GSGW c223

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Chapter 223

The sound of a bell.

Ding.

That clear sound is proof of a presence.

Evidence of some sacred force that repels the impure.

Ding.

The next thing heard is footsteps.

Fast, unhesitating steps—moving straight toward their destination at a brisk pace.

Lively, yet not frivolous.

Those footsteps grow closer and closer to the officetel, until they stop briefly at the open doorway, casting a shadow.

And then…

“Let’s see… the civilian who arrived first is— no.”

An agent from the Disaster Management Bureau appears.

A long scar running across his neck.

A smile.

Black Tortoise Team 1

Someone who was once my superior.

“There’s a cult company here.”

Agent Choi.

Though the mouth speaking is smiling, the eyes scanning the situation contain not a trace of amusement.

Agent Choi sweeps his sunken gaze across the blood-soaked living room and the corpse that tore out its own eyes before dying.

Then he says:

“This isn’t a coincidence, is it?”

“...!"

Ding.

Agent Choi’s hand is hidden behind his back. But I know what is there.

A massive execution blade.

A hallucination rises, as if a blue light is flowing along its edge.

Agent Choi moves his arm…

“Well then…”

“We surrender!”

Kang Yihak throws both hands up and drops to her knees on the floor with a loud thump.

“ ..?! "

[Oh my, it seems kneecaps are sold cheaply these days!]

But Agent Choi doesn’t blink.

“Really? That makes things easier.”

“Wait! Wait!”

Kang Yihak desperately blocks the incoming strike of the execution blade and starts talking even faster.

“Ahh, Agent, you remember me, right? We met at that Darkness that gave out those expensive conch shells!”

“Of course I remember.”

Agent Choi smiles faintly.

“You’re the employee from that cult company who tried to escape using injured kids as hostages.”

“That wasn’t me! That was Assistant Manager Nabi acting on her own!”

The guard team leader watches the exchange with blank confusion.

“As it happens, we just came to see if there were any useful Darknesses here, but no matter how you look at it, this was way above our pay grade, so we were just about to leave!”

“Oh~? So you have absolutely nothing to do with this situation?”

“Is that really the important part? What’s important is this.”

Kang Yihak quickly turns her head and solemnly asks the guard team leader:

“Is Director Cheong still there?”

“She… already hung up.”

“Okay.”

Kang Yihak beams and turns back to Agent Choi.

“It means you can purchase the Darkness-related information we discovered at the lowest price!”

She presses her thumb and index finger together into a circle, leaving a short but striking impression.

[Good heavens.]

/tn. me too braun, me too lmao

“Lowest price? Come on. A proper public servant pays the proper price for goods, citizen. As for the price…”

Agent Choi laughs and pulls his hand out from behind his back.

One step forward.

“I’ll make sure you get good prison meals.”

The execution blade swings down.

Thud.

But the shape of a beast’s black forepaw blocks it.

“...!”

The guard team leader’s mutated left arm.

Yet between those huge, vicious claws, the execution blade has already dug in deep enough that it nearly severs the limb.

Hiss.

The surfaces touching each other begin to burn.

Even looking at that dangling forepaw makes it seem like the pain must be unbearable—yet the guard team leader doesn’t move an inch.

He simply stares at Agent Choi across the blade.

“Look… we’re just going to leave… We won’t do anything stupid… just let us go… we’ll cooperate…”

“Hey now, how are you supposed to cooperate if I let you go—”

Agent Choi stops mid-sentence while answering with a smile.

His eyes look at the guard team leader again.

His expression changes.

“…You.”

Because of the Security Team’s daytime uniform, which hides both silhouette and features, he hadn’t recognized him before. But the mutation reveals it now.

…the guard team leader I met in the dream cultivation room that night when Director Ho placed the restrictions.

The same one who was there when Agent Choi exposed me as a spy.

“......"

For a moment, an immense wave of conflict and impulse surges across Agent Choi’s face.

But in the next instant, it disappears as if forcibly suppressed.

His priorities return, and the dry, businesslike ease returns to his voice.

“…Even the Security Team is here? Wow. This must be something serious. I’ll need everyone’s statements. As quickly as possible.”

“You’re mistaken. We’re just here trying to make a little extra profit, so if you can guarantee that part—”

“We’ll just tell you everything.”

“...!"

Lee Seonghae raises her right hand and steps forward.

"A-Assistant Manager?!"

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Without even looking at Kang Yihak, Lee Seonghae says brightly:

“We should help agents who work to rescue civilians.”

"......"

“So could you maybe put the execution blade away? The Security Team employee looks like he’s in a lot of pain!”

Agent Choi studies Lee Seonghae’s face for a moment, as if measuring her. Soon, he retrieves the blade and smiles out of habit.

“Then let’s do that.”

And he quickly listens to Lee Seonghae’s briefing.

Lee Seonghae faithfully reports the actions of the 'Man in the Screen', and even the crisis that seems certain to spiral out of control.

For a moment, it seems like she might even say that the USB is in her possession. But after glancing between the guard team leader and the carrier holding me, she decides not to mention it.

Perhaps she thinks it would harm us.

“Okay.”

…During all of this, the blade’s edge remains right in front of the bars of the carrier.

I hold my breath.

So that no smoke escapes.

…So the other side learns nothing.

Agent Choi listens as if committing every word of Lee Seonghae’s testimony to memory, never relaxing his tension.

Only at the very end does he finally withdraw the blade.

“Oh dear, thank you for the cooperation.”

“Not at all! Helping good people is a good thing!”

“Wow, really? That’s my everyday life too. I’m achieving real self-fulfillment through my job—helping good citizens. But…”

Agent Choi looks at the golden emblem on Lee Seonghae’s mask.

Elite Team. Assistant Manager Dolphin.

“Then why are you working at Daydream Inc.?”

“......"

“You already know that the things that company does get a lot of good people killed, don’t you?”

Lee Songhae smiles faintly.

“First, I’m making sure they can’t do anything bad right in front of me!”

“Really? Why not just quit?”

"......"

Lee Songhae doesn’t answer. And Agent Choi ends the conversation there as well.

[Oh, it seems we’ll be leaving soon.]

That’s right.

This incident happened simultaneously to several broadcast editors. The agents must have moved together and then split up to cover their assigned locations.

And since everything that could be learned here has already been learned, the cleanup—like dealing with the corpse—will likely be left to the Site Cleanup Unit. Agent Choi will probably go help the other Black Tortoise teams…

I know.

After all, I used to do the same thing.

[…My friend, it seems your mood has worsened. Oh dear, are you alright?]

I’m fine.

Or rather… it’s not exactly that I’m fine. It’s just that my dull brain can’t reach any proper conclusions anyway.

I’m not even sure what I’m feeling.

I simply watch, through the bars of the carrier, as the familiar figure turns to leave the officetel—

“You there.”

Just as he grabs the door, Agent Choi suddenly turns back, as if unable to resist, and steps closer to whisper quietly.

To the guard team leader.

“You know me, right?”

“......”

“And you know the employee who uses the nickname Roe Deer, too.”

The guard team leader meets Agent Choi’s gaze.

“What happened to him? Don’t bother saying he was declared dead after disappearing during the train creepypasta—that part’s meaningless. I’m asking what happened after that.”

"...…..”

“…Did he really win the Wish Ticket?”

The guard team leader answers slowly.

"He… won the Wish Ticket."

“……"

The expression disappears from Agent Choi’s face.

“And then?”

"......”

“And what happened after that?”

The guard team leader gently taps my carrier and turns his head this way—

“Not allowed.”

The execution blade strikes the bars.

“Use of supernatural disasters is prohibited.”

A familiar light flashes beyond the bars.

“Come on, sir. If you show up at a scene with a suspicious carrier like that, anyone would think it’s for transporting supernatural disasters.”

"......"

“Shall we split it open and check? See what it’s for?”

“It’s… not like that.”

“Then please answer the question.”

"....."

The guard team leader doesn’t respond.

Because he hasn’t confirmed my intentions.

And after several seconds of silence, Agent Choi—who still has to deal with a supernatural disaster and rescue civilians—begins to show impatience… then seems to give up.

On getting the answer here and now.

“Fine. Well… maybe you just don’t feel like talking. Personal freedom and all.”

Instead, he chooses another approach.

“But sometimes, after relaxing over a hot bowl of seolleongtang, people suddenly feel like talking.”

/tn. seolleongtang is a traditional Korean soup made by boiling ox leg bones, marrow, and brisket for many hours according to google

The moment Agent Choi slips a hand into his coat with a grin, I realize—

“And anyway, the whole situation feels suspicious.”

“......!”

“Employees from Daydream Inc. just happened to hear a rumor and came here to hunt a Darkness… And the report timing just happens to match perfectly. Quite a coincidence, isn’t it?”

An instinct so accurate it sends chills down the spine.

“Witness statements from people found at disaster scenes often reveal more details after they’ve had some time to think.”

And from his coat emerges…

A glass prison transport device.

“The Bureau will provide a place for you to rest while you wait.”

The agent has decided to transport the Daydream Inc. employees together as well.

'…No.'

I have to return with the USB after finishing the task.

I release the smoke.

Just as I’m about to slip out of the carrier—

“Stop.”

A cold voice echoes through the officetel.

A new person, who had entered the doorway unnoticed, grabs Agent Choi’s arm.

“Cool yourself.”

“...!"

A tall woman carrying the Four Tiger Slaying Sword.

Team Leader Haegum of Black Tortoise Team 3.

The agent we encountered at the Cheerful Theme Park is standing there.

[Ah, I see. The employee who helped manage your resort.]

That’s right.

“When dealing with cult companies, that’s the team leader’s job if the team leader is present. As for you, young agent, you should go check the broadcasting station instead.”

"......"

“Must be because you’re still young—too much hot blood—always trying to use shortcuts.”

“Come on, noona. I’m practically still in my prime.”

Agent Choi smiles faintly, but there’s a hint of urgency in his voice.

“But I still have something to say—”

“I told you to go, Agent.”

" ..... ”

“I’ve already secured everyone from the incident. Now someone needs to go persuade the station director. You’re the right person for that.”

Agent Choi stands there for a moment as if rooted to the spot, but eventually turns and walks away.

The sound of his footsteps running out the door gradually fades.

……

“Phew.”

Team Leader Haegum straightens up and looks over the two masked figures.

“Well then. If the two Field Exploration Team members have nothing more to say, how about heading back.”

“...!"

“Yes, thank you!”

“Wait a moment. Can the Security Team employee leave too?”

“Oh, I have something to discuss with this one. Don’t worry—I’m not throwing him in jail.”

“Oh, then we’ll wait—”

“Yep. Thank you!”

Kang Yihak hurries out immediately. After hesitating for a moment, Lee Songhae follows her. And just like that, the two Field Exploration Team members leave the officetel.

Agent Haegum watches the departing Daydream employees with a somewhat bitter expression before approaching the guard team leader.

Then…

Her gaze lowers.

Toward me.

“Golden Mascot.”

…!!

“Or should I call you the Resort Owner?”

Agent Haegum smiles bitterly.

“Why look so surprised? You even hired employees for the resort.”

Ah.

“Actions that change someone’s existence that much always leave scars. For example… recognizing a former employer.”

But despite calling it a scar, the agent’s expression isn’t unpleasant.

Instead, she bends down toward the carrier and says:

“And I should thank you.”

…Thank me?

“Thank you for safely sending home the civilians who got caught up in the resort.”

……

“Even if they didn’t have coins to pay, you still hired the adults and gave the children experience passes so they could stay the night.”

[Good heavens. My friend, are you running a business that digs its own grave?]

“If it had been during the Red Zone period, it definitely would have been classified as a supernatural disaster waveform anomaly. Thanks to you, it’s currently registered as a phenomenon instead.”

In the midst of a strange, inexplicable shock, I look at Agent Haegum.

Yes.

That was… definitely a decision I made in the past.

And I was still the owner of that resort.

Even after everything that had happened, that fact had not changed.

“So about that…”

……

“No matter how I think about it, the Resort Owner doesn’t seem like someone whose disposition fits well with Daydream Inc.”

Ah.

“Were you bound by a contract?”

…!

“It seems Daydream Inc. finally managed it—how to manipulate supernatural phenomena.”

……

“Beings that are originally pure are often easily deceived by such vile promises. Because they do not understand human malice very well.”

No.

“Hmm… so it’s not quite that? But… your aura has changed.”

Agent Haegum taps the carrier. When the guard team leader tries to stop her, she raises both hands slightly in reassurance and continues speaking.

“You seem very tired.”

……

“You’re not like the lively figure I saw at the resort before. Something about you is… muddied. It reminds me of that so-called Magic Bunny—the true form inside that red mascot.”

…I recall it.

The grotesque shape of the red mascot that had melted away after being consumed by the mask, losing its original form.

And the Blue Mascot who never wanted anyone to see what it looked like without the mask.

“Do you want to run away? Before you lose more?”

……

Impossible.

“Hmm… I see.”

Agent Haegum presses the fingers of one hand against her slightly furrowed brow, as if troubled, and thinks for a moment.

“Then what is it that you want most right now?”

……

I want to have something resembling a human form.

That would have been the correct answer.

After all, that was my intermediate goal.

But… without realizing it, I was already moving the smoke.

To reclaim myself.

/tn. why am I actually crying. Wait, no I'm not, it's just because someone's cutting onions. Some really potent onions

A vague answer, one that does not suit practical interests.

I have not lost myself. This was my true form all along. I merely realized the truth.

Just as I think I should cancel the words—

“Phew.”

Surprisingly, Agent Haegum begins rummaging through her pocket.

“Team Leader Hong compares it to a lantern… but for someone like you, wrapped in thick black fog, what I used before would be better.”

Then she holds something out in front of the carrier.

A small object.

A round thing made of jade and silver.

“Even if you cannot see, you should still be able to hear the sound.”

A bell.

“When you lose yourself. When you cannot see even an inch ahead. When the world grows clouded by confusion and affliction.”

“Listen to the sound… and follow it.”

Ding.

“Then you will remember what kind of person you originally were.”

A clear, refreshing tone rings out from the bell.

Team Leader Haegum gives it to me.

“It will help.”

……

From the smoke, I form a hand and take the bell.

***

At the same time.

Outside the officetel, in an alley in Seoul.

“Phew.”

Kang Yihak walks forward with a sigh.

'Didn’t make a single won here.'

It was truly regrettable! No matter how she thought about it, this had been a situation where she could at least grab an item.

She clicks her tongue slightly while glancing at Lee Songhae, who is walking a bit behind her.

'She doesn’t place bets, huh.'

What a shame. Next time she definitely needs to figure out how this superior works so she can generate some extra income!

Of course, if she had to work with someone from the Elite Team, she would have preferred a different superior anyway.

'Assistant Manager Jin Naso spends money way more boldly!'

Though if she could choose that freely, it wouldn’t really be a company.

'Still, I broke even.'

Let’s keep improving. Kang Yihak shrugs inwardly, then cheerfully speaks to Lee Songhae.

“Assistant Manager, does the company reimburse taxi fare for the trip back to headquarters too—”

Lee Songhae stops walking.

……?

“Just as I thought.”

At that moment—

Kang Yihak sees someone walking out from the far end of the alley. A sharp premonition stabs through the back of her neck.

'Shit. We're screwed.'

“You came this way.”

Another agent.

Someone who had finished their own rescue work and was supposed to return to the Bureau instead of going to the broadcasting station.

An agent whom Agent Choi had called while running toward the station.

Bronze.

“I will inform you. Individuals who have experienced a supernatural disaster will undergo isolation by the Disaster Management Bureau for questioning and protection—ranging from a minimum of half a day to a maximum of indefinite detention.”

Kang Yihak immediately turns to run. She even decides to use an item.

But then she sees—

Lee Songhae behind her suddenly raising a hand urgently.

'...!'

It looks like she is about to use some kind of equipment or ability. Instinctively, Kang Yihak hesitates for a split second.

……..

'Ah.'

Lee Songhae, standing behind her—

smiles, and gently waves the raised hand toward Kang Yihak.

A farewell.

“I’ll transfer you now.”

Just before everything goes dark, Kang Yihak sees a massive glass barrier closing over her.

 

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