GDCG c291

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Chapter 291

Catastrophe-Level supernatural disaster. 

Segwang Special City. 

And the seal that erased it from reality. 

Agent Haegum listened to our explanation rather calmly. 

Because of the nature of 'Director Ho’s project,' I had deeply considered whether we should really tell a Bureau agent the truth. But in the end, I decided it was better this way. 

‘Better to build trust than get caught lying.’ 

Trying to vaguely gloss things over in front of a veteran team leader-level agent who had already grasped the rough outline of the Segwang Technical High School incident would probably only lead things in a worse direction. And besides…. 

‘If things go wrong, we might even be able to get help.’ 

After hearing the entire story, Agent Haegum twitched her brows before sighing. 

“I see.”

"......."

“The Bureau… made an enormous decision.” 

“Big Sis, are you going to report this higher up…?” 

“I’m not. At least not for now.” 

Agent Haegum’s expression became complicated, but she answered firmly. 

“To begin with, it’s probably better not to let too many people know anything more about that ‘Special City.’ If cognitive erasure is real….” 

"......."

“…Agent?” 

“No.” 

Agent Haegum cut herself off. 

“For now, just understand that much. …And contact me when you explore that Special City.” 

"..…!!"

“If something happens, it’s better to have at least one place you can ask for help. You reckless idiots.” 

“Gah, Big Sis!” 

“You’ve become seniors, and now you’re running around causing trouble with only the younger ones. Idiot.” 

After smacking Agent Choi on the head, Agent Haegum turned toward Agent Bronze, whose eyes had hardened as though bracing himself, and gently patted him. 

“You’ve worked hard.” 

“...?!”

And finally… she looked toward me. 

“Agent Grapes.” 

…….

“Are you… trying to become human? Or were you human from the start?” 

Multiple correct answers 

At the very least, I hoped so. 

“…Really?” 

Agent Haegum grinned. 

“If you’ve got reason, can communicate, and feel compassion, then you’re basically no different from a person.” 

…….

“More importantly, you used this thing.” 

Agent Haegum tapped the sword hanging at her waist. 

Now that I had used it once and met it again, the Four Tiger Sword no longer looked like an ordinary long silver blade. 

It felt as though the enormous, incomprehensible power of destruction had engraved itself into my mind. Though I could not confidently say where my brain even was anymore. 

Come to think of it…. 

Question: Condition of the hand lost at Segwang High 

“Well, the dokkaebi fire is putting in a little extra work.” 

Apparently, the dokkaebi fire was now replacing one of Agent Haegum’s moving hands. 

Just as it once had for me. 

“Anyway, that’s enough for now. I’ve got a lot to do.” 

Only then did the incredibly busy Agent Haegum rise from her seat. 

“Call me if you need anything.” 

With that, she left behind her contact information and departed. 

‘…It feels like a new party member just got unlocked.’ 

Most likely, Agent Haegum would end up joining the exploration of Segwang Special City. 

Even though this was hardly the time, I calmed the slight excitement beating in my chest. 

And after returning to the Fox Counseling Room, I met one of our original exploration team members. 

“Mr. Roe Deer.” 

Section Chief Lizard had arrived and was waiting. 

Since he had accompanied us during the Segwang High conclusion and physically contributed a great deal, I assumed he had come to discuss the results. 

Purpose of Section Chief Lizard’s visit (Deduction):

Sharing exploration results 

“That is incorrect.” 

Huh? 

The reptilian alien with the white lizard head curved his snout slightly upward. 

“Our repayment has arrived.” 

‘Our repayment’ meant…. 

…!!

—I… wish to regain a human body. 

—It is possible. 

That was it. 

My human form. 

***

A little later, following the ominous explanation that I 'could potentially be affected,' I left the Fox Counseling Room and came to Section Chief Lee Jaheon’s residence. 

Then Section Chief Lee Jaheon placed an 'item' atop the dining table. 

“This is the item requested as repayment.” 

It was a packaged square box. 

◎Egg Mood Lamp◎ 

That was the name printed on it, while the image on the front showed a cute beige egg-shaped mood lamp. 

It looked like the kind of affordable decorative lamp people casually gifted one another through KakaoTalk birthday gift pages.

The sort made from soft material in the shape of cute characters or objects. 

But if this was the repayment, then naturally it was not an ordinary item. 

An 'Item.'

A supernatural phenomenon classified as a ghost story, one that would return a human form to me. 

And since it originated from the Space Shopping Mall, it was guaranteed not to be lethally dangerous. 

130666’s Condition: Gratitude 

“Yes.” 

Question: How to use it

“You may learn through the included instruction manual. Would you prefer a verbal explanation instead?” 

Postpone for now

“Yes.”  

I immediately opened the box and picked up the instruction booklet lying on top. 

Thank you for purchasing the Sunlight Editing Shop’s Egg (繼卵) Mood Lamp Series! 

This series is a mysterious product that allows you to witness the growth and birth of life from within the egg through the soft glow and shadows of the mood lamp, and the resulting lifeform may also be used independently after birth. 

Directly use the nerves and muscles of the observed lifeform! And enjoy wonderful special effects too! 

※Warning: Never awaken the result. 

Ah, this thing. 

A ghost story not listed on the wiki. 

‘The kind I enjoy reading, though.’ 

It was exactly the sort of item-type ghost story perfect for killing time at the company. 

And after reading it, I could roughly tell through genre conventions what kind of ghost story this was. 

‘So instead of an egg-shaped mood lamp, it’s literally an egg that births something.’ 

And the life growing inside this mood lamp egg…. 

The resulting lifeform may also be used independently after birth.

Directly use the nerves and muscles of the observed lifeform!

It seemed I could use it as my body. 

‘…The description’s kind of grotesque, though.’ 

But my current state was probably even more grotesque. After surviving this ghost-story world for so long, I felt like I could handle this much now. 

‘Khff.’ 

As I turned the page to continue reading, I noticed a sticker blocking the contents of the next page. 

‘Hm?’ 

It was a kind of quality guarantee seal. 

<MangSang Home Shopping Guaranteed Authentic!>

The sticker stood out immediately with its flashy colors and fonts, completely contrasting with the rest of the manual. 

‘So it came from that place!’ 

Then the effects would definitely be dramatic. Products introduced there always focused on dramatic transformations or extremely attractive features. 

Like the blood bath I bought for Braun. 

—Oh, of course I remember it, Mr. Roe Deer! It was my friend’s very first gift to me. Quite a memorable item. 

—Though… hm. Yes. Once again, an item introduced by that home shopping program has found its way into your hands, Mr. Roe Deer. 

For some reason, Braun’s tone sounded subtly displeased. 

‘Weren’t they… on pretty good terms?’ 

Weren’t they both broadcasting-themed ghost stories? 

They had even invited that teddy bear from the home shopping program onto the late-night talk show. 

I could even vaguely remember being involved in arranging that teddy bear’s appearance back when I had been completely contaminated by the talk show…. 

—Oh, certainly. TV shows and advertisements exist in a mutually beneficial relationship. Though naturally, even among such relationships, there are clear positions. 

—Just as a background prop cannot replace the leading actor. 

…So the late-night talk show was the lead role, while advertisements were merely background props? 

—Haha, “merely,” you say. A bit crude, but you do know how to speak with wit, my friend! Yes. That is not entirely incorrect. 

—Advertisements exist to leave viewers impatient for the next segment of the TV show and to provide the budget necessary for the show’s production. Is that not their essential role? Even this Braun, as the humble host of the program, is sincerely grateful for such advertisements. 

—However, that home shopping program has recently begun forgetting its proper place. 

‘I-I see.’ 

Apparently, Delusional Home Shopping had done something to offend this legendary host…. 

Let’s stop there. If I kept listening, this would probably turn into something like, “Would you like to visit the talk show and learn the details for yourself?” 

‘Guess I should avoid buying things from that home shopping network if possible. Still, I should keep reading the manual for now. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.’ 

—Of course, Mr. Roe Deer. I’m looking forward to it as well! 

Phew. 

I carefully peeled off the sticker and attached it to an empty space before reading the rest of the hidden manual. 

Now it was finally getting into actual instructions. 

Required Materials:

2ml of blood from the lifeform to be cultivated

3cm of body hair from the lifeform to be cultivated

100ml saline solution

‘Body parts from the lifeform to be cultivated?’ 

Question: Is there a limit to what lifeform can be designated? 

“There is none. Do you require the blood and hair of a lifeform with specific physical conditions?” 

Well, the thing is…. 

‘Using someone else’s body without permission feels a little wrong.’ 

Whether the person was alive or dead. 

I glanced toward Section Chief Lizard. 

‘Come to think of it, why did he look human back at Segwang High?’ 

And why had he had black hair? The question briefly crossed my mind, but another concern weighed more heavily on me at the moment, so it truly passed by just as quickly. 

‘Using my current blood and hair is… probably a bad idea, right?’ 

To begin with, I wasn’t even sure this stuff would count as blood and hair anymore. Wouldn’t it be more accurate to call them bodily fluids and byproducts…? 

But it wasn’t as though I could retrieve blood and hair from back when I still had the body of “Kim Soleum.” 

‘When I was human, the thought of storing my own blood and hair never even crossed my mind.’ 

Even in a ghost story world. No, precisely because this was a ghost story world. You never knew what might happen if those things got lost. 

Of course, there probably wasn’t anyone deranged enough to do that sort of thing to a perfectly healthy person…….

…….

Hm. 

‘Actually, there might be.’ 

Kwak Jaekwang. 

It seemed the time had finally come to visit the company again. 

***

“Employee!!”

Tap tap. 

Inside the carrier, I made a gesture so the other person would notice me. 

Late at night. Inside the research team office, I had visited as discreetly as possible through Section Chief Lee Jaheon, only Kwak Jaekwang remained, his face bright red. 

“Hahaha! It’s been so long since your last visit! This is your first time back since entering the annex building, isn’t it?” 

That’s right. 

That was where I met Director Cheong and nearly got completely screwed…. 

Come to think of it, the one who warned me Director Cheong was coming had been Kwak Jaekwang. 

Question:

Whether Director Cheong took retaliatory action 

“Hm? Ah, against me? Hahahah! Really now, your concern is overwhelming…. Though nothing much happened.” 

Hmm. 

“Even if she knew, she’d leave a diligent researcher like me alone to continue working. She’s that kind of superior.” 

Kwak Jaekwang laughed, his face filled with the peculiar madness unique to scientists who had stopped seeing anything except their research. 

Well, if his research hadn’t involved ghost stories, he genuinely might have contributed greatly to society. But unfortunately, ghost stories were the problem.

Still, this time, that very personality trait might actually help me. What an irony. 

Request:

Blood and hair of  (former) Field Exploration Team D member, Supervisor Kim Soleum 

“Hm? What are you talking about—” 

Kwak Jaekwang started to respond casually before suddenly stopping. 

Poke. 

Because my smoke stabbed at the missing pinky finger on his hand. 

“…..… Well, during the hiring physical examination, we casually collect such samples. Strictly for research purposes, of course!” 

In the end, Kwak Jaekwang brought the requested items from somewhere. 

“Here are Team D’s samples.” 

I checked the screw-cap containers Kwak Jaekwang handed me. 

Stored within the sample box, they were labeled by date and name, and besides hair and blood, there were occasionally bits of flesh and fingernails as well. 

‘Putting aside the flesh, where the hell did the fingernails come from?’ 

I briefly stared at the fragment labeled as Section Chief Lizard’s nail, wondering whether it was actually a lizard claw or not, but eventually I quickly grabbed only what I needed. 

Team D Kim Soleum / Hair

Team D Kim Soleum / Blood 

Alright, now to head back and use the mood lamp…. 

“You’re going to use them, correct? Where? How? On darkness? Replication? Examination? Authentication? A curse? I’m truly… very curious.” 

…….

“Please let me observe. Please.” 

This is burdensome…. 

Still, Kwak Jaekwang had already made a “pinky promise” with me, so he couldn’t pull anything strange. 

‘In that case, maybe it’s better to proceed under expert supervision.’ 

Instruction:

Until completion,

No noise or interference 

“Hahaha, understood!” 

Condition: Permission from Section Chief Lizard 

“…Do you need anything?” 

“Yes.” 

I had no idea how he managed it, but somehow Kwak Jaekwang reached an agreement with Section Chief Lizard and stubbornly followed us all the way back to the residence. 

‘Good grief.’ 

Instruction: Wait quietly without making noise 

"......."

After silencing him for the moment–

I gently removed the mood lamp entirely from the box. 

The soft white egg-shaped lamp had an opening underneath that exposed the interior, and I opened it before filling the inside with blood and hair. 

‘And then….’ 

I connected the power cord. Activate. 

This process must be carried out in darkness or shadow without any external lighting. 

Just as instructed, the mood lamp suddenly glowed within the darkness. 

'...!'

Like shining light through an egg to check whether it contained a fertilized embryo, veins and cells became visible within the reddish glow of the lamp. 

And then they grew.

“.……”

It resembled the growth of a chick. Or cells being cultured in a laboratory. Or the birth of an alien lifeform in a science fiction film. 

Most importantly, as the shadow steadily enlarged, nerves, blood vessels, and organs appeared in exquisite detail while a silhouette gradually took shape within the lamp. 

[Oh, Mr. Roe Deer. I believe that’s a hand. Look at it clenching and opening!] 

That truly was mystical. 

At a speed resembling a biology educational video from a hundred years in the future played at ten thousand times acceleration, the life inside rapidly matured and formed a complete shape. 

A tiny bipedal lifeform the size of the mood lamp. 

Into adulthood. 

"......."

♫

Soon, accompanied by a brief recorded chime, the mood lamp’s light changed to pale green. 

Completion indicator. 

‘Done.’ 

I reached out, opened the mood lamp, and poured its contents onto the towel I had prepared. 

And then— 

"...!!"

The lamp’s opening grotesquely widened, and from inside, it expelled a life-sized human body. 

Kim Soleum. 

A body with exactly the same height as my former self. 

“It truly is Kim Soleum. Goodness, such a method exists…!” 

…….

I barely managed to inhale and exhale. 

Because. 

Question: Evaluation of facial appearance 

“Hm? Well, you’re fairly handsome. Hahaha! Don’t tell me you weren’t confident about Kim Soleum’s appearance?” 

No, that’s not the problem…. 

In other words, Kwak Jaekwang saw that as Kim Soleum’s face? 

…….

But you see. 

What I was seeing was different. 

…….

‘It’s a lizard head…!’ 

Standing before me was Kim Soleum’s body with the head of a reptilian alien attached to it!
‘Lizard!’ 

What the hell is going on here?

 

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