And so, that evening on December 31st, I met Assistant Manager Eun Haje in front of the annex. She wore her cap low as we made our way to the Twilight-grade Darkness storage facility where custom equipment was crafted.
[Kind Seed Kit / Qterw-E-99]
A massive, rusted machine stood tall among the fake plants.
It was a custom equipment crafting Darkness primarily used by the Field Exploration Team.
It had been a while since I last saw it.
But Assistant Manager Eun Haje didn’t look too thrilled.
“I feel like I’m interrupting your break.”
“No, it’s fine. I was actually planning on creating some new custom gear myself.”
“Really?”
I pulled out the item I had prepared.
– Return this to me after you use it. You can use it only once.
It was the equipment given to me by Section Chief Lee Jaheon, designed to temporarily enhance physical strength!
But before I could even explain, Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s eyes widened in shock.
“You got that?!”
“Oh, do you recognize this item?”
“Yeah, it belonged to a retired guy… Seriously, the squad leader is something else. They weren’t even that close—how did he manage to borrow this?”
I looked down at the equipment.
It was a strange bracelet, as if braided from human hair, but over half of it was already frayed and resembled a bundle of straw.
“That bracelet grants temporary super strength, but each time you use it, the hair fibers snap.”
I see.
“Even as a consumable item, it’s still pretty useful. And he really knows how to avoid unnecessary work through physical strength.”
“……”
I couldn’t argue with that logic.
Anyway, I initially offered to let Assistant Manager Eun Haje use the item first.
“It’s fine. You go ahead.”
“Understood.”
I approached the machine’s worn-out screen.
[Give me plants 0/2]
I placed the bracelet I received from Section Chief Lee into the rusted machine.
[Plant information stored]
[Give me plants 1/2]
Now, for the second item…
‘I do have plenty of useful items by now.’
Let’s see.
Given the attributes of the item from Section Chief Lee Jaheon, I had three viable options:
1- Reinforce its durability as a consumable.
2- Preserve the super-strength enhancement effect.
3- Combine it with a different functionality.
‘That should cover it.’
Of course, since the plant’s genetic inheritance is randomized, the options could turn out completely wrong. But it was worth a shot.
‘Let’s do this.’
After some thought, I inserted another item from my collection and authorized the machine to combine my genetic data.
[Combining genetic information]
[Generating kit…]
[Seed planted]
Thunk.
The front drawer of the machine opened, revealing the new item.
It was a simple bracelet that looked like a thin wire.
‘Hmm.’
I carefully picked up the metal bracelet and stored it safely. I’d test its capabilities once I had the chance.
“Does it seem successful?”
“So far, yes.”
I collected my items and stepped aside. Now, it was Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s turn to customize her equipment.
She first inserted her personal item—her personal equipment.
It was a communication device shaped like a portable battery, capable of temporarily connecting smartphones to the outside world even within a ghost story.
Apparently, the button-shaped device she had passed down to me was a result of this machine’s customization process.
“At first, I thought it was an unexpected upgrade. Probably the luckiest moment of my life.”
Though Assistant Manager Eun Haje grumbled about using up her luck on something trivial, her hands carefully handled the custom battery-shaped equipment.
And then…
“Here’s the next item.”
I tossed in my personal equipment—the coin.
Clink.
The coin with the glove symbol rolled into the machine’s compartment and disappeared.
[Combining genetic information]
“Roe, you know it’s rare for custom items to come out perfect on the first try.”
Assistant Manager Eun Haje advised in a calm tone.
“So, don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t. The fact that you’re trying is already enough. Understand?”
“…Yes.”
I turned my attention to the machine’s screen.
[Generating kit…]
[Seed planted]
The process was complete.
The front drawer of the machine slid open, revealing the new item.
It was…
“Gloves??”
A pair of semi-transparent gloves. Their flexible texture gave off an oddly strange atmosphere.
“Hmm.”
As Assistant Manager Eun Haje reached out with her right hand to grab them, sparks flew toward her fingers.
“…!”
“Well, look at that. Seems like the slots are full already, huh?”
She chuckled and brought her empty left sleeve forward.
“Then let’s give it to the empty slot.”
The glove latched onto her left arm, molding seamlessly as if it were part of her skin.
It took on the form of a hand made of electricity.
“…!!”
And soon, it formed a fully functional hand.
“……”
A brief flicker of emotion crossed Assistant Manager Eun Haje’s face before it quickly disappeared, as if it had never been there.
Instead, she raised her new hand slowly and flexed her fingers.
Crackle.
A faint current of electricity sparked through the air.
“Hmm. The sensation’s pretty sharp… Must be due to the electrical signals. I like it. And the fact that I’m wearing gloves obscures its real appearance.”
She turned to me and grinned.
“Thanks, Roe.”
“……”
“All that nonsense I spouted earlier turned out to be pointless. It worked on the first try. Looks like I’m lucky when it counts.”
I looked at Assistant Manager Eun Haje, now equipped with two hands, and simply nodded.
“It’s nothing.”
I thought it was a pretty good way to end the last day of the year.
But just as the moment was starting to feel touching—
“Oh, by the way… Do you have any plans to use your welfare points? I can buy something for you worth up to 1,500 points. I just need you to register this under your second-use record.”
Hmm?
– Oh! Is she trying to erase her tracks? It’s like covering up evidence! Isn’t it, Friend? Shouldn’t we subtly coax her to reveal her true intentions?
‘No need for that.’
– Hmm?
I already had a good idea.
“…Assistant Manager, are you working in another department now?”
“…!”
As expected.
“This Darkness is mainly reserved for the Field Exploration Team. If you’re hesitant to leave a usage record here, it must mean you’ve changed departments.”
“……”
After a brief moment of hesitation, she finally spoke.
“Well. Looks like I can’t fool you, Roe. You’re as sharp as ever.”
Assistant Manager Eun Haje gave a faint, bitter smile.
“That’s right. I’ve taken a leave of absence from my role as Assistant Manager in the Field Exploration Team and am currently working elsewhere within the company…”
“…May I ask what kind of work it is? Or at least your department?”
“……”
She hesitated again but eventually let out a sigh and answered.
“Fine. At this point, there’s no point hiding it. Roe.”
With an unexpected shift in tone, she continued,
“You know about Director Ho’s project team, right?”
“…!”
“I’m currently working there.”
What did you just say?