Braun’s voice was uncharacteristically eager, tinged with a hint of craftiness.
– I’ve tried to help you with all my heart as your ‘Good Friend’, haven’t I? Yet, I’ve never asked for anything in return! So perhaps it wouldn’t be too much to expect a small reward for my loyalty… Ah.
Silence.
– Apologies. I’ve said something far too mercenary… trying to put a price on our friendship.
– A ‘Good Friend’ would never do such a thing…
Braun’s shadow slumped in a gesture of shame, and his voice fell to a sad murmur.
– Please, disregard this ‘Good Friend’s’ words…
Umm.
“Sure.”
– Pardon…?!
“The Bloodbathtub. Let’s buy it.”
– !!
To be fair, he did help me escape the theme park. I owe him for that. After all, he saved my life, so the least I can do is return the favor.
Besides, the money here feels like game currency, and I have a few promising ways to earn more in the future. Plus, keeping on Braun’s good side is clearly the smart move, especially given the peculiar abilities he showed back at the park.
‘And if I’m going to get it, I should do it wholeheartedly, without holding back!’
“Just a bit more cash, and I’ll buy it for you as soon as it’s deposited.”
– Oh my goodness!
– Thank you! Thank you so much, Mr. Roe Deer, my friend…!
“Yeah. But remember, this isn’t a reward or anything. It’s just a gift because you’re my friend, Braun.”
– I understand, Friend!
“I’ll buy the Bloodbathtub as soon as the extra funds are deposited. It should be in just a few days.”
– Yes!!
His voice trembled with excitement and joy, and he took a moment to steady himself.
– I’m really looking forward to it… haha!
It was good to see him so happy.
…Just, please don’t ask me to go find fresh blood.
– Oh! The items have arrived. That was quick!
Once again, the ordered items arrived promptly, packed in a post office box, and I indulged in a satisfying unboxing session.
On top was the discounted vampire cutlery.
– Hooh. Quite the refined cutlery set, isn’t it? It looks suitable for an elegant setting!
A small dessert fork and knife, exquisitely crafted and wrapped in leather. They gleamed delicately in the flashlight’s glow, elegant and polished.
The downside, of course, is that they’re meant to be blood-stained for use… sigh.
‘Still, I might as well keep them on hand.’
They’re compact and easy to carry, and now that I have some custom gear and other items, it might be worth a try in a crisis.
Underneath the cutlery was…
[Easy and Fast Candle Making Kit]
It was the ‘Mysterious Candle Kit’ box. With its colorful, cute design, it looked like a children’s kit.
‘Actually, this might be a good thing.’
If it’s child-friendly, it’ll be easy to make!
I wanted to open it right away to check the instructions and materials, but the warning label plastered across the front caught my eye.
[No refunds after opening. Ingredients will spoil 12 hours after exposure to air, so use quickly.]
[Recommended users: 3 people]
Um. Probably best to leave it unopened for now.
‘I’ll prep everything the night before my next assignment.’
Still, I was curious about the candle’s effects. For 20 million won, it had to be more than ordinary.
– Only one item left, then!
“Right.”
I finally looked at the last item at the bottom of the box—a small but hefty… produce apple crate.
“……?”
No, seriously.
Snow White Mountain Apples
So delicious! Great for health and nutrition!
“……”
Could this be a mistake? Did I accidentally order real farm produce?
Hmm. There was a letter attached on top of the box from the supplier. Let’s see…
——————–
To our valued customers who purchased Snow White Apples, we express our sincere gratitude.
This produce is grown with care and nourished with ■■ as fertilizer sourced from ■■, cultivated and harvested directly with the sweat of hard work. Its effects and taste are distinctively different from those of other orchards. ^^
Usage: Chew and swallow one apple completely.
Effect: Immediately induces a death-like sleep where all biological activity ceases.
This effect lasts until sunrise the next day, after which you will awaken with renewed energy and greatly improved condition.
※ Note : This orchard is not liable for any changes to your body during the sleep state.
——————–
“……”
‘Definitely paranormal.’
So, it’s like that potion in Romeo and Juliet, the one that makes you look dead.
‘Got it.’
I opened the apple crate. Inside were seven small, shiny, perfectly round apples, bright red and practically picture-perfect.
– Truly, they look healthy and beneficial!
Really?
But yes, this does seem quite useful. An item that induces a state of suspended animation and allows you to recover fully after a day? I could definitely find a use for it.
So, my current inventory now includes:
– Good Friend
– Bloodsucking Cutlery
– Mysterious Candle Kit
– Snow White’s Apples
– Memorial Popsocket
– Smiley Sticker 🙂
– Alice Picnic Set
Then, my special equipment, plus one pack of Blue Soda Churros.
‘And soon, I’ll add the Bloodbathtub…’
Let’s make the most of all these items and try to stay alive.
– Then, sweet dreams to you, Mr. Roe Deer!
That night, I went to bed a bit earlier. I slept fairly well, occasionally plagued by nightmares, but mostly undisturbed.
I had a feeling that the next few days would at least be peaceful, so that might be what made me feel at ease.
‘Let’s rest up, reorganize, and get ready until the payment comes in.’
* * *
But a few days later, I faced a shocking reality.
‘The additional allowance… hasn’t been deposited!’
Even the manual revision that the A-squad leader mentioned hadn’t been completed. I was supposed to receive a reward for that.
‘W-What the heck.’
Was it all just a bluff? Did they really swindle me out of fifty million won?
I immediately started investigating and soon heard an unbelievable update.
“…The person in charge is missing?”
“Yeah. They haven’t shown up for days.”
Apparently, an administrative staff member who handles the manual revisions is currently missing.
And it’s already been a week.
“……”
Wait a damn minute.
“Then, the manual review…”
“It’s been postponed indefinitely. It’s not urgent, and… you know how long it takes this company to reassign paperwork. Probably at least two months.”
N-No way!
I made a promise with a certain creepypasta monster!