– Friend. Do you know this saying? ‘Cream always rises to the top.’
– It means the excellent always stand out, no matter where they are. A phrase perfectly suited to describe you right now!
Honestly, ‘The nail that sticks out gets hammered’ feels more accurate…
I returned to the D-squad office feeling utterly drained.
It was like reading a pseudo-scientific book and realizing it was all true.
I couldn’t hold back any longer and spoke to Squad Leader Lee Jaheon.
“Squad Leader.”
“Yes.”
“What I just went through wasn’t an interview.”
“Do you need help?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Explain.”
I practically rapped out everything that had just happened.
From Managing Director Cheong’s remarks, the Dream Essence Collector, the missing D-squad employee…
And even the proposal I received!
‘Anyway, information about the Dream Essence Collector is probably something a squad leader would already know.’
Plus, I knew Squad Leader Lee Jaheon wasn’t the type to get angry or manipulate me for receiving an exceptional offer over him.
Because, well… he’s a lizard.
“I see.”
As expected, the lizard simply nodded.
“Do you need my advice?”
“Yes.”
“Decline it.”
That’s it? Just a flat-out conclusion?
“Could you tell me why?”
“Certainly. Managing Director Cheong Dallae is a being with a strong sense of ownership over the company.”
Does she think of the company as hers?
Wait a minute.
“Did you just refer to her as a ‘being’?”
“Yes.”
That’s a very suspicious term.
“…Are you saying Managing Director Cheong isn’t human?”
“I cannot answer that.”
That’s basically the same as confirming it, isn’t it?
At the very least, it’s clear there’s something off about Managing Director Cheong.
But then again, this is a ghost story specialist corporation!
“A-Anyway, please continue.”
“Yes. Because of this, Managing Director Cheong will not hesitate to seize an opportunity to bind capable individuals to what she considers her property.” Ȑ
“There’s a high likelihood that, during this process, actions will occur that go strongly against your ethical standards, Supervisor Kim Soleum’s.”
Holy shit.
“Don’t take the risk. Additionally, there’s a strong chance you’ll be assigned to an elite squad within six months.”
“…But I’ll have to leave D-squad, won’t I?”
“Yes.”
“Do you wish to stay in D-squad?”
“I’d prefer to, if possible.”
“I see.”
Not even a hint of regret, huh, Squad Leader…
What a consistent man… I mean, a consistent lizard.
‘Not that I was expecting anything else.’
At least I could trust that he wouldn’t deliberately try to deceive me. I could take his advice at face value.
“Thank you for explaining everything, Squad Leader.”
“Yes.”
Hm.
I hesitated and then asked,
“By any chance, Squad Leader, don’t you want to become the leader of an elite squad?”
“I have no desire for it.”
In other words, he doesn’t care either way.
Which also means his opinion isn’t helpful for my decision at all…
‘This is driving me nuts.’
Afterward, I had a few more conversations with Squad Leader Lee Jaheon, but nothing particularly fruitful came from them.
It only deepened my dilemma.
‘An elite squad, huh…’
While the squad leader had logically and rationally advised me to refuse, corporate life often operates on irrationality and emotions.
Why else would Squad Leader Lee Jaheon have so many enemies in the company, and why would the A-squad leader glare at him like he wanted to kill him every time they met?
‘I appreciate the advice, but it’s hard to approach this situation that way…’
Moreover, the senior staff at this ghost story company didn’t seem like the kind of people you could just refuse outright.
Dodging the way I had with the A-squad leader wouldn’t work here. Managing Director Cheong had practically implied that refusing outright would lead to disaster.
“Ha…”
Why am I agonizing over this when I’ve been promised a promotion and exceptional treatment…?!
‘I just want to quit this ghost story company…!!’
That evening, in the end, I went home utterly mentally exhausted.
I didn’t even explore any Darknesses—just stayed in the office, writing reports—and yet it had been ages since I’d felt so drained.
– Oh dear, my friend seems utterly worn out.
– Let’s head inside quickly. Rest is crucial for delivering a great performance, isn’t it?
‘…Yeah.’
Meeting a high-ranking official, learning about the lore, and receiving an extraordinary proposal…
‘I’m exhausted…’
As soon as I showered, I collapsed on the living room sofa.
– Friend, how about we have a nice cup of hot chocolate and chat tonight? It’ll help you unwind from the day’s fatigue!
I don’t have hot chocolate… but a glass of honey water sounds like a good idea.
I set Braun on the dining table, boiled water in the kettle, and made myself some honey water.
As I drank it absentmindedly, I turned my back slightly to Braun, intending to continue our conversation lightly.
– Friend. I have a secret to share with you.
A secret?
– Yes. With my professional charm, I’ve hidden it well, so it might have been hard for you to notice. But in truth…
Braun took a dramatic breath before announcing,
– Last night’s events were a tremendous shock to me!
A secret…?
Well, it seemed his intention was to console me, so I responded earnestly.
“What… shocked you so much?”
– A ‘good friend’ goes wherever their friend wants to go… Yet, this Braun… couldn’t follow you.
The shadow of the bunny plushie seemed to droop slightly.
– It is truly a shameful and mortifying experience.
D-Does it really have to be that serious?
It was just a dream, after all.
I figured Braun couldn’t come along because he’s not just an item I carry, but an independent entity that might require a special ritual.
‘You don’t have to worry. That sort of thing won’t happen often in the future.’
– Oh, my friend is so considerate. In that case, let’s think of it this way…
– If I, your very good friend, had accompanied you to last night’s intense graduation ceremony, don’t you think today’s troubles would’ve been a little easier to handle?
……
Well… maybe.
Assistant Manager Yoon Johoon might not have noticed me at all.
If Braun had triggered his ‘Lights Out’ ability.
– Exactly! That’s my role!
– …It’s been a while since I’ve felt such anticipation. For our friendship, and for me to fulfill my role, hmm…
From behind me came the sound of someone pacing nervously, like a shoe tapping against the floor.
And then, they stopped abruptly.
– Right! I would’ve loved to act directly, but with this body of stuffing, I’m afraid I’ll need your help.
– Just one simple action, and we’ll be in a much better position, Friend. Could I ask you for this favor?
Braun spoke in a polite and warm tone.
– If you help me bathe in the Tub of Youth just one more time, I’ll be overjoyed!
Ah.
‘That.’
……
……
“Sure, why not?”
– Oh! Thank you so much, Friend…!
I readily agreed!
Seeing my good friend so happy made me feel a little better.
– You won’t regret this decision.
T/N: braun is lowkey scaring me a little here >.> he’s really acting like a ghost haunting a doll, whispering ‘benign’ things to the doll’s owner