The mannequin employees lined up in formation and clapped in unison, enthusiastically responding to my intention to purchase the ring.

And the two colleagues who followed me were blankly staring at the situation.

The ring I chose, and the two humans deemed suitable for bartering.

Clap, clap, clap…

The mannequins stopped clapping and, as if to proceed with the transaction, began walking in unison toward the two standing behind me.

I raised my hand.

"However, I'd like to adjust the payment method."

Freeze.

The mannequins, having stopped, turned to look at me.

Yes. This boutique has accepted humans in bartering before, and such transactions are still possible now.

But why do they take humans?

If we dig into the fundamental reason…

'It's labor.'

Whether used as workers for menial tasks or promoted to become mannequins like these, it was already something described in the wiki.

In other words, they accept human trafficking for barter because it's a definite help to running the store.

Then, apart from labor, what else could be a 'definite' help to the store's operation?

Just thinking about Daydream Corporation immediately brings something to mind, doesn't it?

'Raw material supply.'

I reached into the tattoo and pulled out an item.

The most expensive material among the things I brought.

"I'd like to pay with this."

A gold bar.

"…!"

I could feel my colleagues behind me getting flustered at the sudden star of capitalism appearing in this ghost story.

Honestly, after hitting 'purchase all items' at the alien shop, my balance was barely hanging on, so I debated whether to buy this or not…

'As expected, it was a good idea to stop by Jongno to pick this up.'

Gold and silver have always been staple materials in ghost stories.

Unlike silver, which is mainly used for exorcisms, gold has slightly more versatility in its image.

It's often symbolized as a representation of desire or as a magical payment, making it easy to work in most places.

So….

"Is payment possible?"

One of the mannequins, dressed in a more formal uniform, approached me.

Then, it bowed deeply to the small gold bar…

It extended both hands politely and respectfully.

'…It worked!'

It took the bait.

I was even prepared to run away in the worst-case scenario, but this was a very good outcome.

I dropped the gold bar into the mannequin's hands.

The mannequin slowly stepped back and came out from behind the glass case with the ring further packaged.

It presented the silver ring I purchased, placed on a velvet cushion engraved with a peculiar snake pattern.

'The cushion… is part of the set too?'

Since there was no reaction when I took it along, I immediately stored everything in the tattoo.

Next, other mannequins stepped forward from either side, each holding a rectangular velvet box.

The two boxes looked identical but contained different items.

The left box contained an elegant and classic-style pouch, with upside-down coins visible through its slightly loosened opening.

'Change!'

It was additional exchange income.

It was immediately clear that this was a much heavier amount than what I received earlier at the butcher shop. Moreover, the coins were large and thick; they were clearly of a different denomination.

'I suppose it's right to take all of this.'

With my mind already made up, I turned to look at the other side.g

Displayed in the box held by the mannequin on the other side were… hmm. Miscellaneous trinkets that could barely be called accessories.

They were so impractical to wear that I wouldn't risk assuming they had any mental defense effects either.

It seems like they're trying to promote some items before giving me the change, doesn't it?

'As expected, versatile currency is better.'

It was at that moment that I thought so.

Among the trinkets, one item caught my eye.

It was a small ribbon hair tie.

Though I couldn't tell what material it was made of, the glossy dark brown ribbon looked luxurious.

"……."

Hmm.

Can I take that one as well?

I pointed at the hair tie.

The mannequins clapped again, then took out half of the change from the pouch and politely handed it to me.

"Thank you."

I received the neatly packaged items and stored them in the tattoo.

"Wow. I've been thinking about this since earlier… That ability looks really useful! What kind of equipment are you using?"

"Yes."

I turned to look at Kang Yihak, who was grinning slyly.

Did she not realize that I could have trafficked her and the other colleague?

'Phew…, let's try one more time.'

I decided to try just one more time to 'avoid getting into trouble by appearing crazy.'

I stared straight at Kang Yihak and said this.

"I'm curious."

"Yes?"

"How much gold could we get back if we sold one intelligent being?"

After a brief silence.

"Huh? Why would you think about something so unreasonable? Haha!"

Kang Yihak laughed heartily.

"Removing kidneys or corneas would probably yield a few more gold bars."

"……."

Is this the way a normal person thinks?

No matter how I thought about it, it wasn't. So, I gave up on arguing.

Because honestly, it's starting to get really scary…!

'I just have to endure until I get out of this ghost story.'

Instead, I decided to offer some carrots to my colleagues.

"Please take this."

"Huh…?!"

I divided the change in my pocket into three parts and shared it with my colleagues.

"I'm lending it to you. If you use it, pay me back in gold, and if you don't use it until we leave, I'll take it back."

"Th-thank you…."

Jang Heo-un was the first to bow his head.

Well, Kang Yihak seems like a crazy person I can't even approach, so I can understand, but I have no idea why Jang Heo-un is so calm.

'What on earth happened to him in the Residual Team…?'

At the beginning, I thought, 'This will be a reliable exploration with normal colleagues!' but we've come so far that I'm starting to miss Baek Saheon.

'At least that guy only did predictable things, which made it easier….'

Here, I'm just bathing in cold sweat.

Meanwhile, I quickly stopped Kang Yihak, who was about to pick up a coin to look at its surface.

"Don't look too closely."

"Yes~"

Kang Yihak mumbled in a slightly dazed voice.

"As expected, gold… never fails."

"……."

"Um, Pony. Isn't it risky to jump to conclusions?"

Jang Heo-un spoke softly.

"There are many things in the world more valuable than gold."

"Haha, well, Bison. Let me give you a tip as a fellow colleague. What do you think is the most valuable use of a wish?"

"Huh? …Saving people and making the world a better place… isn't it?"

"Oh, come on~ With so many people in the world, saying that is pointless! It's more efficient to endlessly create something that's scarce and valuable!"

Kang Yihak said, spreading his hands wide.

"It's the Midas touch!"

"……!"

What?

"…The hand that turns everything it touches into gold, is it? From Greek mythology?"

"Yes! As expected of us Koreans~ We're experts on Greek and Roman mythology!"

Kang Yihak grinned.

"Of course, I wouldn't actually wish for everything I touch to turn into gold. I've thought of a part that won't interfere with daily life~"

"……."

Surprisingly, Jang Heo-un's eyes turned cold.

It was just like during the rookie orientation, when he raised his hand, covered in blood from head to suit, and asked about the wish ticket.

"…Then why not just wish for a hundred billion or a trillion won in your bank account?"

But Kang Yihak was unfazed.

"What? Why waste a one-time wish like that? Besides, if this country collapses, won becomes worthless paper. But gold!"

The one wearing the pony mask leaned towards Jang Heo-un.

"Gold never falls."

"……!"

"Diamonds, dollars, even if all currencies collapse, gold has never once deviated from an upward macroeconomic graph. It's the perfect asset!"g

"……."

"Let's hear it. Our batch's top graduate, fastest to be promoted to Supervisor, and breaking records for the fastest point accumulation… Supervisor Roe Deer, you agree with me, right? Yes?"

Kang Yihak shouted.

"No, there's no need to hear it~ That's why you brought gold, isn't it? You just saw it—gold is a valid item!"

It was only then that I realized.

"Gold is money, and money is power. In human society!"

Kang Yihak had no ulterior motives.

'This guy… is just crazy about money…!'

Of course, people usually want to earn money, but behaving as if they'd weigh and sell their soul like this was extremely rare, to the point of being overwhelming.

It seems like the influence of the Silver Heart and the 'commerce zone' made her seem even crazier, but this appearance feels more like her genuine and honest self.

Even before entering the ghost story, she must have been thinking this way beneath her kind demeanor.

'…She's dangerous.'

As soon as we leave this ghost story, let's not get involved with her…!

But for now, I crossed my arms nonchalantly.

"I've heard enough. I hope you make lots of money."

"Hahaha, yes!!"

First, let's get out of this store.

I stopped the staff from seeing us off by saying, 'I'll look around a bit more and leave on my own.'

As soon as the staff returned to their hovering, work-like forms, I quickly slipped out through the back door.

'Whew.'

A dark alley filled with closely packed side doors.

Who would have thought this bizarre place could offer a moment of relief.

'Once I achieve my goal, let's quickly find a relatively safe and walkable alley to finish the remaining steps.'

Before the path gets any narrower.

Fortunately, after easily completing a thousand steps in the boutique, a new alley appeared smoothly.

Don't give up your body!

Remaining steps: 3999.

The path that appeared between the cracks of the side doors was similar in width to this alley but much better.

"It feels strangely nostalgic, doesn't it?"

For now, the streetlamp's light flickered faintly.

A starry night. Signs and warm yellow lights shone from inside each store.

'It's strangely nostalgic…'

It felt like a small alley between old city houses, a perfect setting to put one's mind at ease.

But if you let your guard down, you might get caught up in a store's solicitation and end up missing or going mad.

"I know this place!"

The alleys of Death End Alley confirmed so far:

12. Old Shopping District.

It was frequently mentioned in the manual and appeared quite often in staff exploration records, but it was a relatively safe alley.

And…

It was also my destination.

"Let's move to the next alley."

"Yes!"

We entered a small alley that felt warm and familiar.

There were hardly any crowds.

Perhaps because of that, it felt somewhat mysterious, like Christmas or New Year's Eve.

I walked past small, modest shops on either side with my colleagues.

Then, I stopped in front of one shop.

"……."

It was a stationery store.

Though called a stationery store, it was more like a neighborhood shop that sold a few school supplies and toys students liked, along with lots of snacks.

It looked like one of those stores in front of schools in the 2000s, selling tteokbokki and cheap snacks.

I looked at the counter. Where fish cakes and tteokbokki should have been, there was a pile of buckwheat jelly engraved with strange lotus patterns.

And the sign above it.

Sweet Stationery Store

'Found it.'

The store that sold chocolate bars wrapped with my likeness on the packaging.

'Phew.'

Now that I'm here, feeling nervous.

I turned to look at my colleagues….

"Roe Deer."

Ahhhh!

I almost jumped into the air…!

Barely holding back, I turned my head and saw a white lizard head staring blankly at me from the shadows near a telephone pole next to the store.

…Team Leader!

"How many steps do you have left?"

I glanced back and forth between the stationery store and the lizard, then snapped out of it.

"Were you… waiting for us here?"

"Yes. How many steps do you have left?"

"…We have about 3,900 steps left. Have you almost completed your 10,000 steps?"

"Yes. I judged that this alley had the highest chance of encountering the explorers who entered with us. So I've been waiting here with 500 steps left."

It seems he predicted there was a high chance I'd appear at this stationery store.

After all, the reason we entered this ghost story in the first place was because of the newly sighted snack at this stationery store.

'I almost had a heart attack!'

Still, giving long answers was quite nice. As a superior, the lizard's rating continued to rise and fall repeatedly.

At that moment, Kang Yihak stepped forward.

"Wow, you're really reliable, Team Leader! By the way, can we quickly stop by the store next door to make up our steps?"

The store his colleague pointed to sold knitted miscellaneous goods, and it was already a place recorded in the manual for purchases.

On top of that, Kang Yihak shook the coins she had just received to emphasize his point.

The lizard stared at his colleague with its red pupils.

"Do you have the currency of this place?"

"Yes, yes! Supervisor Roe Deer got them for us~ He's truly amazing. Everyone in Team D has so much we can learn from. Haha!"

"I see."

The lizard quickly responded.

"Enter in pairs. Do not act against the manual. Do not stay longer than 10 minutes; return to the alley afterward."

"Yes!"

"Ah, uh… Yes."

Kang Yihak hurriedly dragged Jang Heo-un into a shop selling gloves and scarves.

Hmm. It seemed like this was a relatively safer alley and shop according to the exploration records, which was probably why Lee Jaheon allowed them to go.

It worked out perfectly.

Since I can check out the destination without having to share any 'secrets.'

"……."

I stood in front of the glass door of the stationery store.

Behind me, Team Leader Lee Jaheon followed.

"I'm going in."

"Yes."

Jingle.

I stepped into the stationery store.

To check out the 'Good Kid Chocolate Bar.'