We decided to try using the Bloodbathtub once more.
– If I rejuvenate a little more, it’ll be much easier to accompany you, Mr. Roe Deer!
I accepted Braun’s assertion.
The plushie might grow slightly larger… but once more should be fine. It’s still the size of a regular keychain plushie.
However, Braun flatly refused the idea of conveniently using my blood as a bath additive.
– Good heavens! I must respectfully decline. There’s so much bodily fluid from other sentient beings readily available, so why does my friend always resort to his own blood?
It seemed that the scare I gave him last time had left a lingering impression.
‘Well, I wasn’t planning to spill that much this time…’
Feeling slightly guilty, I agreed to find another way to procure the blood.
Alright.
Having something else to focus on amid the office politics was somewhat refreshing…
‘This is already proving helpful.’
I sighed and headed to work.
Incidentally, Baek Saheon didn’t return to the officetel at all last night. Let’s see how long he can keep that up.
In any case, I needed to make a decision soon since I didn’t know how long Managing Director Cheong would wait…
“Soleum-ssi…!”
Huh?
While waiting for the elevator, I turned my head to see a fellow new hire holding a buffalo mask approach.
‘Jang Heo-un!’
He was the employee I briefly but eventfully accompanied last night at Sekwang Technical High School.
“You’re safe!”
“Yes, and it seems you managed to escape safely too, Heo-un-ssi.”
“Y-Yes! Thank you. I cleared it safely…”
Yesterday, I was too overwhelmed by everything to even think about how others fared, but it was nice to meet him again like this.
Furthermore, Jang Heo-un seemed to have developed a surprisingly positive impression of the agent. When the topic came up, he responded with a bright expression.
“Actually, he was nicer than I expected. He didn’t use me as bait… and explained things about the Management Bureau at the end.”
Isn’t that bar set a little too low…?
Anyway, it seemed like the agent had been critical of Daydream Inc., but perhaps his perspective changed after working with a decent human being.
Since there weren’t any major issues, it made sense that Jang Heo-un looked fine.
‘Maybe he’ll buy some ghost story food next time.’
I felt a flicker of hope for some extra income.
“And… that agent seemed to be worried about you until the very end, Soleum-ssi. Oh, but I didn’t mention that I gave you a nametag!”
Ah, the nametag!
“I used the nametag you gave me well. Thank you,” I replied.
Honestly, even after borrowing the uniform, there were ways to procure a nametag, but it was true that I used it quickly and effectively thanks to him.
“I won’t forget that you gave up something so valuable, even though it must’ve been precious to you, out of concern for me.”
“Oh, no… It was nothing compared to what you did for me.”
What I did for him?
At that moment, Jang Heo-un clenched his fists and spoke with a joyful expression.
“Soleum-ssi. I’ve been reassigned to a general squad…!”
“They really transferred me after three months of holding out. Truly, truly… thank you. I think it was thanks to you!”
Ohh!
It was such a chaotic reassignment season that I hadn’t checked other squads, but this was great news.
I asked cheerfully,
“Congratulations! Which squad were you assigned to?”
“I’m with F-squad now…!”
Oh.
“You’re in the same squad as Baek Saheon…ssi.”
“Yes! He’s very kind.”
It seems like his standards for good people have significantly dropped after his experience with the Round-Off Team…
‘No wonder they worked together in the last ghost story.’
Turns out they weren’t just passing by—they were on the same squad.
Smiling, I said,
“What an amusing coincidence. I share a unit with him at the company housing. …Let’s all meet up for dinner sometime, just the new hires.”
“Oh, thank y… Sir!”
At that moment, an unexpected encounter happened in front of the elevator.
“Good morning, Squad Leader Lee Jaheon!”
“Yes. Good morning.”
It was Squad Leader Lee Jaheon, also on his way to work.
After briefly responding to Jang Heo-un’s polite greeting, Lee Jaheon immediately addressed me.
“Soleum-ssi, you’ve been summoned.”
Again??
“Do I need to stop by the office first, or can I head straight there?”
“Head straight there.”
Feeling like I was developing a phobia of summons, I reluctantly pressed the button for the 25th floor instead of the 13th.
‘Once again, leaving the Field Exploration Team’s floor…’
I prayed it wouldn’t be anything serious.
“Have a great day, Soleum-ssi!”
“Yes, you too, Heo-un-ssi.”
After seeing off Jang Heo-un, I ascended to the 25th floor with Squad Leader Lee Jaheon.
Ding.
“Follow me.”
“Yessir.”
I trudged behind the squad leader.
‘This feels longer than I thought.’
After taking several winding turns down the hallway, instead of a meeting room, a door came into view.
It had an unexpectedly warm, wooden nameplate.
Fox Counseling Office
Wait a sec.
“Squad Leader, this is…”
Thud.
Suddenly.
I was pinned to the wall by Squad Leader Lee Jaheon.
……?!
“Soleum-ssi, answer the following questions immediately and without hesitation.”
– Oh dear! Does you need my assistance, Friend?
‘Wait, hold on…!’
The atmosphere felt tense.
I glanced at the lizard.
His red, vertical pupils stared sharply at me.
“Do you remember the conversation we had yesterday?”
I swallowed hard.
“…Yes.”
“What was the topic at the end of our discussion?”
“That D-squad could possibly become an elite team.”
“That was not the last topic. Answer again.”
What?
“That was the last topic!”
“It wasn’t. We discussed another topic afterward.”
No way!
Maybe we did… but it was just small talk, wasn’t it?
“Do not hesitate.”
“Answer me.”
Damn it!
“I don’t remember!”
“Wasn’t it just small talk… idle chatter?”
The heavy silence and pressure continued.
And then…
Srrrk.
“I see.”
Squad Leader Lee Jaheon released me from the wall.
I didn’t know what just happened, but at least it seemed to be over…
“Soleum-ssi.”
“Yes?”
“You are contaminated.”
Huh?
But, that’s…
“Well, it’s common to have some level of contamination after exploration…”
But I couldn’t even finish speaking before—
Thud.
Lee Jaheon threw open the counseling room door, grabbed me by the collar, and flung me inside.
“You may not leave until the counseling is complete. I will wait outside.”
Bang!
And the door slammed shut.