As I left the Fox Counseling Office, I held back a sigh.
‘Spy work really isn’t for the faint of heart.’
Especially with a boss like that.
If I wanted to survive more safely, I’d need better preparation.
I’d already resolved to be fully prepared—if only to avoid running into another disaster like Looky Mart.
‘Alright.’
One week left until discharge.
‘Time to prepare everything I can.’
And the first step was this.
[Squad Leader, are you available for a call this evening?]
A fast, concise reply had already come in.
[Yes.]
D-squad’s leader, Lee Jaheon.
A reply from my former supervisor.
The goal was simple.
‘The plush I brought back from Looky Mart—Lee Jaheon had one just like it.’
It was definitely the same item I’d seen on his desk. And I was convinced it was a usable item.
Safety and effectiveness.
I could have both.
If it were dangerous, he wouldn’t have just left it sitting on his desk at the office.
And considering the true identity of that lizard, there was a high probability it was no ordinary object—but a powerful one.
Even without overthinking it, if a section chief of the Field Exploration Team had it on his desk, obviously it’d be something useful in ghost stories!
‘Alright.’
Only one thing left.
‘I just need to figure out how to use it.’
Chief Lizard would give me the answer!
And a little while later, we were on the phone.
With a pounding heart, I asked immediately…!
“Squad Leader. That lizard plush on your desk—what kind of situation have you used it in?”
– ? None.
“……”
Wait a minute.
That offhanded denial… don’t tell me.
“You… You’ve never used the lizard plush at all?”
– Yes.
“…You didn’t purchase that item, Squad Leader?”
– Yes.
“……”
I’m screwed…
‘N-No.’
Let’s narrow it down further. Like this.
“Do you know how to use the lizard plush?”
Please.
Please…!
– Yes.
Phew.
Thank god.
“I’ve managed to get one of those plushies myself, but I have no idea how to use it. I’d appreciate it if you could tell me the specific purpose.”
And finally, I added,
“…It wasn’t purchased from the Space Shopping Mall.”
I blurted it out because I felt guilty.
‘I haven’t even been able to set foot in that place since I don’t have any money…’
Anyway, Lee Jaheon remained calm.
– Yes.
And he explained it without a hint of hesitation.
– It’s an educational reptile plush used for ecology lessons.
“……”
Huh?
“An educational toy?”
– Yes. When fed appropriate food, it shows a molting process after eating.
“……”
– ……
“……”
I barely managed to ask,
“Is the shed skin perhaps a defensive item?”
– No.
“……Like, if you feed it an item or blood, does it display some unique ability or…”
– No.
I want a refund.
‘Fuck…’
So why the hell did you leave it on your desk and confuse people?!
‘It’s just a glorified food disposal toy!’
Of course, I couldn’t scream at a laser-eyed alien lizard, so I managed to say,
“I see. Thank you for the information.”
– Yes.
Yeah. This was all my fault for betting on some weird possibility from that deranged supermarket. Haa…
‘It was really just a toy, huh.’
In the end, I gave up and changed the topic.
“It’s been a while since we last talked, sir. I’m sorry for contacting you through a call instead of visiting in person.”
– It’s fine. This way is safer.
Was he being considerate, worried that the Disaster Management Bureau might find out I was a spy?
“Thank y—”
Just as I was about to say thanks,
That emotionless voice gave me a completely different reason.
– Director Cheong has discovered your whereabouts.
“……!”
Excuse me, what?
– Director Cheong suspects that your disappearance was fabricated, and that you’ve actually been working for Director Ho since a month ago.
Goosebumps crawled down my spine.
Wait.
If she believes my disappearance itself was faked…
‘Then she likely thinks I betrayed her and teamed up with Director Ho from the beginning.’
Cold sweat ran down my face.
“…Would she retaliate against me because of this misunderstanding?”
– Yes.
I swallowed hard.
– So be careful.
“Understood.”
I made up my mind.
‘As soon as this spy mission ends, I’m out.’
I wouldn’t waste a single second.
As soon as I got that Wish Ticket, I’ll bolt straight out of this damn company.
I’m gong back home!
“Thank you, sir.”
I thanked him and ended the call with Assistant Manager Lee Jaheon.
Then, I saw another notification pop up on my smartphone.
[Baek Saheon: Pardon me.]
[Baek Saheon: Are you not going to buy info?]
My former company dorm roommate, who now brought me gossip and intel from said damn company.
[Baek Saheon: Do you have no need for intel?]
Hmm.
I sent a message.
[Feeling confident, are you?]
But no reply came.
Guess he doesn’t have anything yet.
‘Then I’ll leave him alone until he’s got something worth bragging about.’
Let him squirm and scrape together more intel.
‘Truth is… I don’t really have any items worth trading for it right now anyway…’
Not that I plan on staying broke forever.
Didn’t I just say it? I’m getting prepared.
‘…And I just heard something concerning too.’
– It’s completely worn down.
Director Ho’s ominous remark.
‘If my silver ring’s mental protection has run out, that’s dangerous.’
Thankfully, I hadn’t recently felt any desire to dive into a ghost story or bind myself to one.
‘Unless I start having nightmares of going back there…’
Still, I should prepare just in case.
I briefly considered stopping by the Fox Counseling Office again, but ended up canceling the idea due to a bad feeling.
Unlike last time, I had a clear reason now.
‘…It’s definitely connected to Director Ho.’
It was best to avoid it for now.
And besides.
‘It doesn’t have to be there. A few more places are open to me now.’
That’s right. I was now also an ‘agent of the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau’.
With my new position, there were more places and organizations I could visit without raising suspicion.
“Let’s see…”
I rested my chin on my hand.
With 10,000 welfare points, I could afford Dream Essence of A-grade or higher.
And now that I had agent status with the bureau, there was somewhere I could try.
“Hm.”
I stood up from the café I’d been sitting in, pulled my hood over my head, and started walking.
Toward a ghost story’s gathering place where real occult items were traded.
What I was looking for was…
‘The manhole from which a human arm emerges.’