“Do you know what happens if you die without a name tag?”
I do.
“Each new moon, you’ll be dragged back here when you sleep. And when you wake up, you won’t remember anything, making it impossible to prepare.”
“Can you handle that?”
I probably couldn’t, but I didn’t have much choice.
Ideally, carrying the name tag until the critical moment and then relinquishing ownership would be the safest strategy.
But with this agent as my companion, there was no way I could obtain a name tag and later abandon it.
So instead, I chose to take the risk and give it away.
“There will be another opportunity.”
Even if there were, I’d give it up again.
At least as long as I was traveling with this agent.
“And I’ll handle that opportunity myself. Don’t worry, I won’t ask you for anything.”
At this point, it was worth trying.
I decided to push forward with a determined tone.
“…We should part ways here.”
“If you need it, I’ll even give you my flashlight.”
‘I brought a high-powered flashlight anyway.’
Along with several other tools.
As long as I separated from him, I could stop pretending to be a civilian and use them. Separation was the key!
Though walking alone would be terrifying, staying in this restrained state wasn’t viable either.
Whether it was with civilians or my coworkers, any other group would be better.
‘I need to join a larger group.’
This ghost story’s structure made it safer the more eyes were watching, but it grew riskier the louder things got.
‘I need to form a party of around four people quickly.’
With my connection to Daydream Inc. posing a constant threat, traveling with this agent wasn’t an option.
I needed a scenario where I could act more decisively.
‘I’ll pretend to give in and suggest parting ways.’
“I feel like I’m just getting in your way. I’ll figure things out on my own… somehow.”
After all, didn’t you say civilians caught in Disasters are as good as dead? Consider this an unavoidable situation and move on!
But then, an unexpected response came.
“……I believe apologies are in order.”
The agent looked at me with a resolute expression, as if he’d made an unshakable decision.
“As soon as you obtained the name tag, I was planning to humanely execute you.”
Excuse me?!
‘This lunatic.’
Even if you wake up after dying, to say something like that so casually, right to someone’s face…
Feeling cold sweat trickling down my back, I forced a smile.
“Ah, yes. Even in a dream, suicide isn’t exactly an easy thing to do…”
“Indeed. However, if you’re willing, I’d like you to accompany me for the remainder of this Disaster investigation.”
……What?
The agent spoke quickly.
“Temporarily, you could act as an agent. Normally, this would require approval from another agent since it isn’t a solo mission, but… ah.”
The agent rummaged through his pocket and handed me something.
“If you consume this, it will serve as an expedited authorization.”
I looked at the small caramel candy, wrapped in a rectangular foil, that had landed in my hand and felt my eyelids twitch.
…This was Disaster Management Bureau equipment!
========================
Tangy-Sweet
A caramel-like chewy candy.
Upon consumption, lying induces unbearable discomfort, compelling the user to tell the truth.
========================
“This is a light truth verification procedure.”
No, this is practically a confession-inducing torture tool!
“If you take this and accompany me, you’ll be compensated accordingly.”
“If it’s too difficult, I’ll simply give you a name tag and execute you to send you back.”
Wow. For real?
“Civilian?”
If only I could fake eating it and stash it in my tattoo, but in this dream where I’d fully reverted to a high schooler, I had no tattoos.
After an intense internal debate, I made my decision.
“……A
I reluctantly chewed and swallowed the truth-inducing candy.
Its tangy-sweet flavor caught in my throat, but I forced it down.
‘Getting caught throwing it away or not consuming it would be a bigger problem.’
It would reveal that I knew exactly what this candy was.
“I’ve swallowed it.”
Tears welled up.
But as they say, the stick is often accompanied by the carrot.
To my surprise, the unexpected carrots started rolling in.
“Well done. Now, take this.”
The agent swiftly handed me something else, placing it in my empty hand.
It was a metallic badge, vaguely resembling a silver heart.
Huh?
“This is an identification badge for agents. Wearing it will allow you to receive assistance if you encounter other agents.”
“And this.”
No sooner had I clipped the badge on than a small ivory-colored pistol was placed in my hand.
The translucent cylinder gleamed with multicolored glass beads that served as its ammunition.
It looked extraordinary at a glance…
========================
Glass Handgun
A specialized exorcism pistol manufactured by the Disaster Management Bureau.
It uses custom glass beads as ammunition and is so compact it resembles a toy or lighter.
========================
“This is a weapon for dealing with supernatural Disasters. It should be effective against those ‘students’. Keep it with you.”
Wow.
This was the standard issue gear for Disaster Management Bureau agents, the kind I’d only ever seen on the wiki.
Like the Dream Essence Collectors and masks used by Daydream Inc., this was iconic agent gear.
‘And now I’m wearing it all.’
Somehow, I’d ended up playing the part of a Disaster Management Bureau agent.
‘What is even happening?’
It was absurd, but oddly thrilling. At the same time, I had a strong urge to run for my life.
But for now…
‘There’s no time to dwell on this.’
“…It’s starting.”
Flicker.
“We’re almost at the end of the hallway. From here on, you must also face this way. …Do not, under any circumstances, drop the flashlight.”
……
I adjusted my grip on the unfamiliar pistol.
They’re coming.