Chapter 156: Ch 156: Back in familiar spaces
The members of Daydream Inc.’s Field Exploration Team were people who
literally staked their lives on the job because they had a single, desperate
wish they wanted fulfilled.
In other words, most of them are perfectly willing to use anyone—
coworkers, civilians, even deranged ghost stories—to achieve their own
goals!
They only care about the welfare points they need for their own wish.
Three prime examples of that kind of person stood right in front of me.
Of course, it’s not just the wishes that made them... who they were.
"Assistant Manager, what about those who lagged behind when we first met
the mer-child...?"
"Don’t care."
"Ms. Pony, it’s tragic that some people were taken, but... that was their fate,
right? Should we press on? We have to find our item..."
"Right, right. But maybe they dropped some equipment when they were
taken, so I’ll just check real quick... Hahaha!"
"..."
They really never change...
’Telling those people that the ’mer-children’ were actual children...’
...wouldn’t make a dent. Rather, they’re the kind of people who’d just find
a way to exploit this situation. Having a familiar face among them was
useless.
No, to begin with, my current form couldn’t intervene directly anyway, so
knowing them only goes so far.
Hiding in the black shadow cast by a collapsed streetlamp, in my street-
animal guise, I watched the Daydream Inc. employees scouring the alley.
Then...
"Quiet."
Jin Nasol stopped and crouched low.
"Merfolk."
"..."
"A fledgling at that."
All three held their breath and pressed against the alley wall.
Kyararara...
A sound like a child’s laughter drifted through.
’Hah.’
My whole body froze, but I had to confirm.
Cautiously, I contracted my four legs and silently climbed onto the wall,
peeking over the alley’s edge.
And there, at last, I saw the ’mer-children’.
Kyarararara...
It was bizarre.
Small, humanoid bodies, emulating people, walking the broken avenues of
this infected city.
Some were unnervingly precise—mimicking human expressions with a grin
—but others had faces so swollen with ulcers they pulsed grotesquely.
Beneath each face, raw mucous throbbed, leaking air with each pulse,
making a sound eerily like a child’s laughter.
Clumps of pink ulceration, greenish flesh, and contaminated masses dripped
from their limbs like tails.
They wore discarded belongings and scraps of clothing, haphazardly
draped, as if desperately trying to mimic humans.
Even knowing they were innocent children...
"..."
My spine and whiskers bristled in a cold sweat.
My instincts screamed just one thing.
Run.
Upon encounter with infectious fluid:
Avoid detection and evacuate the area immediately, increasing distance as
much as possible. In the event of failure, no manual is available. Rescue
attempts for personnel who have failed to evade are not recommended.
The infected fluids marched down the avenue like a grotesque parade.
Everyone in the alley, Daydream employees and I, held our breath.
Then someone burst out of another alley.
A person, running straight into the infected mass.
"...!"
But they were already covered in the viscous infection, their joints engulfed
by ulcerous growths, forced along like a puppet.
It was hopeless.
The infected person was no longer of sound mind, but they could still
scream.
The infection hadn’t removed their mouth.
"Ahh!! Aaaah! AAAHHH!"
The infected fluids laughed as they surged forward.
Tentacle-like ulcer clusters lunged at the victim.
The growth on the victim’s belly split open, spewing blood, mucus, and
indescribable horrors.
"Ahh, haaah, huuuh..."
They were having their ’honey’ collected, over and over...
I huddled in place, enduring the spectacle.
Finally, the screams stopped.
"..."
The victim lay dead.
The infected fluids, bellies bulging with blood and mucous, resumed their
march.
Toward the mermaid statue.
A tumor of infection, a swarm of biohazard.
Kyarararara...
"..."
Only after the sound fully faded did the three employees move again.
"...If you get caught by that tail, it’s over instantly, right?"
"Yes."
That was why we had to run.
The tail of the infectious fluid secretes mucus that induces severe paralysis.
A single puncture is sufficient to cause immediate and permanent loss of
muscle function.
Anyone infected in that state was already as good as dead.
At this point you’d wonder how this ghost story ever earned a Grade C
rating.
’Because there’s a rock-solid way to clear it.’
And, like two sides of the same coin, the way to clear it actually lies with
those mutated creatures.
Thunk, tututung...
A strange sound echoed again on the boulevard.
But this time, it wasn’t the infected fluids.
It was full-grown, human-like forms.
Their size had grown so large that the fine details had all but blurred away.
These wobbling things had no faces left.
The ulcer-laced ’tails’ had transformed into vein-like cords, interconnecting
and stretching high above the avenue... directly linked to the central cluster.
They’d nearly shed any human appearance, looking more like bait the
cluster used to lure in prey.
...This must be the final mutated form of the infected fluid.
General infected entities appear to be fully absorbed into the central cluster
and function similarly to nerve endings.
They are considered extensions of the cluster rather than independent
organisms.
Assistant Manager Butterfly’s eyes brightened slightly.
"They’re out."
Therefore, if the encountered threat is identified as a general infected entity
rather than an infectious fluid—
"Shoot them."
Terminate the entity and collect evidence material.
The three employees stepped out, luring the creature into the open and
firing.
Ordinary infected bodies, once their tendril-cord is severed from the cluster,
wither and die almost instantly.
"..."
Upon presentation of the collected evidence, access to the remaining escape
vessel within the city will be granted, allowing for successful clearance of
the associated Darkness.
So... the children.
Once they’re fully infected, their bodies overrun by those ulcerous growths,
they lose their humanity and transform into those bio-horror lifeforms.
That’s why every time agents visit, the children vanish.
They die, become part of the grotesque cluster, and are absorbed...
’...Damn it.’
I clenched my forepaws against the urge to swear.
Even though I’d read about this in the <Dark Exploration Records>, the
visceral revulsion still made my fur stand on end.
"Evidence collected!"
"Shut up."
"Y-Yes, ma’am."
At last, the three employees succeeded in hunting down the ’merfolk’ and
retrieving a sensory organ from its tail as proof.
The sight—so reminiscent of the mer-children extracting blood and mucus
from victims—was strangely overlapping.
With that proof, they could now escape this place.
But instead of heading straight for the boat, they continued scouring
alleyways, pushing forward.
’...Because they have a second objective.’
Anyone familiar with Daydream Inc. employees would realize immediately.
’An item.’
That’s why this Darkness, despite being only C-grade, was still under the
Research Division instead of handed over to general teams.
They judged, ’Given its scale and clues, a greater secret must be hidden
here.’
They always recruited volunteers for these missions, and there was never a
lack for applicants.
’There’s a reason.’
Because the very ’clue’ they sought was an item found only here. A remnant
of a wondrous, lost civilization in this ruined city.
Namely...
’Angel’s Sigh.’
* * *
"Aargh, there is no ’sigh’ or anything here!"
"Quiet."
A Daydream Inc. employee, wearing a suit and a bizarre mask, grumbled in
a side alley.
They weren’t here just for points. They knew rumors of a hidden, ancient
technology beneath the ruined streets,
And this squad was composed of volunteers more interested in loot than
glory.
The Angel’s Sigh.
It was a conch-shaped artifact sometimes found inside or outside the city’s
ruined homes.
Its true power would be revealed when you press it to your ear.
A beautiful hum emanates from inside the shell, calming the mind, healing
wounds, and restoring vigor.
A healing item.
It was one of the few that Daydream Inc. would purchase, so employees
scour every ruin looking for it with bright, eager eyes.
But they had searched these streets dozens of times already. Finding it was
no easy task.
They would have to venture deeper into danger or uncover secret chambers
overlooked by all others.
And, just like now, many end up infected by the creatures before they find
it.
"Argh!"
’Idiot.’
Hearing a scream from the alley they’d passed, Baek Saheon allowed
himself a brief moment of satisfaction with the companions he’d chosen.
’Good thing I shoved them and came first.’
These people were crazy, but at least they weren’t short-sighted fools who’d
do something that dumb just for an item.
He discreetly touched the ’ticket’ to the escape launch he’d cut from a tail
and let one corner of his mouth twitch.
’All preparations for a clear are also done.’
Now he could go and look for items. If anything were to happen, he’d just
toss the others to the merfolk and...Wait a sec.
Just now.
Something went by?
’...Huh?’
Baek Saheon blinked.
He could have sworn something darted out of the street-lamp shadow and
slipped around the corner, right at the edge of his vision.
He checked his companions, but neither reacted.
’Did I imagine it?’
Baek Saheon had always trusted only his own senses, so he couldn’t accept
that.
Yet he had no wish to tell the A-squad assistant manager.
...More than anything, that woman was the least likely person to get lured
into taking action.
– Hey. If you’re going to talk about some new monster coming out of a
Darkness that’s only produced merfolk for seven whole years, at least try
and describe it properly.
– Get in my way again and I’m leaving you behind.
’And she actually would, that prick.’
Ah, fuck. No time to spare, not even for items.
Grinding his teeth, Baek Saheon kept his eyes on the corner of the alley.
Then, at that moment.
Swish.
A shadow flitted across the lamp.
It was the same black thing that he had seen earlier.
Triangular ears, sleek body, four legs.
...Huu, what the hell.
A familiar thing.
’It’s just a kitten.’
Baek Saheon let out a sigh of relief, laced with irritation. That was just one
of the common, cumbersome stray animals often seen on the roads.
That’s what he thought...
’...Huh?’
In that instant, a cold shiver ran down Baek Saheon’s back.
In the darkness where no life forms had ever been found aside from the
biohazard-merfolk...
There was no reason for a stray cat to be there.
"...!"
Baek Saheon’s mind went through many different calculations.
And quietly, so the other employees wouldn’t notice, Baek Saheon gently
lifted his eye patch... to check for danger using the violet inverse eye
hidden beneath it.
And then.
He saw danger.
"...!"
A terrible crimson halo surged beyond the corner of the alley.
Even in its shadow, it was visible. Rats, cockroaches, wings, teeth—a
writhing mass that resembled a swarm of all the vile, harmful vermin one
might encounter on the streets.
No.
It wasn’t a cat!
That wasn’t a four-legged animal. Something’s wrong! It’s the merfolk! No,
something even more dangerous than merfolk. That particular shape of the
halo... he had seen it somewhere before...
’...Kim Soleum?’
Baek Saheon suddenly lifted his head.
"What are you doing?"
"N-Nothing."
With a stiff neck, he looked again toward the corner of the alley...
The shadow was gone.
The crimson halo beyond the corner had vanished as if it had never been
there.
"..."
Feigning a search, he moved toward the corner with rigid steps.
His heart pounded.
And the moment he turned the corner, he saw it.
...On the ground, a phrase had been carved as if with sharp claws slicing
through the dust.
Prepare for death.
"...!!"
Phew.
’Atmosphere setup complete.’
With this, I’ve laid the groundwork to potentially guide the Daydream Inc.
employees, if needed.
I ran through the alley, holding back a sigh.
’As expected, Baek Saheon’s eye works well.’
The eye-shaped equipment I gave him is proving effective. Honestly, it
almost feels like a loss compared to the brainwashing fountain pen I
received in exchange.
’I never even used it because I was afraid people would suspect me of being
a spy...’
Now that the item has become valuable, I’m thinking all kinds of things.
In any case, I saw the situation firsthand with my own eyes. ...A living hell,
where children and adults slaughter each other in a place overrun with
infected entities.
Hell itself.
’...I feel like I’m going to throw up.’
The bigger problem is... it’s not enough.
Time, information, strength.
All of it.
’...How the hell am I supposed to save the kids in here?’
As the shock faded, reality set in.
There was no answer.
’If I tell the agents, they might seriously suggest it’s more humane to just
kill everyone...’
It already looked like I’d barely be able to protect myself.
Besides, once the sun would set today, I’d be leaving this supernatural
disaster with the agents.
I already knew.
Just because I had learned the horrific truth doesn’t mean I was responsible
for saving anyone. And honestly, it’s easier on my conscience to ignore it.
My own situation was dire enough.
Laying low and waiting out the day until extraction seemed like the best
plan.
But...
’...I have a bad feeling.’
I had already seen both sides of this.
Still, could I really escape safely using the Disaster Management Bureau’s
protocol, especially when I was being treated as a child...?
’...There’s a good chance I won’t make it.’
It seemed smarter to dig a little deeper and come up with countermeasures.
And if I could save even one more child in the process... all the better.
Besides, this ghost story was packed with meaningful details. If I were to
investigate further, I might stumble upon items or unexpected information
that could help me survive in the future.
’...Alright.’
Let’s do what we can.
At least until the promised afternoon rendezvous, Black Tortoise Team 1’s
agents wouldn’t come looking for me even if I didn’t show up.
It wouldn’t feel awkward either, since the children were scattered across
this wide area and we wouldn’t run into each other.
’A method... something usable...’
I began combing through my hazy memories of the <Dark Exploration
Records>, trying to recall any hints.
Even if it’s not directly about the Mermaid Grave, looking into similar
stories might remind me of a viable countermeasure...
Wait, hold on.
"...!"
Ah.
’That’s right.’
There was another exploration log that mentioned the Mermaid Grave...!
And that particular Darkness... was one that I had already experienced.
’...Alright.’
I’ll give it a try.
Once more, I began to move forward on all fours.
I ran.
Though danger lurked throughout the city ruined by infection from
monstrous creatures, it was somewhat easier thanks to the nimbleness of my
quadruped body.
’Being small makes it easier to dodge.’
My destination, as I avoided the mucus and ulcers, was clear.
’The western outskirts.’
Far from the infected cluster.
And among them, especially... was a place with fewer ulcer masses, which
felt relatively safe.
However, since it’s not in the residential area where items were located, no
Daydream Inc. employees ever came here.
Even the mer-children... weren’t here.
That’s why exploration in this area was slow.
’Somewhere around here... Right.’
Found it.
Amidst the half-collapsed and old buildings, I saw the door of a small brick
house, now a semi-basement due to ground collapse...
And if one were to look closely at the corner of that door, it’s possible to
make out its inscription.
Moonlight Tattoo Shop
"...!"
Written in a more ornate script than the one I’d seen before, delicately
carved into the edge of the door.
"..."
I found it.
The back door of Moonlight Tattoo Shop.
A connected door was discovered within Qterw-C-1642 (Mermaid Grave),
marked with a sign reading ’By appointment only’.
The door appears to be a sealed rear entrance rather than a main entry
point.
All attempts to open the door and gain entry have resulted in signal failure.
This was one of many sightings related to Moonlight Tattoo Shop.
However, in most of those sightings, the door remained closed, preventing
entry.
Daydream Inc. had no confirmed visit records, aside from the one time I
used the ’It Is Empty’ method.
Even now, the door’s small glass window—meant to allow visibility from
inside—was entirely covered with a note.
Currently accepting appointment-only clients.
That one.
’...I don’t have an appointment, but still.’
Knock, knock.
I politely knocked on the door with my front paw, then slid a prepared note
under it.
It had been difficult to write with a paw.
– Hello. I’m the person who received a tattoo cover-up last time. I’ve
come by with some related questions.
"..."
And then, a few seconds later.
I heard it.
Click.
The sound of the back door’s lock disengaging.
"...!!"
It worked.
I leapt up with my hind legs, grabbed the door handle, opened it, and
quickly slipped inside before the door could close.
Into the Moonlight Tattoo Shop.