Chapter 139: Ch 139: Lifelines.
Agent Bronze, dragged away by supermarket employees.
That future was easy to imagine.
After all, I had already witnessed a similar case on the first day.
– Aaaaagh! Aaaaaaahhh!
Just recalling that ’supply’ being ground alive in the mixer sent cold sweat
trickling down my spine.
And now, the veteran agent I had been searching for over the past three
days might be suffering the same fate?
The high schooler Agent Bronze had been taking care of described the
situation as if vomiting out the memories.
"A-At first, I felt a little reassured..."
On the first day, the agent moved the rescued student to the store’s tent area,
secured the surroundings, and seemed to take some measures.
The anomaly happened on the second day.
"Originally... um, well, he was looking for you."
"...Us?"
"Yes. I think he was trying to find you."
But instead of finding me, Agent Bronze stumbled upon something else
entirely.
"T-That guy... that guy came out...!"
That guy?
Everyone turned their heads in the direction the high schooler was pointing,
but all that was there was the tent fabric.
"Ugh!"
Then, the student got up, walked outside the tent, and opened the entrance
of the adjacent one.
Inside, a uniform-clad figure was lying down—
"...?!"
"Lee Soobin!"
The high schooler I had been taking care of sprang up and dashed toward
the tent. Then, looking back at me, he spoke urgently.
"T-That’s the friend we were looking for! Lee Soobin!"
Ah.
The friend who had gone missing first, the one these students had been
searching for.
"S-Soobin?"
The high schooler called his friend repeatedly.
But ’Lee Soobin’ did not respond. Lying in the tent, staring blankly at the
air with a slightly open mouth—he looked completely vacant.
’...Has he been missing for too long?’
His body was covered in scratches and bruises.
It was a pitiful sight.
But now, I had a better idea of why Agent Bronze had been missing for
days.
"...Where did the agent find him?"
"I-I don’t know. He just suddenly brought him back and said he found him.
He asked if he was wearing the same uniform as us..."
Having to take care of two underage civilians would have severely limited
his movements.
For two days, he must have been focused on looking after them, waiting for
business hours to resume...
...While simultaneously waiting for me to safely arrive at the stall.
"...So, when exactly did the agent disappear?"
"I think... Early this morning...?"
"..."
That was more recent than I expected.
"A-All of a sudden, a bunch of employees swarmed in, and then, t-they just
took him."
"He wasn’t seriously hurt or anything? Just ’taken’?"
"How would I know! ...I-I think so, but..."
If that’s the case...
"S-Shit, we’re screwed, right? We’re all gonna die, aren’t we? The only
competent guy is gone! And you’re just a rookie, aren’t you? That’s what
the agent said."
"Hey! Why are you talking like that? Are you insane?"
"..."
The high schooler I had been taking care of flinched and scolded his friend,
then glanced at me and Go Yeongeun, gauging our reactions.
The other high schooler, the one who had been with Agent Bronze, sniffled
and lowered his head, ashamed.
"A-Anyway... we’re doomed, aren’t we?"
"No."
"...!"
Go Yeongeun spoke firmly.
"We are not doomed. You have a safe place to stay, and you have more
adults here to help you. Things have actually improved."
"Ah..."
"If you start acting reckless just because you think it’s over, you’ll lose even
the chances you still have. If you want to make it out safely, we all need to
cooperate. Understood?"
"..."
The two high schoolers nodded.
The one who had been shouting at us now looked embarrassed, regret
written all over his face.
...I suddenly thought that Go Yeongeun might be better suited for the
Disaster Management Bureau than Daydream Inc.
"Huu."
After calming the students, we stepped outside the tent for a moment.
Go Yeongeun let out a short sigh, gulped, then turned to me.
"...I wasn’t just saying that to reassure them. I think we need to believe it,
too."
"I agree."
And, actually.
I hesitated, then whispered to Go Yeongeun about something that had been
bothering me ever since the high schooler’s account.
"My senior agent... there’s a chance he’s still alive."
"...!"
That’s right.
The missing people who had been processed as ’supplies’ could, if unlucky,
be ’used’ immediately according to the employees’ routines.
’But usually, they wait their turn.’
Like proper inventory.
The employees were mimicking supermarket work, which meant they
stored supplies according to regulations.
And the place where those items were stockpiled...
Somewhere deep inside the supermarket’s staff-only area.
"He might be in the supply warehouse."
Supply warehouse.
Unable to escape from the supply warehouse. Considered deceased.
...That kind of sentence appeared frequently in the <Dark Exploration
Records>.
But looking at it another way, it also meant that missing persons still had
the chance to attempt an escape. That they were alive, still conscious, and
physically capable.
’There were even rare cases of successful escapes.’
That is, if they possessed a special item or ability.
...Of course, there were also plenty of cases where the missing had already
been ’processed’ in accordance with their intended use as supplies.
But what mattered now was this—
This group currently possessed one of those special items that could grant
access to the supply warehouse.
"..."
I looked at the soft-textured mass that Go Yeongeun was holding—the one
that now had its flame extinguished.
A mystical candle.
It required three people to create, but once made, a single person could
carry and use it.
’As long as it can be lit...’
However, for some reason, I couldn’t ignite this candle that only ’people of
current times’ could use. So, I couldn’t carry and use the item alone.
"...Agent."
"Let’s go."
"...!"
"With two people, we have twice the brains and twice the hands—it should
make things a little easier."
Go Yeongeun glanced at my arm before nodding, her expression stiff.
...She was taking into account the fact that I could only function properly
by relying on Nostalgia Candies.
"Thank you."
"I should be the one saying that. If it weren’t for you, I would have died on
that stairwell."
She shuddered briefly, as if recalling it.
"Anyway, let’s go... to find your senior agent."
I nodded.
We’re about to go out and find Agent Bronze.
The high schoolers’ reactions were intense.
"Wait, if you both leave, what are we supposed to do? What if an employee
shows up? If we’re left alone—"
"You’ll be fine."
I calmly placed a hand on the high schooler’s shoulder.
"...Another agent already set up protections before leaving."
Agent Bronze had likely chosen a section of the store where employees
rarely appeared.
But long-term missing persons could still attack unpredictably, so he must
have accounted for that as well.
’...Is that it?’
I noticed an object pressing down on a tent peg—it looked like a simple toy
jack but was actually a specialized item.
Weighted Air Stone
: Equipment of the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau that creates
hallowed ground.
I recalled its description. Placing these stones in a designated area would
create a safe zone, repelling malicious forces.
Contaminated missing persons likely couldn’t recognize this store section
properly and would simply pass by.
...If only the agent had stayed put inside this barrier, he wouldn’t have been
taken. The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth.
"Will you... come back?"
"Of course. I’ll find the agent and return."
I handed a Nostalgia Candy to the high schooler I had been taking care of,
instructing him to rest but keep it ready—just in case he needed to take it to
move.
Though he looked uneasy, fortunately, he accepted my advice.
Fwoosh.
Go Yeongeun reignited the candle, and I stepped back into the fog and
shadows it cast, blending into its obscurity.
"...About a third of the candle has melted."
"..."
We had to move quickly.
We took our first steps, advancing through the eerily vast and seemingly
endless third-floor store sections.
’...The agent was taken from the third floor.’
That meant we needed to find a door along the walls of the third floor
again.
"What kind of door are we looking for?"
"Remember the announcement before the store closed? And how, at the
same time, those balloon-like employees flooded in?"
"...Yes."
"It’s the door that opened back then."
This time, however, we didn’t have to find it on our own.
Screek... Screek... Screek...
"...Let’s follow."
"..."
We trailed behind a single employee, moving stiffly, its gaze hollow and
empty.
It wandered through the third floor for a while, seemingly imitating a patrol
routine.
Then, as if its shift had ended, it returned to its point of origin.
[Staff Only]
A metal door leading to the staff section.
"..."
"..."
Creak...
The door opened.
There were many similar doors scattered around, but they were all likely
connected through an antnest-like network of corridors, leading to one
shared space.
Somewhere inside, we had to find the supply warehouse.
Holding our breath, we slipped through the door just before it shut.
And then, we were met with the overwhelming sight of the inner staff area
spilling out before us...
"Hhk."
Go Yeongeun clamped a hand over her mouth.
Under the bright fluorescent lights, countless employees were crammed
together, stacked upright in tight vertical rows.
These weren’t the grotesque, balloon-like employees that emerged after
closing hours. They looked like normal human employees.
Stacked. Crushed. Wedged together. Those were the only ways to describe
it.
In this brightly lit, modern space—so seemingly ordinary—human bodies
were stored in layers, crumpled and compressed without a hint of
abnormality.
"...They look like the employees who were working during business hours.
Uuurp."
Go Yeongeun swallowed back a dry heave, trying to steady her breath.
So they were mimicking shift rotations, too.
I didn’t even want to imagine how those crushed bodies emerged looking
normal when business hours resumed.
Revulsion crawled up my throat, but I forced my feet to move.
Without the candle and the Nostalgia Candy, I would have given up right
here.
Screek... Screek...
The employee started moving again.
"...Should we follow?"
"Yes."
Our footsteps echoed faintly in the staff area, making my nerves tense up.
With nothing but the candle’s protection, we advanced cautiously.
"...I remember every turn we’ve taken. Don’t worry, we won’t get lost."
"...Alright."
Since both of us were memorizing the path, even if one of us lost track, the
other could compensate.
We held our breath and pressed forward.
More employees. Fragments of what used to be employees. Half-formed
remnants, muttering the same distorted greetings over and over again.
My skin crawled, every pore standing on end.
But we had to stay alert. We needed to find the warehouse.
’We can do this... We can do this.’
Through hallways, break rooms, and warehouse areas strung together in a
surreal, disjointed layout—until finally...
[Supply Storage]
The sign was posted above a door, and in front of it stood a cluster of
employees, packed tightly together.
Screek. Screek. Screek. Screek.
The employee we had been following joined the group in front of the door.
"Ha."
Go Yeongeun swallowed hard, staring at the iron door now completely
obscured by employees.
"...If we slip inside when they open the door..."
And just then—
Clunk.
The supply warehouse door opened from the inside.
"...!"
Several employees stepped out, carrying supplies.
And that’s when I saw it.
A familiar face among the ’supplies’.
"T-That person..."
A tall, broad-shouldered young man in an agent’s uniform—being carried
by two employees.
Agent Bronze.
But.
He had no legs.
"..."
A cold chill slithered up my spine.
"...Could it be..."
"Yes."
It was clear.
Agent Bronze had been processed into a mannequin.
The only upside was that there was no bleeding.
But with his eyes closed and his body limp, he looked completely unconscious.
"...Should we move in?"
"...Yes."
We trailed closely behind the two employees carrying him.
Even as we followed, my mind went blank.
What the hell are we supposed to do?
’Fucking hell.’
Is he... still alive?
Should I call out to him? But even with the candle’s protection, would
making noise this close to the employees be safe?
Creeeak.
Just then, the two employees carrying Agent Bronze passed through the
staff area exit.
That was actually better for us.
After a brief moment of hesitation, I made a bold move.
"...Stay as close as possible."
"..."
Go Yeongeun nodded, quickening her pace to stick right beside the
employees.
And just as they entered the foggy range of the candle’s protection, I
reached out toward Agent Bronze.
I gently tapped his neck.
Tap, tap.
"...!"
Agent Bronze’s eyes snapped open.
I swallowed hard.
"...Agent."
And in that instant—
Pfffffff—
One of the employees carrying him deflated like a punctured balloon.
"...!!"
A second later, the other employee also began collapsing, hissing out air as
its form crumpled.
And in Agent Bronze’s right hand—
A small, transparent pistol.
Glass Handgun.
A standard-issue weapon from the Supernatural Disaster Management
Bureau.
It shone in the hands of a true professional.
With a flick of his wrist, the pistol vanished back into thin air.
"Tha... you... dear customer!"
"Eueuuuhhh—hello..."
The employees who were deflating let out bizarre noises, repeating scripted
customer service phrases.
Something even more grotesque and nightmarish seemed to be writhing
inside them, trying to emerge—but before that could happen, Agent Bronze
had already tied them down.
’Binding Rope.’
A standard-issue suppression item.
In an instant, his hands moved, wrapping the two employees in thin, cord-
like restraints. Then, as if subduing them completely, he sat down on top of
them.
...Handling two employees like that. He made it look so effortless.
"They won’t be able to make a commotion for at least five minutes."
His skill was almost like a magic trick.
...It was hard to believe this was a man who had lost both his legs.
"...Agent Grapes."
Agent Bronze looked up at me with a faint smile.
The eyes of someone who had already resolved themselves.
"You made it. I’m glad my endurance paid off."
"..."
"And who’s this?"
His gaze shifted to Go Yeongeun.
"One of the missing agents who entered earlier and survived."
"..."
Go Yeongeun lowered her head.
"...You did well. I’m glad you’re safe."
Agent Bronze looked at me with a warm, almost resigned expression.
It made me feel sick.
"Agent Grapes."
He reached into the inside of his agent uniform.
"Take this. It’s for escaping."
...A pair of shoelaces.
They were woven with five-colored threads, an intricate pattern with a
strangely glossy texture.
"There are only two, so the two of you can leave."
"...!"
"Tie them onto your shoes, take three steps forward, and you’ll be instantly
transported out of here."
I involuntarily glanced at Agent Bronze’s lower body.
...His missing legs.
He couldn’t walk.
He couldn’t use the escape item.
For him, there had never been a choice.
"...I’ll look for another way. You, on the other hand—ensure your own
safety."
"..."
"There’s not much time left. Hurry."
No.
I could use Nostalgia Candy—if I gave one to Agent Bronze, he could
escape right now.
But—
No.
I clenched my fists so hard they turned white.
I only have three left.
If I used one to let him escape now... then what do I do with just two left?
Of the three high schoolers I needed to save, two were unable to move on
their own.
Wouldn’t it be better if Agent Bronze stayed to help?
The calculations swirled in my mind, making my head pound.
Was there another way?
Something else...
"..."
Ah.
That’s it.
"Agent."
I pretended to retrieve something from my belongings, but in reality, I
pulled out an item from within my tattoo.
A small glass vial, glowing a fresh, leafy green.
: Daydream Potion :
Regeneration
C (Excellent)
My lifeline.
I subtly angled it away so that Go Yeongeun wouldn’t see the label, then
discreetly showed it to Agent Bronze.
"Drink this. It’s a regeneration item."
"...!!"
"Wait—"
"It’s fine. It’s a verified item."
I shot a quick glance at Go Yeongeun before she could object.
’...If my guess is correct.’
This wasn’t just about making Agent Bronze’s escape easier.
This was an investment.
A move that would yield even greater returns.
A build-up toward my real goal.
’This is the right answer.’
A shiver ran down my spine with the satisfaction of finding the most
optimal solution.
...Suppressing the instinctive fear of loss.
"..."
Go Yeongeun, though visibly unsettled, remained silent.
But Agent Bronze didn’t take the potion immediately. Instead, he studied
my face, his expression unreadable.
"...Was this made ’where you’re from’?"
"...Yes."
I gave a small nod, forcing a smile.
"It’s my last one. ...I know you might find it uncomfortable. But you need
to take it."
"..."
An unreadable flicker crossed the agent’s face.
It was a clearly complicated expression, impossible to discern whether it
was a reaction born out of reluctance or anger.
Then, with a sharp exhale, he reached out.
Tak.
A short sound as the vial landed in his hand.
Without another word, he unsealed the potion and drank it in one gulp.