“Okay~”
Kang Yihak muttered in a slightly dazed voice.
“As expected, gold… never fails.”
“…….”
“Um, Ms. Pony. Wouldn’t it be dangerous to be so certain?”
Jang Heowoon said quietly.
“Because there are many things in this world more precious than gold.”
“Haha, well, Mr. Bison. Let me give you a tip as a colleague. What do you think is the most valuable use for a Wish Ticket?”
“Yes? …Saving people, making the world a better place… isn't it?”
“Ayy~ There are so many people in the world, how can you say that! It’s a more efficient choice to endlessly print out things that are scarce and valuable!”
Kang Yihak said, spreading her hands wide.
“It’s the Midas Touch!”
“……!”
What?
“…A hand that turns everything it touches into gold? Like in Greek mythology?”
“Yes! As expected of a Korean~ You’re well-versed in Greek and Roman mythology!”
Kang Yihak grinned.
“Of course, I don't intend to ask for my actual hands to turn everything they touch into gold. I’ve thought of a part of the body that wouldn't interfere with daily life~”
“…….”
Surprisingly, Jang Heowoon’s eyes sank coldly.
Just like during the new employee orientation, when he had stood with his suit and hair covered in blood to ask a question about Wish Tickets.
“…Then just ask for ten billion or a hundred billion in your bank account.”
But Kang Yihak was relentless.
“Yes? Why would I make a one-time wish? Besides, won won won (KRW) becomes scrap paper if this country collapses. But gold!”
The person wearing the Pony mask leaned her head toward Jang Heowoon.
“Gold never falls.”
“……!”
“Even if diamonds, dollars, and all the currencies in the world collapse, gold is perfect capital that has never once deviated from an upward macro-graph until now, you know?”
“…….”
“Let’s hear it. Our class top, the one who achieved the shortest promotion to supervisor, and the one breaking the record for the fastest point accumulation… Supervisor Roe Deer, you agree with me too, right? Yes?”
Kang Yihak shouted.
“No, I don't even need to hear it~ That’s why you brought gold! You saw it just now. Gold becoming an item!”
Only then did I realize.
“Gold is money, and money is power. In human society!”
Kang Yihak didn't have any ulterior motives.
‘This person… is just someone crazy about money!’
Of course, people usually want to make money, but it was overwhelming to see someone act as if they would even weigh and sell their soul.
It seemed like the Silver Heart and the environment of the ‘Commercial District’ were influencing her to make her look even crazier, but this appearance seemed like her more truthful and honest inner self.
She was thinking like that even under her good-natured attitude before entering the ghost story.
‘…Dangerous.’
As soon as we get out of this ghost story, let’s not get involved…!
But for now, I calmly crossed my arms.
“I heard you well. I hope you make a lot of money.”
“Hahaha, yes!!”
Let’s escape this shop first.
I told the employees that I would ‘look around a bit more and head back on my own,’ and discouraged them from seeing us out.
And as soon as the employees returned to their floating-hand work forms, I hurriedly left through the back door.
‘Phew.’
A dark back alley with small doors clustered together.
To think this strange place would provide a moment of relief.
‘After I achieve my goal, let’s quickly find a reasonably safe and walkable alley to finish the remaining steps.’
Before the path gets any narrower.
Fortunately, thanks to easily completing a thousand steps in the boutique, a new alley appeared smoothly.
[Don't give up on your body!]
[Remaining steps: 3999]
The path that appeared through the gap in the side door was about the same width as this back alley, but it was much better.
“Somehow, it feels nostalgic?”
First of all, the lights from the utility poles were flickering dimly.
A night where starlight could be seen. From each shop, signs and yellow light shone out from inside.
‘It feels strangely nostalgic…’
It was a landscape that made one’s heart feel at ease, with an atmosphere like a small alleyway between houses in an old city center.
That said, if I let my guard down, I might be caught by some shop's solicitation and disappear or go crazy.
“I know this place!”
Alleys of Death Road confirmed so far:
12. Old Shopping Center
It was frequently mentioned in the Manual and was a relatively safe alley that appeared quite often in the employees' Exploration Records.
And….
It was also my destination.
“Let’s move to the next alley.”
“Yep!”
We entered the nostalgic little alleyway.
There were almost no crowds.
Perhaps that’s why it felt somewhat mysterious, like a Christmas or New Year’s night….
I walked with my colleagues past the small and humble shops on either side.
Then I stopped in front of one shop.
“…….”
It was a stationery store.
Even if it was called stationery, it was the kind of neighborhood stationery store that sold only a few school supplies and toys that students would like, and far more snacks.
It looked just like the shops in front of schools in the 2000s that sold tteokbokki and junk food.
I looked at the stall. In the place where oden and tteokbokki should have been, buckwheat jelly engraved with strange lotus patterns was piled up…
And the sign above it.
[Sweet Stationery]
‘Found it.’
The shop that was said to sell chocolate bars with my likeness drawn on the wrapper.
‘Phew.’
Now that I’m here, I’m getting nervous.
I turned back to my colleagues….
“Mr. Roe Deer.”
Gaaaaah!
I almost jumped into the air…!
I barely managed to hold it in and turned my head, seeing a white lizard head staring at me while standing in the shadow of a utility pole next to the shop.
…Section Chief!
“How many steps do you have left?”
I looked back and forth between the stationery store and the lizard, then suddenly snapped to my senses.
“By any chance… were you waiting for us here?”
“Yes. How many steps do you have left?”
“…We have about 3,900 steps left. By any chance, Section Chief, have you almost completed the ten thousand steps?”
“Yes. I judged this alley to have the highest probability of encountering the explorers I entered with. So I was waiting with 500 steps left.”
He seemed to have deduced that I would likely appear at this stationery store.
In the first place, the reason for entering this ghost story was because of the new snack sighted at this stationery store.
‘I thought my heart was going to drop!’
Still, it was very okay that he gave a long answer. As a superior, the Lizard's rating repeatedly fell and rose again.
Then, Kang Yihak stepped forward.
“Wow, it’s really reassuring, Section Chief! Ah, then while we’re filling our steps, would it be okay if we went into the shop next door for a moment?”
The shop next door my colleague pointed to was a place that sold miscellaneous goods knitted with yarn, and it was a place that already had a purchase record in the Manual.
Moreover, Kang Yihak even jingled the coins she had received earlier to appeal.
The Lizard stared at my colleague with his red pupils.
“Do you have the currency of this place?”
“Ye-Yep! Supervisor Soleum got it for us~ He’s a truly amazing person. Everyone in Team D is so capable, there are so many things to learn from them. Haha!”
“I see.”
The Lizard said quickly.
“Enter in pairs. Any actions that violate the Manual are prohibited. Do not stay for more than 10 minutes and come back out to the alley.”
“Yep!”
“Ah, uh…. Yes.”
Kang Yihak hurriedly dragged Jang Heowoon toward the shop selling gloves and mufflers.
Hmm. It seemed Section Chief Lee Jaheon had let them go like that because this was a relatively less dangerous alley and shop according to the Exploration Records.
It had actually worked out well.
‘Since I can enter my destination without having to share the “secret.”’
“…….”
I stood in front of the glass door of the stationery store.
Section Chief Lee Jaheon followed behind me.
“I’m going in.”
“Yes.”
Tinkle.
I stepped inside the stationery store.
To see the ‘Good Child Chocolate Bar.’
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