For a moment, I thought I was still caught up in the Church of the Luminous Unknown's ghost story.
But my fully awakened mind quickly assessed the situation. 'This is different.'
The Eun Haje standing before me was no longer the clean-cut, suit-wearing professional boss I remembered from the office.
Instead, she looked more like a detective who had been on a three-day undercover stakeout… or perhaps, a reporter.
Reality hit me like a splash of cold water.
'What kind of situation is this?'
I immediately got up from the bed.
"Assistant Manager."
"Yes."
Eun Haje nodded.
"First of all, sorry for barging into your place unannounced. I can't afford to be seen right now, but I had to tell you something important." Having been missing for two months, she now stood in someone else's room like a burglar, casting wary glances toward the window. As if she were being pursued.
"…When you say you can't afford to be seen, do you mean you're being tracked?"
"Something like that. But listen to me first."
Eun Haje brushed off my question and took a deep breath. "On January 2nd, when you go to work, you'll be assigned a Darkness. … On paper, it'll seem normal. It's rated C-grade, has a complete manual, and you won't be the only one assigned. But…"
But.
"Don't go in there."
"..."
"Find any way to avoid it. Take a sick leave or even quit if you have to. Because…"
She clenched her teeth, then released them.
"If you enter, you'll die."
"...!"
"Don't ask how I know. Just do as I say."
"Is it Kwak Jekang?"
"…!"
Her expression gave me all the confirmation I needed.
'Damn it, a death notice the moment I wake up?'
I pressed my hand to my forehead, trying to process it all. "What does that section chief have against me?"
"We all know he's a psychopath."
I couldn't argue with that.
Eun Haje spat the words bitterly.
"But you're talented, and you've pulled off plenty of impressive stunts. This time, he probably wants to throw you into a situation where you'll definitely die just to see how you try to survive."
So, showing off my MZ traits had backfired.
'Damn it.'
Yeah, with someone like him, I could see how he'd be thrilled at the idea of using me as an experimental test subject, throwing me into a bizarre ghost story under strange conditions.
However…
"Even so, Assistant Manager, there's still a chance I could survive, right?"
"..."
"And if he's curious to see how I'll make it out alive, wouldn't he pick a Darkness where survival is at least possible?"
I hated to admit it, but I was an elite employee rapidly climbing the ladder.
I had good connections—Director Cheong liked me (for reasons unknown), and Director Ho also viewed me favorably.
'No matter how I look at it, I doubt a project like this, meant to throw me into certain death, would get approved with just the section chief's say-so.' Being sent to a dangerous place was always possible, sure, but ghost stories by nature were inherently risky.
'Even Assistant Manager Eun Haje herself said it was C-grade with a complete manual.'
Something about this wasn't adding up.
"So how can you be so sure I'll die there?"
I looked at her, silently asking for an explanation. Eun Haje pressed her fingers to her furrowed brow, as if trying to suppress a sigh. "There's only one thing I know for certain."
She pointed at me.
"On January 2nd, you're marked as deceased."
"..."
"I confirmed it… in a Darkness that shows the future."
"…!"
Damn.
A ghost story that reveals the future? A few entries on the wiki came to mind.
But even setting aside the question of how Eun Haje—who was supposed to be on leave—gained access to such a Darkness…
'Something feels off.'
"I checked what Darkness you'd be assigned to on the 2nd, and I came here immediately. You saved my life once, so this is the least I can do."
"Wait a moment. Assistant Manager, this still doesn't make sense."
"What do you mean?"
"I've seen my future too. Remember that ghost story I was managing? The one with the tarot cards?"
"…I remember."
"Recently, I drew a very good card. And that prediction hasn't come true yet."
I recalled the Sun card I had drawn.
Upright. A card that guaranteed happiness.
"You can't be happy after you're dead."
"You could be happy, and then die."
"..."
This still didn't sit right with me.
But seeing how anxious Eun Haje looked, and knowing she had no reason to lie, I nodded for now.
"Understood. I'll come up with a plan."
"Damn, fine."
Eun Haje looked up at the sky briefly, as if the weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Then she mumbled, as if to justify herself, "Roe, I wasn't planning to break into your place like this. It's just… things were urgent, so forgive the intrusion. Seeing someone who left the team is always unsettling, right?"
"It's nothing. I was a bit surprised, but I'm glad to see you're healthy."
"…Huu. Roe, with that personality of yours, how do you plan on surviving in this company…?"
"Haha."
My personality is average—it's the personalities of the employees in this company that are ghost stories in themselves.
'I mean, seriously, if I acted any less respectful toward a former boss who came all the way here to save me, I'd be an absolute lunatic…' And let's not even bring up the fact that my biggest issue isn't my personality, but the fact that I'm a coward.
Anyway, Assistant Manager Eun Haje looked relieved as she gave me a tired smile and gestured with her chin.
"Alright then, I'm leaving. Get some rest."
"Wait a moment."
"What now?"
"Well, about your hand…"
I cautiously looked at her empty left sleeve.
Eun Haje casually waved her arm.
"What? You're still worried about this? Roe, I told you, I'm not using any regeneration potions. You use them instead."
"That's not what I'm talking about."
I recently thought of a possible solution.
"You passed down some communication equipment to me, remember?"
"Oh, yeah. I did. But that was just because I didn't need it anymore…"
"So, I'd like to introduce you to a piece of equipment in return." I flipped the coin, which was my personal equipment.
A third hand materialized midair. For the price of a 500-won coin, I could use this equipment— The Third Hand.
In other words, an item that grants the ability to grow an additional hand. "How about using this as a parent item and customizing one for yourself, Assistant Manager?"
"…!"
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?"
"Yes. I even brought something for it. The squad leader lent it to me." 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?