“Probably because of contamination. Those Security Team guys go absolutely nuts from contamination you know—”
“Don’t make things up.”
“What?”
“You’re mixing in your own imagination.”
I put on my crazy act, too.
“If I can tell you’re exaggerating… my dopamine dries up.”
“……”
“Keep going.”
Baek Saheon looked a little scared.
Thankfully.
“…A-Anyway, that Security Team member hardly ever comes outside, but now he’s volunteering for shifts in the annex and things like that. I hear he used to be pretty famous.”
“Who said that?”
“A bunch of section chiefs were chatting. I don’t know exactly who, but they were all pretty senior.”
“……”
‘The sergeant… he was originally a squad leader on an elite team.’
Looks like it really was Jay-ssi.
‘He’s actually trying to look into the Cheerful Research Institute for me…!’
Still, I hope he doesn’t do anything too dangerous, but it seems he’s keeping a safe distance.
Running into Kwak Jaekang is enough to make you sweat, but even if he gets hit, it’s not like anything’s going to happen to the sergeant. What’s scary about Kwak Jaekang is the crazy explorations he sets up for people!
‘It’s nice to have this confirmed.’
Now I don’t have to worry for no reason.
“This one’s for sure!”
“Yeah, okay.”
After that, I pretended to be interested and listened to a few more useless bits of gossip from Baek Saheon.
And when I sensed that his patience was just about gone, that the price had reached the right level—
“Honestly, the rest of the backstories weren’t that interesting.”
“……”
“But the one about the fight with the researcher was interesting. Good job. That’s quality info.”
“…!”
I smiled and lifted my hand off the Necronomicon.
“Take it.”
Baek Saheon snatched up the bizarre book the moment I finished speaking.
His eyes scanned the eerie bookcase in excitement, then he suddenly looked at me and asked,
“This isn’t, like… only readable by people like you, Supervisor, or anything, right?”
“No.”
I met his gaze straight on.
“But don’t expect to use it with the same power as I can.”
Because you’re not a creepypasta maniac!
“……”
Baek Saheon hesitated, but in the end, packed the book away.
Phew.
At last, I was able to relax my tense shoulders.
Item disposed of.
‘Got some info, and got rid of that thing too.’
That fake Necronomicon. I’d been uneasy about keeping it around, so this worked out well.
Not that it’s the kind of item that causes problems just by having it, but…
‘…I think I’d want to just keep using it for work.’
It’s just that powerful.
If I kept it, every time things got complicated, I’d feel the urge to just read it and resolve things ‘that way’.
Because then everyone would listen to me.
But the longer you use something like that, the more likely you are to get caught.
‘It’s practically asking to be found out.’
And… no matter how you look at it, if I overdid it even a little, I’d end up going insane or suffering some permanent mental problem.
So, selling it for information to someone who isn’t a ghost story maniac is just right.
‘Things worked out well.’
As he put away the book, Baek Saheon’s face visibly brightened, and then he looked back at me with a subtle expression.
“Um, Supervisor. I’d like to hear more about what counts as ‘good information’ for you.”
It seemed he wanted to squeeze a bit more out of me, since the trade item was so powerful.
“If you could be a bit more specific, I’ll—”
“Something interesting.”
“……”
“I already told you, didn’t I? You want it even more specific?”
“…Yes. If you would, I’d appreciate—”
I rested my chin in my hand.
“That story about the researcher was interesting, too. It’s easier to picture when it’s someone I know… Right. The security guy is fine too. It’s unique.”
“…Then I’ll try to focus on rumors about those two, and look into some other things as well.”
“Good.”
I nodded.
And so, the deal ended with an unspoken sense of closure. Baek Saheon packed up his bag with today’s spoils and stood up from the table.
Once he left, I also—
“Excuse me.”
Hm?
Baek Saheon hesitated before continuing.
“You’re still at the Disaster Management Bureau, right, Supervisor?”
“……”
“You were rescued by the agents in the form of a child back then. So…”
I quietly turned to look at Baek Saheon.
And I warned him.
“It’s better not to know.”
It was the truth.
Unless you want to disappear with a ‘branch office assignment’ too.
‘If he keeps digging into my past and gets caught by Director Ho, it’s over…’
“There’s nowhere in there you can get something like a Wish Ticket anyway.”
“……”
“There’s nothing in it for you.”
Maybe sensing something was off, Baek Saheon glanced around, then nodded.
‘That should be enough.’
But then, unexpectedly, he added,
“…Yes. Well… Take care of yourself, Supervisor.”
“You too.”
And that was the end of our deal.
I only sighed after confirming Baek Saheon had left the room café.
“Haa.”
Baek Saheon.
I already knew what kind of person he was as a character, and after living in the same company housing unit, I’ve figured him out.
So in that sense, he’s a low-risk guy.
‘He acts just as expected.’
That’s why I’m still trading with him… though honestly, I barely know anything about him besides his personality.
And come to think of it, that goes for almost everyone I’ve met here, not just Baek Saheon.
‘…Because I’m going to go home eventually.’
Maybe only my superiors in the D-squad are the exceptions.
After hearing Baek Saheon’s trivial gossip today, I became keenly aware of that.
So now I’m a bit curious, too.
‘Why is Baek Saheon so desperate to get a Wish Ticket?’
There was never any particular mention in <Dark Exploration Records> as to why someone who gambles everything on survival would risk his life this way.
‘Well… Not that it’s any of my business.’
Honestly, I’m more curious about the other batchmates’ reasons than his.
I’ll ask if I get the chance later. For now, I should focus on my own Wish Ticket.
And on my own survival.
“Huuu.”
After making sure Baek Saheon was really out on the street, I took out my smartphone.
And sent the reply I’d prepared.
To Director Ho.
[I’d like to make an appointment, sir.]
Let’s go.
Cheerful Theme Park.