I lifted my head and looked at the counselor standing by the window.
“Thank you. I feel much better now.”
“No, I should be thanking you, Sir Kim Soleum!”
The counselor’s face brightened noticeably.
For some reason, they no longer seemed to be mimicking my appearance.
“Shall we talk a little more?”
From that point on, it was an ordinary therapy session.
To be precise, it felt like a very skillful and comfortable counselor had helped me open up about various things.
‘I’ll give credit where it’s due.’
“I’ll give you a sign so you can visit the Fox Counseling Office anytime you feel overwhelmed by negative thoughts.”
On my way out, I received an item.
It was the same sign that had been on the door I entered through earlier.
Fox Counseling Office
“If you attach this sign to a door and open it, it will connect to our counseling office.”
“…Thank you.”
Though I’d like to keep it, I’d have to attach it to a door once I left.
Every client who uses the company’s welfare program is required to affix the sign to the door after completing their session.
‘The nameplate I used earlier must have disappeared by now.’
Thinking of it as repaying a debt made it easier to accept.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave now.”
I was about to stand up when the counselor’s regretful voice stopped me.
“Actually, scheduling regular appointments every one or two weeks is the best approach…”
Ahhhh!
“Sorry, but I’m too busy… That might be difficult.”
“Of course. These days, everyone says that…”
The ‘counselor’ looked slightly dejected, nodding their head.
But I couldn’t afford to fall for that look.
‘Scheduling regular counseling increases the likelihood of side effects dramatically…!’
Usage Record #521 (Irregular)
The ‘counselor’ strongly urged the client to schedule regular sessions.
The client initially declined, but after 1 hour and 21 minutes of persistent persuasion, the client accepted with a sense of ease.
Afterward, the client went missing.
※ Full access to this record requires B-level security clearance.
Fortunately, the counselor let me go with a smile instead of pressing further.
“Still, it’s a relief that you have good colleagues, family, and friends around you, Sir Kim Soleum.”
Wait a second.
It’s true that even in this insane ghost-story-filled world, I have decent people and a ‘good friend’ around me, but…
“Family…? What do you mean?”
The counselor extended a hand and tapped their wrist.
I looked down at my own wrist.
The spot was…
: Socius :
“That person.”
♬
“Ah, our time is up. Take care, Sir Kim Soleum.”
I lifted my head.
No one was there.
The counselor who had been smiling at the window vanished like a lie, leaving only the sunlight pouring in from the quaint, beautiful outdoor garden…
♬
A light waltz melody signaled the end of the session.
In the distance, I thought I glimpsed a fox’s bright orange tail darting away under the garden’s stone wall.
I rose from the sofa and headed toward the changing room curtain.
On the way, I noticed a cool-looking drink placed on a floral lace table.
Keep up the good work today!
*^^*
I downed the drink in one go and set it down with gratitude.
It was a delicious, nutty barley tea.
– Was the counseling helpful, Friend?
“Yeah.”
I grabbed my ‘Good Friend’ plushie.
……Now that my mind had cleared, I had a few thoughts about this little thing as well…
‘I’ll save that for after work.’
For now, there was someone I had to face first.
Creak.
I opened the door and stepped out.
The head of a white lizard in a black suit, as he was leaning against the opposite wall, turned to look at me.
“Did you complete the counseling session?”
“Yes.”
I was sure I had an awkward expression on my face as I answered.
“Thank you, Squad Leader. Thanks to you, I’ve been freed from the contamination.”
“No need to thank me.”
Chief Lizard being humble…?!
“Kim Soleum-ssi, you are still contaminated. Make sure to attend counseling sessions regularly.”
Ah. So that’s what he meant.
“Still, I feel much better than before. Doesn’t it seem that way to you too, Squad Leader?”
“Yes.”
Chief Lizard scrutinized me carefully before declaring,
“Let’s proceed now.”
“Proceed… with what?”
“A message from Supervisor Park Minseong.”
Section Chief Lee Jaheon pulled a small post-it from his suit pocket and handed it to me.
You’ve worked hard, Roe. Thank you for getting me out.
I took a deep breath.
“Has he recovered?”
“What exactly is the standard for recovery…”
“Can he communicate rationally?”
“It’s possible, technically speaking.”
Huu…
‘So that means he’s still a bit unstable.’
Regardless, it was a relief to know I was recovering.
And naturally, another teammate came to mind.
“…By the way, Assistant Manager Eun Haje hasn’t contacted you at all… right, sir?”
“Yes.”
Assistant Manager Eun Haje had completely vanished as soon as she went on leave.
If I sent her texts or messages on KakaoTalk, she’d occasionally read them, but she never replied. Just the read receipt.
‘She’s probably trying to distance herself from this ghost story company.’
After all the chaos caused by mental contamination, it seemed like a wise move.
Anyway, with that, my morning schedule came to an end.
“Should I head back to the office now?”
“Yes.”
“Once again, thank you so much, Squad Leader.”
“Yes.”
Section Chief Lee Jaheon went off to attend to his own tasks, and I spent some time browsing the welfare mall in the office before lunch.
It was a small luxury made possible by having just secured an A-grade essence.
‘Being sane definitely feels better….’
I don’t know. This company is terrifying.
Knock, knock.
“Good afternoon.”
Huh?
I looked up from my monitor.
Someone had entered the office without me noticing and was carefully tapping on my desk.
It was a young man in a gray suit.
‘A face I don’t recognize.’
Was he from another squad or department?
He seemed to be around my age but had the kind of presence you’d never want to face as a competitor during an interview….
‘Why didn’t he just join another major corporation instead of this one?’
For a brief moment, I almost pitied him, but I quickly adjusted my posture.
“Good afternoon. How can I help you?”
“Oh, I had something to ask.”
He spoke just as politely.
“Did your counseling session go well, Soleum-nim?”
“It’s good to see you’ve recovered so much. I’m glad. I’m Ho Yoowon, by the way.”
He extended a hand for a handshake.
“I heard Director Cheong recently made you an interesting offer.”
Director Cheong.
He didn’t use an honorific.
(T/N: Instead of eesa-nim, he just said eesa)
And that name.
Ho Yoowon.
……
…Director Ho!!
“It’s quite a coincidence. I also have a proposal to make.”
Director Ho had paid a personal visit to D-squad’s office.