What is the correct reaction for a new hire when their team says something like, ‘Hey, newbie, you might drop dead soon! Haha, just kidding~!’ on your first day?
The truth is, there isn’t one.
No, really—there’s no right answer.
Fortunately, my colleagues didn’t seem to expect much of a reaction from me as they quickly changed the subject.
“Anyway… congrats on surviving the death survival test.”
Are we seriously calling it that out in the open?
“But are you really the top of your batch? That’s amazing.”
“Come on, let’s hear some bragging.”
I’m curious about that myself.
“I just did my best, really.”
“Oh, if that were enough, we’d all be at Seoul University.”
“Either way, it’s impressive. You’re a great addition to our squad.”
Being top of the batch comes with its perks. It seems like the department, despite its heavy workload, doesn’t have the energy to haze new hires.
“The squad leader will be back soon. He’s out on-site, so just relax for now!”
“Oh, thank you.”
I followed my superior’s directions and went to the partitioned-off area.
Four desks clustered together.
Next to them, a small sofa and a coffee table with an old-style radio on top—straight out of the 80s.
The superiors returned to their desks and gestured toward the sofa.
“Go ahead and sit there.”
“Alright.”
As soon as I sat down, the radio on the coffee table clicked on and emitted a scratchy sound.
“……?”
Upbeat background music and a high-pitched announcer’s voice filled the air.
– Hello! This is your live traffic update. The roads in Seoul are currently clear, just like today’s sunny weather! However, starting this afternoon…
I turned my head to glance out the window.
It was drizzling outside.
A disconnect from reality.
‘Ah.’
This radio… it’s part of a ghost story.
========================
Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story
[Hello Traffic Info]
: A ghost story featured in <Dark Exploration Records>
: Daydream Inc. identification code – Qterw-E-63
It’s a peculiar radio that tells today’s fortune through traffic reports. Sometimes it offers advice, but the advice can be so unsettling that it often leads to ghastly consequences.
========================
“Did you catch that?”
“……!”
“Wow, this newbie is sharp. You picked up on the weirdness quickly.”
A male superior who looked like a physical education major approached and turned off the radio.
“This thing gives your daily fortune through traffic reports. It’s a relatively safe urban legend. Twilight-Class Darkness—verified.”
“……”
“Hold up, were you just thinking, ‘What the heck is an urban legend or Darkness, you nerd?’”
No, not really.
“For newbies like you, we’ve prepared this. Ta-da!”
He placed a tablet PC on the table.
After a few taps on the screen, he played a video.
“Watch this through.”
<Field Exploration Team New Employee Training Video>
Retro vibes washed over me as cheerful, low-quality orchestral music played.
Two cartoon characters, resembling the mascots of the ‘88 Olympics, appeared and bowed.
– New hires filled with dreams and passion! Welcome to the Field Exploration Team of Daydream Inc.!
– Today, we’ll explain the cool work that the Field Exploration Team does in detail!
‘A fox and a dragon?’
A red fox and a yellow dragon, dressed in traditional Korean hanboks, smiled brightly.
– But before we begin!
An overtly old-fashioned font appeared above the two cute characters.
[What kind of company is Daydream Inc.?]
I already know.
To the public, this company is a highly successful pharmaceutical company specializing in miracle hair loss treatments and skincare products.
But in reality?
– You think all we make is hair loss treatments? Oh my gosh! Actually, Daydream Inc. can create any medicine you could ever need!
– A true magic company that makes magical potions!
From cures for drug addiction to elixirs for eternal life, the company creates all sorts of fantastical potions and secretly trades them with the elite and political circles.
That is the true nature of Daydream Inc.
A secret organization producing supernatural potions.
‘Which is impossible with existing science or reality…’
The fox character winked and raised a finger.
– But! Magical potions need magical ingredients.
– That ingredient is… ‘Dream Essence’!
The word ‘Dream Essence’ appeared in bold, golden letters, and sparkling liquid began to flow majestically across the screen.
Hearts and stars popped out as if it were some children’s cartoon about magic potions, but…
Its true nature was something else entirely.
– Dream Essence is harvested from supernatural phenomena!
The dragon held out its hand, and the screen transitioned.
It showed a city alleyway in a cute illustration style.
But red eyes appeared in the shadow of a streetlamp, turning into a monstrous figure threatening a passerby.
Then, the animation exaggeratedly depicted a fan licking its blades as it hovered over a sleeping person.
– Did you know supernatural occurrences still happen in modern society?
– Fans running in a sealed room will kill you, or receiving lots of criticism will help you live longer… these are all superstitions and urban legends!
– But sometimes, these urban legends become reality!
‘So they’re calling these urban legends…’
Indeed, calling it an ‘urban legend’ does sound a bit less unsettling than ‘creepypasta’.
And then came the key point.
– Daydream Inc. manages these urban legends, collects ‘Dream Essence,’ and makes wonderful magical potions that grant people’s wishes!
– Isn’t ‘Dream Essence’ the most important resource for the company, Yonyong?
– Of course! We always need it… But who’s going to gather the ‘Dream Essence’ for us?
The dragon character named Yonyong tilted his head.
Who else, indeed.
– The brave Field Exploration Team, of course!
An SD animation depicted office workers in suits giving a thumbs-up, bravely navigating spaces where all kinds of surreal events were taking place.
– Thanks to the courageous and wise Field Exploration Team, the Dream Essence collectors are full once again!
On the screen, a character with thick eyebrows proudly held up an object in one hand.
A portable cylinder with measurement lines.
It’s the ‘Dream Essence Collector’.