‘Daydream Inc.’ is a sinister company that throws its field exploration team employees into horrifying ghost stories to extract dream essence for their potions.

This raises a question.

– Wouldn’t forcing employees into high-grade, extremely dangerous ghost stories just result in everyone dying and no essence being extracted?

To address this concern while maintaining the narrative convenience of ghost stories, the concept “employees are equipped with customizable special equipment that becomes more powerful as they are promoted” was introduced.

However, this detail isn’t overly specific.

If every piece of equipment was divided into grades and meticulously charted, it would feel less like an internet ghost story and more like a massive RPG.

To make it easy for anyone to contribute creatively, a more suitable setup was established:

– Customized personal equipment

Employees recognized for their contributions receive support from the company to acquire supernatural equipment tailored just for them.

Of course, this doesn’t mean ordinary employees suddenly get cartoonish superpowers—just slight boosts in special stats.

Think of it as creating favorable conditions.

‘Still, having anything is better than nothing.’

Unconsciously, I looked at Manager Lee Jaheon with anticipation, only to meet the eyes of a lizard. 

I quickly averted my gaze.

I’ll never get used to this.

“Ah, so I can create custom equipment?”

“Yes.”

“…Could you explain in detail?”

“Yes.”

After asking three times, I finally got a detailed explanation.

Still, it was fascinating.

‘I only knew bits and pieces about this before.’

Various scattered mentions from <Chronicles of Darkness Exploration> were now being organized and explained by the manager.

“Custom equipment is crafted using specific forms of ‘darkness’ the company has secured.”

Right, of course, they’d use the ghost stories.

[Qterw-E-07 / Toy Maker from Cheerful Lab]

[Qterw-E-99 / Friendly Seed Kit]

[Qterw-E-404 / Ritual Offering]

From what I remember, these three ghost stories were associated with equipment creation for Daydream Inc. employees.

Among them, the field exploration team mostly uses…

“…this one.”

Oh!

* * *

“Turns out it’s a type of darkness that can only be used on moonlit nights!”

With my team members tagging along out of curiosity, I headed to an annex next to the company building with the manager.

Thanks to my superiors encouraging me to strike while the iron was hot, we decided to check it out immediately.

“Ah… This is where relatively safe and useful ghost stories are kept in containment,” the deputy explained.

“The company calls these ‘Twilight-Grade.’”

I already knew this.

Officially, these are classified as E-Grade ghost stories.

However, simply calling them E-Grade doesn’t quite fit, as the classification is a bit different.

‘It’s a collection of only the useful ones.’

Some were far stronger than D-Grade, while others were less dangerous than F-Grade. This unique category of ghost stories was more commonly referred to as “Twilight.”

“Hey, Roe Deer, remember that radio you saw on your first day? It’s useful because it tells your fortune for the day. It’s similar to that thing”

After scanning our employee badges on the first floor of the annex, we found a staircase leading underground.

As we went down the stairs, we came across a dark reception desk with a figure sitting behind it.

The figure was fully dressed in black—mask, sunglasses, and a hat—making for an eerie silhouette.

An employee?

The deputy quickly stepped forward.

“Hello! We’re Field Exploration Team D, visiting as part of new employee training.”

“…”

“We’re here to access Twilight-Grade Number 99 darkness.”

The figure in black appeared to scrutinize the deputy for a moment before nodding.

With a slight nod, the figure pressed a button on the desk, and one of the emergency doors behind them unlocked.

Creak.

Behind the door was a corridor lined with countless other doors.

“Don’t open any of the other rooms by mistake. Actually, don’t even touch the handles, leave them alone.”

Sound advice indeed.

I nodded silently and began walking.

Soon, we stopped in front of a door labeled “99,” and the deputy placed her employee badge on the scanner.

Click.

“Let’s go in.”

I looked up.

Moonlight poured into an overgrown greenhouse.

And in the center of it all stood a single rusted machine, covered in the silvery moonlight.

-------------------------------

Chronicles of Darkness Exploration / Ghost Story/

[Friendly Seed Kit]:

A ghost story listed in <Chronicles of Darkness Exploration>.

Daydream Inc. ID Code: Qterw-E-99.

This ghost story treats objects as plants, extracting genetic information from them to crossbreed and sow them. It operates using moonlight as its energy source.

-------------------------------

Exactly.

A ghost story that combines the characteristics of two objects to create a new one.

This story, with its atmospheric setting, was the primary ‘darkness’ used by the field exploration team for creating custom equipment.

“It’s practically our department’s signature darkness!”

Standing before the rusted machine, I asked,

“Does it cost points to use this?”

“Yep. All the Twilight-Grade darkness stored in the annex cost points.”

“Ah…”

“For reference, this one’s 1,000 points per use.”

Wait a second.

Isn’t that a bit odd?

“If this is for equipment necessary for darkness exploration, shouldn’t the company cover the cost instead of charging us?”

Even with how awful this company is, surely, they’d—

“Oh, once you’re promoted to supervisor, you can use it twice a year for free.”

“…”

Maybe I should’ve pushed for that promotion.

“Most people wait until they’re promoted to a supervisor before using it. At most, you only need to hold out for a year.”

Hmm.

I deliberated over the thought.

‘Manager Lee Jaheon deemed it worthwhile to use points here, so there must be a good reason.’

The lizard, or Employee D, may rely heavily on brute strength, but that likely includes an almost perfect intuition.

If an employee with a high survival rate offers an advice…

‘It’s probably best to follow it.’

Investing 1,000 points to increase my initial survival chances is the right call, isn’t it?

…Even though my hands are trembling a little!

“I’d like to try it now.”

“Okay!”

Supervisor Park reacted enthusiastically, then leaned in with a sudden realization.

“…But you know you need existing equipment to put into the machine, right? Something with properties that can serve as traits.”

“Ah… Of course.”

I’d already seen this in the ghost story records.

-------------------------------

Exploration Record #05

Employee N inserted a tumbler* and a backpack.

The tumbler* was a special item (Liquid poured in after sunrise wouldn’t run out until sunset, owned by Manager Choi ■■). The backpack had no special features.

Seed Result: Backpack.

(Special Attribute: Shares similar properties to the tumbler. However, it runs out after extracting 87 liters of liquid.)

-------------------------------

“Don’t worry! There’s a tradition in our team where members lend their equipment once for free when a newbie creates their first custom equipment.”

“Yeah, but only one item. For the second item, you either use your own or rent one for a fee.”

The deputy glanced over at the manager.

“And, well… The manager’s equipment is the best among us.”

I expected that—he’s a senior member, after all.

“If it’s okay with you, could I take a look at your equipment, Manager?”

“Yes.”

The lizard pulled something out of his pocket.

It was a small, ash-gray knife that gleamed faintly.

“This is a butter knife. If you cut the medium leading to a ‘darkness’ with it, you can slice through space and transfer small objects.”

Oh.

“So this is the equipment you used to throw those AAA batteries earlier.”

“Yes.”

I looked at the butter knife with newfound interest.

‘I was hoping for defensive equipment, but I guess it’s not that simple.’

Unfortunately, none of the other supervisors had defensive equipment either.

One item was related to deception, and another was for communication.

‘At worst, I can just get something with similar effect from the alien shop…’

I made up my mind.

“So, you’re going to use the manager’s equipment?”

“Yes.”

I bowed my head as a gesture of courtesy.

“Thank you, Manager.”

Manager Lee Jaheon gave a small nod and approached the machine.

The old LCD screen displayed vintage-looking text.

[Give me plants. 0/2]

I watched as the manager held his equipment to the machine, scanning its “genetic information.”

[Plant information stored successfully.]

[Give me plants. 1/2]

“Now you just have to put in the item you want…Wait a moment.”

The deputy hurriedly spoke up.

“This machine isn’t all that weird, so most things are fine to put in. But there’s one absolute thing you must not insert.”

She tapped the sign attached to the front of the machine.

※ Do NOT insert real plants under any circumstances.

“Never ever put in real plants, no matter what it asks for.”

“…”

“Anyway, there’s a sensor at the door that filters out actual plants, but just in case, I wanted to warn you.”

With eyes now accustomed to the dim surroundings, I could discern the truth about the overgrown weeds around us.

All fake. They were artificial plants.

…It reminded me of an entry from the <Chronicles of Darkness Exploration>.

-------------------------------

Exploration Record #14 (Irregular)

Employee R picked weeds (believed to be dandelions) growing near the ‘darkness’ and inserted them into the machine twice.

The result was [redacted] along with a burst of [redacted], which emitted [redacted][redacted].

– It took seven days for the security team to subdue the incident.

All three employees present, including Employee R, were confirmed deceased. All plants were subsequently removed.

※ Notice: Future incidents like this will result in disciplinary action or termination.

-------------------------------

Yeah, that’s definitely something to keep in mind.

“Understood, thank you for letting me know.”

“No need to thank me.”

In the meantime, the manager had completed registering his equipment and put the knife back in his suit pocket. 

Then he stood upright.

“In the other slot, you typically insert convenient, ordinary items. However, in those cases, the inherited supernatural traits of the equipment may be weak or, in rare cases, not inherited at all.”

I already knew this, but I nodded seriously, showing my reaction.

“That can’t be helped. I’ll accept it, even if that’s the case.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled something out.

“Oh~ So that’s why you said you stopped by the dorm earlier? You already decided what you wanted to insert?”

“Yes.”

In my hand was a silver coin.

— Silver Snake Coin, it was the very item I had bought at a huge discount from the alien shop.

“I’m going to use this.”

It was perfect for the other slot.

After all, I had a fair number of supernatural items in my possession!

This was exactly why I was so happy when I found that the ‘Darkness’ Field Exploration Team used was the “Friendly Seed Kit.”

‘I have more sources for acquiring items than most people.’

From the mysterious black notepad that handed out goods, to the alien shop.

The moment I entered this place, I had already been reviewing the lineup of items I possessed.

‘And among them, the highest-grade one would be….’

This, of course.

I rolled the round coin with the snake design between my fingers.

‘It was the most expensive one if we’re going by the original price.’

Additionally, considering Manager Lee Jaheon’s butter knife was for “resource supply,” I had a faint hope that this coin, seemingly a form of “currency,” might create a unique synergy with it.

I brought the coin to the machine.

The lizard’s pupils widened at the sight of the silver glint.

“What is that?”

“It’s a commemorative coin. I bought it as a souvenir during a trip… but it strangely gives out a good vibe”

“…I see.”

Did he recognize it as a supernatural item?

It didn’t matter. Given the world’s abundant urban legends, it wasn’t too strange to carry around supernatural objects without realizing it.

‘Coins don’t seem particularly suspicious, either.’

They’re small, everyday objects, after all.

“Looks convenient to carry. It seems like a good match.”

“Thank you.”

While receiving compliments from my superiors, I completed the scan.

[Plant information stored successfully.]

[Give me plants. 2/2]

“Oh, now is the final step.”

[Please provide the gardener’s information.]

This was why it was called “custom equipment.”

Though the exact mechanics were unclear, the device seemed to require the genetic information of the person who would care for the plant.

‘This creates all kinds of variables.’

After some hesitation, I completed the scan.

[Information confirmed.]

Here it comes.

[Combining genetic information.]

[Generating kit...]

Colored smoke emerged from the machine as the sound of gears creaking, echoed.

[Seeding complete.]

Hiss.

The front drawer of the machine opened, revealing a small object.

A gray coin.

Specifically, it looked like an arcade token. Its shiny face contained an embossed image of a glove.

“Oh, it’s here.”

“Congratulations, Roe Deer.”

Cautiously, I reached out and picked up the item.

It was my first custom equipment.

I returned straight to the dorm.

The seniors also parted ways, saying, “Get some good rest, see you tomorrow.”

It seemed they didn’t want to risk testing equipment abilities while still in recovering from the ghost story.

“…Alright.”

Sitting on my bed, I took out the two coins.

One was the Silver Snake Coin I had bought from the alien shop and used as the parent plant.

The other was the gray coin born from the fusion of the Silver Snake Coin and Manager Lee’s butter knife’s genetic information.

Everything about this was great. However...

“…How do I activate it?”

The thing wouldn’t budge.

‘Come to think of it, the Silver Snake Coin wasn’t explicitly labeled as a supernatural item.’

Surely, this wasn’t just a toy coin pretending to be some supernatural item, was it? Beads of cold sweat formed on my forehead.

Luckily, my worries were short-lived.

“As expected, coins are meant for this.”

I decided to try the classic move, flipping the coin with my thumb.

At that moment, the embossed glove design on the coin face sprang to life.

“…!”

A translucent silver glove materialized in the air.

The glove moved as if miming, writing letters in the air

[Insert coin]

…It wants me to insert a coin?

I rummaged through my wallet and pulled out a 100-won coin, offering it to the glove.

But it refused.

“What’s this?”

Was it asking for a different currency? Or…

“How about this?”

I presented a 500-won coin.

The glove eagerly took the coin, slid it between its fingers, and made it disappear with a flourish.

‘So it was about the amount.’

This equipment strictly adhered to capitalist logic.

While I stared in disbelief, the translucent glove approached my hand, merging with it as if I was wearing it.

“…!”

A peculiar sensation washed over me.

‘A third… hand?’

A shadowy projection of my hand appeared before me.

It moved according to my will—pushing walls, opening bathroom doors, even writing.

‘Its strength and flexibility are about the same as mine.’

To summarize, it’s essentially a third telekinetic hand that operates for a few seconds per coin.

The range is roughly three meters.

“500 won for 3 seconds, it’s not bad.”

Soon, the shadowy hand disappeared, and the translucent glove detached from my hand, returning to its embossed state on the coin’s surface.

“Hm.”

Not bad at all.

Unlike the manager’s butter knife, which overcame spatial constraints between ghost stories and reality, this equipment expanded the range within the story itself, offering versatility.

Though there’s a limit to how many 500-won coins I can carry in my suit…

‘This is definitely a successful draw.’

It’s also fortunate that the coin doesn’t reveal itself as supernatural and just blends it.

“Work hard for the 1,000 points I invested in you.”

I tucked the coin into my pocket with the rest of my items.

While at it, I restocked my used Smile Stickers and grabbed another Can Bottle.

‘Humans are truly creatures of adaptation.’

Lying down on my bed, I realized I felt surprisingly good.

When I closed my eyes, the horrifying talk show still vividly replayed in my mind, but as long as the lights were on, I could manage to sleep.

Maybe it was because things had ended on a relatively positive note.

‘…Luck hasn’t been too bad lately.’

I was even assigned to a warm team.

‘Earning points in one go like this makes the whole situation feel a bit hopeful…’

Sleep crept in as I blinked slowly.

There were still mountains of points left to earn before I could obtain a wish token, and I didn’t even know how many more ghost stories I’d have to clear.

But for the first time, I felt like I might be able to endure it all.

‘Maybe I can quietly hold on.’

…That fleeting optimism shattered the next morning when I arrived at work and discovered the absurd truth.

“Wow, a rookie cleared an A-Grade catastrophe on his second day!”

The company had issued a public announcement.

“Roe Deer, have a seat. So… uh, your position might be changing.”

“…Excuse me?”

It was just my third day on the job though?