GSGW c246

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Chapter 246

“To summarize, it’s like this.”

Assistant Manager Lee Songhae, with her clear, sharp eyes, laid out our options.

Option one:

“Find a way to reach the upper stair hall and clear the ‘Forest of Final Moments' to see if return is possible!”

And option two:

“Follow the tracks, find the train, and go to another station! We saw people on the train!”

…Well, that was something.

“Neither option is easy…”

I agreed.

Watching the experienced ones sigh, I felt the same sense of helplessness—but also gratitude.

‘If someone here were encountering a ghost story for the first time, someone would’ve already lost it and run after the train by now…’

Without any trolling or fights, there was at least some peace of mind.

“Anyone have a cigarette?”

“Oh, I quit recently. But even if I had one, it’s probably better not to smoke given the situation.”

Agent Bronze, who had been silently observing the two smokers, spoke.

“You’d be better off eating.”

“Ah.”

And so, a light meal began.

“I brought a few things like this.”

“Oh? You’re prepared!”

“Well, what else would public servants do?”

Because our line of work frequently demanded emergency rations, most of the group had some preserved food.

I remembered doing the same myself—I had once stocked up on instant meals at Looky Mart, stuffing them into my bag as I entered…

“Oh, puffed rice snacks.”

“Easy to store without smell. Hahaha! Bronze doesn’t like them, though.”

I had none of my own.

Naturally.

Up until now, I hadn’t needed to eat.

So, I was given portions without question.

‘…A little disappointing, I guess.’

A body that didn’t need food could still wish for a little more.

“Roe Deer!”

“...!"

When I turned, Assistant Manager Lee Songhae was smiling brightly, holding something out to me.

A small, individually wrapped snack.

“Here, try this. It’s my favorite treat!”

“Well, shouldn’t Dolphin try it—”

“I want to see your reaction!”

"......"

I ended up taking it with a wry smile.

“Yes.”

Putting it in my mouth, I realized it was the first time I had eaten anything like this in six months.

"......"

Sweet, nutty.

Texture.

‘Ah.’

This was the real taste.

“Is it good?”

“Very good. Thank you.”

The biscuits and chocolate bars the others had brought were shared with me, too.

And with them came their cheerful chatter.

“Grapes, when we get out, we have to eat something hearty. Let’s go back to that beef tripe stew place.”

But if I left here…

I couldn’t.

……

“Yes, thank you.”

My mind couldn’t wander that way now.

‘Focus entirely on escape.’

I resolved to make the meal count.

Surprisingly, the calories helped my mind start turning again.

I realized I had been moving in extreme tension and emptiness all this time.

My head felt clear for the first time in a while, though I hadn’t noticed before—my condition hadn’t been great.

‘Had I been running on empty fumes?’

The sugar in my system quickly prompted me to check something further.

The tattoos.

Were they working properly?

'I didn’t even think of it earlier, even though I had just flashed them openly.'

If the lodge keeper’s tattoo functioned, we might be able to evacuate everyone to the resort in a pinch.

I glanced under my sleeves and the collar of my dress shirt, checking the tattoos.

'…They’re there.'

Everything was in place, at least for the lodge keeper.

Once I confirmed that…

……

'Doesn’t seem like it’ll work.'

To be precise, the inventory-like function still existed, but the connection to the resort was uncertain.

I could sense for sure that no other living beings here could be sent to the resort via the tattoo.

'Hmm.'

I felt a faint disappointment that the easiest escape method had vanished and let it go. 

But…

[Oh, is there another way left?]

Yes.

'I… honestly doubt it will work, but at least it exists.'

For now, at least I had confirmed it existed. Trying wouldn’t be so bad.

I traced under my tongue once more, then looked around at my companions, still in the middle of their meal, and spoke.

“About the first option that Ms. Dolphin suggested earlier.”

“Ah. Clearing the Forest of Final Moments?”

“Yes.”

That one.

“If we have the right supplies, even without a manual, there are experienced people, so we might have a few ways to try it.”

“…That’s true, but.”

“Why, did something occur to your head, Agent Grapes?”

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“There’s a method you could try that could get us the items we need.”

“Oh.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But… this attempt also requires preparation.”

“What kind?”

I avoided their gaze.

“Money… Does anyone have some to spare?”

"......"

“Cash is fine. Around… five thousand.”

"......"

"......"

“Is this… a scam…?”

“Ah.”

I nearly cried from embarrassment.

***

Fortunately, despite my past deeds—spying, disappearing, switching identities—my companions trusted me enough.

So, I finally attempted it. Right here and now…

'Space Shopping Mall.'

Using the VIP cells implanted under my tongue for personal shopping.

"......"

The sensation was familiar.

I remembered recognizing and pressing the cell, but everything after that was hazy, as if I had dozed off…

“Customer.”

I looked up.

Next to the deserted subway platform where my companions had disappeared, a sharply dressed figure stood beside me.

And it was turning its lizard head toward me.

“Would you like to begin personal shopping?”

Perfect.

“Yes.”

'I thought it probably wouldn’t work since it’s external.'

Since it involved implantation into the body, I thought there might be a chance, so I’m glad I tried it.

I clenched a small fist in satisfaction and met the lizard’s eyes.

Hmm.

'This time it’s dark brown.'

Beneath the vertical pupils that gave a sulky impression, its mouth opened.

“For smooth shopping, I recommend proceeding in a setting with a table.”

“……Yes.”

That made sense given the environment.

“Um, how exactly are we connected? Nothing external, like items or equipment, works here.”

“Do you mean this is a space where external unreal influences are blocked?”

“Exactly.”

“Because the Space Shopping Mall is a real store of ours, not an unreal or fantasy space.”

Hmm. So…

'Aliens… are classified as real entities…?'

Come to think of it, Section Chief Lee Jaheon had been extracting dream essence without issue. That meant they were recognized as human.

'…Hmm.'

Extremely advanced science indistinguishable from magic… something like that?

Curiosity sparked, but now was not the time to investigate. I nodded.

“Thank you for the explanation.”

“Yes, customer.”

And then… it became a bit awkward.

I spoke very cautiously.

As soon as I realized the Space Shopping Mall existed, a memory hit me like lightning.

Debt!!

“I have an item stored at the Space Shopping Mall.”

A fragment of the Sacred Law Scripture from the Church of the Luminous Unknown.

Because the Mimicry Sect’s scripture had a harmful effect on me, I had paid storage fees to keep it at the Space Shopping Mall.

…Almost nine million won per month.

“The storage fee… was charged every month, right?”

“Yes.”

“If it’s late, does interest accrue too?”

“Yes.”

Ha.

Ha……

'The principal alone has already passed fifty million…'

I was just amazed the alien lizards hadn’t stormed the Daydream Inc. isolation chamber.

Do alien lizards even follow legal interest rates?

'Please, let it not exceed one hundred million.'

I looked up at the lizard, sweat chilling me, and spoke desperately.

Willing to even kneel if necessary!

“Could I get a short extension? I need the item first to get the money and leave…”

“You have no record of delinquency.”

" ...?! "

W-wait.

“How…? Did someone pay it for me?”

“Yes.”

What?!

“Who?”

And the answer surprised me completely.

“One of us.”

No way.

“……Could you be more specific?”

“Yes. It refers to the entity Lee Jaheon, currently a Section Chief at Daydream Inc.”

"......"

“That entity has been paying your storage fees on your behalf.”

I stared at the lizard as if I’d been hit in the back of the head.

'…Why?'

Was that even allowed? No, it didn’t need to happen.

'Wait.'

…Did he calculate the value of the items I left behind and paid accordingly?

Really?

'…Section Chief!'

Respect for that reliable reptile surged deep in my heart.

Thank you. Truly, thank you…!

“Um, how is Section Chief Lee Jaheon doing?”

“That entity is currently at a boarding school.”

"......"

Suddenly?

'Boarding school? Suddenly?'

The lizard Section Chief can’t be in their twenties, at least. Though they appear as a lizard, a Section Chief isn’t that young. Why…?

……

…!!

—Ah! If it’s Section Chief Lee Jaheon, I think they went on a long-term darkness exploration recently. Was it… a ghost story about a boarding school?

The answer flashed in my mind.

News about Section Chief Lee Jaheon’s current status.

When was that?

'When I was working at the annex.'

Someone who should have appeared earlier is still in darkness.

“Is it dangerous?”

“I cannot say.”

…Then.

“Was it voluntary?”

“No, not our decision.”

"......"

That doesn't feel good

“…Thank you for telling me.”

Those aliens identify as a single ‘we.’ If Section Chief Lee Jaheon were in danger, would they really value and protect just one entity, one part of a mind?

'I need to find Section Chief Lee Jaheon as soon as I leave here.'

I felt anxious.

I needed to quickly find a way to return from Segwang Special City.

Anyway, since there was a ‘well-like’ passage, the idea that I could return by clearing the ghost story was worth trying.

'My condition… somehow, I’ll be able to find a way to handle it.'

The bell had worked, after all.

For now, I chose to believe that.

'Let’s get the supplies needed to clear this.'

“Then please tell me the item you wish to purchase.”

“Yes.”

First of all, top priority.

Something that could be used regardless of the situation.

“Is it possible to purchase the ‘We Help!’ item?”

The option where the alien lizard directly helps you.

It was, no less, the item that had let me escape Braun’s Late-Night Talk Show.

However.

“Is the reason for purchase the intention to escape from your current coordinates to a safe location?”

“That’s correct.”

“I do not recommend it.”

“...!"

“There is a recorded case where the escape was unsuccessful.”

An answer far more conscientious than I expected came back.

It certainly felt like a company that sold items already tested and verified. Though the price was absurdly high.

But still.

'If there’s a record… that means someone in this Segwang Special City tried using ‘We Help!’ to escape and failed.'

A chilling premonition.

It seemed that outside Segwang Special City, something truly unprecedented was unfolding.

'Damn it.'

I swallowed the sound in my throat and nodded.

“I understand.”

Then next.

“…I need an object imbued with a sacred aura.”

The dark brown lizard looked at me.

“It must not be something drawn from outside, but something that in itself already possesses a divine and benevolent energy. Something I can use even from my current location.”

My explanation was not finished.

“And it should have a form that can be carried, and a size appropriate for one person to move with.”

I see.

“Is there such a thing?”

“Yes.”

…!

“With the authority of a personal shopper, I will recommend a suitable item.”

…And from several candidates, I finally selected the item most suitable for what our group was about to attempt.

'This will do.'

Hope brushed through my mind.

But there was one problem.

The price!

“It is ninety-four million nine hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine won.”

/tn. approximately $63k usd or €55k euros

"......"

'Just say ninety-five million won…'

It was practically one hundred million.

—There is a bundle of fifty-thousand-won bills, though. But it’s project funds anyway, not exactly my money.

—Does card work?

—Ah, this is pure gold with jewels, right? It’s jewelry from the Baridegi Workshop…

—Agent, isn’t that a rental item?!

After going through all that. The total we managed to scrape together came to a little over sixty million at purchase value.

Even that would have been impossible for an ordinary office worker to gather.

'Hoo…'

“If I give you an account number, could you withdraw it from there?”

“Is it your personal account, customer?”

“……”

No.

It was Assistant Manager Lee Songhae’s account….

'Wow, what do I do about this.'

There was no helping it. Just as I was about to shamelessly try suggesting something like installments again, somehow making it sound plausible—

[Well now, it seems my friend has fallen into trouble.]

'...!'

In the darkness where the platform lights did not reach.

Before I knew it, a gloved hand appeared within the glow of the lights.

That hand quietly dragged a single dark bronze chair with a classic shape out from somewhere in the shadows of the platform, and the owner of the hand gracefully seated himself upon it.

The silhouette of someone dressed in a splendid suit.

His head was hidden by shadow, yet I knew what was attached there….

The voice that kept following me like a piece of myself.

“…Braun?”

[Are you short on money for your shopping, my friend?]

[If that is the case, allow me to propose something quite extraordinary…. How about taking an advance from this Braun?]

"...!!"

 

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