<Daydream Inc.> is a creepy company that throws Field Exploration Team employees into terrifying ghost stories to extract potion concentrate.

This raises a question.

– If you recklessly throw employees into high-level, extremely dangerous ghost stories, won’t they all die and fail to extract the concentrate?

To address this concern and make the progression of ghost stories more convenient, there’s a setting where ‘employees can obtain custom equipment that becomes more powerful as they are promoted’.

However, this isn’t overly detailed. If they started breaking down the equipment into specific tiers and classifications, it would no longer be an internet ghost story but a massive game setting.

To make it easier for anyone to participate in the storytelling, a more convenient system was added.

– Customized personal equipment.

Employees who have proven their usefulness can receive supernatural equipment supported by the company.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that ordinary employees wield cartoonish superpowers—just a slight boost in special abilities.

It’s more about creating convenient situations.

‘Still, it’s great that it even exists.’

I unintentionally looked at Squad Leader Lee Jaheon with hopeful eyes, but when I made eye contact with the lizard, I quickly lowered my gaze.

I’m really not getting used to this.

“Oh, can I make custom equipment?”

“Yes.”

“…Could you explain it to me?”

“Yes.”

After asking three times, I finally got a detailed explanation.

Still, it was fascinating.

‘This is something I only knew bits and pieces about.’

The scattered mentions from <Dark Exploration Records> were now being organized and explained by the section chief.

“Custom equipment can be made using specific ghost stories owned by the company.”

Right. They’d use the ghost stories, of course.

 

[Toy Maker of the Cheerful Lab / Qterw-E-07]

[Kind Seed Kit / Qterw-E-99]

[The Offering of the Ritual / Qterw-E-404]

 

In my memory, these were the three ghost stories mentioned in connection with equipment creation by <Daydream Inc.> employees.

Among them, the one most used by the Field Exploration Team is…

“…That.”

Oh!

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

“It just so happens this is a ghost story that can only be used during moonlit nights!”

While my squad members gladly accompanied me for the experience, I headed with the section chief to the annex next to the company building.

Seizing the moment while the iron was hot, my superiors urged me to go now.

“Oh… this place is where relatively safe and useful ghost stories are kept in isolation.”

Assistant Manager Eun explained.

“The company usually calls these ‘Twilight-Class’.”

I already knew that.

Officially, these ghost stories are classified as E-Class.

However, simply calling them E-Class doesn’t quite fit the classification system.

‘They’re carefully selected useful ones.’

Some are far stronger than D-Class or less dangerous than F-Class, which is why most people refer to them by their unique name, ‘Twilight’.

“Roe, you saw that radio on your first day, right? It’s useful because it tells you your fortune for the day. It’s similar to that.”

After Assistant Manager Eun scanned her employee ID, the first-floor entrance to the annex revealed a staircase leading down.

And as we descended the stairs… we found a dimly lit reception desk with a figure sitting behind it.

The figure was peculiar, dressed entirely in black with a mask, sunglasses, and even a hat.

Was this an employee?

Supervisor Park immediately rushed forward.

“Hello! We’re Field Exploration Team’s D-squad, visiting for new recruit training.”

“……”

“We’re requesting access to Twilight-Class ghost story number 99.”

The dark figure gave Supervisor Park a brief, scrutinizing look before nodding.

With a nod, they pressed a button on the desk, and one of the emergency doors behind them opened.

Creak.

Beyond that door was a corridor lined with countless other doors.

“Don’t open any other doors by mistake. Actually, they’re probably locked, but let’s not even touch the handles.”

That’s sound advice.

I nodded silently and began walking.

Soon, we stopped in front of the door labeled ‘99,’ and Assistant Manager Eun placed her employee ID on the reader.

Click.

“Let’s go in.”

I lifted my head.

Moonlight was pouring into a greenhouse overgrown with weeds.

And in the center, a rusty machine stood bathed in moonlight.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Dark Exploration Records / Ghost Story

 

 

[Kind Seed Kit]

 

: A ghost story featured in <Dark Exploration Records>
: Daydream Inc. identification code – Qterw-E-99.

It treats objects as plants, extracting genetic information to crossbreed and sow them. Operates using moonlight as an energy source.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

That’s right.

‘If you put two objects in, it mixes their traits to create a new item.’

This was the ghost story primarily used by the Field Exploration Team for making custom equipment, and it certainly had the atmosphere of a ghost story.

“This is the Darkness our department almost exclusively uses!”

I stood in front of the rusty machine and asked.

“Does it cost points to use this?”

“Yes. For the Twilight-Class Darkness stored in the annex, you have to pay a usage fee to activate them.”

“Oh…”

“By the way, this one costs 1,000 points per use.”

Wait a minute. Isn’t that a bit odd?

“If it’s equipment necessary for exploring ghost stories, shouldn’t the company be subsidizing it instead of charging fees?”

As hopeless as this company is, they should at least cover that… right?

“Oh, once you become a supervisor, you can use it for free twice a year.”

“……”

Maybe I should’ve gotten promoted after all.

“So most people wait until they’re supervisors before using it. Usually, you only have to hold out for a year at most.”

Hmm.

I thought it over.

‘There’s definitely a reason Section Chief Lee Jaheon considered this useful, even though it costs points.’

Even though he’s known for relying mostly on brute force, I figured his instincts are sharp, too.

If a high-survival-rate employee gave special advice…

‘It’s probably the right decision to follow it.’

If investing 1,000 points could increase my survival rate early on, that would be the right call.

…Though my hands are shaking a bit!

“I’d like to try using it now.”

“Okay!”

Supervisor Park gave a cheerful response, but then seemed to realize something and whispered.

“…But first, you know you need existing equipment to put in, right? Something with useful abilities to use as a genetic marker.”

“Oh… right.”

I’d already confirmed that in this ghost story’s exploration records.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Exploration Record #05

 

Employee N inserted a tumbler* and a backpack.

The tumbler* was a special item (liquid poured after sunrise doesn’t empty until sunset, owned by Section Chief Choi ■■), while the backpack had no special attributes.

Seed result : Backpack

(Special attribute : Similar abilities to the tumbler, but empties after dispensing more than 87 liters of liquid.)

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

“Don’t worry! When a squad member is creating their first custom equipment, there’s a tradition where someone from the squad lends them their equipment for free once.”

“Yeah, but it’s just one item, not both. For the other one, you have to either use your own stuff or pay to borrow it.”

Assistant Manager Eun glanced at the Squad Leader Lee.

“And, well… the Squad Leader’s equipment is the best among us.”

As expected, he’s the boss here.

“If you wouldn’t mind, could I see your equipment, Squad Leader?”

“Sure.”

The lizard pulled something out of his pocket.

It was a small, ash-colored knife.

“This is a butter knife. If you cut the medium for entering the Darkness, it tears the space, allowing the transfer of small items.”

Oh.

“This is the equipment you used when you threw the AAA battery, isn’t it?”

“Right.”

I looked at the butter knife with newfound appreciation.

‘I was hoping for some defense-related equipment… but I guess that’s not easily found.’

Though a bit disappointed, none of the higher-ups’ equipment seemed to be defense-related either.

There was one for tricks, one for communication, and that’s about it.

‘If push comes to shove, I can probably get something with a similar effect from the alien shop…’

I made up my mind.

“So, you’ll put the Squad Leader’s equipment in?”

“Yes.”

Out of courtesy, I bowed my head.

“Thank you, Squad Leader.”

Section Chief Lee Jaheon gave a slight nod and approached the machine.

On the old LCD screen, some archaic-looking text appeared.

 

[Give me plants 0/2]

 

I watched as the Squad Leader placed his equipment into the machine to scan its ‘genetic information’.

 

[Plant information stored]

[Give me plants 1/2]

 

“Now you just need to put in the other item you want. …Oh, wait a second.”

Assistant Manager Eun quickly spoke up.

“If this machine isn’t completely weird, most things will work. But there’s just one thing that doesn’t.”

He tapped the sign attached to the machine.

 

※ Do not insert actual plants.

 

“Whatever you do, don’t literally give it plants, even though it’s asking for them.”

“……”

“The sensor at the door filters out all plants anyway, but I’m just telling you to be safe.”

Now that my eyes had adjusted to the darkness, I could see the nature of the overgrown weeds around us.

They were all fake. Artificial plants.

…One exploration record came to mind.

 

 

 

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

 

 

Exploration Record #14 (Irregular)

Employee R picked weeds (presumably dandelions) growing near the Darkness and inserted them into the machine twice.

As a result, [redacted] burst out with a scream of [redacted], and then [redacted].

– It took 7 days for the Security Team to subdue the situation. All three employees present, including Employee R, were confirmed dead. All plants were removed.

※ Notice: Repetition of this action will result in disciplinary action and termination.

 

 

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

 

 

 

Yeah. I definitely need to remember that.

“Yes, thank you for letting me know.”

“No need to thank me.”

Meanwhile, the section chief finished registering the equipment and retrieved the knife, placing it back into his suit pocket.

“Generally, in the other slot, you’d insert ordinary items, but in that case, the supernatural characteristics may be weakly inherited, or, in rare cases, not inherited at all.”

I nodded seriously, even though I already knew this.

“I understand. I’ll accept the result, no matter what.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled something out.

“Oh~ So you did stop by the dorm earlier. Looks like you found something you want to use?”

“Yes.”

In my hand was a silver coin.

– Silver Serpent Coin. An item I had bought at a huge discount from the alien shop.

“I plan to use this.”

I’ll just put an item in the other slot.

I had quite a few supernatural items on hand!

That’s why I was so pleased when I found out the ghost story the Field Exploration Team used was the ‘Kind Seed Kit’.

‘I have more sources for items than most people.’

From the black notepad that gave out merch from the void to the alien shop.

As soon as I stepped into this room, I had been mentally running through my lineup of items.

‘And the one with the highest grade is…’

This one, of course.

I rolled the round coin with the snake engraving in my hand.

‘It’s the most expensive when you consider the original price.’

Besides, considering that Section Chief Lee Jaheon’s butter knife was for ‘resource supply’, I hoped that this ‘currency’ would create some interesting synergy.

I brought the coin close to the machine.

The lizard’s pupils widened as they saw the silver glint.

“That?”

“A commemorative coin. I bought it as a souvenir during a trip… but it just felt right.”

“…I see.”

…Did he realize it was an ‘item’?

It didn’t matter. This is a world where encountering ghost stories is commonplace. It’s not too far-fetched for someone to unknowingly carry a supernatural object…

‘And it’s just a coin, so it doesn’t look suspicious.’

It’s a small, everyday item.

“It looks easy to carry. Seems like a good fit.”

“Thank you.”

I listened to my superiors’ words of encouragement as I completed the scan.

 

[Plant information stored]

[Give me plants 2/2]

 

“Oh, now we’re at the final step.”

 

[Please provide the gardener’s information]

 

That’s why it’s called ‘custom equipment’.

I don’t know what effect it has, but apparently, it requires the genetic information of the ‘gardener’ who will tend to the plant.

‘This step seems to have different effects depending on various factors.’

Though conflicted, I completed the scan.

 

[Information confirmed]

 

Here it comes.

 

[Combining genetic information]

[Kit in progress…]

 

Colored smoke billowed from the machine, accompanied by the creaking sound of gears turning.

 

[Sowing complete]

 

Hiss.

The front drawer of the machine opened, revealing a small object.

A gray coin.

It looked like a toy coin you’d use in an arcade. Its shiny surface bore the engraving of a glove on the front.

“Oh, it’s out.”

“Congrats, Roe.”

I carefully reached out and picked up the item.

It was my first piece of custom equipment.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

I headed straight back to the company dormitory afterward.

My superiors also left, saying, “Get some rest, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”

It seemed they didn’t want to make me do something stupid like test the equipment’s abilities while still recovering from entering the Darkness.

“…Alright.”

I sat on my bed and took out both coins.

One was the Silver Serpent Coin I had used as the “parent plant”.

The other was the gray coin that had been created by combining the Silver Serpent and the Section Chief’s butter knife.

Everything was great. But then…

“…How do I activate this?”

It wasn’t moving at all.

‘Now that I think about it, the Silver Serpent Coin wasn’t exactly an item with explicitly stated supernatural powers either.’

Could this toy coin, which looks like it should be used as currency, really be the equipment I got? Sweat began to form on my forehead.

Fortunately, my worries were soon dispelled.

“So it does work like this.”

I tried a classic action.

I flicked the coin with my thumb.

At that moment, the glove engraved on the front of the coin popped out, becoming real.

“……!”

A translucent silver glove appeared in midair.

The glove moved as if miming, writing something in the air.

 

[Insert coin]

 

…It’s asking for a coin?

I rummaged through my wallet and pulled out a 100-won coin, offering it to the glove.

But the glove rejected it.

“What?”

Is it asking for a different currency? Or perhaps…

“How about this?”

I offered a 500-won coin.

The hand happily accepted the coin, slipped it between its fingers, and vanished with a magical gesture.

‘Was it about the amount?’

This equipment operates strictly on capitalist logic.

As I stared in disbelief, the translucent glove floated toward my hand and merged with it, as if it were being worn.

“……!”

A strange sensation washed over me.

‘A third… hand?’

In front of me, a shadow-like projection of my hand appeared.

It moved according to my will.

I could push against walls, open bathroom doors, even write with it.

‘Its strength and precision are… about the same as mine.’

In summary, if I feed it a coin, it becomes a telekinetic third hand that can move for a few seconds.

The range is roughly… about 3 meters.

“If 500 won gets me 5 seconds, that’s not bad.”

Soon after, the shadow hand disappeared, and the translucent glove smoothly detached itself from my hand.

With a wave, as if bidding me farewell, it re-engraved itself onto the front of the coin.

“Hmm.”

Not bad at all.

This isn’t a tool that overcomes spatial limitations between ghost stories and reality, like the Section Chief’s butter knife.

But in exchange, it feels like I have a wider operational range within a ghost story itself, making it seem quite versatile.

Of course, there’s the limitation of how many 500-won coins I can carry in my suit while running around…

‘But this is a successful pull.’

It’s great that the coin didn’t reveal itself as a supernatural item and just blended in.

“Work hard for the 1,000 points I invested.”

I pocketed the coin alongside my other items.

While I was at it, I restocked my used-up ‘Smiley Sticker’ and grabbed another ‘Can’.

‘Humans really are creatures of adaptation.’

I lay down on the bed.

Surprisingly, I felt pretty good.

Even though closing my eyes brought back vivid images of that terrifying talk show, I could sleep decently as long as the lights were on.

Maybe it’s because the situation ended well.

‘…I did have some decent luck.’

My squad assignment worked out well, too.

‘Maybe because I earned so many points at once, things feel a bit hopeful…’

Sleepiness started to wash over me, and I blinked slowly.

But then again, I still had a mountain of points to earn for that Wish Ticket, and I had no idea how many more ghost stories I’d need to clear.

Still, for the first time, I felt like I might be able to survive through it.

‘Maybe I can quietly endure this.’

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

…That naive optimism lasted until only the next day, when I arrived at work and saw a company notice.

 

[Wow! A new recruit on their second day clears an A-Class crisis!]

 

“Roe, have a seat. It looks like we… well, your position is about to change.”

“Pardon?”

I’ve only been working here for three days though?