"Agent Bronze."
"Yes."
Ryu Jaegwan, who had been on standby, lifted his head.
"I'll show you the way."
It had only been a day since the 'Man on the Screen' incident was resolved. The Main Building of the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau was still in a slight state of disarray from the cleanup.
It was a simultaneous outbreak so severe that not only Team Hyumoo 1, who was on duty that day, but also the off-duty Team Hyumoo 3 had been summoned.
And of all things, it had been entangled with a broadcasting station, nearly escalating into a major fatal accident, which was barely suppressed by the power of public authority.
Besides… the whole development was suspicious.
'Looking back, the timing of the report was exquisite.'
Usually, when a Supernatural Disaster first occurs, it's difficult to contact the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau.
Ordinary people don't even know the number in the first place, and it's impossible for the Disaster Management Bureau to pre-deploy the number at the site of the first outbreak.
And yet, they had called before they could even confirm if there had been any fatalities.
'It had to be strange.'
Sure enough, the interrogation of the PD yielded results.
He testified that 'Masked Experts in Suits' had come and tampered with the editing room, and that their 'Company' had then referred him to the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau's number.
No matter how you looked at it, it seemed they had meddled with a past Supernatural Disaster that had naturally concluded, intending to collect it in Daydream, but when the problem grew, they dumped it on the Disaster Management Bureau.
Though they were officially denying it vehemently.
Bronze pressed the skin beneath his eyes, where Dark Circles had settled.
'A garbage company.'
And so, he had been praised for bringing in a Daydream employee, told it was an excellent decision for gathering additional information.
…Truthfully, that wasn't the only reason.
Moreover, one person who appeared to be from an elite team had used an item to escape in an instant, and they had missed him by a hair's breadth.
A regrettable matter.
"Well, I'm glad it was resolved well, at least."
"…Yes."
The office agent guiding him struck up a casual conversation.
"I heard they decided not to use the title 'Episode 6' for the time being, is that right?"
"Yes. I heard they're skipping straight to Episode 7."
The Resolution Method was as follows.
Until the 'Man on the Screen' disappeared, they would avoid using the title 'Episode 6' for a while.
And the broadcasting station would preemptively make a fuss, pretending to use the 'Man on the Screen' ghost story for viral marketing, and push a skip-Episode-6 campaign.
It was a method that would cleanly dispel the mysterious eeriness, even if it meant being criticized for being a clueless and failed marketing attempt.
The two deaths would be quietly processed as overwork or accidental deaths, and the broadcasting station would regain stability through a complete memory wipe of all involved parties.
The scale was different, but… it felt familiar.
Because it was similar to a method once used by a Rookie Agent in Team Baekho, who had been affectionately nicknamed the King of Destruction.
"...Excuse me, Agent? We've arrived."
"Ah. …Thank you."
That was why Bronze felt an even stranger sensation.
A sense of presence.
It reminded him of his direct hubae, who had disappeared half a year ago, leaving only a painstakingly written letter and a pile of items.
Agent Grape.
…Kim Soleum.
It felt like a sign that he couldn't afford to make a mistake here.
"You may go in."
He entered the place he was guided to.
A little ways away from the area for identifying those who had experienced a Supernatural Disaster. Specifically, a detention room for temporarily isolating 'individuals deemed dangerous based on their testimony.'
A place they called the Protective Custody Room.
The stage before the Glass Prison.
"Well, hello there. Nice to meet you, Agent!"
Agent Bronze looked at the person who hadn't lost his smile, even in the Protective Custody Room.
The employee from the Field Investigation Team who had been wearing a Pony Mask.
"I enjoyed the jjajangmyeon! The food here is really good. Haha, and it's free."
He didn't give his real name, but his characteristics had already been identified.
"So, if you just meet my price, I'll tell you everything."
An Extreme Materialist.
"However, anything directly related to my duties that day… well, I could face disciplinary action from the company, or even get my head chopped off, you know. A 'small token of sincerity' won't cut it."
"..."
And Agent Bronze was familiar with people like this.
Though a case this extreme was rare.
"Citizen. This is not a negotiation."
Agent Bronze informed him with sunken eyes.
"The small token of sincerity we provide is a gift offered as a sign of gratitude for the information. Exercising the Right to Remain Silent is not permissible at the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau for safety reasons."
"..."
"And persistently evading testimony will be judged as a dangerous situation."
Agent Bronze didn't seem like he would regret it at all, even if it came to that.
"It means that measures other than protection may be taken."
But the Daydream employee didn't even blink.
"After that, I'd probably ask for an even bigger sum, factoring in compensation for psychological damages!"
"..."
"Of course, I believe we can reach a smooth agreement on the price instead of going that far. Hahaha!"
What an astounding specimen.
Agent Bronze looked at the typical, selfish, low-ranking Daydream employee before him and suppressed a sigh.
Judged to be a villain, but a being who had not yet committed many evil deeds.
Since the scales of evil had not yet fully tipped, the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau would not place this person in a position requiring sacrifice.
The usual procedure would be to confine him in the Glass Prison to prevent false testimony and proceed with the interrogation, but…
'…Should I just send him?'
To the Nightmare Maze.
His attitude would change once he experienced it.
He was just about to consider looking for an opening.
Click.
The door to the Protective Custody Room opened, and another person entered.
"…Agent."
"Aigoo, that was rough."
Watching Agent Choi, who grinned and waved at him, then waved at the Daydream employee before pulling up a chair and sitting down, Agent Bronze suppressed a sigh.
"I stopped by after finishing my work. I mean, I played a part in the transport, too. We have to chat a bit to build some rapport. Isn't that right, Mr. Employee?"
"Forget rapport, I'd prefer gold, hahaha!"
"Hahaha, you're very straightforward!"
Agent Choi, who had casually sat down and lowered his posture, hardened his voice.
"But even if I wanted to give you gold, you have to tell me something useful for an exchange to happen."
"..."
"Did you really think the information a team leader with less than two years in the Field Investigation Team could provide would be worth that much?"
Kang Yihak laughed, ha-ha.
"You brought me in because you thought it was, didn't you?"
"I was betting on the probability."
Agent Choi rested his chin on his hand as if in thought, then raised both hands as if in surrender.
"Alright! For now, just spill everything you know. I'll match the price as best I can."
"Oh!"
"How about some gold as a down payment? I've got some Jade, too."
"Wow, that's the best!"
Agent Bronze looked at Agent Choi with a dumbfounded expression, but Agent Choi maintained his smooth, slightly troubled demeanor.
And he really did bring a piece of jewelry made of gold and jade into the Protective Custody Room.
"…!"
Kang Yihak caught the object that fell into her hand.
She knew by the feel.
'Pure Gold.'
She knew by the weight.
'At least ten don.'
Excluding the craftsmanship or historical value, just trading the gold alone would fetch over five million.
Considering the jade as well… this is!
"Nice, right? From now on, as long as the Q&A goes well, you can take it with you when you leave. We won't stop you."
"Agent."
"And if the information is useful… who knows? I might accidentally drop one or two more."
"Agent, I understand now. I see that the Disaster Management Bureau is a just and wonderful organization that strives for its citizens, while also being a place that knows how to handle work efficiently by exercising flexibility…!"
"Well, of course."
"Please ask me anything you're curious about. I'll even tell you my father's columbarium niche number."
"Whoa, that's okay."
Agent Choi didn't stop Kang Yihak from quickly pocketing the jewelry.
He just asked, as if it were nothing.
"Then, as a test, shall I start by asking you this question as well…."
That was.
"Do you know about Roe Deer?"
Agent Bronze froze.
At the same time, he barely managed to stop his fists from clenching in tension.
Roe Deer.
…Agent Grape.
For half a year, not a single trace could be found.
Go Youngeun, who had been a suspected spy, also repeated her testimony that she didn't know his whereabouts, and that was the truth.
The letter had clearly stated he was going to the company for a Wish Token to go home, but he had vanished as if he had evaporated.
And yesterday, Agent Choi's slightly trembling voice as he had urgently called to request the transport of the Daydream employee.
—Grape… he got the Wish Token.
—....
In the first place, they didn't believe in the Wish Token's efficacy.
But, if, truly taking the situation in the best possible light, Kim Soleum had his wish granted and safely left the company, then where on earth was he?
There were only questions.
And once again, the answer he had grown tired of hearing returned.
"Ah, we were in the same cohort. And he went missing. Isn't that something you already know? But I didn't know he'd gotten a Wish Token."
"..."
"I'm being 100% honest. For the sake of our future trust."
To talk about trust.
He must have guessed that the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau could prevent him from telling lies, yet he was still glib.
Agent Bronze frowned, but Agent Choi, for some reason, fell into a deep silence before changing the question.
"Then how much do you know about the Security Team?"
"The Security Team?"
"Yeah. You were traveling with one of them, weren't you? The Field Investigation Team doesn't usually travel with the Security Team… it must have been a special mission, right?"
"..."
Agent Bronze had heard this story as well.
'He said that Security Team member testified about the Wish Token.'
He thought Agent Choi was planning to dig deeper in that direction, but Agent Choi twisted the conversation in a strange way.
"Do you happen to know about a Security Team member like this?"
A description of a peculiar employee.
"Black Smoke follows him around, and he has a huge mass of horns on his head. He wears a gas mask… and his eyes… were yellow."
....
"Agent, that's…."
Agent Choi gave Agent Bronze a light kick under the desk, and after he quieted down, continued speaking.
"The Security Team member you were with also seemed to know that employee…."
"Huh?"
Kang Yihak blinked.
"You met that 'Mr. Employee' at the scene too, didn't you, Agent?"
"..."
A heavy silence descended.
"What are you talking about."
"I thought you were asking because you already knew!
Kang Yihak said nonchalantly.
"The Transport Cage, I mean. The one that Security Team member was holding."
....
"The Transport Cage."
"Yes!"
35cm wide, 50cm long, 36cm high.
The entrance to the metal cage was no bigger than two spans of an adult man's hands.
A portable object.
"That's Mr. Employee."
A strange chill crept up through the air.
"He's inside there."
I came out of the Transport Cage.
In my hand, I hid the bell I received from Agent Haegeum.
Tinkle.
[Oh, my friend. Today was another truly dynamic day. Wasn't it?]
Yeah.
No, I mean….
If I were in my original body, I would have been drenched in a cold sweat.
'This is driving me crazy.'
Lying on the bed in the isolation room, I recalled the events that had just transpired.
Agent Haegeum had generously let us go after just giving me the bell, and the Security Chief and I returned to the company safely.
'I heard Deputy Lee Seong-hae also returned safely and submitted the USB.'
It seems to have been processed as a success, but it probably won't be officially settled until my work hours start tomorrow.
In any case, the Security Chief also followed my newly designated Isolation Protocol, left only the Transport Cage in the isolation room, and returned to his own living quarters.
Tinkle.
'I wonder if he's meeting with Team Leader Park Min-seong.'
It was my break time now, too.
Anyway, it was a relief that it was resolved safely…. though the fact that we dumped it on the Disaster Management Bureau left a bitter taste in my mouth.
'Should I just see it as Daydream being Daydream….'
Having played a part in that, and then receiving something from Agent Haegeum as a token of gratitude, I wondered if this was right.
…Though realizing that the identity of the Resort's owner remained within me did leave a strange impression.
'Am I happy?'
Maybe so.
I adjusted my angle so the CCTV couldn't see, lifted the bell in my hand, and shook it gently.
Tinkle.
I had heard it from inside the Transport Cage, but it was a clear and pure chime.
A pleasant feeling, as if dregs were being washed away.
'…Could this be why the agents wear bells?'
Like the one Agent Choi attached to his Executioner's Sword.
It wasn't… that important.
I suspected it might drive away contamination… but I was skeptical if it would have any effect on me.
Tinkle.
Still, the sound was nice. I kept finding myself listening to it, and my head felt like it was getting lighter.
Tinkle.
I found myself strangely focusing on that sound.
…I wondered if Brown could hear it too.
[Mr. Roe Deer.]
Can you hear it?
[Of course, I can hear it perfectly well! Oh, and I have a question for my dear friend, as well.]
[How are you feeling right now?]
How am I feeling? Distressed.
It's not easy to feel good after realizing I'm not human, in a situation where my body would melt without this suit….
The fact that I signed a labor law-violating employment contract that holds my life hostage to Daydream also plays a part….
....
Tinkle.
Wait.
[Oh, finally.]
I shot up from the bed.
'…What is this?'
Why.
Can I think?
My thoughts aren't sinking, as if they were crushed, or melted, or submerged in fog.
Dynamism.
Naturalness.
I can't feel any distinct emotions, but the things I used to do, the direction of thought that used to flow naturally out of habit....
It's working.
Tinkle.
'...!'
[For the loss I suffered at the Resort to return to me like this, it is nothing short of a dramatic reversal.]
[Congratulations, my friend!]
I, am myself.