“Is… is it really okay for us to go by ourselves? Is this the right way?”
“It should be fine.”
Probably.
Understanding the omitted words, Go Yeongeun swallowed a scream.
After persuading his superiors, Kim Soleum had taken his two fellow new hires with him to ‘use’ the item and left the terrace.
‘He probably said that to make it sound logical.’
Since he had claimed one of them owned the item, it only made sense for that person to take the lead.
…Although, being lumped together with Baek Saheon under the umbrella term ‘us’ felt a bit unsettling.
‘Still, he’s unusually quiet right now.’
But for the moment, what lay ahead concerned him far more.
“Then I’ll take out the candle.”
Yes!
Go Yeongeun returned the paper Kim Soleum had given her, and he unfolded it. What happened next was astonishing.
A cylindrical, heavy chunk of pale purple wax rolled into his hand.
It was a real candle.
“……!”
The outline drawn with crayon remained imprinted on its surface, like a stamped pattern, revealing its transformation from a mere sketch into reality.
‘…Whoa.’
Kim Soleum momentarily forgot the situation, marveling at the sight.
Knowing what they planned to do with the candle only heightened his anticipation.
“Please wait a moment.”
Taking a deep breath, he pulled out a lighter and attempted to ignite the candle’s wick.
Fwoosh.
The flame brushed the wick…
And nothing happened.
“……”
“……”
Why… isn’t it lighting?
Kim Soleum even demonstrated his bizarre ability to flick a coin in midair, summoning a third hand to try igniting it, but to no avail.
“…Ah.”
As if recalling something, Kim Soleum hastily retrieved the candle kit’s instructions and skimmed them.
“Is there a problem?”
“……”
He lowered the instructions with a strangely dry expression.
“No, I don’t think so.”
But he knew the problem.
At the bottom of the chaotic, dark-red scribbled manual, in the section labeled ‘Precautions for Use and Handling’, one particular note stood out:
The ‘recommended users’.
※ This toy is designed to alleviate the fatigue of modern Earthlings.
For safety reasons, extraterrestrials, beings from other realms, non-intelligent entities, gods, and all other non-human intelligences cannot use this product. 🙂
‘…I might not qualify.’
After all, Kim Soleum was not a native of this place.
A chill ran down his spine, but he knew that wasn’t the priority right now.
He needed to entrust it to someone reliable.
Someone with a low chance of acting rashly, someone with social and moral sense.
“Ms. Goral.”
“……!”
“I’ll leave it to you.”
Go Yeongeun hesitated before taking the candle.
She received the lighter as well and, with trembling hands, held the flame to the wick.
Fwoosh—
The flame brushed the wick…
And it lit.
“……!”
Words began to emerge from the body of the candle, glowing faintly as if illuminated from within.
The keywords from the cards they had drawn earlier.
[Honor] [Interference] [Deceit]
– Do you remember the cards we drew when creating the candle? They indicate the abilities it will manifest.
Kim Soleum’s earlier explanation resurfaced in her mind as more phrases appeared on the candle.
The bearer of this candle must present a deceitful form, empowered by the authority of interference, directed toward an honorable target.
And the bearer will be granted a blessing.
Impersonator of Nobility.
Go Yeongeun raised the candle high.
A round orb of flame emerged from the candle like a lantern, hovering above her head before disappearing. The space around her softly lit up, resembling a subtle spotlight.
‘Wow…’
“As expected, it works as planned.”
Kim Soleum, watching with a faint smile, nodded.
“This candle’s effect can extend to two people near you, Ms. Goral. Goat and I will follow behind you.”
“Yes.”
Go Yeongeun wondered if someone other than Baek Saheon could have been chosen, but since the item was Kim Soleum’s creation, she complied without complaint.
Kim Soleum spoke again in a hushed tone.
“Still, please be careful. Don’t turn around to look at us. The effect only works if we remain hidden behind the candle bearer.”
“…Understood.”
“And don’t stare at the candle too closely. It might eat away at your mind.”
Go Yeongeun nodded slowly.
Though tension gripped her shoulders, she managed to regain her composure.
That was her specialty.
“You mentioned the exit is on the upper floors. So, starting from the middle—on the fourth floor—makes the most sense. It reduces the number of possibilities.”
“Yes, good plan.”
Their steps began to echo.
The thought of what lay ahead sent shivers down her spine, but Go Yeongeun clenched her teeth.
Here she was, probably the most timid of them all, tasked with holding the candle.
‘I have to do my best.’
Little did she know, the most cowardly of their group was right behind her!
Step, step.
Their footsteps reverberated through the brass-lit hall. As they ascended toward the fourth floor, no sounds of the usher machines could be heard.
But it wasn’t reassuring.
Because their destination was…
“Found it.”
It was right in front of the usher machine.
“……”
The new hires from <Daydream Inc.>, who had reached the fourth floor, followed the sound of the machine until they finally located the usher responsible for the hallway.
Screeeech.
“Hey, if you run out of the candle’s range now, it’ll chase after you.”
“You think I don’t know that?”
The cold exchange between Kim Soleum and Baek Saheon sent a chill down Go Yeongeun’s spine. It felt like the needle-like components of the machine might move at any moment to gouge out her eyes…
But swallowing her fear, Go Yeongeun stepped forward.
One step at a time.
Each step closer caused the reflection of the machine in the candlelight to waver. Standing before the grotesque spider-shaped machine, Go Yeongeun gave a slight nod.
“Hello.”
Screeech—
The usher machine moved. Its eight needle-like legs raised into the air… then slowly settled around its body in a neat formation. The machine lifted its head and respectfully shone a gaslight near Go Yeongeun’s feet.
“……!”
It worked.
Go Yeongeun swallowed hard. The candle’s blessing was successfully working for her. The blessing to impersonate an honorable being.
– The first card determines the purpose of the effect, the second dictates the method, and the third reveals its essence.
– When combined properly, it creates a deception targeting something honorable to hinder others…
– This ability is likely related to impersonation or trickery.
Right now, Go Yeongeun was impersonating the most appropriate ‘honorable being’ for this scenario.
The most favorable target for the usher machine.
A guest who had paid in full!