“Think carefully about it.”

The civil servant, dressed like a stereotypical serial killer, said reassuringly.

“You won’t ever get fired until the age of 65 and it’s a grade-based system. Since it’s a special position, additional allowances are provided.”

Why am I sitting here listening to what feels like a supernatural disaster management bureau recruitment fair?

“If you’re the ‘type’ that frequently gets entangled in supernatural phenomena anyway, isn’t it better to have financial support and institutional protection?”

I already have those things…

No matter how I think about it, a Grade 8 civil servant wouldn’t make more money than a major pharmaceutical company employee!

But there was no way I could let it slip here that I worked for Daydream Incorporation.

I don’t want to get flagged as a person of interest and end up on the Bureau’s watchlist!

‘I should’ve just stuck to communicating with notes.’

Regretting my decision to use my voice for quicker and more persuasive communication, I started to feel a cold sweat coming on.

I opened my mouth cautiously, trying to emphasize the impression they already had of me—just a “civilian who gets caught up in supernatural phenomena.”

“This time, it was really terrifying, so I did whatever I could to try and stop it, but I’m just a regular person who isn’t capable of resolving supernatural occurrences. There’s no way I could become an agent.”

“……”

The civil servant looked at me with an expression of slight disbelief.

What? Why?

“You believed the caretaker was the cause of the current phenomenon and terminated his contract to prevent future incidents, correct?”

“Well… yes?”

“Then, wasn’t it your independent judgment that completely resolved this supernatural phenomenon?”

“……”

“That’s a natural talent.”

No, it’s not.

It’s just wiki research…

“I’m sorry, but I really don’t think I can do it. Honestly, I only did this after consulting with my friend who came along…”

Please, just let it go.

“I’m not even particularly strong or possess special abilities to be an agent.”

“Special abilities…”

The civil servant’s lips curved slightly into a smile.

“Well, that’s… something you ‘learn’ over time.”

“…!”

“Once you’re appointed, you’ll hear more about it in detail.”

Oh, this is driving me nuts.

“Why are you so confident about me, anyway…?”

“You have a small silver badge in the shape of a heart, don’t you?”

“…!!”

“That’s the reason.”

Damn it.

‘Sharp guy.’

I had considered this possibility, but I deliberately acted more startled, feigning shock.

“What? H-How did you…”

“That’s a piece of persuasive equipment used by the Disaster Management Bureau. I’ve heard it was distributed in the past to civilians who performed significant acts of virtue, but this is my first time seeing someone who can actually use it.”

“Ah…”

“That badge can only be used by good people, so it also serves as a kind of certification.”

Then he glanced at me.

“Did you keep it in your pocket when you used it?”

This guy’s sharp as a tack.

‘Pretending ignorance here would make me more suspicious.’

Might as well lean into it and own it.

Never forget—this thing only works for “good people”!

‘He won’t confiscate it as long as I haven’t caused any trouble. That’s never happened before.’

Thankfully, my brain kicked into overdrive and spat out a response without pause.

Feigning a bittersweet expression, I reached into my pocket, pulled out the small silver badge, and held it up.

It needed to seem perfectly natural and legitimate that I had this—so I invoked the only plausible and legal route.

“…It’s a family heirloom.”

The merch box is officially my family from today onward.

“They told me to use it if I ever needed a say in emergencies…”

“I see.”

The civil servant nodded, looking at me with what seemed to be a hint of pity.

“You must have had an admirable family.”

“……”

Did he misunderstand it as “they’re watching over me from the heavens”? Well, technically, that’s not wrong either, but… yeah.

I tried not to think about the black merch box floating in the sky as I responded.

“They warned me not to voluntarily engage in dangerous work, and I’d like to keep that promise…”

“……”

That was indeed something my parents said to me when they tried to stop me from going into finance. And really, joining this company wasn’t voluntary on my part either. So technically, no lies. None at all!

“…I understand.”

The civil servant seemed to look at me with slight regret but backed off without further persuasion.

“In that case, it can’t be helped.”

Phew.

And so, the nerve-wracking recruitment fair came to an end.

With an unexpected benefit, too.

“Please contact me if you have any concerns or problems.”

As I left the lodge, the civil servant handed me another contact card.

This time, though, it was different.

Ryu Jaegwan
010-XXXX-XXXX

“This is my work number.”

Oh.

“This might be more useful than the business card I gave you earlier. That one could involve delays in team dispatch or agents of… varying specialties.”

In short, it was like a free pass to escape ghost stories.

I swapped out the previous contact with this one as if I were exchanging cassette tapes.

Never thought I’d use it this way.

I decided to slip in one last bit of small talk before heading out—or rather, before he started digging into my background.

‘If that’s the case…’

I scratched the back of my head, acting bashful.

“Well, honestly, I was pretty scared during the whole salmon market incident, so I stuck to passing notes. But next time, I’d like to have another conversation like this.”

“Of course.”

“And… could my identity be kept confidential? It’s a bit overwhelming and, frankly, scary.”

“……”

The civil servant paused briefly.

“I believe that can be arranged.”

Score!

‘That means he’ll keep me as an unidentified individual, right?’

It was perfect. I even left room for future dealings.

‘Next time, I’ll be less suspicious and sell more food.’

“Take care on your way down.”

“You too, Agent.”

I shook hands with the civil servant.

The civil servant rode off on his bike.

Even during the final round of persuasion, I managed to handle it smoothly.

— To be honest, situations like this are so stressful… I’m already at my limit. I really don’t think I can do it.

That was 100% true.

Baek Saheon, stop giving me that creepy stare.

The civil servant nodded, perhaps recognizing it was just a passing suggestion, and got on his bike without hesitation.

With one last piece of golden advice to leave before the Bureau’s cleanup team arrived: Get out of here immediately.

‘Of course.’

Without looking back at the now-cleared lodge and the vanished landslide debris, I left, taking the mountain trail.

‘Phew.’

The tension finally started to fade.

“– The past few days, you’ve sacrificed sleep for that artistic final cut. Braun here recognizes your effort! Well done.”

Yeah. Creepy, terrifying, and exhausting as hell…

‘To be sent alone into a ghost story like that… It’s the main reason why I would never go for the Bureau.’

The value of Daydream Inc. in my mind skyrocketed like never before.

‘At least they’re paying us in money and points.’

They say even servants should serve in noble houses, and this situation perfectly fits the bill.

Not that it made the work any more rewarding.

I glanced at my colleague, who was contributing to this thankless job alongside me.

“Let’s just head down already! This damned lodge…!”

“……”

“Damn it, I was stuck in a mess that isn’t even worth any points or money!”

“Shouldn’t you say something first?”

Baek Saheon shut his mouth instantly.

Then, turning to me, he spoke in a highly defensive tone.

“I don’t owe you anything for this. It’s not like I asked you to save me.”

Well, well.

“You already took the exchange reward yourself, Supervisor Kim Sol-eum. Isn’t that enough?”

“Oh.”

I smirked.

“Interesting. You’ve got the guts to talk like that to someone who lost their weekend and had to take unapproved leave because of you?”

“……”

Baek Saheon’s face turned pale, then flushed, before he reluctantly asked,

“…What do you want?”

“Nothing.”

“…?!”

“Actually, I had fun.”

“…!!”

I strode down the mountain trail, hearing the sound of Baek Saheon scrambling to catch up and his belated response from behind me.

“…Anyway, I’ll admit I ruined your weekend and made you take unapproved leave.”

“……”

“I said I admit it.”

Oh?

“I’ll transfer three days’ worth of pay. Just wait.”

“Alright.”

But moments later, as we re-entered an area with cell service and data started to load, Baek Saheon let out a shout.

“The date did not change!”

Exactly.

Didn’t he know it was a universal rule in ghost stories for time to flow differently?

“Well, I spent three days, regardless.”

“…!”

Still, I got my pay, and Baek Saheon, wearing a mix of frustration, relief, and irritation, glanced at me before quickly lowering his eyes and hurrying away.

“– Hahaha, people like him wouldn’t have an easy time staying unscathed, even outside of this job!”

True, right?

Though there was something else I hadn’t said.

‘I didn’t think he’d go the whole time without saying thanks.’

What a truly remarkable guy in so many ways.

Still, he didn’t seem as ruthless or heartless as the version of him I’d seen in the <Chronicles of Darkness Exploration>.

Actually, when the civil servant saw him in the basement earlier, he briefly glanced at him with a cold look and then gave me a piece of advice.

– “Some inherit the silver heart while some inherit cassette tapes…”

– “……”

– “It’d be wise to choose your companions carefully.”

– “Hmm. Yes, thank you.”

Well, then.

The government had ensured the cassette tape ended up in the hands of villains, conscripting only those whose guilt was clear.

Which meant this guy… was a government-certified ‘villain.’

Even if I were to be generous, there was at least one villain involved in how Baek Saheon got his hands on it.

– “It was just something at home. I inherited it from a relative.”

…A relative, huh.

‘There’s probably a story behind it.’

But I stopped thinking about it.

I didn’t have the luxury to dig into the backstories of characters on the wiki.

‘I just need to survive in this ghost-story company.’

Before long, the company was at it again, bringing in another bizarre, unexpected task as if it were standard practice.

* * *

A few days later.

“Supervisor Kim!”

On my way back with coffee for my boss, a familiar face called out to me in the hallway.

It was Lee Byungjin, the manager in charge of manual revision who had gone missing.

“Ah~ Congratulations. I knew our Supervisor Kim would do well!”

We’ve only known each other for less than two months, though.

“Top of the class at entry, scouted for Team A, saved me, and now with connections in the security team, you’ve even got a fast-track promotion? Wow, things are looking good.”

“Thank you.”

It didn’t feel great, but I replied politely.

But instead of wrapping up the conversation and leaving, Manager Lee leaned in, lowering his voice to whisper.

“Director Ho has been keeping an eye on you.”

“……”

“He’s the best superior you can have in this company. Don’t miss this chance.”

A chance?

“There’s even a rumor that the director is running an external classified project team… You could get transferred there.”

Haha. You don’t get it, do you?

In the ghost-story universe, anything labeled “classified” means your survival rate drops below 50%.

Instead of saying that, I politely shook my head.

“I’ve only been here less than six months. I’m just focused on doing my best in my current role.”

“Ah, humility too! I’ve definitely got an eye for people. Haha!”

I was just grateful he’d forgotten his overbearing attitude when I was pretending to be part of the Security Team. People really are creatures of their environment.

Manager Lee patted my shoulder a few times as if he were proud of me, then left with these parting words.

“Anyway, I’m really curious to see where you’ll end up!”

“…?”

The nuance was odd.

‘Why does it sound like he’s assuming I’ll be sent somewhere?’

This question was soon answered.

That afternoon.

“Hey, Roe. Even if you get transferred to another team, let’s still keep in touch. I didn’t even get to treat you to a proper meal.”

Excuse me?

I blinked at my somewhat dejected supervisor.

Another team?

Am I… being reassigned somewhere strange?

Was the talk of the director taking an interest just a ploy to make me lower my guard, only to hit me with this shock?

Why would they play such petty, cruel games with a mere employee…?!

“I’d prefer you stayed on our team, but… given how things are looking…”

Fortunately, before I could spiral, my deputy manager kindly explained.

The field exploration team usually had a fixed size of three people per team. Occasionally, one or two extra members would be assigned as new hires.

These extra members typically stayed until they were promoted and officially assigned elsewhere.

“But now you’re a supervisor.”

Ah.

I was… excluded from the usual case.

“There’s a higher chance you’ll be reassigned, but… well, it might not be too bad.”

I asked hopefully.

“Could I possibly be an exception?”

“Not quite… but I think the team size will be a perfect three soon. Keep this between us.”

“Huh?”

Deputy Manager Eun chuckled.

“I’m quitting soon.”

“…!!”

My colleague just announced her escape!