Results of the Second Expedition into Se-gwang Special City.
“Rescue... successful.”
News came in from the Disaster Response Agency that Deputy Lee Seonghae had regained consciousness.
And the gimmick of “dying in the Se-gwang Special City subway means you wake up in reality” had worked without a hitch.
“Other than the fact that everyone’s head feels like shit from the gunshot, we’re relatively fine. The government man even woke up laughing.”
The group woke up in the real world in the order they had “won” and died in Russian Roulette.
“But once he figured out the situation, the laughter didn’t last.”
Everyone except me, that is.
Afterward, for the better part of an hour, I remained completely unconscious.
The others racked their brains, apparently to the point of nearly resorting to half-threatening Ho Yuwon.
“If you hadn’t woken up, we were this close to actually drawing up a plan to march straight into the Special City. Lucky you woke before that....”
...Hoo.
I looked again at myself—no longer human, clad in the black Security Team special uniform.
And then at the warm, soft indoor scenery flooded with bright sunlight, so utterly at odds with that image.
The Fox Counseling Room.
As promised, Ho Yuwon had “intercepted” the passage being transmitted to the Disaster Response Agency via the well, rerouting it elsewhere.
Inpatient
This is a rest space ^^
A freshly constructed hidden chamber, linked from a corner cabinet beside the waiting room—this was the place.
It resembled a kind of hospital room. From the beds, people were waking one by one, their names inscribed as though on medical charts.
Meanwhile, the agents, who had only just relaxed upon seeing me awake, were now speaking in stiff voices with Ho Yuwon about what had happened.
“How is this even possible?”
“At last, you deign to speak! Just before, it was nothing but threats—I was terrified, I tell you....”
Clearly, he had no intention of answering the Disaster Response agents. As expected.
At any rate, the important part was that when it came to the Se-gwang Special City expeditions, Ho Yuwon was obsessively committed to doing anything at all to support them.
...No matter what happened in the process.
In any case, the agents, once they confirmed I had calmed down, immediately sought to figure out what had transpired—
“What reckless stunt did you pull this time?”
Oh. That’s less a question than a certainty, my friend!
Ah, no.
I hurriedly explained the situation.
As I reenacted it with smoke and written notes, the agents looked like they wanted to smack me across the head if only I weren’t the horned gas-mask monster. But at the part where I said Ms. Ko Yeongeun had carried me away, their expressions steadily darkened.
It was empathy—from those who had already endured such devastating experiences.
“...You’re saying Agent Bakha helped you.”
Affirmative.
If not for Ms. Ko Yeongeun, the odds were near certain that I’d have been stripped of my body and forced to work as a dealer inside.
And then—
“Did you hear why Agent Bakha was even in that disaster?”
......
“Roe Deer? Why are you looking at me?”
Following my gaze, everyone’s eyes turned to Ho Yuwon.
Question: Criteria for Selecting Spy Personnel
“I don’t really see why I should tell you.”
Criteria for Selecting Spy Personnel
Hypothesis: Selection of individuals related to Se-gwang Special City
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
He even lowered his brows as though regretful.
“But how unfortunate.... That person seems to be outright trapped in Se-gwang Special City. Unable to escape even through death.”
......
“But don’t worry. While you proceed with my project, you’re welcome to help that person as well.”
Bastard.
Deputy Eunhaje asked leave of the others, then gathered only me and Manager Lee Jahaeon for a quieter talk.
“No matter how you look at it, this stinks of bait.... Feels like he’s drawn a whole grand design just to keep people tied to his project.”
With my smoke I conveyed, cold as ice—
Agreement.
I didn’t know how long ago or how exactly he’d drawn that design, but it was unthinkable that Ho Yuwon didn’t know Ms. Ko Yeongeun was from Se-gwang Special City.
A guy that obsessed with Se-gwang Special City—no way he didn’t know.
The first thing he said the moment I woke proved it:
Have you found a reason to go back in?
As if he already knew Ms. Ko Yeongeun was trapped inside that city.
Just like how he picked Jang Heowoon from Yuqwa Lab.
And... how he picked me.
I had an unshakable conviction that he hadn’t merely chosen personnel who would pass the Disaster Response Agency’s filters.
I heard Deputy Eunhaje sigh.
“No wonder the bastard gave such half-assed expedition objectives this time. Guess he planned to just shove us right back in.”
“Haje, I can hear you.”
“Yes, please do. I’m talking about my cat at home.”
He said it like he’d had it up to here with superiors and everything else.
And while it was refreshing to hear, my feelings were still tangled.
How much has he seen through?
Not that it would change my decision.
From the start, I’d resolved to continue expeditions into Se-gwang Special City to learn more about this ghost-story world and the circumstances of my summoning.
But still, the eerie unease and aftertaste clung stubbornly.
“Be on your guard.”
Agreement.
In this situation, at least one thing gave us relief.
We had achieved our objective.
“Deputy Lee Seonghae is coming.”
We had truly rescued Deputy Lee Seonghae. And to our shock, in perfect mental condition.
“Hello, Mr. Roe Deer!”
The very next day, Deputy Lee Seonghae appeared in the Fox Counseling Room, courtesy of Ho Yuwon.
He said he had been “examined” by the Disaster Response Agency and only released after thoroughly recounting everything—but amazingly, his gaze was the same as before.
Bright, green-shining eyes.
“Thank you all so much!”
And his speech had not changed, nor did he show signs of PTSD or torment.
At most, he occasionally slipped into dealer lingo or unconsciously revealed deep casino knowledge.
“Mm, I guess the contamination from the Body Casino couldn’t escape the blockade.”
“No, contamination aside, it’s hard to believe this is the same man who was disassembled into pieces.”
“Eh? The pain was just in the moment. Doesn’t hurt anymore, so what’s there to struggle with?”
He was even cheerful.
Thinking of how we had suffered for weeks after being caught by that snare at the first station, the contrast was uncanny.
Ah, like a wolf among sheep. A matter of innate difference, I’d say.
But there was something else, even stranger.
An undeniable aftereffect.
“But, these won’t move.”
His legs.
...The body parts Deputy Lee Seonghae failed to reclaim from the casino would not move at all.
Even here in the Fox Counseling Room, he had to use a wheelchair.
“Do you feel anything?”
“Faintly? But there’s weird phantom pain too. Really, the phrase ‘pawned off’ fits perfectly. Feels like my will doesn’t reach them.”
His legs looked perfectly fine, and tests would likely show nothing abnormal.
But the influence was stark.
“My swapped eye can barely see, too. Hm.”
If I hadn’t stolen those arms and pelvis from the rails...
The thought of what might have happened made me let out a breath of relief.
Except.
“...Podo.”
Agent Choi was looking at me.
“Agent Bakha carried you on her back, right? At a height of 150?”
Ah.
“Come to think of it, staying seated all this time must be stiffening you up. Why don’t you get up and walk a little, our Podo?”
......
Hoo.
Legs unusable
Reason: Claimed by casino
“...!”
Yes.
In truth, my legs weren’t working either.
That much was unavoidable.
But.
“Mr. Roe Deer, are you unable to move?”
Negation:
Movement possible
Not exactly.
“Show us.”
Like this.
Without moving my legs, I shifted into another chair.
“...!”
Black smoke swirled, dissolving me into another seat.
It was a monstrous sight, but I had freedom of movement of a sort.
Like a ghost, I appeared in different places, connecting myself with trails of smoke.
Tada.
Heh, once you got used to it, aside from the inhuman look, it wasn’t too ba—
......
...Wait.
Did I just use an onomatopoeia like “tada”?
...!
Even after seeing an acquaintance abandoned in a cataclysmic disaster, I’d done so—
—calmly?
A chill ran down my spine.
Again.
The sense of gravity and intense emotion from Se-gwang Special City fading.
The same symptom as when Deputy Lee Seonghae hadn’t woken.
I’d just been worrying about Ms. Ko Yeongeun’s situation.
...I’d have to consciously work to keep caring.
At least the memories didn’t vanish. I could still plan, still calculate.
Better to be cautious anyway.
So, I stopped my little demonstration and returned to the chair I had started from.
Deputy Lee Seonghae clapped at my “performance,” but his words weren’t over.
“But I should have said this first. I’m late.”
Looking around at us, he spoke.
“Truly, thank you. You saved me. Especially you, Mr. Roe Deer, losing even your legs....”
And he fixed us with a steady gaze.
“Yet none of you resent me. Hm.”
As though confirming.
“You really are... such kind people.”
Our eyes met.
“I’ll make sure not to forget, and repay you.”
“Aw, no need for that. But if you have to repay, how about resigning from that vile cult company?”
“Ah, that I can’t do.”
“Boo. What a shame.”
“Well, I wouldn’t turn down help if it comes my way. More than that....”
Deputy Eunhaje tapped at his missing part.
“Deputy Dolphin could use a piece of equipment like me, don’t you think?”
Specifically, something to replace his missing left hand.
Exactly.
Recommendation: Obtain auxiliary equipment
Usage period: Until body reclaimed from casino
In this world, there were many ways to compensate for lost body parts.
Like Baek Saheon’s left eye, sitting silent as he pondered what words were safest and most advantageous.
Truth be told, I needed it too.
When I go back into Se-gwang Special City, I’ll be legless.
And besides, there was a promise.
Us.
The reptilian alien group that Manager Lee Jahaeon belonged to had promised to bring me something that would let me take on human form.
But if things stayed this way, I wouldn’t even be able to walk in that form. Either way, I needed equipment.
“I suppose so, huh?”
Deputy Lee Seonghae smiled.
“We’ve got to rescue Ms. Sa-nyang too.”
...!
“Someone that kind has to be helped. And I owe a big debt too!”
Then, after some calculating thought, he added:
“I’ll have to return to the company and build some equipment.”
“If you’re making it....”
“Means going to the Annex.”
I dredged up an old memory.
The twilight-class Darknesses stored in the Annex, where Baekilmong employees could requisition gear.
YuQwa Lab’s Toy Maker / Qterw-E-07
Kind Seed Kit / Qterw-E-99
We Offer Sacrifice / Qterw-E-404
Of these, the one most used by the Field Expedition Team was the Kind Seed Kit, but this time... even at greater cost, the others would be more useful.
However—
“Unfortunately, the company no longer supports equipment production using the Annex Darknesses....”
“Then we’ll just do it in secret.”
For a moment, Ho Yuwon was struck speechless.
“What was the reason support for Annex equipment production was halted?”
“They say something happened in the Annex, but I didn’t look into °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° it.”
“I see. Please find out.”
“Kh—”
Behind him, I heard Agent Choi stifle a laugh. Sounded like Agent Cheongdong patted his back.
“...Then I’ll take that as your commitment to my project. In return, I’ll help you too. You need equipment, correct?”
“Yes. Will you grant special authorization, Director?”
“Hmm. Officially impossible, but....”
Ho Yuwon smiled faintly.
“Perhaps I can help you use it secretly?”
“...!”
“And for that....”
His gaze fell on me.
“Some internal cooperation may be required....”
Specifically, the Security Team uniform I was wearing.
“Like someone in security.”
And I already knew exactly whom he meant.
***
“Hoo.”
Park Minseong unzipped his uniform collar, ending another grueling day.
The workload had spiked ever since the recent incident in the Annex.
Ever since 130666 had been drafted into Director Ho’s personal business, the rest, left half-idle until then, had been kept constantly mobilized.
...Will it be alright?
He’d heard just one report, but accustomed to environments where people died or vanished overnight, his mind swayed between worst-case fears and best-case hopes.
The Guard Captain, J3, was still out filing reports, so Park Minseong sat expressionless on the Security Team’s battered lounge sofa.
The moment he closed his eyes in exhaustion—
“Minseong.”
...!
He turned reflexively.
“Deputy...!”
A familiar face stood behind him.
For a moment he thought it was another hallucination caused by Darkness, but the hand tousling his hair was solid.
“It’s been a while.”
And behind Eunhaje, two silhouettes.
“Roe Deer, Manager....”
An unexpected reunion.
Though the circumstances and appearances were utterly changed, that familiar lineup gave Park Minseong the strange feeling he’d returned to Field Expedition Team D, just for an instant....
Question: Well-being of Security Team assigned to 130666
“We’re doing fine....”
Park Minseong, a bit choked up, watched as his old Field Expedition Team D members came over to sit on the sofa beside him.
“Now then, we’ve got something urgent to tell you.”
Deputy Eunhaje slung an arm around his shoulder. Just like back then.
He used to say things like that a lot at work....
A little sentimental, Park Minseong found himself smiling the widest he had in days as he looked at them.
“Yes, what....”
“We’re going to steal something from the company.”
...Excuse me?