Chapter 6.2

Chapter 6.2

On the desk was a small welcome gift package—expensive snacks and company-branded office supplies.

There was even a diary tucked away in a half-open drawer.

Judging by the company logo on the cover, it was another standard-issue item.

‘But it’s from last year.’

Maybe it was left behind by the previous occupant of this housing unit. I opened the diary.

On the first page, in huge letters, it said:

– RUN.

‘Aigoo.’

I appreciated the wise words from my predecessor, but I was already too far gone.

Not even scary at this point.

‘Just another chapter in the horrors of corporate life, huh.’

My sense of camaraderie with the author of this note swelled. I closed the diary and carefully put it back in the drawer.

Now that I’ve checked everything out, it’s time to get down to business.

[Dark Exploration Records Real Merch Box]

– New merch unlocked! (!)

Now that I was alone, I could finally check it out!

‘Huu.’

With a bit of nervous excitement, I sat on the bed and reached toward the floating notepad in a comfortable position.

Tak.

Just like before, when it spit out the grip holder, the notepad opened, and something fell out.

It was a clear OPP vinyl packet.

Inside, I could see a stack of stickers, the kind usually used for fancy merch.

“This ...”

I picked up the vinyl packet.

Inside was a typical smiley-face sticker—yellow, with a standard smiling emoji.

A.k.a. the bribe item.

========================

Dark Exploration Records / Daydream Inc.

/ Items

Smiley Sticker

A salesperson’s best friend! ????

When attached to a sentient being, it induces mild feelings of friendliness toward the user.

Unlock Requirement : Must be a full-time employee or higher at Daydream Inc.

(p.s. Misusing the item for personal reasons, like flirting, will result in disciplinary action.)

========================

“Huh.”

Despite its cheap packaging and rough finish, this sticker was an iconic item used in several parts of <Dark Exploration Records>.

And soon enough, Monday arrived.

It was my first day at Daydream Inc.

* * *

“......”

Monday morning.

I made my way to Daydream Inc.’s headquarters with a less-than-pleasant expression.

Go Yeongeun, who I bumped into as I left the officetel, seemed surprised.

“Oh, Soleum-ssi, are you okay? Did you, um, not sleep well?”

“...Kind of, yeah. I’ll be fine.”

“Oh dear...”

The two of us, both new hires, exchanged a few short pleasantries as we walked the fifteen minutes to the headquarters.

Along the way, we passed a few other new members of the Field Exploration Team, all of them looking just as tense, though we only exchanged nods.

We scanned our employee IDs and boarded the elevator.

“I heard the Field Exploration Team uses floors 10 to 15... Ah, I’ll get off here. Soleum-ssi, let’s give it our best shot, okay?”

“Yes, let’s do our best.”

I waved as Go Yeongeun got off on the 10th floor, then glanced at the button I had pressed for my floor.

13th floor.

‘Even the floor number feels like a bad omen...’

I could only hope it was just my imagination.

I double-checked the assignment notice I’d received two days ago.

[New Employee(Field Exploration)_Assignment.pdf]

– Kim Soleum / D Squad

Ding.

The elevator doors opened on the 13th floor, revealing a hallway divided into sections labeled with letters.

I made my way to the automatic door labeled ‘D’ and pressed the button.

At the same time, I greeted those inside.

“Good morning.”

“Oh!”

“You’re here!”

A few adults sitting in the spacious office lifted their heads and greeted me.

One of the men stood up and extended his hand.

“Welcome to D-squad of the 15th unit.”

A woman with a blank expression and a bob haircut nodded and added,

“By the way, they call us the ‘Death Squad’ because all the newbies die.”

“......”

“Just kidding.”

Should I just quit right here and now?